Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins has spoken of his pride at the work being done to ensure servicemen and women and their families have priority access to homes.

Speaking at Communities and Local Government Questions, the Housing Minister told the Commons that the Government had published guidance strongly encouraging councils to prioritise Armed Forces members and their families for social housing.

He said: “As a former squaddie, I think this Government can be very proud of what it has done, whether it is the Help to Buy scheme, the covenant, or making sure that members of our Armed Forces who have been away from home still have a high priority on waiting lists.”

The MP also revealed that the proportion of successful applications to erect wind turbines had fallen from 52 per cent to 36 per cent since new planning guidance for local authorities had been introduced. He said: “This Government have been robust in laying out guidelines relating to landscape, heritage and local amenities, and in ensuring that the Secretary of State can recover those applications to ensure the guidelines have been adhered to.”