Linda Riordan
Main Page: Linda Riordan (Labour (Co-op) - Halifax)
Kris Hopkins
The bonus itself is not for building homes. This Government have built 400,000 houses. This Government are absolutely committed to building affordable houses and have already reached 50% of our affordable housing target—over 99,000 houses—and will deliver 170,000 by the end of this period.
Mrs Linda Riordan (Halifax) (Lab/Co-op)
10. What assessment he has made of the effect of changes in the level of his Department’s grant on the operations of Calderdale council.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)
Calderdale has had a reduction in spending power of 1.5% this year, which is only slightly above the England average. Like all councils, Calderdale can now benefit from increases in local growth through business rates retention and the new homes bonus.
Mrs Riordan
There are many areas in Calderdale that are suffering as a result of this Government’s cuts. Will the Minister meet me and a delegation from Calderdale council to listen to our concerns about the funding shortfalls and look at ways to address the problems, to the benefit of the people of Halifax?
Brandon Lewis
When we do the finance settlement statement we have a consultation, but I am very happy to meet at a time that suits both the hon. Lady and the council to discuss the situation, and hopefully we can touch on why it is putting up council tax by 2% and punishing hard-working people by raising their cost of living. This Government have worked hard to freeze council tax and we are proud of doing so.