Topical Questions

Question

SHiFT works to ensure that young people at risk of engaging with the criminal justice system are diverted to better outcomes through intervention programmes opening in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, supported by £3.9 million from the department. Can you explain how this programme is expected to proceed?

Question

Levelling-up funding for upgrading the B714 road in my constituency, awarded three years ago, has still not been delivered despite inflationary pressures reducing its real value. Can I have an explanation from the Secretary of State as to how approved projects can proceed when funding is insufficient due to inflation?

Question

Ynys Môn hosts the fourth Islands Forum to showcase its heritage and culture with a visit to St Cybi's church, Ucheldre Centre, Newry beach shelters to see how UK Government funds are transforming the area. Will the Secretary of State come for these visits?

Question

Tories prioritise banker mates over the rest of the country, seen in the spring Budget's levelling-up funding for Canary Wharf, an area home to major banks, receiving more than £16,000 per head compared with Scotland. With Labour backing Tory tax and spending plans, do you agree Labour offers no real alternative?

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to attract long-term landlords back to small coastal towns?

Question

In the 2019 Conservative manifesto, the Government committed to continuing leasehold reforms including implementing a ban on new leasehold homes and restricting ground rents. That still has not happened. What is the reason for this delay?

Question

Given upcoming local and general elections, can Ministers assure that the joint election security preparedness unit has all necessary resources?

Question

In constituencies like Aldridge-Brownhills, green belts are precious. In the west midlands, Andy Street's brownfield first approach has led to 16,000 new homes and thousands of jobs. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we can build homes and protect the green belt?

Question

Over 1,000 families in Luton South are stuck in temporary accommodation with wait times ranging from three to nine months for a one-bed property and eight to nine years for a three-bed. Across the country there has been an 119% increase since 2019. Does the Minister agree that this is just a direct cost of 14 years of Conservative failure on housing?

Question

What are the Government doing to ensure that more young people can live independently as early as possible in their adult lives? Specifically, will greater consideration be given to mechanisms allowing only one affordable payment per month?

Question

Will the Government give planning authorities power to declare null and void any planning permission where developers cannot or will not deliver promised affordable homes?

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that it would be helpful for Bournemouth to operate the same parking penalties as London to ensure emergency vehicle access?

Question

What will the Government do to ensure developers are not trying to rip off homeowners with inflated bills?

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that leadership needs to be locally driven and should vote for more Conservative councillors on 2 May?

Question

Why will the Secretary of State not allow Leeds to build even better zero carbon homes?

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Does my right hon. Friend agree that voters should back Ben Houchen on 2 May?

Question

Was public money used for insights prepared by Hanbury Strategy for a Cabinet paper, and when will the public see it?

Question

My constituents are increasingly concerned about the number of planning applications being approved—particularly in rural areas—when the infrastructure and public services quite evidently cannot cope with the demand. What plans do Ministers have to ensure that local residents have more say in future?

Question

My constituents who live on the Abbottsmoor estate in Port Talbot are locked into paying unjustified and extortionate ground rent fees and charges for poor maintenance. Will the Secretary of State commit to strengthening the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill by ensuring that all leaseholders have the right to vary their lease, setting ground rents to a peppercorn, ensuring that premiums are as cheap as possible, regulating managing agents, and abolishing forfeiture?

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure that planning authorities and, more importantly, the Planning Inspectorate are utilising the powers in the new NPPF to protect land use in food production?

Question

My constituency has some of the highest levels of health inequalities in the country, which have been further increased by the cost of living crisis and the continual cuts to our council budgets. If the Government are serious about levelling up, why was Bradford East's bid to reduce health inequalities knocked back?

Question

My constituents have significant concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in the town centre. Public space protection orders can play an important role, but the local Labour council refuses to use the powers it has. We have groups of men drinking alcohol in the middle of the town centre, and the council does nothing. Does the Secretary of State agree that, yet again, Ipswich Labour should step up?