Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the level of Local Housing Allowance on the use of temporary accommodation in England.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Secretary of State reviewed Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, including the shared accommodation rate, at the 2025 Autumn Budget and announced that rates would be maintained at their current levels for 2026/27. A range of factors, including rent levels across Great Britain and the levels of support currently available were considered against the fiscal context and welfare priorities. In line with equality duties, impacts on specific groups were also considered. DWP also continues to work closely with Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government to make sure interactions with homelessness and temporary accommodation are considered.
Renters receiving housing support who need further help to meet their rent costs can apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment from local authorities in England.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the average repair costs for potholes in England, and what plans she has to reduce those costs.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Industry estimates indicate that the average cost of repairing a pothole is around £80, although costs can vary significantly depending on the size and location of the defect and the repair method used.
The Government is supporting local highway authorities to reduce the long-term costs associated with potholes by encouraging preventative maintenance and asset management best practice. Through its record £7.3 billion investment in local highways maintenance over the next four years, the Government is providing authorities with the certainty to plan ahead and move away from expensive, short-term pothole repairs and instead invest in preventative road surface treatments so that roads can be fixed properly and fewer potholes form in the first place.
The Government is also encouraging this approach through transparency reporting, incentive funding and local road maintenance ratings. To receive their full funding allocation, local highway authorities are required to publish transparency reports setting out information on the condition of their roads, how they maintain their networks and how they are adopting best practice, including in relation to preventative maintenance and asset management. The Department's rating system provides a further incentive for authorities to adopt best practice and supports continuous improvement across the sector.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have explored (a) the potential merits of VAT reform for the hospitality sector to match European countries that use a visitor levy and (b) the potential impact of reduced VAT on (i) visitor numbers, domestic and international, (ii) high street spending, (iii) business confidence and (iv) sectoral investment and expansion.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK.
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26.
HMRC estimates that the cost of changing the 20 per cent Standard Rate of VAT on all accommodation and food and beverage services to the Reduced Rate of 5 per cent would be around £17 billion in 2026-27, rising to £19.5 billion in 2030-31.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has worked with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on commissioning a comprehensive assessment of cumulative taxes on hospitality businesses; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a visitor levy on a) entry level jobs, b) summer jobs and c) openings and closures on the high street.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Strategic authorities will decide whether a levy is right for their areas and, if so, consult on specific proposals. This will help them to find an appropriate balance between supporting local economic priorities, ensuring a levy is affordable, and providing stability and certainty for businesses. Levy funds will be used to support local economic growth, including in the visitor economy.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate resources for the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to handle caseloads and help resolve issues.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Department maintains a sponsorship relationship with the Ombudsman, through which matters such as finances and casework are regularly discussed. The Ombudsman’s funding is set through the Department’s annual Business Planning processes. The Ombudsman was given a 33% uplift in funding for 2025/26 onwards to account for the increased demand on their complaints service.