Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to prioritise the construction of key worker accommodation in the planning system.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that local authorities should assess the housing need of different groups in their communities, and support delivery of affordable housing to help meet those needs. Government is on target to build around 250,000 affordable homes through the Affordable Homes Programme 2016-23, with around 244,000 new housing starts by March 2023, and a further 5,000 homes granted an extension to start before March 2024. The Affordable Homes Programme will deliver a large number of social rented homes.

Our First Homes scheme will provide homes for first-time buyers at a minimum 30% discount. First Homes must be prioritised for first-time buyers (defined in paragraph 6, schedule 6ZA of the Finance Act 2003) and not sold to any household with a combined annual income over £80,000 (£90,000 in Greater London). Local and Neighbourhood Plans will be able to apply additional criteria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 192375 on 12 July 2023.