Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to introduce settlement routes for Ukrainian nationals in the UK on temporary visas under the (a) Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, (b) Ukraine Family Scheme and (c) Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Answered by Felicity Buchan
As the first visas issued for the Homes for Ukraine scheme will begin to expire in March 2025, the Home Office is reviewing what may be needed beyond that date, bearing in mind the situation in Ukraine, the wishes of the Ukrainian Government, and the needs of Ukrainians in the UK. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
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 plans to extend the duration of the (a) Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, (b) Ukraine Family Scheme and (c) Ukraine Extension Scheme beyond the initial three-year period.
Answered by Felicity Buchan
As the first visas issued for the Homes for Ukraine scheme will begin to expire in March 2025, the Home Office is reviewing what may be needed beyond that date, bearing in mind the situation in Ukraine, the wishes of the Ukrainian Government, and the needs of Ukrainians in the UK. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the levelling up agenda on the cost of living.
Answered by Lord Gove
The Government is committed to uniting and levelling up all parts of the UK which for too long have been left behind. We recognise the impact on household incomes during a time where global inflation pressures are being felt - but it is only by working together that we can deliver on supporting those most in need and ensure all parts of the UK benefit from the Governments levelling up agenda.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure the (a) interests and (b) safety of local communities is fully considered in decisions on planning for shale gas fracking; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government is firmly committed to ensuring that local communities are fully involved in planning decisions that affect them. Planning applications for shale development proposals require consultation with local communities, ensuring that planning concerns about potential impacts raised by local people are taken into account in the determination of such applications.
The Government takes the safety of the public and environmental protection very seriously and are confident we have a robust regulatory framework in place. We have been clear that shale gas exploration development must be safe and environmentally sound. The UK has world-class regulation to ensure that shale gas exploration can happen safely, respecting local communities and safeguarding the environment. National planning policy makes clear that in considering planning applications, mineral planning authorities should ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or on human health.