Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Pawsey and Sajid Javid

Monday 29th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The hon. Lady is again right to raise this matter. We have seen the role that social media is playing not just in Britain, but abroad, in feeding hate. That is one reason why the Government recently refreshed our anti-hate strategy and that is exactly one of the things that we will be looking into further.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

This summer, Rugby saw a number of illegal Gypsy and Traveller encampments on new housing sites. Our local councillor, Jill Simpson-Vince, brought together developers and Warwickshire police to put a protocol in place. Can the Secretary of State encourage others to follow Warwickshire’s lead?

[Sajid Javid]

Yes, I can.

National Planning Policy Framework

Debate between Mark Pawsey and Sajid Javid

Monday 5th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The hon. Lady may be aware of this—if she is not, I am sure it will be welcome news—but Homes England is discussing with her local authority exactly how it could help. I hope that is something she supports.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

The Secretary of State will know that Rugby is playing its part in delivering the homes the country needs from his visit to Houlton, a site of 6,200 new homes, planned and structured on a brownfield site. That is happening because Rugby has always placed a high priority on plan making, with the current plan under examination. Can he confirm that the new standardised approach to assessing housing need will not require any further changes?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Pawsey and Sajid Javid

Monday 22nd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The crucial decision about any wider Yorkshire deal, if there ever is one, is in the hands of the local authorities concerned. We will be going ahead with the South Yorkshire deal, but earlier this week, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman is aware, we put forward a proposal to allow others, such as Barnsley and Doncaster, to take a different route, if they choose to do so.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

For the coming year, the Secretary of State has enabled councils to increase tax by 3%, compared with just 2% last year, but the cash limit has been retained at £5 when parity would be £7.50. That affects 88 small district councils. Will the Secretary of State consider a change?

[Sajid Javid]

A number of people have made that representation. I have listened carefully and we will keep the issue under review. As my hon. Friend knows, the draft settlement is just that at the moment, and we are looking at it carefully.

Local Government Finance Settlement

Debate between Mark Pawsey and Sajid Javid

Tuesday 19th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

What today’s announcement has done is make sure that local authorities have the resources they need to look after their local communities.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

I welcome the fact that progressive councils such as Rugby Borough Council will continue to receive incentives to provide much-needed new housing through the retention of the new homes bonus. Will the Secretary of State also confirm that they will be rewarded for doing the right thing by continuing to make available adequate land for commercial development?

[Sajid Javid]

Yes, my hon. Friend raises an important point. We had a number of representations from local authorities for us to provide some continuity and certainty on the new homes bonus, which is exactly what I have proposed today. I hope that continues to lead councils such as Rugby, and others, to plan for the homes and commercial property that local communities need, so that they can have stronger local business and enterprise.