Commons Chamber

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

(began 3 hours, 20 minutes ago)

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11:34
None Portrait Q1. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to Inheritance Tax relief on Scotland's agricultural sector. (905876)
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The The older The older we The older we start The older we start with.
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None Portrait Q2. What assessment he has made of the contribution of North Sea gas and oil to energy security. (905877)
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Doctor Ben Spencer.
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None Portrait Q7. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on fiscal steps to reduce the cost of living in Scotland. (905882)
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None Portrait Prime Minister's Question Time
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Australia. We now come to Roz Savage.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Question number one. unveiled Labour's plan to recruit hundreds of thousand workers into clean energy, creating quality,

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well-paid jobs in every quarter of the United Kingdom. On Monday. We announced. A new V level qualification.

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A new V level qualification. To make sure. Every young person. Has. potential. On cheap.

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On cheap. On Tuesday, our first ever regional investment summit in Birmingham secured £10 billion in investment.

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investment. And today. We're. Announcing tough new penalties to end the scale.

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seas. Mr Speaker, that's national. Renewal with a Labour government.

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Renewal with a Labour government. Mr Speaker, yesterday I met Claire Throttle, who is here with us in the

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Throttle, who is here with us in the gallery today. Her two young sons, Paul and. Jack.

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Jack. Were murdered 11 years ago this

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a. Family. Court ordered. He should have unsupervised contact. With them.

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With them. Claire's bravery and her campaign is humbling. And today, I'm pleased.

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We can announce. That we will repeal. The. Presumption of parental involvement, putting.

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involvement, putting. Children's safety first. This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Prime Minister.

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Can I thank you for raising that on behalf of Fiona? Let me. Give Fiona in the House my

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Give Fiona in the House my answer, Mr Speaker, because the grooming scandal was one of the worst scandals of our time. Women

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worst scandals of our time. Women and girls were abused and exploited by predatory gangs. Of men.

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Of men. And survivors have been ignored for many. Years. Including by the state. That, of course, is supposed to.

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That, of course, is supposed to. Protect them. My vow to Fiona. And. Them is that this national. Inquiry will.

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Inquiry will. Change that. I do acknowledge that in recent days, some members. Including Fiona.

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Including Fiona. Have decided to step. Away from the panel. I say this, Mr Speaker, should they wish to return. The door.

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The door. Will always be open. But even if they do not, we owe it to them and

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they do not, we owe it to them and to Fiona and to the country to raised. The inquiry.

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The inquiry. Is not and will never be watered down. Its scope will. Not change. It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we

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religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to Chair. The inquiry. I can tell the House today, Mr

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I can tell the House today, Mr Speaker, that Dame Louise Casey will now support the work of the inquiry, and it will get to the truth, and justice will have. No place to hide.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Prime Minister? Well, let.

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Me reassure the victims and the will.

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will. Not be diluted and we won't shy. Away from cultural or religious

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Away from cultural or religious issues. And, Mr Speaker, it was me that. Commissioned Baroness Casey in that. Commissioned Baroness Casey in the first place who gave me her recommendation in relation to a recommendation in relation to a national inquiry. And we have in the four months since then, finalise the panel and trying to get the leadership of this inquiry right. With survivors at the heart. Mr With survivors at the heart. Mr Speaker, in that period we have also Speaker, in that period we have also reopened 1200 historic closed cases.

I have long argued, Mr Speaker, that the criminal route where it can be the criminal route where it can be pursued is the right route for perpetrators. We've introduced mandatory reporting of child sex mandatory reporting of child sex abuse. I happen to think that is a vital safeguard. I've been campaigning for that for over a

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decade. I asked the last government to introduce it, and that fell on deaf ears. And that that. Mark, that.

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Mark, that. Mandatory reporting, mandatory reporting of child sex abuse is something that each and every one of them voted against earlier this year. And we've given victims and survivors the power to seek an independent review of their cases. But, Mr Speaker, in relation to this inquiry, I want to go as fast as we can to get the justice that is deserved. I want to ensure survivors are involved in that, and we're balancing the two to get this right, and I'll continue to do so.
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Kemi Badenoch Portrait Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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Then it may not.

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What he should hang his head in shame in is calling this a far right bandwagon when he first raised. This. Issue.

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Issue. The deputy leader, the deputy. Well, the future deputy leader, we all know who's going to win, called all know who's going to win, called this a dog whistle. What we need to think about right now, Mr Speaker, is the victims. It is the survivors. I spoke to one of them yesterday. I spoke to one of them yesterday. Let's remember, these are victims who waived their anonymity. An incredibly difficult thing to do. incredibly difficult thing to do. And they believe that the safeguarding minister has lied to safeguarding minister has lied to them and about them.

One of the survivors has said, and I quote, Jess Phillips needs to be removed Jess Phillips needs to be removed because I do not think her conduct during this has been acceptable for the position that she holds. That the position that she holds. That is, those aren't my words. Those are the words of the survivor. It is a the words of the survivor. It is a shame that Labour MPs are drowning that out. The member for Birmingham that out. The member for Birmingham Yardley has clearly lost the confidence of the victims.

Does she still have the confidence of the Prime Minister?

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Prime Minister? Can I just say but Prime Minister, even if we are. Quoting somebody else, we shouldn't quote it because the
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12:41
Heidi Alexander Portrait Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Transport (Swindon South, Labour)
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Quietly and quickly. We come. To the statement on Heathrow. I Alexander.

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Alexander. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Deputy. Speaker, I would like to update

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Speaker, I would like to update the House on the steps this benefits. Of expansion.

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Of expansion. At Heathrow Airport. Having invited proposals for a third runway earlier this year, today I am earlier this year, today I am launching a review at the Airports National Policy Statement.

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Britain wants to fly and this government will act to meet public government will act to meet public aspirations. Our review at the MPs will ensure that while we unlock will ensure that while we unlock long term capacity for more flights at the nation's only hub airport, we at the nation's only hub airport, we will also meet our obligations to passengers, communities and the environment. Today is a step forward environment. Today is a step forward for UK aviation and infrastructure, supporting growth in the economy and supporting growth in the economy and enabling a modern, efficient transport system that harnesses international investment, boosts connectivity and strengthens UK competitiveness.

We are committed to competitiveness. We are committed to making a decision on a third runway at Heathrow within this Parliament, at Heathrow within this Parliament, and we are clear on our ambition to see flights taking off on a new see flights taking off on a new runway in 2035. We said we would get on with this and we have. When the previous government set up the Davis previous government set up the Davis Commission, it took them five years to publish the original draft amps.

to publish the original draft amps. We'll get to the same point in 18 months, with the process completed months, with the process completed by the end of 2026, showing our commitment to delivering progress swiftly but also robustly. When we say we back the builders, not the blockers, we mean it. Yeah, but this is not a blank check. Expansion at Heathrow must minimise cost for passengers and customers. The taxpayer must not be expected to foot the bill. That is why the scheme will be privately financed.

Both the core project and the related infrastructure improvements. Extra staff and passengers must be able to get to and from the airport without turning the M4 and the M25 into Europe's largest car park. Crucially, the expansion must align with our legal, environmental and climate commitments. Starting the review of the Amps is critical to delivering expansion and will provide the basis for decisions on any future planning applications. The world has changed since the last AMP's review in 2018, and when it was designated at that point, new environmental and climate obligations have been introduced and patterns of travel have changed.

Stand in pretty much any UK airport this summer, though, and you will have seen the busiest summer on record. We could put our head in the sand and pretend that this isn't the case, but we would be doing a disservice to our economy and the next generation. That is why, in carrying out this review, we will consider how any proposed scheme must meet for clear tests. Does it contributes to economic growth across the country that it meets our air quality obligations, that it is consistent with our noise commitments and, crucially, that it aligns with our legal obligations on climate change, including net zero.

We will seek the independent opinion of the Climate Change Committee, and I will be writing to them shortly to request this advice. Whilst a third runway at Heathrow has been factored in to carbon budget six, it is right that we update our modelling and seek the views of the CCRC. Given the national importance of Heathrow, we will also consider naming the airport as critical national priority infrastructure in line with our approach to low carbon energy projects, we are further considering whether to name a statutory undertaker as an appropriate person to carry out the project.

Under the Planning Act of 2008, providing additional clarity to stakeholders and the local community. It is clear that this is a large and complex programme that requires a thorough and evidence led approach. Over the coming months, my department will develop analysis on economic and environmental impacts of expansion. We will also undertake an appraisal of sustainability as required by statute, alongside a Habitats Regulation assessment and other necessary technical work. If amendments are needed to the Amps. As a result of the review, we expect to consult on an amended policy statement by next summer.

Communities will be able to have their say, and we will shortly publish an updated stakeholder engagement approach to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the process. Madam Deputy Speaker, earlier this year, we invited potential promoters to submit proposals for delivering a third runway at Heathrow. Seven proposals were received and were considered by officials from the Department for transport, from the Treasury and expert financial and technical advisers. Following this assessment, two potential schemes remain under active consideration.

A proposal from Heathrow Airport Limited and a proposal from the Aurora Group. We know we must provide as much clarity and certainty for communities, investors and users of Heathrow as soon as possible, so we are seeking further information on the two proposed schemes, with a view to reaching a final decision on a single scheme to inform the remainder of the AMP's review by the end of November. When making this decision, we will consider the interoperability of the proposed scheme with existing infrastructure.

The plans for transport to and from the airport and associated road schemes. The land take an impact on surrounding homes and communities. The evidence that the scheme can be privately financed and the economic benefits of the scheme. This government is committed to moving quickly, but we will also do this properly to deliver the scheme on time. The government is also pressing ahead with a series of enabling reforms. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will streamline the delivery of major infrastructure, including Heathrow.

This includes faster consenting routes and more proportionate consultations on judicial reviews. We have announced that we will work with the judiciary to cut the amount of time it takes for a review to move through the court system for national policy statements and nationally significant infrastructure projects. We are establishing the UK Airspace Design Service to deliver modernised airspace. This will initially prioritise airspace design for the London region, supporting both Heathrow and the wider network. This will also make flight paths more efficient so planes spend less time over London.

We will initiate slot reform to ensure future allocation maximises benefits of an expanded Heathrow, as well as improved growth at Gatwick and Luton for passengers, local communities and businesses. Expanding Heathrow will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK. Rigorous and effective cost control will be essential to its success, both in minimising any impact on airline charges and costs to passengers and maintaining credibility with financial markets. The government will therefore work with the Civil Aviation Authority to review the framework for economic regulation for capacity expansion at Heathrow.

Ensuring the model provides strong incentives for cost effective delivery. We expect the CAA to publish a working paper in November with a view to this work completing next summer. Madam Deputy Speaker, this is a landmark opportunity for Heathrow, for the aviation sector and for the UK economy. The government remains fully committed to ensuring the expansion is delivered in a way that is timely, cost efficient and environmentally responsible. I commend this statement to the House.
12:49
Richard Holden Portrait Rt Hon Richard Holden MP (Basildon and Billericay, Conservative)
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Call the Shadow Transport Minister Richard Holden. Deputy Speaker. And I'm grateful to the Secretary of State for her statement. And also for advanced sight of it. Mr Speaker, this statement should have been brought to the House months ago. The Secretary of State surely recognises that today marks a delay and an acknowledgement of that, rather than the decisive move forward. The truth is that this whole process has come about it the wrong way round. With recent announcements on Gatwick and Heathrow not driven by planned or prepared work, but by a clear attempt to divert attention from the government's growing list of crises, scandals and cover ups, rather than any clear plan for the future of.

British aviation. However, we on these benches nonetheless welcome the fact the statement has finally been brought forward to the House.

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Because both the aviation sector and passengers deserve clarity, as. Do local. People who will be affected, and

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People who will be affected, and we hope that. They will see sensible mitigations from these proposals. So can the Secretary of State also. Confirm what assessment the Confirm what assessment the government has undertaken so far of the costs, total costs of Heathrow expansion, given that the one of the expansion, given that the one of the central estimate now stands at almost £50 billion, excluding an extra, potentially £10 billion of

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extra, potentially £10 billion of figures. Would quadruple Heathrow's. Current asset base. Already responsible.

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Already responsible. For some of the. Highest passenger charges. In. The world. And if Britain is to remain competitive on the global remain competitive on the global stage, these costs must be kept down, not driven up, crucially too. How will the government therefore How will the government therefore ensure that these costs are minimised, not maximised? As I am sure the Secretary of State, like me, does not want those costs directly passed on to airlines and then passengers in higher fees, because affordability must be at the because affordability must be at the heart of any credible aviation strategy.

Maintaining affordable flights is crucial for passengers. flights is crucial for passengers. So can the Secretary of State assure the House that the Heathrow expansion will not result in significant passthrough costs, especially given how this especially given how this government's rises in Air Passenger Duty, the jobs tax and now real Duty, the jobs tax and now real concerns over business rates will also affect the aviation sector. I understand, too, that The Chancellor has claimed a third runway will be operational by 2035, something the Secretary of State has reflected today, and she wants to see speed in the ground during this Parliament.

Of course, we welcome and reforms enabled to do that. These reforms, however, will not have any teeth unless the government commits to backing our plan to scrap the Climate Change Act. Otherwise, Heathrow expansion will face judicial review after judicial review, bogging down the process by driving up costs and delivering further delay. Even Labour's mayor of London has said that he won't hesitate to launch legal challenges against a third runway. So can the Secretary of State commit to ensuring that her own Labour colleagues, including those she worked for previously and allies, will not be the ones who prevent this important project from ever seeing the light of day.

Because you also commit to ensure that the associated roads and rail links to not just fall into London, but also to the south included, so that expansion delivers genuine economic growth and connectivity for the whole of the United Kingdom. And Madam Deputy Speaker, the conservatives would end the constant threat of judicial review and eco warfare to ensure that infrastructure across the country can finally be delivered on time and on budget, and in Britain's national interests. It was great to hear her words on this from the despatch box.

But will these reforms she's talking about with the judiciary actually come into force before the decisions on Heathrow and the DCO are made, or will they be subject to the current situation we're facing? We on these benches recognise that greater competition is the most effective way to deliver value for money and reduce costs to consumers, and I am grateful that the Secretary of State for her statement acknowledges that Heathrow expansion must minimise costs. But the only way to achieve that is through real and genuine competition.

Heathrow's current structure has a potential to create perverse incentives that reward higher spending rather than efficiency, pushing up charges for passengers and airlines. And I note that the commitment from the CaaS review into economic regulation will begin in November. But that review must look seriously and fundamentally about how to embed competition and reverse perverse incentives. So can I ask the Secretary of State how she and the CAA intend to bring competition to the heart of delivering this project, and will she commit to that review? She said, before summer or in summer next year, will it be before the summer recess? So this House will have time to scrutinise it too? While this government continues to splurge cash, hike up taxes and debt and tie Britain in eco warfare with their with our green allies, only conservatives would restore confidence, break that cycle and deliver a stronger economy with world class aviation at its heart.

Sadly, under this government taxes have risen to historic highs. They've imposed a punishing jobs tax and borrowing has soared to the highest levels since 2010 outside the pandemic, with a £100 billion. Now they're in annual debt interest payments. A third runway alone will not shield the country from the consequences of Labour's economic mismanagement, but it is a project that must be delivered correctly and responsible, responsibly, responsibly and will also must also put passengers at its heart.
12:54
Heidi Alexander Portrait Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Transport (Swindon South, Labour)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm interested by the Right Honourable Gentleman's comments Honourable Gentleman's comments about our pace of delivery. And I, I roundly reject his criticisms on roundly reject his criticisms on this. We are the party that are accelerating Heathrow expansion today, setting out this swift and robust review of the Amps to help us determine applications swiftly. Previous work to get a final airports national policy statement by the last government took more than five years.

This government than five years. This government will do it three years faster. Madam Deputy Speaker, we are getting on with the job, taking the important with the job, taking the important and sometimes difficult decisions to get Britain building. And I gently remind him that when his great ally remind him that when his great ally and mentor, Boris Johnson was Prime Minister, he went to such lengths to Minister, he went to such lengths to duck decisions on on this issue that he ended up in Afghanistan.

Madam he ended up in Afghanistan. Madam Deputy Speaker, the honourable gentleman is absolutely right to care about consumers and cost care about consumers and cost control. And that's precisely why we are reviewing the Amps and why we are reviewing the Amps and why we are starting the work via the Civil Aviation Authority on the model of economic regulation. I would say this to him, if we fail to plan for future capacity, prices will rise and choice will shrink. This review will be integral in keeping the UK competitive and connected by ensuring sufficient capacity.

Fair competition between global hub airports and sustainable growth. I agree with him that consumers deserve affordable fares and greener aviation, and that is what we are working to deliver. Madam Deputy Speaker, he also asks about climate change, service access, our reforms to do judicial reviews on service access. I can be clear with him that we expect this project and associated infrastructure improvements to be privately financed. Through the Amps review, we will be looking holistically at public transport requirements, be that Southern rail access, Western rail access, how people get to and from central London.

He will recall that in the spending review, we set out the biggest investment in London's transport for over ten years, £2.2 billion, enabling TfL to buy new rolling stock on the Piccadilly line, ten extra Elizabeth line trains and we will work closely with our colleague that the Mayor of London and TfL to ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place. He talks about the changes that we are making to judicial review, and I would simply say this to him, we are acting with his government, had their head in the sand.

I am confident that the CAA will look carefully at competition issues in the work that they are doing, and I am also confident, Madam Deputy Speaker, ultimately, I know that at Heathrow we could create 100,000 jobs through expansion. We could boost economic growth, growth as well as opening up new opportunities for trade, tourism and travel. We will do this properly. That is what we're doing by launching the AMP's review today, and I look forward to answering further questions from other honourable members.
12:58
Ruth Cadbury Portrait Ruth Cadbury MP (Brentford and Isleworth, Labour)
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Let me say Ruth Cadbury. Secretary of State for her statement today and I look forward, hopefully to the work she does on this. And as to come to our. Committee in due course. Now, a third runway at Heathrow, combined with all of the other agreed or likely to be agreed expansions of capacity in London and South East airports is an increase of 177 million passengers, 70% more than the number of passengers in London in the South east from 2024.

So I look forward to how to the climate change Committee's response because they said a 35% increase in capacity could would be the maximum that that would keep the UK compliant with our international legal commitments. But back to more specifics. In her statement, she says she seeks to minimise costs for passengers and customers. But given the cost of runway three will be between 25 billion and 49 billion, how exactly will that not pass those costs on to the airlines and therefore the passengers? If the Treasury isn't going to fund those costs, which we know that they're not, and on surface access, ever since the expansion of the building of the fifth terminal, the local authorities all around Heathrow have been pushing for southern access, southern rail access to Heathrow, Heathrow, Heathrow Airport have long says and have clarified recently they will not pay the cost of Southern rail access.

So how does she expect that to be funded? If the M25 and the M4 are not to ground to a halt? If passengers and workers from the west of the airport are going to and south of the airport are going to be able to get in and out of the airport, I would like to ask her to answer the how. Thank you. you.
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Olly Glover Portrait Olly Glover MP (Didcot and Wantage, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrat spokesperson Olly Glover. and I thank the Secretary of State for her statement. Which made the government's intent very clear to support.

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This proposed Heathrow third runway. And although. It was good to hear. Her.

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Her. recognise. The complexity of all that will. Be needed to deliver it,

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Be needed to deliver it, including major diversionary works of two of the country's busiest motorways. And we. Here in the Liberal Democrats

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continue. To support. The right infrastructure in the right place, which is why we have always supported schemes such as East-West Rail.

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And. Northern Powerhouse Rail. But it does need to be the right infrastructure to tackle the right infrastructure to tackle the right problems. And there are many unanswered questions about Heathrow third runway. The New Economics Foundation has been very clear that Foundation has been very clear that in their analysis that the environmental impact of airport expansion will.

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Erode a lot of our carbon emissions reductions plans. And many studies have questioned the economic studies have questioned the economic case for Heathrow. I'd also perhaps interested to hear from the Secretary of State about the dangers of relying solely on the private of relying solely on the private sector to fund large schemes. That was the case for the Channel Tunnel, which remains an enormously underutilised asset, partly because underutilised asset, partly because of the costs that have resulted of the decision to only have it private the decision to only have it private sector funded.

It's welcome that the Secretary of State has made her support for this subject to four support for this subject to four tests. But I do detect perhaps a slight hint of cognitive dissonance and contradiction, given that at the same time the government is setting out timelines for delivering something that they say is subject to four tests? So can I ask her very specifically? She mentioned the Climate Change Committee and that she will hear it's independent advice. I ask the Secretary of State if the Climate Change Committee decides that the preferred option for Heathrow third runway is incompatible with our carbon emissions and our net zero targets, will she drop her support for this third runway.
13:03
Heidi Alexander Portrait Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Transport (Swindon South, Labour)
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Can I start by congratulating the honourable gentleman on his honourable gentleman on his appointment? He refers to research that has been done by the New that has been done by the New Economics Foundation. And I should be clear with him that this government is absolutely committed to reaching net zero for the whole economy by 2050, and that we will meet our climate change obligations meet our climate change obligations as set out in the Climate Change Act. We've also been clear repeatedly that any airport repeatedly that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK's legally binding climate change commitment.

binding climate change commitment. We will be engaging with the PCC as part of the AMP's review. Heathrow part of the AMP's review. Heathrow is only one part of the process, of course. The expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick and Bristol Luton and Gatwick and Bristol airports. It was factored in to carbon budget seven, and he will know that the government in the know that the government in the coming weeks will be publishing its updated delivery plan for carbon updated delivery plan for carbon budgets 4 to 6.

I don't think we should see economic growth and our climate change commitments as being inconsistent with one another. I believe we can go further and faster in terms of cleaner fuels and technological developments. But I am also clear that people want to fly, and I don't think this government should get on the wrong side of public aspiration.
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John McDonnell Portrait Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)
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Yes, it John McDonnell. my sympathy for the Secretary of State? She knows from her past experience that this is like watching a political car crash in action, and it's been thrust upon her by The Chancellor. So I express my sympathy for that. And there he goes, because she knows that Heathrow have made a clear commitment. They're not going to pay for the infrastructure. She knows that landing charges will go up, so passengers will pay for it. And she knows there's no way we can meet our climate change targets if this goes ahead.

So that's why I express my sympathy. She's been given an impossible task. I just want from my specific constituency interest, as she will know, because Heathrow's in my constituency. She mentioned that the stakeholder engagement process will be published shortly. Could she be a bit more precise? First of all, about that timescale and also what that what measures will be included in that? Because the House does need to know that in my constituency, 4500 homes would be demolished or rendered unliveable 15,000 people will lose their homes, we'll lose three schools, whole communities will go.

So my constituents will will want to know, want to ask the question, where are they going to live, where their children are going to be educated, and what will that happen to their overall community? We just need some certainty now. And the certainty from my point of view, is to recognise that this is a white elephant. It's almost like watching HS2 all over again.
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Florence Eshalomi Portrait Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Labour )
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Thank you.

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Of State for her statement this. Afternoon, and. I'm pleased to hear that. This will be a.

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Thorough and meaningful consultation, because even though. My Vauxhall and Camberwell Green. Constituency isn't near the.

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Constituency isn't near the. Airport, we do and constituents rights them on a regular basis. Constituents from. Camberwell, Stockwell and Brixton. Suffering from.

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Brixton. Suffering from. Air pollution and. Noise pollution as well. The Secretary. State. Highlighted in terms of.

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Highlighted in terms of. The infrastructure. And one of the key. Areas is around making sure more

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Areas is around making sure more people are used in public transport to Heathrow. And the reality is that some of the upgrades to the airport some of the upgrades to the airport haven't had the funding over the many years. And as the Chair of the Select Committee highlighted, I just Select Committee highlighted, I just wanted to tease that out a bit more from the Secretary of State in terms of that private funding, because at the moment we have a number of cases the moment we have a number of cases where we see some developers committing to something committed, but then the viability issue comes but then the viability issue comes up and the money never seems to appear.

So will she make sure that there is funding to secure the vital
13:12
Heidi Alexander Portrait Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Transport (Swindon South, Labour)
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transport infrastructure to any new airport? Secretary of State. How people get to and from an

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How people get to and from an airport is as important as the number of flights and planes that are landing and taking off, and so I are landing and taking off, and so I can give my honourable friend an assurance that we will be looking at these issues very closely. I would also point out that transport for London is currently buying a new fleet of Piccadilly line trains that, in and of themselves, have higher capacity. It's a larger fleet replacement programme. Ten new Elizabeth Line trains are also being built, but we will look as a whole at the whole issue of how people get to and from the airport because I agree with her that it's absolutely vital.

Munira Wilson thank you, Mr vital. Munira Wilson thank you, Mr Speaker. The Chancellor has staked her economic credibility and growth her economic credibility and growth strategy on a third runway at Heathrow. The Secretary of State today has said that she is committed today has said that she is committed to seeing flights take off in 2035. Yet at the same time, she talks about taking an evidence led about taking an evidence led approach and putting this project to her for tests, taking the advice of her for tests, taking the advice of the Climate Change Committee and doing a thorough and evidence led and doing a thorough economic and environmental impact assessment.

So could you clarify for the House? Because I fear my honourable friend Because I fear my honourable friend didn't get a straight answer. If the evidence actually shows that the environmental costs are too great environmental costs are too great and the economic benefits are too little, is she. And crucially, is her Chancellor prepared to do a her Chancellor prepared to do a U-turn? And can this whole project. Sir, stay. expanding capacity at Heathrow and having a third runway there.

There will be a thorough process that we are starting today in reviewing the policy framework against which any planning application would be judged. The Planning Inspectorate will look at that and consider all the issues about economic need air quality, noise, carbon and then a decision will be taken. We do have an ambition to see planes taking off in 2035, but that doesn't mean to say that we aren't going to be doing a thorough process. We are committed to that and that is what I'm setting out today.
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Angela Rayner Portrait Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP (Ashton-under-Lyne, Labour)
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Right. We now come to a personal statement. Angela Rayner.

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statement. Angela Rayner. And with permission, Mr Speaker, I'd like to make a personal I'd like to make a personal statement. When I made my maiden speech over a decade ago, I said

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to. Represent Ashton-under-Lyne. In this House. And alongside serving in this historic Labour government. It is still the honour of my life. I promised then to bring determination, commitment and my socialist values to this House while representing them, and I intend to representing them, and I intend to continue doing so here. My title may have changed, but the strength and the character of the people of my the character of the people of my constituency have not.

First, Mr Speaker. Let me address the circumstances under which I left office. The last few weeks. I've office. The last few weeks. I've been incredibly tough on my family, with my personal life so much in the with my personal life so much in the public eye. All of us in public life know all too well the toll of the

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know all too well the toll of the intense scrutiny we face, places on believed. In the.

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In the. Highest standards of transparency and accountability, and it is what

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and accountability, and it is what the public expects and is the price we pay for the privilege of service. Yeah.

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Yeah. That's why I referred myself to the independent adviser and gave him access to all of the information he needed. As I set out then, parents of a disabled child with a trust who divorce and seek different properties face a complex tax position. If there is one good thing, Mr Speaker, that can come out of this, I hope that other families in the situation may now be aware of that and avoid getting into the position that I am now in.

I am, of

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course, corresponding with the HMRC and they have my full cooperation. There is no.

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There is no. Excuse not to pay taxes old and I will do so.

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This was an honestly made mistake, but when you make a

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mistake, but when you make a mistake, you take responsibility. Yeah. To serve at the highest level of

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To serve at the highest level of government was a privilege. Not for the title or the office, but for the

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the title or the office, but for the chance to change the lives of the alongside. Yeah. Every day.

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Every day. I work to serve those same working class. Communities in every decision.

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Communities in every decision. That I made, I thought of them. I know the power of politics, Mr know the power of politics, Mr Speaker, to change lives because it changed my own. The last Labour government gave me the foundation to government gave me the foundation to build a better life for me and my young son, a council House to young son, a council House to support. Me sure start to help me raise my kids. And the security of a

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raise my kids. And the security of a minimum wage. A good job. And decent, secure home is. Not too much to ask.

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Exactly. But for. Too many it. Is out of reach. Yeah.

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That is what I was determined to change for the people. All of us on these benches are fighting for, and these benches are fighting for, and we must keep fighting for. That's

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why, despite the fierce criticism and the relentless. Lobbying from vested interests. I'm so proud, Mr. Speaker, that within.

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Speaker, that within. Weeks our. Landmark employment rights bill will become law. Yeah.

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It's a game changer for millions. Stock in insecure and low paid work. Stock in insecure and low paid work. Yeah, it will give them dignity and security that they deserve. Now, Mr Speaker, that those that say we can't afford to deliver new rights

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for working people, and I say we cannot afford not to. Yeah. Labour is at its best when we

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Labour is at its best when we bold. And I've been so proud to work alongside some of the trade

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unionists who nurtured and supported me to deliver the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation. Yeah.

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This is a personal statement, Mr Speaker, but the trade union movement taught me that it's not about yourself, it's about us. It's about yourself, it's about us. It's about who we're here for. And everything that I've done has been an endeavour for us, for our people who elected us and who we serve as Secretary of State for housing. It was my solemn duty to the Grenfell

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Tower inquiry. It's difficult to think of a more humbling. Experience.

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Yeah. A stark reminder of what happens, Mr Speaker, when we forget who we're Mr Speaker, when we forget who we're here to serve. So it's been a privilege to work on behalf of those privilege to work on behalf of those families, and it's why this government will pass a duty of government will pass a duty of candour. Make no mistake, the Hillsborough law is for the 97 and Hillsborough law is for the 97 and their families. But it's also for the so paymasters who endured the horizon scandal.

The victims of the infected blood and those who died, or whose lives were changed forever

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or whose lives were changed forever in the Grenfell Tower fire. You hear. A line in the sand that says the

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A line in the sand that says the public will always come first. And public will always come first. And I'm also incredibly proud that this Labour government provided the biggest investment in social and

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biggest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation. Paid. It was the foundation of a decent

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It was the foundation of a decent home that gave me the security to build my life on. Now we must build my life on. Now we must provide a safe and decent home to millions of people across this country. And when our Renters' Rights Bill returns to the House this afternoon, we will give a generation of renters the protections, the security and the rights that they deserve. From vote 616 to historic investment in homelessness prevention, neighbourhood renewal, to fair funding for the whole country and putting power back where it belongs in the hands of working people everywhere, I was proud to leave lead, but we achieved together with my friends on these benches and the support of our entire movement, the lifeblood of this Labour government.

When I think back about how far I've come. I remember when, at age 16, I was pregnant with my child, needing a job.

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And a home. People wrote me off, assumed. That I'd be on benefits.

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The whole of my life. Well, Mr Speaker, I wanted to prove them wrong. Yeah, I've carried that with wrong. Yeah, I've carried that with me. Whether it's on these benches at the despatch box or representing this country abroad, the support and advice of so many friends and colleagues has kept me going. But I colleagues has kept me going. But I want to give a special mention to my excellent ministerial and excellent ministerial and parliamentary team, my Honourable friends. The members for Greenwich and Woolwich, Oldham West and Royton Nottingham North and Kimberley Wellingborough Huddersfield in Gateshead and my noble friends Gateshead and my noble friends Lakhan and Baroness Taylor and my superb parliamentary and political superb parliamentary and political staff and the many excellent civil servants.

And I want to say a special thank you to many of my constituents and the public who have made contact with me. I offer my successor and his new colleagues my congratulations and of course, my congratulations and of course, my support. I am fortunate to count so many, not just as honourable

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many, not just as honourable friends, but actual friends. Here, here. I'll just finish by saying, Mr Speaker, that in each generation it has fallen to a Labour government to

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people. Yes. In 1945 it was maternity pay and

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In 1945 it was maternity pay and the NHS and homes for heroes out of the ruins of war in the 1970s, it the ruins of war in the 1970s, it was Barbara Castle and the fight for equal pay. And in the 90s it was the national minimum wage. Yes. And despite the opposition, because of despite the opposition, because of the work of this Labour government, we have the opportunity to write a

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we have the opportunity to write a new chapter of justice and fairness for working people. Yeah. Now, Mr Speaker, as tough as

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Now, Mr Speaker, as tough as politics can be, it is nothing. Nothing compared to what thousands of my constituents and this country of my constituents and this country face every single day. There are frontbench elected office is not frontbench elected office is not about us, but about our chance to change the lives of others. And from change the lives of others. And from wherever I sit on these benches, I will fight with everything I have to

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do. Exactly that. Hey, I. Just left the chamber before I

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Just left the chamber before I come to the points for the books For For the For the Ben For the Ben Obese-Jecty. For the Ben Obese-Jecty.
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None Portrait Presentation of Bills
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the bar. There we. Are, right. Well, dum dum.

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We now come to present Asha Bill Rachael Maskell.

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Removal of titles. Bill Second Reading what day. Friday.

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Friday. 31st of October. Friday the 31st of October.
13:54
Laura Kyrke-Smith Portrait Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)
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Thanks much. Right. We now come to the ten minute rule motion Laura

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Kyrke-Smith. move. That leave be given to bring in a

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That leave be given to bring in a bill to require the provision of mental health assessments in NHS antenatal care, for the purpose of antenatal care, for the purpose of identifying those at risk of perinatal mental health problems and making referrals to appropriate making referrals to appropriate support and for connected purposes. Madam Deputy Speaker, we often assume that pregnancy, birth and the assume that pregnancy, birth and the year after birth are a time of life to be happy, celebrating the arrival of a new baby, embarking on a new chapter in family life.

And for some people, this is how it pans out. But for many, the reality is much for many, the reality is much tougher. I've spoken previously in this House about my brilliant friend Sophie, who took her own life after Sophie, who took her own life after the birth of her third child, who was just ten weeks old at the time. That was four years ago, and her That was four years ago, and her death remains a huge sadness in my life and for her family, some of whom are in the gallery today.

But the shock of it still sits with me too. I didn't know, and many of us don't, that suicide is the leading cause of death for a woman in that cause of death for a woman in that period, from six weeks to a year after giving birth. A statistic recently reconfirmed by the latest recently reconfirmed by the latest embrace UK report. And while Sophie's death is a particularly serious example, I also didn't know serious example, I also didn't know the scale and normality of mental illness at that time in a woman's life.

1 in 4 women experienced some sort of mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after giving birth. It can be anything from depression to anxiety to obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, and it can be completely debilitating

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for mums and their families, and the consequences reflect. Our. Widely too. The London School of Economics and the centre for Mental Economics and the centre for Mental Health estimates that untreated perinatal mental illness cost this country over £8 billion a year, largely through the long term impact on the child's health, education and on the child's health, education and future productivity. Madam Deputy Speaker, in theory, women are asked about their mental health early in pregnancy. The guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence specifies that questions about depression and questions about depression and anxiety should form part of a woman's first contact with health professionals during pregnancy, including the booking appointment.

including the booking appointment. But in practice, women's experiences vary enormously. Some women are asked a few hurried questions asked a few hurried questions between blood pressure checks. Others are not asked at all. Women with a previous history of mental illness may be given more attention, but we know that pregnancy and early motherhood can often be the first time that women experience mental time that women experience mental illness. So that's not enough. Some GP's and midwives have the training and time to offer support. Others and time to offer support.

Others are stretched far beyond capacity. Some have established mental health services to refer women onto. Some are almost afraid to ask the right questions because they don't trust that a referral will kick in. So the result is a postcode lottery, where result is a postcode lottery, where a pregnant woman's access to mental health support can depend on the NHS trust they happen to fall under. But it's also a lottery that a woman is more likely to lose if they are black, Asian and young, experiencing domestic violence, experiencing poverty or other forms of deprivation.

Because, as in so many other areas of healthcare, the pre-existing inequalities correlate to poorer outcomes. And that's why this bill matters. Because every woman, regardless of age, ethnicity, background or postcode, deserves the same standard of care and the same chance to be mentally well at this time in their life. Madam Deputy Speaker, we're not starting from scratch. In the ten year health plan, the government has set out its determination and its plan to reorient our health system away from treatment towards prevention, away from hospitals, towards the community.

Ensuring that pregnant and new mums are mentally well is one of the ultimate acts of prevention. Setting them and their children up for a healthy, productive future. On mental health specifically, including on better support for suicidal people. The government has also made its commitment very clear and matched it with action. In the last year, an additional 6700 mental health professionals have been recruited, £120 million is being invested in dedicated mental health emergency departments, ensuring that those in crisis can get health quickly, can get help quickly.

And we're rolling out the Best Start Family Hubs, which are a transformative initiative that will provide families with a single route into support services, including mental health. So my bill builds on these commitments, but it focuses the mental health support at the very start of motherhood, when women need it most. We're not starting from scratch, and our understanding of good practice either. At a roundtable I convened here in Parliament in September bringing together NHS England, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, the Royal Colleges, parents with lived experience, other experts.

The message was united and clear. Professionals want to help, but they need structure and time and training to do it properly. The Royal College of Midwives has just published a roadmap for perinatal mental health care, which sets out what this could look like, and it's well worth a read, but I'll turn to the detailed proposals in the bill. It sets out a clear, practical framework for mental health assessment, and it has four core pillars. The first is to ensure that every pregnant woman has a structured, evidence based and compassionate mental health assessment, while mental health check ins must continue after the birth of a baby two.

The evidence shows that outcomes are better when interventions happen sooner. So that's why I focus my bill on improving support in the antenatal period first. This assessment would form part of the routine antenatal care. It's not an extra. It would use validated tools such as the Foodie Questions or the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale adapted for pregnancy, and it would be rooted in nice guidance, though this may need updating to ensure that better practice is embedded. Crucially, it would be delivered through trauma informed conversations, not tick box exercises, where staff would be trained to create a safe space for disclosure.

Recognising that women may have histories of trauma that affect their mental health during pregnancy, or may have no history of trauma or mental illness at all. The second pillar of the bill is to improve training and supervision for all professionals involved in maternity care GPS, midwives, obstetricians, health visitors and community mental health practitioners all need the knowledge and confidence to ask the right questions, to do so compassionately and to recognise on something isn't right. This bill calls for a national training standard, endorsed by nice and the Royal Colleges, and delivered across NHS trusts and integrated care boards.

It should include regular clinical supervision, so staff are supported to ask questions and make decisions safely. And importantly, this training must equip professionals to recognise and respond to the specific needs of women from diverse backgrounds. Understanding cultural differences in how mental health is expressed and experienced, and addressing the stigma and the barriers that prevent some women from seeking help. Third, this bill sets out the need for clear referral pathways because while midwives, GPS and others involved in routine maternity care should be equipped and able to identify mental health risks, they shouldn't also be delivering a specialist care when it's needed.

So the clear referral pathways into mental health services the specialist services are vital. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance recommends that a specialist perinatal mental health midwife is embedded in every maternity service to ensure that those risks are identified and the referrals made effectively, and that appropriate support will then be different for every woman. But one important option is the NHS Talking Therapies programme, which I know the government is committed to and I've seen in my own constituency of Aylesbury how helpful this can be for women and I would urge the NHS Talking Therapies services to consider women in the perinatal period as a priority group for support.

There are also fantastic voluntary services out there in communities across the country, such as pandas, and many of those under the umbrella of the Hearts and Minds partnership. And yet many women are not made aware of them through their routine antenatal care, and they should be. Fourth, and finally, this bill calls for clear accountability to ensure effective delivery of perinatal mental health assessments. NHS England and Integrated Care Boards would be responsible for ensuring that local maternity systems introduced the single standardised assessment process, but then also, crucially, capture the data through the Maternity Services data set, allowing the outcomes to be tracked.

And there must also be improved oversight of these services from the Care Quality Commission as part of its maternity inspections. Madam Deputy Speaker, I hope the aims of my bill are clear, and I hope that the government and colleagues in this House will look upon them favourably. I know resources are tight across the NHS, and I know there are particularly acute challenges in many of our mental health and maternity services, including the national shortage of midwives currently. But I also know how transformative the relatively modest measures in this bill could be for the women at the heart of the bill and for our society.

It could have made a difference for safety, I believe, and it still could make a difference for the many women who are struggling with their mental health now, or will do in future. Because ultimately, this bill is about even more than mental health care for women. It's about the kind of country that we want to be. Because when parents are mentally well, they thrive, their children thrive, and our communities become places not fear and insecurity, but of hope and opportunity. That's the kind of country that we want to be.

And improved perinatal mental health care is such an important part of it. Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend this bill to the House.

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The question is that the honourable member have leave to bring in the Bill. As many of their bring in the Bill. As many of their opinions say, I. The country know. The ayes have it, the ayes have it.

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The ayes have it, the ayes have it. Who will prepare and bringing the bill? Paulette Hamilton Sojan Joseph.

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Paulette Hamilton Sojan Joseph. Doctor. Danny Chambers Liz Twist Sarah Hall Maya Ellis Jen Craft Sarah Hall Maya Ellis Jen Craft Michelle Welsh Anna Sabine Lee Pitcher. Doctor Simon Opher and myself. Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Well Well done.

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Well done. Perinatal mental.

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Health assessments bill. of.

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October, Friday the 31st of

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October, Friday the 31st of October. Right. I'll give the. Front benches. A moment to shuffle over before we go on to. we go on to.

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The next set of business.

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The next set of business. proceed. To read the orders of the day. Renters' Rights Bill with

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Renters' Rights Bill with consideration of Lords message. You say now?

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You say now? Now we begin with the government motion to agree. amendments.

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amendments. 19 B, 19. C and 19 D, with which the. Government's motion.

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Government's motion. To agree. amendments. 39 B and 39 C, I. Call the Minister to. Move.

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Move. The motion to agree with the Lords in their amendments 19. B 93
14:06
Matthew Pennycook Portrait Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)
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and 19 D. Minister Matthew. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today is.

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A momentous day. That is because, subject to agreement from this House, the Renters' rights Bill will have completed. All its stages.

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And will therefore shortly become law. This House last legislated to law. This House last legislated to fundamentally alter the relationship between landlords and tenants in 1988. I was just six years old.

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1988. I was just six years old. In the decade since. England's private rented sector has changed beyond all recognition. has changed beyond all recognition. It now House is not just the young and the mobile, but many older people and families with children for whom greater security and for whom greater security and certainty is essential to a flourishing life. The need to overhaul the regulation of the overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, and in so doing, level decisively. The playing field between landlord and tenant is pressing.

That's why we introduced the bill within months of taking office. We promised that we would succeed where the previous Conservative government had failed, by legislating to transform the experience of private renting. I'm experience of private renting. I'm delighted that we are now within touching distance of seeing the bill become law. Before I turn to the become law. Before I turn to the final amendments agreed to in the other place, I want to put on record once again my profound thanks to Baroness Taylor for so ably guiding Baroness Taylor for so ably guiding the Bill through its House of Lords stages.

Deputy Speaker, I made clear

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stages. Deputy Speaker, I made clear when we considered Lords I will give way briefly. I did you. Greenway, and I too welcome the renter's bill becoming law. I personally wished it was also regulating rent levels. But my question is, how quickly will it become law to protect people, many of whom over the last year, while this bill has been wending its way through Parliament, have faced the appalling situation of no fault eviction. Many have lost their properties as a result of it, whereas they would have been protected had the bill become law more quickly.

Can he give me some idea that I can give some comfort to my constituents who are facing no fault eviction, how quickly they will get protection, and will there be any retrospective element to it?

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I thank the right Honourable gentleman for that point. We do want to provide both renters and landlords with certainty about how landlords with certainty about how the new system will be implemented. I'll say a bit more on that in the course of my remarks. And I was course of my remarks. And I was saying, Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm going to make a bit more progress if I can. As I made clear and Deputy I can. As I made clear and Deputy Speaker, when we considered Lords amendments to the bill on the 8th of September, while the government was not prepared to accept amendments not prepared to accept amendments that would undermine the core principles of the bill, we were more than willing to make sensible changes in response to legitimate concerns raised.

The changes we are proposing today are firmly within the spirit of that commitment. I'm delighted that we were able to reach delighted that we were able to reach agreement with the Liberal Democrat frontbench and Lord Young of Cookham, and I thank all those noble Lords involved for their willingness Lords involved for their willingness to work collaboratively to strengthen the Bill. Let me briefly set out the purpose and effect of the amendments in question, the amendments in question, beginning with those that relate to shared owners. Lords amendments 19 B, 19 C and 19 D exempt shared owners from the 12 month no relet period in respect of new mandatory possession ground one day that possession ground one day that allows a landlord to evict a tenant because they intend to sell their property.

The exemption is subject property. The exemption is subject to meeting set criteria to ensure that shared owners have made a genuine attempt to sell their property. The amendments in question property. The amendments in question also include a delegated power to remove the exemption in the future. For example, once the building

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safety programme has been completed. I will give way briefly and then. Can I thank the. Minister and.

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Minister and. Welcome what's been put forward over the last period of time. And Mike and I have had more and more of these issues coming to our attention, where tenants have the final turn up and affordable accommodation for the close to their work or close to their education for their schools. I know this legislation applies to England and Wales only, and I understand that. But the minister is a good minister But the minister is a good minister and he always shares the information and the legislation put forward.

and the legislation put forward. With with the Regional Assembly and Makest Northern Ireland Assembly, would the Minister get and do me a would the Minister get and do me a favour and do the House or favour of sharing the legislation with the Northern Assembly to ensure the good

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things that are in this can become a good thing for us in Northern Ireland as well. Thank you. I thank the honourable gentleman for that intervention. The Northern Ireland Assembly can access this legislation online, but I will certainly continue to have conversations with ministers in all conversations with ministers in all of the devolved administrations as to what lessons we can learn about from what we have done with this from what we have done with this bill and that they can take from it.

Absolutely. Madam Deputy Speaker, I was saying that I commend Lord Young of Cookham once again for of Cookham once again for championing the interests of shared owners affected by the building safety crisis and thanking for tabling his three amendments in tabling his three amendments in lieu. As I made clear when we consider Lords amendments last month, the government recognised the plight of shared owners living in buildings that require remediation. Many are facing unaffordable costs, often with no viable exit route other than a distressed sale.

We also appreciate that it is often harder to secure a purchaser for a shared ownership property, and that the sales of shared ownership flats are more likely to fall through due to the additional constraints involved. As such, we've always accepted that the 12 month no relet period would have placed many shared owners in an extremely challenging position. The reason that the government did not feel able to accept Lord Young's original Lords Amendment 19 was that it could undermine protections for the small subset of tenants who happened to rent a sublet home from a shared owner.

I'm therefore pleased to report to the House today that the amendments in lieu before us deliver the core aims of that original amendment, whilst also ensuring three key safeguards are in place to protect tenants. These safeguards are as follows. First, there is a requirement for the shared owner to have informed the assured sub tenant in writing at the outset of the tenancy about the exemption and its possible use. This will ensure tenants are aware of the particular circumstances of the tenancy they are entering into, and can make an informed choice as to whether they wish to enter into a tenancy agreement with the shared owner in question.

Second, shared owners must have informed their provider of their intention to sell before obtaining possession of the property from the tenant. This is an essential first step all shared owners must undertake in order to begin the process of selling their property, and I'm satisfied that it is a proportionate requirement evidence that a shared owner is genuinely intending to sell their home. Third, a valuation must be undertaken on the property by a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, or the shared owner must have advertised the property for sale.

This can be done at any point before a property is relit. Recognising the need for flexibility in how shared owners will approach a sale, taken together with the protections that are already in place as a result of registered providers having to authorise subletting requests. Having oversight of what rent levels can be charged, I'm satisfied that these safeguards will reduce, if not eliminate entirely, the risk that an exemption from the 12 month no relet period might otherwise have posed. Turning next, Madam Deputy Speaker to Lords amendments 39 B and 39 C, these will introduce a statutory requirement for annual reporting on the extent to which service family accommodation meets the Decent Homes

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Standard. I will give way. I'm very grateful to the Minister for giving way, and I would like to thank him for listening to Liberal thank him for listening to Liberal Democrat colleagues who have made these points, as I have, along with the spokesperson on previous occasions. It's very good that those occasions. It's very good that those living in military service accommodation will now have the opportunity to access the Decent Homes Standard. I wonder if the Minister could give me the assurance that he will work with ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to ensure that all those Defence to ensure that all those service families are aware of the decent home standards and the standards to which they can hold their accommodation providers, in their accommodation providers, in order that they can live in better homes.

In my constituency of Bicester and Woodstock and across the country.

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the country. I thank the honourable gentleman for that question. We have ongoing dialogue with ministerial colleagues dialogue with ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence about this issue. And if you'll allow me, I'll elaborate on how we think these I'll elaborate on how we think these amendments will work in practice and how they interact with what the Ministry of Defence is itself doing. Ministry of Defence is itself doing. Can I firstly, though, thank once again Baroness Grinder, Baroness Thornhill and the honourable members Thornhill and the honourable members for Taunton and Wellington and North Shropshire for their continued support and advocacy for service personnel and their families.

The personnel and their families. The government has been clear throughout the passage of the Bill that our Armed forces, Armed Service personnel and their families must live in safe and decent homes. We remain determined to improve the standard of service family accommodation across the entire defence estate. Alongside the commitment to drive up standards through a record investment of £1.5 billion in service family accommodation over the next five years. The government will also soon publish a defence Housing strategy, setting out clear renewal standards and further steps to improve the lives of those who serve our country.

And that is a standard that will be published able that for service families to see, to judge against and will interact with this new statutory duty. Because, as I outlined in the previous debate on Lords amendments, the government acknowledges the need for greater transparency and accountability to ensure the commitments we have made are honoured. The amendments in lieu from the government before us will place the commitments I made to this House last month on a statutory basis. Alongside the wider steps I've already set out, the government believes this will help ensure service personnel and their families have the quality of homes they deserve.

The amendments also include a delegated power allowing the housing quality standards that SFA is assessed against to be updated when the current version of the Decent Homes Standard is no longer considered appropriate, for example, when it has been replaced by a new modernised standard. The Liberal Democrats have indicated their support for these amendments. Madam Deputy Speaker and I hope honourable members will join me in supporting them today. To conclude, my Deputy Speaker, I urge the House to support the amendments put forward by the

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other place, and I very much look forward to the remainder of the debate. I beg to move. The question is, is House agrees

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The question is, is House agrees with the. Lords in their amendments. 19 B. 19 C and 19 D. I call the shadow

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19 C and 19 D. I call the shadow Secretary, Sir James James Cleverly. Madam Deputy Speaker, thank you. We are considering. Today the Lords amendments in

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Today the Lords amendments in lieu to the Renters' Rights Bill, and I begin by recognising the work
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James Cleverly Portrait Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP (Braintree, Conservative)
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and I begin by recognising the work that has taken place in both houses to try to improve this legislation, and by thanking their Lordships for the constructive way in which they have approached this endeavour. On the amendments themselves, on shared ownership leaseholders. This issue was rightly championed in the Lords by my Noble friend Lord Young of Crook of Cookham, and I pay tribute to him for his persistence on this issue. He made a fair and compelling case for shared owners who, through no fault of their own, may be unable to sell their share and should not be penalised for relenting in those circumstances, and the government's acceptance of that principle, though through a modified amendment, is, I think, a sensible and pragmatic improvement, and therefore we will support it on the decent home standards and the service family accommodation estate.

The government placed a duty on the Secretary of State to report on the conditions of service, family accommodation and provide independent oversight. Our Armed forces and their families deserve and need decent, well maintained homes and greater transparency will, we believe, strengthen the confidence of those service families in the system. So we support this improvement and hope that the government will look at our policy to create and Armed Forces Housing Association that would oversee these changes and address the declining recruitment and retention rates that sadly, we have seen under this government.

Madam Deputy Speaker, while we support these improvements, the bill in its current form will in some areas be, I fear, counterproductive and drive landlords from the market as well as putting up rents for tenants. Labour's own impact assessment for this Bill supports this concern and I quote landlords can pass through some, but not all, of their cost increases to their tenants in the form of higher rent due to new costs. Under the bill. All tenancies will continue until either the tenant gives notice or the landlord obtains a court order for possession on specific grounds.

Now the government has committed to ending section 21 evictions, but they must also ensure that court reform matches so that the system works for both tenants and responsible landlords. And we need clarity about when and how these changes will be implemented. Implemented because, Madam Deputy Speaker, uncertainty helps no one. Local councils must have the means to enforce the new rules effectively, and the government should set out a clear and workable plan. To that end. The amendments. The amendments before us represent a sensible set of adjustments that make this bill, I would say, slightly more workable.

The sufficient change so sufficient challenges remain in how it will operate in practice. We recognise the value of the scrutiny that has taken place in both houses, and the constructive way that many of the concerns have been addressed, but the uncertainty in this sector is seeing landlords leave the market at

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alarming rate. I will give way. Who knows? I've got a great deal of time for him as a person, but he of time for him as a person, but he must reflect that all of his speeches, talking about the rights of the landlord and absolutely nothing on the rights of the tenants. Now, in my own tenants. Now, in my own constituency, there are 600 children in temporary accommodation, in large part driven out of their private rented accommodation. Because the no rented accommodation.

Because the no fault evictions does have anything to say about the rights of tenants.

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to say about the rights of tenants. I am Deputy Speaker. I can only assume that he's been asleep and through the last couple of through the last couple of paragraphs that I read out where I specifically spoke about the rights of tenants in the military estate, for example. So I reject his characterisation of our position. characterisation of our position. But the simple fact is tenants rights are all well and good. But if accommodation for those tenants does not exist, they are no better off.

And what we have seen an estimated 18% of new homes for sale, which were previously in the private rental market estate and in London rental market estate and in London that figure is 29% and a reduction in the private rented sector. Market in the private rented sector. Market harms not helps people seeking to rent in the private sector, and I know the benches opposite will say, oh well, we're going to deliver 1.5 million new houses. No one, no one.

I doubt even the own front bench actually believes they have any chance of delivering that figure at all. And certainly the OBR doesn't believe they have any credible chance of doing this. So the housing and rental situation is likely to get worse. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the opposition, for the reasons that I have set out in my speech, I can confirm that we will support Lords amendments in lieu. We urge the government to implement them professionally and swiftly, and focusing, and focus on delivering a fair and effective system for tenants and for the landlords that provide accommodation to those tenants, and also the wider housing market.

And whilst I've said there are still, we fear, a number of flaws with this bill and it does not do enough to protect renters or ensure a stable rental market, and has the risk of reducing supply and perversely, pushing up rents. Which is why, having committed to not oppose the amendments in lieu, we

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will be holding this governments to bill.

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Kevin Bonavia. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
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