Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Lord Sharma

Tuesday 16th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

Of course we keep all these matters under review, and I know that there is a range of views on this matter. I would just point out that we did temporarily relax Sunday trading during the London Olympics. That was to support consumers and, of course, the economy as well.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab) [V]]

As businesses go back to work, what support are the Government giving to disabled people to ensure that they are able to return safely or to continue to work from home? Will the Secretary of State consider a tailored furlough scheme for disabled and shielded people who cannot return to their workplace?

[Alok Sharma]

The obligations on employers to take care of disabled employees have not changed. In the guidance that we have provided we make reference to the fact that employers need to take particular care of employees with particular protected characteristics.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Lord Sharma

Monday 1st July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

Of course, I am happy to look at that individual case. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will get in touch with my office after this session.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

7. What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of levels of local housing allowance.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Lord Sharma

Monday 18th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

As the hon. Lady will know, we are considering this case, so it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

4. What assessment her Department has made of the financial effect of universal credit on disabled people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Lord Sharma

Monday 30th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

I can tell my hon. Friend that housing associations have hugely welcomed our announcements about rent certainty—social housing rents will rise by the consumer prices index plus 1% from 2020—and the investment of an extra £2 billion, and we are engaged in a constant dialogue with them.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

16. What steps he is taking to encourage more women to stand in local council elections.

Grenfell Rehousing

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Lord Sharma

Wednesday 5th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

We want to build as full a list as possible of the people who were in the building at that tragic time. As my hon. Friend will know, the Director of Public Prosecutions has said that if people were sub-letting illegally, they will be exempt from prosecution. If some of them are aware of people who were in the building that we do not know about, I hope that they will come forward.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

I want to share the words of my constituent, Jess. She says:

“I am a firefighter and went into Grenfell Tower, rescuing an unconscious girl from the 12th floor. Myself and my fellow firefighters will never forget the horrors of that night and the fact we couldn’t rescue everyone. But we are not to blame for these deaths, the shocking and tragic fire in Grenfell Tower was avoidable. I have never seen a building go up in flames so quickly, it took minutes for the fire to hop from floor to floor. This tragedy has shown that the laws on fire safety in buildings aren’t fit for purpose.”

What would the Minister say to my constituent, and what support has been put in place for workers like her?

[Alok Sharma]

I pay tribute to the firefighters, not only for the incredible work they did that night but for the work they do every day of year. As for support, it is vital that we ensure that trauma counselling is made available, including to firefighters. The public inquiry is there to get to the bottom of what took place, and we will ensure that that happens. Ultimately, we can never have something like this kind of tragedy happen again in our country.