Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Southeastern have requested a derogation from the requirement to consult in relation to possible timetable changes in May 2023.
Answered by Huw Merriman
Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable.
Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes in May 2023, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential risk of overcrowding at London Bridge Station in the context of additional usage relating to the timetable implemented by Southeastern on 11 December 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman
London Bridge was specifically rebuilt at a cost over £1 billion between 2012 and 2018 to facilitate easy interchange for passengers. It is a fully accessible station, with lifts to all platforms. Network Rail, who manage London Bridge, and all train operators that use the station, including Southeastern, are constantly assessing demand and passenger flows and have plans in place to ensure that if the station does get crowded, it always remains safe.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information the Department holds on Southeastern train punctuality at recorded station stops for each quarter since January 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Department monitors operational performance closely and engages with the rail industry at all levels. Southeastern has a Service Contract that sets quantifiable performance targets and the Department holds data on train punctuality by period at recorded station stops as recorded by Network Rail which includes information for Southeastern.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes statistics showing train punctuality at recorded station stops for Southeastern on a periodic basis on the following links at:
https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/table-3138-train-punctuality-at-recorded-station-stops-by-operator-periodic/; and on a quarterly basis at,
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has made assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of New Homes Bonus legacy payments on local authorities.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
In 2021, we published a consultation on the future of the New Homes Bonus and sought views from the sector on a range of issues.
When considering changes to the New Homes Bonus, the Government has considered both the impact on local authorities and the effectiveness of the Bonus in encouraging housing growth.
Further announcements will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish his Department's response to the Future of the New Homes Bonus consultation.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
In 2021, we published a consultation on the future of the New Homes Bonus and sought views from the sector on a range of issues.
When considering changes to the New Homes Bonus, the Government has considered both the impact on local authorities and the effectiveness of the Bonus in encouraging housing growth.
Further announcements will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his plans are for the Future of the New Homes Bonus beyond 2023-24.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
In 2021, we published a consultation on the future of the New Homes Bonus and sought views from the sector on a range of issues.
When considering changes to the New Homes Bonus, the Government has considered both the impact on local authorities and the effectiveness of the Bonus in encouraging housing growth.
Further announcements will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to implement the recommendations of the final report on the regulation of property agents working group on July 2019.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
As part of creating a fair and just housing system, the Government is committed to making sure that homeowners and tenants are protected from abuse and poor service. Further announcements will be made in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Housing and Planning in the Delegated Legislation Committee of 18 July 2022 on the Draft Building Safety (Leaseholder Protections) (Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2022, Official Report, column 10, whether his Department secured the appropriate memorandum from the Law Officers providing for approval of a retrospective law in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.
Answered by Lee Rowley
As set out in paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May and paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, by long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the Law Officers of the Crown is not generally disclosed outside Government.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of changes in demand for services on the Maidstone East line into central London stations.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Department monitors the performance of all train operators, including Southeastern, very closely and regular discussions take place covering all aspects of their services including levels of demand. Officials are working closely with Southeastern to understand changes in travel patterns and fluctuations in demand across all routes including services on the Maidstone East line.
Southeastern have two timetable changes a year, in line with the rest of the rail industry. Any changes made are kept under review and can be adjusted, where appropriate, to reflect fluctuations in demand. Southeastern will continue to listen and keep stakeholders informed of developments. The Department will continue engagement with industry to ensure passengers and taxpayers remain at the heart of changes implemented.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure Southeastern is required to consult passengers on possible timetable changes in May 2023.
Answered by Huw Merriman
Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable. Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. However, Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.