Topical Questions

Question

In the levelling up White Paper the Government rightly confirmed that they would match European Union structural fund receipts for Cornwall. They could do the same for South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, County Durham and Lincolnshire, but so far have not. Will they?

Question

One issue recently discussed at the Stoke-on-Trent summit at 10 Downing Street, led by my right hon. Friend, was setting free Homes England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council on their fantastic, UK-leading strategy for the regeneration of industrial cities. Will he update the House on how his mission to set free Homes England is going to date?

Question

I wish the Secretary of State good luck with that. Last week, he told ITV News that, “nobody will get in the way of making sure we get money to those who are vulnerable and who deserve it”. Was he referring to the Chancellor or the Chief Secretary to the Treasury?

Question

Seriously, the Secretary of State no longer has the power to sign off on a park bench. There are now reports of significant underspends in his Department that are about to be clawed back by the Treasury. Can he guarantee to the towns crying out for investment in town centres, high streets and affordable housing that the full allocation of the towns fund, the future high streets fund and the affordable homes programme will be spent? If he cannot, will he tell us who is to blame—him, or the Chancellor?

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Whole communities have been up in arms after perverse decisions by the Planning Inspectorate, most recently on a site between Askett and Meadle and another between Twyford and Poundon. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to reform the Planning Inspectorate to stop it walking all over local wishes?

Question

With around 1,000 jobs and 17,000 placements at stake in Northern Ireland, the shared prosperity fund is too little, too late for those organisations that are currently availing themselves of European social fund support. Can the Minister ensure that, at the very least, decisions on funding will be taken before the end of March to allow successful bids to continue without interruption?

Question

Solar is an important part of the UK's energy mix, and, as the Secretary of State will know, the sun always shines in Shropshire. Does he agree that solar farms, which are often of huge scale, need to be in the right place, not the wrong place? So often, a lot of good agricultural land is lost.

Question

According to the Government's own reports, the Prime Minister's Richmondshire local authority is the 67th least deprived local authority in the country, while Bradford is the 21st most deprived. Was levelling up at the heart of the Government's decision to approve roughly £20 million of funding for Richmondshire and no funding for my constituency of Bradford South?

Question

Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset secured £152 million from the levelling-up fund last month. The four counties make up the region's new powerhouse, the great south west, of which I chair the all-party parliamentary group. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the fantastic opportunities that lie ahead for the great south west?

Question

Not only have the Government legislated to allow sewage on to our beaches and into our sea, but they are now limiting funds for local authorities to stop historic coastal landfill sites polluting our coast. One of those sites is in gorgeous South Shields. When can we expect the Government to do something about it?

Question

There have been multiple frivolous applications in my beautiful South West Hertfordshire constituency, including in my hometown of Tring, where such applications would increase the population by 30%. What advice can the Secretary of State give me on how best to engage with his Department on these issues so that my constituents' voices are heard clearly?

Question

Around one in 10 owners relinquishing animals to the Dogs Trust cites housing issues as the reason. Can the Minister confirm that planned measures to protect pet ownership in the renters' reform Bill will be maintained to prevent further pets from being given up unnecessarily?

Question

Fisherman's Green has been identified by the local council as a potential housing development site in Eastbourne. Local people do not support that, and I support them. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the council, which owns the land and has put the site into the strategy, can take Fisherman's Green out of the strategy without sanction?

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the leaders and elected Mayor of the north-east's authorities on their work with the Government to secure a strong devolution deal? As his work concludes with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, can he confirm that he will move quickly to work with those north-east authorities to convey “trailblazer” status and powers, as agreed in the deal?

Question

Antisocial behaviour is causing misery for my constituents, as I can tell from responses to my survey. Does the Secretary of State therefore welcome the stronger action that we have seen from Staffordshire police since its new local policing model was introduced last June? In the last month, that action has included a closure notice in Knutton, working with Asda to stop boy racers in the Wolstanton car park, and a section 34 order in Chesterton. It is a big issue, but we are moving in the right direction.

Question

Many constituents are contacting me about the rental market; I am sure it is the same across the country. The shortage of available properties is making it hard for private renters who are seeking accommodation. One constituent emailed to say that she had been told to keep requests to a minimum if she wanted to have a chance of getting a property. What will the Secretary of State do about the frankly disgraceful emails that tenants are receiving from letting agents?

Question

I am concerned about the upcoming cessation of the Help to Buy scheme. It has helped my young constituents get onto the housing ladder. Can you assure me that the Chancellor is being urged to extend this vital programme?

Question

Does the Government's commitment extend to helping blocks under 11 metres that need EWS1 certification even if no immediate danger has been identified?

Question

On-street parking rules in Warwickshire allow internal combustion engine vehicles to park all day near EV chargers. Does the Secretary of State agree this is problematic?

Question

How can taking away £25 million from Halton Borough Council be considered part of the levelling-up programme? When will there be a fair funding review?

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that we should also provide extra general practice capacity alongside new home developments? What plans does he have to address this?

Question

Can the Secretary of State explain why my constituency received less levelling-up investment than the Prime Minister's, despite higher need?

Question

What does the Secretary of State say about towns that feel taken for granted and neglected by this Government's levelling-up efforts?

Question

What is the Secretary of State doing to deliver properly affordable social rented housing for those who are overcrowded and have no prospects?

Question

Some of the Homes for Ukraine six-month placements are now starting to come to an end, and some Ukrainian nationals in my constituency cannot get into private rented accommodation because they have no credit history. The local council is ready to look at rematching families, but if that does not work out, some of those Ukrainian refugees will have no choice but to present as homeless. Will the Secretary of State look at this issue, and look at the suggestion of a guarantor system backed by the Government?