Adam Thompson

I do not know my hon. Friend’s locale particularly well, but it is important that he has put that on the record, and I am glad that he has done so. I want to be clear that I am not advocating for the status quo, because change is needed, and the good news is that change is coming. This Government have committed to the largest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation. They have launched a 10-year, £39 billion homes programme, providing councils and housing associations with the funding they need to bring forward new developments, which I think is wonderful. At least 60% of the homes delivered through the homes programme will be for social rent, ensuring that support is targeted at those families who are currently trapped on waiting lists and in temporary accommodation—I know that colleagues across the House will commend the Minister for his work on that. Similarly, the Social Housing Bill will help protect existing social housing stock, reforming the right to buy and ensuring that more social homes remain available for future generations. That Bill will increase the qualifying period for the right to buy, reduce discounts and exempt newly built social homes from the scheme for 35 years. Finally, I return to my constituents, many of whom are stuck on social housing waiting lists. Some are raising their children in temporary accommodation, while many others—especially young people—remain priced out of home ownership despite working hard and doing the right thing. This Government are working to bring back the hope of home ownership, and I believe their programme of planning reform and social and affordable house building offers the clearest route to delivering the change that our constituents deserve.