Speeches by Curtis.

“You mentioned in a previous answer that the Department was looking at introducing a new national house builder. That is an interesting and innovative idea, which I think many people think is going to be necessary to disrupt the broken market that the CMA has identified in house building. Is there any more you want to s…”

“Would you like to see the next Government bring in such legislative change?”

“The other part of the Renters’ Rights Act is that you have to prove any rent increases within market conditions. I cannot work out how you would be able to come to a calculation of what current average rental prices are in an area, as opposed to new average rental prices, without having that level recorded by the datab…”

“There is obviously quite a substantial fine if they do not. Do you have any data or evidence on the level of compliance with that passing on of information?”

“I suspect I am going to get similar answers. Can you share with us any more on what is going to be included in the database and how that is going to be helpful in driving up standards?”

“You say local plans can go higher. I assume there is an expectation in the market that the 60% of properties will cross-subsidise the minimum 40% of properties—as in, the ones that are not built to that standard will probably cross-subsidise the ones that are, to a certain extent. That will all be calculated when the P…”

“The second phase of the Renters’ Rights Act is due to be implemented later this year. Can you tell us specifically when you plan to begin rolling out the reforms?”

“Not on the fines necessarily, but do you have any data on how many landlords have passed on the information on the new Renters’ Rights Act? It is not just new contracts now, is it? Existing ones will have to pass on as the Bill progresses.”

“Sometimes you give us a deadline.”

“Why would you not include rent levels in that?”

“Is there any way it could be published?”

“I have another question on that; I will probably get the same answer. Has any analysis been done of the percentage of the homes you are making adaptable that you expect ever to be adapted? Again, it is very difficult to come to a conclusion on what that percentage should be unless you know what the eventual demand migh…”

“A key strategic partner for increasing the supply of new social homes with Homes England is Vistry, and I do not think you will be surprised to hear that they have faced many challenges recently. Given those challenges, has the Department or Homes England looked at the future of that key strategic partnership? Are cont…”

“What you are saying is that there is a cost saving to more of those homes being built adaptable, but there is also an up-front cost. It is difficult for people observing to work out where you should set that percentage—whether it should be 100%, 40% or indeed 0%—until you have the numbers, which I assume the Department…”

“Do you think there is place in the market for more consolidation?”

“I am the Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North.”

“Do you have anything more on the cost-benefit of 40% and 100%? With policy proposals like this we always talk about where you have fewer accessible homes, but do you have any analysis of the impact on supply or on the cost of housing of having that 40%, or indeed going up to 100%?”

“It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. I would like to make a couple of additional points, adding to the really important comments made by the Minister about why these changes are important. It is worth dwelling on the fact that housing in this country is prohibitively expensive for too many p…”

“To prove that point, the hon. Gentleman would need to prove that the types of applications currently going to either officers or planning committees are effectively random, but they are not. We know that different types of applications go to each one, so we cannot make that comparison between the two numbers.”

“I have taken up too much time; people really want to get off. We all accept that we should be focusing on smaller sites because, as the Minister set out, the bigger sites should be decided and focused on by the planning committees. This measure will free up more of their time to focus on those bigger sites and issues. …”