Lucy Frazer: The Help to Build scheme provides access to low deposit mortgages and improves affordability of home ownership for people who want to build their own homes. Modelled, in part, on the original Help to Buy scheme, customers can borrow an equity loan of between 5% and 20% (up to 40% in London) of the estimated costs to buy the land (if needed) and build their home. Currently there are no plans...
Lucy Frazer: Our Affordable Homes Programme is investing £11.5bn to deliver tens of thousands of homes across England - a significant proportion of which will be for Social and Affordable rent. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess housing need in their area, and we will continue to work with them to ensure it is delivered.
Lucy Frazer: We have set a mission that, by 2030, the UK will have nationwide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for the majority of the population. All four mobile network operators launched their 5G networks in 2019, and 5G is now available from at least one mobile network operator outside 77% of premises across the UK. 73% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband...
Lucy Frazer: Local authorities have a duty to secure early years childcare provision free of charge under the Childcare Acts of 2006 and 2016. All new primary schools are now expected to include a nursery, and many schools and other providers offer childcare for school-age children outside of school hours. Local planning authorities can secure contributions from developers through Section 106 agreements...
Lucy Frazer: The Government is taking steps to ensure large housing developments have access to effective public transport links through the National Planning Policy Framework, which states that significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes, which can include public transport...
Lucy Frazer: The Office for Budget Responsibility produces forecasts on the housing market, which can be found here.
Lucy Frazer: It is vital that the buildings we construct now are sustainable and fit for the country’s net zero future, and the department is working to reduce the carbon emissions from our new buildings. We introduced a significant uplift in energy efficiency standards in June 2022 and our flagship Future Homes and Buildings Standards will, from 2025, make sure that new buildings are ready to run...
Lucy Frazer: To support the generation of renewable energy there are a range of permitted development rights that allow for the installation of microgeneration equipment, including air and ground source heat pumps, without the need for a planning application. The rights are set out in Part 14 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, as amended....
Lucy Frazer: We welcome the Institution of Civil Engineer's engagement on these two vital Government priorities. As highlighted in the Levelling Up White Paper, the largest industrial emitting sectors are in some of the least prosperous areas in the UK, where investment in the transition to Net Zero can potentially yield significant benefits for businesses and communities. We are keen to harness the...
Lucy Frazer: The information requested is not held centrally.
Lucy Frazer: The Government has no such plans. If the Rt Hon Member has any specific concerns please write to me with further details.
Lucy Frazer: We have extended the Help to Buy deadline to make sure people do not lose out because of delays to developers completing their homes. Housebuilders must ensure they finish building work on all properties by 31 January. Information on how many housebuilders may fail to meet the 31 January 2023 deadline or will need to have their reservations cancelled is not held centrally.
Lucy Frazer: First, Mr Speaker, I apologise; we can always improve on our communications. I believe letters were sent both to MPs and to councils last night and the Secretary of State did make a written statement, but I accept that we can improve on this going forward. Levelling up is one of the driving missions of this Government as we look to build a stronger, fairer economy. As the Prime Minister set...
Lucy Frazer: I would like to correct what the hon. Gentleman suggested about which areas got funding across the country. He mentioned Yorkshire and the Humber, and I would like to clarify that, across rounds 1 and 2 per capita, every region got more than London and the south-east. Of course, the figures can be cut in different ways, but this is funding of £4 billion across the two funds for areas across...
Lucy Frazer: My hon. Friend makes a number of important points. Local councils were informed last night that we can improve on that. There were successful and unsuccessful areas, and that is because this levelling-up round was so successful. Some £8 billion-worth of bids were made, so of course there will be unhappy people this morning. However, £2 billion-worth have been successful. On my hon....
Lucy Frazer: The answer to that point is absolutely not. The hon. Member forgot to mention that Scotland got £177 million—[Interruption.] The total is £349 million across both funds. The Opposition are making points about party politics, so I would like to point out that 45% of investment across both rounds has been allocated to areas held by Opposition parties.
Lucy Frazer: I thank my hon. Friend for her wise advice. Culture is very important and I am very pleased that we are levelling up in her area.
Lucy Frazer: I am very sorry that the hon. Gentleman has not been successful. There is, of course, a round 3. There is co-ordinated action across Government to ensure that we support and level up. I am sorry he does not feel that £2 billion for levelling up across the country in terms of culture, transport and improving the areas where communities live is not worthwhile. We believe it is.
Lucy Frazer: I thank my right hon. and learned Friend. I am sure it will be possible to discuss how Swindon can continue to grow. His area has indeed been successful in previous rounds. He mentioned the towns deal, which was allocated nearly £20 million. South Swindon will continue to be well represented—I know he fights for the area on a day-to-day basis.
Lucy Frazer: I am sorry the hon. Lady was not successful, but the area as a whole has been successful. As I mentioned, areas outside London and the south-east have received more per capita. I recommend that she looks forward to the third round.