HC Deb 23 May 2000 vol 350 cc431-2W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase housing investment over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [123009]

Mr. Mullin

When this Government came to power they inherited spending plans under which capital investment in housing was set to fall from £1.54 billion in 1997–98 to £1.37 billion by 1999–2000. We took early action to reverse this decline through our Capital Receipts Initiative and the Comprehensive Spending Review. As a result, we are making available nearly £5 billion extra over the life of this Parliament. In 2001–02, capital investment in housing will be over £3 billion—double the level we inherited in 1997–98. Our current Spending Review will determine investment levels in future years and decisions will be announced in the summer.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the link between investment in housing and directly and indirectly related employment creation. [123010]

Mr. Mullin

There are a number of important links between housing and employment, many of which are set out in our Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all". Housing investment supports employment in the construction industry, while the provision of decent homes enhances people's educational attainment and employment opportunities. The Government are investing nearly £5 billion extra in housing over the life of this Parliament.

Policies for housing and employment are being integrated through regional planning guidance which takes account of Regional Development Agencies' economic strategies and regional housing statements.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the priorities for housing in this year's comprehensive spending review. [123008]

Mr. Mullin

Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home, so promoting social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. Our priorities are set out in the Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all"—widely recognised as the most comprehensive review of housing for over 20 years.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to develop action zones in areas where the market has failed to provide sufficient housing in order to promote the development of additional housing. [123011]

Mr. Mullin

The Government are not aware of any areas where the market is failing to provide a sufficient amount of housing but we are aware of examples where housing is not necessarily of the right quality or design, and where it does not meet the most urgent needs of the community. That is why we have put in place the range of policies set out in revised Planning Policy Guidance for housing—PPG3—and our Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A decent home for all". Our policies encourage more sustainable patterns of development, improvements in quality and design, better use of existing housing, and the provision of more affordable housing.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of additional affordable homes required in each of the next five years; and how many are currently provided for under the Housing Corporation Programme and the local authority social housing grant. [123012]

Mr. Mullin

We do not make national estimates of housing need, since these are unable to adequately reflect the diversity of needs and priorities at the local level. The Housing Corporation forecast that the Approved Development Programme will provide around 18,000 homes for rent, and 4,000 homes for sale on a low cost basis in 2000–01. The Housing Corporation also forecast around 11,000 completions in 2000–01 through Local Authority Social Housing Grant.