Kelly Tolhurst: We are in the process of considering the next steps for this funding as part of our preparation for the winter period. We will announce more information in due course.
Kelly Tolhurst: In November 2018 the Government issued new statutory guidance for local authorities to improve access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse who are in a refuge or other form of safe temporary accommodation: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/753667/Improving_access_ to_social_housing_for_victims_of_domestic_abuse.pdf The...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government has introduced the Job Support Scheme as part of a wider package to protect incomes and has injected over £9 billion into the welfare system, which will support people with housing costs. This includes increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that they are set at the 30 th percentile of market rents. £180 million of...
Kelly Tolhurst: The COVID-19 Rough Sleeping Taskforce was set up to ensure that as many people as possible who were brought in off the streets in this pandemic do not return to the streets. Dame Louise Casey led the Taskforce through its emergency phase, tackling the immediate issues and establishing a clear roadmap for continuing this vital work. The Government will continue to drive forwards this important...
Kelly Tolhurst: The law is clear that service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to work or services, they must be of a reasonable standard. Leaseholders may make an application to the First-tier Tribunal to make a determination on the reasonableness of their service charges. Where disputes arise or there is uncertainty over costs, leaseholders may benefit from seeking free initial advice via...
Kelly Tolhurst: Councils are at the front line as we continue to tackle this pandemic and we are determined that they have the resources they need to respond to the pandemic in their areas. That is why we’ have given councils an unprecedented £4.8 billion to deal with the pandemic, comprising £3.7 billion of un-ringfenced grants and over £1.1 billion for the Infection Control Fund. In total, over £28...
Kelly Tolhurst: The current advice remains that night shelters should remain closed for now – and providers should continue to explore alternative options for self-contained accommodation. However, we recognise that the sector needs clarity on provision as winter approaches. We are working with the sector and health experts to consider operating principles shelters would need to follow so that they can be...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government asked the Law Commission to make recommendations on a range of leasehold reforms, including reviewing current enfranchisement arrangements to make them easier, faster, fairer and cheaper, as well as reinvigorate commonhold and make it easier for homeowners to take control of the management of their block of flats or an estate. The Law Commission reports on the enfranchisement...
Kelly Tolhurst: Government does not hold this data centrally. Local authorities make local commissioning decisions based on their specific local needs. Government recognises the support that refuges provide for victims of domestic abuse and their children. During 2020/21 we have funded 166 organisations, providing almost 1900 bed spaces for victims and their children, through our £10 million domestic abuse...
Kelly Tolhurst: Decisions on Government spending beyond 2020-21 will be taken as part of the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.
Kelly Tolhurst: Through the Domestic Abuse Bill, this Government is placing a new Statutory Duty on Tier One local authorities to provide support to victims of domestic abuse in safe accommodation in England. Subject to the bill receiving Royal Assent, this new duty will commence in April 2021. To help local authorities plan and prepare for the implementation of the new duty, I am pleased to announce today a...
Kelly Tolhurst: Since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, nearly 15,000 vulnerable people have been housed in emergency accommodation thanks to the hard work of local councils and charities, saving hundreds of lives. We are now moving on to the next steps through our Next Steps Accommodation programme. We have recently announced over £90 million for local authorities in England to prevent those we have...
Kelly Tolhurst: I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the tremendous work of those in her constituency. I join with her in paying tribute to those, not only in her constituency but across the country, who worked so hard with the Government to end rough sleeping and on the delivery of the significant programme of accommodating nearly 15,000 people during covid-19. We are committed to protecting victims of...
Kelly Tolhurst: The hon. Gentleman knows that this Government are committed to working hard to end rough sleeping by the end of the Parliament. That is clear in the investment the Government have made, particularly during the pandemic and, as I have just outlined in my previous response, with the Next Steps Accommodation Programme. We are committed to making sure that during the pandemic all individuals who...
Kelly Tolhurst: We are committed to supporting regeneration in town centres through the £3.6 billion towns fund, which includes the £1 billion future high streets fund. Last week, we made an announcement on £80 million from the towns fund, which will go to more than 100 towns in England, to kick-start regeneration projects. We are also providing support to local leaders through the High Streets Task Force...
Kelly Tolhurst: I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the beauty of her town of Liskeard, and she knows that I, too, am a fan of her part of the country. The Government are totally committed to helping our high streets and town centres to adapt to changing consumer behaviour during this challenging period. To achieve that, the Government are supporting places across the country with the High Streets Task...
Kelly Tolhurst: My hon. Friend is right. We agree that turning disused commercial and retail units into new homes can provide more housing, and create more vibrant town and city centres. A number of national permitted development rights allow for shops, offices and high streets to change to residential use, which will have the impact of creating environments where people want to live, work—[Interruption.]...
Kelly Tolhurst: The hon. Gentleman knows that I have had a lot of respect for him in his previous work in this House, but I am disappointed with his position there. As an elected Member of Parliament, I am totally committed, like this Government, to driving up regeneration across the country, in no matter what part of the United Kingdom. Suggesting that there was anything underhand in relation to that towns...
Kelly Tolhurst: We recognise that LGBT homelessness is an important issue, and that LGBT people who find themselves homeless may have a different experience of homelessness due to their protected characteristics. To help us better understand LGBT homelessness and the experience of LGBT people who find themselves homeless, as well as to ensure any interventions are tailored and effective, we are conducting...
Kelly Tolhurst: I thank all hon. Members for their contributions to this debate, but also for the ideas and the clear passion that Members across the House have on this issue. I want to pick up on just a few points, because I know time is short. While I have great respect for the hon. Member for Blackburn (Kate Hollern) from our previous dealings, this country has been facing one of the most significant...