Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Homes for Older People

Monday 21 November 2022 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister for Health and Social Care committed to increasing supply of specialist elderly accommodation through capital funding.
  • New Minister committed to taking forward the taskforce to build more homes for people needing care but no specific timeline given.
  • Response to criticism about funding rejections included wishing the area success in future levelling-up fund bids.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
NHS Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the shortage of specialist elderly accommodation and housing-with-care.

Question

I am concerned about the steps being taken with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to increase the supply of homes for older people, including housing-with-care. My constituency has a significant number of residents in need of such accommodations.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

We are committed to increasing the supply of specialist elderly accommodation, including housing-with-care. We work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to incentivise supply through capital funding such as the affordable homes programme. An older persons housing taskforce is being established to examine this area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for the establishment of the older persons housing taskforce was not provided, despite the MP's interest in a detailed timeframe.

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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Social Care Housing
Context

The MP has welcomed the announcement of an older persons housing taskforce but is seeking clarity on its operational commencement.

Question

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for her answer and welcome her to the Dispatch Box in her new role. The 'Levelling Up' White Paper promised this taskforce to build more homes for people who need care. I wonder when we will see it come into operation and start the important work of providing that accommodation.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

As a new Minister, I am committed to taking forward the taskforce and have already spoken to the Minister for Care about re-establishing it. However, no specific timeline has been provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact operational commencement date of the older persons housing taskforce was not specified, despite the MP's request for a clear timeframe.

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Q3 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the lack of resources in her constituency despite its strong sense of community pride. She points out that the local council's budget has been slashed, levelling-up bids rejected, and a heavy burden placed on councils by recent Budget measures.

Question

One of the stated aims of levelling up is to 'restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging'. Barnsley does not lack pride or community—it lacks resources. After slashing 40% of our council's budget, rejecting two levelling-up bids and now backing a Budget that places a heavy burden on councils, what are the Government doing to ensure levelling up delivers a genuine economic boost to areas such as Barnsley?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I am sorry that Barnsley has not been successful in its levelling-up fund bids. However, various schemes have been put forward to improve local areas and I wish her area every success in future bids.

Not addressed: The question was about the concrete measures being taken by the government for economic uplift in Barnsley due to budget cuts and rejected levelling-up bids, but no specific actions were provided. Instead, the response offered condolences without addressing the lack of resources.

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