Topical Questions 2020-07-20

2020-07-20

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Sally-Ann Hart SNP
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Context
Councils have used emergency accommodation to house rough sleepers during the pandemic, but building enough social housing within a timeframe to prevent homelessness is unrealistic.
How will my right hon. Friend keep vulnerable people off the streets come winter when it's not feasible to build sufficient social housing in time?
Grateful for local councils' work during the pandemic; £105 million available to fund interventions including social lettings agencies for vulnerable people.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Janet Daby Lab
Lewisham East
Context
Faith groups provide millions of meals monthly but have missed out on donations and fund-raising opportunities during the pandemic.
What assessment has been made by the Government regarding financial hit to places of worship, and why haven't ring-fenced funds been provided?
Paying tribute to faith groups' efforts; financial impact recognised through places of worship taskforce meetings; faith organisations can access charity support schemes.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Steve Double Con
St Austell and Newquay
Context
Town and parish councils in Cornwall have incurred extra costs while seeing a drop in income due to the pandemic.
What more can be done to ensure funding reaches these hard-pressed councils?
Thanking councils for their pandemic support; encouraging discussions with Cornwall Council regarding £3.7 billion in un-ring-fenced grant funding.
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Q4 Direct Answer
Context
Over 820,000 people have fallen into council tax arrears due to the pandemic.
Will the Minister consider introducing a pre-action protocol to protect vulnerable families from unfair bailiff action?
Conversations ongoing with the Lord Chancellor; initiatives set out by Lord Chancellor today, more announcements expected shortly.
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Q5 Direct Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
Morris highlights issues of absentee landlords, substandard housing and tenant vetting problems.
Will the Minister support the Horden housing masterplan to regenerate local housing, which could be replicated in neighbouring areas suffering from similar housing issues?
I would be delighted to discuss with the hon. Gentleman that masterplan and to learn more of its details. It is extremely important to us that we not only build more homes but tackle substandard homes in all parts of the country making them greener and regenerating parts of towns and cities where needed.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Worcestershire
Context
Smith highlights a £3 million cost pressure faced by the local council due to waived management fees, loss of income from social distancing measures etc.
Will the Minister provide assurances that council tax payers in Buckinghamshire will not have to bear these costs?
The income guarantee scheme will reimburse local councils for 75p in the pound for lost income. The Minister is working with the Culture Secretary to see what further package of support might be brought forward.
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Q7 Direct Answer
Stuart McDonald SNP
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Context
McDonald highlights the uncertainty for recipients of structural funds due to delays in details being announced.
Why not guarantee existing EU funding allocations for next year now?
The Government intend to keep the manifesto commitment to ensure that each of the nations will continue to receive the same amount of funding as they did from within the EU.
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Q8 Direct Answer
Mark Eastwood Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Context
Eastwood highlights community concerns regarding inappropriate developments on farmland, green belt, and areas susceptible to flooding.
Will the Minister agree to meet to discuss these concerns?
The Government intend to bring forward a review of the planning system and how it interrelates with flood plains to ensure that homes are not built irresponsibly on parts of the country that routinely flood.
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Q9 Direct Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Blackburn
Context
Smith questions who informed the Secretary of State's office about a date for changes in the community infrastructure levy.
Who instructed departmental officials to speed through the Westferry decision before the new CIL came into force?
The fact that Tower Hamlets Council was preparing a new local plan with a CIL schedule attached to it was a matter of public record; anybody knowledgeable about London's housing issues would have known that. It is a perfectly legitimate planning consideration.
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Q10 Direct Answer
Stephen Metcalfe Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Context
Metcalfe questions steps being taken to remove dangerous cladding from high-rise residential buildings.
What measures are in place to support leaseholders facing large bills?
We have brought forward a £1.6 billion fund to tackle not just ACM cladding but other types of dangerous cladding such as HPL. The building safety Bill in draft form has also been published.
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Q11 Direct Answer
Jessica Morden Lab
Aberavon
Context
Morden highlights the £56 billion UK economy benefit from the Western Gateway project.
Will Ministers commit to working with APPG on Western Gateway, Welsh Government and local authorities?
We were pleased to launch the Western Gateway initiative at the end of last year. It has huge potential to drive economic growth in that part of the country and attract international investment.
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Q12 Direct Answer
Clive Efford Lab
Eltham
Context
The local authority in question is facing a significant financial deficit due to its response to the pandemic.
My local authority faces a £40 million deficit as a result of its response to covid. Given that the Government said councils should spend what it takes, why are they not providing assistance to local authorities like mine which have incurred such costs?
We ensured from the start that councils would receive necessary resources. We have provided over £4 billion in funding for covid-related expenses, created a guarantee of 75p income per pound lost on sales, fees and charges, and are working with the Chancellor to address tax losses, ensuring councils can finish their financial year in good health.
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