Stephen Hammond
Main Page: Stephen Hammond (Conservative - Wimbledon)(7 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Sajid Javid
Some similar measures have been taken in England. For example, on the issue of providing enough funding, the last spending review set aside £550 million to tackle homelessness, and I have mentioned the homelessness prevention programme. There is also £100 million for a new programme to deliver at least 2,000 low-cost accommodation places, which I think will also help.
Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)
Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Sajid Javid)
The Government are committed to building the homes that our country needs. Measures in the recent White Paper will ensure that more homes are planned for where they are needed most and that homes are built more quickly once they have planning permission, and they will diversify the housing market to make sure that it works for everyone.
Stephen Hammond
What actions is the Department taking to ensure that unused public sector land in London is released more quickly for housing development?
Sajid Javid
My hon. Friend is right to raise the issue of the broken housing market in London. I know that he takes the issue seriously and has done much to help in his own area. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning, who co-chairs the London Land Commission, is working on identifying new opportunities to release public land for housing. My hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond) may also be interested to know that the last autumn statement allocated £3.15 billion to affordable homes in London. The Government have done their very important bit; I now expect the Mayor of London to step up and do his.