Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Reed and Marsha De Cordova

Monday 12th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

Because of the time it takes between submitting an application and getting spades in the ground, we are seeing the tail-end of what was going on under the previous Government. We have already changed planning legislation and passed the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which will dramatically speed up the planning process to get more housing through the system faster, lowering the cost for developers of getting those homes built. We have made changes to the national planning policy framework to speed up house building in and around London and across the rest of the country, and we expect to see that upturn over coming months.

[Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)]

In Battersea, we are delivering more affordable homes for people to buy and rent, and I welcome recent plans by the mayor, the council and Battersea power station to deliver more than 200 social homes. Will the Secretary of State join me in welcoming those plans, which show that Labour in London is delivering for local people?

[Steve Reed]

I am more than happy to add my congratulations to those of my hon. Friend to Wandsworth council on ensuring that it is increasing the supply of affordable housing around Battersea power station, where we desperately need more. There is a fantastic development there, but on the Wandsworth side there were inadequate levels of social housing under the previous Conservative Administration.

Independent Water Commission

Debate between Steve Reed and Marsha De Cordova

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but I gently remind him that it was his Government who cut resources to the Environment Agency by 50%, which may well have had something to do with the fact that people were no longer there to enforce against the kinds of failings he talked about.

[Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)]

I warmly welcome the Secretary of State’s statement. My constituents will be relieved as, after 14 years of Tory failure and inaction, water pollution from toxic sewage discharge is a persistent problem in Battersea, and all the while their bills are being hiked. I welcome the Government’s taking the necessary steps and introducing reforms of the water sector and protecting my constituents. Will he say a little more about when he intends to bring forward legislation? I am sure he agrees that he is taking long overdue action.

[Steve Reed]

I know Battersea very well—it is a beautiful area—and I am aware of the problems with pollution. Of course, she knows all too well the concerns of her residents about escalating bills as a result of the failure of the previous Government to get a grip on the water sector. We will be publishing the White Paper and launching the consultation this autumn, which will be followed by legislation in the first half of this Parliament.