Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Karen Lumley

Monday 8th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

First, I welcome the hon. Lady to the Dispatch Box. I heard what she said about the Conservative leader of my local authority, Warwickshire County Council. I speak to the lady to whom she referred at all times. [Interruption.] Well, what I would say is that Warwickshire County Council set a sustainable budget last week, and was able to do that by protecting social care services.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

13. What assessment he has made of the effect of the Syrian refugee resettlement programme on the resources required by local authorities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Marcus Jones]

The core spending power figures that we released just before Christmas and have just consulted on do not take into account authorities putting their council tax up to the maximum referendum principle. Council tax in Birmingham is a question for Birmingham City Council. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was absolutely right to say that we should not take any lectures from Labour Members on the council tax because while they were in power for 13 years council tax doubled.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

T8. Will my hon. Friend confirm that if the people of Redditch want to be a full member of the west midlands combined authority, they will also be able to take part in directly electing a mayor?