Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 January 2026

Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 9 January 2026 concerning accessibility standards in new homes

From: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Summary

Minister Matthew Pennycook responds to the Housing Committee chair's November query on M4(2) accessibility standards for new homes. The government confirms it has not reassessed costs or supply impacts since 2020-2022, but outlines new proposals in an ongoing National Planning Policy Framework consultation requiring local authorities to set M4(2)/M4(3) targets, with a proposed national minimum of 40% of new housing to M4(2) standard.

Key findings

Government has not conducted a repeat assessment of costs, supply impact, implementation timeframe, or risks since the 2022 consultation response
New National Planning Policy Framework consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set proportions of M4(2) and M4(3) housing delivery
Government proposes a national minimum of 40% of new housing delivered to M4(2) standard over the plan period to formalise best practice
Proposals aim to balance robust accessibility requirements with flexibility to maximise overall housebuilding
Government is seeking consultation views on the appropriate level for the national minimum requirement

Tone

Procedural

Topics

housing-standardsdisability-accessplanning-policynew-housing-supply

Key actors

Florence Eshalomi MP, Matthew Pennycook MP, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Notable line

“The government is also proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standard …”

Key Quotes

“… the government has not undertaken a repeat assessment of the cost, impact of supply, timeframe to implementation or risk of retaining the current accessibility standards.”
— Matthew Pennycook MP · Responding to Committee inquiry on M4(2) adoption assessment

“The government is also proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standard, formalising best practice and driving up provision in areas without clear requirements.”
— Matthew Pennycook MP · Outlining new National Planning Policy Framework proposals

“We want to make sure that planning policy sets a robust minimum requirement, that will sufficiently boost the overall provision of accessible housing to meet current and future needs, whilst ensuring authorities have the necessary flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall.”
— Matthew Pennycook MP · Explaining balance between accessibility and housing supply

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗