Written Question
Friday 23rd January 2026
Asked by:
Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the East of England and the role it can play in driving growth and prosperity, and we welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. We will consider the report with interest as we take forward our mission to kickstart growth across the country.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"I beg to move,
That this House has considered the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
It is, as ever, a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Jeremy. It is also a pleasure to lead a debate on plans that have been talked about for many years and …..."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"I was expecting an intervention from the hon. Gentleman because we have discussed this issue before. I absolutely disagree with him, not on some of the points of detail, but on the benefits that railways bring. This is absolutely the right approach, although we can argue about the details. There …..."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"Absolutely, although I am puzzled as to the relationship between Ox-Cam and Northern Ireland...."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
View all Daniel Zeichner (Lab - Cambridge) contributions to the debate on: Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"I thought the hon. Gentleman might want to intervene...."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
View all Daniel Zeichner (Lab - Cambridge) contributions to the debate on: Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"I am very grateful; the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) never disappoints. He is absolutely right that housing is important everywhere and is a key part of this project.
I was thrilled with the appointment of Lord Vallance as the Minister and leader of this project. I think we …..."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 03 Dec 2025
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
"I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for his continuing support and interest, and I thank all colleagues for their contributions today. I think that there was sufficient interest to suggest that we reconvene once a year to have this discussion. We also heard a number of bids for the …..."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 24 Nov 2025
Oral Answers to Questions
"The plans for Tempsford vindicate those of us who have long argued for East West Rail and the plans for the area between Cambridge and Oxford, but can my hon. Friend assure me and the House that this Government will be consistent in their support and will not wobble like …..."Daniel Zeichner - View Speech
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Written Question
Monday 11th September 2023
Asked by:
Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2023 to Question 194553 on Planning: Agriculture, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of consulting on proposals to help support the building of new glasshouses as set out at the Farm to Fork summit in May 2023.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
We place great importance on our agriculture and food production, and this is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework already requires local planning authorities to take into account all the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, then we have been clear that planning authorities should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.
Our recent consultation on a revised National Planning Policy Framework proposes a change to strengthen current policy on the consideration given to the relative value of agricultural land for food production.
Written Question
Monday 11th September 2023
Asked by:
Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
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 is taking steps to ensure (a) peri-urban land and (b) high-quality rural land is protected for food growing through the planning system.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
We place great importance on our agriculture and food production, and this is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework already requires local planning authorities to take into account all the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, then we have been clear that planning authorities should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.
Our recent consultation on a revised National Planning Policy Framework proposes a change to strengthen current policy on the consideration given to the relative value of agricultural land for food production.