:00:07. > :00:15.Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Parliament live coverage of the
:00:16. > :00:20.House of Commons. The shadow secretary will be asking an urgent
:00:21. > :00:24.question concerning the latdst talks of the doctors dispute out of the
:00:25. > :00:29.next planned a strike on Wednesday. Followed by two statements, first
:00:30. > :00:33.the international secretary we talking to MPs about Syria following
:00:34. > :00:44.the closure of the border whth Turkey. MPs then move on to the
:00:45. > :00:49.annual motion for the Social Security benefits and the state
:00:50. > :00:57.pension. There's a general debate looking at the future the roots of
:00:58. > :01:03.the Western Railway. Don't forget to join me for the round up of the day
:01:04. > :01:09.in both house of Parliament at 1 o'clock tonight. First the puestions
:01:10. > :01:13.to the community secretary, first question from the Labour Party from
:01:14. > :01:55.the housing if it's operating. Order order. I wish to repe`t what
:01:56. > :02:02.is said to the house last Friday. It is with great sadness that H have to
:02:03. > :02:13.report to the house the death from the Honorable member from Sheffield
:02:14. > :02:21.and Hillsboro. He was a resdarcher for David Plunkett. And as `
:02:22. > :02:27.representative for the union of mine workers. He was also a counsellor on
:02:28. > :02:30.Sheffield City Council for 05 years holding important cabinet
:02:31. > :02:37.responsibilities during that time. And serving as deputy leader from
:02:38. > :02:45.the Council. He held the exdcutive to account on behalf of his
:02:46. > :02:49.constituents. Most recently on the Wednesday the 20th of January he
:02:50. > :02:55.asked the Prime Minister wh`t the support was providing... I lust tell
:02:56. > :03:02.the House that Harry informdd me a few weeks ago of his circumstances.
:03:03. > :03:05.Noted be recorded that he fought bravely his illness and then bore it
:03:06. > :03:14.with stoicism and fortitude. Continuing to battle on beh`lf of
:03:15. > :03:22.his constituents. To the very end. Our thoughts are with Harry's wife
:03:23. > :03:26.Jill and his family at this very sad time. Order. Questions to the
:03:27. > :03:33.Secretary of State for Commtnities and Local Government. Number one
:03:34. > :03:43.please Mr Speaker. Thank yot Mr Speaker. May associate myself and my
:03:44. > :03:50.colleagues about Harry and we will all be missing. With permission I
:03:51. > :03:55.would also answer questions one and 18 together. The government has
:03:56. > :04:01.always been clear that the lost vulnerable will be protected. We
:04:02. > :04:09.will work with the sector to ensure appropriate protections are in
:04:10. > :04:17.place. May associate with mxself with the sentiments that have been
:04:18. > :04:24.expressed as well. The revidw the report in spring. Meanwhile the
:04:25. > :04:28.Secretary of State is still pressing ahead with the cuts before the
:04:29. > :04:34.review comes out. Kenny minhster say what is this? I would say to the
:04:35. > :04:38.Honorable Lady that as she lay of heard on the debates on this
:04:39. > :04:42.recently. We have already bden very clear that the most vulnerable in
:04:43. > :04:47.our society will be protectdd. We must also make it fair for taxpayers
:04:48. > :04:52.as well. With the Minister acknowledged that while his
:04:53. > :05:00.announcement will be delayed. And his welcome. He does not go far
:05:01. > :05:07.enough and that the proposals should project much-needed stability back
:05:08. > :05:13.into the sector. As I said `t the debates recently we are working with
:05:14. > :05:17.the sector and the changes coming in 2018, we have been always vdry clear
:05:18. > :05:28.that the most horrible in otr society will be protected. That s
:05:29. > :05:31.vulnerable. I'll be grateful if my Honorable friend could confhrm that
:05:32. > :05:40.housing associations will bd given urgent clarity as to whether the
:05:41. > :05:44.local housing... If it is not there is a real worry that many whll
:05:45. > :05:53.close. And he'll be an unnecessary rise and on homelessness. Preventing
:05:54. > :06:01.youth homeless is a prioritx for governments where investing in a ?50
:06:02. > :06:04.million fair chance fund. This is helping 2000 vulnerable you don t
:06:05. > :06:08.homeless people get into accommodation in education `nd
:06:09. > :06:16.training and employment. We are working closely to provide `
:06:17. > :06:21.long-term solution for this. Thank you Mr Speaker, and I to associate
:06:22. > :06:28.myself and these pitches with big comments that you made Mr Speaker.
:06:29. > :06:36.He will be very missed by the Labour Party, his constituents, and his
:06:37. > :06:41.families and friends. Research from changing lives in Newcastle based
:06:42. > :06:43.specialist housing agency s`ys that they and other housing support
:06:44. > :06:49.providers across the countrx will lose a huge sum of money from the
:06:50. > :06:55.Chancellor's crude cuts. Me`ning the discretionary fund that the
:06:56. > :07:00.government says they must rdly on is totally inadequate. What is the
:07:01. > :07:02.Minister going to do? It is vital for many thousands of peopld for
:07:03. > :07:10.disabilities and other spechalist needs remains and is properly funded
:07:11. > :07:21.in the future. We will make sure the most vulnerable in our socidty are
:07:22. > :07:25.protected. To deliver homes to specialist for the elderly `nd those
:07:26. > :07:38.with disabilities. We also provide a ?3 billion investment in thd better
:07:39. > :07:43.care fund. Thank you. Can I associate myself with your
:07:44. > :07:47.sentiments about a former colleague. This government is committed to
:07:48. > :07:52.increase homeownership. Abott 3 ,000 households have purchased a home
:07:53. > :07:58.through 2012. Major sponsor programme in London. In the first
:07:59. > :08:08.seven days, 15,000 people h`ve registered. Since April 2010, many
:08:09. > :08:15.homes have been sold. This would give 1.3 million more familhes the
:08:16. > :08:21.opportunity to do this. This is a major employer in our consthtuency.
:08:22. > :08:26.We all know that we more sm`ll-scale developments in the supply chain to
:08:27. > :08:32.increase the supply of homes. Does my right honourable friend `gree
:08:33. > :08:36.that franchising so their plots to ask an EE developers is one way to
:08:37. > :08:48.get small-scale developers hnto the supply chain? One of the effect of
:08:49. > :08:58.the financial crash... We nded to get them back involved. We will use
:08:59. > :09:06.public sector land to carve it up a new small plots so that small
:09:07. > :09:13.builders can take advantage of it. Should have and to excuse hhs? Busy
:09:14. > :09:17.generation that have no hopd of owning their own homes. Isn't it
:09:18. > :09:22.about time we have some bold and Methodist policies. How manx new
:09:23. > :09:26.talents, how many new gener`tions of buildings are going on, how many
:09:27. > :09:32.houses are being built, can he answer that? I would say to the
:09:33. > :09:38.honourable gentleman that over the last five years homeownershhp and in
:09:39. > :09:49.particular house-building, has been revived from the crash. Hear, hear!.
:09:50. > :09:53.He should welcome these. Yot should welcome the introduction of starter
:09:54. > :09:57.homes to give first-time buxers afoot on the housing ladder. Should
:09:58. > :10:00.welcome the extension of help to buy which is helped so many people
:10:01. > :10:10.achieve their dream of a hell of their own. -- home of their own
:10:11. > :10:16.Does the Secretary of State agree that affordable housing in rural
:10:17. > :10:21.areas is absolutely key? In providing homes in all commtnities
:10:22. > :10:29.we need to make sure that wd have diversity. Especially in rural
:10:30. > :10:37.areas. The idea to any of these schemes are affordable isn't
:10:38. > :10:42.Orwellian myth. In my consthtuency do need an income of 70,000 to get
:10:43. > :10:49.into an affordable home. It is going to go up to 90,000. Who is that
:10:50. > :10:56.affordable to. ? I think he does a good service to his constittents, he
:10:57. > :11:01.should know that under the combination of help to buy `nd
:11:02. > :11:07.shared ownership in London, the deposits that a first-time buyer can
:11:08. > :11:14.acquire is as low of ?4800 on the average price paid... He wotld do
:11:15. > :11:21.his constituents a service of promoting the schemes to thdm. I
:11:22. > :11:26.welcome the comments about the importance of small and medhum sized
:11:27. > :11:30.building sector. One of the most damaging things that could happen in
:11:31. > :11:35.the involvement of that sector and London would be the provision of a
:11:36. > :11:44.affordable housing target which have no viability and would actu`lly
:11:45. > :11:47.drive developers away from breeding sites forward. This is not ` matter
:11:48. > :11:57.of speculation is the matter of facts. Housing in London fell. Want
:11:58. > :12:02.to provide homes for Londondrs. The mayor has had an exemplary record of
:12:03. > :12:09.providing homes of all type for Londoners. The ?400 million that is
:12:10. > :12:13.being invested in the 20 hotsing zones across London. That is a
:12:14. > :12:21.tribute to the tenacity of our Honorable friend. I am pleased to
:12:22. > :12:25.say the hundreds of families in my constituency of Bath and North East
:12:26. > :12:33.Somerset have been helped bx this scheme. Don't families are still
:12:34. > :12:42.unable to access it. With vhctory as they agree with me -- agreed to meet
:12:43. > :12:48.with me and other constituents who have high-value areas their
:12:49. > :12:52.constituencies... I will certainly meet with them. It is vastlx
:12:53. > :12:58.essential that we have homes built in every area of the communhty. So
:12:59. > :13:01.that young people and the rhsing generations have the chance to
:13:02. > :13:11.continue to be part of the communities in which they wdre born
:13:12. > :13:21.and raised. Where is the fellow LAUGHTER With permission I want to
:13:22. > :13:33.answer questions four and fhve together. All tenants much have a
:13:34. > :13:42.safe place with which to live. They must provide good quality and safe
:13:43. > :13:51.accommodation. According to an inquiry, there were many colplaints
:13:52. > :13:57.and only 14,000 were subject to update the assessments, and they
:13:58. > :14:02.only prosecuted one I broken landlord every year. It is
:14:03. > :14:06.irrefutable that local authorities lack the resources and in some cases
:14:07. > :14:15.the will to take action agahnst rogue landlords. Can he reshst a
:14:16. > :14:22.modest change against tenets for homes that are not fit for human
:14:23. > :14:26.habitation? Local authoritids should be using the powers that got. It is
:14:27. > :14:33.already a requirement for properties to be fit and proper. She mhght want
:14:34. > :14:42.to welcome the ?5 million of the ?6.7 million to help. If shd sees
:14:43. > :14:48.the way finds work she will see is beyond anything you've ever seen
:14:49. > :14:54.before. I have to say that luch of what the Minister has said hs not
:14:55. > :15:02.what I hear. People that spdak to me speak of substandard homes. Without
:15:03. > :15:09.any checks. They deal with their landlords due to fears of bding
:15:10. > :15:17.evicted? Does he now regrets not supporting Labour agreements of the
:15:18. > :15:31.housing and planning bill. Hear hear!. I would hope for council tax
:15:32. > :15:35.or duty properly. Which is what will enable local authorities to issue
:15:36. > :15:39.several pen as he is up to ?30, 00 and seek repayment orders dropped to
:15:40. > :15:51.12 months. This gives resources that they've never had before. Sounds of
:15:52. > :15:56.some very heavy breathing going on. While the Honorable lady is right to
:15:57. > :16:00.point out the difference, vdry offering neighbouring counchls with
:16:01. > :16:04.the same resources are enforcing these regulations in radically
:16:05. > :16:08.different ways. Can I encourage the Minister to promote the best
:16:09. > :16:10.practice enforcement and most importantly to challenge those
:16:11. > :16:16.councils are failing to use the powers they have. My Honorable
:16:17. > :16:22.friend who has a wealth of experience in this field spdaks with
:16:23. > :16:26.great common sense and logic. The local authorities should be using
:16:27. > :16:31.the powers that got by far. They should be using the powers that got
:16:32. > :16:34.to crack down on the rogue landlords that all of us including good
:16:35. > :16:42.landlords want to see driven out of the system. They commend thd
:16:43. > :16:54.government for the toughest action possible on rogue landlords. Will he
:16:55. > :16:59.give continue to work a cross party basis is necessary on a trust which
:17:00. > :17:10.is that a commitment on both parties of years. It's particularly in areas
:17:11. > :17:15.of affordability issues? We are working across government and sins
:17:16. > :17:20.of the institutions that max have come forward. I can tell thd House
:17:21. > :17:33.of the states regeneration panel will be meeting tomorrow. 33% of
:17:34. > :17:37.constituents, many of these constituents have been victhms of
:17:38. > :17:43.addictions and we estimate that 4000 people were victims of revenge
:17:44. > :17:48.eviction, and 200,000 peopld across the country and a calendar xear
:17:49. > :17:52.suffered from rogue landlords. The minister has a sticky about how much
:17:53. > :17:57.work the government has been doing. That is all supported last xear One
:17:58. > :18:05.impact has that had on a nulber of evictions across the countrx? Local
:18:06. > :18:09.authorities must use these powers to crack down on these rogue l`ndlords
:18:10. > :18:20.to ensure they are providing the services. Some of the worst
:18:21. > :18:26.landlords have been prosecuted by the Council and the Departmdnt of
:18:27. > :18:31.local government has awarded them a ?74,000 grants to keep about work.
:18:32. > :18:36.When councils are proactive there are resources available for them to
:18:37. > :18:43.be more proactive. My honourable friend is right. They are wdll
:18:44. > :18:51.protected and well served. Tse the extra funding we put in. A new
:18:52. > :18:54.?30,000 civil fines against local authorities will build up of
:18:55. > :19:09.forward. On the 20th of January the
:19:10. > :19:17.government were able to announce the Aberdeen city deal heads of terms.
:19:18. > :19:20.Idea which in terms includes an investment fund which shows the
:19:21. > :19:30.investment going in and Aberdeen across the country as a whole. With
:19:31. > :19:34.the treasury having received over ?300 million from rosy revenue of
:19:35. > :19:37.the last four years and knowing of the current low oil price is
:19:38. > :19:40.aggravated by deliberate underpricing and coding frol our
:19:41. > :19:45.friends in Saudi Arabia, dods the Minister not think that the UK
:19:46. > :19:51.Government should at least latch the 250 million given by the Scottish
:19:52. > :19:55.Government extended just a 025 million by the UK Government to help
:19:56. > :20:01.the region from a difficult time? I think most people welcomed the deal,
:20:02. > :20:06.a significant investment is going in that demonstrates the British
:20:07. > :20:09.Government and the Scottish Government to drive forward the
:20:10. > :20:19.economy and Aberdeen to facd the challenges. It underlines that we
:20:20. > :20:25.are better together. Hear, hear I would first like to offer the
:20:26. > :20:35.condolences of the SNP to the family and friends of Harry Harper. The
:20:36. > :20:43.deal and the investment of 2.9 billion, that is not much. They only
:20:44. > :20:49.stepped up 125 million for the deal. We're disappointed and let down by
:20:50. > :20:53.the government. When you agree a city deal with ?125 million added to
:20:54. > :21:00.the other money that is going in as wanted wanted by local people, and
:21:01. > :21:05.is something I think should be welcomed and is a that will drive
:21:06. > :21:10.growth. Other areas would bd very keen to secure it if they could as
:21:11. > :21:16.well. This government is not providing the 50-50 basis for this
:21:17. > :21:20.deal. The Scottish Government is intruding 379 million to thhs deal.
:21:21. > :21:25.Was there but respond to calls from the secretary and step up the
:21:26. > :21:30.additional ?200 million the Aberdeen clearly needs? I had hoped that when
:21:31. > :21:34.I saw I was an area of questioning which which would be dealing today
:21:35. > :21:38.that the questions will focts on the great positivity on the announcement
:21:39. > :21:44.that is the characteristic of working together that the tdrms of
:21:45. > :21:48.this deal have been announcdd. Is the deal that is only possible from
:21:49. > :21:51.the contribution from the rhch government has made a long sigh with
:21:52. > :21:55.the Scottish Government working with local partners, I think it hs one
:21:56. > :22:06.that should be welcomed on the benches. As though Mr Speakdr to
:22:07. > :22:10.underline the point that I was making other areas like citx deals
:22:11. > :22:16.as well. Went to work with them to deliver them. To make sure they re
:22:17. > :22:18.properly thought through but we will continue had those discussions and
:22:19. > :22:26.deliver something which can make a real difference.
:22:27. > :22:33.This city deal was submitted in September with further information
:22:34. > :22:37.to be sent knitted with the UK and Scottish governments. Local
:22:38. > :22:42.government has received the settlements from the UK Govdrnment.
:22:43. > :22:48.Despite follow-up we have ydt to hear anything back. Kenny mhnister
:22:49. > :22:58.confirm whether a deal will be in place prior to the elections? And
:22:59. > :23:05.Deborah and Scott went city deal Edinburgh and Scotland city deal.
:23:06. > :23:14.That's a good he opportunithes as well as the cost. It is no surprise
:23:15. > :23:17.he is keen to seek a deal for his area as well. If the right xou can
:23:18. > :23:25.be reached is something we will deliver on. Government commhtted
:23:26. > :23:28.?500 million to the Greater Cambridge city deal. Followhng the
:23:29. > :23:34.news that only 25% of Aberdden in Shire's deal. What percentage of the
:23:35. > :23:40.deal with the Minister be committing. Those discussions are
:23:41. > :23:43.ongoing and we will see what conclusion they reached. Thd
:23:44. > :23:50.recognition across the housd of the city deals can make is a re`l
:23:51. > :23:52.difference. The value that they can bring an aggressive they can
:23:53. > :23:58.generate real continuing his discussions and I hope that we can
:23:59. > :24:01.retake Falluja and that will be welcomed. The deals to the whole of
:24:02. > :24:11.making a real difference and will continue to do so. I will answer
:24:12. > :24:17.questions 89 and together. We have committed to fulfilling a commitment
:24:18. > :24:23.of supporting Brownfield land and to that end recommending a ?2 billion
:24:24. > :24:33.fund. We are determined to lake sure that we get 90% of that land by
:24:34. > :24:42.2020. In my constituency we place great importance that the green belt
:24:43. > :24:48.provides for communities. C`n he tell me what support he is providing
:24:49. > :24:56.for more commercial as well as housing development to encolpassing
:24:57. > :25:07.green belt. ? We are protecting green belt. This ?2 billion fund
:25:08. > :25:20.will make that land more attractive. To make sure we do everything we can
:25:21. > :25:29.to give those Brownfield ardas. Which isn't included in the Derby
:25:30. > :25:34.city councils strategy. The site however say will be ready bx 20 8.
:25:35. > :25:41.Does my honourable friend agree that the local authorities should be more
:25:42. > :25:47.to utilising these sites, and making ready for development? My honourable
:25:48. > :25:50.friend who is working passionately for her local community to lake sure
:25:51. > :25:58.that Brownfield land is appropriately and properly tse, it
:25:59. > :26:00.is true to say that the loc`l authorities should be in working
:26:01. > :26:05.with local communities to m`ke sure the programme for land are
:26:06. > :26:19.understanding its availabilhty is to take advantage of the new ?2 billion
:26:20. > :26:24.fund as well. ... Just days ago the head application to build 500 homes
:26:25. > :26:31.in the green belt site, I a shot support of localism but how can the
:26:32. > :26:39.government make councils stdp up to the challenge of Brownfield
:26:40. > :26:43.development? My honourable friend highlights a very good case. The
:26:44. > :26:53.prison minister she was rapdd counsel -- positive... The local
:26:54. > :27:02.community and pencil take note what they think it about luck next time
:27:03. > :27:10.around. Harry Harper will probably be the last man alleges House of
:27:11. > :27:15.Commons. Despite a series of this illness. He was still here weeks ago
:27:16. > :27:21.passionately arguing for thd workers in Sheffield. Here is a dedhcated
:27:22. > :27:28.service for the people of Sheffield including closing of the hole was
:27:29. > :27:34.programmed. Can I say to Mr there are many sites in Sheffield where
:27:35. > :27:45.more than a thousand homes to be built up. The land is subject to
:27:46. > :27:49.flooding. The City Council have identified ?40 million to a flood
:27:50. > :27:55.prevention programme. Will he agree to those to find out how we can get
:27:56. > :28:02.a joint approach to make sure this land can be
:28:03. > :28:06.I think he outlines a reallx good example of where everyone c`n be
:28:07. > :28:09.working together for the best interests of the community to see
:28:10. > :28:12.more housing built, I am happy to organise that meeting and I will
:28:13. > :28:17.make sure I have that conversation with an local authority with himself
:28:18. > :28:20.and myself. Thank you Mr Spdaker, York desperately needs family and
:28:21. > :28:22.social housing and get the Council are planning on building
:28:23. > :28:29.predominantly high-value unhts on the 72 York Central round fheld site
:28:30. > :28:32.which will go nowhere in addressing our holding prices. Will thd
:28:33. > :28:35.Minister meet with me to discuss a principal of York first, putting the
:28:36. > :28:41.interest of the city ahead of asset housing? Eight I'm sure the
:28:42. > :28:43.honourable lady will apprechate that it is absolutely right, the local
:28:44. > :28:47.communities make local decisions about what is right, and her local
:28:48. > :28:50.authority has the ability to look at their housing meet and make a
:28:51. > :28:55.decision of what is right to debt due for them is what we need to do
:28:56. > :28:58.in York. Thank you Mr Speakdr, in 2012 the Secretary of State told the
:28:59. > :29:02.House that the new planning policy framework offered clear and
:29:03. > :29:06.unequivocal protection of the green belt, green belt approvals have
:29:07. > :29:11.increased fivefold in the l`st five years under this government. The new
:29:12. > :29:15.permission and principle powers under Clause 102 will only further
:29:16. > :29:21.undermine the green belt. One will be government put urban regdneration
:29:22. > :29:25.first rather than this? I would say to the honourable gentleman if you
:29:26. > :29:28.look to the national planning policy framework and the guidance that he
:29:29. > :29:31.has come out with a strength of the protection and green belt over what
:29:32. > :29:35.has been there before, I wotld say if you look at the new planning
:29:36. > :29:38.commission principle, the ndw requirement for a Brownfield
:29:39. > :29:41.register and the ?2 billion fund, they'll be going further th`n any
:29:42. > :29:45.government before and make sure that Brownfield is the first. Th`nk you
:29:46. > :29:50.Mr Speaker, does the Ministdr agree with me that my Honorable friend for
:29:51. > :29:53.Richmond Park spent to try the London land commission to force
:29:54. > :29:58.local authorities to bring forward unused lines will secure thd homes
:29:59. > :30:03.that Londoners need and also protect the environment and give rotnded the
:30:04. > :30:05.quality London deserves? I think my Honorable friend outlines an
:30:06. > :30:08.approach and a very producthve approach about the next Mayor of
:30:09. > :30:17.London has outlined to make sure with him as the joint chair of the
:30:18. > :30:20.commission on that issue? Does the Minister understand the plight of
:30:21. > :30:24.the residents of Port in grden and urban vintage in my constittency who
:30:25. > :30:29.I have seen under the greatdr Manchester combine the authorities
:30:30. > :30:33.special framework, every pidce of open green space that is left
:30:34. > :30:38.remaining in that area identified for future developments is ht about
:30:39. > :30:44.time that we had a planning system that works for the people of Port in
:30:45. > :30:46.green? Well, I think the honourable gentleman's council has represented
:30:47. > :30:51.on that authority, I hope they would have their voice and I am also
:30:52. > :30:54.co-chairing the Manchester commission and respect with the
:30:55. > :31:00.Labor interim chair on that panel as well. Thank you Mr Speaker, having
:31:01. > :31:10.previously failed to sorry don't number ten. It's Monday. LATGHTER
:31:11. > :31:18.On this occasion I will answer this question so low on his own, ?22
:31:19. > :31:22.million to enable planning for 015 to 2018 and provides planning groups
:31:23. > :31:26.with online resources and advice services and brands. And technical
:31:27. > :31:29.support in priority areas, the housing and planning bill I will say
:31:30. > :31:34.will speed up and simplify the planning process further. I think
:31:35. > :31:40.the Minister for that import an answer to the question numbdr ten,
:31:41. > :31:45.having previously failed to deliver the first time, the Lib Dem led the
:31:46. > :31:50.Borough Council not consulthng on its new and somewhat controversial
:31:51. > :31:55.local planet to draft documdnts As the Minister agree with me the best
:31:56. > :31:58.possible solution for my constituents to have a suit`ble and
:31:59. > :32:04.properly supported local pl`n and to back parishes on their commtnity
:32:05. > :32:08.created neighbourhood plans as there are currently none going to
:32:09. > :32:13.referendum in easy. My Honorable friend makes a very good pohnt, I am
:32:14. > :32:15.pleased to be able to say to the House to give her constituents if
:32:16. > :32:19.they go forward with the neighbourhood plan it will have
:32:20. > :32:24.weakened planning law, the local authorities failing to do that duty
:32:25. > :32:32.by locals residents Aaron Wdber plan is the best way to do that. A number
:32:33. > :32:37.of neighbourhood plans have failed because of causes including
:32:38. > :32:39.insufficient evidence, unre`listic expectations, and also failhng to
:32:40. > :32:45.meet European environmental requirements. How is the department
:32:46. > :32:48.giving those formulating thdse plans to ensure that they meet thd
:32:49. > :32:54.standards set down by the independent examiners? As ottlined
:32:55. > :33:00.in my initial answer Mr Spe`ker we have not only online resources and
:33:01. > :33:05.services, we have grants of up to ?8,000 with a further ?6,000 in
:33:06. > :33:08.particular difficult areas. I will say to the honourable lady we have
:33:09. > :33:12.workshops going out around the country to talk the areas the
:33:13. > :33:15.national Association of loc`l councils also talking to thdir
:33:16. > :33:19.parish council about how thhs works. I would say to her that every single
:33:20. > :33:25.neighbour plan has gone to referendum and passed a hugd
:33:26. > :33:32.majority. Would it not be a good idea to highlight and example are
:33:33. > :33:36.neighbourhood plan in each shire area which could be specifically
:33:37. > :33:40.rolled out across that Contd to encourage more parish counchls in
:33:41. > :33:46.particular to get involved? My Honorable friend, as he oftdn does
:33:47. > :33:49.raises a very good idea, I will be talking to the group who gone out
:33:50. > :33:52.and do this kind of work, sharing best practices around the country,
:33:53. > :33:55.and I think it is a very good idea for local authorities to look at
:33:56. > :34:03.what others have done and whll be doing our best to promote that
:34:04. > :34:08.further fullback.... Thank xou Mr Speaker, we have provided up to the
:34:09. > :34:12.5p of funding to meet demographic pressures on social care, this is
:34:13. > :34:17.significantly more than the ?2. billion the local Government
:34:18. > :34:21.Association estimates it is needed. 20 the government going to set that
:34:22. > :34:24.the problems of social care would only be overcome when there is a
:34:25. > :34:29.comprehensive public and provided system of social care free had the
:34:30. > :34:32.point of need, a national c`re service exactly parallel to and into
:34:33. > :34:38.Brody National Health Service, each with public service free of
:34:39. > :34:41.privatsation? I think the honourable gentleman for his question, what I
:34:42. > :34:47.would say to him is that thhs government is absolutely colmitted
:34:48. > :34:50.to full integration of health and social care by 2020, and we will
:34:51. > :34:55.require all areas will have a clear plan for achieving that by 2017 He
:34:56. > :35:00.will also be interested to know that the spending review does include
:35:01. > :35:02.over ?500 million by the end of the decade for the disabled fachlities
:35:03. > :35:08.grants which is more than doubling from this year the amount, this will
:35:09. > :35:12.fund around 85,000 home adaptations by that year, this is expected to
:35:13. > :35:21.prevent 8500 people from medting to go into a care home by 2019, 20 20.
:35:22. > :35:24.Adult social care is going to be one of the biggest challenges wd face
:35:25. > :35:30.over the next several decadds, with the Minister agree with me that more
:35:31. > :35:33.needs to be done to integrate health and social care, particularly
:35:34. > :35:36.building on the success of the better care funds to encour`ge local
:35:37. > :35:39.authorities to work with local health providers to provide
:35:40. > :35:48.innovative solutions for adtlt social care? I thank him for his
:35:49. > :35:52.questions and he's a real c`mpaigner on this particular issue, as he
:35:53. > :35:59.identifies the particular ftnd is paying dividends and the ichng
:36:00. > :36:03.significant work that in many areas is reducing delayed transfers of
:36:04. > :36:07.care from hospitals for exalple we are absolutely intent on spreading
:36:08. > :36:11.the best practice from this around all areas of the country, and where
:36:12. > :36:18.areas are the most challengd we have put plans in place to improve those
:36:19. > :36:21.areas. I'm afraid what we h`ve just heard is nonsense, government
:36:22. > :36:25.funding for social care. Assured of what is needed, directors of adult
:36:26. > :36:30.social services tell us that 4. billion has already been cut and
:36:31. > :36:35.that the gap is growing at ?700 million a year. The social care
:36:36. > :36:38.presets will on the ?400 million a year, and the particular fund is the
:36:39. > :36:43.Minister mentioned does not start until next year at 105 millhon a
:36:44. > :36:46.year. I think we be given what they have got to think about the fact
:36:47. > :36:50.that they are risking the collapse of social care because the funding
:36:51. > :36:55.is too little and too late. Hear, hear! I would say to the honourable
:36:56. > :37:00.lady that the funding that hs coming into the particular fund, the one
:37:01. > :37:05.billion is all new money to adult social care and that money hs going
:37:06. > :37:09.directly to local authoritids. The absolute key here is the integration
:37:10. > :37:17.of health and social care and as I have set out to the colleagte in my
:37:18. > :37:24.Honorable friend this government is determined to achieve that
:37:25. > :37:28.integration. Thank you very much Mr Speaker, does the Minister `gree
:37:29. > :37:33.with the conserved cons of dither through was recently called in the
:37:34. > :37:36.press that inadequate government funding has left his local consuls
:37:37. > :37:41.struggling to provide adult social care services? Hear, hear! Will
:37:42. > :37:49.firstly, I would like to welcome the honourable lady to the disp`tch box,
:37:50. > :37:52.I hear what she says about the conservative leader of my local
:37:53. > :38:01.authority, Warwickshire County Council, I speak to my lady that she
:38:02. > :38:05.is referring to at all times. What I would say to her is Warwickshire
:38:06. > :38:11.County Council said a sustahnable budget last week and we are able to
:38:12. > :38:24.do that by protecting social care services. Hear, hear! Number 13 Mr
:38:25. > :38:29.Speaker. Resettlement costs for year one half undivided department for
:38:30. > :38:34.developments to the official development assistance budgdt, I'd
:38:35. > :38:38.be spending review we announced a further ?129 million towards local
:38:39. > :38:42.authorities across years two through five, this was calculated after
:38:43. > :38:46.consulting with the LGA, and also local authorities experienchng to
:38:47. > :38:49.this field as they like bec`use they would incur on being part of our
:38:50. > :38:57.Syrian refugee resettlement programme. I am working up `n icon
:38:58. > :39:01.to by refuge of two Syrian families in Redic, with my right honourable
:39:02. > :39:04.friend of relief is the right thing do and reassure people this would
:39:05. > :39:13.not be paid for by local cotncil taxes? The leader of French consul I
:39:14. > :39:18.would like to thank them for their part in the big with the console, as
:39:19. > :39:23.they are aware, we work closely with local authorities to ensure that the
:39:24. > :39:26.capacity is identified as bding suitable for that area. I would
:39:27. > :39:31.again like to confirm it to the honourable lady that the funding
:39:32. > :39:34.available to the spending rdview will go a long way towards funding
:39:35. > :39:41.for the resettlement of the Syrian refugees. Can I come in the Minister
:39:42. > :39:46.for being the first Home Office minister in living memory to have
:39:47. > :39:51.set a target for resettlement and met that targets? However, there are
:39:52. > :39:56.still another 19,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled before the next
:39:57. > :40:01.election. And the number of other asylum-seekers has risen from 9 00
:40:02. > :40:07.to 17,000 people. Where are we going to find this accommodation? This is
:40:08. > :40:10.because, if you would excusd me but to become permitted by the chairman
:40:11. > :40:17.of the Senate committee does put one off 1's stride. LAUGHTER
:40:18. > :40:23.I would like to remind the right honourable gentleman that the
:40:24. > :40:26.refugee scheme I am responshble for requires very much the good nature
:40:27. > :40:29.of local authorities, that together would be at Saddam programmd is very
:40:30. > :40:34.important to us. We work closely with them and I am very ple`sed to
:40:35. > :40:40.say that we have an equal ddmand for places for the supply of refugees. I
:40:41. > :40:42.understand the Minister, it is humbling indeed to be praisdd by
:40:43. > :40:54.someone of the right honour`ble gentleman exalted status. L@UGHTER
:40:55. > :41:00.14 Mr Speaker. The average council tax has long been higher in the will
:41:01. > :41:03.areas than urban areas, sevdral consuls and honourable membdrs have
:41:04. > :41:06.pointed out the extra cost of providing services in rural areas,
:41:07. > :41:13.something which I am determhned to address. Figures from the rtral fair
:41:14. > :41:17.share campaign show that those who live in urban areas received 45
:41:18. > :41:21.more funding than their rur`l counterparts. One at the sale time
:41:22. > :41:25.those rural residents are p`ying on average ?81 more in council tax
:41:26. > :41:28.With the right honourable friend agree with me that my consthtuents
:41:29. > :41:31.have every right to feel aggrieved in inequality, what steps is the
:41:32. > :41:39.government going to do to address this issue? I been looking very
:41:40. > :41:41.carefully the responses to the consultation on local government
:41:42. > :41:47.finance including that from Leicestershire, which seems to make
:41:48. > :41:50.a perfectly reasonable point that the essential requirement is that
:41:51. > :41:53.the underlying formula should reflect the costs of providhng
:41:54. > :41:57.services in different places and if the honourable gentleman is patient
:41:58. > :42:03.and comes back a bit later H will have more to say about that. Isn't
:42:04. > :42:07.it the fact that in practicd despite their rhetoric, and the conservative
:42:08. > :42:09.consuls are charging more than they were consuls? That is what the
:42:10. > :42:16.honourable gentleman's question conceals. It is a very long
:42:17. > :42:19.established fact that conservative consuls offer the works council tax
:42:20. > :42:22.the works council tax and L`bor consuls is something that is
:42:23. > :42:27.accountable for the success and majority and local government. Could
:42:28. > :42:32.my right honourable friend confirms whether or not to the gap bdtween
:42:33. > :42:37.urban and rural authorities is widening because if it is whdening,
:42:38. > :42:43.in favour of urban authorithes, will not be council tax payers in rural
:42:44. > :42:45.authorities were going to sde their council tax rise considerably over
:42:46. > :42:50.the next two years have to conclude that they are subsidizing hhgher
:42:51. > :42:54.spending urban authorities? What I will say to my Honorable frhend is
:42:55. > :42:59.that they are moving to a world in which consuls are going to be funded
:43:00. > :43:03.by council tax and business rates, it seems to be essential in doing
:43:04. > :43:09.this fact the formula that tnderpins it is fair to all the types of
:43:10. > :43:16.authority and that has been very clear and representations that he
:43:17. > :43:20.and others have made. The Tory election manifesto promises to keep
:43:21. > :43:23.council tax well, the secretary of state explained to the Housd why he
:43:24. > :43:26.has just written to town halls up and down the country saying that he
:43:27. > :43:33.expects them to force counchl tax up by over 20% over the next four
:43:34. > :43:37.years? I have written no such letter letter, what I will remind him is
:43:38. > :43:42.that council tax doubles under the previous government, and th`t all
:43:43. > :43:44.the forecast we have made it to be lower in real terms than it was at
:43:45. > :43:49.the beginning of the last Parliament. Last but not forgotten.
:43:50. > :43:54.Thank you Mr Speaker, may I associate myself with the comments
:43:55. > :44:00.regarding Harry, he was a ddar friend, a decent man, and wd will
:44:01. > :44:06.miss him very much indeed. Lr Speaker,... Annexing grateftl for
:44:07. > :44:10.what the honourable has said. We are committed to ensure that has she
:44:11. > :44:14.remains at the heart of thehr community, we have introducdd a one
:44:15. > :44:18.billion package of support which includes business rates relhef, help
:44:19. > :44:21.for small business, measures to tackle overzealous parking
:44:22. > :44:27.enforcement and practical changes by the planning system. A week before
:44:28. > :44:30.the general election, at thd consulate told the report s`id that
:44:31. > :44:35.within the first 100 days of a Tory government, the comedy added to
:44:36. > :44:38.pride zones in which new businesses with the spirit business rates over
:44:39. > :44:42.the next five years, can he confirm that nine month into a Tory
:44:43. > :44:46.government, there is no entdrprise zone in my constituency, local
:44:47. > :44:57.businesses are still painful rates. We offer an apology to the people...
:44:58. > :45:00.I thank the honourable lady for that question, what I would say to her is
:45:01. > :45:08.that we are absolutely commhtted to supporting high street, the high
:45:09. > :45:12.street bank rates, investment in Heisey property is up by 30$, and
:45:13. > :45:16.where areas are doing the rhght things, they are seeing a rdturn of
:45:17. > :45:20.people back to their high street, that was seen to the great British
:45:21. > :45:24.high street competition, thdre are a number of winners from Yorkshire, I
:45:25. > :45:28.am sure those in the constituency will be able to take some of those
:45:29. > :45:38.gives from the people forward so that we can improve their hhgh
:45:39. > :45:53.street. Topical questions Mr Jeffrey Robinson. Topical question number
:45:54. > :45:58.two Mr Speaker. Since the bdginning of January, the cities and local
:45:59. > :46:03.government the Venetian bill has been passed its third reading, the
:46:04. > :46:06.right to buy has been launched in five different areas, and dhrect
:46:07. > :46:09.commissioning of housing has been launched. Mr Speaker can I take this
:46:10. > :46:13.opportunity to pay tribute to the life and work of this is Hazel
:46:14. > :46:19.Pearson who died on Friday `t the age of 92, having retired from being
:46:20. > :46:23.a counsellor for the last ydar at the age of 91. She was a formidable
:46:24. > :46:27.leader of conservatives and achieve much for her town and was greatly
:46:28. > :46:31.respected by all parties and by her community of over 47 years of
:46:32. > :46:39.service, this is because shd represented everything that was best
:46:40. > :46:42.in public service. Infield has the fourth highest inflation figure of
:46:43. > :46:46.all London boroughs, and thd last census said that we saw a population
:46:47. > :46:51.increase of more than 41% in one decade. This rapid population growth
:46:52. > :46:55.in boroughs is well above the national average and is not
:46:56. > :46:59.reflected in an increased ftnding settlements, I am grateful to the
:47:00. > :47:04.honourable member who I met with last month on these matters but in
:47:05. > :47:06.the light of that meeting and submissions made, what further
:47:07. > :47:12.measures if the government willing to provide to ensure a more
:47:13. > :47:17.equitable funding mechanism for borrowers in this situation? I
:47:18. > :47:20.understand the point she makes which is a very reasonable point, I think
:47:21. > :47:25.it is important that the funding that local governments recehves
:47:26. > :47:33.reflects the very latest information that is available in terms of the
:47:34. > :47:35.population, I have reflected on the presentations that have been made in
:47:36. > :47:42.the consultation and I have more to say about that later. Thank you Mr
:47:43. > :47:44.Speaker, my city of Plymouth local campaign seems to mislead mx
:47:45. > :47:49.constituents on the subsidids, something many people see as a
:47:50. > :47:52.fairway of bringing parity between sectors. I commend the government
:47:53. > :47:58.for making funds available for specific cases where it is not
:47:59. > :48:02.appropriate. Could the Minister therefore confirm that Plymouth City
:48:03. > :48:04.Council has chosen to return his housing payment every year to
:48:05. > :48:10.central government and therdfore no one should be struggling as a result
:48:11. > :48:13.of this policy. I think my Honorable friend had like a very interesting
:48:14. > :48:24.point that they are sending the subsidy back and claiming that it
:48:25. > :48:29.cannot look after it, that local... Hear, hear! The Secretary of State
:48:30. > :48:33.will know that one of the m`ny proud achievements over the last Labor
:48:34. > :48:36.government was the rise in ` number of families able to realise their
:48:37. > :48:43.dream of owning their own home. Up by 1 million over 13 years, can you
:48:44. > :48:47.Secretary of State tell us since conservative ministers took charge
:48:48. > :48:53.since 2010, what has happendd to the number of homeowners? I can say to
:48:54. > :48:58.the honourable gentleman, I find it interesting that he raises the
:48:59. > :49:01.question, bearing 90 said hd thought a falling homeownership was not a
:49:02. > :49:05.bad thing. I disagree with him on that as I do other things. H think
:49:06. > :49:08.homeownership is something people should aspire to and we shotld be
:49:09. > :49:12.supporting it. I am proud that a number of first-time buyers has
:49:13. > :49:17.doubled since 2010, and I hope it will take it further and we must go
:49:18. > :49:21.further to support his aspirations. Let me repeat it Mr Speaker, the
:49:22. > :49:28.number of homeowners on thehr Labor was up by 1 million. Since 20 down
:49:29. > :49:34.-- 2010, it is down by 200,004 young people, it is now in freefall with
:49:35. > :49:40.little or no hope of ever bding able to buy their own homes. Nevdr mind
:49:41. > :49:44.if this policy he has no long-term plan for housing in this cotntry.
:49:45. > :49:49.That is why, I have commisshoned the independent record review to look at
:49:50. > :49:52.the decline in home ownershhp. Now, we have welcomed evidence from
:49:53. > :49:57.ministers, will we at least agreed to look at its findings so that five
:49:58. > :50:06.years of failure and homeownership does not turn him -- in two Tanev.
:50:07. > :50:11.Coming from someone who oversaw this since 1923, I saw this interesting
:50:12. > :50:15.is the review is being led by who himself has called for an end to
:50:16. > :50:19.hope to buy, the very product that is helping tens of thousands more
:50:20. > :50:25.people reach homeownership. Maybe he's about to tell us if thd Labor
:50:26. > :50:28.partners will and hope to bty. He and his party voted against that and
:50:29. > :50:31.delivered start homes with hncreased up to buy and extended all of these
:50:32. > :50:36.measures to make sure there are more homes being built for those people
:50:37. > :50:42.working hard, aspiring to own their own homes, being let down bx the
:50:43. > :50:47.crush on Labor. What advice does my Honorable friend have for groups
:50:48. > :50:50.like the neighbourhood for room in my constituency, how found himself
:50:51. > :50:56.in the constant fights with the local authority to make progress, it
:50:57. > :51:00.appears to ignore government advice on Brownfield sites without any
:51:01. > :51:04.consequence? I will say to ly Honorable friend having met some of
:51:05. > :51:08.these constituents I know hd has supported them hard, he shotld move
:51:09. > :51:12.forward, we are putting funding into support, it does give them that
:51:13. > :51:27.waiting law. It is a really good way of having control.
:51:28. > :51:35.What does the Minister estilates will be the total percentagd rise
:51:36. > :51:42.for residents of Birmingham, once the Chancellor's social card tax
:51:43. > :51:47.increase the presets and 1.8% council tax rise are all added
:51:48. > :51:51.together? What I would say to the honourable gentleman is that in due
:51:52. > :51:55.course spending power figurds that we released just before Chrhstmas
:51:56. > :51:59.and be have just consulted on, it does not take into account
:52:00. > :52:03.authorities putting their council tax up to the maximum referdndum
:52:04. > :52:06.principle, the council tax hn Birmingham is a question for
:52:07. > :52:09.Birmingham City Council, my right honourable friend was absolttely
:52:10. > :52:14.right. We should not take any lectures from the party over council
:52:15. > :52:19.tax, they have been in power for 13 years and council tax doubldd. My
:52:20. > :52:21.Honorable friend confirms to the House that geeky people of Redic
:52:22. > :52:24.want to be a full member of House that geeky people of Redic
:52:25. > :52:31.combined authority, they will be to take part in the direct election of
:52:32. > :52:34.a Mayor? I know she is a passionate advocate for the people of Redic and
:52:35. > :52:40.she is doing a very good and effective job of explaining and
:52:41. > :52:45.whenever I see her why she has a desire to pursue this matter and
:52:46. > :52:49.ensure her constituents will get a say if it is appropriate at an
:52:50. > :52:53.appropriate time. I can confirm that for a to become a full membdr then
:52:54. > :52:57.yes they would have a vote hn back mirrored election. That would only
:52:58. > :53:00.be done by local agreements, as we have pursued throughout devolution
:53:01. > :53:03.in this government, we want to build consensus and work with loc`l people
:53:04. > :53:11.to find deals and structures that meet their ambitions. Aberdden has
:53:12. > :53:14.supported oil, with our reshdents having to put up with the b`d and
:53:15. > :53:18.good that comes with this, the UK Government has tried to tell
:53:19. > :53:23.Aberdeen that their investmdnts will inspire hundreds of millions of
:53:24. > :53:26.pounds of investments from @berdeen businesses. Can the governmdnt Tommy
:53:27. > :53:30.what they will be doing to dncourage business is in Aberdeen who are
:53:31. > :53:36.suffering along with the rest of us to stump up cash. I thank hdr for
:53:37. > :53:41.her important question, it ties to these questions we will havd to be
:53:42. > :53:44.about the Aberdeen to the ddal and the significant amount of money
:53:45. > :53:47.going in from the British Government from West minister and going in with
:53:48. > :53:50.partnership with the Scottish Government am I in partnership with
:53:51. > :53:53.local authority leadership `nd local leadership of business commtnities
:53:54. > :53:57.in Aberdeen. We intend to ensure that that deal brings real growth
:53:58. > :54:00.and benefit, we recognise the challenges it faces because of the
:54:01. > :54:05.price of web and the other factors which affect its local economy, we
:54:06. > :54:08.will work with local people who understand what is needed to drive
:54:09. > :54:13.change and do everything we can to support the economy. Under Layor
:54:14. > :54:16.Livingstone, the number of new housing stock in London, did as a
:54:17. > :54:22.direct result of developers walking away from having an affordable site
:54:23. > :54:28.thing to the 50% affordable housing target. What is my Honorabld friend
:54:29. > :54:34.think what happened if the new mayor were to introduce a 50% affordable
:54:35. > :54:38.housing target Islamic Statd in his questions he outlined the evidence
:54:39. > :54:46.that those kinds of targets if they are not appropriate for the local
:54:47. > :54:49.mayor create things, local `reas have got to look at what is right
:54:50. > :54:58.for them and make sure it is viable. I would say that it is my fdrvent
:54:59. > :55:05.hope that my Honorable friend. Undivided unity speaker, can I ask
:55:06. > :55:08.the Minister the city deal from Highland Council is based on the
:55:09. > :55:11.region for young people, thdy have over many decades to see Adrian of
:55:12. > :55:17.young people and much work has been done to address this includhng the
:55:18. > :55:20.campus, more needs to be done to retain young people, a plant such as
:55:21. > :55:25.the one put forward can help to assist the rebalance of poptlation,
:55:26. > :55:28.demographics, does the Minister agree that the aims of the plan and
:55:29. > :55:35.the statement of intent are worthy of support? The Honorable mdmber is
:55:36. > :55:39.diligent in raising this issue we have discussed in the chambdr
:55:40. > :55:42.before, he recognises as to why Mr Speaker the value that the sort of
:55:43. > :55:45.US can bring, he recognises the difference they can make, I
:55:46. > :55:49.recognise the comments he m`kes and the importance he attaches to it as
:55:50. > :55:55.a diligent member and local member of Parliament. I cannot pronounce
:55:56. > :55:58.deals, at this dispatch box here today, we would determine to deliver
:55:59. > :56:09.whether the deal is the right one and his effective advocate the is
:56:10. > :56:12.essential in that objective. They have been taken in by other areas
:56:13. > :56:16.under the voluntary dispers`l scheme, with more refugee children
:56:17. > :56:19.coming, could my Honorable friend advise how his department whll get
:56:20. > :56:26.local authorities across thd country to exact their share of the asylum
:56:27. > :56:29.seeking children already here? We hope dispersal arrangements remain
:56:30. > :56:32.voluntary and are working whth the Home Office, Department for
:56:33. > :56:36.Education, local Government Association, and the Associ`tion of
:56:37. > :56:40.directive children services on a national dispersal scheme for asylum
:56:41. > :56:44.seeking children. Provisions in the Immigration Bill will underpin
:56:45. > :56:50.dispersal arrangements and hf necessary enforce them. I know the
:56:51. > :56:56.Minister will understands the extraordinary high cost of hybrid
:56:57. > :56:59.sector housing in London, does he understand the impact that the
:57:00. > :57:05.changes of the local housing alliance are having on residence in
:57:06. > :57:08.my constituency in Brent North and would he ask his department official
:57:09. > :57:13.to provide data on the impact of those changes? I would say to the
:57:14. > :57:16.honourable gentleman if he looks at the answer I gave earlier on, we
:57:17. > :57:21.have already outlined a one,year delay, we are also looking to these
:57:22. > :57:28.implications before the 2018 into the Treo working closely with the
:57:29. > :57:31.secretary at the moment. Maxbe Council are currently working on the
:57:32. > :57:37.local plant, could the Minister give an update on the work of thd expert
:57:38. > :57:45.panel which was set up in Sdptember to help streamline the local plan
:57:46. > :57:49.process? We are determined to make sure the local areas can have a very
:57:50. > :57:53.clear cut, simple system to deliver local plans to get that working to
:57:54. > :57:56.give control to the local community as it should be locally led and am
:57:57. > :58:03.looking forward to seeing the feedback for the panel in the weeks
:58:04. > :58:07.ahead. Ministers hinted in responses to earlier questions from local
:58:08. > :58:11.government benches on the ftnding allocations to work areas that they
:58:12. > :58:15.think there is some unfairndss in the system. Can I encourage
:58:16. > :58:19.ministers to look again bec`use I agree there is a great deal of
:58:20. > :58:25.unfairness. My borough is sdeing its funding decimated and cuts `re
:58:26. > :58:31.devastating for local econolies similar sized town is seeing its
:58:32. > :58:38.spending power increase over the coming years. This is fundalentally
:58:39. > :58:44.unfair, will he look again? Well, I will be responding to the fhnancial
:58:45. > :58:47.system and shortly. All I would say that it is important for evdry type
:58:48. > :58:54.of authority that its needs and the cost of providing for that hs the
:58:55. > :58:59.object of the government has. My right honourable friend is cheating
:59:00. > :59:03.as an eye on building on Brownfield sites, with the closure of
:59:04. > :59:07.coal-fired power stations and the possible closure of one in ly
:59:08. > :59:11.constituency, what are we doing to encourage building on Brownfield
:59:12. > :59:19.sites like that but which include contaminated land? The answdr is
:59:20. > :59:22.that the Chancellor in the spending review established a fund to
:59:23. > :59:29.decontaminate Brownfield sites so that they can be made avail`ble in
:59:30. > :59:35.the way he recommends. Mr Speaker, the local Government Associ`tion is
:59:36. > :59:38.predicting that the proposals be to some 50,000 council tenants needing
:59:39. > :59:41.their homes, had the same thme they're saying they do not know how
:59:42. > :59:46.much their attendants earned. Can the Minister to consuls how or why
:59:47. > :59:51.they should be asking their tenants how much they own? I would say to
:59:52. > :59:58.the Honorable gentleman, through the process of the planning bill this
:59:59. > :00:02.would be looking at to bring this in. We are working with thel, it is
:00:03. > :00:08.absolutely right that we cole up with a deal that is also fahr to
:00:09. > :00:15.taxpayers to make sure it they do so anyway that always make surd they
:00:16. > :00:20.will always pay to work. I `m soon to minister is aware that the patent
:00:21. > :00:23.is due for adoption this spring But he gives some reassurance to the
:00:24. > :00:27.planning committee of the council that they cannot start to m`ke
:00:28. > :00:30.decisions in line that plan, save any knowledge of the planning
:00:31. > :00:33.expectorant will not overturn those decisions for protecting thd country
:00:34. > :00:39.from speculative development. Hear, hear! I think it is good news, my
:00:40. > :00:44.Honorable friend outlines that at this late stage, I can confhrm that
:00:45. > :00:48.as a local planning gets to that stage it takes a more weight and
:00:49. > :00:51.therefore the local authorities should be making plans in lhne with
:00:52. > :00:57.that local plan as it comes forward and that is the right thing to do
:00:58. > :01:01.for local communities. What assessments of ministers made about
:01:02. > :01:05.consuls who do bring forward the preset increase around soci`l care
:01:06. > :01:09.for those consuls who have ` very low council tax base and actually
:01:10. > :01:12.this will not bring forward the required funding to ensure that
:01:13. > :01:18.social care continues at thd level it should in areas like this? Part
:01:19. > :01:21.of the settlement that was lade in the spending review was to hnclude
:01:22. > :01:26.this new council tax preset lawful in addition to the better c`re funds
:01:27. > :01:34.so that on top of the resources that consuls already invest, we will be
:01:35. > :01:35.able to invest more than thd local Government Association requdsted for
:01:36. > :01:42.social care in advance of the spending review.
:01:43. > :01:52.Urgent question. Thank you Lr Speaker. The Secretary of State for
:01:53. > :01:53.Health to make a statement on the junior doctors contract