Social Rented Housing Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab)
1. What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social
rented housing. (904307) Simon Lightwood (Wakefield) (Lab/Co-op)
21. What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social
rented housing. (904328) The Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities (Michael Gove) Before I answer the
questions, may I on behalf of the Government extend my
congratulations...Request free trial
Social Rented Housing
(Southampton, Test)
(Lab)
1. What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social
rented housing. (904307)
(Wakefield)
(Lab/Co-op)
21. What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social
rented housing. (904328)
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
()
Before I answer the questions, may I on behalf of the Government
extend my congratulations to on his election as leader of
the Scottish National party? We look forward to working with him
in the future. It has been noted that he won by 52% to 48%, so I
hope that SNP colleagues will agree that there is no need for
another vote.
Everyone should have access to a high-quality and safe affordable
home. Our affordable homes programme is investing £11.5 billion
to deliver tens of thousands of new affordable homes, and a
significant proportion will be made available for social rent,
directly helping those most in need.
Dr Whitehead
I was shocked to read recently that only 6,400 new social rent
homes were built in England last year, when pretty much everybody
agrees that about 100,000 are needed every year to deal with
present and future housing needs. What figure between those two
numbers does the Secretary of State think would be acceptable in
developing social and rented housing in future years?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue.
Actually, I believe that the figure was closer to 30,000 overall,
but I believe, as the National Housing Federation and others have
made clear, that we need to increase the proportion of new homes
for social rent, and that is one of the aims as we reprofile the
affordable homes programme.
Last year the Public Accounts Committee assessed the Government’s
affordable homes programme. It concluded that targets were being
missed, that areas with high demand were not prioritised and that
savings to be made by reducing temporary accommodation were not
assessed. In Wakefield the council is using hotels such as
Citilodge to house homeless people, because it lacks the funding
and resources to acquire enough social housing. When will the
Government step in and help councils to address the social
housing shortage?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the point he makes. There
is a housing shortage overall, not just in social housing, and we
need to work with local government and others to increase supply.
The affordable homes programme is a critical part of that, and
that money would not be available if we were to follow the
prescriptions on the economy that those on the shadow Front Bench
put forward.
(North West Leicestershire)
(Ind)
The Conservative group at North West Leicestershire District
Council has already committed to hundreds of additional houses
for social rent. Will my right hon. Friend inform the House how
his Department is going to help my council deliver on that very
welcome commitment?
North West Leicestershire is one of a number of local authorities
with which we are working. The affordable homes programme and,
indeed, the ability to use right-to-buy receipts are critical to
making sure that we deliver the social homes the country
needs.
Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Growth Arc: National
Infrastructure Commission Report
(North East Bedfordshire)
(Con)
2. If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the
potential merits of updating the report on the Cambridge-Milton
Keynes-Oxford growth arc published by the National Infrastructure
Commission in 2017. (904308)
The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities ()
The Government completed a 12-week public consultation gathering
views to shape a vision for an Oxford-Cambridge arc spatial
framework. We are currently considering the responses to that
consultation and will provide more information in due course.
Over the past decade, housing growth in Bedfordshire has been two
and a half times the national average, with acute pressures on
our GPs, dentists and other local services. Today’s progress
review by the National Infrastructure Commission confirmed what
many of us have always known—namely, that East West Rail is an
excuse for even greater housing development in Bedfordshire and
the region. Will my hon. Friend please meet me and ensure that we
do not progress housing growth in the Ox-Cam arc before the
shortages in services are settled?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising the concerns of his
constituents, which are shared by many communities. We know how
important it is that infrastructure is delivered alongside
housing growth. That is why, through the Levelling-up and
Regeneration Bill, we will require local authorities to produce
an infrastructure strategy as part of the infrastructure levy. I
would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss it
further.
(Cambridge) (Lab)
Last week London Economics reported that the University of
Cambridge contributes almost £30 billion per annum and supports
86,000 jobs across the whole country. When Cambridge does well,
the whole country does well. The arc is the key to future UK
prosperity, so will the Government play their part by giving
local leaders the tools and access to investment so that they can
use the wealth that we create to set the stage for Labour to
achieve our mission to be the fastest-growing economy in the
G7?
As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for North East
Bedfordshire (), we are considering the
report of the National Infrastructure Commission, but this
Government are committed to levelling up and to devolution across
the country. We saw in the Budget, delivered by my right hon.
Friend the Chancellor, that we have devolved significant powers
to Mayors across the country, such as in the west midlands. That is
the right thing to do to drive prosperity across the country.
National Planning Policy Framework: Consultation
(St Albans) (LD)
3. What recent progress his Department has made on its
consultation on the national planning policy framework.
(904309)
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
()
Our consultation on proposals for the national planning policy
framework closed on 2 March. We are now considering all the
comments that we received and will publish an update in due
course.
Sites in Chiswell Green and Colney Heath in my constituency and
the north of St Albans district are under threat from the
Government’s top-down housing targets that do nothing to tackle
our problems of overcrowding or the lack of affordable homes, but
do decimate the green belt. In 2015, Ministers issued a statement
saying that these targets could not constitute a very special
circumstance for allowing green-belt destruction, but they failed
to incorporate that statement into the national planning policy
framework. Seven years on, can the Secretary of State please say
when those changes will be made and whether they will be put in
place in time to stop the planning inspectorate forcing through
speculative applications if they go to appeal?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that point. It is
precisely because we want to stop speculative developments
wherever possible that we are encouraging a plan-led system, and
our changes to the NPPF should achieve precisely that. But under
threat? Honestly, the Liberal Democrats have a right cheek on
this. They say nationally that they want more than 300,000 homes
everywhere, and then, on individual planning applications, they
out-nimby every other political party. I know that the word
“hypocrisy” is unparliamentary, Mr Speaker, but there is no other
way to describe Liberal Democrat policy on planning and
housing.
Mr (South West Hertfordshire)
(Con)
Notwithstanding the answer that the Secretary of State has just
given, can he assure me that when we do come back with the NPPF
revisions, there is very much a brownfield-first thread
throughout the guidance and rules?
Absolutely. Our aim, as always, is to promote brownfield first
housing delivery and urban regeneration. It will sometimes be the
case that individual planning authorities will designate sites
for development that are not brownfield sites. The new NPPF will,
I hope, give both communities control and developers
certainty.
Investment Zone in Scotland
(Inverclyde) (SNP)
4. What discussions his Department plans to hold with the
Scottish Government and local authorities on proposals to create
an investment zone in Scotland. (904310)
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
()
My ministerial colleagues and I are in constant contact with our
counterparts in the Scottish Government. My officials have had
positive discussions so far with the Scottish Government to
co-create an approach towards investment zones in Scotland and we
will continue to work together to develop an investment zone, or
zones, that build on existing Scottish strengths and our shared
national strategies.
Given that both the green ports went to the east coast of
Scotland, which flies in the face of the well-known convention
that west is best, can the Minister assure me that when
Inverclyde Council puts together its bid for an investment zone,
the Minister will balance that against the devastation caused in
the area by the lack of investment over decades by consecutive
Labour and Conservative Governments?
Greenock and Port Glasgow are two of the most attractive
communities on the west coast of Scotland, but I do have to say
that pitting east against west within Scotland is as bad as
pitting Scotland against the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland
succeeds when all of us work together. The new Leader of the SNP
is simultaneously a Glaswegian and a Dundonian, which is one of
his many achievements, and I do believe that we should work
together east and west, north and south, in the interests of the
whole United Kingdom.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Luton North) (Lab)
A total of 7,000 council jobs in Scotland are under threat from
SNP cuts to local government. Council leaders across Scotland
have written to the former First Minister warning of the
devastating impact of those SNP cuts—huge job losses and vital
local services across Scotland slashed. Can the Minister confirm
what the impact of those job losses will be on people in
Scotland, and can he say what the difference is between Tory and
SNP cuts to councils, or are they just two sides of the same
coin?
Talking of the same coin, we have the same coins in England and
Scotland because we are one United Kingdom, and it is the SNP
that wants a separate currency for Scotland as part of its plans
for separatism. I have to say that there are excellent SNP
councillors in Scotland, but they are being let down by the
Scottish Government. The hon. Lady is absolutely right: the
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is up in arms at the way
in which the Scottish Government have undermined local
authorities, in contrast to here in England where we are working
in partnership with local Government to devolve more power to the
frontline. I refer the hon. Lady to the paeans of praise for our
approach that we had from Labour leaders of local government just
last week. In contrast to that, I am afraid local government in
Scotland has been let down by the SNP. It was a key feature of
Kate Forbes’s leadership race that she said more powers should be
devolved within Scotland, and I hope the new First Minister will
take note.
New Homes: Regenerated Brownfield Land
(Aldridge-Brownhills)
(Con)
5. What steps he is taking to build new homes on regenerated
brownfield land. (904311)
(Chelmsford) (Con)
9. What steps he is taking to build new homes on regenerated
brownfield land. (904315)
(Tewkesbury) (Con)
10. What steps he is taking to help ensure that planning
authorities prioritise housebuilding on brownfield sites; and if
he will make a statement. (904317)
The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities ()
This Government are committed to making the most of brownfield
land. The national planning policy framework sets out that
planning policies and decisions should give “substantial weight”
to using suitable brownfield land, and through our brownfield
funds we are investing significantly in supporting redevelopment
and release of brownfield sites for housing. We have also
committed to launching a review to identify further measures that
would prioritise the use of brownfield land.
Under the leadership of West Midlands Mayor and Conservative councils such
as that in Walsall, we are demonstrating the value of
regenerating brownfield land to create the homes we need while
regenerating communities and protecting precious greenfield in
areas such as mine around Streetly and Aldridge. I welcome the
£100 million deal we received as part of the trailblazer
devolution deal, but will my hon. Friend continue to look at the
possibility of creating a register of brownfield land, as a
further tool to deliver a brownfield-first approach?
I thank my right hon. Friend for her consistent advocacy in
championing this vital issue. That is absolutely what the
Government are doing. We are introducing a number of measures, as
she set out, to support that brownfield-first approach, including
requiring every local authority to publish a register of local
brownfield land suitable for housing in their area.
In Chelmsford there are many households living in temporary
accommodation. New affordable homes are being built on greenfield
sites, but that is not keeping pace with the need. Will the
Government look at better ways to use brownfield sites, such as
office block to residential conversions, to help to deliver more
affordable homes?
My right hon. Friend is doing a superb job of pushing forward
affordable homes for her constituents in Chelmsford, and we are
wholly committed to that shared agenda. Since 2010, over 829,000
households have been helped to buy a home by Conservative
Governments. That is a massive achievement. However, it is vital
to prioritise brownfield sites such as those in Chelmsford, and
we recently consulted on proposed policies to further encourage
the use of those small sites. I am happy to meet her to discuss
that further.
Mr Robertson
Does the Minister agree that prioritising brownfield sites is
important particularly to take the pressure off small villages,
which face many speculative planning applications and do not have
the infrastructure to support them?
I know my hon. Friend expresses the concerns of his constituents
who live in those villages in the Tewkesbury area. That is why we
have already introduced range of policy and funding initiatives
to support the development of brownfield land. The Levelling-up
and Regeneration Bill will go much further to empower local
leaders to regenerate those towns, cities and villages by
introducing a new infrastructure levy, which will capture a
higher land value uplift to enable more infrastructure to be
delivered alongside housing.
(Coventry North West)
(Lab)
On 1 March, the Secretary of State received a letter written by
10 civic societies from Britain’s biggest cities, including
Coventry, about the 35% housing uplift. Given the widespread
condemnation of that arbitrary target, will the Minister meet me
to explain why it has been imposed on Coventry?
I will be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss housing targets
in Coventry. In the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill we have
set out the measures under which local areas will have more power
to ensure that the right housing is built in the right places. I
am happy to discuss that with her.
(Hemsworth) (Lab)
In Yorkshire, there are tens of thousands of families desperate
for affordable housing. CPRE, The Countryside Charity, says that
there are 115,000 potential brownfield sites in our county alone,
and tens of thousands of more are land banked, with planning
consent already given for housing. Yet there is executive housing
popping up like mushrooms in a forcing shed all over my
constituency on the green belt. Is the Minister happy that her
legacy will be a Government that poured cement and tarmac all
over Yorkshire’s green and pleasant land?
I think that this Government will be extremely proud of our
legacy of delivering affordable homes and homes for first-time
buyers all over the country. We need a locally led planning
system; that is why we are delivering measures in the
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to require more infrastructure
and a brownfield-first approach, backed by billions of
pounds-worth of funding.
(Kingston upon Hull West and
Hessle) (Lab)
The statutory requirements for the houses that we build today
fall far short of the challenges of a changing climate. Humber is
the second most flood-prone region in the UK after London, with
more than 190,000 at-risk homes, which equates to a third of all
properties in the region. Will the Minister consider urgently
introducing to the national planning framework stricter statutory
requirements for flood protection and mitigation?
The hon. Lady raises a vital issue. We recognise the importance
of protecting communities from flood risk. That is why we have
been clear in the national planning policy framework that areas
of flood risk should be avoided and that, where that is not
possible, all risks should be mitigated. That is further
supported by the flood risk and coastal change guidance, which
has been updated. I am very happy to discuss that in more detail
with her as it affects her communities.
Voter Identification Requirements: Local Election Turnout
(Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)
6. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the
introduction of voter identification requirements on voter
turnout for local elections in May 2023. (904312)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
We all know that turnout can vary significantly from election to
election because of a wide range of factors, so it is not
possible to model robustly the impact of a single factor on voter
turnout. That was noted by the Electoral Commission during its
review of the 2019 voter identification pilots. Our measures were
introduced to help protect the integrity of our
democracy—something that every one of us in this House should
seek to do.
Was the Department’s decision earlier this month to give the
Electoral Commission an extra £1.5 million to promote voter ID
made before or after the Department realised that take-up of
voter authority certificates was very low?
Part of the reason is to spread awareness about the new voter ID
regulations. We have given that additional funding to the
Electoral Commission, as well as additional funding of more than
£4 million to local authorities, to promote those additional
measures locally. We do not want to price anyone out of
democracy, but we must protect its integrity at all costs.
(Orpington) (Con)
Will my hon. Friend join me in reminding the hon. Member for
Lancaster and Fleetwood () that it was Labour that first introduced voter
identification, in Northern Ireland in 2003? The Electoral
Commission was unable, in its 2021 public opinion tracker, to
identify a single respondent who said that they were unable to
vote.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He has made the case for why
the measures are needed and will benefit our democracy.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Nottingham North)
(Lab/Co-op)
I am told by the Association of Electoral Administrators that
some returning officers plan to use greeters at the front doors
of polling stations to check whether people have the correct ID.
If they do not, they will be turned away. Currently, those who
are turned away will not be logged as having been refused a
ballot on the grounds of a lack of ID. Such a person will be
logged only if they make it to the main desk and are refused
there. That is totally daft and will, of course, completely skew
the data for the independent review. I cannot believe that that
is what the Minister wants. Will she commit today to correcting
it?
We know that about 98% of electors have the right identification.
We have put additional funding into rolling out our information
campaign so that people know what identification is required. It
is right that local authorities take whatever measures they can
to ensure that people have the right ID. Ultimately, we are
confident that this will not reduce voter turnout.
Private Rented Sector
(Brighton, Kemptown)
(Lab/Co-op)
7. What steps he is taking to reform the private rented sector.
(904313)
(Bracknell) (Con)
8. What steps he plans to take to sanction landlords who do not
meet their obligations to vulnerable tenants. (904314)
The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities ()
In our White Paper, we set out plans to reform the private rented
sector, giving renters greater security and safer, higher-quality
homes. We will introduce legislation in this Parliament.
I listened to the Minister speak to the Renters’ Reform Coalition
last week. She handled the questions very well, and I was pleased
to hear her announce that a Bill would be introduced by autumn of
this year. But since she gave the speech, 900 people have been
served section 21 notices. Every week that we wait means
thousands of people being evicted. Today, her Government have
announced tougher measures making it easier to evict people. Will
she give me assurances that renters will be protected, not forced
out, by her new Bill?
I thank the hon. Gentleman very much for his kind words, and I am
delighted that he was there to hear me reaffirm the Government’s
commitment to abolish section 21 evictions as soon as
parliamentary time allows. We are levelling up the private rented
sector to produce more safeguards for renters and allow more
renters to live in safe and decent homes.
I am grateful to the Minister for her answer. Bracknell is
blessed with many people who rent their accommodation from
private landlords, and it is really important that we do the best
we can for them. But by the same token, good law is balanced law.
Will she please outline what is being done to protect landlords
against tenants who do not fulfil their responsibilities?
As I said at the public event, good landlords have absolutely
nothing to fear from our reforms, which are right, proportionate
and balanced. As my hon. Friend is asking, we will strengthen the
grounds for landlords to use to regain possession, including when
a tenant is at fault. That includes making it easier and quicker
to evict tenants who commit antisocial behaviour, as set out in
the action plan today.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Committee.
(Sheffield South East)
(Lab)
On the answer that the Minister has just given, I should say that
the Select Committee recommended that when section 21 goes there
has to be a means of dealing speedily with cases of antisocial
behaviour. I am pleased that recommendations are made in the
antisocial behaviour action plan to prioritise such cases in the
courts. But antisocial behaviour also occurs in the social
housing sector, and it can often take a year or more to get to
court. Will the Minister agree that if we are prioritising such
cases in the private rented sector, we should have a similar
system for prioritising them for social housing as well?
I thank the hon. Gentleman very much; it was a real pleasure to
discuss those issues and many others when we met last week to
talk about the renters reform Bill. He has made a very good
point, and I have committed to take it away and look at it with
my officials.
(Blackpool North and
Cleveleys) (Con)
Blackpool has a significantly higher than average proportion of
private rented houses. I am sure that my landlords will be
delighted to hear about the increased flexibility that they will
have to deal with more problematic tenants. However, has the
Minister considered extending the provisions on mould and damp
that will now apply to the social rented sector to private rented
properties as well, to level up the private rented sector?
I thank my hon. Friend very much for drawing the House’s
attention to the issue of damp and mould. My right hon. Friend
the Secretary of State has been extremely active in pushing
forward improvements to social rented housing. It is right that
we should level that up to private rented housing. We will be
bringing forward the decent home standards in the private rented
sector in the renters reform Bill.
Service Charge Increases: Leaseholders and Social Housing
Tenants
(Richmond Park) (LD)
11. Whether he plans to take steps to help tackle significant
increases in service charges for leaseholders and social housing
tenants.(904318)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
Service charges must be reasonable and works and services must be
of a reasonable standard. We will empower leaseholders by
legislating, so that service charges are more transparent. We are
encouraging registered providers of social housing to limit
service charge increases for social housing tenants to 7% or
less.
I have been told by constituents who live in housing association
properties that not only their rents but their service charges
will be going up this year. One constituent has told me that
their service charge will increase from £15.18 per week to
£127.74—over £5,800 per year more for their service charge. These
constituents are already struggling at the top of their budgets
to accommodate increased heating and living costs. The Government
have placed a cap on the maximum that their rent can be raised
by, but that is surely arbitrary if the service charge can be
increased by such a drastic amount.
As I have said, service charges are payable only to the extent
that the costs have been reasonably incurred. If the hon. Lady’s
social housing tenant believes that the costs have not been
reasonably incurred, I really encourage them to go to the housing
ombudsman. Similarly, leaseholders can also challenge any service
charges through the first-tier tribunal.
(Hyndburn) (Con)
Following on from the hon. Member for Richmond Park (), although it is welcome that
the Government have capped rent rises below inflation for those
in the social rented sector, residents of Hyndburn and
Haslingden, and across Lancashire, are also facing rises in
service charges—increases of up to 11%—so can the Government set
out what support is available for those who cannot afford a
combined rent and service charge increase?
Obviously, we are very sympathetic to those who are feeling cost
of living pressures, which is why the Treasury put together the
£37 billion package at the autumn statement, followed by a
further £26 billion. Service charges should be reasonable, they
should reflect costs and there should be access to the ombudsman,
as there is.
Attracting Investment: Support for Towns
(Wythenshawe and Sale East)
(Lab)
12. What steps he is taking as part of his Department’s levelling
up policies to support towns in attracting
investment.(904319)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
The Government are supporting towns to attract investment through
a wide number of levelling-up initiatives. We are establishing
freeports and investment zones designed to incentivise private
sector investment and job creation in some of our most deprived
communities, and devolution deals are giving local areas the
opportunity to tailor policy to local investors. The £2.6 billion
UK shared prosperity fund has been designed around a key theme of
growing the private sector across the United Kingdom, and the
levelling-up funding programmes, totalling almost £10 billion,
are designed to revitalise town centres and grow local
economies.
Manchester and Trafford are cracking on with regenerating
Wythenshawe and Sale town centres in my constituency, despite
submitting excellent but ultimately unsuccessful levelling-up
bids. Does the Minister really think that the best way to level
up is to force cash-strapped councils to waste millions of pounds
entering endless beauty parades, just to get the investment that
they deserve?
That is why the Government will be publishing a full funding
simplification plan in due course, but it is also why we are
focusing on devolving more power and more money to local areas. I
hope that the hon. Gentleman will join me in welcoming the
fantastic trailblazer deal that we have just introduced in
Manchester, which is giving the power and authority there to
complete projects such as the one that he has referenced.
Sir (Rossendale and Darwen)
(Con)
In Darwen, we have taken our £25 million town deal and managed to
increase that to £100 million with private sector investment, and
in Rossendale, as part of our £50 million-plus levelling-up
funding—I thank my right hon. Friend the Chancellor for the £18
million in the Budget to level up the Rossendale valley—we look
forward to going out and courting businesses. Does the Minister
agree that the whole point of the levelling-up fund is to ensure
that local authorities have to work with their local businesses
to make sure they deliver best for their communities?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; Government funding is
just one part of the puzzle to ensure that local areas get the
investment they need. Attracting that private sector investment
is absolutely crucial, and I am grateful to my right hon. Friend
for all the work he has done locally to make sure we are fully
levelling up Rossendale and Darwen.
Building Safety Costs: Support for Leaseholders
(Battersea) (Lab)
13. Whether he is taking steps to support leaseholders with
building safety costs.(904320)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced extensive protections for
leaseholders in buildings above 11 metres. Developers in
Government schemes will pay for cladding remediation, and
developers that have signed contracts or are associated with
landlords will also pay for non-cladding work.
It is a national disgrace that nearly six years on from the
Grenfell tragedy, leaseholders in Battersea are still stuck in
buildings that are below 11 metres. It is not right for the
Secretary of State to say that this will be assessed on a
case-by-case basis when we know that shorter buildings will have
more vulnerable people in them, will have more cladding, and will
suffer from greater fire safety defects. When will the Government
finally get a grip and allocate resources, and prioritise those
according to risk?
I am sorry to disagree with the hon. Lady, but it absolutely is
the case that buildings under 11 metres typically have a lower
set of issues associated with them when reviewed on the basis of
the PAS 9980 principles, which are utilised to assess whether
issues are there or not. Where colleagues are aware of problems
in buildings, we have asked—and continue to ask—them to get in
touch with us, so that we can look at those problems. We are
doing so—I looked at a case in Romford only last week. If the
hon. Lady wants to provide me with further information, I would
be happy to look at those individual cases.
(South Basildon and East
Thurrock) (Con)
As my hon. Friend will know, the cost to leaseholders does not
just end with funding safety measures; many are paying
extortionate insurance premiums. Can he tell the House what
discussions he has had with the Treasury about reducing those
costs and making them more affordable?
Along with my colleagues in the Department, we are trying to find
an industry solution for insurance, and we have been working
closely with the Association of British Insurers and with
insurers directly on what they can do and how the costs for
insurance come down as remediation is concluded. I spoke with the
ABI only last week, and I will continue to meet it regularly to
try to resolve this incredibly important issue.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Greenwich and Woolwich)
(Lab)
They will only ever deal with a fraction of the problem at best,
but the developer remediation contract and the forthcoming
responsible actors scheme are welcome. Yet, as things stand, all
we know is that the scheme will initially focus on sufficiently
profitable major housebuilders and large developers, and it may
then expand over time to cover others. Blameless leaseholders
trapped in unsafe buildings deserve far greater clarity now as to
whether or not the contract and the scheme may eventually cover
their building. Will the Government give them that certainty by
committing today to publishing a full list of all developers that
the Department believes are eligible and should therefore
ultimately participate or face the consequences—yes or no?
I have the greatest respect for the hon. Gentleman, but the
reality is that he cannot suggest that only a fraction of
buildings are covered by the developer contract. Just in the past
two weeks, it has been confirmed that more than 1,100 buildings
will be fixed, with £2 billion of work covering 44 different
developers. There will be more announcements in due course, but
where individual leaseholders have concerns about moving those
buildings forward, we are happy to hear about them, but extensive
Government support schemes are already in place to allow
remediation to occur without waiting for the conclusion of these
developer discussions.
English City Region Capital Regenerations Projects
(Rother Valley)
(Con)
14. What the timescale is for English city region capital
regeneration projects to complete their work.(904321)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
I was delighted that my Department could provide more than £200
million of additional funding to 16 transformational capital
regeneration projects, including Rotherham’s vital bid to
regenerate Dinnington and Wath upon Dearne. My officials will be
working closely with applicants to ensure that these projects can
kick-start regeneration in these local areas as quickly as
possible.
I welcome the Minister’s response, and it is great news that
Dinnington high street got £12 million from this new pot of
money. Can she confirm that she will also look kindly on further
bids, when I bring them, for my other high streets, such as in
Maltby, Thurcroft and Kiveton? Will Rother Valley still be
eligible for round 3 of the levelling-up fund, as we got this
money from a different pot?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for Rother Valley, and I
know that two of his councillors who have been championing this
project are sitting in the Gallery—Councillor Ball and Councillor
Mills—and I thank them for their dedication. This project is due
to provide almost £20 million for local regeneration schemes,
including in Dinnington and Wath upon Dearne, but that is of
course in addition to Rotherham’s two successful levelling-up
fund schemes in the first round, worth a total of £39.5 million.
Labour let the Rother Valley down, but the Conservatives are
levelling it up.
(Denton and Reddish)
(Lab)
Thornley Lane North is literally the boundary between Denton and
Reddish, and the Minister will not understand the incredulity of
local residents to see these huge electronic billboards plastered
with “Levelling up”. Denton did not succeed in round 2 of the
levelling-up fund. Reddish did not succeed in round 1. What is
the Minister going to do to help me level up Denton and Redditch,
rather than leaving us out?
I am certainly happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss those
levelling-up projects. We have had a huge swathe of fantastic
projects that have been funded around the country.
Levelling-up Fund Bids
(Stockton North) (Lab)
15. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of
the delivery of funds for successful levelling-up fund
bids.(904322)
(Shipley) (Con)
20. What the deadline is for the next round of levelling-up fund
bids.(904327)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
The levelling-up fund continues to invest in infrastructure that
improves everyday life for local residents across the UK.
Levelling-up fund projects that are in delivery are closely
monitored through quarterly reporting, with payments made to
local authorities every six months. We have also agreed a £65
million support package to ensure that local authorities have the
capacity they need to deliver. I am pleased to say that details
of the next round of the levelling-up fund will be outlined in
due course.
For generations the people of Billingham have made a massive
contribution to the British economy—through the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries, among others—and they continue to do
so today. Sadly, the once state-of-the-art town centre, also
built on their backs, has seen better days. Can the Minister
explain why, when it comes to levelling up, the Government have
turned their back on those who have contributed the most and
deserve investment in their town?
I suggest that perhaps the reason that some areas have been run
down is due to decades of poor Labour management and investment.
This Government are putting billions of pounds into regeneration,
and I encourage the hon. Gentleman to make sure a bid comes in
for round 3 of the levelling-up fund.
I was delighted that the Chancellor confirmed in his Budget that
the next round of levelling-up fund bids would go ahead. The
Minister has just said that the next round will be “in due
course”. Would she like to be a bit more specific about when we
might expect the deadline for bids, and will she confirm that her
Department will work closely with Bradford Council to make sure
that the much-needed bid for Bingley town centre will be
successful next time around?
I am very grateful to my hon. Friend, who is a fantastic champion
for Bingley. As I have said, the third round of the levelling-up
fund will be announced in due course, but of course I will work
with him and Bradford Council to ensure that the bid is as strong
as it possibly can be for that round, so that we can deliver for
the people of Bingley.
(Barnsley East) (Lab)
Barnsley Council has lost 40% of its budget and half of its
workforce since 2010, which is a loss of £1.2 billion. Just £10
million has been given back to the borough through levelling-up
funding, with nothing for my constituency of Barnsley East. Does
the Minister really expect communities to be grateful for
that?
I would encourage the hon. Member to visit the Barnsley Futures
project—I actually had the pleasure of visiting those involved a
few months ago—and tell me that they are not grateful.
(Stoke-on-Trent North)
(Con)
Stoke-on-Trent was delighted to receive a UK-leading £56 million
from the levelling-up fund, righting the wrongs of 70 years of
Labour neglect and failure, when instead it has spent £60 million
on brand-new council offices. Having already seen Tunstall’s £3.5
million for the old library and baths, will my hon. Friend allow
Stoke-on-Trent another bid for the great mother town of Burslem
so that we can invest in our indoor market, the Queen’s theatre
and the Wedgwood Institute?
My hon. Friend is never quiet in his forthright campaigning for
Stoke-on-Trent. He is a fantastic champion, and of course I will
work with him to ensure that any additional funding opportunities
are there for Stoke. He has had a fantastic record so far on
attracting Government investment, but of course we want to do
more.
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
Mr Speaker, you and the rest of the House will probably know that
Huddersfield is a very large town that has never shown all that
much interest in becoming a city, but we are feeling very
aggrieved that we are not getting the help we need for some prime
development projects, particularly with the old market site.
Could the Minister look into our area, which is very split
between Labour and Conservative—and I am asking quietly and I
hope persuasively?
I very much appreciate the hon. Member’s constructive
questioning, and I would of course be happy to meet him to
discuss such projects further.
(Ynys Môn) (Con)
For decades, Ynys Môn has suffered from lack of investment. Now,
thanks to this Conservative UK Government, who are committed to
levelling up left-behind areas such as Ynys Môn, this has
changed, with £17 million from the levelling-up fund to
regenerate Holyhead and the brilliant news that Anglesey is to be
a freeport. I would like to put on record in this House my
sincere thanks, and those of my Ynys Môn constituents, to the UK
Government—diolch yn fawr.
I want to put on record my thanks to my hon. Friend for her
brilliant campaigning for Ynys Môn, really putting the island on
the map. Ynys Môn is benefiting from an incredible sum of money
from the levelling-up fund, and of course has the incredible
benefit from that freeport, in no small part thanks to her
brilliant campaigning.
Homeless Children: Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
(Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op)
16. What steps he is taking to reduce the number of homeless
children placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.(904323)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
The Government have been clear that the long-term use of
bed-and-breakfast accommodation for families with children is
inappropriate and unlawful. We will continue to work with local
authorities to limit its use, and we are giving councils £654
million through the homelessness prevention grant for 2023 to
2025 to help them prevent homelessness.
I thank the Minister for her response, but the reality for a
constituent of mine is very difficult. My constituent has been
stuck in a Travelodge for seven months with his wife, a
wheelchair user, and two sons. One son is autistic and has been
increasingly distressed at constantly changing rooms. The number
of families living in B&Bs for more than six weeks has
increased by 180% in London in a year, as councils struggle to
find affordable accommodation for families on benefits. Can the
Government commit to uprating local housing allowance at least by
the rate of inflation?
I am sorry to hear about the circumstances of the hon. Member’s
constituent, and I am happy to talk in detail. There are
currently 1,200 families in B&B accommodation for over six
weeks. As I have said, we think that is inappropriate. We have
made it clear to local authorities that B&Bs are a last
resort, and they are an interim measure to more stable
accommodation.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Luton North) (Lab)
Every year since 2011, the number of children in temporary
accommodation has risen—we are talking about well over 120,000
children without a home to call their own. It is a form of
homelessness that is out of sight, out of mind and on the rise
under this Tory Government—thousands of children stuck in bed and
breakfasts for longer than the statutory maximum of six weeks.
What do Ministers intend to do about the shocking numbers of
homeless children in temporary accommodation, and when? May I
remind the Minister that they are in charge of the parliamentary
schedule for as long as they have left in government?
Homelessness and rough sleeping is one of the biggest priorities
of this Government. We are devoting £2 billion over three years
to alleviate homelessness and rough sleeping. This is a major
priority of ours. Every family and child deserve to live in
decent, secure and safe housing. That is why we have helped half
a million people since the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 came
in to prevent homelessness. We have spent £366 million this year
on the homelessness prevention grant and £654 million over the
next two years. The Government are committed to getting people
out of temporary accommodation and into long-term, stable
accommodation.
Topical Questions
(Burnley) (Con)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities.(904332)
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
()
Today, the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister launched the
cross-Government antisocial behaviour action plan. My Department
plays a critical role in ensuring that the facilities are
available to divert young people from antisocial behaviour and
into productive youth work.
Regeneration is taking place across Burnley and Padiham thanks to
this Government, but to realise the potential we have to crack
down on antisocial behaviour in our town centres. What steps is
my right hon. Friend taking to crack down on ASB in town
centres?
My hon. Friend is right. Across the country, we need to have more
uniformed officers in crime hotspots and faster justice, so that
those who are responsible for damaging an area make reparation.
Above all, we need to ensure that the moral relativism that those
on the Opposition Front Bench have taken towards crime is at last
countered by a robust, pro-law-and-order response from this
Government.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Wigan) (Lab)
It takes some brass neck from a Government whose Prime Minister
has two fixed penalty notices to accuse us of “moral relativism”
when it comes to antisocial behaviour. In fairness to the
Secretary of State, he has had a busy weekend: another week,
another promise and another press release—he is at least
consistent with that. But I have here a document that reveals
that, even on his flagship levelling-up policy, he has been able
to get only 8% of his funds out of the door. He is good at
getting press releases out the door—why not our money?
In the Budget just the other week, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer was responsible for making sure that tens of millions
of pounds were spent, including £20 million in the hon. Lady’s
constituency and tens of millions of pounds across the country,
in order to level up. We heard during earlier from Members across
the House who have received support, had projects delivered and
seen change delivered. This Government are impactful, effective
and focused. On the other side of the House, I am afraid all we
hear is the cackle of impotence.
The desperation is absurd, Mr Speaker—8% of the levelling-up
funds have been spent. I am glad the right hon. Gentleman
mentioned the Budget, because in just one day his Government
spent three times more on a tax cut for the richest 1% than they
have managed to spend on the whole of the north of England in
well over a year. Doesn’t that just sum the Government up? They
can get their act together when it comes to the 1%, but when it
comes to investment in our town centres, local transport, decent
housing and delivering on a single one of the levelling-up
missions, why do the rest of us always have to wait?
The hon. Lady does not have to wait for the truth. The truth is
that, in the Budget, we adopted a policy put forward by the
Labour shadow Health Secretary to get waiting lists down. Now
that a Conservative Government are actually acting, the Labour
party turns turtle on it. That is no surprise coming from the
hon. Lady. When we published our White Paper on levelling up, she
said that our levelling-up missions were the right thing; in
fact, she wanted an additional mission. Now she says that those
missions should be scrapped. One position one week, another
position the next. Inconsistency, thy name is Labour.
(Southend West) (Con)
T2. Next month, as I am sure my right hon. Friend knows, is
National Pet Month. Sadly, I have been contacted by a number of
constituents renting in the private sector who have been refused
pets. Will he confirm whether he is still committed to
enshrining, in the renters reform Bill, the right for tenants to
request a pet and for such a request not to be unreasonably
refused?(904334)
The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities ()
May I say, as a dog lover myself, that my hon. Friend is
absolutely right to highlight that issue. Pets can bring joy,
happiness and comfort, which is why the Government will prevent
landlords from unreasonably refusing a tenant’s request to have a
pet. We will give landlords more confidence by allowing them to
require insurance to cover pet damage.
Mr Speaker
I call the SNP spokesperson.
(Glasgow South West)
(SNP)
May I add to the Secretary of State’s congratulations to , who shares many constituents
with myself? It is a great day for Glasgow Pollok and Glasgow
South West. May I ask the Secretary of State some questions on
intergovernmental relations? A third tranche of levelling-up
funding is yet to be distributed, £90 million of which should go
to Scotland. Rather than the botched and broken system, seen in
the last month or so, of funding distribution from this place, is
it not time to devolve the funding to devolved Administrations to
enable its fair and efficient use?
I welcome the desire of the hon. Gentleman, and indeed the
Scottish Government, to work with us on levelling up. I hope that
that means there will be a legislative consent motion passed for
our Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill. We will work with the
Scottish Government to ensure that funding is spent as
effectively as possible, but it is UK Government money that
supplements the block grant, over which the Scottish Government
have total control.
Before the spring Budget, the Deputy First Minister, , sent a letter to the
Chancellor raising several concerns, all of which were ignored.
What does it say about the state of intergovernmental relations
when the UK Government refuse to consider even a single concern
raised by devolved Administrations at Budget time?
We not only consider, but meet regularly with our colleagues
across the devolved Administrations. Last year, we had over 270
intergovernmental ministerial meetings, bringing together
colleagues. Of course, from time to time, given our respective
positions, we may disagree, but there have been a number of
significant successes where we have agreed, not least the
delivery of two green freeports in Scotland—an example of both
Governments working together in the interests of the whole United
Kingdom.
(Stoke-on-Trent North)
(Con)
T3. I applaud the announcement today by the Prime Minister and
the Secretary of State on cracking down on the tiny minority of
scumbags and scrotes who fly-tip, deal drugs and commit
antisocial behaviour. In Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke, we
have launched a campaign for safer streets, with 400 constituents
signing so far for new alley gates and CCTV in places like
Smallthorne, Cobridge and Tunstall. Will the Secretary of State
add his support to the campaign and meet Staffordshire police and
crime commissioner to see how we can get that
funding to our local area?(904335)
I absolutely will and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the
work he has done to ensure that our antisocial behaviour action
plan hits criminals where it hurts. I should add that apparently
the Leader of the Opposition was in Stoke-on-Trent North the
other week. He gave a speech on crime, taking over 30 minutes,
without any new policies. He should be arrested for wasting
police time!
(Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch
and Strathspey) (SNP)
T4. Does the Secretary of State believe that the concept of
levelling up across struggling communities with hard-pressed
families is undermined by footage of MPs in his own party
grubbing around for £10,000-a-day contracts on top of their MP
salary and other earnings? If so, will he condemn his Tory MP
colleagues’ behaviour?(904336)
Obviously, the capacity of people who are Members of this House
to do work to supplement the role they perform here is one that
is properly—if there is anything improper about it—a matter for
the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Privileges
Committee. I should say, however, that the hon. Gentleman was
happy to serve under the leadership of when he was, at one point, a
racing columnist for the Glasgow Herald and, at another, a
paid—
Mr Speaker
Order. Secretary of State, please, try to help your colleagues.
They all want to put a question to you. You’re that popular, but
you won’t be if you keep talking for too long.
(Rother Valley)
(Con)
T5. Home ownership is an important milestone in many of my
constituents’ lives. Many have excitedly bought new build homes,
particularly on the Harron Homes estate in Wickersley, or the
Redmile estate in Aston, only to move in and find major problems
that developers are refusing to make good. Does the Secretary of
State agree that they should rectify them
immediately?(904337)
That sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable. I thank my
hon. Friend for bringing it to our attention. We are committing
to providing buyers of new build houses with strong powers of
redress. We have legislated to establish the new homes ombudsman
scheme in the Building Safety Act 2022, membership of which will
be mandatory for developers.
(North East Fife)
(LD)
T6. The one good thing about the Elections Act 2022 was giving
overseas voters the right to vote. But with the election likely
no more than 18 months away, there is a real risk that they will
again be denied their vote. Will the Secretary of State update
the House on the progress of the regulations and provide
assurances that they will be in place for the next
election?(904338)
We will do everything possible to give effect to that democratic
extension of the mandate.
(Eastbourne) (Con)
T7. Local elections are fast approaching, but my local council
has said that, from now until 4 May, I can continue to send in
casework but it cannot reply. I will not know whether the council
has lifted eviction orders or responded to dangerous damp
conditions—the list goes on. I champion my constituents’
situations, but that will compromise what I can do to support
them. Does the Minister agree that the council’s ruling is wholly
disproportionate?(904339)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
Yes. Eastbourne council is wrong. The pre-election period does
not stop councils from responding to Members of Parliament, and
they should do so.
(Battersea) (Lab)
T9. The leasehold system too often traps homeowners, including
many of my constituents. They have complained to me of fire
safety risk, poor building maintenance, astronomically high
service charges and poor customer service. Labour has been
calling on the Government to end feudal leasehold systems. Will
the Secretary of State bring forward legislation on further
leasehold reform in this Session, so that all homeowners can live
in a safe, decent and affordable home?(904341)
Very good points. That is the plan.
(North Dorset) (Con)
The shared prosperity fund is vital for many people, as it
replaces EU funds. Last week, the Northern Ireland Affairs
Committee heard from First Steps Women’s Centre, Women’s Support
Network, Mencap and the Kilcooley Women’s Centre, among others,
about their huge budget problems, particularly given the lack of
a functioning Executive. Can the Secretary of State update
us?
My hon. Friend has been vigilant on behalf of communities in
Northern Ireland. We will make a statement later this week. The
Minister for Levelling Up, my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop
Auckland (), and I will do everything
we can to ensure continuity of funding for those services.
(Bath) (LD)
The south-west is one of the least affordable areas in the UK.
The Liberal Democrat council in Bath wants to build at least
1,000 more social homes for rent by 2030, but faces significant
barriers to purchase land. Will the Secretary of State give
councils the first right to purchase public land as it becomes
available, so that they can build desperately needed social
housing?
We will do everything we can. I congratulate Bath and North East
Somerset Council on wanting to build more social homes. It must
be a first that a Liberal Democrat council is in favour of homes
for its residents—normally, they oppose such developments. I am
glad to hear it.
(North Swindon) (Con)
A number of charities make sure that all play parks, both new and
refurbished, are fully accessible to all children, including
those with disabilities. That is a given in my patch and a
Government commitment, but the national design codes are still
too vague. Will the Minister hurry the officials up and unlock
this for all children?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities ()
Absolutely. My hon. Friend and I had a fantastic chat about this
issue recently. I am committed to following through on that.
(Leeds Central) (Lab)
At a meeting in Leeds on Saturday of leaseholders affected by the
cladding scandal, nearly two thirds said that they have
absolutely no idea when their home is going to be made safe—six
years after Grenfell. Does the Secretary of State agree that that
is completely unacceptable? What is he going to do to make their
homes safe?
I saw reference to that meeting on the right hon. Gentleman’s
Twitter feed. I owe him a visit to Leeds to talk to his
constituents about that.
(Bosworth) (Con)
I thank the Secretary of State for coming up to Hinckley only
last month to hear about the problems we are having with the
Liberal Democrat-run borough council, which does not have an
up-to-date local plan. The biggest problem it causes is to my
community, who put in neighbourhood plans that are ridden
roughshod over. What is his message to my constituents?
Well, I think the message has to be “Vote Conservative”, because
as we have heard there is a Liberal Democrat council in
Eastbourne that is not answering letters, a Liberal Democrat
council in Hinckley and Bosworth that is not ensuring that it has
a local plan in place, and a Liberal Democrat council in St
Albans that is paralysed in the face of the need for new housing.
The message is very, very simple: if you want action, get the
Liberal Democrats out.
(East Antrim) (DUP)
This Friday, hundreds of groups across Northern Ireland will face
a situation where their funding finishes and they will have to
close their doors. Will the Minister give us an assurance that
the problems with the shared prosperity fund, which was meant to
replace the European structural funds, will be sorted out and
that those groups, including Monkstown boxing club in my
constituency, will be given an assurance of funding?
The Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities, my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland
() has been working
incredibly hard. I am grateful to Members of Parliament from the
DUP and to the Chairman of the Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities Committee for holding our feet to the fire.
(East Devon) (Con)
Devon needs a devolution deal to deliver new powers and money to
the towns there. A good deal would give local leaders the levers
they need over affordable housing, public transport and local
skills. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can
get the best deal for Devon?
Absolutely. My hon. Friend is a formidable champion for Devon,
unlike the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (), who is not in his place
today when these issues are being raised. I do not know what he
is doing, but what he is not doing is working for people in
Devon, which my hon. Friend the Member for East Devon () does so effectively.
(Vauxhall)
(Lab/Co-op)
I welcome the Secretary of State’s words in the media yesterday,
saying that it is unacceptable for private sector landlords to
raise rents above the level of inflation, which is a big issue in
Vauxhall. Just last week, someone in Brixton contacted me to say
that their rent had been doubled in a year. Is it not the truth
that the Secretary of State needs to hurry up, put words into
action and bring forward the renters reform Bill now?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right; I should get on with it.
(Morecambe and Lunesdale)
(Con)
First, I thank the Secretary the State for the money for the Eden
Project Morecambe; it has been gratefully received in
Morecambe.
However, we have another problem that I would love to meet the
Secretary of State to discuss. The town council or the parish
council has raised the precept from £200,000 two years ago up to
£1.5 million. Apparently, that is to buy a piece of land that is
already owned by the public for a knock-down price of £1 million,
when it was bought for £3 million. If that is not the case, the
remaining money will go into a fund. As we both know, funds
cannot be raised against what is already there, unless it is
half. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the issue as
soon as possible?
Mr Speaker
Order. Topical questions are meant to be really short and not as
long as hon. Members wish. I think we need to give the hon.
Gentleman an Adjournment debate. Come on, Secretary of State.
We can definitely meet. I congratulate my hon. Friend on being
reselected as the Conservative candidate for Morecambe and
Lunesdale, with a unanimous vote. I look forward to him being
re-elected as MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.
(Barnsley Central) (Lab)
Do Ministers still intend to honour their manifesto commitment to
make sure that no region loses out as a consequence of the loss
of EU structural funding?
Yes, that’s the plan.
(Rutland and Melton)
(Con)
Solar companies across the country are cynically putting in for
just 49.9 MW to avoid having to get national approval from the
Government for their solar farms. Will my right hon. Friend meet
me to discuss this playing of the system and the Mallard Pass
solar farm proposed in my constituency, which will be built with
Uyghur blood labour?
Those are three very important points; I am happy to meet my hon.
Friend. We must not have the system gamed. We certainly need to
be vigilant about any commercial ties with firms that exploit
people in China, but we do need more renewable power.
(Weaver Vale) (Lab)
Will the feudal system of leasehold finally be kicked into the
history books with the next tranche of legislation in the King’s
Speech—yes or no?
Yes, that’s the plan.
(Cleethorpes) (Con)
In response to an earlier question, the Secretary of State said
how important locally-led planning policies were, but frequently
the Planning Inspectorate drives a coach and horses through
decisions made by local planning authorities, as was recently the
case in the village of Wootton, in my constituency. What is he
going to do to ensure that the Planning Inspectorate takes more
notice of local opinion, expressed through local councils?
Our changes to the national planning policy framework are
designed to do exactly that. I talked to the new chief executive
of the Planning Inspectorate earlier last week to reinforce the
point that my hon. Friend has consistently made on behalf of his
constituents in Cleethorpes.
(Glenrothes) (SNP)
Earlier today, the Minister was keen to pray in aid the Electoral
Commission in support of the Government’s voter ID plans. Will
she remind the House: in the commission’s detailed analysis of
the 2021 elections across the whole of Great Britain, how many
cases of voter impersonation produced enough evidence to lead to
a police caution? If she does not know the exact number, I will
give her a hint: it is half the number of people on the
Government Front Bench right now.
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. The point is to ensure that
the integrity of our democratic system is maintained, which is
something I will never apologise for.
(Brentford and Isleworth)
(Lab)
I, too, have many constituents who are leaseholders and who are
stuck in limbo and facing astronomical bills through no fault of
their own. Meanwhile, developers such as Galliard have refused to
sign the Government’s latest pledge. What is the Secretary of
State doing to fix that aspect of the building safety crisis?
Applying a vice-like grip to their nether regions.
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