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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of councils to set housing policies that provide stakeholders with clarity over what affordable housing level should be delivered if the draft National Planning Policy Framework is adopted.

The draft National Planning Policy Framework proposes a standard method for assessing housing needs, with affordable housing needs considered in light of the figures this provides. This is intended to make the approach easier, cheaper and more transparent, saving authorities time and money when preparing their plans. We are considering the responses to the consultation on the draft Framework, including its implications for the capacity of local planning authorities.