Business of the House
Jonathan Hinder Excerpts(1 week ago)
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Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend is right to raise these issues. As she points out, permitted development rights, which exploded under the previous Government, have given rise to quite a lot of poor-quality housing that is not fit for purpose. We are keeping the issue of permitted development rights under review, but we are strengthening the rights of renters with our Renters’ Rights Bill, and the rights of leaseholders with our leasehold reform Bill, which will both be concluding soon.
Jonathan Hinder (Pendle and Clitheroe) (Lab)
I fully support the Government’s plan to reduce Britain’s reliance on overseas workers by focusing the new body Skills England on those sectors most in need, such as construction, engineering and healthcare—something the Conservative party failed so spectacularly to deliver while it was in government. Many businesses in my constituency want to see that happen as soon as possible, but it will require a cross-Government approach. May we have a statement from the Home Secretary on how she will oversee it?
Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend is right that these are issues for the Department for Education, working with the Home Secretary. He will be aware that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill, which will establish Skills England, is going through the Lords at the moment. We have put extra money into further education, we are clamping down on illegal migration, and we are ensuring that the Migration Advisory Committee identifies current and future skills gaps and guides our approach to these matters.
Business of the House
Jonathan Hinder Excerpts(4 weeks ago)
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Lucy Powell
As the MP for a nearby constituency, I know all too well how poorly served Rossendale and Rawtenstall are by transport links. I support my hon. Friend’s calls to get better transport links to his constituency. The Government are currently reviewing all that, but we are absolutely committed to supporting better northern rail links.
Jonathan Hinder (Pendle and Clitheroe) (Lab)
Women affected by the changes to the state pension age continue to wait for clarity on the compensation recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in its March report. I appreciate the state that the public finances have been left in, and I acknowledge the complexity of this issue, but many of my constituents are concerned that justice is being further delayed. May we have a statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Government’s plans to respond to the report, and will MPs be given the opportunity to debate its findings and the next steps?
Lucy Powell
As my hon. Friend knows, the ombudsman report was published in March. It is a serious report that requires serious consideration by the Government— I know that it is frustrating, but Ministers are actively doing that as we speak. Of course, once they are ready to do so, they will come to the House with a full response.