Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 July 2026
Letter from Age UK to the Chair dated 16 June 2026 concerning accessibility standards in new homes
From: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Inquiry: Housing Conditions in England
Summary
Age UK writes to the Housing Committee chair endorsing parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its accessibility standards for new homes. The charity calls for mandatory Part M4(2) accessibility standards in all new builds and revised planning guidance on older people's housing needs, arguing that over 90% of older people live in mainstream homes and good housing design is essential to their wellbeing and reducing care costs.
Key findings
- Age UK welcomes the committee's scrutiny of the NPPF and government plans to build 1.5 million new homes, but identifies gaps in current policy
- Current planning practice guidance on older people's housing focuses on specialist housing and does not address the needs of older renters or the majority in mainstream housing
- Age UK advocates for mandatory Part M4(2) accessibility standards (building regulations compliance) across all new builds rather than current discretionary approach
- The charity argues accessibility improvements can be incorporated 'without significant additional cost' and that small design changes can have considerable impact on older residents' wellbeing and care costs
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Caroline Abrahams CBE, Age UK, Florence Eshalomi MP, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Minister for Housing and Planning
Notable line
“Good housing is not only key to an older person's well-being but also to the cost of caring for an ageing population.”
Key Quotes
“… over 90% of older people live in general mainstream homes and the quality of their housing is central to their experience of ageing.”
“From the perspective of Age UK, much can be done without significant additional cost.”
“The current guidance is focused on specialist housing and does not take into account the needs of the vast majority of older people in the general mainstream sector.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗