Speeches by Lewell.

“I completely agree. In South Shields, developers are doing exactly the same; they are getting around the article 4 restriction. Some of them have started to create “Airbnbs”; they are HMOs, but developers refer to them as Airbnbs in law, and are getting away with it once again. We had an article 4 direction in force in…”

“I thank the Minister for being incredibly generous and giving way again. Regarding the statutory instrument before the House, of course constituents and residents will still be able to voice their concerns, but will those concerns go to a committee to make a decision, or will all decisions on HMOs go directly to counci…”

“Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, for granting me this debate. South Shields is a beautiful constituency, with our gorgeous coastline matched only by our friendly, lovely locals. Houses in multiple occupation are buildings or flats in which two or more households share a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities.…”

“The hon. Member pre-empts what I am going to talk about later in my speech. I am also going to explain what we actually did in South Shields: residents and I forced our council to do exactly what he suggests. The character and history of our housing is being demolished before our eyes. Housing is being chopped up by gr…”

“The Minister is right: regulations are in place and there is a fit-and-proper test—but they are not working. That is why I secured the debate and why my colleagues and I are asking for stronger regulation. Everything that is in place is simply not working.”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“Can the Minister say how many licences have been revoked?”

“It was a way around it.”

“That’s helpful. I will leave it there, Chair.”

“Is the current situation sustainable, with Europe providing those in the absence of the States? How sustainable is that? For how long can that be done?”

“Morning all. Professor Harkness, in recent weeks there has been a resurgence in the aerial bombardment of infrastructure on both sides. Could you give me your current assessment of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against long-range Russian missiles?”

“Is it the Patriots that are needed to shoot down the exquisite Russian missiles?”

“Professor Harkness, you said that the Ukrainians are struggling to get Japan and South Korea to sell to them. Is there any particular reason?”

“For over a decade, I have worked with campaigners in South Shields to stop sewage dumping in our sea. We are still waiting for Northumbrian Water’s compliance plan that was promised to us last year. The industry is broken. Introducing regulations and penalties and blocking bonuses is clearly not working. Will the Minis…”

“There will now be a five-minute time limit on Back-Bench contributions.”

“Thank you, Mr Speaker—I will do my best. I have listened carefully to my hon. Friend’s responses, but youth unemployment in South Shields continues to be higher than the national average. Hospitality is the absolute lifeblood of my small tourist town, and it typically employs our younger constituents. The local industr…”

“Please will my hon. Friend look at and speak to his colleagues about a VAT cut for the sector?”

“Please will my hon. Friend look at and speak to his colleagues about a VAT cut for the sector?”

“Thank you, Mr Speaker—I will do my best. I have listened carefully to my hon. Friend’s responses, but youth unemployment in South Shields continues to be higher than the national average. Hospitality is the absolute lifeblood of my small tourist town, and it typically employs our younger constituents. The local industr…”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for the package of support she has announced today. She knows at first hand that hospitality is what my little town does best. My hospitality industry, fairground and constituents will be very happy today. Can she clarify, as I am not sure, whether the 15% VAT cut applies to all restaurants…”