Refugee Integration

Debate between Lord Bishop of Durham and Lord Gascoigne

Thursday 18th January 2024 Grand Committee

[Lord Gascoigne (Con)]

I apologise—the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, and others also made that point about integration. I assure my noble friend that I will write on that.

[The Lord Bishop of Durham]

Will the Minister write to me about community sponsorship? He was meant to hit that out of the park for six as a positive, and he did not.

[Lord Gascoigne (Con)]

I thank the right reverend Prelate. I will write, and I apologise profusely—there are a number of other issues that I have not had a chance to address.

In conclusion—I say to the Whip that I am conscious of time—it is in refugees’ interest and that of the country as a whole that they are able to adapt to life in the United Kingdom, build rewarding and happy lives here, and contribute to society.

Housing: New Homes Target

Debate between Lord Bishop of Durham and Lord Gascoigne

Wednesday 17th January 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gascoigne (Con)]

My noble friend raises a valid point about the need to tackle migration and its possible impact on housing and other local services. It is obviously right to say that we can be incredibly proud of being a welcoming country, especially over the last few years, but that is why we have to put in steps to tackle both legal and illegal migration, because we know the pressures that high migration has on housing.

[The Lord Bishop of Durham]

My Lords, Section 106 nil grant agreements are one of the primary ways in which affordable housing is currently delivered, and they account for almost half of all the affordable homes delivered every year. These agreements are dependent on planning permission and planning approvals, and they are at a record low. Does the Minister have an estimated figure of the potential shortfall in affordable homes as a result of this situation, and what steps will be taken to tackle it?

[Lord Gascoigne (Con)]

I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate for raising this point yet again. The key point is to not only have a plan but to continue to invest in unlocking land, particularly around the funding to build affordable homes. It is about infrastructure, investing in skills and helping people get into the property market in the first place.