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  • Paulette Hamilton – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    Paulette Hamilton – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    The parliamentary question asked by Paulette Hamilton, the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Mrs Paulette Hamilton (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab)

    The death of Awaab Ishak was a tragedy that shone a light on the issues in the sector. A family in my constituency contacted me as they had been living in temporary accommodation for more than four years. The property was absolutely full of mould; when it was inspected, it was so bad that there were mushrooms growing in the bathroom. It was ridiculous. The Government’s consultation on the decent homes standard has closed. Will the Secretary of State commit to bringing in new legally enforceable standards to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live? How will that be monitored?

    Michael Gove

    I know that the hon. Lady, with her background as an NHS professional, will have come across the consequences of poor housing throughout a lifetime dedicated to public service. She is right: we need to make sure that there is effective monitoring of improvements by RSLs. That is what the new regulator is supposed to ensure and achieve. If, for any reason, we need to provide it with more teeth or do more, I look forward to working with her in that regard.

  • Justin Madders – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    Justin Madders – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    The parliamentary question asked by Justin Madders, the Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)

    Like every other Member here, I get weekly concerns from constituents about mould in properties. Sometimes we are able to help them and we get there. It takes a long time and unfortunately problems often come back. Sometimes people come to see me who I helped when I was a councillor almost a decade ago and the problems have re-emerged, so there is something far deeper going on here—it is not just about trying to put these things right. The issue is across the whole sector. Every housing association in my constituency has these problems. There are issues of capacity, funding and accountability. I do not think these associations are accountable to the communities they represent. Can the Secretary of State say something about what he can do about that?

    Michael Gove

    The hon. Member raises at least three very important questions. First, in fairness to everyone, many RSLs have inherited housing stock—particularly that built in the ’60s and ’70s—that was simply not fit for purpose when it was constructed and is well beyond its natural life span as anything approaching decent accommodation. He is absolutely right that they have inherited significant problems. Secondly, we need to make sure that housing associations and RSLs are more accountable generally. One thing that our reforms seek to do is to ensure that the tenant voice is louder and more clearly heard. However, there can be an open debate into the future about how we improve stock overall and ensure better democratic accountability.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    The parliamentary question asked by Jeremy Corbyn, the Independent MP for Islington North, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Ind)

    I thank the Secretary of State for his statement on this awful tragedy and for the way he made it. I hope this will lead to a step change in attitudes and policy towards the housing needs of people across the whole country. I totally agree with him when he says that everyone should have a decent, safe, secure, dry, warm place to live in—absolutely right. It is not happening in my constituency, or in many others, where I come across people living in overcrowded accommodation with damp and all the other issues that go with it. In the now very large private rented sector, tenants are often afraid to complain—they fear eviction if they complain—they have no certainty of a long-term residence. We need tough legislation on the private rented sector, we need more council housing built and we need an attitude from public health inspectors that goes down like a tonne of bricks on any landlord, whoever they are, who fails in their duties to maintain a safe, dry, warm and clean environment.

    Michael Gove

    The right hon. Gentleman and I have disagreed on many things in this House, but I have to say that I agree with every single word he just said.

  • Diane Abbott – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Hackney Properties

    Diane Abbott – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Hackney Properties

    The parliamentary question asked by Diane Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) (Lab)

    The Secretary of State will be aware that the family first raised the issue a year before their little boy died. That, in my view, points to the extreme culpability of the Rochdale Boroughwide housing association. It is my view not that its head should be fined but that, if he had any conscience, he would resign. Tens of thousands of people up and down the country are in properties that are riddled with damp and mould. I have the issue myself in Hackney, and one estate, Evelyn Court, is campaigning to try to get its landlord to do something about it. It is difficult to imagine anything sadder than watching your child literally cough to death because people who were supposed to act did not. The family are of the opinion that they were treated in this way because they were migrants and because they were black. We all know all sorts of tenants have this issue, but does the Secretary of State agree that some of us believe these tenants were treated like this because they were black?

    Michael Gove

    I am really grateful to the right hon. Lady for raising that question and for the way in which she raised it. It does seem to me, on the basis of the facts as we know them, that this family were victims of prejudice, whether unwitting or otherwise. There are other examples, and there have been other examples, of individuals in both the private rented sector and the social rented sector who have been treated with significantly less respect than they deserve because of attitudes that are rooted in prejudice. We all have a responsibility across this House to call that out when it occurs and to ensure that people, whatever their background, are treated with the dignity they deserve as human beings.

  • Florence Eshalomi – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    Florence Eshalomi – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Damp in Properties

    The parliamentary question asked by Florence Eshalomi, the Labour MP for Vauxhall, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall) (Lab/Co-op)

    According to the English housing survey, 839,000 homes across the country have damp problems, including 409,000 private rented properties and 198,000 social housing properties. However, across the House, we all know that the figures are far higher. For every constituent who contacts me in Vauxhall or any other Member of the House, there are so many other constituents suffering in silence, not knowing who to turn to, living in poor conditions that are affecting their health. I welcome the Secretary of State saying that resources will be available, but the sad truth is that cuts over the last 12 years to our local councils have borne human consequences. This boy’s sad death should not have happened. Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that the Government have an urgent duty to do better so that more tragedies such as this do not happen?

    Michael Gove

    I am grateful to the hon. Lady, who on the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee and elsewhere has been a clear and consistent voice calling for the better treatment of tenants in a variety of different tenures. The cases that she has brought to my attention and others’ make a compelling case for change. She is right that we in government must ensure that we provide an appropriate level of resource. I do believe that ensuring that more people are aware of how to contact the ombudsman and ensuring that the regulator has additional teeth will contribute to change. But, of course, all of us need to ensure that we keep the situation under review. Her question gives me the opportunity again to praise the work of Dan Hewitt of ITN and, of course, Kwajo Tweneboa, the housing campaigner, who have worked with her to highlight the problems that we both want to see resolved.

  • Holly Lynch – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Safety of Iranians in the UK

    Holly Lynch – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Safety of Iranians in the UK

    The parliamentary question asked by Holly Lynch, the Labour MP for Halifax, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Holly Lynch (Halifax) (Lab)

    We know that we have Iranian nationals here in the UK who have clear links to the regime. We also know that Iranian and, in particular, Iranian-heritage journalists based here in the UK have been subjected to incredibly serious harassment and threats. A recent report from MI5 said that up to 10 assassination attempts have been made on British residents this year. What is the Minister doing to work with his colleagues across Government to ensure that those speaking out against the regime who are based here in the UK are safe, and that those who are propping up the regime and living in the UK know that that is utterly unacceptable?

    David Rutley

    As I have said previously, in response to a very serious issue that has been raised, the Foreign Secretary asked the chargé d’affaires to come to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where it was made clear to them, in no uncertain terms, that we do not allow or condone any of these intimidatory activities. We are constantly monitoring that situation and we will call that activity out.

  • Tom Hunt – 2022 Parliamentary Question about the Christian Community in Iran

    Tom Hunt – 2022 Parliamentary Question about the Christian Community in Iran

    The parliamentary question asked by Tom Hunt, the Conservative MP for Ipswich, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Tom Hunt (Ipswich) (Con)

    Lots of grim things are happening in the world, but many of us will be particularly troubled and disturbed by what has been happening in Iran recently. My heart goes out to everyone who is protesting, particularly the women and girls. I support the views expressed by many of my colleagues today, because I think that the IRGC should be listed as a terrorist organisation, but I would like to ask the Minister about the Christian community in Iran. Last Friday, I met a Christian who fled Iran and is now a key part of the local church in Ipswich. What steps are the Government taking to support the Christian community in Iran and the many people fleeing persecution?

    David Rutley

    That is a good question, and on a subject that I feel strongly about too—I note that the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) is in his place and he feels strongly about these issues too. We raise those issues about Christians and about other minorities in Iran, as we absolutely need to do.

  • David Jones – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Iranian Government

    David Jones – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Iranian Government

    The parliamentary question asked by David Jones, the Conservative MP for Clwyd West, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)

    It has been clear for many years that Iran is a rogue state, presided over by gangsters posing as clerics and seeking to maintain control through the actions of thugs posing as police officers and militia. It is clear that the regime is terrified of losing that control, which is why it is now resorting to executing its own citizens for confected crimes. Does my hon. Friend agree that now is the time for the United Kingdom to position itself on the right side of history by declaring unequivocally that it supports the demands of the brave people of Iran for regime change in that country? I understand that he will not comment on what proscription the Government may be considering, but will he take it from me that very many hon. Members would be delighted if they woke up tomorrow morning to discover that the IRGC had been proscribed today?

    David Rutley

    I understand the points that my right hon. Friend makes. The destabilising activity of the IRGC, be it in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria, is very concerning, in the region and beyond. We are constantly keeping that proscription under review but, as he knows, I cannot comment at this stage.

  • Greg Smith – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Best Western Buckingham Hotel

    Greg Smith – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Best Western Buckingham Hotel

    The parliamentary question asked by Greg Smith, the Conservative MP for Buckingham, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)

    As if the acquisition of the Best Western Buckingham Hotel, costing hotel staff their jobs and putting unacceptable pressure on local services, were not bad enough, Buckinghamshire Council learned at third hand from a London borough just this morning that an asylum seeker who is under investigation for a very serious offence was transferred to the asylum hotel in Buckingham by the Metropolitan Police but was not escorted into the premises, and has since gone missing. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that process is wholly unacceptable, as were the lines of communication which meant that my local council learned the facts from a London borough rather than from the Home Office or the police, and will he give a commitment that everything possible is being done to apprehend that individual and ensure that until the investigation has been completed the individual is in secure accommodation?

    Robert Jenrick

    That does sound like a very concerning incident. My hon. Friend has my assurance that I will raise it with the Home Office and, indeed, the police, and will report back to him.

  • Paul Bristow – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough

    Paul Bristow – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough

    The parliamentary question asked by Paul Bristow, the Conservative MP for Peterborough, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Paul Bristow (Peterborough) (Con)

    Peterborough is a caring city that supports more asylum seekers than any other town or city in the east of England. In the past week, two hotels have been stood up to accommodate single men who have crossed the channel in small boats. One in particular, the Great Northern Hotel, is most inappropriate. Will the Minister outline the criteria by which the Home Office will award longer-term contracts for hotel accommodation? Will he listen to me, my local council, the local police, local health support services and local refugee charities about why the Great Northern Hotel in particular is so inappropriate?

    Robert Jenrick

    I know that, like many other Members on both sides of the House, my hon. Friend has been campaigning vociferously on this issue and is deeply concerned about it. We want to ensure that we can move as quickly as possible—as quickly as is legally possible—to a system whereby we apply sensible, common-sense criteria. That includes ensuring that prominent business hotels such as the Great Northern are not chosen to house asylum seekers, and that instead we choose hotels that provide decent, value-for-money accommodation in appropriate places.