Contributions
667 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChristianity in SocietyLet me address the first question. No one should be in fear of professing their faith, regardless of which faith they belong to. That is very important. I am afraid guidance to…30 Mar 2023HANSARDChristianity in SocietyThat falls outside my remit—it is a Foreign Office matter—but I will certainly pass on the hon. Lady’s question. I would like to express my gratitude to the Christian Church for…30 Mar 2023HANSARDIntergovernmental Relations Annual Transparency Report 2022Today, the UK Government published the second annual report of our engagement with the devolved Administrations on gov.uk. This report has been laid as a Command Paper in both…30 Mar 2023HANSARDChristianity in SocietyI am happy to pass on my hon. Friend’s comments. The latest census tells us that the number of Christians living in this country has decreased; however, Christianity remains the…30 Mar 2023HANSARDHomeless Children: Bed-and-Breakfast AccommodationThe Government have been clear that the long-term use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation for families with children is inappropriate and unlawful. We will continue to work with…27 Mar 2023HANSARDService Charge Increases: Leaseholders and Social Housing TenantsService charges must be reasonable and works and services must be of a reasonable standard. We will empower leaseholders by legislating, so that service charges are more…27 Mar 2023HANSARDHomeless Children: Bed-and-Breakfast AccommodationHomelessness and rough sleeping is one of the biggest priorities of this Government. We are devoting £2 billion over three years to alleviate homelessness and rough sleeping. This…27 Mar 2023HANSARDHomeless Children: Bed-and-Breakfast AccommodationI am sorry to hear about the circumstances of the hon. Member’s constituent, and I am happy to talk in detail. There are currently 1,200 families in B&B accommodation for over six…27 Mar 2023HANSARDService Charge Increases: Leaseholders and Social Housing TenantsObviously, we are very sympathetic to those who are feeling cost of living pressures, which is why the Treasury put together the £37 billion package at the autumn statement,…27 Mar 2023HANSARDService Charge Increases: Leaseholders and Social Housing TenantsAs I have said, service charges are payable only to the extent that the costs have been reasonably incurred. If the hon. Lady’s social housing tenant believes that the costs have…27 Mar 2023HANSARD Levelling Up Fund: Tipton and WednesburyAs my right hon. Friend alluded to, that is outside my portfolio, but I believe passionately in regeneration and the importance of prioritising brownfield land. The £210 million…15 Mar 2023HANSARD Levelling Up Fund: Tipton and WednesburyIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Elliott. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich West (Shaun Bailey) on securing this important debate on…15 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessI thank the Backbench Business Committee and my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) for calling this very important debate on the anniversary—the actual…14 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessTo be eligible for the thank-you payments, someone needs to be a sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. For the uptick in the thank-you payment, they need to be hosting a…14 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessI will go on to explain exactly what the Government are doing, but clearly the scheme is evolving. We have already changed it to increase the thank-you payments and to open it up…14 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessThe Government are also making available £654 million over the course of the next two years under the homelessness prevention grant. That follows an additional £50 million we made…14 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessYes, absolutely. We are making available the £1.1 billion in tariff payments that I alluded to, the £150 million fund specifically for homelessness, and—I am about to come to…14 Mar 2023HANSARDUkrainian Refugees: HomelessnessI will make one final point before giving way. Clearly, we want the numbers to be as low as possible. That is why we are also putting in place for 2023-24 a £150 million fund for…14 Mar 2023HANSARDSupporting Families Annual Report 2023 – Celebrating 10 Years of DeliveryAs is required by section 3(6) of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, today I have published the 2022-23 annual report of the Supporting Families programme. The report sets out…08 Mar 2023HANSARDSupported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) BillWe have already heard earlier in the Bill’s passage that there is a real risk of rogue providers changing location in order to avoid regulation. I am determined to put a stop to…03 Mar 2023