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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of linking the definition of affordability for new build homes to average local earnings.

The current definition of affordable housing was recently consulted on as part of the revised draft National Planning Policy Framework. This is in line with the existing statutory definition of social housing as set out in legislation from the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices, and the Framework does require that plan making authorities should identify the size, type and tenure of homes required for those who require affordable housing. This is a matter to be determined at a local level based on relevant evidence which may include consideration of average local earnings. We intend to publish the final version of the revised Framework before summer recess.