Speeches by Powell.

“Do you think that councils understand that? Is there enough transparency in the system about the different levels of EFS that they might get and why they might come to the Department?”

“Just to build on that, on exceptional financial support, how do you choose which councils receive EFS and how much they receive?”

“My final question about the assessment is on population. The 2021 census was in the middle of a pandemic, when there will have been population shifts that may not now be the case. How are you planning to account for actual population?”

“Is it the spending review allocation that will drive that decision, or a needs-based assessment?”

“It is good to hear about trying to find those pockets of deprivation even in areas where that might not show up, but in London, for instance, housing costs obviously dramatically shift the funding formula. Poverty, after housing costs, rises significantly, so you can understand why people are concerned if that will not…”

“How do we prevent that from happening in the future? There will be a role for mayors, which is another layer of politics. We heard from the previous panel about some of the issues around the different levels. We all agree that strategic planning is a good idea, so how do we ensure that it delivers the intent that you h…”

“Just building on that, does anyone else have any thoughts on the use of spatial development strategies? Catriona, you brought up an example and then said that it did not realise what you had hoped would happen. Why was that?”

“Just as a follow-up question, I am sure you will have seen some of these reports about the Building Safety Regulator and its impact on signing off buildings, particularly in London where there are more high‑rise buildings. Could this fee-recovery suggestion that you are making help staff and speed up the BSR?”

“Do you think that it can speed up the delivery of housing?”

“Spatial development strategies were already mentioned by Adam. We have had spatial development strategies, but the Bill intends to significantly increase the number. As an opening question, I would like to hear your reflections on the role of spatial development strategies and what sort of timeframe we might be looking…”

“I am Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater.”

“T4. As we approach the eighth anniversary of Grenfell, there is still no justice for the bereaved and survivors, but we do now have a Government response to the national inquiry. Grenfell campaigners have been clear with me that they want to see the promised changes implemented, but they are sceptical, given previous f…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Jeremy. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Andrew Lewin) for securing this debate, and all the Ministers who are working flat out on the European reset. As others have said, the instability and conflict on European soil has changed the context in o…”

“There are lots of issues with CIL in Kensington and Chelsea, by the way, which we will not get into. Even at a micro level, the distribution is very unequal. Does anyone else want to add?”

“Moving on to the community infrastructure levy, Tom, you probably already answered earlier the question I am going to ask the others. Why is it only at about 50% uptake from local planning authorities? Should the objective be universal coverage?”

“What did you make of the idea of switching to the infrastructure levy?”

“I have a very quick follow-up on the use of stamp duty. Has there ever been a similar forward use of future stamp duty?”

“What would the Treasury say? Would they be worried about setting a precedent?”

“What about here?”

“I am Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater.”