14/12/2015 House of Commons

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 every hour that they work. And welcomed his urgent

questions. We take the minimum low-wage laws very seriously which

is why we have increased the budget from a to .1 million to 13 million

and 2015. What I am not able to comment on the individual players, I

can reassure the house that her majesties revenue and customs

followed up with the put in place that they receive. I would encourage

any employee or worker was concerned that these laws are not being

complied with to contact either the people to the hotline. They also

undertake targeted enforcement activity in the most high-risk

sectors of the economy. As the Prime Minister announced in September, the

government is taking steps to crack down on employers that are not

paying workers minimum wage. We have increased the... And from April

2016, the government will double the penalty you to 200% of the employers

comply with the law. Furthermore, a new team of compliance officers will

be established to investigate the most serious cases of employers

applying the relevant minimum wage. The team will have the power to use

all available sanctions including criminal investigation. The one name

employers who did not pay their workers what they are entitled to.

At the government, our message to employers is straightforward. We

will work to cut regulation and taxes. We expect employers to pay

working people a legal minimum. The national wage and the national

living wage for workers aged 25 and over. I will ensure the house that

we will not hesitate to crack down hard on both employers large and

small who break the contract by failing to pay the wage.

I think the Minister for his apply and I am proud that the last Labour

government in the face of the opposition opposite, introduced the

national minimum wage in the first place when people in our country

were earning as little as ?1 an hour. I am also proud that the

overwhelming majority of reduce businesses, notwithstanding any

legal acquirement, seek to treat their workers with dignity and

respect. We know enough about the practices at sports direct PLC,

which has a branch in mind constituency, to conclude that, Nick

is a bad advert for British business -- this company is a bad advert for

British business and one of culture of fear in the workplace which we

would not want to see repeated elsewhere. As the Institute of

directors has said it is a star of British business. I appreciate what

the Mr said about not being able to response in specific instances, but

can I ask... HMRC enforces national minimum wage and a complaint has

been made by the union of which I am a member against sports direct,

accusing them of being in... Of course it cannot be confirmed but

many of them are refusing to come forward for fear of repercussions

that will follow. Why can HMRC not go-ahead and carry out an

investigation in this case? It surely will render other evidence

without workers being required to put their necks on the line.

Secondly, can ask a generic listing? And issue has come up here where

employees are required to go through body searches to check for potential

theft. That is not time which they spent going through what he

searches, for which they are paid. The law is unclear in this area. Can

you give industry and indication whether antigovernment's view time

spent going through the body searches would count as working time

for the purposes of this legislation? Secondly, we have a

situation where employees face having 15 minutes of working time

redacted if they clock in just one minute late. -- deductive. In that

situation the law is not entirely clear again. Does the government not

believe that if an employer was to engage in those kinds of practices

it would not be at least in keeping with the spirit of the legislation?

Can I also just finally ask: Of course the enforcement of national

minimum wage legislation is not carried out by his department, it is

carried out by HMRC. How can we expect HMRC to do the work we

require them if the government is pushing through this 18% real terms

cut in HMRC's funding over the course of the spending review

period? Finally come a Mr Speaker, I think no doubt the reaction of the

employee concerned in this case will be to say we comply with the law.

But surely what they need to understand is actually the British

public expect a lot more from them. We often don't do things that we are

allowed to do by the law because we don't think that is the right way in

treating our fellow citizens. Surely that should apply to the company in

this place. Hear, hear! Mr Speaker, the right honourable

gentleman asked a series of very important and good questions. The

first point I'd like to make is if any employee of any company has any

fear of repercussions I can reassure them that the hotline is genuinely

confidential and I'm sure he would the willing to endorse the fact that

it is an absolutely resolutely independent organisation. So there

is no fear that they should have from calling out of hours to that

hotline and reporting a practice. I did say in my brief response that

HMRC enforcement is entitled to conduct targeted enforcement

activity in sectors of concern. So it is entirely open to HMRC to

actively proactively, investigate in sectors where they feel that

breaches may be an evidence. So in that sense, they don't necessarily

need to wait for a specific complaint to be able to investigate

breaches. He asked about this question and I did read the article

that revealed some of the allegations being made about sports

direct. He mentioned the question of the search and the time that that

takes and whether it is working time are not. He will know that this is

an intensely vexed legal questions. As a former employment law

practitioner, he will know how much time is this taking up of his former

leagues. I cannot give an absolute pronouncement, but what I can say is

that anything that counts as work, as part of somebody's employment

contract, must be compensated at least at the level of minimum wages.

So the question is whether that search counts as work as part of

their employment contract. That is a position that can be explored

legally. He mentioned the second thing that was made about employees

being docked 15 minutes for being one minutes late. While it is

legally permissible for time to be docked for late arrival, it is

important that every honourable member understands that the minimum

wage legislation will apply to the 14 minutes as well as the rest of

time that people are working. So therefore, they cannot be not

compensated for those 40 minutes if that would bring their overall wage

rate down below the national minimum wage -- 14 minutes. I hope that goes

to reassure him. He makes a point about the cut in funding for HMRC,

up 18% over the spending review period. I will have to take his word

because I don't have the global figures to hand, but I did point out

to him the very significant and dedicated increase in funding for

the enforcement team, the minimum wage enforcement team, which has

gone up by more than 50% since 2010. And it is going up by 3 million

pounds and this year alone. So I can reassure them whatever else is going

on in HMRC, this is a priority which we are investing in and will be

beefing up the activity of its. He is absolutely right to make the

general point that obeying the law is the minimum that we expect. We

expect employers to behave response to believe and to be good citizens

and we would hope they would not be sabbaths. Mac satisfied just with

obeying the law, but would want to go a great deal from it -- not be

satisfied just with obeying the law. I know there is even greater than

that of the others. I'm glad the Minister graciously welcomed the

urgent question, but unfortunately the Treasury he wrote to me this

morning to say the matter was not urgent and shouldn't be aired. I've

included upon examination that it was and should. And we look forward

very much I think to these changes. Mr Peter was standing, but the right

honourable gentleman has thought better of it. Thank you Mr Speaker.

My constituents have approached me on several occasions with concerns

about sports direct since the election. It appears that they

sometimes can have a somewhat aggressive use and attitude towards

flexible working, which is something that can suit some but doesn't

always suit other people. I wondered if my right honourable friend has

considered some thought to a general anti-avoidance rule when it comes to

these employment laws. Such as, we are considering and the tax sphere.

Mr Speaker, you know it would be a career limiting move for me to the

part in any way from the script laid down to my colleagues at the

Treasury. An hour plead that I welcome the

question and was glad to have an opportunity to answer it. Cannot

think my honourable friend for his suggestion. I am not going to

pretend that we have given thought to that. But he is not treated such

thoughts and I will be happy to have a discussion with him about how it

might work. We will come to Mr Skinner, who is because to join, but

for now... Thank you Mr Speaker. These allegations against sports

direct are concerning and we Aco because for eight Union for a HMRC

investigation. We stand in unity because these can do nothing to

engage employees and make them feel positive about the place in which

they work. Allegations of such a serious nature must be taken very

seriously by the UK government. And the government must do much more to

support the living wage employers. The Scottish Government has

encouraged over 400 living wage employers in Scotland. We have the

second-highest proportion of employees played the living wage --

paid the living wage. We on these benches want to know the government

will commit wholeheartedly to support of HMRC investigation into

the business practices. Can I ask the Secretary of State what lessons

are going to be learned from this case? Especially when the UK

government is gearing up to implement the new minimum wage

premium which is not a living wage. If it can't enforce the current

minimum wage -- living wage, how will it enforce increases? I welcome

the contribution from the honourable lady representing the Scottish

national party. Of course it is absolutely the job of the

enforcement team in HMRC to follow up any concerns that they have, both

in relation to specific complaint and about particular sectors where

they feel that abusive minimum wage legislation. And indeed other

employment legislation is rife. She will ensure that I cannot comment on

a particular case, but if I may add would like to add that in general I

suspect, and I don't often welcome an investigation by the Guardian

newspaper, but in this case I think it is vitally important that media

organizations do investigate these things because government is never

going to be able to proactively investigate every single employer in

the country. If they can uncover things then I can promise you that

the government will be sure to review their findings and enforce

the laws were necessary. Thank you Mr Speaker. Can I echo the comment

to the Minister regarding the hotline. I have called the hotline

with one of my constituents who came to my surgery who have been under

the minimum wage, -- have been paid under the minimum wage and I find it

extremely professional. Cannot question the Minister about upcoming

change to the minimum wage with introduction to the living wage copy

I read this survey of a thousand employees, strongly welcome the

living wage and said it would boost in morale and productivity of their

employees copy four out of ten said they had not communicated with their

staff regarding upcoming attention arises in pay. I think eight out of

ten still haven't updated their payroll and created new procedures

to implement it. Could the Minister comment on that so legitimate

businesses are ready and don't get into similar situations? The

honourable gentleman conducted a adjournment debate on the subject. I

didn't realise he had just done so. Is to speak of copy may

may I thank the honourable member and that said or how good the

hotline is a. There is a substantial government communication campaign

that is going to be starting in the new year. We have felt it is in the

months leading up that medication will be most effective in making

sure employees and employers know that it is coming in and know what

is required and begin to work out how to do this in their systems. The

sports direct an occurs even though the national minimum wage has become

a kind of national treasure. Everyone supports it now. But like

all great social reforms it had to be fought for all-night opposition

in this house. Before reform and become part of the political

consensus have to be for four and the battle to sustain and minimum

wage must be a continuous one and one that requires more than just

warm words for ministers. The TUC estimate, at least 250,000 workers,

are not being paid the minimum wage. What is the Minister's estimate? Or

has the government even made one? Last Parliament it was revealed that

just nine firms have been charged for noncompliance with the minimum

wage. Cannae update the House on how many legal proceedings are currently

under way against firms for noncompliance -- can he update?

Denney tell us how many workers have received the money that they are

will hold after a notice of under payment has been issued by HMRC,

because up until now the government has failed to provide that data.

Will now order an urgent investigation to sports direct,

concerning the alleged abuses which have led the directors to label it a

scar on British business? He says he is acting, but where are the

results? How will he get results with the close of so many HMRC

offices? Mr Speaker, is easy to talk the talk am OK, but it means nothing

to millions of low-paid workers whose labour employees feel they can

turn on and off like a tap unless ministers walked the walk on the

minimum wage. When will we see some real action to enforce this? Hear,

hear! I am happy to acknowledge that the

national minimum wage was one of the great achievements of the government

led by Tony Blair. I note that there are more supportive of that

government's achievement on this side of the House as there are on

his. I also look forward to receiving the same acknowledgment

from members opposite when, in next April, we introduced the national

living wage which is significantly higher than any increase in the

national minimum wage that he and his colleagues proposed during the

last election campaign. He asked very good and proper questions about

enforcement. He glided over the fact that the budget for enforcement has

gone up by more than the 2% since his party was in government has more

than 50%. We have increased the level of penalties. We have

increased the powers and we have stepped up the programme of naming

and shaming companies, large and small. We have in 2014-15, 705

employers receive penalties totalling over 934 thousand -- 900

?34,000. We have set up a team to focus on tackling the most serious

breaches and consider whether directors of employers who breach

persistently in the legislation should be disqualified. In 2014-15,

we identified with 12 9 million of which 26,018 workers we conducted

735 successful investigations and charged 705 penalties,

worth ?934,000 in total. If he wants to suggest any further activity we

can take I am happy to hear it, but fortunately we are doing a lot more

for the government he was part of to defend one of the only achievements

they are still willing to talk about -- then the government he was a part

of. Hear, hear! IQ. There are reports that some

large retail businesses have already increased their hourly salary for

employers above the minimum wage. Could the Minister that housing is

in the standing of this? I have heard such reports that the Volokh

and not all the talk -- off the top of my tongue, speak that it is

extremely welcome news. Is the point made by an honourable gentleman

opposite that we expect more than just the obedience and faith of the

law. We ask that social response ability and employers to see the

benefits to them in terms of improved morale and retention that

come from paying people better wages. I don't think the Minister

should expect any social responsibility from the man that

controls sports direct. In my constituency. At the warehouse,

Abshire broke him a -- at sire broke. That man has not made ?6

million because he is a considerate employer. He is a monster of a man.

That does not even reply to him these letters. I have sent him many.

-- MPs latest copy he has got ?6 billion because he is the type of

man who will not take notice of HMRC unless this government really means

business. This man might actually, would think very masterfully on

millionaires roll along with his house. -- pals. This will be a test

of the Minister's metal. Get working. Mr Speaker, I never had the

pleasure of being encouraged that by the honourable gentleman before, but

I promise to follow up on it. I want to be clear. I don't care how famous

an employer is. I don't care how well connected they are. I don't

care, friendly, how much money they have made. They need to obey the law

and if they do not then we will enforce the law. We will find them

and disqualified directors if necessary. Hear, hear!

Thank you Mr Speaker. As well as strong enforcement for the

government is should be possible for those who are employed by bad

businesses to vote with their feet and moved to better employers. So

what is being done to help create more and better jobs for those

employed by sports direct? And communicate the availability of

those jobs to them. I thank my honourable friend for bringing us

back to the important constant theme of this government which is an

economy that is creating new jobs at an unprecedented rate. Most of those

jobs now are full-time. And most of them are paying more, not just the

minimum wage, but then the national living wage which will be coming in

in April. Ultimately it is through a dynamic economy that will create

opportunity for anyone who does not feel that they are getting a square

deal from their current employer. Thank you Mr Speaker. When sports

direct announced they would be building their factory at sire

broke, able in North Derbyshire have been delighted. It employs nearly

3000 people, it is said that it should have a terrible reputation.

What would he take to communicate with that company and trying to

enter in the future the success of the organisation does not come at

the expense of the constituents of my honourable friend? Mr Speaker, I

am delighted that the honourable gentleman has pointed out how

important they are as an employer in his constituency. It is important

that we acknowledge that sports direct employs a great many people.

I am sure a great many people are very happy to work there. I

reinforced the point that no company director and no company owner is

going to want the House of Commons to be discussing any times that we

are discussing, the kind of priest was alleged in this newspaper

article. -- the kind of breach. I am certain that when faced with the

kind of enforcement action that I have set out that any employer,

including those in his own constituency, will want to sort

themselves out. Mr Speaker, would message of business tier does my

honourable friend have for all those people who are self-employed and

earning far less than the minimum wage? -- Christmas cheer. But are

faced with having to submit a quarter of their returns to HMRC

instead of annual ones? I am full of admiration for anyone who is

self-employed. It brings many rewards, but money is not always one

of them. And I am absolutely clear that the government must do

everything it possibly can to reduce the burden of regulation on those

who are self-employed. Does the Minister recognise what is so

disturbing about the newspaper report? Is the fear amongst many

working people there, in some instances apparently, women are not

willing to stay away from work, even if their child is sick for the day,

simply because they may lose their job. Is it not totally unacceptable

to have such fear and exultation in a company like this? It reminds one,

does it not, of the early years of the last century when workers were

treated in such a contemptible way. Finally, why was the advice given to

the Speaker if this was not an urgent question? If the Minister is

so keen on coming to the House and welcoming the Guardian

investigation, why did he try and stop the question being asked in the

first place -- why didn't he? Hear, hear!

It is for you always to judge whether a question is urgent, Mr

Speaker. I knowledged that this question is important which is why

am so delighted to answer it. On the broader point of the honourable

member has made, Bob is government beliefs and deregulation, believes

and reducing the burden, we have made clear that there are certain

laws that are absolute -- while this government,. They must be adhered

to. Minimum-wage legislation is one along with health and safety

legislation and a whole slew of other protections and we want to

protect those robustly. Thank you Mr Speaker. According to the ONS, a

quarter of a million people are not paid the minimum wage. According to

the Minister, HMRC have found that 6000 of them. What with the Minister

do in order to bridge the gap? -- 26,000. Can I suggest that to not

pay the minimum wage is a criminal offence. Why are they not been

prosecutions taken out against these directors who are not paying the

minimum wage and the department that is responsible for taking out

prosecutions in the attorney generals office has been cut for the

last three years. And there has not been a single prosecution during

that time. Mr Speaker, the honourable Lady always comes to this

house knowing the complete answer to every question. But it might help or

sometimes issue would actually listen to the list of the measures

that we have been introducing which both significantly further than any

enforcement activity that the government of which she was a

brought forward to defend their minimum wage. When that set of

enforcement measures has worked as well as it is doing currently, I see

no reason to take any instruction however helpfully phrased from the

honourable Lady. This is an extremely important matter but we

have other important business to follow, so amplifier brief questions

and answers -- I am looking for. This is a disturbing case and the

Guardian. With the Minister agree that one good piece of news is

whatever else happens, in April of next year, sports direct will have

to pay these people 11% more than they are getting now? Yes, and that

has happened because the majority of the conservative government that has

allowed the economy sufficiently well, that we can expect to do that

and still prosper. Hear, hear! The Minister has pointed out that

HMRC conducts risk space enforcement whether it's a higher risk of work

is not getting the legal minimum wage. That the secretary and which

voice direct operate already comes to a high risk sector? Isil, Jaime

Bracht of initiatives have HMRC lost -- if so, how many initiatives have

been launched? The sectors that are targeted for this type of approach

are either low-paid, there are a large number of employers who are

close to the boundary of minimum-wage, or those where there

have been significant breaches in the past and therefore there is a

good reason to expect there might be such breaches in the future. I can

argue the specific answer to how many investigations, and I will be

happy to write to him and place a copy in the library. On the 14th of

October two -- on the 14th of October at, a minister up to me

however he could not confirm which companies are under investigation or

on the approach of investigations. What he said about being started

with the owners and managers and directors of these companies, would

he be started with my home care which were previously run by the new

Tory Baroness, MacGregor Smith,? I don't think it is a job of the

Minister of the crime to lay individual companies and cases that

have not been found definitively to preach the law. I have been as clear

as I possibly could be about any employer large or small who does so.

I hope that he can apply that to any particular case. Everyone knows in

our area are you cannot get a job anywhere else in the sports direct

if you are an English native speaker despite a 3000 people working there.

When a baby is born, in the toilet there. Why is it that there were 80

and a pleasant visit over two years to sports direct, and is the

possibly the case that employees are too scared and are not allowed time

off to go to the Doctor? And therefore, there is a myth dioxin of

NHS resources. Made also be the proper possibility that housing

nearby, people are too scared to speak that they are provided with

the house to live in, and the rent to it and the transport they have to

play to get to work, there needs to be an investigation. -- pay. Not

just for sports direct but the agencies underneath them who they

employ. If the ombudsman or any Honorable member has any allegations

and evidence of bad practice and relation to when the ways of the

placed or any other legislation, that they would like to bring to my

attention, I would welcome a. I would like to add this, the right

honourable gentleman, mentioned that a trade union had been involved and

bring to his attention, concerns of this particular employer. If Xavier,

and despite what we said about the hotline being confidential, if they

fear that those employees that they don't trust those governments one

lines, if they would like to submit their evidence to the Union, on the

other hand, I am sure all honourable members will understand that they

need to be willing to engage with officers to evidence. Government has

to act on a basis of evidence, however well researched to the

garden article, that is not enough. Isn't it time that the government

looked at introducing a criminal offence for exploitation, which they

have refused to do in the modern slavery bill in the last Parliament?

I think we have enough criminal event moves, -- offences. That is

the increase in the budget by 50%, the new powers we are giving, that

is what it will achieve. My understanding is that the trade

unions have made representations on behalf of staff, who fork very good

reason what to remain anonymous. Should the HMRC continue to ignore

representations on behalf of legitimate trade unions, or should

they just act now and searched the offices of sports direct with blue I

think I had been clear, if there are any individual complaint that will

need to be assessed for validity, it does not need to be possible for

HMRC to follow it up. I have also been clear that HMRC has undertaken

targeted enforcement activity, which does not wait for a complaint in the

sectors of concern. They will be listening to this debate. The

Minister said that ultimately, it is a growing dynamic up economy that

should give people confidence to find good job. Good employment

practice and legislation always gives people confidence copy a

number of resident Mike of the strength, use tips and service

charges to pop up wages. Kilometre of the Minister would be with me and

some of the campaign is from the GMB union to look further into these

practices. And a looking at how these wages will be beneficial to my

local community. And my experience, the Honorable Lady is on two things

before the rest of us. I would be delighted to meet with her. What a

good fellow he is. We are grateful to him. I thank him for engaging

with those questions so comprehensively. We come in out of

the statement by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

It gives me great pleasure to report to the house on the United Nations

conference of parties in Paris last week. There has been delivered a

historic new global climate change agreements that takes a significant

step forward towards reducing on a global scale the image that cause

climate change. For the first time, nearly 200 countries have made a

commitment to act together and to be held accountable. In a doing so,

that's integrated help protect not just our environment for our

national and economic security. Now and for generations to come.

As the Minister said in his speech, instead of making excuses tomorrow

to our children and grandchildren, we should be taking action against

climate change today. Mr Speaker, I am proud to say there aren't no more

excuses. We have committed to action. This unequivocably in the

interest of brand. It moves towards a level playing field. The Society

of business has thrived as we transition to a low carbon economy.

This is a deal we are committed to, recognises that action by one state

alone cannot and will not solve climate change. And is what we do

together that can copy I would like to say that all parties in the house

can take significant credit for this. To gather, we passed the 2000

and climate change act that set an example to the world of what

ambitious action looks like. To gather, since Copenhagen in 2009, we

have supports a long and difficult complex negotiation that has brought

us to this point. I want to pay tribute not to sue the Prime

Minister and my colleagues across government, but to my predecessors

as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for all of the hard

work that they put in to bring us to this point. As a country, we should

be proud of the role we have played, leading into the EU, working closely

with major global players including the United States and China, and

leaving many negotiations. My department has worked tirelessly to

build political conditions and the capacity to enable countries to act.

The UK team in the Paris show a commitment, passion, and resilient.

They asked me to chair a finance session at 4am on Friday morning, I

was well supported, when I left at 6:30am, they stayed to write up the

conclusions and send them to the presidency. That was commitment. The

UK played a key role in building alliances and share positions

especially with the most vulnerable country to ensure that it can be

maximised. This was not done to us, it was done by us. Indeed, it

reflects many elements that we as a country has committed to as part of

the climate change act. Of course, Paris is not the end of the road. We

cannot sit back and say job done, we are far from that. Paris is the

beginning, now the hard work to implement the agreements began. That

may turn to what the countries have agreed to. First, we have set up a

net zero emissions abide the end of the century. The ship to global

antelope carbon economy will happen and provide the confidence needed to

drive the scale of investment required. We have confirmed our

collective ambition to limit global temperature rises, to below 2

degrees. We have agreed a further aspiration of 1.5 degrees. The

current level of commitment by individual countries will not meet

this ambition. Crucially, countries will come back to the table to

assess overall progress toward the 2 degrees goal in 2018 in every five

years thereafter. As an grass investment grows and the cost comes

down, the parent process will provide not just the opposite sea,

but the political process. Starting in 2020, countries are expected to

update their own plans to cut emissions and will be legally

applied it to do so again every five years. Best, providing regular

political moment to scale up ambition. Disagreement is not only

comprehensive, it also recognises the role of both the developed

economies and emerging economies, helping the poorest and most

affordable to transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last five

years, the UK's climate fund has been helping millions of the world

for to withstand weather and rising temperatures. At the summit in

September, the Prime Minister announced a uplift to increase

financing by 50%, with ?5.8 billion of climate finance over the next

year is to support for invulnerable countries to adapt to climate

change. This is part of a global commitment to mobilise 100 billion

dollars per year for the public and private sector and support economic

growth through 2020. Germany, France, Japan, the United States,

and Canada has increased an increase in their climate finance as well. As

important as the parents agree with is, we will only achieve our

ultimate ambition if it acts as a capitalist, from all parts of

society is. That is why it has been so important to see real action over

the last month from business and civil society. For example, a new

initiative, Mr innovation will see some of the economies doubling

investments in clean energy research and development. Private investors

will join us and is endeavored to bring down the cost of low carbon

technologies. Here, in the UK, we have committed to double spending

and clean energy research development so that by 2020, will be

spending in excess of ?400 million. This has been amassed by 19 other

countries worldwide. This is in recognition of the fact that the

wildly tackle climate change if we find technologies that are both

clean and cheap. Let me tell you, the announcement I made last month,

that I would set out proposals to close the hole by 2025 and restricts

use by 2023 added to momentum in Paris. The Paris agreement marks a

historic turning point. It builds on protocol and for the first time as

it provides a comprehensive framework and words not only

developed countries, but nearly every country of the world, has

committed to the global action needed to solve global problems. Of

course it was hard fought, and it required a compromise to bring

everybody with us, it has not solve every problem in the one ago. Now,

we have to implement the commitments made. We should not underestimate

the significance of what has been achieved. All parties have

recognised that economic and global security required us to tackle

climate change. All have come together to commit to a single goal.

Net zero carbon emissions by the end of the century. All have agreed to

set out plans to curb emissions and be held accountable for their

actions. We have made a huge step forward in meeting our

responsibilities, to this and our future generation. As the excellent

executives Terry to the... Said, I used to say we can't, we must, we

will, now I can say we did. Can I start by thinking the Secretary of

State for her statement. And footage of you that she paid for the success

of Secretary of State. She is right to recognise that the crockpot is

consensus that has existed since 2008, helped to build that road to

Paris and gave the UK its voice in the negotiations, it is a precious

legacy for all of us. We must not allow it to fraction now. For the

first time, leaders from nearly every country in abroad have come

together, to cut carbon pollution and a of to a path for a cleaner and

greener future. We have a common goal of building a carbon neutral

global economy with a generation to reduce pollution, switch to cleaner

energy, and all countries have agreed as she rightly recognised to

raise their ambition every five years into the future until the job

is done. In is welcome of the Secretary of State made the point

that the developed world would do with her share to ensure that 100

billion are financed to us is poorer and more portable country. This is a

moment to celebrate. Not because this is sufficient, we must be

honest that the pledge is put forward by each country do not add

up to a commitment that will keep temperature rises below 2 degrees, a

gives us enough to take a us much closer to climate safety. The error

of unchecked fossil you'll uses, to him and. We are stronger and safer

when we work together both at home and abroad. Our voice has been heard

because we have worked closely with our friends and the European Union,

we have spoken to go there with them, and united with one voice. Our

voice has been heard because, two of the heart of work and... They have

worked tirelessly with the diplomats and the foreign office to secure

this agreement. I would like to place on record our thanks for what

they have achieved. And to command the dedication to the British

scientist and the campaigners and evade groups in the business

leaders, and civil society organizations to mobilise public

support for this global deal, last month, myself and my Honorable

friend Swan hundreds of thousands of people to march peacefully through

the streets of London, and Edinburgh and other major cities of to ensure

that our voice was heard in the rooms of Paris. The question now is

what this deal means for Britain's. In recent months, the government has

made a series of decisions that have set us back on the road to climate

safety. Ministers have attacked the cheapest options for achieving

carbon targets which means that energy bills to household may rise

as a result. Last week, during the Paris negotiations, ministers

decided to raise household and energy bills again to the capacity

market auction which was the hundreds of millions of pounds, go

to energy companies to keep open power stations that would have been

opened anyway. It is difficult to see, how this is consistent with

what the Secretary of State said today and her claim to be acting to

control costs. Can she explain this today? And equally, ministers have

undermined our progress on the cob and stories which will be crucial.

In Yorkshire and Scotland, communities and engineers are

reeling from the chancellors assistant to ask ?1 billion fund.

Can see tell us today that this will be reverse? The government has

wasted no time and blocking of new wind farms even where they enjoy

strong local support of. They have made severe and short-sighted costs

for energy efficiency and solar power scheme. Thousands have lost

their jobs, thousands more could still. Millions will goal in this

winter facing cold homes and high energy bills, in this country that

is avoidable. The damnest to human life and the damage to the planet

for these positions if the Mets. Following the prime minister of

words in Paris, will she sell the house that the government as a whole

will listen? To stop the sell-off of the green investment bank, in a

manner that removes the mandate and means it is free to invest in fossil

fuels, to stop the tax on more efficient vehicles and to stop

another tax rate on the renewable energy industry, these are all steps

that will take us back on climate change and jeopardise British jobs

and industries for the future. Is raises the question, what is this

government plans for meeting rings climate change. The committee form

that British energy policy is failing and only this morning, it

was called for more clarity. News of the Paris deal and the goal it

contains, they told the BBC that businesses want to see domestic

policies that demonstrate commitment to this goal. Can the Secretary of

State confirm whether her governmental recent string, of the

Carina will be reviewed in light of the new assurances that we have sent

every country will play its part in addressing climate change. Secondly,

candy and at his secretary confirmed that the UK will continue to support

raising European targets on reducing carbon pollution by 2030 to ensure

that they're making our fair constitution, and grasping the

maximum potential for our economy for granted industries. Finally,

will be an undersecretary asked the independent secretary on climate

change to review the adequacy of Britain's existing carbon reduction

targets and lights of the new international goal of limiting

global temperature rises well below 2 degrees, I want to know more. Two

weeks ago, the prime minister said, when we look back, we will ask what

was it that was so difficult when the world was in peril. The

Secretary of State said in her statement to the house there are no

excuses. I look forward as to all my Honorable friend asked to hearing

how she intends to breathe life into this historic landmark agreement.

Low I thank her for her questions. I really welcome her support for the

overall deal. And answered her questions I would point out to

point. The first is that the UK's emissions are 1.2% of the world. Our

emphasis must go on making sure that we get an international deal. That

is why we were so committed. That is why we spent the past week trying to

achieve its. Working to ensure that we got China into the deal which is

26% of the world the mission was more than the EU in the US combined,

we remain committed. And we commit to making sure that we golf forward

on a low carbon future. There is no value in it if we do not have

influence in the rest of the world, that is what we achieved this week.

Making sure that that influence was absorbed and taken on, so that we

could receive agreement while very late on Saturday night. In tones of

answering her question on our position, we are committed to the

climate change act and to our goals, and to our carbon budget. But the

difference between her side of the house and ours, is that the will not

risk the security of supply, and be will not put additional costs on

consumers copy she asked about the capacity market and I am afraid that

her and I am afraid that her interpretation is wrong. The

capacity market is to take no risk when security of supply, that is

what we have done and we are proud of doing that. In terms of the

actions on renewables, this is about ensuring that our consumers that

they pay the rent price for the renewables that we remain committed

to. As the cost of renewables come down, it is absolutely right that

the subsidies come down, it is completely wrong to characterize the

eyes of -- is of having anything negative at all. We remain

committed. It was a tight spending round with the spending review with

the treasury, this was ?1 billion, and the fact that we made an

invisible not to proceed with it, I believe that CCS will have a

important part in the colonising in the future. Article he on industrial

CCS. Will work internationally to make progress on that. This

government is absolutely committed to the a low carbon future that is

valued for money and costly provide security to consumers and families.

As far as I'm aware, there are only two peer-reviewed studies which have

computed the total reductions for admissions promised by the members

Paris. Fan of them through the standard climate model and

calculated the impact on future temperatures. Both have concluded

that the temperature on 2100 as a result of this treaty will be a

point to degrees of what it would be. With the joy of the pound be

spent on as a small achievement be better spent on the alleviating

poverty and eradicating disease? I think the right Honorable Thompson

and for his questions. However, at the core of his question, is then

suggested that what we are doing here does not alleviate poverty. On

that, he cannot be more wrong. It is through climate finance and the

investment that will be coming to the private sector as well that the

government will be able to leverage, that we will help to alleviate

poverty that we will provide energy and areas of Africa and India that

had never happened before. I should gently point out that all of our

right Honorable members who were not present at the start of the

Secretary of State famous and not because. Now that I have made that

point, it will be unseemly for them to continue to stand, as well as

fruitless. I would like to add my thanks to the Secretary of State,

her team, and all of those who have made this possible both at home and

abroad, the term historic has been I think rightly so in terms of the

rhetoric around this. Who will be judged not by the words, led by the

deeds. If I can comment on that in this response to the statement. We

very much welcome the money that is being contribution it to climate

change, and those that contribute Alize to it. This deal is not

perfect, it has been an that it is not enough. There needs to be an

upping of our game at home and abroad if we will be meeting the

target of 2 degrees or below. And any major upping of our game if we