0:00:06 > 0:00:11Welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the House of Commons,
0:00:11 > 0:00:17following the collapse of the construction giant Carillion Debbie
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Abrahams has tabled an urgent question on the government's plans
0:00:20 > 0:00:24to protect pension funds in the private sector and the Prime
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Minister told a Sunday newspaper that the government would stop
0:00:26 > 0:00:30workers pensions being put at risk from executives who tried to line
0:00:30 > 0:00:35their own pockets, as she said. The main business will be the second
0:00:35 > 0:00:39reading of the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill which merges three
0:00:39 > 0:00:45financial advice bodies into one. Later at 445 in the select committee
0:00:45 > 0:00:47rooms, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will be giving evidence on
0:00:47 > 0:00:50the cancelled plans for the electrification of some rail routes
0:00:50 > 0:00:56and the Department's contract with Carillion. Join me tonight for a
0:00:56 > 0:00:59round-up of both Houses of Parliament but first we have
0:00:59 > 0:01:02questions to the Secretary of State for the newly titled housing,
0:01:02 > 0:01:11communities and local government, Sajid Javid. Question number one.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16Thank you. The government will consider financial thugs abilities
0:01:16 > 0:01:22for local authorities to undertake essential fire safety work --
0:01:22 > 0:01:28financial liabilities for them we have provided funding for local
0:01:28 > 0:01:33authorities for data collection on private buildings.The former
0:01:33 > 0:01:36housing minister revealed before Christmas that 36 local authorities
0:01:36 > 0:01:40have contacted the Department regarding work to make sure of fire
0:01:40 > 0:01:43safety in tower blocks but none have so far received any financial help,
0:01:43 > 0:01:54why not?I can date you, so far it is that is explorative, ten of those
0:01:54 > 0:02:03we have requested more information -- so far it is 36 authorities. We
0:02:03 > 0:02:09are ready to make any flexibilities to make sure any fire safety work is
0:02:09 > 0:02:16done.How are local authorities or other landlords to know what steps
0:02:16 > 0:02:20to take to make sure of adequate fire protection when the relevant
0:02:20 > 0:02:23building regulations are 11 years old and no review of them has
0:02:23 > 0:02:34commenced?Perhaps you were not impala and last year, -- were not in
0:02:34 > 0:02:38parliament largely when we had an independent review commissioned of
0:02:38 > 0:02:43all buildings, and a few weeks ago, when in this house I presented the
0:02:43 > 0:02:48findings of the interim report from Dame Judith Hackitt which we
0:02:48 > 0:02:54accepted in full.It is right that we must do whatever we can, by very
0:02:54 > 0:03:00much agree -- I very much agree with the lady in what she said, but would
0:03:00 > 0:03:05you not remind me, if a local authority runs out of funds for why
0:03:05 > 0:03:11prevention measures, there is a method by they can be allowed to
0:03:11 > 0:03:17spend beyond the usual restraints? First of all, I can tell you I'm not
0:03:17 > 0:03:23sure that the lady is his honourable friend, but regarding his question
0:03:23 > 0:03:26there are mechanisms in place and what we have done is go further and
0:03:26 > 0:03:31said to those local authorities, there are certain flexibilities, if
0:03:31 > 0:03:39they need them, they will be provided them.Mr speaker, my
0:03:39 > 0:03:44friends, members for Denton and Rochdale are absent this afternoon
0:03:44 > 0:03:50to pay tribute to and respect to Kieran Quinn whose funeral this
0:03:50 > 0:03:56afternoon, he was the leader of Tyneside Council. The Council of the
0:03:56 > 0:04:00year in 2016 and our thoughts and condolences are with his family and
0:04:00 > 0:04:04his friends. Can I welcome the new ministerial faces to the Department
0:04:04 > 0:04:11with the new name but say to them, it is new policies to fix the
0:04:11 > 0:04:15housing crisis that the country needs and my question is this, more
0:04:15 > 0:04:18than seven months on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, how many
0:04:18 > 0:04:23tower blocks with the same dangerous cladding have had that cladding
0:04:23 > 0:04:35taken down and replaced?Mr speaker, first ball can I also extend my
0:04:35 > 0:04:39condolences to Kieran Quinn and his family and friends on what will be a
0:04:39 > 0:04:45difficult day fall of them -- first overall. What I will say, with the
0:04:45 > 0:04:51figures I have, which I think are accurate until the 10th of January,
0:04:51 > 0:04:57312 buildings in total have been tested, 299 have not passed the test
0:04:57 > 0:05:02that has been put in place, and a number of buildings, the cladding
0:05:02 > 0:05:05has started to come down, and the cladding is being replaced slowly as
0:05:05 > 0:05:10well and also we are very interested in making sure there is enough
0:05:10 > 0:05:14capacity in the industry to meet the extra demand that is now up on it
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and that is why we are working with industry and my friend the Business
0:05:17 > 0:05:24Secretary.I wonder if the Secretary of State has read the update his
0:05:24 > 0:05:27department issued this morning, because the answer to that, the
0:05:27 > 0:05:33number of tower blocks with the same dangerous flammable cladding that
0:05:33 > 0:05:39has been taken down and replaced is three. How has it come to this, that
0:05:39 > 0:05:47seven months on from Grenfell Tower, one in four families who are
0:05:47 > 0:05:53survivors only have a new home, and the government still can't confirm
0:05:53 > 0:05:57how many other tower blocks across the country are not safe. Ministers
0:05:57 > 0:06:03still refuse to help fund essential fire safety work where they know
0:06:03 > 0:06:08blocks are dangerous and the Secretary of State is sitting back
0:06:08 > 0:06:14and letting individual flat owners pick up the cost in private tower
0:06:14 > 0:06:18blocks and not the landlord or the developer. The Secretary of State
0:06:18 > 0:06:22must know this isn't good enough so what new action is he going to take
0:06:22 > 0:06:29to sort out these problems?First of all, you will know, and I know he
0:06:29 > 0:06:34shares this, the number one priority following the Grenfell Tower tragedy
0:06:34 > 0:06:38in terms of building safety is to make sure everyone can anyone living
0:06:38 > 0:06:42in any tower that might have similar cladding feels completely safe, to
0:06:42 > 0:06:45make sure they are properly tested and if anything is found before that
0:06:45 > 0:06:51cladding can be taken down and replaced, which will take time, the
0:06:51 > 0:06:56adequate measures will be put in place like 24-7, fire wardens, other
0:06:56 > 0:07:00measures, all on the advice of the local Fire and Rescue Service and
0:07:00 > 0:07:05that is what has been done in every single case. He also asked me about
0:07:05 > 0:07:10the private sector tower blocks and the costs of any remedial work that
0:07:10 > 0:07:16needs to be done and I've been very clear in this house, since the last
0:07:16 > 0:07:19questions, that just as social landlords are picking up the tab is
0:07:19 > 0:07:23for the changes, whatever the legal case might be in the case of a
0:07:23 > 0:07:26private relationship, the moral case is clear that the tab should be
0:07:26 > 0:07:31picked up by the freeholders of those properties.These are very
0:07:31 > 0:07:34important matters but we need to speed up because we have a lot of
0:07:34 > 0:07:42questions to get through. Michael Tomlinson.Mr speaker, in the recent
0:07:42 > 0:07:47budget we announced £20 million for some of the county's most entrenched
0:07:47 > 0:07:51rough sleepers in the West Midlands and Liverpool and Greater Manchester
0:07:51 > 0:07:57and we continue to work with the regions to get ready for launch this
0:07:57 > 0:08:02year.I'm grateful for that answer and ahead of the Homelessness
0:08:02 > 0:08:12Reduction Act, will heap praise me in -- will he join me in praising a
0:08:12 > 0:08:22local group who focus on this question I want-- I want to thank
0:08:22 > 0:08:27my friend for his help and I do agree that in the homelessness cycle
0:08:27 > 0:08:32there are many people that can get involved, including voluntary groups
0:08:32 > 0:08:34in his constituency, where they can make a real difference for
0:08:34 > 0:08:40vulnerable people.On Boxing Day a group called activists for love
0:08:40 > 0:08:45created a Scottish other homeless people in Hull and I went to meet
0:08:45 > 0:08:53the landlord at the weekend -- created a squat for homeless people.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56I'm concerned that the funding cuts to Hull City Council means they
0:08:56 > 0:09:00don't have the money for the after-care support to prevent these
0:09:00 > 0:09:04people becoming homeless again. Would the government commit to
0:09:04 > 0:09:08providing more money for the after-care homeless service for Hull
0:09:08 > 0:09:16Western?I can see the lady shares our desire, and of all members in
0:09:16 > 0:09:20this house, to fight homelessness and rough sleeping and that is why
0:09:20 > 0:09:25she will welcome the £1 billion the government has allocated until 2020
0:09:25 > 0:09:30to fight homelessness including £315 million for core funding for local
0:09:30 > 0:09:35authorities to help.I commend the government for initiating the
0:09:35 > 0:09:40housing first pilots but what assessment has my friend made of the
0:09:40 > 0:09:44situation in London which is clearly under the greatest pressure for us
0:09:44 > 0:09:49sleeping to enable people to have a home of their own and make sure the
0:09:49 > 0:09:56Mayor of London delivers affordable housing for the capital?First of
0:09:56 > 0:09:59all, I know you care about this issue deeply and has done much work
0:09:59 > 0:10:03including the Homelessness Reduction Act, and he is right to raise the
0:10:03 > 0:10:07issue, we went so homelessness in this country unless London does its
0:10:07 > 0:10:10bit and the Mayor of London is letting the people of London down,
0:10:10 > 0:10:15in his first year in office, not a single home for social rent were
0:10:15 > 0:10:20started in London for stop it is a tragic record. -- was started in
0:10:20 > 0:10:25London.The centre of a housing policy at the University of Yard is
0:10:25 > 0:10:29leading on policy development of the housing first initiative --
0:10:29 > 0:10:37University of York. Yet your counsel is overseeing a 15 fold increase in
0:10:37 > 0:10:45homelessness -- York Council. How will the residents benefit from the
0:10:45 > 0:10:56action and theory of housing first got?We need to pilot it properly so
0:10:56 > 0:10:59it works properly and that is why we have set these pilot areas, and in
0:10:59 > 0:11:04other parts of the country there are other types of help much of it comes
0:11:04 > 0:11:07on the £1 billion of funding we have allocated including the to local
0:11:07 > 0:11:15authorities such as York.The local government and social care
0:11:15 > 0:11:19ombudsman's December report, still no place like home, found that seven
0:11:19 > 0:11:21out of ten housing cases investigated, families were being
0:11:21 > 0:11:28placed in B&Bs for unlawfully lengthy periods, some over two
0:11:28 > 0:11:30years, the report highlights the appalling impact, including on
0:11:30 > 0:11:34children, living in inadequate, crowded and sometimes damp
0:11:34 > 0:11:40conditions, does he realise how damaging living in uncertain and
0:11:40 > 0:11:43inappropriate housing is and will we see any improvement in the next
0:11:43 > 0:11:50year?I share the concerns of many members of this house and that is
0:11:50 > 0:11:53why the government has made fighting homelessness and reducing rough
0:11:53 > 0:11:59sleeping a priority. The Lady's question recognised as an it
0:11:59 > 0:12:03requires action on many fronts, not just economic issues, but also
0:12:03 > 0:12:05mental health and addiction and that is the programme the government has
0:12:05 > 0:12:12put together and that is what we are going to pursue.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19I'm Graham for the recommendations of independent review. Our building
0:12:19 > 0:12:25safety programme is making progress in identifying potentially unsafe
0:12:25 > 0:12:28cladding in English tower blocks and together we will make buildings
0:12:28 > 0:12:41safer.Thank you. The use of sprinklers has been discussed. Many
0:12:41 > 0:12:45tower blocks have individual compartments to prevent the spread
0:12:45 > 0:12:51of fire. But there are examples that the integrity of these compartments
0:12:51 > 0:12:58has been compromised. Would he assure us that t fire resistant
0:12:58 > 0:13:06properties of flats will be part of review.It is an important point.
0:13:06 > 0:13:17Safe and safety services have Eurovision s have visited blocks,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22they have reassured the principle of stay put, but it is the responsible
0:13:22 > 0:13:32pepper that would decide what is right for each building.Part 2B of
0:13:32 > 0:13:36the regulations, paragraph 12/7 prevents the use of combustible
0:13:36 > 0:13:40material in the installation of high rise buildings. Would the Secretary
0:13:40 > 0:13:46of State confirm the guidance is less clear about cladding and seems
0:13:46 > 0:13:51to allow for the continued use of combustible material. Is that the
0:13:51 > 0:13:54case and if so is the Secretary of State comfortable with that
0:13:54 > 0:14:01situation?First, I can say that I don't believe that is the case. I do
0:14:01 > 0:14:06not think that is still the case. But what he has raised is the point
0:14:06 > 0:14:13of the need to review the guidance and regulations, a point made clear
0:14:13 > 0:14:23by Dame Judith Hackett in her interim report anrecommendation s we
0:14:23 > 0:14:30agreed with.There is a block with the same material as Grenfell.
0:14:30 > 0:14:38Residents were told the responsible person should take action, but the
0:14:38 > 0:14:41developer and insurer deny responsibility. So the cladding
0:14:41 > 0:14:44stays in place. This only one responsible person left. When will
0:14:44 > 0:14:49the Secretary of State take action to remove this dangerous cladding
0:14:49 > 0:14:58and keep people and their families safe?I'm happy to reiterate on this
0:14:58 > 0:15:02important point again that were these situations are rising, the
0:15:02 > 0:15:05responsible person clearly is the free holder and whatever the legal
0:15:05 > 0:15:10case might be, the free holder should take responsibility. I can
0:15:10 > 0:15:13tell the honourable gentleman that my honourable friend the Housing
0:15:13 > 0:15:22Minister spoke to the CE company concerned in this case to see what
0:15:22 > 0:15:27we can do to make sure they do the right thing.As the Secretary of
0:15:27 > 0:15:32State has just said, one of the key recommendations of the interim
0:15:32 > 0:15:37review of building regulations and fire safety was the need for the
0:15:37 > 0:15:42whole suite of approved documents to be restructured to provide greater
0:15:42 > 0:15:45clarity on how fire safety measures would be applied. Could the
0:15:45 > 0:15:51Secretary of State provide an update on what actual steps his department
0:15:51 > 0:15:55is taking to implement this recommendation, particularly with
0:15:55 > 0:16:01regard to planning guidance?First, the honourable lady will know that
0:16:01 > 0:16:05the report was an interim report. There is a final report that is due
0:16:05 > 0:16:09in spring of this year. There were some interim recommendations that we
0:16:09 > 0:16:14could act on immediately and we have accepted those. So there were
0:16:14 > 0:16:17recommendations around desk top studies and restricting how and when
0:16:17 > 0:16:21they can be used. That is being implemented now. And she might be
0:16:21 > 0:16:25interested to know as we speak down the road from Parliament there is
0:16:25 > 0:16:31a... Meeting, a convention of industry experts and stake holders
0:16:31 > 0:16:36going on with Dame Judith Hackett looking at what more can be done in
0:16:36 > 0:16:48the interim.Question four.With your permission, I will answer this
0:16:48 > 0:16:53question with questions 11, 1, 17 and 22. I thank the honourable
0:16:53 > 0:16:57gentleman for his question. There are too many people sleeping rough
0:16:57 > 0:17:03and I'm determined to do more. That is why the rough sleeping and
0:17:03 > 0:17:07homelessness reduction task force will deliver a cross government
0:17:07 > 0:17:13strategy and with the help of an advisory panel.May I welcome the
0:17:13 > 0:17:18minister to her new role. Rough sleeping of course habz doubled
0:17:18 > 0:17:22nationally since 2010, in my constituency it has doubled in the
0:17:22 > 0:17:27last two years, according to local charities. Of course the biggest
0:17:27 > 0:17:32cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. In my
0:17:32 > 0:17:35constituency developers have only... We have a lot to get through. What
0:17:35 > 0:17:42we need is a question, not a series of sfaments. Statement t one
0:17:42 > 0:17:48sentence please. Help others, help yourself.Given the lack of
0:17:48 > 0:17:54affordable housing being given by developers, currently at 27%, what
0:17:54 > 0:17:58is the minister planning to do to ensure that is enforced locally?
0:17:58 > 0:18:03That was a very interesting question, because the statistics are
0:18:03 > 0:18:08not aligned with the November sleeping rough statistics that we
0:18:08 > 0:18:17have. We reck ognise the concern. Last year we consulted on proposals
0:18:17 > 0:18:21to simplify assessments and increase transparency. We will further
0:18:21 > 0:18:26details when we publish the new framework later this year.Thank
0:18:26 > 0:18:30you, the number of rough sleepers in Darlington since 2010 has doubled,
0:18:30 > 0:18:40is this caused by A a reduction in council budget, B five million of
0:18:40 > 0:18:50cuts, C the bedroom tax... I could go to Z or the ministers failure to
0:18:50 > 0:18:55tackle Tory rents in t private sector.I would like to say I thank
0:18:55 > 0:19:00the honourable lady for that question, but this is no at laughing
0:19:00 > 0:19:04matter. The government is clear that one person without a home is too
0:19:04 > 0:19:09many. We have already taken steps to towards come batting rough sleeping
0:19:09 > 0:19:14and homelessness. We have implemented the most ambitious
0:19:14 > 0:19:18reform in decade, the homelessness reduction act and I congratulate my
0:19:18 > 0:19:21honourable friend for the work he did on that, which comes into force
0:19:21 > 0:19:27this April. We will ensure that more people get the help they need
0:19:27 > 0:19:32earlier to prevent them becoming homeless in the first place.The
0:19:32 > 0:19:38increase in homelessness in my city of Glasgow is in contrast to the
0:19:38 > 0:19:43last Labour government where it fell. What plans does the minister
0:19:43 > 0:19:50have to roll out the pilot scheme that has a national strategy
0:19:50 > 0:19:54following pilot results in several citiesI thank the honourable
0:19:54 > 0:19:58gentleman for his question. Which seemed to be rather about a devolved
0:19:58 > 0:20:11matter, but as the nation gets to grips with this, the rough sleeping
0:20:11 > 0:20:18advisory panel will support the task fort to develop a strategy to half
0:20:18 > 0:20:24rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminate it by 2027. The first meeting will
0:20:24 > 0:20:32take place on 1st February.The Wales audit office produced a report
0:20:32 > 0:20:36saying they believed that the Government's policies were having an
0:20:36 > 0:20:39impact on homelessness in Wales. Will she accept what is true in
0:20:39 > 0:20:49Wales is also true in England?Like across the UK, I thank the
0:20:49 > 0:20:52honourable gentleman for his question. I think the interesting
0:20:52 > 0:20:56issue will be about the amount of money and packages that we can put
0:20:56 > 0:21:00in to spread funding for affordable housing across the nation and that
0:21:00 > 0:21:08is something that we are determined to do.In Wolverhampton where I
0:21:08 > 0:21:12represent one of its constituencies, the number of estimated rough
0:21:12 > 0:21:17sleepers has doubled since 2010. What plans do the Government have in
0:21:17 > 0:21:22to decrease the number of rough sleepers as their plan is not work.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28I thank the honourable lady for her question. Of course, the interesting
0:21:28 > 0:21:33thing with Wolverhampton area it is part of west Midlands and we are
0:21:33 > 0:21:37working with the mayor Andy Street, who will be joining me on that rough
0:21:37 > 0:21:41sleepers strategic panel and I look forward to our first meeting on 1st
0:21:41 > 0:21:48February.Thank you, I'm launching an appeal for mobile phone phones
0:21:48 > 0:21:52with a local charity to enable those who are homeless to get back on
0:21:52 > 0:21:57their feet and have an emergency lifeline. Will the minister offer
0:21:57 > 0:22:04their support for what is a controversial initiative with some
0:22:04 > 0:22:08people and agree it is more more controversial that we still have
0:22:08 > 0:22:12people homeless and that is why this government is prioritising the area.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Thank you for that interesting way of dealing with this in the future.
0:22:16 > 0:22:24I would be very interested to see how that pilot works and I
0:22:24 > 0:22:30congratulate her area on being proactive.In Rugby council offices
0:22:30 > 0:22:36go into the community to speak to rough sleepers. Often offers of
0:22:36 > 0:22:41support are declined and last week police charged two rough sleepers
0:22:41 > 0:22:44four aggressive begging. Would the minister agree it is important that
0:22:44 > 0:22:51we provide support for those who are forced to sleep rough, bit is
0:22:51 > 0:22:54important to ensure it goes to those in genuine need.My honourable
0:22:54 > 0:23:00friend is right, this is a complex matter and there are some inherent
0:23:00 > 0:23:05difficult details with mental health issues, break down in family, crisis
0:23:05 > 0:23:11and chaos, but equally the state has to be fair-handed and if people are
0:23:11 > 0:23:13aggressive begging and have properties of their own, the state
0:23:13 > 0:23:19will do what it has to do. Our focus is on rough sleepers who need the
0:23:19 > 0:23:25help most.It is a pleasure to welcome the minister to her place.
0:23:25 > 0:23:32The minister will know following a grant funding the Torbay
0:23:32 > 0:23:35homelessness campaign, we have seen the number of rough sleepers form.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40How will that work be complement bed I the homelessness reduction Act?I
0:23:40 > 0:23:47thank my honourable friend and very long known friend for many years. It
0:23:47 > 0:23:51is the pilots around the country that are working so well that we
0:23:51 > 0:23:56want to pick up on and certainly the homelessness reduction act means
0:23:56 > 0:24:04that councils will have a due toy ty to try and help people before they
0:24:04 > 0:24:07become homelessness. So we are looking into dealing with this and
0:24:07 > 0:24:13we are confident they 2022 we will half rough sleeping.There has been
0:24:13 > 0:24:18a noticeable increase in the number of rough sleepers in Shipley, can
0:24:18 > 0:24:22many minister set out what the Government is doing with Bradford
0:24:22 > 0:24:30council to try and deal with that and would she agreed to help
0:24:30 > 0:24:35homelessness
0:24:39 > 0:24:45They build more houses.Thank you for that question. He never fails to
0:24:45 > 0:24:52disappoint. Interestingly one of the areas where councils will be able to
0:24:52 > 0:24:58flex their muscles more is to take on empty homes and to look into
0:24:58 > 0:25:02quality rented properties that are affordable for everyone and it means
0:25:02 > 0:25:05that communities stay together. That would be something that Bradford
0:25:05 > 0:25:19council ought to do.Question No 5. Over 119,000 affordable hos were
0:25:19 > 0:25:26delivered in rural communities since 2010. It is around 9% of total
0:25:26 > 0:25:35spend.I welcome the figures, there are redundant farm building sites
0:25:35 > 0:25:39that could be classed as browned field site and could release more
0:25:39 > 0:25:45land for homes. Could the minister consider that?He is right, we have
0:25:45 > 0:25:49introduced a requirement for each local authority to publish registers
0:25:49 > 0:25:54of brown field land. Over 90% of local authorities have done so and
0:25:54 > 0:26:03the information suggesting nearly 16,000 brownfield sites covering
0:26:03 > 0:26:0726,000 hectares have been identified in England.As well as helping rural
0:26:07 > 0:26:11areas, what will he do for places like Birmingham and how will he
0:26:11 > 0:26:15respond to the council's request for additional assistance with the
0:26:15 > 0:26:20provision of new homes, essential maintenance on existing properties
0:26:20 > 0:26:25and the discharge of statutory obligations such as health and
0:26:25 > 0:26:30safety and annual gas inspections?I thank the member for his question,
0:26:30 > 0:26:37since 2010 we have delivered over 370,000 new affordable homes. But we
0:26:37 > 0:26:42are ambitious to do more, working with housing associations and local
0:26:42 > 0:26:47mayors, we have raised the housing borrowing cap to give them greater
0:26:47 > 0:26:52flexibility.In welcoming my honourable friend to his new
0:26:52 > 0:27:00position can I ask him to look with his intellectual vigour into the
0:27:00 > 0:27:03case of national parks and what they do. They're not exempt from the
0:27:03 > 0:27:10need.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14My honourable friend has considerable experience and will
0:27:14 > 0:27:19look in all of those areas because we are committed to doing everything
0:27:19 > 0:27:22we can to increase on home-building in this country for the next
0:27:22 > 0:27:29generation.One of the best ways of providing more affordable housing is
0:27:29 > 0:27:32to the provision of more cooperative housing them what further
0:27:32 > 0:27:35cooperative housing scheme initiatives might be minister and
0:27:35 > 0:27:41his department might be thinking of pursuing?You are right, much social
0:27:41 > 0:27:46housing is of this nature, and in particular it depends on the
0:27:46 > 0:27:49specific needs of any given a community and that is often for the
0:27:49 > 0:27:54local authorities to help identify. Local authorities in rural areas
0:27:54 > 0:27:58need to focus on the needs of their community and that can include the
0:27:58 > 0:28:01real exception sites which enable long-term protection for affordable
0:28:01 > 0:28:05homes in rural areas for
0:28:05 > 0:28:07long-term protection for affordable homes in rural areas for.
0:28:10 > 0:28:17With permission, I will answer this question with question 20, since 22
0:28:17 > 0:28:25-- 2012 we have a -- invested millions in coastal projects and
0:28:25 > 0:28:35these are going to deliver thousands of jobs.I'm grateful for that
0:28:35 > 0:28:42reply, we have developed a exciting opportunity for the sea towns and
0:28:42 > 0:28:49seafront of Lowestoft, will the minister visit to see our attempts
0:28:49 > 0:28:54to turn this into the East Coast destination of choice?I see you
0:28:54 > 0:28:58have already had over £1.5 million from the coast committee fund
0:28:58 > 0:29:02showing that he is delivering for his own constituents and I would be
0:29:02 > 0:29:07delighted when I'm in the area to visit.I thank the minister for the
0:29:07 > 0:29:16answer to the question, the state of the nation social mobility report
0:29:16 > 0:29:18revealed economic prospects for those living in rural and coastal
0:29:18 > 0:29:23areas are poorer. Given our world-class skills in industry, what
0:29:23 > 0:29:30steps is he taking to make sure that we realise our full potential?I
0:29:30 > 0:29:33have the pleasure and privilege of visiting your constituency last year
0:29:33 > 0:29:39and seeing those world-class skills especially in the nuclear supply
0:29:39 > 0:29:45chain and that is why I'm delighted to say that for our industrial
0:29:45 > 0:29:47strategy we are supporting people throughout the country so they can
0:29:47 > 0:29:53grow the economy where ever they may reside.The minister will know
0:29:53 > 0:29:57because he is leading on this issue, that the Northern Powerhouse growth
0:29:57 > 0:30:03deal which will affect North Wales and the coastal communities there is
0:30:03 > 0:30:06about productivity with Liverpool and Manchester and improvement of
0:30:06 > 0:30:10infrastructure, could he give an indication of when he will reach
0:30:10 > 0:30:17conclusions on the budget for that growth deal?My honourable friend
0:30:17 > 0:30:20the Secretary of State for Wales and his minister are in the lead when it
0:30:20 > 0:30:24comes to the North Wales deal but I have an absolute determination to
0:30:24 > 0:30:29make sure that this deal delivers for the people of North Wales. Only
0:30:29 > 0:30:32this week on Thursday I will be visiting the local authorities in
0:30:32 > 0:30:35North Wales to ask what progress they have made to update me on what
0:30:35 > 0:30:42projects they would like to see go forward.I would like to extend the
0:30:42 > 0:30:49condolences of the SNP to the friends and family of Kieran Quinn.
0:30:49 > 0:30:56Is the minister aware of the conference in Cardiff which was
0:30:56 > 0:31:00signed in September by the Scottish Government and representatives of
0:31:00 > 0:31:05other EU regions, dusty agree that Brexit will have a big impact on
0:31:05 > 0:31:13coastal areas? -- does he.I don't agree with that, because taking back
0:31:13 > 0:31:19control of our fishing industry will pay a huge dividend for people who
0:31:19 > 0:31:23live up and down the coast and only last Thursday I got to visit
0:31:23 > 0:31:28Dumfries and Galloway to talk about the deal which is unique and which
0:31:28 > 0:31:31goes coast-to-coast and covers the English and Scottish Borders and it
0:31:31 > 0:31:36is a partnership of two governments, the Scottish and UK, coming together
0:31:36 > 0:31:41as equals to deliver for the people of the borderlands.That doesn't
0:31:41 > 0:31:49really answer the question, coastal communities face economic and social
0:31:49 > 0:31:51deprivation and it has been highlighted that a hard Brexit will
0:31:51 > 0:31:56exacerbate that. Does he agree that if the government walks away from a
0:31:56 > 0:32:00deal, that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should still be
0:32:00 > 0:32:08able to access EU funding programmes?I will be happy to
0:32:08 > 0:32:11discuss having a meeting, but I would gently point out that this
0:32:11 > 0:32:18government, the UK Government, is investing, has already invested £174
0:32:18 > 0:32:21million in our coastal communities, getting behind those coastal
0:32:21 > 0:32:29communities, what has the Scottish Government done? I think nothing.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31The government is promoting a step change in self build through the
0:32:31 > 0:32:41£4.5 billionfund and the self build regulations.Can I ask what
0:32:41 > 0:32:43discussions the minister has had with the Treasury regarding the
0:32:43 > 0:32:49continuation of the housing fund to deliver more houses for people in
0:32:49 > 0:32:55Cornwall?The community housing fund was worth £60 million in its first
0:32:55 > 0:32:59year and in the context of the budget it was going to be continuing
0:32:59 > 0:33:03for another three years and that includes capital and revenue funding
0:33:03 > 0:33:10and as part of the government's drive to support community groups.
0:33:14 > 0:33:20Thank you. This government has high ambitions for looked after children
0:33:20 > 0:33:24and care leavers, the forthcoming parenting provisions in the social
0:33:24 > 0:33:30work act will include high-quality support for these vulnerable young
0:33:30 > 0:33:37people.Thank you. When will the government actually provide adequate
0:33:37 > 0:33:44funds to properly support these special young people?You will be
0:33:44 > 0:33:47pleased to know that shortly the government will be announcing the
0:33:47 > 0:33:52winners of applicants with social impact bond to provide funding for
0:33:52 > 0:33:56those local authorities to provide training and employment for care
0:33:56 > 0:34:01leavers leaving.I also welcome the minister to his position and I know
0:34:01 > 0:34:06he will be excellent in his role. Does the minister agree that no
0:34:06 > 0:34:09child should be taken into care if family support would allow them to
0:34:09 > 0:34:13stay safely at home and what will he do to provide more support to
0:34:13 > 0:34:18struggling families to prevent children being taken into care?
0:34:18 > 0:34:29Thanks feel warm words. I agree, where passable -- possible children
0:34:29 > 0:34:32are best looked after their own families and that is why we are
0:34:32 > 0:34:36hoping to reduce the need for children to go into care and we have
0:34:36 > 0:34:41shown a decrease in the number of children in that programme.Can I
0:34:41 > 0:34:47remind the minister, whether we are talking that children in care or the
0:34:47 > 0:34:52elderly in care, the real question he has to answer, what has happened
0:34:52 > 0:34:57to the fabric of social support and care as that has been given down by
0:34:57 > 0:35:03cuts to local authority over the last few years?This government is
0:35:03 > 0:35:06making sure that local authorities have the resources they need to
0:35:06 > 0:35:11provide important local services, £200 billion over five years, real
0:35:11 > 0:35:15terms funding increase, and £2 billion announced in the last budget
0:35:15 > 0:35:26specifically for social care.Number nine, Mr speaker.With your
0:35:26 > 0:35:30permission, I will answer this question with question 19, our fair
0:35:30 > 0:35:32and sustainable financial settlement gives local authorities the ability
0:35:32 > 0:35:37to protect important local services and marks the third of a four-year
0:35:37 > 0:35:43deal providing funding certainty to local government and a real terms
0:35:43 > 0:35:49increase in money available to the sector.How does the minister make
0:35:49 > 0:35:51sure that local authorities received the adequate level of funding which
0:35:51 > 0:35:59is not only fair but sustainable given that the government is
0:35:59 > 0:36:07intending to change how it was this money... Can the minister provide
0:36:07 > 0:36:13assurances that the growth will be protected?Can I encourage
0:36:13 > 0:36:20colleagues to recognise the merits of the blue pencil. Normally
0:36:20 > 0:36:27something shorter can be drafted. The government is suing
0:36:27 > 0:36:29extraordinary applications for those and we are learning from those
0:36:29 > 0:36:35pilots -- is doing extraordinary.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44His government has deliberately targeted its cuts at the most
0:36:44 > 0:36:47deprived communities and Nottingham city has lost a staggering 80% of
0:36:47 > 0:36:51its funding since 2010, and other government's only answer to the
0:36:51 > 0:36:57social care crisis is to add another 3% to council tax bills, and
0:36:57 > 0:37:06Nottingham that raises just £3 million, short the extra 12 million
0:37:06 > 0:37:10that the city needs, when is he going to stop dumping the burden
0:37:10 > 0:37:12onto the Nottingham taxpayers and find social care properly and
0:37:12 > 0:37:21fairly? -- fund.Core spending power for dwelling in the 10% most
0:37:21 > 0:37:24deprived local authorities is axing 23% higher than those that are the
0:37:24 > 0:37:29least deprived and her local authority it is 11% higher than the
0:37:29 > 0:37:40national average.Can I welcome the government's best value inspection
0:37:40 > 0:37:42of Northamptonshire County Council, will the minister make sure that the
0:37:42 > 0:37:45transfer of the Fire Service out of the county council to the Police
0:37:45 > 0:37:53Commissioner is not delayed by this inspection?I thank you for that
0:37:53 > 0:37:57question, as he knows the Secretary of State has asked to go and have a
0:37:57 > 0:38:01look at the authority and we await his findings with eagerness and it's
0:38:01 > 0:38:05difficult for me to comment further, at this time, I'm sure he will
0:38:05 > 0:38:12appreciate.Can I welcome my honourable friend to this place, and
0:38:12 > 0:38:16say that Somerset was very disappointed not to be a part of the
0:38:16 > 0:38:21business rates pilot and it is underfunded relative to other
0:38:21 > 0:38:25authorities. Will he meet with me to discuss the upcoming local
0:38:25 > 0:38:33government finance round?As he knows, we had overwhelming
0:38:33 > 0:38:37applications for the pilot and I'm disappointed that Somerset was not a
0:38:37 > 0:38:40member, but he/she encourages local authority to apply again this year
0:38:40 > 0:38:45when we are running the pilot scheme and I would be delighted to meet
0:38:45 > 0:38:51with him -- but I would encourage his local authority
0:38:56 > 0:38:59the figures sent to the local authorities were wrong last week,
0:38:59 > 0:39:03and back in March 20 17th the National Audit Office was concerned
0:39:03 > 0:39:06that there wasn't the capacity within the Ministry of housing and
0:39:06 > 0:39:11community 's local government to handle the Secretary of State's
0:39:11 > 0:39:15plans and this new mistake will not engender confidence in the Secretary
0:39:15 > 0:39:19of State's Department, what steps are being taken to the nature that
0:39:19 > 0:39:26this mistake is not repeated? -- to make sure.Evaluations agency has
0:39:26 > 0:39:29made a mistake with the initial calculation is, which have since
0:39:29 > 0:39:32been corrected and the Department has moved swiftly to provide
0:39:32 > 0:39:39accurate information to authorities, and the overall amount that will be
0:39:39 > 0:39:44received will be an increase on the forecast for this year.The last
0:39:44 > 0:39:47time we were able to answer questions to the Secretary of State
0:39:47 > 0:39:50we asked how he plans to address the as a stable and insufficient funding
0:39:50 > 0:39:55for children's services, we asked what he was going to do about the £2
0:39:55 > 0:39:59billion funding gap and he told us to wait and see what happened in the
0:39:59 > 0:40:03local government finance settlement. We waited and we look that his
0:40:03 > 0:40:08proposal and there is no new money for these vital services. Was this
0:40:08 > 0:40:13another error and is this going to be corrected in the future?As I
0:40:13 > 0:40:16have mentioned, local authorities will receive a real terms increase
0:40:16 > 0:40:21in their aggregate funding this year and next, the government is
0:40:21 > 0:40:24investing £200 million in a social care innovation programme to look at
0:40:24 > 0:40:31ways of improving the delivery of children's social services.Thank
0:40:31 > 0:40:39you, Mr speaker. The commission is engaging with all interested parties
0:40:39 > 0:40:43including last Friday's visit to Southend Airport which my friend
0:40:43 > 0:40:48also attended, the Thames Estuary commission is developing an
0:40:48 > 0:40:56ambitious vision and will publish its final report in spring.London
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Southend Airport as we like to refer to it is going to make a major
0:41:00 > 0:41:04impact to the commission, what role could he see in London's Southend
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Airport plan to boost growth and also to boost productivity across
0:41:07 > 0:41:14the whole of South Essex?I would also like to refer to it as London
0:41:14 > 0:41:19Southend Airport, it is the correct title, and is a real success story,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23it has great potential for growth and an ambitious 2 million passenger
0:41:23 > 0:41:30target this year. The stonework group has invested German sixth in
0:41:30 > 0:41:34pounds and a new terminal and that puts London Southend Airport at the
0:41:34 > 0:41:38heart of the Thames Estuary commission's project -- and the
0:41:38 > 0:41:45group has invested £260 million in a new terminal. We have been working
0:41:45 > 0:41:50closely with the local government Association who contacted affected
0:41:50 > 0:41:54local authorities before Christmas about the financial difficulties
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Carillion was facing and this was to make sure they had appropriate
0:41:57 > 0:42:00contingency plans in place and we will continue to work with them to
0:42:00 > 0:42:07make sure there is no or minimal disruption to public service.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13homelessness,Following revelations that Keith Cochrane sits o''en the
0:42:13 > 0:42:19network of non-Executive Director. Can you advice if has taken advice
0:42:19 > 0:42:24from or held meetings with Keith Cochrane.I'm not aware of any
0:42:24 > 0:42:28meetings or advice having taken place, but I will check the records
0:42:28 > 0:42:31and write to the honourable gentleman if there have been such
0:42:31 > 0:42:49meetings.Thank you. No 14. Or is it 15?Mr.With permission I will take
0:42:49 > 0:43:00them together. We have delivered 357,000 affordable homes since 2010.
0:43:00 > 0:43:07Will the Secretary of State adopt Labour's plans to lift council
0:43:07 > 0:43:11borrowing caps which could build 80,000 council homes according to
0:43:11 > 0:43:14the Local Government Association? Well we are not going to take on
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Labour's plans in this area or any other. Because they're not
0:43:18 > 0:43:24sustainable. What we are going to do and what the budget does is increase
0:43:24 > 0:43:31up to £9 billion and we will have social homes. In the last year there
0:43:31 > 0:43:35were 1,100 new housing starts in Manchester and we are talking to the
0:43:35 > 0:43:40mayor of Manchester about the deal that will include social housing.
0:43:40 > 0:43:46Which ever way the ministers try to present the figures, the number of
0:43:46 > 0:43:50affordable homes built is pitiful. If the minister will not accept the
0:43:50 > 0:43:56policy of the Labour Party, will he accept the recommendation of the
0:43:56 > 0:44:03Treasury Select Committee and lift the cap on council borrowing to
0:44:03 > 0:44:09enable council to build homes or will he confirm that only a Labour
0:44:09 > 0:44:15Government will take the action needed.We have delivered 357,000
0:44:15 > 0:44:19more homes, more than the last seven years under the Labour Government.
0:44:19 > 0:44:24We are raising the cap. We are also creating a stable financial envelope
0:44:24 > 0:44:31for local authorities and housing associations with long-term deals.
0:44:31 > 0:44:39That is is sustainable way to drive home building.Yes 18.Government
0:44:39 > 0:44:45land was sold with the capacity to deliver up to 109,000 new homes.I'm
0:44:45 > 0:44:51grateful to the new minister. Some Labour councils in London own
0:44:51 > 0:44:55hundreds of acres of surplus land, can I urge the minister to challenge
0:44:55 > 0:45:00those Labour authorities to turn that land into family homes?He is
0:45:00 > 0:45:05right, in 2015 the autumn statement the Chancellor set out our aim to
0:45:05 > 0:45:09release enough land for 160,000 extra homes to be built. The
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Government is providing local authorities with money to help
0:45:12 > 0:45:17facilitate that and I met with the CEO of Homes England to get cracking
0:45:17 > 0:45:30on this priority.21, please.Thank you, temporary accommodation ensures
0:45:30 > 0:45:35that no family is left without a roof over their head. Prevention is
0:45:35 > 0:45:45at the heart of approach and we are spending over £100 million to
0:45:45 > 0:45:49prevent homelessness.Why does the minister think that the number of
0:45:49 > 0:45:55children in temporary accommodation has risen by 73% to 120,000 since
0:45:55 > 0:46:002010 according to the public accounts commit yes when the number
0:46:00 > 0:46:07had been falling under Labour?Well I regret to have to point out the
0:46:07 > 0:46:11number of children living in temporary accommodation is lower
0:46:11 > 0:46:16than its peak in 2006. In 2011 we changed the law, so that councils
0:46:16 > 0:46:21can place families in decent and affordable private rented homes.
0:46:21 > 0:46:30This now... Behave yourself, love, please! This means homelessness
0:46:30 > 0:46:34households should not have to wait as long for accommodation.Question
0:46:34 > 0:46:4823.Thank you. Anti-Semitism are acceptable in a civilised society.
0:46:48 > 0:46:55This Government has a strong lead in tackling both. We have adopted the
0:46:55 > 0:46:59international holocaust working definition on anti-Semitism and we
0:46:59 > 0:47:07are planning a new memorial beside Parliament.The work O holocaust
0:47:07 > 0:47:11education trust is as important as ever given the levels of organised
0:47:11 > 0:47:17hatred both at home and abroad?I would agree and I'm pleased to
0:47:17 > 0:47:22praise the work of the holocaust educational trust and I was pleased
0:47:22 > 0:47:30last week in speaker's House to announce that we are giving 144,000
0:47:30 > 0:47:38of support to the holocaust education trust to tackle prejudice
0:47:38 > 0:47:44on university campuses.Topical question.Question 4.The new year
0:47:44 > 0:47:52has meant a new name for my department. A fantastic new
0:47:52 > 0:47:56ministerial team who will build on the great strides achieved by my
0:47:56 > 0:48:01honourable friends. While the name underlines the importance of our
0:48:01 > 0:48:05commitment to fix the broking housing market, we will continue to
0:48:05 > 0:48:09help build strong community and support local government, something
0:48:09 > 0:48:13that resonates this week is Holocaust Memorial Day and an
0:48:13 > 0:48:19opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to rooting out hatred and
0:48:19 > 0:48:26anti-Semitism, wherever it exists. Thank you. Both Scotland and Wales
0:48:26 > 0:48:29are served by unitary local authorities, how many people in
0:48:29 > 0:48:32England are served by unitary authorities and what does he expect
0:48:32 > 0:48:38that figure to be in five years time?First, may I say that it is a
0:48:38 > 0:48:41privilege to receive a question from my honourable friend, the first time
0:48:41 > 0:48:44I have received one in Parliament and an opportunity for he 230 thank
0:48:44 > 0:48:49him for all the work he has done in Government. Work he can be proud of.
0:48:49 > 0:48:57I can tell him it is 60% the number of English people served by unitary
0:48:57 > 0:49:02authorities. I expect this figure to be higher in five years, given the
0:49:02 > 0:49:06views of people and our commitment to consider this when ever
0:49:06 > 0:49:14requested.We are over flowing with excitement.Recent figures published
0:49:14 > 0:49:19by the department showed that 54,000 households in London are living in
0:49:19 > 0:49:23temporary accommodation. As my honourable friend said 120,000
0:49:23 > 0:49:28children are living in temporary accommodation this winter. Often
0:49:28 > 0:49:31those standards are some of the worst and the accommodation houses
0:49:31 > 0:49:37the most vulnerable what. Steps will the department take to end the
0:49:37 > 0:49:41temporary accommodation crisis in London and the rest of the country?
0:49:41 > 0:49:46Thank you for that question, it is a serious matter, which is why we have
0:49:46 > 0:49:51put more money into local government to look at the quality of the
0:49:51 > 0:49:55privated rented accomodation that temporary accommodation can take
0:49:55 > 0:50:00place and on the point of children, we have made it clear that bed and
0:50:00 > 0:50:03breakfast for only a short period should be acceptable where children
0:50:03 > 0:50:07are concerned and local authority knows that.Will the minister assure
0:50:07 > 0:50:14me that he will set up cross departmental arrangements with
0:50:14 > 0:50:25transport and DCMS to ensure deliver of the Oxford/Cambridge corridor?
0:50:25 > 0:50:28Well, can I congratulate my honourable friend on becoming the
0:50:28 > 0:50:36champion for the the Oxford and Cambridge corridor. Something I know
0:50:36 > 0:50:41he is determined to do a great job. And the co-operation he talked of is
0:50:41 > 0:50:44essential and that is what we are arranged and I know he will help
0:50:44 > 0:50:51with it.Earlier the minister promoted the borderlands growth
0:50:51 > 0:50:58deal. Mori hope to finalise a growth deal. What are the blockers to
0:50:58 > 0:51:03prevents the UK Government signing up to the original deal, the
0:51:03 > 0:51:07Ayrshire growth deal?Thank you Mr Speaker, as the honourable gentleman
0:51:07 > 0:51:12will be aware these deals are complicated. That is why I have
0:51:12 > 0:51:19agreed to meet with the backers of the deal to talk about how the UK
0:51:19 > 0:51:23Government can take it forward.Does my honourable friend agree the
0:51:23 > 0:51:28ability to buy a home at an affordable price is vital to
0:51:28 > 0:51:33developing social mobility and realising the Government's goals and
0:51:33 > 0:51:36will he, we must increase house building to speed up the process
0:51:36 > 0:51:42across the country?My honourable friend is right, we delivered
0:51:42 > 0:51:47217,000 new homes last year. 50% higher than the last year of the
0:51:47 > 0:51:54last Labour Government. We want to get that up to 300,000. Crucial for
0:51:54 > 0:52:02key workers for the next generation for those on middle incomes.Lincoln
0:52:02 > 0:52:07City Council aims to build 500 homes to tackle the waiting list, if the
0:52:07 > 0:52:12Government will not consider raising the borrowing cap on local accounts,
0:52:12 > 0:52:16how does it plan to tackle the shortage of affordable rented
0:52:16 > 0:52:21housing?We have raised the cap by a billion pounds. It needs to be done
0:52:21 > 0:52:26in a responsible way and consider the amount of debt taken on, we will
0:52:26 > 0:52:35keep it under review. That is one aspect. I have talked about the
0:52:35 > 0:52:39issues, targeted funding, releasing public sector land, we want to get
0:52:39 > 0:52:45up to the 300,000 target as soon as possible.Regeneration in
0:52:45 > 0:52:53Cleethorpes will be helped if the government conclude discussions with
0:52:53 > 0:52:56the local authority. Will do Ministers expect to reach a
0:52:56 > 0:53:05conclusion on this?Thank you. I met with the members of Grimsby town
0:53:05 > 0:53:09deal growth board recently. I'm sure my honourable friend will be as
0:53:09 > 0:53:13pleased as I am that the deal was specifically referenced in the
0:53:13 > 0:53:17industrial strategy and I would encourage him to contact the
0:53:17 > 0:53:23Secretary of State for business.Can I ask the new under-Secretary
0:53:23 > 0:53:28whether she thinks that Government policy since 2010 has played any
0:53:28 > 0:53:35part in the sharp rise in rough sleeping?This is a very complex
0:53:35 > 0:53:39matter. The interesting thing that I find now that I'm getting to grips
0:53:39 > 0:53:44with is in is that the different layer of the sorts of problems that
0:53:44 > 0:53:50people have in their chaotic lives what is important is that different
0:53:50 > 0:53:57councils have moved on with building new council housing, my own
0:53:57 > 0:54:02Conservative council declare an interest, my husband was the leader,
0:54:02 > 0:54:08but different levels are attacking it. It will be a pleasure to get my
0:54:08 > 0:54:13teeth into it.The Secretary of State attended the launch of new all
0:54:13 > 0:54:18party group on new towns, chaired by my honourable friend for Telford.
0:54:18 > 0:54:23And he will know that the new towns and Milton Keynes were created
0:54:23 > 0:54:29because they were able to acquire land at a reasonable valuation close
0:54:29 > 0:54:33to its current use. That is no longer possible, because of the land
0:54:33 > 0:54:39compensation act. Will he among his many ambitions for house building
0:54:39 > 0:54:45agree to look at the land compensation act and the possibility
0:54:45 > 0:54:52of reforming the valuation of land that is acquire?Well, my honourable
0:54:52 > 0:54:55friend speaks with a great experience and made a number of
0:54:55 > 0:54:59important planning reforms himself when he was the minister. I will
0:54:59 > 0:55:03commit to looking at that. And point him to some of the work we have
0:55:03 > 0:55:06already done in an amendment made to the neighbourhood planning act which
0:55:06 > 0:55:13allows the Secretary of State to designate planning zones.The leader
0:55:13 > 0:55:17of birment City Council -- Birmingham City Council wrote to the
0:55:17 > 0:55:23Secretary of State to make safe Birmingham's 213 tower blocks after
0:55:23 > 0:55:27the Grenfell fire. Can the Secretary of State provide an update on the
0:55:27 > 0:55:33proposals and whether it will make the finances available?We are
0:55:33 > 0:55:38working with Birmingham City Council on thir request and as I said, no
0:55:38 > 0:55:42request for financial flexibility will be turned down. We have
0:55:42 > 0:55:46received further information and we are working on that now.Clearly in
0:55:46 > 0:55:52the budget money was provided by the Chancellor for a national rental
0:55:52 > 0:55:58deposit scheme. What plans does my honourable friend have to introduce
0:55:58 > 0:56:02that scheme and how many families will it help?We with looking at
0:56:02 > 0:56:09that as part of our strategy. I'm happy to write to him in relation to
0:56:09 > 0:56:16the impact on his constituency. Thank you, the level of rough
0:56:16 > 0:56:21sleeping in Chesterfield is something I find humiliating as an
0:56:21 > 0:56:26MP and something that disgusts my constituents. When ministers walk
0:56:26 > 0:56:30past people sleeping in sleeping bags, do they believe the halving of
0:56:30 > 0:56:39supporting people budgets to councils, or the five billion cut in
0:56:39 > 0:56:44housing benefit is responsible?We have made it a priority in
0:56:44 > 0:56:47government to help fight rough sleeping and homelessness. We have
0:56:47 > 0:56:53committed to half it by the end of this Parliament and eliminate it by
0:56:53 > 0:56:562027. I share the honourable gentleman's concerns, but I hope he
0:56:56 > 0:57:00will agree it is no at party political football and we should
0:57:00 > 0:57:08work together to deal with this issue.I'm delighted the new
0:57:08 > 0:57:16minister has agreed to work with me on carbon dioxide poisoning. Does he
0:57:16 > 0:57:21agree that more needs to be to protect the public for death or
0:57:21 > 0:57:31injury Lu carbon dioxide poisoning?
0:57:31 > 0:57:34We will listen to all voices and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to
0:57:34 > 0:57:37sit down and talk about the private members bill and we share the
0:57:37 > 0:57:40concern to make progress on carbon monoxide in the key areas of the
0:57:40 > 0:57:43private members bill and I look forward to working with him in the
0:57:43 > 0:57:52future.Gateshead Council has seen government funding cut by 52% since
0:57:52 > 0:58:012010, 50% of the budget spent on vulnerable children and elderly
0:58:01 > 0:58:03people, and the social care precept doesn't go near addressing the
0:58:03 > 0:58:09shortfall. Will the signatory of state address the shortfall in
0:58:09 > 0:58:18funding in Gateshead and elsewhere regarding solar -- regarding
0:58:18 > 0:58:25children in social care? -- the Secretary of State.The question was
0:58:25 > 0:58:35too long.Gateshead will receive a real terms increase dishy and an
0:58:35 > 0:58:46additional £40 million to fund adult social care -- increase this year.I
0:58:46 > 0:58:49would like to see how all the Northamptonshire public libraries
0:58:49 > 0:58:58can be kept open.Splendid. That its change should be circulated to all
0:58:58 > 0:59:03colleagues -- is change for the -- that exchange
0:59:09 > 0:59:13does the minister or the Secretary of Stateagree that in addition to
0:59:13 > 0:59:17finalising the detail, there is an important conversation to be had
0:59:17 > 0:59:24with the 18 leaders about a wider Yorkshire deal?Mr speaker, the
0:59:24 > 0:59:27crucial decision about any wider Yorkshire deal if there ever is one
0:59:27 > 0:59:31is in the hands of the local authorities concerned, and we will
0:59:31 > 0:59:34be going ahead with the South Yorkshire deal but earlier this week
0:59:34 > 0:59:38and I'm sure you are aware, we have put forward a proposal that would
0:59:38 > 0:59:42allow others like Doncaster to take a different route in the future if
0:59:42 > 0:59:49they choose.For the coming year, the secretary of State has enabled
0:59:49 > 0:59:52councils to increase tax by 3% compared to just 2% last year but
0:59:52 > 0:59:56the cash limit has been retained at £5 when parity would be £7 50 and
0:59:56 > 1:00:02this would affect 88 small district councils. Would he consider a
1:00:02 > 1:00:07change?A number of people have made this representation and I have
1:00:07 > 1:00:10listened carefully and we will keep this under review. The draft
1:00:10 > 1:00:17settlement is just that and we are looking at it carefully.May I also
1:00:17 > 1:00:25welcome and congratulate the new members of the team. Will the
1:00:25 > 1:00:27Secretary of State extends the mandatory licensing scheme for
1:00:27 > 1:00:35landlords in the private sector?I think you feel question. We are
1:00:35 > 1:00:40looking very closely to see where certain councils have introduced
1:00:40 > 1:00:43this and at the moment this is something we are keeping under
1:00:43 > 1:00:48review -- I thank you for your question.Waltham Forest Council
1:00:48 > 1:00:52covers the poorest wards in London and has made £100 million in cats so
1:00:52 > 1:01:01in what situation is this sustainable? -- £100 million in
1:01:01 > 1:01:09cuts.We understand the pressures and that is why there will be a real
1:01:09 > 1:01:11terms increase for local councils and the flexibility to add more
1:01:11 > 1:01:19money for adult social care.Will the government committee reviewing
1:01:19 > 1:01:22the situation whereby Street homeless people are crossing local
1:01:22 > 1:01:29authority boundaries from one area where there is little support to one
1:01:29 > 1:01:34where there is a great deal?That is a very interesting questions, and
1:01:34 > 1:01:37one of the issues that the task force will be looking into his cross
1:01:37 > 1:01:42county issues and rural areas to city, and after our first meeting
1:01:42 > 1:01:50maybe we can meet to discuss this other.If the Treasury Select
1:01:50 > 1:01:55Committee can recognise the social and fiscal benefits of removing
1:01:55 > 1:01:59completely the council house building borrowing cap, why can't
1:01:59 > 1:02:08the government front bench?Of course, the borrowing cap has been
1:02:08 > 1:02:11raised by £1 billion but this has to be done in a sustainable way and we
1:02:11 > 1:02:15remain open-minded and we are keeping this under review.With
1:02:15 > 1:02:20Holocaust Memorial Day this week, do you agree that on all sides of this
1:02:20 > 1:02:26House we need to face up to anti-Semitism? Where ever we see it.
1:02:26 > 1:02:32And in whatever form.Holocaust Memorial Day is a reminder for every
1:02:32 > 1:02:37one of the horrors of what can happen when mankind... What we can
1:02:37 > 1:02:42do to each other, if no one speaks up. It was incumbent on all parties
1:02:42 > 1:02:46in this house and I noted just a few days ago the Jewish labour movement
1:02:46 > 1:02:52is appealing to the Labour Party leadership to actually throw out
1:02:52 > 1:02:54people who allegedly practice anti-Semitism and the Labour Party
1:02:54 > 1:02:58talks about combating hate crime but it has got to show people that it
1:02:58 > 1:03:04really means it.Too many people are moving to brand-new homes on new
1:03:04 > 1:03:10housing estates and they struggle with poor or no Wi-Fi, will
1:03:10 > 1:03:12ministers work to make sure the necessary infrastructure is in
1:03:12 > 1:03:17place?You are right to raise this issue and this is