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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the 80:20 funding formula used by Homes England to ensure an equitable distribution of funding; and if he will make a statement.

This government is committed to unlocking potential right across the country, and whilst some funds have been primarily targeted towards those places where homes are too expensive or in too short supply, they have been utilised in all regions. It is important in some respects to direct funding to areas where there is the greatest affordability challenge, but any government that wants to level up must also direct infrastructure investment for housing to other parts of the country as well, and we will be bearing this in mind going forward.

As we respond to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I agree we need to take a fresh look at how all corners of the country can prosper and benefit from the funding they need, building on the action we've already taken through the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, £400 million Brownfield Fund, and £900 million Getting Building Fund.