Topical Questions 2025-04-07

2025-04-07

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
David Davis Con
Goole and Pocklington
Context
The Secretary of State was addressing the waste dispute in Birmingham, urging parties to resolve it urgently. The MP is concerned about a Finnish company's investment plans being hampered by high costs.
In March, the Chancellor said: 'The regulatory system has become burdensome to the point of choking off innovation, investment and growth. We will free businesses from that stranglehold'. In my constituency, the Finnish company Metsä Tissue wants to invest hundreds of millions to build a state-of-the-art tissue manufacturing plant. The investment will provide 400 direct jobs, thousands of other jobs and £30 million a year for the local economy, but although the site is a freeport, the investment is hampered by monumental costs of £113 million to make it ready, although the same process on an equivalent site in Sweden will cost £4.5 million. What are the Government doing to correct this problem?
We have been doing a lot to try to ensure that, under this Government, taxpayers get value for money from the fair and reasonable amounts that we can invest to make land ready for development. As the right hon. Member said, we have the freeports—some of them a legacy from the previous Government—but we want to see infrastructure built, which is why we are bringing forward the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We have committed ourselves to 150 new major infrastructure projects, so hopefully we will kick-start the economy in a way that his Government was unable to.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Kevin Hollinrake Con
Thirsk and Malton
Context
The MP is concerned about the Birmingham bin strike, declaring it a national embarrassment and expressing doubts regarding the Secretary of State's actions to resolve the issue.
The effects of the Birmingham bin strike have been declared a major incident, they are a national embarrassment, and with 21° temperatures forecast for later this week, they will become a public health emergency. While Labour Members in Birmingham are busy campaigning for an airport in Pakistan, the Secretary of State is unwilling to visit the city or take on Unite. Is that because of the tens of millions of pounds that her party receives from Unite, or, indeed, because of the £10,000 that she received for her own election campaign?
This is a local dispute, and it is right that the negotiations are led locally. We have made it clear that both parties should get round the table, and I am pleased that that happened on Sunday and talks continue today. Birmingham city council did declare a major incident last week; we expect the rubbish to be cleared, we expect the parties to get round the negotiating table, and we expect this to be sorted out.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Joe Morris Lab
Hexham
Context
The MP is concerned about a large number of people on Northumberland county council’s social housing waiting list and hundreds of empty properties in the area.
At the end of January, 14,000 people were still on Northumberland county council’s social housing waiting list, yet hundreds of properties right across the county, including in rural Allendale, remain empty. Given the number of people on the housing list and in desperate need of accommodation, it is a disgrace that the Conservative administration has left them empty for so long. Does the Minister agree that a Labour council, backed by a Labour Government, will do much more to get people off the housing list and into homes?
Local authorities already have a range of powers to bring empty homes back into use, but I am more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this specific issue in more detail.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Wendy Morton Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Context
The bin strike in Birmingham has resulted in over 17,000 tonnes of rubbish piled up on the streets and concerns about rats as big as cats. Neighboring authorities like Walsall borough council have incurred additional costs due to this issue.
With rats as big as cats, over 17,000 tonnes of rubbish piled up in the streets of Birmingham, and stories of rubbish being set alight in some streets, the bin strike is a problem that needs to be sorted out by Labour-run Birmingham city council and this Government. Can the Minister reassure me that neighbouring authorities, such as Walsall borough council, will be reimbursed for any additional costs that we incur as a result of the strike?
All of us understand how difficult things are in Birmingham, and it is the Government’s job to support Birmingham to recover and get services back to normal. There are three strands: regularising the negotiations with the trade unions to find a long-term solution, dealing with routine collections and getting more trucks out of the depot, and dealing with the clean-up of waste that has accumulated on the streets. We are supporting the council in doing that. On the question of mutual aid, any mutual aid that is provided by local authorities will be reimbursed.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Rachel Hopkins Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Context
Goodman has bought Luton’s Vauxhall van plant site for redevelopment, highlighting the importance of local government's role in economic growth.
With the recent announcement that Goodman has bought Luton’s Vauxhall van plant site for redevelopment, does the Minister agree that local government has a key role to play in local business and regeneration plans to help drive economic growth?
Yes. Economic growth is this Government’s No. 1 mission. As I have said multiple times at the Dispatch Box, that is an inside job and it takes great local leadership. That is why we have made a commitment to the devolution of power and resources from this place to such communities, by creating new devolved institutions and backing our existing ones.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Richard Holden Con
Basildon and Billericay
Context
Concerns about the structure and accountability of unitary authorities being created in Essex.
Local people are concerned that they will not get a say in the structure of those local authorities, so can the Minister tell me whether they will? There is also concern about local elections being delayed by multiple years. Can the Minister also tell me whether, year after year, Basildon council will not be held accountable for the decisions it takes?
I pay tribute to local leaders in Essex and other places for the leadership they have shown to make sure that there is sustainable and accountable local government at the end of the devolution and reorganisation process. The right hon. Member has our absolute commitment that we will work through those issues with local leaders. As for the election question, elections have been postponed for a year, and it is our intention that routine elections will take place as planned.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Yasmin Qureshi Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Context
Many constituents in Bolton are living in temporary accommodation due to the lack of affordable social housing.
My constituents in Bolton South and Walkden are living in temporary accommodation. They cannot get a social house and they cannot buy a house, so they have to go into the private rental sector, where rents are sky high. What action are the Government taking to stop landlords exploiting this crisis and to give my constituents a way out of temporary homes?
This Government are tackling the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation, and that is being backed by £2 billion of investment for social and affordable housing. Our Renters’ Rights Bill will abolish section 21 no-fault evictions.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Lewis Cocking Con
Broxbourne
Context
Concerns about new schools and health facilities not being available before housing developments.
My constituents in Broxbourne rightly expect new schools and health facilities, particularly GP surgeries, to be in place before any new housing development. What action is the Minister taking to force developers to deliver infrastructure first?
The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that new housing development is supported by appropriate infrastructure. The revised national planning policy framework, which we published last year, included changes designed to improve the provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure. As the hon. Gentleman is well aware, we are also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide the necessary infrastructure that communities such as his expect.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Tom Hayes Lab
Bournemouth East
Context
Campaigning for fair renting in Bournemouth, with concerns about the conditions of private rented homes.
I have been campaigning for fair renting in Bournemouth, and I recently held my first renters roundtable at the Bournemouth food bank’s café. It was attended by, among others, my constituent Alison Thomas, who cannot cook in her home because water is leaking through her kitchen ceiling and she is scared to turn on any electrical devices. My constituents the Al-Mubaraks, a family of six, rent an overcrowded home, with black mould so harmful that the headteacher of the four children living there has written to my office to express concern. Does my hon. Friend agree with me that we need urgent action to improve the state of the private rented sector in Bournemouth East?
I thank my hon. Friend for all he does to support private renters in his constituency. I am saddened but, in all honesty, not shocked by the cases he raises. Such experiences are still far too common in both the social sector and the private rented sector. In particular, we know the health risk posed by damp and mould. That is one reason we have chosen to sequence the implementation of Awaab’s law in the way we have, as it will allow us to apply the protections to damp and mould earlier than would otherwise have been the case.
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Q10 Partial Answer
David Reed Con
Exmouth and Exeter East
Context
Concerns about Lib Dem local council plans for building tens of thousands of new homes with little thought for corresponding infrastructure.
In my constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East, the Lib Dem local council is proposing to build tens of thousands of new homes with little thought for corresponding infrastructure. I have spoken to local councillors, and they believe they have no agency in this process and central Government are telling them what to do. What more can be done to ensure that local authorities are held accountable for their decisions?
Local electors can hold local authorities accountable for all of the decisions they make. On infrastructure, I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer. However, local authorities should, as part of the local plan development process, have infrastructure strategies in place that set out the requirements for infrastructure and how they should be funded.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Sean Woodcock Lab
Banbury
Context
Homelessness is a concern for many veterans, with the Prime Minister pledging to guarantee a roof over their heads.
Homelessness is a concern for many veterans, with the Prime Minister pledging to guarantee a roof over their heads. What measures are being taken to support homeless veterans in Banbury?
The government is committed to ensuring that all veterans have access to suitable accommodation. This includes a range of initiatives such as the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures that veterans receive fair treatment and consideration, and specific support programs for homeless veterans.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Munira Wilson LD
Twickenham
Context
The London borough of Richmond needs more social homes but lacks suitable sites. There is a campaign to convert the disused Teddington police station into a GP surgery and social homes.
In the London borough of Richmond we desperately need more social homes, but we are really short of sites we can build on. I have long run a campaign for the disused Teddington police station to be turned into a GP surgery and social homes, but understandably the Met wants top dollar to fund its services. Will the Secretary of State look at ways to incentivise public bodies to sell assets below market value for community benefit?
The hon. Member will forgive me, but I am not going to comment on the specifics of the case she raises. We are giving serious consideration to how we better utilise public land in general, particularly in areas with constrained land allocation such as her own.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific request about incentivising public bodies to sell assets below market value for community benefit.
Not Going To Comment On The Specifics Of The Case
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Q13 Partial Answer
Joe Powell Lab
Kensington and Bayswater
Context
More than half of Joe Powell's casework involves substandard repairs, poor quality communications from social landlords, damp and mould. He is launching a new safe and healthy homes campaign.
More than half my constituency casework consists of substandard repairs, poor quality communications from social landlords, and damp and mould. That is why this week I am launching a new safe and healthy homes campaign in Kensington and Bayswater. Will the Minister outline how the Government will work with councils and housing associations, ahead of changes in the law and policy frameworks such as Awaab’s law, to improve standards for social tenants, including in my constituency?
We are working closely with the sector and talking through how we can best implement reforms such as Awaab’s law and our intended overhaul of the decent homes standard. As I said in a previous question, all resident providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of regulatory standards that are set by the independent regulator.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specifics on how the Government will work with councils and housing associations to improve standards for social tenants before changes in the law.
Working Closely With The Sector Talking Through
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Q14 Partial Answer
Ayoub Khan Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
Context
Firefighters in Birmingham are standing in solidarity with bin strikers, not collecting rubbish. The government has pledged to do all they can to bring the strike to an end.
This morning, firefighters in Birmingham made it plain that they will stand in solidarity with the bin strikers in Birmingham and not collect the rubbish. We know that there are only 17 workers, which means this is a drop in the ocean financially. Given that the Government have said they will do all they can to bring the strike to an end, will the Deputy Prime Minister confirm that they will force the council to make the payment, and that they will deploy the Army to assist the local charities and organisations that are helping to clear up and need extra support?
The hon. Gentleman does very well to go from zero to 100 pretty quickly on the issue, but let us step back from the immediacy of it. Clearly, we want all parties to be in the room negotiating the underlying pay, terms and conditions dispute that is at play. To be absolutely clear, there has to be a red line. This cannot stray into potentially compromising the equal pay settlement that has been agreed, so that that all begins to unravel.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not confirm whether they will force the council to make the payment or deploy the Army.
Stepping Back From The Immediacy Wanting Parties In The Room
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Q15 Partial Answer
Alice Macdonald Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Context
Nutrient neutrality has impacted Norfolk, holding up many homes and planning applications. The launch of the Norfolk nutrient mitigation fund has helped but more environmental solutions are needed.
As the Minister will be aware, nutrient neutrality has had a big impact on Norfolk, holding up many homes and planning applications. The launch of the Norfolk nutrient mitigation fund has helped to make a difference, but we need more environmental solutions. Will the Minister update us on what else we will be doing to address nutrient neutrality, so that good homes and growth can be unlocked in our local area?
We are supporting a range of targeted interventions to deal with constraints such as nutrient neutrality. In the longer term, the measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that introduce the nature restoration fund will allow us to provide a win-win for both development and nature, dealing with constraints such as nutrient neutrality and unlocking the development of new homes.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify additional steps beyond targeted interventions and measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Supporting A Range Of Targeted Interventions Measures In The Planning And Infrastructure Bill
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