Topical Questions

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The MP noted an appalling fire last week that affected residents in Dagenham and reminded of the importance of making buildings safe before the Grenfell inquiry report is released this week. She expressed thoughts with bereaved families, survivors, and the community of Grenfell.

Question

Birmingham's Labour-run council is on the verge of selling off some 700 residential units at a loss to the taxpayer of about £300 million. Will the Secretary of State intervene to allow the council to retain those properties for public ownership and for use by some of the 25,000 desperate families on the waiting list?

Question

Levy funding for internal drainage boards is an increasing concern for many councils. In my constituency, King's Lynn and West Norfolk borough council now contributes the equivalent of 43% of its council tax income to fund IDB levies. Will the Secretary of State update Members on any progress determining a more sustainable funding solution for those levies and whether the one-off grant scheme to support councils might be repeated?

Question

It has been reported that the Secretary of State is being lobbied to increase council tax and remove discounts such as the single occupancy discount. Will she take this opportunity to reassure the House that the Government have no plans to increase council tax, as they assured us before the election?

Question

My constituent Tracy was recently issued with a section 21 notice to quit and, at the same time, a section 13 rent increase that she cannot afford. She fears being made homeless with her children, so she got in touch with Newcastle city council for a council property, but the wait is 27 weeks on average and often much longer. When will good tenants be protected from unfair evictions and extortionate rent increases?

Question

Residents in rural areas such as my constituency are seeing drastic cuts to local services despite their council tax having gone up this year. That is because councils are struggling to balance budgets. When the fair funding review takes place, will the Secretary of State commit to considering the cost of delivering services in vast rural areas, which is in excess of the same cost in urban areas?

Question

The Government have my full support in making housing more affordable for my constituents and those across the UK, and creating more social rented housing will be important in that. Will the Minister update the House on the Government's plans to protect existing council stock by reviewing the increased right to buy discounts introduced in 2012?

Question

Managing the need to build new homes and to protect our valuable green spaces will always be a tricky balancing act. Will the Government put in the national planning policy framework anything that will protect the concept of the green belt in areas such as Esher and Walton, and will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss it?

Question

Among the many people who are concerned about the safety of buildings—understandably, given recent events—are those who work or live in residential social care homes. Does today's announcement include higher safety standards, including sprinkler systems in such homes?

Question

I am concerned about over 10,000 people on the housing waiting list in Taunton and Wellington facing desperate conditions. Will you allow councils to borrow at low interest rates for building council houses as Somerset is pioneering?

Question

Blackpool's Waterloo Road and Bond Street were once thriving local tourist hotspots, but have declined visibly. Will she work with me to ensure their successful regeneration?

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in calling on Leicester city council to review its plan for 400 homes and other developments near Glenfield village?

Question

How are we balancing the provision of urban green spaces with our need for housing to ensure thriving communities?

Question

Does she agree that the London Borough of Havering is Essex despite being part of Greater London?

Question

Can the Secretary of State provide an update on consultations with Hertfordshire county council and borough/district authorities?

Question

Will the Minister confirm that rural community neighbourhood plans will be respected for their lifespan, notwithstanding new local planning authority housing targets?

Question

Can you provide a timeframe for discussions about devolution plans, which my constituents are keen to move forward with?

Question

Will the Secretary of State look at rules around local authority compulsory purchase orders for playing fields as sites like Udney park lie derelict?

Question

The last Government made local councils compete for pots of money. Bingley pool in my constituency was due to receive a levelling-up award. Those funds are vital for the regeneration of our towns. Can my hon. Friend update the House on the review of those awards, and on the timescale for informing communities such as mine, who have been let down by the Conservatives' unfunded promises, of the results?

Question

The national planning policy framework clearly militates against building on agricultural land. Notwithstanding the Minister's desire not to interfere in local democracy, will he write to the leader of Thanet district council to remind him that agricultural land is the stuff that we grow food on, and cannot be for housing if we are to remain sustainable?

Question

On Wednesday, the phase 2 report of the Grenfell inquiry will be published, and I am sure that the whole House will join me in remembering the 72 residents who lost their lives in an entirely preventable tragedy over seven years ago. Four recommendations for central Government are still outstanding from the phase 1 report, including personalised emergency evacuation plans for disabled people. Will the Secretary of State update us on the progress in implementing the phase 1 recommendations in full?

Question

I congratulate the Secretary of State on her dancing skills, her appointment and her outstanding answer to the question from the shadow Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch), on council tax, which I will pursue. Can she assure the House and guarantee that she will not remove the single person discount, which is so important to pensioners who are already losing out because of the absence of the winter fuel allowance? That would put gladness into the heart of elderly people across the country who live on small incomes.

Question

Given that winter fuel payments will no longer be there for older people who are not entitled to pension credit, what steps has the Secretary of State taken to extend the household support fund, so that local authorities can provide emergency grants, as well as warm spaces?

Question

Devonport dockyard in Plymouth has a strong future proudly refitting the Royal Navy's submarines. However, for that to happen, the city needs, among other things, more housing. The location for this housing is there, in the city centre, but it will require a national effort to deliver it. Will the Minister meet a cross-party delegation from Plymouth to take forward these vital plans?

Question

I know from my time as chair of the Local Government Association that all council leaders, regardless of political persuasion, need more money for local government, but that there is also a commitment from the sector to reforming the sector. Will the Minister confirm his willingness to work with council leaders, regardless of political persuasion, to reform the system, and also to take a look at population under-counting, which is costing my council millions of pounds each year?

Question

The Minister for Local Government may be aware that Eastleigh borough council is subject to a best value notice, due to its unsustainable £700 million of debt. More audits have been undertaken that show that more borrowing is taking place, so will he meet me to discuss this risk to my constituents and their taxpayers' money?

Question

With more people living in HMOs than originally planned for by local infrastructure, there is an impact on public services and community character. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how HMO regulations might be included as Government reshapes planning framework?

Question

Will the Secretary of State or another Minister confirm that Gloucestershire will not be grouped with other areas to the north or south as part of a future devolution deal?

Question

Veterans who brought along their veterans' ID card to prove their identity were turned away. Will the Minister guarantee that this will change?