Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to commission research on the economic value of ferries, as proposed at the fourth Islands Forum in May.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The previous administration initiated an Islands Connectivity Project to investigate transport barriers faced by islands across the UK, which was to be funded with underspend identified elsewhere in the department. The project was paused due to the election and, as part of the recent savings exercise, the Treasury requested the return of underspends from this financial year, including those earmarked for this project.
As funding cannot be extended beyond this financial year, we cannot guarantee the viability of continuing the project. My department is working closely with the Cabinet Office and Department for Transport to establish certainty over the future of the Islands Forum and the projects associated with it.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government which regions were invited to attend the Council of the Nations and Regions meeting on 11 October.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Council of the Nations and Regions on 11 October brought together the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities and County Combined Authorities in England.
The following Mayors from English regions are invited to attend the Council of Nations and Regions: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the East Midlands, Greater London, Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, the North East, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, the West Midlands, the West of England, West Yorkshire, and York and North Yorkshire.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, including regarding location and dates, they have made for the next meeting of the Islands Forum.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Islands are a vital part of the UK’s geography, culture and heritage. Ministers will be considering options for future engagement between island representatives and government to address key challenges and promote shared opportunities.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 24 May (HL Deb col 1368), whether the lease extension policies of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Crown Estate will be laid before Parliament for consideration; and whether these bodies have agreed to negotiate with tenants or prospective tenants in a manner analogous to how the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 applies to tenants of other properties.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer my noble Friend to the undertaking given by the Crown authorities during passage of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 at Volume 838: debated on Friday 24 May 2024, column 1368.
The Crown authorities confirmed that the Crown would act in accordance with the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the statutes it amends, subject to specific specified conditions set out in the undertaking.
We expect the Crown bodies to work with its tenants as they develops their policies.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to reply to the letter dated 15 September 2023 from Lord Berkeley to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Leader of the House of Commons, regarding the governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
I apologise for the delay in responding to my Noble Lords’ correspondence. The department attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from Noble peers. A response issued on 27 February 2024.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, as currently drafted, will bind the Crown, and if not, why.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Government is implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations in relation to the Crown.
The recommendation sets out that the Crown should remain exempt from statutory enfranchisement rights, provided it gives an undertaking to act by analogy with the new enfranchisement regime, except in certain special circumstances.
The effect will be that most leaseholders of the Crown will have the same opportunity to exercise enfranchisement rights as any other leaseholder.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government when if at all they intend to reply to the letter dated 15 September from Lord Berkeley to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Leader of the House of Commons, regarding the governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and similar bodies established by Royal Charter, which called for such bodies to publish and maintain their professional standards, monitor those members using them, and sanction those members who have failed to comply with them.
Answered by Baroness Penn
Unfortunately, the department has no record of receiving the letter prior to 22 November. The department will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to fund the cost of air or rail travel for refugees from Ukraine who are allowed to enter the UK.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
Once within Great Britain, Ukrainian beneficiaries will be eligible for free onward travel via national rail, light rail, bus and coach, to their final destinations across England, Scotland and Wales. Further information on the scheme is available at: www.nationalrail.co.uk/ukraine.
We would not want the cost of travel to the UK to be a barrier and understand there are a number of schemes and offers that people can make use of. Some commercial operators have also offered free travel to Ukrainians including Eurostar.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any grant from the Levelling Up fund (1) to the Council of the Isles of Scilly, or (2) to any other body, for new vehicle transport ships will (a) require those vessels to have roll-on roll-off capability, (b) need to demonstrate best value for money in accordance with the Fund’s rules, and (c) require a full competitive tendering process for the operation of the vessels.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Bids for the first round of the Levelling Up Fund are currently being assessed in line with the published assessment process. Whilst we are not able to answer project-specific questions, or provide advice on potential projects during this period of competition, I can confirm that value for money forms part of the criteria used to assess all bids. More information on the full assessment process, including the assessment of value for money, can be found (attached) in the Levelling Up Fund technical note - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/992647/technical-note-for-application-form.pdf
Successful bidders will need to adhere to any legislation relevant to the delivery of the project, such as procurement. Outcomes from the first round of bids for the Levelling Up Fund will be announced later in the year and bidding authorities will be informed in due course.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in assessing applications to their Levelling Up Fund, they plan to take into account (1) the principles contained in their consultation Reforming Competition and Consumer Policy: Driving growth and delivering competitive markets that work for consumers, published on 20 July, in particular those about (a) levels of consumer harm, and (b) businesses blocking competition, (2) the availability of potential competition, and (3) value for money for taxpayers.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
The Fund will operate UK-wide, extending the benefits of funding for priority local infrastructure across all regions and nations.
We published a technical note setting out further guidance for the first round of the Levelling Up Fund on GOV.UK.