Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Keir Starmer and Luke Charters

Wednesday 4th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We are committed to the necessary transition to renewable energy, which will lead to cheaper energy, energy independence and the jobs of the future. But let me be clear: oil and gas will play their part for many years to come, and that is why I have been clear about the support that we have for them. I am sure the hon. Member and others will want to celebrate the fact that, just this week, contracts for difference secured a record 131 new clean energy projects—enough to power 11 million homes—and they are the jobs of the future.

[Mr Luke Charters (York Outer) (Lab)]

Q6. The Prime Minister will remember visiting my constituency in June, when we toured Germany Beck, a fantastic development of 600 new homes, but because of Tory dither and delay, it took the best part of a decade for that site to get through planning. [Interruption.] Opposition Members can grumble all they want, but my families are paying the price for their mistakes. Can the Prime Minister reassure me that this Government will speed up the planning process so that we get more homes built, and will one of his Ministers meet me to discuss the housing crisis in York?

[The Prime Minister]

Yes. I remember that visit well, and was struck by the delays in planning because the system was broken by the previous Government. We will deliver 1.5 million new homes, drive economic growth and fulfil the dream of home ownership shattered for 14 years under the former Government. That means changing the planning rules—a tough decision they were not prepared to make—to make that happen and to grow our economy.