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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to ensure more effective coordination across central and local governments in the (a) planning and (b) delivery of new homes, including clarity about where responsibility lies for the resultant (i) transport and (ii) housing emissions.

Our Planning for the Future white paper set out how we will reform the planning system to make it more efficient, effective and equitable. A Government response will follow.

In addition, the Department is frequently in touch with partners across central and local Government to ensure the effective planning and delivery of new homes, and to advance shared priorities for both transport and emissions.

With specific regard to emissions, the minimum energy efficiency standards that we set for buildings through Part L of the Building Regulations must put us on the right path to achieve our net zero commitment. The Future Buildings Standard consultation, which was published on 19 January 2021, builds on the Future Homes Standard by setting out energy and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings, existing homes and to mitigate against overheating in residential buildings. Together, the Future Homes Standard and proposed Future Buildings Standard provide a pathway towards creating homes and buildings that are fit for the future and a built environment with lower carbon emissions.