Oral Answers to Questions

Selaine Saxby Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clarke]

I am very happy to look at the situation affecting the hon. Lady’s constituent; it is something about which I always welcome discussion. We do have discretionary housing payments for people in very hard situations such as the case to which the hon. Lady refers. On the timetable for rental reform legislation, we will bring forward legislation when time in Parliament allows. That is an obvious priority for the whole Government.

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

My constituency has seen its supply of private rental properties drop by more than 60% in the past two years owing to the surge in short-term holiday lets. What plans has my right hon. Friend to redress the situation?

[Mr Clarke]

My hon. Friend is a consistent and effective advocate for the issues that affect rural constituencies such as North Devon, and I recognise—not least as a result of our conversations about the subject—just what a problem this is for her constituency. We are looking at all the options to ensure that there is a proper supply of rental properties in such areas.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Clarke]

The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful case on this issue and I commit the Department to meeting to discuss it.

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

How will my right hon. Friend ensure that affordable houses are built in rural Britain if the development size limit moves from nine to over 40?

[Mr Clarke]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. We are looking at all the measures that can be used to drive forward and accelerate housing growth, but as I said in response to the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw), there are compelling reasons why this option has not been pursued before, and I hope that will give some comfort to my hon. Friend today.