Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his plans are for the Future of the New Homes Bonus beyond 2023-24.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
In 2021, we published a consultation on the future of the New Homes Bonus and sought views from the sector on a range of issues.
When considering changes to the New Homes Bonus, the Government has considered both the impact on local authorities and the effectiveness of the Bonus in encouraging housing growth.
Further announcements will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to implement the recommendations of the final report on the regulation of property agents working group on July 2019.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
As part of creating a fair and just housing system, the Government is committed to making sure that homeowners and tenants are protected from abuse and poor service. Further announcements will be made in the usual way.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Housing and Planning in the Delegated Legislation Committee of 18 July 2022 on the Draft Building Safety (Leaseholder Protections) (Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2022, Official Report, column 10, whether his Department secured the appropriate memorandum from the Law Officers providing for approval of a retrospective law in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
As set out in paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May and paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, by long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the Law Officers of the Crown is not generally disclosed outside Government.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of changes in demand for services on the Maidstone East line into central London stations.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department monitors the performance of all train operators, including Southeastern, very closely and regular discussions take place covering all aspects of their services including levels of demand. Officials are working closely with Southeastern to understand changes in travel patterns and fluctuations in demand across all routes including services on the Maidstone East line.
Southeastern have two timetable changes a year, in line with the rest of the rail industry. Any changes made are kept under review and can be adjusted, where appropriate, to reflect fluctuations in demand. Southeastern will continue to listen and keep stakeholders informed of developments. The Department will continue engagement with industry to ensure passengers and taxpayers remain at the heart of changes implemented.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure Southeastern is required to consult passengers on possible timetable changes in May 2023.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable. Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. However, Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the new National Rail timetable on the reliability of Southeastern train services.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Department officials monitor Southeastern performance very closely and regular discussions take place covering all aspects of its service. There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable, introduced on 11 December 2022.
Southeastern and Network Rail have established a Joint Task Force and have already made several changes, including operating additional services and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected. This work continues and will provide further tactical interventions as well as focusing on improving underlying performance. There is evidence that it is having a positive impact with underlying performance on an improving trend in recent weeks. My officials and I continue to monitor Southeastern performance very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of potential overcrowding on the (a) Greenwich, (b) Woolwich, (c) Bexleyheath and (d) Sidcup train services at peak travel times.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable, introduced on 11 December 2022.
When there is disruption it can cause crowding both at stations and on trains, especially at peak times. A joint task force has been set up by Network Rail and Southeastern focusing on improving underlying performance and to consider tactical interventions. Several changes have already been made including operating additional services and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected. Southeastern continues to assess performance and demand in order to consider further targeted interventions. Department officials and I continue to monitor this work very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the punctuality of Southeastern train services since 11 December 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
There has been significant disruption to Southeastern services over recent months driven by industrial action, multiple infrastructure incidents and mobilising the new timetable introduced on 11 December.
Southeastern and Network Rail have established a Joint Task Force and have already made several changes, including operating additional services, and lengthening some trains where demand is higher than expected in the peaks. This work continues and will provide further tactical interventions as well as focusing on improving underlying performance. There is evidence that it is having a positive impact with underlying performance on an improving trend in recent weeks.
My officials and I continue to monitor Southeastern performance very closely whilst Southeastern will continue to keep stakeholders informed of developments.
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data his Department holds on the proportion of scheduled services cancelled since 11 December 2022.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) collect and publish data on trains cancelled by operator. Data is available up to the end of Rail Period 11 (4 February 2023) and can be found on the ORR website in Table 3124).
Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many developers that signed the building safety repairs pledge have been provided with the execution copy of the developer remediation contract as of 8 March 2023.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
I refer the Hon. Member to the following link.