Speeches by Smith.

“Haslingden Old Road in my constituency has been shut for two years due to a landslip. Will the Minister support me in urging Reform-led Lancashire county council to get this road reopened, as it is such a vital backbone going through my constituency?”

“The Secretary of State mentioned in his statement that part of the driver of the proposals is that he wants to do something about areas of high deprivation. However, the plans presented today would make East Lancashire one of the most deprived unitary authorities in the country. What will the Government do to support a…”

“We have to be honest that this £20 million is not all new money, as it was taken out of other existing funding programmes to create that opportunity. I find it slightly surprising you are suggesting that £20 million in an area over 10 years will actually have a significant impact on local growth. It might be able to he…”

“Have you set core objectives for the Pride in Place programme? Assuming that you have, how are you measuring progress and how successful would you say that Pride in Place is as it currently stands?”

“Sarah Smith, the Member of Parliament for Hyndburn.”

“Chairs having to write their own policies on every single element of the governance of these is an entirely bad use of their time and energy, instead of being focused on understanding that community and what it needs in getting the money out of the door. There is a real piece of work and opportunity there.”

“You know I share a lot of your passion on this agenda, but the experience that I have had in Hyndburn—I have heard it in other places as well—is that these chairs are often volunteering for over 20 hours a week to get these things off the ground. They are calling out for support from Government, because they are often …”

“Finally, there is hope in plenty of places that there will be further Pride in Place funding. Currently, the criteria prevent one area or constituency from receiving it more than once, despite the fact that quite significant levels of deprivation can potentially turn up the same place twice. Might that criterion change…”

“Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that it is incredibly important that there is certainty that the reforms we are making will create a better system, rather than risk making things worse?”

“But in practical terms, in many ways the enforcement is your last line of defence, isn’t it? I am interested in whether, although landlords will have to sign off on what is within it, you anticipate extending the ability of their agents or representatives to undertake completion of the database.”

“We have heard concerns—I have raised this as well—about why the protections could not also extend to private renters, to give them that same redress in respect of serious hazards that might go on for a prolonged period. When might they be able to expect to benefit from Awaab’s law?”

“That sounds largely positive. Will there be a formal way in which some of that data and the findings are shared and published as you move towards phase two? Is phase two still anticipated for later this year?”

“Have you had inquiries from those who are seeking to use drones to support the development of plans and then the ability to deliver them? I have had contact from that sector. The complexity of regulation around drone usage is obviously a multi-departmental consideration. Has that been raised directly with your Departme…”

“How will you ensure that the database has the take-up you are dependent on? To some extent it is a voluntary engagement with that process, because it would be very challenging to enforce.”

“Do you want to talk a little about some of the challenges? It would perhaps be helpful for us to hear what you are anticipating.”

“I am the Member of Parliament for Hyndburn.”

“Awaab’s law, which we have discussed at previous sessions, is obviously really important legislation, providing greater protections for tenants in social housing against the hazards they might face. I just want a bit of an update really. We have now had the first phase of implementation; how have registered providers r…”

“Shabir Ahmed’s crimes are the worst imaginable, and we are all just horrified to learn that he has now been released. As the Government look at every option to remove this vile individual, can the Minister confirm when he expects to bring forward those options and legal solutions to this situation?”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that it would also give some comfort to my poor residents on both Ribblesdale Avenue in Accrington and Lyndon Park estate in Great Harwood, who are currently faced with the impending truth that FirstPort will shortly be their managing agent? They are rightly terrified about what that might mea…”

“I just want to turn to the idea of universal donation caps. I am interested to hear the panel’s views on this, particularly in relation to whether you think that is a proportionate response to the foreign financial interference challenge, but does it also necessitate things such as increased state funding of political …”