Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to regulate the use of (a) algorithmic and (b) AI-driven decision-making tools in the private rental sector.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is clear that tenants living in the private rented sector should be treated fairly and with respect. Landlords are responsible for any decision they make, including where they have used AI-driven tools to support their decision making process.
In designing and implementing the digital aspects of our reforms, including the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman and the Private Rented Sector Database, the Department will capitalise on the opportunities that AI offers to create modern and efficient services. These services will be built in line with the Government Digital Service Standard and the code of practice for cyber security of AI published by DSIT.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to allow people to (a) pay additional Class 3A voluntary National Insurance contributions to increase State Pension entitlement beyond the last six years of working lives and (b) make back-payments to 1975.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The rules for Class 3 voluntary National Insurance Contributions allow individuals to fill gaps in their National Insurance record for the past 6 tax years. There are no plans to change these rules.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help protect small businesses from bank account closures.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Banking services fulfil a vital role for businesses across the UK.
I recently laid legislation before Parliament which will require banks and other providers to give customers a longer notice period of 90 days before closing accounts and to provide a sufficiently detailed and specific explanation.
This will give people and businesses the time and information they need to challenge decisions or find an alternative provider.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase procurement from UK businesses.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will make sure national security and a high-growth economy are aligned to deliver the change we promised: cracking down on waste, building resilient supply chains and boosting Britain's defence industry.
By strengthening our relationship with industry, innovators and investors we will make it easier and more attractive to do business in Defence than ever before.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to increase funding for public transport infrastructure in Teesside.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Investment in the North’s transport infrastructure continues to be a priority for this government and has a key role to play in unlocking regional growth. The Government has already committed £310m in capital grants to Tees Valley in the current financial year, via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS). We are currently examining all future spending commitments through a Spending Review, and any future funding will be confirmed in due course.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to help (a) improve local bus services, (b) increase routes and (c) reduce fares in rural parts of Teesside.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Good reliable and affordable local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in rural parts of Teesside.
In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent, protect crucial bus routes or introduce initiatives to reduce fares for local communities. Tees Valley Combined Authority has been allocated £7.2 million of this funding.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) cooperatives, (b) community land trusts and (c) other community-led initiatives to (i) support local ownership and (ii) reduce inequality.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is committed to supporting communities. The Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, outlines plans for a new Community Right to Buy, allowing locals to acquire valued community spaces. The £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will provide up to £20 million in funding over the next decade to 75 of the most deprived communities, partnering with residents, businesses, and local authorities to drive renewal.
On 25 March, we announced a £20 million support package for community-led housebuilding groups, including housing co-operatives and community land trusts. This investment, managed by Resonance Ltd, will support the construction of over 2,500 new homes in the next decade, addressing local needs. Following a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, we have also strengthened support for community-led housing by changing size limits on exception sites and broadening the definition of eligible organisations. Our Long-Term Housing Strategy will further support this sector's growth.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of mandating the inclusion of swift bricks in new residential developments; and whether she plans to include such a mandate in future updates to national planning policies.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22080 on 15 January 2025.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce net migration and (b) promote social integration and community cohesion.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
I refer my Hon Friend to the Statement made by the Home Secretary on 12 May accompanying publication of the Government’s Immigration White Paper.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help improve support for people in former industrial communities who have been diagnosed with (a) mesothelioma and (b) other asbestos-related diseases.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a range of specific support for people with asbestos-related conditions.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) provides a non-contributory, “no-fault”, weekly benefit for disablement because of an accident at work, or because of one of over 70 prescribed diseases known to be a risk from certain jobs. DWP also provides one-off lump-sum compensation payments under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (the ‘1979 Act scheme’) to individuals who suffer from one of the dust-related diseases covered by the scheme, subject to the wider eligibility criteria being satisfied. This scheme is designed to cover people who are unable to claim damages from any relevant employers because they have gone out of business.
Asbestos-related diseases covered by IIDB and the 1979 Act scheme include pneumoconiosis (including asbestosis), diffuse mesothelioma, unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening and asbestos-related primary carcinoma of the lung.
Eligible individuals with diffuse mesothelioma who are not entitled under the 1979 Act scheme, for example those whose exposure was not work-related, may instead be entitled to a one-off lump-sum compensation payment under Part 4 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act Scheme”).
The value of weekly IIDB awards were uprated by 1.7 per cent from April this year. Awards under the 1979 and 2008 Act Schemes were also uprated by 1.7 per cent and new rates apply to those who first become entitled to a payment on or after 1 April 2025. The Department recognises the importance of providing support to customers with asbestos-related conditions and we continue to work with stakeholders to identify improvements where possible.