Government Refuses Major Changes Recommended By Lords Committee

In February, the House of Lords Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment suggested changes to council borrowing caps, a review of the 1% rent cut and issued a call to “reconsider” its proposal to include Starter Homes within the definition of affordable housing.  In its response the government said it did not agree with the committee that the 1% rent cut may “threaten the viability of new schemes” planned by councils. The government did not accept the committee’s recommendation to review the impact of borrowing restriction on councils’ ability to deliver housing and said it is “important that the definition of affordable housing for planning purposes supports present and future innovation by housing providers in meeting the needs of a wide range of households who are unable to access market housing”. Read more on Inside Housing.