Contributions
2,215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBuilding Beautiful PlacesThe Government have set out to put beauty and design, for the first time, at the heart of the local planning system. To that end, we are changing the system so that local people…20 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationAs the hon. Gentleman knows, all meetings that Ministers have are correctly identified on the register of interests, but I have to say that he has been on quite a journey. One…19 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationThe point that my hon. Friend touches on is that the current planning system is not well regarded and is not producing the kinds of outcomes that we want; that is precisely why we…19 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationThis Government made a manifesto commitment not just to protect the green belt, but to enhance it. At the moment, planning policy is clear that building on the green belt should…19 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationMy hon. Friend makes an important point, and he is right to say that significant housing delivery is occurring at the moment in Aylesbury. There are two principal things that the…19 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationMy hon. Friend and I have spoken about that on a number of occasions—as have I with you, Mr Speaker. He will appreciate that I am unable to comment on the specific local plans…19 Jul 2021HANSARDPlanning System ModernisationWe will modernise the planning system, ensuring a simpler, faster and more predictable system that delivers more homes, more infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, and…19 Jul 2021HANSARDRegeneration of Towns and High StreetsWe have already committed over £430 million of investment in the south-west alone through the getting building fund, the future high streets fund and the towns fund. My hon.…19 Jul 2021HANSARDRegeneration of Towns and High StreetsI wish my hon. Friend a happy birthday. I am delighted that the council put in a bid for Dinnington high street, where he and I met for the first time in 2019. He asks a very…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the Prime Minister said last Thursday in his speech on levelling up, the Government’s vital mission is about raising living standards, spreading opportunity, improving our…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsDomestic abuse is a terrible crime, and I, like Members on both sides of the House, was pleased that we passed the landmark Domestic Abuse Act earlier this year, and that the…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady raises an important point, particularly for rural communities and those that are harder to serve. The pandemic has had a profound impact on access to cash, with many…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI completely agree with my hon. Friend that it is vitally important that new housing development is supported by commensurate infrastructure —both physical and social…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis Government took exceptional steps early in the pandemic, with cross-party support, and they were the right things to do. We legislated and, for example, we increased the…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs a son of Wolverhampton, I know the city well and I wish it well. It is absolutely right that we need to build more homes in our town and city centres, and that is what the…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is disappointing that proposals have not been brought forward so far, but we want to work with my hon. Friend and her local council. I saw from Accrington when she and I…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn terms of buildings with the most dangerous form of cladding, there are five that I am aware of in Lewisham. One has completed work and is awaiting building control sign-off,…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would be happy to look at those proposals. I have already seen them, but perhaps the hon. Lady and I can meet to discuss them in further detail.19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsShoddy workmanship of that kind is disgraceful, and developers should step up and pay for any works that are required. We are changing the law through the Building Safety Bill to…19 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI welcome the hon. Lady to her place in this House. As a former by-election winner, I know what it is like to enter in a class of one. I am sure she will thrive, as others have…19 Jul 2021