The Economic Crime Bill - Clause 2

This amendment is essential to combat economic crime, enhancing our financial regulation and oversight mechanisms. It will help protect the UK's financial integrity by ensuring compliance with global best practices.

Supported the brownfield-first policy. Raised concerns about constituents being forced to build significantly above national averages often on greenfield sites without proper infrastructure, seeking clarification that the Bill will empower local communities and enforce sustainable development practices.

Asked for confirmation of Government's commitment to a 300,000 housing unit target nationally. Highlighted the need for local plans that add up to this national figure.

Emphasised the importance of community involvement in planning processes, asking for more detail on how local communities will be involved and have opportunities to feed their views into decision-making.

Stressed the importance of design considerations in planning decisions, highlighting previous work on scale and aesthetic aspects of development, requesting that local authorities be fully informed about their ability to turn down applications based on these factors.

Addressed the issue of developments proceeding without a formal local plan in place, questioning if proposed measures would address this concern.

Questioned the Minister about how proposed housing delivery options would help preserve working ports and raised concerns that building luxury flats that local communities cannot afford adds nothing to actual housing needs. Also highlighted issues with developers not meeting conditions set for planning permissions.

Asked the Minister how proposed policies would help her constituency maintain a working dock instead of high-rise flats development, highlighting concerns about housing targets forcing port closures.

Sought assurance that the high level of house building in her constituency would be taken into account for future needs and expressed concern about sustainability, particularly impacting healthcare services.

Asked if there will be a period of pause before local plans are agreed and adopted to ensure fundamental changes suggested by the Minister would be implemented properly in local planning.

Called for measures to level up access to green space, arguing that current distribution is unequal and many low-income people do not have access to it.

Asked if the Government had reached a compromise on a more community-led, environmentally friendly and regenerative housing policy as agreed after talks with Ministers.

Argued that local councils should be entitled to take account of failures by builders to observe planning conditions when considering future permissions, citing a bad case in his constituency.

Asked for clarification on the Government's intention to make short-term lets a separate category of planning use following consultation and about ensuring planning departments have resources to enforce this.

Praised the Government for their work on nutrient neutrality, questioned if water companies can receive funding from community land auctions and infrastructure levy, and asked about their status as statutory consultees.

Asked for clarity on whether childcare provision would be included within the definition of infrastructure under amendment 2, seeking reassurance from the Minister.

Hayes argues that imposing housing targets from central government distorts the local planning process. He suggests that allowing local authorities more flexibility in meeting these targets would be beneficial, particularly for urban areas like Hayes's constituency.

Grayling points out that not all areas can absorb development and welcomes the Government’s move to allow local authorities more discretion in meeting housing targets when it is impractical.

Seely notes that his agreement with Ministers includes provisions to increase affordable housing percentages in local plans, suggesting this would be beneficial for areas like the Isle of Wight.

Maskell expresses concern about short-term holiday lets, suggesting that a step-by-step approach will not be sufficient in certain areas and advocates for pace to protect communities from housing extraction by investors.

Aiken supports a registration scheme as an initial step before possibly implementing licensing schemes for short-term lets, emphasising that no two local authorities are alike.

Creasy questions the Government's classification of childcare as a 'non-infrastructure item,' arguing that it is essential for enabling parents to work and should be funded accordingly.

Clarke supports new clauses such as street votes and community land auctions, emphasising the need for more homes through liberalizing house building. He cites statistics showing declining home ownership rates among young people since the 1950s and calls for innovative measures to enable home ownership.

Betts requests a review of local authority planning staff and resources. He proposes new clauses on housing targets, suggesting that if local authorities agree with central government’s target, it should be included in the local plan. Betts also suggests making environmental outcome reports independent by having them commissioned by local authorities rather than developers.

Mr. Streeter highlights that national parks are currently underpinned by an outdated legislative framework which prevents them from realising their full potential for nature recovery and climate goals. He proposes new clauses to implement Glover's recommendations, including a renewed mission for biodiversity recovery, addressing climate change, setting realistic improvement goals, and increasing skills and diversity on boards.

Ms. Creasy argues that early years investment is crucial for achieving educational goals and economic growth, highlighting closures of childcare settings and funding shortages in deprived areas. She proposes amendment 2 to ensure developers contribute towards childcare infrastructure, aiming to support women's employment and overall economic development.

Mr. Simmonds interjects that local authorities can already use section 106 contributions for early years childcare under Department for Education guidance, suggesting the amendment may be unnecessary or duplicative.

Ms. Baillie interjects to clarify that while she supports childcare policy changes, the current debate focuses on two distinct areas: childcare facilities and ongoing community infrastructure levy funds.

Tim Farron pushes amendments to enhance housing affordability, particularly in areas like Cumbria where new developments often fail to meet local needs. He also calls for a separate planning category for short-term lets to combat the collapse of long-term private rented sector and proposes measures to control second home ownership to preserve rural communities.

John Hayes questions Tim Farron's stance on home ownership, highlighting the benefits of personal pride and communal satisfaction it brings. He suggests that more people should own their homes rather than rent.

Duncan Baker agrees with Tim Farron on the issue of second home ownership and supports the Government's amendment to address people being evicted from their homes due to landlords converting properties into short-term lets for higher profit.

Proposes amendments to close loopholes that developers exploit, integrate net zero goals into neighbourhood plans, improve energy efficiency in listed buildings, and ensure infrastructure precedes housing developments. Emphasises local control over siting and type of new developments.

Critiques the Government’s levelling-up agenda as an empty promise, highlighting that the Bill undermines local plans and neighbourhood plans. Supports Labour amendments to ensure mitigation and adaptation in planning systems and maintains funding for essential community services.

Supports the Government’s decision to drop mandatory housing targets, advocating for incremental development and higher design standards. Highlights concerns about the industrialisation of the countryside from onshore wind projects.

She emphasises that developers often leave sites derelict or underutilised after gaining planning permission. Her amendment would ensure that sites are restored to their previous condition quickly, benefiting local communities. She also notes the decline in manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships in coastal areas like South Shields since 2010, highlighting economic stagnation.

He supports making solar panels compulsory on all new residential properties to aid net-zero goals without significantly raising housing costs. This would create a guaranteed market for businesses and encourage innovation in solar technology, potentially reducing costs further.

She proposes amendments to ensure environmental rights are upheld and planning policies align with climate targets. Her proposals aim to address inequalities in access to nature-rich spaces and promote net-zero alignment within the planning system.

Ms. Maskell supported her new clauses, arguing that they would allow local authorities to control short-term holiday lets and protect housing from speculative investments. She cited a local consultation where 4,000 people responded, highlighting the need for immediate action against increasing numbers of short-term lets in York.

Mr. Smith supported new clause 73, advocating for food security to be considered a material concern within planning processes due to competition for land use in his rural constituency. He urged the Minister to permit the infrastructure levy to fund childcare facilities as part of housing development.

Supports development on small brownfield sites to address housing crisis. Points out the decline in home ownership among younger age groups and rising rental demand, urging for action now rather than later.

Raises concerns about lack of ecological surveys before planning consent and proposes amendments to enforce such requirements. Highlights the importance of protecting species and calls for firm commitments from the Government regarding green belt incursions.

Supports new clause 119 to address the acute housing shortage by establishing a registration scheme for holiday rentals and consulting on planning permission for short-term lets, especially in tourist hotspots. It aims to protect homes for permanent residents and shift focus from greenfield sites to brownfield sites.

Concerned about the housing crisis, environmental standards, infrastructure levy payment upfront before occupation, and local referendums on fracking. Argues for protecting communities from fossil fuel extraction and ensuring affordable housing.

Supports amendment 3 to provide an exemption from the infrastructure levy for affordable housing as defined in annex 2 of the NPPF. Advocates for more affordable homes to bring down house prices and help families get on the housing ladder.

Welcomes the improvements in the Bill, including local housing need being acknowledged as a starting point and ending the obligation of the five-year land supply. She is concerned about the impact of clauses like new clause 6 on local planning autonomy.

Argues that infrastructure is fundamentally about quality employment. He highlights how industrial developments have halted depopulation in Caithness and emphasises the need for jobs to support housing development.

Highlights the importance of considering wildlife needs in regeneration efforts. Acknowledges progress on planning process rigor but raises concerns about childcare guidance and the impact of ultra low emission zones.

Supports new clause 88, which aims to increase housing supply through redevelopment of urban homes as of right. The amendment would promote local decision-making and enhance the beauty and character of urban areas.

Supports new clauses 115 and 112, which aim to strengthen the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act. These amendments seek to ensure that local authorities provide sufficient serviced plots of land for self-build projects, thereby increasing housing supply.

Supports Government new clause 119, which requires a registration scheme for short-term rental properties. Emphasises the importance of consultation and regional differences in implementing such schemes.

Ms. Tolhurst highlighted concerns over high housing targets imposed on her constituency, particularly in areas rich with ecological significance such as Ramsar sites and special scientific interest sites. She emphasised the risk to local businesses like Chatham docks due to excessive development pressures. Ms. Tolhurst also called for improved infrastructure delivery alongside new housing and sought clarity from the Minister regarding how genuine constraints will be addressed.

Mr. Bhatti stressed his commitment to protecting the green belt in his constituency and criticised current practices that undermine public trust in democracy through poor planning decisions. He questioned the Planning Inspectorate’s role, citing examples where local plans were undermined despite community support for housing developments. Mr. Bhatti urged the Minister to clarify whether removing the duty to cooperate would allow local councils more flexibility.

Ms. Miller supported amendments aimed at allowing local authorities greater discretion in setting housing targets, reflecting genuine local needs rather than rigid formulaic approaches. She criticised previous central-led house building numbers and warned against regressing to such methods. Ms. Miller also expressed concern about planning inspectorates overriding local decisions and sought reassurances on how the new calculations would be interpreted.

Ms Siobhan Baillie supports the need for amendments to legislation to improve it. She highlights issues related to housing targets, five-year land supply and 20% buffer, which often blame the Government despite being local council matters. She also supports measures that can help in dealing with derelict properties like Tricorn House.

Ms Selaine Saxby speaks about the impact of short-term holiday lets and second homes in her constituency, noting that Croyde is 64% second homes and short-term rentals. She highlights a 30% increase in property prices post-pandemic and urges changes to landlord tax relief introduced in 2016.

Ms Natalie Elphicke supports the need for small-site affordable housing and criticises the standard method introduced in 2018, which has created an unhelpful backlash against house builders. She emphasises the importance of local accountability and calls for measures that ensure councils have greater responsibility to enable housing delivery.

Mohindra supports the bill, emphasising the importance of planning reforms. He argues for the need to build the right type of homes and mentions that local plans are effective in managing housing development. He notes the challenge faced by first-time homeowners in his constituency who struggle to afford medium-sized homes.

Frazer supports the bill, highlighting its importance for enabling more home building. She addresses criticisms of the infrastructure levy and emphasises that it will improve the current system by ensuring developers contribute to quality infrastructure and affordable housing.

Farron welcomes the clarification provided by the minister regarding childcare and suggests that recommendations from an upcoming inquiry could be relevant to further discussions on the bill.

Critiques the Bill for initially being advertised as a 'levelling-up' measure but ending up without any substantial content, specifically noting that housing aspects were removed. Emphasises their intention to still see the bill through despite these criticisms.