:00:00. > :00:00.and Local Government, Sajid Javid. The first question is from the
:00:00. > :00:00.Conservative MP John Penrosd on planning permission and a hdight of
:00:00. > :00:15.buildings. Water, order. Questions to the
:00:16. > :00:22.Secretary of State for Commtnities and Local Government. Number one, Mr
:00:23. > :00:28.Speaker. Secretary of State, Sajid Javid. My honourable friend
:00:29. > :00:33.highlights the importance of building to higher densities to
:00:34. > :00:37.deliver more homes. Ended up plan for urban regeneration and will set
:00:38. > :00:45.out further proposals later this year. I am delighted at the progress
:00:46. > :00:49.made so far but can I urge him to go further and encourage them to
:00:50. > :00:53.include proposals to build tp not out in his upcoming White P`per to
:00:54. > :01:00.cut development pressure on green fields, release new sites,
:01:01. > :01:06.regenerate urban centres and cut the costs of new homes traumatically? My
:01:07. > :01:10.honourable friend is right to highlight the need for more homes in
:01:11. > :01:15.the right places, so the hotsing market works for everyone. This
:01:16. > :01:20.means encouraging urban regeneration, making the best of
:01:21. > :01:24.brownfield land and building new homes were needed. My housing White
:01:25. > :01:28.Paper will ensure that happdns across the country, including
:01:29. > :01:35.Weston-Super-Mare. Surely the Secretary of State will not fiddle
:01:36. > :01:41.with regulations at that level? What this country needs with this homes
:01:42. > :01:49.crisis, the deepest in 100 xears, bold innovation in house-buhlding
:01:50. > :01:53.and we want it now. Mr Speaker, I think fiddle fuddle is an
:01:54. > :01:58.inappropriate description of what happened in 30 years of Labour
:01:59. > :02:04.government, where house-building fell to its lowest level since the
:02:05. > :02:11.1920s. I wrote to the Housing Minister to say that are objectively
:02:12. > :02:15.assessed housing requirement did not take account of the topographical
:02:16. > :02:21.and flooding issues in the Rossendale Valley. Will he say he
:02:22. > :02:25.will meet with me and the ldader of my local council authorities to
:02:26. > :02:30.discuss the specific issues? My honourable friend makes a p`ssionate
:02:31. > :02:35.case and file it wouldn't bd appropriate for me to comment on the
:02:36. > :02:41.details, so I can ensure thd Housing Minister will meet with thel. I
:02:42. > :02:44.declare my interest as a melber of Kettering Borough Council. Ly
:02:45. > :02:49.constituents would support the idea of building up and not out but in
:02:50. > :02:54.middle England towns like at the rink where public transport options
:02:55. > :02:59.are limited, the more residdnts you squeeze into any street, thd greater
:03:00. > :03:04.the pressure on car parking, and does he understand there is a
:03:05. > :03:09.difference between inner-city developments and developments of
:03:10. > :03:14.this sort in middle England towns? He is right, he highlights the need
:03:15. > :03:17.for correct an adequate infrastructure in our towns and
:03:18. > :03:22.villages across the country if we are going to build the homes we
:03:23. > :03:32.need. Our proposals later this year will take account of that. Puestion
:03:33. > :03:37.number two. Mr Speaker, one person sleeping on the streets is one too
:03:38. > :03:41.many. All too often support and intervention only comes at crisis
:03:42. > :03:47.point, which is why we have launched our ?40 million homelessness up
:03:48. > :03:53.approach, to end homelessness and get people back on our feet. Saint
:03:54. > :03:59.Mungo 's report last week that four out of ten people sleeping rough in
:04:00. > :04:04.England have a mental health condition, including schizophrenia,
:04:05. > :04:09.bipolar disorder and PTSD. Poor mental health makes it harddr poor
:04:10. > :04:14.sleepers to get off the strdets and access NHS services. Saint Lungo 's
:04:15. > :04:19.reports that a small number of mental health services are facing
:04:20. > :04:23.cuts were disappearing. How is the Secretary of State addressing this
:04:24. > :04:31.mental health crisis among people sleeping on our streets? It's an
:04:32. > :04:37.important issue, so first she will know, she points out homelessness is
:04:38. > :04:42.not just an issue of having homes, and dealing with other causds of
:04:43. > :04:46.that. There is a cross-partx working group on this and the Government is
:04:47. > :04:49.working across all departments to deal with these complex isstes and I
:04:50. > :04:56.am sure we will make further progress. I'm not sure how luch
:04:57. > :04:59.evidence that is for this, disproportional parts of Ross
:05:00. > :05:04.sleepers coming from the arled services. Could the Secretary of
:05:05. > :05:09.State tell us if that is trte and what more can be done to ensure
:05:10. > :05:15.people who leave the Armed Forces are given proper accommodathon?
:05:16. > :05:21.First, I think he is right to raise this, it is a disproportion`te
:05:22. > :05:26.number. That is unacceptabld. Almost all local authorities have signed up
:05:27. > :05:32.to the Armed Forces covenant but we have to do more, and the Government
:05:33. > :05:40.has committed ?500 million to tackle homelessness over the next four
:05:41. > :05:43.years. Two weeks ago I joindd the excellent winter comfort in
:05:44. > :05:49.Cambridge to provide servicds for us sleepers, and they are in no doubt
:05:50. > :05:54.that numbers are rising, so IS Coke and reducing support for hotsing in
:05:55. > :05:59.any way deal with this issud? He should know we are not reducing
:06:00. > :06:08.support for support and housing C so this is an issue we will takes
:06:09. > :06:13.seriously and continued to tackle. Clearly having any person sleeping
:06:14. > :06:17.rough in this country is a disgrace. Can my honourable friend take urgent
:06:18. > :06:21.action to within the five pdople sleeping rough, ensure they get the
:06:22. > :06:26.help they need so they have a home of their own and can get back to a
:06:27. > :06:34.normal way of life? My honotrable friend, he will know that l`st
:06:35. > :06:38.December the Government comlitted to looking at options like leghslation
:06:39. > :06:42.to deal with homelessness. H am pleased to announce today that the
:06:43. > :06:51.Government will be supporting my honourable friend's ill, whhch is
:06:52. > :06:55.also supported by Crisis and shelter, and I would like to support
:06:56. > :07:02.that like to thank them for all the work he has done on this bill. It is
:07:03. > :07:06.good to see the Secretary of State and his new team in place and it
:07:07. > :07:11.even better to see our new strong Labour team in place. We will hold
:07:12. > :07:17.them to account to the publhc for their failings. With Labour in
:07:18. > :07:21.government, the number of pdople sleeping rough on our streets fell
:07:22. > :07:26.by three quarters. Since 2000 the number has doubled. Why does the
:07:27. > :07:34.Secretary of State think thhs has happened? The honourable gentleman
:07:35. > :07:41.has raised the issue of Labour in government, let me remind Thm what
:07:42. > :07:47.happened when he was a Houshng Minister, Labour cut the nulber of
:07:48. > :07:52.houses available for a soci`l rent by 421,000 and there has bedn more
:07:53. > :07:57.council housing built helping people find homes since we have bedn in
:07:58. > :08:01.office then the 30 years of Labour government. If Labour spent as much
:08:02. > :08:06.effort on building homes is on building its front bench we would
:08:07. > :08:11.have more results. You cannot help the homeless if you don't btild
:08:12. > :08:16.homes and his government has now cut off funding for building new
:08:17. > :08:23.genuinely affordable social housing. When I stood where he stood in 009,
:08:24. > :08:31.Labour started 40,000 new social rented homes that year, last year it
:08:32. > :08:37.was 1000. I welcome his backing for the honourable member for H`rrow
:08:38. > :08:41.-based's ill, but will he t`ke the opportunity on Friday to also deal
:08:42. > :08:47.with the causes of rising homelessness, build more affordable
:08:48. > :08:54.housing, act on private renting and reversed the cuts to housing benefit
:08:55. > :08:58.for the most vulnerable people. Again, he raises his record when he
:08:59. > :09:03.was in office and the House should be reminded that under Labotr
:09:04. > :09:10.house-building fell to its lowest level since the 1920s. Labotr will
:09:11. > :09:14.never get away from that, and soon we will introduce a White P`per on
:09:15. > :09:23.housing and let's see them hf he can support it. Number three, please.
:09:24. > :09:26.The Government is fully comlitted to neighbourhood planning which enables
:09:27. > :09:32.community is to shape development and growth in their local area. The
:09:33. > :09:38.bill will future proof the process and make sure communities h`ve the
:09:39. > :09:42.support they need. I think we all welcome local communities bding
:09:43. > :09:47.involved in their local plans, but would he agreed one of the big
:09:48. > :09:51.challenges is making sure ddvelopers whose land they have planning
:09:52. > :09:57.permission for and as we have heard with an emphasis on Brownfidld
:09:58. > :10:01.sites? He makes a good point, where sites have planning permisshon they
:10:02. > :10:07.should move ahead as quicklx as possible. People in desperate need
:10:08. > :10:14.of housing expert to see developers working with local authorithes and
:10:15. > :10:19.we are trying to work where we can, the ?3 billion home-builders fund
:10:20. > :10:23.announced last month will hdlp. There will be no real localhsm
:10:24. > :10:28.quelled developers can appe`l and communities cannot. Will thd
:10:29. > :10:36.Secretary of State commit to looking at cases where a neighbourhood plan
:10:37. > :10:38.is in place to allow a commtnity right of appeal when a developer
:10:39. > :10:44.comes forward with speculathve development against that pl`n? If
:10:45. > :10:48.there was a comedy right to appeal, that would further slowdown in the
:10:49. > :10:53.planning process and that is not in any one's interest. We need more
:10:54. > :11:01.homes built quickly and the measures we are taking for the neighbourhood
:11:02. > :11:05.planning Bill will help. In a sleep we face countless hostile planning
:11:06. > :11:10.applications, some destroying ancient wetland and beautiftl green
:11:11. > :11:16.spaces. Does he agree the borough council's failure to deliver a local
:11:17. > :11:20.plants and associated poliches for a neighbourhood plans stop cotncils
:11:21. > :11:21.bring forth their neighbourhood plans and letting down my
:11:22. > :11:30.constituency? Mr Speaker, my honourable friend has
:11:31. > :11:35.been a consistent champion hn this House, with the need for Eastleigh
:11:36. > :11:39.to have a properly supported local plan. Eastleigh Borough Council
:11:40. > :11:43.needs to get its act togethdr. Her constituents deserve to havd their
:11:44. > :11:49.voices heard and our plan whll strengthen that right.
:11:50. > :11:53.In a recent appeal by the ddveloper, the planning Inspectorate b`sically
:11:54. > :11:57.totally overlooked the neighbourhood plan in my constituency. From
:11:58. > :12:08.memory, made OnePass in refdrence to that plan in a 17 page decision Can
:12:09. > :12:13.he have a look at how seriotsly the planning Inspectorate take local
:12:14. > :12:17.neighbourhood plans? Mr Spe`ker it would be wrong of me to comlent on
:12:18. > :12:21.the detail of a particular planning application but I hope the
:12:22. > :12:23.honourable gentleman will agree that the neighbourhood planning bill that
:12:24. > :12:26.is before Parliament now will strengthen these neighbourhood
:12:27. > :12:31.plans, and bring them into legal force in a far quicker way `nd will
:12:32. > :12:35.make it much easier to modify them and give more support, incltding
:12:36. > :12:44.financially, for communities to put them together. ? Number four.
:12:45. > :12:48.We all want to see our high streets survived, that is why we have
:12:49. > :12:52.introduced the biggest cut hn business rates. We have introduced
:12:53. > :12:56.the High Street pledge, introduced digital pilots and we are
:12:57. > :12:59.celebrating our high streets through the great British high stredt award,
:13:00. > :13:06.the finalists were announced last week. Thornbury high Street attracts
:13:07. > :13:11.people from around the country for its farmers market. Does my
:13:12. > :13:15.honourable friend recognise the contribution of tourism to high
:13:16. > :13:23.streets and how is he is High Street as local and regional tourism
:13:24. > :13:29.destinations? I know how important they are. We have seen an increase
:13:30. > :13:32.in footfall in August of 1.0%. We are working closely across
:13:33. > :13:36.government with our colleagtes on funds such as the Discover Dngland
:13:37. > :13:40.fund and the coastal communhties fund which is funding a significant
:13:41. > :13:47.number of projects which is all about increasing tourism and jobs in
:13:48. > :13:53.the tourism sector. He menthoned business rates. Many retaildrs face,
:13:54. > :13:56.as a result of the business rate revaluation, significant increases
:13:57. > :14:01.in business rates up and down the country. That will not help High
:14:02. > :14:07.Street and retailers and is it that the reality of what he has
:14:08. > :14:13.announced? The business ratd cut is helping 600,000 businesses not pay
:14:14. > :14:16.any business rate at all, it is fiscally neutral and three puarters
:14:17. > :14:20.of businesses will see a cut. I thought that something he would
:14:21. > :14:24.welcome. Next week I will be announchng my
:14:25. > :14:30.annual Best shop and market stall competition. In a new category, Mr
:14:31. > :14:33.Speaker, Best cafe this year. Will my honourable friend join md in
:14:34. > :14:39.wishing all the entrants thd best of luck and will he agree with me that
:14:40. > :14:46.independent outlets are key to creating a unique thriving town
:14:47. > :14:50.centres? Mr Speaker, I congratulate the honourable lady on this
:14:51. > :14:55.excellent competition and I look forward to hearing the results of
:14:56. > :14:58.it. Independent retailers are essential to the success of many of
:14:59. > :15:05.our high streets and I pay tribute to the work they do and thex will
:15:06. > :15:09.benefit from the small business rate cut. Mr Speaker, we have sole
:15:10. > :15:14.beautiful high streets in Corby and our pubs are an integral part of
:15:15. > :15:19.them so what steps on the lhst is taken to promote our pub tr`de and
:15:20. > :15:23.ensure these vital communitx hubs are protected? Again, Mr Spdaker,
:15:24. > :15:28.the business rate cut is of significant value to many of our
:15:29. > :15:33.pubs and it is a fact that tourists coming to the UK, huge numbdr of
:15:34. > :15:37.them listed as one of their desires on a visit, visit to a great British
:15:38. > :15:46.pub and that is why we made the changes we did to beer duty.
:15:47. > :15:50.Question number five and Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, as well as some
:15:51. > :15:53.challenges, leaving the EU presents some fresh opportunities for the
:15:54. > :15:56.whole country. Working with government colleagues, I determined
:15:57. > :16:02.that local government takes advantage of those opportunhties.
:16:03. > :16:08.The convention of local Scottish authorities have stated that 1- p of
:16:09. > :16:12.funds Scotland will receive has been allocated to local authorithes.
:16:13. > :16:16.20,000 businesses will benefit from these funds. Can the Secret`ry of
:16:17. > :16:23.State guarantee there will be no financial detriment to Scotland if
:16:24. > :16:26.it is dragged out of the EU through hard Brexit? Mr Speaker, thd
:16:27. > :16:29.honourable gentleman will know that firstly the Chancellor has
:16:30. > :16:34.guaranteed that any application for funds up until the Autumn Statement
:16:35. > :16:38.will be fully honoured. Beyond that, the funds applications will be
:16:39. > :16:42.honoured as long as they medt the UK national interest. Leaving the EU
:16:43. > :16:45.also gives us an opportunitx to design a new fit for purposd
:16:46. > :16:51.investment model that will benefit all our communities in exactly the
:16:52. > :16:56.way we want to in the UK. Mr Speaker, my right honourabld friend
:16:57. > :17:00.-- does my right honourable friend share the view of his predecessor
:17:01. > :17:05.that local government should have a say in the withdrawal negothations?
:17:06. > :17:09.Yes, I do. I agree with my honourable friend. I think the
:17:10. > :17:13.impact across the country of leaving the EU will be felt by local
:17:14. > :17:18.authorities in some ways. Wd have just had a good example of that and
:17:19. > :17:20.I sure I have a very strong dialogue with the relevant ministers to make
:17:21. > :17:29.sure that local government's voice is heard. It is said the Government
:17:30. > :17:38.will guarantee that the funding will be guaranteed -- the Governlent will
:17:39. > :17:46.guarantee the funding. In tdrms of support for farmers under the COPD,
:17:47. > :17:49.they will guarantee every pdnny or why will he not give the sale
:17:50. > :17:57.guarantee to local communithes who will really suffer? We will make
:17:58. > :18:00.sure that no community suffdrs. That is why we have this transithon
:18:01. > :18:06.process. The guarantees we have given to local communities `re very
:18:07. > :18:09.important, but again, Mr Spdaker, once we leave the EU, we will be
:18:10. > :18:15.able to design a system that fits the needs of the UK and no one else.
:18:16. > :18:19.My right honourable friend hs dead right to say there will be
:18:20. > :18:25.opportunities. Is it not thd case that whereas at the moment local
:18:26. > :18:28.councils, for example, and regions are forbidden to fund regional
:18:29. > :18:31.airports and other forms of infrastructure and EU law, that will
:18:32. > :18:36.no longer be the case, and the United Kingdom will be able to
:18:37. > :18:44.choose what is best for our citizens? My honourable fridnd, as
:18:45. > :18:47.always, make a very important point. Once we leave the EU, no te`m you
:18:48. > :18:53.rules or regulations will apply and we will be able to come up with
:18:54. > :18:55.those which best suit the nded of communities -- no EU rules will
:18:56. > :18:59.apply. It is a very interesting pohnt. Does
:19:00. > :19:05.the Minister not accept that even if we are not members of the ET, states
:19:06. > :19:09.may still apply under trade organisation rules so local
:19:10. > :19:15.authorities. Have to abide by a number of these rules. The lember
:19:16. > :19:23.over there was the honourable gentleman, the member for Lhchfield.
:19:24. > :19:26.I think the honourable lady Minchin WTO rules of I heard her correctly
:19:27. > :19:33.and it may or may not be thd case, she will understand they ard not the
:19:34. > :19:36.same thing as EU rules. I thank the Minister for that answer and I will
:19:37. > :19:41.certainly be tabling more qtestions to find out more detail on that The
:19:42. > :19:46.Minister may be aware that Glasgow City Council has produced a document
:19:47. > :19:50.with a series of requests of the central government and UK Government
:19:51. > :19:55.to help prevent the detriment that is likely to happen in the dvent of
:19:56. > :19:59.a hard Brexit and I hope th`t local authorities around the UK whll do
:20:00. > :20:04.similar. How do we ensure that the range of voices is listened to and
:20:05. > :20:09.acted on by this government? Mr Speaker, what I will do is lake sure
:20:10. > :20:13.the voices of English local government are heard and whdn it
:20:14. > :20:17.comes to Scottish local govdrnment, I'm sure I will be working with the
:20:18. > :20:24.Scottish Government, and as we have seen today, the Scottish Government
:20:25. > :20:36.is engaged in the process. Can I refer you to my declarations of
:20:37. > :20:39.interest in local council. The Minister committed to having a
:20:40. > :20:43.conversation with the Secretary of State for exiting the EU. It would
:20:44. > :20:46.be great today to get an update on those conversations and find out
:20:47. > :20:52.what role local government will have. First, the honourable
:20:53. > :20:56.gentleman will know that thhs is an ongoing process. It will take a
:20:57. > :20:59.number of months, if not ye`rs, and so there will be plenty of
:21:00. > :21:07.opportunity for dialogue, including within government. I have h`d
:21:08. > :21:10.discussions with my right honourable friend, the secretary for exit in
:21:11. > :21:14.the EU and we have discussed various issues which will affect local
:21:15. > :21:19.government but I will not ghve a running commentary on them. Thank
:21:20. > :21:23.you, Mr Speaker. I don't thhnk I was expecting a running comment`ry but
:21:24. > :21:26.any commentary would be progress based on silence. Local govdrnment
:21:27. > :21:31.wants to know what role thex will play and at the moment it is fuzzy,
:21:32. > :21:36.to say the least. The Secretary of State will know the importance of EU
:21:37. > :21:40.funds. They are vital to many of our local communities. In fact, the
:21:41. > :21:44.ability to administer that fund is a key component of the ten devolution
:21:45. > :21:47.deals which have been set so far. Does he agree with me that the
:21:48. > :21:51.uncertainty on the future of these funds is stopping the vital
:21:52. > :21:54.long-term planning that is needed. It risks damaging those devolution
:21:55. > :22:00.deals which have only just been agreed and the poorest in the
:22:01. > :22:05.community will suffer as a result? Mr Speaker, the Chancellor has
:22:06. > :22:09.provided significant certainty on structural funds, especiallx those
:22:10. > :22:12.applications which are made before the Autumn Statement, and rdcently
:22:13. > :22:18.at the Conservative Party conference he provided further certainty on
:22:19. > :22:25.that and that is what busindss is looking for. Number six, sir.
:22:26. > :22:32.Minister Gavin Barwell. Mr Speaker, as of October 2015, 2300 holes in
:22:33. > :22:41.England have been standing dmpty since records -- standing elpty the
:22:42. > :22:44.lowest number since records began. Protecting green spaces, as well as
:22:45. > :22:48.providing new homes are both very important. But what further steps
:22:49. > :22:53.can the Government take to dnsure that empty homes are re-utilised,
:22:54. > :22:59.notwithstanding the fact th`t this government has reduced that number
:23:00. > :23:02.to an extremely low number `lready? Local authorities have strong
:23:03. > :23:07.incentives. They are the sale financial reward for bringing an
:23:08. > :23:11.ugly head back into use and they also have strong enforcement powers.
:23:12. > :23:15.They can charge 150% council tax for homes which have been empty for more
:23:16. > :23:25.than two years and they also have empty dwelling Sloanes. In our town
:23:26. > :23:29.centres there are thousands of rooms on upper floors which could easily
:23:30. > :23:32.be converted to homes but they do not appear in the excellent
:23:33. > :23:37.statistics the Government rdfers to. Could I ask the Minister to bring
:23:38. > :23:41.together the key stakeholders and agencies, to look at what the real
:23:42. > :23:48.barriers are, as to why we have failed governments of all htes, to
:23:49. > :23:51.achieve this conversion? I would thank my honourable friend, a former
:23:52. > :23:57.Housing Minister for his qudstion. I am happy to do what he suggdsts and
:23:58. > :24:05.perhaps talk off-line about this. Question number seven, Mr Speaker.
:24:06. > :24:10.Order. I think the Minister meant outside the Chamber. I think that is
:24:11. > :24:16.what he had in mind. The Government is continuing to reform the planning
:24:17. > :24:21.system. We are clear on councils who do not have an up-to-date plan and
:24:22. > :24:24.we have legislated to assurd that there are starter homes for
:24:25. > :24:28.first-time buyers as well as affordable for people to rent. I
:24:29. > :24:33.thank the Minister for that answer and I would like to refer to the
:24:34. > :24:36.recently published Greater Manchester special framework, which
:24:37. > :24:40.states the ambition to signhficantly increase the supply of houshng which
:24:41. > :24:43.people can afford, including through the planning system. How dods the
:24:44. > :24:47.Minister think that Greater Manchester will be able to `chieve
:24:48. > :24:51.this, given that housing at planning act lets developers off the hook by
:24:52. > :24:56.effectively ending their obligation to provide affordable homes to rent
:24:57. > :25:01.and buy? The housing and pl`nning act does no such thing at all. What
:25:02. > :25:03.it does and the honourable lady s question is clear that she was
:25:04. > :25:08.interested in more affordable homes to rent or buy, so it makes a
:25:09. > :25:13.requirement on developers to provide affordable starter homes but though
:25:14. > :25:16.absolutely the determination to have affordable homes to rent. I'm
:25:17. > :25:21.looking forward to visiting Greater Manchester shortly to discuss these
:25:22. > :25:26.matters. Places such as Chapel Hill my constituency will have 40% of
:25:27. > :25:29.affordable homes, doesn't this show the planning regulations already
:25:30. > :25:33.provide the powers for local authorities to use and they should
:25:34. > :25:38.be using them in the same w`y as Conservative led Basingstokd Borough
:25:39. > :25:42.Council is? I had the privilege to meet the chief executive of the
:25:43. > :25:45.honourable lady's council the other day. I commend the work thex are
:25:46. > :25:49.doing an example shows clearly our aim should be to deliver affordable
:25:50. > :25:54.homes for people to buy and affordable homes for people to rent.
:25:55. > :25:59.In Cumbria we suffer from brain drain in that graduates do not want
:26:00. > :26:02.to return to us after university. Proper planning for affordable
:26:03. > :26:06.housing could be the answer and as well as attracting young talent it
:26:07. > :26:09.could take some pressure of the London housing crisis. Will the
:26:10. > :26:12.Minister ensure we do not h`ve a one size fits all policy when it comes
:26:13. > :26:22.to planning for affordable housing? Too often in this debate it is trait
:26:23. > :26:27.that the housing problems wd face are just in London and the
:26:28. > :26:34.south-east and my team are clear we need a housing policy to deliver
:26:35. > :26:37.more homes across the country and recognising different circulstances.
:26:38. > :26:43.In Bath all our brownfield sites will be developed by 2030 whth the
:26:44. > :26:50.only nearby sites in this shte that Bristol, land left and built by the
:26:51. > :26:54.Labour council for decades. Does he agree that changes in the l`st
:26:55. > :26:57.planning act and the infrastructure bill will make a difference to
:26:58. > :27:05.developing brownfield sites across the whole south-west of England
:27:06. > :27:09.Brownfield registers can make a big contribution to ensuring as much
:27:10. > :27:14.development as possible goes to brownfield sites and his ex`mple
:27:15. > :27:18.shows the benefit of working across councils as they are doing hn
:27:19. > :27:26.Greater Manchester to plan for needs. Number eight, Mr Spe`ker
:27:27. > :27:31.There are huge opportunities and Teesside, we are clear of that, the
:27:32. > :27:35.Secretary of State met with Tees Valley leaders last week and we are
:27:36. > :27:40.committed to someone think the devolution deal. We have tr`nsferred
:27:41. > :27:45.the first ?50 million of th`t and we will provide the Tees Vallex with
:27:46. > :27:55.?37 million this year from the growth fund. The response organises
:27:56. > :28:01.the potential on Teesside, CCF recommended but rolled out,
:28:02. > :28:06.prioritisation for the National teaching service under revidw and
:28:07. > :28:12.transfer of the former SSI site to the new MDC is still in limbo with
:28:13. > :28:17.previous funding taken away. Can the minister give any of the report s
:28:18. > :28:23.recommendations the go-ahead in the immediate future? We alreadx
:28:24. > :28:28.implementing some of those recommendations, many of thdm down
:28:29. > :28:34.to local implementation. Last week we allowed site inspections to be
:28:35. > :28:39.undertaken and after those we will expect the MDC to come forw`rd with
:28:40. > :28:45.proposals on resources. In terms of the National teaching service, that
:28:46. > :28:49.pilot scheme has been startdd, it has been rolled out and we will
:28:50. > :28:55.confirm plans to roll it out further later in the year. I want to work
:28:56. > :29:00.with the old gentleman and other stakeholders because there hs huge
:29:01. > :29:07.potential in the side. Numbdr nine, Mr Speaker. I led the inaugtral
:29:08. > :29:14.Midlands engine trade mission to North America in September `nd a
:29:15. > :29:17.second mission to China this month, and establishing a Merrill `uthority
:29:18. > :29:21.in the West Midlands will hdlp provide more opportunities.
:29:22. > :29:29.The Black Country economy in the West Midlands has had a substantial
:29:30. > :29:34.revival ended last few years, in the last year a 40% increase in foreign
:29:35. > :29:40.investment. Does he agree wd need to do all we can to take advantage of
:29:41. > :29:44.the devolution settlement in the context of the Midlands enghne to
:29:45. > :29:50.drive trade and investment hnto the Midlands from around the world? The
:29:51. > :29:54.back and free and the wider West Midlands has seen a strong
:29:55. > :29:59.performance of inward investment and exports. Our Midlands devolttion
:30:00. > :30:05.deal includes a ?1 billion to drive growth. We also need to see strong
:30:06. > :30:09.local leadership and there hs no doubt in my mind that and a street
:30:10. > :30:16.will bring that to the West Midlands. We need sedentary approval
:30:17. > :30:22.for the proposition, Doctor Tristram Hunt. There are many great that this
:30:23. > :30:28.is in Stoke-on-Trent which want to grow through trade and investment
:30:29. > :30:33.but we're a little engagement from John Pearce and the Midlands engine.
:30:34. > :30:38.We're a lot part of the combined authorities of the West Midlands, so
:30:39. > :30:40.could the ministers say when John peace will be visiting
:30:41. > :30:47.Stoke-on-Trent and what plans they have for Staffordshire? Negri there
:30:48. > :30:54.are many excellent businessds in his part of the world and John peace is
:30:55. > :30:59.a fantastic choice to chair the Midlands engine. He makes the point
:31:00. > :31:02.that it is not the same thing as the West Midlands devolution de`l, so
:31:03. > :31:07.I'm sure John Pearce will m`ke a good interest in his constituency.
:31:08. > :31:13.Another key part of the Midlands engine will be the Lincolnshire
:31:14. > :31:17.devolution deal. World the Secretary of State encouraged the eight out of
:31:18. > :31:21.ten councils who voted for this to work with the Government to make
:31:22. > :31:26.sure we get the best deal for Lincolnshire and it does not turn
:31:27. > :31:32.its back on half ?1 million of government money? He highlights the
:31:33. > :31:36.importance of these devoluthon deals, including greater
:31:37. > :31:41.Lincolnshire in bringing about more growth and greater productivity in
:31:42. > :31:47.all regions. As he said it councils have accepted the deal, I hope the
:31:48. > :31:53.others will and it will makd a great difference to jobs and growth. This
:31:54. > :31:56.I thought the honourable gentleman for Lee would require a gre`t deal
:31:57. > :32:02.of dexterity to relate the puestion to Greater Manchester, the team Ian
:32:03. > :32:08.Bell saved by the minister referring to all regions. All that talk these
:32:09. > :32:14.days is of the Midlands enghne and suddenly the northern powerhouse is
:32:15. > :32:21.about as popular as its originator. While I am not against investment in
:32:22. > :32:26.the Midlands, can the Secretary of State guarantee that commitlents to
:32:27. > :32:33.invest in the North will not be dilate -- delayed or die looted by
:32:34. > :32:38.new commitments to the Midl`nds I know he has significant ambhtions
:32:39. > :32:44.that he must not talk down the north at every opportunity. He will know
:32:45. > :32:48.this Government is committed to the northern powerhouse and that
:32:49. > :32:55.includes all our commitments around investment and growth. Numbdr 1 . My
:32:56. > :32:59.honourable friend recently `nd it's the home building fund to ensure
:33:00. > :33:03.we're not so reliant on the few large builders and an acceldrated
:33:04. > :33:09.building programme to speed up holding on public land. We will set
:33:10. > :33:16.out further plans in the Whhte Paper later this year. Harrow Borough
:33:17. > :33:20.Council are working with thd local community to ensure local housing
:33:21. > :33:24.needs are met strategically. Can he threw me in congratulating them on
:33:25. > :33:33.that work on ensuring ownership for everyone? It was a pleasure to visit
:33:34. > :33:37.his constituency and meet the councillor leading this work, and
:33:38. > :33:43.also to meet great housing associations who are doing great
:33:44. > :33:48.work in this field. A proportion of these homes have to be affordable.
:33:49. > :33:53.Westminster Council approved a scheme of 300 luxury flat in
:33:54. > :34:00.Westminster, 30% of which would have given us a value of ?100 million,
:34:01. > :34:05.but the council agreed just 2% and the contribution of ?6 millhon. Will
:34:06. > :34:09.he ensure councils do not invade their commitments to providd a
:34:10. > :34:15.reasonable proportion of affordable housing? We need more homes of every
:34:16. > :34:22.kind in this country, more homes for people to buy in the market, more
:34:23. > :34:29.share ownership and I hope she will welcome the starter homes policy to
:34:30. > :34:34.provide homes for first-timd buyers. In Swindon and we have cross-party
:34:35. > :34:38.support for a local plans and by working with developers in `dvance
:34:39. > :34:44.of planning submission we are at developing temple development. Will
:34:45. > :34:50.he agree to visit to see how we can deliver new homes? It is good to
:34:51. > :34:55.hear of councils getting on with developing local plans which meet
:34:56. > :35:01.housing needs and I hope all councils in England follow that
:35:02. > :35:05.example. Can the minister ghve reasons why home ownership for
:35:06. > :35:10.people under 35 have fallen by a million since 2010 and what he will
:35:11. > :35:15.do to reverse that trend, so people of my age can afford their first
:35:16. > :35:21.home? It's an interesting thme skilled because the fall in foam was
:35:22. > :35:28.in under 35-year-old started in 2004. The last neighbourhood that
:35:29. > :35:34.like Labour leadership did nothing about it, and that decline was
:35:35. > :35:43.halted, our job is not to rdverse the decline so young people can
:35:44. > :35:46.build their dreams. In her conference speech, the Primd
:35:47. > :35:51.Minister acknowledged the Conservatives' records on
:35:52. > :35:56.house-building was not good enough. My question is, given the hhstoric
:35:57. > :36:03.failure of six years under her predecessor, the worst of any Prime
:36:04. > :36:06.Minister since 1923, how can be be convinced this Government whll do
:36:07. > :36:13.anything differently to stop six years of failure on house-btilding
:36:14. > :36:16.be coming ten? The previous Prime Minister inherited from the last
:36:17. > :36:22.government the lowest level of house-building since the 1920s, and
:36:23. > :36:29.has significantly increased the amount of homes being built. Our
:36:30. > :36:32.planning sister granted a rdcord number of planning applicathons this
:36:33. > :36:39.year, but if the honourable lady is saying we need to do better, she
:36:40. > :36:50.will find us in complete agreement. Number 11. The National plulbing
:36:51. > :36:54.framework is clear. Local planning decision should limit the ilpact of
:36:55. > :37:00.light pollution, including one intrinsically dark landscapds. Our
:37:01. > :37:05.planning guidance sets out how light pollution should be considered. I'm
:37:06. > :37:10.grateful to the minister for his answer. Light pollution isn't just a
:37:11. > :37:15.problem for people wanting to look at the stars but also birds, who get
:37:16. > :37:20.confused about when vision begins at dawn chorus. They sing for so long
:37:21. > :37:33.that they don't have any endrgy left to make. I'm sure the minister will
:37:34. > :37:43.understand why this is a problem... But Brexit gives the... Yeah,
:37:44. > :37:53.Brexit! Brexit! Keep going, you are nearly there. Cut! Order, order I
:37:54. > :37:57.wish to hear the honourable lady at such point that she has had the
:37:58. > :38:06.opportunity to read gain necessary composure. Brexit gives the
:38:07. > :38:11.opportunity for us to control public procurement, so when the minister is
:38:12. > :38:17.talking to local authorities about what kind of LED lighting to buy,
:38:18. > :38:33.where he encouraged them to buy lights from thorns in Spennxmoor? Mr
:38:34. > :38:40.Speaker, always important that you do reserve enough energy, pdrhaps
:38:41. > :38:49.LED lights are one way of sdcuring or not using as much energy as our
:38:50. > :38:53.current streetlights usuallx do I hear what the honourable lady says
:38:54. > :38:58.and I think local authoritids should always look where it is practical to
:38:59. > :39:06.put your goods and services from UK firms. -- procure goods. Thd
:39:07. > :39:11.minister encouraging EV and procreation is not unknown hn
:39:12. > :39:17.Ealing, but can he returned to the borough where he will see the stars
:39:18. > :39:22.glittering like diamonds on black velvet features a very hard,working
:39:23. > :39:26.and intelligent local counchl has changed the entire street lhghting
:39:27. > :39:31.programme to the lighting is and the work luminescence. Will he return
:39:32. > :39:38.with me to be linked and gaze up at the stars which are now vishble I
:39:39. > :39:44.usually expect that most Labour local authorities believe pdople in
:39:45. > :39:48.the dark but I hear what he says. I had a fantastic visit to his
:39:49. > :39:56.constituency and I would be delighted to return. Number 12. We
:39:57. > :40:01.have not set out formal plans to review holding regulations but we
:40:02. > :40:05.have committed to review part B after the late and whole hotse fire
:40:06. > :40:13.and have committed during the passing of the Housing and Planning
:40:14. > :40:17.Act to review efficiency. I am grateful for that, I don't know if
:40:18. > :40:24.the minister has considered my protection of family homes built but
:40:25. > :40:27.he must agree there needs to be help for homeowners whose homes `nd
:40:28. > :40:30.neighbourhoods are blighted white road builders and developers,
:40:31. > :40:36.floating the regulations and planning laws because they know
:40:37. > :40:42.current enforcement action hs costly and complicated. I have had a chance
:40:43. > :40:48.to reviewed his Private Members Bill, although that governmdnt does
:40:49. > :40:53.not agree legislation is necessary we agree there is a problem and last
:40:54. > :40:55.week we announced powers to help councils deal with smaller HMOs that
:40:56. > :41:07.are causing these issues. Question 13. Thank you. This
:41:08. > :41:13.government is committed to protecting the vulnerable. That is
:41:14. > :41:17.why we deferred the Housing rates to support housing until 2019. From
:41:18. > :41:22.then on we will provide a ndw funding model to meet addithonal
:41:23. > :41:26.costs above the Housing ratd. That is all very well, Mr Speaker, but
:41:27. > :41:30.the chief executive has alrdady indicated that they want a secure
:41:31. > :41:34.and sustainable footing in the long term and we are not confident the
:41:35. > :41:37.new system will guarantee this. If the chief executive of the Housing
:41:38. > :41:44.Federation is saying that, what is wrong with his point of view? I have
:41:45. > :41:47.met with the chief executivd of the National Housing Federation myself,
:41:48. > :41:52.and discussed this issue with him at some length. We are giving
:41:53. > :41:56.confidence to this sector that funding will be devolved to local
:41:57. > :42:02.authorities. That funding whll be ring-fenced, and save for the
:42:03. > :42:05.changes to social rent incrdases, the quantum of funding to the sector
:42:06. > :42:11.will be the same. He seemed reasonably reassured on that point.
:42:12. > :42:16.Thank you very much. Followhng on from the statement made by ly right
:42:17. > :42:19.honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the
:42:20. > :42:24.15th of September, it is vital that the consultation on the futtre
:42:25. > :42:29.funding of supported housing gets underway as soon as possibld. Can
:42:30. > :42:32.the Minister advise the House as to when the consultation will commence?
:42:33. > :42:36.I thank my honourable friend. The consultation will be releasdd
:42:37. > :42:40.shortly. At the same time the evidence review will also bd
:42:41. > :42:45.released. But the Minister should realise that those people lhving in
:42:46. > :42:49.this set of supported accomlodation are some of the most vulner`ble in
:42:50. > :42:53.society, and he has left a whole series of very important ch`rities
:42:54. > :42:57.and others in the third sector such as Framework in Nottingham hn limbo
:42:58. > :43:01.such as the -- because of the lack of decision on this issue. He has to
:43:02. > :43:05.make sure the Government puts its money where its mouth is support the
:43:06. > :43:14.most vulnerable people. Thex need help and they need it. Minister As
:43:15. > :43:17.I just said, save for the social rent increases, the quantum of
:43:18. > :43:22.funding will be the same in this regard. We are setting out certainty
:43:23. > :43:30.and certainly, we will be doing that in the consultation which whll be
:43:31. > :43:35.released very shortly. Question 14, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
:43:36. > :43:41.Business rates are carried out on violations carried out independently
:43:42. > :43:44.by the value of this agency. Nearly three quarters of businesses will
:43:45. > :43:50.see no change or a fall in their business rates next year. Whth
:43:51. > :43:54.600,000 set to pay no busindss rates at all, and for the minoritx who do
:43:55. > :44:00.face business rate increases, a transitional rate relief scheme will
:44:01. > :44:05.ensure no business is unfairly penalised. Despite what my
:44:06. > :44:10.honourable friend has said to allay fears, I wonder if I could still
:44:11. > :44:14.persuade him to meet myself and local representations from the solar
:44:15. > :44:18.industry and we might come tp with a few arguments which he has not heard
:44:19. > :44:23.thus far to persuade him to change his mind about his rate risds? I
:44:24. > :44:26.thank my honourable friend for his question. I am aware that the
:44:27. > :44:32.rateable values for certain types of rooftop solar installations are
:44:33. > :44:36.increasing at the revaluation, however, there are many factors
:44:37. > :44:40.which determine the rateabld value of the property and install`tion of
:44:41. > :44:44.solar panels are only one element. Many therefore will see the increase
:44:45. > :44:48.in rateable value of solar panels that see their overall rates bill
:44:49. > :44:52.reduced. That said, I hear what my honourable friend says and H am more
:44:53. > :45:01.than willing to meet with hhm and local representatives of thhs
:45:02. > :45:05.industry. Question 15. Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure to see my
:45:06. > :45:11.honourable friend in his pl`ce. All proud of our coastal communhties. I
:45:12. > :45:16.say that as a coastal community MP myself. We have invested 124 million
:45:17. > :45:21.across the UK through the coastal community fund. And we want to go
:45:22. > :45:26.even further which is why wd have identified at least a furthdr ? 0
:45:27. > :45:29.million for local projects. We have begun the bidding for that, 14
:45:30. > :45:35.projects have made it through to the next round, and we will be laking a
:45:36. > :45:43.decision on those early next year. I welcome the response from the
:45:44. > :45:48.Minister, and his kind words. The Queen Bruno Harbour trust in my
:45:49. > :45:51.constituency has been successful in stage one process for obtaining a
:45:52. > :45:56.grant from the coastal commtnities fund that he mentioned. What advice
:45:57. > :46:00.would my honourable friend give to the Harbour trust members, `s they
:46:01. > :46:08.enter stage two of the procdss to ensure they get some success? Thank
:46:09. > :46:15.you, Mr Speaker. I pay tribtte to my honourable friend on the half of the
:46:16. > :46:19.Harbour trust. Their captors adviser has been assigned to them bx the Big
:46:20. > :46:27.lottery fund to add Minister the coastal fund on our behalf. There is
:46:28. > :46:33.advice available to them on the website. Topical questions. Topical
:46:34. > :46:38.question number one. The recess was far from a quiet period in ly
:46:39. > :46:41.department. We announced funding for new homes, we have continued to
:46:42. > :46:45.drive forward devolution de`ls and where in the process of offdring
:46:46. > :46:50.councils extra certainty but there is plenty more to come, including
:46:51. > :46:55.the White Paper, and if I al daring to dream, the press pack outside ten
:46:56. > :47:00.might stop confusing me with Sadiq Khan! I thank the Secretary of State
:47:01. > :47:05.for that answer. I'm sure hd shares my concern for the very high number
:47:06. > :47:09.of excess winter deaths we experience in our country every
:47:10. > :47:14.year. Can I ask him specifically to say what plans his department has
:47:15. > :47:19.two coordinate activity and minimise the number of cold weather deaths we
:47:20. > :47:22.will experience this winter? Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman
:47:23. > :47:26.raises a very important isste and rightly highlights the need for
:47:27. > :47:30.coordinated government action. Public Health England has already
:47:31. > :47:34.published a cold weather pl`n and this gives recommendation for the
:47:35. > :47:39.NHS and social care for people to work together to help the most
:47:40. > :47:42.vulnerable this winter. Can my honourable friend update thd House
:47:43. > :47:49.for his plan to encourage innovation in the construction industrx? Mr
:47:50. > :47:53.Speaker, we have huge plans in this area. The home building fund and the
:47:54. > :47:58.accelerated construction project have as one of their key objectives,
:47:59. > :48:06.Mr Speaker, to encourage more use of site construction. The Secrdtary of
:48:07. > :48:09.State's department is supposed to be England's voice in government. In
:48:10. > :48:15.standing up for the English and the services they depend on seels low in
:48:16. > :48:20.the Minister's priorities. The independent care commission pointed
:48:21. > :48:24.out that huge funding cuts have left services for the elderly and
:48:25. > :48:28.vulnerable at tipping point. With a social care prices across England
:48:29. > :48:32.getting worse week by week, when might we expect the Secretary of
:48:33. > :48:37.State to act? Mr Speaker, I do recognise there is a growing demand
:48:38. > :48:41.for social care across UK, especially in England, and that is
:48:42. > :48:46.why in the last Spending Review we pledged an additional ?3.5 billion
:48:47. > :48:51.by 2020, which includes allowing councils to have a social c`re
:48:52. > :48:56.precept, money which is ring-fenced, and also the better care fund. North
:48:57. > :49:00.Devon Council and the coast`l communities team have just heard
:49:01. > :49:03.that their bid for funding for Ilfracombe's excellent new
:49:04. > :49:07.watersports centre has made it through to the next round. Would the
:49:08. > :49:10.Minister congratulate them `nd agree that it is an excellent exalple of
:49:11. > :49:16.this government reinventing our coastal communities? Absolutely of
:49:17. > :49:22.course, Mr Speaker, I will naturally agree with my honourable frhend and
:49:23. > :49:26.wish Ilfracombe the best. They have made it through to the final 40 We
:49:27. > :49:33.will be making an announcemdnt on the final fund early next ydar.
:49:34. > :49:37.Congratulations again. The Northern Powerhouse project has brought
:49:38. > :49:43.much-needed investment, attdntion and cohesion to northern cities like
:49:44. > :49:46.mine of Manchester. Why is ht, Mr Speaker, that many of the kdy
:49:47. > :49:50.players involved in the Northern Powerhouse project, including former
:49:51. > :49:56.ministers, now feel the programme has been all but cancelled? I'm
:49:57. > :50:01.sorry, Mr Speaker, this is complete and utter nonsense. I have to say
:50:02. > :50:03.that if honourable members opposite are really interested in thd
:50:04. > :50:10.Northern Powerhouse, they should stop talking it down and tr`shing
:50:11. > :50:13.it. We have delivered a record number of enterprise zones, billions
:50:14. > :50:17.of pounds because the north and I know from ten years as a local
:50:18. > :50:21.government council in the north it is a lot more than the Labotr
:50:22. > :50:27.government managed to do during their time in government. The
:50:28. > :50:34.honourable member has perambulator id. But we are happy to hear from
:50:35. > :50:39.him. Thank you. What discussion has my honourable friend had with local
:50:40. > :50:43.authorities on business ratd retention? This is a reform the
:50:44. > :50:48.local government has long c`mpaigned for and I notice something ly
:50:49. > :50:55.honourable friend has shown great interest in. We have held an open
:50:56. > :50:59.consultation which has invited businesses to have their sax, and we
:51:00. > :51:01.have also established a joint steering group with the Loc`l
:51:02. > :51:09.Government Association which considers the mechanisms nedded to
:51:10. > :51:14.run the new system. The rev`luation of business rates has creatdd
:51:15. > :51:18.uncertainty for local authorities. In Stockton we face two problems,
:51:19. > :51:22.small businesses being pricdd out of their town centre and
:51:23. > :51:27.telecommunications companies potentially knocking huge holes in
:51:28. > :51:33.the Government's budget. Can the Minister tell me how the 2007-1
:51:34. > :51:36.financial settlement will t`ke future revaluations into account so
:51:37. > :51:42.that Stockton council will be no worse off? I think the honotrable
:51:43. > :51:46.gentleman is confusing two hssues. Firstly, in relation to bushness,
:51:47. > :51:49.there is a record ?6.7 billhon of business rate relief, and in
:51:50. > :51:52.relation to the other issue mentioned which was relating to
:51:53. > :51:58.local government funding, I can assure him that within this
:51:59. > :52:00.exercise, it is a revenue ndutral exercise, where all local
:52:01. > :52:06.authorities or any local authority will not be disadvantaged as a
:52:07. > :52:10.result of this revaluation process. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The rapid
:52:11. > :52:13.growth in our alt delete population is one of the key drivers in the
:52:14. > :52:17.demand for housing. Can the Minister tell us what the Government is doing
:52:18. > :52:23.to assure we are not just btilding enough homes, but enough of the
:52:24. > :52:29.right homes for an ageing society? We require councils to plan for a
:52:30. > :52:34.mix of housing but it is not just important that we get the rhght
:52:35. > :52:38.housing for our elderly poptlation, but it also releases crucial family
:52:39. > :52:44.housing and boosts the second-hand market which allows developdrs to
:52:45. > :52:49.build more homes? Powers thd Government's proposal 100% business
:52:50. > :52:53.rate retention compatible whth a statement that there will bd a
:52:54. > :52:59.quote, level of redistributhon between authorities similar to the
:53:00. > :53:04.current system of nine tariffs and top ups? I would say to the
:53:05. > :53:08.honourable gentleman that 100% of business rates will be retahned in
:53:09. > :53:12.local government to be spent on local government services. There
:53:13. > :53:15.will need to be a form of redistribution so we don't leave
:53:16. > :53:21.local authorities who don't collect as many business rates in this
:53:22. > :53:25.situation and we have consulted extensively with the sector and had
:53:26. > :53:31.over 450 responses to that consultation? What is he dohng to
:53:32. > :53:37.help small builders? LAUGHTER
:53:38. > :53:40.We are doing a number of thhngs We have the home-builders fund to
:53:41. > :53:44.provide them with finance and we are also looking at planning policy to
:53:45. > :53:52.make sure we release the vital small sites that small builders c`n take
:53:53. > :53:56.on. I welcome the Prime Minhster's determination to keep the union
:53:57. > :53:59.together, but the devolution to councils, two cities, to ardas like
:54:00. > :54:05.the Northern Powerhouse, can we ensure that we have regular meetings
:54:06. > :54:11.with the devolved governments, and positions, to ensure we are all
:54:12. > :54:14.pulling together? Mr Speaker, I can assure that and I am pleased that
:54:15. > :54:17.the honourable gentleman has expressed his views about the
:54:18. > :54:22.importance of unionism. It hs absolutely key that we conthnue to
:54:23. > :54:25.work together. That is when we are at our strongest. I support the
:54:26. > :54:34.union and that is absolutelx central to that. But is my view and the
:54:35. > :54:42.Prime Minister's view. General aviation makes a valuable
:54:43. > :54:46.contribution to pilot trainhng and sporting aviation. Is the Mhnister
:54:47. > :54:50.aware they are under threat? Redhill is proposed to be housing
:54:51. > :54:54.development. Please can we have a policy that protects general
:54:55. > :55:00.aviation airfields across the country, otherwise they will all be
:55:01. > :55:02.covered in concrete? Mr Spe`ker my right honourable friend's p`ssion
:55:03. > :55:06.for the aviation industry is well known and I am happy to meet with
:55:07. > :55:07.him to discuss this vital sdctor in terms of planning policy and what we
:55:08. > :55:21.can do to protect it. Chester Borough council stand ready
:55:22. > :55:26.to help build more homes but the Government have reneged on the deal
:55:27. > :55:30.they did in 2012. The changds made in terms of friends and mondy coming
:55:31. > :55:37.in make it more difficult to deliver houses. Will the Secretary of State
:55:38. > :55:43.meet a delegation from Chesterfield to understand these changes. I am
:55:44. > :55:46.happy to discuss this issue that the reduction rates helps vulnerable
:55:47. > :55:52.tenants in terms of reducing bills they face, but we must ensure that
:55:53. > :56:00.councils and housing associ`tions can build the homes we need. Can my
:56:01. > :56:04.honourable friend confirm hd is fully engaged in evaluating the
:56:05. > :56:09.Regional Growth Fund bid from Swindon and Wiltshire and whll he
:56:10. > :56:12.ensure the emphasis on long,term skills development at Wiltshire
:56:13. > :56:18.College will be looked on favourably? I met with my honourable
:56:19. > :56:23.friend recently to discuss hssues across South Wiltshire. We `re
:56:24. > :56:28.discussing issues and bids `t the moment, and will have an
:56:29. > :56:35.announcement on that shortlx. In terms of the Secretary of State s
:56:36. > :56:41.regeneration of coastal comlunities, North Antrim has the only rdgional
:56:42. > :56:46.island of it sure that is inhabited by people, Rathlin. He will also be
:56:47. > :56:52.aware of Ollie Kassel, Bushlills and Ballintoy. Could they invitd the
:56:53. > :56:58.Secretary of State to these areas to see regeneration... I'm grateful but
:56:59. > :57:05.the extinguisher has run out of water. Secretary of State. He is
:57:06. > :57:13.always passionate, he can invite me and I would love to come. I would
:57:14. > :57:19.call that member for South Dast Cambridgeshire if she was standing.
:57:20. > :57:23.She is now. I would like to refer to that question raised by my
:57:24. > :57:29.honourable friend who mentioned the link between mental health `nd
:57:30. > :57:38.homelessness. Does the honotrable member understands that reports say
:57:39. > :57:43.60% of homeless people also have mental health issues and wh`t is he
:57:44. > :57:51.doing to blaze with the Dep`rtment of Health and local authorities to
:57:52. > :57:55.change this? As my honourable friend highlights, homelessness is more
:57:56. > :57:58.than a housing issue, she c`n be assured we are working across
:57:59. > :58:05.government, my department and the Department of Health, to make sure
:58:06. > :58:09.we do everything we can and I think our recent announcement demonstrates
:58:10. > :58:15.that. One of the main waste developers in London managed the
:58:16. > :58:20.levels of affordable housing is with financial viability assessmdnts
:58:21. > :58:24.Does the minister agree all local authorities should make these
:58:25. > :58:30.assessments public so communities can scrutinise them? I think we need
:58:31. > :58:36.to take conflict out of our planning system, whether I agree that level
:58:37. > :58:40.of need, or viability assessments, and there is no work in this country
:58:41. > :58:47.for the gap between what we are building and what we need to build
:58:48. > :58:52.is greater than in London. Forgive me as I raise Christmas shopping but
:58:53. > :58:58.as internet retailers prepare for Black Friday, it is rural hhgh
:58:59. > :59:04.streets that struggle. Will the Secretary of State support high
:59:05. > :59:10.streets football by visiting up than high street for his Christm`s
:59:11. > :59:14.shopping? I will be spreading my Christmas shopping across l`rge
:59:15. > :59:18.parts of my constituency but I would be delighted to visit. As wd get
:59:19. > :59:27.towards Christmas, people should try to shop local. Order, order. Will
:59:28. > :59:57.the member wishing to take her seat please come to the table?
:59:58. > :00:07.I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance
:00:08. > :00:15.to Her Majesty Queen Elizabdth, her heirs and successors, according to
:00:16. > :00:16.law, so help me God. You've got me