Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 19 April 2021 · 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 3 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local government reorganisation proposals in North Yorkshire are subject to consultation exercises with stakeholders, including the local population.
  • Councils should use their powers as lockdown restrictions ease to address littering, which is a criminal offence with penalties up to 150.
  • Ministerial engagements and donations over statutory amounts are published through official notifications to maintain separation between political party donations and planning decisions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Local Government
Context

The MP questioned the government's programme for housing that did not involve local people in shaping devolution plans.

Question

Local people in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire were not trusted to shape devolution plans, instead receiving Whitehall-imposed changes with vague promises. Will the Secretary explain?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

When we approach local government reorganisation, it is only done where there is local support. Proposals like those in North Yorkshire are subject to consultation exercises with stakeholders, including the local population. Any further negotiations would follow legal requirements.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address why Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire were excluded from consultations

How: We Approach Reorganisation Only Where There Is Local Support, Local Interest Will Follow Legal Requirements

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Q2 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Environment
Context

The MP highlighted a surge in littering in parks, mentioning local clean-up groups like the Crewe Clean Team. He noted a decrease in fines issued for littering.

Question

Thank you to all volunteers and groups playing their part in battling litter blight. Will councils be reminded of using their powers? InYourArea found fines dropped in Cheshire East last year.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Happy to thank volunteers. Councils should use their powers as lockdown lifts; littering is a criminal offence with penalties up to £150 and guidance for local authorities on power usage.

Answered
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Q3 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP noted a 400% increase in donations to the Conservative party from developers under the current Prime Minister, raising concerns about transparency.

Question

There has been a 400% increase in donations to the Conservative party from developers. Will the Secretary of State publish meeting notes with developers and representatives on planning system changes?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Ministerial engagements are published through official notifications; donations over statutory amounts are also disclosed. Planning decisions and policy production have nothing to do with political party donations, maintaining complete separation.

Answered
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Q4 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Housing
Context

The MP referred to condemnations of the Secretary of State's planning reforms by various organisations for handing too much control to developers, mentioning their increased donations.

Question

Organisations condemned the planning reforms for giving too much power to developers. Given their increased donations, is he paying back developers by selling out communities?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The hon. Gentleman's point was low. The reforms aim to help people get onto the housing ladder, supporting those in construction jobs and trying to restart after the pandemic.

Not addressed: Did not address the issue of selling out communities or increased donations

How: Point Was Low, Supporting Hard-Working People

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Q5 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Business & Trade
Context

The MP expressed gladness at high streets reopening, mentioning local venues. He suggested reforming planning restrictions to revitalise town centres.

Question

Like many, I was glad to see our high streets begin to reopen last week with retail restarting and outdoor seating enabled for hospitality venues such as those on Coniscliffe Road in Darlington. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to reform planning restrictions to help revitalise our town centres?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

My hon. Friend is right. Changes on high streets require fundamental reforms, which the Government are doing in contrast to Labour's review-led policy without action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how specific planning restrictions will be reformed

How: Changes Require Fundamental Reforms, Labour Is Doing Nothing

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Q6 Virendra Sharma Lab
Standards & Ethics
Context

Dame Alison Nimmo, a newly appointed member of the departmental board, is also a director at Berkeley Group, which faces accusations of endangering public health in Virendra Sharma's constituency.

Question

Last month, the Secretary of State appointed two news members of his departmental board. Dame Alison Nimmo is a director at Berkeley Group—accused of endangering the health of thousands in my constituency with the Southall gasworks development. How can I, or my constituents, have confidence in his Department's ability to regulate the Berkeley Group when, in the words of the Cabinet Office, one of its own advisers leads that Department?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I am disappointed to hear those remarks from the hon. Gentleman. Casting aspersions about the integrity of Dame Alison Nimmo is a new low for the Opposition. Alison is one of the most respected women in business today. She led The Crown Estate impeccably for many years, and now we are fortunate to benefit from her experience, commitment and public service.

Not addressed: The conflict of interest involving Dame Alison Nimmo was not addressed.

How: Casting Aspersions

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Q7 Andrew Percy Con
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Councillor Anne Handley, other members of the town deal board, and Andrew Percy have submitted a bid for Goole which includes regeneration projects such as a town centre redevelopment and gigabit-fast broadband.

Question

Councillor Anne Handley, other members of the town deal board and I have submitted what we feel is a very strong bid for Goole, which will include multimillion-pound regeneration of the town centre and a leisure centre, and bring gigabit-fast broadband to old Goole. We are keen to get on and get the projects delivered. Can the Secretary of State provide any details of when Goole will know exactly how much it is getting from the Government in response to our bid?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I was pleased to receive Goole's town investment plan in January. It includes ambitious plans to diversify, to repurpose the town centre and to revitalise Goole's economy. My officials are conducting their assessment in the usual way and I look forward to making an announcement in due course, which, if it is a positive one, will build on the excellent news we had at the Budget of a freeport in the Humber, bringing jobs and regeneration to the whole region.

Not addressed: No specific timeline or funding amount was provided for when Goole would receive its bid details.

How: Making An Announcement In Due Course

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Q8 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Justice & Courts Housing Women & Equalities
Context

The Ministry of Justice announced £20 million for five pilot schemes providing temporary accommodation for ex-prisoners; however, there is no evidence yet on how the service will account for the complex needs of vulnerable women.

Question

Homelessness is a big factor in ex-prisoners, particularly women, reoffending. In January, the Ministry of Justice announced £20 million for five pilot schemes of temporary accommodation; over three months on, there is still no evidence of how the service will account for the complex and specific needs of vulnerable women leaving prison. How will the Department work with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that support services for women in impermanent accommodation on their release last more than 12 weeks?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The hon. Gentleman raises an extremely important point, as 53% of people sleeping rough on our streets are ex-offenders, so a crucial component of our strategy to end rough sleeping must be ensuring that more offenders, whether male or female, leave prisons to good-quality, secure accommodation, whether it is in the private rental sector or in social housing. I am working very closely with my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor; we put in a bid together to the spending review, to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I will be able to update him on those plans in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plan or timeline for extending support services beyond 12 weeks was provided.

How: Working Closely, In Due Course

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Q9 Jason McCartney Con
Environment
Context

According to the Woodland Trust's report, 1,225 ancient woods across the UK are under threat from development and the number is increasing.

Question

According to the Woodland Trust's “State of the UK's Woods and Trees” report, 1,225 ancient woods across the UK are under threat from development, and the number of ancient woods being damaged by development continues to increase. How will the MHCLG strengthen planning policy further to properly protect this irreplaceable habitat?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I was pleased to read of the Woodland Trust's recent campaign. My Department received over 10,000 postcards from supporters of the trust, which I have had the pleasure of looking over in recent months. We have proposed changes to the national planning policy framework to set an expectation that all new residential streets will be lined with trees.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about protecting ancient woods was not directly addressed.

How: Changes To Planning Policy

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Q10 Caroline Ansell Con
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The eviction ban instituted by the government last year is due to end in May, and there are concerns about rent arrears.

Question

The eviction ban instituted by my right hon. Friend last year and due to end in May has undoubtedly saved untold misery. Now, covid-related rent arrears, built over successive lockdowns, are a very real danger. Will my right hon. Friend outline how measures will evolve to support individuals, families and landlords to sustain viable tenancies as we move into recovery?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for her constituency. If I heard her question correctly, she asks about the support we provided for renters during the pandemic. We wanted to strike the right balance between helping tenants in need—that is why we increased the welfare provision, increased discretionary housing payments and increased the local housing allowance to 30% of local market costs—and ensuring that landlords have access to justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans were provided for measures after May when the eviction ban ends.

How: Striking A Balance

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Q11 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland
Context

The Secretary of State had promised to meet with Scottish Ministers to help clarify the organisation and delivery of the shared prosperity fund.

Question

In March, the Secretary of State told the House that he would reach out to the devolved Government to help get more clarity on the organisation and delivery of the shared prosperity fund in Scotland. On this issue, when did he last meet with Scottish Ministers? What specific Scottish Government policy objectives will be met by the shared prosperity fund?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I met representatives of the Scottish Government two weeks ago.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No information was provided about the objectives that the shared prosperity fund would meet for the Scottish Government.

How: No Details On Policy Objectives

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Q12 Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne
Immigration NHS Employment
Context

The UK has recently announced a package of support for those arriving from Hong Kong on British national overseas status.

Question

I warmly welcome the recently announced package of support for those arriving from Hong Kong on British national overseas status. Will my right hon Friend confirm that all corners of the United Kingdom will receive support to enable those who arrive to settle where they wish and contribute to our economy through, for example, setting up a business?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

As champions of freedom and democracy, we are living up to our historical responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong. We have provided an additional £43 million package across all UK nations to provide targeted support for new arrivals, including English language tuition where necessary and help with housing costs for those who need it. Welcome hubs are being created in 12 locations across the UK to offer practical assistance such as applying for a school place, registering with a GP, and setting up a business.

Answered
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