To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Coal: Cumbria
Tuesday 20th July 2021

Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in light of proposals to open a new deep coalmine in Cumbria.

Answered by Christopher Pincher

A public inquiry, overseen by an independent Planning Inspector, is scheduled to begin in September. The inquiry will hear the evidence for and against the proposal, and once completed, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers, based on that evidence. As this application will come before Ministers for decision it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.


Written Question
Coal: Cumbria
Tuesday 20th July 2021

Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the environmental effect of proposals to open a new deep coalmine in Cumbia.

Answered by Christopher Pincher

A public inquiry, overseen by an independent Planning Inspector, is scheduled to begin in September. The inquiry will hear the evidence for and against the proposal, and once completed, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers, based on that evidence. As this application will come before Ministers for decision it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.


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

"I have had to cut my speech down.

I welcome this motion, following the publication of the report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. The Minister will know that my Adjournment debate was a foretaste of what my constituents have had to put up with and what the …..."

Valerie Vaz - View Speech

View all Valerie Vaz (Lab - Walsall and Bloxwich) contributions to the debate on: Planning Decisions: Local Involvement

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

"I absolutely agree.

In our case, it was agreed in the SAD that the transit site would be placed on a site that was environmentally suitable, near to a settled community—everything to integrate that community—but it happened to be in the constituency of the Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities …..."

Valerie Vaz - View Speech

View all Valerie Vaz (Lab - Walsall and Bloxwich) contributions to the debate on: Planning Decisions: Local Involvement

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

"It is not just about houses, though, is it? It is about decent quality houses and homes...."
Valerie Vaz - View Speech

View all Valerie Vaz (Lab - Walsall and Bloxwich) contributions to the debate on: Planning Decisions: Local Involvement

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 26 May 2021
Transit Site: Walsall

"I thank the Speaker for granting this very important Adjournment debate about the choice of Narrow Lane as a transit site in my constituency. Narrow Lane is one of the oldest historically identifiable places in the neighbourhood of Pleck in Walsall. It currently includes a vacant site, which recently has …..."
Valerie Vaz - View Speech

View all Valerie Vaz (Lab - Walsall and Bloxwich) contributions to the debate on: Transit Site: Walsall

Written Question
Housing: Construction
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points on housing developments.

Answered by Christopher Pincher

The Government held a consultation on Electric Vehicle Charging in Residential and Non-Residential Buildings in 2019. It will publish its response by the summer.

Permitted development rights currently allow for the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints within the curtilage of a house or block of flats without the need to apply for planning permission, where the chargepoints have a height limit of 1.6 metres.

The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is available to local authorities across the United Kingdom to provide public chargepoints for residents without access to private parking. This year, £20 million is available under the scheme.

The scheme has already supported over 105 different local authorities to fund more than 3,800 chargepoints.


Written Question
Housing: Construction
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to support the installation of electric vehicle charging points in newly built housing developments; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Christopher Pincher

The Government held a consultation on Electric Vehicle Charging in Residential and Non-Residential Buildings in 2019. It will publish its response by the summer.

Permitted development rights currently allow for the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints within the curtilage of a house or block of flats without the need to apply for planning permission, where the chargepoints have a height limit of 1.6 metres.

The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is available to local authorities across the United Kingdom to provide public chargepoints for residents without access to private parking. This year, £20 million is available under the scheme.

The scheme has already supported over 105 different local authorities to fund more than 3,800 chargepoints.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 25 Mar 2020
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package

"Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. You made it very clear in your statement exactly how you wanted matters to proceed when announcements are made. I think the Chancellor did say that. I did say that he did not accept what you said or admit it, but he …..."
Valerie Vaz - View Speech

View all Valerie Vaz (Lab - Walsall and Bloxwich) contributions to the debate on: Financial and Social Emergency Support Package

Written Question
Park Homes: Fees and Charges
Monday 13th January 2020

Asked by: Valerie Vaz (Labour - Walsall and Bloxwich)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with the devolved Administrations on the potential merits of changing pitch fee review inflationary index for park homes from the retail price index to the consumer price index.

Answered by Esther McVey

We made a commitment in October 2018 to change the pitch fee review inflationary index from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) having considered the responses of residents and site owners to our review of park homes legislation. The required primary legislation will be introduced when parliamentary time is available.

The Government response to the review is available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749771/Park_homes_Review_Government_response.pdf.

Park homes policy is a devolved matter and formal consultation with the devolved Administrations is not required.