0:00:00 > 0:00:00day in both houses of parliament. First, questions to the Communities
0:00:00 > 0:00:06Secretary Sajid Javid and his ministerial team.Mrs Emma
0:00:06 > 0:00:17Lewell-Buck. The secretary of state for local government, Sajid Javid.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Thank you Mr Speaker. With permission, I would like to answer
0:00:21 > 0:00:25this question with questions two and ten. Too many people sleep rough,
0:00:25 > 0:00:36and I am determined to do more. I am going to tackle this issue.I thank
0:00:36 > 0:00:39the Secretary of State for his answer, even though he didn't answer
0:00:39 > 0:00:43my question, because the reality is that, since 2010, rough sleeping has
0:00:43 > 0:00:50seen a rise of 134%. Worse still, this government has encouraged local
0:00:50 > 0:00:54authorities to use public space protection orders to criminalise and
0:00:54 > 0:00:58find rough sleepers when they accept food or money from kind strangers,
0:00:58 > 0:01:05when on earth is he going to curb this?Mr Speaker, the Honourable
0:01:05 > 0:01:10lady is talking about trends. Let me remind her, studied Aurier homeless
0:01:10 > 0:01:14accidents is reached their peak in 2003 under the previous Labour
0:01:14 > 0:01:17government, and since then, is down by more than half. Of course, there
0:01:17 > 0:01:21is much more to do. The honourable lady is right to highlight the
0:01:21 > 0:01:26issue, which is why I am sure she will welcome the government's work
0:01:26 > 0:01:32including £1 billion of funding over the spending period.According to
0:01:32 > 0:01:46Shell -- Shelter the biggest cost being the termination of private
0:01:46 > 0:01:53rental agreements. Could the Minister tell us what he is doing to
0:01:53 > 0:02:01make tenancies at your? -- secure. The honourable lady is right to
0:02:01 > 0:02:07emphasise this issue. It is an issue that both sides have worked hard on.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10She would welcome the funding provided, including the announcement
0:02:10 > 0:02:18that we are helping all constituencies on more funding to
0:02:18 > 0:02:20tackle homelessness, and the ministerial task force, making an
0:02:20 > 0:02:26effort across government. Many young homeless people feared
0:02:26 > 0:02:30being trapped in local authority temporary accommodation when they
0:02:30 > 0:02:33lose their housing benefit under Universal Credit. Given the
0:02:33 > 0:02:42regulation that roll-out has been delayed, will he agree to pass on
0:02:42 > 0:02:49the concerns of curbing the's Council?
0:02:49 > 0:02:57I hope the honourable lady will join me welcoming Universal Credit. And
0:02:57 > 0:03:02where there have been issues, my right honourable friend, the welfare
0:03:02 > 0:03:05secretary, has listened carefully, he responded through the recent
0:03:05 > 0:03:09budget, including with changes that will help people that are getting
0:03:09 > 0:03:13housing benefit, including the new transition to Universal Credit,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17housing benefit that will help 2.3 million people.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22The recent National Audit Office report on this issue show that while
0:03:22 > 0:03:24councils have increased spending on tackling homelessness, they would
0:03:24 > 0:03:29use spending on preventing it in the first place. These priorities seem
0:03:29 > 0:03:33to make no sense. Can I urge the Secretary of State to make sure all
0:03:33 > 0:03:40councils reverse the trend to tackle the causes, not just the symptoms.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45My honourable friend speaks from experience, having been a housing
0:03:45 > 0:03:49and planning Minister. He knows the issues well. He is right to
0:03:49 > 0:03:54highlight this. It was important the whole house supported the
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Homelessness Reduction Act, coming into force April next year, and with
0:03:58 > 0:04:03that, there will be funding of 70 million to local authorities.
0:04:03 > 0:04:14One person remains sleeping and that is a tragedy. There are complex
0:04:14 > 0:04:20reasons, physical health, drink and drug abuse, those are the
0:04:20 > 0:04:23complications. To make it a party political issue diminishes the
0:04:23 > 0:04:28interests of those people. My honourable friend is right. This
0:04:28 > 0:04:33is one of those issues that we can safely say, every member of the
0:04:33 > 0:04:36House is concerned about it, and if we work together, we can achieve
0:04:36 > 0:04:45more. £28 million for the housing, announced by the Chancellor, helping
0:04:45 > 0:04:50people to deal with complex needs he talks about.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53I congratulate my right honourable friend in securing additional
0:04:53 > 0:04:59funding for homelessness in the budget. What is he going to do to
0:04:59 > 0:05:03roll out a programme to combat rough sleeping right across the country,
0:05:03 > 0:05:08to end the national scandal once and for all.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to commend my honourable
0:05:11 > 0:05:16friend for all the work he has done to combat homelessness in this House
0:05:16 > 0:05:19and beyond, including the Homelessness Reduction Act, which he
0:05:19 > 0:05:25championed. But he is right to highlight the new funding, £28
0:05:25 > 0:05:31million for the free housing fund project. £320 million to help
0:05:31 > 0:05:33prevent people getting into homelessness in the first place, and
0:05:33 > 0:05:36we will look carefully and talk widely about how best to make use of
0:05:36 > 0:05:41the money. £1 million is about to be cut from
0:05:41 > 0:05:47Stoke-on-Trent City Council budget that won the authority, pushing the
0:05:47 > 0:05:52support for homeless people onto excellent organisations like the
0:05:52 > 0:05:57YMCA, if the organisations cannot get support from the local
0:05:57 > 0:06:03authority, what help will the Minister give to make sure they get
0:06:03 > 0:06:06the resources they need? The honourable gentleman is right to
0:06:06 > 0:06:12ask what can central government do to help?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15We are providing resources nationally, £1 billion of funding to
0:06:15 > 0:06:212020, the highest budget ever dedicated to combating homelessness.
0:06:21 > 0:06:28I also want to mention the work of the YMCA. YMCA Black Country and
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Rachael Taylor in my constituency run an open door programme that
0:06:30 > 0:06:35places young people in family homes, so they can continue to enjoy a
0:06:35 > 0:06:39family live. Will the Minister join me in visiting this work in my
0:06:39 > 0:06:44constituency? Can I take this opportunity to thank
0:06:44 > 0:06:49my honourable friend for the work he did long before he came into the
0:06:49 > 0:06:54House, work he continues to champion. I will happily join him in
0:06:54 > 0:06:57his constituency, I hear the work YMCA has done throughout the
0:06:57 > 0:07:01country, including in his constituency, has been exemplary.
0:07:01 > 0:07:08Over 120,000 children are said to be living without a home in temperate
0:07:08 > 0:07:16accommodation this Christmas. An increase of six to 6% since 2010.
0:07:16 > 0:07:24Why has the number risen under the Conservatives?-- 66%. When people
0:07:24 > 0:07:28are homeless, all of those people are vulnerable, but particularly
0:07:28 > 0:07:33children. That is why we must work together to do all we can. The
0:07:33 > 0:07:36funding provided over £400 million for the flexible grant provided
0:07:36 > 0:07:40through local authorities can help. This would be work taken on by the
0:07:40 > 0:07:44new task force to see what more they can do across government.
0:07:44 > 0:07:51Homelessness is a complex issue, I am sure everyone agrees that it is
0:07:51 > 0:07:56something we should not be facing. I would like to ask my friend what
0:07:56 > 0:07:59discussions he has had a cross department or government, for
0:07:59 > 0:08:03instance, with mental health, always identified as an issue with
0:08:03 > 0:08:07homelessness. My honourable friend is again right
0:08:07 > 0:08:13to raise this issue, but the causes of homelessness, including rough
0:08:13 > 0:08:16sleeping, are very complex, it is not just economic. He is right to
0:08:16 > 0:08:22advertise mental health issues. I think that the green paper announced
0:08:22 > 0:08:26by my right honourable friends, the Health Secretary and the Education
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Secretary, looking into mental health of children and young people,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32it is an appropriate time to make sure we are doing everything we can
0:08:32 > 0:08:37as a government. May I first start by paying tribute
0:08:37 > 0:08:46to the former Labour MP Jimmy Hood. I understand he died today, the
0:08:46 > 0:08:50thoughts of me and my party with his family and friends. Mr Speaker,
0:08:50 > 0:08:58shelter has found that... almost certainly some of those people made
0:08:58 > 0:09:04homeless will sleep rough.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14Can I first of all associate myself with the comments the honourable
0:09:14 > 0:09:18lady made about Jimmy Hood, he will be sorely missed by the House. Can I
0:09:18 > 0:09:24also, she made a point about Scottish experience, interims of
0:09:24 > 0:09:27combating homelessness, one of the things we want to do is make sure we
0:09:27 > 0:09:31are looking at best practice across the outside of England, whether
0:09:31 > 0:09:35there are things to learn in Scotland, we would look at that.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Measures have been suggested by my honourable friend is from Scotland.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42We are also looking further, for example, the housing first policy
0:09:42 > 0:09:47from Finland.The honourable lady has broken the news to us on this
0:09:47 > 0:09:55side about Jimmy Hood's death, and I want to say he was a huge, humane
0:09:55 > 0:09:58figure in Scottish Labour and in this House. He will be sorely
0:09:58 > 0:10:04missed. Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State tries to tell us the
0:10:04 > 0:10:11government has a good record on homelessness. Since 2010, ministers
0:10:11 > 0:10:16made 452 announcements on homelessness, but 47,000 more
0:10:16 > 0:10:22children are now homeless. That's 100 more homeless children for every
0:10:22 > 0:10:28Conservative press release. What's needed now is action to deal with
0:10:28 > 0:10:33the root causes of this rising homelessness, not more warm words. A
0:10:33 > 0:10:38straight question, will there be any further cuts in funding in this
0:10:38 > 0:10:43Parliament for homeless hostels and women's refuges, under his plans for
0:10:43 > 0:10:49short-term supported housing? First of all, can I say to the right
0:10:49 > 0:10:53honourable gentleman, last week, the two of us attended a parliamentary
0:10:53 > 0:10:58reception here at the House was among those. We both talked about
0:10:58 > 0:11:01the importance of issues that sometimes are above politics, and we
0:11:01 > 0:11:05should cooperate on this House on all sides. Homelessness and Ross Li
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Peng is one of them. I know he meant it when he said it. I will take his
0:11:10 > 0:11:14question as a serious question, and we have no plans to cut the funding
0:11:14 > 0:11:17whether it is women's refuges or other support for homelessness. What
0:11:17 > 0:11:22we saw in the budget for my right honourable friend a couple of weeks
0:11:22 > 0:11:28ago was an increase in spending and resources to fight homelessness.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33The problem is many decisions his government have taken have made this
0:11:33 > 0:11:37problem worse.In his consultation document on supported Housing he
0:11:37 > 0:11:43pledges to protect funding only 2020-21 which is why homeless
0:11:43 > 0:11:51charities and Wiggins's refuges and women's aid are concerned it poses a
0:11:51 > 0:11:55risk to future services. The tragedy is we know what works because we
0:11:55 > 0:11:59have done it before when Labour was in government. Will he backed
0:11:59 > 0:12:06Labour's plan to end rough sleeping homelessness within a parliament,
0:12:06 > 0:12:12provide 4000 extra homes for rough sleepers, review Social Security and
0:12:12 > 0:12:19build low-cost housing needed?He is being disingenuous with his use of
0:12:19 > 0:12:24those figures and facts. We know when it comes to women's refuges we
0:12:24 > 0:12:37have taken...Disingenuous means dishonest. Order. And that cannot be
0:12:37 > 0:12:40said without a response and the Secretary of State is a versatile
0:12:40 > 0:12:45fellow and dextrous in his use of language and I'm sure he will
0:12:45 > 0:12:54withdraw and use another word. Secretary of State. I withdraw the
0:12:54 > 0:13:00word disingenuous. He is not being as clear as he could be. When it
0:13:00 > 0:13:07comes to women's refuges we have dedicated 20 million to provide 2200
0:13:07 > 0:13:12additional bed spaces and in future years it is right to see what the
0:13:12 > 0:13:17mamba is and make appropriate resources available.He is right to
0:13:17 > 0:13:22say if somebody uses such a word refuses to withdraw it that member
0:13:22 > 0:13:26only has one place to go and it is out. But the right honourable
0:13:26 > 0:13:36gentleman did withdraw, so the crisis has been averted.
0:13:36 > 0:13:50It is on the record and I hope the honourable gentleman is now content.
0:13:52 > 0:14:00With your permission I will answer this question with number 18 and the
0:14:00 > 0:14:04government recognises pressures faced by local authorities and has
0:14:04 > 0:14:10provided additional funding for adult social care.In the budget
0:14:10 > 0:14:19statements, the words social care did not pass the Chancellor's lips.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25Indeed, in response to a written question he said he did not give any
0:14:25 > 0:14:28consideration to the funding these for social care in the next
0:14:28 > 0:14:32financial year and the Local Government Association estimate,
0:14:32 > 0:14:38there is a shortfall of around £3 billion. Does he agree with the
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Chancellor that no more money is needed for social care or will he
0:14:41 > 0:14:47pressed the Chancellor to think again?Can I thank the honourable
0:14:47 > 0:14:51gentleman for the work he does through the Select Committee and its
0:14:51 > 0:14:55leadership on social care. I listen to the issues he brings up and I'm
0:14:55 > 0:15:01sure he will recognise the 2 billion makes a huge difference, meaning
0:15:01 > 0:15:07there is 9.2 billion dedicated over the next years. There are challenges
0:15:07 > 0:15:13which is why we have the green paper on social care next year.I was
0:15:13 > 0:15:17stunned to find out local authorities do not have to consider
0:15:17 > 0:15:22the quality of care in a care home place. It means there are numbers of
0:15:22 > 0:15:28elderly people forced to live in facilities that are inadequate. The
0:15:28 > 0:15:32profit-making sector is failing but rather than pass the box to the
0:15:32 > 0:15:37local authorities, what would he do to ensure there is enough money to
0:15:37 > 0:15:44enable every elderly person to live in a good home?The honourable
0:15:44 > 0:15:49member is right to highlight we are looking at the responsibility of
0:15:49 > 0:15:55local authorities to help older people in society and they should be
0:15:55 > 0:15:59concerned with quality of care which is why the sea QC is independently
0:15:59 > 0:16:06involved. We have to make sure funding is there and I have said
0:16:06 > 0:16:10extra resources have been provided and we are looking at longer-term
0:16:10 > 0:16:21challenges.Are we abandoning it?I could tell my honourable friend what
0:16:21 > 0:16:27the government has decided is to look at a host of issues impacting
0:16:27 > 0:16:30adult social care because of the ageing society which is why the
0:16:30 > 0:16:34appropriate way to look at this is to get it right and have a green
0:16:34 > 0:16:43paper on adult social care.Question number four, Mr Speaker.Our
0:16:43 > 0:16:47departments have developed a joint programme to better integrate
0:16:47 > 0:16:52funding decisions and policies to maximise economic growth and deliver
0:16:52 > 0:16:56an improved transport system for Great Britain.Can the minister tell
0:16:56 > 0:17:01the House why the Yorkshire and Humber region was not allocated new
0:17:01 > 0:17:06funding as part of the Northern Powerhouse when there is evidence of
0:17:06 > 0:17:15underfunding on the rail network in this region?The transforming cities
0:17:15 > 0:17:21fund with 1.7 billion, 850 million is not allocated, is available to
0:17:21 > 0:17:27all local authorities to bid into to improve transport. In total we are
0:17:27 > 0:17:30investing 13 billion in Northern infrastructure in this parliament,
0:17:30 > 0:17:37more than any government in history. In the West Midlands, £5.8 million
0:17:37 > 0:17:43has been invested under the second devolution deal to unlock congestion
0:17:43 > 0:17:51and we will see an expansion of the tram network to Dudley. Will my
0:17:51 > 0:18:01honourable friend prevail on the Secretary of State to continue to
0:18:01 > 0:18:08liaise with the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street... In order
0:18:08 > 0:18:17that we see this good work continue? I'm sure everyone in the house was
0:18:17 > 0:18:21delighted in the budget we agreed a second ambitious devolution deal
0:18:21 > 0:18:29with Andy Street. With the Secretary of State as the Midlands engine
0:18:29 > 0:18:33champion providing the supercharger for the Midlands engine we have
0:18:33 > 0:18:40Andrew Street as the turbocharger for the Midlands.Tomorrow my
0:18:40 > 0:18:45honourable friend for the City of Chester will open a debate on tolls
0:18:45 > 0:18:50on the Mersey crossing. Does he accept the fact you cannot cross
0:18:50 > 0:18:54them River Mersey between Warrington and Liverpool without paying a toll,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58whether across the bridge or through the tunnels, is holding back the
0:18:58 > 0:19:03regional economy and if so would he have urgent discussions with his
0:19:03 > 0:19:09colleagues in the Department for Transport to rectify this?I have
0:19:09 > 0:19:13held discussions with Steve Rather, the mayor of Liverpool, who told me
0:19:13 > 0:19:21as a Labour mayor he supported the toll charges.Swindon is building
0:19:21 > 0:19:25houses at roughly three times the national average and we wish to go
0:19:25 > 0:19:30further. Swindon's proposal to use the transforming cities fund to
0:19:30 > 0:19:35extend the rail link to Swindon and unlocking further new homes in
0:19:35 > 0:19:40Swindon.Yet is a tempting invitation to give support to a bid
0:19:40 > 0:19:43to the transforming cities fund but this is what this fund is designed
0:19:43 > 0:19:50to do when people come forward with good proposals, the fund on a
0:19:50 > 0:19:58competitive basis should be there to support them.London received almost
0:19:58 > 0:20:03£2000 per person on transport investment and Yorkshire and the
0:20:03 > 0:20:10Humber £190, Northeast, 220, Northwest, £680. Even if every penny
0:20:10 > 0:20:15of the 800 million referred to is allocated to the north, that is £53
0:20:15 > 0:20:19per head. When will the Northern Powerhouse kept the money to compete
0:20:19 > 0:20:27on a par with London?I am sure they are delighted a left-wing think tank
0:20:27 > 0:20:32has just had their figures repeated in the chamber but they simply
0:20:32 > 0:20:38incorrect. They do not include 60% of national infrastructure spending
0:20:38 > 0:20:43and do not include spending on HS2, which as someone who was born and
0:20:43 > 0:20:47brought up in the north, I know will benefit the North more than any
0:20:47 > 0:20:52other part of the country.Number five, served.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00We collect a range of financial data on local government and local
0:21:00 > 0:21:05authorities publish their own including budget documents and
0:21:05 > 0:21:08accounts and we engage with local authorities to discuss issues
0:21:08 > 0:21:15including those relating to finance. Will the minister confirm a review
0:21:15 > 0:21:21of fair funding for local government is under and given that the county
0:21:21 > 0:21:27council is considering closing 28 of its 36 libraries encourage it to
0:21:27 > 0:21:30bring forward proposals to set up a countywide trust to keep these vital
0:21:30 > 0:21:36facilities open?I thank him for his question and he is right we are
0:21:36 > 0:21:42pushing ahead on the review of fair funding for local authorities and
0:21:42 > 0:21:46for Northants, I would encourage the county council to look at ways to
0:21:46 > 0:21:57provide services valued by its residents.In the light of the
0:21:57 > 0:22:01financial situation at the county council, with the minister be keen
0:22:01 > 0:22:05to look at the emerging proposals from across Northamptonshire as to
0:22:05 > 0:22:11how local government might be better restructured?We recognise the
0:22:11 > 0:22:16financial pressure Northamptonshire County Council is under and stand
0:22:16 > 0:22:24ready to look at any locally led proposals as to how local government
0:22:24 > 0:22:26might better be restructured to transform these challenges into
0:22:26 > 0:22:34opportunities.Number six, Mr Speaker.We announced further
0:22:34 > 0:22:37reforms of financial support in the budget to increase housing supply in
0:22:37 > 0:22:46England which includes 15 billion of new financial support and 44 billion
0:22:46 > 0:22:50funding and reforms to ensure more land is available for housing.I
0:22:50 > 0:22:54thank him. The work done by his department and the Pledge in the
0:22:54 > 0:23:02budget to build new homes, 300,000, in England is welcome. Will he
0:23:02 > 0:23:06joined me in calling for the Scottish Government to match the
0:23:06 > 0:23:13Scottish Conservative is in their pledge to build 100,000 new homes so
0:23:13 > 0:23:16young people in my constituency have the same opportunities as those in
0:23:16 > 0:23:24England?I join my honourable friend and he is right to highlight the
0:23:24 > 0:23:28issue, the Scottish Government had failed on their own targets when it
0:23:28 > 0:23:33comes to house-building, especially affordable house building and I
0:23:33 > 0:23:36recommend his ideas and ambition, shown by the Scottish Conservatives
0:23:36 > 0:23:42in challenging the SNP to build more homes in Scotland.Not a single new
0:23:42 > 0:23:47home has been registered in York in the last quarter the light that the
0:23:47 > 0:23:52draft local plan has been rejected by the Secretary of State because of
0:23:52 > 0:23:57the council's failure to address York's housing crisis, will he work
0:23:57 > 0:24:00with councillors including Labour councillors to make sure we get it
0:24:00 > 0:24:05right for the city and houses that need to be built for the future?The
0:24:05 > 0:24:12honourable lady will not the government has invested huge amounts
0:24:12 > 0:24:17to make sure house-building picks up. It was down to 100,000 a year
0:24:17 > 0:24:23when the government took office and the latest year, 217,000. A lot more
0:24:23 > 0:24:27to do including in York and I have written to the council in York to
0:24:27 > 0:24:34work with them to speed up planned development.In Berlin and elsewhere
0:24:34 > 0:24:38in Germany, architects, landowners, the homeless and councils cooperate
0:24:38 > 0:24:42to bring forward thousands of new dwellings through mutual
0:24:42 > 0:24:47cooperatives. Will he encourage councils here to look at it as a way
0:24:47 > 0:24:54of bringing forward more dwellings more quickly?I agree with him and
0:24:54 > 0:24:59the direction he set out. One issue we have tackled in the housing White
0:24:59 > 0:25:06Paper is making sure we have more diversity of supply, including
0:25:06 > 0:25:09different types, including custom build and cooperatives. Can I also
0:25:09 > 0:25:17commend the work he has done in this area.In new ferry we are desperate
0:25:17 > 0:25:23to build new homes as part of the regeneration after the explosion. I
0:25:23 > 0:25:27am disappointed the government refused to help with emergency costs
0:25:27 > 0:25:34but can he confirm he has received world Council's e-mail containing
0:25:34 > 0:25:38the regeneration plan and he will step forward and found that
0:25:38 > 0:25:47regeneration?I can confirm we have just received their plan and I
0:25:47 > 0:25:52believe we received it five days ago. We have been waiting five
0:25:52 > 0:25:56months so I'm not sure why it took the council so long but now we have
0:25:56 > 0:26:04received it we will take a closer look.Will the minister, Secretary
0:26:04 > 0:26:08of State reassure constituents in Hitchin and Harpenden that despite
0:26:08 > 0:26:11the need to build more houses, green belt restrictions have not been
0:26:11 > 0:26:18loosened and it will be protected?
0:26:18 > 0:26:21I can reassure my honourable friend that there have been no changes in
0:26:21 > 0:26:27green belt rules, and building on green belt requires exceptional
0:26:27 > 0:26:32reasons. There were no changes in the housing white paper or recent
0:26:32 > 0:26:35announcement by my right honourable friend, the Chancellor. The changes
0:26:35 > 0:26:37we announced was more funding to make sure we get the right
0:26:37 > 0:26:43infrastructure in the right places to build more homes.Mr Speaker, the
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Scottish Government have delivered over six to 9500 affordable homes
0:26:47 > 0:27:00during the period since 2007, and compared to just 49 in England. With
0:27:00 > 0:27:04the honourable gentleman confirm why it is there is no commitment to the
0:27:04 > 0:27:11increase in social rented housing in the budget.We are not going to take
0:27:11 > 0:27:18lectures from the SNP but it comes to housing. Under the SMP, housing
0:27:18 > 0:27:25declined by 40%, housing completion for housing ownership for and all
0:27:25 > 0:27:28affordable housing targets being missed, it is about time the
0:27:28 > 0:27:35honourable lady started listening to the Scottish Conservatives.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40Mr Speaker, the Home Secretary referred to the aspirations for home
0:27:40 > 0:27:44ownership. In the last year of the Labour government, for the under
0:27:44 > 0:27:5245s, 54% of homes were owned by their occupants. Under this present
0:27:52 > 0:27:55government, this has plummeted to 44%. Given the Chancellor has cut
0:27:55 > 0:28:00the money the starter homes in the budget, can the Secretary of State
0:28:00 > 0:28:04tell the House what has he learned from seven years of Conservative
0:28:04 > 0:28:11failure? What is he going to do to give hope to our under 45s.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14The honourable gentleman talks about failure when it comes to delivering
0:28:14 > 0:28:19housing, I think he has the wrong party. The track record of the
0:28:19 > 0:28:24Labour government that he was a part of saw a massive fall in house
0:28:24 > 0:28:28building in the country to its lowest level since the 1920s. A
0:28:28 > 0:28:33decline in social units Brent by 420 1000. Doubling the waiting list for
0:28:33 > 0:28:38social housing. Their record is one of the worst records the country has
0:28:38 > 0:28:43seen when it comes to housing. If he wants to do something about it, he
0:28:43 > 0:28:52should support the government. Alok Sharma.As my honourable friend
0:28:52 > 0:28:57knows, the government is concerned
0:28:57 > 0:28:57Alok Sharma.As my honourable friend knows, the government is concerned,
0:28:57 > 0:29:02why we issue a call for evidence on the evidence on unauthorised
0:29:02 > 0:29:07development is, and I will publish the call for evidence shortly.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09On a daily basis, Central Bedfordshire is dealing with
0:29:09 > 0:29:14completely unacceptable numbers of unauthorised traveller encampments,
0:29:14 > 0:29:19many travellers only and elsewhere, and many of their children are not
0:29:19 > 0:29:23in school. When will the government's consultation actually
0:29:23 > 0:29:26lead to appropriate power was being available to all local authorities,
0:29:26 > 0:29:33including my own? I know that my honourable friend has
0:29:33 > 0:29:37expressed views on this a number of times in the House. What I can say
0:29:37 > 0:29:41to him is my department is working with the Home Office and Ministry of
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Justice in preparing the call for evidence, and once this is
0:29:44 > 0:29:49published, he and all the members will have an opportunity to set out
0:29:49 > 0:29:54their views. Last month, the Parliamentary group
0:29:54 > 0:30:00on travellers met to discuss the issue of unauthorised incumbents and
0:30:00 > 0:30:04possible positive solutions. We heard from the representative of the
0:30:04 > 0:30:08National police chief's council that the police do have adequate powers,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11and unlawful chest pass was not the answer and had not worked in
0:30:11 > 0:30:18Ireland. -- trespass. Can we talk about some of the positive solutions
0:30:18 > 0:30:23that could work to address this issue?
0:30:23 > 0:30:28Of course, I will meet with the all-party group. The whole point of
0:30:28 > 0:30:31call to evidence, it will allow everyone to feed in views, and that
0:30:31 > 0:30:35is what we want to hear. Following that, we will set out plans of how
0:30:35 > 0:30:40to take it further. Number eight, please, Mr Speaker.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45Alok Sharma.The government is providing substantial support for
0:30:45 > 0:30:50the building of social homes, £2 billion of funding, taking the
0:30:50 > 0:30:55affordable homes programme to £9 million. -- £9 billion. We have
0:30:55 > 0:31:02announced a £1 billion lift too. The number of homes delivered the
0:31:02 > 0:31:14social rent has fallen in 580 such homes expected to be completed in
0:31:14 > 0:31:202016-17, compared to 40,000 in 2010-11. With virtually no support
0:31:20 > 0:31:24in the budget for building new social housing, and only 6 billion
0:31:24 > 0:31:29of new money for housing altogether, is this not a far cry from the 50
0:31:29 > 0:31:33billion that the secretary himself called for, and falls far short of
0:31:33 > 0:31:39the houses we need in the country. Absolutely hopeless. Shorter in
0:31:39 > 0:31:42future. I am keen to encourage the honourable lady, and a prodigious
0:31:42 > 0:31:47attender, she needs to apply a pencil.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51I can tell the honourable lady that since 2010, there have been 128,000
0:31:51 > 0:31:57homes for social rent, which have been built in the country, in
0:31:57 > 0:32:02England, and 118,004 affordable rent. She talks about the money
0:32:02 > 0:32:05available for housing, I can confirm, as my right honourable
0:32:05 > 0:32:09friend, the Chancellor, said at the budget, we are making at least £44
0:32:09 > 0:32:13billion available in the next five years.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18The honourable lady is an illustrious QC, I am sure she is
0:32:18 > 0:32:23capable of asking an extremely pithy question. Lucy Fraser.East
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Cambridgeshire has established five community land trust. Does the
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Minister agree that these are a valuable way to ensure local people
0:32:30 > 0:32:36have affordable homes locally? Splendid. Textbook.
0:32:36 > 0:32:42Mr Speaker, my honourable friend makes an important point, and I
0:32:42 > 0:32:45commend her for the work she is doing to encourage community land
0:32:45 > 0:32:51trust funds, additional funding for this was allowed last week.
0:32:51 > 0:33:02Question number nine, Mr Speaker.
0:33:03 > 0:33:09Mr Speaker, since 2010, we have delivered 357,000 affordable homes,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13including 128,000 homes for social rent. As I also noted in my earlier
0:33:13 > 0:33:17answer, the government is providing 9 billion funding for the affordable
0:33:17 > 0:33:21homes programme, £1 billion lift, and rent the social landlords. This
0:33:21 > 0:33:24will support the sector to build more affordable homes, including
0:33:24 > 0:33:31social homes. Shelter has found that in the past
0:33:31 > 0:33:35year, developers have used viability assessment to wriggle out of
0:33:35 > 0:33:39building more than 2500 affordable homes to rent or buy, including 200
0:33:39 > 0:33:44in Bristol. Can he take steps to remove this loophole when he
0:33:44 > 0:33:47rewrites the National planning policy framework next year, to
0:33:47 > 0:33:52remove the reference for a need for a competitive return?
0:33:52 > 0:33:57Mr Speaker, we of course consulted in terms of local housing needs and
0:33:57 > 0:34:01consultation, which closed on 9th of November. One issue was viability
0:34:01 > 0:34:05assessments, we will review what comes forward. But we have set out
0:34:05 > 0:34:07clearly that we want to see a affordable homes built by
0:34:07 > 0:34:12developers.After 13 years of Labour MPs in Gloucester, we are not a
0:34:12 > 0:34:17single new housing unit was built. We have now built some social
0:34:17 > 0:34:26housing, but want to do much more. Will buy honourable friend confirm
0:34:26 > 0:34:29that there may be funding available through the new national
0:34:29 > 0:34:32productivity investment fund to help bridge any potential funding gap
0:34:32 > 0:34:39because of low values. Mr Speaker, can I again commend my
0:34:39 > 0:34:42honourable friend for the work he is doing in his constituency to
0:34:42 > 0:34:47encourage more building of homes and also social homes. I am delighted at
0:34:47 > 0:34:51the progress being made in terms of the state generation, his
0:34:51 > 0:34:55constituents leave £1.25 million of funding. With regard to his
0:34:55 > 0:34:59question, more detailed eligibility criteria will be announced in due
0:34:59 > 0:35:06course. Of course, I happy to meet with him.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10When will the Minister start to understand that in order to tackle
0:35:10 > 0:35:12the social housing crisis, the government needs to abolish the
0:35:12 > 0:35:23right to buy.People have been able to own homes, and that is incredibly
0:35:23 > 0:35:26important. What I would say to the honourable gentleman is that we are
0:35:26 > 0:35:33making more money available for affordable homes, but also £44
0:35:33 > 0:35:37billion, at least £44 billion, over the next five years, to build more
0:35:37 > 0:35:42homes in this country. The reason we have a housing crisis is come under
0:35:42 > 0:35:47the previous government, not enough homes were built.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51If we are to meet the demand for more affordable homes, there needs
0:35:51 > 0:35:55to be a partnership between both the private and public sectors. What
0:35:55 > 0:35:58actions can the Minister take to ensure local authorities work with
0:35:58 > 0:36:06both those sectors to deliver the homes we need?Mr Speaker, we in the
0:36:06 > 0:36:09budget, my honourable friend the Chancellor set out planning reforms
0:36:09 > 0:36:13we are looking at. That will impact on local authorities bringing
0:36:13 > 0:36:17forward more sites more quickly for building. But of course, we have
0:36:17 > 0:36:21also announced an uplift of up to £1 billion, which will make a
0:36:21 > 0:36:28substantial difference.Minister Jones.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Victims fleeing abuse must be given appropriate priority access to
0:36:32 > 0:36:37social housing. We are consulting on new guidance, which makes it clear
0:36:37 > 0:36:41to local authorities, victims moving on from refuges, should be given
0:36:41 > 0:36:43appropriate parity, and any residency test should not be
0:36:43 > 0:36:48applied. Women's aid are an organisation that
0:36:48 > 0:36:52we all have a high regard of on both sides of the House. They have stated
0:36:52 > 0:36:56the government's new model will close refuges, what assurance can
0:36:56 > 0:37:00the Minister give to the House that that won't be the case?To reassure
0:37:00 > 0:37:06my honourable friend, that will not be the case. We will continue the
0:37:06 > 0:37:10funding in exactly the same level as is currently the case. A dedicated
0:37:10 > 0:37:14grant will go to local authorities that will be ring fenced and ring
0:37:14 > 0:37:19fenced in the long term. And we will also make sure it means that
0:37:19 > 0:37:24vulnerable people will not need to deal with at the payment of rent at
0:37:24 > 0:37:27a very, very difficult time in their lives.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32The recent joint select committee 's enquiry on supported housing,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35included and recommended that the government established a national
0:37:35 > 0:37:40network of women's refuges, to avoid a postcode lottery, and ensure even
0:37:40 > 0:37:46coverage across the country. Can I ask the Minister why the government
0:37:46 > 0:37:50rejected that recommendation, and what is he doing to ensure where
0:37:50 > 0:37:55refuges have closed, they will reopen again.We do believe that a
0:37:55 > 0:38:00locally led approach is the right thing to do in this regard. But we
0:38:00 > 0:38:05have confirmed before that we are committed to reviewing under the
0:38:05 > 0:38:10violence against women and girls strategy, this policy, in 2018. We
0:38:10 > 0:38:14are looking at all of the options, and we haven't ruled out nationally
0:38:14 > 0:38:19commissioning refuge beds and refuges, if that is found to be a
0:38:19 > 0:38:28better solution.Nigel Mills.Number 13.Following the launch of our
0:38:28 > 0:38:32industrial strategy, the government is at the opening stages of
0:38:32 > 0:38:37designing a devolution framework for England, areas like Derbyshire and
0:38:37 > 0:38:42the East Midlands should seek a widely supported group of proposals.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47After the failure of the earlier devolution proposals, can the
0:38:47 > 0:38:55Minister confirm he is still interested in further proposals
0:38:55 > 0:39:01coming in, and can he confirmed there is now no requirement will be
0:39:01 > 0:39:07elected mayor.We are aware of the Derby, Nottingham, City Council
0:39:07 > 0:39:11metro proposals, we haven't received a formal proposal. I can confirm the
0:39:11 > 0:39:15door is open for devolution in this area, and there is no requirement in
0:39:15 > 0:39:21line with our manifesto the rural areas to have a mayo.
0:39:33 > 0:39:40Does the Minister condemn that? Mr Speaker, I can't, it on a live
0:39:40 > 0:39:50planning issue.Number 14, please, Mr Speaker.Thank you, Mr Speaker,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54local authorities in London have estimated the business rate
0:39:54 > 0:39:59potential will benefit them by 240 million. There will be no impact
0:39:59 > 0:40:04from the pilot in other local authority areas.Ellen Goodman.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08Could the Minister explain how it can possibly be the case that
0:40:08 > 0:40:14business rate in London raised 7.5 billion, and retention only gives
0:40:14 > 0:40:18them 240 million. Surely, this is swiping money from the rest of the
0:40:18 > 0:40:24country, which needs it in order to even up resources.Mr Speaker, the
0:40:24 > 0:40:29240 million is new money from business growth, but let me share a
0:40:29 > 0:40:35startling fact with the honourable lady. 100% of local authorities who
0:40:35 > 0:40:39will get the business rate localisation pilot applied for it.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43When she goes back up to her constituency, she might ask her own
0:40:43 > 0:40:48Labour-controlled council why they couldn't be bothered.Mr Speaker,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52will the honourable gentleman passed the message onto the Secretary of
0:40:52 > 0:40:55State forcefully that many of us applaud what he said in relation to
0:40:55 > 0:41:02Donald Trump and the retweeting of messages, but my difficult question
0:41:02 > 0:41:07is, why doesn't he get on with the job? He needs to make sure that the
0:41:07 > 0:41:11regions of our country get a fair share of the sources and stockpiling
0:41:11 > 0:41:17money into London and the south-east.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22I note the Mayor of London said it was the worst budget for London in
0:41:22 > 0:41:28ten years but I'm not £1.8 billion, it was the best budget for the north
0:41:28 > 0:41:38of England ever. Question 15, Mr Speaker. Decisions over who is
0:41:38 > 0:41:42allocated properties are for local authorities and landlords to take at
0:41:42 > 0:41:46the local level but the statutory guidance on social housing
0:41:46 > 0:41:50allocations encourages councils to give priority to those who need
0:41:50 > 0:41:54ground floor accommodation including disabled people.The minister will
0:41:54 > 0:41:58be aware several disabled people were housed on the upper floor of
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Grenfell Tower have the time of the fire and one woman would certainly
0:42:03 > 0:42:08have not survived had it not been for the heroics of her son who
0:42:08 > 0:42:16carried her to safety. I wonder if the minister could assure the house
0:42:16 > 0:42:19the Grenfell enquiry will consider access and exit for disabled people
0:42:19 > 0:42:26in tower blocks and indeed whether he will say disabled and independent
0:42:26 > 0:42:31organisations will have their say? The Grenfell Tower inquiry is
0:42:31 > 0:42:36independent and I will let the judge take care of that but what I would
0:42:36 > 0:42:42say is the government will publish a social housing green paper next year
0:42:42 > 0:42:47and conducting a tour of the country to meet social housing tenants and
0:42:47 > 0:42:52we will consider access to accommodation for disabled people.
0:42:52 > 0:42:59Question 16, Mr Speaker.We are working with 24 garden cities and
0:42:59 > 0:43:04towns and villages to unlock barriers and support them with
0:43:04 > 0:43:08infrastructure needs. I am announcing additional capacity
0:43:08 > 0:43:14funding for 14 Garden villages bringing the total funding to 90
0:43:14 > 0:43:19million.The Secretary of State will be aware my local authority is
0:43:19 > 0:43:23proposing three new garden communities but significant
0:43:23 > 0:43:26infrastructure is required. What reassurance can he give them
0:43:26 > 0:43:32investment will be coming?My honourable friend is right to
0:43:32 > 0:43:35highlight the need for infrastructure when it comes to
0:43:35 > 0:43:38housing which is why I'm sure she would welcome the increase in
0:43:38 > 0:43:47funding in the budget and I am launching a 20 Finlay -- £25 million
0:43:47 > 0:43:50of funding and the creation of locally led new development
0:43:50 > 0:43:56corporations.Will the Secretary of State accept when new developments
0:43:56 > 0:44:02build it is not in the interests of householders they are leasehold
0:44:02 > 0:44:06estates and will he reiterate his statement he will not be building
0:44:06 > 0:44:11any new leasehold homes and act for those already being unfairly
0:44:11 > 0:44:20treated?She will know we have had a consultation and we are responding
0:44:20 > 0:44:27to it shortly but I have said before I see no reason whatsoever why new
0:44:27 > 0:44:35houses should be sold on leasehold. Question number 20, Mr Speaker.We
0:44:35 > 0:44:42are spending over 1 billion up to 2020 implementing the most ambitious
0:44:42 > 0:44:46legislative reform in decades and establishing a homelessness and
0:44:46 > 0:44:52rough sleeping task force.Can I thank the government for the work
0:44:52 > 0:44:56taking to implement the homeless reduction act and can I ask for an
0:44:56 > 0:45:00update on the resources made available to local councils so they
0:45:00 > 0:45:08can help us achieve this.I thank her for what is a good question, we
0:45:08 > 0:45:14are providing £72 million to local authorities to deal with the new
0:45:14 > 0:45:19burdens and in advance of the implementation the first section of
0:45:19 > 0:45:24funding goes out to councils tomorrow and we will review the new
0:45:24 > 0:45:28burdens funding within two years of the implementation of the act.Is
0:45:28 > 0:45:32the minister aware of the work done in Greater Manchester to eradicate
0:45:32 > 0:45:36homelessness and does he agree with the Mayor Andy Burnham the
0:45:36 > 0:45:40government target of 2027 is too far away for that problem to be
0:45:40 > 0:45:47eradicated?We want to eradicate rough sleeping as soon as is
0:45:47 > 0:45:53practical. To help Greater Manchester we have provided funding
0:45:53 > 0:45:56under the Housing first pilot alongside the Liverpool city region
0:45:56 > 0:46:04and West Midlands.Topical questions.Number one, Mr Speaker.
0:46:04 > 0:46:11Today marks the start of UK charity week in which we read double our
0:46:11 > 0:46:16commitment to end rough sleeping and it is the 62nd birthday of the
0:46:16 > 0:46:22Chancellor who delivered a budget to help get Britain building and on the
0:46:22 > 0:46:29occasion of the Observer's 226th birthday we are continuing our
0:46:29 > 0:46:31crackdown on local authorities who think it is their job to publish
0:46:31 > 0:46:39weekly newspapers.The Dr Leah spike schemes have been established
0:46:39 > 0:46:44recently and some work well and some less so but councils are left
0:46:44 > 0:46:52struggling with outdated legislation to deal with these -- dockless bike
0:46:52 > 0:46:57schemes.The honourable gentleman raises an important issue. It is
0:46:57 > 0:47:01important to encourage better ways to travel, giving more
0:47:01 > 0:47:09opportunities, and I am happy to discuss what ideas he has.In Corby
0:47:09 > 0:47:12we have a charitable organisation who do so much brilliant work to
0:47:12 > 0:47:19help support homeless people. What steps are his department taking to
0:47:19 > 0:47:26support these sorts of organisations that two important work?I pay
0:47:26 > 0:47:36tribute to all involved in charity such as Night-light. Normal. -- part
0:47:36 > 0:47:40of the package is to provide services like the one run in Corby
0:47:40 > 0:47:49that does a lot to improve the lives of vulnerable people.Several
0:47:49 > 0:47:53national children's charities and the Local Government Association
0:47:53 > 0:47:58wrote to the Secretary of State ahead of the budget to warn that
0:47:58 > 0:48:02funding for children's services is not sustainable and is insufficient
0:48:02 > 0:48:06and instead of creeping to the Chancellor with birthday wishes,
0:48:06 > 0:48:13what did the Secretary of State do to lobby the Chancellor to provide
0:48:13 > 0:48:16the £2 billion councils need to safeguard and look after Children In
0:48:16 > 0:48:18Need?
0:48:22 > 0:48:28Where he is right is in highlighting the pressure on children's services
0:48:28 > 0:48:32for many local authorities and that is why we are listening carefully to
0:48:32 > 0:48:38what local authorities have to say and I am working with the Education
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Secretary to ensure adequate resources are provided. Many local
0:48:42 > 0:48:46authorities are doing well, some have challengers. He will not
0:48:46 > 0:48:50shortly there will be the local government finance settlement and he
0:48:50 > 0:48:56can look to see what happens as we deal with that.He does not just
0:48:56 > 0:49:03need to listen, he needs to act and perhaps read our health check report
0:49:03 > 0:49:09that highlights children's services they said £2 billion funding gap
0:49:09 > 0:49:14now. Early intervention has been cut. Sure Start centres have closed,
0:49:14 > 0:49:20child protection cases have doubled, more children need taking into care,
0:49:20 > 0:49:26more families need specialist help. Why will he not stand up for our
0:49:26 > 0:49:32children's services? Tell the Chancellor now is not the time to
0:49:32 > 0:49:36cut 4.75 billion from the bank levy. It is time to put our children
0:49:36 > 0:49:45first.Time and again the honourable gentleman stands at the despatch box
0:49:45 > 0:49:50asking for billions more spending. He has no idea how the funds are
0:49:50 > 0:49:53raised and he would do better to support measures we are taking to
0:49:53 > 0:50:02keep the economy strong to pay for the services.The move from RBI to
0:50:02 > 0:50:06CPI to calculate business rates is reducing bills for many small
0:50:06 > 0:50:13businesses put 62 councils are yet to move to CPI despite the funding
0:50:13 > 0:50:17in the budget, what is the government doing to make sure all
0:50:17 > 0:50:22councils go to CPI to calculate business rates?The majority of
0:50:22 > 0:50:28local authorities have rebuilt businesses but it is unacceptable
0:50:28 > 0:50:33some councils have. This is a package of support for businesses
0:50:33 > 0:50:37that councils have been given by government, so I urge all councils
0:50:37 > 0:50:44that have not done the right thing to do so urgently.Given England's
0:50:44 > 0:50:48private rented sector has doubled, what plans do ministers have to
0:50:48 > 0:50:56emulate Scotland's new policy where tenants have more security of tenure
0:50:56 > 0:51:07and one rent increase per year?I I'm sure he noted the Chancellor set
0:51:07 > 0:51:11out the plans to consult on long attendances in the private rental
0:51:11 > 0:51:17sector.That is what we will be doing. Positivity of small
0:51:17 > 0:51:21businesses in bed with last Saturday was tinged with frustration over the
0:51:21 > 0:51:28borough council's decision to increase car parking charges which
0:51:28 > 0:51:33has reduced footfall. Would he agreed councils should be more
0:51:33 > 0:51:39focused on supporting town centres, not driving shoppers away?It is a
0:51:39 > 0:51:43Labour council only that could put up parking charges and lose money at
0:51:43 > 0:51:49the same time and what it shows to the people who live in Nuneaton and
0:51:49 > 0:51:57Bedworth, that putting into action this Marxist twaddle it proves under
0:51:57 > 0:52:11the Labour it is the many who pay for the dogma of the few.A music
0:52:11 > 0:52:17venue in Bristol has closed because of complaints. Can he say how
0:52:17 > 0:52:22discussions are going with the secretary so that small music venues
0:52:22 > 0:52:30can stand up to developers?I would happily meet with the honourable
0:52:30 > 0:52:36lady to discuss her interesting idea.I am sure the Secretary of
0:52:36 > 0:52:40State will have seen the report from the British Chambers of Commerce
0:52:40 > 0:52:45concluding that for businesses to grow and compete it is vital local
0:52:45 > 0:52:49authorities provide an adequate supply of building land and consent
0:52:49 > 0:52:55for new commercial buildings. I know business rate retention he is
0:52:55 > 0:52:58considering but can proactive councils like rugby continue to
0:52:58 > 0:53:04receive incentives to grow local economies?The government is
0:53:04 > 0:53:09committed to further business rate retention and we have relaunched the
0:53:09 > 0:53:14working group to take this forward. It is important that any future
0:53:14 > 0:53:18reform of the system has a balance between beating need and having an
0:53:18 > 0:53:25incentive for areas to grow.Bus users in the potteries have been hit
0:53:25 > 0:53:30by a double whammy of fare increases and journey cuts. While constituents
0:53:30 > 0:53:35might appreciate the arrow near of two lots of bad bus news arriving at
0:53:35 > 0:53:42once they do not the impact on their jobs. Many cuts could be avoided if
0:53:42 > 0:53:47Stoke-on-Trent City Council properly subsidised transport. What is he
0:53:47 > 0:53:50doing to make sure we have a bus system fit for purpose in the
0:53:50 > 0:53:58potteries?This government has done much to improve bus facilities,
0:53:58 > 0:54:02especially with the Metro areas where we have extended bus
0:54:02 > 0:54:08franchises. If she has issues, I would be happy to take and pass them
0:54:08 > 0:54:14onto my right honourable friend.The affordability of a house is not just
0:54:14 > 0:54:20what it costs to buy or rent but what it costs to live in. Can I
0:54:20 > 0:54:25encourage him to set the highest energy efficiency standards possible
0:54:25 > 0:54:32so these new houses can be cheaper to own and operate?Energy
0:54:32 > 0:54:39efficiency as a result of the policies have improved and it is
0:54:39 > 0:54:47several hundred pounds cheaper in terms of fuel costs than in 2010.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52Councils in the north-east such as Gateshead have seen central
0:54:52 > 0:54:58government grant cut by 50%. Forcing them to axe 4000 good jobs. The
0:54:58 > 0:55:05government's so-called jobs bonanza in the north through the Northern
0:55:05 > 0:55:10Powerhouse has created jobs but two out of every three created are on
0:55:10 > 0:55:14temporary, insecure and zero-hour contracts. Is this how the Northern
0:55:14 > 0:55:20Powerhouse economy will work?I thought the honourable gentleman
0:55:20 > 0:55:26would welcome that in his own constituency the claimant count has
0:55:26 > 0:55:33fallen by 42% since 2010. If he really wanted to champion Gateshead
0:55:33 > 0:55:39Tom and more funding, perhaps he can ask them why they rejected the
0:55:39 > 0:55:45mayoral devolution idea.The abolition of stamp duty for most
0:55:45 > 0:55:50first-time buyers, families saving on average over £3000. Can he share
0:55:50 > 0:55:57what else is being done to help family secured their first home?I
0:55:57 > 0:56:01am delighted my honourable friend has highlighted the stamp duty cart
0:56:01 > 0:56:05but we know that for a number of years we have been running Help To
0:56:05 > 0:56:11Buy scheme which has helped 135,000 households and the extra funding
0:56:11 > 0:56:16committed will help another 35,000 households.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20I listen to the response to my honourable friend the Denton and
0:56:20 > 0:56:30Reddish and hope there was no acknowledgement for removing the
0:56:30 > 0:56:35weight, and their ability to access a wide range of services. Why
0:56:35 > 0:56:43doesn't be Secretary of State care? Inode the honourable lady cares
0:56:43 > 0:56:46about this issue, but she should recognise that many members on all
0:56:46 > 0:56:50sides of the House care about this, and this is why the government has
0:56:50 > 0:56:53made sure that when it comes to funding, the children's mental
0:56:53 > 0:56:59health services through local authorities, £1.4 million over this
0:56:59 > 0:57:02spending period, the highest ever, and also the Green paper that is
0:57:02 > 0:57:05going to take place that will be published by my right honourable
0:57:05 > 0:57:11friend, the Health Secretary, will look at the health issues.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14The Secretary of State's comment early in the session about funding
0:57:14 > 0:57:21to support the delivery, can he confirmed this will include my
0:57:21 > 0:57:28constituency, can we make sure these homes are affordable and accessible
0:57:28 > 0:57:37to people.Let me thank my honourable friend for his support,
0:57:37 > 0:57:41the announcement will be made later today. I will look carefully at
0:57:41 > 0:57:48making sure that it is clear about those ones we are supporting. There
0:57:48 > 0:57:51are many other actions to take in due course as set out by the
0:57:51 > 0:57:56Chancellor in the budget to support villages and towns.
0:57:56 > 0:58:01The Minister said earlier that there would be a review, I think he said
0:58:01 > 0:58:07this, of the viability assessment under the framework. Can he admit
0:58:07 > 0:58:10there is a problem that the assessments are abused by developers
0:58:10 > 0:58:18to stop local authorities developing affordable homes?
0:58:18 > 0:58:23Just in terms of London, it is worth pointing out that we have made £3.15
0:58:23 > 0:58:26billion already available for affordable housing, which has been
0:58:26 > 0:58:30welcomed by the Mayor of London. It suggests he should start and get
0:58:30 > 0:58:35building. We have had a consultation to reflect on it, and have come
0:58:35 > 0:58:38forward with proposals.Wendy Morton.
0:58:38 > 0:58:42In his response to an earlier question, the Minister made
0:58:42 > 0:58:46reference to a call for evidence with regard to an authorised
0:58:46 > 0:58:49traveller in campus, can he confirmed that local residents will
0:58:49 > 0:58:53also be able to have the opportunity to feed into that?
0:58:53 > 0:58:56Mr Speaker, I can confirm to my honourable friend that everyone will
0:58:56 > 0:58:59have an opportunity to give their views as part of that call for
0:58:59 > 0:59:08evidence.Diana Johnson. The northern Powerhouse Minister
0:59:08 > 0:59:12mentioned HS2 as being the best transport investment for the North,
0:59:12 > 0:59:15but surely the best transport investment for the North would be
0:59:15 > 0:59:18Crossrail for the North, linking the great cities of the North with
0:59:18 > 0:59:25high-speed rail. Improving the East West connectivity
0:59:25 > 0:59:29between Liverpool and Hull is one of the issues we have asked transport
0:59:29 > 0:59:40for the North, the first national statutory body, to look at it. We
0:59:40 > 0:59:47have had £360 million to ensure HS2 is future proofed against HS three.
0:59:47 > 0:59:51Could the Minister update the House as to what assessment he has made of
0:59:51 > 0:59:56whether owners of buildings with cladding that may not meet building
0:59:56 > 0:59:58regulations have been meeting their responsibilities, or whether they
0:59:58 > 1:00:01have been seeking to pass the costs for this essential work onto
1:00:01 > 1:00:07leaseholders.Can I thank my honourable friend for that question.
1:00:07 > 1:00:11He will know, when it comes to local authorities and housing associations
1:00:11 > 1:00:15that they have made clear they are not passing on the costs, which is
1:00:15 > 1:00:20the right approach. The public sector landlords, I would like them
1:00:20 > 1:00:24to follow the lead of the social sector and not pass on costs. I want
1:00:24 > 1:00:28to make sure leaseholders have more information, which is why I am today
1:00:28 > 1:00:36increasing funding. We will get the result of Yorkshire
1:00:36 > 1:00:40devolution on the 21st December. Does the Minister agree with me that
1:00:40 > 1:00:43whatever the result, politicians, national and local, have a
1:00:43 > 1:00:48responsibility to get around the table and work together.
1:00:48 > 1:00:55As the season of goodwill and peace to all men approaches, I hope that
1:00:55 > 1:00:59across Yorkshire, a compromise will be found. But just to restate our
1:00:59 > 1:01:02position, the government remains committed to the South Yorkshire
1:01:02 > 1:01:08City deal proceeding.Order. Two members are catching my eye that
1:01:08 > 1:01:11have not contributed. I will call each of them, but I will say, their
1:01:11 > 1:01:16questions must be extremely brief, a short sentence. If you can't do it
1:01:16 > 1:01:25that way, I don't want to be unkind, but don't bother. Vera Hobhouse.
1:01:25 > 1:01:29Thank you Mr Speaker. Last month, the Secretary of State did not call
1:01:29 > 1:01:32planning application on Foxhill, where we are losing homes for social
1:01:32 > 1:01:37rent. We were told the devil and is not in line with government policy.
1:01:37 > 1:01:41Can he confirmed that losing social homes for rent is the government
1:01:41 > 1:01:53policy. No.Thank you. Good example.Thank
1:01:53 > 1:01:56you to the Housing Minister for coming to Taunton Deane last week
1:01:56 > 1:02:00where he met protest is to see how important the road through the
1:02:00 > 1:02:05development was, is this government issuing the right policy in putting
1:02:05 > 1:02:09more money into the housing infrastructure fund, so that we can
1:02:09 > 1:02:14guarantee roads that we need to make our houses work?Absolutely, Mr
1:02:14 > 1:02:19Speaker. I can confirm, as a result of the budget, there is £5 billion
1:02:19 > 1:02:22in the housing infrastructure fund, precisely what I know many
1:02:22 > 1:02:26colleagues want to see in terms of spending on infrastructure.Order.
1:02:26 > 1:02:30Before we move on, I have been notified of a number of intended
1:02:30 > 1:02:36points of order springing directly out of question Time. Let me say for
1:02:36 > 1:02:42the record, on this occasion, I will take members on trust, and take
1:02:42 > 1:02:46those point of order now. But if it becomes apparent to me that they are
1:02:46 > 1:02:52really just a way of trying to continue question Time, and they are
1:02:52 > 1:02:56too long, when I have specifically said they must be short, I will cut
1:02:56 > 1:03:02them off, and the process of taking any points... Order. Taking point of
1:03:02 > 1:03:06order at this time will be discontinued, so they will be
1:03:06 > 1:03:11responsible. I look to be Shadow Secretary of State to set a good
1:03:11 > 1:03:16example, a proper point of order, done briefly, for which, read a
1:03:16 > 1:03:20sentence. Can you offer any guidance to this
1:03:20 > 1:03:23House on your expectations on the conventions, we have heard after an
1:03:23 > 1:03:30hour of question Time, in an oft home way, in answer to one of his
1:03:30 > 1:03:32friends who has left the chamber, later this afternoon, he will make a
1:03:32 > 1:03:37statement about the backing the government will give to garden
1:03:37 > 1:03:40villages and extensions. We should have expected a written statement
1:03:40 > 1:03:44this morning, or some reference during the body of the questions
1:03:44 > 1:03:50this afternoon so the House could have a chance to ask him about it.
1:03:50 > 1:03:58My understanding is that a written missed in the -- ministerial
1:03:58 > 1:04:04question, but a simple model of the head, in fact two nods of the head,
1:04:04 > 1:04:07in unison, by the Secretary of State and the housing minister would
1:04:07 > 1:04:14suggest that is the crux of the matter. It would be preferable if
1:04:14 > 1:04:18these announcements are intended, if they could be some way worked into
1:04:18 > 1:04:21question Time, not by elongated replies, but by responding at
1:04:21 > 1:04:27topical is. What has happened is arguably irritating to colleague,
1:04:27 > 1:04:32but not demonstrably disorderly. We will leave it there Finau. The right
1:04:32 > 1:04:38honourable gentleman has made his point. I don't know whether the nods
1:04:38 > 1:04:42will appear in graphic images, but in reference to the nods, it will
1:04:42 > 1:04:53appear. Point of order.In answer to my honourable friend from Warrington
1:04:53 > 1:04:58and North about the Mersey tolls, the members said they had spoken to
1:04:58 > 1:05:04the Metro mayor, I have been in touch with them in Liverpool, and he
1:05:04 > 1:05:08said he said no such thing. I would ask if the Minister would like to
1:05:08 > 1:05:16correct the record and withdraw his remarks.The answer to that, and I'm
1:05:16 > 1:05:21grateful, what I would say in response is that it is for every
1:05:21 > 1:05:26member, for each and every member, be that member a front bench or
1:05:26 > 1:05:34backbencher, to be responsible... Order. To be responsible for the
1:05:34 > 1:05:41Barraza of what is said in this place. If a correction is required,
1:05:41 > 1:05:45better sooner rather than later, and if the honourable gentleman judges
1:05:45 > 1:05:51that no correction is required, that is his prerogative. -- voracity.No
1:05:51 > 1:05:57correction is required Mr Speaker, I discussed it as we walked across the
1:05:57 > 1:06:00bridge under its construction. Perhaps he will remember with the
1:06:00 > 1:06:06added detail.In that case, we will leave it there. It was right that it
1:06:06 > 1:06:11was aired, and I am grateful to the Minister for his response, I cannot
1:06:11 > 1:06:15be expected to adjudicate between these competing witness accounts. We
1:06:15 > 1:06:21will leave it there for now. We are about to come to the member of
1:06:21 > 1:06:25Twickenham and his urgent question. Let me further just say to the House
1:06:25 > 1:06:30that this is not the occasion for a general exchange about social
1:06:30 > 1:06:39mobility or the lack of it, this is a question, laser like focused, on
1:06:39 > 1:06:45the resignation of the board for the commission and will be treated by
1:06:45 > 1:06:50the chair as such. I wanted to run for no longer than half an hour, not
1:06:50 > 1:06:54because it isn't important, it is extremely important, but so is the
1:06:54 > 1:06:55eight hours of protected business