Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Williams and Rachel Reeves

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Commons Chamber

[David Williams (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)]

2. What fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the supply of affordable housing.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)]

At the Budget, the Government announced major steps towards delivering a once-in-a-generation increase in social housing, including a £500 million boost to the affordable homes programme, increasing annual spend to £3.1 billion. The Government will set out future grant investment beyond the current affordable homes programme at phase 2 of the spending review.

[David Williams]

In Stoke-on-Trent and Kidsgrove there are many historic buildings that are lying dormant, and they have done so for a very long time. What steps will the Chancellor take to help to bring these beautiful buildings back into use as affordable homes for local people?

[Rachel Reeves]

Stoke-on-Trent has a proud industrial history and some beautiful buildings. My hon. Friend makes an important point—I will raise it with colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The £500 million boost to the affordable homes programme also allows up to 10% of that delivery to come from acquiring existing homes. Social landlords, including some local authorities, can bid for funding to bring empty homes back into use for social housing.