Topical Questions 2023-10-16
2023-10-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner discussed the lack of government support for the electrification of a line to Hull and the exclusion of northern mayors from the HS2 decision-making process.
I welcome the comments that the Secretary of State has just made, but may I take him to task about some of the comments that he made earlier? He talked about having conversations with Hull City Council about transport. This comes after the Government's decade-long refusal to back the electrification of a line to Hull. It also comes after the exclusion of the northern Mayors in the decision to scrap the northern leg of HS2. Why should any of the people in Hull and East Riding—
I am a huge fan of the right hon. Lady. The proof of the pudding will be in the continued engagement that we have with the people of Hull and, indeed, with their Liberal Democrat council.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address why residents should trust the government given previous decisions and instead stated he was a fan of the questioner.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is running a 'fair deal for new estates' campaign to ensure that new developments are completed on time, including housing and public amenities.
I have been running a “fair deal for new estates” campaign in my constituency to ensure that new estates are completed in a timely manner. I am talking about not just the housing, but the play areas, the planting, the drainage and the pavements. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss this campaign, which is important locally and is achieving progress for residents in Harrogate and Knaresborough?
My hon. Friend is doing an excellent job in raising the concerns of his constituents on the Floor of the House. I know that those concerns are also raised with many other colleagues. That is why, in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, we are strengthening planning enforcement powers, including powers to tackle uncompleted developments. I hope his constituents will welcome that, and I would be pleased to meet him and discuss it in more detail.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner refers to the government's decision to return billions of pounds to the Treasury despite a housing crisis where one million families are waiting for social housing.
It is a pleasure to face the right hon. Gentleman for our first questions. I hope he enjoyed his party conference, cancelling a meat tax that nobody had planned, abolishing seven bins that do not exist and announcing that they would build a series of transport links that already do exist—not so much conference season as panto season. I shall keep my question to a problem that definitely does exist. One million families are waiting for social housing. How can he justify handing back to the Treasury billions of pounds that are desperately needed to tackle the housing crisis?
It is because we spend our money effectively. The affordable homes programme—the £11.5 billion investment that we are making—will lead, and has led, to investment in social and affordable housing across the country. The right hon. Lady has a challenge when it comes to credibility on social housing. She secured the deputy leadership of her party by saying that the Labour party should be building 100,000 social homes every year, and yet its current target is zero. Why did she retreat?
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not directly address how money was being spent effectively but instead questioned the Labour Party's housing policy.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner criticises the government for not mentioning housing during a speech, highlighting the Labour party's concern about renters being stigmatised.
The right hon. Gentleman just comes out with flannel—I think he is auditioning for panto season this afternoon. He can dress it up however he likes, but the truth is that he could not spend this vital funding quickly enough in the middle of a housing crisis. It is clear that the Prime Minister shares his disregard for struggling families. In his hour-long speech in Manchester, the Prime Minister did not mention housing a single time—not once—but the Housing Minister did tell conference that renters are not all weed-smoking gangsters, which I am sure the right hon. Gentleman knows all about, as he mentioned gangsters earlier today. Can the Secretary of State assure us that, despite the tone of those remarks, the Renters (Reform) Bill will not be scrapped before the King's Speech?
Yes, we are bringing reform to the rental market, but I note that at her own party conference the right hon. Lady shared with the public not just her policies but her recipe for a cocktail called Venom, which apparently contains a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Southern Comfort, 10 Blue WKDs and a litre of orange juice. We know what the real lethal cocktail from the Labour party is: a mix of unfunded spending commitments, massive borrowing, greenbelt development and hypocrisy on housing.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address whether the Renters (Reform) Bill would be scrapped but instead criticised the questioner's behaviour at her party conference.
Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The Hope Centre in Northampton is celebrating its 50th anniversary for turning the lives around of homeless individuals and helping them into secure jobs.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the amazing Hope Centre in Northampton, which for 50 years has been turning the lives around of people who have been homeless, getting them into a home of their own and into a secure job. Will the Minister join me in congratulating all the staff and volunteers at that amazing charity?
I am delighted to congratulate the staff and volunteers at the Hope Centre on 50 amazing years of supporting venerable people in Northampton. That work is critical in meeting the Government's commitment to reduce homelessness and to end rough sleeping for good, which is backed by a Government investment of £2 billion over three years.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Department introduced the anti-boycott Bill to tackle antisemitism, but it faced criticism from human rights organisations.
Antisemitism is abhorrent and hateful, and there must be meaningful legislation to protect Jewish people. I appreciate that the Department introduced the anti-boycott Bill to help to tackle that, but as the Minister may recall, in Committee the Bill was not supported by many human rights organisations and no Opposition amendments were accepted. We need to work on a cross-party basis, so will the Secretary of State and the Minister meet with me to discuss what support the SNP can provide to tackle the hatred of antisemitism?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for the way in which she couched her question. I take this opportunity to thank the First Minister of Scotland who, in his visit to a synagogue in Edinburgh last week, I think spoke for all of Scotland in expressing his solidarity with the pain being felt by Scotland's Jewish community. I look forward to working together on a cross-party basis if we can.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan received £20 million from levelling-up funds, which is seen as a positive step.
The new Levelling Up Minister has got off to a flying start by awarding £20 million to Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. What reassurance can my hon. Friend give me that local priorities will determine how that money should be spent?
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, who is a persistent champion of Barry in his constituency. I look forward to working with him to see Barry's potential realised.
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Assessment & feedback
Local control over spending decisions for levelling-up funds was not specifically addressed
Looking Forward To Working
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Rent prices are rising, and the supply of long-term private rentals is decreasing. The Government consulted on short-term lets earlier this year.
Chester, like city centres up and down the country, as well as rural and coastal areas, is seeing rents going up and the supply of long-term private rented lets going down. What progress has been made in tackling the issue?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that question. The abuse of short-term lets is a significant issue, and we will respond to the consultation shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific progress on addressing short-term let abuse was not detailed
Responding To Consultation
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Over 200 residents of the Mill development in Ipswich have been living with structural issues and fears of eviction for over a decade.
My constituents at the Mill development in Ipswich have been living in a cruel form of limbo for over 10 years. What steps are the Government taking to support my residents?
Like my hon. Friend, we want a resolution to the Mill's complex and challenging situation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to address the Mill development's issues were not detailed
Wanting Resolution
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Local authorities are facing challenges in retrofitting ageing rural council homes, leading to mould issues.
Local authorities are struggling to retrofit ageing rural council housing. What will the Minister do to avoid councils having to spend huge sums of money on positive input ventilation units?
The Government recognise the issue, providing additional support to local government and housing associations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures addressing retrofitting and mould were not detailed
Providing Additional Support
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Blackpool has received significant levelling-up funding. Further housing-led regeneration is planned.
Is the Secretary of State able to provide an update on further housing-led regeneration plans for Bond Street and Revoe areas?
I look forward to my Department's saying more about that in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific updates on regeneration plans were not provided
Looking Forward
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State's bill will remove reducing child poverty as a levelling-up mission.
Does the Government think it is possible to level up without reducing child poverty?
That is a fair question. The steps we are taking across 12 levelling-up missions, including on education and welfare, are designed to reduce poverty.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific stance on the direct relationship between child poverty reduction and levelling up was not clearly addressed
Fair Question
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Berkeley Town Council has a regeneration plan but lacks confidence in the district council's ability to deliver it.
Will the Minister meet me to discuss the issue of levelling-up funding for Berkeley?
I look forward to meeting my hon. Friend and visiting her constituency.
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Assessment & feedback
Meeting details were not specified beyond a statement of intent
Looking Forward
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Government has promised Renters (Reform) Bill for four years, but it hasn't been brought in yet.
Since the Government first promised to scrap no-fault possession grounds 4 years ago, some 4,240 London households were evicted last year. When will the Government be bringing in the Renters (Reform) Bill?
We are committed to introducing our Renters (Reform) Bill, which will end section 21—something that, when Labour were in government, it did not do.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific date for bill introduction was not given
Committed To Introducing
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Gillingham did not receive levelling-up funding in the first two rounds of announcements.
Will the Secretary of State visit Gillingham with me to ensure we get our fair share and allocation of resources?
Either I or one of my junior Ministers will join my hon. Friend in Gillingham.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific visit date was not specified beyond a statement of intent
Visiting
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government promised the Renters (Reform) Bill four years ago, but it hasn't been introduced yet.
Since the Government first promised the Renters (Reform) Bill 4 years ago, over 10,000 Londoners have faced eviction threats. When will the Government bring in the Bill?
That is a good question; we will be bringing forward our legislation shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific date for bill introduction was not provided beyond 'shortly'
Bringing Forward Legislation
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the government's reform of the national planning policy framework and introduction of a new infrastructure levy.
As he is reforming the national planning policy framework and introducing a new infrastructure levy, how will my right hon. Friend ensure that our constituents get the doctors and dentists capacity that must go with new homes?
The infrastructure levy we are bringing forward will ensure, through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, that the money is there to provide services when new development takes place. We will work with the NHS to ensure that GP and dental provision is part of that. We have a plan for an infrastructure levy; Labour has no plan.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific mechanisms or commitments regarding how exactly GP and dental provision will be ensured were not provided.
We Have A Plan For An Infrastructure Levy; Labour Has No Plan.
Response accuracy