Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the Government's target is for the number of housing units to be built in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc; and whether Housing England operates from the same target.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The National Planning Policy Framework expects local planning authorities in England to follow the standard method set out in published guidance for assessing local housing need. The standard method is only the starting point in the process of planning for new homes - it is not a target. Local councils will still need to consider local circumstances to assess how many homes should be delivered in their area
For the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, we are developing a long-term Spatial Framework that will support better spatial planning and investment decisions, support more sustainable development and positive environmental outcomes, and allow communities to shape the long-term future of their areas. The development of the Spatial Framework is at a very early stage. Therefore, it does not currently include any policies or targets. In preparing the Spatial Framework, the Government has committed to a robust evidence-based process to understand the most sustainable approach to supporting future growth options in the Arc.
On 20 July, we launched a 12-week public consultation, seeking views to help us create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework. Using the vision as a foundation, we will develop options for delivering its objectives. It is likely that these options will consider strategic growth locations and distribution of growth. We hope to publish this, including a Sustainable Appraisal 'Issues and Options' Report, for public consultation in spring 2022 to give everyone a chance to have their say.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department instructed local authorities as part of funding agreements for the Rough Sleeping Initiative to end the use of hotels and other emergency accommodation for rough sleepers by the end of March 2021.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Department did not instruct local authorities to end the use of hotels and emergency accommodation by 31 March 2021. We have been working closely with local authorities throughout this pandemic to ensure that all those accommodated have access to the support that they need, including move-on into longer-term, sustainable accommodation. As part of this we are working with local authorities to gradually reduce dependence on the use of hotels, intended as an interim measure, to save life and before people were supported into longer-term, more sustainable options. By the end of January, we had supported over 37,000 people with over 11,000 in emergency accommodation and over 26,000 already moved on into longer-term accommodation. To support this, we have provided:
We've been clear with councils and partners that everyone helped into accommodation should be offered the tailored support they need to move forwards.
This Government remains committed to ending rough sleeping this parliament, recent data shows that rough sleeping has fallen 43% under this administration, with a 37% fall in the last year alone.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to bring forward proposals to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 in the 2021-22 parliamentary session.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
This is a complex issue, which is why the Government strongly feels a review is the right course of action. We will update on our findings in due course.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to preserve the use of Burlington House for the Courtyard Societies.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Department is sympathetic to the Societies’ position and is exploring whether there is a solution that can deliver value for taxpayers and help the Learned Societies remain at New Burlington House. The Department has been discussing options with DCMS given their responsibility for policy in regards to culture, museum and heritage.