Written Question
Wednesday 29th October 2025
Asked by:
Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
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 reform the current council tax system to reduce localised disparities in property valuations.
Answered by Alison McGovern
- Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The valuation of all properties in England is carried out by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), who undertake this role independently of ministers. The Chancellor makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events. The Government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike.
Written Question
Tuesday 14th February 2023
Asked by:
Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what was the total (a) value and (b) number of grants and funding awarded via competitive bidding processes by his Department in each of the last four years; and how many competitive bidding applications have been received by the Department in each of the last four years.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
I refer the Hon. Member to information provided to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee in recent correspondence .
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 02 Feb 2022
Levelling Up
"The Secretary of State will know the impact of growing up poor on health, education and life chances, because it is well documented. But, even before the pandemic, two in five children and young people in the north-east were growing up in poverty, so it is hard to understand why …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 19 Jul 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" What discussions he has had with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on tackling health inequalities through the levelling-up fund. ..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 19 Jul 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"Health inequalities are a clear and persistent indicator of the growing gap between and within regions. Swim England forecasts that, because of the impact of the pandemic, by 2026 just 35% of children in the most deprived areas will meet the required national swimming standard when they leave primary school, …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Jun 2021
Planning Decisions: Local Involvement
"I am regularly contacted by constituents who are deeply concerned about the scale and pace of housing development across Newcastle’s outer west, and the long-term failure to deliver the infrastructure and amenities that residents of new housing estates were promised. I share their concern that the current planning system does …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Planning Decisions: Local Involvement
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Jun 2021
Planning Decisions: Local Involvement
"The problem is further compounded by the revised housing formula. After the application of the Government’s arbitrary cities uplift, the requirement of 1,400 new dwellings per year in Newcastle is 30% higher than the Newcastle and Gateshead core strategy and urban core plan’s average target for 2020-30, so I worry …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Planning Decisions: Local Involvement
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 May 2021
Affordable and Safe Housing for All
"It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (David Morris). My deepest condolences go out to all those affected by the tragic events in Heysham.
There is a real sense that the current planning system and the Government’s new proposals do not have people at …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Affordable and Safe Housing for All
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Jan 2021
Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
"The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is “Be the light in the darkness”, encouraging us to focus on those who, over the years, have found the courage and the conviction to take a stand against hatred and division, and to remind us of our duty to confront racism, …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 25 Jan 2021
Council Tax: Government’s Proposed Increase
"Even before the covid-19 pandemic, millions were struggling to pay their council tax and other essential bills. Research in 2019 showed that 1.6 million people have fallen behind on council tax payments, and the pandemic has only worsened the situation. The financial pressures have put a spotlight on how local …..."Catherine McKinnell - View Speech
View all Catherine McKinnell (Lab - Newcastle upon Tyne North) contributions to the debate on: Council Tax: Government’s Proposed Increase