Contributions
1,066 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (Third sitting)The Minister has given a helpful and comprehensive overview of the matters that we have debated so far. Although we clearly have a different opinion about how to strike the…29 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (Third sitting)I will withdraw the amendment, because again the numbers are against me. It is important to recognise as we consider it, however, that there are examples—loud music is one—that…29 Oct 2024HANSARDHousing SupplyIn the rush for numbers, we must not ignore the need to ensure that new homes are built to appropriate standards. Given that the Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities…28 Oct 2024HANSARDHousing SupplyCertainty for councils is vital for housing delivery, but given the uncertainty created by the Government’s new top-down targets, which will delay the implementation of local…28 Oct 2024HANSARDRough SleepingIt is not an excuse. It is clear when we look at the performance of local authorities in that respect, and in particular in respect of the effectiveness of the many measures…23 Oct 2024HANSARDEngagementsQ5. Our child protection services have had to deal with a number of cases where parents and carers have argued that their fatal actions were lawful punishment. Will the Deputy…23 Oct 2024HANSARDRough SleepingGiven the time constraints, that is the last intervention I will take. I agree with some of the hon. Gentleman’s points. The evidence around Everyone In was positive. The way in…23 Oct 2024HANSARDRough SleepingThat reinforces my point. We have gone from a situation under the previous Labour Government in which there was no counting at all. There was no serious effort to understand the…23 Oct 2024HANSARDRough SleepingIt is also striking that the biggest reduction in homelessness in Yorkshire and the Humber has been achieved by North Yorkshire’s Conservative-led unitary authority. Local…23 Oct 2024HANSARDRough SleepingIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship again, Sir Christopher, so soon after we were engaged on local government matters yesterday. I congratulate the hon. Member for…23 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)indicated assent. Tarun Bhakta: It has long been our call that the Bill should specify and set a higher threshold and make that clear, particularly for the landlord sale and the…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q I have two questions, the first of which concerns the role of the insurance industry in the sector. I am sure that many of us have heard from constituents that most landlords’…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q It is not so much about the affordability assessments. When a tenant applies for a property, the agent will usually, as part of the requirements of the landlord’s insurer, put…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q I want to ask you briefly about the enforcement regime. It is envisaged that local authorities will be the key enforcers of new rules and regulations. What is your view about…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q If I may pursue that final point, do you have any financial modelling about the impact on the homelessness budget that would derive from the Bill? Ben Twomey: I do not have any…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q May I ask about the role that the landlord insurance industry plays, particularly in the context of people being able or unable to access accommodation? Reflecting a question…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q That is helpful, and it leads me to my next point, which is about the evidence you gave to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee stressing the need for there to be…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (First sitting)Q Thank you. May I pursue that last point a little further? One of the issues that has been raised in the evidence so far is about the tenant’s right to challenge rent increases.…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (Second sitting)Q 49 I would like to ask you about the impact that the Bill will have on first-tier tribunals and whether they are ready for the potential consequences. Perhaps we can develop…22 Oct 2024HANSARDRenters' Rights Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. That is a really helpful point. Are the terms of the new possession grounds introduced by the Bill reasonable for both tenants and landlords? In summary, do you feel…22 Oct 2024