Key Takeaways
- The UK government has proposed reducing targets for accessible new-build homes in England, with a minimum of 40% of new homes to be built to improved accessibility standards (M4(2)) and no minimum target for wheelchair-accessible homes (M4(3)).
- Disability campaigners believe the proposal is a "monumental reversal" of previous commitments and will leave disabled people feeling "betrayed and excluded".
- The previous Conservative government had committed to making all new homes meet the M4(2) standard, but the new proposal falls short of this goal.
- Campaigners argue that the lack of ambition in the proposal will exacerbate the existing shortage of accessible housing stock, which already leaves many disabled people without suitable housing options.
Introduction to the Issue
The UK government’s plans to reduce targets for accessible new-build homes in England have been met with widespread criticism from disability campaigners. The proposed changes to the planning system would require a minimum of 40% of new homes to be built to improved accessibility standards (M4(2)), which include features such as step-free access and wider doorways. However, the proposal sets no minimum target for wheelchair-accessible homes (M4(3)), which are designed to be fully accessible for full-time wheelchair users. This move has been labelled a "monumental reversal" of previous commitments, and campaigners argue that it will leave disabled people feeling "betrayed and excluded".
Reaction from Campaigners
Mikey Erhardt, policy and campaigns officer at Disability Rights UK, expressed his disappointment and frustration with the government’s proposal. He stated that it was "absolutely incredible to witness the government’s lack of principle" on the issue, and that the decision would have a devastating impact on disabled people. Erhardt argued that requiring 100% of new-build homes to be built to improved accessibility standards, with 10% to wheelchair user standards, would have been the right thing to do. This, he believed, would have created a level playing field for developers and sent a strong signal that the housing stock must change to meet the needs of older and disabled citizens.
Comparison to Previous Commitments
The government’s proposed changes to the planning system are a significant departure from the previous Conservative government’s commitment to making all new homes meet the M4(2) standard. This commitment was seen as a major step forward in improving accessibility in the housebuilding industry, and its abandonment has been widely criticized. Millie Brown, deputy director for homes at the Centre for Ageing Better, acknowledged that the 40% target was an "important step in the right direction", but argued that it was a "step back" from the previous government’s plans. Brown expressed hope that local authorities would be encouraged to view the 40% target as a minimum and strive to exceed it.
Accessibility Standards and their Impact
The M4(2) standard requires homes to have step-free access, wider doors, and entrance-level toilets, making them adaptable for people with limited mobility and older people. In contrast, homes built to the M4(3) standard must be fully accessible for full-time wheelchair users, with features such as ample turning spaces and accessible bathrooms and kitchens. The lack of ambition in the government’s proposal has been criticized for failing to address the existing shortage of accessible housing stock. Many local authorities have set their own targets for accessibility, with some areas, such as London, having a standard of 90% of homes at M4(2) and 10% at M4(3). However, rates of accessibility vary sharply across the country, with people living in the East Midlands or north-east of England being six times less likely to be living in a fully accessible home compared to people living in London.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The government’s proposal has been met with widespread criticism, and campaigners are calling for a rethink of the accessibility targets. Mark Gale, policy manager at the disability charity Sense, expressed his disappointment with the government’s decision and argued that inaccessible housing can be a huge barrier to independence for disabled people with complex needs. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the criticism. Ultimately, the proposal highlights the need for a more ambitious approach to improving accessibility in the housebuilding industry, one that prioritizes the needs of disabled people and ensures that they have access to suitable and affordable housing options.