Topical Questions 2024-03-04
2024-03-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A constituent showed the MP photographs of appalling living conditions in private rented accommodation, highlighting health risks to a seven-year-old child.
A constituent recently came to my surgery with her seven-year-old son to show some appalling photographs of the private rented accommodation in which they live. The little boy asked me whether he is going to die because of the thick mould in his bedroom. Given the housing ombudsman's recent remarks, particularly emphasising the link between housing conditions and health, what urgent action will the Secretary of State take to address the appalling situation in the private rented sector?
We will shortly say more about the decent homes standard and the extension of the ombudsman's powers to deal with precisely the sort of situation that the hon. Lady raises.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any urgent action, only hinted at future statements on standards and ombudsman's powers.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about antisocial behaviour affecting constituents in social housing and the need for action to protect peaceful residents.
My local housing association, Flagship Newtide, has sold off three more homes in Aldeburgh at auction since the last Levelling Up, Housing and Communities questions. However, it is failing to take action on the antisocial behaviour that is affecting several of my constituents in Saxmundham. What powers can we apply to make sure that people who do the right thing and want to live peacefully in their home are not surrounded by people who deal drugs, breed illegal pets and make other people's lives a misery?
Tackling antisocial behaviour is a priority for this Government, which is why we have published our antisocial behaviour action plan, backed with £160 million of new funding. We have committed to a “three strikes and you're out” ASB policy, and landlords will be expected to evict tenants whose behaviour is disruptive to neighbours.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP believes in giving young people a say in the next general election by lowering the voting age.
This week's Budget will be a big one for young people—16 and 17-year-olds—who are starting work or making important education choices, yet they currently have no say on who will be the next Government. We on the Opposition Benches believe in our young people. Will the Government act now to give 16 and 17-year-olds a say in the next general election?
The hon. Lady makes a case for lowering the voting age—one that I do not support and the Government do not support. The age of 18 is seen as the age of maturity in this country and many others across the world. It seems to have served us pretty well up to now and I see no particular reason to change it.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does Not Support Lowering Voting Age
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is urging for better protection of heritage pubs like the Crooked House in South Staffordshire.
Will the Minister join me in congratulating South Staffordshire Council on serving an enforcement notice to rebuild the Crooked House pub? Will he also look favourably at measures I will be bringing forward to ensure that heritage pubs are better protected, because, as he will know, the Crooked House and many others have had no protections at all?
My hon. Friend makes an important argument, and the case of the Crooked House reinforces what he has long campaigned for: better protection for heritage pubs. I look forward to working with him and Lord Mendoza to achieve just that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm any specific measures or actions but indicated willingness to work on it.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is urging the Secretary of State to meet her urgently regarding Haven Green, an ancient green space in Ealing under threat.
The Secretary of State is a strong supporter of green urban spaces, so will he urgently meet me to discuss the ancient Haven Green, which is currently under threat and on which he is due to make a decision soon?
Obviously, I cannot speak to the hon. Lady about specific planning applications. I do cherish urban green spaces, but I also cherish more homes being built in London. It would be regrettable if she were to be a blocker, not a builder.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Cannot Speak About Specific Planning Applications
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is seeking further actions by the Government to improve footfall and residential opportunities in Wolverhampton's city centre.
Since my election, I have urged Wolverhampton City Council to focus on city centre living, to bring footfall back to our city centre. What more can the Government do on that? I am delighted that the council is now changing its plans, but how can we get upper storeys converted as well, to really bring that footfall back?
My hon. Friend is a brilliant champion for Wolverhampton and for Wulfrunians everywhere. In particular, she has been the single most effective voice in attracting investment to the heart of Wolverhampton. She is right to say that, as well as commercial investment, we need new residential opportunities, and our extension of permitted development rights should provide just that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is seeking information on Government discussions with devolved Administrations and the Chancellor regarding infected blood compensation after a long delay.
Will the Minister for the Union tell me what discussions he has had with devolved Administrations, and with the Chancellor, on the very important matter of infected blood compensation? Does he recognise the frustration and dismay from many campaigners at the delays? They have waited almost a year since Sir Brian Langstaff reported on his compensation framework.
The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. Those who have suffered as a result of the infected blood scandal are, of course, in the forefront of our minds. This is directly a Cabinet Office responsibility, but I know from my time there how seriously the Ministers charged with that responsibility take it. I will talk to them and update the devolved Administrations on progress towards appropriate compensation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is seeking further reforms for leasehold and fleecehold estates as the Bill goes to the Lords.
The Government are to be commended for taking through the first leasehold reforms for 20 years, but as the Bill now goes to the Lords, will Ministers go further and agree: first, to empower the 3 million to 4 million people trapped on fleecehold estates; and, secondly, to fundamentally end this scammy, dodgy, corrupt model once and for all?
My hon. Friend makes an important point about making sure that we strike the right balance. We have brought forward significant reforms in the Bill, but I am happy to continue to talk to him and other Members who are interested. The Government continue to look at what more can be done.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Rough sleeping numbers are up by over a quarter for the second year, affecting more than 100,000 households including 140,000 children in temporary accommodation. This is causing significant concerns.
Last week we saw rough sleeping numbers up by more than a quarter. More than 100,000 households are stuck in temporary accommodation, including 140,000 children. Where is the national plan to end all forms of homelessness?
This Government have a clear plan that we introduced last year: ending rough sleeping for good. We announced £2 billion behind it and the figure is now £2.4 billion.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific ask about a national plan to end all forms of homelessness, only mentioned rough sleeping.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The levelling-up fund is to invest £20 million into the rebuilding and refurbishment of Haden Hill leisure centre. There are concerns about delays.
Does the Minister agree that the Department needs to continue to be engaged with the local authority, which is appointing contractors, to make sure that this project gets delivered on time and on budget?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents. I am happy to meet him to discuss the delays as soon as we can.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a clear commitment about ongoing engagement of the Department with the local authority, only offered to meet.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The north of England saw a wealth gap compared to the rest of England, which has widened over time. A report by IPPR estimated that this gap will grow to 21% by 2030.
In 2010, total wealth per head in the north was 16% lower than in the rest of England. Last week, a report estimated the disparity growing to 21%. Can the Secretary of State confirm that this Government's policies have achieved levelling up?
I was delighted to be in West Yorkshire on Friday outlining the additional investment that we are making in that region. The agreement that we have reached with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, will see significant additional funds going in.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm whether policies have achieved levelling up, only mentioned additional investments without specific figures or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Rural areas are facing a high cost of living crisis, with councils spending up to 50% of their net budget on relief.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the high energy costs we have seen in the last two years? Would he support me in urging the Chancellor to increase that relief in the Budget?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are concentrating on ensuring we can level up the north and the midlands, but we also need to recognise that levelling up encompasses making sure that those in rural areas are supported.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific support for urging the Chancellor to increase relief for high energy costs, only acknowledged vulnerability of rural areas.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The former Help to Buy ISA scheme was a way for young people to get on the property ladder.
Will the Minister advise me how many people took up the offer of the former help to buy ISA scheme? Has another such scheme been considered?
As a Government, we continue to bring forward as many interventions as we can to support young people to get on the housing ladder. Some 800,000 first-time buyers have managed to do that since 2010.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide information about uptake of the former Help to Buy ISA scheme or consideration for a new one, only mentioned general support for interventions.
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Charity Commission issued guidance on charities refusing donations, following an incident involving the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Today, the Charity Commission issued new guidance for charities that refuse to accept donations. Will my right hon. Friend support the right of communities throughout the British Isles to donate to charities?
My right hon. and learned Friend raises a very important point. We want to do everything we can to encourage charitable giving.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific support for the donation rights of communities in British Isles, only acknowledged importance.
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Businesses in York have not been able to trade for over four months due to flooding, while those in Tory shires are getting funding.
There are businesses in York that have not been able to trade for over four months because of flooding. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the fact that businesses in my constituency cannot get funding?
Yes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any substantive information or commitment, only agreed to a meeting.
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act was passed, but it does not cover councillors who lose extra responsibility allowances if they have a child in neonatal care.
Will the local government Minister issue guidance to councils, asking them to ensure that all parents are protected if their councillors find themselves in those most difficult of circumstances?
My hon. Friend has worked on this campaign and I understand entirely the merits of the argument he makes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific guidance or commitment, only acknowledged understanding of the issue.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The community ownership fund has reduced match funding requirements for local organizations to 20%. The questioner seeks further consideration.
Could the criterion around match funding take account of prior investment by the community, such as the very many small donations that people in the Axe valley area gave to build Seaton community hospital?
That is an interesting idea. I am very fond of the Axe valley, so I will look at it.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific commitment to consider prior investments in criteria for match funding, only noted interest in the idea.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
▸
Context
In the last three years, £3 million from the towns fund, £10 million from the levelling-up fund and £800,000 have provided record investment into Wellington, a 800-year-old market town in Shropshire.
Wellington is an 800-year-old market town that has received significant investment recently. In the last three years, £3 million from the towns fund, £10 million from the levelling-up fund and £800,000 have provided record investment into Wellington. The Labour council has just taken over the management of the market. Will the Secretary of State ensure that they do not mess it up?
We will do everything we can. Wellington is very lucky to have such a brilliant advocate.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any specific commitment or action regarding the Labour council's management of the market.
Response accuracy