Every parliamentary written question tabled by Edward Morello this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 160 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of housing supply for an ageing population in England.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support new housing developments for older people in West Dorset constituency.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of (a) extra-care and (b) sheltered housing schemes.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support the delivery of age-appropriate housing for people approaching retirement in West Dorset constituency.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of financial incentives for the construction of supported housing for the frail elderly.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps with Dorset Council to ensure local plans include provision for age-appropriate housing to support downsizing in West Dorset constituency.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require water companies to be statutory consultees for housing developments in West Dorset constituency.
I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 60676 on 23 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms for restrictions under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 on rural housing markets.
The government has not made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms for restrictions under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985. There are currently 52 authorities in England that have areas designated as rural.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support the delivery of smaller, accessible homes in West Dorset constituency to help older residents downsize.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with Dorset Council on (a) retaining and (b) attracting young families through new housing provision in West Dorset.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has received recent representations from (a) local authorities and (b) people in West Dorset constituency on the use of Section 157 provisions in the Housing Act 1985 to enable second home purchases.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the level of need for additional social housing in West Dorset.
The Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authorities, including Dorset Council, after the Spending Review detailing the announcements made in relation to social and affordable housing.For an overview of them, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58440 on 17 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the purchase as second homes of homes sold under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 in (a) areas of high housing demand and (b) West Dorset constituency.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with Dorset Council on expanding social housing provision in West Dorset.
The Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authorities, including Dorset Council, after the Spending Review detailing the announcements made in relation to social and affordable housing.For an overview of them, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58440 on 17 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support Dorset council to ensure housing developments in West Dorset are (a) affordable and (b) suitable for young families.
It is for local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including young families and older residents. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report. Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy. In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not making water companies statutory consultees in planning consultations on new housing developments.
Water companies are not statutory consultees on individual planning applications, but they are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans. The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure new homes in West Dorset constituency do not exceed local sewage treatment capacity.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9948 on 23 October 2024.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support older homeowners to downsize in West Dorset constituency.
Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of under-occupied homes on housing availability.
Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce low room occupancy rates in West Dorset constituency.
Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.