Thursday Volume 582 5 June 2014 No. 2

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 5 June 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 117 5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 118

Ms Eagle: Tomorrow we will remember the House of Commons 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings, when 160,000 allied troops crossed the channel to liberate Europe. Thursday 5 June 2014 Thousands of men gave their lives to help free Europe from fascist tyranny. We must never forget their bravery and their achievement. The House met at half-past Nine o’clock I thank the Leader of the House for giving us next week’s business. Will he confirm that after the debate on PRAYERS the Queen’s Speech he plans to carry on much as he left off by leaving the Opposition and the Backbench Business [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Committee to provide half the business each week? There is a G7 meeting taking place in Brussels today BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS at which the continuing crisis in Ukraine will be the main item on the agenda. Can the Leader of the House

COMMITTEE OF SELECTION confirm that either the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary intends to come to this House on Monday Ordered, with a statement? That Heidi Alexander, Tom Blenkinsop, Mr Alan Campbell, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr David Evennett, Greg Hands, Mark Following yesterday’s point of order by my hon. Hunter, Anne Milton and Mark Tami be members of the Committee Friend the Member for Dunfermline and West Fife of Selection until the end of the current Session.—(Mr Evennett.) (Thomas Docherty) and your ruling, Mr Speaker, may I thank the Leader of the House for making generally Business of the House available the No. 10 press briefing on the Gracious Speech? I see that he has just received his own briefing 9.34 am on this question. However, can he tell us why it took a point of order and your ruling for the Government to Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of give to MPs what they had already freely given to the the House give us the business for next week? world’s media? Will the Leader of the House now The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew confirm that he will make simultaneously available to Lansley): The business for next week will be as follows: this House any future press briefings, especially on the autumn statement and next year’s Budget? MONDAY 9JUNE—Continuation of the debate on the Queen’s speech on health, followed by motion to approve The front pages have been full of the unedifying war a reasoned opinion relating to undeclared work. between the Home Secretary and the Education Secretary on the Government’s strategy to combat extremism. It TUESDAY 10 JUNE—Continuation of the debate on the appears that separate approaches are being pursued in Queen’s speech on home affairs. two different Government Departments, while the WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE—Continuation of the debate on Communities Secretary is nowhere to be seen. The the Queen’s speech on jobs and work. briefing is poisonous and the Prime Minister is said to THURSDAY 12 JUNE—Conclusion of the debate on the be furious. The Government should be protecting our Queen’s speech on the economy and living standards. young people from coming under the influence of extremist FRIDAY 13 JUNE—The House will not be sitting. ideas. Instead, they appear to be preoccupied with The provisional business for the week commencing conducting a proxy leadership battle in the Conservative 16 June will include: party. Does the Leader of the House agree that this is too important to be treated in this contemptuous way? MONDAY 16 JUNE—Conclusion of the remaining stages May we have a statement from the Prime Minister on of the Consumer Rights Bill. which of his warring Cabinet Ministers is actually in TUESDAY 17 JUNE—Conclusion of the remaining stages charge of this vital issue that is crucial to our national of the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. security? WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE—Opposition Day [1st allotted Yesterday we heard this Government’s last-gasp legislative day]. There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. programme before the general election, but they have Subject to be announced. been so busy briefing and counter-briefing over whether THURSDAY 19 JUNE—Motion to approve a statutory the Queen’s Speech is blue rinse or yellow round the instrument relating to terrorism, followed by a general edges that they have left the big strategic questions that debate on the UK’s relationship with Africa, followed our country faces completely unanswered. This was a by a general debate on defence spending. The subjects programme that failed to rise to the challenge. Plastic for both debates were determined by the Backbench bags were in, but the crisis in the NHS was not even Business Committee in the last Session. mentioned. There was no mention of immigration, no FRIDAY 20 JUNE—The House will not be sitting. action on energy prices and no sign of the promised I should also like to inform the House that the restrictions on cigarette packaging. business in Westminster Hall for 19 June will be: The programme outlined yesterday was so modest THURSDAY 19 JUNE—A debate on the Twelfth Report that even The Daily Telegraph could only call it “light of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee touch”. Her Majesty might just as well have said, “Members entitled “Parliament’s Role in Conflict Decisions: A of the Commons and Lords, my Government will switch Way Forward” followed by a debate on the Fourth between chillaxing and playing Fruit Ninja from now Report of the Political and Constitutional Reform until the general election.” Committee entitled “Do We Need a Constitutional We are well used to this coalition fighting, but things Convention for the UK?” have now got so bad that both parties are turning on 119 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 120

[Ms Angela Eagle] to be provided to the Vote Office. It was provided in hard copy form yesterday morning, along with a link themselves. The Education Secretary is openly disparaging enabling Members to access it electronically. I am sorry, the Home Secretary, and she is briefing against him. I but that is a fact and the point of order came after it know he is classically trained, but I think he should had already been provided to the House in that way. beware the ides of May. The hon. Lady asked about the question of extremism The Liberal Democrats have been as successful at in schools, and she asked for a statement. Frankly, the organising a coup as they are at everything else. Lord appropriate time for a statement will be when Ofsted Oakeshott has stormed off, denouncing his party for has produced its report. As far as the question of having colleagues working together on the extremism taskforce “no roots, no principles and no values.” is concerned, absolutely they are working together. They I think many of us would agree with that statement. are working together energetically with the objective Then we were treated to an excruciating show of enforced not only of taking the issues extremely seriously, but of unity between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Business taking measures that will be effective. As she has seen, Secretary over a pint down the pub. I must say that they the extremism taskforce has already given rise to a looked like they were enjoying each other’s company range of measures that we have taken to deal with the about as much as they were enjoying the beer. They question. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State were in a pub called No Hope and No Anchor. I have for Education has done so, particularly in relation to thought of a suitable pub for this Government, too: it is questions about schools in Birmingham, including by called Cock and Bull, serves only bitter and the British establishing an inquiry by the retired senior police officer public cannot wait for last orders to be called. Peter Clarke, which will report back to him this summer. I thought it was a rather good thing that my right Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the shadow Leader of hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary the House for her response to the business statement. of State for Business, Innovation and Skills went to a She made quite a good joke about May, but unfortunately pub to reassure publicans the length and breadth of this we are in June. country that this Government will take the action they I completely share the hon. Lady’s view that tomorrow— have very much sought on the relationships of pub the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings—offers an tenants with brewery companies. That should be welcomed opportunity to commemorate the tremendous sacrifice, by the Labour party, rather than otherwise. remember the great importance of the event and celebrate the participation of those who, happily, are still with us. The hon. Lady asked about things that were and were I was particularly interested to read about Jock Hutton, not in the Queen’s Speech. I must say that in this case, aged 89, who is going to take a parachute drop. That is she has written her script not just without reading the testament to not only the kind of men they were, but the Queen’s Speech, but probably before it was even provided kind of men they continue to be, which is fantastic. to her. She talks about demanding action on employment agencies, as she did the other day—we have acted on On the question of business, I am slightly surprised that. She asks for action on the minimum wage—if she that the shadow Leader of the House still does not cares to look, she will see that that is in the Gracious quite get it. In this Parliament, we have decided to give Speech. The Opposition want to know when we will the Backbench Business Committee and Back Benchers deal with zero-hours contracts—it is in the Queen’s access to nearly a day a week to raise the subjects they Speech, as she can see. They want to cut tax for working consider to be of greatest priority. That is important. It people—this Government have increased the personal is not the case that the only purpose of this House is to tax allowance to £10,000. They want action on consumer scrutinise and pass legislation. I am firmly of the opinion rights—we will debate the remaining stages of the that less legislation that is better scrutinised is a good Consumer Rights Bill during the week after next. She thing. wants action on energy bills—we have just passed the As it happens, in the last Session we passed 20 Bills, Energy Act 2013, in the last Session. She wants action while in the penultimate Session of the previous Parliament, on immigration—we passed the Immigration Act 2014, 18 Bills were passed. An interesting contrast is that in which received Royal Assent on 14 May, and its measures the last Session, 24 Bills had two days of scrutiny on are being brought into force. They talk about action on Report in this Chamber, while the figure for the whole reforming banks—we had two banking reform Acts of the previous Parliament was only 10. When it has during the last Session. I am afraid that the Labour come down to it, we have been able to accomplish a party’s only approach seems to be to criticise us by substantial legislative programme and we will continue recycling the things we have already done and pretending to do so in this Session, with better scrutiny and legislation that we have not done them. as a result. It is very clear what the coalition Government have to The hon. Lady asked for a statement on Monday. do. We just need to get out there and make it absolutely Obviously, if summits such as that involving the G7 clear that we are taking the measures for which this Ministers discuss something important that should be country is calling. The Labour party has nothing to say reported to the House, of course we will do so. I cannot and, most importantly, absolutely nothing to say on necessarily say that there will be a statement, but we will how to promote economic growth in this country—nothing certainly make sure that the House is fully kept up to on more jobs, greater wealth, improving incomes for date if there are matters that require reporting. people. There was a hole bigger than a black hole at the The hon. Lady asked about the press briefing pack. It heart of the Leader of the Opposition’s speech yesterday, did not require a point of order by the hon. Member for with absolutely nothing about how to promote the Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) for it economy in the future. 121 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 122

This party has a long-term economic plan. This time in which to do the work that is necessary. We are Government have a long-term economic plan. We are making progress on dredging and on many other things cutting the deficit, stimulating growth, delivering jobs, that need to be done in Somerset. The one thing that we promoting schools and skills, capping welfare and need clarity about is the setting up of the new Somerset controlling immigration. We are the party that is delivering river authority, the funding stream that will support it on that plan. and the ongoing maintenance. May we have a debate with or a statement by the Secretary of State for Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to provide us May I ask the Leader of the House to grant Government with an update on the progress and to enable us to ask time for an early debate on the groceries code adjudicator questions on our constituents’ behalf? and its operations? The price of beef is being severely depressed at the moment, which is having a severe Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He will impact on hill farmers the length and breadth of the remember that Department for Environment, Food and country. Processors are taking a higher margin, while Rural Affairs Ministers are looking to make further livestock producers are taking a lower price. It would be statements to the House about the lessons that have timely to review this excellent legislation at the earliest been learned and about establishing greater resilience. possible opportunity. Those will apply especially to Somerset, where we have made specific commitments. I will ask my right hon. Mr Lansley: I cannot promise my hon. Friend time and hon. Friends when they might be able to update for a debate immediately, but she will note that my right him and the House about that matter in Somerset and hon. and hon. Friends from the Department for more widely. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be at the Dispatch Box this time next week to answer questions, Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): May we and she may wish to raise this with them. I agree with have a debate on funding for disabled students? The her that the legislation is important, and it is also Government announced recently that there would be important for us to ensure that it enables us to act when changes to the disabled students allowance, which enables necessary. In any case, I will ask my right hon. and hon. such students to fund some of the costs associated with Friends to respond separately to her about the issues their higher education. I understand that there will be a she raises. very short consultation on the changes and little time for MPs to consider them before they are presented in Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): May we secondary legislation. The National Union of Students have an early debate on purdah and the way in which will be lobbying MPs in their constituencies on the Departments apply it? On 20 May, two days before matter tomorrow. It is important that this House has polling day, the headline of the Ilford Recorder website the chance to discuss and debate what it has to say. was “King George A&E to remain open beyond 2015, says Health Secretary”. “Axe Halted” was the headline of the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian published on Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising polling day. A leaflet apparently went out saying that it that matter, which I will of course discuss with my right was an official announcement by the Secretary of State hon. and hon. Friends. On the short consultation, we for Health. Given that the Leader of the House is a have tried to ensure that we are able to press forward former Secretary of State for Health, would he have more rapidly; therefore, many of our consultations are issued a leaflet saying that it was an official announcement not as long as they used to be. That the changes will be two days before polling day, in breach of purdah? May in the form of secondary legislation affords the House we have an early debate on the appropriateness of an opportunity to consider them, if necessary. I do not private offices, officials and Ministers trying to break believe that the regulations will be considered under the purdah during election periods? affirmative procedure, but that does not mean that they cannot be the subject of consideration in this House if Mr Lansley: I have seen the newspaper report to Members so choose. which the hon. Gentleman refers and what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health said. It Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): May we have a debate was a restatement of existing policy. There was no on immigration, particularly from within the EU? If announcement. I know that perfectly well because my there is one lesson that all parties need to learn from the right hon. Friend was effectively restating what I had recent elections, it is that the public are sick to the back said, which was that there would be no changes at King teeth of open borders with the EU and unlimited George hospital, Ilford until there were sufficient immigration from within the EU. Surely the least that improvements in the A and E service at Queen’s hospital they can expect from this House is a debate on the and the community service that is provided to the local subject, so that as we go into the general election, community. That had been announced previously. What everybody’s constituents know where their Member of is in a leaflet that is provided by a party is not the Parliament stands on the issue. If the Leader of the responsibility of the Government. Purdah does not House wants to tie that in with a debate on who should mean that previous Government announcements and be the next European Commissioner, I am happy to go policies cannot be restated. That is all that happened. along with that.

Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): At the Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will be glad to know risk of dismissing the British summer before it has even that he will have an opportunity to raise that issue in the started, many of my constituents are focused on next debate on the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday. During that winter and the rain and floods that it may bring. The debate, I hope it will be possible to make it plain how Leader of the House will appreciate that there is a short the Government have already acted, such that non-EU 123 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 124

[Mr Lansley] answer from the Leader of the Opposition that we did not get yesterday. When we came to office, we immediately net migration is down by a third; non-EU migration is scrapped Labour’s proposed jobs tax. We have further at the lowest level since the late 1990s; economic immigration reduced the cost of employment, and seen employment from outside the EU is capped; for those from within rise by more than 1.5 million. The Labour party now the EU, jobseeker benefits are limited to just six months appears to propose that if it ever gets its hands on the and entitlement to housing benefit has been removed; levers of power again, one of the first things it will do and EU migrants are barred from re-entry following will be to increase the jobs tax significantly again. removal. The Opposition and the Government share the view that it is important to enforce the minimum Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The news this wage. We are increasing the maximum fine for payment morning about the death of a baby in hospital and below the minimum wage to £20,000 per employee. 14 others who are seriously injured concerns not only the families and parents but staff in hospitals. Will the Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): Free Leader of the House speak to the Health Secretary and and fair elections are fundamental to all of us. Further ensure that he comes to the House to explain what to the elections in Tower Hamlets on 22 May, with happened and to reassure parents and Members of allegations of intimidation outside polling stations and Parliament? Across the United Kingdom of Great Britain irregularities inside, anomalies with postal voting, the and Northern Ireland, this matter has caused ripples of chaos of a four-and-a-half-day count, and yesterday a concern to each and every one of us. statement from the Metropolitan police that there have been arrests in connection with these elections, can the Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Leader of the House advise me whether I should look raising that matter. I am sure that all Members of the out for a statement from the Department for Communities House want to express our deepest sympathy to the and Local Government on local government, from the parents and family of the baby who died, and indeed Home Office on the police, from the Cabinet Office on our concern to the other parents whose children were the Electoral Commission, or whether another Department infected and have suffered, but who hopefully are now will take a lead on this very important matter for east recovering. As the hon. Gentleman may have heard, London? these issues are being pursued rapidly and urgently by Public Health England and the Medicines and Healthcare Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for products Regulatory Agency. It is clear from what they raising this issue. The Government completely share his have said that the batch that may have been infected—we view that the integrity of our elections is absolutely do not know precisely how, but this is where the evidence central to our democracy. As he knows, returning officers points—has been recalled. That batch has a short shelf are responsible for the running of elections, and Parliament life, so there is no prospect of further infections as a has given the power to monitor the conduct of elections consequence. I feel strongly about this because two of to the Electoral Commission. It is therefore crucial that the infected babies were at Addenbrooke’s hospital in the commission ensure a swift investigation into any my constituency. The first thing was to ensure that no issues of concern in Tower Hamlets, and that it establish further risk will result from this unfortunate event, and the truth and communicate it, including through the the second is to investigate and ensure that we know Minister of State, Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent it the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark). I am from happening again. If it is to do with the manufacturing glad that the hon. Gentleman raised the point because process, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory it enables us to say that if anybody in Tower Hamlets Agency is responsible for that. I know that my hon. knows of anything that causes concern about the integrity Friends at the Department of Health will want to of the election, we encourage them to ring 101 and report to the House when those two agencies have contact the police. thoroughly completed their work. Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): Some 5,260 businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): should benefit from the changes to the employment Does my right hon. Friend share my disappointment allowance that the Government are making to employer that the Opposition have not—for the second year national insurance contributions. Across the country, running, I think—allocated a day during the debate on those changes add up to £1 billion off the cost base of the Queen’s Speech to foreign affairs or defence? Perhaps companies, and smaller companies will benefit he could organise that in Government time. There are disproportionately. May we have a debate to explore the many things going on in the world that cannot always impact of business tax changes on job creation, and on be debated in these circumstances but which we need a how rolling back the tax on jobs boosts employment debate on. Also, the Opposition have been talking about and business growth? pubs, but does he agree that the last time they were in charge of the brewery, they could not organise any form Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend raises a timely point. of event at all? Right now many businesses are appreciating the importance of that employment allowance in reducing the costs of Mr Lansley: I completely agree with my right hon. employment. The changes are proportionately much Friend: it is regrettable. Obviously, competing issues more significant for smaller businesses and those taking require time during debates on the Queen’s Speech—it on additional staff as they grow, which is tremendous. is the Opposition’s choice in these matters—but for two My hon. Friend will have an opportunity to debate the years in a row they have chosen not to debate foreign issue with colleagues in the Queen’s Speech debate on affairs or defence. Frankly, this year, when the events in Wednesday next week, and I hope we might also get an Syria and Ukraine are immediate, critical and of widespread 125 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 126 concern, it is regrettable that the Opposition did not give them the proper protection for their anonymity give the House an opportunity to have a debate of that and confidentially, they are very much in favour. That is kind. the point we are trying to get to. My hon. Friend mentions something that will be Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I think we important this coming week: that Back-Bench colleagues are all agreed that we need an urgent debate on international take every opportunity to put their names forward for affairs. In that respect, will the Leader of the House be the private Members’ Bill ballot. He instances one issue, more precise about when the Prime Minister will make but it would be very much in the interests of the people a statement after the G7 summit? He was unable to say of this country if a number of others were brought categorically that that would be the case. Will he confirm forward under the banner of a private Member’s Bill. that there will be an opportunity at the appropriate time for a debate on the renewal or otherwise of the US-UK Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): My hon. mutual defence agreement, which comes up for review Friend the Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) pointed this year and should be debated properly by this House, out how little legislation the Government are bringing so that we can understand our relationship militarily forward, but they are also evading accountability to this with the United States and, of course, with NATO? House on a week-by-week basis. In the four months between the beginning of May and the beginning of Mr Lansley: I must confess—the hon. Gentleman September, the Department for Culture, Media and will no doubt correct me if I am wrong—that I do not Sport will come to the Chamber only once to answer recall a debate taking place previously on the US-UK oral questions. Will the Leader of the House tell us mutual defence agreement. what the Department has to hide?

Jeremy Corbyn: It was in 2005. Mr Lansley: I am not sure the hon. Lady understands that the rota for questions is a standard process. When Mr Lansley: He does correct me. I will look at the the House is sitting, we answer questions in the normal precedent and we will discuss internally whether a debate way. I have to say that the premise of her question is of that kind is appropriate. Clearly, in the run-up to the somewhat misplaced. As I explained to the shadow NATO summit, which we are pleased the United Kingdom Leader, 20 Bills were passed in the previous parliamentary will be hosting in Wales at the beginning of September, Session. In the penultimate Session of the previous those issues will be important in themselves, and the Parliament, 18 Bills were passed. UK-US defence relationship is an instrumental part of that. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): In the light of On the point about a statement following the G7, the the European Commission’s report on the UK economy, fact is simply that this Prime Minister has made more may we please have a debate on the unwanted interference statements than any of his predecessors and is always in this country’s affairs by unelected Brussels bureaucrats? willing to come to inform the House. However, at this Considering the economic performance of the eurozone, point I am not in a position to confirm a statement or surely they are the last people the Chancellor of the its timing. In part, that will depend—as all statements Exchequer should be taking advice from. do—on the nature of the event to which the statement refers. We are waiting to see the outcome of the discussions Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will recognise that to taking place in and around the G7 meeting, to see the some extent the reporting process is a hangover from extent to which it is necessary to announce changes in the convergence processes that were agreed many years policy, or events, to the House. ago in relation to the euro. We have to recognise that it is perfectly proper for any organisation, whether George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I welcome, governmental or otherwise, to issue economic reports and thank Ministers for, the news that the Government and to offer comments. What is critical is what we are have adopted in a Government Bill a number of the key achieving—that is what really matters. The European measures in my ten-minute rule Bill on patients’ rights Commission and other countries are very much looking to patient data, which hon. Members lucky enough to to achieve right across the eurozone—we have heard be drawn high in the ballot next week might like to other countries make this very clear—the kind of dynamism consider—a Bill for the integration of health and care in growth and job creation that we are seeing in this records for all patients across the NHS and the care country. That is not happening at the moment and we sector, which is key to raising standards and preventing want it to happen in the future. I think the message is some of the appalling events that we saw uncovered heading more in that direction than it is in the other. through the Francis report. May we have a debate on the importance of medical records in three key areas: Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- supporting research for 21st-century medicines; driving op): In the past few weeks I have had representations the revolution of accountability and transparency; and from many constituents about delays in the Passport the revolution of empowerment, which is key to 21st-century Office. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of these medicine? problems, and will he make time for a ministerial statement on what action will be taken to resolve them? Mr Lansley: I hope my hon. Friend knows that I share his sense of how profoundly important the proper Mr Lansley: Yes, I am aware of that—indeed, I have use of the UK’s asset—in fact, in this instance, England’s raised constituency cases of my own. I will, if I may, ask asset—that NHS data can be. When patients and the my hon. Friend the Minister for Security and Immigration public generally are asked whether they are content for at the Home Office to make a written statement to the their data to be used to enable treatments and research House to explain what is happening, the nature of the to be promoted for all patients in future, as long as we delays and what steps are being taken to reduce them. 127 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 128

Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): A number of would overcome Treasury resistance to naming and my constituents have raised with me their concerns that shaming them. It is now June and that still has not the long-awaited Bill to ban wild animals from circuses happened. Will the Leader of the House look into it was not included in the Queen’s Speech. A number of us and give the Prime Minister a nudge? have supported such legislation for several years—indeed, this House has resolved that such legislation should be Mr Lansley: I shall of course look into it. I remember passed. Given that the Bill need not be that long, what the Prime Minister saying that, and I am sure that he are the reasons for the its not being included in the delivers on all his promises. I am sure that we are Queen’s Speech? Will the Leader of the House seek to delivering on enforcement on the minimum wage in a correct that at the earliest opportunity? way that did not happen in the last Parliament, when there were very few enforcements. We are increasing Mr Lansley: The reason is very straightforward: we penalties, and as the hon. Gentleman will have seen in had more bids for parliamentary time than we had time. the Queen’s Speech, we are proposing to make sure that We have to be robust in prioritising the measures we the minimum wage is properly enforced. bring forward. We are prioritising measures that, as my hon. Friend will have seen in the Gracious Address, Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): In my constituency further promote the economic recovery and a fairer we are seeing a welcome increase in house building and, society. What he says is important and we will, as we in particular, extra care homes, including 300 care homes have said previously, find time for it when parliamentary for returning service men and women of the Royal time allows. Signals, who are to be based in Stafford. May we have a debate on not only the number but the type of homes Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Further to the point we need? Many of my constituents say that what they made by the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone), would really like are small, single-storey and energy-efficient I would welcome a debate on that issue. Under the homes to allow them to downsize and free up those two, previous Government, my hon. Friend the Member for three and four-bedroom family homes of which I think Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) pledged to ban sometimes we build too many. wild animals in circuses. The hon. Member for The Mr Lansley: I am glad that my hon. Friend refers to Wrekin (Mark Pritchard), with cross-party support, has those positive developments in Stafford, and to the kind a draft Bill that the Government have now brought of homes that are being built and the purposes for forward, yet, as the hon. Member for Kettering said, which they are built. That is welcome. From the dreadful there is no action from the Government. Will the Leader low point that we inherited from the previous Government, of the House give a commitment that this will happen we are seeing more housing starts. We are promoting during the last nine months of this Parliament in one house building, and as my hon. Friend will have seen in shape or another? the Queen’s Speech, we will take yet more measures to stimulate house building further, including in garden Mr Lansley: I cannot give that commitment. In the cities, and in terms of the availability of more land from Gracious Address we explained the Bills that we were public sector assets. The type of housing is an interesting proposing to bring forward. In a Session that, by its question. I agree that we need an increase in care nature, can last no more than nine months and has a homes, as we have an ageing population. That will number of carry-over Bills, and with no scope to carry enable older people to move out of large and increasingly over Bills from this Session, there is a limit on the expensive family homes that they no longer need to number of Government Bills. We have announced where something that they feel is very much theirs without our priorities lie, and, for the moment, time does not compromising on the quality of housing. My hon. permit us to go beyond that. Friend may have an opportunity to debate this today in the course of the subjects for debate on the Queen’s Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): So much Speech. happened in Suffolk over the recess but I will restrict myself to one matter: actions being taken by the Food Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): When can we Standards Agency on outdoor pigs, of which there are a debate the need to provide closure for the grieving lot in Suffolk. I am very concerned about heavy-handed families of the 179 brave British soldiers who were regulations, and it seems that a deal has been done with killed in the Iraq war? They demand the truth, the the marketing agency to require only outdoor pigs, as whole truth and every syllable of the truth, and not a opposed to the vast majority of pigs, to be tested for censored Chilcot report that will, in John Major’s view, trichinella. Will the Leader of the House ask the Secretary result in suspicions that will fester for years of an of State to make a statement on this important matter? establishment cover-up?

Mr Lansley: I will ask my right hon. Friend the Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will have seen that Secretary of State to respond to my hon. Friend on that an agreement was reached during the prorogation between matter, but if she wishes to raise it, I point out that Sir John Chilcot’s inquiry and the Government about DEFRA questions next Thursday would provide a suitable the terms on which information will be made available opportunity. and can be published. That is very much welcome, and it enables us to look forward to the publication of the Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): Last year I Chilcot inquiry. persuaded HMRC to investigate employment agencies in my constituency. It found that 12 were not paying the Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): May we have minimum wage to some of their workers. On 12 February a debate on schools admission policies and the appeals in this House, the Prime Minister promised me that he process because some parents in my part of west 129 Business of the House5 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 130

Yorkshire—the Colne and Holme valleys and Lindley—are Can the hon. Gentleman honestly look me in the eye struggling with the process of trying to get their children and tell me that the robust discussions we have inside into good-quality local schools, which are overcrowded, this Government are worse than the kind of discussions and sometimes struggling even to get their children into that took place under the previous Government? They schools where they already have siblings? are not worse, and the hon. Gentleman knows it. The last Government were riven; this Government are working Mr Lansley: I completely sympathise with my hon. together as a coalition and between parties in this Friend, not least because I know from similar constituency Government. cases about the importance parents attach to this endeavour and about the frustrations they often suffer in trying to Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ understand some of the criteria that apply to school Co-op): May we have an urgent debate on the importance admissions. The admissions code was reformed under of volunteering to our communities and to many local the last Government and has been further improved organisations? I understand that you, Mr Speaker, will under this one, but if I may, I will ask my right hon. be attending an event on this very subject in Cardiff this Friends at the Department for Education to come back evening. Tomorrow, together with other Members, I to my hon. Friend on this issue, which would be helped will attend cross-party events to support volunteers in if he were able to add further information about this our communities for the difference they make to them. particular case. Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): Like all raising that issue. Volunteers week, in the first week of Members, I welcome the falling levels of unemployment, June, provides an important opportunity every year to but what I do not welcome is the explosion in the say a big thank you to the millions of volunteers across number of low-paid, part-time jobs with individuals the UK for their fantastic contribution. We are putting often placed on zero-hours contracts. When will the in place measures and funds to grow volunteering House have the opportunity to have a full and proper opportunities. We have invested £20 million in debate about rising levels of in-work poverty? 40 organisations through the social action fund. That in itself has created opportunities for more than half a million new volunteers. I hope that we will all, as he Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady might like to note that rightly says, take the opportunity this week to celebrate full-time employment was up on the last quarter by volunteers in our constituencies. 176,000 and that 573,000 more people are in full-time work than a year ago. This is not just about an increase Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): The in part-time employment because there has been a Crown court in Hull has come to a near standstill owing substantial increase in full-time employment. The truth to the fact that criminal solicitors are refusing to apply of the matter is that we are seeing not only big increases for legal aid representation orders in Crown court in employment, but increases in wages, too. As can be proceedings. So bad is the situation that the recorder of seen from the March data, the increase in wages was Hull Crown court has issued a practice direction advising slightly higher than the increase in inflation. defendants who are unrepresented how to conduct the proceedings. May we please have an urgent debate on Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): May we have a this issue and the fact that the criminal justice system is debate on the conduct of SpAds—special advisers—because in complete chaos due to the Lord Chancellor simply the Prime Minister is clearly not going to sack Cabinet not understanding the issues? Ministers over the unseemly rows we have seen between the Home Secretary and the Education Secretary? The Mr Lansley: On the contrary. There is a central issue conduits for some of the most poisonous briefings are here: across Government, we must cut our coat according SpAds, and that is in breach of the code of conduct. to our cloth. We must make savings, and that includes According to press reports, Fiona Cunningham, the savings in a legal aid budget which, as the hon. Gentleman Home Secretary’s special adviser, had her card marked knows perfectly well, was by far and away the most in March for this kind of behaviour. Will the Prime generous in the developed world. Making those savings Minister now sack her, or is he too weak to act? has entailed difficult decisions. However, the hon. Gentleman raised important points in relation to Hull. Mr Lansley: Let me reiterate what I said earlier: my I entirely understand why he did so, and I will ask my colleagues and their teams are working together well for colleagues in the Ministry of Justice to respond to him this purpose. We have robust discussions inside government. on those points. 131 5 JUNE 2014 Points of Order 132

Points of Order without Question put, and the Bill stood committed to a Public Bill Committee in respect of clauses 68 to 71, 75 to 111 and 113 to 295 and schedules 13 to 34 (Standing 10.20 am Order No. 80B and Order, 1 April); and to be printed Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): (Bill 1) with explanatory notes (Bill 1-EN). On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Further to the earlier exchange about the non-availability of information to Members, may I point out that at 10.15 this morning HIGH SPEED RAIL (LONDON –WEST MIDLANDS)BILL the Vote Office had still not received the written ministerial Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing statement from the Leader of the House which is listed Order No. 80A) on today’s Order Paper? The Vote Office claims that it did not receive the link to the press briefing until 5 pm Mr Secretary McLoughlin, supported by the Prime yesterday. Can anything be done to make the Leader of Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the House sort out the mess and investigate what is the Exchequer, Secretary Theresa May, Secretary Vince going on? Cable, Mr Secretary Duncan Smith, Secretary Eric Pickles, Mr Secretary Paterson, Mr Secretary Davey and Mr Robert Mr Speaker: I think that the best course of action is Goodwill, presented a Bill to make provision for a for me to cause inquiries to be made about the timing of railway between Euston in London and a junction with delivery, and, when I am in a better position to know the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre in Staffordshire, exactly what happened, I can revert to the House if with a spur from Old Oak Common in the London necessary, or alternatively to the principals. I do not Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to a junction think that we need to play it out further at this stage. with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at York Way in the London Borough of Islington and a spur from Water Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): On a point Orton in Warwickshire to Curzon Street in Birmingham; of order, Mr Speaker. and for connected purposes. Bill read the First and Second time without Question Mr Speaker: I feel sure that it is a point of order put (Standing Order No. 80 and Order, 29 April); the Bill rather than one of frustration. stood committed to a Select Committee; and to be printed (Bill 2) with explanatory notes (Bill 2-EN). Mike Gapes: In view of the answer that I received from the Leader of the House, may I ask whether it would be possible to have an early response from the CONSUMER RIGHTS BILL Secretary of State for Health to confirm that his Department and his officials were in no way involved in Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing the breach of purdah which I am alleging took place in Order No. 80A) my constituency on 20 May? Secretary Vince Cable, supported by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Mr Speaker: Not for nothing has the hon. Gentleman Exchequer, Secretary Eric Pickles and Jenny Willott, been the sturdy representative of his constituency for presented a Bill to amend the law relating to the rights the last 22 years. He is no stranger to the use of the of consumers and protection of their interests; to parliamentary device of the point of order to convey his make provision about investigatory powers for enforcing message, and I am sure that it will have been heard by the regulation of traders; to make provision about those on the Treasury Bench. I think that we can leave it private actions in competition law; and for connected there, unless the Leader of the House feels an urgent purposes. desire to spring to his feet—of which, I confess, I detect Bill read the First and Second time without Question no sign. put (Standing Order No. 80A and Order, 28 January); to May I now ask for the understanding of the House as be considered on Monday 9 June; and to be printed we undergo a formulaic but necessary procedure in (Bill 3) with explanatory notes (Bill 3-EN). respect of a number of Bills?

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND COURTS BILL BILLS PRESENTED Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing Order No. 80A) FINANCE BILL Mr Secretary Grayling, supported by the Prime Minister, Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Order No. 80B) Exchequer, Secretary Theresa May, Secretary Eric Pickles, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the the Attorney-General and Simon Hughes, presented a Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary Bill to make provision about how offenders are dealt Vince Cable, Mr Secretary Duncan Smith, Secretary with before and after conviction; to amend the offence Eric Pickles, Danny Alexander, Nicky Morgan, Mr David of possession of extreme pornographic images; to make Gauke and Andrea Leadsom, presented a Bill to grant provision about the proceedings and powers of courts certain duties, to alter other duties, and to amend the and tribunals; to make provision about judicial review; law relating to the National Debt and the Public Revenue, and for connected purposes. and to make further provision in connection with finance. Bill read the First and Second time without Question Bill read the First and Second time, clauses 1, 5 to 7, put (Standing Order No. 80A and Order, 24 February); 11, 72 to 74 and 112, schedule 1 as reported from a to be further considered on Monday 9 June; and to be Committee of the whole House were laid upon the Table printed (Bill 4) with explanatory notes (Bill 4-EN). 133 Points of Order 5 JUNE 2014 134

DEREGULATION BILL Debate on the Address Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing Order No. 80A) [2ND DAY] Mr Oliver Letwin, supported by the Prime Minister, Debate resumed (Order, 4 June). the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary Chris Grayling, Question again proposed, Secretary Michael Gove, Secretary Eric Pickles, Mr Secretary Paterson, Mr Secretary Davey, Mr Secretary That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows: McLoughlin, Secretary Sajid Javid, Mr Kenneth Clarke and Michael Fallon, presented a Bill to make provision Most Gracious Sovereign, for the reduction of burdens resulting from legislation We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons for businesses or other organisations or for individuals; of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to to make provision for the repeal of legislation which no Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has longer has practical use; to make provision about the addressed to both Houses of Parliament. exercise of regulatory functions; and for connected purposes. Cost of Living: Energy and Housing Bill read the First and Second time without Question put (Standing Order No. 80A and Order, 3 February); to be further considered on 9 June; and to be printed (Bill 5) 10.24 am with explanatory notes (Bill 5-EN). The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Edward Davey): Yesterday’s Gracious Speech marks WALES BILL another step in this coalition’s work to secure Britain’s Presentation and resumption of proceedings (Standing economic recovery. With the infrastructure Bill, the Order No. 80A) small business Bill and the Childcare Payments Bill, this Mr Secretary David Jones, supported by the Prime Queen’s Speech continues the central purpose of this Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of coalition—not just to rebuild the shattered economy we the Exchequer, Secretary Alistair Carmichael, Secretary inherited, but to promote a new economy with sustainable Theresa Villiers, Danny Alexander, Mr David Gauke growth and employment for all, so the British people and Stephen Crabb, presented a Bill to make provision can enjoy a stronger economy and a fairer society. about elections to and membership of the National The coalition’s long-term economic plan is all about Assembly for Wales; to make provision about the Welsh raising living standards for everyone in our country, but Assembly Government; to make provision about the to do that we have to tackle the country’s economic setting by the Assembly of a rate of income tax to be problems head-on. We cannot duck the difficult decisions paid by Welsh taxpayers and about the devolution of even when they come at a political price. To do the right taxation powers to the Assembly; to make related thing for our country in the appalling circumstances in amendments to Part 4A of the Scotland Act 1998; to which we found ourselves in 2010 was always going to make provision about borrowing by the Welsh Ministers; take courage and I am genuinely proud to serve a to make miscellaneous amendments in the law relating Deputy Prime Minister and a Prime Minister who have to Wales; and for connected purposes. both had that courage even though both have experienced Bill read the First and Second time without Question difficulties in our respective parties as a result. Let us put (Standing Order No. 80A and Order, 31 March); to look at where their courage has taken our country. be considered on Monday 9 June; and to be printed (Bill Our economy is growing again; indeed, no other 6) with explanatory notes (Bill 6-EN). major economy grew faster in the last year. Our deficit is falling steadily, responsibly—not as fast as some CHILDCARE PAYMENTS BILL people argued for, but at a pace that has kept interest Presentation and First reading (Standing Order No. 50) rates low and enabled employment to rise. There is nothing of which my colleagues and I are more proud Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the than this coalition’s record on jobs: unemployment Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Danny down in the last year alone by over 300,000 and employment Alexander, Mr Secretary Duncan Smith, Secretary Michael up at record levels, increasing by over 720,000 last year Gove, Nicky Morgan, Mr David Gauke, Andrea Leadsom alone. and Elizabeth Truss, presented a Bill to make provision for and in connection with the making of payments to Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I thank the persons towards the costs of childcare; and to restrict right hon. Gentleman for giving way so early in what the availability of an exemption from income tax in sounded like his peroration. Will he comment on the respect of the provision for an employee of childcare, or UK’s decline in stature in terms of the renewables vouchers for obtaining childcare, under a scheme operated industry, which has come out in recent reports, and also by or on behalf of the employer. on the speculation that numerous applications for onshore Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on wind energy have been declined by the Secretary of Monday 9 June; and to be printed (Bill 7) with explanatory State for Communities and Local Government? Can notes (Bill 7-EN). the Energy Secretary tell us how many have been declined against official advice?

Mr Davey: Renewable electricity has more than doubled under this Government. The situation we inherited from the last Government was that we were at the bottom of the European league—no, I should correct 135 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 136

[Mr Davey] things in that way, it is true that after the 2008 recession many people saw living standards fall. But let us remind the record: we were above Malta and Luxembourg—but ourselves what happened: a huge £113 billion was wiped now our position has improved significantly. I would off our economy in the great financial crash of 2008, have thought the hon. Gentleman would have welcomed and there was a £3,000 cost to every household in the that. We have put in place an excellent regime for United Kingdom. To put that right, and to keep investment in renewables and all low-carbons. The Ernst employment rising, it was arithmetically inevitable that and Young report he refers to shows us to be the best living standards could not rise in the turnaround period place in the world to invest in offshore wind and tidal for our economy, but now we really are in recovery. energy, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State Now it is not just employment that is rising—it is living for Communities and Local Government Secretary and standards too. How has that happened? Of course, it I are very proud of the fact that we have increased has been because of the coalition’s long-term economic onshore wind so substantially and that there is such a plan. healthy pipeline of future investment in it. Key aspects of that plan are really beginning to help, above all the implementation of the Liberal Democrat Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The manifesto policy to increase the tax-free allowance to right hon. Gentleman mentioned Malta: does he agree £10,000 a year. Our record not just of implementing that his economic policy has led to a situation where this fairest of tax cuts, but doing more than we promised child mortality below the age of five in Britain is now is helping more than 26 million people. It has taken the highest in any western country other than Malta? 3.2 million low paid out of income tax and it has cut the One in 200 children is now dying under the age of five income tax bill of a double-earning couple on average because of the brutality against the poorest. The university earnings by £1,600 a year. This Liberal-Democrat-turned- of Washington has related that to food banks, austerity coalition policy has cut the number of low-income and welfare. Does the Energy Secretary have anything people paying income tax more in five years than any to say about that? I doubt it. other Government have achieved in the same period since records began. Mr Davey: I simply do not recognise those claims. We have been doing a huge amount to tackle child poverty. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): Before The increase in the child care tax credit in the very first the Secretary of State diverts on to a partisan frolic, Budget was a major help for low-income families with may I ask whether he welcomes the British Retail children, so the hon. Gentleman should take that back. Consortium’s data out this week showing that competition between supermarkets has led to a decline in non-food prices of 2.8%? Does he also welcome the fact that food Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): When the right inflation is at 0.7%, its lowest level since 2006? hon. Gentleman said that some people said that they wanted to go a little bit faster in paying down the Mr Davey: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to deficit, was he referring to the Chancellor, who had make that point: competition, not Government intervention, promised that it would be got rid of in this Parliament? is the best way of getting prices down and helping people with their living standards. Mr Davey: Many commentators thought we should cut the deficit faster, but we have taken a very responsible Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab) rose— approach, to ensure not only that interest rates were kept low—that has been so vital for many families and Mr Davey: I will give way to the hon. Lady in order to the hon. Lady’s constituents—but that employment has help her health. risen so well. I would have thought she would be welcoming Sheila Gilmore: Before the Secretary of State leaves that. the issue of tax allowances, does he not accept that for The problem is that the Opposition used to criticise many of the lowest-paid workers the reduction in tax the coalition on unemployment—they used to say that was more than outweighed by the reduction in tax unemployment was going to go up—but when the facts credits? Moreover, the cost of this policy benefited showed they were wrong and that unemployment has higher earners disproportionately. That does not sound gone down they have had to change their economic to me to be a very Liberal Democrat policy. argument. The Opposition keep changing the economic argument because they keep losing the economic argument. Mr Davey: I am afraid that the hon. Lady is completely Let us examine their recent economic argument on the wrong. Higher rate taxpayers did not get the allowance cost of living. I presume that everyone in this House increase. This is one of the fairest tax cuts, because it is accepts that the key measure of the cost of living focused on the low-paid and people on moderate incomes. remains the inflation figures. So if the cost of living is I must say that she does not understand how the tax the measure by which to judge this coalition, let us see system works. what has been happening to inflation. Inflation is lower than when the previous Government left office and it is Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab) rose— falling. Mr Davey: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, but I have to confess to the House that the Bank of then I will have to make some progress. England’s inflation target is not being hit—inflation is lower than the target. In March, inflation had slowed to Jeremy Corbyn: As the Secretary of State is talking just 1.6%. Of course for our constituents it is real about living standards, is he proud of the fact that many incomes and real wages that actually matter: what people people living in the private rented sector in central have to spend after tax and after inflation. Looking at London and other big cities are being socially cleansed 137 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 138 out of their homes by a combination of high rents and increasing their market share from less than 1% to 5% benefit caps? Does he not think that that is a disgrace, and rising, giving people a real chance not only to freeze that those communities are being damaged and that their bills, but to cut them. those children’s life chances are also being damaged? Just look at what has been done to help people with Should he not do something about it? their energy bills: Ofgem’s reforms are making bills simpler and forcing firms to put consumers on the Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman has been a champion cheapest tariffs; switching rates are increasing, with in the debate on housing in London for many years. I do switching speeds getting faster; and Government action not think that he can point to any halcyon days over the is taking £50 off the average energy bill. Where the past 30 years. The cost of housing was the biggest issue Opposition wanted to legislate for a freeze, with all the when I became an MP in 1997, and for many of my impact such regulatory intervention would have on constituents it remains the biggest issue. There have investor confidence, the coalition has worked to ensure been changes, but many of the housing benefit changes that the Government and competition are delivering that we have made have actually hit the landlords, not something better than a freeze. Scottish and Southern the tenants. I think that he ought to welcome that. Energy, British Gas, npower, Scottish Power and EDF I am very proud of our record of helping people on have all announced that they will not increase energy low incomes, and not only the personal tax allowance prices this year unless network costs go up or wholesale increases, but the rest of our help with the cost of energy costs rise, and of course they are not. living—fuel duty freezes, council tax freezes, free school meals and help with child care. The coalition has listened Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Given that we have just and is helping. Of course, all those measures take time read this week that SSE will be raising its prices by to feed through. Everyone knows that in some parts of 8%, that two of its directors have salaries of £1.4 million the country people are yet to feel the turnaround, and and that the price of gas is falling, it is absolutely that was always inevitable. Many people are only now extraordinary that the Secretary of State still thinks beginning to experience the end of the post-recession that the consumer should pay. What will he do to ensure squeeze. that consumer prices come down in line with the proper I think that what is worrying the Labour party is that price of gas? The ridiculous profits that these people are in 10 months’ time many more people will be feeling the making should be stopped now. benefits of the recovery and Labour’s latest economic argument on the cost of living will look ever hollower. Mr Davey: SSE has committed itself to a price freeze. Of course, last summer the Opposition already began The hon. Lady is right that the recent falls in wholesale to switch their economic argument again. It was not the gas prices suggest that consumers should benefit too. general cost of living or general inflation that they were Unlike the previous Government, we have supported talking about, or the full basket of goods that people the regulator Ofgem in its proposal for the first ever buy; it was a few specific ones. That is why we have referral of the energy markets to the independent today’s debate on energy and housing costs. They are competition authorities. The Leader of the Opposition very important issues, and my right hon. Friend the talks about energy markets, but when he had the power Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to act, when he could have taken on the big six, and will, I am sure, take on the housing costs debate. I am when he was doing my job, he did nothing. He refused sure that he will cover not only our record of low three times to back an independent investigation of the mortgage rates, but our record and our plans to build energy markets, even though energy bills were rising more houses to reduce housing costs. faster than they are now. He let the energy companies off the hook and the party knows it. However, I want to deal with energy costs, because, unlike the previous Government, we have acted on energy bills. We have taken on the energy companies, Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab) unlike the Leader of the Opposition when he was doing rose— my job, when he could have acted but did not. It is interesting to look at the record on energy bills. In Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab) rose— almost every year under Labour, energy bills rose: in 2005 they went up by 12%; in 2006 they went up by Mr Davey: I will give way to the hon. Lady and then 20%; and in 2008 they went up by 16%. In the previous the hon. Gentleman, because I am having some fun. Parliament, under Labour, energy bills rose by a whopping 63%, and Labour did nothing. Yet they lecture us. Of Ms Stuart: I am deeply grateful to the right hon. course, bills have also risen in this Parliament, but by Gentleman. I am listening with great interest to the 8% a year, compared with 11% a year in the previous coalition’s achievement. I just wonder whether part of Parliament. that achievement is the fact that the Liberal Democrat Labour did act to reform the energy markets; they Benches are empty. managed the great feat of reducing the number of energy market firms and creating the big six. In other Mr Davey: My hon. Friends may well be in Newark, words, they made it worse and created another mess for but I have the Under-Secretary of State for Communities us to clear up. This coalition is really reforming the and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member energy market and taking on the energy companies. for Bristol West (Stephen Williams), here with me. It is From day one, we began reforming the market to create interesting that that is the only point that the Opposition real competition, with new competitors. Twelve new can make. I give way to the hon. Member for Brent independent suppliers have entered the market since North (Barry Gardiner). He may well have a point of 2010, and independents are topping the best-buy tables, substance. 139 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 140

Barry Gardiner: The Secretary of State talked about recent events in Crimea and Ukraine, we know more the benefits to the consumer from competition in the than ever that secure supplies of gas are vital to our energy market. He says that the Labour Government economy, but cannot be taken for granted. As we cut did not act properly in this way, but does he recall that our carbon emissions, with our dramatic shift out of of the 14 suppliers that existed when Labour came to coal over the next decade, we know that the replacement power, there was no possibility for any customer to electricity must involve low-carbon electricity from transfer their account from one to the other? What renewables and nuclear and lower carbon electricity Labour did in creating new electricity trading arrangements from gas. Our energy security and climate change objectives and then the British electricity trading and transmission require gas, so we must conclude that our North sea oil arrangements was to reform the market twice so that and gas assets are at least as important now as they have competition benefited the consumer. always been. In spite of rising and indeed record levels of investment Mr Davey: The hon. Gentleman is mixing up two in the North sea under the coalition, figures show things. The reforms to which he referred created the big declining production and exploration, which should six. There was a consolidation in the markets as a result worry us all. Gas imports have been rising for some of those reforms. What is helping competition is the time already and if we do not act to improve conditions ability to switch. What we have been doing is making in the North sea, our dependency on imported gas that easier, simpler and faster, and that is the right thing could reach worrying levels. As we implement the Wood to do. I am proud that we now have—or will shortly recommendations, specifically to enable a new arm’s have when it is confirmed by Ofgem—a full-scale market length regulator, I hope that we will get support from all investigation. The large energy companies will need to parts of the House. think very carefully about their pricing decisions. If In order to ensure that the UK can benefit even more they do not pass on falling wholesale costs, the competition from its home-grown energy, we will introduce a final authorities and, more importantly, their competitors set of measures, subject to consultation, so that Britain will be very interested. can be more secure and reduce our reliance on imports This autumn, I intend to ensure that British people and on coal. The measures are to support the development know that if their energy supplier hikes up their prices, of the shale gas and geothermal industries. Although they will have a real choice to switch firms and cut their both industries are still in their infancy, they are both bills. The switching choices will be simpler, easier and concerned that the existing legal situation could delay quicker than ever before. or even stop their ability to drill horizontally deep In this Session’s legislative programme, my Department underground to recover gas or heat. Ironically, given the will be putting forward a number of measures in the urgency of climate change and unlike the situation for infrastructure Bill. First, I draw the House’s attention dirty coal—a landowner or property owner high above to our plans to introduce a community electricity right. a coal seam cannot object and delay work—for cleaner Communities will be offered the chance to buy a stake gas and clean heat, landowners and property owners in a new commercial renewable electricity scheme in can object. their area. Community energy can play an increasingly To assist the shale gas and geothermal industries, we important role in our energy mix, not least as we are consulting on how to address those access issues. We increase renewable energy in the UK. published our consultation paper on 23 May, and the When I published Britain’s first ever community energy consultation will run for the full 12 weeks. Members of strategy earlier this year, we showed how greater involvement the House may respond to that consultation, as may all by communities could significantly support our goals of interested parties. We want feedback and input, because decarbonising the power sector, increasing energy security, that will help us to refine our proposals, to develop reducing bills and helping the fuel poor. One of the key alternative ones or even to convince us that the existing aims of the strategy is to see greater community involvement system is fit for purpose. We will listen during the and ownership of local renewable energy projects. We consultation and, subject to its outcome, we will introduce hope and believe that that will come about through proposals when parliamentary time allows. voluntary agreement. A taskforce of industry and community energy specialists is already working out Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): This is of how a win-win can be achieved, with investors gaining great interest to my constituents, because we envisage greater public support and additional capital investment, drilling to explore the possibilities for shale gas in our and with communities receiving greater benefits and a area in the coming months. Will the Secretary of State greater stake. repeat the assurance that the Prime Minister gave in response to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion Since we are pursuing a voluntary approach, the (Caroline Lucas) yesterday, that there will be no power in the Bill is a back-stop. The community energy circumstances in which someone may legally drill under sector was clear that the voluntary approach should be people’s property without their consent and agreement? given a chance to succeed, and I agree. By legislating as proposed, we can send the strongest signal that Government Mr Davey: I am not sure whether the Prime Minister and Parliament want to see both community energy and said that in those terms. There will be local community local shared ownership of renewable energy succeed. I engagement in issues about fracking, not least through hope that the measure will receive support from all the planning process. There will be local involvement, parties. because a company has to get a series of permits and Other key energy measures in the infrastructure Bill regulatory permissions before it may even start an involve the implementation of the review that I exploratory drill, which should give the hon. Lady’s commissioned into the future of Britain’s North sea constituents and other people the reassurances that assets, conducted so brilliantly by Sir Ian Wood. Given they need. 141 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 142

Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): I do not market, which is so crucial in encouraging investment in know whether the Secretary of State read the comments renewables, energy efficiency, nuclear and carbon capture of Sir Merrick Cockell, the chair of the Local Government and storage. The green growth group that I established Association. Speaking on a cross-party basis, he said in Europe 16 months ago has helped to lead that critical that he thought that the benefits or payments to the debate and a key task for the next five months up to community promised to areas in which fracking takes the October European Council is to secure the deal place are simply not large enough, considering the Britain has helped to create. If we achieve that deal in enormous amount of revenue to be gained by the October, Europe can then help to lead the rest of the companies from fracking activities, in particular given world as we prepare for the critical climate change the tax breaks. Will the Government think again about summit in Paris in December 2015, working with the that to ensure that local communities get a lot more United States of America after President Obama’s benefit from such activities? magnificent announcement this week on regulating coal plants. Mr Davey: We have already put in place a package of The Government are delivering on growth and on attractive community benefits and as we proceed with green growth, on jobs and on green jobs. We have pulled the consultation, the hon. Gentleman might want to our economy from the abyss and towards a sustainable, respond to it. There is talk of further community benefits, affordable future. but let us be clear what we are talking about. We are talking about drilling at least 300 metres under a piece of land or property, far more than for the underground, 10.53 am the channel tunnel and all those other major pieces of Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): The Government’s infrastructure. Most shale and geothermals are at least record is simple: since they came to power, working one mile below the service and I think that landowners people have seen their pay fall by £1,600 a year on will be quite pleased to get compensation for that, average, and by the end of this Parliament, people will because it will not affect their land or properties. be worse off than at the beginning. That is a record that no other Government can match, but it is not one to be Several hon. Members rose— proud of. The averages and statistics provide only a Mr Davey: I will give way, but I want to make some glimpse of what is happening to families caught in the progress as I am right at the end of my speech. cost of living crisis. It is a crisis that runs deep into people’s lives and deep into our country, because something Geraint Davies: I want to ask about the concerns fundamental has happened. The link between the wealth about waste water. There are examples in America of of our nation and everyday family finances has been millions of tonnes of water being moved, destroying broken, so the single biggest challenge facing our country roads and the environment, and of its becoming is to restore that link so that growing prosperity is contaminated and even radioactive and toxic in some shared by all and not just a few at the top. On that cases, and there were issues with cleaning it, which challenge, this Queen’s Speech falls badly short. Today, contaminated the water table. I have heard of companies I want to set out why it fails, and how Labour would in Britain that want to do water treatment being turned take immediate action to deal with the pressures facing away by prospective developers who seem to think that families and make the big long-term changes that we decontaminating the water is not a big issue. need so that hard-working people are better off. Let us start with energy. There were suggestions Mr Davey: First, we have a strong regulatory regime yesterday that communities would be given the right to for water, overseen by the Environment Agency. Before purchase a stake in local renewable energy projects, people can take water from water courses or put things which was one of the community energy ideas in “The beneath the ground, they have to get a permit. More Power Book” which we published back in 2012. If that than that, if we consider what is happening within is what the Government are announcing, we welcome it industry processes and with some of the research and and we look forward to more information on how and development that is going on in this area, we can see when it will apply. that the push for what are called “green completions” in We also heard that, subject to their consultation, the the fracking industry is very strong. We are seeing Government intend to bring forward legislation to give companies minimise their use of water compared with oil and gas developers underground access rights without the early years in the United States because it is in their requiring landowner permission. We have always been interests and will reduce the amount of vehicle movement. clear that provided it can be done in a safe and This is a serious issue and I take it seriously. As I hope environmentally sustainable way, we will support shale the hon. Gentleman can see, I have looked into it in gas exploration, but we have set out six conditions some detail and we will continue to monitor that carefully. which we believe need to be met, four of which the Time has not allowed me to update the House on Government have agreed to. That leaves two—first, an many aspects of our work that feed into the Bill and the assessment of groundwater methane levels, and secondly, Gracious Speech, most notably on our massive work on ensuring that all this monitoring is done for a full the international climate change debate. As the Gracious 12 months before any drilling can proceed, so as to Speech says, Ministers will ensure that we have robust baseline measurements to “champion efforts to secure a global agreement on climate change.” which we can always refer back. That is one of the I can report to the House that Britain is leading in lessons we need to take on board from the American Europe, persuading European colleagues to go further experience, which did not go as well there. and to adopt more ambitious climate change targets, As the Secretary of State mentioned, the changes to just as this Parliament has done, and persuading European underground access rights announced in the Queen’s colleagues to agree to radical reforms of Europe’s carbon Speech will put shale gas on the same footing as other 143 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 144

[Caroline Flint] Competition and Markets Authority. I have been clear that we support the market investigation. I have also industries such as coal, water and sewage, so we will not said that the review should cover the role of the regulator oppose them, but we will continue to push for the too, because one cannot properly investigate a market environmental framework to be strengthened, and for without looking at how it is regulated. The very fact assurances that the responsibility for clean-up costs and that Ofgem has deemed it necessary to refer this industry liability for any untoward consequences rests fairly and to the competition authorities is an admission that the squarely with the industry, not with taxpayers or market is not working for consumers. Yet the review will homeowners. take 18 months to complete and has not even been However, as the Secretary of State knows, companies given the go-ahead yet. The test for the Government have only exploratory licences, so full shale gas production was what they would do to help households and businesses is still some years away. Even if it does happen, unless in the meantime, and on that test this Queen’s Speech we see significant shale production not just in Britain fails. but right across of Europe, most experts believe it will I can tell the House exactly what we would do if this have little effect on gas prices in the UK. The idea that it were Labour’s Queen’s Speech. We would protect will in any way help with the cost of living that people households from any more unfair price hikes by freezing are facing in relation to energy prices is therefore pretty energy bills for 20 months. That would stop suppliers wide of the mark. increasing their prices, but of course they would still be One would not know it from the Secretary of State’s able to cut them. We would also begin the work of complacent speech, but in real terms energy bills have reforming the market. Consumers will not thank us if risen three times faster under this Government than we use the CMA investigation as an excuse to avoid under the previous one. The average family’s energy bill dealing with problems we can fix now. For instance, one is now £300 a year higher than it was back in 2010, and of the biggest barriers to proper competition in this businesses say energy is the second biggest cost they market, and one of the main reasons people find it face. The consequences are being felt around the country. difficult to trust the industry, is that companies can Figures out this week show that more than 1.5 million generate power and sell it from one arm of the business households are in debt to their supplier—saddled with to another, at prices that are never disclosed, before more than £1 billion-worth of debt. If the Government finally selling it on to the public. had published their annual fuel poverty statistics last We could fix that problem quite straightforwardly by month, as I believe they were meant to, I imagine we introducing a ring fence between the generation and would see the fuel poverty gap—the gap between people’s retail arms of energy companies. We are not talking bills and what they can afford—increasing too. Perhaps about companies being forced to divest bits of their the Secretary of State could enlighten us today on business, although of course that may be something for whether that is the case and explain why these statistics the CMA to consider; we are simply talking about the were not published. way in which these companies operate becoming On Tuesday we learned that in the past year alone the transparent. In fact, some suppliers already claim to profit margins of the big six energy companies from operate in such a way. SSE has said, following the supplying gas and electricity have doubled, so what is publication of Labour’s Green Paper on energy market there in the Queen’s Speech to help bill payers? What is reform, that it will legally separate its generation and there to stop companies exploiting their customers? retail businesses. So why wait? The CMA might report Nothing. The Secretary of State spoke about the back with additional measures that need to be implemented, Government’s dodgy deal with the energy companies, but if there are things we can do now to make this which he claimed had cut the average bill by £50, but let market work for the public and restore trust, then we me remind the House of a few things that he forgot to should do them. mention. He forgot to say that because the energy companies increased bills by, on average, £110 at the Huw Irranca-Davies: I commend my right hon. Friend same time as cutting green levies, the average family’s for laying out the measures that would have been in an bill is still more than £60 higher than last year. He alternative Labour Queen’s Speech. Will she confirm forgot to say that 3.7 million households on fixed price that another measure would have dealt with the one in deals will not even receive the full saving, even though five or one in six people who are in rural off-grid the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate households and who currently have no protection? One Change, the right hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle of the greatest measures we could have brought forward (Gregory Barker) said it was “not acceptable” for the would be to allow those people to have their winter fuel energy companies to fail to pass it on. payment paid early, so that they have the flexibility to The Secretary of State forgot to say how the Government buy at times of the year when the prices for off-grid oil, cobbled this deal together—a £5 cut in network charges, and so on, are much cheaper. to be repaid in full next year, with interest; £12 from the warm homes discount moved from people’s bills to their Caroline Flint: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. taxes, and somewhere between £30 and £40 of cuts to I commend the fantastic work he is doing with rural vulnerable and hard-to-treat households, which should communities the length and breadth of Britain and have got help with energy efficiency and insulation thank him for the support he has given my team in through the energy company obligation. That amounts addressing some of the issues facing households who to 440,000 fewer households getting help to make their are off the grid. As he says, for those off the grid this is homes warmer. These are the people who have been an equally disappointing Queen’s Speech. It does nothing made to pay, not the energy companies. on bringing forward winter fuel payments, which would Then we heard the Secretary of State wax lyrical allow people to buy their heating oil when it is cheaper, about the impending market investigation by the or on bringing those who are off-grid under the energy 145 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 146 regulator so that they can enjoy some of the protections affordable home starts are down by a third since the that everybody else would enjoy. Labour would have election; and home ownership is falling further and put both those measures in a Queen’s Speech. further out of reach for young families. As a result, more and more people are having to rely on renting a Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I am pleased that home in the private sector, but the cost of renting has Labour has now supported early winter fuel payments, gone up, rising more than twice as fast as wages since for which I have been pushing for some time. Does the the election, despite the prediction of the former Housing right hon. Lady recognise that one of the other problems Minister and, if reports are to be believed, the soon-to-be is that the energy company obligation does not include former chair of the Conservative party, the right hon. off-grid boilers? Would Labour be prepared to push Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps), who forward a measure on that? [Interruption.] reassured us that rents would not go up. But they have gone up, and renters are getting a bad deal and are Caroline Flint: I am hearing from different parts of being forced to pay all kinds of unfair charges and fees. the House that the ECO does and does not allow it. Nothing is being done to provide the certainties that Clearly, we must have an energy efficiency and insulation families need to plan for their future. What does this programme that meets the needs of various communities Queen’s speech have to offer them? Nothing. All we in the different circumstances in which they find themselves. have is Help to Buy. Of course, any help for first-time With my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw buyers struggling to get on the property ladder is welcome, Irranca-Davies), I am working through a number of but why is a scheme that is meant to help first-time proposals and listening to communities about what buyers allowing for taxpayer-based mortgages for homes would work. I am also listening to those working in the worth up to £600,000? How many first-time buyers can sector, as well as those who supply oil and gas and those afford homes worth £600,000? As more and more voices who want to see what they can do to help more with are warning, unless rising demand for housing is matched energy and insulation. We are looking into this in with rising supply, house prices will inflate even further, greater detail. making home ownership even less affordable for those That leads me to my next point. In the long term, the on lower-middle incomes. most sustainable way to cut people’s energy bills is to As my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds improve the energy efficiency and insulation of our Central (Hilary Benn) will set out in his speech later, if housing stock. Despite the progress made under the this were Labour’s Queen’s Speech, we know what we previous Government, who helped more than 2 million would do to get Britain building again, help people get households through Warm Front and millions more on the housing ladder and give people who rent more through the decent homes programme, Britain still has security. We would get 200,000 homes built a year by some of the least energy-efficient housing stock anywhere 2020. We would unlock the supply of new homes by in Europe. Some 80% of our stock today will still be giving local authorities “use it or lose it” powers and around in 2050, and this Government’s green deal, boost the role of small house builders. We would legislate which I remind the House was billed as the biggest to make longer-term tenancies with predictable rents home improvements programme since world war two, the norm and properly regulate letting agencies. has been an abject failure. Just 2,500 households have Like energy, water is another essential to life, but signed up for a green deal package. To put that figure in more than 2 million households are forced to spend context, it is only slightly more than the number of more than 5% of their income on their water bills. At Liberal Democrat councillors left after the party’s collapse the moment, the water companies can choose whether in the local elections a couple of weeks ago, including or not to offer a social tariff to those customers who on Kingston council in the Secretary of State’s area. struggle the most. As a result, only three companies do We have a big enough challenge bringing our existing so, and fewer than 25,000 households receive any help stock up to scratch without having to worry about at all. That is just not good enough. If this were our retrofitting the housing we are building now. That is Queen’s Speech, my hon. Friend the Member for Garston why, when in government, Labour set a target that every and Halewood (Maria Eagle) would use powers to new home built in Britain would have to be built to, or establish a national affordability scheme, funded by the as near as possible to, a zero-carbon standard by 2016. water companies, to ensure that help gets to those who In this Queen’s Speech, however, we have the bizarre but need it and to put an end to the current postcode not uncommon spectacle of the Liberal Democrats lottery. trying to claim credit for a policy that was actually As well as dealing with the problems that hold back introduced seven years ago and which they have our country, we should be making big, long-term changes undermined. That is exactly what they are doing: taking to our economy so that we can grow and earn our way our zero-carbon homes policy, exempting developments to a higher standard of living. Work should pay and of up to 50 homes, watering down the standards for people should always be better off in work than out of larger developers, and then wanting credit for it. Whatever it. One reason it does not always feel like that is the the short-term benefits, in the long term there is a real rising cost of child care. As my hon. Friend the Member risk that these decisions will leave consumers stuck with for Manchester Central (Lucy Powell) has highlighted, homes that are not meeting the high standards of energy since the election the cost of a nursery place has risen efficiency. Given the scale of the challenge we already five times faster than pay. There are 578 fewer Sure face, that is a problem we could well afford to do Start centres, and 35,000 fewer child care places. However, without. the Government’s new child care allowance will not On housing more generally, the country is suffering even start until well after the next election. If this was from the biggest housing crisis in a generation: house our Queen’s Speech, we would expand free child care building is at its lowest peacetime level since the 1920s; from 15 to 25 hours for working parents of three and 147 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 148

[Caroline Flint] born into privilege to get on or to have a secure roof over their head and their life chances are not defined by four-year-olds to make work pay, and we would create a the postcode in which they were born. That is Labour’s legal guarantee of access to wraparound child care for vision for Britain. primary school children through their school from 8 am 11.13 am to 6 pm. As my hon. Friends the Members for Streatham Sir Edward Garnier (Harborough) (Con): Thank you (Mr Umunna) and for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves) will for calling me so early in this debate, Mr Speaker. I set out next week, there is so much more that the commend both the Secretary of State and the shadow Government could and should have done in the Queen’s Secretary of State for starting off our proceedings, but I Speech. Let us take zero-hours contracts. We welcome am afraid that I will diverge from energy and housing the fact that the Government have adopted our policy issues to concentrate on other matters. of banning exclusivity clauses, but that is only one part Although much has been said about the shortness of of the problem. What about people working regular the Queen’s Speech—that it does not contain many hours for month after month, or even for years, who are measures—to my mind that is a quality. This House still on zero-hours contracts? This Queen’s Speech does passes far too much legislation, and we ought to spend not help them. What about strengthening the national more time repealing legislation before we consider passing minimum wage, tax breaks for firms that boost pay more. Although some say that its shortness is a fault of through the living wage, job guarantees for the young this Queen’s Speech, I say that it is a particular benefit. and long-term unemployed, or help for small businesses There is one Bill in particular of which I am very by cutting business rates and reforming the banks? That fond: the pensions tax Bill. As a private Member, I is the sort of Queen’s Speech that our country needs. introduced—I think in 2004—the Retirement Income I am afraid that what we got yesterday was a series of Reform Bill, which intended to do away with the need half-baked measures, re-announcements and policies for those at the age of 75 to buy an annuity. It passed brought in to solve problems this Government created Second Reading on a Friday afternoon, I think by a in the first place. Why was it necessary to include a Bill majority of 101. Unfortunately, the Labour Government to deal with the problem of people leaving one part of crushed it. I hope that the Labour party has changed its the public sector with huge pay-offs only to be re-employed mind and will support the Bill when it comes before the in another part? Let us be honest about this. It is House again in the guise of the pensions tax Bill. because of the thousands of people who have done Another measure that I am particularly pleased to exactly that since the Government’s reorganisation of see in the Queen’s Speech which is not politically the NHS. Let us remember, when they talk about getting controversial is the modern slavery Bill. As a former law the banks to lend to small businesses, to ask why they officer who has appeared in the criminal division of the are dealing with this problem only in the fifth year of Court of Appeal dealing with cases that concerned the this Government. trafficking of very vulnerable men and women from overseas to this country, some to be sexually abused and Perhaps we should not be surprised that the Government some to be abused in the world of employment, I am have fallen short. While family budgets were being particularly pleased that the Government and, I hope, squeezed throughout the country, the Government were the House will pass that Bill in due course. It will add in denial; from this Queen’s Speech, we can see that they strength to the law that seeks to protect the victims of still are. They crow about a recovery, but as the Minister this most appalling form of criminal behaviour. We all without Portfolio, the right hon. and learned Member know of examples of appalling gangmasters and people for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke)said on Monday, ordinary who traffic young girls and women into this country for people have not yet felt any sense of recovery. I agree: a sexual purposes. Anything that this House can do to recovery that does not benefit ordinary working people protect the victims and to ensure that they are brought is no recovery at all, and the promise of Britain—that to a place of safety and allowed to lead fulfilling lives is the next generation should do better than the last—is much to be approved. being broken. I want to see the modern slavery Bill advance for two The test of any Queen’s Speech is whether it deals other reasons. This morning, I received a letter from my with the challenges the country faces today and sets the constituent, Laura Palmer, who tells me that there is, in foundation for our country to be stronger and more France, something called the Picard law. She writes that prosperous for the future. On both those counts, this the law Queen’s Speech fails. In 11 months’ time, the country “states it is illegal to take money off someone who has been will face a choice between a Britain where a few at the mentally manipulated.” top do well and everyone else is left to take their That put me in mind of the case that was brought by the chances, where people are working harder for longer for Moonies—the rather eccentric religious sect—some years less, and where the powerful play by one set of rules and ago against the Daily Mail, for which, I hasten to add, I the rest of us live by a different one; and Labour’s vision was acting at the time. [Laughter.] It was a long time of a Britain with fair play at its heart, where businesses ago. pay their taxes, do not exploit migrant labour and have an apprenticeship scheme alongside any workers they Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): I hope it bring in from abroad, where there are fair rules for paid well. things such as welfare, selling energy or coming into our country, where there are fair rewards for a country in Sir Edward Garnier: I got married on the strength of which hard work pays, responsibility is rewarded and the case, thank you very much. Indeed, I bought my everyone shares in its success, and where there are fair first house on the strength of it. However, I want to chances for a country in which people do not have to be make a serious point. 149 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 150

The sting of the libel in the case was that the Moonies Act 1933 in a way that will have unintended consequences. brainwashed children and extracted money from them I urge the House, and the Government, to be sure for the purposes of the Moonie organisation. Of course, before they amend the 1933 Act that that does not do a lot of those activities took place overseas, particularly something that they should not or do not intend. in America. However, if the modern slavery Bill can At the risk of being excessively prissy and overly criminalise the suborning of vulnerable adults and children legalistic—a very rare thing for me—let me tell the for the purpose of encouraging them to join such sects House what the Act currently states. It is an offence if and to give up their independence and what money they someone wilfully assaults, ill-treats, neglects, abandons, have for the benefit of the leaders of such groups, it is or exposes a child much to be encouraged. If my constituent, Laura Palmer, is right about the Picard law in France, I hope that the “or causes or procures him to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or exposed, in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary modern slavery Bill that we are about to introduce into suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, this House will take account of that law and learn or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and—” from it. I stress— Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): Given the “any mental derangement),”. excellent points that the hon. and learned Gentleman is As I understand it, the new Bill follows a campaign making about trafficking, does he share my disappointment from 2012-13 that wishes to extend that part of the Act at the lack of any mention of female genital mutilation to cover emotional distress. That seems to me a difficult in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech? area to move into when the Bill is already being interpreted in a constructive and protective way. Sir Edward Garnier: That matter was certainly mentioned Some of my constituents, particularly those who are in yesterday’s debate. Of course, female genital mutilation strongly religious, have written to me because they are is a crime under our law. I share the hon. Gentleman’s concerned that the teaching of particular religious tenets— disappointment at the lack of prosecutions so far, if not just Christian or Muslim—would or could stray that is what he is driving at, but I think he will understand into the area of emotional distress. I have no view on that one difficulty that the prosecuting authorities and that because I am not aware of the factual basis on the police have had is in the gathering of evidence. which such things might be established. However, we This is too obvious a point, but I will make it anyway: need to be careful when wishing to send out these FGM does not take place in public. It is difficult for messages and signals—I am afraid that such phrases are independent witnesses to come across evidence, although used by the Government in their surrounding material there will be children who are examined in hospital or for this Bill and others—because we are in danger of seen by schoolteachers or general practitioners. Now passing legislation that amounts to just a collection of that the subject is increasingly coming into the public early-day motions, rather than producing coherent, well arena, I am sure that such people will be on their guard argued and well constructed law. to ensure that those who are already victims of FGM Earlier this week, Libby Purves, the Times journalist, find at least some protection under the law, despite what wrote an interesting article—which I recommend— has already happened to them, and that children who headlined, “You can’t always bring ugly sisters to trial”, may be vulnerable to FGM are also protected. The hon. towards the end of which she said, Gentleman’s point is not one of controversy—he and I “is it not potentially damaging to ‘intellectual development’ to generally agree that the more we can do to protect those bring up a child in a strict religious belief that daily contradicts young women, the better and more civilised our country the evolutionary science they learn at school? Is it not detrimental will be. to ‘social development’ to raise a girl—or boy—in the firm It is a tradition in this House to have at least four or expectation that she or he will only marry by parental arrangement?” five criminal justice Bills every Session, most of which She continued: do exactly what previous Bills did in earlier Sessions “Think how many things you could potentially include. Suppose and no doubt repeat what was done in earlier Parliaments. a family has a baby by donor insemination, or indeed another By and large that comes under the heading of too much father, and never tells that child…Is it cruel and diminishing to legislation—often too much ill-thought-through legislation. deny someone knowledge of their origins? Come to that, the The previous Labour Government passed something emotional damage wrought by divorce is well-attested and divorce like 65 pieces of legislation on criminal justice. That was is a deliberate act by at least one partner: criminal?” utterly wasteful of parliamentary time and most of it I place these suggestions before the House to encourage achieved very little. However, it makes Ministers feel us to be careful, as we move forward with enthusiasm in good. the last Session of this Parliament, about passing laws I think that the serious crime Bill will be better than that are eye-catching. They must have some utility as that, although it concerns me—I say this gently—that well. This also applies to the social action, responsibility there may be some rough edges to the proposed legislation. and heroism Bill. I cannot think of a more wonderful In parenthesis, I say to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough title for an Act of Parliament. (Andy McDonald) that as I understand it, the Bill will strengthen this country’s ability to protect vulnerable Geraint Davies: Will the hon. and learned Gentleman children and women and extend the reach of powers to explain how he seems to support the Picard law, which tackle FGM, and it will also make it an offence to is about mental manipulation, but does not support the possess paedophile manuals. There is plenty of good idea of dealing with emotional stress? Those are related stuff in the Bill, but I am concerned that in dealing with areas. Does he support any move to tighten up on the protection of vulnerable children, the Government advertising standards, which is a form of mental may adjust section 1 of the Children and YoungPersons manipulation, in relation to Wonga, for example, or 151 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 152

[Geraint Davies] My right hon. Friend is perfectly right that there have been a number of cases where people have felt breakfast cereals that are described as low fat but which constrained—for example, from taking children on school contain high levels of sugar, and so on? How does he adventure trips and so on—for fear that they, or the square these things? school they are employed by, will be sued if somebody breaks their leg or falls into a river and comes to harm Sir Edward Garnier: The hon. Gentleman, perhaps through no fault of the school or the individual supervisor, unwittingly, illustrates my point. If we were to criminalise be they a schoolmaster or schoolmistress. As I understand advertising sugar-filled cereals, we would be stepping the law of negligence, if it is just an accident, then by down a path that I have no intention of going down. I and large the courts will recognise that it is just an do not know enough about the Picard law to comment accident and liability will not be attached to the supervisor. intelligently about it, but I understand from my constituent, Andy McDonald: Is it not the case that all that is ever Laura Palmer, that it outlaws the manipulation of people expected when people take children on a school trip is under a mental incapacity, or who are temporarily that they take reasonable care? They need to have some mentally disturbed, to extract money from them—this forethought as to the risks they run, but nobody is goes back to my Moonies example. That is not the same expecting a counsel of perfection. If an accident happens as extending section 1 of the Children and Young that could not have been foreseen, and there has been Persons Act 1933, under which it is already an offence no carelessness or negligence, then no liability will ever to do terrible things to children, including causing them attach. mental derangement. The better answer to the question posed by the 2012 Sir Edward Garnier: I agree. I hope that common campaign—and to what I fear may be the consequence sense already exists not only for those contemplating of the relevant part of the serious crime Bill—is to taking children away on trips. That is to say, we do not reflect emotional or intellectual damage in the sentencing have to worry about this. If we set in place proper under section 1 of the 1933 Act, not to create a whole arrangements—we make sure there are lifejackets if new category of offence based on intellectual or emotional people are going out in canoes and all that sort of damage or impairment. stuff—then it strikes me that common sense is already I am just placing the arguments before the House—I in play. do not want to be nailed to the cross on this point—but What I am concerned about, however, is the concept I am always cautious about this House’s being too ready of heroic negligence. I would be very interested to hear to pass spuriously attractive pieces of legislation for the from a Minister from the Ministry of Justice the definition purposes of sending out a message or giving a signal of heroic negligence. [Interruption.] The Secretary of without thinking about the consequences of doing so. State for Communities and Local Government, my The purpose of the various stages of a Bill—Second right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar Reading, Committee and Report stages, and then its (Mr Pickles), is the embodiment of political heroism—that going through the House of Lords, where it is examined is easy to understand—but I think even he would be again—is to deal with rough edges or unintended pushed to find a cogent definition of heroic negligence. consequences. However, there is no harm in pointing When he goes to the next Cabinet meeting and discusses them out now, so that the Government are aware of at the important things they discuss in Cabinet, I wonder least some people’s concerns. if he could encourage the Attorney-General and the To my mind, those concerns also apply to the social Secretary of State for Justice to think carefully about action, responsibility and heroism Bill. I am sure there the concept of heroic negligence, because it will lead to is much good intention behind the Bill. The Government derision, if not amusement, if it is pushed forward. say: I accept fully that this is not a courtroom and that the “All too often people who are doing the right thing in our people who draft or think about legislation are not society feel constrained by the fear that they are the ones who will always thinking entirely legalistically. I plead guilty to end up facing a lawsuit for negligence” occasionally being rather prissy about that, as I said a moment ago. However, I am a politician and in the and that they want to Chamber there are other politicians, so we all understand “change the law to reassure the public that they can participate in the need for the political backdrop to the things we do. good causes or intervene in an emergency. In the unlikely event Governments will of course send out their messages that something goes wrong and they are sued, the courts will take full and sympathetic account of the context of their actions.” and their signals. At some stage, however, somebody has to apply this law. At some stage, a judge in a county They also tell me that the proposed law is court or in the High Court is going to be faced with a “designed to bring some common sense back to Britain’s health case in which a fireman has been sued by someone he and safety culture. We will put the law on the side of people who has rescued. He will not just personally be sued—the are doing the right thing and building better communities.” fire authority will also be sued. That is all well and good, but if one descends into the One will have the most complicated litigation. Perhaps potential detail of the legislation a number of concerns expert witnesses on heroism will be called, who will say, arise. They are illustrated by an article written by the “Well, this was heroism that strayed into the area of Secretary of State for Justice headlined, “Our Bill to negligence. It was foolhardy. On the other hand, this Curb the Elf and Safety Culture”. I am as great an chap up the other ladder was heroic in a common-sense admirer of the advocates of the saloon bar as anybody way.” One needs to go through these slightly absurd else, but I think we need to be a little careful when we examples in order to demonstrate that somebody needs are framing laws that affect the way in which our courts to think a little more carefully before this aspect of this treat litigation between citizens. very important Bill goes forward. 153 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 154

Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): Will the Secretary Historically, compared with the 1960s, 1970s and of State be responding to this debate? early 1980s the real fall-off has been in the building of homes to rent in the social rented sector. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles): Yes. Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): We could Sir Edward Garnier: I am very glad that my right hon. do with affordable homes in many of the villages and Friend will be responding because not only is he the hamlets I represent. The problem is that whenever a site embodiment of political heroism, he is the embodiment is identified, people come running to me to say, “We are of political common sense. I know that because I have all in favour of affordable homes, but this is the wrong heard him say things that are eminent common sense. I place, Mr Parish”. That is where I think the problem dare say that in winding up the debate this afternoon he lies—we need to persuade people that affordable homes will do no more than utter eminent common sense, but are needed and must be situated somewhere. The problem with a delightful Conservative political tinge that I is that everybody objects, wherever we want to build would be disappointed if he did not show. them. I was elected to this House as a Conservative. I cannot wait for a single-party Conservative Government. Mr Betts: I entirely take the point that some people I cannot wait for Robert Jenrick, the next Member of object. At a public meeting in my constituency three or Parliament for Newark, to take his place in this House. four years ago, someone said to me, “We are not going Given that this debate continues until next Thursday, I to have homes for those sorts of people, are we?” hope he will be able to make his maiden speech during Frankly, an elected representative has to stand up and the Queen’s Speech debate, if he is fortunate enough to face down that sort of prejudice, making it clear that catch your eye, Mr Speaker. everyone is entitled to a home. Many people who have I am now getting into the area of waffle—[HON. lived in my constituency all their lives simply cannot MEMBERS: “No!”] I finish on a serious point. This afford to buy homes that their parents could have Queen’s Speech is full of good things and good intentions afforded to buy a few years ago. These people are but I say with the greatest deference to my right hon. entitled to live in that community; homes should be and hon. Friends on the Front Bench that we need to be provided for them. a little careful when we construct laws that do no more It is unfortunate that one of the biggest cuts in than send out a message. If I want to send out a Government funding during this Parliament has been message, I will use semaphore. the 60% cut in funds for social housing. If we are to see house building rise in future, the private housing developers Mr Speaker: Order. Just before I call the next speaker, will play a part, but they are not going to build the may I impress upon the House that although there is no quarter of a million homes we need. We are going to formal time limit on speeches, a certain self-denying have to build more homes to rent. It is disappointing ordinance would help? I invite hon. Members to help that the Government have not moved at least some way each other in these matters. Although in terms of courtesy, in that direction in the Queen’s Speech—failing, for legendary as it is, there is much to be said for Members example, to take the cap off local authority borrowing seeking to imitate the hon. and learned Member for for house building, which they could have done. They Harborough (Sir Edward Garnier), there is no need for could have provided 60,000 new homes immediately them to feel the need to do so as far as length of speech with no cost to central Government funds. They could is concerned. have taken steps to alter the definition of the grant on housing association books and convert it into a genuine 11.38 am grant from the loan that it currently is. That would have Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab): Thank freed up more borrowing for housing associations as you, Mr Speaker. I hope that that was not directed well. personally. I am sure that it was not. If we are honest about this in the long term—I say I want to concentrate on the supply of housing, or this to both Front-Bench teams—and if we are to build rather the lack of it, the regulation of the private rented the homes that people need and build more social sector and the impact of immigration on some of our housing on the scale this country needs, we are going to poorer communities. have to put in more subsidy from the national public On housing supply, we ought to be building 250,000 purse. That is the reality. We are not going to build the homes a year to keep pace with household formation. homes we need unless we spend more money on them. We all know from the people who come to our surgeries That is an uncomfortable fact and we tend not to want weekly that we do not have homes that people can to discuss it before the general election, but it is, as I say, afford to buy, and that there are not homes in the social the reality of the situation. Whether it be housing rented sector for which people are eligible—even, as in associations or local authorities that do the building, my constituency, for those who have been on the waiting they are going to need more assistance to make it work. list for 10 years. Many in the private rented sector are We need to carry on arguing about that. well housed but many others are not and they feel the pressure of rising rents. Michael Ellis: Does the hon. Gentleman agree with We have a long-term failure in this country, as politicians, me on the avenue provided by brownfield sites, which is to build the homes that people need. I use those words seldom properly explored? Development companies are carefully because it is a failure of the last Government always very keen to develop on greenfield sites because as well as of this Government. It is just that the failure it is much cheaper for them. Does he agree that more has got worse under this Government, as the number of effort should be made to direct developers to brownfield homes being built has fallen. sites as well? 155 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 156

Mr Betts: I very much agree with that. The Select possible to control the worst excesses of the worst Committee is currently doing an inquiry into the operation landlords who will not join voluntary accreditation of the national planning policy framework. One problem schemes. For several weeks, Sheffield city council encouraged can be seen in paragraph 47 and subsequent paragraphs, landlords who were objecting to a licensing scheme in whereby the sites for the five-year housing supply in the one area to apply for a voluntary accreditation scheme local plan have to be viable and deliverable. Developers in the neighbouring area. During that time, only one are now claiming that brownfield sites are not viable or came forward in Page Hall and Fir Vale in the constituency deliverable in the current economic circumstances, forcing of my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, local authorities to revisit their local plans and include Brightside and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett). more greenfield sites. We need to look very carefully at Some horror stories have emerged from the mandatory that problem. The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point, licensing scheme. A classic example is the story of a to which we must give further consideration. cooker that was not properly wired up, but was connected There is nothing wrong with people renting homes in to ordinary sockets by a wire running right across the the private rented sector, and many people are happy in kitchen. In other instances, wiring has been left bare the homes they rent. The real problem is the uncertainty and dangerous. The council is now trying to deal with over which home people will be living in in six months’ those problems, but the Inland Revenue would surely time, which also means uncertainty about which school have a major interest in ensuring that landlords are their children will attend. It means uncertainty about registered so that it can know who is receiving rent from whether they will have to live near their parents or tenants. This is a complete scandal, and we need to put grandparents to provide child care, or about whether to an end to it. live on a suitable bus route for their job. Those are real Let me now say something about the impact of problems—uncertainty and the instability it causes to immigration, a subject that arose frequently during the family life. I therefore suggest that any measures to recent elections. By and large, people do not object to lengthen tenancies and provide more security should be immigration. The problem is the Government’s “one welcomed. size fits all” policy of a 100,000 limit, and the fact that I have made it clear on the record—the Select Committee they are shoving every kind of migrant into a single report said it—that I am not in favour of rent control. If category. People in Sheffield do not object when doctors we try to interfere with the rent at the beginning of a or computer technicians, of whom we have not enough tenancy negotiated between a landlord and tenant, we in this country, come here to do vital jobs. Nor do they will damage the ability to attract private investment into object to overseas students, who are clearly bringing better-quality private rented provision, which is something real income and benefit to the city. Sheffield university we must not do. If, however, we can find a way of is one of our biggest industries, involving a great many making tenancies naturally and usually longer than the people, and there are also long-term benefits to be current six months to a year, we should go ahead with gained from allowing overseas students to study in this it. The proposals from the Opposition Front-Bench country. team are at least an interesting move in that direction, The Government are right to take a firm view on the and I hope the Secretary of State will be prepared at incomes that people should have when they sponsor least to consider them. I am sure he would like to see those who wish to come here as dependants, and to say longer tenancies as well. I think we all want to provide that those who come should be able to speak English. greater certainty for families in the private rented sector. The real problem is caused by economic migrants, We can do more to regulate letting agents. During the particularly those who come from the European Union. Select Committee’s inquiry, we heard more complaints If we remain a member of the EU, as I hope we shall, about them and their activities than about any other we are likely to have to settle for the free movement of issue. The Government have indicated that they want to labour, even if we can mitigate the effects of that in the make the whole process more transparent, so that people case of new entrant countries. However, people who know what they will have to pay from day one rather come from the poorer parts of the EU are likely to enter than incurring hidden charges later. We ought to ban poorer communities. If we, as a society, believe that double charging: it is wrong that both landlord and immigration can provide benefits for the whole of our tenant can be charged for the same service. Charging country, the whole of our country has a responsibility tenants has been banned in Scotland, and the Select to help the individuals and communities on whom the Committee will be looking into that further. It has been entry of migrants will put particular pressure, for instance argued that landlords will simply add their charge to the in relation to jobs and working conditions. rent, but it might be slightly easier for a tenant to pay a We know what happens in many cases. We believe little more rent each month than to find an average of that about 2,000 Slovak Roma are coming into Sheffield £500 to pay the letting agent up front while at the same in Fir Vale and Page Hall and in Darwen and Tinsley, time having to find a deposit, which is often very which are in my constituency. They are given a package: difficult. they are offered a deal whereby when they obtain jobs, I wish the Government would reconsider their refusal which are mostly unskilled and low paid, those who to give local authorities more flexibility in the regulation give them the jobs take money from their pay packets of standards of private rented accommodation. The and use it to pay the rents for the often grossly overcrowded present licensing system is cumbersome, and operates housing they are given. That gets around the minimum only in areas of low demand or where there is antisocial wage legislation because the people do not see the whole behaviour. I am not entirely sure of the merits of a of their wages, and they pay inflated rents because of national registration scheme, but empowering authorities the lack of proper regulation and rent contracts. That to adopt a mandatory registration scheme would provide scam is going on, and we need to toughen up on the necessary degree of flexibility, and might make it regulation and enforcement. 157 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 158

I am pleased the Government are looking to introduce Mr Betts: Yes— greater penalties for failure to pay the minimum wage. We ought to put more resources into that, and look at Mr Speaker: Order. Before the hon. Gentleman gives what local authorities can do to help enforce paying the way, I express the cautious optimism that he is approaching minimum wage, and at the scams that link working his very brief peroration. conditions and working arrangements to housing arrangements. Local authorities will be very well placed, Mr Betts: Absolutely; I will give way to the Secretary through the extra powers to enforce better housing of State and then reach my peroration. conditions and their role in minimum wage enforcement, Mr Pickles: The hon. Gentleman and his colleague to bring those two things together and stop these scams, the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and which undermine the working conditions and job Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett) came to see me and I was opportunities of existing residents and cause a lot of persuaded by what they had to say, and we are working grievance in the local community. We must recognise on a package to be helpful. It has to go beyond money that this is a problem and tackle it. It is not racism to and be about services. I think the hon. Gentleman will oppose such things; it is about people saying, “My job is forgive me for saying he is selling himself short, too, being undercut; my conditions are being undercut; it because what really impressed me from my meeting simply isn’t fair.” with him and his right hon. Friend was his determination My right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, to ensure the newcomers were properly integrated into Brightside and Hillsborough and I have been to see the the system, and the recognition that the failure to do Secretary of State to discuss the pressure on local public that so far was making the situation worse. I commend services that is being generated, and he has promised us him and his right hon. Friend, who sadly is not with us another meeting. I met local doctors in Darnall last today, on the efforts they are putting in. week, because people are complaining that they cannot get an appointment to see their GP. The doctors tell me Mr Betts: That is absolutely right, and one of the that the numbers of migrants coming into the local positive things going on—it is not all negative by any community are simply overwhelming them, and the means—is that the Pakistani Muslim centre had an money that comes for having patients arrives a long open day for the Slovak Roma community a month ago time after the patients arrive. They want to do thorough in my constituency to which over 300 people came. That health checks on people who come from a background was a great event. Also, earlier today I got an e-mail where they are not offered such checks, and that is from the Handsworth junior football club, which is absolutely right, but they also have people coming to going to give a week’s free coaching in August for the them who do not speak English, so every consultation deprived community of Darnall, which has people from takes twice as long. People who have lived in that the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali and Slovak Roma community for years then get upset and angry and communities. It is going to be open house for all to irritated. They cannot get to see their GP, or have to come along for a week’s free coaching. We can do these wait in a queue while others take twice as long as them events on the ground, and my right hon. Friend the with the GP. We have to put resources in to help address Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough and that issue. I are very much involved in trying to stimulate such Resources must also go into the schools where kids activity. are coming in who cannot speak English not just at five, My final point does not relate to the Queen’s Speech, but often at seven and eight. Some of them have not but it was interesting to hear the Conservatives’ major been to school at all, and not only their inability to announcement last week of a commitment to radical speak English but sometimes their behaviour poses a fiscal devolution for Scotland. They have gone further great challenge to the school. I asked one head, “How than the other two parties in that regard, and I commend many of these kids have you got?” and I was told, them for that. We shall not be doing much about that “Thirty. But not the same 30 as last month because they during this Session, however, and we ought to be thinking move around.” Having newly come to the country, they ahead to what will happen after the next Queen’s Speech. tend to be mobile; they have no fixed abode, and they If Scotland votes to stay in the Union, as I very much may be somewhere else in a month’s time. That is a hope it will, and if there is then extra devolution to challenge to schools, to the police and to our housing Scotland and Wales, the really big question that we will services. all have to think about is the English question. Once Therefore, if we believe as a country that there is such devolution has happened in Scotland and, to a benefit from migration, the communities facing those great extent, in Wales, how will we be able to devolve pressures need extra resources and assistance to cope. English government in a way that will rejuvenate our People say to me, “Mr Betts, is it fair that I have been local democracy and give our local authorities greater waiting 15 years on the housing list, but someone can fiscal powers and responsibilities? That is the major come to this country and in six months’ time get a question that we need to be thinking about. house from the council?” Often, that does not happen, 11.55 am but the perception it could happen again builds up resentment. Councils could take action to give more Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden) (Con): It will certainly priority to people who have been on the waiting list for be in my interest to keep my speech relatively short. I a long time, because our communities will think that is rise to speak in support of the Gracious Speech and, in fairer. That could be done, and the Government might particular, of the historic significance of the Modern think about that. Slavery Bill. I realise that it has only a tenuous connection Finally— to the themes we are debating today, but I want to talk about the housing of trafficked victims and I hope that Mr Pickles: rose— the Ministers present will take that into account. 159 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 160

[Mrs Caroline Spelman] The Bill will break new ground because it will pay attention to the need for victim care and support. If it It is no coincidence that my hon. and learned Friend had neglected that aspect of this problem of modern-day the Member for Harborough (Sir Edward Garnier) also slavery, I would be a good deal less enthusiastic about chose to focus on this subject today. The Modern Slavery the Bill than I am. But I was delighted to hear that need Bill is the proposal in the Queen’s Speech with the to improve victim care and support spelled out in the greatest historic significance. Who would have thought Queen’s Speech. I do not underestimate the political that we would need to pass further legislation to tackle challenges of protecting those who admit to breaking slavery more than a century after all the efforts of the law under coercion, but we will never stamp out this William Wilberforce and his supporters? The brutal iniquitous trade in human beings until we get enough truth, however, is that the estimated number of slaves victims to testify. That is why I was encouraged to hear worldwide now stands at 21 million and that the slave that a serious crime Bill will strengthen powers to seize trade generates £150 billion of illegal profits annually. the proceeds of crime as part of this Queen’s Speech. I That is three times more than was previously estimated. firmly believe that some of those proceeds need to come Those figures come from the International Labour back to the victims, which would help them to come Organisation. In this country, the trouble is that the forward to give evidence against the real criminals, who slavery is largely hidden. It was no surprise that the are the ones we need to catch. The care of victims of Centre for Social Justice entitled its report on the subject slavery in our country is nothing short of a scandal. I “It Happens Here”, because it does. I hope that the am sure there will not be a Member in this House who publication of the Bill will raise awareness. has not sat in a surgery hearing from someone—often someone young—who has been brought to this country I could not speak on this subject without paying under false pretences and still remains stateless within tribute to someone who has really raised awareness of our society. modern-day slavery: the former Member of this House, Anthony Steen. In 2006, he began his work of shining a We also face real problems in trying to distinguish searchlight on this iniquitous trade in human beings. between those victims and the genuine criminals. I have He has worked for the Human Trafficking Foundation heard evidence from victims who, just hours before and now plays a pivotal role in raising public awareness. being deported, were saved only by the swift intervention The foundation includes among its trustees the right of lawyers, often working on a pro bono basis and some hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), who was funded by the POPPY project, at detention centres. asked by the Home Secretary to chair the pre-legislative That happens all too often because of the inherent scrutiny Committee. He did so with remarkable skill, conflict of interest whereby UK Visas and Immigration, garnering support from both sides of the House. formerly the UK Border Agency, which is primarily responsible for getting immigration down, is the agency The Home Secretary is to be commended for tackling overseeing the decision about who stays and who goes. this wicked issue head-on. It is also significant that the In some cases those almost deported faced a dangerous whole House came together during the pre-legislative future, returning to families complicit in their trafficking scrutiny stage in recognising that we need to tackle the in the first place. Anyone alleging slavery is invited to matter on a cross-party basis. My right hon. Friend has use the national referral mechanism, which contains clearly been motivated by the shortcomings in the existing questions designed to elucidate their real status. If they law. A good Queen’s Speech should contain legislation get through that, they are given just 45 days’ protection. that brings together, rationalises and simplifies existing That is my point about housing: what are these victims laws that are dotted around in other Acts. This Bill will of trafficking expected to do about accommodation, do that. after just 45 days of protection, while their whole situation remains uncertain? That is a cross-departmental I was surrounded by erudite lawyers during the pre- consideration, so I hope the Ministers here today could legislative scrutiny stage, and I was struck by the fact give it some thought. that the prosecution rate was so poor because of misunderstandings surrounding the definition of slavery. America is ahead of us, with statutory victim care Indeed, those misunderstandings extend as far as the and support. It has a designated independent anti-slavery European directive that covers the problem, which highlights ambassador, with a full-time complement of 80 staff, trafficking. Those prosecutions often fail because victims reporting directly to the President. The plan in this of trafficking stand up in court and swear on oath that country is for a commissioner to be appointed by the they came here of their own free will. Indeed, they are Home Secretary, but an anti-slavery commissioner must sometimes paid to come here, only to find themselves be able to crack the whip round Whitehall, precisely subject to servitude. When we try to prosecute on the because of the example I have just given about the lack ground of trafficking, the case therefore often fails of suitable housing for trafficked victims. We will not be because the witness says that they moved here of their the first country in Europe to have a commissioner; own accord. In a funny sort of way, if the European countries that have developed the role include Finland directive had been drafted in English first, we would and the Netherlands. Of course I understand that the have spotted that problem: trafficking is not actually commissioner needs to have the sponsorship of one the overarching term that needs to be used. We need to Department in order to secure adequate resources from refer to “exploitation”, of which trafficking is an the Treasury, but the commissioner must remain sufficiently aggravation. This Bill is an opportunity to get that independent to put a rocket up the prosecution service, balance right, and we are indebted to such people as as a Home Office Minister put it. Lady Butler-Sloss, who applied her razor-sharp mind to Children who are victims of slavery are a particularly that pre-legislative scrutiny Committee and helped all important concern to us. The Government have recognised of us to understand where these kinds of problems lie. that with pilots for children’s advocates. A young person 161 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 162 does need someone to fight their corner with authorities good people of Barking and Dagenham, but I am and stay on their case. A particularly worrying aspect of afraid that it offers them nothing. The recent European child slavery in this country is the fact that sadly children and local elections placed centre stage the challenges are often send to the UK to serve family members as that many communities face from migration. In Barking slaves, even for sex. One victim told us that even when and Dagenham, we have been dealing with the impact she was allowed to go to church on Sundays, she was of migration on our community for over a decade. forbidden to speak to other people. That shows how we Indeed, the extreme right, in the form of the British need to open our minds and our eyes to the hidden National party, tried to exploit the legitimate concerns slaves around us. We should try asking the chamber and fears that people have when dealing with change. maid, the cleaner and those we fear might be under Although we saw off that divisive, racist and intolerant duress and offer a friendly hand of help where we can. threat, the concerns remain, and there was nothing in the Queen’s Speech to help me or my constituents to Jeremy Corbyn: The right hon. Lady is making an respond to them. excellent speech. She must be aware of the problem of children living in informal foster care with distant relatives The Government’s rhetoric continues to be about in this country, which means that nothing is done to being tough on immigration numbers, but inevitably the regularise their immigration status and they are threatened Government fail to deliver on that promise. When the with removal at age 18, having been completely unaware Government fail, that strengthens and deepens people’s that they had no status whatsoever. The Home Office loss of trust in their politicians, democracy is damaged needs a different approach to the matter. and community cohesion is undermined. Mrs Spelman: The hon. Gentleman raises an important More migration across national borders is a feature anomaly, and it certainly ought to be debated in relation of the inter-dependent world of the 21st century; nobody to the Bill. can turn the clock back on that. The Government I have two more points to make. The first is about the should start tackling the issues on which they can make Gangmasters Licensing Authority’s transition from the a difference and respond positively to people’s concerns Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs—it as well as articulate much more positive messages about was under my wing when I was Secretary of State— the benefits of migration to our economy, culture and to the Home Office. The Gangmasters Licensing communities. If they were to do the practical things, Authority does an excellent job in the sectors of the anger would not be turned on migrants or indeed on economy that it currently covers—agriculture, fisheries second and third generation British citizens who are and horticulture—but sadly, slavery is rife in many scapegoated for our Government’s failures. other sectors, such as catering, cleaning and hospitality. My constituents feel bewildered and frustrated by the I urge all Government Departments to make use of the Government’s failure to respond to their needs. Top of Gangmasters Licensing Authority model to tackle slavery their agenda is housing. They are desperate for a decent in the economic sectors for which they have responsibility. home at a price they can afford. Our need for more Finally, I believe that the Bill must contain a clause homes in Barking and Dagenham has gone beyond a on supply chains. That would make the legislation crisis. Our population is set to grow by around 50,000 world-class. Businesses in general need to reappraise the over the next decade. We have more than 13,000 families risk of slavery in their own supply chains. That has on the housing waiting list, and homelessness has increased already been achieved in America, where the Transparency by a staggering 167% since 2010 when this Government in Supply Chains Act has been passed in California. came into office. Any European company that wants to do business in California must be compliant. The hon. Member for In London as a whole, more than half a million new Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty) introduced homes are needed by 2021 to meet the projected increase a private Member’s Bill on the subject, which I am sure of a million in the city’s population, according to the he would wish me to remind the House of. We need a figures that are produced by the London councils. If we clause in the Bill that tackles the problem. Until businesses factor in existing need, the number of houses needed in are made to report on due diligence, ruling out slavery the capital over the next seven years grows to more than the length of their supply chains, they will continue to 800,000. What is the Government’s pathetic response to be at significant reputational risk and, sadly, the victims this crisis? It is a help-to-buy scheme that most economists will continue to suffer. believe is fuelling the housing price bubble and is anyway The UK has the potential to provide global leadership having minimal impact in helping first-time buyers or on this important issue. Frankly, with our heritage and people in housing need in London. the Wilberforce spirit behind us, we ought to be able to Proposals in the Queen’s Speech simply tinker at the do that, and this Queen’s Speech opens the way. edges and fail either to unlock the potential or to 12.7 pm provide the resources needed to respond to my constituents’ need for decent, affordable homes. The Government’s Margaret Hodge (Barking) (Lab): I start by offering failure to act where they can simply fuels hostility my sincere apologies to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and against migrants and breeds division rather than supporting to right hon. and hon. Members for not being present at cohesion and harmony. There has been too much talk the start of the debate; I was chairing a meeting of the and too little action on housing. The Government need Public Accounts Committee, which was attempting to to stop making grand claims about how many homes hold the Government to account over their major projects. they are going to build and get on with unlocking the I wanted the opportunity to speak in this debate investment to make things happen on the ground. Critical because this is the final Queen’s Speech of this Parliament. to that is getting the essential transport infrastructure in I looked at it to see what it offered my constituents, the place. All I can see, and all my constituents can see, are 163 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 164

[Margaret Hodge] that disused sites can be brought into use and new homes built. They should legislate to penalise both a series of what I call big boys’ toys, such as HS2, for public and private bodies which simply sit on land to let which the case is not yet proven, and Boris Johnson’s its value grow, rather than building homes. vanity cable car project. The Government should lift restrictions on London We need a proper strategy that links up housing, councils to enable them to borrow against their assets to transport and other regeneration so that we can achieve build new homes. Far from weakening section 106 powers, the potential and the prosperity for Barking and Dagenham the Government should strengthen them to ensure that and the east of London that are taken for granted in the a good proportion of new homes are affordable to local wealthier parts of the capital. families. That would be a legislative programme that Let me take Barking Riverside as an example. This is brings optimism and hope to the good burghers of one of the biggest regeneration sites in London. It has Barking and Dagenham, and across east London. That been more than 20 years since the site was first bought would be a pragmatic and serious response to the by Bellway. There have been endless master plans, but concerns expressed by voters in the recent elections. since 2008 there has been planning permission for nearly That is what the Queen’s Speech should have contained 11,000 homes to be constructed on the site. About a and that is what my constituency, London and Great third are supposed to be homes with three or more Britain need. bedrooms, and more than 4,000 are supposed to be affordable. That means that 26,000 people could be 12.18 pm housed on Barking Riverside—half the number of extra people we expect to be living in the borough over the Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): next eight to 10 years. Yet so far, only 360 homes have It is always a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member been completed and another 300 are under construction. for Barking (Margaret Hodge). Tempted as I am to At that rate it will take more than 100 years to complete agree with her about HS2 and the island airport, I think the development. I should move on swiftly. Failure by both the Government and the Mayor to Both my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and take the necessary steps to speed up this development is the Leader of the Opposition have mentioned the D-day a blatant dereliction of duty. Putting the necessary anniversaries—it was also mentioned in the Gracious transport infrastructure in place is part of the planning Speech—and it is right that we should all pay tribute to deal to build these new homes, yet when Boris Johnson those who were involved. However, I should also like to first became Mayor in 2008, he stopped the proposals mention other events. I have not done my research, but I to extend the docklands light railway to Barking Riverside think that it was in this very House in 1944 that a on the grounds of cost. Only in 2013 did he start Member referred to those people fighting in Italy as the lobbying Government for the funding of a cheaper D-day dodgers. Seventy years ago, on his 21st birthday, proposal—to extend the Gospel Oak to Barking line to my father was at the battle of Monte Cassino. Recently, Barking Riverside. However, in the last Budget all we there was a royal visit to Monte Cassino to mark the got was a plan for a plan, with woolly words and no anniversary of the battle. While we concentrate on concrete commitments. The Government said that they D-day, it is also important that we do not forget all would those who fought elsewhere. “work with the Mayor of London to develop proposals”. The right hon. Member for Barking was right to say No funding has been made available. that we need to look at housing, and I believe that we are making efforts in that regard. The other area of The Government are prepared to commit £50 billion concern is that of immigration. There are genuine to HS2, but cannot commit even the £180 million concerns about that issue, but I want to sound a needed to extend the Gospel Oak to Barking line to cautionary note. A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged Barking Riverside. Boris spends £60 million on his cable to have been asked to attend the 105th birthday celebrations car—a facility which, according to a recent freedom of of Sir Nick Winton. I am sure that many people in the information request, is used by just four regular commuters. House have heard of him, but if they have not, he Neither the Chancellor nor the Mayor has committed founded the Abbeyfield homes system. In 1988, his the money needed to unlock the huge potential for wife came across a scrapbook in the attic of his house housing and regeneration in the heart of my constituency. in Maidenhead and discovered that Nick Winton, as a The Queen’s Speech could have delivered for Barking young man in Prague at the outbreak of the second and Dagenham, and for London. We have the land to world war, had helped to get Jewish children out of build a significant proportion of the homes we need. Czechoslovakia into Britain. In fact, one of the people Indeed, there are 4,000 hectares of brownfield land in he rescued was a Member of this House and is now in London alone, about 40% of which is owned by the the other place, Lord Alfred Dubs. I have discovered public sector. Lack of planning permission is not an that, at that time, it was only Britain that was really excuse. In my borough, we already have planning consents prepared to help such children. Those who wanted for at least 20,000 new homes, yet over the past 10 years, to help had to have £50 and be able to find an address the housebuilding average has been around 500 homes a for the children to go to. What struck me was that year. This is about political will. The Government should the parents must have gone through hell being parted use their infrastructure programme to unlock the potential from their children, but they gave them up so that they of communities, rather than feed the vanity of the could go off to find a life—literally, to find a life. coterie of men who control the legislative and financial Unaccompanied children arrive as asylum seekers at purse strings. Heathrow, which is in my borough, next to my constituency. The Government should legislate to ensure a ruthless This is an issue that stirs us up. We have to remember and determined use of compulsory purchase powers so that people are coming here not because they love the 165 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 166 climate; they are coming because they are escaping from having no escape or being too frightened to find any tyranny elsewhere, and we should always remember way out. If nothing else were to be done in this Session, that. we could still be a world leader with this Bill. It is the There are some measures in the Queen’s Speech about most important measure. There are things that the scrutiny which I have concerns. First, I am a director of the Committee has advocated that were not in the draft family retail business—furnishing, which is why I am Bill, and I look forward to seeing whether they will be keen on housing being improved, as long as everyone incorporated—no doubt some will and some will not. I does not shop online—and I want to see some detail on will reiterate a few of those recommendations. the carrier bag measure. Although it is generally welcome, My right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden it is easy to talk about something happening, but the mentioned the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and things practicalities of it and how individual customers and that we could be doing. We want not only increased retailers will be affected will have to be looked at penalties, but to ensure that the activity is simply not carefully. It is good to have noble ideas but sometimes lucrative. As with a lot of crime, but particularly modern-day the practicalities have to be worked out. slavery, one of the problems is that by the time of conviction the criminals have moved all their ill-gotten Nia Griffith: Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise gains around the world. In Italy, where the authorities that the programme of paying for carrier bags has been have experience with the mafia, they now freeze assets a tremendous success in Wales? It has been remarkable on arrest. I hope that we can go some way down that how little correspondence any of us have had against line. It does not mean confiscation; it is simply freezing. the programme and, today, the Association of Convenience People are allowed something to exist on, because they Stores has come out in favour of the measure. remain innocent until proven guilty, but we have to look at such a measure in order to stop the goods and money Sir John Randall: I recognise that, and I have been being taken away. Otherwise, for some of these people, following the issue for some time. In fact, the measure five years in jail is nothing, as long as they have the would save me money because I would have to give out billions when they come out. During debate on the fewer carrier bags. However, we might also be put in an Children and Families Bill, some Members in the other awkward position. My family’s store is not a convenience place were advocating guardians for trafficked children. store and we sometimes sell quite high-value items. If Such a measure has to be included for child victims of someone has bought something for £200 and we then modern-day slavery—I think the Government will do say, “It is 5p for a carrier bag”, that puts the retailer in a so, because they said that they would. difficult position. I recognise what the hon. Lady says, but we do have to think about such a measure. I am an The Minister without Portfolio (Mr John Hayes): I advocate of it, however, because it is environmentally thank my right hon. Friend and the other members of desirable. the pre-legislative scrutiny Committee for their work. Fracking is a more controversial issue and we need Does he acknowledge that the role of the new anti-slavery some detailed thought on it. I heard what the Opposition commissioner will very much be to co-ordinate the spokesperson, the right hon. Member for Don Valley law-enforcement process, including internationally, where (Caroline Flint), said. There is uncertainty on both international co-operation plays the part that he describes? sides of the argument. I agree that fracking is not the Clearly, in consideration of the Bill, the role of the only answer to our energy problems, but some of the commissioner can be looked at in some detail in that stories put out to frighten people about someone turning regard. up outside the back door with a rig ready to drill through their garden are false. We have to get the Sir John Randall: I agree with my right hon. Friend. I legislation right. Strong environmental concerns about am a little cautious, for understandable governmental water and all sorts of other issues have to be looked at reasons, about ensuring the independence of the carefully. I do not want us to rush into this because it is commissioner. No one likes to give up power entirely. a fundamental issue. I hope that we can look at fracking The commissioner’s role will be important, but we have in as non-partisan a way as possible because it is important to recognise that to a great extent, the commissioner for the future of our country. will have to have independence from Departments. That Like my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden is another aspect. (Mrs Spelman), the one thing in the Queen’s Speech My right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden talked that I am most delighted about is the introduction of a about the supply chain and ensuring that businesses modern-day slavery Bill. Like her, I pay tribute to have due regard. I am sure that that theme will be raised Anthony Steen of the Human Trafficking Foundation—I on Tuesday when we are discussing home affairs and declare an interest as a trustee of that organisation—and certainly when we debate the Bill itself. It is one of the to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), most controversial issues, but it is essential. How far with whom I have been privileged to sit both on the that is put into legislation will have to be discussed. I review that the Home Secretary asked him to carry out know that the Government, rightly, do not want to and on the scrutiny Committee for the draft Bill. For burden businesses with unnecessary regulation, but I the past six months, since deciding to no longer keep an think that most businesses, as my right hon. Friend the eye on my colleagues to ensure that they vote in the Member for Meriden said, will want such provision for right way, I have devoted myself to that cause. As with their own reputational advantage, so that they are seen so many things, modern-day slavery is something that not merely to pay lip service to having no slavery in their people cannot ignore once they find out about it. supply chain but to ensure that they do not. Nobody Anyone who has watched and been appalled by “12 Years can be sure at any particular stage and some of the a Slave” must realise that almost the same sort of evidence we heard over recent months has put me off conditions exist for some people today—being kidnapped, purchasing all sorts of items. For example, many of the 167 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 168

[Sir John Randall] I am pleased to make a small contribution to the debate and, perhaps unsurprisingly, would like principally prawns we get in this country, from Thailand and to address some issues about energy. I am somewhat elsewhere, are produced in conditions, which, if we perplexed by the apparent headlong rush to do everything knew more about them, would make us very wary of possible to allow fracking to take place. I remain sceptical buying them. about the potential of fracking and would be more cautious about taking it forward, because despite all the Huw Irranca-Davies: The right hon. Gentleman is claims that are made of a new energy revolution, making a very good point. Does he agree that buyers in the situation in the UK is vastly different from that in the UK can play a significant role unilaterally in this the United States, and even there considerable controversy regard? There are half a dozen significant buyers in the surrounds the technology. garment and food sectors and should they choose to Much of central and eastern Scotland, including lead the field by saying that they will ensure that they parts of my constituency, is included in the latest map are paying people what they need right down the supply of possible sites for unconventional oil and gas. It seems chain, whatever part of the world they live in, so that to me, however, that we need to take a balanced, responsible they can live in dignity and bring up their families, that and evidence-based approach, listening to the concerns could go a long way. of communities, and to proceed with caution. I particularly wanted to raise this issue, because I am a little unclear Sir John Randall: To a great extent, they are doing as to what is proposed in the infrastructure Bill. In that. The problem is that when their suppliers in another Scotland, the situation is different to that in England. country tell them that everything is okay and not to Although onshore oil and gas is vested in the Crown worry, they accept that. It is sometimes very difficult to and subject to the same licensing regime at present as get right down to the problem and that is why many of the remainder of the UK, planning law is devolved and us think that one director or the chief executive should the law of property is also significantly different, and have a legal responsibility, not to penalise that person both are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. but to help the company. In other words, so long as they are doing their very best they will not be hauled in front The changes to the law to allow fracking under of everybody and publicly shamed if something is found properties without owners’permission has already produced to have gone wrong. The idea is to help businesses. a considerable public response. In fact, I received a number of e-mails on the subject overnight. Although I Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): Will my right hon. accept what the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and Friend also acknowledge the excellent work that has South Ruislip said about the amount of misinformation been done through the Department for International and misapprehension over what is meant by those changes, Development’s support in places such as Bangladesh, I had assumed that the proposed changes to the law where the garment industry has been encouraged to would not affect Scotland, since property and land law improve its terms of work and the conditions for its is a devolved matter. However, the notes to the Queen’s staff? UK companies that take supplies from Bangladesh Speech issued by the No. 10 press office state, in relation are being encouraged to work with DFID on that. to the infrastructure Bill: “Subject to consultation, this Bill would support development Sir John Randall: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for of gas and oil from shale and geothermal energy by clarifying and his work in this field. He is a very strong advocate and streamlining the underground access regime.” he is absolutely right. We have to work on this and must Furthermore, in a section headed “Devolution” it goes also increase public awareness. There is always a problem—I on to say: remember discussing it as a furnisher in the context of “The provisions relating to roads, Nationally Significant sustainable timber—in that some people, sad to say, do Infrastructure Projects, planning consents for local projects and not care as long as a product is cheap enough. That is public sector land assets would apply only to England. The true of a lot of items. We must make it unacceptable to provisions relating to the local land charge aspects of the Land have available products produced by slave labour so that Registry and invasive non-native species would apply to England people will be unable to say, “Well, it’s cheap.” There and Wales. Where the Bill deals with devolved matters, we are should be no choice. We in this country should be free engaging with the Devolved Administrations as needed.” of the problem and we should set an example. Now, that raises a question in my mind: what is the There are always things that I would have liked to situation with have seen in the Queen’s Speech and things that I am “streamlining the underground access regime”, delighted to see. If we can get a modern slavery Bill of as the notes put it? Can the Minister clarify whether it is which we can be genuinely proud onto the statute books the Government’s intention to seek changes in Scotland in the 10 or 11 months left to us at the end of this on these issues or is it indeed a specific matter for Parliament, we will all be able to say that we were here England? I had understood that the problem was with when that happened. the specific English law of trespass, a law that is different in Scotland. If the Government’s intention is the former, 12.34 pm what specific changes are they seeking? Many questions Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I am pleased to follow are being asked by my constituents and I do not want to the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip give them false information, so I need to be clear about (Sir John Randall), who made some good points, exactly what is happening and how far it will affect particularly about the modern slavery Bill, and some them. effective comments about immigration and what happens The notes also make reference to the future of North to youngsters coming into the country. I think that that sea oil and gas and the report from Sir Ian Wood on is something on which we could all agree. maximising economic recovery of oil and gas reserves. 169 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 170

This report perhaps already holds a special place in energy Bills. I may well take part in the ballot for private history as the only review to which both the UK Members’ Bills and, if successful, introduce such a Bill Government and the Scottish Government, and almost again. The simple fact is that those who are off the gas everyone in between, has subscribed, even although it grid pay higher costs than those on the grid, and has some fairly uncomfortable things to say to both pensioners are particularly badly hit. The problem in Government and industry. We will, of course, look many rural areas is exacerbated by the fact that much of closely at the part of the Bill that seeks to implement the housing is old and of construction that makes it the proposals, although we have a different view of the very difficult to install energy-saving methods, such as future—these matters will become academic for this cavity wall insulation. place following September’s referendum. Of course, those households will continue to receive It will, however, be interesting to see how the Government the same winter fuel allowances as pensioners on the propose to proceed. They say that they will gas grid, but the crucial difference is how the energy is “introduce a levy-making power so that the costs of funding a delivered. Those who are on the gas grid will receive larger, better resourced regulator can be paid for by industry their winter fuel bill around the time that the winter fuel rather than by the taxpayer as is currently the case.” allowance is generally paid, and the system therefore I support that objective, but as other parties now seem works very well for them. Indeed, in their explanatory to be falling over themselves to offer some crumbs of notes to the regulations that last amended the benefit, further devolution to fight off the growing momentum the previous Government said specifically: towards a yes vote, it will be interesting to see whether “They are paid in a lump sum each winter to ensure that that includes basing the proposed new regulator in money is available when fuel bills arrive.” Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, or whether it will be yet another London-based outfit. That is not the case for those who are off the gas grid. They face the difficulty that they have to pay for their What the Gracious Speech did not do was tackle liquefied petroleum gas or home fuel oil up front at the some of the many issues affecting the energy industry beginning of winter, well before they have the benefit of and consumers in Scotland and throughout other parts the winter fuel allowance. Many find it difficult to do so of the United Kingdom. Over the years in this House, I and may well not fill up the tank completely, leaving have repeatedly raised the issue of the unfair transmission them having to do so in the depths of winter, which charging regime that increases costs for generators, brings problems of its own. particularly renewable generators, in Scotland, adding to the costs of producing energy, which are invariably When the Office of Fair Trading looked at the market passed on to the consumers. After much pressing, Ofgem a few years back, it found that there were many competing finally came up with Project TransmiT, which seems to suppliers in the market. By definition, many of these be interminable. Although far from perfect, the proposal were small suppliers, and although some of the larger was to make some changes to the regime that would players will offer greater flexibility for payment, many have benefited renewable generation, particularly in smaller ones are unable to so. The price of fuel is rising, Scotland, yet its implementation has been postponed often quite substantially as winter approaches, and even yet again and is now promised for sometime next spring. those suppliers who offer a fixed winter price will do so The project has been postponed several times, and at a price higher than the summer price. There is also energy producers and consumers continue to pay more. the problem of getting a delivery. Members will recall Dealing with such issues could do a lot to help ameliorate the dreadful weather two winters ago, during which the costs that consumers must pay towards their energy. many of my constituents faced huge difficulties in getting If this Government are truly intent on enhancing the their tanks filled up, some being left with no fuel in the United Kingdom’s energy independence and security, run-up to Christmas. That was perhaps exceptional, but as stated in the Gracious Speech, they need to get a grip it shows the additional problems that off-grid consumers and ensure that we have a regime that truly encourages face. the growth of renewable energy, which will not only I am very pleased that the Labour Opposition have create jobs but, as I said, ensure lower prices to consumers now supported the measure. I welcomed it when they in the longer term. did so and I welcome it again today, but the cynic in me There are many other issues that impact upon energy notes in passing that I have now had support from all consumers and the cost of living of specific groups three of the other parties in the House for the measure. which could be dealt with to give real benefit and relief, Unfortunately, it has always been when they were in but yet again they are completely missing from the opposition, not when they were in government. I hope Gracious Speech. It is interesting to note in passing that that in the event of a change of Government, this time much was said earlier by the Secretary of State about we will see an all-party approach to try to get the matter companies voluntarily freezing prices. That has undoubtedly dealt with finally. It is an issue that has been going on happened in some cases, but as those of us who looked for years and it is a simple matter that could make a real at price freezes in another context know, it comes at a difference. cost. There is no magic bullet. Along with its proposal As I said, my Bill put forward a suggestion as to how to freeze prices, Scottish and Southern Energy announced we might tackle the problem, as was mentioned earlier significant job losses and pulled out of several investment by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), projects. That must be borne in mind when thinking by paying the winter fuel allowance earlier. The regulations about such a proposal. It is not a one-way street. could be amended simply by changing the date on I have long championed the cause of introducing a which it is paid to off-grid customers. The scale of the simple measure that would help pensioners who live off problem was highlighted this week by a report from the gas grid, and have introduced two Bills on the Scotland’s Rural College which showed that nearly matter, as well as raising it during the passage of various 60% of the over-60s in rural areas are in fuel poverty, 171 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 172

[Mr Mike Weir] 12.48 pm compared with 45% in urban areas. That is a truly Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) shocking statistic. We need urgent action to tackle this (Con): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me situation. to speak in this important debate following Her Majesty’s most Gracious Speech yesterday—a speech which truly The other point that I have often raised and will raise shows that we are on the side of the vast majority of again is that there are no proposals in the Gracious hard-working, decent, law-abiding, responsible people. Speech to tackle the problems of off-grid consumers It is a speech which, despite what the Opposition say, under the present green deal. That is not working as continues to demonstrate that this Government are well as it should, partly because it is left to the energy dedicated to securing our country’s long-term economic companies to set up and administer. There is such a future. complete lack of trust among consumers towards energy companies that many will not take up any deal offered The range and depth of Bills announced shows that by them. One example that I raised earlier and will there is no let-up in our commitment to put right the mention again relates to the lack of ability to get a failures of the previous Government, and builds on home fuel or LPG boiler under the energy company what this Government have already achieved. For the obligation scheme. Opposition to have any credibility, they need to accept In Scotland the situation is slightly different. Under the failures of the past and just say sorry. Until they do, the home energy efficiency programme, the old scheme no one should ever trust them again with the finances of partly for central heating that was introduced by the this country.Their weak attempt to frame this parliamentary Scottish Parliament, it is possible to get an off-grid Session as lacking substance is misguided and shows boiler if it is replacing part of the central heating the desperation of their own argument. As John Longworth, scheme. As I understand it, this is not available in other director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, parts of the United Kingdom and it is not available said: under the energy companies’ ECO scheme. We have “Businesses across Britain will be relieved to see that the repeatedly been told that ECO is technology-neutral government has opted for a streamlined legislative programme, but this is clearly not the case, as none of the companies meaning ministers can devote more time to delivering the best will include off-grid boilers in their schemes. I appreciate possible environment for economic growth and enterprise. Businesses hold governments accountable not for how many bills they pass, that these boilers are more expensive than traditional but for what they actually deliver.” boilers, but that rather emphasises the point that those who are off the gas grid are doubly penalised—they pay I agree. There is much to be welcomed, and it is not much higher prices and at the same time cannot get about quantity but quality. It is also not just about what replacement equipment that would be more efficient. we say here and what is in the speech but what we do Surely there are economies of scale that could reduce and achieve in the next 11 months. prices if the companies offered such technology, but I We have already achieved a lot. When this Government suspect that it will take the Government to force them came to power, the future of our country was by no to do so. means certain. We were in the throes of Labour’s great I am disappointed that despite talking about this recession, borrowing billions of pounds to bridge the matter—I know that the Minister without Portfolio, the gap between income and expenditure; confidence was at right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings an all-time low; and, to top it all, we were informed by (Mr Hayes) took an interest in it he was an energy the former Chief Secretary, the right hon. Member for Minister—the Government have not grasped the nettle Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne), through his now and included provisions to deal with these issues. There infamous note, that “there’s no money left”. It was is a missed opportunity in many of the proposals relating against this backdrop—this toxic economic inheritance— to energy, which could have made a real difference to that the new Government had to set about rebuilding people’s lives. and rebalancing our economy. We abandoned the plans of the previous Government for more borrowing, more Mr Hayes: As the hon. Gentleman cited the impressive spending and more tax in exchange for a real long-term record that I had as the energy Minister, will he economic plan that is delivering growth, employment, acknowledge—I know he is very generous about these and a brighter future than we might have dared to things—that we have made strides in greater transparency expect. Yesterday’s Queen’s Speech builds on that. and clarity, at least in terms of tariffs, and that that progress was partly inspired by contributions from Members Huw Irranca-Davies: In his very outspoken welcoming across the House, including him? of the Queen’s Speech, will the hon. Gentleman reflect on a situation that I am sure affects his constituents as Mr Weir: I have always acknowledged that even off well as mine, whereby as many as one in six agency grid the Minister was responsible for setting up the workers now work under the so-called Swedish derogation, ministerial round table which has opened up discussion which means that some of them are being paid £135 less on these issues. I acknowledge that, but what we need is for doing the same job as the people standing next to action before next winter on these specific issues, because them? Is that how we should be rebuilding the economy? there are serious problems among pensioners in rural areas, and not just in Scotland. In the highlands of Scotland it is a particular issue, but it is also an issue in Stephen Metcalfe: The hon. Gentleman makes a valuable rural Wales, Northern Ireland and many parts of rural point. There are still challenges to be tackled. I am not England. We need action on that. It is not expensive. It saying that the recovery is perfect. There is a long way could be done relatively easily and I am disappointed to go and we need to do a lot more, but the fact that we that the issue has not been tackled. are on the right road has to be welcomed. 173 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 174

There are challenges—there is no doubt about that—and which will show that we trust people to do the right one of them is the overall cost of living, but we are thing with the money they have saved. serious about tackling that by taking the decisions to Above all, I welcome the small business, enterprise resolve these issues, decisions that have been blocked at and employment Bill. As many in this House will know, every turn by Labour. I accept that there is a cost of in my previous life I worked in my own family printing living challenge—we have to; it is a reality—but we were business. I can therefore confirm that running your own always going to have this problem until our long-term small business is tough—always has been and probably economic plan was in place and seen to be working. always will be. If we can do anything to make it easier, Whichever way you cut it, as a nation we were spending then we must, and this Bill goes a long way towards more than we were earning and borrowing the difference, achieving that. People might ask what small businesses and that is what had to come to a stop. We cannot keep have to do directly with the cost of living. I sometimes spending more than we earn. Anyone who has ever got think we forget how important our small and medium-sized into trouble with their credit card or overdraft knows business sector is. It is the powerhouse of the British that at some point they have to stop spending and face economy and—dare I say it?—the backbone of our reality. That is what we did when we got into society. Not until the SME sector is truly thriving will government—we faced reality and we stopped spending we be able fully to tackle the cost of living challenge. so much. Anyone who has ever used a credit card or an There are 4.9 million small businesses in the UK. If overdraft to fund their lifestyle knows that when they even only half of them employed one extra person, we rein in expenditure and start paying back their bills they could wipe out unemployment in a stroke. do not have as much money to spend. That is the That is why this Bill is so important, and I am not the situation we found ourselves in as a nation. Despite the only one who thinks so—the Federation of Small Business toxic economic inheritance we received, we have managed and the British Chambers of Commerce have also welcomed the reductions in spending in a cautious and measured it. John Allan, the FSB’s national chairman, said: way. It has not been without pain, but if we had not “The Small Business Bill, announced today in the Queen’s taken the decisions we have, things could have been so Speech, reflects the growing recognition of the role small businesses much worse than they have been and are. have to play in driving forward the economy and the need to do How do we tackle the continuing cost of living challenge? all we can to support them in that effort.” I believe there are three ways to do that. First, we can John Longworth, director general of the BCC, said: put off the inevitable, keep borrowing and spending, “Simplifying life for small or growing businesses should be an and hope something will turn up. Secondly, we can take objective shared across all political parties.” an interventionist approach and try to con people that That is what I believe we are delivering. A number of we can freeze energy prices, cap rents, and renationalise significant measures in the Bill will go a long way the railways. Thirdly, we can do what this Government towards helping small businesses and thus helping them have done: take the hard decisions, pull our head out of to support their staff in tackling the rising cost of the sand, and tackle the problem head on. The best way living. Unlike Governments or public bodies, SMEs can to deal with the challenge is to create growth and jobs pay their staff only what the company earns, and until and to rebalance the economy so that wages rise at least they can earn more they cannot pay more. in line with costs, and, in the meantime, to mitigate the The first measure that will have a significant impact impact of the readjustment as best we can. For example, on the success of our businesses is the renewed focus on we have raised the threshold at which people begin to late payment. As I said in my debate on this topic pay tax so that low-paid workers who are least able to 18 months ago, small businesses should not be acting as weather the economic storm can keep more of their the bank for large business. A recent survey of FSB money. That measure alone has saved 26 million people members found that 51% of large company invoices £705 each per year. were paid late. That is outrageous. It is blocking tens of We have demonstrated to the markets that we are billions of pounds that could be pumped back into the serious about paying down the debts and closing the economy for the benefit of the majority and not the deficit. This has potentially saved mortgage holders minority. Make no mistake: this is not asking companies over £1,000 for every percentage point by which mortgages to settle their invoices before the due date; it is just could have risen. We have frozen council tax so that asking them to settle them at the agreed terms, whether after five years people are paying the same as they were 30, 60 or 90 days—that is a private arrangement. Paying in 2010, saving them hundreds of pounds. We should on time could significantly increase the profits of small compare that with the doubling of council tax that took businesses. Businesses often function on overdrafts because place under the previous Government. We have frozen of the money they are owed. If they did not have to the fuel duty escalator, making fuel now 20p per litre fund an overdraft, they would undoubtedly have more cheaper than it would have been under the previous money for wages and investment. Late payment of Government’s plans. We have created jobs so that people invoices costs money, affects cash flow, increases overdrafts, have the security of an income. We have created 1.5 million causes anxiety, and demotivates businesses so that they new jobs and now have more people in work than ever do not invest. Anything we can do to improve the before in our history. I could go on . situation by toughening up the prompt payment code is very welcome, but if it does not work, please expect me However, all of the above does not mean I am oblivious to come back here and call for yet further action. We to the challenges people continue to face each and every cannot take our foot off the accelerator on this one. day. That is why I warmly welcome all the Bills announced in the Gracious Speech, including the Childcare Payments Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Is Bill, which will help people to meet the cost of child my hon. Friend disappointed, as I am, that the Queen’s care; the infrastructure Bill, which will enable us to Speech did not say anything about a full review of source cheaper local energy; and the pensions Bill, business rates? I am sure that he has been very conscious 175 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 176

[Mary Macleod] 1.3 pm of this issue and businesses in my constituency talk Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I am pleased about it all the time. We fundamentally need a full to be able to speak in this debate, which takes place in review of business rates in order to come up with a the atmosphere generated by the negative attitudes of fairer tax. the UK Independence party and others in the recent local and European elections. I urge people to be very Stephen Metcalfe: I agree that we need to look at cautious about starting to dance to the tune of xenophobes that. The steps we have taken to ease rates for small and closet racists or, indeed, open racists in their attitude businesses have been welcomed by businesses in my towards society as a whole. constituency, but we need to do more and a full review, I compliment in particular the speeches of the right perhaps with some safeguards for those businesses that hon. Members for Meriden (Mrs Spelman) and for may not be able to weather an increase in rates, is Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) for certainly something we should consider. highlighting the human consequences of what happens The second area of the small business Bill that I to people who migrate from one place to another. We particularly welcome relates to the fact that, despite should be aware of the fact that in every story there is a what banks tells us, small and medium-sized businesses human story and in every tragedy there is a human still find it very hard to access competitively priced tragedy. We should not suddenly shut the doors against finance. Every time I visit my local shopping area or anyone who is fleeing from violence, oppression or destitution, business park, someone tells me of the problems they which is, indeed, what many people are doing. have getting finance in order to grow and invest. I Of course, the situation has consequences for our welcome the steps the Government have already taken society, but people from this country have also sought to ease access to finance, such as the introduction of the to migrate to many other parts of the world in order to business bank, but it is now time to go further, which is make a better life for themselves. This is the way of the why I welcome the steps to force banks to refer businesses modern world. If we start saying that nobody can come to other providers. here, other countries might start saying that none of us We are told that, for many first-time small business can go there. These things go full circle, and we should borrowers, the rejection rate from banks is about 50%, be more cautious in our attitude to issues of migration often simply because the bank’s risk assessment process and society. is so rigid or the sector profile is so inflexible that a I want to make two germane points and I will try to small or growing business is rejected out of hand, adhere to the 10 minutes suggested by Mr Speaker. regardless of how viable or sustainable it is. Therefore, it First, the Queen’s Speech stated: is only right that they can be referred to other banks and alternative providers with different business models. “The Bill will enhance the United Kingdom’s energy independence If the provision fails to improve access to finance, I will and security by opening up access to shale and geothermal sites and maximising North Sea resources.” again call for more direct action to support our vital SME network. I urge a degree of caution before we rush down the road The third measure I particularly welcome is the of fracking all over the country, particularly the north-west, commitment to level the playing field. As John Longworth which will have environmental consequences. Many different has said: organisations hold briefing sessions in this House—it is a form of lobbying and there is nothing wrong with “The vast majority of law-abiding businesses will also favour a that—and I was astonished at the large attendance at clampdown on rogue employers who do not pay the National Minimum Wage”. yesterday evening’s Friends of the Earth briefing on fracking and its consequences. A very interesting speaker Of course those businesses will agree with that. The vast from Australia, where there has been much fracking majority of SME owners and operators are decent, with apparently limited controls, explained what has caring people who often act as the second welfare happened there. She pointed out that a vast amount of system, helping employees cover unexpected costs through water is used for fracking and that it causes pollution loans or advance wages, avoiding other sources of lending. when it is pumped up to ground level. Storage ponds They also often help their staff with financial planning are needed to allow the water to settle and the process and managing their finances. That is because the vast has longer-term environmental consequences. majority of SMEs recognise that their greatest asset is their staff. For those who do not recognise that and who Indeed, the first line of fracking has caused earth want to take advantage, it is right that we crack down tremors in Lancashire, and there has also been a significant and make everyone play by the same rules. number of earth tremors in the United States as a result I believe that those measures, combined with many of fracking. Although it is presented as a cheap form of others in that and other Bills announced yesterday, will energy—any cheap form of energy sounds attractive go a long way to help to tackle the cost of living when we first hear of it, and there is all kind of talk challenge. It is a challenge that we have to rise to, and I about Klondike and the new gold rush—there are two believe that we are doing that. It is not easy—no one problems. One is the congestion caused by extra traffic ever said it would be—but I am sure that, despite the and the noise and other pollution caused by the process challenges faced and the pain we have endured, there is itself, and the other is the clean-up phase afterwards. only one Government who can rise to the challenges we Are we not building in potentially huge costs to the still face, only one Government with a long-term economic public sector in having to clean up all the environmental plan to secure our future, and only one Government pollution that will result from the process? with a parliamentary programme that builds on our Surely we should be thinking even more strongly than achievements. That is this Government and they should we have up to now about energy sustainability and be supported. security, by which I mean not necessarily producing 177 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 178 vast amounts more, but using a lot less through better local government in the solution. After all, local government conservation, better insulation and more efficient forms is the primary housing authority. Why can we not have of transport, as well as, increasingly, the use of renewable some form of rent registration and regulation—London- energy. It is populist to attack wind farms, but they wide—that takes account of the needs and costs of make a significant contribution to our electricity supply producing and providing housing in London so that we and will continue to do so. They do not, of course, do not lose out on the private rented sector altogether, create the pollution problems of fracking or any other but can keep our mix of communities? fossil energy. There will be a huge debate about fracking I would not normally go along with much of what the and I would be very cautious about going down that London chamber of commerce and industry says, but it road, because of the pollution problems it causes. points out in a briefing note sent to Members for The other issue I want to address is housing. I represent today’s debate that of their members in London an inner-city constituency and am very proud to do so. “59% of firms are experiencing a greater pressure to increase We face massive housing problems. We have an image wages as a result of higher housing costs…42% of firms believe problem, in that everyone thinks that Islington is an that higher housing costs are having a detrimental impact on their extremely well-off, wealthy and great place to live. It is, ability to recruit and retain staff” indeed, a great place to live, but the housing market is and totally out of control. A first-time buyer seeking to buy “33% of firms believe that their employees’ punctuality and/or in my borough would need to be on a very substantial productivity is being affected by longer commutes as a result of income indeed, so no MP need think about buying as a not being able to afford to live in the capital.” first-time buyer in Islington. All that is absolutely true. Unless we ensure that there is We also have a large social rented sector—it is mainly a sufficient supply of housing for a whole range of council-run, but there are some housing associations— people in London or any other big city, we will end up which makes up about 40% of the market. Thirty per destroying our communities and increasing the pressure cent. of the population in my borough live in the private on longer and longer commuter rail lines, bus routes rented sector. They pay very high rents and have very and roads, while not actually solving the problem. I good security as a result. Those in the private rented hope that we will be able to make some progress on that. sector who are in receipt of housing benefit or any other My last point on housing is that my local authority, kind of benefit now find that the Government’s benefit like others, assertively uses its planning powers to try to cap affects them in a very damaging way. They are ensure planning gain from any private sector development unable to pay the rent from their housing benefit, and that takes place, as is absolutely right and proper. they cannot make up the gap between their housing Hitherto, it has been able to ensure that any new housing benefit and the rent level from any other benefits or, development of more than 10 units must include a indeed, their wages—their low wages; many people proportion of affordable housing, including a proportion receiving housing benefit are already in work. The of social housing. Many developers try to get around council does not have enough houses to put them in, so that, so the council has levied a surcharge to try to they are forced to move away from the borough to a ensure that there is sufficient money for local housing private rented flat somewhere else in London or, in the development. Islington has done very well. It has one of case of other London boroughs, outside London. That the largest council house building programmes in the means that families have to up sticks and move, caring country, which, ultimately, is the only solution to the and child care support arrangements disappear, and housing crisis. children travel very long distances to remain in local However, the Government came along and changed schools to try to maintain a link with the community in the regulation on office conversions so that these no the desperate hope that there will one day be a council longer require planning permission. A developer who flat available for them to come back to. Not just in my buys an office block can therefore convert it into private borough but all over London significant numbers of sector housing without any social housing requirement very young children make very long journeys every whatsoever, and no local authority or planning authority morning to keep a place in a primary school. has any say in whether the conversion should take Is all this avoidable? Yes, I believe it is. I welcome the place. I can understand the point that some local moves that the Labour party and its Front Benchers authorities might oppose the conversion of office blocks have made on changing our attitudes to the private into housing to retain jobs, and I think that local rented sector, the regulation of letting agents, environmental authorities should have the right to do that and that conditions, longevity of tenancies and the ending of the local people should have the right to have a say. However, ludicrous charging and deposit scheme that many agencies when a large number of office blocks are converted into promote. I suggest that at some point, however, we will housing, with the developer making no contribution have to face the fact that we cannot go on controlling whatsoever to resolving the local housing crisis, it is benefit levels but not rent levels, and therefore forcing time for regulation and for the local authority to have a people who rely on benefits for all or part of their say in the matter. income to move away from the areas where they have For example, Archway tower, near Archway underground traditionally lived and been a very important part of station, which was originally built by London Transport the community. in 1967, has been used for a succession of offices, In introducing a ten-minute rule Bill last Session, I mostly in the public sector, but is now empty. It has pointed out that London was significantly different been bought by a company called Essential Living, from the rest of the country in this respect. Rents are which is converting it into 120 flats for tenants significantly higher and there is a significantly greater earning somewhere above £80,000 a year, which is far churn of people in London than in most other parts of more than anyone earns who works in the area. No the country. I do not see why we should not involve contribution whatsoever is being made to the social 179 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 180

[Jeremy Corbyn] areas and required families moving less than a couple of miles to change surgeries if they no longer live in the housing needs of my borough. That is happening all same GP catchment area. The use of brownfield sites across London; indeed, it will soon happen in cities has therefore imposed more pressure on existing across the country. infrastructure. We therefore need regulation, local government input As a community, we have now reached a decision and more council housing, but above all we urgently point about how to accommodate current population need tough regulation of the private rented sector so growth and where new homes are built. How and where that very many people do not go through the insecurity do we build the 6,000 homes that Fareham needs? and indignity of being forced to move out of their Brownfield sites have largely been utilised, so Fareham community simply because landlords can put up rents faces significant challenges. Do we merge existing to whatever level they like and that they think the communities so that Portchester merges with Fareham, market can bear. Surely we must understand that housing Fareham with Stubbington, and Titchfield with Titchfield is a necessary right for everyone, and that all children Common, creating a ribbon of development along the deserve to be brought up in a decent, clean and dry A27, which bisects my constituency? Alternatively, do household and to attend a local school without the we create a new settlement, where we create a vision for insecurity of moving every six months. the future in which the services and infrastructure are tailored to meet the needs of the new community, rather than being cobbled together from what is already in the 1.16 pm area? Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham) (Con): I shall return to Fareham, as a community, has decided to go down the comments made by the hon. Member for Islington the second route. It will have a new settlement within its North (Jeremy Corbyn) and talk about housing in the borough boundaries called Welborne. It will be on a bulk of my speech, but may I first commend my hon. greenfield site to the north of the M27. I am the first to Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny acknowledge that that is not an easy decision for the Mordaunt), my friend and neighbour, for moving the communities that border the site, such as Funtley, the Loyal Address yesterday? She spoke with passion, wit north of Fareham and Wickham. However, it is supported and great substance, not just about D-day and the Navy by the borough as a whole. Having Welborne in the but about Portsmouth. Portsmouth has had a good borough plan to meet the future housing needs of the week because not only has my hon. Friend moved the constituency protects other sites from development. An Address, but it is the focal point for the D-day celebrations, application to build in the gap between Fareham and and this week the Conservatives took control of Portsmouth Stubbington is less likely to succeed because we have a city council from the tired and discredited Liberal robust plan in place to meet housing demand in the Democrats. I can get away with saying that since none borough. The Government’s planning reforms have been of them are in the Chamber. implemented to good effect in Fareham. This Queen’s Speech is pro-business, pro-work and For Welborne to gain the full consent of the community, pro-aspiration. I want to focus my remarks today on it is vital that the infrastructure is of a high standard aspiration—the aspiration that people in my constituency and is provided when it is needed, rather than when the and across the country have to look after themselves existing services are creaking at the seams. The developers and their family, to provide security for their retirement get that and will finance the bulk of the infrastructure. and to have a home of their own. However, I first want Plans are in place for community facilities, new schools to address the issue of housing. and new GP surgeries. A key part of the infrastructure provision is the creation of a four-way junction at Housing development was a big issue in the elections junction 10 of the M27. That will improve road access in Fareham. Demographic change and a growing to Welborne and the north of Fareham. population mean that we need more homes if we are to That junction is the main ask of the Solent local enable people to get on the housing ladder and if we are enterprise partnership in its bid to the local growth to accommodate the families currently in overcrowded fund. The developers of the site, Fareham borough affordable housing or social housing. The challenge we council, the Solent LEP and I have met the Housing face is where to site the 6,000 homes needed, for sale Minister, the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and for rent, to accommodate the demand. and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member Fareham has expanded during the past 40 years. for Keighley (Kris Hopkins), to press our case for that Where I live in the west of the constituency, there used funding. The £90 million bid from the Solent LEP will to be strawberry fields. In the last decade, the focus of ensure that we get the improvements that are needed to development has predominantly been on brownfield our road infrastructure to ensure that development sites, not greenfield ones or, indeed, strawberry fields. takes place across Fareham and to facilitate improved Although that approach to development has preserved access to the enterprise zone at Daedalus. green space in a predominantly suburban area, there Welborne will meet the borough’s housing needs. have been issues with the provision of infrastructure. Without it, fewer people will get on the housing ladder, We have relied on expanding existing schools, rather there will be significant upward pressure on house than building new ones to accommodate demand. We prices and more families will be forced to live in have tweaked road junctions and lay-outs, rather than accommodation that is too small for them. It is right for building new roads. GP surgeries have become overcrowded. the Government to increase the supply of housing and For example, the Jubilee surgery in Titchfield has about to make it easier for people to own a home of their own. 2,500 patients per GP, compared with an average of Owning one’s own home is an aspiration that many 1,800 patients per GP across the country as a whole. As people save hard to fulfil. It took a decade of hard a consequence, GP surgeries have shrunk their catchment saving for my parents to buy their first home. My 181 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 182 grandparents exercised their right to buy their council to support aspiration in this country. Over the past four house. My family’s experiences motivate me to help years, the Government have made huge strides towards others get on the housing ladder. That is why I support helping people realise their aspirations of work, a home the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which helps of their own and savings. We need to continue that work those who can afford mortgage payments but who do into the next Parliament. not yet have the deposit that lenders require. The measures that the Government have taken, which 1.26 pm have been built on in the Queen’s Speech, to tackle Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): I apologise to you, supply through planning reforms and the schemes to Mr Deputy Speaker, and to those on both Front Benches help affordability are vital to aid aspiration. We will that I will not be here for the winding-up speeches, but I improve social mobility and tackle inequality only if we have to leave the House for personal reasons. make it easier for people to acquire assets such as a I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for Fareham home of their own. (Mr Hoban) because he was a courteous and able I shall touch briefly on the pension reforms in the Minister. He was very courteous in dealing with the Gracious Speech. They form part of the agenda on Equitable Life issues, which were complex. I will touch aspiration. The Minister of State, Department for Work on pensions a little later. and Pensions, the hon. Member for Thornbury and I will start by welcoming some of the measures in the Yate (Steve Webb), should be commended for pursuing Queen’s Speech. Like other right hon. and hon. Members, collective defined contribution schemes. He recognises I welcome the modern slavery Bill. It is an excellent the shift in pensions, whereby the burden of risk has piece of legislation. The draft Bill was rightly scrutinised been transferred from employers in defined benefit schemes before the Bill came before the House. I believe that the to individuals in defined contribution schemes. His Bill will proceed with the good will of those on both approach of tackling that through pooling investment sides of the House. It has been referred to by my hon. should help to reduce the investment risk that the Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) individual faces. and others, but I just want to say that I will be very The pensions tax Bill, which the Chancellor announced proud to be one of the Members of Parliament who in the Budget, is part of a series of radical reforms to helps to push that legislation through. pensions since 2010. The implementation of auto- It is important not to lose sight of one issue in respect enrolment, the move to single-tier pensions and the end of that Bill. We must have adequate resources to ensure of compulsory annuitisation have transformed the pensions that measures can be taken against those who traffic landscape. The Chancellor was right in the Budget to people across our countries. As someone who represents recognise that new landscape and to give people greater a port community, I know how difficult that will be. We freedom in the use of their pension pot. The single-tier must have the right numbers, the right resources, the pension will float most pensioners off means-tested right intelligence and the right kit to ensure that there is benefits. It is right to give people more freedom in how adequate screening at ports and that people are brought they use their pension pot and not simply to roll it over to justice when they are caught. I welcome that piece of into an annuity offered by the pension provider. People legislation. are not getting a good deal from the way in which the annuities market is operating. Freedom will force providers I also welcome the announcement that the Government to sharpen up their act and to offer better value annuities made a couple of days before the Queen’s Speech on and a wider range of products to help people manage pubcos and the need for adjudicators. There has been their income in retirement. cross-party consensus on that. The House works very The key to the success of these proposals is the well on such issues. Many pub landlords in my area guidance guarantee. We need to ensure that people are have suffered over the past few years because of the equipped to make the best choices for themselves. From unscrupulous way in which the pub companies have meeting various stakeholders in the pensions sector, I dealt with them. Many pub companies bought lots of know that that is a cause of concern. How will we property across the United Kingdom at the height of ensure that people have good guidance at the right the market when prices were high and got their fingers point in their life? Simply having guidance at retirement burnt. The victims of that are the tenants who are in is not enough, given that people’s needs change over the tied premises. The proposal is an excellent way forward. period of their retirement. How will we gather together I also welcome the plastic bag legislation. I say that as all the information about people’s pensions and savings a Welshman because in my part of the world, we do not so that we can give them good quality guidance? Will have carrier bags in many places. I feel quite stupid there be a digital service that people can dip into at will, when I take my carrier bags with me to go shopping in or will advice always be face-to-face or on the telephone, London and other parts of England. People look at me which would be more expensive? How will we ensure rather oddly. Getting rid of carrier bags is not the end that people take up the offer of guidance, so that they of the world. It is very good for the environment. It also get the support and help they need to make the most of helps in framing one’s thoughts and buying just the the new freedoms that we provide? If we get the guidance right amount of goods, rather than loading up one’s process right, it will help more and more pensioners to trolley too much, thinking that there will be all those make better use of the assets that they have accumulated free bags. The serious point is that it is good legislation over their working life and ensure that they have the and I will certainly support it. income that they need in retirement. I am rather confused about the measures that are Ensuring that people are able to build up a pension coming out on pensions. I know that the Minister of pot, to save and to have good quality accommodation, State, Department for Work and Pensions, the hon. whether that is in the private sector through owner- Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb) is very occupation or in the rented sector, is important if we are good on the theory of pensions. He knows the subject 183 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 184

[Albert Owen] Michael Ellis: Does the hon. Gentleman think that he is rather like the hypothetical arsonist who starts a fire inside out. However, I am slightly concerned about the somewhere and then criticises firefighters for not putting contradictions in the different pensions measures. We it out quickly enough? Labour has the responsibility, talk about liberating people to have choice on the one which it is abrogating, and this Government have been hand and collectiveness on the other. I want to see more fixing Labour’s problems. detail before we move forward. We do need 21st century legislation on pensions because we are an ageing population, Albert Owen: The hon. Gentleman needs to get out but I want to ensure that we mitigate the risks to and about. That might be what Conservative central workers in the private sector and to those who collect office is telling him, but he needs to get out across the the state pension. country and ask himself why people are genuinely suffering As a Welsh Member I do not often get the chance to as a consequence of the actions his Government have engage with housing issues because of devolution, but I taken. Blaming the Labour party is old hat and will not tell hon. Members from all parts of the United Kingdom work. Carry on doing that, and we will see at the next that housing is a real and big issue whether someone election that the Government are judged on their record, lives in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales or England, not that of previous Governments. and we need to build more houses for the future. We I want to say the three letters that the Prime Minister also need the skills and work force for that—more will never admit to—VAT—because this is about trust bricklayers, plasterers, structural engineers and various in politics. When the leader of a party tells the country things—and it is in all our interests for the United that he will not do something and then immediately Kingdom to have an adequate skills base to ensure that. does it, the country does not forget. This is about trust This is not a partisan issue. Previous Conservative in politics and this Prime Minister. Indeed, to be fair to and Labour Governments have built numbers of houses, the Deputy Prime Minister, before the election he warned but we now face a massive challenge because the that the Conservatives would put up VAT, but he has demography of our country is changing so much. Elderly now jumped into bed with them and is pushing those people need to downsize. Many people who have had reforms through. strokes and suffer from various things are living longer, I think there is a big challenge for energy, and whichever and we need to adapt and build accommodation that is party was in government would have had to reform the fit for purpose. We must help young entrants with the energy market. I supported many of the reforming Help to Buy scheme—I know from my daughters and measures in the Energy Bill, but the cost of living crisis their peers how difficult it is—but we also need to look has pushed up energy prices beyond what is reasonable after older and less able people, and ensure a good mix and what households can afford. I think it is a missed of housing stock for our future citizens. I welcome opportunity for the Queen’s Speech not to contain a legislation that will help that to happen. consumer Bill for helping with energy prices. The consensus ends on energy and the cost of living. The Government ridicule the fact that the Opposition It was interesting to hear the Prime Minister’s opening have come up with a energy freeze, which they say is remarks on the Queen’s Speech. Government Members populist, yet energy companies are starting to do it. The are now all on message to say that the long-term economic Government need to take a lead on that and not allow plan is working, but they have short memories. In 2010 energy prices to go beyond the means of ordinary an emergency Budget by the Chancellor stated that the people. The hon. Member for Angus (Mr Weir) mentioned core of the economic plan was to eliminate the deficit people who are off-grid. The Queen’s Speech contains by 2015, but that has changed. Cuts are being felt by an infrastructure Bill, but no mention of extending gas communities across the United Kingdom, but we have mains to many households in the United Kingdom. not eliminated the deficit and that is a big failure of the Many off-grid households have to pay a heck of a lot Government’s economic plan. It was their words, their more for their fuel. They do not benefit from dual fuel actions, and their failure, and they will be judged on bonuses and are not able to switch in the way that the that as in recent elections and in the future—[Interruption.] Energy Secretary boasts about. They are also paying The hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael considerably more for their energy. The Winter Fuel Ellis) laughs, but I do not think we should be laughing Allowance Payments (Off Gas Grid Claimants) Bill when 5 million people vote for third and fourth parties promoted by the hon. Member for Angus would help to in protest. They are doing it for a reason and the alleviate that, but we need to go further and build Government should be wary of that. infrastructure. Michael Ellis rose— When the Energy Committee, of which I am a member, Albert Owen: I will take an intervention if the hon. discussed shale gas three or four years ago, the Government Gentleman wants to defend the fact that the deficit has dismissed it because they did not think it worth taking not been eliminated. [Interruption.] The Whip states forward—hon. Members can see the responses to that from a sedentary position that the Labour party is not report. We then had another report, and I think it is in power, but this Government said that they would important to have energy security. Rather than importing eliminate the deficit and did not do so. They also said foreign gas and oil, we should produce our own if the they would not raise VAT but did so straight away. They potential is there. However, I am confused about the are raising taxes and ordinary working people across way those measures have been handled, moving towards the country are paying more for fuel, not less, because exploration of shale gas, and from what I heard from every time they buy £1 of fuel, they pay 2.5p extra. The the Energy Secretary today, things are no clearer. reality is not the mythical 20p that the Government talk We must bring communities with us to enjoy the about; it is the real 2.5p on every pound when people benefits of shale gas together, and there should be local purchase fuel. benefits. I am certainly not a nimby and I represent a 185 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 186 constituency that has a nuclear power station, offshore constituencies, from developers desperate to profit from wind farms in close proximity, too many onshore wind generous subsidies. Twelve years ago in my constituency farms—they need to be moved as new development we saw off an application for some 32 wind turbines in takes place—and tidal power. I think we should look at the Winterbourne valley and, more recently—we fought the bigger picture, and find local but also national this over several years—another wind farm at Silton, benefits from a gas and oil bonanza, whether it be in the which at the end of 2012 the inspector ruled was a North sea or from shale. We should be putting aside totally inappropriate development in a country area, on money and ring-fencing some of those profits for local grounds of intrusion on the landscape and historic communities and for national benefit, and that could buildings. help to fund extension of the gas mains that are causing The campaigning has started to pay real dividends, problems for many of our communities. I know that with a welcome commitment by the Prime Minister that those on the Opposition Front Bench are listening to the next Conservative Government would end any these arguments, just as they listened to arguments additional public subsidy for onshore wind beyond about people who are off-grid being protected by the what is already planned and ensure that large-scale regulator. The market does not work in the same way onshore wind farms would be determined by the locally for people who are off-grid, as I explained, and they do led planning system, as opposed to a national infrastructure not have the protection of a regulator. The Labour regime. We need to amend planning policy to give even party is moving forward on that issue, and such measures greater protection to the landscape, heritage and other could easily have been included in the Queen’s Speech. concerns. People are suffering on a day-to-day basis from a cost Solar power is another renewable energy source that of living crisis in the real world. Hon. Members should has enjoyed unprecedented growth in recent years. Similar not take my word for that; they should listen to the action to curb over-inflated solar subsidies in 2011 led former Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. and to cuts in the feed-in tariff that had so long supported learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke). When he the deployment of solar farms. That drove down the goes out and about and listens to people, he hears that cost on consumer bills and, despite the concerns of the there is a problem. There is a problem, and the Queen’s industry, solar has continued to thrive, as evidenced by Speech should have helped to deal with it. Over the next the number of applications across my constituency. 11 months I think that we will go at a slow pace and Back in the Winterbourne valley, where we fought wind little will be achieved. There will then be an opportunity turbines 12 years ago, the same landowner tried to for real choice at a general election, and this failed develop 175 acres—for those who do not live in rural Government will be turfed out because they have failed areas, that is about 110 football pitches—by covering to do the things they said they would, and they have them with wind turbines. I am pleased to say that the done many things that they said they would not do. residents, who probably had a degree of self-interest, took the application to judicial review and it has now 1.38 pm been quashed. Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset) (Con): I am pleased I have no objections to solar power as such, and in to follow the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert most cases it is infinitely preferable to towering industrial Owen). I agreed with some of the things he said, particularly wind turbines, stamping their carbon-intensive footprint that this Government will be judged on their record—I across our beautiful landscapes. However, the Energy am very happy for the Government to be judged on Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill their record at the general election. He mentioned shopping and Battle (Gregory Barker), was right when he said in England, but he should not be too embarrassed at that support for solar as part of our future energy mix taking his bags with him. I take my bags to the supermarket, does not equate to wanting the and the only reason people look oddly at me is because “uncontrolled expansion of solar on the countryside”. I tend to fill rather robust Waitrose bags in a Tesco supermarket. That means, in future, favouring domestic, retail, industrial and commercial rooftops and on-site generation, such This was a good Queen’s Speech. It has been criticised as deployment on brownfield sites and car parks. In my for containing only 11 Bills, but earlier this morning we view, our locally led planning system should be the sole approved the carry-over of six Bills from the previous judge of such developments. Session, so that makes 17. As somebody who is in favour of less government and less legislation, I think it Shale gas—I mention this because it was also mentioned is a good Queen’s Speech—the culmination of a balanced in the Queen’s Speech—is a valuable resource that we programme in the face of the economic and financial should be considering, but when fracking takes place in crisis that this Government inherited. As I said, I am our communities it, too, should come under the control happy for this Government to be judged on their record, of our democratically elected councillors and local and they will be judged on the growth, employment and communities, because they are essential to the decision- inflation figures. making process. Our future energy supply and security must remain at the top of this country’s agenda, but One of the topics we are considering today is energy— that should not mean sacrificing our natural environment whether from solar panels, wind turbines or shale gas. or the quality of life of local communities, whether in How we get it, what we pay for it and what we are Dorset or elsewhere. willing to give up to secure its future continue to be issues. Nationally, I have campaigned hard over the past Let me turn to the final paragraphs of yesterday’s 15 years with many colleagues in this House to change Queen’s Speech, which included the words: national policy in respect of large-scale, badly sited “My government will work to promote reform in the European onshore wind farm developments, in response to a Union, including a stronger role for member states and national veritable barrage of applications faced by rural parliaments.” 187 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 188

[Mr Robert Walter] think it would have been a different conversation on the doorstep, with his constituents and mine, if UKIP had That is fundamental. It is a positive message that, after elevated its conversation to talk about the real issues the European Parliament election results—which sent around pressures on services, and if, for example, Nathan us a clear message—says that we need to look positively Gill, the UKIP MEP elected in Wales, had fronted up to at how we develop our relationship with the European the fact that, as we now know, he employed immigrant Union. labour for his own business. It seems to be a case of do The rise of UKIP and other far-right movements asIsay,notasIdo. across Europe is a manifestation of the electorate’s disapproval of mainstream political parties and their Mr Walter: The hon. Gentleman is very perceptive, handling of the financial crisis that engulfed the world, because I have Nathan Gill’s name written down here and particularly some European states, in 2008. Their and I was going to mention him in a moment or two. dissatisfaction is justified, but the European elections I want to continue briefly talking about Nigel Farage, come at a time when the British and European economies because in UKIP terms he is quite moderate. What are turning the corner. With growth on the up—that it concerns me most, when listening to many UKIP members is not just my assessment; the International Monetary and supporters, is that they use the word Gypsy, which Fund and the OECD have indicated that in this country is for them Roma, which means Romanian, which therefore growth is up and, although modest, consistent, with means that all Romanians are criminals. Bringing together employment numbers rising—I think the overall sentiment those terms in a very ignorant way is something our towards the European Union has been improving, both hard-working European partners find deeply offensive. at home and across the rest of Europe. Despite UKIP’s The hon. Gentleman mentioned Nathan Gill, the newly- rise in popularity, 70% of the voters who turned out in elected UKIP MEP for Wales, who has been employing the European elections voted for parties that want large numbers of eastern Europeans and accommodating Britain to remain part of the EU. them in bunkhouses, for which he then charges them I urge all the mainstream political parties represented rent. I think he has probably done a great service for his in this House not to use the EU as a fig leaf to cover own pocket. Whether he has done a great service for the other failings. What is needed is leadership and real British economy, I am not sure. solutions to the challenges facing this country and If we are going to look at migration, we must remember Europe. The populist and xenophobic panaceas offered that some 2.3 million EU nationals live in the United by far-right parties are not the answer, as our not-so-distant Kingdom. It is estimated that they contribute about history has shown us. £25 billion to the UK economy. In fact, there are fewer Unfortunately, UKIP Members of the European eastern Europeans living in the UK than there are UK Parliament have consistently failed to work for their nationals living in the rest of Europe. Some 1 million constituents and promote British positions. For about a UK nationals live either permanently or temporarily in month, I tried—not particularly scientifically—to ask Spain, which is 300,000 more than the number of Poles virtually everybody I met in my constituency whether living in the United Kingdom. However, most of the they could tell me who were the two UKIP Members of Poles living in the United Kingdom are here to work the European Parliament for the south-west. I did not and to make a contribution, whereas most of the UK find a single person who could answer the question. nationals living in Spain are there to use the local Many of them knew who the three Conservative MEPs services because they are retired and elderly. were—and the one Liberal Democracy MEP—who, I We need a sense of perspective, because we have a have to say, have all been diligent over the past five great opportunity. This year we are negotiating a new years, working hard for their constituents. The UKIP trade deal with the United States—the transatlantic MEPs are the least hard-working of all MEPs. At a trade and investment partnership—which will bring time when Britain in Europe needs all hands on deck, together 40% of the world’s GDP in one effective single they have been sleeping on the job and I do not expect market. That deal is too good to turn our backs on. I the new batch to perform any better. It is more important therefore hope we can turn our backs on the UKIP that the rest of the MEPs we send to Brussels are remedy for our problems. I hope we will treat the influential, involved, active and constructive, and are commemorations this year of the first world war and prepared to engage, build alliances, lead, write reports the 70th anniversary tomorrow of the D-day landings and vote on the decisions that affect all of us. and the start of the liberation of Europe as a siren call Of course, Nigel Farage is popular. He is the average to build on what the founding fathers of the European bloke we might meet in the pub—well, not quite average. Union saw as the goal. It is not a centralised Government The answer to every problem, as far as he is concerned, in Brussels; it is the European nations working together is either Brussels or immigrants; or, if we put them in harmony for the prosperity of all our peoples. together, “It’s foreigners”—although not his wife, who happens to be German. He complains about hearing 1.54 pm foreign voices on the train. When Mr Farage is on the Eurostar, travelling to Brussels, and he crosses the Belgian Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I border, does he speak Flemish or French? I wonder thank the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr Walter)—or what the answer is. rather, I do not thank him because I am trying to wean myself off the subject of Europe but I cannot, given his Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the hon. Gentleman for speech. It is 39 years to the day since the United giving way, and for his considered comments on UKIP Kingdom, by a majority of two to one, decided to and those on the more extreme edges of the debate. The remain in what was then the European Economic point he makes about immigration is moot, because Community. It is interesting to remind ourselves that in people are talking about it on the doorstep. However, I March of that year Harold Wilson declared: 189 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 190

“I believe that our renegotiation objectives have been substantially Secondly, I am a Birmingham, Edgbaston MP and though not completely achieved” my predecessor was a man called Neville Chamberlain, and that the Government would recommend a vote in who was the son of a man called Joe Chamberlain who favour of continued membership. As I was reading that, died 100 years ago. Joe Chamberlain was a Unitarian I wondered whether there is not a Prime Minister who did not approve of statues, so Birmingham does somewhere who might be tempted to use a similar not have a statue of him. However, every day I go up the phrase not too far ahead in the future. As the hon. stairs to my office and there in front of me in the Gentleman was speaking, I checked the turnout in the Committee corridor is Joe Chamberlain with his orchid European elections. For different reasons we may have and a monocle. He turned what was then one of the started on the same side on the subject of Europe and country’s worst governed cities into one of the best in are no longer on it, but does he not share my extraordinary three years. He did that after being elected as ceremonial distress at the turnout? This year it was 19.5% in the mayor and making himself executive mayor. He Czech Republic, 28.9% in Hungary, 13% in Slovakia, municipalised water, which, as a public good, was not 25% in Croatia, 22% in Poland, 20% in Slovenia and allowed to make a profit. He municipalised gas, which 36% in the UK. The turnout in the referendum 39 years was allowed to make profits that were used to subsidise ago was 67%. That shows us a disengagement and the business rates. He had a huge housing programme democratic illegitimacy that national Parliaments will and he went for free education across the city. He failed not address. That is not the subject of my speech, in his attempt to make education completely secular however. What I really want to talk about was not in the and non denominational; something which, more than Queen’s Speech: cities. 100 years later, Birmingham may regret. I care deeply about cities and I want, in this context, The key thing was that he was a local leader who gave to talk about the core cities, particularly Birmingham. up the town hall, with regret, to go to Westminster. He My hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield South East was said to have made the weather. How many civic (Mr Betts), the Chair of the Select Committee on leaders do we have these days who we can say are Communities and Local Government, said in his final making the weather? We can say it of Ken Livingstone sentence that the real problem we have not addressed is or Boris Johnson, but the names of Richard Leese and devolution in England outside London. At the moment, Albert Ball ought to be rolling off our tongues in the we might be slightly more concerned about devolution way that the names of Cabinet Ministers do. But they in Scotland and the vote in September. I am concerned do not. about that, but the truly unfinished business, which With the greatest of respect to the DCLG teams on none of the party political manifestos, as I see them either side of the House, DCLG questions is hardly the emerging, have so far addressed and neither did the big ticket seller. Anyone who seriously suffers from Queen’s Speech, is the question of what we do outside insomnia could not be better advised than to take a London. lesson on how central Government is funded. There is One of my great regrets is that towards 1999 and nothing designed to send someone to sleep faster than 2000, there was a huge tension in the Labour party over being given central Government funding formulae. Yet whether to go for regional government or city regions. funding is where the money lies. Remember the line In the end, we went for neither. That, combined with about Watergate? “Follow the money.” When we follow the abolition of regional development agencies, has the money, we will also find where the power is. This is meant that we now have a situation where the local why the money that comes from central Government enterprise partnerships that have replaced them might cannot be at the grace and favour of Westminster or not have the capacity to deal with that issue. They may Whitehall, which decides by pitting city against city or be too small in their configuration to be truly strategic. rural against urban. Our big cities need independent With the exception of the Secretary of State for funding streams. Communities and Local Government, who I would not The council tax model is beyond repair. Previous dream of offending as he is in the Chamber, there are speakers talked about how great it is that council tax is only a few people who understand the problem and are not increasing. In our big cities we have a history of putting forward plans. I would like to mention Lord council tax being artificially held low. Governments of Heseltine and Lord Adonis. On the Government Benches, both parties have talked about re-banding, but then lost the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, the right hon. their nerve. We are not re-banding, unless the Secretary Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), who has of State tells us that we are. On top of that, we have a responsibility for cities, understands what needs to be cap which says that beyond a certain level we are going done, but I am not sure whether he has been given the to need—[Interruption.] Yes, it is a cap. It requires a means to do what is required. referendum. I recognise that it is a cap in everything but There are two things I need to say in this context. name. First, I am German by birth. Actually, I am Bavarian by birth. Bavaria has a population of 12.5 million. It is in Barry Gardiner: If the cap fits? itself a federal structure made up of seven units. Its capital, Munich, has been a socialist city since time Ms Stuart: If the cap fits, I wear it. immemorial and it is surrounded by a conservative The funding streams for our cities are not working, state. It is so conservative that when the Christian which is a problem. I want to spell out some stark facts. Democrats win it is not a question of whether they win I can pick any set of statistics and paint whatever but by how much they win. The important point is that picture of Birmingham I choose. It could be the most I understand subsidiarity, federal structures and the enterprising, the fastest growing and the most amazing importance of cities in generating wealth. Cities are city that has everything: theatre, football, ballet, orchestras. the engines of economic growth—they do not reflect You name it, we have it. On the other hand, we have just the national economy. about everything that is dark. We have the fastest growing 191 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 192

[Ms Gisela Stuart] honest and balanced picture of the city of Birmingham. She gave startling figures on the disengagement from population under the age of 25; 40% are under 25 and the EU in terms of the voter percentage turnout. I 30% are under 15. On family patterns and in terms of agreed with her on devolution in England outside London family sizes, we are Bradford. In terms of skills gaps, we and on cities being the engines of economic growth. As are Leicester. In 18 months’ time, on the current trajectory, a London MP, I completely agree on that. We only need the city could go bankrupt. This is not just scary talk; it to look at the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to see is the truth. What does that mean? In order to give our how successful a mayor can be and what he and his cities proper power and to make them work properly, team can deliver. we have to look at different ways of dealing with them. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for We are told that Deutsche Bank is coming to Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) on her outstanding Birmingham and creating 1,000 new jobs, but I have proposal of the Loyal Address yesterday.It seems incredible talked to Network Rail in the context of Birmingham that she is only the second woman to propose the Loyal New Street and asked what has surprised those most Address in the 57 years of Her Majesty’s reign. Of involved in the five years of the New Street regeneration. course, it was ably seconded by my hon. Friend the I was told that it was the increase in regional commuting. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette We have a city with ten constituencies, of which two are Brooke). consistently in the top three of youth unemployment and general unemployment: Hodge Hill and Ladywood. Ms Gisela Stuart: I was reading the speech this morning. We then create 1,000 jobs for Deutsche Bank in or on I thought it was stunning, including the reference to the edge of Ladywood, and all that happens is that we Eric Prickles, which I really loved. However, I do not bring in employment from Warwickshire, Solihull and think that the hon. Member for Portsmouth North Worcestershire. The problems building up in the city are (Penny Mordaunt) was the second woman; she may be not being addressed. the second Conservative. Just for the record, I distinctly There are some things that Birmingham can do by remember Oona King moving the Loyal Address from itself. I am working on something called the Birmingham our side. baccalaureate, which is trying to combine the English baccalaureate employability skills with what local employers Mary Macleod: I thank the hon. Lady for that correction. want to make sure that when we create jobs, we also My hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North was create the kind of jobs that they will respond to. For our the second Conservative woman to propose the Loyal cities to grow, we must make sure that the wealth that is Address, and I was very pleased she did. She did herself, generated in the cities stays in the cities. her party and her constituency proud. That takes me to the one thing that grieves me the We heard earlier from my hon. and learned Friend most in the last five years: the wretched imposition of the Member for Harborough (Sir Edward Garnier) who police commissioners, whom I would abolish tomorrow talked about the Gracious Speech in terms of less is without shedding a single tear. We made having more: there was less legislation in it than expected. I directly elected mayors the subject of a referendum, completely agree with him and with others that less which was a big mistake. If we want to devolve power in government and less legislation is a good thing and that England outside London, we need strategic directly we have quality and not quantity in the year ahead. elected mayors. We need them to work on boundaries I was personally disappointed that my ten-minute that are beyond the local authority boundaries. If we rule Bill on the succession to hereditary titles and look at the Birmingham city boundaries and at the estates was not included. I am sure, Madam Deputy NHS commissioning boundaries, the latter go by patient Speaker, that you are as amazed as I am that in the vast flows around the hospitals, which are not respecters of majority of cases women in this country still cannot local authority boundaries. inherit hereditary titles or estates. Of the 92 hereditary We may think cities are about buildings. They are peers in the House of Lords, only two are women. At not. They are about flows of people. It is our job to some stage—hopefully sooner rather than later—that provide the structure for the flows of people, and to really needs to change. make cities thrive and be economically successful. What We have already heard about the importance of this I really want—it was not in the Queen’s Speech—is year as the centenary of the start of the first world war. strategic elected regional mayors. I want direct flows of Another important event this year was mentioned by finance to go to the city units. I do not care whether it is the hon. Member for Angus (Mr Weir) who spoke a property tax, a percentage of VAT or whatever; they about the Scottish referendum. I hope that many Members need a consistent and reliable stream. That is a challenge will get involved in it. I believe it is important to give for all of us as politicians. Scotland more fiscal powers and I hope that we can My last point is that we need to realise that doing the debate that issue before the referendum takes place in same everywhere is not only not fair, it is inappropriate. September. I believe that the Scottish people are sensible Divergence and differentiation—horses for courses in and pragmatic and that Scotland is an enterprising different places—is something that is politically difficult nation, and I hope and feel sure that the Scottish people to accept but, in terms of devolving power properly, is will do the right thing and affirm that we are better the right thing to do. together. The legislation outlined in the Queen’s Speech underlines 2.7 pm the Government’s commitment to delivering our long-term Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): It is economic plan. As my hon. Friend the Member for always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr Hoban) said, it is all about being pro-work, Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart), who painted an pro-business and pro-aspiration. The last year before 193 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 194 the general election is an appropriate time to look back now more women in work than ever before, and more at the last four years. Unlike the right hon. Member for female entrepreneurs than ever before. A lot has been Barking (Margaret Hodge), I think that this Government done to help support them. can say a lot about what they have achieved—whether it The Prime Minister was good enough to visit me in be cutting income tax for 25 million people, taking Brentford to meet some of my female entrepreneurs, 3 million of the lowest paid people out of tax altogether, who certainly spoke very clearly to him about where cutting the deficit by a third, helping businesses create they needed further support. Whether it be “lovegiveink”, 1.5 million new private sector jobs, creating 400,000 Anila’s Sauces, Plumber UK or SprinkledMagic, these more new small businesses, making our corporation tax small businesses have been set up by enterprising women the lowest in the G20, getting net immigration down by who will, I am sure, go from strength to strength. We a third—I could go on. We need to recognise the many just need more of them. The Small Business, Enterprise things that this Government have achieved in difficult and Employment Bill will, I think, help even further: it circumstances over the last four years. is all about building a stronger economy and supporting As I look locally at Brentford and Isleworth in west businesses. It should help to deal with some of the London, I can see what those things mean for my issues that many businesses talk to me about—access to constituents. We are in the top 10 constituencies for finance, late payments, access to Government contracts, business growth across the country. Since 2010, red tape and so forth. Those things are all important to unemployment has gone down by 25% and youth small businesses. This Bill will really help them by unemployment down by 38%, while crime has gone reducing the burden of regulation, helping them to get down 15% across the borough—the second biggest paid faster by large companies, and supporting them decrease in London. There is much, then, to be recognised through public procurement—I want to see many more in what has been done in my constituency of 95,000 small businesses getting the opportunity to get a slice of voters and 120,000 residents—one of the biggest in the the bigger contracts that are often difficult for them to country—including the Mayor’s outer-London fund in secure. The Bill will provide support for the low paid giving Brentford and Hounslow £4.8 million. Businesses and help pub landlords to get a fair deal. This Bill, the are expanding; the new BSkyB campus hopes to increase first of its kind, will achieve much for small business. from 8,000 to 12,000 people; a new free school has been Secondly, supporting child care is crucial to help set up; and the Health Secretary has prevented the people at an important time of life. This Government closure of A and E at Charing Cross hospital and has have already done a lot to support it, although there is secured £50 million to build a new hospital. certainly more to do. I was at a meeting this morning Much has been done, but there is, of course, more to with Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of easyJet, do, which is what we have in front of us today. I believe and there was a whole range of talented business women that this Queen’s Speech was all about helping families in the room. She spoke of her frustration at how many and backing small businesses. As the small business great women in the middle ranks of business drop out ambassador for London, I would like first to look at of their careers, partly owing to the high cost of child what this means for small businesses. Secondly, I want care. We really need to try to do more to help with that. to say a few words about support for child care in We have already funded 15 hours of free child care a helping families. Thirdly, like other Members I shall week for all three and four-year-olds and introduced speak about housing. I shall also mention supporting shared parental leave, which will make a difference. This schools and finally touch on the Modern Slavery Bill. Bill will offer tax-free child care to almost 2 million On small businesses, my hon. Friend the Member for families, meeting 85% of the child care costs of families South Basildon and East Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe) on universal credit. That will affect people’s lives ably mentioned the challenges that he and small businesses fundamentally and make a real difference to families in have to face generally. He reminded us of how important my constituency and elsewhere around the country. small businesses are to the economy, making up 99% of Thirdly, housing is very important, as some hon. all UK businesses. If all the sole traders were to take on Members have mentioned, and it is a particularly big just one person, we would eliminate unemployment issue in London. I was very pleased to take my right across the country, as he said. That provides an important hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and sense of perspective. A lot has been done to support Local Government to Brentford to see some of the small businesses, whether it be through encouraging developments taking place there, particularly how Brentford start-ups, through StartUp Britain or the “Business is has been completely transformed from Commerce road GREAT” campaign, through start-up loans, the new to the south side of the High street right up to Kew enterprise allowance or by encouraging growth through bridge, with many new housing developments taking reducing corporation tax and extending small business place. From 2011 to 2021, the population of London is rate relief, increasing investment allowance and doubling expected to rise by a million, so we will hit the 9 million the lending for export finance. mark before New York and approach 10 million by Increased access to finance in general is important, 2030. The hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy with the setting up of the Business bank and the Corbyn) mentioned population growth in his contribution. introduction of the enterprise finance guarantee. Improving Those figures mean that we need at least another skills is relevant, too, with 1.7 million new apprentices 450,000 jobs for Londoners in the next 10 years, and since 2010, making a huge difference to young people’s another 400,000 homes. It is therefore important for us lives. We have seen 17 new university technical colleges, to support people and help them to meet their housing with a further 33 in development. I would really like one needs. I am pressing my local authority in Hounslow to in west London, so I hope to work on that over the next provide a much better mix of housing, and to ensure year. We have cut red tape, improved business advice that affordable housing is available so that people can and achieved much for women in enterprise—there are live where they need to live. I hope that the Secretary of 195 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 196

[Mary Macleod] the hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Dame Anne Begg), and this afternoon by the hon. Members for State will consider a measure aimed specifically at London, Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) and for Brentford possibly in connection with the Help to Buy scheme. and Isleworth (Mary Macleod). It is a fact that until Perhaps the Government could guarantee a higher yesterday only one woman, namely Lady Tweedsmuir, percentage, or perhaps something could be done to help had proposed the Loyal Address, but Oona King and people who aspire to buy their own homes but who find others have seconded it. I thought that if I enlightened it difficult to raise a deposit of 10% or 20% when house the House, it might help to keep the facts straight. prices in London are so high. My borough is the fourth fastest-growing in London, 2.24 pm and I know that we need skills to support population Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I am growth. I have taken the Secretary of State to see a grateful for the chance to participate in the debate, and potential new school site in the ISIS housing development it is nice to be doing so just after the length of time that in Commerce road, and I hope that it can be pushed it has taken for women to be able to contribute to the through with the help of Hounslow council and the proceedings of the House has been highlighted. I know Department for Education, because there is an intense that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, the hon. Member local need for new primary schools and, subsequently, for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary Macleod) and others secondary schools. Much more needs to be done to help are especially pleased to celebrate that today. cities with problems relating to population growth, housing and education. I believe that my constituents who watched the Queen’s Speech were looking for measures that would give them My right hon. Friends the Members for Meriden a sense of confidence and security about the future—a (Mrs Spelman) and for Uxbridge and South Ruislip sense that there would be secure jobs, that they would (Sir John Randall) spoke very articulately about the have stable homes, and that they would be able to get on Modern Slavery Bill, as did the hon. Member for Islington rather than having to scrape by wondering from week to North. The hon. Gentleman said that every story was a week how things would pan out. There were a few human story and every tragedy a human tragedy, and welcome measures. I was pleased to hear the announcement how right he was. Female genital mutilation has already about free school meals, and any investment in helping been mentioned today, but the Government are also families with the cost of child care is welcome too. trying to do more this summer to raise awareness of However, I want to say something very clearly and forced marriage. Pupils at some of my local schools go strongly to Ministers about an issue that is brushed off on holiday to places such as Pakistan during the aside each time it is raised. summer, and forced marriages take place during that time. Far too many people in this country who are in work are working in poverty, and that is simply not acceptable. We all need to speak out about such issues. I think The measures that Ministers talk about, such as the that the Modern Slavery Bill will form part of our raising of the tax threshold, are not sufficient on their legacy, and I hope that Members on both sides of the own, because the lowest-paid workers, particularly those House will work together to deliver what I believe will on zero-hours contracts, are unlikely to benefit from be one of the first Acts in the world to deal with them. Any fiscal measures must be accompanied by practices which, although we can hardly believe it, still much firmer and more determined action on low pay. take place across the world: human trafficking, slavery, That is why we have spoken of the need to be much forced labour and domestic servitude. If all Members more proactive in addressing the phenomenon of zero-hours stand up against those practices and speak with one contracts, and to take much more energetic action to voice, they can have an immensely powerful influence. ensure that the national minimum wage increasingly The Bill will protect victims by introducing an anti-slavery becomes a wage on which people can live and raise their commissioner and tougher measures to ensure that families. slave drivers face justice. I am sure that we in the House can say with one voice that the actions of such people I also think that we should take much firmer action will not be tolerated, and that we will definitely do in bearing down on some of the basic living costs that something about it. families face: the costs of food, energy and housing. I agree with other Members who have drawn attention to I am entirely in favour of the measures that were the need to increase affordable housing supply.In Trafford, announced in the Queen’s Speech. The best way to in my part of Greater Manchester, housing costs are ensure that there is a good standard of living for all is to relatively high. They are not on the scale experienced by continue to support the working economy and encourage Members with seats in London and the south-east, but, everyone to make the most of the opportunities that are in Greater Manchester terms, Trafford is an expensive available to them. I commend the work that the Government place in which to live. That applies particularly to have already done to help businesses and hard-working people in private rented accommodation, who constitute families, and I welcome the developments that are still a substantial proportion of my constituents. to come in the year ahead. Those people will be very disappointed by the deficiencies Several hon. Members rose— in the Queen’s Speech in this regard, because they are already being priced out of their accommodation. If Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. they complain about its quality, the landlord will tell It may help the House if I clarify a fact before I call the them to move out, and the knowledge that the landlord next speaker. The issue of the gender of Members of holds all the cards makes them feel deeply insecure Parliament who have proposed the Loyal Address was about their tenancies. It is very regrettable that the mentioned yesterday by the hon. Member for Portsmouth Government have not been more active in relation to North (Penny Mordaunt)—in an excellent speech—and that substantial housing sector. Many people in my 197 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 198 constituency aspire to own their homes and we want to Friends of the Earth reports that Trafford council support them, but we must recognise that a large number failed properly to consider the climate change impacts of people are living in private rented accommodation, and did not therefore require an environmental impact and will continue to do so because they cannot afford, assessment for the IGas application for coal-bed methane or do not have stable enough incomes, to commit themselves testing and production at Davyhulme. Therefore, we to buying their own homes. I implore the Government have not had a full environmental impact assessment of to think about what more can be done for those households. the likely consequences of such activity. Moreover, the However, it was energy that I really wanted to discuss Environment Agency has allowed exploratory drilling this afternoon. Let me first say a little about energy at Barton Moss next door, in the constituency of my costs. We must all be relieved that last winter was so hon. Friend the Member for Worsley and Eccles South. mild. I know that many of my constituents really fear It seems to be quite untroubled by the fact that the IGas their energy bills—especially disabled people, older people application to undertake such activity made it clear that and those who are bringing up young children, because it would be storing hazardous waste extracts on site. they are at home more often, and because the vulnerability That is not covered by the Environment Agency permit, of many family members requires the heating to be yet nothing appears to have been done to prevent it turned on and turned up. It is because of that real fear from carrying on with the activity. There needs to be that I want to say to Government Members that their more transparency and the regulatory regime needs to scepticism about Labour’s 20-month price freeze is totally be much more effective if people are to have any confidence misplaced. The proposal has been greatly welcomed by in this form of exploration. My constituents are very my constituents, because it will give them a chance to sceptical about whether they are being given all the manage bills and to plan a bit—perhaps to set some facts. money aside for a rainy day to cope with day-to-day living expenses. I think that Government Members Huw Irranca-Davies: My hon. Friend is making a should think carefully about the nature of that commitment, very good contribution on hydraulic fracturing. Last and about what more can be done to encourage other year I visited Pau in southern France where for a couple energy companies to follow the example of those that of decades work has been carried out on carbon capture have already shown what can be done. and storage underground. There is extensive seismic I particularly wanted to speak about energy supply, monitoring and monitoring of gas and so forth. It in the context of the importance of energy security and would be helpful if Ministers explained to us what managing climate impact. The issue is of huge concern long-term monitoring there would be of any sites where and interest in my constituency, and it is also an issue of hydraulic fracturing is used. considerable pride. Trafford college is at the cutting-edge in offering renewables installation training, for instance. Kate Green: I agree. There must be both the monitoring It is also a very live issue in my constituency, because and the publication of the outcome of that monitoring there is real concern about the environmental impact of and absolute openness and transparency about the impact. the fracking measures announced in the Queen’s Speech, My constituents are also anxious about the Government’s and that is what I want to talk about this afternoon. proposals to allow fracking companies to drill under The north-west has been identified as having significant people’s homes or properties without permission. I am shale gas and coal-bed methane fields and drilling has pleased there is to be a consultation. The Secretary of already begun, for example just over the border from State said this morning that there would be a full my constituency in the constituency of my hon. Friend 12-week consultation on this, but I am puzzled as to the Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara where the Government are coming from because yesterday, Keeley). There are also live proposals for a coal-bed in response to a question from the hon. Member for methane site in Trafford. There is deep local fear that Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), the Prime Minister fracking will start happening in our community, and said it would not be legal to go on to someone’s property there is a particular worry about fracking starting in and frack against their will, but I am not sure I got such Davyhulme where air quality standards are already a firm assurance from the Secretary of State this morning. being breached. It is a built-up area that is next to the M60 and close to an airport, and the site is right by the As my right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley proposed biomass plant. There is, at the very least, real (Caroline Flint) pointed out, the coal and water and concern that the air quality will worsen substantially if sewerage industries already have a right of access to there is fracking and exploratory drilling, not least underground land. It is important to have clarity as to because of the additional traffic flows, which the Secretary whether Ministers intend there to be a comparable right of State acknowledged was one of the unfortunate in relation to shale gas and if that is the case whether by-products of fracking exploration. the costs of any damage and any clean-up and so forth The core issue, however, is a lack of transparency and will fall to the industry, not to the taxpayer or property of genuinely honest and open dialogue with local owners. As my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore communities about the implications for them. For example, (Huw Irranca-Davies) suggested, there is also significant it took the local press to reveal that radioactive waste concern about assessing baseline data in relation to, for water had been placed into the Manchester ship canal example, seismic activity or methane in groundwater, by United Utilities a couple of years ago. That waste and maintaining the monitoring of any impact on that water had been brought to our neighbourhood with the baseline data as a result of any fracking activity. purpose of disposing of it. The public should have been Finally, there is significant worry about the long-term informed about that, and if the view was that that was impact of investing substantially in further fossil fuel done entirely safely, that, too, should have been explained technology at the expense of renewables investment. We to local people. It does nothing for people’s confidence are very clear that any investment in fracking and other in new energy sources if we have such cover-ups. gas-based technologies must be accompanied by rigorous 199 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 200

[Kate Green] competition there has been a decline in non-food prices of 2.8% over the year. That is critically important, and and tough adherence to decarbonisation targets. Ministers annual food inflation stands at 0.7%, the lowest rate have not said much yet to explain why they are so since 2006. enthusiastic about investing in a fuel source that can only increase our fossil fuel footprint, and which will Huw Irranca-Davies: I just want to dig under some of not deliver much in the way of energy security for a the things the hon. Gentleman has been saying about good 10 to 15 years—time that could be used to develop debt. How, for example, would he make sense of the alternative sources of energy. There is real concern fact that, according to a recent report, the Bridgend about the climate impact being rather underplayed. county borough area, which covers two constituencies I think my constituents would prefer a greener energy and contains a big manufacturing belt and areas of strategy, and at the very least they deserve absolute prosperity, has seen a tenfold increase in the number of openness about decisions to engage in the exploitation people taking out payday loans at the end of the week of coal-bed methane and shale gas. I echo calls made in to ease themselves over into the following week? In spite this Chamber today for the Government to proceed of all the good news that the hon. Gentleman is giving with caution, and I very much hope they will be heeded. us, something worrying is happening. Mr Raab: I am trying to look at the big picture, and 2.36 pm the fact is that household debt has fallen from its 2009 Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): It is a peak of about 109% of GDP to around 10 percentage pleasure to speak in this debate and to follow the hon. points lower. I am not suggesting that there are no Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green). She issues relating to other subsets of household debt, such touched on some of the issues I intend to speak to, as credit and payday loans, but if the hon. Gentleman although she may have come to slightly different conclusions looks at the big picture and examines the raw data, he from those I shall reach. will see that the present situation represents a significant improvement on the one that his Government left behind. The No. 1 thing for this Government from their He is right to look at other micro-issues, and we must inception through to this Queen’s Speech has been the continue to do that, but let us not lose sight of the big economy. There is no divide between economic growth picture. and fairness and all the things that follow through from that, including the cost of living, which is the subject of When it comes to the big picture, we have to talk this debate. It has been mentioned that we have cut the about housing. We could talk about stamp duty, as I am deficit, and we hope it will have been cut by half by the tempted to do, and about planning regulations and the end of this Parliament, as has been forecast. That is not relevant taxation, but the key issue is the supply of new just some bean-counting exercise; it relates directly to homes. We need to do more on that front. I am sure that mortgage payments, and it is therefore a cost of living the Secretary of State for Communities and Local issue as well as an economic issue. Government does not feel that he is on the back foot in this regard; I am simply urging everyone to look at the A lot is said about Government debt, but far less is raw data. Hon. Members will be delighted to hear that, said about banking and household debt. Both of those according to DCLG figures, the average annual number are down from their high point under the last Government, of affordable homes built under this coalition was 48,000, and that is important. None of us wants to have to talk compared with 31,000 during the 13 years of the previous to our constituents about taxpayers bailing out banks Government. That represents a 50% increase, and we again, and with interest rates likely to rise—and rightly should recognise the progress that we have made as well so—in the relatively near future, it is very important as talking about what else needs to be done. that household debt comes down as well, so that those on tight, fine margins in respect of their mortgages do We are talking about fairness in this debate on the not feel the pinch too much. cost of living, and we should also talk about inequality. The Leader of the Opposition is a wonkish sort—I We have recently become the fastest growing economy mean that in the best possible way—and I am sure that in the advanced world, and as a result unemployment he will be delighted to learn that the Gini coefficient has come down to 6.8%, as opposed to the 8% rate left shows that inequality is lower under this Government by the last Government. The private sector has fuelled a than it was under Labour. People talk about tax cuts for huge amount of job creation. The media and also many millionaires, but he will also be delighted to know that in this Chamber talk about job creation and unemployment people earning between £10,000 and £15,000 are paying as if it were an economic priority, but the most economically 54% less tax under this Government than they were in and socially disfranchised in this country are the the last tax year under the previous Government, and unemployed, and jobs creation is about dealing with that millionaires are paying 14% more. The idea that them. This Government’s record in that regard is stellar: this Government are the enemy of the low-paid and the in just four years we have seen businesses create double friend of the millionaire is therefore news to us. the number of jobs that were created in the last decade under Labour. That is absolutely critical. Ms Gisela Stuart: I shall try not to be too wonkish. Inflation has been one of the issues eating away at the The recent Institute of Economic Affairs pamphlet on cost of living for many of our constituents, but again poverty argued that the best way to help the poor and to this Government’s record is very clear. The statistics do reduce inequality was to reduce the cost of those things not lie: consumer prices index inflation now stands at that most disproportionately affected the spending of 1.8% as against the 3.4% we inherited from the previous the poor—energy, food and housing. Given the hon. Government. The British Retail Consortium figures out Gentleman’s argument, should he not therefore welcome just this week show that because of supermarket Labour’s proposals? 201 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 202

Mr Raab: The hon. Lady’s interventions are always to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for thoughtful, but I am not quite sure to which bits of North West Hampshire (Sir George Young)will confirm Labour’s proposals she is referring. We can talk about this—that the No. 10 policy unit is considering raising the minimum wage and rent controls, but I fear that the threshold for employees’ national insurance they would not have the impact that she desires, despite contributions. I have argued for that for a long time. If her best intentions. Some people on my side of the we really want to do something about low pay, as the House think that raising the minimum wage would be a hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston does, raising good thing, but I do not think that it would be the best the threshold for employees’ contributions is by far the thing to do for the most socially and economically clearest way of doing it. The Resolution Foundation, disfranchised; nor do I think that rent controls are the the Institute for Public Policy Research and all the right answer. left-wing think-tanks agree with me on that, and I am glad that the Government are looking seriously at that Ms Stuart: Rather unusually for a Labour MP, I am proposal. praying in aid the Institute of Economic Affairs, which I am delighted by the proposed reforms to speed up has stated that it would be better to reduce energy and infrastructure projects and to allow fracking firms to food costs than to increase benefits. I would have thought run shale gas pipelines. I should like to comment on a that that would be absolutely in line with the hon. couple of the points that the hon. Member for Stretford Gentleman’s thinking. and Urmston made about shale gas. Ofgem has made it clear that our back-up energy stocks will fall to 2% by Mr Raab: The hon. Lady is absolutely right; we share 2015. The chances of blackouts will increase from one the same aspirations. Unfortunately, however, this is all in 47 years to one in 12 years. The previous Government about the means to achieving those ends. If we had allowed this stark energy crisis to creep up on us, and we wanted to do something about energy prices, we should must address it now. The renaissance in nuclear power not have closed down nuclear power stations, as happened will play an important role in achieving that; it will be under the last Government. We should be taking advantage good for meeting our energy demands and for of shale gas, as we propose in the Queen’s Speech. One decarbonisation. area in which we can make common cause on the means We must also bear in mind our unique national as well as the ends is the need to reform the common comparative advantage in relation to shale gas. In 2013, agricultural policy, which puts £400 on the average the British Geological Survey—hardly a Thatcherite family’s bills. The hon. Lady will recall, however, that body by disposition—estimated that there were 1,300 Tony Blair rather meekly gave up on CAP reform as trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the Bowland-Hodder well as sacrificing the British rebate. basin alone. The reserves equate to 47 years of total UK The hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) gas consumption or 90 years of the UK’s North sea gas mentioned regional impacts. The recovery is often described production. Of course, not all of it will be extracted, as London-centred, but this week’s figures from the and it will take time to develop the right regulatory Office for National Statistics show that gross disposable regime. That is important, but the opportunities over income per person has risen 4% in the north-east, which the medium term are immense. The Institute of Directors is higher than the UK average and considerably higher has estimated that shale gas could meet one third of than the figure for London. The shadow Secretary of UK gas demand and support 74,000 jobs, not to mention State, the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary boosting manufacturing and helping us sustainably to Benn), is also a wonkish type—again, I mean that in the rejuvenate the economy of the northern region. best possible spirit—and if he and other hon. Members I understand the concerns about fracking, but the on both sides of the House look at the raw data, they Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society— will see that we have done a good job in relation not again, not Thatcherite bodies by any stretch of the only to economic stewardship but to social fairness. I imagination—have looked at the risks to aquifers and might even manage to get the shadow Secretary of State the risk of earthquakes and concluded that the risks are to agree that Thomas Piketty would have to accept that very, very low. They have concluded that, with a decent Britain is not just economically better off but fairer set of regulations, the process could be properly managed under the Tories. Let us see whether the right hon. and monitored. Frankly, the spectres of polluted drinking Gentleman can bring himself to do that when he winds water and of earthquakes have been massively exaggerated up the debate later. by ideologically driven activists. We ought to get cracking We cannot rest on our laurels, however. There are with fracking, and I am delighted that this Queen’s important measures in the Queen’s Speech to strengthen Speech will bring that about. It will also help us to wean the economy further and to curb the practice of public ourselves off energy dependence on places such as the sector employees claiming redundancy and subsequently middle east and Russia; we need to consider that given taking another job in the same sector. It is important the stability in those regions. that we get the public sector pay bill down, and that In this Queen’s Speech we also want to reward the should be done in a way that targets the bureaucracy, great economic virtues of saving and grafting, both in the highly paid managers and the waste while protecting the short term and over the long term. That is what our front-line services. reforms to annuities are about. People will not in future We are going to simplify the national insurance paid be required to buy an annuity with their pension savings by the self-employed. I would like us to go further and and they will be able to draw their retirement income in cut employers’ national insurance contributions, because one go, if they so choose. If people save hard and do the they can deter companies from hiring people as well as right thing, we trust them. Our tax break for child care, from paying better wages. I was delighted to read in The worth up to £2,000 a year per child, is crucial to dealing Times today—I am sure that the Parliamentary Secretary with the cost of living. Many couples in our changing 203 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 204

[Mr Raab] in that. The public are interested in that.” However, they have produced a pale imitation of these things in their society are between them—both men and women— Queen’s Speech. Let me give some examples. Labour grappling with the balance of bread-winning and child wants to tackle how people on low and middle incomes caring. I have to declare an interest in the tax break for cope with rising costs. This year, for the first time, we child care at this point, because No.2 in the Raab have seen a reasonable rise in the national minimum household will be on its way by the end of the year, and wage, but that comes after three years of starving it and we will be delighted to take advantage of this new piece of costs going up by a far higher amount. We certainly of legislation. welcome the measures to be tougher on employers who Finally, the European elections showed the level of try to dodge paying the minimum wage, who try to the corrosion of public trust in the political class, and I make people work more hours than they were intending welcome the introduction of a right of recall in the to or who try to make deductions from people’s pay. We Queen’s Speech. I am very conscious of the debate that would like more of such measures, but we have not seen is being had in government and with parliamentarians many prosecutions. Time and again during questions such as my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Labour Members have asked what is happening about Park (Zac Goldsmith) about getting the right balance. prosecuting people who are dodging the national minimum We do not want something that is abusive, but we wage regulations. So, yes, let us get that legislation, but should not set up a right of recall and then torpedo it by let us also get enforcement of it. allowing a committee of politicians to veto or vet it. I am sure we can strike the right balance to give the Andy McDonald: Does my hon. Friend agree that public greater trust in our political class, and I hope that some of the delays we are experiencing in securing as that Bill comes forward we can do so. prosecutions are totally unacceptable? A case in my I am conscious of the time and know that others wish constituency has been rumbling on now for nearly a to speak, but I want to make one final point about year and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs tells us immigration. It relates both to the economic pressures that it will be a further two months before it is even in this country and specifically to housing, which is the looked at. subject of today’s debate. The Government have already cut net immigration by a third; we have cracked down Nia Griffith: That is precisely the point: there is not on bogus colleges, which sprouted up left, right and much point having the legislation if it is not properly centre under the previous Government; and we have enforced and if people get the idea that they can get cracked down on the sham marriages and the abuse of away with things. the family route. A Bill will be going through this Parliament to strengthen immigration controls. I have There is no suggestion from those on the Government argued passionately for us to strengthen some areas of Benches of anything as strong as our idea that, to be that Bill, but I recognise the important steps that have effective, the national minimum wage needs to be linked already been taken. It is a bit rich if all the Labour to median earnings. We would like it to be gradually Front-Bench team and the shadow Home Secretary can raised to 60% of median earnings. We are also keen to do is criticise the target of reducing net immigration to see people incentivised to pay the living wage. One of tens of thousands, given that her Government made it our proposals is to give employers a tax break if they so difficult to accomplish that. It is a bit rich coming bring all their employees’ pay up to the living wage. from the party of open-door immigration, which boasted That proposal is affordable because of the savings we in office that there is “no obvious” upper limit on would make on tax credits and housing benefit. We immigration—that was said by a past Labour Home should make it possible for people in full-time work to Secretary, whom I shall not name for fear of embarrassing pay their way without an enormous number of top-ups him. It is a bit rich coming from the party that failed to from the state. impose transitional controls on immigration from the Again, the issue of zero-hours contracts is one that eight countries from central and eastern Europe in the coalition has picked up. We urgently need to deal 2004. with it and we need legislation on it. I am pleased that I am no clearer today as to what positive agenda the the Government are introducing a provision on exclusivity, Labour party is offering this country to take it forward. which will deal with people who have to be available to As Winston Churchill once said of the Soviet Union, work for only one employer. They do not know whether Labour policy is a puzzle inside a riddle wrapped in an that employer will give them even an hour or two of enigma; it has no clear vision, no serious policies and no work, but they cannot take up any other offer of work. credible leadership. The Government have a clear agenda, However, a lot more could be done and we would like of fresh reforms cast against a Conservative vision of a people to be offered proper contracts if they are working more prosperous and fairer Britain grounded in sustainable regularly over six months. Let us look at what the public finances, and in the virtues of rewarding enterprise, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers has hard graft and saving. I commend the Gracious Speech done in some of the big supermarkets. The need for to the House. flexibility has been recognised, but things such as annualised contracts and averaging out hours are looked at so that people at least know that they will have a reasonable 2.53 pm income over a number of weeks, rather than not knowing Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): It gives me great pleasure the situation from one minute to the next. Such contracts to speak in the debate, and I seek to clarify some of work both for the employee and the employer, as they Labour’s policies if we were to get into government next give a sense of flexibility and of security. The real year. Some have actually been borrowed by the coalition problem with zero-hours contracts is that not only are Government, who have thought, “Yes, there is something they unpredictable in terms of what someone gets from 205 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 206 week to week, but they do not allow people any employment a stone. The hundreds of thousands of wells that would rights. I am sure that is one reason why some employers have to be sunk seem absolutely disproportionate to the try to avoid issuing proper contracts. We would like amounts we would get. people who are working regularly to be put on proper The real question is this: why are we making such a contracts. huge effort to try to get something that we know is difficult to get—otherwise, we would have got it years Let me now turn my attention to the energy companies. ago—when really we should be trying to wean ourselves Our suggestion of a price freeze has been well documented off fossil fuels altogether? We should be moving towards and we are seeing some ruffled feathers in the energy much greater investment in renewables. I am greatly companies, but why can this coalition Government not disappointed that the Queen’s Speech included no mention help people by introducing that idea of a freeze much of climate change or meeting our renewables targets. sooner? As we have clearly said, it is not just about The renewables industry seems to have been left in having the freeze; it is about then breaking up the limbo, whether it is wind energy being attacked or the market so that it works properly for people, and there is Solar Trade Association, which is very worried about proper competition and a proper opportunity to beat the current consultation. Will subsidies be reduced in down prices. People are very angry about the profits. the same way that feed-in tariffs have been? What is the Yet again, we see high salaries and very high profits, but situation with solar panels on rooftops? There is a lack people’s energy bills are going up. As my hon. Friend of certainty, understanding and commitment to getting the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) it right to ensure that we have the best possible uptake mentioned, the only reason people managed to cope in the right places for solar energy. this winter was because it was so mild. If we have the sort of winters that we saw in the previous two years, Marine renewables also seem to have been pushed to people would find their bills astronomically higher, one side and sadly neglected. Again, much more could even given the coalition Government’s promise to take be done to look at how subsidies work and to consider £50 off—although that amount has proved slightly elusive, the opportunities to promote technologies that are more in that it does not actually apply to everybody; the expensive and more difficult to develop, such as marine figure is up to £50. The more annoying thing is that we technologies, but that have such huge potential for our are paying for it through other means; in other words, island. other schemes that would have been financed by the As for the latest confusion about who can go on to Government have been scrapped, particularly the one whose land to undertake exploration for fracking sites, to help with hard-to-heat homes. That is a double we need urgent clarification, because there seem to be tragedy, because fuel bills will remain high and it is conflicting stories. The Prime Minister has said, “No, difficult to lower them in homes that are difficult to nobody will be able to do that”, but that follows a letter adapt. Ending that scheme, which means that more to MPs from the Minister concerned stating that that is than 400,000 properties will not benefit from it, is a precisely what they are proposing. The situation is not disaster both environmentally and, for the families clear and people have major concerns as a result. concerned, economically. Lastly, I want to deal with the major issue of housing. With regard to the energy companies, we would like We all know how difficult it is, particularly for young to have seen stiffer action much sooner. We have also people, to purchase a house or to afford rents. It is a said clearly that we would like much stronger powers for struggle even in the less expensive parts of the country, the regulator. We would also like to see powers extended where the ratios between what people earn and what to people suffering from off-grid issues, which are houses cost are not good, but in London the disparity is particularly acute in semi-rural areas, such as parts of enormous. London has very significant problems, and Wales, as my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn we need to look at them in a much wider context. Over (Albert Owen) mentioned. People there are reliant on the past few years, and particularly the past couple of the vagaries of oil deliveries or liquefied petroleum gas. months, we have seen the housing market in London They also have difficulty bargaining over price. Although grow away from the housing market in the rest of the some good work is being done, for example by oil clubs UK, and at an even faster pace than it did before. That in my area, it is still very difficult to get the best possible is leading to immense disparities in the cost of property, deal. We would also like to have seen pensioners given but it is also making London almost impossible to live the opportunity to receive their winter fuel allowance in. If we add to that the fact that, because a huge earlier in order to pay in advance and benefit from amount of foreign direct investment—some 40%—tends lower summer prices, rather than finding out halfway to centre on London, we see that London seems to be through the winter that they have bought only half of growing in a way that is completely unsustainable. That what they need and then having difficulties, both with is leading to huge problems with transport and housing, price and delivery. and people having to live further away and commute for even longer. On fracking, there seems to be a bit of stampede, as if The question we must ask ourselves in the long run is it is the be-all and end-all and the answer to all our this: do we need some far-reaching policies to redress energy needs. I am worried that there has been an the balance across the United Kingdom with regard to overestimation of how easy fracking might be and how growth? I do not want to stop any regeneration programmes great the profits might be. I think that fracking will in London, which I think are vital for less well-off and prove considerably more difficult in our country than it more run-down areas, and I do not want to stop the has been in the United States. When the Welsh Affairs people who are furthest from the work opportunities Committee visited Lancashire to see what is happening being given as much help as possible to access them, but there, I was struck by just how little we get from one we need to ask whether too many jobs are being created well. It is like squeezing a tiny drop of something out of in London and not enough are being created elsewhere. 207 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 208

[Nia Griffith] that are over-heating, especially those in which young people and people on low incomes are struggling to live. When people think of the UK as a place to invest, they Everyone would benefit from a much more strategic almost invariably think of London. Whereas if they overview, and we should not be afraid of combining think of Italy, they might think of Milan as much as that with localism. That does not mean that we are Rome; if they think of Spain, they might think of against devolving funds to regions—we have announced Barcelona as much as Madrid; and if they think of that we would do that—or against promoting a municipal Germany, they might think of Munich as much as force, as was outlined by my hon. Friend the Member Berlin. We have a huge concentration on London, and it for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) when talking is becoming absolutely unsustainable. about Joseph Chamberlain. It is not about decrying We need a strategy not only because it would help that; that is extremely important. It is about linking a other areas of the United Kingdom, such as Wales, the local strategy into an overall vision for the UK. In that north-west and the north-east, but because it would way, we can begin to tackle as one the issues of housing, also help London and the south-east. We did that with work and transport, and making that a strategy that we public sector jobs a few years ago, when the Driver and want to follow for the future. I will not suggest exactly Vehicle Licensing Agency was moved to Swansea and what that strategy should be, because that needs to the passport office was moved to Newport, but we need come from all the regions and the countries of the UK to go further. I am sure that there are still some public working together. They should look at how the strategy sector jobs that could be moved out of London. But works as a whole, and not just at how it works for their then we would have to consider whether we might create region, country or part of the UK. an imbalance between the public and private sectors, as we have seen in Northern Ireland. 3.12 pm We should also think about what motivates the private Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): It is a pleasure to sector companies to base themselves in London so follow the considered speech of the hon. Member for much of the time. We need proper studies of that and a Llanelli (Nia Griffith) and the insightful comments of real understanding of how we can ensure that in future my hon. Friend the Member for Esher and Walton London can be lived in. This is about not just helping (Mr Raab). I congratulate the proposer and seconder of other parts of the country but making London a place the Loyal Address, my hon. Friends the Members for in which ordinary people can live and, at the moment, Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) and for Mid that is becoming more and more difficult. We must look Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke), on their at the pattern around the whole country, because we excellent speeches yesterday. cannot make changes in a piecemeal way. Currently, we The Queen’s Speech states that the aim of the are seeing the development of a city region approach, Government is to strengthen the economy and to provide especially in Manchester. stability and security. Today we are debating, among Like London, some places are experiencing a slight other things, the cost of living, which is a matter of overheating compared with their surrounding areas. We huge concern to all our constituents. That is why tackling need to find ways of linking in those towns that feel the deficit is so important. In 2010, the deficit was at an they have been left behind, because, as we saw in the unsustainable 11.8% of GDP.That should be compared recent elections, they are the areas that are the most with a maximum of 3% which, even in the eurozone, is disaffected and the most likely to turn away from the seen as essential for long-term stability. The necessary main political parties. We need to look at the way in measures that this Government have taken will, according which they are linked in to their regional capitals, or to to The Economist, reduce the deficit this year to 4.8% of the wealth-generating parts of their areas. GDP, which is still considerably higher than that 3% but Our plan for the UK should be about creating the a huge improvement none the less. right transport links that take people from the places in Unusually, I pay tribute to the Treasury for the efforts which they live to the places in which there is work, and it has made in recovering tax from tax avoidance schemes. putting the work in the places in which people live. We The amount of money coming in now has greatly need to think globally. We should think not just about increased on previous years, and that is a tribute to the what we will do this year and next, but about what we work that the Chancellor and his team have done in will do in the next 30 to 40 years. If we do not do that, bearing down on some of the ridiculous tax avoidance we will be playing catch-up all the time. schemes that they inherited. My right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret What would the consequences have been of not making Hodge) talked about needing 800,000 houses in the such a reduction in the deficit? The Government would capital. That is a huge quantity. The Government are have had great difficulty in raising money on the markets putting forward proposals for one new town, when in and in financing borrowing. For the taxpayer, there fact we need several new towns. We need to think about would have been higher taxes to pay the increased not only using every opportunity to improve the situation borrowing charges. Let us not forget that we pay about for people now and to build more affordable homes, but as much interest at the moment as we spend on our what we are going to do in the long term. How do we entire school system, and soon it will be more. For want the UK to look? We need to create a balance home owners and businesses, it would have meant increased between where the work is, where the wealth is and borrowing charges through higher interest rates. Tackling where the transport is so that we get a much better the deficit is therefore key and the first step in keeping balance across the country. the cost of living down. Any party serious about being We should help those areas that have seen a decline in in government has to state how it will do that and the more traditional industries and are struggling to continue to bear down on the cost of living, because attract some of the new industries as well as those areas 4.8% is still far too high. 209 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 210

As earlier speakers have said, the Government have With changing demographics, we need more housing done much more to tackle the cost of living. First and suitable for older citizens, including extra-care housing, most importantly, they have increased the number of of which I am glad to say that more is being built in my jobs—or helped to increase them, because the Government constituency.It also includes building small, energy-efficient, themselves do not create many jobs; in fact, there are single-storey homes, which many of my constituents say fewer people working in the public sector now than at that they would wish to move into, if possible, but there the beginning of the Parliament. Nevertheless, the are simply not enough of those homes. I saw an excellent Government have created the conditions in which 1.7 million example of such a development, which must have been new jobs have been created, which goes to the core of built 20 to 30 years ago, when for some reason I addressing the cost-of-living crisis. They have increased happened to be passing through Newark recently. the personal allowance to £10,00—it is to go up again Unfortunately, we do not see that sort of development next year—which helps to increase take-home pay and now. Why? Because developers tell us that such homes is important in tackling the crisis. They have also frozen are not profitable, because they take up too much land. fuel duty and supported councils to freeze council tax. That shows a lack of ambition and imagination. Such At this point, I add a note of warning about the developments would encounter much less opposition, Opposition policy of freezing energy prices. One because they can be seen as fulfilling a real need and consequence of such a freeze, as we have discovered keeping communities together by enabling older people with fuel duty and council tax, it that when we have to stay in the communities in which they have lived for done it once, people expect us to continue and continue so long. with it. What happens after 20 months of frozen energy Where houses are built is, of course, a matter of great prices? What happens to that policy? Will people expect controversy, but it is exacerbated by the irresponsible it to continue? Will they say, “You have done it for submission by developers of planning applications that 20 months, and we need it to continue”? Council tax are quite clearly outside democratically agreed local and fuel duty, however, are to some extent in the hands development plans. That is certainly the case in my of Government—they are taxes—but energy prices are area. I urge the Secretary of State for Communities and not wholly in our hands. Local Government, whom I am glad to see in his place, strongly to resist such speculative developments, which Julie Hilling: Perhaps I can answer the question for fly in the face of properly agreed local plans. the hon. Gentleman. We will have reformed the energy Infrastructure is also a great concern. I worry that market by that point, so we will have stopped the excess sometimes we look only at the narrow implications of profit earned—or taken—by the energy companies. That development and perhaps suggest that problems can be is the plan; it is not only about the 20-month freeze, but addressed by, for instance, a controlled junction onto a about reforming the energy market. new housing estate, rather than considering the wider Jeremy Lefroy: I understand that, and I think the knock-on effects of traffic across the whole area. In energy markets need reform, but to expect that that will particular, once traffic lights are introduced, they are keep energy prices frozen, or at least at a stable level, rarely removed or even modified to take account of when we are subject to world energy prices is to some subsequent development. We need to consider that. We extent pie in the sky. But we will see. tend to focus much too narrowly on the requirements of a specific development rather than those of the community Julie Hilling: I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving as a whole. way again. Does he agree that when world prices go I want briefly to speak about health. I have spoken on down, energy suppliers should reduce our bills, rather many occasions about the Mid Staffordshire NHS than putting them up? Fair enough, when the prices go Foundation Trust and will continue to do so, both in up, we expect our bills to go up—but should we not order to speak up for my constituents and because I expect them to go down as well? believe what has been happening there is of national importance and has national implications. Medium-sized Jeremy Lefroy: We would. In some cases, our bills district general hospitals provide services that are prized have gone down, and in other cases energy companies by local communities. They often provide out-patient are freezing them. Furthermore, through the ability to services and elective surgery, but they also provide general switch, which many people take advantage of, they can accident and emergency provision—not the most complex, also cut their energy costs. All I am saying is that once but everyday provision—and consultant-led maternity we introduce a freeze, it is less easy than we might think services and paediatrics. For that to be provided and, of to take the freeze away, because people will expect course, for safety reasons, there is a need for them to prices to remain the same, and we have been finding come together with the larger hospitals through networking, that with council tax and the fuel duty. It is essential buddying or mergers, but such provision should be that the Government look at every sustainable way to possible. That is why I fully support NHS England’s keep downward pressure on the cost of living for review of the possibility of continuing consultant-led households. maternity services at Stafford. I have also urged I want to concentrate my remaining remarks on three consideration of the possibility that urgent care could areas, housing, health, and international affairs, which be available at night to supplement the 8 am to 10 pm A sadly have not been included as a subject for the Queen’s and E service that should be provided, although I speech debate, although they were mentioned in the believe that eventually a return to a 24/7 A and E will be Gracious Speech itself. The Queen’s Speech talks about necessary, especially given the housing developments increasing the supply of housing, and we all agree that taking place. that is vital: we need to build more houses. The question We are told that specialisation means that centralisation is not simply one of numbers; it is also about the type of is inevitable. I disagree and I was very glad, after a houses, where they are built and infrastructure. conversation last week with Simon Stevens, the new 211 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 212

[Jeremy Lefroy] response of baying, and things went downhill from there, but what he was trying to get across was head of NHS England, to find that he views district fundamentally important. general hospitals and community hospitals as important Many of the speeches today have picked up on that in providing not just community services but acute theme and have handled sensitively the issues facing us services. I hope that he will succeed. Those of us who as politicians in this Chamber about how people outside live and work in large towns and rural areas need a view politics, mistrust politicians and are concerned decent, truly national health service and not one that is about how they feel that we in the Chamber have the increasingly sucked into the major cities. capacity to influence events that are important in their Of course, there is the unpalatable issue of cost, and I lives. shall not be afraid to address it in this place, as I have I want to try to continue that theme today. I begin by before. We will have to spend more on health, probably isolating three elements. It is no longer the case, thank at least 2% of GDP. I have already suggested both in goodness, that the Gracious Speech is delivered in Norman this place and in writing how we can do that, possibly French, as it used to be, but it struck me that there are by converting national insurance into a progressive three principles that France can still bring to our debates national health insurance paid according to income and to elevate them. Those are liberté, égalité, fraternité. On preserving an NHS free at the point of need. In my the first—here I want to sound a note of welcome— opinion, we must remove health from an increasingly Members in all parts of the House are delighted to see sterile debate about taxation. the modern slavery Bill being brought forward. I am Finally, I want to touch on foreign affairs. I am proud sure it will be well supported by Members across the to be a supporter of a coalition Government who have, Chamber. That speaks to liberty, which is fundamental with cross-party support, achieved spending of 0.7% on in any democracy.It is absolutely right that the Government overseas development assistance. I am also proud to be are seeking to introduce that Bill and I hope that a supporter of a Government who have introduced the Opposition Members will give it fair wind before the Modern Slavery Bill, again with cross-party agreement. next election—I am sure we will. Those things are vital, but I see four global challenges The next principle is égalité —equality. Here there are that we must confront. The first is to eradicate absolute things that concern me and my constituents in Brent, poverty. The World Bank has set a target to get rid of it who experience the second highest rate of low pay in by 2030, and we as a country and a people need to do London. Newham is the borough with the highest rate everything we can to support that. The second is to of low pay at 34%. In Brent 30% of people in employment reduce income inequality. We have already spoken today earn below the living wage. That is of real concern to about income inequality is in this country, and the me because it means that 30% of my constituents look World Bank has that we must concentrate on the 40% with at the rest of society from a position of disadvantage the lowest incomes globally to reduce income inequality. and see the widening of the gap between where they are I share that aspiration, as income inequality eventually and where they perceive other people can legitimately leads to political instability and many other things. aspire to reach. That is not good for society. Of course, Thirdly, there is climate change, which we cannot run it is not good for my constituents either. It means that away from and which any responsible Government must they are struggling to put food on the table and to do take fully into account in their policies. Fourthly, there right by their children and their wider family. is the whole matter of combating—not allowing— People are facing additional pressures because the extremism. This relates to income and equality, but it is local government settlement and the settlement put in not just about income and equality as some of the most place for clinical commissioning groups appear to be extreme people come from some of the most privileged differentially disadvantaging communities like my own backgrounds. We have to combat extremism everywhere that are already more disadvantaged. Let us look at the and promote freedom of speech, thought and religion funding for CCGs across the country.In Brent in north-west and the freedom to have no religion. That is the London, we have the highest incidence of tuberculosis responsibility of this Government and this country. and of diabetes in the United Kingdom, and yet There is no magic solution to any of this, just constant, £54.98 million is being taken from our CCG, NHS hard negotiation, peace making and engagement. We Brent, in this settlement. I looked down the list of all cannot do it on our own. We need to work with others the other local CCGs to try to find a comparable figure, to exercise our influence through the Commonwealth, and thought I had—it was for NHS Coastal West the United Nations, the World Bank, the IMF and Sussex CCG. The figure was £56.51 million, but when I particularly the European Union. looked again I noticed that there was no minus sign. I do not know what the particular health problems of 3.25 pm people in coastal West Sussex are, but I am absolutely Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): I was fascinated clear that their receiving a £56 million increase at a time yesterday when the Leader of the Opposition, my right when my constituents, in some of the most deprived hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward wards in the capital, who have the highest levels of key Miliband), began his remarks in response to the Gracious diseases not just in the capital but in the country, are Speech. He sought to widen the debate from the usual suffering a £54.98 million reduction does not speak to Punch and Judy knockabout that goes on in this Chamber the principle of equality. I charge the Queen’s Speech and the party political points. What was remarkable to with failing my constituents on that count. me was the way in which, on the Government Benches, I mentioned the local government settlement. The that was met initially with shock. That is the best way to budget in my local authority is about £330 million—or describe it. There was silence and clear attention. After was, I should say, because £104 million is being taken a few minutes my right hon. Friend’s speech achieved a out of it. That is a cut of about 30%. My constituents, 213 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 214 who rank second highest in London for lowest pay, are leaving France that the Mayor of London is now Mayor not just suffering in their wage packets. They are suffering of, in effect, the fourth largest French city. No doubt we because the services they would usually hope could pick can have regard to other aspects of French history. up their families when they disintegrate, provide additional I rise in support of the Queen’s Speech. Some on the care for their elderly parents, and provide additional left, and in the Labour party in particular, have mentioned support from social services will not be there because the small number of legislative proposals, but I think local government is no longer able to provide them. that less, not more government is a good thing. State In the London borough of Brent we have just had the legislatures in some parts of the United States sit for local elections. I am delighted to say that of the 63 council only three or four months a year, and they manage to seats in Brent, of which my party used to have 41, we function in their societies perfectly adequately, with an now have 56—a fantastic result. How quickly that will executive, a judiciary and legislature, and get through become bitter when those 56 enthusiastic, dynamic, their affairs without too many problems. Statist determined people find that they are having to implement functionaries on the Labour Benches may well find it a 30% cut in services to the people they have aspired to attractive just to produce Bill after Bill, but I do not find represent and protect. That is what has happened to overweening Government attractive. There is the concept equality in this country. It is not just about low pay, that less is sometimes more. Labour may of course find although that is absolutely cancerous, or zero-hours that difficult to understand, bearing in mind that we contracts; it is also about the wider support that one have seen more from Labour in all these areas—more used to be able to look to and expect to receive from debt, more of a deficit, more tax and more unemployment. one’s community but is no longer there. Let us turn to fraternity. Another key missing ingredient Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Less also means from the Queen’s Speech was the issue of immigration. more time to get things right. As my hon. Friend the Chairman of the Communities and Local Government Committee has said, there are Michael Ellis: Yes, indeed, and careful consideration key issues related to immigration that are about not of measures is crucial. I practised law in the criminal race and ethnicity, but fairness. Nowhere is that more justice system in Northampton for years before I entered clear than in housing. the House, and I witnessed the criminal justice legislation A mother in my borough who has been on the repeatedly passed under the Blair Government and the housing waiting list for 19 years came to me and said, subsequent Labour Government. Frankly, much of that “Mr Gardiner, when I first went on the housing list, I legislation only served to grind to a halt the court was told that, as a single young woman without any process in England and Wales. It did not work, and in children I was not considered to be vulnerable and many cases it created further problems. It is important therefore I was not a priority. My daughter is now 18 to get legislation right. and last month I was told that because she is now 18, I We want a Britain that pays its way in the world and a have no children and am not a priority. What’s going Britain that is more competitive. I wholeheartedly disagree on?” with Labour Members who criticise concepts of profit The point is that many boroughs allocate housing and commercial endeavour. We want hard-working people simply in accordance with need. Of course, medical and and to give them peace of mind for the future, and this other needs such as overcrowding are important, but we Queen’s Speech continues that series of policies. This do not understand that there are forms of entitlement Government have carried through such measures during other than need. The fact that someone who has been the past four years, and will continue to do so for the waiting for 19 years in their community—paying their next year. dues, working hard, paying tax and being a good citizen— For example, the deficit is down by a third. We still still does not have an entitlement to the security of a hear criticisms about how fast we are able to get down home is deeply corrosive of the principle of fraternity. It the deficit. As I have previously pointed out to the undermines social solidarity. That is the unfairness. It is House, the reality is that for Labour to make such similar to the unfairness in wages that immigration can criticisms is rather like an arsonist criticising a firefighter bring in, because people come in and undercut wages. for the time taken to put out a fire. The deficit is down The principle is not one of race or ethnicity at all, but by a third, and income tax has been cut for 25 million one whereby people say, “Youare being unfair,” because people by an average of more than £700. the Government have a responsibility to ensure that people are being paid the minimum wage. Julie Hilling: The hon. Gentleman is praising the This Government have started doing that, but they Government for reducing the deficit by a third—we are, need to do more, because the three principles of liberty, of course, always pleased when the deficit reduces—but equality and fraternity must underpin our democracy. will he explain why they have not met their target of In this Queen’s Speech, they do not. getting rid of the deficit over the term of this Parliament? I appreciate that the Parliament has a few more months to run, but it does not seem to me that they will hit the 3.38 pm target of a 100% reduction. Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Brent North Michael Ellis: I am pleased to hear noises from (Barry Gardiner). I thought for a moment he was going Labour Members about their wanting us to go faster in to take us through the entire Napoleonic code, so we reducing the deficit. We are doing what we reasonably can be grateful that he did not do that. One part of the can, while adopting policies that will be fair across the French example that I am sure Government Members board and across society, to make good the damage to would not want to follow is their exorbitantly high tax the British economy that we inherited from the previous rate, which I understand has resulted in so many people Labour Government. That is why we have created 215 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 216

[Michael Ellis] like the Victorians and many of our predecessors did. They thought of future generations. Stable long-term 1.5 million more jobs, which is an unprecedentedly large funding for the strategic road network is very important number of new jobs. They are quality jobs: in many and is anticipated in the coming Session. cases, they are full-time jobs. I have heard Labour I have lobbied persistently—some might say nagged—on Members castigate such an achievement or try somehow the issue of potholes. That might seem to many to be a to negate it by reference to the type of jobs created and micro-economic issue, but it is significant. In my the like, but these are new jobs that in many cases are constituency, and no doubt in other parts of the country, giving people security and peace of mind. The huge the issue of potholes is of serious and significant concern. volume of new jobs certainly beats the record of the I got together a petition to seek more assistance in that previous Government and every Labour Government regard. I am happy to say that the Chancellor of the whom I can think of, going back generations. At the Exchequer announced in the Budget that he would end of their term, unemployment was higher than the allocate a further £200 million towards— level they inherited. Bob Stewart: Northampton. Mr Pickles: Always. Michael Ellis: Not quite towards Northampton, sadly. Michael Ellis: I am told that that has always been the We will find out in due course how much Northampton case under every Labour Government. will get. However, I am very pleased that the Government have taken that move. Julie Hilling: I really cannot let the hon. Gentleman get away with the outrageous statement that the previous Motoring groups have welcomed that fund to fix Labour Government caused a global economic crash roads, although, as ever, they wanted more. I, too, that started in America. My right hon. Friend the would like to see more money invested in our roads Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) because the amount of road traffic only ever increases. may have been very powerful, but I do not believe that There is an increasing number of incidents that are he caused the economic crash that started in America. caused by poor quality road surfaces. Frankly, there are Is the hon. Gentleman really trying to tell the House very human reasons why we need to fix the roads. They that the global economic crash was caused by my right are dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and other road hon. Friend? users. The poor quality of our roads is a danger to life, as well as to livelihoods. The cost of compensation, Michael Ellis: The economy that this Government insurance and the like is going up. That affects local inherited was 20th out of the G20 leading industrialised taxpayers as well as national taxpayers. There are therefore nations. It was at the bottom of the heap. That was the raw economic reasons why we need to do something responsibility of the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy about potholes. and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), Tony Blair and the That is why I am very pleased that, thanks to the Labour party. That is the appalling legacy that we are careful measures that the Chancellor of the Exchequer seeking to improve. has taken over the past four years and to the fact that he Under this Government, there are 1.7 million more has stuck to the path, sometimes in the face of a apprentices. We are looking to give people opportunities. tsunami of criticism from the Labour Benches, he has Large numbers of apprenticeships have been created to improved the state of the economy to such an extent do that. There are better standards and better schools that he has been able to allocate £200 million to fixing for young people. Those are significant achievements of potholes. Northamptonshire has bid for some of that, the past four years and the Queen’s Speech will follow and I hope to hear relatively soon—as, no doubt, do through on them. Only by sticking to our plan will we other areas—how much my area will receive. secure a better and brighter future for Britain. I think it right that local authorities bid for funding. I accept, as the hon. Member for Bolton West (Julie As the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Hilling) has pointed out, that there is more to do. That Government will know, some local authority areas perform is why we seek another term. In my constituency of much better than others and have a better track record Northampton North, the rate of unemployment is 33% of getting it right. It is only right that they show why lower than it was in April 2010—the month before the they can operate more efficiently and successfully, or general election. Youth unemployment is 41% lower perhaps more expeditiously than others, and why they than it was. However, there is more to do and the rate of should therefore be rewarded for their endeavours and unemployment is still too high. Like many colleagues competence. on the Government Benches, I organise jobs fairs on an One measure not in the Gracious Speech is the Medical annual basis. During the last jobs fair that I organised, Innovation Bill, which Lord Maurice Saatchi introduced more than 2,000 people came through the doors and today as a private Member’s Bill in another place. It is more than 40 companies were represented, including to be hoped that in due course it might find its way to medium, small and large companies and charities. I this honourable House. It is a completely non-partisan accept that there is more to do, but we must stick to the and highly important measure that is designed to make long-term economic plan and get it right. The Chancellor it easier for doctors to treat those who are suffering of the Exchequer, the Prime Minister and all those on from cancer and other life-threatening conditions more the Treasury Bench have been getting it right and we are successfully. seeing the results. If passed by Parliament, the Bill will allow doctors to Her Majesty referred to the infrastructure Bill. Investing take a step away from the well-worn path currently in infrastructure is a key part of the country’s long-term followed in the treatment of cancer. For some cancers, economic plan, because we have to think to the future, the treatment has not changed literally for decades, and 217 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 218 doctors—oncologists in particular—know that they will do we respond to that in the Queen’s Speech, the follow that path with their patient, and that there will be autumn statement and elsewhere in a way that makes the same result at the end of that path. They can even sense to our constituents? particularise to quite a fine degree how long a patient I want to focus on only one element—one that, sadly may have left to live. With proper safeguards—I emphasise and tragically, is missing from this Queen’s Speech. For that—and with the fully informed consent of the patient all the welcome news in the hard data in the claimant and the extra safeguard of a multidisciplinary panel count analysis—including in my constituency, where that can oversee the patient’s authority and what the the claimant count is down overall, although there is doctor wishes to do, it is right that doctors ought to be still a massive and enduring issue with long-term youth able to diverge slightly from that path to see whether unemployment—for many people that is unfortunately something slightly different can work. Only through not reflected in their satisfaction with being in work. those methods will we allow doctors to continue their The reasons behind that have not been referred to or good work and eventually find a cure for cancer. engaged with by Government Members today, but that is the reality for many of my constituents. Nia Griffith: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that those who are suffering from multiple sclerosis and The sad fact is that now, for the first time in the some cancers who have found that low-dose naltrexone recorded history of this country, the majority of people can be effective will also benefit if that Bill is passed? At defined as living in poverty are in work. Something is the moment, some GPs who are very much in favour of critically wrong with what we are doing. The fundamental prescribing it are afraid to do so because of consequences question is whether or not we accept taxpayer-funded under the present system if something were to go wrong. poverty pay where the Government—that is, the taxpayer— are asked to step in to prop up poverty wages. It is not Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Before all do with part-time work, zero-hours contracts, increased the hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael casualisation or agency workers; it is people in full-time Ellis) replies, may I point out that some Members have work who cannot afford to feed their household, pay been sitting in the Chamber all afternoon? Five Members the rent, and so on. are waiting to speak and others have already spoken. I say simply to hon. Members on both sides of the The wind-ups will start at half past 4. We are running Chamber that, with all the talk of rising employment, out of time and I hope we will be able to include falling unemployment counts, and so on, if we do not everybody in the debate this afternoon. deal with this fundamental issue, it will be a derogation of our duty as parliamentarians and also fly in the face Michael Ellis: I am coming to a conclusion, Madam of what we heard on the doorsteps, because it does not Deputy Speaker. I agree with what the hon. Member for only affect our debates about welfare reform and how Llanelli (Nia Griffith) said, and many people will benefit we create more jobs and good jobs; it also ties into those from the Medical Innovation Bill. That is why I hope it fundamental fears—fears of what people perceive and will have cross-party support as and when it finds itself what the reality is—about immigration as well. in this Chamber. I have knocked on people’s doors, and the other day a Several hon. Members rose— woman in one household told me that she and her two children were both working full-time, yet their income Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I regret that we are was way below what they needed to live, not in opulence— running out of time, as I mentioned, and it is my not even taking two holidays a year, but one—but to do judgment that Members who have sat in the Chamber the basics of feeding their family and looking after each all afternoon would rather speak for a short amount of other. This also applies next door—these people are time than not at all. I therefore impose a time limit of neighbours—where immigrant workers are living in seven minutes and I ask Members to work that out for multi-occupancy houses. They are on agency workers themselves. Seven minutes for five speakers will comfortably contracts and, because the national minimum wage, get us to the wind-ups at 4.30 pm, but not if there are albeit pitiful as it currently is, is not adequately enforced, lots of interventions. It would be a shame not to hear all they are now being targeted by many who say, Members. understandably in some ways, that it is their fault. Well, it is not their fault, and it is for us in this Parliament to 3.55 pm do something about it: to protect the rights and conditions, Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I am pleased to the pay and earnings of everybody who works in this take part in this important debate. I am familiar with country. the refrain that you just issued to the Chamber, Madam I watched for six or seven minutes yesterday while the Deputy Speaker, and I will definitely stick within that House was held rapt by the truth of what the leader of time limit and hopefully my speech will be even shorter. my party said in his opening remarks. It is worth Let me return to the remarks of my right hon. Friend putting them on the record once again: the Leader of the Opposition in opening this debate on “Fundamentally, too many people in our country feel that the Queen’s Speech yesterday, because he said something Britain does not work for them and has not done so for a long time—in the jobs they do and whether hard work is rewarded; in vital to this House, this Parliament, this Government the prospects for their children and whether they will lead a better and the country: that we in this House face a real life than their parents, including whether they will be able to challenge of relevance, legitimacy and standing in the afford a home of their own; in the pressures that communities eyes of the public. All Members from all parts of the face; and above all whether the work and effort that people put in House will have been out in their constituencies across are reflected in their sharing fairly in the wealth of the country.”— the country, campaigning, knocking on doors and speaking [Official Report, 4 June 2014; Vol. 582, c. 15.] to people in marketplaces, and so on, and that point This far into the 21st century I would say, not only to will have come across crystal clear. The question is: how my own colleagues but to those on the Government 219 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 220

[Huw Irranca-Davies] support for secessionist, pessimistic, backward-looking politics and leading potentially to the break-up of this Benches, that there is a point at which we have to make great United Kingdom and the loss of the irreplaceable it clear that if we genuinely believe in dignity at work, richness and strength in the union of our historic nations, that dignity has to be reflected in the way people are so brilliantly described recently by Simon Schama, to remunerated. We cannot do that overnight and we be replaced by a smaller, shriller, narrower politics of cannot do that if we are insensitive to small businesses, self-interest within the disempowering bureaucracy of a but we can do it with tax breaks to promote the living centralising European Union. That is why I welcome wage and by being serious about how we push up—over the Prime Minister’s strong support for the United time, but more rapidly than we are—the national minimum Kingdom and his insistence on governing for the nation wage. We can do it by dealing with the scourge of the not in narrow party interest but from the progressive abuse of agency workers. Too many agency workers are centre, ambitious for a globally competitive and influential now in conditions where not only are they being recruited Britain. But to do that we need to understand—indeed abroad, but they are being brought here and laid off harness—the causes of the disillusionment that we are after the 12-week period so that they do not receive the seeing. same protections as other people. We can do it not by I do not claim any special insight on this, but it is a completely ending zero-hours contracts, but by dealing subject that has long been of interest to me. In 2003 I with the abuse of them, where people who work regularly founded an independent movement called Mind the over a long time for an employer are not given the Gap! to look at the causes of disillusionment and, in dignity and respect of being told, “You are doing a 2005, a campaign called Positive Politics. I have written good job, we are going to keep you on. Here’s the and spoken on it widely elsewhere. I want to make three contract.” quick observations. That is the sort of fundamental challenge we heard The first is that this problem has been incubating for on the doorstep to the legitimacy and the reputational a long time, over the last 20 years. The inconvenient standing of this place. I ask Ministers to respond to truth that we need to face is that it has done so under that, because this Queen’s Speech simply did not. both main parties; from some of the sleaze in the early ’90s, through the spin of new Labour and the culture of 4.2 pm anything-goes irresponsibility. That was enhanced by George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): It is an absolute the former Labour Business Secretary, who said that he pleasure, as always, to follow the hon. Member for was profoundly relaxed about people getting filthy rich. Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), and to follow my hon. He should not have been; he should have been profoundly Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Penny exercised in building a culture of enterprise, philanthropy Mordaunt), who spoke yesterday in proposing the Loyal and respect for wealth creation. There was also the Address. She gave a glittering speech on the Navy, on abuse of the democratic process in connection with Portsmouth, and on the role of women in Parliament the Iraq decision, some of the scandalous excesses of and in the armed forces. It was touching, witty and the expenses scandal and the public disillusionment profound. It was a speech that my great aunt, the first with the way in which the bank bail-out was conducted British Conservative woman in Parliament, would have and the way in which bank bonuses continue to be paid been very proud to hear. It was a speech that should without so much as any criminal sanction. In America, make us all redouble our work to smash the glass ceiling people would be behind bars. That has fuelled the sense that still holds back so many women and girls in this among the public of “one rule for us and another for country and around the world. them.” In the week of the D-day commemorations, I want to My second observation is that this is not apathy; the join my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the people of Britain are not uninterested in their politics. Leader of the Opposition, who rightly paid tribute to It is anger, fuelled by an increasingly depressed and the D-day generation who gave their tomorrows for our devastating combination of powerlessness and a sense today and our democratic freedoms. It is a salutary of an unaccountable governing class, particularly in reminder, at a time when public disillusionment with Europe but also in London. There is a sense that the politics is so high, making it fashionable for people such citizens of this country are less and less able to take as Russell Brand and others to attack and dismiss power and influence over their own lives at a time when, mainstream politics, of the great privilege and prize of in their domestic lives as consumers, technology is democratic politics: free and fair elections that those in empowering them evermore. Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and other places in The third observation is that the United Kingdom the world have fought and died for. Independence party, while successfully riding this As the Leader of the Opposition said in the thoughtful wave of anger, has no answers or solutions, no serious first few minutes of his speech yesterday, highlighting policy programme and is in fact a toxic and divisive the growing public disillusionment with narrow, shrill, influence in British politics. The British people are not unduly dogmatic and self-interested politics before lurching to the right. They do not necessarily want to disappointingly reverting to type and failing his own leave the EU today and they certainly are not racist and high test, recent elections have shown us the strong xenophobic. But they do yearn for a politics and a public groundswell of anger at a politics and a model of Parliament in which those in positions of power and big government people increasingly feel is not working responsibility take and exercise their responsibilities for for them. The Queen’s Speech is about specific Bills, but those who are without them. We set the highest standards it is also a moment to reflect on the causes and implications of conduct not just in public office but in senior positions of that. With the Scottish and the EU referendums across our society: football, the media and in business. looming, there is a real risk of disillusionment fuelling We work always in the interests of the people whose 221 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 222

Parliament this is, who pay our bills and whose ancestors The Gracious Speech did not even include Bills that gave their lives 70 years ago to secure the freedoms we the Government have already produced in draft, such as cherish. the Wild Animals in Circuses Bill and the Bill to prevent It is in that context that I welcome the important smoking in cars. And what has happened to the legislation steps taken in this Parliament to begin to put this to regulate the taxi industry following the inquiry that country back on its feet: restoring the public finances; the Government asked the Law Commission to undertake? tackling the deficit; rewarding work and responsibility; Commentators have described this as a zombie our reforms to welfare, to pensions and to tax breaks Government, and I think that perhaps they have a good for the lowest paid; empowering citizens; our long-term point. Government Members who spoke yesterday economic plan for a resilient economy; the localist welcomed the next 11 months of lots and lots of general reforms to give power back to communities; the reforms debates, but, much as I welcome the opportunity to in the Home Office, in defence, health and education; discuss issues that are really important to the people of our historic commitment to begin to tackle the problem Bolton West, such debates are pointless if no action is of public disillusionment with the EU with the Prime taking to deal with those issues. Minister’s pledge to reform and to give the British Members on the other side of the House talk proudly people a referendum on the EU. of the actions taken by their Government. They seem to In the Queen’s Speech, I welcome in particular the think it is OK for there to be food banks in the fifth measures on the economy, society and politics; the richest country in the world, and that it is OK to talk recall Bill, the slavery Bill, the social action responsibility about jobs that are being created without any Bill and the small business and pensions Bills. The truth acknowledgement or understanding of the fact that is that the extent of the economic, social and political they include unpaid jobs provided through Government hollowing-out that we inherited will take more than schemes, jobs involving zero-hours contracts, jobs that four or five years to fix. It will require a better politics, have been transferred from the public sector, jobs that economy and society, which has at its heart, as this were created and then failed, and jobs in which people Queen’s Speech does, an insistence on the notion of the are self-employed. The fact that 30% of people who use reciprocal responsibilities that bind us. It requires a the Atherton food bank in my constituency are in work culture of political discourse that values what the decent provides evidence of the quality of some of those jobs. majority of British people do—a culture of fairness and It shows that the quality of a job is important, rather decency with universal values and standards that apply than merely having a job. equally to all citizens. I believe that this Parliament and Government Members make claims that they cannot this Government have started to put this country back back up with reliable evidence. Five million workers—one on its feet through key reforms to promote work and if five of us who are lucky enough to have a job—are responsibility, citizen empowerment, more responsive paid less than the living wage. That is an increase of public services and a sustainable model of growth and 400,000 in the last year alone. The situation is not just public finance. bad for those people, but bad for the rest of us. It costs I welcome this Queen’s Speech as a first step on a the Exchequer £3.23 billion a year in in-work benefits long hard road. The Leader of the Opposition began and tax losses to support employers who do not pay yesterday to point the way down that road, but I do not their employees a living wage. Low pay is bad for the believe that the public think he has a serious programme economy, and it is bad for the taxpayer as well. However, of reform to deliver what we need. I believe that the the Government have no plans to improve the national people of Newark today, and the country next spring, minimum wage. will reward the only party that does. One group of workers who are caught by both zero-hours contracts and abuses of the minimum wage are care 4.9 pm workers. People who are doing one of the most precious Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): I am very pleased jobs in our country, and whom we entrust to look after to have an opportunity to speak in the debate. I wish our elderly and disabled loved ones, are treated appallingly. that I could talk about the Gracious Speech, but in Studies show that between 160,000 and 220,000 care truth I do not believe there is very much to talk about, workers are unlawfully paid less than the minimum although I must say that I welcome the announcement wage. of action on plastic bags. My constituents cannot afford another year of Nia Griffith: When we talk about raising the minimum complacency. They cannot afford another year of a wage, we often hear scaremongering stories about jobs Government who do not understand their situation and being offshored. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as simply tinker at the edges. They cannot afford a year in care workers’ jobs cannot be offshored and will continue which the Education Secretary proceeds with his plans to be done here, there is no danger in raising their to take our schools back to the 1950s, and in which the wages? Government ignore the cost-of-living crisis faced by the people of Bolton West and do nothing to ensure that Julie Hilling: A great deal of nonsense is talked about having a job means that people can afford to live, raising the minimum wage. When we consider the cost nothing to tackle the abuse of zero-hours contracts, to the people who are employed and the cost to the nothing to address the widespread concerns about Exchequer, it is clear that we cannot continue to subsidise immigration, nothing to stop care workers being exploited, employers who could pay their employees a living wage. nothing to stop the privatisation of the national health service, the scandal of people being unable to see their Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) GPs or the scandal of missed cancer and waiting-time (Lab): My hon. Friend is right to express concern about targets, and nothing to freeze energy prices. carers, many of whom are women. Would not many of 223 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 224

[Bridget Phillipson] health service, and it will not tackle the issues of dog welfare and dog control that put my constituents at them benefit the most from Labour’s commitment to risk; and, worst of all, it is not going to make work pay. provide extra child care assistance so that their children I hope that in 12 months’ time I will be welcoming all can be looked after, as opposed to the Government’s the things that I said this Gracious Speech will not do, promise of jam tomorrow in autumn 2015? and that I will be sitting on the Government Benches welcoming the next Queen’s Speech. Truly Britain deserves Julie Hilling: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. better than this. Most carers are women, and most of them are now older women because of that very problem that people cannot afford to pay for care. 4.17 pm An investigation of 80 care providers established that Sir Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): I greatly nearly half of them were not complying with minimum welcome the Queen’s Speech and the provisions set out wage regulations. A fifth of the adult social care work in it. Having served on the Modern Slavery Joint Committee force are on zero-hours contracts. Many are not paid with Members of the House of Lords, I particularly for travel time, and, unsurprisingly, there is a 30% welcome the Modern Slavery Bill. There is a long list of turnover of care workers who work in people’s homes. things I could welcome, but I want to focus on energy This is not just bad for them; it is also bad for the people and housing as they are the topics for today. However, they care for. Imagine a situation in which someone in passing I think I need to reply a little to the hon. does not know who will come into their home four Member for Bolton West (Julie Hilling), who spoke of times a day to get them up, to feed them and to put the particular pressures that women, and perhaps women them to bed, and who does not know who will be care workers, were under, by pointing out to her that washing their most private parts. Imagine the strain of 3 million people have been taken out of income tax by their having to tell different people every day how to the raising of the tax threshold and that a large majority care for them, the strain on carers when their cared-for of them are women in low-paid jobs. I hope she will give person is unable to speak up for themselves, or the us some credit for some of the good things we are worry for people of not knowing when carers will turn doing. up and the panic when they think they might have been Energy and housing are closely linked, because 27% forgotten. of the carbon dioxide that is emitted in this country is Then there are the mistakes that occur. Members will produced from our housing stock. The link between know that I speak from experience. My mum was given energy, climate change and housing is very close indeed, both her morning and evening tablets at the same time therefore. I have long posed this question to those who the other day because the carer accidentally gave her her give advice to Government and others: “If you’ve got evening tablets and then thought it would be a good £100 million to spend, what is the cheapest way of idea to give her her morning ones as well. Another carer reducing carbon by the greatest amount?” The answer just gave her her evening ones instead of her morning every time is to tackle housing. That is cheaper than ones, and, even worse, a new carer took my mother for paying for new generating equipment and cheaper than her shower, wrapped her in a towel and left her to walk policies to cut carbon for transport, and it is certainly a alone from the bathroom to the bedroom with the towel longer-term solution than any gimcrack price fixing of wrapped around her, Of course, my mother fell and has energy policy. a head injury, and an arm injury that is still troubling I am delighted that we have doubled the amount of her now several weeks later. I speak from experience renewable energy which is contributing to electrical and I know that this is exactly what is happening to generation since 2010. I welcome our approach to generating hundreds of thousands of people every day when they energy, and I particularly welcome what we are doing to cannot rely on the care service. Imagine the distress, control energy and improve efficiency in housing. That too, of a cared-for person, day in, day out, having a has been a long-term interest of mine, and I steered on parade of different carers. to the statute book the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Low pay, insecure work and zero-hours contracts are Act 2004. I was very pleased that this coalition Government not just bad for the employee; they are bad for all of us. adopted the green deal, too. As a Minister I had the I fear that yet again my words are falling on the deaf opportunity to sign through the first step forward in ears of those who simply want to tell us that everything energy-efficiency for housing in October 2010, and I am in the world is fine. Well, it may be fine in their world, pleased to see that there is going to be delivery on but it is not fine in the world of the majority of my zero-carbon homes by 2016. The announcement is constituents in Bolton West. somewhat overdue. The Secretary of State for Communities Simply telling my constituents that things are getting and Local Government is in his place and knows my better does not solve the problem. This Gracious Speech views about that. It nearly happened in 2012 and again does not solve the problem that a third of private rented in 2013, but it has happened in 2014: we have a clear homes are non-decent homes. It will not build the announcement about the commissioning of allowable affordable homes or the social homes for people and solutions, and we can now get the industry making the their children. It will not provide secure tenancies or preparations it needs, building the confidence to invest affordable child care or raise the national minimum that it needs and making sure that it can really deliver wage. It will not guarantee a job for the long-term for us in 2016. unemployed. It will not freeze energy prices. It will not In parallel with yesterday’s Queen Speech, the Under- stop workers being undercut by the unscrupulous use of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, migrant workers. It will not make it easier for people to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol West (Stephen see their GP. It will not stop the privatisation of the Williams), made a written statement today on zero-carbon 225 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 226 homes. I want to comment briefly on one aspect of that: heroic negligence. [Interruption.] The Secretary of State what is described as a “small site exemption”. Perhaps for Communities and Local Government assures me the Secretary of State can give us a little more information across the Dispatch Box that he will further enlighten us on that. I remind him that there is no need to exclude on the subject when he replies. small sites from the application of allowable solutions. My hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield South East We already have a system, very often played out through (Mr Betts), who chairs the Communities and Local section 106, whereby if recreational facilities cannot be Government Committee, in a typically thoughtful and provided on site, a developer will contribute to a fund well-informed speech, made important points about for those facilities to be provided elsewhere. That mostly brownfield land, viability, the impact of migration and applies to small sites, because they are the ones where a the importance of devolving power to answer the English playground cannot be fitted in easily and so money is question—a point reinforced by my hon. Friend the paid to enhance playgrounds nearby. He is going to be Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart). consulting on the small site exemption and I urge him Several Members—led by the right hon. Member for to accept that my consultation number for the size of Meriden (Mrs Spelman) and supported by the right small sites should be zero homes and no bigger. hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John I wish to focus on one other aspect of energy policy Randall), my hon. Friends the Members for Ynys Môn as it affects housing efficiency, and it relates to clause 29 (Albert Owen) and for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) of the Deregulation Bill. Again, there is some history and the right hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Sir Andrew here. In 2003, the London borough of Merton won a Stunell)—spoke passionately in support of the Bill to High Court case allowing it to set energy standards for tackle modern-day slavery. There is not a single Member housing in its borough. That was strongly challenged by of the House who does not look forward to the day the then Labour Government and came at the same when that Bill reaches the statute book. time as the Bill that became my 2004 Act was going We also heard contributions from the hon. Members through Parliament. I wrote into my Bill a clause that for Angus (Mr Weir), for South Basildon and East “legitimised” the Merton ruling, but the Labour Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe), for Fareham (Mr Hoban), Government and the local government Minister at the for North Dorset (Mr Walter), for Brentford and Isleworth time took stock and decided that the embarrassment of (Mary Macleod), for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) and for challenging this sensible provision outweighed anything Northampton North (Michael Ellis), else. The Labour Government announced that they were not going to challenge the ruling, and the clause A number of Members, including the Chair of the came out of my draft Bill, as it then was, and did not Select Committee and my hon. Friends the Members need to find its form in that legislation. I say to the for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) and for Stretford Secretary of State that it was a good localism measure, and Urmston (Kate Green), raised the problem of the predating the very good work he has put in place since insecurity and expense faced by the 9 million people 2010. I urge him to talk to his colleagues across government who now rent from private landlords, including a growing and persuade them that we do not need clause 29 of this number of families. We know that many of them would new Bill, or that if we do, it should not come into force like to buy their own homes but cannot afford to do until zero-carbon homes are in place in 2016. Otherwise, so and that private renting is the most expensive form of we shall have a gap in the provision of energy performance tenure. On average, people renting privately spend 41% of for housing, which nobody wants and nobody needs. their income on housing. For those in the social rented Let us be the greenest Government ever. sector the figure is 30%, and for owner-occupiers it is 19%. 4.24 pm We also know that renting privately can mean insecurity—the point made yesterday by my right hon. Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): I draw the House’s Friend the Leader of the Opposition. How can parents attention to my indirect interest, as previously recorded of children starting school this September, for example, in Hansard. We have had a wide-ranging debate that feel confident about a stable future family life when, was opened by the Secretary of State for Energy and with 12-month tenancies being the norm—that is a Climate Change, who made the Liberal Democrat case fact—they do not know for sure whether they will still for the coalition. Were he here, I would gently point out be in their family home a year from now? Landlords can to him that there has not been a council tax freeze for tell their tenants, “Of course I will renew your tenancy, about 2.2 million people on the very lowest incomes but I want to increase the rent by 10%.” How can a who have been hit by the changes in council tax benefit. family plan their future finances, and have a sense of The most passionate part of his speech was when he future stability, when there is that degree of uncertainty talked about energy bills, but I would remind him that about both their tenancy and their rent? energy bills went down when my right hon. Friend the We also know that very frequent turnover in properties Leader of the Opposition was Energy Secretary, whereas is not very good for landlords, because properties lie they have gone up during his tenure. empty and they lose out on rent during that period. It is My right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley not very good for tenants, as I have just explained. The (Caroline Flint) then made what I think was a forensic one group of people it is good for, of course, is the speech, making the case for what could have been done letting agents, who can charge fees every time there is in the Gracious Speech to do something about markets turnover, both to landlords and tenants. I think that the that do not work in the interests of consumers, which House will agree that the industry has been poorly has dominated this afternoon’s debate. The hon. and regulated. Parts of it have developed some very bad learned Member for Harborough (Sir Edward Garnier) habits, including charging hidden fees for having pets gave what I would describe as an hon. and learned and dealing with inventories and references, all of which master-class—one with which I was not familiar before—on are on top of the large amounts of money that people 227 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 228

[Hilary Benn] that the statement from his Planning Minister, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), have to find for rent in advance and for a deposit. Many that he would not require a particular level of affordable people have to borrow to meet that bill in order to get a housing in Ebbsfleet—he said that in answer to my hon. home, which is why we would stop lettings agents from Friend the Member for City of Durham (Roberta charging fees to tenants—as is now the case in Scotland. Blackman-Woods) in the House recently—is frankly After all, when we buy a house, it is the seller who pays astonishing. Are Ministers saying that in all the garden the estate agent, and not the buyer; that is the parallel. I cities that all of us from all parts of the House want to welcome what the Government propose to do in relation see built, there will be no requirement for affordable to transparency, but it does not tackle the root of the housing? What will that do to the housing benefit bill problem. given that there has been a staggering 60% increase in To be fair to Ministers for a moment—[Interruption.] the number of working people claiming housing benefit I shall be fair; I am always fair. They claim to get the since the coalition took office? As my hon. Friend the problem of insecurity and uncertainty in the private Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) said, we are talking rented sector judging by the “Better tenancies for families about 400,000 more people. If that does not reinforce in rental homes”document. It talks about longer tenancies the point that was made yesterday by my right hon. to enable greater stability and rent review clauses that Friend the Leader of the Opposition that for many are index- linked to inflation, and yet when we recently people in this country work does not seem to pay or announced that we would give greater security by offering reward them, then what does? three-year tenancies as the norm and peace of mind My hon. Friends the Members for Bolton West (Julie that any subsequent rent increases would not be excessive, Hilling), for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) and for what happened? The former Housing Minister, and Brent North all spoke eloquently in their own way now the Chairman of the Conservative party, instantly about the effects of insecurity and low pay on people’s denounced them as Venezuelan-style rent control. sense that they lack liberty and equality, and on how as Then somebody in No. 10 Downing street suddenly a result they do not feel a sense of fraternity in our thought, “Hang on a minute, didn’t we say something society. vaguely positive about this in that CLG document?” Lo We want to see the details of the housing and planning and behold, the Prime Minister came to the Dispatch measures announced in the Gracious Speech, but after Box and said that he was in favour of longer-term four years of announcements and headlines, the truth is tenancies. So, Venezuela, having hoved into view, then that the Government’s record is not much to shout disappeared off the scene, but the Prime Minister denounced about. Four years in, the number of homes completed the idea of rent control. has been lower in every single year that the Secretary of Then something very curious happened. The hon. State has occupied his post than it was in any of the Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock), who is a 13 years of the previous Labour Government. We built Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation more homes than the coalition. The number of social and Skills, went on the “Daily Politics” show, and said homes completed last year was the lowest for at least 20 years—the Government’s own figures. That is not “on the rents issue, we put forward that policy at our conference surprising. Why? The first act of the Secretary of State last year.” on housing was to say, “I have a good idea. Let’s cut the We have three different Members of the Government capital budget for affordable housing by 60%”—surprise, and three different positions, at least two of which fully surprise, the lowest figure for at least 20 years. support our policy. I say to the hon. Member for Esher Far from having the “self-build revolution” promised and Walton (Mr Raab), if he is still in his place, what is by the then Housing Minister, the right hon. Member really a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma is for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps)—he said that the tenants wondering what the Government really think Government would double the size of the sector—the on this question of greater security for tenants. The number of self-built homes is at its lowest level for only possible explanation, in the absence of any legislation 30 years. For people who want to get a foot on the in the Queen’s Speech to give people that security and housing ladder, it now takes a lot longer to save for a greater certainty about rent increases in years two or deposit, but even when they get to that point, they find three of what we have proposed in the three-year tenancies, that house prices are now rising nationally at 8% a year is that the Government are willing to concede the point, and in London at 17% a year. No wonder that the but are unwilling to lift a single legislative finger to give Governor of the Bank of England recently said that tenants that greater security and peace of mind. Britain’s housing market has deep structural problems The only conclusion I can draw is that the Government and that the failure to build enough homes and rising are ideologically averse to the state using its power on house prices are the biggest risks to financial stability. behalf of those for whom markets do not work, and it is As I have said before from the Dispatch Box to the exactly the same issue in relation to the energy market. I Secretary of State, we support help for people to realise simply say that it is not much use to all those tenants their dream of home ownership, especially first-time who find themselves in that position. It is the difference buyers. But, if the Government simply increase housing between us and the Government. We will give tenants demand without increasing housing supply, which they greater security as of right, and the Government will have not, all that happens—and indeed it is happening—is not. that prices continue to rise out of the reach of people On building the homes that we need, I welcome the who want to get their foot on the ladder. That is what is proposal in the Gracious Speech for an urban development missing from the Queen’s Speech—a recognition of the corporation to support the building of the Ebbsfleet structural problems in the land market and the house garden city. However, I say to the Secretary of State building market. 229 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 230

Much of the focus has been on planning, and there is between local communities and developers. I say to more to come, but as my right hon. Friend the Member Ministers that the land market and the housing market for Barking (Margaret Hodge) pointed out, there is are not working and that is why there is this fundamental planning permission for 20,000 homes in her borough, problem. There is not enough competition and I do not but I think she said that fewer than 1,000 of them— understand why a Government that includes a party that prides itself on being an apostle for competition is Margaret Hodge: Five hundred. doing nothing about that. My final point is about how we can get consent and Hilary Benn: Only 500 of those homes have been get the houses built in the right place. I congratulate the built. The problem is not the planning permission, local authority of the hon. Member for Fareham on the because more than 19,000 houses with planning permission leadership it has shown—he outlined that for the House are waiting to be built; they are simply not being built. this afternoon—in recognising that there is a need for What is the structural problem? In part, it is because more housing and saying where it would like it to go. 30 or 40 years ago two thirds of houses in this country That is the essence of the deal. We have a much better were built by small and medium-sized builders, but by chance of getting communities to come forward and 2012 that figure had fallen to a third. That is a profound take responsibility for meeting housing need in their change in the structure of the house building market. area if they think that the sites they identify are where As the number of small builders has declined and as the the housing will go. As we have heard in debates in this big firms have grown even bigger, it has become easier House on many occasions over the past two or three for the dominant firms to buy up land. As Kate Barker years—this is the reason the Planning Minister sometimes found in her report 10 years ago—many Members gets a tough time—it does not work like that. Developers know that this is true—it is not always in the interests of say that the land is brownfield and too expensive, that those big builders to build out the sites on which they they cannot build a lot there and that they want to go have got planning permission as quickly as possible or for a greenfield site. That has to change. as quickly as the nation needs. The fundamental problem with the Gracious Speech The truth is that to get the number of houses we is that it does not get why so many people voted the way require to be built, there has to be a change in how the they did or did not vote at all on 22 May. It does not get housing market works—something that Ministers have the costs and insecurity that many people have to live simply failed to acknowledge. We have to get more with, whether they are caused by zero-hours contracts, firms into house building to build homes and to provide the bedroom tax, high energy bills, insecure tenancies, competition, because the high cost of housing is driven unaffordable house prices or having to go to a complete by the high cost of land. That is why, compared with the stranger and say, “Can you help me because I can’t feed rest of Europe, we have really expensive homes with my family this weekend?”That is the truth. The Government really small rooms in this country. Not enough land has are unwilling to use the power of this House to help been released for housing development and, by the time people in those circumstances. In the end, the public land is given planning permission, it is often prohibitively will judge, but if we want to restore faith in democracy expensive. That creates an incentive to bank land rather we must use our democracy to help people who find than to build on it. themselves in that position. Those who argue that land banking is not a problem forget what the Office of Fair Trading found in 2008. It 4.43 pm said that strategic land banks bought with options, which accounted for 83% of land banks, were worth The Secretary of State for Communities and Local 14.3 years of production, and that that would be enough Government (Mr Eric Pickles): It would be churlish of to build 1.4 million homes, which would be a welcome me not to thank the right hon. Member for Leeds addition. What is more, under the current system there Central (Hilary Benn) for allowing me a few moments is very little that local authorities can do about land to reply to the debate. I always enjoy following him and banking. Compulsory purchase order powers are little thought that he was particularly on form today. I always used because they are complex, legalistic, difficult and look forward to his unique combination of Lady Bracknell so on, so authorities, on behalf of the communities that and Joseph Stalin. they represent, have no effective way of bringing land We few, we happy few, we band of brothers—and, of forward to the market. That is why we would create course, sisters—are here to debate the Queen’s Speech, greater transparency by ensuring that developers register while our comrades in arms are 100 or so miles to the the land they own and have options on—[Interruption.] north marching the streets of Newark. I want to make it The Secretary of State is chuntering, but he is in favour absolutely clear that if anybody in Newark is watching of transparency, so will he support that measure? this debate on the parliamentary channel and has not We want to give councils and communities the power been to vote yet, I would not be offended if they left to charge developers escalating fees for sitting on land immediately to do so. with planning permission to incentivise them to build Many people have spoken in the debate and, although and, if they do not, to release the land. The Secretary of I think it is quite unusual to do so the following day, I State has denounced the idea, but of course it was compliment my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth supported by the hon. Member for Grantham and North (Penny Mordaunt) on an excellent speech. We all Stamford before he was given the job of Planning enjoyed it and never did I believe for a moment when we Minister. As a last resort, we would give local authorities were putting through the Localism Act 2011 that it the power compulsorily to purchase land and to assemble would eventually lead to a namesake of mine snuffling land so that we could make progress. The purpose of all through the undergrowth of my hon. Friend’s constituency. those measures is to address the imbalance of power I wish that mammal every success. 231 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 232

[Mr Eric Pickles] My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman) gave strong support to the Union and made a As the right hon. Member for Leeds Central said, persuasive case for turning the anger of the electorate apart from the wonderful speeches from my right hon. into empowering the electorate. My right hon. Friend Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate the Member for Hazel Grove (Sir Andrew Stunell) Change and the right hon. Member for Don Valley talked about improving energy in building. I cannot (Caroline Flint), the speeches started with my hon. and look at a copy of the building regulations without learned Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir Edward thinking of him. The measures on small sites are not Garnier) talking about heroic negligence. He is a there to help the larger developers; they are to help distinguished lawyer, which I know to be a fact, because small builders. As Opposition Members tried their best when my permanent secretary was the chief executive of to bankrupt the housing sector, we are trying to get a local authority, he tried to sue me for defamation and some builders back in. my hon. and learned Friend managed to save my house We have heard a lot in this debate, but one thing is and my skin. I realise that he was teasing me terribly. I clear: an economy under the Opposition would mean have looked and I can find no reference to heroic an economy in reverse, a stifled rental market, a choked-off negligence. I am taking my courage in my hands to energy market, and an overtaxed labour market. In fact, contradict a distinguished QC. As far as I can see, this is it would be a miracle if any market was going in the just a defence to a charge of negligence, where one can right direction. say one has done something in the common interest and This Government have spent four years laying the shown unnecessary valour. That does not involve, as far foundation for a sure recovery by cutting Labour’s as I can see, disappearing into a phone box and changing budget deficit, sticking to our long-term economic plan, into an outfit where one wears one’s knickers over one’s and keeping taxes down for hard-working people. The shirt. I think we may be able to satisfy my hon. and Opposition may say that some grand Whitehall housing learned Friend. targets would make the difference, but we have heard My right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden that before from the previous Prime Minister. As soon (Mrs Spelman), my right hon. Friend the Member for as they were announced, with the curse of Jonah, the Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) and house-building programme plummeted under Labour. other right hon. and hon. Members referred to the We have reversed Labour’s shameful housing market modern slavery Bill, as did my hon. and learned Friend. trend, which dragged us down to 1920s start levels. We We are pleased with the support for the Bill. My right have begun work on more than 445,000 houses since hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip 2010. Planning permissions for 213,000 homes were put mentioned that he had been to the 105th birthday of in place only last year. The Help to Buy equity loan Sir Nicholas Winton, who is widely known in the House. scheme has helped more than 30,000 people to buy or It is appropriate that on this day, when we are celebrating reserve a new home—something I understand the the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Europe, we Opposition now support. Home ownership is no longer remember that Sir Nicholas was responsible for the a pipe dream but a reality for thousands of first-time liberation of many young people in the Kindertransport, buyers. and we wish him many more birthdays to come. My hon. Friend the Member for South Basildon and Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): A contribution East Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe) welcomed the help in my constituency will be the local plan that my two for small businesses and spoke cogently about the problems local authorities are working on. One of the difficulties of small businesses getting finance from the banks. He is the green belt, which is very precious to them. The spoke also about a problem in his constituency, which I current Planning Minister, my hon. Friend the Member have shared. It is right that we are addressing that for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), and his problem. My hon. Friend the Member for Esher and immediate predecessor have emphasised that these sites Walton (Mr Raab) said that it was massively important could be removed from the green belt only in exceptional that we were bringing down the deficit and ensuring circumstances and that doing so in order to make up the that personal and banking debt were reduced. My hon. housing site numbers was not exceptional. Unfortunately, Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary some councils—I will not name them—are not heeding Macleod) spoke about the Government’s many that advice, and apparently neither are some planning achievements and the excellent quality of housing in inspectors. Assuming that my right hon. Friend agrees her constituency, which I had an opportunity to see with the Minister, would he be able to circulate this recently. important message to local authorities as they develop My hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr Hoban) their plans? talked about the way we are dealing with the housing market, and my hon. Friend the Member for North Mr Pickles: Yes, indeed. We did that, I think, as Dorset (Mr Walter) spoke about solar power and was a recently as a couple of months ago. An exceptional case strong advocate of local power. My hon. Friend the has to be made for housing on green belt. We know Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) talked about from the Solihull case that an exceptional case has to be recovering tax from tax avoidance schemes and what we made not only in terms of taking things off the green were doing to deal with the deficit. My hon. Friend the belt but putting things on to it. Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis) managed The Opposition claim that there are half a million to elicit from Labour that they wanted to out-Thatcher unbuilt houses with planning permission due to land Thatcherites by going faster and deeper with the cuts, banking; indeed, we have just heard that. I have to say which I thought was amazingly interesting. He also that that is not entirely correct. Some 90% of those spoke about the new jobs and better standards in schools, houses are currently in the process of being built or are and talked interestingly about potholes. about to be started. Our reforms on planning conditions 233 Debate on the Address5 JUNE 2014 Debate on the Address 234 in the infrastructure Bill will help to speed up the their council, with extra red tape, confusion and cost. process. We have taken a series of steps to kick-start Ending that outdated rule from the 1970s will allow stalled sites, such as scaling back unreasonable section Londoners the same freedom that home owners across 106 agreements—all measures that the Opposition have the rest of the country enjoy. It will not mean that opposed. homes will be turned into hotels or hostels, but it will This Government have turned Britain around. We are allow hard-working families to earn extra cash when safeguarding the public finances, there are 1.5 million they themselves go away. In our fifth parliamentary more people in work, income tax has been reduced for year, this Queen’s Speech builds on the foundations we 24 million people, and the deficit is down by a third. have laid. [Interruption.] If the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw The hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen), who Irranca-Davies) wants to intervene, he should stand up is not in his place, expressed concern about new homes and ask. [Interruption.] I will not give way at the in Wales. I understand why, because the number of new moment. homes in Labour-run Wales has fallen. House builders This is the sort of decisive action that the Opposition have shifted their business across the border to England, can only dream of. Labour Members talk about the cost because the Welsh Government are so anti-business. of living crisis and claim to understand it, but they The devolved Administration in Wales have hit the failed to protect hard-working people when they had a housing market with a mountain of red tape and have chance. Instead, they doubled council tax, escalated failed to support home ownership. Some builders have fuel duty, and watched as building sites downed tools estimated that it costs up to £13,000 more to build a and shops were boarded up. In contrast, this Government house in Wales than in England. It is a matter of public are protecting people who want to get on and do the policy and the regulations hurt business and jobs. right thing by putting taxpayers at the heart of decision Members do not need to take my word for that, making. because the Federation of Master Builders has stated that the Welsh Government’s waste plan is “counter- Huw Irranca-Davies rose— productive” and is “going to drive the industry further into the doldrums”. Mr Pickles: I give way to the hon. Gentleman. The Home Builders Federation has warned that the Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the right hon. Gentleman cost and regulation of building seem to be increasing: for giving way and for his advice on standing up. In “For example, proposed change to Part L of building regulations standing up for my constituents, may I ask him to on energy and carbon efficiency could potentially add nearly address the nub of my speech? The fall in the claimant £20,000 to the build cost of each new home in Wales.” count in my constituency, despite continuing long-term That is not satisfactory. problems and long-term unemployment, is welcome Labour Front Benchers will forgive me for saying news, but underneath that is the issue of poverty pay. that two Labour Back Benchers made immensely interesting Does he accept the situation under this Government speeches. The hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston whereby more people are in poverty and in work than in (Ms Stuart) spoke powerfully about Birmingham and poverty and out of work? Is that acceptable? Joseph Chamberlain. I cannot help believing that he would have laughed his socks off at her contribution Mr Pickles: We have been very clear that we want an and the idea that he would stand around and wait for increase in the minimum wage and want to do things to the Government to grant some powers. He took the prosecute employers who do not pay it. We want to see powers and I think that frightened this Chamber people on the ladder. We do not take the Labour view: enormously and led to a lot of the regulations that “You know your place and you’ll never get any better.” pushed down on local government. I think that the We believe that once people get on the employment general power of competence and the city deals are the ladder they will get a better job, move on and get future, and local government should grab that opportunity. promoted, and then reach a point when they want to In the remaining minutes, I just want to say that the put something back into society. There is nothing wrong speech of the hon. Member for Sheffield South East with the dignity of labour. (Mr Betts) really reflected the massive importance of housing in any social change. The changes we are Jeremy Corbyn: I thank the Secretary of State for attempting to make to get more private money into the giving way. Going back to planning regulation, will he private rented sector are about trying to build more reconsider the question of the lack of planning requirement resilience. Whether the hon. Gentleman sits on the for the transfer of office accommodation into housing? Opposition or Government Benches, the truth is that When a transfer takes place there is no social housing there will be no public money for a massive house-building obligation. Does he not realise that it is quite an important programme. We can only do that by making it attractive issue in areas such as mine? for private money to come into the private rented sector. Mr Pickles: It is exactly the same as it is for housing That was our concern about the proposals made by the in the rest of the country. We found that placing those hon. Gentleman a few weeks ago. My point is that they numbers created an unnecessary burden nationally. We gave uncertainty in suggesting that they might be a are happy for local people to come to an agreement on harbinger of Venezuelan rent controls. the mix and some minor adjustments have certainly I commend the Queen’s Speech to the House. helped, but building 50% of nothing is still nothing. I can announce today that we will introduce new 5pm measures to allow London home owners to rent out The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 9(3)). their homes on a short-term basis to visitors. Londoners Ordered, That the debate be resumed on Monday currently have to apply for planning permission from 9 June. 235 5 JUNE 2014 236

PETITION Planning (Shipley) Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Kidnapped Nigerian school girls do now adjourn.—(Mr Foster.) 5pm 5.1 pm Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): The petition was organised by the pupils of Sugar Hill primary school in Newton Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I am very grateful to Aycliffe in Sedgefield in my constituency, where they Mr Speaker for granting this debate, and for rescheduling managed to collect 212 signatures. it so promptly after it was postponed because of The petition states: Prorogation. I hope that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, will pass on my thanks to him. The Petition of residents of Sedgefield, Declares that 200 Nigerian school girls have been kidnapped I am grateful to the Minister for being here to respond, by Boko Haram and further that the Petitioners believe that more although I am sure that the Under-Secretary of State could be done internationally to ensure their safe release. for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), urges the UK government to do all in its power to ensure that the is disappointed not to be in his place today. 200 kidnapped school girls are released and returned to their I am in favour of localism, but I want the Minister to families. be aware that, for my constituents in Shipley, localism is And the Petitioners remain, etc. only a pipedream and a concept that they do not [P001356] experience. For them, localism is not working, and I hope that he will reflect on their experience and look at what can be done to ensure that it works for everyone. The Shipley constituency is served, if that is the right word, by City of Bradford metropolitan district council. The Bradford district has a rising population, so the council wishes to build more homes. The rising population is actually in the centre of Bradford, but to boost its house building numbers, the council is seeking to build as many houses as possible in the outskirts of the district. The planning permission granted by Bradford council for more than 300 houses in Menston—I want to focus on that—will not do anything at all to alleviate the housing demand in the centre of Bradford. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of people who come to live in Menston are from outside the district. Bradford council also wishes to regenerate the city centre, which is much needed. However, people who live in places such as Menston in my constituency go to Leeds rather than to Bradford to do their shopping. This housing numbers game will therefore do nothing to alleviate the housing needs of the district or to regenerate the city centre; yet it will ruin the nature of the villages in my constituency. What is the sense of this approach, and what will the Government do to ensure that councils have plans that meet their strategic objectives and do not just treat the whole district as a large numbers game? There is clearly far more demand for housing than supply. That is why all political parties are anxious to outbid each other on how many new houses they will build. However, in a situation of supply and demand, there should be just as much focus on demand as on supply. The reason why there is so much demand for housing is largely immigration, particularly the unlimited immigration from the EU caused by our open borders, which means that we cannot control the numbers who come into this country. The public would much prefer the supply and demand of housing to be solved by controlling demand—by controlling immigration—than by simply concentrating on supply, which will eventually lead to every green field being built on? The only sustainable position is to control demand, and I hope that the Government will reflect on that rather than indulge in an unsustainable house building arms race. 237 Planning (Shipley)5 JUNE 2014 Planning (Shipley) 238

There are many examples in my constituency of including the Environment Agency and even Yorkshire Labour-run Bradford council, which only seems to care Water—in assessing the flood risk in planning applications. about its Bradford political heartlands, riding roughshod Everyone will remember the communities that were over the wishes of local residents. For example, the flooded earlier this year, especially in Somerset, and the planning application for Sty lane in Micklethwaite has devastation that was caused. One of the most prominent been valiantly opposed by local residents through the cases outside Somerset was at Bridge, which is near Greenhill action group and local Bingley councillors. It Canterbury in Kent. The footage of the floods clearly is a wholly unsuitable site for development and, eventually, demonstrated the power of water bubbling incessantly the council’s planning committee rejected the planning up through the ground—something that I have discussed application—a decision that has been upheld by the with my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State. However, (Mr Brazier). When people think of houses being flooded, the developers keep coming back with new planning they think of heavy rain causing rivers to rise and applications. According to the developers, that is with overflow, thereby flooding the land, but I want the the encouragement of council planning officers. I would Minister to focus on the flooding that arises when water like to place on record the thanks of my constituents to comes up through the ground, as at Bridge, after heavy the Secretary of State for twice rejecting the planning rainfall, because that is a huge issue and the one on application. I hope he will continue to do so should it which the lack of expertise is most acute in the assessment ever come back to him. of planning applications. Planning permission has also been granted by Bradford Although I said that there are too many local residents council for Buck lane in Baildon and Crack lane in in Menston to whom I would like to pay tribute to Wilsden—both wholly unsuitable sites—in the teeth of name, I must mention Professor Rhodes. He is a opposition from local residents and local councillors. distinguished scientist and business man, who has spent However, there is no better example of how Bradford a great deal of time and money on commissioning council has failed local communities in my constituency experts to look at the flood risk at the sites. His most than the planning permission that has been granted for recent project used a supercomputer and the best software more than 300 houses on Bingley road and Derry hill in available to provide simulations of the area to check the Menston. I want the Minister to be aware that that viability of the land for development. From that, he has raises not just matters of local concern, but serious absolute proof that building on the proposed sites is not matters of national concern that the Government need viable. He fed that information back to Bradford council urgently to address. just before Easter, but has received, in his words, “zero In discussing the planning matters in Menston, I feedback to date”. It is deeply regrettable—indeed, it is want to begin by paying tribute to the whole community, a total and utter disgrace—that Bradford council has who have come together to fight the planning applications not taken that independent expert opinion into account. and have done all they can to protect their village. There Indeed, it has not shown any interest in it at all, and I are too many people to mention by name, but Menston urge the Minister to do what he can, even at this late action group, the Menston community association, the stage, to make the council reflect on that evidence parish council and the district councillors for the ward because otherwise a flawed decision will have been have all worked their socks off to prevent these wholly made. Even without such evidence, I have photos of the inappropriate developments from taking place. There land that is to be developed which show that it is was even a referendum in Menston, which saw 98.4% of flooded after heavy rainfall, yet that real-life proof of people vote against the development on a turnout of the problem seems unable to move the stubborn planners more than 50%. Surely the fact that Bradford council on Bradford council. granted permission for the development, despite the The groundwater in Menston is due to water-carrying opposition from all those community groups and leaders, bedrock sandstone layers falling away from Ilkley moor and the referendum, shows perfectly that localism is not towards Menston, and that type of emergence of working as it should. The matter has been time-consuming groundwater was a major issue in Kent and parts of and has brought a considerable financial cost for local Somerset. A British Geological Survey map clearly residents, who have raised more than £140,000 to take shows that parts of the Shipley constituency have a high on the council, which has dipped into public funds to, in susceptibility to groundwater flooding. Indeed, it shows the words of locals, “legally stifle resident representation”. that at Bingley road and Derry hill in Menston, possibly The planning applications for Menston have been 50% of the site is classified as being at very high risk of treated in the most cack-handed way it is possible to flooding. I draw that to the Minister’s attention, and imagine by Bradford council. The process has been press him to hold a public inquiry into those groundwater littered with errors in process. The regulatory committee emergent issues and the lack of technical ability to of the council did not even bother to get off the bus interpret those conditions which now affect such a large when it visited the site before making its decision. That proportion of the country. is no way to deal with planning applications that will I am not an expert in planning or in groundwater have such a huge impact on the local community. I have emergence, but I am a firm believer that such issues been left with the impression that, for the council, these should be left to experts. Unfortunately, it seems that planning applications have simply become a battle of Bradford council does not hold the same view. A report wills. It is determined that housing will be built on the by JBA Consulting, which is sites, irrespective of what evidence comes to light. “a leading environmental and engineering consultancy undertaking That leads me to the main point that I want the work to enhance the built and natural environment”, Minister to address and take away with him. It relates to stated that the flood risk assessment done by developers the issue of flooding and the lack of experience—certainly on the sites failed to take into account the following at local authority level, but also at other agencies, points. The first is the evidence of unusually high local 239 Planning (Shipley)5 JUNE 2014 Planning (Shipley) 240

[Philip Davies] between developers and objectors. There is frequent input by developers throughout the process, but no run-off rates. The run-off rates used in the flood risk further challenge is allowed by local residents. I hope assessment were predicted by standard flood estimations, the Minister agrees that the process should be evened but volume 1 of the Environment Agency’s “Flood out, so that each side in a planning application is given Estimation Handbook” clearly states that evidence of equal time to present their cases. high local run-off rates and past flooding should be Let me conclude by reiterating that flooding due to taken into account when establishing flood flow. Residents groundwater emergence is now of national importance have provided evidence of that in the form of video and needs to be addressed—not just for my constituents clips and pictures, yet it was not taken into consideration in Shipley, but for the thousands who lost their homes when deciding the application. in the floods earlier this year and the thousands who The second point concerns diversions of exiting believe that homes should be safe and secure from watercourses and flow paths. Diverting the water could flooding and should certainly not be built on a site in lead to flooding downstream, and developing that site danger of flooding or groundwater emergence. I find it creates the possibility that we could endanger someone ludicrous that a number of specialist organisations cannot else’s home. To me that is irresponsible decision making offer an opinion in the planning decision, especially with potentially devastating consequences for other local when the issue is as important as flooding in the home. residents. The developers also did not take into account Will the Minister agree to a full, independent inquiry catchment areas by proposed new swales. Again, the into the flooding issues that I have raised? proposed swales would lead to flooding downstream, Finally, planning departments have a duty of care but it is clear that nobody except local residents is when making their decisions, and it is clear that Bradford interested in that. council is not acting in the best interests of the public it The final point that was not taken into account is is supposed to be serving. In the words of Sam Jordison that parts of the development site are on a floodplain. and Dan Kieran, in their book “Crap Towns Returns”: Photographic evidence shows that the high run-off from “A once fine and confident Victorian City has been brought to the hill would cross the lower part of the proposed its knees by years of incompetent planning and failed developer-driven development site, and in the words of JBA attempts at ‘regeneration’”. “this part of the development site should be considered to be floodplain and therefore not suitable for development”. I hope the Minister takes seriously the points that I have raised. I am interested to know what he can do to help The report suggested that that development site would my local residents in Menston, who have fought so widen the catchment of the watercourse by 27%, meaning valiantly against this completely unjustifiable development that properties already built downstream would be affected and found that the expert evidence they obtained has by any significant flooding. If that were not enough, an taken them absolutely nowhere. What will the Government appraisal report commissioned by Sirius Geoenvironmental do to ensure that decisions are taken on all the available stated: evidence, so that we do not have such flawed decisions “This site is...located within an area in which groundwater and we prevent these flooding problems from happening flooding may be a significant issue.” in other communities around the country? It went on to say that after inspection it had located a number of seasonal springs that discharged across the site. That was seconded in separate guidelines by the 5.16 pm British Geological Survey, which suggested that when The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for high groundwater flooding is indicated, groundwater Communities and Local Government (Stephen Williams): flooding hazards should be considered I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley “’in all land-use planning decisions.” (Philip Davies) on securing—or, from what he said, Unfortunately, neither of those expert bodies are re-securing—this debate. I am sure his constituents have allowed to comment on any proposed development, been paying attention to the powerful case he made on which in my opinion makes no sense. Such bodies are their behalf. I am not sure what they would have made specifically established to research those areas in depth, of his reference to “Crap Towns”. I have picked up that so why would we not take into account their professional, book several times on visits to Waterstones or Foyles in expert opinion? The Environment Agency recommended my constituency, but have never been tempted to buy it. that the major flooding event captured in the flood risk You will be relieved, Madam Deputy Speaker, as I was, assessment of September 2012 be simulated to determine that Bristol has never featured in a book with such a how proposed developments would have coped. If that title. had been done, the modelling would not have shown the This debate underlines the importance of getting formation of the lake, thus proving that the modelling is up-to-date plans in place as the best way of determining fundamentally flawed and that 10 times more water what development is appropriate and where it takes passes across the site. Neither that recommendation nor place, and of addressing flooding appropriately through the flooding reports with the information I have presented planning. I hope my hon. Friend appreciates that, because today was provided by Bradford council to the Regulatory Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local and Appeals Committee in April 2013. Residents were Government have a quasi-judicial role in the planning denied the opportunity to present their expert evidence system, I cannot comment on the particular proposals to the independent inspector, and the public inquiry he mentioned, in Menston, Micklethwaite and Baildon, that followed was closed before it even opened. or on proposals in Bradford’s emerging local plan. Rules stipulate that there is only a small window of None the less, he raised many important issues that I opportunity for residents to oppose a planning application. hope I can address by outlining the Government’s general This clearly leads to an imbalance in representations approach and the reforms that we have made. 241 Planning (Shipley)5 JUNE 2014 Planning (Shipley) 242

In all our reforms, this Government have put plans building on the green belt or in areas where there are and communities at the heart of the planning system. designated heritage assets and flooding, which my hon. The national planning policy framework states at Friend is particularly concerned about in his constituency. paragraph 150: Therefore, even in the absence of an up-to-date plan, “Local Plans are the key to delivering sustainable development our policy strikes a careful balance between enabling that reflects the vision and aspirations of local communities. sustainable development, and conserving and enhancing Planning decisions must be taken in accordance with the development our natural and historic environment. plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.” Before coming on to flooding, I will mention briefly An up-to-date local plan, prepared through extensive the safeguards on the green belt, as this is relevant to public engagement, sets the framework in which decisions Bradford and the historic environment too, which my are taken, whether locally by the planning authority or hon. Friend mentioned in perhaps a not very flattering on appeal. All areas should have some form of development way right at the end of his speech. Our planning policy plan, but where these plans are old, the policies they sets out how the Government attach great importance contain may become less relevant with the passage of to the green belt. It explains how most development in time. I note, as I am sure my hon. Friend does, that the green belt is inappropriate and should be granted Bradford metropolitan district council’s existing permission only in very special circumstances, and that development plan dates from 2005, but I welcome its green belt boundaries should be reviewed only in exceptional publication of a version of the new local plan for public circumstances through the local plan process. National comment earlier this year. I am sure he is feeding policy equally sets out how planning must take account through his concerns on behalf of his constituents to of the different roles and character of different areas, that emerging local plan. recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the On 6 March, the Department published significantly countryside, and take into account all the benefits of streamlined planning guidance that reiterated the the best and most versatile agricultural land. importance of local and neighbourhood plans. It made In respect of the historic environment, local planning it clear that plans must be kept up to date regularly in authorities should set out in their local plan a positive the light of changing circumstances in a clear and strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the transparent way. Our policy is clear that emerging local historic environment. In doing so, they should recognise and neighbourhood plans may carry some weight in that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and planning decisions before they are formally adopted. that they should conserve them in a manner appropriate The weight accorded to emerging plans will be determined to their significance. The Government’s policy is absolutely in respect of the specific circumstances of the case, the clear that all development should be supported by plan’s stage of preparation, the extent to which there appropriate infrastructure, and local authorities have a are unresolved objections and the degree of consistency range of ways to ensure that this occurs. Legislation of that plan with national policy. also prescribes the specific bodies that local authorities National policy is clear that it is the purpose of must engage with in plan making, which include utilities planning to enable sustainable development, not any providers. Compliance with the procedural requirements development. Localism, to which my hon. Friend referred and consistency with national policy will be thoroughly several times, means choosing how best to meet tested at local plan examination. development needs, not whether to meet them. That is My hon. Friend raised issues relating to flooding. He why the NPPF also states: highlighted the importance of ensuring that homes “local planning authorities should use their evidence base to should be safe and secure from all sources of flooding. ensure that their Local Plan meets the full, objectively assessed There are strict tests in national planning policy to needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area, as far as is consistent with the policies set out in this protect people and property from flooding, including Framework.” from the groundwater flooding that my hon. Friend said was a particular risk identified by the experts he I should make it clear that most of the need for new cited. Managing the impact of flooding has been brought housing, according to information that the Government into sharp focus by recent weather, and it is quite right recognise, arises from all our constituents living longer that attention should be paid to how councils plan for and from decreasing household size—the number of new development. people who live on their own—rather than migration, which my hon. Friend made out was the case, a case I Following the floods of last winter, we have worked have heard him make several times. It is the longevity of across Government with councils in some of the worst the whole of the population that is largely driving the affected areas to understand the impact of those floods. need for ever more housing units to be built. The evidence that we have seen suggests that our policy is working. My hon. Friend should also be reassured to Local authorities should identify and update annually know that 99% of proposed new residential units that a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide the Environment Agency objected to on flood risk five years’ worth of housing against their housing grounds were decided in line with the agency’s advice, requirements. Where they cannot do so, relevant policies where the decisions are known. We have been very clear should not be considered up to date and the presumption that we expect councils to follow the strict tests in in favour of sustainable development would therefore national policy, and that where these tests are not met, apply. The presumption in favour of sustainable that new development should not be allowed. development means granting planning permission unless the adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and The main tests to be followed, in summary, are designed demonstrably outweigh the benefits or specific policies to ensure that if there are better sites in terms of flood in the national framework that indicate that development risk, or a proposed development cannot be made safe, it should be restricted. These specific policies include should not be permitted. The framework is also very 243 Planning (Shipley)5 JUNE 2014 Planning (Shipley) 244

[Stephen Williams] is a very expensive process. What financial support can be given to local communities to pursue a judicial clear that residential development should not be allowed review when such a travesty of justice has taken place? in functional floodplain where flood water has to flow or be stored. Stephen Williams: Judicial review is of course a last The risk of groundwater flooding—to which my hon. resort. We want the democratic processes to work, but Friend referred—is considered alongside other sources my hon. Friend is always able to write formally to the of flooding. National policy requires the local plan to Department where Ministers will act in accordance direct development away from areas at risk through the with advice from officials or from the Planning Inspectorate sequential approach. This means that councils must and advise what other appropriate action could be first look to locate development outside areas at risk of taken. I urge him to do that if he has not already done all sources of flooding. Where appropriate sites at low so. He indicated earlier that the Secretary of State has risk are not available, and sites at a higher risk need to already been involved to an extent in decisions in the be considered, a site specific flood risk assessment has borough, but I urge him to write in with the concerns to to be undertaken to demonstrate that development will which he has drawn attention in this debate. be safe and resilient—for instance, through flood defence A local plan is informed by a strategic flood risk or raised ground floor levels. That should not increase assessment, which includes an assessment of risk from flood risk elsewhere. all sources of flooding including groundwater. A strategic Philip Davies: Briefly, I and my local residents want flood risk assessment will draw on a range of sources of to know what they can do and what the Government information. I understand that the assessment for Bradford will do. It is all right saying what should happen but was updated earlier this year and that it considers when a flawed decision is made by a local authority that flooding from all sources, including groundwater. I does not have the expertise to understand the ramifications suggest that my hon. Friend write specifically to me at of the decision—or which is flagrantly ignoring the the Department so that we can have another look at the expert advice—what can my local residents do to make issues that he has raised. sure that that flawed decision is not implemented? What The decision whether to grant planning permission is are the Government going to do to make sure that local a matter for local planning authorities, taking into authorities do not pursue those flawed decisions? account their own local plans, strategic and site-specific flood risk assessments as appropriate, advice from the Stephen Williams: I was careful to say at the outset Environment Agency and from leading local flood that I cannot comment on specific applications to which authorities, and other material considerations. Those my hon. Friend has referred, but general advice from bodies have an opportunity to comment on draft local Ministers is that where there are concerns about particular plans and various types of planning applications where planning applications or decisions, he should use all the there is a risk of flooding. Bradford has now published relevant provisions that are in place. Judicial review may its local plan, and I suggest to my hon. Friend that be appropriate, and he is exercising his own important while it is at its current emerging stage, he should make constitutional right on behalf of his constituents to his representations loud and clear to ensure that flooding raise the issue in this place and to draw attention to is taken into account appropriately. what has happened. If a decision has been made and all the processes have been exhausted, I am not sure whether Question put and agreed to. there are any further measures that can be undertaken. Philip Davies: My hon. Friend’s advice in terms of 5.30 pm judicial review is helpful but, as he will appreciate, that House adjourned. 1WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 2WS

conferences and to enable key participants to be interviewed. Written Statements Interpreters provided simultaneous translation of the main plenary session in addition to some breakout Thursday 5 June 2014 sessions in French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. Broadcast, print, online and social media meant we were able to reach millions of people around the world who did not attend the summit. This considerable external interest in the summit was evidenced by the fact that it was CABINET OFFICE placed second on the BBC news website and that #OGP13 was trending on Twitter in the UK.

The emphasis on peer learning in the OGP led to the Open Government Partnership Summit development of an exhibition of 60 innovative projects from across the globe that had either developed to facilitate or as a consequence of open government The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster initiatives. The aim of the festival was to provide General (Mr Francis Maude): The UK Government participants with the opportunity to learn how to make hosted the open government partnership (OGP) annual progress on open government, explore the work of summit on 31 October to 1 November 2013. The summit others, create new ideas, solutions or services and marked the end of the UK’s chairmanship of the OGP encourage networking. and brought over 1,500 people together to: learn from each other; reflect on the OGP’s achievements to date; The central funding for the event came from the set ambitious new commitments for greater openness Cabinet Office, supported by funding for the pre-summit and demonstrate that open government tangibly improves reception from the Foreign Office. We agreed a budget the lives of citizens. The ambition was to bring together of £1.6 million for the summit but every effort was as many Government and civil society reformers as made to balance the need to deliver a powerful event possible from across the OGP network, as well as engaging the widest possible audience with the need to business leaders, journalists and bloggers and representatives reduce costs. As a result the actual amount spent was from international organisations—in the end we welcomed significantly less, at under £1.3 million. In-house resources over 1,500 participants from 83 Governments and civil were used as much as possible and delegates were required society organisations around the world. The Queen to cover their own costs to attend. The Cabinet Office Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster was did not provide any travel support to delegates, and hired as sufficiently large enough to accommodate a instead a travel support fund was co-ordinated by the varied and innovative agenda and it offered the flexibility OGP support unit. The Cabinet Office furthermore to operate different kinds of sessions simultaneously. secured sponsorship from Omidyar Network for live The venue was well equipped for our security needs, as streaming costs and the World Bank for the main Heads of Government were invited from a number of reception on 31 October. countries. It also provided the facilities needed for translation services. Below is a breakdown of the summit costs: The summit was co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office with involvement from the Foreign Office, the Department Open Government Partnership Summit Budget* for International Development, the OGP support unit Pre-production £249,715 and other interested civil society representatives. The Satellite £11,900 event production company WRG was hired to run the Production £434,938 event logistics, which included managing the venue and Venue hire £139,434 on-site media operation, producing delegate materials Hospitality £171,647 and liaising with speakers. Foreign Office embassies were involved in engaging the participation of 82 overseas Protocol and associated costs £61,607 Governments in the event, and their lobbying efforts Staff costs (non-salary) £1,565 helped to secure the announcement of new commitments Welcome reception and dinner £12,370 on openness from 37 Governments at the summit. Police costs £170,000 VAT £32,075 Due to a number of high-profile Ministers being in attendance, the Metropolitan police provided security Total summit cost £1,285,251 and special protection for VIPs. Further questions about the police operation should be directed to the Metropolitan police. A pre-summit reception and dinner was held for 300 guests in Lancaster house on 30 October, and a State of the Estate in 2013 reception sponsored by the World Bank was held for all delegates in the summit venue on 31 October. It was important for the event to engage the widest The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster possible audience. It was live streamed online and video General (Mr Francis Maude): I have today laid before content from each session was subsequently uploaded Parliament, pursuant to section 86 of the Climate Change to the OGP website and YouTube channel. Live streaming Act 2008, “State of the Estate in 2013”. This report enabled individuals around the world to participate provides an assessment of the efficiency and sustainability remotely, including the US Secretary of State John of the Government’s civil estate and records the progress Kerry who took part in one of the plenary sessions via that Government are making. The report is published video link. The venue housed a media centre for press on an annual basis. 3WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 4WS

TREASURY way in the world, has a stronger, more competitive economy and gives hard-working people peace of mind for the future. Debt Management Office Measures in the Infrastructure Bill related to the work of this Department would: Enable surplus and redundant public sector land and property The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Nicky Morgan): to be sold more quickly by cutting red tape around such The United Kingdom Debt Management Office (DMO) sales, increasing the amount of brownfield land available for has today published its business plan for the year 2014-15. new homes; Copies have been deposited in the Libraries of both End unreasonable and excessive delays on projects which Houses and are available on the DMO’s website, already have been granted planning permission, by a new www.dmo.gov.uk “deemed discharge” provision on planning conditions; this will help speed up house building; Modernise and digitise the Land Registry, improving services and aiming to reduce costs to end users, helping speed up the home buying process; COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Create a framework to give house builders cost-effective offsite opportunities to meet the zero carbon homes standard; and Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre Improve the nationally significant infrastructure regime by making a number of technical administrative improvements to the Planning Act 2008 following a review of how the Act The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for has operated. Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): In addition, the Deregulation Bill, which has been My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of carried over, will include the following measures that State for Communities and Local Government, Baroness would cut red tape and scale back bureaucratic restrictions; Stowell of Beston, has made the following written it will: ministerial statement: Further extend the right to buy, by reducing the eligibility I am today announcing key performance targets have been period that a social tenant has to have to qualify for the right agreed for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre for the to buy and the right to acquire from five years to three years, period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. bringing home ownership closer for approximately 275,000 The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is an Executive households; agency of the Department with trading fund status. It has proved Reform outdated rules from the 1970s preventing London to be a highly effective trading fund over many years, and has met residents from renting their homes on a short-term basis to its key financial target and returned a significant dividend to HM visitors, assisting the take-up of innovative internet sites Treasury in every year but one since it was established as a trading such as airbnb and onefinestay. fund in 1997. All of its costs are paid for by revenue from room Scrap the Labour Government’s unfair bin fines, which bookings, catering and other income. It does not receive any penalised families for not following complex and arbitrary financial support from the Department. As such, it represents bin rules; excellent value for the taxpayer. Remove top-down, prescriptive requirements on local authorities The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is also part of the to consult and produce various unnecessary strategies, giving Government’s national emergency contingency planning. them more freedom from Whitehall micro-management in The centre’s principal financial target for 2014-15 is to achieve line with the coalition Government’s ongoing localism agenda. a minimum dividend payment to the Department for Communities and Local Government of £1.5 million as proposed in the centre’s In addition, a measure in the Consumer Rights Bill business plan for the year. will ensure full transparency on letting agents fees, The centre also has the following targets to achieve: closing off the opportunity for a small minority of rogue agents to impose unreasonable, hidden charges. Room hire—To achieve a capacity utilisation ratio of 49%. This common sense approach avoids excessive state To generate secondary revenue from audio visual and IT regulation which would push up rents for tenants. services and catering royalty which in total equates to a ratio of 90% of room hire revenue. Getting Britain building To achieve an overall score for client satisfaction of at least The Queen’s Speech reaffirmed the coalition 90%. Government’s commitment to further increase housing To receive less than two complaints per 100 events held. supply and home ownership. House building—On 15 May, my Department published house building figures for the latest quarter showing Prorogation Recess (Department’s Work) housing starts are 11% up on the previous quarter and a third higher than the same time last year. House building by councils is now at a 23-year high; more new council The Secretary of State for Communities and Local housing was built in London last year than in all the Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I would like to update 13 years of the last Labour Government combined. hon. Members on the main items of business undertaken Help to Buy—Help to Buy is opening up home ownership by my Department since the House rose for the prorogation to thousands and supporting the long-term plan to help of Parliament and since the start of the new Session. hardworking people secure a better future for their Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech families. Private house building has increased by 34% The Queen’s Speech is a further step in the coalition since the launch of the Help to Buy scheme in April Government’s long-term economic plan to secure the 2013 and overall, housing starts are now at the highest recovery for our country. We want a Britain that pays its level since 2007. On 29 May, official figures for the Help 5WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 6WS to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes world-leading businesses and as their reputation grows showed that 27,861 households have been helped by the they are attracting even more new interest from investors scheme. It continues to overwhelmingly benefit first-time over the world. Since their start three years ago. Enterprise buyers, with the vast majority of sales outside of London zones have created over 9,000 jobs, attracted over 300 and at prices well below the national average. Help to businesses and secured £1.2 billion of private sector Buy is directly helping to increase housing supply, with investment. the scheme driving demand and supply of new-build On 28 May, my Department announced that £23 million homes. Almost three quarters (74%) of homes bought of essential infrastructure investment will help bring through both Help to Buy schemes are new-build properties. more jobs to Bristol, Manchester, Great Yarmouth and Affordable housing—On 30 May, my Department Leicestershire. The infrastructure investment will fund: announced that 13 housing associations will receive a Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone—awarded £6 million share of £208 million in Government guaranteed loans for commercial development in and around the new city to build affordable homes across the country. In total, centre; 26 borrowers have now been approved for loans that MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone—awarded £7.4 million will enable 5,900 homes to be built. The agreement for the construction of a new spine and distribution roads forms part of the affordable housing guarantees scheme, with a roundabout to increase access to the Hinckley site; delivered by Affordable Housing Finance, part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone—awarded Housing Finance Corporation. Through the scheme, £3 million to deliver 5,700 square metres of speculative the Government use their strong economic record from office and industrial units, as well as road and utilities for tackling Labour’s deficit to guarantee and unlock up to Beacon Park, Great Yarmouth; £3.5 billion of cheaper debt for Affordable Housing Manchester Enterprise Zone—awarded £6 million to open Finance, enabling it to lend this on to housing associations up key sites to attract companies in the healthcare and to build new homes to rent for hard-working people. medical technology sectors. Decent Homes—On 28 May, my Department announced On 3 June, I met with Chinese business leaders as a deal that could see council tenants in Salford benefit part of a drive to attract further international investment from up to £75 million investment in their homes. We to the UK’s enterprise zones. Chinese businesses have have given the green light to Salford city council to already committed billions to enterprise zones in London transfer ownership of its social homes to Salix Homes, and Manchester. The conference was a chance to show a non-profit company, by writing off the council’s them the potential of other enterprise zones and for £65 million historic housing debt. In exchange, Salix business leaders from the UK and Asia to explore trade Homes made a commitment to invest £75 million to and investment opportunities. The conference was organised ensure all 8,500 properties will reach the Government’s by Advanced Business Park, a major Chinese commercial Decent Homes standard by 2020. enterprise, one year after they announced a £1 billion Self-Build—On 3 May, I attended the Grand Designs investment to transform the London Royal Albert Dock Live event for custom build week. Self-build and custom- into a new business district in London. build offer an important alternative in providing greener, Supporting Great British high streets more affordable and more innovatively designed homes. Our £150 million budget boost to self-builders will help Between 14 and 28 May, over 900 markets across turn these visions into bricks and mortar. The right to Britain, including 100 youth markets, held thousands of build scheme will provide the solid foundation for more events as part of the third annual “Love your local self-build, unlocking council and other land as a right, market” fortnight long celebration of market culture in rather than a request, to help self-builders secure their the UK delivered by the National Association of British desired plot. Self-builders are also exempt from the Market Authorities and supported by the coalition community infrastructure levy, saving them on average Government. £15,000 for a four-bed property; we intend to follow this The campaign is proving so successful that it will be through by making similar changes to offer relief on now be recreated on the continent. France, Italy, Spain section 106 tariffs imposed on self-build. and Holland have all signed up to the “Love your local Promoting Community Rights market” brand, and will be followed by the likes of Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, On 26 May, my Department paid tribute to the Slovenia and Slovakia next year. communities that have used their new powers to protect around 1,200 local assets including pubs, parks, libraries, As part of the coalition Government’s commitment sports grounds and theatres from sell-off across England. to the high street, the future high streets forum chaired The coalition Government have taken action to give by the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and local communities new rights to help shape how local Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for public services are run and planning decisions are made. Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), published a report Local residents can put forward a community asset to on 31 May identifying local leadership as the recipe for their council to have it listed as a protected asset and, if high street success. approved, this gives a six-month window for the community The report “Good Leadership: Great High Streets” to put in a bid to buy it should it be put up for sale. analysed four Portas pilot towns and found that good Boosting local growth and jobs through Enterprise Zones local leadership was behind their successful reinvention. It concludes that any town centre, regardless of size, can Enterprise zones are part of our long-term economic really benefit from good leadership habits. The forum plan to secure a better future for people right across the recommends that every town centre across the country country. Enterprise zones are a major global investment puts in place a structure, direction and a vision for their opportunity. Many of the 24 zones are already home to work. 7WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 8WS

Celebrating England’s counties Zero carbon is one of the most ambitious standards On 16 May, my Department raised the flag of Middlesex for reducing carbon from new homes anywhere in the to mark Middlesex day, and on 2 June my Department world. We have taken great strides with the changes to also raised the flag of Dorset to celebrate Dorset day. building regulations we have made since 2010; legislation England’s traditional counties date back over a thousand for allowable solutions will enable us to complete the years of history, but in the past, many of them were picture in time for 2016. sidelined by Whitehall and municipal bureaucrats. By contrast, the coalition Government are championing local people in flying the flag for such traditional ties and community spirit. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT I am placing in the Library copies of the press notices and documents associated with these announcements. Telecommunications Council

Zero-carbon Homes The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): The Telecommunications Council will take place in Luxembourg The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for on 6 June 2014. I will represent the UK and below are Communities and Local Government (Stephen Williams): the agenda items and the positions; I intend to adopt The coalition Government have strengthened the energy each of them. requirements for new homes significantly since we came into office, reducing energy bills for home owners and The first item is a progress report from the presidency saving carbon as we move towards the zero-carbon on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament home standard from 2016. We are now putting in place and of the Council concerning measures to ensure a the final piece of the jigsaw by bringing forward legislation high level of network and information security across to enable the framework for allowable solutions. the Union. (First Reading—EM6342/13). While no formal debate is scheduled on the agenda it is expected that The zero-carbon homes standard will be achieved some member states may wish to intervene. In this through a combination of high energy efficiency standards, instance the UK’s intervention will strongly support the further measures on the dwelling to mitigate carbon, presidency’s progress report and in particular the principles such as solar panels, and allowable solutions. From in the report related to information sharing, co-operation 2016, we intend to introduce a further strengthening of and incident reporting, which would allow far more the energy performance requirements which we anticipate flexibility for member states than the Commission’s to be set at a level equivalent to level 4 energy standards original proposal. of the code for sustainable homes. The second item is a progress report on the proposal But making all new homes zero carbon “on site” is for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the not always physically feasible or cost-effective for house Council laying down measures concerning the European builders, so the Government will also introduce a system single market for electronic communications and to to enable remaining carbon emissions abatement to be achieve a connected continent (First Reading—EM13562/13 met through flexible, cost-effective allowable solutions. and 13555/13 + ADDs 1-2). Again, no formal debate is Allowable solutions will be “off site” measures to be scheduled but should there be interventions, I intend to supported by house builders. These could include creating indicate the UK’s continued support for a simplified or expanding connections to sustainable energy sources—for regulation and in particular an outcome that leads to example, district heating schemes—or improving existing the cessation of mobile roaming charges by 2016, along homes’ energy efficiency by retro-fitting measures such with increased consumer protection. Finally, we will as solid wall insulation. also reiterate our stance, whereby we do not support the A consultation was held last summer on options for proposals that would give the Commission further allowable solutions— principles, price cap and delivery competency over spectrum management nor those that methods. This proposed a menu of options for house would result in the introduction of regulation regarding builders, including taking action themselves, contracting net neutrality. with a third party provider to deliver allowable solutions These items will be followed by a presentation by the on their behalf, or making a payment to a fund which Commission on the latest iteration of the digital agenda invests in projects equivalent to their obligations for scoreboard; I do not expect to intervene on this item. carbon abatement. The Government will publish their response to the consultation shortly. This will be followed by three items under AOB, all updates from the presidency on: the proposal for a We need to have a legislative framework to introduce regulation from the European Parliament and of the allowable solutions alongside the well-established approach Council on electronic identification and trust services to setting energy performance standards through part L for electronic transactions in the internal market (First of the building regulations. Reading—EM10977/12); a regulation of the European Our approach represents a much more flexible and Parliament and of the Council on measures to reduce cost-effective way forward for house builders. But we the costs of deploying high-speed electronic communication recognise that this will represent a bigger challenge for networks (First Reading—EM7999/13); and a proposal small house builders than for larger house builders. for a directive of the European Parliament and of the That is why we think an exemption is necessary and we Council on the accessibility to public sector bodies’ will consult on how an exemption will work, to ensure websites (First Reading—EM16006/11). I do not intend that it is targeted effectively and is proportionate. to intervene on any of these items. 9WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 10WS

Finally, the Italian delegation will inform the Council Ofsted has, nevertheless, made a number of of their priorities for their forthcoming presidency before recommendations for improvement in data management, Council adjourns until the next meeting in November sharing of best practice, site infrastructure and the 2014. selection and training of instructors. The armed forces are determined to ensure that the initial training environment is supportive of the needs DEFENCE of those new to the service and the particular focus of the Ofsted inspection provides additional detail on which to reflect and review the effectiveness of our training Closure of MOD Storage and Distribution Depot regimes. (Dülmen) ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Dunne): As part of the strategic defence and New Energy Investments security review in 2010 we announced that we would withdraw half of the UK armed forces currently based in Germany by 2015 and the remainder by 2020. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Michael Fallon): Eight major renewable Consistent with that announcement, we are now in a electricity projects have now signed the first contracts position to clarify when we will close the Ministry of under the Government’s electricity market reforms. These Defence (MOD) main storage and distribution depot in projects will provide up to £12 billion of private sector Dülmen, Germany.The depot will cease non-core activities investment, supporting 8,500 jobs by 2020. by October 2015 with a view to closing the site by September 2016 and releasing it to the German federal The Government are committed to working actively authorities. with project developers to avoid delays to projects while enduring electricity market reform (EMR) is being put Regrettably, this will result in redundancies of 242 in place. These contracts, awarded under the final investment locally employed civilians, in two tranches in autumn decision enabling for renewables process, will enable 2015 and 2016. MOD officials will work closely with developers of renewable electricity projects to take final the German employment agency to support the transition or other critical investment decisions, directly impacting of the employees into new jobs, including paid time off on the time to commissioning their project. to attend training and resettlement courses. The small number of UK civil servants will be given access to These projects include offshore wind farms, coal to normal departmental procedures to secure alternative biomass conversion plants and dedicated biomass plants employment and the UK military staff will be redeployed with combined heat and power, and together represent: to other posts as their roles cease. additional renewables capacity of approximately 4.5 GW; Detailed plans for the drawdown from the Wulfen around 15 TWh or 14% of the renewable electricity we expect to come forward by 2020; and depot are still to be formulated, and are not specifically a reduction of about 10 Mt CO from the UK power sector linked to the decision regarding Dülmen. I can also 2 per annum compared to fossil fuel generation. provide assurance that all relevant German authorities will continue to be involved by us as we work to finalise We have put in place a framework of sustainability plans for our withdrawal from Germany. criteria and reporting requirements for biomass which covers these projects. These will ensure that we only provide support for biomass plants which meet the Ofsted Annual Report appropriate legal requirements for low-carbon generation. These contracts are just one of the electricity market reform (EMR) measures designed to ensure a reliable, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence diverse and low-carbon power market. DECC has robust (Anna Soubry): On 27 May, Ofsted published its sixth plans to deal with security of supply, working jointly report on welfare and duty of care in armed forces with national grid and the energy regulator Ofgem. initial training, copies of which have been placed in the I am grateful to all applicants for their participation Library of the House. Following visits to nine armed in the FID enabling for renewables process. The level of forces initial training establishments between September interest in the process demonstrates industry support 2013 and January 2014, Ofsted reports that recruits and for EMR and the healthiness of the renewables sector in trainees feel safe and that their welfare needs are largely the UK. being met. The signed contracts were yesterday laid in both All the locations assessed by Ofsted were judged as Houses. “good” or better, and two, in particular, were rated as “outstanding”. Importantly, Ofsted records that there Shale Gas and Geothermal Energy has been continued improvement across the services (Underground Access) and training establishments since the adult learning inspectorate published its first report in 2005, that: “the welfare of recruits and trainees is now an intrinsic part of The Minister of State, Department of Energy and military training”, Climate Change (Michael Fallon): The Government and, published a consultation on proposals to reform the “the supervision of recruits and trainees is thorough in all procedure for securing underground access to oil or gas establishments, and particularly good care is taken of those under deposits and geothermal energy on the 23 May. This the age of 18.” consultation will run for 12 weeks and close on 15 August. 11WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 12WS

This consultation concerns two fledgling industries, while the private sector could and should deliver the shale gas and geothermal energy, which may hold significant project, the Government were willing in principle to potential for adding to the UK’s domestic energy resources. provide contingent financial support for exceptional While these industries are both at an early stage, the project risks where this offered best value for money for Government are considering whether the existing legislative customers and taxpayers. framework is fit for purpose to enable them to determine Following due consideration the Secretary of State this potential. has determined to exercise his power today to issue a The consultation examines the existing procedures by Thames Tideway Tunnel project specification notice which companies who wish to extract oil, gas or geothermal and a Thames Tideway Tunnel project preparatory energy obtain access rights to underground land, and work notice made under the Water Industry (Specified the problems raised by these procedures. We believe Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations that, so far as underground development goes, the 2013 (“SIP regulations” ). These notices will be available existing system does not strike the right balance between on the gov.uk website shortly. the legitimate interests and concerns of landowners, This action follows the consultation undertaken from and the benefits to the community and nation at large 4 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 on the draft reasons of permitting development, where that development is for specifying the project under the SIP regulations as a otherwise acceptable in planning and environmental specified infrastructure project and the draft reasons for terms. issuing a preparatory work notice for Thames Water. The consultation also sets out the options that have On 23 April 2014 we published a summary of responses been considered during this process. The preferred solution to these two consultations. presented consists of three elements: an underground The specification notice prevents Thames Water from right of access below 300 metres (nearly 1000 feet), a undertaking the Thames Tideway Tunnel and requires voluntary payment from industry, and a voluntary public it to put the project out to tender by running a competitive notification for access. The voluntary industry agreement procurement for an infrastructure provider (“IP”) that would be supported by a statutory reserve power in the is separate from Thames Water. The specification notice case that industry defaulted on their commitment. contains the activities that the IP has to undertake and Notification would be made in the form of public includes the project’s financing, design, construction, announcements to the local community. This solution operation and ownership. The preparatory work notice would significantly simplify the existing procedure. The permits or requires Thames Water to undertake certain shale and geothermal industries will be able to proceed activities of a preparatory nature in connection with the with developing their potential, and local communities specified infrastructure project. will be appropriately informed and compensated for this right of access. In addition to these notices, we have also published an additional two notices: a notice setting out the The solution outlined in the consultation does not Secretary of State’s reasons for specifying the project change any other aspect of the existing regulatory system, and a notice setting out his reasons for issuing the such as procedures for surface access, planning/ preparatory work notice. environmental permits or safety controls. In particular, the proposals do not affect existing requirements for In summary, the competitive procurement of a separate public consultation prior to the grant of planning IP will help ensure value for money by providing an permission or environmental permits of developments. objective means of testing whether the financing costs of the project are appropriate and reasonable. If the The Government are inviting feedback on the solution project were to be delivered solely by Thames Water outlined in this consultation, and would welcome views then this competitive element for determining and helping from anyone with an interest. drive down the financing costs of the project would be The consultation can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/ absent. A separate entity that undertakes the project government/consultations/underground-drilling-access. will also isolate the project risks within that entity. That Copies of the publication have been placed in the will both reduce the risk that the costs of delivering Libraries of both Houses. Thames Water’s other services to customers will increase due to the risk profile of the project, and ensure that any Government financial support is focused on the project. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Thames Water is permitted or required to undertake certain preparatory work in relation to the specified Thames Tideway Tunnel project where this makes sense for the project timetable or to reduce interface risks. This preparatory work has a similar risk profile to Thames Water’s existing business. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Following the procurement process, the economic Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): I wish to update the regulator Ofwat will consider designating and licensing House on progress on the Thames Tideway Tunnel the successful bidder as the project’s IP. This is likely to since the written ministerial statement—3 November be in mid-2015. Assuming the IP is licensed, it will then 2011, Official Report, column 41WS—made by my hon. become subject to a modified regulatory regime which Friend the Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon). is broadly similar to the regime which applies to water In that statement the Government reaffirmed their and sewerage companies. support for Thames Water’s plans to build a tunnel to Following further careful consideration, we have also reduce the amount of untreated waste water being confirmed that a support package from the Government discharged into the River Thames. We also stated that is necessary to enable the project to attract private 13WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 14WS sector finance at a cost that is reasonable for customers. votes, 36% of which were from women. In what was one In structuring this support package we have been mindful of their biggest and most complex security challenges of the need to keep the burden on the taxpayer to the to date, the ANSF successfully secured the presidential absolute minimum required for the project to be viable. elections with millions of Afghans able to cast their Through the Government support package, the vote without significant incident or disruption. Crucially, Government will take on some of the low probability in terms of maintaining voter confidence and preventing but high impact risks the project faces during the insurgency momentum, there were no high profile attacks construction phase. If these risks do not materialise, (HPAs) on 5 April. there will be no exposure for the taxpayer. The package On 26 April, five UK service personnel—Captain provides support in the following five scenarios: Thomas Clarke, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, where an event during construction leads to an insurance acting Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner, Corporal claim that exceeds the limits of the IPs’ insurance cover, the James Walters, and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas—were Government would meet the liability above that limit. In tragically killed in a helicopter crash south of Kandahar. addition, if certain insurance cover becomes unavailable in A full investigation is under way into the incident but the market and is essential for the project to continue. there is currently no indication of enemy activity being Government will consider providing that cover; a contributing factor. The crash resulted in the third should the IP be unable to access debt capital markets as a biggest single loss of UK life in Afghanistan since 2001. result of national or international economic or political events, the Government would be prepared to provide a These deaths are a timely reminder that our troops short-term loan on commercial terms. This would help the continue to risk their lives in Afghanistan. Their legacy project to continue during any period of disruption in the is realised in the tens of thousands of Afghan security financial markets, for example like those experienced in forces who they have helped mentor and who are now 2008; securing the country’s future. They have protected our where exceptionally large cost overruns occur the Government security at home and abroad by helping the Afghans would be prepared to invest equity in the project to enable it take control of their own. Their sacrifice will not be to continue to completion where this remains viable. The IP forgotten. would be incentivised to manage costs and so avoid this situation occurring and to seek further private equity before I am placing the report in the Library of the House. calling on the Government. However, if the Government It will also be published on the gov.uk website: https:// were required to invest, appropriate measures would be put www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan- in place to ensure taxpayers received value for money; progress-reports the Government support package also makes provision for the Government to discontinue the project and pay compensation to debt and equity investors in certain circumstances. For example, where the IP requests an investment of Government Support for British Nationals Overseas equity due to exceptional cost overruns, the Government would have the option of discontinuing and paying compensation rather than providing equity; and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign the final element of the Government support package is a and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): The Foreign commitment from the Government that should the IP go Secretary launched the 2013-16 Consular Strategy in into special administration and remain there beyond 18 months, April last year, setting out a series of changes to drive the Government will either make an offer to purchase the IP innovation and excellence in the Foreign and or discontinue the project. Commonwealth Office’s consular services. The Government support package is subject to state-aid One year on, the FCO has already delivered significant approval from the EU Commission. improvements to the services received by our consular Following the Government’s decision to specify the customers across the world: project, we expect Thames Water to initiate the procurement We have given our front-line consular staff the skills and process for the IP by publishing a contract notice in the tools to identify and assist our most vulnerable customers, Official Journal of the European Union. Competitions including new policies for cases involving children and young for the three main construction contracts for the project people, and those who have been affected by mental health are already under way. problems, rape and sexual abuse, and forced into marriage. We are using new and strengthened relationships with non- governmental organisations (NGOs), such as mental health FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE charity “MIND”, and missing persons charity “Missing Abroad” to provide specialist services in areas we cannot. We now offer our customers a fast, professional and consistent Afghanistan (Monthly Progress Report) response to their first-time telephone enquiries through our three global contact centres, fielding over 30,000 calls a month from British nationals worldwide. This is enabling The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth our front-line staff to assist those most in need. Affairs (Mr William Hague): I wish to inform the House In March 2014, we completed the full transfer of all responsibility that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, together for passport applications, decisions and the issuing of documents with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for to Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO), who now offer a International Development, is today publishing the 37th online passport application service to 4 million British nationals progress report on developments in Afghanistan since overseas, and have reduced the cost of replacing or renewing passports for British nationals overseas by 35% (from April November 2010. 2014). On 5 April, the Afghan people went to the polls to We are making better use of digital channels and technology. elect a new President, as well as their provincial council The FCO’s new Crisis IT system was successfully deployed representatives. On election day, voter turnout was high in our recent crisis responses, including in Ukraine, South with preliminary results indicating over 6.6 million validated Sudan and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We have 15WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 16WS

standardised and improved the consular assistance information Government will now consult on options to reform and online at: www.gov.uk, and increasingly offer social media modernise the law and practice. The results of this channels for responding to travel advice and assistance enquiries. consultation will help to inform the draft Bill we intend Alongside all of these changes, we have simplified notarial to present to this House later in the parliamentary and documentary services, worked with host Governments Session. to reduce bureaucracy, and stopped providing some services where the private sector offers comparable and trusted A copy of this consultation will be placed in the alternatives. House Library. It will also be available on the Home Drawing on this, I am pleased to highlight that the Office website: www.gov.uk. FCO has updated our public targets to reflect the improvements made to our consular services, demonstrating our commitment to providing high levels of service to British national overseas. These new targets appear in JUSTICE the updated version of “Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide”, in print and online. We will use these new, ambitious targets to drive and measure the performance of our consular network. Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements Our efforts do not stop here. In the next year, we will continue to drive forward delivery of the 2013-16 Consular The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Strategy. We will continue to review and update our (Mr Shailesh Vara): The Government have decided that policies for providing assistance. We will continue to the United Kingdom should opt in to the proposed prepare for and manage crisis situations effectively, Council decision on the approval, on behalf of the carrying out a lessons learned process after each crisis European Union, of the Hague convention of 30 June with the aim of continuous improvement of our 2005 on choice of court agreements. The president of performance and procedures. We are aiming to deliver the Council was notified on 30 April. more services digitally, including enabling our customers to pay for some services online. We will help British The Hague convention on choice of law agreements nationals find the information they need to help themselves, was agreed in 2005. It will give greater legal force to and get through to us quickly and easily when they need choice of court agreements—that is to say, agreements consular support. And we will complete our preparations made by the parties to a civil or commercial contract for helping British nationals stay safe at the FIFA about their preferred dispute resolution forum in the World cup in Brazil. event of a dispute. I am proud of the work being carried out by the FCO The effect of the convention will be that courts will, staff across the world, often in very challenging in principle, have to give effect to such agreements. circumstances. I can assure you that the FCO remains Similar rules are already provided in the recast Brussels committed to providing a modern, efficient consular I regulation (1215/2012) for intra-EU cases. The convention service supporting British nationals overseas. will, however, mean that courts in the EU will, in I am placing copies of the following documents in the principle, be required to decline jurisdiction in favour of Libraries of both Houses: a court in a non-EU country that has been chosen by “Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide” (updated the parties. In the absence of ratification of the convention, June 2014) courts in the EU would have no such obligation. If A full update on changes made under the first year 2013-16 those courts accepted jurisdiction it could work against Consular Strategy legal certainty and, in certain cases, lead to the proceedings being substantially slowed. The convention has so far been ratified by Mexico HOME DEPARTMENT and signed by the United States and the European Union. It is expected that more states will ratify soon.

Reforms to the Riot (Damages) Act The operation of the principle of exclusive EU external competence is such that, because of the existence of internal EU rules on jurisdiction, the EU must act The Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims collectively to give effect to this convention and a Council (Damian Green): Today, I have launched a consultation decision is required. Once approved, the effect of the on reforms to the Riot (Damages) Act 1886. decision will be that the convention has effect throughout the EU (with the exception of Denmark) as a matter of The Riot (Damages) Act seeks to protect vulnerable EU law. communities from the financial impact of serious disorder both on individuals and businesses. However, following The convention is likely to be of particular benefit to the widespread disorder in the summer of 2011, it UK stakeholders, including those in the City of London. became clear that the legislation governing riot As a major centre for commercial business, the UK will compensation was outdated and of limited benefit to benefit from enhanced legal certainty in relation to victims and to those handling claims. The Government choice of court agreements. Commercial contracts commissioned an independent review of the Act in 2013 worldwide specify with impressive frequency English which reported in November. The Government believe common law as the applicable law, with courts in the that protection should continue to be provided to individuals UK chosen as the forums for resolution of any disputes. and businesses affected by riots. Having considered the Given the benefits likely to accrue to UK interests from recommendations of the independent review, the the convention, the Government have decided to opt in. 17WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 18WS

LEADER OF THE HOUSE The following Bills may extend to Northern Ireland to varying degrees. They may require the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly in relation to provisions in Government’s Legislative Programme 2014-15 the devolved field: Serious Crime (Home Office) Infrastructure (Department for Transport) The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (BIS) Lansley): Following yesterday’s state opening of Parliament, Private Pensions (DWP) and for the convenience of the House, I am listing Modern Slavery (Home Office) below the 11 Bills which were announced yesterday: Discussions will continue between the Government Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) and the Northern Ireland Executive on those Bills that Bill might include provisions that require the consent of the Childcare Payments Bill Northern Ireland Assembly Infrastructure Bill The following Bills will have limited or no application Modern Slavery Bill to Northern Ireland: National Insurance Contributions Bill Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism (MOJ) Private Pensions Bill Draft Protection of Charities (Cabinet Office) Pensions Tax Bill Draft Riot (Damages) (Home Office) Recall of MPs Bill Draft National Park Authorities (Elections) (DEFRA) Serious Crime Bill Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill The following Bills will be published in draft: SCOTLAND Protection of Charities Bill Riot (Damages) Bill Government’s Legislative Programme (Scotland) National Park Authorities (Elections) Bill Detailed information about each of these Bills can be accessed from the No. 10 website at: https://www.gov.uk/ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair government/organisations/prime-ministers-office-10- Carmichael): Nine of the 11 new Bills mentioned in the downing-street Queen’s Speech for this Session of Parliament contain provisions that apply in Scotland, either in full or in part. In this legislative Session we will take measures that NORTHERN IRELAND will help build a fairer society and a stronger economy across the United Kingdom. Thousands of working families in Scotland will benefit Government’s Legislative Programme from help to meet child care costs. The speech also (Northern Ireland) outlines the reforms to the pensions system, giving savers greater discretion over the use of their retirement funds. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa The Government will also help hard-pressed small Villiers): The Fourth Session UK legislative programme businesses with measures to help them more easily unveiled in the Queen’s Speech on 4 June contains secure the vital finances that they need to grow. measures of relevance to the people of Northern Ireland. We will maximise North sea resources, helping to The following is a summary of the legislation announced ensure future energy supply by implementing in the Queen’s Speech and its proposed application to recommendations of the Wood review. We will also take Northern Ireland. It does not include draft Bills. forward proposals to give communities the right to buy The list also identifies the lead Government Department. a stake in their local renewable electricity scheme and gain a greater share in the associated financial benefits. The following Bills will extend to Northern Ireland, in whole or in part, and deal mainly with excepted/reserved We will also legislate to ensure that armed forces matters. Discussions will continue between the Government charities are able to receive Government payments under and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that, the commitments of the armed forces covenant and we where provisions that are specifically for a transferred will increase the accountability of Members of Parliament purpose are included in any of these Bills, the consent by introducing a mechanism for the recall of Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be sought for where serious wrongdoing has occurred. them: Other measures will help tackle serious crime across Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) the UK including in Scotland, for example in clamping (MOD) down on drug-cutting agents, and we will work with the National Insurance Contributions (HM Treasury) Scottish Government on various measures including extending the use of serious crime prevention orders to Childcare Payments (HM Treasury) Scotland and bringing forward amendments to the Pensions Tax (HM Treasury) Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Recall of MPs (Cabinet Office) Act 2005 to help crack down on that abominable crime. 19WS Written Statements5 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 20WS

The speech also reiterated the commitment of the Section 2—Legislation that will not apply in Scotland: Government to making the case for Scotland staying in Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism the United Kingdom in 2014. The Government will Modern Slavery fight for a secure Scotland within a strong and prosperous United Kingdom and will continue to work to help create a stronger economy and a fairer society both in WALES Scotland and the United Kingdom. During this Session we will also reaffirm our commitment Government’s Legislative Programme (Wales) to strengthening devolution by commencing vital provisions of the Scotland Act 2012. From April 2015, UK stamp duty land tax and landfill tax will be switched off in The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones): Scotland and the Scottish Parliament will introduce The Government’s Fourth Session legislative programme new Scottish taxes to replace them. Scottish Ministers announced in the Queen’s Speech on 4 June contains a will also have enhanced borrowing powers and access to wide range of measures that will apply to Wales, either a cash reserve to manage revenues from the two taxes. in full or in part. This will increase the accountability of the Scottish The following Bills and draft Bills will extend to Government and Parliament for raising funds as well as Wales: taking decisions about how they spend them. Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) From April 2016, a Scottish rate of income tax will Bill (Ministry of Defence) also be introduced, giving the Scottish Parliament additional Childcare Payments Bill (HM Revenue and Customs and flexibility in how it raises funds for devolved spending. HM Treasury) This statement provides a summary of the legislation Modern Slavery Bill (Home Office) announced in the Queen’s Speech and its application to National Insurance Contributions Bill (HM Revenue and Scotland. It does not include draft Bills. Customs) The Government are committed to the principles of Pensions Tax Bill (HM Treasury) the Sewel convention, and we will continue to work Private Pensions Bill (Department for Work and Pensions) constructively with the Scottish Government to secure Draft Protection of Charities Bill (Cabinet Office) consent for Bills that contain provisions requiring the Recall of MPs Bill (Cabinet Office) consent of the Scottish Parliament. Draft Riot (Damages) Bill (Home Office) The Bills listed in section 1 will apply to Scotland, Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (Ministry of either in full or in part, on introduction. Section 2 Justice) details Bills that will not apply in Scotland at introduction. Serious Crime Bill (Home Office) Section 1—Legislation applying to the United Kingdom, The following Bills may extend to Wales in varying including Scotland (either in full or in part): degrees: Armed Forces (Service Complaints And Financial Assistance) Infrastructure Bill (Department for Transport) Childcare Payments Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (Department Infrastructure for Business, Innovation and Skills) National Insurance Contributions The following draft Bill will not extend to Wales: Pensions Tax Draft National Park Authorities (Elections) Bill (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Private Pensions Discussions will continue with the Welsh Government Recall Of Members Of Parliament on Bills that might include provisions that require the Serious Crime consent of the National Assembly for Wales or Welsh Small Business, Enterprise And Employment Ministers. WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 5 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 1WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 13WS Open Government Partnership Summit ...... 1WS Afghanistan (Monthly Progress Report) ...... 13WS State of the Estate in 2013...... 2WS Support for British Nationals Overseas...... 14WS

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 3WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 15WS Prorogation Recess (Department’s Work) ...... 3WS Reforms to the Riot (Damages) Act...... 15WS Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre...... 3WS Zero-carbon Homes...... 7WS JUSTICE...... 16WS Hague Convention on Choice of Court CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 8WS Agreements...... 16WS Telecommunications Council ...... 8WS LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 17WS Government’s Legislative Programme 2014-15 ...... 17WS DEFENCE...... 9WS Closure of MOD Storage and Distribution Depot NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 17WS (Dülmen) ...... 9WS Government’s Legislative Programme Ofsted Annual Report...... 9WS (Northern Ireland) ...... 17WS

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 10WS SCOTLAND...... 18WS New Energy Investments...... 10WS Government’s Legislative Programme (Scotland) .. 18WS Shale Gas and Geothermal Energy (Underground Access) ...... 10WS TREASURY ...... 3WS Debt Management Office...... 3WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 11WS WALES...... 20WS Thames Tideway Tunnel ...... 11WS Government’s Legislative Programme (Wales) ...... 20WS Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 12 June 2014

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CONTENTS

Thursday 5 June 2014

Business of the House [Col. 117] Statement—(Mr Lansley)

Presentation of Bills [Col. 131]

Debate on the Address [Col. 134] Debate adjourned

Petition [Col. 235]

Planning (Shipley) [Col. 236] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 1WS]