Business of the House
Debate between Alicia Kearns and Lucy Powell(1 month, 3 weeks ago)
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Lucy Powell
That is an excellent question, and I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised the issue of the bus cap. She will be aware that the Conservatives budgeted for the cap to last only until December, and it is this Government that have extended it, albeit at £3, beyond that date. We will bring forward further bus regulation to ensure that local areas such as hers, and neighbouring authorities, can once again take control of bus routes, fares and timetabling to meet the needs of their communities.
Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Stamford) (Con)
My heart goes out to the family of the British national killed in the flooding in Spain in the last few days.
The National Farmers Union described yesterday’s Budget as “disastrous”, the Country Land and Business Association described it as “a betrayal” and farmers across Rutland and Stamford are in distress, as my inbox shows. Whether on agricultural property relief or charging full road tax on double cab pick-up trucks, which was hidden in the Budget, the NFU says that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not care. Will the Leader of the House advise me on when the next chance to raise this breach of previous promises will be, or will she secure a meeting with the Minister for my local farmers?
Lucy Powell
I am sorry to hear of the reaction of the hon. Member’s local community, but we did have to make some difficult choices in the Budget. We recognise the important role that farmers play in supporting their local communities, providing food security and the many other contributions they make to our country. It is worth noting, for her and her constituents, that three quarters of farmers who are currently entitled to receive the full relief on inheritance tax will still get it after the Budget. It is the top 25% that will not. I am sorry to say it, but she will remember that her party lost the support of farmers, and that is why my party now has more than 100 new Members representing rural constituencies.
Business of the House
Debate between Alicia Kearns and Lucy Powell(1 month, 4 weeks ago)
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Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend raises an issue of great significance to many Members of this House. The role that kinship carers play in our society is often underestimated and undervalued. We should all want to put that right. Our manifesto made it clear that every child should have a loving and secure home; that is why we are determined to include kinship carers and others in the work that we are doing to make sure that every child has a supportive home.
Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Stamford) (Con)
Among local farmers, reports abound that the Government intend to cut the farming budget by more than £100 million. That is compounded by the reality that the full farming recovery and internal drainage board funds have not been distributed, despite the fact that farmers have faced appallingly wet weather over the past few months. Will the Leader of the House consider committing one day of the Budget debate to food security and supporting our farmers?
Lucy Powell
We recently had a debate in Opposition time on farming, and the important issues that the hon. Lady describes get raised here regularly. This Government support our farmers, support our food security and recognise the difficult period that farmers have faced, especially with climate change. That is why we want to support our resilience and ensure we tackle issues around climate change. There will be ample time for these matters to be raised in the Budget debate, so I encourage the hon. Lady to put in to speak.
Business of the House
Debate between Alicia Kearns and Lucy Powell(4 months, 4 weeks ago)
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Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Stamford) (Con)
May I start by saying what a joy it is to see the Leicestershire flag flying outside Parliament? I secured that for my county after a thousand years without one. Moving on to Lincolnshire—I represent three counties—the Government are right to build more houses, but in that process it is crucial that we make sure that councils hold developers and water companies to account. In Corby Glen in Lincolnshire there has been a stink for well over a year, yet the Labour-run rainbow council at South Kesteven refuses to meet the parish council or members of the local community. May we have a debate in Government time on how, with all the new house building, which is absolutely right, we will ensure that house builders and developers are held to account by councils and that we stop the stink in Corby Glen?
Lucy Powell
The hon. Lady raises an important matter. She will know that this Government are unashamedly pro house building, but that is not a free pass for developers. We want to see local plans that are developed locally, that are holistic and strategic, and that consider all issues—not just housing, but the infra- structure that sits alongside it. It is local plans designed by local people that we want to see sped up, and hopefully that will resolve some of the issues with the stench that she has in her constituency.