Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to address the shortage of social housing in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire, and (c) the North West.

It is for local authorities to identify the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require affordable housing, and reflect this in planning and other policies.

This Government continues to be fully committed to increasing the supply of social and affordable housing. Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme will deliver thousands of affordable homes for both rent and to buy right across the country, including social rent.

Local authorities themselves can deliver new affordable housing. We have given them greater flexibilities in their Housing Revenue Account as to how they spend their Right to Buy receipts and implemented a preferential borrowing rate for council housebuilding from the Public Works Loan Board, which has now been extended to June 2025.

Local authorities can also use Section 106 planning obligations to secure affordable housing and infrastructure required to mitigate the impacts of new development and support sustainable growth. The new Infrastructure Levy will aim to secure at least as much if not more, affordable housing than the current system of developer contributions. This will be secured through regulations and policy, supported by provisions in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.