Affordable Housing

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 4:47 pm on 8 October 2008.

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Photo of Iain Wright Iain Wright Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Communities and Local Government) 4:47, 8 October 2008

I respect the hon. Gentleman's wishes, and I am more than happy to help in that regard. I was trying to set out the details of that important package of measures, because the House was in recess when it was announced. Some £1 billion of public money is being provided to help support the wider housing market, particularly vulnerable householders who face the risk of not being able to get on to the property ladder or of repossession. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the importance of parliamentary scrutiny in both yesterday's and today's debates, and I was keen to mention those matters for the first time since we returned from recess. However, I take on board his point, and I am keen to move on.

If I may, I should like to talk at length about the important matter of affordable housing and planning estimates, particularly in a rural context. I am very pleased that Matthew Taylor is in his place because, as has been mentioned, he has provided an excellent report. The Prime Minister asked him to look into the issue, and I shall quote from his original terms of reference, although I am sure that he does not need me to reiterate them. [Interruption.] I will be giving a test later on. He was asked to examine

"the application of land use planning to facilitate the provision of land for greater economic and social sustainability within rural communities, including land for enterprise and the provision of affordable rural homes".

The report was published in July. The crucial point that I have taken from it is that the best way to see our rural communities thrive is to invest in the wider issue of rural economies and communities, both by supporting jobs and through affordable housing.

To take the matter to another level, the concept of the sub-national review is to bring together the regional economic strategy, which is about the economic development of an area, and the regional spatial strategy, which discusses planning, housing numbers and a whole range of spatial issues, into an integrated regional strategy. That is key, and it is a bit of a no-brainer in some respects, because it is so important. I reiterate that I took from the hon. Gentleman's report the idea that we cannot only talk about affordable housing, and that how to sustain that housing with a vibrant economy is key.

I shall address directly the hon. Gentleman's point about the role of the Homes and Communities Agency. I hope that he welcomes the agency, as it will be valuable in driving forward a range of matters on affordable housing, the regeneration of communities, sustainable development and improvements in design principles. This morning, I addressed a rural housing conference called "Investing in Rural Futures". Sir Bob Kerslake, the chief executive of the HCA, made a speech, as did I, and so did Candy Atherton. I was able to announce that Candy Atherton, who has played an enormous role in pushing forward the issue of affordable rural housing, has been appointed to the board of the Homes and Communities Agency. I hope that that reassures the hon. Gentleman and others that the agency will not be an urban-led regeneration organisation, important though that is. It will also have at the heart of its strategic direction the importance of rural communities and affordable housing.