Housing White Paper

Debate between Kerry McCarthy and Sajid Javid

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. When plans are put together, they should look at the long-term land supply—not just over the following five years but beyond that to the required need. Also, there should be more co-operation with neighbouring local authorities on putting together the plans, which is where the proposed new statement of common purpose will help.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

I am glad the Minister eventually came around to realising the need to tackle land banking and developers sitting on properties, so the moves on completion notices and compulsory purchase are very welcome. But when will he start to listen to council leaders, who, despite his answer to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), are still saying they need the borrowing cap lifted? They need the freedom to borrow more so that they can build more houses.

[Sajid Javid]

We have increased local councils’ borrowing ability, but where the most ambitious councils that have good, sensible plans want to come forward to do a deal with central Government, we are listening. That invitation is in the White Paper.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kerry McCarthy and Sajid Javid

Monday 16th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

[Official Report, 19 January 2017, Vol. 619, c. 6MC.]We have only just received the proposal to which my hon. Friend refers. We want to make sure that we take the right amount of time to consider it carefully. Whatever the result, we will make sure that enough time is allowed for this House to do its business.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

I welcome the fact that Bristol has been named as one of the trailblazers for homelessness prevention and is getting additional money for it. Does the Minister share my concern, however, that in some cases it is far more attractive for landlords and developers to move into providing houses in multiple occupation or emergency accommodation rather than providing decent, proper family homes?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kerry McCarthy and Sajid Javid

Monday 18th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I am more than happy to listen to his case and to work with the Secretary of State for Transport, because the issue will involve both Departments.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals to extend local authorities' duty of care in homelessness cases.