Yvonne Fovargue: Last week, I visited Zeelandia UK. Besides showing me its range of products, I had a Zoom call with the managing director of that company’s Ukrainian factory, who set up “Bake for Ukraine”, a project that helps bring fresh bread to local people by sending decommissioned commercial bakery equipment from the UK, which is converted and given to small bakeries in local villages. Tesco...
Yvonne Fovargue: There are things to welcome in the Budget when it comes to helping people struggling with hardship and debt, but they are more about tinkering than about providing solutions to the underlying problems. I welcome the extension to the household support fund, which is distributed by local councils and is a crucial lifeline for desperate families, but it is only for six months. That is wholly...
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 4, clause 4, page 2, line 37, at end insert— “(3) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament— (a) a draft of a statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under section 1, and (b) a draft of a statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under section 2 within fourteen days of the passing of this...
Yvonne Fovargue: Before we begin, I have a few preliminary reminders for the Committee. Members should switch all their electronic devices to silent. No food or drink, apart from water, is allowed. Will Members please email their speaking notes to Hansard? My selection and grouping for today’s meeting is available online and in the room and shows how the selected amendments have been grouped for debate....
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Clause 3 stand part. The schedule.
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Clause stand part. Amendment 2, clause 4, page 2, line 27, leave out “or privilege” and insert “, privilege or exemption”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 1 and ensures that an exemption conferred by an Order under clause 2(1)(e) can be subject to exceptions set out in the Order.
Yvonne Fovargue: I will call George Eustice to move the motion and then call the Minister to respond. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as per the convention of the 30-minute debate.
Yvonne Fovargue: Yes
Yvonne Fovargue: Order. I remind Members that they should bob if they wish to be called in this debate. I will be imposing an informal time limit of five minutes on speeches, and interventions should be short.
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to consider the following: Government amendments 112, 115 and 116.
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 178, in schedule 2, page 77, line 17, leave out “omit subsection (5)” and insert— “for subsection (5) substitute— ‘(5) A person is also threatened with homelessness if— (a) a valid notice has been given to the person under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 in respect of the only accommodation the person has that...
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government amendments 20 to 25. Amendment 163, in clause 11, page 15, line 14, leave out “£5,000” and insert “£30,000”. This amendment would increase the maximum financial penalty that local authorities could levy against a landlord or former landlord that they are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt has contravened provisions...
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss Government new clause 3—Duty of landlord and contractor to give statement of terms and other information.
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 140, in clause 10, page 13, line 11, leave out “three” and insert “12”. Amendments 140 and 141 would prohibit a landlord from reletting or remarketing a property within 12 months of obtaining possession on the ground for occupation or selling; and from authorising a letting agent to market the property within that...
Yvonne Fovargue: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 182, in clause 7, page 8, line 37, at and insert— “(d) the landlord may not review or withdraw consent once given.” This amendment ensures that a tenant may keep a pet for the duration of their tenancy once consent has been given. Amendment 184, in clause 7, page 9, line 2, leave out “42nd” and insert “14th”....
Yvonne Fovargue: I remind the Committee that with this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 159, in clause 5, page 6, line 23, at end insert— “ (1) Any increased rent which is paid otherwise than in accordance with section 13 or section 13A is recoverable from the landlord by the tenant as a debt claim in the courts. (2) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, provide for such...
Yvonne Fovargue: We will now hear oral evidence from Jen Berezai, the co-founder of AdvoCATS. We have until 1 pm for this panel. Could you please introduce yourself for the record?
Yvonne Fovargue: As there are no further questions from Members, I thank our witness for coming to give evidence.
Yvonne Fovargue: We will now hear oral evidence from Jacky Peacock, who is the head of campaigns for the organisation Advice for Renters. We have until 12.45 pm for this panel. Could you please introduce yourself for the record?
Yvonne Fovargue: Can I move on to the Minister?