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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter dated 19 December 2014 from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Planning Inspectorate concerning strategic housing market assessments, whether that letter represents a change in policy by his Department relating to the National Planning Policy Framework; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 5 January to Question UIN 219079. This letter does not change national planning policy, but clarifies how it should operate.