Topical Questions 2023-01-09
2023-01-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The government is facing criticism over the lack of adequate general practice capacity in areas where thousands of homes are being built.
Will the Government remedy the completely unacceptable situation whereby thousands of homes are built in areas such as mine—and in Rugby and elsewhere—without adequate general practice capacity? What will the Government do to put that right in areas where that has happened?
My hon. Friend has a great deal of experience on this issue in his area, as well as having raised it nationally. I was very pleased to discuss it with him and the relevant Minister in the Department of Health and Social Care today. It is important that all the necessary infrastructure for a housing development is built, whether in relation to education or GP surgeries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete actions to remedy the situation.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
1.4 million households are facing significant increases in mortgage interest payments due to the economic policies of the government.
What do the Government have to say to the 1.4 million households who woke up this morning to find that they are facing eye-watering hikes in their mortgage interest payments this year?
The hon. Member will know that the Government are already taking steps to help people with the cost of living. We have already taken steps to help people with their energy bills. I know that she will know, because she is a shadow Minister on top of her game, that the Chancellor met banks at the end of last year and put in place a package of measures to ensure that bankers are helping people with their mortgages, whether through flexibility or further switching.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific mortgage interest hikes issue directly.
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The government is facing criticism for lack of action on mortgage payments, rent increases, leaseholder reforms, unsafe cladding, and affordable housing.
I think “Sorry” would have been a good start. But seriously, it is chaos, isn't it? Rents are rising at their fastest rate for seven years and mortgage payments are going through the roof since the Government crashed the economy. Leaseholder reforms have stalled and half a million people are still stuck in unsafe homes with unsafe cladding five years after Grenfell. Where is the mortgage emergency plan? Where is the end to no-fault evictions? Where is the affordable housing we were promised? What are the Government actually doing all day?
From 1980, this Government have delivered 2 million social homes. This Government have a proven track record: the period since 2020-21 has seen the third highest annual rate of additional homes built in the last 30 years. This Government have provided people with £37 billion-worth of support. This Government are on people's side, helping them through this difficult time as well as when times are good.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address any specific measure mentioned in the question.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The all-party parliamentary group for the east of England found low confidence in several aspects of the levelling up White Paper missions. The questioner is seeking to make Lowestoft's enterprise zone an investment zone.
Will she seek to make Lowestoft's enterprise zone an investment zone? That would underpin and support levelling up.
Pitch for Lowestoft heard loud and clear! The Chancellor announced at the time of the autumn statement that the existing investment zones programme would be refocused to catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters. Our Department will work closely with key partners on how best to identify and support those clusters.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if Lowestoft's enterprise zone would become an investment zone, but suggested further consideration.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The rough sleeping problem is getting worse, with figures showing increases in several regions. The government's rough sleeping strategy was published amidst political chaos.
Despite all the good intentions, the problem is evidently getting worse, not better. Data from CHAIN shows that numbers were up 24% on the previous year between July and September 2022. Can the Minister rise?
This Government have made an unprecedented commitment on rough sleeping and homelessness. We are investing £2 billion over three years. We do see seasonal fluctuations, but the rough sleeping numbers are at under 3,000 at the moment.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address worsening trends specifically.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The government is spending money on housing people who come to the country illegally, while there are rough sleepers on the streets.
If we can spend huge sums of money housing people who come to this country illegally, as was attempted in a hotel in my constituency, how can it be remotely acceptable that we have a single rough sleeper on the streets of our country?
We are absolutely committed to ending rough sleeping. In September we came out with a strategy to end rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament. As I say, one person sleeping rough is one too many.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address spending inconsistency directly.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The government has committed to banning no-fault evictions, but the current law on illegal eviction is difficult and rarely enforced.
Can the Minister confirm whether the Government intend to reform the law on illegal eviction alongside banning no-fault evictions? If not, will she meet me to discuss the matter?
We have committed to taking a renters reform Bill through this Parliament. I am very happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss her particular issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Developers are discussing with the government about replacing unsafe cladding, and disputes have arisen between residents and developers in Basildon.
Will the Minister update the House on his discussions with developers about replacing unsafe cladding? What process is in place to resolve disagreements between residents and developers when a dispute arises about the level of remediation needed, as has happened at Morello Quarter in Basildon?
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is working to bring forward the developer contract; it has been discussed and debated for several months and we hope to have progress on it shortly. We are very clear that building owners ultimately have the responsibility to remediate these properties and make sure that leaseholders can continue to live their lives as they should be able to.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific process for resolving disputes between residents and developers was not addressed.
We Are Very Clear
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's local levelling-up application has been previously rejected, raising concern about what the government will do for areas whose bids are not successful.
Last month, Barclays announced that it was replacing its Ellesmere Port branch. We are losing shops in the town centre weekly. We have put in a levelling-up bid that we hope will address the issues, but every previous application has been rejected, so we are not hopeful of success this time around. What is the Government's plan B for areas whose levelling-up bids are not successful?
We keep that under constant review. We are looking at the provision of further funds, but also at simplifying funding through schemes such as the UK shared prosperity fund, to empower local areas to make decisions on what is best for them.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific plan B was not addressed.
We Keep That Under Constant Review
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Infrastructure for new homes includes sewerage network upgrades, and a schedule is being reviewed to potentially remove the automatic right to connect.
Vital infrastructure for new homes includes upgrades to the sewerage networks that are needed to service them. Bringing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 into effect would remove the automatic right to connect, which would mean extra money to upgrade those systems. The Government are reviewing it, but are they going to do it?
As my hon. Friend has said, the Government are reviewing it.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific decision to implement schedule 3 was not addressed.
As My Hon. Friend Has Said
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's constituency faces an adverse effect on the proposed refurbishment of Edinburgh's historic King's Theatre due to building cost inflation.
Building cost inflation is having an adverse effect on the proposed refurbishment of Edinburgh's historic King's Theatre, and a levelling-up application has been made to try to cover the shortfall in its fundraising. Will the Minister meet me so that I can brief her on this problem and tell her all about the fantastic project, which has been specially designed to benefit the whole community in Edinburgh?
Another pitch heard loud and clear! I should be delighted to meet the hon. and learned Lady.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific meeting details were not addressed.
I Should Be Delighted
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP has recently cut the ribbon on a new Poundland store in Tipton, and is seeking to make the most of local high streets through a high streets strategy.
My life peaked last month when I finally got to cut the ribbon on the Poundland in Owen Street, Tipton, which was opening after years of negotiation. A high streets strategy will be an important part of our levelling-up agenda. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can make the most of the true beating heart of the Black Country, including the high streets in Tipton and Wednesbury?
My hon. Friend has been a fantastic champion for his constituency. I congratulate him on his ribbon cutting, which I am sure was a moment of real joy. I should be delighted to meet him to discuss how best we can move forward with our high streets strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific meeting details were not addressed.
I Should Be Delighted
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Following the Building Safety Act 2022, there is a gap in funding for remediating unsafe cladding that needs to be addressed.
What recent discussions has the Department had with the Scottish Government about the gap in funding for remediating unsafe cladding, following the Building Safety Act 2022?
As the hon. Lady knows, this is a devolved issue. I shall be happy to talk to the Scottish Government if it is appropriate for me to do so, but I know that they, along with the UK Government, are absolutely committed to resolving the situation at the earliest possible opportunity.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific discussions were not addressed.
As The Hon. Lady Knows
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Local highways infrastructure projects such as Dinan Way extension in Exmouth and Cullompton relief road are being discussed.
The Dinan Way extension in Exmouth and the Cullompton relief road are two major projects that are needed to cut congestion and improve air quality locally. My hon. Friend knows that I have made the case for those bids previously, but may I make one final plea now?
My hon. Friend is another fantastic champion, not just for his constituency but for the whole of the south-west. We will announce the outcome of the bids in due course, but his question has been heard loud and clear.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific support was not addressed.
We Will Announce The Outcome
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
More than £37 million has been wasted on publicity and marketing rather than being spent on food for hungry children in the holiday activities and food programme.
Answers to parliamentary questions have revealed that the Government's spending guidelines relating to local authority delivery of the holiday activities and food programme have seen, in just one year, more than £37 million wasted on the likes of publicity and marketing, as opposed to being spent on food for hungry children. Why is that?
As the hon. Lady knows, local authorities need to make a set of decisions whenever any money, such as grants, is made available. If she wants to provide any further information, the Department will be happy to respond to her.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific reasons for wasting funds were not addressed.
As The Hon. Lady Knows
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's levelling-up bid works with various sectors and seeks to deliver jobs and meaningful change quickly.
Stroud's levelling-up bid works with the private, public and charity sectors, which means that if we are successful, we can deliver jobs and meaningful change very quickly. However, in the light of the delayed announcement, will the Minister clarify whether we need to submit updated information, and will she meet me to discuss the matter?
My hon. Friend is yet another fantastic champion for her constituents. No further information is needed at this stage, but I should be happy to meet her to discuss the issue that she has raised.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific need for updated information was not addressed.
No Further Information
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
There have been accusations that the levelling-up agenda is based on Tory targets and is anti-London.
First we saw footage of the Prime Minister admitting to activists that he had diverted money away from urban Labour-voting areas. Then we saw the ex-Culture Secretary, the right hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Ms Dorries), saying that the decision to defund the English National Opera was “politically motivated” and a “stunt”. To avoid accusations that levelling up is based merely on Tory targets and is anti-London, can the Minister tell us which funding formulas were changed, with what justification, and on whose authority?
A great deal of transparent information is available on gov.uk, which I should be happy to send to the hon. Lady.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific changes and justifications were not addressed.
A Great Deal Of Transparent Information
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour-controlled South Yorkshire has seen devolution fail, contrasting with successes elsewhere. The MP wants to address this issue.
Devolution has been a resounding success in places such as Teesside and the west midlands, but in Labour-controlled South Yorkshire it has been an absolute disaster. Will the Minister meet me, and my South Yorkshire colleagues, to see what we can do to turn its fortunes around?
We believe that local empowerment is the right way forward, but it takes the right local leadership. I shall, of course, be happy to meet my hon. Friend and his South Yorkshire colleagues to see how we can improve things for the great people of South Yorkshire.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific meeting or plan of action
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Over three years since the Government promised to end no-fault evictions, tenants in the MP's constituency are worried about losing their homes and unaffordable bills. The Renters Reform Bill has been delayed.
Hard-pressed tenants in my constituency have been contacting me, worried about losing their homes and about unaffordable bills and rent. Well over three years after the Government promised to end no-fault evictions, when will they finally stop dithering and bring in the renters reform Bill?
The Government are giving unprecedented support to help with the cost of living. We have been very clear that we will bring in the renters reform Bill in this Parliament, as soon as parliamentary time allows.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for bringing the bill into parliament
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Stoke-on-Trent did not receive any money from the levelling-up parks fund despite a bid for pump tracks in Middleport and at old BMX track locations.
I believe a mistake was made when the levelling-up parks fund was announced, because Stoke-on-Trent did not get any money. When will the Minister correct that, so that I can put pump tracks in Middleport and at the old BMX track in Norton and Ball Green?
That is another fantastic pitch from my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent North, Talke and Kidsgrove—I am not sure I have got all the titles in there. I would be happy to meet him to discuss it further.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to correcting the allocation mistake
Meet To Discuss
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
Families in the UK under Homes for Ukraine are facing homelessness due to private rental sector affordability issues.
Last month, 51,000 people came to the end of their placement under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, leaving them desperately needing somewhere to live. However, with the private rented sector unaffordable and council waiting lists already overwhelmed, families are having to choose between returning to a war zone and being homeless. What will the Government do about it?
We are delighted to have welcomed more than 150,000 Ukrainians into this country. We thank all the sponsors. On homelessness, 1,720 homelessness duties were owed to households who arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. That is a small fraction.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any specific steps or plans
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland protocol obstructs trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
An essential ingredient to levelling up is the ability to trade within a country to get the best prices and products. In Northern Ireland, that cannot happen because of the imposition of EU law, which has obstructed trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Will the Minister accept that only by removing the Northern Ireland protocol and abiding by the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill can this iniquity be removed?
The right hon. Member will know that the Government have brought forward legislation on the Northern Ireland protocol, recognising that it is not working at the moment.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly agree to remove the Northern Ireland protocol
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
The ban on out-of-town advertising hoardings has been lifted, causing concerns about the British countryside aesthetics.
The reason the British countryside looks different when driving down the motorway is that the Labour Government in 1945 banned out-of-town advertising hoardings. Why have the Government allowed them to start appearing on every single motorway in the land? When will they get rid of these horrible excrescences?
That is a very interesting point. I am sure a Minister will take that up and consider it with the hon. Member.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to restricting outdoor advertising again
Consider
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Cheshire West and Chester Council submitted a bid in round 2 of the levelling-up fund for the corridor at Winnington bridge.
Cheshire West and Chester Council and I have put in an excellent bid in round 2 of the levelling-up fund for the corridor at Winnington bridge. On what day in January can we expect a positive outcome?
I cannot promise a positive outcome at this stage. All bids are under consideration, but there will be an outcome before the end of the month.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify a date in January for a positive outcome
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister's Department has seen the largest proportional reduction in post-2025 spending plans according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, affecting over a million households.
Over a million households and growing have real housing needs. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Minister's Department has seen the largest proportional reduction across Government in post-2025 spending plans. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that there is adequate funding for social housing?
The Government have an £11.5-billion fund to ensure that we have affordable housing.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps beyond mentioning the existing fund
Response accuracy