Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Kris Hopkins

Monday 8th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to support community pubs; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

In the autumn statement, we announced a £1 billion package of business rate support, which included a £1,000 discount for shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000. That could benefit three in four pubs. We are also providing funding to help communities diversify their pubs, and pubs can be saved through the community right to bid.

[Michael Fabricant]

There are many reasons why pubs are closing: people do not want to drink and drive; some people do not go to pubs because of the smoking ban, although I support that; and people buy low-cost alcohol from supermarkets. Is my hon. Friend aware that one problem is the pubcos that charge high rents? How will the new statutory code help?

[Kris Hopkins]

I reassure my hon. Friend that tied tenants will be able to report breaches in the statutory code to a new independent adjudicator, who will be able to arbitrate and bring penalties against individuals or organisations that fail to act appropriately.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Kris Hopkins

Monday 3rd March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

10. What guidance he has issued to local authorities on prioritising (a) members of the armed forces and (b) local residents for social housing; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

I hope that Members on both sides of the House will support the fact that this Government have published guidance strongly encouraging councils to prioritise members of the armed forces and their families for social housing. In December we issued guidance on ensuring that local homes go to local people.

[Michael Fabricant]

That guidance seems to show remarkable common sense, but what further steps can my hon. Friend take to ensure that housing associations and local councils that allocate housing publish precisely the criteria on which they do so, because they should be answerable to the electorate?

[Kris Hopkins]

Our new guidance will ensure that only those who have lived in the area for two years or more, or those from a well-established local association, can put their name down on the housing waiting list. The guidance also encourages councils to be more open and transparent about who is applying and how the housing is being allocated in their local area to strengthen public confidence in the allocation system.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Kris Hopkins

Thursday 13th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

10. What progress he has made on making shares in Royal Mail available to its employees; and if he will make a statement.

[Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con)]

16. What progress he has made on making shares in Royal Mail available to its employees; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable)]

We are designing an employee share scheme that will honour the commitment made by Parliament in 2011 that 10% of Royal Mail shares should be reserved for employees. We are still considering the details, but it is very much the Government’s intention to make the offer attractive to employees, while balancing the overall value for money for the Government and the interests of other stakeholders.