Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and David Nuttall

Monday 1st February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

We are very proud of our record and refute the allegations of that investigation. I absolutely will not abandon the 241,000 families in overcrowded accommodation and the 1.7 million on the housing waiting list. They want us to do this and we will carry on doing it.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that one effect of this policy is that it saves taxpayers about £500 million a year, and that it is incumbent on those who suggest reversing the policy to explain where they would find that money?

[Justin Tomlinson]

Over the course of this Parliament, it will deliver a saving of £2.5 billion. I suspect that we will be waiting a very long time to get an alternative from those on the Opposition Benches.

Under-occupancy Penalty

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and David Nuttall

Thursday 28th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

I meet residents all the time because as well as being a Minister I am, like the hon. Gentleman, a constituency MP. We have trebled our funding to support victims of domestic abuse to £40 million a year, and arrears in housing have actually fallen for the past four years.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Given the earlier and contradictory ruling in the case of MA and others v. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, does my hon. Friend agree that no change should be considered until the Supreme Court has made a final ruling on this matter?

[Justin Tomlinson]

That is absolutely the case.