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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to issue guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion in planning.

This Government is committed to ensuring that planning decisions reflect the diverse needs of local communities. National planning policy already sets out the need to assess and meet the requirements of different groups, and we are consulting on proposed changes that will strengthen this, such as requiring stronger consideration of those in need of social housing. Any changes to the NPPF also undergo Equalities Impact Assessments in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty set out in the Equality Act 2010.