Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Alan Mak and Lord Barwell(7 years, 9 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Gavin Barwell
This Government have increased discretionary housing payment to £870 million across this Parliament; that is a 55% increase, and thus far 60% of—[Interruption.] The hon. Lady says it is nowhere near enough; 60% of local councils have not taken up their full allocation.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Alan Mak and Lord Barwell
Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Gavin Barwell)
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced the £3 billion home building fund to ensure that we are not so reliant on a few large builders, and the £2 billion accelerated construction programme to speed up building on public land. We will be setting out further plans in a White Paper later this year.
Mr Mak
Havant Borough Council is working with communities to update our local plans to ensure that local housing needs are met strategically. Will the Minister join me in congratulating them on their work and welcome their commitment to ensuring that home ownership is within reach of everyone?
Gavin Barwell
I am happy to do that. It was a pleasure to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency recently and to meet Councillor David Guest, who is leading this work on behalf of Havant Council, and the great housing associations First Wessex and Radian, which are doing great work in this field.