Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 January 2003. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Thursday, 9 January 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has (a) to increase the supply of affordable housing in areas of shortage and (b) to make changes to reduce the loss of housing stock through the Right to Buy. - Inc ref to 18 July 2002, 389 c438.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has (a) to increase the supply of affordable housing in areas of shortage and (b) to make changes to reduce the loss of housing stock through the Right to Buy. [88546] Mr. McNulty: In his statement to the House about sustainable communities on 18 July 2002, Official Report, column 438, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister promised to return to the House with a comprehensive long-term programme of action to tackle a number of housing and planning issues in order to deliver a step change in the Government's policies for building successful, thriving and inclusive communities in all regions. The statement, which will be made shortly, will set out how the additional funding announced in the 2002 spending review will be used and what it will buy over the three years up to 2005-06. It will cover the provision of affordable housing in areas of shortage. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is concerned about some aspects of the way in which the Right to Buy is operating, and about exploitation of the rules, and is looking at ways of addressing this.

Secondary information