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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of using a prospective tenant's income to establish whether a property offers affordable rent; and if he will make a statement.

The social rent formula, used to set the initial rent on the vast majority of rented social housing, takes account of relative local income levels (as well as the relative value and size of the property).

The Government’s Affordable Homes Programme includes funding to support the delivery of both affordable rent and social rent homes, to help meet the needs of a range of people in different circumstances and in different housing markets.