Oral Answers to Questions

Gill Furniss Excerpts

Monday 12th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern)]

I have heard what the hon. Member has said, and will take it as a contribution to the consultation that we are having. She mentions the needs of children; she will have heard me say to colleagues that we have to change the way that we work on this issue. I will happily work with her to ensure that we cut the costs and get better outcomes for our kids.

[Gill Furniss (Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough) (Lab)]

T5.   Every two hours, someone in the UK is paralysed as a result of a spinal cord injury. After treatment, there is a 20% chance of being sent to a care home due to a lack of suitable available housing. I cannot imagine how a young person feels when they are coping with one of the most traumatic moments of their life, and are literally left lying by themselves. That is unacceptable. Will the Minister meet me and the all-party parliamentary group on spinal cord injury to discuss the serious lack of suitable housing?

[Matthew Pennycook]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. We have made proposals in the draft NPPF, which is out for consultation, to set new, higher requirements for authorities to deliver more accessible housing. This includes proposals to make meeting accessibility standards mandatory for 40% of new builds, and to ensure that local plans provide for wheelchair-accessible homes. I am more than happy to have another conversation with my hon. Friend on this issue.