Baroness Berger
Main Page: Baroness Berger (Labour - Life peer)(16Â years, 3Â months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Grant Shapps
In line with the localism that we have just discussed, this is, of course, a local matter. However, I hope that local authorities throughout England will take the logical and sensible approach, and be proud of the nation’s being able to come together to celebrate England’s—we hope—great success, and we encourage them to do so.
Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op)
The recently announced cuts of ÂŁ230 million to the Homes and Communities Agency include ÂŁ50 million of cuts to housing market renewal, of which Liverpool has to take the burden of ÂŁ4 million. Will the Secretary of State give his assurance that there will be no further cuts to vital housing market renewal projects, including those in Liverpool, Wavertree?
Grant Shapps
I have visited many of the housing market renewal areas, and we are passionate about ensuring that they can go ahead. In all the cuts that have been made, those in areas such as housing market renewal are the most concerning of all. Again, we have to get the budget deficit under control, but we will consult the areas involved to try to ensure that the impact is minimised. I look forward to a time when the economy is back on its feet again and we can really help the most needy communities in this country.