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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of John Lewis's decision not to build 1,000 build-to-rent homes, in particular the implications for the viability of the build-to-rent sector.

We do not comment on commercial decisions.

The government recognises the important role Build to Rent plays in the housing sector, delivering high quality homes for those who rent, and supporting the delivery of 1.5m homes in this Parliament. We are supporting the sector with changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and with financial support through our £3.5 billion Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme, £2 billion Home Building Fund, and the new £16 billion National Housing Bank.