Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department taking to (a) monitor and (b) tackle levels of antisemitism in the UK.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
We work closely with the Community Security Trust and other representative community partners through the Cross-Government Working Group to Tackle Antisemitism. The Working Group is held up as an example of best practice internationally for cooperation between government and minority communities. Through the Working Group we have funded projects to highlight and counter antisemitism directed at women, and to combat the dissemination of antisemitic tropes in society.
We have also worked with the police to improve the recording of hate crime. This includes a requirement to record the targeted faith or belief in incidents of religiously motivated hate crime. The first set of statistics reflecting this new requirement with disaggregated figures for religiously motivated hate crime were published in October 2018. These statistics can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/748598/hate-crime-1718-hosb2018.pdf.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has any role in oversight or approval of the regeneration of Silvertown Quays; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
An outline planning application (14/01605/OUT) for the regeneration of Silvertown Quays for mixed use purposes on a 27.4 ha site, was approved by the London Borough of Newham on 21 April 2015 subject to referral to the Mayor of London, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (as then known) and the Secretary of State for Transport.
The application was referred to the Greater London Authority under the Mayor of London Order 2008 as a stage 2 referral on 9 December 2015. The GLA decision, issued 22 December 2015, was that it was content to allow Newham to determine the case.
The application was subsequently referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by the Council under the Town & Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009. The referral was made as the retail leisure and office uses were outside the town centre.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government decided not to call in the application and a decision of non-intervention was issued on 28 January 2016.
In a letter dated 25 February 2016, the Department for Transport offered no objection to the footbridge development in the public safety zone relating to London City Airport.
The London Borough of Newham issued the formal decision notice, granting planning consent, on 19 August 2016.
The Department has no record of further involvement by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he last met the Mayor of London to discuss the regeneration of the Royal Docks.
Answered by Jake Berry
The Secretary of State nor I have yet had a specific discussion with the Mayor regarding the Royal Docks, although Ministers would be happy to discuss this as part of any future bilateral. My officials continue to work closely with the London Economic Action Partnership, the Greater London Authority and local partners to continue to deliver on the Royal Docks.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will convene a meeting with the (a) Mayor of London, (b) Mayor of Newham and (c) local hon Members to discuss the regeneration of Silvertown Quays.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
I as well as the Minister for London, would be happy to discuss the regeneration of Silvertown Quays. I have asked officials to liaise with their counterparts in the Greater London Authority and the Local Economic Action Partnership to understand these plans in the first instance.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what statutory duties local authorities have to ensure the protection of (a) male and (b) female victims of domestic abuse.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
Local authorities have a duty under homelessness legislation to provide safe accommodation to a victim of domestic abuse who has had to flee their home. The Homelessness Statutory Code of Guidance provide local authorities with guidance on providing homeless services to people who experience domestic abuse or are at risk of domestic abuse.
Stronger duties to secure accommodation exist for households who have a priority need for accommodation. Priority need may include someone who is vulnerable in some way as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence from another person or threats of violence from another person which are likely to be carried out.
Domestic violence and abuse can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender identity or reassignment, race, religion, class, sexual orientation and marital status. Housing authorities should bear in mind that the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 for public authorities apply to policies, practice and procedures relating to homelessness and domestic violence and abuse.
Government has consulted on what more can be done to protect domestic abuse victims through the Domestic Abuse Bill, which closed on 31 May. We are currently analysing the 3,200 plus responses received and will carefully consider what future courses of action are necessary.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his Department's wellness strategy is.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Department has a health and wellbeing strategy that reflects the wider Civil Service priorities of mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
An effective Occupational Health and Workplace Adjustment services, together with an Employee Assistance Programme, are in place. The Department has committed and strong staff networks, including a Health and Wellbeing network.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the (a) policy and (b) other responsibilities are of each special adviser in his Department.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my rt. hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Matthew Hancock) today, PQ 27946.
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much has accrued to the public purse from the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in each of the last five complete financial years.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
This information is set out in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre was valued during March 2010 and the total valuation was reported at £25,000,000. It was valued again during March 2015 and the total valuation was reported at £38,500,000. Dividend payments received by the Department from the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre trading fund for the five years are as set out below:-
2010-11 - £1,200,000
2011-12 - £1,200,000
2012-13 - £2,250,000 (exceptional dividend received due to Olympic event)
2013-14 - £1,500,000
2014-15 - £1,500,000.