Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Sharma and Lucy Allan

Monday 5th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, universal credit works on a monthly basis. When someone earns a large amount in a month, we apportion that over the following months. It is worth pointing out that it is entirely possible for people with those kinds of earnings to budget over the year, just as many businesses do.

[Lucy Allan (Telford) (Con)]

The GKN takeover proposal announced last Thursday seeks to pay a £1.4 billion sweetener to shareholders, despite a £2 billion pension deficit. Does the Minister agree that the Government should act to protect the interests of GKN pension fund members?

Regulation of Property Agents

Debate between Lord Sharma and Lucy Allan

1st reading: House of Commons
Wednesday 18th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely right. The measures will of course help, but at the end of the day we need to fix the broken housing market by building more homes.

[Lucy Allan (Telford) (Con)]

I welcome the Minister’s statement. Will the Department also consider what steps can be taken to protect the consumer rights of freeholders who pay management fees on new-build estates where managing agents are failing to deliver value for money, such as in Lawley Village in Telford?

[Alok Sharma]

Yes. We will, of course, consider all these matters in the round, but if my hon. Friend puts her thoughts forward as part of the call for evidence, we will review them.