Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 20 January 2025 · 21 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 10 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Safety experts have raised concerns about high-rise blocks and buildings in Scotland containing dangerous panels, with the Scottish Government criticized for slow remediation efforts.
  • The Secretary of State emphasized the importance of equal treatment under planning law, though security concerns take precedence.
  • Minister responded to concerns about delayed social housing repairs, highlighting the Regulator of Social Housing's standards for timely and effective repairs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Frank McNally Lab Coatbridge and Bellshill
Housing Scotland
Context

Safety experts have raised concerns about 95 high-rise blocks and nearly 300 other buildings in Scotland containing high pressure laminate panels, which are known to be dangerous. The Scottish Government has spent less than 10% of the £97 million received from the UK Government for dealing with cladding in 2020.

Question

Safety experts have raised concerns about 95 high-rise blocks and nearly 300 other buildings in Scotland found to contain high pressure laminate panels. Shockingly, eight years on from Grenfell the Scottish Government have spent less than 10% of the £97 million received from the UK Government for dealing with cladding in 2020. Does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government have dragged their feet on this for far too long and must act now to make these buildings safe?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

I agree that remediation has been too slow. This Government are laser-focused on speeding up the remediation of dangerous buildings, and I encourage the Scottish Government, for which this is a devolved matter, to increase their efforts, as we are, to up the pace of remediation in Scotland.

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Q2 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Context

The Secretary of State, the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister have all intervened in the planning application for the Chinese super-embassy, overriding local residents' wishes and concerns.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that everyone should be treated equally and be seen to be treated equally before the law, including planning law?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

These are live issues, but the security of our country and nation always comes foremost, and that is always what this Government think of first.

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Q3 Marie Tidball Lab Penistone and Stocksbridge
Housing
Context

A social housing repair project in High Green has been ongoing for 64 weeks, much longer than the promised 12 weeks.

Question

Constituents of mine in High Green were told that a social housing repair project for their home would take 12 weeks. The project has now been ongoing for 64 weeks, with contractors leaving the works in a disgraceful condition. How does the Minister plan to empower local authorities to ensure that contractors deliver social house building and repairs to a high standard and on time?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

All social housing tenants deserve to live in decent homes, to be treated with fairness and respect and to have their problems quickly resolved. Under the Regulator of Social Housing’s safety and quality standard, housing associations and councils must provide an effective, efficient and timely repair service for their homes, including setting timetables for completion and clearly communicating with residents.

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Q4 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Environment
Context

A local site was sold, the trees were cut down without proper notification or consent from the community.

Question

Will the Minister commit to bringing forward legislation to auto-protect trees above a particular size or age in their planning reforms, so that developers do not get away with environmental vandalism?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

Protections are already in place, but if the hon. Lady wishes to write to me with further details of that particular case, on which I do not have the full information to allow me to comment now, I will endeavour to look into the matter more carefully and to provide her with a full response.

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Q5 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
NHS Housing
Context

More than 600 households across Luton are living in temporary accommodation, with families scattered across hotels and bed and breakfasts waiting for homes to become available.

Question

Can the Secretary of State outline what steps she is taking to shorten waiting times and increase social housing stock for people in Luton North?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Rushanara Ali)

The Secretary of State is leading the charge in building 1.5 million homes to tackle the supply challenge that we face as a country, because of the housing crisis we inherited. We also announced £500 million for the affordable homes programme in the Budget and funding for homelessness services has gone up by £233 million, bringing the total to a billion pounds.

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Q6 Peter Fortune Con Bromley and Biggin Hill
NHS Housing
Context

Residents of Northpoint in Bromley have had to pay nearly £700,000 for a waking watch, fire wardens, and alarms.

Question

Following the Grenfell tragedy, the residents of Northpoint in my constituency have had to pay charges of nearly £700,000 for a waking watch, fire wardens and alarms. Given the Government’s manifesto commitment to better protect leaseholders from costs, what steps can the Minister take to help my constituents with the reimbursement of those charges?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris)

Sadly, I hear these stories across the country as well. The reality is that the best step that can be taken is for the developer to enter into the cladding safety scheme, to get the building remediated and to get the costs removed.

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Q7 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

Transparency International reported that since 2010, £38.6 million of donations into UK politics have come from unincorporated associations, which are not required to report their source of income.

Question

Will the Minister close political donation loopholes to protect our democracy from foreign influence by banning unincorporated associations and shell companies that have never turned a profit from donating to political parties?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Rushanara Ali)

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining trust in our electoral system and our democracy. The UK already has a strong framework that makes clear that only those with a legitimate interest in UK elections can make political donations.

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Q8 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Environment
Context

Chris Dodson, a local thatcher in Sawtry, raised concerns about the shortage of long straw thatch and the requirement by Historic England for grade II listed properties to use like-for-like materials.

Question

I recently spoke to Chris Dodson, a local thatcher in Sawtry, who raised with me the shortage of thatching straw, particularly long straw thatch. With Historic England insisting that grade II listed properties should use like-for-like materials in replacements and the chance of listed building consent to change from straw to water reed unlikely to be granted, will the Minister confirm what the Government are doing to ensure that thatchers are not hindered by the current guidance and the shortage of thatching straw?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

I confess that that is a question to which I do not have the answer. The Government intend to amend building regulations later this year as part of the introduction of future standards, and it sounds like this issue, which I think came up in the debate on a private Member’s Bill on Friday, is one that we need to consider. I am more than happy to sit down with the hon. Gentleman and have a further discussion about it.

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Q9 Catherine Atkinson Lab Derby North
Housing
Context

A young dad at Derby City Mission who was sleeping rough and had access to Safe Space night shelter moved into a bedroom, then informed that there is a home available.

Question

Last week I met a young dad at Derby City Mission who had been sleeping rough until he used its Safe Space night shelter. He was then able to move into one of its bedrooms, and he had just been informed that there was a home for him to move into: another step towards having somewhere his son can visit him next Christmas. Will the Minister consider whether that stepped model could be used to help more rough sleepers become ready for permanent accommodation?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

I thank my hon. Friend for sharing that excellent example of the vital work of Derby City Mission. I am pleased that it received £272,000 of Government funding through the night shelter transformation fund, to help people off the streets and into their own accommodation. The Government’s investment of nearly a billion pounds will allow partners to develop vital services for those in need, and we will draw on those lessons.

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Q10 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Crime & Law Enforcement Housing
Context

The repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 was given Royal Assent 1,000 days ago but the outdated act is still driving people away from support and into an overloaded court system.

Question

Tomorrow, it will be 1,000 days since the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 was given Royal Assent, yet that outdated, vindictive and utterly ineffective Act is still driving people away from the support they need and into an already overloaded courts system. There is no need for a replacement as existing antisocial behaviour laws are sufficient. May I urge the Minister to please drop the peculiar and cautious civil service group-think? We are 201 years on. Will she advise when the commencement of the repeal will happen?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

The Vagrancy Act is antiquated and no longer fit for purpose. No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough on the streets. We want to ensure that we avoid criminalising the most vulnerable, while also ensuring that the police and local authorities have the tools they need to make communities feel safe. We are currently considering our next steps.

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Q11 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Housing
Context

The definition of affordable housing needs to be more flexible and tied to average local income, rather than market conditions.

Question

Will the Government look at redefining affordable housing in national policy so that it is pegged to average local income rather than at the whim of an overheated housing market?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

We did make changes to some of the definitions around affordable housing in the recently revised national planning policy framework, by separating out the definition of social rent, but I hear the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. I will certainly bear them in mind as we develop policy.

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Q12 Anneliese Midgley Lab Knowsley
Employment
Context

Recently, postmen in Huyton reported serious problems with low-level letterboxes causing health issues and dog attacks. One suffered a severe injury from a dog attack.

Question

Following my visit to the Royal Mail delivery office in Huyton where I heard about serious safety concerns from posties due to problematic letterboxes, including injuries and increased risk of dog attacks, will the Minister meet me along with representatives from the Communication Workers Union and local posties to discuss these issues regarding new builds?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Not least with a view to making myself the most popular Member of the House, I will happily do so. This includes meeting to discuss the safety concerns raised by Royal Mail staff in relation to low-level letterboxes and their impact on health and security.

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Q13 John Glen Con Salisbury
Local Government
Context

The leader of Wiltshire Council asserts that the Government's distribution formula for local government compensation unfairly disadvantages Wiltshire.

Question

After meeting the leader of Wiltshire council who expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution method used in the local government settlement, will the Minister meet me to better understand this issue and assist in relaying it back to my council?

Answer from Jim McMahon

We acknowledge local government pressures after 14 years of poor management. The Treasury has committed £515 million to support councils with national insurance costs. I am more than happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman about his specific situation, aiming to understand and address any concerns.

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Q14 Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth
Housing Scotland Local Government
Context

Homeowners affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their buildings are seeking financial support, particularly impacting residents of Tillicoultry.

Question

Given the serious impact on homeowners due to structural issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their properties, including potential safety risks and financial losses, is the Government considering a compensation scheme for affected homeowners? If so, what will be the Barnett impact for the Scottish Government?

Answer from Alex Norris

RAAC is a matter of devolution. Although owners are responsible for ensuring building safety, we actively consider providing support if necessary. I am open to further discussions regarding the specific concerns raised by RAAC-affected homeowners in Tillicoultry and elsewhere.

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Q15 Martin Wrigley Lib Dem Newton Abbot
Housing
Context

The leader of Teignbridge district council has restarted council house building for the first time in three decades.

Question

Complimenting my hon. Friend's initiative to restart council housing after 30 years, will the Secretary of State meet me and others to discuss how we can make it easier for other councils to construct more council homes?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I commend the hon. Gentleman's efforts in restarting council housing. We are keen for councils to contribute to council housing provision. The Housing Minister will be happy to meet with him and others to discuss potential strategies.

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Q16 Sam Rushworth Lab Bishop Auckland
Social Care Housing
Context

A constituent of the MP is at risk of homelessness due to ineligibility for social housing because of debt incurred during their youth.

Question

Welcoming the Government's tripling of emergency housing funds, can you look into whether financial debts from a person’s teenage years should disqualify them from receiving social housing support?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this case further. We are working swiftly to support local authorities in providing necessary assistance, such as help for his constituent facing homelessness due to youth-related debts.

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Q17 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Housing Business Compliance
Context

Residents of West Suffolk living in new build homes are facing issues such as road maintenance and shared space upkeep due to ineffective property management.

Question

Facing management companies that fail to meet basic obligations, with residents caught between developers and service providers, what plans do the Government have to regulate these 'cowboy' companies?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

We are committed to protecting freeholders from unfair charges. This year, we will consult on implementing the consumer protection provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, covering up to 1.75 million homes subject to such charges. I am more than happy to discuss this matter further.

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Q18 Andrew Cooper Lab Mid Cheshire
Housing Children & Families
Context

There are currently 160,000 children in temporary accommodation with some cases stretching the definition of 'temporary' to its limit.

Question

Given that there are 160,000 children in temporary accommodation and many definitions of 'temporary' are being stretched, does she agree that the Government's homelessness strategy needs to focus specifically on long-term or repeated spells of children in temporary accommodation?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I absolutely agree. We have an inter-ministerial group working on this issue, determined to tackle homelessness affecting every aspect of children's lives and outcomes. With our opportunities mission, we aim to provide the best possible outcome for every child.

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Q19 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Housing Energy
Context

The New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill received broad support during private Members' Bills debates.

Question

Following the debate on Friday regarding solar generation for new homes, will the Housing Minister confirm that solar power generation requirements will be part of upcoming building regulation updates?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government's position was set out on Friday. I am currently in discussions with the Bill promoter, hon. Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson), to shape future standards that we are bringing forward regarding solar generation in new homes.

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Q20 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Housing Scotland
Context

Scotland is experiencing record levels of children living in temporary accommodation without a permanent home.

Question

With 10,000 children currently homeless and the SNP Government failing to address this issue adequately, does the Secretary of State agree that Scotland needs a new direction and a Scottish Labour Government by 2026?

Answer from Angela Rayner

Yes. The current situation is unacceptable, and we are committed to providing better outcomes for Scotland's children who are facing homelessness.

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Q21 Patrick Spencer Con Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Suffolk is experiencing significant flooding issues exacerbated by overdevelopment on low-lying rural land.

Question

Considering the urgent need to address flood risks, can the Secretary of State promise to ensure that future housing targets favour development in dense urban areas and hold developers accountable for flood-related damage?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

We are prioritizing development on previously developed brownfield land wherever possible. We have updated the NPPF to clarify issues related to flood risk. If the hon. Gentleman writes, I will be happy to look into specific details for his area.

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