Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 14th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. This is in reference to the disabled facilities grant, but I feel sure that the dexterity of the hon. Gentleman is boundless.

[Mr Jones]

You are right, Mr Speaker—it is a rather tenuous link but I will do my best. As I have said, the Government are providing significant funding to local authorities to provide disabled facilities grants, and there is no reason why they cannot use that for current council housing stock, or support housing associations with their stock.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Jones]

I have said to the hon. Lady before that this Government have taken a different approach—a more honest and open approach—where we are actually calculating the number of rough sleepers properly. That did not happen when the Labour party were in government. On the welfare changes that the hon. Lady mentions, it is important to say that we have made it very clear that our proposals would protect vulnerable people in particular. This Government are on the side of people who want to get on and who aspire. We do not want young people to be trapped in dependency, as several generations have been hitherto. Obviously, the hon. Lady thinks that that is a good thing.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Heidi Allen.

[Heidi Allen (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

I am surprised. Number 18, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

There is never any reason to be surprised in this place. We jog along as speedily as we can.

[Heidi Allen (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

18. What steps the Government are taking to reduce the difference in funding levels between urban and rural areas.

--- Later in debate ---

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. Last time the Opposition costed their plans for a national register, it was, I think, about £40 million a year, a cost that would fall on the tenants. More regulation in that sense is simply not the answer; it drives down supply and, as a result, quality for tenants.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Helen Goodman—not here.

[Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green)]

T2. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

--- Later in debate ---

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

The Government are indeed looking at the options for city deals, working with local representatives right across the country. I had a meeting with the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland only last week to talk about the progress being made. Where we can find the right deals that will deliver the right things for local areas, we are keen to pursue them in collaboration.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Luke Hall. He is not in the Chamber, so I call Chi Onwurah.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

T7. As term starts, Newcastle will proudly welcome 57,000 university students. However, the Government have stopped compensating Newcastle City Council for the fact that students do not pay council tax, and have excluded student accommodation from the new homes bonus. Given that the council has already suffered over £100 million of cuts, will the Minister take into account the number of students and others who do not pay council tax when calculating what remains of the grant?