Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Prinsley Excerpts
Monday 12th January 2026

(1 day, 7 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matthew Pennycook Portrait Matthew Pennycook
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My hon. Friend is a doughty champion for his constituency, and he continues to make a powerful case for the renewal of Hanley city centre as the commercial heart of north Staffordshire. I have had a series of constructive meetings with him and other local leaders about the Hanley masterplan. I know he will welcome the £8 million of investment in Burslem town centre, delivering 800 homes. I am more than happy to continue the conversation with him about the possibility of a new locally led development corporation to take forward the regeneration of the city centre.

Peter Prinsley Portrait Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)
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T1.   If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Steve Reed Portrait The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Steve Reed)
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House building in this country ground to a near halt in 2023 because the previous Government failed to reform our planning system, despite knowing that it is too slow and cumbersome and deters development. Our Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December last year. It delivers fundamental reform to the planning system, speeding up the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure. Thanks to this Government, young people who have been denied the chance of their own home will now get the key to their own front door at last.

Peter Prinsley Portrait Peter Prinsley
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I am concerned about the villages in my most beautiful constituency of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket; there, people tell me that they are increasingly concerned about the lack of affordable housing in rural communities. What steps is the Minister taking to increase the supply of affordable housing for local people in rural villages through reforms to the planning system, and how will those reforms support the rejuvenation and long-term sustainability of our villages?

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Can I just remind everyone that this is topicals? You are meant to set an example, Peter—come on.