Local Government Reorganisation

Debate between Angela Rayner and Chris Webb

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Angela Rayner]

Devolution can unlock funding and potential, but an area does not necessarily need to have a mayor. I think the Prime Minister outlined that in his statement, when he took questions for over three hours; the hon. Member should look back at that. This is about making sure that devolution can be unlocked for areas at the pace they wish. As I said in my statement, I do not believe that this pause will have an impact on people’s ability to continue with the devolution agenda.

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

I understand the limits on what my right hon. Friend can say today, but it seems that there have been real failures in the official process. The situation in many of our constituencies is being put on hold. She is taking accountability, even though she is not actually responsible for this. Will she assure me that she will investigate any failures of process that have occurred, and that have led to this situation, so that we can learn the lessons, and so that this does not happen again?

[Angela Rayner]

My hon. Friend is right that we have to review the process and learn lessons. As I said to the right hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Steve Barclay), we are announcing our new permanent secretary, who I am sure will be listening to this debate and will want to take this forward. I want to place on record my thanks to the dedicated, professional public servants from both central and local government who have worked on this, and to my predecessor. I want to reassure the House that I have taken this action, as Secretary of State, to ensure that I have all the facts, so that I can make the decision.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Rayner and Chris Webb

Monday 20th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

8. What steps her Department is taking to help improve housing standards in the private rented sector.

[The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)]

We will deliver on our promise to transform the lives of millions of renters through our landmark Renters’ Rights Bill, which will make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable by banning no-fault evictions, ending bidding wars and extending Awaab’s law to protect private tenants. I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that it was disgraceful that the Tories decided to play politics last week and tried to vote down this vital Bill, which would have denied renters the protections they deserve.

[Chris Webb]

Recent data shows that 75% of private rented sector properties in Blackpool have damp or mould, leaving tenants to suffer unacceptable conditions. I welcome the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will introduce a decent standard for homes in the private rented sector. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that councils have the resources they need to enforce those standards?

[Angela Rayner]

I am sorry to hear of the experience of many of my hon. Friend’s constituents. Most private landlords provide a good service to their tenants, but for the few landlords who fail to take reasonably practicable steps to keep their properties free from serious hazards, local councils will be able to issue fines of up to £7,000. That will allow local councils to target their enforcement effectively on the small minority of irresponsible and criminal landlords.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Rayner and Chris Webb

Monday 2nd September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

Blackpool’s Waterloo Road and Bond Street were once thriving local tourist hotspots that underpinned our local economy all year round. When the Deputy Prime Minister last visited Blackpool with me, she saw for herself the awful visible decline of those areas. Will she and her Department work with me and local businesses to ensure their successful regeneration?

[Angela Rayner]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. It was great to visit Blackpool during the general election campaign, and I visited Blackpool on many occasions during my childhood as well. My Department is working in partnership with Blackpool to unlock significant investment. I have seen that more needs to be done to unleash Blackpool’s great potential, and I will work with my hon. Friend on the ongoing regeneration of Blackpool to deliver better-quality housing and a stronger local economy. And you never know, we might visit the nightlife as well.