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Written Question
Business: Coronavirus
Wednesday 25th November 2020

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) make an assessment of the effect on solvency of lost revenue for closed businesses during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown and (b) extend eviction protection for businesses beyond 31 December 2020.

Answered by Kelly Tolhurst

The Government has put forward an unprecedented package of support for business in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19, including loans, tax relief and cash grants, as well as financial support for employers and self-employed people. In November, the Government announced plans to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until March 2021, confirmed an extension to the existing loan schemes to the end of January 2021 and an ability to top up Bounce Back Loans, as well as an increase to self-employed support and over £200 billion in VAT relief, business rate relief, tax deferral, loans and support for individuals. Further grant support totalling £2.2 billion has also been made available to support businesses impacted by the 5 November to 2 December national lockdown and localised restrictions. This is in addition to the £11.86 billion in cash grants already delivered to almost a million businesses in England between March and September.

In September, the Government extended its moratorium on the landlord's right of forfeiture for non-payment of rent introduced through the Coronavirus Act 2020 until the end of this year. We recognise the impact that this extension has on landlords, lenders and investors; therefore, we expect all sides of the sector to use this time to negotiate on outstanding unpaid rents.


Written Question
Parking: Fees and Charges
Wednesday 4th September 2019

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that local authorities tackle excessive car parking charges to help promote tourism in seaside towns.

Answered by Jake Berry

The Great British Coast has enormous potential and this Government is determined to see it thrive all year round. We are committed to supporting coastal communities to unlock barriers to their development and growth, and to strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and visit.

Parking is the responsibility of local authorities and it is for them to determine what is appropriate in their own area. Central government has no remit to intervene in local authorities’ day to day affairs. The Government recognises that councils should be treating motorists fairly and promoting their town centres through their parking plans.

In line with the Local Authority Transparency Code, local authorities should each year publish their costs and profits relating to their parking management, allowing the public to hold certain overzealous councils to account.


Written Question
Refuges: Females
Monday 2nd July 2018

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of refuges for BAME women that have closed in the last twelve months.

Answered by Nigel Adams

Domestic abuse is a life-shattering and absolutely abhorrent crime. Refuges play a valuable role, and for some victims, they will be the best option for them.

My Department does not hold information on the number of refuges for BAME women that have closed within the last twelve months.

We expect local areas to assess their need of services and support for victims of domestic abuse and to provide for that need.

The MHCLG Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services, which sets out what steps local areas should take in their response to domestic abuse, includes the need to consider provision for BAME victims. Our Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services are clear that local areas should respond to the needs of all domestic abuse victims, including those from isolated and/or marginalised communities, such as BAME women.

We encourage all commissioners to work with their local BAME specialist providers and assess properly the needs of all BAME victims.


Written Question
Domestic Violence
Thursday 1st February 2018

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the closure of domestic violence refuges.

Answered by Heather Wheeler

Domestic abuse is a life shattering and absolutely abhorrent crime. Tackling it is a key priority for this government.

We have invested £33.5 million since 2014 in safe accommodation, including refuge, and services that support victims of domestic abuse. 80 projects across the country are receiving part of our 2016/18 £20 million fund for safe accommodation and local service reform, which will create more than 2,200 bed spaces and support over 19,000 victims.

We set out our expectations of local areas in supporting victims of domestic abuse in our Priorities for Domestic Abuse services, published in November 2016. We are also undertaking a thorough review of funding for refuge in England, including the critical care and support costs, and will conclude by Summer 2018. The review will be informed by an audit of all local authority commissioned domestic abuse services, to report in spring.

We are exploring all options for future delivery of domestic abuse services in England, including a national model for refuges. We are committed to working closely with sector partners, drawing on their expertise and knowledge, as we undertake our review.


Written Question
Domestic Abuse
Thursday 1st February 2018

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the closure of domestic violence refuges.

Answered by Heather Wheeler

Domestic abuse is a life shattering and absolutely abhorrent crime. Tackling it is a key priority for this government.

We have invested £33.5 million since 2014 in safe accommodation, including refuge, and services that support victims of domestic abuse. 80 projects across the country are receiving part of our 2016/18 £20 million fund for safe accommodation and local service reform, which will create more than 2,200 bed spaces and support over 19,000 victims.

We set out our expectations of local areas in supporting victims of domestic abuse in our Priorities for Domestic Abuse services, published in November 2016. We are also undertaking a thorough review of funding for refuge in England, including the critical care and support costs, and will conclude by Summer 2018. The review will be informed by an audit of all local authority commissioned domestic abuse services, to report in spring.

We are exploring all options for future delivery of domestic abuse services in England, including a national model for refuges. We are committed to working closely with sector partners, drawing on their expertise and knowledge, as we undertake our review.


Written Question
Females: Disadvantaged
Wednesday 6th December 2017

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the implications for government departments of the findings of the report entitled Mapping the Maze: services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage in England and Wales, published by Agenda and Against Violence and Abuse in September 2017.

Answered by Marcus Jones - Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons)

We recognise victims of domestic violence have complex needs arising from long-term trauma or abuse, resulting in multiple disadvantages. We are fully committed to ensuring that no victim of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need or are at risk of homelessness.

Since 2014, we have provided £33.5 million in funding for refuges, safe accommodation and other services for victims of domestic abuse and their children. For example, we are funding 80 projects across the country to provide safe accommodation and support services to victims of domestic abuse through our 2016-2018 £20 million domestic abuse fund, of which over 30 projects are focusing on improving access to support for women experiencing multiple disadvantages.

At Autmn Budget 2017, we also announced £28 million of funding to pilot the Housing First approach for the individuals with complex needs who are homeless, which could include victims of domestic abuse.

In addition, we have established a cross-Government Complex Needs Group, to develop a shared approach to support for vulnerable victims of domestic abuse with complex needs.


Written Question
Homelessness: Females
Monday 13th November 2017

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make an assessment of the provision of homeless accommodation specifically designed for women experiencing multi-disadvantages such as domestic violence and mental illness.

Answered by Marcus Jones - Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons)

We recognise that the needs of female rough sleepers can be different from male rough sleepers, and that many have complex needs arising from long-term trauma or abuse, including domestic violence. We are fully committed to ensuring that no victim of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need. This commitment was made clear in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG), published on 8 March 2016.

The Government’s VAWG strategy will set in motion a transformation of existing support for victims and their families through a landmark Domestic Abuse Bill. The Bill will recognise the life-long impact domestic abuse has on women and children and make sure agencies effectively respond to domestic abuse. We are determined to use this opportunity to build momentum and drive further reform in a way that will make a real and lasting difference to victims.

We expect local authorities to commission services to meet the needs of all those in their local areas. Many commission female-only homelessness projects, which offer women the essential facilities and support needed to stop being homeless, in a safe space. For example, Westminster Council commissions the Marylebone Project, which provides female-only shelter, emotional support and educational opportunities.

Central government is taking action through our Homelessness Prevention Programme that will provide end-to-end support for people who face a homelessness crisis. This is supporting 84 projects, involving 205 district and unitary authorities. A number of successful bids are targeting female rough sleepers in their area.


Written Question
Insulation: Safety
Monday 25th September 2017

Asked by: Carolyn Harris (Labour - Swansea East)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to strengthen product safety and market surveillance of cladding as a result of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)

The Government will consider this issue in light of the Independent Review on Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the findings of the Public Inquiry and on going work to review building safety.