Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Jeevun Sandher(1Â week, 5Â days ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
As a former Drugs Minister, I understand the complexity of this matter and the frustration involved, too. I will raise it with both the Home Office, which has responsibility for it, and the FCDO to see whether we can get clarity on the situation.
Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)
Residents in Gardner Way in my constituency are stuck. They are subject to an Act from 1925 and a rent charge that makes it incredibly difficult for them to sell their homes, because if they miss a payment, their home could be repossessed. Most owners with those rent charges allow a simple change in the deed. I have every faith that this one will as well, and we are planning legislation in this area. I ask the Leader of the House to encourage the owner to allow a simple change to the deeds and to confirm that we still have legislation planned to change this horrible practice.
Sir Alan Campbell
I hope the owner has heard my hon. Friend’s comments. As a Government, we are committed to banning the use of draconian and outdated remedies for non-payment of rent charges through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which we published in draft in January and will be introducing. I will ensure that my hon. Friend has a meeting with the Minister for Housing and Planning so that he can hear more about the progress that we intend to make.
Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Jeevun Sandher(8Â months, 2Â weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
Improvement in local areas is not dependent on the Pride in Place scheme, but will be significantly helped by it. I am not entirely surprised that not that many Conservative constituencies or authorities are in the scheme, because there are not many of them left after the general election. The hon. Gentleman is doing exactly the right thing: he is raising concerns on behalf of his constituents about how best they can improve their area. My advice to him is that if he wants to hear from Ministers about our ambitions for every area—we are ambitious for every area—he should seek an Adjournment debate, make his points there, and see what the Minister has to say.
Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)
My constituents, like those of many Members across the House, have been horrified by the wreckage we have seen in Gaza. While there has been a ceasefire, there is still violence, and aid is struggling to get in. I thank my constituents who have raised the issue with me, and I thank Members for raising this issue, too. Can the Leader of the House assure me that this Government will do everything we can to help rebuild Gaza and ensure that aid goes in?
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for continuing to raise this crucial matter. It is essential that all parties build on the foundations of the peace plan, so that we can move along a sustainable path to long-term peace. We will play a leading role in accelerating Gaza’s reconstruction. This financial year, we are providing £116 million for humanitarian and other aid, including healthcare, food, clean water and sanitation. The Government continue to keep this area at the forefront of our mind. We want to ensure a better future for the people of that area.