Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brandon Lewis and Rehman Chishti

Monday 3rd June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

We will have the spending review in just a few weeks’ time, of course, but the hon. Lady needs to look at the starting point as well and understand that the amount of money spent per household in Liverpool was among the highest in the country. All authorities, however, should be making sure that they have got the right management cost structures and are spending money on front-line services, not back-office costs.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

22. In this year’s budget Medway council is using half of its unallocated reserves for a new development fund to support future regeneration. What are the Government doing to encourage local authorities to use their reserves to support local communities?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. Authorities that are looking carefully at what to do with their reserves are doing the right thing. It is right that they should keep reasonable reserves, but they should not be at too high a level, as they are there to be used. It is absolutely right that authorities look at using their reserves to invest in their communities, to the benefit of their communities both now and in the future.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brandon Lewis and Rehman Chishti

Monday 4th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

I believe that a report from the House of Commons Library stated that this year’s formula and settlement were fair to north, south, east and west. However, to offer some extra support to fire and rescue authorities, I have asked the outgoing chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, to look at ways in which they can deliver savings and improvements without reducing the quality of their lifesaving work.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

Will the Minister join me in welcoming the introduction by Kent fire and rescue service of a new system in Medway that helps to reduce damage caused by fire?

[Brandon Lewis]

I am happy to congratulate Kent fire and rescue service on its work. When I visited its headquarters recently, I observed some of the innovative work that it is doing in both protecting the front line and making savings by, for instance, sharing its call centre with the police. I hope that fire services across the country will learn from that innovative way of working.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brandon Lewis and Rehman Chishti

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

1. What recent progress he has made on the red tape challenge.

[Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con)]

4. What recent progress he has made on the red tape challenge.