Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDraft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025
Draft Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 (First sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his broad support for the regulations and their intention, and for his questions. Again, before I address his specific points, I express my…21 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning System: Community InvolvementI think that the hon. Lady—if I followed her argument—was speaking about objections lodged to an individual planning application. We are making no changes to that process.…14 Jul 2025HANSARDHousing DeliveryI thank the shadow Minister for that question. He is absolutely right that our target of 1.5 million new homes, which is extremely stretching—we have never said anything other…14 Jul 2025HANSARDHousing DeliveryI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that question. He cited the planning practice guidance we have issued, which has a very clear definition of the grey belt and the rules for…14 Jul 2025HANSARDHousing DeliveryThe hon. Lady draws the attention of the House to an incredibly important point. The Government are clear that the house building sector can thrive only when there is fair and…14 Jul 2025HANSARDHousing DeliveryThose house builders have expressed their confidence, and their gratitude for the reforms that the Government have carried out. It is slightly peevish of the right hon. Lady, who…14 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning System: Community InvolvementThe Government strongly encourage broad community engagement in the planning process, and we want to see greater public participation in the development of local plans in…14 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning System: Community InvolvementI note my hon. Friend’s concerns in relation to the Tees Valley. In general, we are looking to streamline the powers given to development corporations—we took measures in the…14 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning System: Community InvolvementWe do want local communities to have more of a say, particularly when it comes to the development of local plans, which are, as I have said, the best means for local communities…14 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning System: Community InvolvementI can do no better than to draw the hon. Lady’s attention to the extensive remarks that I made in the Bill Committee.14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman—who I have great affection for, as we go through our tenure—is a highly experienced former councillor, and he will know that local authorities already have…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsUnder our proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill for a national scheme of delegation, it will still be local planning authorities that make recommendations and…14 Jul 2025HANSARDSocial Housing: Right to BuyAlthough I respect the hon. Gentleman and his views, we have a principled difference of opinion on this matter. As I have made clear, the Government’s considered view is that…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Government support selective licensing as a tool to tackle the impact of poor housing management on local communities. The general approval that we granted in December gives…14 Jul 2025HANSARDSocial Housing: Right to BuyThe Government do not intend to abolish the right to buy, either nationally or by giving local areas discretion to do so. We want to ensure that council tenants who have lived in…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman draws the House’s attention to an important point about freehold estates, and I direct his attention to the report by the Competition and Markets Authority on…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsAlthough swift brick coverage is increasing, we want to drive up swift brick installation. As I made clear on Report of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we are considering…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend raises a matter that I know is of concern to hon. Members across the House. It is precisely to protect residential freeholders in Hethersett and other freehold…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI say two things to the hon. Gentleman. He will forgive me if he knows this already, but we did strengthen the provision for infrastructure in our recent changes to the national…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will happily meet my hon. Friend about that concerning development. If she could write to me with the details in advance, that would be extremely useful.14 Jul 2025