Supported Housing

Debate between Marcus Jones and Philip Hollobone

Thursday 21st December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

On the hon. Lady’s last point, we are talking today about the housing costs, rather than the support costs that she mentioned.

Sheltered rent will also cover extra-care housing. I assure the hon. Lady that this policy is not at all about penny pinching.

The hon. Lady asked about work. The point I was making was about women’s refuges. Often, women who are being abused and are subject to domestic violence have reasonable jobs, but unless they give up those jobs, they will not qualify for housing benefit. I cannot see how that is right at all. Also, 70% of people in supported housing are older people, so in reality we do not expect them to work. I hope that clarifies that point.

I also wish to clarify that we are working with the devolved Governments in Scotland and Wales on all aspects of the policy and will confirm the funding for Scotland and Wales in due course.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

What is being done to highlight and promote the best examples of supported housing and to condemn and call out the worst?

[Mr Jones]

My hon. Friend makes a good point, and that is one of the reasons for reform. There are some appalling examples of supported housing, but because there are no checks and balances in the housing benefit system, people get away with providing that appalling housing and get paid the same as another provider who provides a good-quality service. We will work with the Local Government Association and the sector to put in place strong conditions to make sure that best practice is followed everywhere.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Philip Hollobone

Monday 4th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

5. What information his Department holds on the financial status of Northamptonshire County Council.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Marcus Jones)]

We collect a range of financial data on local government, which is published online. Local authorities also publish their own financial data, including budget documents and accounts. We routinely engage with a range of local authorities to discuss various issues, including finance.

[Mr Hollobone]

Will the Minister confirm that a major review of fair funding for local government is under way? Given that Northamptonshire County Council is considering closing 28 of its 36 libraries, will he encourage it to bring forward innovative proposals to set up a county-wide libraries trust to keep those vital facilities open?

[Mr Jones]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we are pushing ahead with our review of fair funding for local authorities. I certainly encourage Northamptonshire County Council to look at all innovative ways to provide the services that are valued by its local residents.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Philip Hollobone

Monday 30th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. This is a very important issue that we are considering very carefully, particularly as we come up to the local government finance settlement. I certainly hear what he says, and no doubt his views will be considered as we take this area of policy forward.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Northamptonshire has a disproportionately large number of unaccompanied asylum-seeker children, who are very expensive for the local authority to look after. Will my hon. Friend look at the local government funding formula to make sure that Northamptonshire is getting its fair share of resources?

[Mr Jones]

I am aware of the issues that my hon. Friend puts to the House, particularly those that relate to the motorway network that runs through Northamptonshire. He knows that we have undertaken to conduct a fair funding review to see how local government resource is distributed. We are still committed to that, and we will take the work forward shortly.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Philip Hollobone

Monday 17th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Kettering Borough Council, of which I am a member, provides specialist housing advice to those in financial difficulties to prevent homelessness in the first place. It is working closely with local housing associations to bring forward a record number of new homes for social rent. Is that not exactly the right approach?

[Mr Marcus Jones]

I commend the work that Kettering Borough Council is doing. In my experience, where a local authority is preventing homelessness, it is doing very much those types of things, particularly helping people to deal with financial challenges through things such as budgeting. It is certainly good to hear that Kettering is bringing forward a significant number of affordable homes that residents in Kettering will benefit from.