Housing Secretary James Brokenshire has said he hopes a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will be ready prior to the ‘summer recess’ on the 24 July 2018.
He was giving evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (HCLG) when the comments were made.
Labour MP Helen Hayes questioned Brokenshire on whether the government was planning the reassess its definition of affordability. He pointed out that the government’s social rent policies were important, while also saying there is a need to give local authorities flexible borrowing powers.
Hayes, though, said the government’s current definition meant some houses classified as affordable were not in practice. The government’s funding commitments would alleviate supply and therefore improve affordability, vowed the Housing Secretary.
On the standardised methodology for assessing housing need, Hayes said it “only serves to further fuel housing market overheating”. Brokenshire countered that it is just the “starting point for councils to use as part of their need and supply policies”.
He added that he would come forward with the finalised NPPF “very, very shortly”.
19 July 2018