16/01/2017 House of Commons

Order, order. I have to notify the House in accordance with the Royal

assent act 1967, Her Majesty has signified her royal assent to the

following acts. Small charitable donations and childcare payments act

2017, savings, government contributions act 2017. Questions to

the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Number one, please. Sajid Javid. Good -- happy New Year. Councils

have long campaigned for 100% business rates retention. Last week

we introduced a local government Finance Bill which will establish

the framework for the reformed system. We will continue to work

closely with local governments during the passage of the

legislation to shape the detail of the reforms.

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. I welcome the decision

for Cornwall to be a pilot area for the retention of business rates.

However business rates and Cornwall are low, particularly compared to

urban areas. , counsel will not lose out as a result of any of these

changes? I am pleased Cornwall will be one of

the areas to pilot sum of the elements of the 100% business

retention rates. It will help us develop the system, one that works

for all Local Authorities including rural authorities. We have always

been clear that in setting up the system we will ensure there is

redistribution between councils, so areas do not lose out just because

they currently correct address in local business rates.

Buckinghamshire is the entrepreneurial heart of England.

What assurance can he give that the people of Whickham, that the needs

base review and the new business rates system will result in

rebalanced service funding to better reflect economic growth in

entrepreneurial areas like ours? I have visited the area a number of

times with my honourable friend. He is right entrepreneurial. Under the

new business rates retention system there will be redistribution of

resources with baseline set through the fair funding review so

authorities are treated fairly. When the select committee looked at

this issue they were supportive in principle of the Government's

proposals, but wanted a lot of details answered. One of the major

details that need resolution is that in the future the demand for adult

social care is likely to grow rather more quickly than the growth in

business rates. Does the Secretary of State realise as well as having

100% retention of business rates, Local Authorities need additional

funding for adult social care and will he agree a review to look at

that? Mr Speaker, first of all I'm sure

the chair of the select committee welcomes the recent announcement

last month of additional resources for adult social care. What he

points to quite rightly is the need for longer term reform, and that is

something the Government is taking very seriously.

The Government's plans to did evolve an allowance as part of business

rates retention has caused distress to the orderly who rely on it to

maintain independence and remain in their own homes. Can the Secretary

of State reassure them here today that this reform will not strip them

in any way of this vital allowance? Mr Speaker, what the honourable lady

highlights is when the 100% retention reform does take place at

warming collectively councils will have an additional ?12.5 billion a

year. Of course, more responsibilities do need to be

pushed down to councils with that and the honourable lady is asking

what might make up those responsibilities. We have not made a

decision but will do so in due course.

In a two tier area of local government it's the district that

decides where to allocate land for very important commercial

development. With the Secretary of State ensure the district are

appropriately rewarded for taking what are often difficult decisions?

My honourable friend makes a very good point about districts on the

role they have in promoting business and development. I'm sure he'll

welcome, with the Bill we introduced to Parliament last week, the council

is now outside of London can also promote business development

districts. The Government's Autumn Statement

showed an increase of ?2.4 billion income to the Treasury from business

rates 2017-18. It is still an allocated. Will he protect local

people from massive council tax increases by investing this money

into social care and ending the precept, as suggested by Unison, the

largest trade union supporting care workers, in October last year?

The honourable lady will be fully aware that in 2010 this country had

a huge Budget deficit thanks to the last government. All areas of

government had to make a contribution to that, including

local government. I'm sure when it comes down on social care she will

be pleased with the changes announced last month. Allow Local

Authorities any discretion with regards to business rates levied on

hospitals like Southampton Hospital, which following a revaluation faces

a rather large increase in business rates?

I could tell my honourable friend it does allow some discretion to

councils, but I don't think the hospitals it will apply. It will

apply to businesses and only in one direction, but it is something,

since my honourable friend has made the point, I will take a further

look at. Mr Speaker, further to the question

my honourable friend asked, when the Government is committed to writing

and Local Authorities keep 100% of business rate income, it promised

alongside commensurate further cuts to their funding from Whitehall.

Given the LGA estimate councils are already underfunded for their legal

responsibilities, including social care, to the tune of almost ?6

billion, when can the Secretary of State tell the House what further

cuts in funding the people of England can expect their local

services to suffer? Mr Speaker, the honourable member

will be aware, should be aware, since we've publicly announce the

numbers, that 97% of councils have accepted the four year budget deal,

where they have come forward with efficiency offerings and in return

the Government has guaranteed funding. That doesn't mask the

fact... It is challenging for so many councils dealing with their

settlement, but many councils are able to deal with that and the

honourable gentleman should look at that carefully.

Number two, Mr Speaker. Our actions through the spending

review in 2015 and the provisional local finance that have brought the

total dedicated funding for adult social care to 7.6 billion over the

four years 2016-2020. How much I local council spends an adult social

care is a matter for local councils, who knows these areas best.

The local government Association say the money is raised for the social

care precept is not enough to address the ?2.6 billion gap facing

adult social care by 2020. Instead of exacerbating the existing

postcode lottery, will the Secretary of State not commit to additional

ring fenced resources into social care to tackle this crisis?

Mr Speaker, in their last spending review the Government allocated an

additional three and a half billion pounds a year by 2020 to adult

social care. A few weeks ago I announced additional help of ?900

million over the next two years. Local councils do have to play a

role in this. I know it in Sunderland the average council tax

Bill is down in real terms since 20 tenths and if they choose to

allocate more in Sunderland, they can do that. -- since 2010. For my

constituents the fundamental problem into many cases is we still separate

health care funding and social care provision. It makes no sense to my

constituents and increasingly little to me. Can I urge the Secretary of

State to speed up interrogation of health and social provision, so we

can deal with patients needs first and not budgetary arguments?

Mr Speaker my honourable friend makes a very important point. That

is when it comes to adult social care, it's not all about money. Of

course money and resources have a huge role to play, but it's about

how those services are delivered. We have seen for many councils where

they are able to approach that integration in a better way, that

they have seen significant efficiencies. I think we can all

learn from that. Can I appeal to the Secretary of State to face the House

so we can benefit from his mellifluous tones.

Around ?40 million will have been taken out of the adult social care

budget in Hull by 2020. You can see the effect of that Justice began,

when you see what's happening in our local NHS hospitals. Will the

Minister think again and make sure that the problem is that Local

Authorities like Hull are facing are addressed by central government ring

fenced money? Mr Speaker, I'm sure the honourable

lady would welcome the announcement that was made a few weeks ago, which

is trying to recognise just those pressures she identifies. That is an

additional funding, on top of the 3.5 by 2020, an additional 900

million over the next two years. What she rightly highlights as this

is a situation that we need to keep looking at and see what more can be

done. Further to what the honourable

member for Hartford said, I couldn't agree more... I guess most members

have had in their constituency surgery somebody who desperately

needs help. The local government agree they need help, social care,

the health service agrees they need help, but the health service and

local government blame each other and it becomes a complete mess.

Would it not be a good idea, on a cross-party basis, to look at a new

model for social care? My honourable friend is right to

point that out, many situations like that, I see them on my own

constituency but also he highlights the need for lovers to talk about

this issue and see what we can do working together. According to

Stoke-on-Trent's commissioning group there is an average of 26 days delay

between somebody leaving the hospital and getting social care in

place. That's despite the ?6 million subsidy from the CCG, is that

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's fault or the government's lack of funding?

The normal member will welcome the

recent announcement that we made for additional funding on top of the

funding settlement that was allowed announced on the spending review in

2015 but the government does also recognise that there needs to be a

long-term sustainable solution and that's a reform he would welcome.

Having spent a day with carers just before Christmas seeing their

amazing work, they like me feel frustrated that they are constantly

under financial pressure. With the minister look at what can be done

about increasing funding for social care in addition to what we've

already done and making sure that subject to a cast-iron ring fenced

to make sure the money goes where it's needed most. I can assure my

honourable friend that we continue to look at the resources applied to

adult social care in local councils and central government to make sure

that they are adequate. Also we will continue to push the case for reform

to also make sure all councils realise there's more that can be

done besides just more funding. What steps is the Secretary of State

taking to ensure that local authorities are able to move

patients in need of social care from hospitals to a more appropriate

facility in a timely manner and prevent bed blocking? The honourable

lady will know that there is a role in doing just that both from my

department in working with local authorities and the Department of

Health. Both the farmers are working very closely together on integration

plans with local councils and that is why part of the funding, one and

a half billion pounds by 2020 to improve better care and designed to

do just that, money that goes towards trying to promote such

integration. The House of Commons library figures show that in the

period from November 20 13th to November 2016, instances of bed

blocking where social care was solely responsible increased by 89%.

In the 12 months to November 2016 alone, bed blocking has increased by

39%. Does the Minister recognise that the preset package brought

forward by the government in December is insufficient to solve

the crisis in our social care system and is putting further pressure on

our already stretched NHS. What the Minister recognises is that the

additional funding announced in December will make a big difference.

There's ?240 million additional coming in from the New Homes Bonus

repurposed Singh, an additional ?600 million, it is new money and an

initial ?600 million that is coming in from the changes. When it comes

to using that money and we also want to see a delayed reduction in

transfers of care, she'll be aware of big difference is between local

councils and delayed transfers of care and councils could learn from

others. I will answer this question together

with question number 15. 97% of councils have accepted our historic

offer of four year funding certainty and local government Finance Bill

will ensure councils keep 100% of locally collected taxes by the end

of this Parliament. The Secretary of State will be particularly aware

that Worcestershire is a very attractive place to live, work and

visit and a particularly attractive place to retire which is why we have

a disproportionately large elderly population. How was the Department

factoring in the additional needs of the more elderly population? I thank

my honourable friend for the question and I wholeheartedly agree

with his opinion of our great county. It's a great place for

everyone to visit, live and to holiday Inn. I recognised the

demographic pressures are affecting different areas in different ways,

that's why we are under undertaking a fair funding review to introduce a

more transparent and Federer needs assessment formula, something my

friend will welcomed. The Secretary of State has received a proposal

from Buckinghamshire County Council to create the new unitary authority.

He's also a meeting with the District Council who are submitting

a proposal to him for two unitary authorities. Can the Secretary of

State confronted us that he will give both those proposals are equal

and full consideration including consulting local residents as

happened in Dorset and can he assure me that unitary status will not lead

to any reduction in funding for Buckinghamshire residents. I can

give my right honourable friend the assurance she seeks. Of course I

will give careful consideration to all proposals received from local

authorities such as those in Buckinghamshire including any

financial implications, we need to ensure that any reform is right for

local people and can deliver better services and strong local

leadership. I should declare that I'm an elected member in the London

Borough of Redbridge and local authorities like men face a double

whammy of pressures through an ageing population but also a high

birth rate which has real funding pressures on the authority. Does the

Secretary of State accept that even by diverting resources from other

services and by charging the maximum social care preset available, local

authorities like mine will still face a shortfall in funding for

vital services for older people and what's he going to do about it? The

measures be announced in December will help his local authority. They

will help every local authority in the land to deliver more adult

social care services but as I've said, as well as more money, we need

reform and some councils do need to learn from others. The 2015 account

committee outlined the reduction in reduction in the support of local

authorities, what does the Secretary of State may have to say to my

Bristol South constituents concerned about the ?64 million cuts announced

by Brit stole City Council last week will affect them -- Bristol City

Council. I would say that don't forget where a Labour government

gets you, the deepest deficit of any developed country, the biggest

recession in almost 100 years, the largest banking bailout, all of that

has meant that this government has had to make some difficult decisions

and every part of local government has had to contribute. Does my right

honourable friend had amused me that the long-term financial stability of

local government is not only a function of funding from government

that good management with the local authorities. What does my right

honourable friend think we can do to attract people with business

experience to run good local government? My honourable friend

makes a very good point. It's also about leadership and that means

having many businesses in your area and promoting them and you need

someone with a good track record, someone who has that experience that

local people will benefit from, I can think of some of them in the

West Midlands. Andy Street. He knows full well that leaving patients in

hospital when they are medically fit to be discharged like the 130

currently at Aintree Hospital is a very expensive way of looking after

people. Why isn't he shouting from the rooftops for the 4.6 billion

that was cut from social care to be reinvested so councils can address

this problem now and then the long term? Helping with adult social care

is about resources, that's why I know the honourable gentleman will

welcomed the announcement of a few weeks ago, an additional ?900

million over the next two years but also I'm sure he'll agree to back

reform as well and he would have noticed himself the big difference

in delayed transfers of care between one authority on the other. The

government has listen to calls from local government and representations

made by honourable and right honourable members across the House.

New changes outlined in the provisional local government finance

settlement in December provide access to an additional ?900 million

over the next two years. The social care preset would raise about 2.5

million but Sutton is losing 8 million in revenue support grant is.

The one-off social care grant will give Sutton ?750,000 pot sat is

losing 1.5 million from the New Homes Bonus changes which are paying

for the one-off grant resulting in a loss of ?800,000. Does the Minister

agree that as long as the government are robbing Peter to pay Paul we

will see cancer operations cancelled and patients left in distress

because of bed blocking? As a result of the spending review, the

announcement of the 5p extra into adult social care by 2020, three 5p

per year and the announcement I made a few weeks ago of ?900 million over

the next two years, all councils including Sutton will have more

resources to deal with adult social care challenges. The Secretary of

State will agree with me that the progress in Torbay was very welcome.

We also agree that that it was concerning to see that very strict

financial rules from NHS England are prompting a renegotiation in terms

of a risk agreement even though no extra money was spent. Would he want

with the council, the trust and colleagues to see if we can resolve

this one? I'm happy to work with my honourable friend and see what can

be done and listen to the issue in Torbay he's raised. Torbay is a good

example of how integration can want and how it can really help local

people. The government is committed to tackling homelessness, we have

launched a ?50 million homelessness prevention package and up in the

most ambitious legislative reforms. I'm delighted to Chelmsford will be

one of the first areas announced by the Prime Minister last month. With

the Minister agree with me that rough sleeping in the 20th century

is totally unacceptable. Can the Minister tell me more about what is

being done, not only an England as a whole but also in Chelmsford to end

this stain on our society? I think the whole house will agree

with my right honourable friend that it's totally unacceptable and we

should do all we can to end rough sleeping. Our ?20 million rough

sleeping grant will fund 54 projects working to provide rapid response

support for rough sleepers across England, it will help prevent people

from spending a night on the streets in the first place. I'm delighted to

tell my right honourable friend that Chelmsford will receive almost

?900,000 funding for presenting homelessness in partnership with

neighbouring local authorities. The inspirational lady's football player

Fara Williams Will Thomas at 17 but went on to captain and play 137

times for England and is now at Arsenal. She is supporting the

centrepoint appeal for funds to setup the first national freephone

helpline for 16-25 adults who are homeless and risk of life on the

streets as she was. With the Minister agree this is a tremendous

initiative, long overdue and should be government funded? I think the

honourable lady quite rightly brings to our attention a prime example of

the fact that just because somebody is homeless, somebody is rough

sleeping, they don't have the ability to actually reach their full

potential and that is what we need to encourage. I would say to the

honourable lady that the government currently pays for a service called

straight link where people can ring in or use an app where they can

report people who are sleeping rough which is then brought to the

attention of the local housing needs department. With the Minister

congratulates Kettering Borough Council and its inspirational

housing director John Conway for the measures they've taken during the

recent cold weather to get all rough sleepers of the streets and

Kettering and give them the appropriate housing advice they

need? I thank my honourable friend for Kettering to bring that very

important and heartening example, some of our local authorities are

doing excellent work to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping on

the type of initiative that my honourable friend is talking about

is the type of initiative that should be followed by other local

authorities. On Wednesday Glasgow City Council will consider a report

that shows the devastating impact that universal credit rollers are

having on homeless services. So far this resulted in 73 homeless

individuals racking up debts to the Council of ?144,000. An average of

1971 per person which is completely under sustainable board for the

individuals and for the Council. Can the Minister tell me what impact

these roll-outs are having I concede to the Honourable lady

that we have increased the special housing payments to ?17 million

across this Parliament to mitigate some of the short-term challenges we

are facing from the real fear changes being made. I would also say

that the local housing rates, 30% of that is going to be repaid, with

regard to the challenges of affordability. That is completely

inadequate. The homelessness services in Glasgow have seen cups

of over ?6 million in the past five years. Does the Minister not accept

that to help rough sleepers and those who are homeless, there has to

be a coordinated approach across all government departments? That is a

good point. I can assure her that we are working extremely hard on this.

We are working across governmental working group that they cheer, I can

also see with regard to accommodation, the temporary

accommodation management fee is being devolved to local authorities.

In her case, being devolved to the Scottish Government. Should the

government not be apologising for sweeping to be doubling since 2010.

Under the last Labour government, Street homelessness was cut by three

quarters. Will he commit to an extra 4000 homes to end rough sleeping

forever. During the period of the Labour government, at 2003,

homelessness was actually at its peak. This government is absolutely

committed to making sure that we eradicate rough sleeping and we are

working extremely hard. A ?20 million fund has been put to local

authorities. A ?10 million social impact fund to get the most

entrenched sleepers of the street. We have taken significant action.

Figures from the estate agent sure that investment in the retail factor

was down 7% from the previous year. The local authority does what it can

but it is limited in its authority. Will the Minister agree to meet with

me and other college to discuss the transfer meat of measures that are

required. I discussed the issue of regeneration with the cheer of the

business partnership just before Christmas. We are looking at how we

can share best practice. This is very much an issue which affects all

of the country. Many small towns are being stripped of the banks. Will

the Minister try and encourage more competition in the retail banking

sector so we can see a return to more banks with a times? This is an

important point. -- this is something I am interested in talking

about with them. It has a big impact on many constituencies. We recognise

the pleasures faced by the social care system. On top of the funding

we announced two years ago, ?3.25 billion a year, we are providing an

additional main hundred million pounds over the next two years for

social care. The ROM has already had to meet ?55 million worth of cuts.

There is another 40 million in the pay claim. What we are facing some

villages where private contractors cannot afford to inflate any social

care whatsoever. Can I suggest that the Minister that the goods back to

the Treasury and asks for a no another relevance. The honourable

lady will know that the city will benefit from main hundred million

pounds that the government is giving local authorities access to over the

next two years. They will significantly benefit from

improvements to the key fund. ?825 million the following year and ?1.5

billion in the term of this Parliament. Given that so much of

the funding goes towards care homes. Many of these care homes are failing

inspections, with the Minister think there are cheerful reform should be

included in the social care bill. Should local authorities have to

build nuclear homes just as they have to build new schools? Thank you

for these constructive suggestions. We are always willing to listen to

them. -- new care. . Funding per head of population in Westminster

and Chelsea is almost double that received by Edinburgh. Could the

Minister confirm that not only were delicate ring fencing these payments

but also properly reflecting the assessed needs of the people within

our community. I met with the chief finance officer of Enfield last week

along with my honourable friend. That was as part of the local

government finance settlement consultation. The local authorities

across the country are getting the benefit of this main hundred million

pounds level of access to over the next two years. The neighbourhood

planning Bill. Ensuring that communities have the ability to

control what is built in the area, not speculative developers. It has

been encouraging to see these plans being put forward in recent years.

Will the Minister ensure that the plans carry the fuel weight over

that period of time? The government expectation is that plans will be

reviewed every five years. I can reassure her on that point. We need

to involve local and national businesses more in this procedure.

So much of the street sees money sucked out of the local communities

and very little investment group back. What will they do to stop

this. There is a proposal to have neighbourhood plan simply for

business. But there is a way that issue of ensuring that we make sure

that its value when planning up permission is applying for. Can we

paid tribute to the hundreds of people who devote lots of time in

Sussex to put forward neighbourhood plans. It is further in that it is

essential that we ensure the integrity of these plans. He has

been a huge advocate of neighbourhood planning in Sussex. I

hope some of the concerns will be addressed. The pressure local

authority budgets encourages the building of a cost, high cost

housing, to increase council tax income. But that is missing the

point. What will be done to encourage local authorities to make

sure housing needs are met? The framework is very clear on that.

They are not looking at the total number of posters required, but also

catering for the demographic in the area. I welcome the increased

neighbourhood Housing starts. That has more than doubled but we need a

resurgence for the small and medium-sized house-builder. Will the

involve all parts of the business when these plans come to fruition?

My honourable friend is absolutely great. We need to involve all sizes

of the industry, rather than just relying on a few of the bigger

companies. There will be a ?2 billion accelerated construction

plan. There will also be support for 17 Garden towns and villages. As my

honourable friend knows, we published findings into the quality

of new-build houses. Is my honourable friend willing to meet

with the all-party group to see what could be included in the forthcoming

white paper? I attended a meeting with regard to the Private sector,

which he is also the chairman. He is quite great to see that we need to

face the fundamental challenge of building the house we need, but not

losing sight of the quality we need, not just the quantity. Our

Westminster Council rate to expect other local authorities to take on

the responsibility of housing as well as social care? I would hope

everybody would expect that as much as possible local authorities should

help meet the housing needs. Some local authorities have placed people

in wealthier areas shows you feel your overall has 30-40 years to

build more houses. We will put that rate. Very few residents are we are

and do not see the Dean development. Should be more of an explanation as

to how the housing is spent? There is a way that issue. Communities

have to see the benefit of the housing. There's also the lady and

the idea that communities know the benefits of what they are getting.

There has been an increase of 20%, with regard to 1% in the south. Over

Christmas, hard-working local people had to take CDs unimpeded leave,

effectively a pay cut. Openly set there and tell me that the cuts

being imposed on Dudley are anyway fear? I would point out that over

the course of this Parliament, the government is doubling the capital

budget. The government concluded the business rates review. The NIC 6.7

billion pounds cut in rates business. As a result, 600,000 small

businesses will benefit. This is of little benefit to people

who are struggling on the high Street. There is no doubt there are

many challenges facing the retailers in our high Street. But of the ?6.7

billion. He may want some of the businesses on his street to check

the recent evaluation of the rates business.

Question number 12, Mr Speaker. 01 should ever have to sleep rough. Our

?20 million grant should help those new the streets. ?10 million for

social bonds covering 48 areas will build on the success of the world's

first social impact bond which we funded in London. This has helped

over 400 in trench rough sleepers get back on their feet and into

accommodation. I appreciate that response yet called a council tell

me the number of non-statutory rust ethers in our district has never

been higher and while local territories are doing everything

they can to tackle homelessness, the council is supporting people budget

has been slashed. Because the Minister agree that unless we

support councils to do this job properly, we have no hope of

reducing these numbers? As the Honourable Lady will know, this

Government is backing me homelessness reduction Bill

currently going through the House. That will put a number of

obligations through local authorities to help people earlier

so they do not become homeless and stop the announcement in terms of

funding for that bill will be made very, very shortly and we are also,

as the honourable lady has heard, providing ?50 million to help that

work at this point so that we do not waste time waiting for the

legislation to come into effect. Mr Speaker, in Derby city, we are

currently looking at alternative ways to give in to homeless people

such as vouchers, an app or three website. Can I ask the Minister to

consider looking at those tenets of giving methods and see if it is

possible to take forward? I think my honourable friend makes a very good

point and it is generally for members of the public to consider

the way in which they might want to give to people that are homeless. As

I have said, a number of times today, the Government is absolutely

focused on helping rough sleepers. The social impact bond, ?10 million

being put to that, will help some of the most entrenched rough sleepers

of the street and I'm sure that all we all want to see. Number 30, Mr

Speaker. Pubs are at the heart of community life and that is why we

have made provision for the community value to be placed on the

register by Republicans at the Valley of the pub and that takes

away the development right automatically. The cooperative pub

mole is saving bible locals across the country but the impact of

community valuable treatment value which enables this in the first

place can often be far too clunky and lengthy. Would not better

approach be to remove permitted development right and protect by

default? There are 1750 pubs, in excess of that listed as assets of

community value. The mundane nomination goes in, the right are

already removed and of course, local authorities are free if they wish to

apply for an article for designation and remove those rights across a

whole area. As he now knows, the Minister, the Honourable Jazmine for

Croydon, was misled by the British Pub Association about the fact that

permissible rights would not have any effect on improvements to pubs.

Can the department is now confirmed that it would simply change the user

class order? As I have made clear, we think that this is an area where

we have two balance competing interests. It is something I am keen

to continue looking at as I continue in this role but we want to support

community pubs and that is why I can also announce today that we are

providing ?50,000 of funding to pub is the hub which will help more pubs

to transform and to be valued by their communities and IP particular

tribute to the member from Weaver Vale who lobbied me quite hard on

this. Number 16, Mr Speaker. Speaker, we are in the process of

bringing in civil purposes, a doosras of Rod Laver Lloyds,

mandatory registering of MMO 's. Manchester is doing some innovative

work on cracking down on rogue landlords but there are issues

currently with the geographical scope of the licensing scheme. But

the minister meet with me and Manchester authorities and the

residential landlords Association see how we can raise standards

together? We have in the past provided ?100,000 of funding to

Manchester for this work. I would be delighted to meet with the

honourable gentleman. This is a critical area. We need to drive out

rogue landlords of the decent landlords are not facing unfair

competition. The City Council is about to commence a selective

licensing scheme to crack down on rapacious slum landlords and protect

vulnerable tenants under the Housing act 2004. They ask the Minister

whether he will keep in review the bureaucratic burden that falls on

local authorities because the whole process from start to finish is not

timely and takes far too long. I would be very happy to give an

undertaking to do that and to meet with my honourable friend if he

wishes to discuss this in more detail. Question 18. Mr Speaker, as

announced by my right honourable friend the chance that the Autumn

Statement, we will shortly publish a strategy to include ?392 million for

our local growth funds for the Midlands engine local enterprise

partnership. I was delighted to see that he met the first ever Midlands

engine trade mission last year. Can updaters with progress on that? Mr

Speaker, first of all I will say that my friend has done a lot to

champion businesses and economic growth in the Midlands. That first

mission, the trade mission to North America went well. It went so well

we went ahead with a second mission to China for the Midlands region and

my honourable friend will be pleased to know that we are working with the

Department for International trade in other departments across

Government and we will surely be publishing a millions energy

strategy reaffirming our commitment to the Midlands. Number one, Mr

Speaker. We are starting 2017 as we mean to go on. The housing White

Paper is nearing completion. The local Government Finance Bill was

published last week and as we have heard it creates the framework for

business rates retention. It also features what my briefing refers to

as discretionary relief on public toilets. I'm sorry to say is not

quite what the name suggests. I will try not to follow that joke anyway.

Can I thank the Minister for the northern powerhouse for his help for

comments in support of the Sheffield city region in the last few days.

Could I ask the Secretary of State asked whether the Government will

confirm they want the city region deal to go ahead as agreed? They do

not support this vague concept of a mayor for Yorkshire which will not

deliver better looks services and improve economic growth and is

arguably at the out with legal framework from the devolution act?

It's very different that share of the select committee to thank the

northern powerhouse Minister. Very good of him. I can tell the

honourable gentleman that we remain strongly committed to the devolution

deal for Sheffield city region. We will continue to work with local

readers who have now proposed a mayoral election for May 20 18. We

will also continue to discuss with local partners devolution deals

elsewhere in Yorkshire including in Leeds. Can I welcome the Secretary

of State's commitment to commit the Reed create a housing market that

works for everyone. In my area in Leicestershire, new housing starts

have now hit 273% higher than the year ending September 20 ten. Can I

give the Secretary of State a challenge as he set out his new

Housing White Paper? Can we do even better? I hope we can rise to the

challenge. Every local authority was building at the rate at his local

authority is building then we would be building 370,000 homes a year in

this country. That is a sign, I think, that it is possible to build

the homes this country needs it just requires political will. My question

is for the Secretary of State. Where is your Housing White Paper? We were

promised it in the autumn. We were then promised it alongside the

Autumn Statement. Then before the end of the year, then first thing in

the New Year and we were told, Mr Speaker, that it was in the

Government's grip for publication to date. It has been delayed more times

then a trip on Southern rail. LAUGHTER

So I say, what is the problem? Mr Speaker, the right honourable

gentleman does not have to work the Reed wait long. When he does see it,

he will see does a lot more than what happened under the last Labour

Government which when he was the Housing Minister, understand

house-building felt was those levels as the 1920s. He has shown us

exactly what the problem is which that the huge gap between the

Government's rhetoric on housing and their records. Under Labour, we saw

2 million new homes, 1 million more homeowners and the largest

investment programme in social housing for a generation. For seven

years under Tory ministers, we have seen failure on all fronts. Higher

homelessness, fewer holders and less affordable housing. Even the Housing

minister has said its affordable housing is an acceptably low and

feeble. Does the Secretary of State agree and what is he going to do in

his White Paper to deal with this crisis? Mr Speaker, under Labour, we

saw Housing affordability measured by medium prices to the average

house price double going up from 3.5 times 27 times. Was the number of

first-time buyers fall by 55%. We saw the number of units available

for social rent declined by 421,000th. That is Labour's record

on housing. Question and answers please. Citizens will do. Giazzon

and South Bucks District Council are providing a new local plan and have

consulted on the problems of meeting development needs using the green

belt. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that green belt land

is vital to preserving the character of places like Amersham and the 80

NBA and should not be developed other than in truly exceptional

circumstances? I agree with my right honourable friend. The purpose of

the green belt is very clear. It should preserve the setting and

special character of historic towns for example like those in her

constituency. Where councils do look at green belt, they should always

make sure that the NPP F rules are met and stop Brownfield should

always be prioritised. The recent publication of the voluntary right

to buy pilot schemes were Housing association tenants show that very

few completions were achieved in return for the enormous time and

effort expended. New affordable housing is a key element in

Cambridgeshire's devolution deal. For the minister promised no

distraction for the opportunity this gives us to build a supply of homes

in our area? Right to buy provides replacement affordable housing. The

honourable judgment should be supporting it because it allows

people to own their own home when they could not do so otherwise and

provides new housing. Earlier this year the Secretary of State

announced next ?7 billion fund to expand the Government's affordable

housing programme. I welcome to this and it will help constituents. But

there is also a concern that the need for new homes will outweigh the

need to protect our greenfield land so can the Minister Shami and my

constituents that it remains... I can get heard the assurance. Ie

Congratulate her on championing Brownfield and the new registers

that we are introducing will help make sure that a register doing the

building is focused on Brownfield. Available housing provision is the

key to reducing homelessness and stop his Government should look to

the Welsh Labour Government legislative pledges of 5.6 million

in 2015 and 3 million in the following years to help fund

affordable homes to rent as well as to buy. The honourable lady will

have heard the Austin statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer adding

?1.4 billion to the affordable housing budget. We are doubling the

housing capital budget over this Government and that is a rhetoric

that is proof of our commitment to delivering the housing that is

needed. Together with the starter homeland fund the new locally led

garden Village will deliver new homes and support first-time buyers.

Will my right arm for frantically in how the Government is working with

local authorities to deliver the new garden villages and will he agree to

visit to see how the local community will benefit from this new scheme?

It was a pleasure to announce 40 new garden villages that between will

provide 48,000 new homes and it will be a pleasure to come and visit the

honourable lady's constituency and see the progress made.

Stoke-on-Trent's City Council is proposing to cut children's centres.

Does he think that is acceptable? Mr Speaker, every council has a certain

statutory service in needs to provide including children's

services. We want to make sure every council is properly funded and

Stoke-on-Trent council and many others have accepted before you

submit and that is good news. Labour City Council in Lincoln are

determined to build homes on the swap and flood plane in the heart of

our city even though a private developer divided the area was

unsuitable. What advice would he give council to act as a director 's

Manor? I got my honourable friend will understand as I cannot comment

specifically on any individual planning case but we have however

very strict, clear rules that say councils must consider a strict

tests under the National planning policy framework that protect people

and property from flooding. Where these tests are not met, that

development should not go ahead. A year ago, local authorities were hit

with a ?200 million cut in public health support. The select committee

described these as a false economy is adding to future health costs.

What impact does the Minister believe these cuts are going to have

on health inequalities and would he meet with me in representatives from

Hounslow to raise their concerns about the impact on children and

others in the community? I would see 25% of government

expenditure is being spent through local government, there are always

situations when that is not always the case. The health budget is being

hugely increased. I am sure local government is more than able to meet

the challenge. Councils have not been in touch with neighbouring

councils who may be more affected by the redevelopment proposals with

regard to new garden villages. Can he please contact them as a matter

of urgency? I thank him for bringing up the situation with regarding that

challenge. There were 40,000 social rented homes who were building but

that has now been hugely reduced. Why is that? The Moto social rented

homes declined under Labour. We have invested billions in social rented

homes. That included the huge increase in the Autumn Statement.

The council received ?14,000 to help with the sleepless programme. Any

join me in congratulating me on the work we have done to prevent people

sleeping rough during the winter. That is exactly what we wanted to

achieve, by putting local charities working in tandem with charitable

organisations. Today is Martin Luuther King Day.

Can we please celebrate the 50 years since the honourable gentleman

visited Newcastle and was given the freedom of the city. The appointed

to great work. Can we emphasise the need to jump champion the values

exemplified by Doctor King. Would he agree that freedom city 2017

provides is not opportunity, and 81, first to do that. Mr Speaker, I

wholeheartedly. She is quite rate to talk about the importance of Martin

Luuther King honour at this stage is a celebration of his life and work.

We should all do well to remember that we have still able to live

together and we could all learn from that, whether you are here or in the

United States. Why did the free paper not envisage a greater role

for the public sector? I can reassure my honourable friend that

the government wants to see everyone getting involved. The more people

getting involved the better. Councils across the country are

highlighting the enormous gap between the increased costs of

social care and the budgets, because of the implementation of the minimum

wage. Will the Secretary of State approach accept that his approach to

social care funding is simply not credible and will he go on a

different approach to make sure people across the country get the

care they need. We have taken the issue very seriously. There was an

announcement a few weeks ago that the added ?2 billion over the next

two years. But we do accept there is still a lot to do. Elaine Dorset

councils submitted proposals to establish one authority. Could this

be brought forward in sufficient time so that it could be set up at

the beginning of April. We have only just received the proposals. We want

to make sure we take the right amount of time to consider them

carefully. I welcome the fact that this is being named as one of the

trailblazers for homelessness. But there are places which are far more

attractive for developers and landlords. It is sometimes more in

the interest to provide emergency accommodation, rather than decent

family homes. I except to point with regard to temporary accommodation.

We hope that through the devolution of accommodation management, it will

make it more attractive for people to be able to maintain temporary

accommodation. The new garden village will bring thousands more

homes into Northamptonshire. Can my constituents be reassured that the

infrastructure needed to support these homes will be instigated. That

is all part of the concept. If we are going to accept more housing, we

simply have to get the infrastructure rate. That is why the

new funding for the infrastructure fund was so welcome. Can I ask the

Health Secretary how many local authority leaders he has met to

discuss social health care. The answer was not encouraging. Will he

meet them to discuss the deal crisis in social care. I concede to the

honourable gentleman I have met a number of local authority leaders in

the past few weeks. I met them as part of the local government finance

settlement. We will continue to do that. It is important that we

understand the challenges the house. I like to receive the honourable

gentleman