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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new homes are built to the lifetime homes standard.

Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings) of the Building Regulations sets minimum access standards for all new buildings. The M4(2) standard for accessible and adaptable homes, set out in statutory guidance, is broadly equivalent to the independent Lifetime Homes standard. Planning guidance on housing for older and disabled people published last summer strengthened the link between plan making and requirement M4(2) for new homes. Government will also consult shortly on raising accessibility standards, recognising the importance of suitable homes for older and disabled people.