Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to review the definition of affordable housing within planning policy to ensure it is aligned with social rent levels to better reflect local income levels.

National planning policy is clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require social and affordable housing, and reflect this in planning policies.

In December 2024, the government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which made clear that local authorities should consider the particular needs of those who require social rent.

The government is currently consulting on further reforms to the NPPF, including proposals designed to further support the delivery of social housing. These include reforms to the viability system and specifying a minimum proportion of social rent housing that would be required of major development unless otherwise specified in development plans. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.