Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and Andrew Bridgen

Monday 8th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

With respect, I would say to the hon. Gentleman that this Government are ensuring that those on the lowest incomes are being taken out of tax altogether. That is very important, and it will help them and their high streets in Gateshead.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

High street shops are an important source of employment for local people, especially young people. Will my hon. Friend assure the House that his focus on the high street will benefit young people across the country?

[Mr Prisk]

Absolutely. It is important to remember that in many of our towns, that job is often the first one that young people get. That is why we are cutting the business rates for the smallest firms and ensuring that from next April, the payroll taxes for many of those firms will be reduced. That will help young people in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

Onshore Wind (Planning Policy)

Debate between Mark Prisk and Andrew Bridgen

Thursday 6th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

I understand that. My hon. Friend is another powerful campaigner, and I think it important for his campaign to continue. However, as I said earlier, I think it wiser for me to keep my feet on dry ground.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) on his urgent question, and also on his consistent and informed leadership on this subject from the Back Benches. I welcome the announcement of a change in the planning rules relating to wind farms, but may I suggest that if one wants to look green one builds wind farms, whereas if one wants to be green, one should build them only where they will be effective and acceptable to local communities?

[Mr Prisk]

As I said in my statement, we have an energy issue to deal with, but renewables must be sited appropriately. My hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to that, and we want to ensure that it happens.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and Andrew Bridgen

Monday 3rd June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

The Minister was right to remind the House that under the previous Government, house building dropped to its lowest level since the 1920s. Given that in Scandinavia, Germany, Austria and Belgium more than 50% of new homes are self-builds, what steps is the Minister taking to remove barriers to self-builders in this country?

[Mr Prisk]

We are ensuring not only that plots are available, but that finance is available. That is why we have in the pipeline nearly 800 plots available for my hon. Friend’s constituents, and indeed nationally.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and Andrew Bridgen

Thursday 15th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

With your guidance, Mr Speaker, I would say to the hon. Gentleman that the broader issue is clearly one that we should all be concerned about. In the light of your advice, I would certainly be happy to look at that broad issue on behalf of the Department.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

I applauded the Secretary of State’s announcement, back in 2010, that the Government would cease the practice of gold-plating European Union regulations, but the vast majority of businesses in this country would like to see him take a more backward-looking stance and review the 13 years of gold-plating that took place under the previous Administration. Can the business community rely on the support of the Secretary of State in that regard?

[Mr Prisk]

My hon. Friend is clearly thinking along exactly the same lines as the Government. We are going to look at precisely that problem, by going back through the stock of regulations that were introduced by Labour during those 13 years.