John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Planning, commenting on the Government’s defeat and concessions on its flagship Housing and Planning Bill this evening, said:

“After yet more defeats and partial climb-downs, the government’s extreme housing plans are being exposed as simply not fit for purpose.

“It’s become clear to Peers across the House of Lords that this government has no proper plan to fix the housing pressures people face. The proposals debated today will mean a severe loss of low-cost homes, at a time when they’ve rarely been needed more.

“The Tories have lost all credibility with this half-baked Bill. It’s welcome they have backtracked on some areas today, but they must now urgently come back to Parliament with improvements that safeguard affordable homes for the next generation.”