"We should wait until the Minister responds to the debate to find out exactly what the Government propose for that situation, but I do not think that it will be very much really.
"My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I will come on to foster carers in a little while.
The lack of mobility in this sector—between two-bedroom properties and one-bedroom properties, for example—is a product not of tenants needlessly under-occupying larger homes, but of the logjam created by a national shortage …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"That is another good point. I will come on to discuss that situation, which is also affecting my own local social housing providers in County Durham.
I understand that the Department for Work and Pensions has recognised the lack of available smaller properties. In its impact assessment, it notes that …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"It is very distressing, and the point that my hon. Friend raises again about the lack of one-bedroom properties will be starkly set out in the next part of my speech.
Livin, which used to be called Sedgefield Borough Homes, has about 8,500 properties, and about 1,609 of those households …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"At the beginning of the 21st century, it obviously is. Bishop Auckland, the constituency that my hon. Friend represents, shares some of the statistics regarding Livin, because it covers both our constituencies, and it is concerned because of the proposal that its rent arrears could double from 4% to 8% …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I will address that in my speech, which many hon. Members seem to have read. The Minister will probably say that that budget is being increased, but it is not ring-fenced.
"My hon. Friend makes an excellent point with which I do not think any Opposition Member would disagree.
The gentleman who came into my constituency office is an example that exposes the modern Conservative party and, indeed, the coalition. Conservatives like to see themselves as the party of the family, …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"That is not the way to treat the armed forces, especially when they are on active service in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
The Government say that they are trying to save money, but that is impossible for the great majority, who will be forced to choose between their home and a …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"My hon. Friend makes a valid point. As MPs, we are seeing a great increase in benefit casework. As we get closer to 1 April, the casework will get even harder.
The under-occupancy rules are the manifestation of the Government’s appalling manipulation of the welfare debate. The language is the …..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman talks of dependency. Does he not realise that the Bill will create a food-bank dependency in our nation?..." Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - View Speech