Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Diana Johnson and Brandon Lewis

Monday 8th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

That is good news. My hon. Friend outlines another local plan that is in its later stages. I can confirm that, as a local plan gets to those later stages, it picks up more weight, so the local authority should be making planning decisions in line with the local plan. That is the right thing to do for local communities.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

What assessment have Ministers made of councils that introduce a 2% precept increase for social care? For those councils with a very low council tax base, that will not result in the funding required to ensure that social care continues at the level it should in areas such as Hull.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Diana Johnson and Brandon Lewis

Monday 29th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. It is good to hear that the King’s Lynn local plan will be going through the process as soon as possible. I know that the inspectors will look at it and work with the local authority to get it through the process. If a planning application is made, the local authority itself is the body that makes the decision. Should it end up with an inspector, they will look at the process. Obviously, as the local plan goes through the process it gains more weight, which should be taken into account in any decision.

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

T6. With the pause in the electrification of the TransPennine service turning the northern powerhouse into a northern power cut, when did the Secretary of State actually know that the policy was in such difficulty?