Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Harriett Baldwin

Thursday 28th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

I do agree with the hon. Lady. It is right that only essential work should be taking place at DVLA, and I will check the reports she mentions. It is absolutely critical. I pay tribute to the people ensuring that essential work for key workers, for example checking databases for the police, has been able to continue. I appeal to the public to please use online facilities wherever possible, because that prevents people from needing to go into the office. I should mention that the UK Government have provided 2,000 lateral flow tests. That is now being expanded to every single DVLA worker, something the Welsh Government were not providing, and is helping to protect people now.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

The Government’s support for active travel is very much welcomed by cyclists, walkers and horse riders in West Worcestershire. Is the Secretary of State speaking to his counterpart in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to find ways in which farmers could be incentivised through their agricultural management plans to contribute to the public good of creating new greenways like the one proposed from Worcester to Leominster?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 31st October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

It constitutes the income of a household consisting of two partners.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

5. What the percentage change in band D council tax was in (a) England and (b) Worcestershire between 1997 and 2010.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 17th January 2011 Commons Chamber

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

The Government are making an extra £650 million per annum available over the next four years to help principal local authorities in England to freeze their council tax in 2011-12, and will take action against excessive increases. The Localism Bill provides for local referendums on excessive council tax rises in future years.

[Harriett Baldwin]

At a time when so many household bills are rising, will the Minister join me in sending congratulations to Wychavon district council and Malvern Hills district council, which have worked so hard to share services and to keep council tax rises down for local residents?

[Grant Shapps]

My hon. Friend is right. In the past week or so since the finance settlement, I have had a procession of council leaders coming to see me, usually with their chief executives, to plead that they have no money left. One came this morning, and notably brought the chief executive who is being paid £180,000. I pay tribute to those local authorities that have taken the necessary steps and are therefore able to take advantage of the council tax freeze.