:00:08. > :00:12.Hello and welcome to the live coverage from the House of Commons.
:00:13. > :00:17.In an hour's time there will be questions tabled by Labour on sports
:00:18. > :00:20.and compliant to the national minimum wage. After that the energy
:00:21. > :00:24.of climate change secretary will make a statement on the Paris
:00:25. > :00:30.climate deal which aimed to limit the right of global temperatures to
:00:31. > :00:34.this than to decrease Soviet -- two Celsius. The transport secretary
:00:35. > :00:40.will come to the dispatch box to update MPs on airport capacity. MPs
:00:41. > :00:47.will then debate all stages of the European approvals bill before being
:00:48. > :00:51.asked to approve documents for migrants needing international
:00:52. > :00:56.protection. Remember to join me for a round-up in both houses of
:00:57. > :01:01.Parliament at 11pm. But first, the and questions from the Communities
:01:02. > :01:27.and Local Government Secretary and his team of ministers.
:01:28. > :01:34.Order. Questions to be Secretary of State for Communities and Local
:01:35. > :01:39.Government. Question number one, Mr Speaker. Hear, hear!
:01:40. > :01:50.Thank you Mr Speaker. The northern powerhouse is running across the
:01:51. > :01:53.departments. The northern powerhouse investment fund, ?400 billion, the
:01:54. > :01:56.devolution deals that are being agreed right across the north of
:01:57. > :01:59.England and of course the doubling of the enterprise lands in the
:02:00. > :02:04.northern powerhouse that were announced at the spending review by
:02:05. > :02:09.my right, Noble friend. Earlier this year the government invested over
:02:10. > :02:14.?113 million in high-performance computing in my constituency. A
:02:15. > :02:20.joint venture between the science and technology for facilities
:02:21. > :02:24.Council and IBM, bringing high wage job. Does my right honourable friend
:02:25. > :02:27.agree that investment in technology and science is key to be growth of
:02:28. > :02:32.the northern powerhouse? I command my honourable friend's important
:02:33. > :02:37.significant work in this area. Is a passionate advocate for this. This
:02:38. > :02:40.is one more example of the investment does government is
:02:41. > :02:43.putting in in order to build the northern powerhouse to read powers
:02:44. > :02:49.our economy. -- rebalance our economy. Information spending is
:02:50. > :02:51.being it protected and we are investing in the economic growth of
:02:52. > :02:56.the future and this is a great example of that. He deserves
:02:57. > :03:02.commendation for the work he has done in delivering it. When is the
:03:03. > :03:07.government going to stop patronizing the North? We are a powerhouse. You
:03:08. > :03:09.must be investment in it infrastructure. We are the people
:03:10. > :03:13.who still make things in the country. We make the wealth of this
:03:14. > :03:18.country. Many of people in this part of the world live parasitically on
:03:19. > :03:26.our efforts! Stop patronizing! Start investing! I welcome the honourable
:03:27. > :03:28.member's enthusiasm for the northern powerhouse as a project. This
:03:29. > :03:32.government is recognising the potential of the North to drive our
:03:33. > :03:35.economy. The difference that the North can make if it is invested in
:03:36. > :03:38.and crucially if people in the North are given real control over their
:03:39. > :03:43.own future. That is what we are doing and what the devolution agenda
:03:44. > :03:46.is about and what the investment I have spoken about are about. We will
:03:47. > :03:53.deliver it and big a big difference to his constituents and mine. Thank
:03:54. > :03:56.you Mr Speaker. On this question, can he tell me what sport he is
:03:57. > :04:00.giving to small businesses within the northern powerhouse? Should they
:04:01. > :04:06.benefit from all procurements that are coming from that? The northern
:04:07. > :04:09.powerhouse investment fund, that ?400 million, will be targeted
:04:10. > :04:13.specifically at small and medium enterprises. We've got growth hubs
:04:14. > :04:18.across the North which are driving out investment. You will see our big
:04:19. > :04:21.industries succeed and thrive the economy, but small and medium
:04:22. > :04:26.enterprises are important as well. We want to invest and give local
:04:27. > :04:32.people the support they need. Thank him for his answer. He will be aware
:04:33. > :04:46.that Scottish government procure compared to the UK government's
:04:47. > :04:49.four. -- 26%. City deals can be drivers for growth. I welcome those
:04:50. > :04:52.that have already been agreed and we will continue to have talks
:04:53. > :04:55.including with some of the great cities and city regions in Scotland
:04:56. > :04:58.about where we can go further and what more we can do. I hope that we
:04:59. > :05:01.can and do course in Livermore because we can already see the
:05:02. > :05:11.difference those deals are making -- Livermore. On behalf of my
:05:12. > :05:15.constituency we think those who are helping now, those areas in the
:05:16. > :05:21.north, so badly reflected -- affected by the recent flooding. The
:05:22. > :05:27.LNS recently reported that the North is falling further behind as a
:05:28. > :05:32.result of poor investment -- ONS. It is getting worse. The average
:05:33. > :05:37.business now produces ?42,000 a year undervalue while in the Northeast
:05:38. > :05:43.the averages on ?18,000. Any place of more cuts will he now includes
:05:44. > :05:49.afflicted Dominic specific -- will he include specific is apples later
:05:50. > :05:53.this week? The right honourable member raises the important point
:05:54. > :05:57.that our E economy has for too long been unbalanced. The northern
:05:58. > :06:07.powerhouse as a project is to invest an additional weakening Mark --
:06:08. > :06:10.answer weekend, the potential. We will see that that investment is
:06:11. > :06:12.going in, but more importantly going hand-in-hand with local control,
:06:13. > :06:15.giving it to the people who know best how to grow the economies of
:06:16. > :06:24.the North because they live in them and they are part the. -- they are
:06:25. > :06:30.part of them. Stephan Phillips. Where is the fellow? Mr Andy
:06:31. > :06:34.McDonald. Thank you Mr Speaker. I will answer questions three and six
:06:35. > :06:39.together. Authorities have continued to provide an excellent service
:06:40. > :06:43.whilst making sensible savings. The number of incidents is 42% lower
:06:44. > :06:48.than ten years ago and fire deaths and injuries are at an all-time low.
:06:49. > :06:56.The existing grant distribution formula disproportionately penalizes
:06:57. > :07:01.authorities such as Cleveland, regardless of industrial risk and
:07:02. > :07:05.other performance. Can he explain what assessment will be made to
:07:06. > :07:08.identify less efficient authorities who can make surveys and more
:07:09. > :07:12.importantly what capacity these authorities have to make further
:07:13. > :07:17.savings? I'm grateful for his question. Can I use it as an
:07:18. > :07:20.opportunity to pay tribute to the magnificent work of firefighters,
:07:21. > :07:24.who with the other emergency services, can counsel staff
:07:25. > :07:28.engineers and Armed Forces and the whole community have worked
:07:29. > :07:31.tirelessly to protect and help people during the flooding in the
:07:32. > :07:37.north of England. On the particular question that the honourable
:07:38. > :07:40.gentleman asked, fire authorities have said had spending reductions of
:07:41. > :07:43.less than local authorities over the last five years of copy at a copy as
:07:44. > :07:48.given in the figures of how they performed very well and managed
:07:49. > :07:55.those cuts. The National Audit Office has said that the picture is
:07:56. > :07:58.one of financial health. What I would say in relation to his
:07:59. > :08:04.particular case is that the spending power in Cleveland for example, for
:08:05. > :08:08.the fire authority, is ?48 ahead of the population compared to ?37 that
:08:09. > :08:14.is the national average. That is reflected in the formula. I'm sure
:08:15. > :08:17.the Minister will know he has ornamented over the years there have
:08:18. > :08:25.been cuts to the fire service. And he has mentioned the point that fire
:08:26. > :08:28.service... Protect the work they are doing in places like Cumberland. So
:08:29. > :08:32.that should be working on decent wages. What guarantee can he make
:08:33. > :08:40.that local fire and rescue services will not be negatively impacted if
:08:41. > :08:44.taken over by local PC sees? As he knows there is a consultation out
:08:45. > :08:49.across the country on whether we should remove some of the barriers
:08:50. > :08:52.to a better local collaboration between all of the blue light
:08:53. > :08:58.services. That is to be initiated locally. It is to make it possible
:08:59. > :09:04.if they want to. And for the purpose of providing a better service if
:09:05. > :09:07.those changes would help. Can the Secretary of State confirm to the
:09:08. > :09:10.House that greater collaboration between the fire services and the
:09:11. > :09:15.police services, necessary to reduce costs, will not indent this tension
:09:16. > :09:20.between firefighters and police going forward? I can confirm that.
:09:21. > :09:24.They are two students think services -- two distinct services. I think as
:09:25. > :09:27.he would hit New Orleans, the opportunity to work together should
:09:28. > :09:36.be taken when ever that can make a difference to people on the ground
:09:37. > :09:40.-- I think as he would notice. And argument particular to local
:09:41. > :09:47.authorities. With the encouraged Wilshire counsel, conservative
:09:48. > :09:52.control, but I doubt we don't encourage the fire service who have
:09:53. > :09:57.been negotiating with them instead to seek to find common errors of
:09:58. > :10:03.cooperation from the Council? I say, that is an answer for the services
:10:04. > :10:06.locally. The consultation proposes requiring that there is discussions
:10:07. > :10:10.taking place, but what they conclude is up to them.
:10:11. > :10:17.Hear, hear! Thank you Mr Speaker. I would like
:10:18. > :10:22.to pay tribute to my response to be fire and rescue services to the
:10:23. > :10:27.floods in Cumbria and other northern areas. The service are rescuing
:10:28. > :10:32.people who have been at Walter from flooding High streets and homes and
:10:33. > :10:37.rescuing livestock, solidifying damage to rural communities. Yet all
:10:38. > :10:42.those services who are responding have had cuts over the last five
:10:43. > :10:49.years. We've lost nearly 7500 fighters, that's one in eight. And
:10:50. > :10:54.over 12% in the local fire rescue services. Be fire services is a key
:10:55. > :10:57.junction now. Is not safe effective or efficient to keep cutting
:10:58. > :11:01.resources. Does the Secretary of State agree that any further cuts
:11:02. > :11:03.will further the damage the fire and rescue services ability to meet the
:11:04. > :11:09.risk in local major incidents such as the loop recent floods? And will
:11:10. > :11:13.he commit to add the resources so be fire and rescue services can
:11:14. > :11:15.continue to contribute to national resilience on the scale and at the
:11:16. > :11:19.speed that the public aspect? Hear, hear!
:11:20. > :11:23.I draw the honourable ladies attention to be report that was
:11:24. > :11:28.published quite recently. It says the picture of today's is one of
:11:29. > :11:32.financial health and says that fire authorities have not changed
:11:33. > :11:38.emergency response standards as a result of budget cuts. The evidence
:11:39. > :11:46.is when all but one fire authority is increased its reserves during the
:11:47. > :11:50.period from 2010-2015, by 67% in real terms, this tells me that the
:11:51. > :12:00.fire services are coping well with the reductions that they have been
:12:01. > :12:05.made. The Staffordshire fire authority I should say decided to
:12:06. > :12:08.build a brand-new fire station but reduced the appliances to a half of
:12:09. > :12:11.what they presently are. Would he work with Matthew Ellis, the police
:12:12. > :12:16.and crime commissioner and Staffordshire, who has good positive
:12:17. > :12:20.plans to combine the police and fire service for the betterment of the
:12:21. > :12:23.whole County? Hear, hear! That is the purpose of the
:12:24. > :12:27.consultation that we have embarked on to remove the barriers that have
:12:28. > :12:30.prevented that kind of collaboration. I'm interested to see
:12:31. > :12:36.what he has to say about the proposals and Staffordshire. Thank
:12:37. > :12:42.you Mr Speaker. Minister Brendan Lewis. With permissions I will
:12:43. > :12:49.answer questions four, 13, and 18 together. We have delivered 270,000
:12:50. > :12:55.affordable homes since 2010. Specifically, the 2011-15 affordable
:12:56. > :13:03.homes around delivered 192,000, it exceeding expectations -23,000 homes
:13:04. > :13:10.-- 193,000 homes. Is not surprising he is growing about this am a but I
:13:11. > :13:16.can assure him that ?250,000 is not considered affordable. Will be
:13:17. > :13:19.definition of affordability be changed based on the income in that
:13:20. > :13:27.market rate? I will say she is referring to be massive Orr maximum
:13:28. > :13:32.price. -- the maximum price. Want to take off that 20% discount we are
:13:33. > :13:36.going to be doing, it actually helps buying home affordable for more
:13:37. > :13:42.people again. Hear, hear! In Worcester, up courting to Council
:13:43. > :13:46.figures 216 new affordable homes in the last financial year, a record of
:13:47. > :13:48.any year since 1997. It was delivered by the conservative
:13:49. > :14:00.administration the year after a labour and live them -- Liberal
:14:01. > :14:03.Democrats delivered fewer. A good example of a good well-worn local
:14:04. > :14:06.authority delivering housing for its local constituents. We are
:14:07. > :14:09.determined to stand by those authorities and work with them. That
:14:10. > :14:15.is why in the spending review I am delighted that ?1 billion was given
:14:16. > :14:21.to deliver 4000 affordable homes across the country -- ?8 billion.
:14:22. > :14:27.Given the property crisis in London, exceeded half ?1 million, first time
:14:28. > :14:30.buyers will need to learn that ?70,000 is needed to buy their first
:14:31. > :14:34.home. Does the Minister consider this affordable? And is not what is
:14:35. > :14:38.he going to do to put homeownership in the reach of the many and not
:14:39. > :14:42.just the few at the top? And that the honourable gentleman is now
:14:43. > :14:48.joining our cause and wanted to make sure we build more homes that are
:14:49. > :14:52.affordable for people to buy. 67% six 2010 is a good start. We want to
:14:53. > :14:56.go further. That is why we want to deliver more, giving people a wider
:14:57. > :15:04.opportunity to get onto the housing market. Also homes we have helped to
:15:05. > :15:09.buy records in just a 5% deposit. Some members opposite believe that
:15:10. > :15:13.homes can be made more affordable, for example in London, by returning
:15:14. > :15:17.to be bad old days of rent control. Can I ask the ministers and many
:15:18. > :15:20.others in this house that the government has no intention of
:15:21. > :15:26.giving any future mayor powers to be able to reintroduce rent control in
:15:27. > :15:30.London? Hear, hear! As my honourable friend will know we
:15:31. > :15:33.are keen to see more and more devolution and localism of power,
:15:34. > :15:37.but I am happy to say to him that this government will not allow it to
:15:38. > :15:42.fall into a trap after the party opposite encouraged me to do. The
:15:43. > :15:45.reality is that rent control drives the pie down and actually ends up
:15:46. > :15:50.looking rents up. So we are against and will not be doing that under
:15:51. > :15:53.this government. Hear, hear! Thank you Mr Speaker. The Minister
:15:54. > :15:56.has talked about extra housing investment. I wouldn't want him or
:15:57. > :16:01.the chancellor who has set the same thing to mislead the House. After
:16:02. > :16:07.the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, the annual housing investment for
:16:08. > :16:13.the government will be ?1.7 million. -- one 7p. At the money inherited in
:16:14. > :16:23.2010 from labour it was the 1p. Not an increase, but a cuts. Not a
:16:24. > :16:26.doubling, but almost a have. Maybe this is why his government has built
:16:27. > :16:31.30,000 fewer affordable homes to buy Varosha home ownership than Labour
:16:32. > :16:35.did in the last five years Hear, hear!
:16:36. > :16:39.I'm somewhat surprised the honourable gentleman raised the
:16:40. > :16:43.question. The lowest level of housing in this country since the
:16:44. > :16:45.1920s, as well be Chancellor has not done under this government is now
:16:46. > :16:51.seeing the biggest building programme in about 30 years. He's
:16:52. > :16:55.wrong on the big picture as well. Under our national affordable
:16:56. > :16:58.housing programme the number of homes built each year was bigger
:16:59. > :17:04.than his under the last government. The hard truth is that for so many
:17:05. > :17:07.people, the dreams of buying their own homes are totally unaffordable
:17:08. > :17:12.and out of reach. Now he plans to fiddle the figures again by changing
:17:13. > :17:21.the definition of affordable to include so-called starter homes that
:17:22. > :17:27.can be sold at up to ?450,000. So with the at least agree with Labour
:17:28. > :17:29.and the building societies Association that the discount on
:17:30. > :17:36.these starter homes should be permanent. Not a windfall cash at
:17:37. > :17:40.the end of five years, but there for the next generation of first time
:17:41. > :17:46.buyers as well. Hear, hear! Afraid the honourable gentleman, I
:17:47. > :17:49.have a big disagreement. He seems to want to stop Property owners having
:17:50. > :17:51.the right to deal with their property in the way that any other
:17:52. > :17:55.property owner would. We want to support people to buy their own home
:17:56. > :17:59.and that is why we want to keep building more for people at that
:18:00. > :18:03.discount for first time buyers and we are proud that under this, the
:18:04. > :18:09.conservative led Coalition, we saw an increase in affordable homes
:18:10. > :18:11.unlike the loss of 420,000 we saw in the years of Labour. Question number
:18:12. > :18:19.five, Mr Speaker. The Autumn Statement did come from
:18:20. > :18:24.?1 billion for over 400,000 affordable homes including the
:18:25. > :18:30.shared ownership homes and ?2.3 billion towards delivering 200,000
:18:31. > :18:35.starter homes. And held to by steam loss on the 1st of December, means
:18:36. > :18:40.it has been extended through 2021. That means just a 40% equity is
:18:41. > :18:46.being provided by the government for people in London and that will be
:18:47. > :18:52.launched in 2016. I was pleased to recently attend the opening of
:18:53. > :18:55.prospect housing. New development of 11 Apartments meant for shared
:18:56. > :18:59.ownership and I will cover the notions introduced to expand this
:19:00. > :19:03.being. Can ask the Minister what steps he is taking to encourage
:19:04. > :19:06.local authority to build more shared ownership housing and ensure these
:19:07. > :19:14.developments utilised Brownfield sites was back very happy. We will
:19:15. > :19:17.relax on the move. Local authority restrictions to shared ownership to
:19:18. > :19:22.make it easier for people to find the right home for their families.
:19:23. > :19:26.Brownfield also has limited housing and we are committed to ensure that
:19:27. > :19:34.those sites have planned commission housing by 2020. Number seven.
:19:35. > :19:39.Since 2010 we have delivered to under 70,000 affordable homes,
:19:40. > :19:50.including nearly 200,000 homes for rent. Delivering more homes to every
:19:51. > :19:58.parent who have and investment. Someone 7p to deliver affordable
:19:59. > :20:02.renting homes. Ministers attention to the question I actually asked
:20:03. > :20:06.which is about social renting housing not affordable. Will he
:20:07. > :20:11.confirm that in last moment the only social renting housing built would
:20:12. > :20:15.have been funded before the 2010 General election. And there is no
:20:16. > :20:18.funding at all in this Parliament for social rented housing. Together
:20:19. > :20:23.with the Right to Buy for housing association tenants on the sell-outs
:20:24. > :20:27.of no value properties, to become a nations of those policies mean fewer
:20:28. > :20:31.social renting homes available for people and longer waits on the
:20:32. > :20:37.waiting list for people who want one? Actually there was a 70%
:20:38. > :20:39.increase in social housing waiting list under the last Labour
:20:40. > :20:43.administration. It has actually fallen thanks to flick civilities
:20:44. > :20:48.we've created and effect we more social housing built in the last
:20:49. > :20:55.Parliament than the lads 13 years of labour before that. I encourage
:20:56. > :21:01.local authorities to go forward building more. Thank you Mr Speaker.
:21:02. > :21:05.The building of genuinely affordable homes for social rent and this
:21:06. > :21:10.country has plummeted. No matter how much the Minister tries to dress up
:21:11. > :21:14.the government's doings, his own figures are clear and speak for
:21:15. > :21:20.themselves. In 2010 there were more than 38,000 homes built for social
:21:21. > :21:24.rent, but by 2014 - 15, the figure was a truly dismal line priced at
:21:25. > :21:30.500, with the housing and planning build making it virtually impossible
:21:31. > :21:36.to build homes for social rent. And eight disgraceful sneaking of
:21:37. > :21:39.proposals for local authority tennis. What does this government
:21:40. > :21:42.have against people who rely on social housing to make ends meet was
:21:43. > :21:50.ONS is the Minister going to address the huge shortfall in social
:21:51. > :21:55.housing? I would I withdraw the honourable lady's to a few moments
:21:56. > :21:59.ago when I outlined the last five years of this party's government and
:22:00. > :22:04.that it oversaw more being built in the entire 13 years of labour.
:22:05. > :22:08.Actually, affordable housing drop by 24,000 homes. Still over ?2 billion
:22:09. > :22:12.ahead be required ability for local authorities to go and build more. We
:22:13. > :22:15.have been very clear that we will help everybody who wants to aspire
:22:16. > :22:17.to on their own home through the extension of Right to Buy and
:22:18. > :22:25.delivering starter homes across the country. Viguera the honourable
:22:26. > :22:28.member would be aware of the services of this department are
:22:29. > :22:32.devolved in Scotland. Therefore there are consequences of spending
:22:33. > :22:35.decisions that are made as affecting this department and he's got his
:22:36. > :22:39.government as a result of the spending review. Will see a 14%
:22:40. > :22:44.increase and the capital budget. A statement the Chancellor confirmed
:22:45. > :22:49.extension of Right to Buy for housing associations affected for
:22:50. > :22:54.privatizing them. We are aware that this has decimated social housing
:22:55. > :22:59.stock across the UK, something that the Scottish government has
:23:00. > :23:04.recognised in Scotland. The government, so-called one-for-one
:23:05. > :23:06.replacement, under the new Right to Buy hasn't been funded by the
:23:07. > :23:10.government funding. With the Minister explained what effect these
:23:11. > :23:15.proposals have an housing in Scotland? The honourable member is
:23:16. > :23:18.quite right to point out the at least one-to-one replacement that is
:23:19. > :23:21.the intention of this policy which is welcome by those of us on this
:23:22. > :23:27.side of the House. The spending review announcements will have a
:23:28. > :23:30.violent consequences impact on the government of Scotland's capital
:23:31. > :23:34.budget. That amounts to ?1.9 billion added to the what they already have
:23:35. > :23:37.to ensure the Scottish Government is able to deliver on the things they
:23:38. > :23:41.want to do for Scotland just as we want to deliver on our objectives
:23:42. > :23:43.and manifesto priorities in England and Wales. Hear, hear!
:23:44. > :23:51.Question number ten. Thank you Mr Speaker. There are
:23:52. > :23:53.strict test to protect people and property from flooding with all
:23:54. > :23:57.local councils are expected to follow. These including ensuring new
:23:58. > :24:04.development does not increase flood risk elsewhere. Grateful to be
:24:05. > :24:10.minister for that response. It is my experience that the environment
:24:11. > :24:17.agency often does object planning applications, even in flood areas.
:24:18. > :24:21.Especially where other areas could be caused to flow. Will be secretary
:24:22. > :24:23.of state actually look at the policies and the practice of the
:24:24. > :24:30.environment agency in this respect? I certainly will do what my
:24:31. > :24:32.honourable friend recommends. I recognised his constituency
:24:33. > :24:38.experience and indeed his expertise as Vice Chairman of the all party
:24:39. > :24:46.group on this matter. It is the case that national planning policy in the
:24:47. > :24:50.MPPF says that any new application in an area of flooding risk must
:24:51. > :24:53.demonstrate that the area will be safe for its lifetime and will not
:24:54. > :24:56.increase flood risk elsewhere and will possibly reduce it overall.
:24:57. > :25:02.That test had to be passed for the development to be committed. Thank
:25:03. > :25:05.you Mr Speaker. At the time to recognise the fantastic work that
:25:06. > :25:12.firefighters do invocations of flood. Statutory duty for fire and
:25:13. > :25:19.rescue services to respond to flooding? Hear, hear!
:25:20. > :25:23.I'm grateful. He offers me to pay tribute to the fantastic work that
:25:24. > :25:25.is being done in the north of England, but has been done already
:25:26. > :25:29.years in times of emergency like this right across the country. I
:25:30. > :25:37.will remind the honourable gentleman that any discussions we will have to
:25:38. > :25:40.I will consider the point he has but forward. In my constituency we have
:25:41. > :25:46.a bridge that has been partially washed away and the roles aside it
:25:47. > :25:48.have been caved in because of flooding. Will my honourable friend
:25:49. > :25:52.give us assurances that everything can be done as quickly as possible
:25:53. > :26:04.to make sure this report is put back together as if it's an ad vital
:26:05. > :26:09.place. I appreciate him giving that to his community in response to
:26:10. > :26:14.conditions that have been faced. We are determined to ensure that things
:26:15. > :26:18.are right. We are working closely with the authorities across the
:26:19. > :26:22.areas. The funds that have been made available so far will allow the
:26:23. > :26:25.assessment of what is required for restoration to be made, but then I
:26:26. > :26:31.will be followed with the repairs themselves. Is the secretary of
:26:32. > :26:36.state think it is right that the government are helping new people by
:26:37. > :26:38.their own home through the Help to Buy scheme, but those very same
:26:39. > :26:42.people will not be eligible for the flood insurance and the flood rate
:26:43. > :26:48.that this government is introducing and rent April? The negotiation with
:26:49. > :26:51.the insurance companies has been very clear that we want to make sure
:26:52. > :26:56.that everyone in the country can benefit from the insurance that
:26:57. > :27:07.gives them the peace of mind when they buy a new property.
:27:08. > :27:11.Over 1700 communities are preparing neighbourhood plans to shake of
:27:12. > :27:17.elements and their area. Diesel form part of the development plan and be
:27:18. > :27:23.used to develop application. The reform will speed up and simplify
:27:24. > :27:27.the process and allow people to leave my kitties to better engage in
:27:28. > :27:30.local planning. The Minister will be aware that the planning Inspector
:27:31. > :27:36.has deferred a decision on housing development plan. The ad has actual
:27:37. > :27:44.shirt counsel to come back after a fuel query. What measures will be in
:27:45. > :27:46.place to make sure that we do not have aggressive applications against
:27:47. > :27:54.the best interest of the savagery of the town? Having a 5 euros land
:27:55. > :28:01.supply and plays put local planning authorities and a place to resist
:28:02. > :28:07.unwanted development copy furthermore, national planning...
:28:08. > :28:14.I'm sure her local authority is well aware of that, and will make
:28:15. > :28:23.decisions. Last Thursday as business questions, I raised the case of
:28:24. > :28:29.something in my constituency where a small property that is now privately
:28:30. > :28:33.rented has been converted into a house of multiple occupation, as
:28:34. > :28:38.part of the Asylum dispersal programme. Does the Minister
:28:39. > :28:44.understand the dismay of the neighbours of this property, that
:28:45. > :28:49.the owners are able to circumvent landing and license in regulations
:28:50. > :28:55.because there were only be five people house that property? I cannot
:28:56. > :29:00.comment on an individual case without knowing all of the facts,
:29:01. > :29:03.but I would refer the honourable subsuming to look at the measures
:29:04. > :29:11.that we are breaking through in the housing and planning bill,
:29:12. > :29:14.particularly dealing with landlords. The interpretations of neighbourhood
:29:15. > :29:20.plans has been causing difficulties in the beautiful village of Hook
:29:21. > :29:24.Norton. With the Minister meet with me to discuss how the can ensure
:29:25. > :29:33.that the neighbourhood plan is adhered to? And the great of them is
:29:34. > :29:39.that a Hook Norton is, it is a home to a fantastic brewery. I do hear
:29:40. > :29:42.what he is saying and I will meet with her or I am sure my horrible
:29:43. > :29:50.friend, the housing and planning Minister well. -- honourable. The
:29:51. > :29:57.communities in New York need a family housing built, on the York
:29:58. > :30:01.Central side. We hear that high-value flats will be placed on
:30:02. > :30:08.that side, will the Minister listened to local communities to
:30:09. > :30:11.ensure that their voices prioritise? I think the government has
:30:12. > :30:15.demonstrated that we want local people to have a strong voice to
:30:16. > :30:20.neighbourhood planning and in relation to the issue, the Honorable
:30:21. > :30:23.Lady mentioned, I am sure that is on the record and her local planning
:30:24. > :30:28.authorities should be listening to the concerns and the comments from
:30:29. > :30:32.local residents. In the council areas where there is no adopted
:30:33. > :30:37.local plan, local communities are continually let down by the planning
:30:38. > :30:43.process. Would he give consideration in these circumstances to allow the
:30:44. > :30:47.objectors the right to appeal? I think my Honorable friend makes a
:30:48. > :30:53.very good point. By 2017, we will make sure that all areas have a
:30:54. > :30:57.local planning place, and the housing and planning bill sets out
:30:58. > :31:04.in some detail how we will achieve that. Question number 12. Thank you,
:31:05. > :31:09.the government allow with the Scottish Government is working with
:31:10. > :31:14.the Highland Council to identify opportunities for Highland city
:31:15. > :31:18.region deal. Those discussions are ongoing, they are positive and
:31:19. > :31:21.constructive, I hope they will lead to the outcome that I'm sure the
:31:22. > :31:26.honourable member hopes for. They are right to raise the issue. They
:31:27. > :31:30.are a great driver for growth and help us realise economic potential.
:31:31. > :31:34.That is what we want to see. Highland Council has submitted a
:31:35. > :31:38.detailed plan for the deal investment with the support of the
:31:39. > :31:42.Scottish Government. Will be minister committed to advancing
:31:43. > :31:49.discussions and indicate a timescale for finalizing the process to allow
:31:50. > :31:53.the deal to get under way? Discussions are already under way.
:31:54. > :31:55.Officials met with local representatives on the 2nd of
:31:56. > :31:59.December, we will continue to work through those plans to ensure that
:32:00. > :32:02.they are robust and will deliver what is needed and that they meet
:32:03. > :32:06.the requirement that we look to place on such deals and that they
:32:07. > :32:10.have the support they need in order to continue. We wish to see them
:32:11. > :32:14.progress positively. That is the assurance I can give at this time,
:32:15. > :32:17.these things need to be done properly and thoroughly as they are
:32:18. > :32:24.taking forward. Number 14 Mr Speaker. I will be presented in
:32:25. > :32:29.local government financial settlement for 2016 and one the 17th
:32:30. > :32:32.of the house. I will show how we will lay out a sustainable
:32:33. > :32:38.settlement and pave the way for future reforms, providing growth and
:32:39. > :32:45.efficiency, such as local government has requested. Research by the dose
:32:46. > :32:50.of lounging foundation has so that there are some areas that have great
:32:51. > :32:56.need and have seen a large cuts in government funding. This is broken a
:32:57. > :32:59.historic link. Over the last five years, councils have had severe cuts
:33:00. > :33:06.to their funding while other areas have seen an increase. Forecasts
:33:07. > :33:10.suggest that they will be at least a lost by 2020. What's with the
:33:11. > :33:14.government do to make sure funding for local authorities to reflect the
:33:15. > :33:18.needs of the people who live there? What I would say is that she would
:33:19. > :33:23.wait to see what the settlement has in store. But what she should know,
:33:24. > :33:32.from the last two years is that the spending power for rural, and ?2240
:33:33. > :33:43.per dwelling is 70% above the national average at average. It is
:33:44. > :33:50.higher than it was in 2010. Fistulas in my area, pay an average of ?80
:33:51. > :33:55.more and Council tax, yet receive ?130 length and government funding.
:33:56. > :33:58.This impacts local services. Does the Secretary of State agree it is
:33:59. > :34:06.time to look for fairer funding for all taxpayers? What I would say is
:34:07. > :34:12.that Iraq demise because of the delivering services in areas with a
:34:13. > :34:19.very smart area is high for obvious reasons. The role services delivery
:34:20. > :34:25.Grant was used to reflect those cross. It has been increased since
:34:26. > :34:29.it has been introduced. When we came to make the financial settlement, I
:34:30. > :34:38.will put that in mind as he make the assessment of what is needed? The
:34:39. > :34:45.report found that there was a limited understanding of authorities
:34:46. > :34:49.five sustainability. Can be Secretary and advises house of his
:34:50. > :34:54.understanding of load taxpayer authorities. And the in
:34:55. > :34:59.sustainability with the percentage across the board cut. Does he
:35:00. > :35:03.understand that the removal of the grant completely and the retention
:35:04. > :35:08.of all business tax without distribution will drive these
:35:09. > :35:11.authorities right under the ground? As a former council leader, I would
:35:12. > :35:16.have thought that the honourable lady with the inmate position to
:35:17. > :35:24.welcome the settlement for local government. Not only provided over
:35:25. > :35:28.the course of the four years a protection for the local government.
:35:29. > :35:32.We did what the local government requested which was to make money
:35:33. > :35:36.available for the care of the elderly duties also care preset. I
:35:37. > :35:46.would have thought that her experience would have author of two
:35:47. > :35:50.that. Does this reflect the pressures on top-tier authorities
:35:51. > :35:54.for social care costs and restate the opportunities for greater
:35:55. > :36:01.integration of health and adult social care spending in this area
:36:02. > :36:05.has supported by others? He is absolutely right. I had a
:36:06. > :36:09.communication from the local Government Association that said
:36:10. > :36:13.that they estimated the gap is unaddressed would be to .9 billion
:36:14. > :36:20.in the spending review settlement, the Chancellor allocated three and a
:36:21. > :36:26.half billion to reflect the needs of helping our elderly population. That
:36:27. > :36:28.was a significant result for local government. Has become too big
:36:29. > :36:31.settlement for individual authorities, we will make sure that
:36:32. > :36:41.that is in the hands of local people. At least 340 unaccompanied
:36:42. > :36:45.child asylum seeker disappeared in this country between January and
:36:46. > :36:51.September. That is twice as many as the calendar year before. This leads
:36:52. > :36:54.them at terrifying risk of abuse, sexual exploitation and
:36:55. > :36:58.radicalisation. Councils they funding cuts means that they don't
:36:59. > :37:03.have the resources to protect these children. Why is the government
:37:04. > :37:08.going ahead in these circumstances with a further cut to the
:37:09. > :37:13.unaccompanied child asylum seeker grant? What I would say is that
:37:14. > :37:16.these are important strategy responsibilities of local
:37:17. > :37:20.authorities. It is vital that they do start seven. To the settlement,
:37:21. > :37:23.the Chancellor has made available funds to local government to make
:37:24. > :37:28.sure that the cast supplemented by the end of the period, the financial
:37:29. > :37:34.spending review period is the same as the beginning. That is a positive
:37:35. > :37:39.result for local government. Number 15 Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker,
:37:40. > :37:45.the number of local authorities that have resettled Syrian of refugees
:37:46. > :37:54.and changes as more arrived. I don't think it is practical to give a
:37:55. > :37:57.number on the authorities participating, around 50 local
:37:58. > :38:04.authorities confirmed places before Christmas. Does the ministers share
:38:05. > :38:15.my concerns about the rise of a phobia in the country filled by
:38:16. > :38:22.right wing of? How should they deal with and how should they support
:38:23. > :38:29.refugees? I do share his concern about Islam a phobia, as far as the
:38:30. > :38:33.refugees who have arrived here, I have gotten nothing but a warm
:38:34. > :38:39.welcome from all parts of the UK. I'm certain that will continue.
:38:40. > :38:43.Local authorities seem to be confused about their role in this,
:38:44. > :38:52.is there anything the Minister can do can add clarity and hurry things
:38:53. > :38:56.along? Dealings with local authorities is on particular cases,
:38:57. > :39:03.we do not have any power to insist that refugees go to certain places
:39:04. > :39:07.but we are working with, County councils and district councils, and
:39:08. > :39:12.a metropolitan borough areas. It is a very flexible system, all I can
:39:13. > :39:14.say is it it has worked very well. The number of places that have been
:39:15. > :39:23.offered is the equivalent to the number of refugees that are
:39:24. > :39:27.arriving. Planning appeals are determined in accordance with
:39:28. > :39:32.development plan, unless said otherwise. Once brought in, and
:39:33. > :39:36.neighbourhood plan is part of a development plan. As the Minister
:39:37. > :39:40.won no, a few weeks ago, villages were going to the polls to vote on
:39:41. > :39:45.the referendum on their neighbourhood plan. At the very same
:39:46. > :39:51.time, a Secretary of State was allowing a housing, a planning
:39:52. > :39:54.appeal in their area. How can the Minister and Sun Microsystems after
:39:55. > :40:06.all of the world that they put it, what assurance can they put in that
:40:07. > :40:12.work is worthwhile? I'm happy he took interest in local matters as
:40:13. > :40:20.does the. He he will be happy that I cannot comment on individual cases.
:40:21. > :40:24.The letter provided with them sent out the difference between them. And
:40:25. > :40:27.why it has been done, the Secretary of State will always give
:40:28. > :40:38.appropriate weight to neighbourhood plan. It is a important part of our
:40:39. > :40:43.vetting process. We welcome them. Thank you Mr Speaker, we will be
:40:44. > :40:48.presenting our proposals for a sustainable and fair 2016 and 17
:40:49. > :40:52.local government finance settlement to the house. We propose to consider
:40:53. > :41:01.our approach from being dependent, to benefiting from promoting local
:41:02. > :41:08.growth. Spending on adult social care has fallen by ?65 per person in
:41:09. > :41:11.the most deprived communities. Prepared -- compared to other
:41:12. > :41:18.communities. And one of the councils I represent, the shortfall in
:41:19. > :41:24.funding is ?20 million. ?2 million can be raised by increasing council
:41:25. > :41:27.tax by 2%. Isn't it true that allowing an ask her rise in council
:41:28. > :41:37.tax devolves the blame without fixing the probable? The local
:41:38. > :41:41.government settlement that will come very shortly, we will announce
:41:42. > :41:45.changes to local government finances to rebound support including those
:41:46. > :41:50.authorities with adult social care responsibilities. By taking into
:41:51. > :41:57.account the main resources available to councils including counsel back
:41:58. > :42:04.tax and business rates. We are speaking with Southeast balance a
:42:05. > :42:08.look at proposals, it is welcome that so many parts of Scotland
:42:09. > :42:14.aren't keen to be part of the process of delivering city deals.
:42:15. > :42:26.They will agree in such a way that will drive economic growth. Despite
:42:27. > :42:32.the obvious wealth,... 21% of children and a proposed for the
:42:33. > :42:37.region are living in poverty. The economy is not being held by
:42:38. > :42:45.government positions. Can be minister tell us what he thinks is
:42:46. > :42:48.going to help? The time and never makes an important point about the
:42:49. > :42:57.diverse nature of the area of which he talked. We want to ensure that we
:42:58. > :43:00.can deliver the growth so that it can realise its potential. We will
:43:01. > :43:05.continue to have talks, which I think have been productive and
:43:06. > :43:08.constructive. We will continue to work constructively to the liver
:43:09. > :43:12.that city deal if it can be delivered in the right way. These
:43:13. > :43:21.things must be decided properly. That is the process that is under
:43:22. > :43:26.way. The housing and planning bill does contain measures to tackle and
:43:27. > :43:31.go further with landlords than any before. We want to roll out
:43:32. > :43:34.landlords who rent out substandard accommodation and do all we can to
:43:35. > :43:50.make sure that tenants have a good and safe environment. A tougher
:43:51. > :43:53.fitter proper person test. ... Over the past five years, despite
:43:54. > :44:00.privately raised in homes, rents have sorted, and are a fit higher
:44:01. > :44:05.than they were in 2010. Why have is the government not taken any steps
:44:06. > :44:15.with the soaring rents? And she looks at the rents over the last
:44:16. > :44:20.five years, it has been a lower. We are going a lot further than ever
:44:21. > :44:27.before in terms of cracking down on landlords. We all want to see cross
:44:28. > :44:32.party put out of business. An important part is making sure that
:44:33. > :44:35.landlord understand their obligations and that tenants
:44:36. > :44:41.understand what is available. What is the action they are taking to
:44:42. > :44:50.understand that they understand their responsibilities? He makes a
:44:51. > :44:55.good point. Apart from what we aren't doing to publicise, we have
:44:56. > :45:02.published a guide for tennis to look at so that they can understand the
:45:03. > :45:11.rights they have. We should be clear, and tenant should be happy
:45:12. > :45:19.with it? . Order! Thank you Mr Speaker. Before Christmas, I wish
:45:20. > :45:23.everybody a happy Christmas. Since the last questions, the spending
:45:24. > :45:27.review has announced the biggest affordable housing programmes in the
:45:28. > :45:37.1970s. Delivering them many affordable homes, we have agreed
:45:38. > :45:39.devolution deals with Liverpool and the West Midlands and completed the
:45:40. > :45:45.committee states of the housing and planning bill. We will continue to
:45:46. > :45:51.develop new devolution deals with communities in order to give off
:45:52. > :45:55.more power and resources across the country. As my right honourable
:45:56. > :46:00.friend might know, I am running a campaign to save the hedgehog. Can I
:46:01. > :46:04.ask my right honourable friend, and he will ask his department, to
:46:05. > :46:09.provide guidance to local authorities on how to make the
:46:10. > :46:13.gardens and the new feels more hedgehog friendly and ensure that we
:46:14. > :46:22.can actually have a hedgehog superhighway. What I would say, I
:46:23. > :46:29.know this is a prickly issue for him, let me get straight to point. I
:46:30. > :46:33.want the issuing guidance on the protection of hedgehogs, but I will
:46:34. > :46:37.draw members attention to the excellent publications of the
:46:38. > :46:44.British hedgehog preservation Society, and their guide to looking
:46:45. > :46:51.hedgehog. I would recommend for any Honorable members who want to curl
:46:52. > :46:55.up this Christmas and read it. The words hedgehog, superhighway did not
:46:56. > :47:04.trip off the Secretary of State Tonka. Maybe he is preserving them
:47:05. > :47:08.for another occasion. Why is it that those councils who have the highest
:47:09. > :47:12.number of vulnerable children are the same councils that have seen the
:47:13. > :47:20.highest level of budget cuts under his government? I would say to the
:47:21. > :47:26.Honorable Lady, that if she looks at the figures, it is quite apparent,
:47:27. > :47:33.that the local authorities with the highest spending power are the local
:47:34. > :47:38.authorities that she refers to. Councils will see a rise in their
:47:39. > :47:46.resource in cash terms over these parliament from 40 billion to 40.5
:47:47. > :47:55.billion. The Honorable Lady will see the outcome of the local government
:47:56. > :48:04.finance settlement. Will do all join me in welcoming the plan of for the
:48:05. > :48:08.tearing down of a building. It's being replaced by hundreds of new
:48:09. > :48:16.homes of many different types including some 260 badly needed
:48:17. > :48:19.assisted living apartments. He has given a great example of a local
:48:20. > :48:28.authority making good use of Brownfield land to provide housing
:48:29. > :48:33.that their constituency needs. And a hasty attempt to reverse the office
:48:34. > :48:44.of housing statistics, ministers were reported that there was a cell
:48:45. > :48:51.of... Two private investors. Housing Association has made sure that they
:48:52. > :48:58.will oppose such a move. It is an unhelpful distraction. Can a
:48:59. > :49:08.minister and store the house that a...
:49:09. > :49:16.Lasher, councils local development plan was adopted with new green belt
:49:17. > :49:21.boundaries, will they and sure confidence and the plan to make sure
:49:22. > :49:24.that the policy for his determination, or any application to
:49:25. > :49:28.the point from the plant by giving itself planning permission to build
:49:29. > :49:35.on the green belt that was so recently confirmed? I think my
:49:36. > :49:39.Honorable friend outlines an important part. He is right, that a
:49:40. > :49:44.local authorities who has its plan in place, I am sure that this is
:49:45. > :49:48.local authority were to take an opportunity to go outside a local
:49:49. > :49:55.plant he would be the first to request myself or the Secretary of
:49:56. > :49:59.State to consider that application. Some authorities have had to close
:50:00. > :50:06.the local where affairs assistance schemes altogether. Food banks are
:50:07. > :50:10.in need of. Will does government preside over 5 million people, will
:50:11. > :50:18.the Secretary of State commit to protect future funding and reinstate
:50:19. > :50:20.the law? It is important to local authorities take their
:50:21. > :50:26.responsibilities seriously, when we have the local government finance
:50:27. > :50:30.settlement, I'm sure there will be happy to see and recognise. The
:50:31. > :50:36.people of Lincoln shared know what is best for the people of
:50:37. > :50:43.Lincolnshire. Can my honourable friend outlined the deal. And tell
:50:44. > :50:47.us how the bid is going. My honourable friend is well-placed to
:50:48. > :50:54.represent the views of people of link share. He does it effectively.
:50:55. > :51:00.Areas are different and local people know best what they need to drive
:51:01. > :51:05.economic improvement and improve the lives that they represent.
:51:06. > :51:09.Discussions are going well. They include discussions on skills,
:51:10. > :51:19.transport, housing, and water management. What discussions has the
:51:20. > :51:23.Secretary of State has with the business sector for still
:51:24. > :51:25.communities and how they can use imaginative and creative approaches
:51:26. > :51:33.to support the steel industry through this difficult time? I have
:51:34. > :51:37.had discussions with the business secretary and his colleagues. It is
:51:38. > :51:44.important that we and power of those communities to act in support of the
:51:45. > :51:50.businesses and the employees, through the extension of the
:51:51. > :51:54.enterprise, he will see that practical support has been given to
:51:55. > :52:01.make sure that the prosperity of those regions continues to grow
:52:02. > :52:06.despite these challenges. I am delighted to see the extra supply of
:52:07. > :52:11.affordable housing, as a result of the housing and planning bill. A key
:52:12. > :52:16.to that is supplied. Will he agree with me that the London land
:52:17. > :52:19.commission is keen to do this. And we keep under review all the plans
:52:20. > :52:26.that they need to make sure of the land comes in. Like? I am honoured
:52:27. > :52:28.to be joint chair of the London land commission, I can give them
:52:29. > :52:33.assurance that we will make sure that the land does come forward and
:52:34. > :52:38.plays an important part to deliver housing to London. When we get to
:52:39. > :52:42.the 12 month point from where it started, we will do a review to make
:52:43. > :52:50.sure it has the power it needs to deliver. On Saturday, I was out with
:52:51. > :53:00.Caroline Pridgen who is a London Mayor candidate. Kill me makes so
:53:01. > :53:13.that PCS cells continue to play the role that they play in keeping our
:53:14. > :53:17.streets safe. I'm glad he remembers the name of his candidate, I think
:53:18. > :53:23.it is spent most of us in that's how. I'm very happy to confirm the
:53:24. > :53:30.importance of all of our police, and keeping our streets safe. Simon
:53:31. > :53:35.Stevens has described social care funding as unresolved business. With
:53:36. > :53:39.the Secretary of State agree with him that it is time to have a
:53:40. > :53:45.rethink on how we fund the social care in the future? She has a deep
:53:46. > :53:50.and long-standing interest in this and she should know that the funding
:53:51. > :53:53.adult social care is something that should be done jointly between local
:53:54. > :53:58.councils and the NHS. The health secretary and I are working closely
:53:59. > :54:02.to make sure that the funds at the Chancellor has made available is put
:54:03. > :54:06.to good use so that our elderly people are properly cared for rather
:54:07. > :54:13.they are in charge of councils or in our hospital. Does the government
:54:14. > :54:23.have any plans for initiatives other than that business, to help people
:54:24. > :54:27.in small suburban shopping centres especially in my constituency? I
:54:28. > :54:31.think the Honorable Clement for that question, this government is doing a
:54:32. > :54:35.number of things to help the type of traitors, that the Honorable Tillman
:54:36. > :54:44.refers to, we have a principled planning changes to allow them to
:54:45. > :54:47.respond more flexibly. We are tackling overzealous parking
:54:48. > :54:52.practices, and I am working closely with retail worker migrations of the
:54:53. > :54:56.future of the form to develop strategies that will enable our high
:54:57. > :55:02.streets and communities to beat the future needs of the consumer. I
:55:03. > :55:09.would like to commend Staffordshire fire and rescue service for there
:55:10. > :55:13.will work in fire prevention which has conjured to falling call-outs.
:55:14. > :55:17.Does he agree with me that further integration between police, fire and
:55:18. > :55:23.other services with help to more effectively identify vulnerable
:55:24. > :55:28.people which would lead to better outcomes for the public and
:55:29. > :55:34.efficiency savings? I agree, closer collaboration between our blue light
:55:35. > :55:40.services offers better services to make efficiencies. I would encourage
:55:41. > :55:44.to the consultation that we have for her and her colleagues to make their
:55:45. > :55:50.representation so that we can do that without the current barriers.
:55:51. > :55:55.On the last consideration of the housing bill, the Conservatives
:55:56. > :55:59.passed an amendment to bring to an end, secure tendencies and social
:56:00. > :56:02.housing, that was done without consultation or any impact
:56:03. > :56:07.assessment. Can the Secretary of State tell me where he won councils
:56:08. > :56:11.senates that this was in a conservative manifesto? Actually, I
:56:12. > :56:17.would say, that that was outlined in the summer budget, they are not
:56:18. > :56:21.affected by this. The provisions of the housing and planning bill made
:56:22. > :56:27.on the 7th of December, prevent councils from offering new tenants
:56:28. > :56:33.lifetime tenants in the future. Some areas such as the Isle of Wight will
:56:34. > :56:36.have a much more difficult task, to increase their income by increasing
:56:37. > :56:40.the business rate base. Blow my honourable friend meet the Isle of
:56:41. > :56:50.Wight Council to discuss this matter? Delighted to meet the Isle
:56:51. > :56:54.of Wight to speak. And taking 100% of business rates to local
:56:55. > :56:57.government, it is important that we agree that places who don't have
:56:58. > :57:05.good business rates are not going to lose out? Many of my concerns were
:57:06. > :57:10.dismayed when I went back, after hearing last week that my honourable
:57:11. > :57:14.friend suggested that you are going to limit competencies, what are you
:57:15. > :57:16.going to say to those members of Mike is interesting that are
:57:17. > :57:21.dismayed that this government has pulled this on them and what they
:57:22. > :57:28.considered to be their rights as citizens? I would refer to her to
:57:29. > :57:31.counter that with gave a few minutes ago. They are not affected by this.
:57:32. > :57:40.It is about new tenants. It is the right thing to do. With the previous
:57:41. > :57:42.member who was our cabinet secretary, I'm sure many taxpayers
:57:43. > :57:51.would wonder if that is a good expenditure. South Gloucestershire,
:57:52. > :58:02.work very well as a functional unit does my my honourable friend...
:58:03. > :58:07.Should be regarded as a betrayal. I can assure my right honourable
:58:08. > :58:20.friend I have no intention of free introducing the front door back door
:58:21. > :58:25.or. After a replacement for Right to Buy was funded, the UK government
:58:26. > :58:32.what would the consequences for Scotland beat? As I said earlier,
:58:33. > :58:36.despite his government is saying a increase in its capital budget as a
:58:37. > :58:43.result of a announcement at the spending review. Individual policies
:58:44. > :58:47.are rotten through and delivered, the British Government will meet its
:58:48. > :58:56.obligations, in that regard. And will continue to do so.
:58:57. > :59:08.Urgent questions. I wish to ask the Minister responded to make a
:59:09. > :59:16.statement on the sports PLC and its compliance with the national minimum
:59:17. > :59:18.wage legislation. Thank you very much, I assure the right honourable
:59:19. > :59:21.departments concerned that working people are paid the full amount that
:59:22. > :59:22.the law requires for