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Written Question
Parking: Fees and Charges
Tuesday 19th July 2022

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department expects to (a) conclude the review of the levels of private parking charges and additional charges and (b) re-introduce the Private Parking Code of Practice.

Answered by Lia Nici

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17171 on 21 June 2022.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 27 Jun 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"13. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving the digital connectivity of the hardest-to-reach premises as referenced in the levelling-up White Paper. ..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 27 Jun 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"The Minister will be aware that some 19% of properties in Ceredigion currently receive broadband speeds of under 10 megabits per second. Although there are plans to improve connectivity in a number of these areas, there are other communities in villages such as Plwmp, Brynhoffnant, Blaenporth, Penrhiwllan, Ffostrasol and Rhydlewis …..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Written Question
Homes for Ukraine Scheme
Monday 28th March 2022

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how eligible individuals who do not hold a British passport can validate their application to become sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Answered by Eddie Hughes

Further to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up on 14 March, guidance for local authorities has been published on Gov.uk at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-councils . There are also published FAQs available online at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions as well as information for sponsors at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guidance . Information is available on safeguarding checks at these links, as well as on eligibility for the scheme. Phase One of the Homes for Ukraine scheme opened for applications on 18 March and is accessible via links from homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk . Those who had recorded their interest in the scheme were also contacted on that date. Details on future phases of the scheme will be announced in due course.


Written Question
Homes for Ukraine Scheme: House Insurance
Friday 18th March 2022

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions has he had with representatives of insurance providers to ensure continued insurance coverage for customers participating in the Homes for Ukraine programme.

Answered by Eddie Hughes

The Department has engaged with key partners in the insurance sector and full guidance for sponsors will be available shortly.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Mar 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

"T10. The airline Wizz Air has offered to fly Ukrainian refugees from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, and there are indications that Cardiff airport could be a destination for some of these flights. I understand that there have been initial discussions with the Welsh Government, but would the Secretary of …..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 01 Mar 2022
Shared Prosperity Fund: Devolved Administrations

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Edward. I will begin by thanking the hon. Member for Belfast South (Claire Hanna) for securing this debate and for the welcome opportunity to discuss the shared prosperity fund’s governance and scale, as well as the promises that were made …..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Shared Prosperity Fund: Devolved Administrations

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 02 Feb 2022
Levelling Up

"Six of the nine areas in Ceredigion rank in the bottom 10% of areas across the UK for decent broadband coverage. How will the hardest-to-reach premises, such as those in Ceredigion, be targeted for public investment?..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Levelling Up

Written Question
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Wednesday 26th January 2022

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department plans to publish details of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund application process.

Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)

UK-wide funding for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will ramp up to at least match receipts from EU structural funds, which on average reached around £1.5 billion per year. Spending Review 2021 fulfils this commitment, with the announcement of over £2.6 billion for the UKSPF over the next three years, with funding reaching £1.5 billion in 2024-25.

The UKSPF will focus on restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging across the country. The UKSPF will act as a primary lever in levelling up people and places in all parts of the UK to empower places to identify, and build on, their own strengths and needs at a local level.

The Government will publish further details on the fund in due course.


Written Question
Community Ownership Fund
Tuesday 18th January 2022

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department plans to publish the updated prospectus, assessment guidance and application form for the second round of the Community Ownership Fund.

Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)

We are currently reviewing the first bidding round of the Community Ownership Fund and in order to implement the lessons learned, the second round will open in the spring.

We will be launching an updated prospectus, assessment guidance and application form ahead of the second round opening and will also be offering additional support to interested groups to help as many projects as possible to benefit from the fund.