Live Communities and Local Government Questions House of Commons

Hello and welcome to the live coverage from the House of Commons.

In an hour's time there will be questions tabled by Labour on sports

and compliant to the national minimum wage. After that the energy

of climate change secretary will make a statement on the Paris

climate deal which aimed to limit the right of global temperatures to

this than to decrease Soviet -- two Celsius. The transport secretary

will come to the dispatch box to update MPs on airport capacity. MPs

will then debate all stages of the European approvals bill before being

asked to approve documents for migrants needing international

protection. Remember to join me for a round-up in both houses of

Parliament at 11pm. But first, the and questions from the Communities

and Local Government Secretary and his team of ministers.

Order. Questions to be Secretary of State for Communities and Local

Government. Question number one, Mr Speaker. Hear, hear!

Thank you Mr Speaker. The northern powerhouse is running across the

departments. The northern powerhouse investment fund, ?400 billion, the

devolution deals that are being agreed right across the north of

England and of course the doubling of the enterprise lands in the

northern powerhouse that were announced at the spending review by

my right, Noble friend. Earlier this year the government invested over

?113 million in high-performance computing in my constituency. A

joint venture between the science and technology for facilities

Council and IBM, bringing high wage job. Does my right honourable friend

agree that investment in technology and science is key to be growth of

the northern powerhouse? I command my honourable friend's important

significant work in this area. Is a passionate advocate for this. This

is one more example of the investment does government is

putting in in order to build the northern powerhouse to read powers

our economy. -- rebalance our economy. Information spending is

being it protected and we are investing in the economic growth of

the future and this is a great example of that. He deserves

commendation for the work he has done in delivering it. When is the

government going to stop patronizing the North? We are a powerhouse. You

must be investment in it infrastructure. We are the people

who still make things in the country. We make the wealth of this

country. Many of people in this part of the world live parasitically on

our efforts! Stop patronizing! Start investing! I welcome the honourable

member's enthusiasm for the northern powerhouse as a project. This

government is recognising the potential of the North to drive our

economy. The difference that the North can make if it is invested in

and crucially if people in the North are given real control over their

own future. That is what we are doing and what the devolution agenda

is about and what the investment I have spoken about are about. We will

deliver it and big a big difference to his constituents and mine. Thank

you Mr Speaker. On this question, can he tell me what sport he is

giving to small businesses within the northern powerhouse? Should they

benefit from all procurements that are coming from that? The northern

powerhouse investment fund, that ?400 million, will be targeted

specifically at small and medium enterprises. We've got growth hubs

across the North which are driving out investment. You will see our big

industries succeed and thrive the economy, but small and medium

enterprises are important as well. We want to invest and give local

people the support they need. Thank him for his answer. He will be aware

that Scottish government procure compared to the UK government's

four. -- 26%. City deals can be drivers for growth. I welcome those

that have already been agreed and we will continue to have talks

including with some of the great cities and city regions in Scotland

about where we can go further and what more we can do. I hope that we

can and do course in Livermore because we can already see the

difference those deals are making -- Livermore. On behalf of my

constituency we think those who are helping now, those areas in the

north, so badly reflected -- affected by the recent flooding. The

LNS recently reported that the North is falling further behind as a

result of poor investment -- ONS. It is getting worse. The average

business now produces ?42,000 a year undervalue while in the Northeast

the averages on ?18,000. Any place of more cuts will he now includes

afflicted Dominic specific -- will he include specific is apples later

this week? The right honourable member raises the important point

that our E economy has for too long been unbalanced. The northern

powerhouse as a project is to invest an additional weakening Mark --

answer weekend, the potential. We will see that that investment is

going in, but more importantly going hand-in-hand with local control,

giving it to the people who know best how to grow the economies of

the North because they live in them and they are part the. -- they are

part of them. Stephan Phillips. Where is the fellow? Mr Andy

McDonald. Thank you Mr Speaker. I will answer questions three and six

together. Authorities have continued to provide an excellent service

whilst making sensible savings. The number of incidents is 42% lower

than ten years ago and fire deaths and injuries are at an all-time low.

The existing grant distribution formula disproportionately penalizes

authorities such as Cleveland, regardless of industrial risk and

other performance. Can he explain what assessment will be made to

identify less efficient authorities who can make surveys and more

importantly what capacity these authorities have to make further

savings? I'm grateful for his question. Can I use it as an

opportunity to pay tribute to the magnificent work of firefighters,

who with the other emergency services, can counsel staff

engineers and Armed Forces and the whole community have worked

tirelessly to protect and help people during the flooding in the

north of England. On the particular question that the honourable

gentleman asked, fire authorities have said had spending reductions of

less than local authorities over the last five years of copy at a copy as

given in the figures of how they performed very well and managed

those cuts. The National Audit Office has said that the picture is

one of financial health. What I would say in relation to his

particular case is that the spending power in Cleveland for example, for

the fire authority, is ?48 ahead of the population compared to ?37 that

is the national average. That is reflected in the formula. I'm sure

the Minister will know he has ornamented over the years there have

been cuts to the fire service. And he has mentioned the point that fire

service... Protect the work they are doing in places like Cumberland. So

that should be working on decent wages. What guarantee can he make

that local fire and rescue services will not be negatively impacted if

taken over by local PC sees? As he knows there is a consultation out

across the country on whether we should remove some of the barriers

to a better local collaboration between all of the blue light

services. That is to be initiated locally. It is to make it possible

if they want to. And for the purpose of providing a better service if

those changes would help. Can the Secretary of State confirm to the

House that greater collaboration between the fire services and the

police services, necessary to reduce costs, will not indent this tension

between firefighters and police going forward? I can confirm that.

They are two students think services -- two distinct services. I think as

he would hit New Orleans, the opportunity to work together should

be taken when ever that can make a difference to people on the ground

-- I think as he would notice. And argument particular to local

authorities. With the encouraged Wilshire counsel, conservative

control, but I doubt we don't encourage the fire service who have

been negotiating with them instead to seek to find common errors of

cooperation from the Council? I say, that is an answer for the services

locally. The consultation proposes requiring that there is discussions

taking place, but what they conclude is up to them.

Hear, hear! Thank you Mr Speaker. I would like

to pay tribute to my response to be fire and rescue services to the

floods in Cumbria and other northern areas. The service are rescuing

people who have been at Walter from flooding High streets and homes and

rescuing livestock, solidifying damage to rural communities. Yet all

those services who are responding have had cuts over the last five

years. We've lost nearly 7500 fighters, that's one in eight. And

over 12% in the local fire rescue services. Be fire services is a key

junction now. Is not safe effective or efficient to keep cutting

resources. Does the Secretary of State agree that any further cuts

will further the damage the fire and rescue services ability to meet the

risk in local major incidents such as the loop recent floods? And will

he commit to add the resources so be fire and rescue services can

continue to contribute to national resilience on the scale and at the

speed that the public aspect? Hear, hear!

I draw the honourable ladies attention to be report that was

published quite recently. It says the picture of today's is one of

financial health and says that fire authorities have not changed

emergency response standards as a result of budget cuts. The evidence

is when all but one fire authority is increased its reserves during the

period from 2010-2015, by 67% in real terms, this tells me that the

fire services are coping well with the reductions that they have been

made. The Staffordshire fire authority I should say decided to

build a brand-new fire station but reduced the appliances to a half of

what they presently are. Would he work with Matthew Ellis, the police

and crime commissioner and Staffordshire, who has good positive

plans to combine the police and fire service for the betterment of the

whole County? Hear, hear! That is the purpose of the

consultation that we have embarked on to remove the barriers that have

prevented that kind of collaboration. I'm interested to see

what he has to say about the proposals and Staffordshire. Thank

you Mr Speaker. Minister Brendan Lewis. With permissions I will

answer questions four, 13, and 18 together. We have delivered 270,000

affordable homes since 2010. Specifically, the 2011-15 affordable

homes around delivered 192,000, it exceeding expectations -23,000 homes

-- 193,000 homes. Is not surprising he is growing about this am a but I

can assure him that ?250,000 is not considered affordable. Will be

definition of affordability be changed based on the income in that

market rate? I will say she is referring to be massive Orr maximum

price. -- the maximum price. Want to take off that 20% discount we are

going to be doing, it actually helps buying home affordable for more

people again. Hear, hear! In Worcester, up courting to Council

figures 216 new affordable homes in the last financial year, a record of

any year since 1997. It was delivered by the conservative

administration the year after a labour and live them -- Liberal

Democrats delivered fewer. A good example of a good well-worn local

authority delivering housing for its local constituents. We are

determined to stand by those authorities and work with them. That

is why in the spending review I am delighted that ?1 billion was given

to deliver 4000 affordable homes across the country -- ?8 billion.

Given the property crisis in London, exceeded half ?1 million, first time

buyers will need to learn that ?70,000 is needed to buy their first

home. Does the Minister consider this affordable? And is not what is

he going to do to put homeownership in the reach of the many and not

just the few at the top? And that the honourable gentleman is now

joining our cause and wanted to make sure we build more homes that are

affordable for people to buy. 67% six 2010 is a good start. We want to

go further. That is why we want to deliver more, giving people a wider

opportunity to get onto the housing market. Also homes we have helped to

buy records in just a 5% deposit. Some members opposite believe that

homes can be made more affordable, for example in London, by returning

to be bad old days of rent control. Can I ask the ministers and many

others in this house that the government has no intention of

giving any future mayor powers to be able to reintroduce rent control in

London? Hear, hear! As my honourable friend will know we

are keen to see more and more devolution and localism of power,

but I am happy to say to him that this government will not allow it to

fall into a trap after the party opposite encouraged me to do. The

reality is that rent control drives the pie down and actually ends up

looking rents up. So we are against and will not be doing that under

this government. Hear, hear! Thank you Mr Speaker. The Minister

has talked about extra housing investment. I wouldn't want him or

the chancellor who has set the same thing to mislead the House. After

the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, the annual housing investment for

the government will be ?1.7 million. -- one 7p. At the money inherited in

2010 from labour it was the 1p. Not an increase, but a cuts. Not a

doubling, but almost a have. Maybe this is why his government has built

30,000 fewer affordable homes to buy Varosha home ownership than Labour

did in the last five years Hear, hear!

I'm somewhat surprised the honourable gentleman raised the

question. The lowest level of housing in this country since the

1920s, as well be Chancellor has not done under this government is now

seeing the biggest building programme in about 30 years. He's

wrong on the big picture as well. Under our national affordable

housing programme the number of homes built each year was bigger

than his under the last government. The hard truth is that for so many

people, the dreams of buying their own homes are totally unaffordable

and out of reach. Now he plans to fiddle the figures again by changing

the definition of affordable to include so-called starter homes that

can be sold at up to ?450,000. So with the at least agree with Labour

and the building societies Association that the discount on

these starter homes should be permanent. Not a windfall cash at

the end of five years, but there for the next generation of first time

buyers as well. Hear, hear! Afraid the honourable gentleman, I

have a big disagreement. He seems to want to stop Property owners having

the right to deal with their property in the way that any other

property owner would. We want to support people to buy their own home

and that is why we want to keep building more for people at that

discount for first time buyers and we are proud that under this, the

conservative led Coalition, we saw an increase in affordable homes

unlike the loss of 420,000 we saw in the years of Labour. Question number

five, Mr Speaker. The Autumn Statement did come from

?1 billion for over 400,000 affordable homes including the

shared ownership homes and ?2.3 billion towards delivering 200,000

starter homes. And held to by steam loss on the 1st of December, means

it has been extended through 2021. That means just a 40% equity is

being provided by the government for people in London and that will be

launched in 2016. I was pleased to recently attend the opening of

prospect housing. New development of 11 Apartments meant for shared

ownership and I will cover the notions introduced to expand this

being. Can ask the Minister what steps he is taking to encourage

local authority to build more shared ownership housing and ensure these

developments utilised Brownfield sites was back very happy. We will

relax on the move. Local authority restrictions to shared ownership to

make it easier for people to find the right home for their families.

Brownfield also has limited housing and we are committed to ensure that

those sites have planned commission housing by 2020. Number seven.

Since 2010 we have delivered to under 70,000 affordable homes,

including nearly 200,000 homes for rent. Delivering more homes to every

parent who have and investment. Someone 7p to deliver affordable

renting homes. Ministers attention to the question I actually asked

which is about social renting housing not affordable. Will he

confirm that in last moment the only social renting housing built would

have been funded before the 2010 General election. And there is no

funding at all in this Parliament for social rented housing. Together

with the Right to Buy for housing association tenants on the sell-outs

of no value properties, to become a nations of those policies mean fewer

social renting homes available for people and longer waits on the

waiting list for people who want one? Actually there was a 70%

increase in social housing waiting list under the last Labour

administration. It has actually fallen thanks to flick civilities

we've created and effect we more social housing built in the last

Parliament than the lads 13 years of labour before that. I encourage

local authorities to go forward building more. Thank you Mr Speaker.

The building of genuinely affordable homes for social rent and this

country has plummeted. No matter how much the Minister tries to dress up

the government's doings, his own figures are clear and speak for

themselves. In 2010 there were more than 38,000 homes built for social

rent, but by 2014 - 15, the figure was a truly dismal line priced at

500, with the housing and planning build making it virtually impossible

to build homes for social rent. And eight disgraceful sneaking of

proposals for local authority tennis. What does this government

have against people who rely on social housing to make ends meet was

ONS is the Minister going to address the huge shortfall in social

housing? I would I withdraw the honourable lady's to a few moments

ago when I outlined the last five years of this party's government and

that it oversaw more being built in the entire 13 years of labour.

Actually, affordable housing drop by 24,000 homes. Still over ?2 billion

ahead be required ability for local authorities to go and build more. We

have been very clear that we will help everybody who wants to aspire

to on their own home through the extension of Right to Buy and

delivering starter homes across the country. Viguera the honourable

member would be aware of the services of this department are

devolved in Scotland. Therefore there are consequences of spending

decisions that are made as affecting this department and he's got his

government as a result of the spending review. Will see a 14%

increase and the capital budget. A statement the Chancellor confirmed

extension of Right to Buy for housing associations affected for

privatizing them. We are aware that this has decimated social housing

stock across the UK, something that the Scottish government has

recognised in Scotland. The government, so-called one-for-one

replacement, under the new Right to Buy hasn't been funded by the

government funding. With the Minister explained what effect these

proposals have an housing in Scotland? The honourable member is

quite right to point out the at least one-to-one replacement that is

the intention of this policy which is welcome by those of us on this

side of the House. The spending review announcements will have a

violent consequences impact on the government of Scotland's capital

budget. That amounts to ?1.9 billion added to the what they already have

to ensure the Scottish Government is able to deliver on the things they

want to do for Scotland just as we want to deliver on our objectives

and manifesto priorities in England and Wales. Hear, hear!

Question number ten. Thank you Mr Speaker. There are

strict test to protect people and property from flooding with all

local councils are expected to follow. These including ensuring new

development does not increase flood risk elsewhere. Grateful to be

minister for that response. It is my experience that the environment

agency often does object planning applications, even in flood areas.

Especially where other areas could be caused to flow. Will be secretary

of state actually look at the policies and the practice of the

environment agency in this respect? I certainly will do what my

honourable friend recommends. I recognised his constituency

experience and indeed his expertise as Vice Chairman of the all party

group on this matter. It is the case that national planning policy in the

MPPF says that any new application in an area of flooding risk must

demonstrate that the area will be safe for its lifetime and will not

increase flood risk elsewhere and will possibly reduce it overall.

That test had to be passed for the development to be committed. Thank

you Mr Speaker. At the time to recognise the fantastic work that

firefighters do invocations of flood. Statutory duty for fire and

rescue services to respond to flooding? Hear, hear!

I'm grateful. He offers me to pay tribute to the fantastic work that

is being done in the north of England, but has been done already

years in times of emergency like this right across the country. I

will remind the honourable gentleman that any discussions we will have to

I will consider the point he has but forward. In my constituency we have

a bridge that has been partially washed away and the roles aside it

have been caved in because of flooding. Will my honourable friend

give us assurances that everything can be done as quickly as possible

to make sure this report is put back together as if it's an ad vital

place. I appreciate him giving that to his community in response to

conditions that have been faced. We are determined to ensure that things

are right. We are working closely with the authorities across the

areas. The funds that have been made available so far will allow the

assessment of what is required for restoration to be made, but then I

will be followed with the repairs themselves. Is the secretary of

state think it is right that the government are helping new people by

their own home through the Help to Buy scheme, but those very same

people will not be eligible for the flood insurance and the flood rate

that this government is introducing and rent April? The negotiation with

the insurance companies has been very clear that we want to make sure

that everyone in the country can benefit from the insurance that

gives them the peace of mind when they buy a new property.

Over 1700 communities are preparing neighbourhood plans to shake of

elements and their area. Diesel form part of the development plan and be

used to develop application. The reform will speed up and simplify

the process and allow people to leave my kitties to better engage in

local planning. The Minister will be aware that the planning Inspector

has deferred a decision on housing development plan. The ad has actual

shirt counsel to come back after a fuel query. What measures will be in

place to make sure that we do not have aggressive applications against

the best interest of the savagery of the town? Having a 5 euros land

supply and plays put local planning authorities and a place to resist

unwanted development copy furthermore, national planning...

I'm sure her local authority is well aware of that, and will make

decisions. Last Thursday as business questions, I raised the case of

something in my constituency where a small property that is now privately

rented has been converted into a house of multiple occupation, as

part of the Asylum dispersal programme. Does the Minister

understand the dismay of the neighbours of this property, that

the owners are able to circumvent landing and license in regulations

because there were only be five people house that property? I cannot

comment on an individual case without knowing all of the facts,

but I would refer the honourable subsuming to look at the measures

that we are breaking through in the housing and planning bill,

particularly dealing with landlords. The interpretations of neighbourhood

plans has been causing difficulties in the beautiful village of Hook

Norton. With the Minister meet with me to discuss how the can ensure

that the neighbourhood plan is adhered to? And the great of them is

that a Hook Norton is, it is a home to a fantastic brewery. I do hear

what he is saying and I will meet with her or I am sure my horrible

friend, the housing and planning Minister well. -- honourable. The

communities in New York need a family housing built, on the York

Central side. We hear that high-value flats will be placed on

that side, will the Minister listened to local communities to

ensure that their voices prioritise? I think the government has

demonstrated that we want local people to have a strong voice to

neighbourhood planning and in relation to the issue, the Honorable

Lady mentioned, I am sure that is on the record and her local planning

authorities should be listening to the concerns and the comments from

local residents. In the council areas where there is no adopted

local plan, local communities are continually let down by the planning

process. Would he give consideration in these circumstances to allow the

objectors the right to appeal? I think my Honorable friend makes a

very good point. By 2017, we will make sure that all areas have a

local planning place, and the housing and planning bill sets out

in some detail how we will achieve that. Question number 12. Thank you,

the government allow with the Scottish Government is working with

the Highland Council to identify opportunities for Highland city

region deal. Those discussions are ongoing, they are positive and

constructive, I hope they will lead to the outcome that I'm sure the

honourable member hopes for. They are right to raise the issue. They

are a great driver for growth and help us realise economic potential.

That is what we want to see. Highland Council has submitted a

detailed plan for the deal investment with the support of the

Scottish Government. Will be minister committed to advancing

discussions and indicate a timescale for finalizing the process to allow

the deal to get under way? Discussions are already under way.

Officials met with local representatives on the 2nd of

December, we will continue to work through those plans to ensure that

they are robust and will deliver what is needed and that they meet

the requirement that we look to place on such deals and that they

have the support they need in order to continue. We wish to see them

progress positively. That is the assurance I can give at this time,

these things need to be done properly and thoroughly as they are

taking forward. Number 14 Mr Speaker. I will be presented in

local government financial settlement for 2016 and one the 17th

of the house. I will show how we will lay out a sustainable

settlement and pave the way for future reforms, providing growth and

efficiency, such as local government has requested. Research by the dose

of lounging foundation has so that there are some areas that have great

need and have seen a large cuts in government funding. This is broken a

historic link. Over the last five years, councils have had severe cuts

to their funding while other areas have seen an increase. Forecasts

suggest that they will be at least a lost by 2020. What's with the

government do to make sure funding for local authorities to reflect the

needs of the people who live there? What I would say is that she would

wait to see what the settlement has in store. But what she should know,

from the last two years is that the spending power for rural, and ?2240

per dwelling is 70% above the national average at average. It is

higher than it was in 2010. Fistulas in my area, pay an average of ?80

more and Council tax, yet receive ?130 length and government funding.

This impacts local services. Does the Secretary of State agree it is

time to look for fairer funding for all taxpayers? What I would say is

that Iraq demise because of the delivering services in areas with a

very smart area is high for obvious reasons. The role services delivery

Grant was used to reflect those cross. It has been increased since

it has been introduced. When we came to make the financial settlement, I

will put that in mind as he make the assessment of what is needed? The

report found that there was a limited understanding of authorities

five sustainability. Can be Secretary and advises house of his

understanding of load taxpayer authorities. And the in

sustainability with the percentage across the board cut. Does he

understand that the removal of the grant completely and the retention

of all business tax without distribution will drive these

authorities right under the ground? As a former council leader, I would

have thought that the honourable lady with the inmate position to

welcome the settlement for local government. Not only provided over

the course of the four years a protection for the local government.

We did what the local government requested which was to make money

available for the care of the elderly duties also care preset. I

would have thought that her experience would have author of two

that. Does this reflect the pressures on top-tier authorities

for social care costs and restate the opportunities for greater

integration of health and adult social care spending in this area

has supported by others? He is absolutely right. I had a

communication from the local Government Association that said

that they estimated the gap is unaddressed would be to .9 billion

in the spending review settlement, the Chancellor allocated three and a

half billion to reflect the needs of helping our elderly population. That

was a significant result for local government. Has become too big

settlement for individual authorities, we will make sure that

that is in the hands of local people. At least 340 unaccompanied

child asylum seeker disappeared in this country between January and

September. That is twice as many as the calendar year before. This leads

them at terrifying risk of abuse, sexual exploitation and

radicalisation. Councils they funding cuts means that they don't

have the resources to protect these children. Why is the government

going ahead in these circumstances with a further cut to the

unaccompanied child asylum seeker grant? What I would say is that

these are important strategy responsibilities of local

authorities. It is vital that they do start seven. To the settlement,

the Chancellor has made available funds to local government to make

sure that the cast supplemented by the end of the period, the financial

spending review period is the same as the beginning. That is a positive

result for local government. Number 15 Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker,

the number of local authorities that have resettled Syrian of refugees

and changes as more arrived. I don't think it is practical to give a

number on the authorities participating, around 50 local

authorities confirmed places before Christmas. Does the ministers share

my concerns about the rise of a phobia in the country filled by

right wing of? How should they deal with and how should they support

refugees? I do share his concern about Islam a phobia, as far as the

refugees who have arrived here, I have gotten nothing but a warm

welcome from all parts of the UK. I'm certain that will continue.

Local authorities seem to be confused about their role in this,

is there anything the Minister can do can add clarity and hurry things

along? Dealings with local authorities is on particular cases,

we do not have any power to insist that refugees go to certain places

but we are working with, County councils and district councils, and

a metropolitan borough areas. It is a very flexible system, all I can

say is it it has worked very well. The number of places that have been

offered is the equivalent to the number of refugees that are

arriving. Planning appeals are determined in accordance with

development plan, unless said otherwise. Once brought in, and

neighbourhood plan is part of a development plan. As the Minister

won no, a few weeks ago, villages were going to the polls to vote on

the referendum on their neighbourhood plan. At the very same

time, a Secretary of State was allowing a housing, a planning

appeal in their area. How can the Minister and Sun Microsystems after

all of the world that they put it, what assurance can they put in that

work is worthwhile? I'm happy he took interest in local matters as

does the. He he will be happy that I cannot comment on individual cases.

The letter provided with them sent out the difference between them. And

why it has been done, the Secretary of State will always give

appropriate weight to neighbourhood plan. It is a important part of our

vetting process. We welcome them. Thank you Mr Speaker, we will be

presenting our proposals for a sustainable and fair 2016 and 17

local government finance settlement to the house. We propose to consider

our approach from being dependent, to benefiting from promoting local

growth. Spending on adult social care has fallen by ?65 per person in

the most deprived communities. Prepared -- compared to other

communities. And one of the councils I represent, the shortfall in

funding is ?20 million. ?2 million can be raised by increasing council

tax by 2%. Isn't it true that allowing an ask her rise in council

tax devolves the blame without fixing the probable? The local

government settlement that will come very shortly, we will announce

changes to local government finances to rebound support including those

authorities with adult social care responsibilities. By taking into

account the main resources available to councils including counsel back

tax and business rates. We are speaking with Southeast balance a

look at proposals, it is welcome that so many parts of Scotland

aren't keen to be part of the process of delivering city deals.

They will agree in such a way that will drive economic growth. Despite

the obvious wealth,... 21% of children and a proposed for the

region are living in poverty. The economy is not being held by

government positions. Can be minister tell us what he thinks is

going to help? The time and never makes an important point about the

diverse nature of the area of which he talked. We want to ensure that we

can deliver the growth so that it can realise its potential. We will

continue to have talks, which I think have been productive and

constructive. We will continue to work constructively to the liver

that city deal if it can be delivered in the right way. These

things must be decided properly. That is the process that is under

way. The housing and planning bill does contain measures to tackle and

go further with landlords than any before. We want to roll out

landlords who rent out substandard accommodation and do all we can to

make sure that tenants have a good and safe environment. A tougher

fitter proper person test. ... Over the past five years, despite

privately raised in homes, rents have sorted, and are a fit higher

than they were in 2010. Why have is the government not taken any steps

with the soaring rents? And she looks at the rents over the last

five years, it has been a lower. We are going a lot further than ever

before in terms of cracking down on landlords. We all want to see cross

party put out of business. An important part is making sure that

landlord understand their obligations and that tenants

understand what is available. What is the action they are taking to

understand that they understand their responsibilities? He makes a

good point. Apart from what we aren't doing to publicise, we have

published a guide for tennis to look at so that they can understand the

rights they have. We should be clear, and tenant should be happy

with it? . Order! Thank you Mr Speaker. Before Christmas, I wish

everybody a happy Christmas. Since the last questions, the spending

review has announced the biggest affordable housing programmes in the

1970s. Delivering them many affordable homes, we have agreed

devolution deals with Liverpool and the West Midlands and completed the

committee states of the housing and planning bill. We will continue to

develop new devolution deals with communities in order to give off

more power and resources across the country. As my right honourable

friend might know, I am running a campaign to save the hedgehog. Can I

ask my right honourable friend, and he will ask his department, to

provide guidance to local authorities on how to make the

gardens and the new feels more hedgehog friendly and ensure that we

can actually have a hedgehog superhighway. What I would say, I

know this is a prickly issue for him, let me get straight to point. I

want the issuing guidance on the protection of hedgehogs, but I will

draw members attention to the excellent publications of the

British hedgehog preservation Society, and their guide to looking

hedgehog. I would recommend for any Honorable members who want to curl

up this Christmas and read it. The words hedgehog, superhighway did not

trip off the Secretary of State Tonka. Maybe he is preserving them

for another occasion. Why is it that those councils who have the highest

number of vulnerable children are the same councils that have seen the

highest level of budget cuts under his government? I would say to the

Honorable Lady, that if she looks at the figures, it is quite apparent,

that the local authorities with the highest spending power are the local

authorities that she refers to. Councils will see a rise in their

resource in cash terms over these parliament from 40 billion to 40.5

billion. The Honorable Lady will see the outcome of the local government

finance settlement. Will do all join me in welcoming the plan of for the

tearing down of a building. It's being replaced by hundreds of new

homes of many different types including some 260 badly needed

assisted living apartments. He has given a great example of a local

authority making good use of Brownfield land to provide housing

that their constituency needs. And a hasty attempt to reverse the office

of housing statistics, ministers were reported that there was a cell

of... Two private investors. Housing Association has made sure that they

will oppose such a move. It is an unhelpful distraction. Can a

minister and store the house that a...

Lasher, councils local development plan was adopted with new green belt

boundaries, will they and sure confidence and the plan to make sure

that the policy for his determination, or any application to

the point from the plant by giving itself planning permission to build

on the green belt that was so recently confirmed? I think my

Honorable friend outlines an important part. He is right, that a

local authorities who has its plan in place, I am sure that this is

local authority were to take an opportunity to go outside a local

plant he would be the first to request myself or the Secretary of

State to consider that application. Some authorities have had to close

the local where affairs assistance schemes altogether. Food banks are

in need of. Will does government preside over 5 million people, will

the Secretary of State commit to protect future funding and reinstate

the law? It is important to local authorities take their

responsibilities seriously, when we have the local government finance

settlement, I'm sure there will be happy to see and recognise. The

people of Lincoln shared know what is best for the people of

Lincolnshire. Can my honourable friend outlined the deal. And tell

us how the bid is going. My honourable friend is well-placed to

represent the views of people of link share. He does it effectively.

Areas are different and local people know best what they need to drive

economic improvement and improve the lives that they represent.

Discussions are going well. They include discussions on skills,

transport, housing, and water management. What discussions has the

Secretary of State has with the business sector for still

communities and how they can use imaginative and creative approaches

to support the steel industry through this difficult time? I have

had discussions with the business secretary and his colleagues. It is

important that we and power of those communities to act in support of the

businesses and the employees, through the extension of the

enterprise, he will see that practical support has been given to

make sure that the prosperity of those regions continues to grow

despite these challenges. I am delighted to see the extra supply of

affordable housing, as a result of the housing and planning bill. A key

to that is supplied. Will he agree with me that the London land

commission is keen to do this. And we keep under review all the plans

that they need to make sure of the land comes in. Like? I am honoured

to be joint chair of the London land commission, I can give them

assurance that we will make sure that the land does come forward and

plays an important part to deliver housing to London. When we get to

the 12 month point from where it started, we will do a review to make

sure it has the power it needs to deliver. On Saturday, I was out with

Caroline Pridgen who is a London Mayor candidate. Kill me makes so

that PCS cells continue to play the role that they play in keeping our

streets safe. I'm glad he remembers the name of his candidate, I think

it is spent most of us in that's how. I'm very happy to confirm the

importance of all of our police, and keeping our streets safe. Simon

Stevens has described social care funding as unresolved business. With

the Secretary of State agree with him that it is time to have a

rethink on how we fund the social care in the future? She has a deep

and long-standing interest in this and she should know that the funding

adult social care is something that should be done jointly between local

councils and the NHS. The health secretary and I are working closely

to make sure that the funds at the Chancellor has made available is put

to good use so that our elderly people are properly cared for rather

they are in charge of councils or in our hospital. Does the government

have any plans for initiatives other than that business, to help people

in small suburban shopping centres especially in my constituency? I

think the Honorable Clement for that question, this government is doing a

number of things to help the type of traitors, that the Honorable Tillman

refers to, we have a principled planning changes to allow them to

respond more flexibly. We are tackling overzealous parking

practices, and I am working closely with retail worker migrations of the

future of the form to develop strategies that will enable our high

streets and communities to beat the future needs of the consumer. I

would like to commend Staffordshire fire and rescue service for there

will work in fire prevention which has conjured to falling call-outs.

Does he agree with me that further integration between police, fire and

other services with help to more effectively identify vulnerable

people which would lead to better outcomes for the public and

efficiency savings? I agree, closer collaboration between our blue light

services offers better services to make efficiencies. I would encourage

to the consultation that we have for her and her colleagues to make their

representation so that we can do that without the current barriers.

On the last consideration of the housing bill, the Conservatives

passed an amendment to bring to an end, secure tendencies and social

housing, that was done without consultation or any impact

assessment. Can the Secretary of State tell me where he won councils

senates that this was in a conservative manifesto? Actually, I

would say, that that was outlined in the summer budget, they are not

affected by this. The provisions of the housing and planning bill made

on the 7th of December, prevent councils from offering new tenants

lifetime tenants in the future. Some areas such as the Isle of Wight will

have a much more difficult task, to increase their income by increasing

the business rate base. Blow my honourable friend meet the Isle of

Wight Council to discuss this matter? Delighted to meet the Isle

of Wight to speak. And taking 100% of business rates to local

government, it is important that we agree that places who don't have

good business rates are not going to lose out? Many of my concerns were

dismayed when I went back, after hearing last week that my honourable

friend suggested that you are going to limit competencies, what are you

going to say to those members of Mike is interesting that are

dismayed that this government has pulled this on them and what they

considered to be their rights as citizens? I would refer to her to

counter that with gave a few minutes ago. They are not affected by this.

It is about new tenants. It is the right thing to do. With the previous

member who was our cabinet secretary, I'm sure many taxpayers

would wonder if that is a good expenditure. South Gloucestershire,

work very well as a functional unit does my my honourable friend...

Should be regarded as a betrayal. I can assure my right honourable

friend I have no intention of free introducing the front door back door

or. After a replacement for Right to Buy was funded, the UK government

what would the consequences for Scotland beat? As I said earlier,

despite his government is saying a increase in its capital budget as a

result of a announcement at the spending review. Individual policies

are rotten through and delivered, the British Government will meet its

obligations, in that regard. And will continue to do so.

Urgent questions. I wish to ask the Minister responded to make a

statement on the sports PLC and its compliance with the national minimum

wage legislation. Thank you very much, I assure the right honourable

departments concerned that working people are paid the full amount that

the law requires for