Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 20 July 2020 · 12 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 12 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sally-Ann Hart inquired about supporting vulnerable people off the streets in winter; the government responded with 105 million available for interventions.
  • Janet Daby questioned the government's assessment of the financial impact on places of worship; the government responded through faith groups taskforce meetings and charity support schemes.
  • Greg Smith asked for assurances that council tax payers in Buckinghamshire will not bear costs; the government responded with a reimbursement scheme for 75p in the pound for lost income.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sally-Ann Hart SNP Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Housing
Context

Councils have used emergency accommodation to house rough sleepers during the pandemic, but building enough social housing within a timeframe to prevent homelessness is unrealistic.

Question

How will my right hon. Friend keep vulnerable people off the streets come winter when it's not feasible to build sufficient social housing in time?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Grateful for local councils' work during the pandemic; £105 million available to fund interventions including social lettings agencies for vulnerable people.

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Q2 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Community Security
Context

Faith groups provide millions of meals monthly but have missed out on donations and fund-raising opportunities during the pandemic.

Question

What assessment has been made by the Government regarding financial hit to places of worship, and why haven't ring-fenced funds been provided?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Paying tribute to faith groups' efforts; financial impact recognised through places of worship taskforce meetings; faith organisations can access charity support schemes.

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Q3 Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay
Local Government
Context

Town and parish councils in Cornwall have incurred extra costs while seeing a drop in income due to the pandemic.

Question

What more can be done to ensure funding reaches these hard-pressed councils?

Answer from Simon Clarke (Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

Thanking councils for their pandemic support; encouraging discussions with Cornwall Council regarding £3.7 billion in un-ring-fenced grant funding.

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Q4 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Policing & Resources Local Government
Context

Over 820,000 people have fallen into council tax arrears due to the pandemic.

Question

Will the Minister consider introducing a pre-action protocol to protect vulnerable families from unfair bailiff action?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Conversations ongoing with the Lord Chancellor; initiatives set out by Lord Chancellor today, more announcements expected shortly.

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Q5 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Housing
Context

Morris highlights issues of absentee landlords, substandard housing and tenant vetting problems.

Question

Will the Minister support the Horden housing masterplan to regenerate local housing, which could be replicated in neighbouring areas suffering from similar housing issues?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

I would be delighted to discuss with the hon. Gentleman that masterplan and to learn more of its details. It is extremely important to us that we not only build more homes but tackle substandard homes in all parts of the country making them greener and regenerating parts of towns and cities where needed.

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Q6 Greg Smith Con Mid Worcestershire
Local Government
Context

Smith highlights a £3 million cost pressure faced by the local council due to waived management fees, loss of income from social distancing measures etc.

Question

Will the Minister provide assurances that council tax payers in Buckinghamshire will not have to bear these costs?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

The income guarantee scheme will reimburse local councils for 75p in the pound for lost income. The Minister is working with the Culture Secretary to see what further package of support might be brought forward.

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Q7 Stuart McDonald SNP Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Brexit
Context

McDonald highlights the uncertainty for recipients of structural funds due to delays in details being announced.

Question

Why not guarantee existing EU funding allocations for next year now?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

The Government intend to keep the manifesto commitment to ensure that each of the nations will continue to receive the same amount of funding as they did from within the EU.

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Q8 Mark Eastwood Lab Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Eastwood highlights community concerns regarding inappropriate developments on farmland, green belt, and areas susceptible to flooding.

Question

Will the Minister agree to meet to discuss these concerns?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

The Government intend to bring forward a review of the planning system and how it interrelates with flood plains to ensure that homes are not built irresponsibly on parts of the country that routinely flood.

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Q9 Cat Smith Lab Blackburn
Housing Local Government
Context

Smith questions who informed the Secretary of State's office about a date for changes in the community infrastructure levy.

Question

Who instructed departmental officials to speed through the Westferry decision before the new CIL came into force?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

The fact that Tower Hamlets Council was preparing a new local plan with a CIL schedule attached to it was a matter of public record; anybody knowledgeable about London's housing issues would have known that. It is a perfectly legitimate planning consideration.

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Q10 Stephen Metcalfe Con South Basildon and East Thurrock
Housing
Context

Metcalfe questions steps being taken to remove dangerous cladding from high-rise residential buildings.

Question

What measures are in place to support leaseholders facing large bills?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

We have brought forward a £1.6 billion fund to tackle not just ACM cladding but other types of dangerous cladding such as HPL. The building safety Bill in draft form has also been published.

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Q11 Jessica Morden Lab Aberavon
Economy Scotland Wales
Context

Morden highlights the £56 billion UK economy benefit from the Western Gateway project.

Question

Will Ministers commit to working with APPG on Western Gateway, Welsh Government and local authorities?

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities)

We were pleased to launch the Western Gateway initiative at the end of last year. It has huge potential to drive economic growth in that part of the country and attract international investment.

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Q12 Clive Efford Lab Eltham
Local Government
Context

The local authority in question is facing a significant financial deficit due to its response to the pandemic.

Question

My local authority faces a £40 million deficit as a result of its response to covid. Given that the Government said councils should spend what it takes, why are they not providing assistance to local authorities like mine which have incurred such costs?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick)

We ensured from the start that councils would receive necessary resources. We have provided over £4 billion in funding for covid-related expenses, created a guarantee of 75p income per pound lost on sales, fees and charges, and are working with the Chancellor to address tax losses, ensuring councils can finish their financial year in good health.

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