Community Spaces 2026-04-16
2026-04-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of adequacy in access to communit [8D [K community spaces, which are vital for social networks and civic pride.
What assessment has the Government made of the ad [2D [K adequacy of access to community spaces?
The Government recognise that community spaces are [K hugely important, whether it be for social networks, community participatio [12D [K participation or civic pride. We debated community centres and small charit [6D [K charities in Westminster Hall last month.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific assessment of adequacy was provided, [K only general recognition of importance.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The charity St John's Winchester, which run [3D [K runs a community space for people with dementia and has been operating for [K 900 years, faces challenges due to increased employment costs leading to it [2D [K its deregistration from the Care Quality Commission. The questioner raises [K concerns about the financial burden on councils and NHS if such charities s [1D [K struggle.
The charity St John's Winchester runs a brilliant [9D [K brilliant community space for people with dementia; I have attended it myse [4D [K myself and sung songs with them, including Motown. It is also one of the ol [2D [K oldest charities in the UK and provides almshouses for vulnerable people. I [1D [K It has been running for 900 years and has survived the plague and the civil [5D [K civil war, which was particularly ferocious in Winchester. It has specifica [9D [K specifically cited the increase in employment costs as a reason why it has [K had to deregister from the Care Quality Commission. What are the Government [10D [K Government doing to support charities that provide social care and healthca [8D [K healthcare? We know that if these charities struggle, the costs will go on [K to councils and the NHS.
I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to his [K local charity—indeed, I am a patron of a dementia charity in Barnsley. I re [2D [K recognise the challenges faced by charities, which is why I hosted a number [6D [K number of them at No. 10 with a Treasury Minister. I would be delighted to [K speak to the hon. Gentleman about this matter.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific support measures were outlined; only [K general recognition and offer for further discussion was provided.
Response accuracy