Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 29 November 2021 · 18 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 13 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sara Britcliffe asked about the second round of the levelling-up fund and invited the minister to visit Hyndburn and Haslingden.
  • Ruth Cadbury questioned the Government about transparency regarding changes to permitted development rights and was told that local authorities have powers to deny such developments.
  • Patricia Gibson inquired how the Secretary of State can improve intergovernmental relations given his portfolio's perceived undermining of devolution, to which the response highlighted efforts to work with local government in Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Economy Local Government
Context

The questioner has campaigned for investment in Hyndburn and Haslingden's town centres.

Question

Can he confirm that the second round will be confirmed in the White Paper, and will he visit my home of Hyndburn and Haslingden to see at first hand how the money would be spent?

Answer from Michael Gove

Absolutely, and we will be saying more about how we can ensure that the remaining tranches of the levelling-up fund are allocated fairly. Accrington and Oswaldtwistle speak to me even now as communities that I would love to visit, with my hon. Friend as my guide.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly confirm if the second round will be in the White Paper, only stated willingness to visit Hyndburn and Haslingden.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Housing Local Government
Context

Reforms of permitted development rights led to a new generation of slum housing and pose risks to high streets.

Question

Will the Government at least give councils and communities some transparency, and release in full the promised regulatory impact assessment of the Department's changes to permitted development rights?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

The hon. Lady is quite wrong in her assertion. Local authorities do have powers to deny permitted development. Prior approvals are required in respect of matters such as aspect, parking and access before the buildings can be constructed. Authorities can also apply for article 4 exemptions for areas in which PDRs will therefore not apply. I can tell the hon. Lady that as a result of our PDR changes, 84,000 new homes have been built which otherwise might not have been built, often on brownfield sites and often in town centres, to the betterment of those people who want to live in them.

Not addressed: Did not address transparency request; instead provided information about benefits of PDR changes.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Housing
Context

The housing targets for outer London boroughs such as Barnet are seen as too high and there is a desire to halt urbanisation.

Question

Will the Secretary of State lower them so that we can halt urbanisation and save the suburbs?

Answer from Michael Gove

My right hon. Friend has spoken frequently and passionately about the importance of a balanced approach to the assessment of housing need across the United Kingdom. It is certainly true that the way in which we assess it needs to be updated. I think it only fair to say that every part of England—indeed, every part of the United Kingdom—will have to share in making sure that we can meet the housing needs of the next generation, but we are seeking to achieve a fairer and more equitable distribution of need across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address lowering targets; focused on balanced approach and fairer distribution of need instead.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Patricia Gibson SNP
Scotland
Context

The UK Government's actions undermine devolution and intergovernmental relations, according to the Institute for Government.

Question

How can the Secretary of State in all honesty work to improve intergovernmental relations when the core thrust of his portfolio is about undermining devolution and overriding devolved Governments?

Answer from Michael Gove

I share the hon. Lady's concern for enhancing and improving devolution, which is why we are working with local government in Scotland and, indeed, with Scottish National party Members of this House, to help to ensure that the levelling-up fund, the shared prosperity fund and the community ownership fund meet the needs of individual communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not fully address perceived undermining of devolution; focused on working with local government in Scotland instead.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 banned landlords from asking for pet deposits or damage insurance, but some landlords no longer allow pets.

Question

Will he please meet me because this is in the interests of animal welfare and the animals that we love so much?

Answer from Michael Gove

Companion animals are a really good thing—cats, dogs or whatever they are—and it is vital that we work with landlords to ensure that people have the right to have the animal that brings so much joy into their lives with them, whatever form of tenure they enjoy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to meeting; instead expressed importance of pet ownership and working with landlords.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Karen Buck Lab
Housing Community Security
Context

The Everyone In policy was successful in taking rough sleepers off streets during pandemic but abandoned too quickly.

Question

Why are the Government not giving priority to restoring a version of Everyone In now?

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I am disappointed by the hon. Lady's suggestion that it has been abandoned. It certainly has not. The Government are committed to giving all people somewhere safe to sleep. We have the £10 million winter pressure fund and we have the winter transformation fund to help charities and faith groups to deliver single-unit accommodation, so this Government are very much committed to the cause and I would welcome working with the hon. Lady on this in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address prioritizing restoration of Everyone In policy; instead highlighted current funds and commitment to cause.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Nickie Aiken
Housing Mental Health
Context

The Vagrancy Act of 1824 criminalises rough sleepers rather than helping them.

Question

As the Secretary of State will be aware, I am working with peers, other Members of this place and charities to secure the repeal of the Vagrncy Act 1824. My constituency is home to the largest number of rough sleepers in the country. The former Secretary of State said in the House in February that he thought that the Act should be consigned to history. What does the current Secretary of State think of the Vagrancy Act?

Answer from Michael Gove

I think that the Vagrncy Act has to go. We do need appropriate legislation to deal with examples of aggressive begging, but the most important thing to recognise is that the work that Westminster Council and Greater Manchester have done to reduce rough sleeping has been exemplary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly state whether or how the Vagrancy Act will be repealed.

How: Changed Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q8 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Prime Minister's recent announcement on northern rail suggests that the Government is abandoning any pretense of being a levelling-up government.

Question

The Prime Minister is always enthusiastic about sabotaging the career prospects of the Secretary of State, so can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the time lag was between him getting levelling up on his job title and the Prime Minister making it clear that he was abandoning any pretence that this was a levelling-up Government with his recent announcement on northern rail?

Answer from Michael Gove

Conspiracy theories are all the rage these days, but I have to say that the hon. Gentleman should be above all that.

Not addressed: Did not address conspiracy theory or timeline of events.

How: Attacking Questioner

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q9 Jane Hunt
Housing Local Government
Context

Derelict brownfield land around Leicester could be utilized for housing, but more housing is being built in the Leicestershire countryside.

Question

Around 40% of workers who commute from Charnwood Borough Council area commute into Leicester city. This is due to a lack of housing in the city. Despite there being brownfield land around the city that could be utilised for house building, more and more housing is being built in the Leicestershire countryside. Will my right hon. Friend set out what the Government are doing to encourage development on brownfield land? Will he provide greater incentives to councils to ensure this happens?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

We are doing exactly that. The brownfield remediation fund is providing significant moneys to ensure that brownfield is remediated.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address incentives for councils.

How: Changed Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q10 Marion Fellows SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Local Government
Context

Post offices play a crucial role in ensuring access to cash for vulnerable people and need protection.

Question

Post offices are an essential part of our rural communities and town centres across these islands. As banks leave high streets, post offices and sub-postmasters are playing a greater role in ensuring access to cash for the most vulnerable, so it is essential this network is protected. What discussions has the Secretary of State or one of his many Ministers had with the Chancellor to ensure post office numbers grow over the year?

Answer from Michael Gove

I could not agree more with the hon. Lady. The Post Office is a marvellous UK-wide institution, and the universal service obligation ensures that everyone across the United Kingdom benefits in exactly the same way.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not mention discussions with Chancellor or plans to grow post office numbers.

How: Changed Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q11 James Sunderland
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There are concerns about rampant house building in east Berkshire, and the need to protect assets such as farmland and open spaces.

Question

The Minister will know I am very concerned about rampant house building in east Berkshire and elsewhere in the south of England. Will he please assure me of what might be forthcoming in the planning Bill to protect assets such as farmland, school playing fields, golf courses, open spaces and the Pinewood Centre in Crowthorne?

Answer from Michael Gove

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour for making that important point.

Not addressed: Did not address planning bill protections or specific concerns raised.

How: Attacking Questioner

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q12 Ben Lake PC Ceredigion Preseli
Economy Wales
Context

Wales received funding from EU structural funds but the current levelling-up fund allocation is lower.

Question

The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised that Wales will not lose any powers or funding as a result of our exit from the EU. If Wales is to receive £167 million from the levelling-up fund, as opposed to the £375 million a year it received from EU structural funds, from which funding pot can the people of Wales expect to receive the shortfall?

Answer from Michael Gove

I would challenge the hon. Gentleman's arithmetic, but I know time is short.

Not addressed: Did not address funding shortfall or specific pots of funding.

How: Attacking Questioner

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q13 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Environment
Context

There is a need to increase protections for the green belt in the planning Bill.

Question

I urge my right hon. Friend to increase protections for the green belt in the forthcoming planning Bill. In Sevenoaks we are 93% green belt, yet we are constantly inundated with speculative planning applications that worry the local community. The answer should be clear: if it is green belt, it is protected; and if it is a speculative planning application, the answer is no.

Answer from Michael Gove

I would hate to be a developer facing my hon. Friend. When it comes to these speculative and ill-thought-out planning applications, developers had better put on their armour because she fires truth bullets at them from the hip, and repeatedly.

Not addressed: Did not address green belt protections or specific provisions in Planning Bill.

How: Attacking Questioner

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q14 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Housing
Context

Lease-holders in Kingfisher Court, built by Barratt in East Ham, have had their application to the building safety fund rejected while similar buildings nearby were accepted. They face bankruptcy as a result.

Question

Lease-holders in Kingfisher Court, built by Barratt in my constituency, have just been told that, unlike leaseholders in very similar buildings nearby, their application to the building safety fund has been rejected. They do not know why, and they now face bankruptcy. Can the right hon. Gentleman offer any reassurance that I can take when I meet them later this evening?

Answer from Michael Gove

Yes. I take this incredibly seriously. The right hon. Gentleman's office may have already been in touch with the Department, but if it can be in touch with my private office directly, I will see what we can provide by way of additional information before he sees his constituents later.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific reassurances or concrete commitments beyond offering to provide more information

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q15 Selaine Saxby
Housing
Context

Coastal communities in Devon and Cornwall are facing a severe shortage of affordable homes, with no private rentals available and public services struggling to recruit due to high living costs.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend meet me and other coastal MPs in Devon and Cornwall who are concerned about the deepening housing crisis, with no private rentals, no affordable homes and public services unable to recruit, as no one can afford to live in what were communities but have become holiday camps by summer and ghost towns by winter?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend makes an important point, which emphasises the need for us to make sure that affordable housing is available for those in communities who are the vital workers—the productive workers who are at the heart of successful communities. Although of course it is legitimate for people to have second homes, that also means we need to look at one or two of the loopholes that allow some to not necessarily contribute to the community as much as they might.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a meeting but discussed broader issues related to affordable housing and second homes

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q16 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
Housing
Context

Durham County Council faces a shortage of social housing with many properties in poor condition, causing difficulties for housing associations like Believe Housing that struggle to meet residents' repair needs.

Question

Across Durham, social housing is in short supply while much of the stock available is of poor quality. Housing associations such as Believe Housing are struggling to meet the needs of residents on repairs and maintenance. Does the Secretary of State share my belief that residents in social housing deserve homes fit for living in? Will he meet me to discuss these problems?

Answer from Michael Gove

I do share that view, and our affordable homes programme will be part of making good on our commitment to more and better social housing. I look forward to working with the new administration at Durham County Council in order to achieve just that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a meeting but acknowledged the need for improvement in social housing

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q17 James Daly
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Co-op theatre in Ramsbottom, an important local landmark from the 1870s, is proposed for purchase and refurbishment to play a central role in levelling up through culture.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that culture can play a central role in levelling up throughout the north of England, and that an excellent example of this would be the proposed purchase and refurbishment of the Co-op theatre in Ramsbottom? May I invite him to visit this cultural gem from the 1870s, which has all its unique features still intact?

Answer from Michael Gove

Culture is absolutely vital to levelling up. One thing I was discussing with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport earlier today was the importance of making sure that more of the Arts Council funding that is currently spent in London and the south-east is spent in the midlands and in the north.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific support for Ramsbottom but discussed broader distribution of cultural funding

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q18 Hilary Benn Lab Leeds South
Housing
Context

Long-suffering leaseholders in Leeds and elsewhere await publication of revised government plans to solve the cladding crisis.

Question

The Secretary of State said earlier that his revised plans to solve the cladding crisis would be published shortly. Will that be before the forthcoming recess? All long-suffering leaseholders in my area want for Christmas is finally to hear that they will not have to pay sums they do not have to fix a problem they are not responsible for.

Answer from Michael Gove

Yes, I really do have to come back before Christmas with proposals. I cannot promise at this stage that they will relieve the burden on every leaseholder of every obligation, but we will do everything we can to help.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit fully to releasing plans or relieving all obligations

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)