Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Oral Answers to Questions

Scott Mann Excerpts
Monday 17th July 2017

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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First, the hon. Gentleman is right about looking to the Department, among others, for advice. That is one reason why we set up an independent expert panel to provide more of that advice that can be relied on. Secondly, the Government have made their position clear on funding: there is no need to wait. If any necessary work has been identified, local authorities must get on with it, and where they cannot afford it they should approach us.

Scott Mann Portrait Scott Mann (North Cornwall) (Con)
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3. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of housebuilding.

Lucy Allan Portrait Lucy Allan (Telford) (Con)
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11. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of housebuilding.

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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am extremely grateful to the right hon. Gentleman.

Scott Mann Portrait Scott Mann
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The Secretary of State will be aware that Cornwall recently received £5 million for community-led self-build housing. Does he support neighbourhood plans that look to provide that facility instead of registered social landlord properties, so that Government Members can give people not only the ladder, but the spade, the spirit level and the trowel, too?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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As you say, Mr Speaker, supply has not met demand, and one way of getting that right is to have more self-build homes. I understand that some 255 people have registered in Cornwall Council’s area, and the Homes and Communities Agency is working with igloo Regeneration to deliver 54 plots at Heartlands for people in Cornwall. Our recent announcement of the home building fund—£3 billion in total—can also help.