Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Grant Shapps and Nick de Bois
Grant Shapps
I agree absolutely that tenants deserve protection and that regulations are, of course, required. However, perhaps the hon. Lady would like to reflect on the fact that we have been in government for two months whereas her party were in government for 13 years. There must be a good reason why the previous Government did not regulate the industry further in that time, and there is: many different powers are available to local authorities to ensure that they look after residents. Those powers now include HMO-ing, and we will ensure that they apply in areas where local authorities want them, but we no longer need the bureaucracy of their applying nationwide.
Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con)
4. What steps he is taking to assist small businesses with payment of business rate bills.