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Written Question
Standard of Living
Tuesday 14th January 2025

Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, how her Department plans to measure progress towards the target to raise living standards in every part of the UK; and if she will make it her policy to publish data on changes in real household disposable income per head in each local authority.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

A range of metrics are needed to understand progress towards raising living standards across the UK. The Department has worked with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to increase the granularity of a variety of statistic publications such as Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) at small area geographies including local authorities.

These data are also available through ONS’s Explore Local Statistics (ELS) service. This means that anyone can find, compare and visualise statistics about places in the UK using over 70 indicators.

The Department is continuing to work with ONS to identify possible future metrics to monitor the progress of raising living standards across the UK.

Written Question
Housing: Construction
Monday 13th January 2025

Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, if she will make it her policy to publish an annual report on progress towards the target to build 1.5 million homes.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 19066 on 20 December 2024.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 02 Feb 2022
Levelling Up

"The west midlands has some world-leading, innovative companies as well as universities and research institutions doing ground-breaking research, but public research and development investment in the west midlands has been low compared with other areas, even though for every £1 of Government investment, we have seen a private sector return …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Jun 2021
Planning Decisions: Local Involvement

"Under the current system, too often local planning officers advise that unless green belt is released, local plans will be subject to challenge and will lose once they are referred to the inspector. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that where local authorities can demonstrate that they have enough brownfield …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 May 2021
Post Office Update

"The behaviour of the Post Office and the failures of Fujitsu have destroyed the lives of many hard-working and innocent postmasters. The Minister is clearly right to put this inquiry on a statutory footing, but what will he be able to do to ensure that, whatever the inquiry concludes, the …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Apr 2021
Greensill Capital

"Businesses in Dudley South want support to go to the businesses that need it as quickly and effectively as possible rather than just falling back on how things have always been done when the times are far from ordinary. Can my hon. Friend assure them that, while processes will be …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Mar 2021
Liverpool City Council

"The allegations that my right hon. Friend describes will be familiar to many residents of Sandwell borough. As a former local councillor, I know how important it is that elected members are able to both guide and scrutinise officers. Does he think that Liverpool city councillors have been unable to …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Feb 2021
Uber: Supreme Court Ruling

"Flexible contracts can work well for some employees, but they must not be used by firms to avoid their responsibilities. Does my hon. Friend agree that all workers should have the right to request a more predictable contract, so that the balance of power does not lie exclusively with the …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 25 Jan 2021
Council Tax: Government’s Proposed Increase

"Before being elected to Parliament, I had the honour of being a local councillor in Dudley, including serving as shadow finance cabinet member. Having seen Labour’s record on council tax when running Dudley Council and when in power nationally, I am amazed that Labour Members have the sheer brass neck …..."
Mike Wood - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Dec 2020
The Future of the High Street

"As the Minister so rightly said, our high streets are not just economic units that provide much-needed prosperity and create valuable jobs; they are at the heart of our communities. They are key to local identities and they bring people together. When our high streets and town centres are strong, …..."
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