Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 16 November 2020 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alison Thewliss raised concerns about the leasehold system in Scotland and the costs associated with EWS1 assessments.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the issue of waking watch fees and the need for a more proportionate approach, highlighting the scandal associated with these fees.
  • Bob Neill inquired about the publication of accounting officer's advice regarding the towns fund criteria, but the Secretary of State did not commit to publishing this information routinely.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Thewliss SNP
Housing Local Government
Context

Local councils face new national restrictions and are receiving £7 billion of direct funding alongside a sales, fees and charges scheme worth over £1 billion this year.

Question

I am concerned about the leasehold system in Scotland where each owner must get their own EWS1 assessment carried out despite not having the English leasehold system. How does the Secretary of State intend to resolve this costly and bureaucratic system which is causing difficulty for constituents affected by the cladding scandal? Will he arrange a socially distant meeting with me to discuss this further?

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

I would be very happy to meet the hon. Lady. The noble Lord Greenhalgh, the building safety Minister, and I have been meeting lenders and UK Finance to discuss the EWS1 form and urge them to take a more proportionate, risk-based approach. This form was designed for buildings over 18 metres with external wall systems but is now being used for buildings below 18 metres without cladding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific resolution plan not provided

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Q2 Alison Thewliss SNP
Housing
Context

Leaseholders face costs for items such as waking watch due to regulatory failure, causing difficulties in Northpoint where residents have spent over half a million pounds.

Question

I welcome the Housing Minister's acceptance that leaseholders should not bear the costs of remediating cladding. Does the Secretary of State agree that neither should they be expected to pay for items like waking watch arising from unsafe cladding, as seen in Northpoint?

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

My hon. Friend will know that my Department is working closely with Northpoint residents who are part of the building safety fund worth £1.6 billion. He is right to draw attention to waking watch issues; it's a scandal with contractors charging outrageous fees for little support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment not provided

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Q3 Bob Neill Con
Local Government
Context

Public concern over misuse of taxpayers' money from the £3.6 billion towns fund to boost Conservative election campaigns by blocking funding for deprived areas.

Question

There is growing public concern that the Secretary of State misused taxpayers' money from the £3.6 billion towns fund, but he can easily clear it up. Will he publish in full the accounting officer's advice and criteria used to block funding for the 100 most deprived towns?

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

The Department has already made it clear that a robust process was followed before I became Secretary of State. We will not apologise for investing in communities underinvested by the Labour party. Accounting officer assessments are not routinely published; my officials will consider replying to the Select Committee.

Not addressed: Refusal to publish accounting officer's report

How: We Will Not Apologise For Investing In Communities Underinvested By The Labour Party

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Q4 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
NHS Housing Mental Health
Context

Street homelessness is a crisis of housing, health, mental health, and addiction. The pandemic has brought people off the streets into safe accommodation with wraparound support.

Question

I share the belief that street homelessness is a crisis not just of housing but of health, mental health, and addiction as well. How does our approach from the start of the pandemic to bring people in off the streets into safe and secure accommodation fit into this?

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

My hon. Friend shares my belief that street homelessness is a crisis not just of housing but of health, mental health, and addiction as well. Our approach from the start of the pandemic has been to bring people off the streets into safe accommodation with wraparound support.

Answered
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Q5 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Economy Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

Mencap is concerned about the lack of clarity on the shared prosperity fund, a successor to the European Social Fund. Disabled people have benefited greatly from it.

Question

Last week I met Mencap who were extremely concerned about the lack of clarity on the shared prosperity fund. Can the Secretary State agree to meet me and outline a way forward for this fund?

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

I would be happy to have that conversation. My officials have been engaging with devolved Administrations from all nations of the United Kingdom. Further details will be published at the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meeting not confirmed

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Q6 Andrea Leadsom Con
NHS Housing
Context

The right hon. Friend wrote to the Minister about safe sleeping pod-style accommodation for rough sleepers during winter.

Question

I have written to my right hon. Friend recommending covid-safe sleeping pod-style accommodation for rough sleepers this winter. Despite the Government's efforts, some will still be on our streets. Will he tell me what steps are being put in place to ensure their safety and avoid night shelters which many find terrifying?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

The Government are providing a £10 million cold weather fund to all local authorities, along with a new £15 million protect programme and a £2 million transformation fund. These initiatives aim to provide self-contained accommodation, innovative shelter options, and support for faith and community centres.

Answered
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Q7 Chris Matheson Lab
Local Government
Context

Cheshire West and Chester Council has a funding gap of about £56 million, including an unconfirmed £7 million income compensation scheme payment.

Question

The council faces a £1 million deficit due to covid activities despite the Chancellor's promise to do 'whatever it takes'. Will the Government make good on the funding gap or leave local governments in uncertainty?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Total covid-19 additional funding is £25 million, with an almost £39 million total from across Government. The sales, fees and charges scheme will contribute 75p in the pound for lost income, and a similar scheme is planned for council tax and business rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to cover remaining deficit of £1 million was not made

How: Under Review, Committed

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Q8 Sally-Ann Hart
Housing
Context

The Government have prioritised ending homelessness with social housing playing a key role.

Question

Will the Minister update on measures taken to increase social housing investment under this year's affordable homes programme to help end homelessness?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

The Government have made £11.5 billion available for 180,000 new affordable homes in five years, a significant proportion of which will be for affordable or social rent. The abolition of the housing revenue account cap allows local authorities to build more social homes if they wish.

Answered
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Q9 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
NHS
Context

Acquired brain injury is a hidden epidemic with local authorities bearing significant costs for neuro-rehabilitation.

Question

Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss better co-reliance among agencies working with people who have brain injuries, including those affected by covid?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The hon. Gentleman has been a fantastic champion of this cause, and I would be delighted to do so.

Not addressed: No specific commitments or actions were provided

How: Would Be Delighted

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Q10 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Local Government
Context

The shadow Secretary of State has defended Tony Newman, the former leader of the bankrupt Labour-run Croydon Council.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that instead of scoring political points, the shadow Secretary of State should address the serious letdown by Labour councils in managing public funds?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The situation in Croydon is deeply concerning with catastrophic financial mismanagement. The council has issued a section 114 notice, and we will consider findings from the urgent review concluding later this month.

How: Changed Subject

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Q11 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Children & Families Local Government
Context

Significant reductions in Government funding for children's social care since 2010 have led to more children entering care due to prevention cuts.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that any new funding formula recognises pressures and need, especially in areas with higher deprivation?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The funding has been deployed taking deprivation into consideration. As we approach the spending review, I will argue for further funding for local authorities so they are properly and sustainably financed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to new formula was not made

How: Under Review, Committed

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Q12 Jonathan Gullis
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Gullis brought his Planning (Proper Maintenance of Land) Bill before the House in September, with support from Historic England. He aims to protect and preserve heritage sites such as Price & Kensington.

Question

My right hon. Friend will be aware that I brought before the House my Planning (Proper Maintenance of Land) Bill back in September with the support of Historic England. Will he confirm whether he will adopt this in the planning reform Bill, helping my fight to protect and preserve our nation's heritage at places such as Price & Kensington in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the Second Reading of his Bill. We are looking to strengthen the powers and sanctions in respect of both heritage and planning enforcement as part of our White Paper reforms of the planning system. I am sure that he will be lobbying us to ensure that that is part of the wider package.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether they would adopt the Bill

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Q13 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Local Government
Context

The Secretary of State allocated towns fund money without following civil servants' advice, raising concerns about the decision-making process.

Question

When the Secretary of State ignored his own civil servants' advice on which areas to support with the towns fund, was that on his own initiative or was he receiving instructions from Downing Street?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

It is a shame that the hon. Gentleman makes party political points without understanding the facts, because no Minister in my Department has ignored the advice of their officials. The Department produced a robust process, which was followed by myself and any other Minister in the Department, so he should be careful before making wild and false accusations.

Not addressed: Avoided answering on whether Downing Street influenced the decision

How: Accusing Questioner Of Ignorance, Making Party Political Points

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Q14 Natalie Elphicke
Housing Energy Environment
Context

Deal faces issues with sewage and water flooding, leading to planning objections against local homes. There's a need to match housing delivery with infrastructure capacity.

Question

For years, some water companies and Ofwat have failed to get a grip on repeated sewage and water flooding, including in the historic town of Deal. As a result, planning objections are mounting against the delivery of much-needed and wanted local homes. Will my right hon. Friend consider what more can be done to ensure that additional planned housing delivery can be matched by additional planned capacity in water, electricity and broadband utilities?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. She is a doughty campaigner for her constituents in Dover, and particularly, in this case, in Deal. She will know that the national planning policy framework makes it clear that local authorities should make provision for infrastructure, including water supply and energy, through their strategic planning authorities. As to what further we can do, our White Paper on planning reform proposes an infrastructure levy that will get that sort of infrastructure that she refers to in place at the get-go so that communities get not just the housing they need but the infrastructure to go with it.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q15 Virendra Sharma Lab
Local Government
Context

Ealing Council faces a £30 million funding shortfall despite receiving support from the Secretary of State to fight covid-19.

Question

Ealing Council is facing a funding shortfall of around £30 million even after efficiency savings and delaying investment. That is despite a promise from the Secretary of State that it would have everything that it needed to fight covid-19. Will the Secretary of State stick to his promise and give local authorities what they need, or will he be the one to explain why children's centres, libraries and sports facilities have to close?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are very much sticking to our promise to support local authorities. We have already given local authorities more than £7 billion since the start of the pandemic, with the sales fees and charges and the business rates and council tax schemes. We are approaching £10 billion of additional support for local authorities, and in his case, in Ealing, it is £30 million, so he is quite wrong to say that we are not supporting his constituents.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q16 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Climate Environment
Context

The UK has declared a climate emergency, but the Secretary of State proposes changes to planning laws that could affect local authorities' ability to negotiate biodiversity net gains.

Question

Under the planning laws, Bath and North East Somerset Council in my constituency negotiated a 64.9% biodiversity net gain as part of planning consent for a new development. Why does the Secretary of State propose to take that opportunity away from local planning authorities, given that the UK has declared a climate emergency?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I am happy to look into what the hon. Lady says, but she is mistaken. This party is doing quite the opposite. We are legislating to embed biodiversity net gain as an essential part of the planning system.

Not addressed: Did not explain why the proposal could take away local authorities' negotiation opportunities

How: Stating The Opposite

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