Speeches by Caliskan.

“I am aware that some of this has already been picked up, but I want to talk a little more about the delays, because MHCLG have set out expectations for progress on remediation works, but the pace, as I think you have already acknowledged, is behind. I understand, from the Report, that no remediation works have started …”

“That is the point, isn’t it? Because there is passing of the buck between freeholders and developers, you can have a situation where residents of high-rise or mid-rise buildings are living in properties that are unsafe at that moment, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel because nobody is taking responsibilit…”

“Is that working, in your view?”

“It has been a pleasure to listen to speeches from Members right across the Chamber, and particularly to hear—as others have said—insights rooted in the particular musical and literary talents of Members. Sadly, I have zero contribution to make in terms of talent; I can inform Members that I have regularly enjoyed the o…”

“Certainly in the early days there was a concern that there was a monopoly from providers, but it sounds as though that has moved on.”

“That was going to be my second question. What sort of support are you providing to local authorities? When we look at a map of where electric vehicles have been delivered, I do not think it is a coincidence that a lot of them are in the south of the country, particularly in London, where there is sometimes a pan-London…”

“Sometimes it is not about the allocation of money: it is about local authorities’ ability to navigate what are often complicated procurement processes.”

“Thank you. May I also ask you about projected timelines for any planning policy legislative changes? The infrastructure costs of the projects are often quite considerable, and there have been recommendations previously that legislative changes might help. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

“I think some of my colleagues might pick that up. Finally, in terms of the market and providers, is it a competitive market? If we were to look at the £240 million that has been spent, is that reflected in the spend? By that, I mean: has it just gone to two providers, or does it reflect a competitive market, if it is i…”

“It is very competitive, so if we look at the spend of public money, is it reflected across a competitive market and not concentrated in the hands of one or two providers? You may not know the answer.”

“Thank you for joining us. My first question is about local authorities. I understand that, as of October 2024, about £240 million had been spent to support the delivery of electric vehicle points, and local authorities are at the forefront of seeing those be delivered in communities. My question is about procurement an…”

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) for introducing the Bill—a small change, but one that will make a big difference to our communities. There are a few principal reasons why I support it. First, as others have said, it allows us to bring communities together at moments of national importance,…”

“Reflecting on the point made by the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Lewis Cocking) about industry using excuses to push back on delivering homes, can the Minister give assurances that in their efforts the Government will push ahead with renewable energy, particularly solar, and do everything they can to ensure that industr…”

“Is that not exactly the point—we need to do both, because that creates a subsidy for more opportunities to have rooftop solar panels?”

“My constituents in Barking were delighted to hear the news that the train operator c2c would be brought into public ownership later this year, a decision that will see a more reliable train service. It is currently refurbishing Barking station in my constituency, but the works have suffered delay after delay. Will the …”

“Does the Chancellor agree that developing our economic and trading relationships with other nations is one of many important levers; and that, alongside that approach, public investment, planning reforms and an industrial strategy—whose absence under the Conservative Government was problematic—will be returned under th…”

“Post covid, but the covid period included the pre-covid period too. Is it fair to say that there was also an increase in the backlog of cases pre-covid?”

“A slightly different question: is it still value for money? Did the Department do everything possible to make sure of that, as money was spent to deliver those courts? This is critical, because money is not always the solution, as we have heard, but everyone has to live within their means. Every official has to ensure …”

“So overall—I am not making a value judgment here; I am just asking the question—the £78 million spent on the Nightingale courts was value for money?”

“This is the point I am making. There will always be things that arise because of the estate. I used to be a council leader in London. We had a vast estate across the borough, and we would put in capacity in our planning that assumed that some things would go wrong, and what you have described to me are things that go w…”