Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsPerhaps the hon. Gentleman did not hear my previous response. The proposed new standard method, which we consulted on, significantly boosts expectations across our city regions.…02 Dec 2024HANSARDSocial Housing: Service ChargesI thank the hon. Gentleman for that supplementary question and assure him that I share his deep concern about the pressure on the household budgets of shared owners in his…02 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend and I have discussed this matter many times. She is well aware of the Government’s approach to tackling excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second…02 Dec 2024HANSARDSocial Housing: Service ChargesThe Government recognise the considerable financial strain that rising service charges are placing on leaseholders, including those whose landlord is a social housing provider. As…02 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe took steps, in the proposed reforms to the consultation on the national planning policy framework, to encourage build-out—not least through encouraging mixed-use development.…02 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I set out in response to a previous question, we will consult on how to end the prevalence of new fleecehold estates, and we will, in the short term, ensure that residents on…02 Dec 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I have said, the best way to shape development in any given area is to have an up-to-date local plan in place. Where such plans are not in place, local authorities leave…02 Dec 2024HANSARD Cross-Boundary Housing DevelopmentsHaving not had the chance to do so personally, may I begin by welcoming the hon. Member for Mid Leicestershire (Mr Bedford) to his place? I think it is fair to say that the…28 Nov 2024HANSARDVeterans’ Access to Social HousingAs we set out in our manifesto and the Prime Minister reiterated in his conference speech on 24 September, this Government are committed to supporting our armed forces communities…27 Nov 2024HANSARDOlder People's Housing TaskforceThe Government have today published the report of the older people’s housing taskforce. Copies will also be deposited in the House Library. Concluding in May 2024, the older…26 Nov 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Commonhold ReformMillions of homeowners across the country will remember with fondness the sense of satisfaction, pride and security they felt when completing the purchase of their first home.…21 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxMy hon. Friend makes a good point. I extend the Government’s appreciation to all local government leaders—I mean that in a cross-party spirit—for what they have done to keep…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Labour councils charge less on average than Tory councils, and the councils with the lowest rates of council tax are all Labour. Council tax…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxI absolutely do, and the Government are determined to extract from the Opposition some clarity on their position on thresholds. Do they agree with the LGA Conservative group,…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxI have been a local councillor, as have many Members of this House. The hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds) has been a council leader, so he will know…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, which relates to an earlier one. I think that, in the urgent question, the Opposition failed to account for the various other sources…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. We deserve an apology, but I doubt that we will get one. Before 2010, it was vanishingly rare for councils to fall into serious financial…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxMy hon. Friend is absolutely right and we still have not had an answer: we do not know the Opposition’s position on thresholds. [ Interruption. ] We are in government, as the hon.…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxThe hon. Gentleman tempts me to discuss the local government finance settlement ahead of it being formally presented to the House. I am afraid I cannot do that, but the Government…14 Nov 2024HANSARD Council TaxMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The damage done to local government over the 14 years in which the Conservatives were in office is profound. We have inherited, as I said, a…14 Nov 2024