Topical Questions 2024-04-22
2024-04-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The SHiFT programme, run by Sophie Humphreys and aimed at diverting young people from criminal justice system involvement, is set to open new interventions in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland with £3.9 million funding.
SHiFT works to ensure that young people at risk of engaging with the criminal justice system are diverted to better outcomes through intervention programmes opening in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, supported by £3.9 million from the department. Can you explain how this programme is expected to proceed?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for making that point and offer her a meeting with me, so we can deliver this project effectively in her constituency.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about funding not factoring inflationary pressures was not directly addressed.
Offered To Meet Instead Of Providing Specifics
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Funding was awarded three years ago by the UK Government to upgrade B714 in Patricia Gibson's constituency, but it has not been delivered. The hon. Member raised concerns about insufficient funding due to inflation.
Levelling-up funding for upgrading the B714 road in my constituency, awarded three years ago, has still not been delivered despite inflationary pressures reducing its real value. Can I have an explanation from the Secretary of State as to how approved projects can proceed when funding is insufficient due to inflation?
I am grateful for the hon. Lady's point and offer her, and also the MSP for North Ayrshire, a meeting so that we can deliver this project effectively.
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Assessment & feedback
The issue of insufficient funding due to inflation was not addressed directly.
Offered Meetings Instead Of Providing Specifics
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The fourth Islands Forum is scheduled for May in Ynys Môn, showcasing the area's heritage. The UK Government has allocated £17 million from the levelling-up fund to transform Holyhead.
Ynys Môn hosts the fourth Islands Forum to showcase its heritage and culture with a visit to St Cybi's church, Ucheldre Centre, Newry beach shelters to see how UK Government funds are transforming the area. Will the Secretary of State come for these visits?
Diolch. I am looking forward more than I can say to visiting Ynys Môn, a fantastic example of securing funding for Wales, the Welsh language, jobs and investment.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about visits was not directly answered.
Praising Constituency Instead
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor announced levelling-up fund for Canary Wharf, an area home to major banks, receiving more than £16,000 per head compared with Scotland. The Labour party has U-turned on capping bankers' bonuses.
Tories prioritise banker mates over the rest of the country, seen in the spring Budget's levelling-up funding for Canary Wharf, an area home to major banks, receiving more than £16,000 per head compared with Scotland. With Labour backing Tory tax and spending plans, do you agree Labour offers no real alternative?
I think SNP press releases have suffered recently, but this is one of the weakest I have heard in this House. The Scottish Government are failing in many areas.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about disparity was not addressed at all.
Attacking Snp And Labour
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Long-term landlords are needed in small coastal towns for housing stability.
What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to attract long-term landlords back to small coastal towns?
My hon. Friend has been a campaigner for balance within coastal communities, keen on reforms on short-term lets and changes to the planning system.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about attracting long-term landlords was not addressed directly.
Praising Constituent Instead
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government promised leasehold reforms in the 2019 manifesto, but they have not happened yet.
In the 2019 Conservative manifesto, the Government committed to continuing leasehold reforms including implementing a ban on new leasehold homes and restricting ground rents. That still has not happened. What is the reason for this delay?
Our Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is making great progress in the House of Lords. It will be debated today and I look forward to support when it comes back here.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about reasons for delay was not addressed directly.
Referencing Bill Instead
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The proximity to elections raises concerns about the adequacy of resources for the joint election security preparedness unit.
Given upcoming local and general elections, can Ministers assure that the joint election security preparedness unit has all necessary resources?
This issue is serious and my Department spends time, effort and resource on ensuring safety of candidates; process robustness; and safe participation in democratic functions.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for an assurance was not directly addressed.
Broad Statements Instead
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
Andy Street's brownfield first approach has seen 16,000 new homes built in the west midlands on brownfield land.
In constituencies like Aldridge-Brownhills, green belts are precious. In the west midlands, Andy Street's brownfield first approach has led to 16,000 new homes and thousands of jobs. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we can build homes and protect the green belt?
That is spot on. It is Andy Street and Conservative councils that are delivering houses and protecting the green belt, better for economic growth, environment.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Over 1,000 families in Luton South are stuck in temporary accommodation with long wait times. Nationwide, there has been a 119% increase in temporary accommodation numbers since 2019.
Over 1,000 families in Luton South are stuck in temporary accommodation with wait times ranging from three to nine months for a one-bed property and eight to nine years for a three-bed. Across the country there has been an 119% increase since 2019. Does the Minister agree that this is just a direct cost of 14 years of Conservative failure on housing?
The Government are very focused on temporary accommodation. That is why we are investing £2.4 billion, of which £1.2 billion is specifically for the homelessness prevention grant. In the last Budget, we increased the local housing allowance rate to the 30th percentile, worth £1.2 billion. We have also increased the local authority housing fund.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about Conservative failure was not directly addressed
Focused On Investment
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Young adults struggle with monthly payments for both rent and mortgage, affecting their ability to settle in a home.
What are the Government doing to ensure that more young people can live independently as early as possible in their adult lives? Specifically, will greater consideration be given to mechanisms allowing only one affordable payment per month?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We need to look to reform both the mortgage market and our planning system. We will bring forward further steps on both in the coming weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify mechanisms for affordable monthly payments
Will Reform Mortgage Market
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Developers are using viability assessments to avoid building affordable homes in communities like Kendal, Appleby, Allithwaite, and Milnthorpe.
Will the Government give planning authorities power to declare null and void any planning permission where developers cannot or will not deliver promised affordable homes?
I know how important it is to deliver affordable homes in the Lake district, in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. We will take a close look at the examples he cites, to ensure that we are not killing the geese that lay the golden eggs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address granting powers for nullifying permissions
Taking A Closer Look
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Anti-social parking is an issue in Bournemouth, affecting emergency vehicle access. London has stricter penalties.
Does the Secretary of State agree that it would be helpful for Bournemouth to operate the same parking penalties as London to ensure emergency vehicle access?
My right hon. Friend is right: antisocial parking is a blight outside London, and we need to review extending the powers that are currently exercised in London to other parts of the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm Bournemouth getting similar penalties
Need To Review
Response accuracy
Q13
Direct Answer
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Context
Leaseholders face unfair service charge bills that are often inflated or for undelivered services. When involved, these bills drop by a third.
What will the Government do to ensure developers are not trying to rip off homeowners with inflated bills?
Fair point. Frank Dobson said that he was going to reform the leasehold system in 1995. We are doing it now. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which the Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety is piloting, will bring relief to leaseholders.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Labour councillors are resigning from their party, describing leadership as a 'toxic swamp'. There is a campaign to split Kirklees for better local accountability.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that leadership needs to be locally driven and should vote for more Conservative councillors on 2 May?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we need change in Kirklees. The best way in which people can demonstrate their desire for change and the reconfiguration of Kirklees is by voting Conservative on 2 May.
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Assessment & feedback
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Voting Conservative
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Government introduced the zero carbon homes standard, then scrapped it. The future homes standard now has centralised support but local authorities like Leeds want to exceed standards.
Why will the Secretary of State not allow Leeds to build even better zero carbon homes?
We have a good relationship with Leeds City Council, and indeed with its leader and chief executive, so let me investigate.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Investigate
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Ben Houchen has saved the local airport, overseen redevelopment of Teesworks and secured new jobs. There is a campaign to vote for him on 2 May.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that voters should back Ben Houchen on 2 May?
It is an easy one! You are right, Mr Speaker: everyone should back Ben Houchen—
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Assessment & feedback
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Everyone Should Support
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
A media report suggested that an employee of Hanbury Strategy provided data for a paper on the Union presented to UK Government officials in July 2020.
Was public money used for insights prepared by Hanbury Strategy for a Cabinet paper, and when will the public see it?
Once again, I have to admire the sheer chutzpah of Scottish National party Members talking about the misappropriation of cash. However, as I mentioned earlier, the Scottish Government's budget has led to the closure of 25 tourist information centres and a variety of other ventures that are trying to get investment into Scotland, whereas the UK Government are providing investment in Scotland—proving once again that we are better together.
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Assessment & feedback
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Chutzpah
Budget Closures
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents are concerned about the number of approved planning applications in rural areas without adequate infrastructure.
My constituents are increasingly concerned about the number of planning applications being approved—particularly in rural areas—when the infrastructure and public services quite evidently cannot cope with the demand. What plans do Ministers have to ensure that local residents have more say in future?
The new national planning policy framework, as enacted by this Front-Bench team, will ensure that local voices determine the shape of local communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans to give residents more say were not provided
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents on Abbottsmoor estate in Port Talbot are paying high ground rent fees.
My constituents who live on the Abbottsmoor estate in Port Talbot are locked into paying unjustified and extortionate ground rent fees and charges for poor maintenance. Will the Secretary of State commit to strengthening the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill by ensuring that all leaseholders have the right to vary their lease, setting ground rents to a peppercorn, ensuring that premiums are as cheap as possible, regulating managing agents, and abolishing forfeiture?
I always listen with respect to arguments made by a Kinnock, and in this case, I think the hon. Gentleman is broadly—in the right territory.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment was given to strengthen the bill as requested
I Always Listen With Respect
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about land use in food production.
What steps are being taken to ensure that planning authorities and, more importantly, the Planning Inspectorate are utilising the powers in the new NPPF to protect land use in food production?
The NPPF could not be clearer about that. The new chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate is very aware of how important it is to ensure that there is public confidence in the NPPF.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps taken were not addressed
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
High levels of health inequalities in Bradford East exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.
My constituency has some of the highest levels of health inequalities in the country, which have been further increased by the cost of living crisis and the continual cuts to our council budgets. If the Government are serious about levelling up, why was Bradford East's bid to reduce health inequalities knocked back?
The Labour leadership in Bradford Council must look to its performance. I think there is a distinction to be drawn between the Labour leaderships in Leeds and in Bradford—Bradford could learn a lot from what Leeds has done. This is not a party political point; it is a point about failure specifically in Bradford.
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Assessment & feedback
No explanation given for rejection of bid
This Is Not A Party Political Point
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents concerned about crime and antisocial behaviour in Ipswich town centre.
My constituents have significant concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in the town centre. Public space protection orders can play an important role, but the local Labour council refuses to use the powers it has. We have groups of men drinking alcohol in the middle of the town centre, and the council does nothing. Does the Secretary of State agree that, yet again, Ipswich Labour should step up?
It is sad, but not surprising, that Labour in Ipswich has failed again. That is why it is so important that people vote Conservative at the police and crime commissioner elections on 2 May. There are few more effective scourges of crime than the Conservative police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore, and my hon. Friend, who does such a brilliant job in Ipswich.
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Assessment & feedback
No agreement or disagreement provided about public space protection orders usage
It Is Sad, But Not Surprising
That Is Why It Is So Important
Response accuracy