Baroness Brinton: M4(2) Now! – Why the need for accessible and adaptable homes is urgent | Policy blog

Baroness Sal Brinton speaks for the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords on disability issues. As a wheelchair user she sits on the “Mobility bench” with other wheelchair users. She was President of the Liberal Democrats 2015-2019. In this blog, Baroness Brinton outlines why she believes bringing in the M4(2) accessible and adaptable building standard, now, is the one thing that will transform the lives of disabled and older people in the next 75 years and save the Government and households money.

Over the last few days, the Paris Paralympics has been exhilarating and enjoyable to watch. And, like London 2012, it’s been encouraging to hear that the Athletes Village is fully accessible. But, just as in London 8 years ago, many Paralympians and disabled supporters are finding Paris beyond is not as accessible.

So what have we in the UK learned since 2012? At the time of this Accessible Homes Week, not much.

Research by Habinteg over the last decade has demonstrated to government, councils, housing associations and – above all – disabled people, that building new homes to achieve the Lifetime Housing standard, or M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard, is not expensive and significantly reduces the future costs of adapting the home, as well as care needs as residents move into later life.

As a result of rheumatoid arthritis I’ve been using a wheelchair for close to 15 years, and was ambulatory with a stick prior to that. My own home has council-funded ramp access for my electric wheelchair, and we’ve added various minor adaptations to the house in that time. But it definitely doesn’t meet M4(2) standards, let alone the M4(3) wheelchair user standard.

Why M4(2)?

Habinteg’s campaigns over the last decade have given stakeholders all the evidence they need to build to M4(2). This means step-free access into the home; wider doors and circulation space; entry level WC with inbuilt shower drainage; adaptation ready bathroom walls (for the future); capacity for a stair lift and a wet room; space for entry level bedroom and a through floor lift.

But the problem is, the real-life issue means that new homes aren’t even meeting the basic M4(1) visitable standards. That means for wheelchair users that they can’t even get into the homes of their families and friends.

My great-grandmother Dorothea Brinton also had rheumatoid arthritis. After having four children, she became so disabled that she needed a wheelchair in her forties - she never left her home again. She died in 1951 before I was born. It is appalling that 74 years on, building standards remain broadly the same. Despite the benefits to public bodies (quantifiable) and to the individual and their family and friends, their self-esteem and quality of life (immeasurable).

What the research says?

Habinteg’s research shows that an accessible home significantly reduces the cost of care assistance in the home, because people can manage for much longer in their own homes with grab rails and wet rooms etc. These aren’t just cost effective for the user, but for the taxpayer too.

But there’s a further benefit too. Staying in your own home means that it delays the need for residential care. Talking to elderly family and friends they really want to stay at home. Imagine if many more homes were designed to make that happen! Typical savings range from £27,000 to £39,000 for basic home services. And it would reduce welfare services too, because disabled people with accessible homes are four times more to be employed, compared to those without accessible homes.

Why, you might ask. Well, I know that travelling to and from my work (car, rail, bus) is exhausting enough. If I lived in a home that was a struggle before I even opened the front door, the journey, let alone the work, and the journey home would be too much.

And the cost for building new homes to this standard? A tiny percentage of the new build cost. Around 10%. Yet the lifetime savings to individuals and the state make it an absolutely obvious thing to do.

So what’s the hold up?

In 2020, the last Government consultation showed that 98% of respondents (including developers!) supported the proposals to increase accessibility standards to M4(2). In 2022, the Government said they would amend building regulations to make M4(2) the new standard for all new homes. Sadly, it never happened. So, along with other parliamentarians, I’m on a mission to persuade the new Government to adopt M4(2) as the new baseline standard.

“M4(2) now!” may not be the catchiest slogan around. But it is the single thing that will transform the lives of disabled and older people in the next 75 years. And save the government an enormous amount of money. Let’s make it happen.