Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Lewin this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–7 of 7 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to implement social rent convergence.
At the Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor restated the government’s commitment to implementing Social Rent convergence. We will announce a decision on how we will do so in January 2026, before the launch of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Communities and Local Government, how many (a) homes have been purchased through the council homes acquisition programme and (b) former homes bought under right to buy have been purchased back by local authorities since 2023.
Data on the number of homes purchased specifically through the council homes acquisition programme and on the number of homes sold under right to buy subsequently purchased back by local authorities, is not collected centrally. The number of all acquisitions by councils can be found in the Affordable Housing Supply open data, which can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the average deposit paid by (a) all first time buyers and (b) first time buyers using shared ownership schemes in 2024.
According to the English Housing Survey, the average (mean) deposit of a first-time buyer in 2023-24 was £55,372 (£32,700 median). Further information can be found in the English Housing Survey statistical publication on gov.uk here.In 2023-24, the mean cash deposit paid by first time buyers in England using shared ownership schemes sold through via private registered providers was £20,300 and the median cash deposit was £12,900. Figures for all shared ownership schemes sold through via private registered providers is available in Live Table 697.
Communities and Local Government, how many first time buyers there were in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025; and what proportion of those bought through shared ownership schemes.
My Department does not collect data on the number of first-time buyers.The Office for National Statistics publishes data on first-time buyer mortgage sales by local authority in the UK. They can be found on its website here. Data covers the period between 2006 and 2024. Data for 2025 has not yet been published.While it is not possible to provide information on the overall proportion of first time buyers that bought through shared ownership, my Department collects data on shared ownership sales by private registered providers of Social Housing, including whether these were to first time buyers.This data is used to produce an estimate of the proportion of shared ownership sales by private registered providers that are to first time buyers. These estimates are published for 2022-23 and 2023-24 as part of the Social Housing Sales and Demolitions statistical release. The 2024-25 publication has been pre-announced for publication in January/February 2026. My department only collects similar data from local authorities on a voluntary basis.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help councils use unspent Section 106 contributions.
While there are a variety of entirely legitimate reasons why local planning authorities may be holding unspent developer contributions, including to facilitate the effective delivery of phased development projects, we recognise the need to ensure that the contributions that developers make to mitigate the impact of development and make it acceptable in planning terms are used effectively and in a timely manner.Local planning authorities are expected to use all of the funding received by way of planning obligations. Individual agreements should normally include clauses stating when and how the funds will be used by and allow for their return, after an agreed period of time, where they are not.The Planning Advisory Service (PAS), funded by the Department, provides support to local planning authorities in the governance of developer contributions.Any local planning authority that receives a contribution from development through section 106 planning obligations must prepare and publish an Infrastructure Funding Statement at least annually. Reporting on developer contributions helps local communities and developers see how contributions have been spent and understand what future funds will be spent on, ensuring a transparent and accountable system.The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.
Communities and Local Government, what proportion of new homes built in the last five years are fully wheelchair accessible in (a) England, (b) the East of England and (c) Welwyn Hatfield; and how many of those homes are (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three bedroom dwellings.
The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home.
Communities and Local Government, how many people requiring a fully wheelchair accessible home are on the social housing waiting list in (a) England, (b) the East of England and (c) Welwyn Hatfield.
The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home.