Oral Answers to Questions

Baroness Morgan of Cotes Excerpts

Monday 28th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

Indeed, and perhaps I should thank my hon. Friend for his excellent report on procurement and the improvement of efficiency in local government. It has been a colossal shock to discover how public expenditure was simply allowed to be wasted under the previous Government. I believe that there was an atmosphere in which the view was, “It’s not our money and we can spend it as we like.” We have reduced all manner of expenditure, ensuring that we reduce the number of printers and the amount of colour printing, that we cancel a number of non-essential subscriptions, and make increased use of video conferences and the like. Those all add up and all make a significant difference.

[Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con)]

13. What estimate he has made of the level of funding from the new homes bonus which will be allocated to Charnwood borough council.

[The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps)]

A provisional allocation was made to Charnwood borough council the week before last, which I announced, of £644,387 under the new homes bonus.

[Nicky Morgan]

I thank the Minister very much for his reply. There is a real need for affordable and family-sized housing in my constituency and on the part of Charnwood borough council. How is the new homes bonus going to help councils to provide such housing?

[Grant Shapps]

The great thing with the new homes bonus is that it is a lot more flexible regarding the type of housing required. It will pay more where the homes are family-sized and therefore attract a higher council tax band; but in addition—I am sure that Opposition Members will welcome this—every affordable home built will receive a flat addition of £350 per year, the equivalent to about a third extra over and above the new homes bonus on other houses.