Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to accelerate the processing of pensions claims made by retired firefighters in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
While the government has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the firefighters’ pension scheme regulations, the firefighters’ pension scheme is locally administered by each individual Fire and Rescue Authority.
As the designated scheme manager, it is for each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) to determine their administrative timetable, including for the McCloud/Sargeant remedy, in accordance with the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (PSPJOA), including when remedy payments will be distributed.
The Government has been working, and will continue to work, with the fire sector and Local Government Association to support and remind FRAs of their duty under the PSPJOA for all affected individuals.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support Ukrainians staying in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset, and (c) the South West of England in the long term.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
Councils receive integration funding of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. All councils have the flexibility to use this funding as best suits the local area and the specific needs of the Ukrainian guests that they support. This could include measures to support guests to access employment, develop their English language skills, and access privately rented accommodation.
The Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access ESOL provision via the Adult Skills Fund.
Thank-you payments to sponsors of Homes for Ukraine guests have also been extended for 18-months under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, to support guests who wish to remain in sponsorship and provide enough time for guests and sponsors to plan for next steps.
All Ukraine visa holders have rights to work, live and study as well as access to healthcare and welfare support in the UK.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to improve (a) transparency and (b) professionalism in the leasehold sector in Somerset.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to ensure (a) Wessex Water and (b) Environment Agency impact surveys are considered in new planning decisions in Somerset.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee in the planning system, while water companies can comment on relevant planning applications.
By law, planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. This means that where relevant planning matters are raised, including as a result of surveys, the local planning authority should take them into account when making decisions.
The National Planning Policy Framework includes strict policies to prevent inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding. Where these tests cannot be met, development should not be approved.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring social housing providers to refer tenants to a local debt advice service before serving them with an eviction notice for rent arrears.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is clear that social landlords should seek to sustain tenancies and should only evict as a last resort.
Landlords will, when managing their social housing schemes, provide advice and assistance to those struggling financially, including signposting to support services.
The Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims by Social Landlords sets out the actions social landlords should take to support the tenant before they consider taking legal action for rent arrears. These actions include making early contact with tenants to discuss the cause of the arrears, checking eligibility for housing benefit, assisting with any claim, and agreeing affordable repayment terms for the arrears. The protocol can be found on the justice website here.