Give local councils the power to ensure all new homes are affordable, MP tells Housing Minister

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron asked the Housing Minister to give local planning authorities the power to make sure 100% of new homes built in their area are affordable.

Speaking during a question on high quality housing in Parliament, Tim said: "Reference to high quality housing often, I'm afraid, is seen as a shorthand for reference to expensive housing.

"And yet in my community we've got 6,000 people living on the council house waiting list.

"What we desperately need is affordable homes that are of high quality.

"So will she agree to change planning law so that councils such as mine in Cumbria and indeed all national parks have the power to enforce 100% affordability, so we build to meet need not just demand?"

In response, the Minister for Housing and Planning Lucy Frazer said: "Well, I've had a number of conversations with the honourable gentleman and he knows we are taking steps to help improve build homes in his area.

"Not only do we have the 11 and a half billion pounds fund, but we've also taken steps on the issue that he has raised with me in relation to second homes so that we can ensure that people who live in in particular areas continue to live there and use local services."