Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Mak and Lord Barwell

Monday 27th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[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.

[Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

18. What steps he is taking to support local growth.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Mak and Lord Barwell

Monday 24th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to build and develop more homes.

[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.