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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is providing support to local authorities in rural areas where demand for social housing exceeds supply.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.