Topical Questions 2026-02-23
2026-02-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister recently announced the expansion of the Pride in Place programme to include more communities.
I am concerned about the recent expansion of the Pride in Place programme and its impact on local organisations. Will the government provide up to £20 million each over 10 years for nearly 300 communities, allowing local people to decide how this money is spent?
The Government have no plans to change the electoral system and believe first past the post provides an important direct relationship between Members and their local constituents. I will ensure that she gets an appropriate meeting.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for a national commission on electoral reform was not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a need for 48,000 new entrants to the construction sector annually to meet housing targets.
With apprenticeship starts and completions falling short of needs, does the Secretary of State now accept that his target will not be met due to a lack of skilled workers under Labour? Will the Government provide a credible plan for workforce development?
The Government remain committed to meeting the target, investing £600 million in vocational skills and training, and working closely with developers to fund talent pipelines.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for resigning if the target is not met was not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Support for the Government's plans to build 1.5 million homes is expressed, with emphasis on brownfield sites and infrastructure.
Does the Minister agree that affordable home development should prioritise brownfield sites, protecting green space, and be supported by necessary infrastructure investments?
I can give my hon. Friend the assurances he seeks regarding further strengthening support for brownfield development and ensuring appropriate infrastructure provision alongside it.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Ministers are aware that a planning application submitted today for affordable homes will not contribute to the Government's target by the end of this Parliament.
Does the Minister accept that development currently being funded through our new social and affordable homes programme is delayed due to planning issues?
I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's characterisation of development that can come forward and be funded through our programme, which has flexibility to support community-led housing or rural housing.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address delays in planning application processes
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has published a report on social housing conditions.
Just under 430,000 social homes are non-decent, with over 100,000 reaching end of life in the next decade. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how housing-led regeneration can improve these conditions and support new home delivery?
I have met Northern Housing Consortium on a number of occasions. Funding from our programme can be used for social housing estate regeneration, and I would respond if he writes with further details about his recommendations.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment to meet the representative group was provided
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents of South Shropshire are concerned about a 10% sales commission, previously subject to consultation under the previous government.
Many park home residents in South Shropshire are concerned about the 10% sales commission and think it is unfair. I know that the Government have committed to a consultation, but will they speed that up and just scrap the unfair commission?
We need to understand this issue better because answers were not forthcoming in the consultation carried out under the previous Government regarding the rationale for the commission. I assure the hon. Gentleman that in the very near future we will go out to consult and to find more evidence, so that we can take the action that is so desperately needed in this area.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to scrap the unfair commission
We Need To Understand Better
Consultation Will Be Expedited
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents of Peel Green and surrounding areas are looking to utilise Pride in Place money for community projects.
In my constituency of Worsley and Eccles, residents of Peel Green and the surrounding area, including the enthusiastic pupils of Salford City academy, are looking to get their hands on the Pride in Place money. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that they are at the forefront, they take the lead, and they decide?
I thank my hon. Friend for all the work that he is doing with his community on Pride in Place. We are very clear that communities should be in the driving seat, and we are setting a clear expectation that all places will have forms of community-led delivery by the third year. That creates the opportunity for community interest companies, co-operatives and other models, because at the heart of this is the principle that the people who know their patch the best should be in the driving seat of changing their place.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to ensure communities lead
Communities Are Expected To Drive Change
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Local growth funding from Moray council stopping affects digital connectivity progress, business advice services, skills development programme. 14 staff to be made redundant.
With local growth funding from Moray council, in my constituency, stopping, associated progress in digital connectivity will stop, business advice and growth services will reduce, and there will a much-reduced skills development programme. A total of 14 staff will be made redundant, with further scope for redeployment. Why is the Minister content to preside over these funding cuts and redundancies?
We have committed to local growth funding to boost growth in Scotland. We have also delivered record investment to the Scottish Government, who have in their gift the ability to invest in communities and in programmes that will drive the prosperity of local areas. The hon. Gentleman should not be looking to national Government; we have done our part—now it is over to the Scottish National party.
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Assessment & feedback
Reasons for supporting funding cuts and redundancies
Redirecting Blame To Scottish National Party
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
Red Lion pub in Sutton has had its asset of community value status extended by a year, but this does not protect it from future planning applications.
While I welcome the fact that the Red Lion in Sutton has had its asset of community value status extended by a year, that does not completely protect it from future planning applications. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this case, and that of the Railway Inn in Norton Bridge, to understand how the Government can best support these sites and save them for future community use?
Yes, I will meet my hon. Friend.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Issues with agricultural planning, affecting rural economy.
From his time at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Secretary of State will be well aware of issues with agricultural planning, so will he guarantee to the House that he will take urgent action to unblock the system and unlock tens of millions of pounds back into the rural economy?
From that question, it is difficult to understand precisely what the hon. Gentleman is getting at. If he writes to me, I will happily respond.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific urgent action on agricultural planning issues
Difficult To Understand
Will Write
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about public behaviour of the Reform-led council, with a committee of three looking at issues.
I know that the people who elect us to this place believe that it is important for politicians to uphold standards, whether at a national or local level. There is growing concern about the public behaviour of the leader and deputy leader of the Reform-led council in Durham, but they have changed the regime for standards, so that a committee of only three, with two Reform members, looks at those issues. Will the Minister consider an independent commissioner for standards for local government to ensure that we can hold our representatives to account?
I thought I was going to get away without answering any questions, Mr Speaker. My hon. Friend raises an important issue. On 11 November last year, we published a Government response to a consultation and I am anxious to get on with taking more steps to address the kind of thing that he raises as quickly as we can.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific consideration for independent commissioner
No Specific Action Planned
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Small businesses in North Yorkshire face pressure from national insurance, workers' rights Bill, rates, energy costs. Consultation on tourist tax closed.
Small businesses across North Yorkshire are under massive pressure from national insurance, the workers' rights Bill, rates, energy costs—the list goes on. Now that the consultation on the tourist tax has closed, will the Minister put that tax on pause in the interests of job creation for young people? The stats today are truly appalling.
The tourism levy has been campaigned for by mayors and local areas. We are consulting on the levy at the moment, but we are clear that there will be a balance between the ability of areas to generate that tax and ensuring that local businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises are thriving in the area, which is the remit and the priority of both mayors and the Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific pause on tourist tax implementation
Consultation Ongoing
Balance Between Generating Tax And Business Needs
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Application made for a 24-hour gambling casino in Crystal Palace, opposed by Labour councillors and over 1000 local residents.
An application was made recently for a 24-hour gambling casino in Crystal Palace. I, along with Labour councillors, my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham and Croydon North (Steve Reed) and over 1,000 local residents, oppose this predatory operator opening. Will the Minister join me in calling on the Conservative-run council to listen to residents and block the application?
I thank my hon. Friend for his effective and committed campaign. We are clear that local areas should be given the power to shape their high streets. When businesses such as gambling shops and casinos are working against what communities want, it is right that the council takes action. The Secretary of State and I are committed to working with my hon. Friend on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support for blocking application
Local Areas Have Power
Working With Friend
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
88,000 new homes meant to start in London last year, but only 5,891 were started. Impact on rents in Spelthorne.
Last year, 88,000 new homes were meant to be started in London, but instead, 5,891 were started. That shortfall has a direct impact on rents in my Spelthorne constituency. Will the Secretary of State say why he is allowing Sadiq Khan to run circles around him?
The Government have recognised openly that there is a perfect storm when it comes to house building in London. That is precisely why we are consulting on an emergency package. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the consultation closed just weeks ago and he does not have long to wait before we come forward with next steps.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific reasons for housing shortage failure
Consultation Ongoing
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
Private market rents are most extortionate in working-class communities, where people can still buy a terraced house for around £70,000.
Why has the government's programme failed to recognise the impact on organisations across Liverpool Walton? We could do something that the Tories and Reform cannot do and that previous Labour Governments did: as with Harold Wilson's fair rents, we could have rent controls in deprived areas with poor housing stock. Will Ministers at least consider a pilot?
The Government do not support rent controls. The provisions of our Renters' Rights Act 2025 will ensure that landlords can increase rent only once a year and that tenants are empowered to challenge unreasonable rent increases.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Effective and expensive local plans have been rendered effectively useless by new housing targets.
What measures is the Minister taking to protect communities from inappropriate, speculative development when effective and expensive local plans that were working have been rendered effectively useless by new housing targets?
If a local planning authority has an up-to-date local plan in place, it will be up to date and in place until it needs to be replaced. At that point, we expect the targets that flow from the new standard method to be adhered to.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for protection against speculative development not addressed
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
There have been several contentious decisions by Walsall council, including the closure of the Walsall Leather Museum against local wishes.
Will the Minister meet me to discuss the decisions of Walsall council, including the closure of the Walsall Leather Museum against the wishes of local people?
I will.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents from right across the constituency are coming together to protect their precious green belt. They have sent an invitation for a peaceful protest.
I have another request from Walsall borough residents. Earlier today, the Secretary of State said that local people know best. I have sent him an invitation to a peaceful protest in Aldridge on Saturday; residents from right across the constituency are coming together to protect their precious green belt. Will he come and meet with them?
I apologise, but my diary is already full up—I will be in another part of the country on Saturday.
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Assessment & feedback
Meeting the residents at the protest
Diary Is Full
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Highways departments felt the full impact of austerity and need capacity to deliver necessary infrastructure.
We need to improve the infrastructure surrounding new developments and existing developments while ensuring that highways in local government, which felt the full impact of austerity, have the resources to deliver. What conversations has the Minister had about expanding capacity in local government to ensure that highways have the appropriate resources to deliver the infrastructure that we need?
We have provided significant support for local planning authorities to help them with capacity and capability pressures. Through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, we allow local authorities to set their own fees at a local level to ensure that their costs can be covered.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific conversations on expanding capacity not detailed
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
There are new build housing developments in the constituency where developers have sold properties without completing infrastructure work.
What consideration has the Minister given to allowing councils to refuse future planning permission to developers with a record of leaving developments incomplete?
As part of proposals in the build out working paper last year, we are looking at some powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 that allow local planning authorities to refuse planning permissions to developers who consistently do not build out.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete actions for refusal of future permissions not provided
Response accuracy
Q21
Direct Answer
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Context
Birmingham's exit from section 114 status is an important moment for the city.
Does the Minister agree that Birmingham's exit from section 114 status is an important moment for the city? Does she further agree that it is time to start scaling back the central Government intervention?
Birmingham city council has strengthened its financial position, and its balanced budget proposal for '26-27 is a significant milestone. This has been made possible by the Government's funding reforms which increase Birmingham's core spending power by 45% from '24-25 to '28-29.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
In areas like Surrey Heath and Guildford, housing targets have nearly doubled, stripping away protections from local plans.
What protections will the Minister put in place as at least a temporary measure to protect our communities from speculative development?
Local plans that are up to date provide protection from speculative development. Local authorities have to ensure they meet housing delivery targets, which is essential.
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Assessment & feedback
Temporary measures for speculative development not addressed
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government have announced £18 million to Redcar and Cleveland borough council to tackle the broken children's social care market.
This Government have awarded over £18 million to Redcar and Cleveland borough council to help it tackle the broken children's social care market. While that is welcome, it is a shame that it is necessary. Will Ministers meet my council leader to discuss what further support can be put in place to make sure this is not needed in future?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this incredibly important issue; I am working closely with Department for Education Ministers on it. I had the pleasure of speaking to a representative of Redcar and Cleveland earlier today, but will keep working closely with my hon. Friend as well.
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Assessment & feedback
Meeting council leader not confirmed
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner has been promised a meeting about local government reform but despite chasing multiple times, there is no response.
I am afraid that this question may feel like groundhog day. This time last month, I asked for a meeting about local government reform, because my residents are so concerned. I was promised a meeting, yet despite having chased at least twice a week every single week for the past month, we have had zero response from the Department. When are we going to get the meetings on really important matters that we are promised in this Chamber?
I thank the hon. Lady for chasing that. I am sure we will meet before too long.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q25
Direct Answer
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Context
An allocation from Labour's impact fund has addressed a funding gap in Falkirk, which would have risked the delivery of Scottish Canals' national centre of excellence.
In Falkirk, an allocation from Labour's impact fund has addressed the funding gap that would otherwise have risked the delivery of Scottish Canals' national centre of excellence for canals and traditional skills. Will the Minister visit this regeneration project once it is completed to celebrate this Labour Government's investment in supporting Falkirk?
Yes, I or one of my colleagues will happily visit that fantastic scheme.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q26
Partial Answer
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Context
Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne is unique, as it is the only harbour where freeholders and leaseholders pay for sea defences through their rent charge.
Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne is unique, in that it is the only harbour in the country where freeholders and leaseholders have to pay through their rent charge for not only the maintenance of the area, but sea defences, which elsewhere are paid for by the Government. Will the Secretary of State commit to meet me to review the fairness of that arrangement and help stem the tide of 16% increases in that rent charge, as has happened this year?
Not just because I have accepted a large number of meetings, I think a far better way for the hon. Gentleman to submit his views would be through the appropriate consultation on freehold estates, where he can bring that case and the issues it raises to life for us.
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Assessment & feedback
Committing to meet the questioner to review the fairness of the arrangement
Suggested An Alternative Route Through Consultation
Response accuracy
Q27
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent weeks have seen the closure of two major retailers on North Antrim's main shopping street.
With recent weeks having seen the closure of the two largest retailers on the main shopping street in Ballymena in my constituency, does the Minister think that the ideology of Pride in Place is capable of rescuing the situation? As part of that, would it be possible to have a special programme whereby large retail spaces whose overheads are unbearable could be subdivided into small retail units for new businesses, so that those overheads might become bearable?
The plight of our high streets is something that this Government are very alive to, and we are trying to work with national and local governments to make sure we respond. Our job is to make sure we are providing the powers and the ability for places to shape their high streets so that they respond to what their communities want. We are open to ideas in that space, including ideas coming from local areas.
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Assessment & feedback
Committing to a special programme for subdividing large retail spaces
Acknowledged The Issue But Did Not Commit
Response accuracy