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Fury at minister's flippant 'get on with it' comment in tense housing grilling
Fury at minister's flippant 'get on with it' comment in tense housing grilling

Daily Mirror

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • Daily Mirror

Fury at minister's flippant 'get on with it' comment in tense housing grilling

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has been confronted after it emerged homes might not be brought up to a decent standard for another 10 years - despite dozens of children's deaths A housing minister has been confronted after it emerged homes might not be brought up to a decent standard for another 10 years - despite dozens of children's deaths being linked to their living conditions. ‌ Matthew Pennycook said the Government had taken "urgent action" to introduce Awaab's Law, which will force social landlords to deal with health hazards like damp and mould. But it was pointed out that an updated 'decent homes standard' may not be enforceable until 2035 at the earliest. ‌ Florence Eshalomi, a Labour MP and chair of the Commons' housing committee, hit out at Mr Pennycook after he said the last Labour government - some 15 years ago - also had a 10-year timeline, and suggested they weren't told to "get on with it". She told Mr Pennycook we "cannot compare" now to then, as she said the "situation is getting dire on a daily basis". ‌ Appearing at a committee hearing, Mr Pennycook was at first grilled by Labour MP Sarah Smith, who asked him about the slow enforcement of the decent homes standard. She said: "It's been made public that this might not be enforceable until 2035 or 2037. We have had 72 children die due to their living conditions between 2019 and 2024 so why would there be this delay. "Why are we not pushing as quickly as possible to make every landlord responsible for making sure that the homes families are living in in this country, while they await the progress of this building programme, are fit for human habitation?" ‌ Mr Pennycook said Labour was committed to "delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation". He said it wasn't "unusual" for the implementation of a new decent homes standard, on which is being consulted, to take time. He added that the last Labour government's decent home programme had a 10-year implementation timeline. The minister said urgent action had been taken to help people living with "acute hazards", by introducing Awaab's law, which subject to parliamentary scrutiny will come into force in October. "And that will require landlords to address significant damp and mould hazards and emergency hazards within fixed periods." ‌ He added that "there's no way" you could ask for an updated standard to be implemented within a year. But Ms Smith hit back: "Perhaps not within a year, but to be waiting 10 years seems extreme, given the money that is being made in this sector... Surely there could be greater urgency than 2035." When Mr Pennycook went to repeat his previous point on Awaab's law, chairwoman Ms Eshalomi interjected to ask him whether local authorities would have the capacity to carry out inspections to check landlords were sticking to the law. The housing minister said the law was bringing in a "significant change", with residents able to hold landlords to account by taking legal action. ‌ He added: "We're going to raise standards across the board, through an upgraded and modernised decent homes standard. On the timelines, as I said, the previous Labour government's decent homes programme... I don't think anyone at that point in time would have been saying, 'we think you just need to get on with it'." But Ms Eshalomi hit back: "We now have a situation where we have almost two million people on the housing waiting list. We've seen local authorities spend £2.29 billion. I don't need to read these figures to you. "The situation is getting dire on a daily basis. We cannot compare it to when the last Labour government (were in power). We keep saying we're in a housing crisis. There are issues with in temporary accommodation. Unless we do things differently, Minister, we're going to keep spending money as a sticking tape on this." ‌ Mr Pennycook said: "We are doing things differently. I think I've evidenced that we are doing things differently." Awaab's Law was first introduced and consulted on by the former Tory government. It is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould at his home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks' in all new homes in England
Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks' in all new homes in England

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks' in all new homes in England

Providing every new home in England with at least one 'swift brick' to help endangered cavity-nesting birds has been rejected by Labour at the committee stage of its increasingly controversial planning bill. The amendment to the bill to ask every developer to provide a £35 hollow brick for swifts, house martins, sparrows and starlings, which was tabled by Labour MP Barry Gardiner, has been rejected by the Labour-dominated committee. Despite the Labour party having supported the swift brick amendment when it was tabled on Conservative government legislation in 2023, housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, told the House of Commons committee: 'We are not convinced that legislating to mandate the use of specific wildlife features is the right approach, whether that is done through building regulations or a freestanding legal requirement.' A new petition calling for swift bricks to be made mandatory for new homes has rapidly reached 80,000 signatures in recent days, two years after activist Hannah Bourne-Taylor won a parliamentary debate to help the rapidly declining migratory birds after 109,896 voters signed a government petition. Bourne-Taylor said there appeared to be 'no logic' to the government's opposition to swift bricks when they precisely meet its ambition of creating win-wins for the economy and nature. 'They are going to be building millions of bricks into walls. I don't understand why there's such a problem with a brick with a hole in it. It seems ludicrous,' she said. 'Why say your new legislation is a win-win for new homes and the environment and exclude the only measure that is a true win-win? 'They are tone-deaf. This is such a tiny thing they could do, but it's brewing such a distrust and sense of betrayal among the people who voted for them.' Although some housebuilders are incorporating swift bricks in new builds, a recent University of Sheffield study found that 75% of bird and bat boxes demanded as a condition of planning permission for new housing developments had failed to materialise when the housing estates were complete. Asked if he would meet MPs to discuss how to encourage the building industry to adopt swift bricks more widely, Pennycook said he would be happy to have conversations with MPs despite claiming his correctly reported opposition to mandatory cavity-nesting bricks had been 'spun' in a Guardian report. These comments follow Pennycook's recent defence of the planning bill's proposed amendments to the Protection of Badgers Act that MPs warned would lead to 'hostile treatment' of the much-persecuted animal in which the minister joked: 'I would just like to make very clear, for the Guardian article that will no doubt appear tomorrow, that I have no particular animus against badgers in whatever form.' Bourne-Taylor said she hoped that the swift brick amendment would now be championed by the House of Lords. If that fails, Bourne-Taylor hopes to take her campaign to the wider public once again. The rising new petition for swift bricks 'just goes to show the public concern,' she said. 'The government are not listening to the public or the experts.' • The headline and text of this article were amended on 29 May 2025 to make clear that the proposed amendment had applied only to England.

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons
Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

South Wales Guardian

time11-06-2025

  • Business
  • South Wales Guardian

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

MPs voted by 306 to 174, majority 132, to approve the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at third reading on Tuesday evening. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Bill, which aims to improve certainty and decision-making in the planning system, will help to tackle the UK's housing crisis. Meanwhile, shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake described the draft legislation as 'dangerous' and warned it could lead to 'rows of uninspiring concrete boxes'. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Pennycook said: 'This landmark Bill will get Britain building again, unleash economic growth and deliver on the promise of national renewal. 'It is critical in helping the Government achieving its ambitious plan for change milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. 'When it comes to delivering new homes and critical infrastructure, the status quo is patently failing the country and failing the British people. 'We can and we must do things differently, this Bill will enable us to do so. It is transformative. It will fundamentally change how we build things in this country, and in doing so it will help us tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards in every part of the country.' Mr Hollinrake argued it is not possible to 'concrete our way to community', adding: 'This Bill, in its current form, is not just flawed, it is dangerous. It risks eroding trust in the planning system and widening the gulf between government and the governed. 'We need homes for first-time buyers, for young families, for key workers, for the next generation. But we need the right homes in the right places, shaped by the right principles. 'What are we being offered instead is a top-down model driven by arbitrary targets and central dictats. The result: solar settlements, identikit developments, rows of uninspiring concrete boxes that bear no relation to the history, the heritage or the hopes of the communities they are building.' This comes after Labour MPs rebelled on Monday over the Government's plans to change current nature protections in the planning system. Campaigners have raised concerns the Bill will allow developers to effectively disregard environmental rules and community concerns, increasing the risk of sewage in rivers, flooding and loss of valued woods and parks. Mr Pennycook said the 'suboptimal status quo' for the environment and development is not working, as he pledged to introduce a nature restoration fund to bolster conservation efforts. He added: 'We want to take forward a new strategic approach across wider geographies, ensuring that Natural England bring forward plans that go beyond offsetting harm to driving nature recovery as well as unlocking development.' During the Bill's report stage on Tuesday, Conservative former minister Robbie Moore accused the Government of permitting 'absolute theft' in its compulsory purchase order (CPO) reforms. The Bill will allow an inspector or, where there are no objectors, authorities to remove 'hope value' from land when a CPO is made, meaning any uplift calculated on the basis that a developer could be given planning permission in future is ignored. The MP for Keighley and Ilkley said: 'So-called 'hope value' is not a capitalist trick, it is not a racket, it is not unfair, it is simply the true market value of the property. 'Property rights matter. They are the foundation of our society. 'If the state chooses to use its powers to confiscate property of a law-abiding person and then they must stipulate on how that land must be used, and then tell the landowner how much they are entitled to receive from the state, that is wrong and in my view is an absolute theft of private property.' Labour MP Chris Hinchliff urged the Government to go further, calling for it to remove 'hope value' for any land or property which is being compulsory-purchased for the purpose of delivering housing targets. The North East Hertfordshire MP said his amendment 68 would 'give councils the land assembly powers necessary to acquire sites to meet local housing need at current use value, and so do away with speculative hope value prices, which put taxpayers' money into wealthy landowners pockets'. 'This would finally make it affordable for local authorities to deliver the new generation of council homes. That is the true solution to this nation's housing crisis,' he added. The Government has previously said it will ensure that compensation paid to landowners through the CPO process is 'fair but not excessive' and that development corporations can operate effectively. The Bill will now be sent to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons
Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

North Wales Chronicle

time10-06-2025

  • Business
  • North Wales Chronicle

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

MPs voted by 306 to 174, majority 132, to approve the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at third reading on Tuesday evening. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Bill, which aims to improve certainty and decision-making in the planning system, will help to tackle the UK's housing crisis. Meanwhile, shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake described the draft legislation as 'dangerous' and warned it could lead to 'rows of uninspiring concrete boxes'. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Pennycook said: 'This landmark Bill will get Britain building again, unleash economic growth and deliver on the promise of national renewal. 'It is critical in helping the Government achieving its ambitious plan for change milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. 'When it comes to delivering new homes and critical infrastructure, the status quo is patently failing the country and failing the British people. 'We can and we must do things differently, this Bill will enable us to do so. It is transformative. It will fundamentally change how we build things in this country, and in doing so it will help us tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards in every part of the country.' Mr Hollinrake argued it is not possible to 'concrete our way to community', adding: 'This Bill, in its current form, is not just flawed, it is dangerous. It risks eroding trust in the planning system and widening the gulf between government and the governed. 'We need homes for first-time buyers, for young families, for key workers, for the next generation. But we need the right homes in the right places, shaped by the right principles. 'What are we being offered instead is a top-down model driven by arbitrary targets and central dictats. The result: solar settlements, identikit developments, rows of uninspiring concrete boxes that bear no relation to the history, the heritage or the hopes of the communities they are building.' This comes after Labour MPs rebelled on Monday over the Government's plans to change current nature protections in the planning system. Campaigners have raised concerns the Bill will allow developers to effectively disregard environmental rules and community concerns, increasing the risk of sewage in rivers, flooding and loss of valued woods and parks. Mr Pennycook said the 'suboptimal status quo' for the environment and development is not working, as he pledged to introduce a nature restoration fund to bolster conservation efforts. He added: 'We want to take forward a new strategic approach across wider geographies, ensuring that Natural England bring forward plans that go beyond offsetting harm to driving nature recovery as well as unlocking development.' During the Bill's report stage on Tuesday, Conservative former minister Robbie Moore accused the Government of permitting 'absolute theft' in its compulsory purchase order (CPO) reforms. The Bill will allow an inspector or, where there are no objectors, authorities to remove 'hope value' from land when a CPO is made, meaning any uplift calculated on the basis that a developer could be given planning permission in future is ignored. The MP for Keighley and Ilkley said: 'So-called 'hope value' is not a capitalist trick, it is not a racket, it is not unfair, it is simply the true market value of the property. 'Property rights matter. They are the foundation of our society. 'If the state chooses to use its powers to confiscate property of a law-abiding person and then they must stipulate on how that land must be used, and then tell the landowner how much they are entitled to receive from the state, that is wrong and in my view is an absolute theft of private property.' Labour MP Chris Hinchliff urged the Government to go further, calling for it to remove 'hope value' for any land or property which is being compulsory-purchased for the purpose of delivering housing targets. The North East Hertfordshire MP said his amendment 68 would 'give councils the land assembly powers necessary to acquire sites to meet local housing need at current use value, and so do away with speculative hope value prices, which put taxpayers' money into wealthy landowners pockets'. 'This would finally make it affordable for local authorities to deliver the new generation of council homes. That is the true solution to this nation's housing crisis,' he added. The Government has previously said it will ensure that compensation paid to landowners through the CPO process is 'fair but not excessive' and that development corporations can operate effectively. The Bill will now be sent to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons
Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

Leader Live

time10-06-2025

  • Business
  • Leader Live

Planning reforms ‘critical' to 1.5m homes pledge delivery clear Commons

MPs voted by 306 to 174, majority 132, to approve the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at third reading on Tuesday evening. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Bill, which aims to improve certainty and decision-making in the planning system, will help to tackle the UK's housing crisis. Meanwhile, shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake described the draft legislation as 'dangerous' and warned it could lead to 'rows of uninspiring concrete boxes'. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Pennycook said: 'This landmark Bill will get Britain building again, unleash economic growth and deliver on the promise of national renewal. 'It is critical in helping the Government achieving its ambitious plan for change milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. 'When it comes to delivering new homes and critical infrastructure, the status quo is patently failing the country and failing the British people. 'We can and we must do things differently, this Bill will enable us to do so. It is transformative. It will fundamentally change how we build things in this country, and in doing so it will help us tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards in every part of the country.' Mr Hollinrake argued it is not possible to 'concrete our way to community', adding: 'This Bill, in its current form, is not just flawed, it is dangerous. It risks eroding trust in the planning system and widening the gulf between government and the governed. 'We need homes for first-time buyers, for young families, for key workers, for the next generation. But we need the right homes in the right places, shaped by the right principles. 'What are we being offered instead is a top-down model driven by arbitrary targets and central dictats. The result: solar settlements, identikit developments, rows of uninspiring concrete boxes that bear no relation to the history, the heritage or the hopes of the communities they are building.' This comes after Labour MPs rebelled on Monday over the Government's plans to change current nature protections in the planning system. Campaigners have raised concerns the Bill will allow developers to effectively disregard environmental rules and community concerns, increasing the risk of sewage in rivers, flooding and loss of valued woods and parks. Mr Pennycook said the 'suboptimal status quo' for the environment and development is not working, as he pledged to introduce a nature restoration fund to bolster conservation efforts. He added: 'We want to take forward a new strategic approach across wider geographies, ensuring that Natural England bring forward plans that go beyond offsetting harm to driving nature recovery as well as unlocking development.' During the Bill's report stage on Tuesday, Conservative former minister Robbie Moore accused the Government of permitting 'absolute theft' in its compulsory purchase order (CPO) reforms. The Bill will allow an inspector or, where there are no objectors, authorities to remove 'hope value' from land when a CPO is made, meaning any uplift calculated on the basis that a developer could be given planning permission in future is ignored. The MP for Keighley and Ilkley said: 'So-called 'hope value' is not a capitalist trick, it is not a racket, it is not unfair, it is simply the true market value of the property. 'Property rights matter. They are the foundation of our society. 'If the state chooses to use its powers to confiscate property of a law-abiding person and then they must stipulate on how that land must be used, and then tell the landowner how much they are entitled to receive from the state, that is wrong and in my view is an absolute theft of private property.' Labour MP Chris Hinchliff urged the Government to go further, calling for it to remove 'hope value' for any land or property which is being compulsory-purchased for the purpose of delivering housing targets. The North East Hertfordshire MP said his amendment 68 would 'give councils the land assembly powers necessary to acquire sites to meet local housing need at current use value, and so do away with speculative hope value prices, which put taxpayers' money into wealthy landowners pockets'. 'This would finally make it affordable for local authorities to deliver the new generation of council homes. That is the true solution to this nation's housing crisis,' he added. The Government has previously said it will ensure that compensation paid to landowners through the CPO process is 'fair but not excessive' and that development corporations can operate effectively. The Bill will now be sent to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

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