Oral Answers to Questions

Matt Vickers Excerpts
Monday 13th October 2025

(1 day, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Miatta Fahnbulleh Portrait Miatta Fahnbulleh
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We have consulted on the fair funding review. My colleague the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness is looking at proposals at the moment, and we will report back in due course.

Matt Vickers Portrait Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
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Devolution can have huge benefits for local people. Using £20 million of funding from the last Government, Stockton-on-Tees borough council has brought forward proposals to change Yarm High Street, but the council has completely failed to properly consult and work with local residents and businesses in developing the proposals, so what could be an opportunity has become a nightmare. Does the Minister agree that such changes should be done with local residents and businesses, and not forced upon them?

Miatta Fahnbulleh Portrait Miatta Fahnbulleh
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One hundred per cent. Devolution offers the opportunity to put communities in the driving seat and give them genuine power. For example, this Government’s Pride in Place programme puts communities right at the centre, because we think that is how to ensure that communities come together to drive the change that they want to see in their area. We encourage all councils to work closely with their local communities to make that change happen.