Contributions
2,215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWeddings Sector: Covid-19I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s important question. We published guidance last week for places of worship before they reopened for individual prayer. I am grateful to all the…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am very sympathetic to the argument that my hon. Friend has made. I would like to see more outdoor seating and for it to be easier and cheaper for small businesses to get…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsPropriety in the planning system is extremely important and I take my responsibility as Secretary of State very seriously indeed. The application to which the hon. Gentleman…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy understanding is that the new discretionary fund would allow a business such as the one my hon. Friend raises to benefit from that. I know he has written to me in the past…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsLet us be clear about the circumstances here: all the parties to this application—that includes the Mayor of London, the applicant and Tower Hamlets Council—agreed to redetermine…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe said at the start of the pandemic that we would give councils, which were responding to covid so brilliantly, the resources they need, and we meant it. We have announced more…15 Jun 2020HANSARDWeddings Sector: Covid-19I fully appreciate the concerns that my hon. Friend raises. I know how important weddings are for venues and, of course, how many people’s plans have been disrupted. I can tell…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTowns FundI know how closely my hon. Friend has been involved in some of those town deals. We want to ensure we get the maximum economic benefit from this investment, and so my officials…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTowns FundI hope that the hon. Gentleman will convey to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire and her family the strength of feeling and support she has on both sides of the House. On the…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsYesterday marked three years since the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire. No words will ever be enough, but my thoughts, and I am sure those of the whole House, are with the…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsFirst, let me say that it is completely unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe or intimidated in their home. Earlier this year, I announced an additional £165 million for the…15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat was a matter of public record. It was referred to in the planning inspector’s report that my Department received in November, so all parties would have been aware of that.15 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am sorry to disappoint the hon. Lady with her pre-prepared question, but as she will have heard in my answer a few moments ago, the Department was fully informed of my…15 Jun 2020HANSARDGrenfell Tower: Phase 1 Report Next StepsOn 30 October 2019 phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, which focused on how the fire started and spread and the emergency response, concluded with the publication of the phase…02 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketIt is extremely important that removal firms across the country, many of which are small and medium-sized businesses, get back to work, and we have worked with them to produce…13 May 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketMy hon. Friend raises a very important point that we cannot emphasise enough today. There will be individuals who are not advised to move home, except in the most unusual…13 May 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketI am extremely grateful for the work of local councils and charities in places such as Nottingham: they did an amazing job in bringing at least 90% of those individuals who were…13 May 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketAs I have already said, we have legislated to have a moratorium on evictions, which comes up for review in June. At that point, the Secretary of State has the power to extend it…13 May 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketAcross the country, millions of people are employed in the construction industry. It is absolutely essential that we get them back to work, but we have to do so safely. Today’s…13 May 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Housing MarketMoving home can be a life-changing moment for many among us. For young families spreading their wings after a new arrival, for young people leaving their parents’ home for the…13 May 2020