0:00:17 > 0:00:21Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities
0:00:21 > 0:00:30and Local Government. Craig Mackinlay. Question one, Mr Speaker.
0:00:30 > 0:00:36Since 2012 we have invested £174 million in 295 projects with the
0:00:36 > 0:00:39coastal communities fund. These are forecast to help deliver over 18,000
0:00:39 > 0:00:44jobs. In my honourable friend's constituents, £2.5 million has been
0:00:44 > 0:00:50provided through the fund to support economic growth and job creation.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Does my right honourable friend agree the coastal communities fund
0:00:53 > 0:00:56helps to attract more visitors to our coastal communities so they may
0:00:56 > 0:00:59thrive and will he promised to consider very carefully any future
0:00:59 > 0:01:06bid to the fund to restore the front of Ramsgate Royal Harbour in my
0:01:06 > 0:01:11constituency, the only royal Harbour in the country, to its former glory?
0:01:11 > 0:01:16I do agree with my honourable friend, the £2.5 million already
0:01:16 > 0:01:19allocated to his constituency will help South Thanet thrive and attract
0:01:19 > 0:01:24more visitors. I commend him for securing that funding already know
0:01:24 > 0:01:29he is very passionate advocate of Royal Ramsgate harbour and here's a
0:01:29 > 0:01:32meeting coming up with a local minister where he can discuss these
0:01:32 > 0:01:39plans. The North Sea programme is funded by
0:01:39 > 0:01:44EU grants totalling 157 million euros. What plans as he made for
0:01:44 > 0:01:49replacing that funding when the UK leads?
0:01:49 > 0:01:54-- leaves. The honourable lady will know we have set out plans for the
0:01:54 > 0:01:58UK's Shared Prosperity Fund, which will eventually, when it comes into
0:01:58 > 0:02:08place, replace EU funding such as this funding. Number 20.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14We will make it mandatory for landlords to be part of an ombudsman
0:02:14 > 0:02:17scheme and increasing Local Authorities powers to tackle rogue
0:02:17 > 0:02:21practices. We published evidence seeking views on regulating all
0:02:21 > 0:02:27letting and management agencies is omitted in October.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Can I thank my friend for that answer and in clamping down on rogue
0:02:32 > 0:02:35practices in the private sector, can I urge him to keep a weather eye on
0:02:35 > 0:02:39some of our housing associations who seem to think they are often above
0:02:39 > 0:02:46and beyond the rules and regulations that govern the private sector.You
0:02:46 > 0:02:50are right to raise the profile of social housing tenants and this is
0:02:50 > 0:02:53why we announced there will be a Green paper on social housing and a
0:02:53 > 0:02:58broad review of issues facing social housing sector to make sure that
0:02:58 > 0:03:02tenants forces are heard and the housing minister is travelling
0:03:02 > 0:03:04across the country to listen to tenants and to make sure we truly
0:03:04 > 0:03:12understand all the issues.Under the new council's excellent landlord
0:03:12 > 0:03:22licensing, the council since January the 2013, has issued 2800 notices to
0:03:22 > 0:03:28abate serious hazards and the decision of the scheme was during
0:03:28 > 0:03:37months ago, can you make sure that you do not denied the right to
0:03:37 > 0:03:53protection that this scheme affords. Selective licensing is an important
0:03:53 > 0:03:56part of how we can protect people and we will take a very careful look
0:03:56 > 0:04:02at it.I welcome the government's plans to reform the lettings market
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and also the estate agents market, given that most firms undertake
0:04:06 > 0:04:11lettings and sales, will the government avoid duplication of
0:04:11 > 0:04:21rules and regulators, which could be expensive for business and confusing
0:04:21 > 0:04:26for consumers.You speak with experience and he makes a very good
0:04:26 > 0:04:33point, and of course we will want to avoid unnecessary regulation, but he
0:04:33 > 0:04:39agrees with the government I think that regulating letting agents is
0:04:39 > 0:04:45necessary and it's good that we are progressing with it.Isn't one of
0:04:45 > 0:04:50the first lines of defence against rogue landlords, local government
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and health inspectors, so how does taking axe to local government
0:04:53 > 0:05:03finance help tenants were not >> STUDIO: -- help tenants?When we
0:05:03 > 0:05:06change the law so that local authorities had more power to
0:05:06 > 0:05:08intervene against rogue landlords we also provided additional funding,
0:05:08 > 0:05:16£12 million.Can the Secretary of State tell us what steps the
0:05:16 > 0:05:20government is taking to encourage private landlords to offer longer
0:05:20 > 0:05:25tendencies?You make a very important point, as we fix our
0:05:25 > 0:05:29broken housing market, with Simon Amor people today renting than ever
0:05:29 > 0:05:35before -- with so many more people. It's important we find ways of
0:05:35 > 0:05:39making sure more of them are given longer tendencies and this is
0:05:39 > 0:05:42something we are actively looking at and we will bring forward plans that
0:05:42 > 0:05:48will make sure this in the budget.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55We have established a building safety programme and identified all
0:05:55 > 0:06:00unsafe aluminium composite material cladding on English social housing
0:06:00 > 0:06:08buildings over 80 meetings and I've -- 80 metres and we are also looking
0:06:08 > 0:06:11privately owned residential tower blocks, to make sure that
0:06:11 > 0:06:18appropriate action is being taken to give all residents safe.I thank the
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Secretary of State for that reply, but I want is asking about things
0:06:20 > 0:06:25that can be done to prevent fires from claiming lives in no sprinklers
0:06:25 > 0:06:29save lives but only 2% of council tower blocks have sprinkler systems.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Is the Secretary of State content with that state of affairs and if
0:06:33 > 0:06:44not, for months on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, when will he stop
0:06:44 > 0:06:50passing the buck and puts printer systems in place?It is already the
0:06:50 > 0:06:53regulation, any new high-rise building over 30 metres is required
0:06:53 > 0:06:57to fit sprinklers, but in terms of whether that is appropriate and
0:06:57 > 0:07:02whether more can be done, the appropriate way to look at that is
0:07:02 > 0:07:07to the independent building regulation review on fire safety
0:07:07 > 0:07:09that is being undertaken and we will listen very carefully, no evidence
0:07:09 > 0:07:18is being gathered -- I no evidence. A case in Cannock has highlighted
0:07:18 > 0:07:24the issue of building homes in very close proximity to a licensed
0:07:24 > 0:07:28recycling site which handles highly toxic chemicals, presenting concerns
0:07:28 > 0:07:34as to fire safety, would you meet to discuss the need to insure that fire
0:07:34 > 0:07:40safety is a top priority in house-building as well?You are
0:07:40 > 0:07:43right to raise this issue, and I'm not aware of the details but I would
0:07:43 > 0:07:50happily meet with her and discuss it further.Can he tell us what
0:07:50 > 0:07:57progress he has made in introducing compulsory electrical safety checks?
0:07:57 > 0:08:04You will know that first of all the department's responsibilities in
0:08:04 > 0:08:10this area are shared with other departments and I'm working with my
0:08:10 > 0:08:15colleague the Secretary of State there to look into this further but
0:08:15 > 0:08:17the building regulation fire safety review is a broader fire safety
0:08:17 > 0:08:23review and I expect it to look at those issues, as well.Is it not an
0:08:23 > 0:08:28irony that it wasn't that enough money was not spent on Grenfell
0:08:28 > 0:08:33Tower, but that term in pounds was spent on Grenfell Tower to provide
0:08:33 > 0:08:40cladding which caused the whole problem -- but that £10 million.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Experts have told the debt sprinklers are not the sole solution
0:08:42 > 0:08:50to this issue -- have told me that sprinklers for the fair are other
0:08:50 > 0:08:57provisions that can be made.I won't speculate on Grenfell Tower and the
0:08:57 > 0:09:02causes of that terrible tragedy, and I'm sure you understand that, but in
0:09:02 > 0:09:09terms of his broader point about measures which are also important
0:09:09 > 0:09:12like fire doors, something we found in Camden, for example, when fire
0:09:12 > 0:09:18safety checks were done, there were hundreds of fire doors that were not
0:09:18 > 0:09:21in place, and there are other measures alongside sprinklers which
0:09:21 > 0:09:26can be taken and should be taken when necessary.What redress will be
0:09:26 > 0:09:29available to privately sold as in a private residential block that has
0:09:29 > 0:09:34failed fire safety tests where the company does not have the money to
0:09:34 > 0:09:42carry out those works?First of all she will know there are redress
0:09:42 > 0:09:48mechanisms available, and many of them do depend on whether the
0:09:48 > 0:09:54freeholders are members of a redress scheme and this is one of the
0:09:54 > 0:10:00reasons why we recently announced the need to manage all agents, to
0:10:00 > 0:10:08see what we can do.Housing associations like the Guinness
0:10:08 > 0:10:14partnership which has housing blocks in my constituency, will you join
0:10:14 > 0:10:19the encoding on them to make sure they improve on their fire safety --
0:10:19 > 0:10:26will you join the in calling on them. I will.You are right to point
0:10:26 > 0:10:33out the critical role housing associations play, and I have seen
0:10:33 > 0:10:35an excellent response from housing associations since the terrible
0:10:35 > 0:10:42Grenfell Tower tragedy. We will continue to work with them.The
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Scottish Parliament's local government issued this morning a
0:10:46 > 0:10:52fire safety in Scotland, and amongst the recommendations and the support
0:10:52 > 0:10:58it is giving, unannounced inspections by the Scottish Fire and
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Rescue Service and a national inventory of all high-rise domestic
0:11:01 > 0:11:09buildings in Scotland, would you support this for England, as well?I
0:11:09 > 0:11:12have listened carefully to what you have said I have followed the moment
0:11:12 > 0:11:15is closely in Scotland and we are working closely with our Scottish
0:11:15 > 0:11:22colleagues to make sure we can share information and knowledge. As to
0:11:22 > 0:11:25whether we would follow similar steps in England, it's important
0:11:25 > 0:11:30that I leave the first part of the decision-making for the independent
0:11:30 > 0:11:40building regulations review. Number four, Mr speaker.With your
0:11:40 > 0:11:43permission, I will answer this question together with questions 13
0:11:43 > 0:11:48and 17. Temporary accommodation makes sure that no child is left
0:11:48 > 0:11:54without a roof over their head, homelessness prevention is at the
0:11:54 > 0:11:58centre of this, we are spending over 950 mean pounds to prevent
0:11:58 > 0:12:06homelessness and rough sleeping -- £950 million. And we also have the
0:12:06 > 0:12:11Homelessness Reduction Act.I asked the minister what recent estimate he
0:12:11 > 0:12:16had made of the recent number of children in temporary accommodation,
0:12:16 > 0:12:21the answer is more than 120,000 in this country, up 6% since his
0:12:21 > 0:12:28government came to power, why?I would say, the number of children in
0:12:28 > 0:12:35temporary accommodation is below its peak which was in 2006 but we are
0:12:35 > 0:12:42certainly not complacent and that is why we have put in £402 million to
0:12:42 > 0:12:44be flexible homelessness support grant over the next two years so
0:12:44 > 0:12:49that local areas can plan strategically juju is the number of
0:12:49 > 0:12:57people in temporary accommodation. -- strategically to reduce.Most of
0:12:57 > 0:13:02the costs of this is found from the DWP, even for households that were,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06wouldn't this money be better spent building and letting council homes
0:13:06 > 0:13:10whose rent would be less in half that of expensive for quality
0:13:10 > 0:13:17temporary accommodation? -- households that work.This is why we
0:13:17 > 0:13:22have introduced the flexible homelessness support grant and are
0:13:22 > 0:13:26dissolving £402 million to local authorities so they can plan more
0:13:26 > 0:13:32strategically. The honourable lady will be please to know that the use
0:13:32 > 0:13:40of temporary accommodation in her area has actually reduced.The
0:13:40 > 0:13:43number of families in temporary accommodation in Croydon has doubled
0:13:43 > 0:13:47in seven years, two thirds of families right now in Croydon in
0:13:47 > 0:13:52local authority housing are in debt and at risk of eviction, because of
0:13:52 > 0:13:57Universal Credit, how will the minister stop more families in
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Croydon on Universal Credit becoming homeless and spending the winter
0:14:01 > 0:14:06months in temporary accommodation? The latest available figures show
0:14:06 > 0:14:12that the number of people in temporary accommodation in Croydon
0:14:12 > 0:14:18is actually reducing and this government has actually given £1
0:14:18 > 0:14:25million to Croydon for the prevention... Homelessness
0:14:25 > 0:14:28prevention trailblazer that they put in for and I would say to the
0:14:28 > 0:14:33honourable lady, this government has given £870 million in discretionary
0:14:33 > 0:14:38housing payments to give to people who have difficulty in sustaining
0:14:38 > 0:14:45their accommodation.The council in my area has provided a stellar
0:14:45 > 0:14:48performance, but pressure at East Sussex County Council may lead to a
0:14:48 > 0:14:55change in service provision in rural areas like Wealden. Will you help me
0:14:55 > 0:15:01to make sure councillors continue to deliver superb children's services.
0:15:01 > 0:15:10I hear what you have said and we will get that meeting in the diary.
0:15:10 > 0:15:17Child victims of human trafficking are the responsibility of local
0:15:17 > 0:15:21government, and adult victims of human trafficking are dealt with
0:15:21 > 0:15:24nationally, would it not be a good idea to make children victims of
0:15:24 > 0:15:29human trafficking looked after nationally and we should also free
0:15:29 > 0:15:36up money for local government to look after other children?You raise
0:15:36 > 0:15:44an important point, this is an issue which is very important and we are
0:15:44 > 0:15:49considering very carefully especially as we come up to the
0:15:49 > 0:15:54local government finance settlement and certainly I hear what you say
0:15:54 > 0:15:59and no doubt his views will be considered as we take this area of
0:15:59 > 0:16:04policy forward.Northamptonshire has a disproportionately large number of
0:16:04 > 0:16:14unaccompanied asylum seeker children, which is very Spencer, so
0:16:14 > 0:16:16will you make sure that Northamptonshire is getting its fair
0:16:16 > 0:16:25share of resources -- very expensive for the.I'm aware of the issues
0:16:25 > 0:16:33that you are referring to, and you will know that we have undertaken to
0:16:33 > 0:16:38do a fair funding review to see how local government resources are
0:16:38 > 0:16:46distributed and we are still committed to do that.Despite the
0:16:46 > 0:16:50shocking increases in homelessness overseen by this government, the
0:16:50 > 0:16:54recent National Audit Office that the minister 's department has not
0:16:54 > 0:16:58produced a strategy to tackle homelessness, when are they going to
0:16:58 > 0:17:01come up with a plan so we can finally see some action for the
0:17:01 > 0:17:06120,000 homeless children in Britain today?
0:17:06 > 0:17:10As the honourable lady knows, this government is doing a significant
0:17:10 > 0:17:14amount to change the culture across the country, and make sure that we
0:17:14 > 0:17:18do far more in relation to prevention, through the Homelessness
0:17:18 > 0:17:25Reduction Act. We are confident we will see significant progress, and
0:17:25 > 0:17:30as I said right at the start of this questions section, we are putting
0:17:30 > 0:17:42£950 million into this up to 2020. Number five.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45With your position I would like to group this with question eight and
0:17:45 > 0:17:5114. I have metal corresponded with every metro mayor in England in the
0:17:51 > 0:17:57last month and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State chairs
0:17:57 > 0:18:02and interministerial group to drive forward its growth.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05With the Minister agree with me that one of the vital role is to be
0:18:05 > 0:18:14played by elected mayors like Andy Street in the West Midlands is to
0:18:14 > 0:18:16focus on skills, particularly in areas like the Black Country, where
0:18:16 > 0:18:20we have a lot of young people without basic skills, to make sure
0:18:20 > 0:18:24that they can take the opportunities that are out there and the jobs out
0:18:24 > 0:18:29there and to drive economic growth in areas like the Black Country?As
0:18:29 > 0:18:32my right honourable friend is aware, Andy Street is already playing a
0:18:32 > 0:18:37vital role in tackling the skills gap. As he will also be aware, we
0:18:37 > 0:18:42are devolving the skills budget from 2019 to support all our metro mayors
0:18:42 > 0:18:47as they drive forward skills in their area.Mr Speaker, the
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Government's devolution to city region mayors has been a real
0:18:49 > 0:18:55success in the West Midlands. If romp Andy Street announced 2.1
0:18:55 > 0:18:58million from the regions created by the technology industry. Does my
0:18:58 > 0:19:02honourable friend agree that devolution could only bring
0:19:02 > 0:19:07prosperity, jobs and a bright future to the people of my constituency and
0:19:07 > 0:19:13across Walsall? I agree with my honourable friend
0:19:13 > 0:19:19that Andy Street is a prime example of how leadership and accountability
0:19:19 > 0:19:24of metro mayors and drive forward our country's economy. Only this
0:19:24 > 0:19:30month he approved a bike sharing scheme in the West Midlands, so its
0:19:30 > 0:19:37move over Boris bikes in time for street's cycles.Yes...
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Does the Minister support the innovative work of Andy Street... To
0:19:45 > 0:19:52boost the number of houses in the West Midlands, absolutely key to
0:19:52 > 0:19:56economic growth? Intensified the use of urban areas to take pressure off
0:19:56 > 0:19:59our green belt, particularly around Solihull?
0:19:59 > 0:20:07Thank you Mr Speaker. The mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, is
0:20:07 > 0:20:11determined to build the houses we need. We are supporting development
0:20:11 > 0:20:16across our country through £2.3 billion housing infrastructure fund,
0:20:16 > 0:20:23the outcome of the bidding process will be available shortly.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27CBI the FSB the TUC and many of the ministers calling the local
0:20:27 > 0:20:30government or believe there is a very strong economic case for
0:20:30 > 0:20:36devolved settlement for one Yorkshire. When the minister was at
0:20:36 > 0:20:39working through his ministerial box, does he ever just thinking might be
0:20:39 > 0:20:46on the wrong side of this argument? The Government has been absolutely
0:20:46 > 0:20:49clear, not least in the letter from my right honourable friend the
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Secretary of State on the 15th of September, that we will not
0:20:52 > 0:20:57undermine or unpick the south Yorkshire devolution deal, which
0:20:57 > 0:21:01after all, was legislated for by this House of Commons. However I
0:21:01 > 0:21:03would acknowledge the honourable gentleman and I have held recent
0:21:03 > 0:21:07discussions which have been helpful and also been clear that completion
0:21:07 > 0:21:10of the South Yorkshire deal does not preclude any other devolution
0:21:10 > 0:21:17discussions across Yorkshire. Responsibility for the health and
0:21:17 > 0:21:19work programme has been devolved in Greater Manchester to the
0:21:19 > 0:21:25metropolitan mayor Andy Burnham. CHEERING
0:21:25 > 0:21:31Can I ask the Minister if the funding which is being made
0:21:31 > 0:21:37available, £52 million, including European structural fund money, will
0:21:37 > 0:21:40be continued beyond the period of the SF funding, that that money will
0:21:40 > 0:21:44continue to be made good by the Government and continue to be
0:21:44 > 0:21:50devolved to the Manchester Mayor? The mayor of Greater Manchester,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Andy Burnham... CHEERING Got to give them something to cheer
0:21:53 > 0:21:58about, is doing an excellent job driving forward Manchester's
0:21:58 > 0:22:02economy. The honourable lady will be aware recent guarantee was put in
0:22:02 > 0:22:06place for all European funding, what happens after that guarantees a
0:22:06 > 0:22:14matter for this house. Thank you Mr Speaker. More like a
0:22:14 > 0:22:19devolution cul-de-sac! Isn't the truth that devolution... The
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Secretary of State could learn something from this. Isn't the truth
0:22:23 > 0:22:26devolution has stored? It's bad news for those with devolved settlement
0:22:26 > 0:22:31but worse news for those in England who don't have any devolution
0:22:31 > 0:22:34settlement whatsoever. When, expect to see the framework for devolution
0:22:34 > 0:22:42in England? 33% of England now has an elected
0:22:42 > 0:22:46mayor and is the Conservative Party that is returning power back from
0:22:46 > 0:22:51London to our regions. Unlike the Labour Party that wants to
0:22:51 > 0:22:55nationalise and centralise other thing, like Citizen Smith I can save
0:22:55 > 0:23:00power to the people! It is clear from what the minister
0:23:00 > 0:23:04says that Andy Street is doing a grand job in the West Midlands, but
0:23:04 > 0:23:10what about those areas that have not got an elected mayor? Can the
0:23:10 > 0:23:16Minister assure me that they will be considered when the Government look
0:23:16 > 0:23:20at further devolution project? We urgently need one in northern
0:23:20 > 0:23:26Lincolnshire. The Government's manifesto committed
0:23:26 > 0:23:30to provide clarity across England for what devolution means for
0:23:30 > 0:23:32different administrations, by setting out a clear devolution
0:23:32 > 0:23:36framework. As we set out the next steps in our industrial strategy,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40this is exactly what we intend to dux, as well as clarifying things
0:23:40 > 0:23:45like pound bills for places like Grimsby.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Bristol is the only city outside London to make a net contribution to
0:23:49 > 0:23:53GDP but we do need money to invest in infrastructure if we are to make
0:23:53 > 0:23:58the most of that economic contribution. We now have a bid in
0:23:58 > 0:24:02for £250 million for the housing infrastructure fund. Can I urge the
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Minister and Secretary of State, who is very familiar with Bristol and
0:24:04 > 0:24:09the needs of the city, to look at that seriously? The only way we can
0:24:09 > 0:24:16unlock investment is to have money. The mayor of the West of England Tim
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Bowles worked closely with the Government in bringing forward his
0:24:19 > 0:24:22housing infrastructure bid. As I said in answer to a previous
0:24:22 > 0:24:30question, the decisions about that fund will be made shortly.Question
0:24:30 > 0:24:38number six, please. It is the Magistrates' Courts to
0:24:38 > 0:24:43decide whether a custodial sentence should be imposed for nonpayment of
0:24:43 > 0:24:46council tax, taking account of the particular circumstances of each
0:24:46 > 0:24:50case. There has been a slight reduction in the number of such
0:24:50 > 0:25:04cases since 2009-10.Isn't it time that nonpayment of an council tax
0:25:04 > 0:25:07ceases to be an offence? How is it right that anyone should
0:25:07 > 0:25:13do time for falling into debt? I certainly agree with the
0:25:13 > 0:25:20honourable gentleman that people who are in genuine hardship should be
0:25:20 > 0:25:26supported. That's why there are over 4 million people on local council
0:25:26 > 0:25:29tax support scheme payments throughout the country. But I think
0:25:29 > 0:25:36we also need to recognise that every pound of council tax is not
0:25:36 > 0:25:40collected means higher tax bills for law-abiding citizens who do pay, so
0:25:40 > 0:25:46there does need to be a form of and sanction, but it you need is to be
0:25:46 > 0:25:49used proportionally and as the honourable gentleman can see, the
0:25:49 > 0:25:53number of people getting a custodial sentence is reducing.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58Guidance to Local Authorities advises us to be synthetic to those
0:25:58 > 0:26:01in genuine hardship. Does the Minister believe a custodial
0:26:01 > 0:26:05sentence with no right of appeal, no remission for good behaviour and no
0:26:05 > 0:26:10requirement for a presentencing report shows sympathy for those
0:26:10 > 0:26:14struggling to pay their council tax? Will it lead to more or less
0:26:14 > 0:26:21families being in genuine hardship? I would just say to the honourable
0:26:21 > 0:26:35lady that council tax is, in lower than it was in 2010. And at the time
0:26:35 > 0:26:38of the Labour government, the cost of council tax doubled. As I said to
0:26:38 > 0:26:42be honourable gentleman in my response, 4 million people receive
0:26:42 > 0:26:47local council tax support and we're absolutely clear and published
0:26:47 > 0:26:50guidance on 2013 on good practice and want to make sure those in
0:26:50 > 0:26:56genuine hardship are supported and enforcement is proportionate.
0:26:56 > 0:27:03Number seven, sir. I welcome the development of family
0:27:03 > 0:27:07hubs and indeed we know a lot of areas are already moving towards
0:27:07 > 0:27:11this model of supporting children and families. Local government and
0:27:11 > 0:27:13their partners understand the needs of their communities best and they
0:27:13 > 0:27:19should be the ones to determine how they provide services for families.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23As we know, the wheels can fall off any family wagon at any point, yet
0:27:23 > 0:27:28family hubs can be an essential part of the solution to improve the lives
0:27:28 > 0:27:33of children, right up to the age of 18. Does the Minister agree more
0:27:33 > 0:27:36local areas should upgrade their children's centres to family hubs,
0:27:36 > 0:27:42so we can do this essential work? I welcome my honourable friend's
0:27:42 > 0:27:45commitment to excellent services for children and families. Ultimately,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49it is up to councils to decide on the best solution for their area.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53What I would say, it's important that the whole of the family do have
0:27:53 > 0:27:57access to the right services to meet their needs.
0:27:57 > 0:28:06On that very point, of the 120,000 children in temporary accommodation
0:28:06 > 0:28:14across 77,240 families, 28% are housed in Paris other than their
0:28:14 > 0:28:19own, very often the receiving borough has no idea that those
0:28:19 > 0:28:23children, many vulnerable, are entering their area. Would he look
0:28:23 > 0:28:27at the prospect of providing family hubs at large-scale temporary
0:28:27 > 0:28:32accommodation centres outside home borrowers?
0:28:32 > 0:28:37We're absolutely clear that when people are placed in temporary
0:28:37 > 0:28:42accommodation, access to things such as schooling is taken into account.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45We are also absolutely clear that where people are moved to a
0:28:45 > 0:28:50neighbouring or a different borough that they should be informing the
0:28:50 > 0:28:54receiving borough and support should be given to those families. I can
0:28:54 > 0:29:00tell the honourable lady, though, I am working to support London
0:29:00 > 0:29:05authorities who are working with the GLA to improve the situation around
0:29:05 > 0:29:09temporary accommodation across London and the procurement ofit.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12It is good to hear members from across the House talking of the
0:29:12 > 0:29:17value of early intervention and family hubs cost I love the Minister
0:29:17 > 0:29:20to come to Manchester, to see the early years delivery model that is
0:29:20 > 0:29:26now transforming lives in early years. We work across the voluntary
0:29:26 > 0:29:30and private sectors. But critical to those family hubs is the support of
0:29:30 > 0:29:35the Local Authority. Does he agree with me that the slash and burn
0:29:35 > 0:29:38approach of early intervention monies is putting children's lives
0:29:38 > 0:29:43at risk? I am aware that under the northern
0:29:43 > 0:29:51powerhouse initiative we are putting in three point £2 million to
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Manchester for early intervention. -- three 2p. I would say to the
0:29:55 > 0:29:59honourable lady that the next time I am up in that neck of the woods, I
0:29:59 > 0:30:03would be keen to see what is working in Manchester. But I can reassure
0:30:03 > 0:30:07her that this government is absolutely committed to early
0:30:07 > 0:30:10intervention, both through children's sectors and the troubled
0:30:10 > 0:30:16families programme. Across swathes of England,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20children's services are now in crisis. Seven years of government
0:30:20 > 0:30:25funding cuts to services supporting families is failing children and
0:30:25 > 0:30:31driving councils to the financial brink. Oh million last week a poll
0:30:31 > 0:30:35showed the majority of councillors in the Minister's on party didn't
0:30:35 > 0:30:39back their cuts. When will the Minister finally admit that there is
0:30:39 > 0:30:45a growing emergency in children's social care and finally take some
0:30:45 > 0:30:49action ahead of the budget, to deal with this major crisis for councils
0:30:49 > 0:30:56now? I can say to the honourable
0:30:56 > 0:31:03gentleman that over £200 billion is being given to Local Authorities up
0:31:03 > 0:31:09to 2020, to support local services. Children's services and early
0:31:09 > 0:31:13intervention are amongst that funding stream. What I would also
0:31:13 > 0:31:21say to him is we are absolutely aware of the challenges in many
0:31:21 > 0:31:26areas with providing children's services and safeguarding and this
0:31:26 > 0:31:28government continuing league looks at ways we can support local
0:31:28 > 0:31:34government in this regard.Number nine, Mr Speaker.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39On the 14th of September we published a consultation proposes a
0:31:39 > 0:31:43new standard approach to assessing housing needs, this will play a role
0:31:43 > 0:31:47in meeting housing ambitions and the proposed approach will reduce cost
0:31:47 > 0:31:53and increase transparency. I thank the Minister for that
0:31:53 > 0:31:56answer. More and more people are wanting to move to Cornwall to live,
0:31:56 > 0:32:00after all, it is the best place in the UK to work, raise a family or
0:32:00 > 0:32:04retire. But that is putting unprecedented levels of demand on
0:32:04 > 0:32:09our housing stock. We currently have over 20,000 people on the housing
0:32:09 > 0:32:12register, and young people are being priced out of ever owning their own
0:32:12 > 0:32:16home. Can the Minister tell me if he believes if the approach he has
0:32:16 > 0:32:18outlined will help to deliver more housing for local people in
0:32:18 > 0:32:23Cornwall?
0:32:23 > 0:32:26You are absolutely right, the starting point has to be an honest
0:32:26 > 0:32:31and open approach, with the number of homes and area needs and that is
0:32:31 > 0:32:42what this new assessment will deliver.My constituency is a also a
0:32:42 > 0:32:46beatable place to live but we have homes which are not being sold
0:32:46 > 0:32:50because they are being sold under lease arrangement -- is also a
0:32:50 > 0:32:57beautiful place. I wonder when the consultation will announce its
0:32:57 > 0:33:02results so our housing market can get moving once again.You make a
0:33:02 > 0:33:07very important point, we need to make sure there is fairness in the
0:33:07 > 0:33:11system and that is precisely why we launched the consultation and a
0:33:11 > 0:33:14significant number of people responded and we will respond in due
0:33:14 > 0:33:24course.The housing need white paper also covers viability assessments
0:33:24 > 0:33:30and the use of these by developers in the consultation it refers to,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34developers gaming the system to avoid contributions like affordable
0:33:34 > 0:33:43housing. Would you agree that we need to look at these assessments,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45whether they are appropriate for the market today and whether they should
0:33:45 > 0:33:54be scrapped completely.As my friend will know, we are consulting on both
0:33:54 > 0:33:57changes when it comes to viability assessments as part of the local
0:33:57 > 0:34:00needs assessment and what we have said in the housing needs White
0:34:00 > 0:34:06Paper, we would expect assessments to be considered at the time making
0:34:06 > 0:34:11stage and that will make sure of more certainty.My constituents in
0:34:11 > 0:34:18the villages of Kidlington and others find themselves in a perverse
0:34:18 > 0:34:20situation, District Council is planning to build 400 homes in the
0:34:20 > 0:34:26green belt between villages to meet Oxford's city on merit housing need,
0:34:26 > 0:34:34but that lead is now down to go under the new proposed assessment.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38With the minister agreed to meet with me so I can expend the
0:34:38 > 0:34:43situation more fully and tell my constituency is that their grave
0:34:43 > 0:34:48concerns about this plan will be heard.Of course, I will meet with
0:34:48 > 0:34:51the honourable lady, but when it comes to green belt we are committed
0:34:51 > 0:34:54to retaining the current restrictions, but they will be
0:34:54 > 0:35:07exceptional circumstances -- there will.Number ten, Mr speaker.A
0:35:07 > 0:35:11strong Midlands engine is viable >> STUDIO:
0:35:16 > 0:35:21-- a strong Midlands engine is vital to the country.I thank the
0:35:21 > 0:35:27Secretary of State. Do you agree that the real focus of the Midlands
0:35:27 > 0:35:34engine should be improving east-west connectivity and a direct rail link
0:35:34 > 0:35:41into East Midlands Airport and the new East Midlands Gateway.I agree
0:35:41 > 0:35:43that transport links are critical to the success of the Midlands engine,
0:35:43 > 0:35:49Midlands connect that improving connectivity can secure £1 billion a
0:35:49 > 0:35:55year boost to the economy and create 300,000 jobs, and the recently
0:35:55 > 0:35:57commissioned a Gateway connectivity study will consider how to achieve
0:35:57 > 0:36:01this and it will be looking at the East Berlin 's airport. -- East
0:36:01 > 0:36:07Midlands.Transport links are essential if the Midlands engine
0:36:07 > 0:36:11will drive the economic growth we want, so can the Ministry Spain by
0:36:11 > 0:36:15his colleagues were allowed the electrification of the Midland
0:36:15 > 0:36:23mainline? -- ministry explain why his colleagues won't allow.We have
0:36:23 > 0:36:25seen a record investment in transport infrastructure including
0:36:25 > 0:36:30in the Midlands and that includes the recent announcement that the
0:36:30 > 0:36:42government will help with the Midlands rail hub concept.The
0:36:42 > 0:36:45coastline of my constituency is some of the most beautiful in the
0:36:45 > 0:36:51Midlands, and does my friend share my hope that the Midlands engine
0:36:51 > 0:36:54will travel as far as the Lincolnshire coast line to invest in
0:36:54 > 0:37:00the vital infrastructure we need in our rural and coastal economies.I
0:37:00 > 0:37:06do agree on many fronts, including how beautiful her constituency is,
0:37:06 > 0:37:11and the Midlands engine travels that far and she is right to raise the
0:37:11 > 0:37:15issue and the challenges faced by our coastal community and that is
0:37:15 > 0:37:20why we're having a fifth round of coastal communities fund and I would
0:37:20 > 0:37:26urge her to get her application in. The Midlands engine sits as a
0:37:26 > 0:37:32organisation, sister organisation to the Northern Powerhouse, and I
0:37:32 > 0:37:34wonder if the Secretary of State in order to drive economic growth in
0:37:34 > 0:37:40Yorkshire and the Humber would be willing to meet with local MPs to
0:37:40 > 0:37:44discuss the future of devolution in Yorkshire and the Humber.I did
0:37:44 > 0:37:51recently received requests to meet with Yorkshire and Humber MPs and
0:37:51 > 0:38:00also local councillors and I have accepted that request.The
0:38:00 > 0:38:04government is investing over £9 billion between 2016 and 2021 to
0:38:04 > 0:38:10deliver a range of affordable housing to meet a range of people.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14We have confirmed a long-range red certainty for long-term landlords,
0:38:14 > 0:38:23as well. -- rent certainty.Local constituencies have welcomed recent
0:38:23 > 0:38:26announcements, what is the government doing to help them in
0:38:26 > 0:38:33building more affordable homes?As I just noted, part of the £9 billion
0:38:33 > 0:38:37is £2 billion that my friend announced, and in terms of
0:38:37 > 0:38:44additional funding for rural housing, including the certainty of
0:38:44 > 0:38:49terms of rent, and I have spoken with housing association leaders and
0:38:49 > 0:38:51they are very positive about these measures and this will enable them
0:38:51 > 0:38:56to build additional affordable homes.Will the minister read
0:38:56 > 0:39:01something of the history of Harold Macmillan? He was a Prime Minister
0:39:01 > 0:39:03who built houses, but this government isn't building houses and
0:39:03 > 0:39:10certainly not building affordable houses. When is there going to be an
0:39:10 > 0:39:15imaginative plan to build houses? There have almost been a million
0:39:15 > 0:39:20homes built since 2010 and since he talks about the record, in terms of
0:39:20 > 0:39:24affordable homes, in the past six years, more have been built than in
0:39:24 > 0:39:27the first and last ditches of the last labour government, we won't
0:39:27 > 0:39:33take any lectures from Labour on building affordable homes -- first
0:39:33 > 0:39:44and last six years. ...Trying to get mortgages and extended lending
0:39:44 > 0:39:47terms is very difficult for those who are struggling to get on the
0:39:47 > 0:39:55housing ladder.We announced an extra £10 for the help to buy scheme
0:39:55 > 0:39:58and a number of other schemes are on the market, but this is about making
0:39:58 > 0:40:00sure that more homes are built and that is what will drive
0:40:00 > 0:40:05affordability.The city of your consultation on the local plan
0:40:05 > 0:40:10closes tonight, and the city has failed massively on the tenure that
0:40:10 > 0:40:17is needed in the city of York and by 5800 short of statutory guidance,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21will the minister make sure that if guidance is set it is followed.We
0:40:21 > 0:40:24want to make sure that the right number of homes are built in the
0:40:24 > 0:40:30right places and the plan will be assessed by an inspector.Question
0:40:30 > 0:40:41number 15.The housing White Paper fixing our broken housing market and
0:40:41 > 0:40:45sets out how we will build the homes that our country need and we want to
0:40:45 > 0:40:57do this by Delbonis a -- by diversifying those building homes.
0:40:57 > 0:41:04Another 5000 homes are plan for Beauly park at Chelmsford, but we
0:41:04 > 0:41:10need a railway station and a bypass, this is Essex's number one priority
0:41:10 > 0:41:14for the housing infrastructure fund, will the minister meet to discuss
0:41:14 > 0:41:21this important infrastructure to unlock housing?Of course I know you
0:41:21 > 0:41:24are a passionate supporter for new housing for her constituents and I
0:41:24 > 0:41:28will of course meet with her. I'm not able to comment on any
0:41:28 > 0:41:36particular bids but there has been a lot of interest in the £2.3 billion
0:41:36 > 0:41:41in the housing infrastructure fund. Does the minister agree that we
0:41:41 > 0:41:45should be building the houses of the future, Ciro energy build homes
0:41:45 > 0:41:54which are helpful to people on low incomes -- zero.Yes, of course, we
0:41:54 > 0:42:00should be doing precisely that, what I would say, of course, since 2010,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03we have strengthened the energy requirements of new homes by 30% and
0:42:03 > 0:42:12that hasn't used energy bills by £200 on average. -- that has reduced
0:42:12 > 0:42:20energy bills.Can you carry a fire the government's policy on building
0:42:20 > 0:42:32on the green belt -- can you clarify.We are keeping to the
0:42:32 > 0:42:38existing rules and regulations but there will be exceptions.Nicholas
0:42:38 > 0:42:45Bowles.It is good to be back. The government has made remarkable
0:42:45 > 0:42:50progress in cutting the deficit from the 10.5% of GDP that we inherited
0:42:50 > 0:42:56in 2010, to 2.5% now, can I therefore urge everyone to back the
0:42:56 > 0:43:02Secretary of State in his call for special borrowing to put in place
0:43:02 > 0:43:05the infrastructure, to unlock the hundreds of thousands of extra
0:43:05 > 0:43:15houses that we need wet -- that we need?Of course, we all support the
0:43:15 > 0:43:18ambition to build more homes, but what I would say is that he should
0:43:18 > 0:43:28wait for the budget announcement in terms of any specifics.Has my
0:43:28 > 0:43:33friend made an assessment of the need for social housing especially
0:43:33 > 0:43:38in a new town such as mine in Harlow and will he look at tax incentives
0:43:38 > 0:43:40to make sure that housing associations can build more social
0:43:40 > 0:43:47housing?I can tell you that the announcements we have made in terms
0:43:47 > 0:43:54of rent certainty as was the extra £2 million has been hugely welcomed
0:43:54 > 0:44:03by housing so -- associations and we are in constant dialogue with them.
0:44:03 > 0:44:09I recently met with my friend from Chichester, the right honourable
0:44:09 > 0:44:14friend from barking, and as I start I will be holding a Round Table with
0:44:14 > 0:44:18local government organisations, cross-party councillors and chief
0:44:18 > 0:44:21officers in November on how we break down the barriers preventing women
0:44:21 > 0:44:25engaging with local politics and standing to be a counsellor.Thank
0:44:25 > 0:44:32you. Women are disproportionately affected by services under local
0:44:32 > 0:44:37government control and yet just one in four directly elected mayors and
0:44:37 > 0:44:4117% of local authority leaders are women, and in order to address this
0:44:41 > 0:44:45imbalance will the government legislate for all women short lists
0:44:45 > 0:44:53in local government elections?As I have said, this is a situation which
0:44:53 > 0:44:58we take very seriously in this government and we want to see more
0:44:58 > 0:45:02women representational councils and we want to see more women
0:45:02 > 0:45:04representation on cabinets and I think the political parties have
0:45:04 > 0:45:11very much a part to play and I think members in this house have heart to
0:45:11 > 0:45:13play in terms of encouraging people to stand for election, we are going
0:45:13 > 0:45:20to look at this far more carefully -- have a part to play.Can I thank
0:45:20 > 0:45:25the minister for meeting with myself and the member for barking. Can I
0:45:25 > 0:45:33suggest introducing... Childcare policies to encourage more women
0:45:33 > 0:45:40candidates to come forward.I thank my friend for the meeting and the
0:45:40 > 0:45:45work she has done in this area with the society, and as I said, in the
0:45:45 > 0:45:50response to the previous question, this is an area we will look at very
0:45:50 > 0:45:53carefully and I'm sure my honourable friend will bring these ideas to the
0:45:53 > 0:46:00table when we meet in November. Topical question.Topical question
0:46:00 > 0:46:08number one.The Secretary of State. Since my last department or
0:46:08 > 0:46:15questions, I have asked all private landlords to clamp down on rogue
0:46:15 > 0:46:19management and plans to improve the buying and selling of homes and
0:46:19 > 0:46:22everyone who works I'd should be able to buy a place they call their
0:46:22 > 0:46:31own and we will do everything to make this vision every other -- make
0:46:31 > 0:46:39this vision a reality.People cannot grasp his reluctance to accept that
0:46:39 > 0:46:50sprinters are necessary fire safety preventative measures in tower
0:46:50 > 0:46:53blocks, but he has turned down requests from housing to pay for
0:46:53 > 0:47:02them. We don't need another review, we need common sense.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06The honourable gentleman says about the coroner... It's worth reminding
0:47:06 > 0:47:11him the then Housing minister, when he was asked about the Government
0:47:11 > 0:47:16paying for sprinklers, he responded in Parliament that the resources
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Local Authorities receive should enable them to implement necessary
0:47:19 > 0:47:22fire measures. There is no new money. What this government has said
0:47:22 > 0:47:26is that we will help every Local Authority with any essential fire
0:47:26 > 0:47:35safety measures. My interest is a member of Kettering
0:47:35 > 0:47:41Borough Council. The acute financial pressures could be substantially
0:47:41 > 0:47:44addressed by imaginative reform of local government structures in the
0:47:44 > 0:47:49county, including establishment of a combined social care and health
0:47:49 > 0:47:53commissioner. Would my right honourable friend confirm he is
0:47:53 > 0:47:58open-minded to such suggestions? My honourable friend is quite right
0:47:58 > 0:48:01to raise this, there are councils already that have come together and
0:48:01 > 0:48:07put forward proposals, we are considering them all carefully. If
0:48:07 > 0:48:09Northamptonshire were to come forward, I would look at it
0:48:09 > 0:48:15carefully. Three and a half million families
0:48:15 > 0:48:22with a variable rate mortgage face higher costs if the bank of England
0:48:22 > 0:48:27rate this week. Why is the Government, at this time of all time
0:48:27 > 0:48:34is scrapping support for mortgage interest payments.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37This government has made it very clear in our ambition to have more
0:48:37 > 0:48:42people own their own homes. There's a number of areas of intervention,
0:48:42 > 0:48:46one of the most prominent is the help to buy scheme. There are
0:48:46 > 0:48:49hundreds of thousands of people who otherwise may not have been able to
0:48:49 > 0:48:58buy a home. Ultimately, if he like me wants to help more people buy
0:48:58 > 0:49:01their own hands, he should support this government with its white paper
0:49:01 > 0:49:07and other measures we take. Homeownership is a 30 year low and
0:49:07 > 0:49:13he doesn't seem to appreciate 126,000 households including 60,000
0:49:13 > 0:49:20pensioner households get help from the current scheme. From April day,
0:49:20 > 0:49:24and anyone else struggling with their mortgage costs will be offered
0:49:24 > 0:49:30alone and alone is no good if you are already struggling with the loan
0:49:30 > 0:49:33that you have got. Under Labour, with our mortgage rescue scheme,
0:49:33 > 0:49:38help was there when it was needed an families facing repossession.
0:49:38 > 0:49:43Honourable gentleman laugh from the other side. Can I say to the
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Secretary of State who take this more seriously, will he use the
0:49:48 > 0:49:53budget to scrap the Government current changes back instead a new
0:49:53 > 0:49:58homeownership guarantee scheme as Labour proposed that the election?
0:49:58 > 0:50:01The right honourable gentleman talks about what happened under Labour
0:50:01 > 0:50:06when it came to housing.Let me remind him, when he was they housing
0:50:06 > 0:50:09minister, house-building felt almost its lowest level for nearly 100
0:50:09 > 0:50:15years. The number of social units available for rent declined by
0:50:15 > 0:50:19410,000 units. So we won't be taking any lectures from the right
0:50:19 > 0:50:24honourable gentleman. Will be Secretary of State look at
0:50:24 > 0:50:28what can be done to lift restrictive planning conditions that are holding
0:50:28 > 0:50:34back long-term economic growth? Planning condition should of course
0:50:34 > 0:50:37only be imposed where they are necessary and meet the other
0:50:37 > 0:50:40requirements of national policy. What I can say more widely if we are
0:50:40 > 0:50:45making changes, in terms of the planning system, planning fees are
0:50:45 > 0:50:49being increased, which will ensure there is more money within planning
0:50:49 > 0:50:53system, or planning authorities, and we are also looking at requiring
0:50:53 > 0:51:00increasing build out rates. In Bristol, University expansion
0:51:00 > 0:51:03means significant increases in student numbers, putting pressure
0:51:03 > 0:51:07right now on stretched local services, yet student accommodation
0:51:07 > 0:51:13providers contribute almost nothing to the costs. Will the Secretary of
0:51:13 > 0:51:16State meet with me to discuss bringing student accommodation in
0:51:16 > 0:51:30the line with these rates? We have no plans to change business
0:51:30 > 0:51:34rates to bring into the scope student accommodation as she
0:51:34 > 0:51:42advocates. Young people in Sutton and across
0:51:42 > 0:51:45London are depending on local action dealt them secure affordable
0:51:45 > 0:51:48housing. What lessons can the Government learn from the merit of
0:51:48 > 0:51:55London's poor record on housing? My honourable friend raises an
0:51:55 > 0:51:59important point, because what has now become apparent, despite all the
0:51:59 > 0:52:03talk from the Merit London, that in the year he has been in office, his
0:52:03 > 0:52:08first year in office, not a single home, not one for social rent is
0:52:08 > 0:52:11started by this labour mayor of government. Housing starts down by a
0:52:11 > 0:52:15third in the last quarter. That is his track record. You need to live
0:52:15 > 0:52:22up to his words and build more homes for Londoners.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25In 2016, a transitional grant was provided to some Local Authorities.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29Calculation is an assumption is that this were not published an 80% of it
0:52:29 > 0:52:33went to Conservative councils. Will ministers today pledged to make
0:52:33 > 0:52:36previous and future calculations available and will it confirm from
0:52:36 > 0:52:39the dispatch box that future funding will be based on need rather than
0:52:39 > 0:52:46anything else? This was part of a four-year
0:52:46 > 0:52:50settlement, which was an historic four-year settlement. 97% of Local
0:52:50 > 0:52:55Authorities signed up to that four year settlement. Yes, there were
0:52:55 > 0:52:58some challenges in terms of the transition that certain places would
0:52:58 > 0:53:05have to make, as a result of the formula at that time, and it's Ben
0:53:05 > 0:53:08widely recognised the way in which it was still with was the right
0:53:08 > 0:53:12thing to do and Labour authorities at the time such as Lancashire
0:53:12 > 0:53:17benefited. Last year the FSB reported on the
0:53:17 > 0:53:20untapped potential of women in enterprise. However, analysis legal
0:53:20 > 0:53:25in my constituency was set up by a group of female lawyers and is going
0:53:25 > 0:53:28from strength to strength. Does the Minister agree with me that
0:53:28 > 0:53:33encouraging more women into business and supporting female entrepreneurs
0:53:33 > 0:53:37is key to the success of the northern Powerhouse?
0:53:37 > 0:53:42I absolutely agree with my honourable friend, and that is why I
0:53:42 > 0:53:45am an active conversation with groups like the Northern power
0:53:45 > 0:53:49women. They have sought to find ways to champion the visible and diverse
0:53:49 > 0:53:52role models of leadership in the Northern Powerhouse. After all, we
0:53:52 > 0:54:01shouldn't ignore 51% of the talent pool.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06He stated the introduction of family hubs should be accelerated earlier.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10This is implicitly welcomed by the Minister of the local governments,
0:54:10 > 0:54:12saying it was down to councils to use their budgets as they see
0:54:12 > 0:54:17appropriate. Does he agree with me that the 60% real terms cut in
0:54:17 > 0:54:20Warwickshire to children's centres budget and the planned reduction
0:54:20 > 0:54:24from 39 children sentenced to 12 family hubs should be stopped and
0:54:24 > 0:54:28council reserves which are significant used for maintenance...?
0:54:28 > 0:54:34I'm sorry, to be fair, new members are not often as aware of this as
0:54:34 > 0:54:38they will become a need to be. Topical questions are supposed to be
0:54:38 > 0:54:41shorter than substantive is. Simple as that, and ministers are supposed
0:54:41 > 0:54:47to respond in kind.I hear what the honourable gentleman says, although
0:54:47 > 0:54:52I think he should look back to the records of Warwickshire County
0:54:52 > 0:54:57Council, which clearly show a motion being put which was seconded by the
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Labour group leader, who advocated the reduction in funding that the
0:55:00 > 0:55:07county council is now making in this area.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11, Secretary of State confirmed that his department is liaising with
0:55:11 > 0:55:22death for a to make sure some ports have the supplying chain to take
0:55:22 > 0:55:26opportunity of chances arising from the fisheries Bill?
0:55:26 > 0:55:30I confirm that, we are working closely with DEFRA in the transport
0:55:30 > 0:55:34department to make sure of just that.
0:55:34 > 0:55:40With the First Minister of Wales meeting the Prime Minister today, a
0:55:40 > 0:55:43continuing lack of clarity over Brexit. Will the Government respect
0:55:43 > 0:55:49the devolved nations and not use Brexit as an opportunity for a power
0:55:49 > 0:55:53grab? I can tell the honourable gentleman,
0:55:53 > 0:55:56of course we will respect the powers and responsibilities of devolved
0:55:56 > 0:56:01nations that make a resounding success of Brexit.
0:56:01 > 0:56:08The proposed revising family formula well at 8000 homes to the current
0:56:08 > 0:56:13target of 30,000, which I believe is unsustainable without large
0:56:13 > 0:56:16investment in infrastructure. Will my honourable friend agreed to meet
0:56:16 > 0:56:19with me and Medway colleagues to look at this disproportionate burden
0:56:19 > 0:56:25on the Medway towns? Of course I will meet with my
0:56:25 > 0:56:28honourable friend. I should point out Medway doesn't have an
0:56:28 > 0:56:34up-to-date plan in place at the moment and I would encourage them to
0:56:34 > 0:56:38respond to the consultation proposals set out.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41In light of the recent announcements of the Welsh Government to continue
0:56:41 > 0:56:46with its council tax reduction scheme, which incidentally has
0:56:46 > 0:56:51reduced council tax for nearly 300,000 low income and vulnerable
0:56:51 > 0:56:55families and excluded 220,000 completely, can the Minister
0:56:55 > 0:56:58seriously consider the excellent approach by the Welsh Labour
0:56:58 > 0:57:02government and the situation in England where households are paying
0:57:02 > 0:57:08around £190 more?As I explained to the House earlier, the local council
0:57:08 > 0:57:13taxable scheme gives help to over 4 million people who are on low
0:57:13 > 0:57:19incomes and may struggle otherwise to pay their council tax.The
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Secretary of State will be aware of the concerns expressed by the leader
0:57:22 > 0:57:26of Leicestershire County Council about the money going back to the
0:57:26 > 0:57:30NHS rather than sticking with the social care authority. Could he
0:57:30 > 0:57:33comment on that in discussions he's had with his colleague the Secretary
0:57:33 > 0:57:38of State for Health? I can tell my right honourable
0:57:38 > 0:57:42friend that she is right to raise this. Delayed transfer care is a
0:57:42 > 0:57:45shared endeavour between councils and the NHS, has been good progress,
0:57:45 > 0:57:49especially using the better care funded Leicestershire. It is a good
0:57:49 > 0:57:52opportunity to commend Leicestershire on its improved
0:57:52 > 0:58:01position.Mr Lewis! I'm sure what is on your iPhone is of great
0:58:01 > 0:58:06importance but your question might be of greater importance.
0:58:06 > 0:58:10Will the Government commit to fast tracking its private rented sector
0:58:10 > 0:58:14consultation, so landlords are required to use their own funds to
0:58:14 > 0:58:21bring properties up to EPC band E by April next?It would have been
0:58:21 > 0:58:24sooner if the previous Labour government had taken the private
0:58:24 > 0:58:28rented sector more seriously, which they refused to do. I'm pleased he
0:58:28 > 0:58:35welcomes our consultation. Given the understandable
0:58:35 > 0:58:39postponement for a short time of the business retention scheme, will the
0:58:39 > 0:58:44Secretary of State meet with metered consider the particular funding
0:58:44 > 0:58:47pressures it is placing an outer London boroughs?
0:58:47 > 0:58:58Yes.Splendid. Scotland secured 941 million euros
0:58:58 > 0:59:02in the 2014-20 period, split across the development fund and social
0:59:02 > 0:59:05fund. What plans does this government have two ensure that
0:59:05 > 0:59:08these funds are replace post-Brexit and that the Scottish Government
0:59:08 > 0:59:13will be involved in discussions? The honourable gentleman will know
0:59:13 > 0:59:19that we have set out that there will be a UK Shared Prosperity Fund that
0:59:19 > 0:59:22will eventually replace EU structural funds and the IDF funds
0:59:22 > 0:59:27and we will work together with the devolved nations in developing it.
0:59:27 > 0:59:31One thing that would help drive further economic growth in Corby is
0:59:31 > 0:59:34a new enterprise on custom in advance of the budget, would my
0:59:34 > 0:59:37right honourable friend make the case to the Chancellor for another
0:59:37 > 0:59:42round of bidding opportunities? My honourable friend is right to
0:59:42 > 0:59:44raise the importance of enterprise zones. We will know in previous
0:59:44 > 0:59:48budgets there have been often announced and I'm sure he's making
0:59:48 > 0:59:52an excellent case himself but if I can help him, I will happily do
0:59:52 > 0:59:57that. Is the Secretary of State aware of
0:59:57 > 1:00:00the increasing number of people illegally subletting in social
1:00:00 > 1:00:06housing? Isn't this a very dangerous tendency when we don't know who is
1:00:06 > 1:00:12actually living in a house? The honourable gentleman is right to
1:00:12 > 1:00:16raise this. Of course, this is going on. That's why we have given from
1:00:16 > 1:00:19April this year, we've given landlords more powers to deal with
1:00:19 > 1:00:23this, more funding to look at these issues and in the forthcoming
1:00:23 > 1:00:26reviews and consultation we set out we will be seeing what further
1:00:26 > 1:00:34action we can take. Last week developers pulled out of a
1:00:34 > 1:00:40plan to build 10,000 homes in Enfield Tarryn Bright because of the
1:00:40 > 1:00:43interference by the Mayor of London. Will my right honourable friend
1:00:43 > 1:00:46undertake to look at this plan, because we desperately need new
1:00:46 > 1:00:52homes in London and this plan seems to provide them?
1:00:52 > 1:00:57We have already just heard in this house the failure of the Mayor of
1:00:57 > 1:01:01London to provide a single property for social rent in the last year, so
1:01:01 > 1:01:03my honourable friend is right to raise this and we will certainly
1:01:03 > 1:01:06take a much closer look.