Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to alter the basis upon which annual rent increases are calculated for park home pitches.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
In our response to the review of park homes legislation, we made a commitment to change the pitch fee review inflationary index from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). We remain committed to improving the lives of park home residents and will introduce the required legislation when the parliamentary timetable allows.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to issue instructions to local authorities on easements and waivers to enable street parties to mark HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
Street parties guidance is currently available on the government website. The 'how to' guide outlining how best to prepare for street parties and other public events related to Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee will shortly be updated. My department will be writing to councils in due course to highlight some of the opportunities for councils and their communities to take part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. In the letter we will include further details and advice on road closures.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to discontinue funding for the provision of covid marshals.
Answered by Luke Hall
Government is working closely with local partners to minimise risks arising from easing of restrictions at each stage of the roadmap. This may include managing the impacts of increased footfall on beaches and in tourist hotspots, as well as helping shops and businesses to operate in a COVID-secure way. COVID-19 Secure Marshals or their equivalents are employed by local authorities as a result of the £400 million funding from Government through the Contain Outbreak Management Fund, and have played an important role in meeting the challenges of the pandemic at the local level.
Government will continue to keep its response under review to ensure local areas are equipped to meet the demands of the pandemic.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
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 revise the covid-19 lockdown restrictions for weddings to increase the number of people permitted to attend services in churches.
Answered by Luke Hall
From 28 September no more than 15 people can legally attend a marriage or civil partnership, even where a larger number could be safely accommodated with social distancing in a large COVID-19 secure venue. Those who are working at the ceremony are not included as part of this legal limit.
We recognise that this rule will be disappointing for those planning such events. By their nature, marriage and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.
We do not wish to keep this restriction in place for any longer than we?have to, and?it will be kept under review in line with the changing situation.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether suppliers of bathroom and kitchen fittings can reopen showrooms as part of the easing of the covid-19 lockdown measures.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Government has introduced regulations which require certain business and venues to close, including many retail stores. There are a number of exemptions to this which are contained in the regulations found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350 and are also outlined in the guidance found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close.
It is for each business to assess whether they are exempt from closing, having considered the regulations and associated guidance; this advice applies to businesses supplying kitchen and bathroom fittings. Where stores do remain open they are strongly advised to do so only where staff and customers can adhere to PHE guidelines on social distancing.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
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 impose a stay on forfeiture notices for commercial tenancies for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Government recognises the uncertainty faced by commercial tenants due to the Covid-19 pandemic and we want to protect them during this difficult time.
This is why we introduced an amendment to the Coronavirus Act which prevents commercial tenants from being evicted for 3 months. Commercial tenants will still be liable for the rent, but this provides a grace period and builds on the significant package of support for businesses already announced.