Contributions
519 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend makes a powerful and important point. I commend her for the work she has done to champion the military covenant, which every local authority has signed. The…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI commend my hon. Friend for highlighting Cornwall, which I have a close affinity to, given that my family all come from there and my son was born there. I am very keen to see…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady might be interested to know that there are fewer houses being built as leaseholds in England since the mid-1990s. The numbers have come right down, but she is right…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady makes a very powerful and important point about accessibility. Everyone should be able to access a home that is right for their needs. It is crucial that we…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI do recognise the huge issue that the hon. Lady highlights in relation to rough sleeping. While the latest data on rough sleeping—the count last year—showed a small decrease, I…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week, as communities celebrated Eid, we also reflected on those lives lost in the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. This House and other buildings were rightly illuminated in green…17 Jun 2019HANSARDWeighting for Deprivation: Fair Funding ReviewObviously, work continues and we see the recommendations and representations that have been made. Population is by far the most important factor for more universal services…17 Jun 2019HANSARDWeighting for Deprivation: Fair Funding ReviewDeprivation is an important driver of local authority costs, which is why we have proposed that it will be taken into account in four significant service areas, including adult…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingThis year’s funding settlement offers local councils up and down the country a real-terms increase in core funding. Equally, the additional £650 million for social care is…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingThere are now more children’s centres than at any time prior to 2008, and quality has also improved. In 2010, 68% of early years providers were good or outstanding. Today, the…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingMy hon. Friend will no doubt be aware of some of the business rates retention pilots that are under way. They are a core element of our reforms. However, the whole concept of…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingI know that my hon. Friend will recognise the £650 million in additional funding that has been provided to local government for social care in 2019-20. He highlights some of the…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingI would highlight the fact that £261.2 million is being made available in Lewisham in 2019-20—a £7 million increase. The hon. Lady makes an important point about knife crime, and…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingI say gently to the hon. Gentleman that he has not recognised one of our biggest reforms in social housing, which has been to lift the housing revenue account borrowing cap. This…17 Jun 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Government FundingOur recent settlement confirmed an increase of £1.3 billion in resources for local government this year. This real-terms increase recognises the critical services that local…17 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman will have noted the figures I gave regarding the improved quality of a number of providers and, indeed, of children leaving reception with good levels of…17 Jun 2019HANSARD Grenfell: Government ResponseI can say to the hon. Lady that I have been to Manchester and met some residents previously in relation to this very serious issue and the profound impact this has on people’s…10 Jun 2019HANSARD Grenfell: Government ResponseThe right hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point in his customary way. I know how much he has rightly challenged and been engaged in this issue. He may be aware that Metropolitan…10 Jun 2019HANSARD Grenfell: Government ResponseYes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Indeed, when we made the decision to ban combustible cladding, we looked at what other practice was out there and how to standardise…10 Jun 2019HANSARD Grenfell: Government ResponseI recognise the passion of the hon. Lady and the way in which she has sought, very firmly and very effectively, to represent her constituents. I know that that passion and the…10 Jun 2019