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Showing every spoken contribution, including 12,832 under 12 words. Hide short remarks

1. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Ms Julie Minns

   Democratic Participation: Young People

   I very much welcome the Government’s plans to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds, but blind and visually impaired young voters will still be disenfranchised as long as there is not legislation that requires them to be able to vote, in secret and independently, like their peers. Will the Minister please reiterate the commitment she gave last week that the Government will table an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill to provide fully accessible voting to all voters of all ages?

   Hansard source
2. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Ms Abena Oppong-Asare

   Rough Sleeping: Erith and Thamesmead

   15. What progress her Department has made on tackling rough sleeping and homelessness in Erith and Thamesmead constituency.

   Hansard source
3. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Ms Abena Oppong-Asare

   Rough Sleeping: Erith and Thamesmead

   Women who are experiencing rough sleeping are often hidden from official figures. Will the Minister ensure that there is a specific focus on that during the forthcoming homelessness summit, and will she ensure that new guidance is backed by the resources that councils need in order to provide safe, trauma-informed support?

   Hansard source
4. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Mr Toby Perkins

   Local Government Reorganisation

   In Chesterfield, there will be unmitigated despair at the statement we have heard today from my right hon. Friend. For the authorities for which she is doing a review—the 14 that thought they had got their decision in July—could she clarify the basis of that review? Is she still attempting to achieve what we were attempting to achieve previously in terms of the size of authorities, or is she relooking at the basis of what reorganisation should achieve? We were told in February, when the 2026 elections had been cancelled and then the cancellation was cancelled, that this reorganisation would definitely not happen in 2027. What has actually gone wrong? There is a real lack of confidence that what we are being told one day is the same thing that we will be told the next.

   Hansard source
5. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Mr Paul Foster

   Local Government Reorganisation

   Back to Lancashire: the residents of Lancashire—in particular the residents of the two authorities that I represent, Chorley and South Ribble—are rightly really disappointed with this new Secretary of State. However, can she reiterate and commit that local government reorganisation in Lancashire is still a commitment of this Government—that this is a pause, that she will be reporting back, and that we will hopefully go to the four unitary model?

   Hansard source
6. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Mike Tapp

   Dover and Portsmouth: Protests

   I thank the Minister for her extremely important statement. As we know, on Saturday, hundreds of masked men, dressed uniformly in black, travelled from around the country to Dover, blocked key roads around Britain’s busiest port, intimidated my constituents and caused disruption. This has been described as a “dummy run” by the group. It was not spontaneous; it was well organised. Will the Minister please ensure that the intelligence picture is strong enough that the police can respond accordingly to future incidents? Will the Government also look again at whether the law on face coverings at protests goes far enough?

   Hansard source
7. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Michelle Welsh

   Local Government Reorganisation

   I welcome the review, which gives us a real opportunity to get local government reorganisation right for my constituents. I hope that they will now be heard. Infrastructure in my constituency is creaking at the seams due to years of neglect by the previous Government. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the real concerns in my constituency about planning, local infrastructure and local government reorganisation, as well as an exciting opportunity to create a local country park?

   Hansard source
8. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Michael Payne

   Local Government Reorganisation

   Back in July I called in this place for a review of the decision about Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, so I hugely welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement of the pause and review. The Secretary of State is a long-standing friend of mine, and whatever noise she receives today, she should know that listening and pausing is a sign of strength, not of weakness. Will she assure me that during the review, the views of local residents in Gedling and of local councillors, and indeed my views as the Member of Parliament, will be properly heard, taken seriously, and genuinely reflected on, whatever decision is ultimately made?

   Hansard source
9. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Melanie Onn

   New Housing: Infrastructure

   A development of 1,500 properties is proposed for near Weelsby Woods, which is a designated nature corridor in my constituency. Within that, there are no designations of social housing, no suggestion of doctor’s surgeries and no consideration of the potential road congestion. All the while those 1,500 homes are promised, 2,000 sit empty in the town centre. Is any action being planned for empty town centre homes?

   Hansard source
10. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Grey Belt: Shropshire

    The Government do not collect data on how much land within green belts has been formally identified as grey belt by individual local authorities. It is for local authorities themselves to determine whether land in their areas constitutes grey belt, either through plan making or through looking at specific applications. On 27 February 2025, the Government updated green-belt planning practice guidance to support a consistent approach to assessing green belt to identify grey-belt land.

    Hansard source
11. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Grey Belt: Shropshire

    I am aware of the case. My understanding is that Shropshire council refused planning permission for the development on the basis that the land was not grey belt and therefore building on it would constitute inappropriate development in the green belt. In general terms, when it comes to determining whether a site is classified as grey belt, the relevant inspector will, at appeal, consider relevant legislation; national planning policy, including the national planning policy framework; planning policy guidance; and any other relevant local development plan policies and material considerations.

    Hansard source
12. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Urban Housing: Densification

    The new national planning policy framework, published on 17 August, includes a number of new policies designed to increase densification inside settlements, including by encouraging the upward expansion of existing homes and the creation of new dwellings in existing plots.

    Hansard source
13. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Urban Housing: Densification

    We have not got it wrong: the new NPPF does prioritise urban development and densification. As I have made clear to the hon. Gentleman a number of times, local authorities can justify a lower housing requirement than the figure set by the standard method on the basis of local constraints, such as land availability. It is for local planning authorities themselves to determine whether there are exceptional circumstances that justify the release of green belt, and we fully expect them to first demonstrate that they have fully examined all other reasonable options for meeting identified need for development, including making as much use as possible of suitable brownfield sites and underutilised land.

    Hansard source
14. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Urban Housing: Densification

    The Government are undertaking a number of pieces of work to look at what more we can do to revitalise our high streets. The Secretary of State and I are looking specifically at what more we can do to arm local authorities with the powers they need to bring empty homes back into use.

    Hansard source
15. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Urban Housing: Densification

    The shadow Minister is absolutely right that house builders across the country face challenges with viability, not least owing to the implications of the ongoing conflict in the middle east. London has a number of challenges particular to itself that the rest of the country does not face; that is precisely why we brought forward an emergency package with the Mayor of London, specifically to get those stalled sites in the capital moving.

    Hansard source
16. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    New Housing: Infrastructure

    Local planning authorities are expected to plan effectively for infrastructure provision through local development plans and infrastructure funding statements. To support them, the Government have strengthened national planning policy in respect of community facilities and public service infrastructure, and we provide direct financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through land and infrastructure funding programmes.

    Hansard source
17. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    New Housing: Infrastructure

    My colleagues on the Front Bench will have heard the hon. Member’s request on the devolution offer that needs to be made to Cornwall. He cited a case where the developers backed out of their commitments: specifically on developer contributions, I should say that communities rightly expect necessary infrastructure to be provided and any commitments made to be met. Section 106 planning obligations help, obviously, to mitigate the impacts of a development proposal. They are legally binding and enforceable. If he wants to write to me with the particular circumstances of the case, he is more than welcome to do so.

    Hansard source
18. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    New Housing: Infrastructure

    As I just said to a previous question, we are looking at what more we can do to give local authorities the powers they need to bring empty homes back into use. My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment on specific applications being made, but councils can, through section 106 agreements, seek to negotiate with developers to bring forward the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and affordable housing, on particular sites.

    Hansard source
19. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    New Housing: Infrastructure

    I welcome the shadow Minister to the Front Bench on a well-deserved promotion. The previous Government had 14 years to resolve this problem; they did not do so. I say to the shadow Minister honestly—he knows this full well as a former local councillor—that there is no single, simple answer to the problem of getting the necessary infrastructure in place. As I said, we have strengthened national planning policy to ensure that community facilities and public service infrastructure are brought forward. Again, we are strengthening developer contributions. We directly finance land and infrastructure. There is more to be done, and we will do it.

    Hansard source
20. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    New Housing: Infrastructure

    The shadow Minister raises a justified point, in that in some cases securing the necessary public service infrastructure is about ensuring that the buildings are brought forward through the relevant developer contributions and other infrastructure funding streams. In some cases, there are other issues, such as workforce challenges in particular. We regularly speak to colleagues in other Departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care, to ensure that we get that infrastructure up front and alongside development.

    Hansard source
21. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Green-belt Planning Policy: Esher and Walton

    The national planning policy framework contains strong protections for the green belt, making clear that inappropriate development in it should not be approved unless justified by very special circumstances. It is for local planning authorities themselves to set and review green-belt boundaries in accordance with national policy in the NPPF.

    Hansard source
22. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Green-belt Planning Policy: Esher and Walton

    I fully appreciate the hon. Lady’s concerns about inappropriate development around stations, such as Hersham and Claygate in her constituency. It is right that we seek to promote good development around well-connected stations, outside of settlements or on green-belt land, as those are some of the most sustainable locations for new homes in the country. However, the new NPPF makes clear that development proposals around such stations should not prejudice any proposals for long-term comprehensive development in the same location, and must also be of a scale that can be accommodated, taking into account existing or proposed availability of infrastructure.

    Hansard source
23. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Housing Revenue Account: Council Houses

    We recognise that many councils are facing significant financial pressure on their HRAs. The Government have already taken a number of steps to rebuild the capacity of councils to borrow and invest in new and existing homes, including fundamental reform of the right to buy scheme, a 10-year social housing rent settlement and social rent convergence. We will continue to explore further ways in which we might support councils to expand their stock of social homes, including low-cost borrowing options.

    Hansard source
24. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Housing Revenue Account: Council Houses

    As I made clear, we have already acted to build capacity in the sector, and will continue to explore further ways in which we might increase the headroom available to councils and housing associations, not least through low-cost borrowing options. With regard to the HRA, we remain of the view that the principle of self-financing is the right foundation, but as I said, we are fully aware of the impact of HRA debt on many councils’ ability to build more and will continue to explore ways in which we might further support them.

    Hansard source
25. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Housing Revenue Account: Council Houses

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of building more homes in London—I am acutely aware of the housing delivery challenges that the capital is facing. It is really important that a big proportion of those homes are social rented homes and council-delivered social rented homes. I am really pleased that in the early years of the social and affordable homes programme, 30% of the funding will go to London. That will allow London to deliver at least £6 billion of initial allocations, over half of which will be for council housing. However, there is more we need to do in this area, and I am more than happy to have a discussion with my hon. Friend outside the Chamber about what that is.

    Hansard source
26. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Housing Revenue Account: Council Houses

    We have made changes to help more councils access an HRA, raising the threshold from 200 homes to 1,000 homes to provide support in that area. Over time, we want to see a deeper partnership and more working between councils and local authorities, but we are giving consideration to what more we can do to ensure there is sufficient public control of private registered providers in an area to meet housing need. We may discuss this issue further on Second Reading of the Social Housing Bill on Thursday.

    Hansard source
27. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Housing Revenue Account: Council Houses

    As the hon. Gentleman is hopefully aware, we have already taken action to reduce maximum right-to-buy cash discounts. Through the Social Housing Bill—as I mentioned, it has its Second Reading on Thursday—we are taking further action to increase eligibility and banning the right to buy on new build social homes for 35 years. I hope he can get behind that Bill on Thursday and support it.

    Hansard source
28. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Train Stations: Walking Distance Definition

    The definition of “reasonable walking distance” is set out in the glossary of the national planning policy framework. For the purposes of policies relating to land around well connected stations, the glossary makes it clear that it should be considered to be about 800 metres, or about 10 minutes’ walk time if topography, route availability or quality, or physical barriers “would prevent or discourage walking from up to 800 metres away.”

    Hansard source
29. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Train Stations: Walking Distance Definition

    We need more housing in all parts of the country. We do have a brownfield-first approach, and we do want to see infrastructure delivered in a timely manner alongside housing developments, but it is absolutely right that we focus development within reasonable walking distance of train stations within settlements, or well connected stations outside settlements, including those in the green belt. As I have said, these are some of the most sustainable locations for new housing in the country. We have defined well connected stations by the 80 travel-to-work areas of the country, and we have also linked minimum density requirements to service frequency. There is a link between the number of trains that a station receives per hour and the amount of development that we want to see. However, I am more than happy to speak to the hon. Gentleman about the particular issues in his constituency.

    Hansard source
30. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    I recognise the strength of feeling in the House on this matter. I want to ensure that every opportunity is taken to retain homes in the social housing sector. Although housing associations remain independent organisations that are responsible for their own asset management decisions, I can assure my hon. Friend that we are exploring what further steps could be taken to protect much-needed social housing stock.

    Hansard source
31. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    As I have said, there are strong protections in the national planning policy framework. It is for local authorities to decide whether exceptional circumstances exist for the release of green-belt land, and whether very special circumstances exist that would outweigh the harms involved when it comes to inappropriate development. Those safeguards remain. We are committed to preserving England’s green belts, which have served our towns and cities very well over many decades.

    Hansard source
32. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    The shadow Minister, for whom I have a lot of time, knows full well that development can stall at particular sites for a variety of reasons, not least the viability pressures that we discussed earlier. We are taking action to get sites moving, and the NPPF strengthens expectations in this area. On the specific matter that he raises, primary legislation is not needed. Primary legislation was taken through by the previous Government, and we have a plan to switch on the necessary secondary legislation to ensure that we have transparency over build-out rates. He does not have long to wait for that to come forward.

    Hansard source
33. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    I am always happy to meet my hon. Friend. I think that the matters in question will fall to another Minister, thankfully, but I am more than happy to join that meeting if housing issues are involved.

    Hansard source
34. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    Places for People will no doubt have heard the concerns the hon. Gentleman has raised today. Social housing providers are regulated on the basis of consumer standards, and they are inspected on that basis. We have introduced Awaab’s law, which provides that landlords have to fix hazards within specified time limits. If he wants to write to me with further information about the development in question, I will be happy to look into it.

    Hansard source
35. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    Homeowners should not be expected to shoulder the financial consequences of defective work. However, the case of Goodrich Mews is a challenging one, in that the legal liability appears to now lie with the resident management company. My hon. Friend knows that I have been looking into the matter for her, and I am more than happy to meet her again. I believe that my office has been seeking further information from hers, which we would be grateful to receive.

    Hansard source
36. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that he does not agree with minimum energy efficiency standards? Is he saying that he does not agree with a modernised decent homes standard? These measures are driving up the quality and the safety of homes, and we can do that while increasing supply.

    Hansard source
37. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    It is not a blanket policy; it relates to well-connected stations. I have set out the definition, with appropriate minimum densities to go with it.

    Hansard source
38. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    We take the hon. Gentleman’s planning policies about as seriously as the country took his conference.

    Hansard source
39. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    The Government remain fully committed to delivering nationally significant growth in Greater Cambridge. As my hon. Friend is well aware, we have established a centrally led urban development corporation to take it forward in partnership with local leaders.

    Hansard source
40. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Matthew Pennycook

    Topical Questions

    There is no lack of ambition when it comes social and affordable housing from this Government. At least 60% of that historic £39 billion will go to social rented homes. We have delivered the highest number of council homes since records began in 1991-92. We are taking a pragmatic approach. There are social homes ready to be built by housing associations, but we will ensure that more of the funding goes to councils for direct delivery.

    Hansard source