(1 week, 6 days ago)
Commons Chamber
Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) (LD)
When I met constituents who are family members of people living with dementia in Thame, their overwhelming response and emotion was anger at the lack of support for them, and concern about what would happen to their family members if they themselves became ill. Will the Leader of the House outline what the Government are doing to support carers of people living with dementia, and will he support a debate on the subject in Government time?
The Government are doing a great deal in what we recognise is often a very distressing situation. The hon. Gentleman will know that the Casey review came up with a series of recommendations on dementia and other conditions, such as motor neurone disease. We have launched the big conversation on care to ensure that people can feed back their views. Appointing a dementia tsar to help drive forward much needed improvements will be important. We are also investing more in services, but I recognise that there is a great deal more to be done. I will get a further update for him from the relevant Minister.
(2 months, 4 weeks ago)
Commons ChamberMy hon. Friend is a champion for the youth guarantee, and I pay tribute to her for all the work she does to support young people. Over the next three years, we are expanding the youth hub network to over 360 locations across Great Britain, ensuring that every young person can access opportunities and comprehensive support in their local area. To celebrate that, I encourage my hon. Friend to look for a debate in Westminster Hall or an Adjournment debate to see what more we can do to support our young people.
Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) (LD)
Protected land and villages, such as Stoke Row and Park Corner in my constituency, are being sold off in small lots. Auctioneers subtly encourage buyers into paying over the odds for land that has no prospect of planning consent. The result is disappointed and ripped-off buyers. Plot holders, left with failed investments, try to monetise them in ways that go against planning rules. We have also seen some members of the Gypsy and Traveller community move ahead with unauthorised development, using their ownership of the land to their advantage in the planning system. My residents are sick and tired of that, and expect the Government to act through the national planning policy framework and planning rules. Will the Leader of the House support my efforts to secure a Westminster Hall debate on the topic so we can discuss it further?
I encourage the hon. Member to apply for a Westminster Hall debate. I am not the person that allocates those, but the hon. Member raises important matters. Given what he has said, it is important that he hears from Ministers with responsibility for planning whether further legislation is necessary, or, if the legislation exists, whether those who have the authority to use it actually do so.