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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all new homes are built to Lifetime Homes Standards.

The M4(2) standard, set out in Approved Document M to the Building Regulations, for accessible and adaptable homes is broadly equivalent to the independent Lifetime Homes standard. Planning guidance on housing for older and disabled people published last summer strengthened the link between plan making and the M4(2) standard. Government will also consult shortly on options of how to raise standards of accessibility in all new homes. This is a further step towards raising accessible housing standards.