Andrew Stunell

Andrew Stunell in Parliament

On this page you find out all about the work I have done in Parliament, from the questions I have asked, and debates I have participated in, to the Early Day motions I have signed, and my voting record.

Please check back often as the page and its links are updated regularly with my latest contributions.

Westminster Links

• Early Day Motions I Have Signed
• Oral and Written Questions in the House of Commons (TheyWorkForYou.com)
• How I Voted in Parliament

• Feb 21, 2012:
  • Rented Housing: Students | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The current legislative framework contains robust safeguards for all private tenants, including students. Local authorities have extensive powers to take action against landlords letting poor quality accommodation. We are working closely with them to ensure that any barriers to them using those powers are lifted.

    Local authorities have extensive powers under the Housing Act 2004 to help improve the management and condition of all privately rented properties. In addition to the mandatory licensing of certain high risk Houses in Multiple Occupation, local authorities have the discretion to extend licensing to smaller types of such houses without having to first seek approval from this Department.

    Local authorities also have powers to assess the risks and hazards in privately rented properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. If a property is found to contain serious hazards, the local authority has a duty to take the most appropriate action. This system provides an important safety net, ensuring that homes are safe.

  • Mortgages: Housing Benefit | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    While we are aware that some buy to let mortgage lenders prohibit the letting of properties to housing benefit claimants and restrict the lengths of tenancies, these are commercial decisions with which the Government would not seek to intervene.

    We believe that the private rented sector is doing a good job in housing people on benefits, and currently estimate that around 30% of households in the sector are in receipt of housing benefit. We are working to ensure that the private rented sector continues to thrive and to offer affordability and choice to those seeking a home.

  • Mortgages: Housing Benefit | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    We do not collect data on the number or proportion of buy to let mortgage lenders whose terms and conditions prohibit the letting of a property to a housing benefit claimant.

    Buy to let has provided choice and affordable accommodation in the private rented sector, and makes an important contribution to meeting people's housing needs. Many new landlords have entered the market over recent years using buy to let mortgages, which now account for around 10% of all new gross mortgage lending.

• Feb 20, 2012:
  • Race Relations | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), and his ministerial team have undertaken a number of speaking engagements on issues around integration and race equality. Details of all speeches, statements and articles are published by the Department and are available at:

    http://communities.gov.uk/corporate/newsroom/speeches statements/

  • Race Relations | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Government are tackling race inequality through their single equality strategy, social mobility strategy, their integration policy and the major policies and programmes which are the responsibility of each Department.

    Each Department is responsible for addressing race inequalities in all aspects of its work, and for meeting its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Local authorities, other public bodies, private sector and voluntary sector organisations also play an important role.

    In addition, a total of 30 staff within DCLG's Decentralisation and Big Society Directorate currently work specifically on policies and exemplar projects on integration, of which tackling race inequality forms an integral part.

  • Race Relations | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    I refer the hon. Member to my reply to PQ 94499 today on the Government's current position on tackling race inequalities.

    All staff working on my Department's policies and programmes contribute to addressing race inequalities though their day to day jobs.

    A total of 30 staff within DCLG's Decentralisation and Big Society Directorate currently work specifically on policies and exemplar projects on integration, of which tackling race inequalities forms an integral part. None of these projects was in place in May 2010.

  • Housing: Water | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Building Regulations set a calculated whole building performance standard for water use in new homes, currently at 125 litres/person/day. The Department publishes statutory guidance on how to comply with this requirement in "Approved Document G" to the Building Regulations.

    The Department publishes a "Technical Guide to The Code for Sustainable Homes" for use in evaluating the water efficiency of new homes.

    In order to help developers demonstrate that the water performance of the building is less than the limits given in the Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes, the Department publishes a calculation methodology in the "Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings".

  • Empty Dwelling Management Orders | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Residential Property Tribunal has not issued any interim empty dwelling management orders for the London boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames, and therefore no empty dwelling management orders have been made in those boroughs.

  • Affordable Housing | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    Through the new Affordable Homes Programme the Homes and Communities Agency currently expects to deliver 15,246 new affordable homes in their East and South East operating area between April 2011 and April 2015. Commitments from the previous programme will produce a further 13,760 affordable homes. In England, 146 providers will deliver 80,000 new affordable homes with Government funding of just under £1.8 billion by April 2015. These figures may change subject to signing remaining contracts with providers.

    Overall, with our total investment of £4.5 billion, we expect to provide up to 170,000 new affordable homes in England between 2011 and 2015, compared to 150,000 originally estimated.

    The New Homes Bonus also rewards councils for helping provide more affordable housing; our empty homes programme will support vacant properties being brought back into use as affordable housing; and the Community Right to Build will help provide low-cost homes for local families and residents.

• Feb 7, 2012:
  • Travellers: Evictions | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect this information.

  • Rents | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    holding answer 6 February 2012

    Data on social housing at constituency level is not held centrally. Information is provided to the Department by local authorities that own stock in their Housing Revenue Account subsidy returns. The Tenant Services Authority collect information on stock owned by private Registered Providers. Data from these sources on the stock and rent levels of social housing for the local authority areas in which the constituencies in the question are located are given in the following tables.

    Private registered provider stock (1, 2, ) 3- General needs
    	1 bedroom		2 bedroom		3 bedroom
    Local authority area	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)
    Barnsley	205	59.01	661	69.75	723	77.69
    Rotherham	691	58.81	1,145	67.39	701	75.16
    Sheffield	2,847	57.06	5,282	62.82	4,718	68.88
    Wakefield	5,659	57.37	12,516	63.71	12,530	69.43

    Private registered provider stock (1, 2, 3) - Supported housing/housing for older people
    	1 bedroom		2 bedroom		3 bedroom
    Local authority area	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)
    Barnsley	480	61.35	444	71.55	25	77.26
    Rotherham	651	60.83	398	68.06	9	81.45
    Sheffield	892	65.74	434	78.31	44	104.51
    Wakefield	1,936	59.39	993	69.22	17	75.80

    Local authority owned stock (4)
    	1 bedroom		2 bedroom		3 bedroom
    Local authority area	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)	Stock (units)	Rent (£ per week)
    Barnsley	4,129	52.71	6,451	58.80	8,085	63.11
    Sheffield	13,768	55.84	14,935	62.16	12,020	69.67
    Rotherham	4,906	56.78	6,689	62.20	8,963	68.31
    (1) Data on Private Registered Providers stock and rents represent the position as at 31 March 2011. More extensive data, including all property sizes and for all local authority areas in England, are available in the Guide to Local Rents part II and III, available from the TSA website: http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.21432 (2) Rents presented do not include service charges. (3) These data exclude Private Registered Providers owning/managing fewer than 1,000 units/bedspaces, who are not required to report on their stock and rents by bedroom size. (4) Local authority owned stock is from the Housing Revenue Account subsidy base data form for 2012-13 and is as at 1 April 2011. Average actual local authority rents are taken from the 2011-12 Housing Revenue Account subsidy second advance claim form and are for 2011-12.

  • Housing Revenue Account | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    holding answer 6 February 2012

    We published the self-financing determinations, which contain this information, on 1 February. They are available on my Department's website at:

    http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/socialhousing/councilhousingselffinance/

  • Empty Property: Bury | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    As at October 2011, the metropolitan borough of Bury reported there were 3,201 empty dwellings in their area.

    Details of the number of vacant dwellings in all local authorities in England can be found on the DCLG's website in Table 615 that can be found through the following link:

    http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/

    Data are not available at a constituency level.

• Feb 2, 2012:
  • Social Rented Housing | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    Through the new affordable homes programme and commitments from previous programmes, the Homes and Communities Agency currently expects to deliver 148 affordable homes in South Lakeland and 1,196 affordable homes in Cumbria between April 2011 and April 2015. These figures may change subject to signing remaining contracts with providers.

    Overall, with our total investment of £4.5 billion, we expect to provide up to 170,000 new affordable homes between 2011 and 2015, compared to 150,000 originally estimated.

  • Local Government: Property | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers

    The Department has not issued guidance to local authorities on the disposal of their vacant and disused properties as these are matters for local decision. But we of course encourage local authorities to promote regeneration and development when undertaking disposals.

    If a local authority wishes to dispose of land not held for housing purposes at less than best consideration for a scheme that will contribute to the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of an area, they may do so provided that they obtain the Secretary of State's consent. The Local Government Act 1972, General Disposal Consent 2003, contained in ODPM Circular 06/2003 enables local authorities to make such disposals, provided the undervalue does not exceed £2 million. If the proposed disposal was not covered by the general consent the local authority would have to apply to the Secretary of State for a specific disposal consent.

    Land held for housing purposes is subject to a separate consent regime. We have just finished seeking views on our proposal that local authorities should not require specific consent to dispose of vacant land or vacant properties at market value. The Government hope to publish their response to this consultation soon. We have not however issued guidance on local authorities' housing disposal strategies.

    We are funding the Asset Transfer Unit to promote best practice across England and provide advice and expertise to local authorities and communities on matters relating to asset transfer to community ownership and management. The Asset Transfer Unit also managed the recently completed Advancing Assets for Communities demonstration programme which has supported the development of local asset transfer strategies, policies and procedures aimed at communities taking over local authority assets, by providing tailored support to 92 local authority/community partnerships.

    The new community rights contained in the Localism Act will give communities the opportunities to influence development in their areas, bid to buy local assets that are important to them and bid to run local services differently and better. We are currently procuring for an expert delivery agent(s) to deliver a three-year programme to support communities that want to take up these rights. The Community Right to Reclaim Land also enables communities to get underused public property back in use.

• Jan 31, 2012:
  • Third Sector | Cabinet Office | Written Answers

    I have been asked to reply

    on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

    The Government are funding the Asset Transfer Unit to promote best practice across England and provide advice and expertise on matters relating to asset transfer to community ownership and management. The Unit also managed the recently completed Advancing Assets for Communities demonstration programme which has supported the development of local asset transfer strategies, policies and procedures aimed at communities taking over local authority assets, by providing tailored support to 92 local authority/community partnerships.

    The new community rights contained in the Localism Act will give communities the opportunities to influence development in their areas, bid to buy local assets that are important to them and bid to run local services differently and better. We are currently procuring for an expert delivery agent to deliver a three-year programme to support communities that want to take up these rights.

    In addition, through our work with 11 areas round the country on Capital and Assets Pathfinders, areas have shown how a local joined up approach to public sector assets helps strengthen the sustainability of the voluntary and community sector. This approach is supported across Government Departments and is now led by the sector.

  • Clause 8 - Council tax reduction schemes | Bills Presented - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Relocation to Bristol) Bill | Commons debates

    I am looking for a nod somewhere, but let us stick with this House.

    Amendment 71 states that the Secretary of State should have regard to the impact of any guidance on those of pensionable and working ages and those on benefits, particularly disability benefits. However, the Government have already made clear their intention to use the guidance to set out the importance of supporting work incentives through the design of local schemes and will consider how to ensure that local authorities are aware of their duties in respect of vulnerable groups. It is unclear whether amendment 71 would add to the Government's commitment in this regard.

    There are things that councils can begin to do now to help in their preparation-in understanding the circumstances of those in their area who currently claim support, in ensuring that elected members are aware of the decisions they need to take and in engaging with precepting authorities such as police and fire authorities. The Government have been clear that local authorities must ensure that they are on the front foot in preparing for this reform.

    In summary, I must recommend that the Committee reject the Opposition amendment on this occasion.

  • Clause 8 - Council tax reduction schemes | Bills Presented - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Relocation to Bristol) Bill | Commons debates

    Thank you, Ms Primarolo.

    As I was saying, IT suppliers are considering possible changes to existing software and they are working with local authorities. I recognise, of course, that local authorities and suppliers need as much information as possible as soon as possible. For that reason, we intend to publish draft regulations while the Bill is still before the House. We shall shortly make available a design tool to make it easier for local authorities to model their case load and the impacts of any changes to the framework, which should also clarify the extent of any IT changes that the design of their scheme might require.

  • Clause 8 - Council tax reduction schemes | Bills Presented - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Relocation to Bristol) Bill | Commons debates

    That is an important consideration for local authorities when they look at the speed and pace of change in the schemes they devise, but I have to say that practically everything that Labour Members have contributed to the debate has been on the basis of trying to preserve the existing scheme and associated costs. [Interruption.] I think that local authorities will probably take a cautious approach to changing their local schemes in the first year. I have to say, however, that we believe it is absolutely the case that those that wish to make a more radical change will be able to do so. I am encouraged to hear that IT suppliers are considering the possible changes to existing software and are working with local authorities to-[Interruption.]

  • Clause 8 - Council tax reduction schemes | Bills Presented - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Relocation to Bristol) Bill | Commons debates

    If I can correct just one small point, the figure is £420 million for England, although the sum for the United Kingdom as a whole is larger. The hon. Lady is quite right that there is to be a reduction in the funding of council tax benefit support. That is not in dispute. My point-and the point the Government are making-is that local authorities have additional income streams open to them in later parts of the Bill. They also have the opportunity to tailor their schemes to suit their local circumstances, and if they choose to draw resources from other parts of their income streams, it is open to them to do that.

    Let me turn to amendments 49 and 56. It is unclear how a local authority could take into account the impact of claimants who were receiving council tax

    benefit before the introduction of a local scheme. For example, that would require a local authority to know, several years after the implementation of the reform, whether a person would have been entitled to claim council tax benefit under the old system and whether a change in circumstances meant that a person would no longer be eligible at all. The Bill already provides for local authorities to make transitional provision as they see fit, following changes to their schemes or the introduction of a new scheme. That seems a far better way of proceeding.

    Amendment 67 would require authorities to publish, as part of the scheme, the steps that they would take to ensure that people were informed of their entitlement and what assistance they would be offered. That is a sensible requirement, but paragraphs 2(1) and 2(5) of new schedule 1A to the Local Government Finance Act 1992, inserted by schedule 4 to the Bill, already require the authority to set out the classes of persons who are entitled to a reduction, and the procedure for making an application. The provision that the amendment seeks to introduce is therefore already part of the legislation.

    Local authorities will want to publicise the scheme in a manner that ensures that those eligible for support claim what they need to in order to avoid going into arrears with their council tax. Points have been made about the cost of publicity and of introduction. The Government do not think it right to stipulate how local authorities should publicise the scheme; it is for them to decide, and a one-size-fits-all set of regulations would certainly place unnecessary requirements on them. Local authorities are best placed to decide how to publicise information about their own schemes.

    Amendment 68 would require a local authority to consult charities and organisations that provide advice on benefits or represent older people. However, local authorities already have a duty to consult other persons who are

    "likely to have an interest in the scheme".

    The Government's intention to protect pensioners from any reduction in support as a result of the reform, using the powers in the Bill, has already been made clear. It has been welcomed by the shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and by the hon. Member for Warrington North, who spoke on behalf of the Opposition in today's debate. As the system for pensioners will be prescribed at national level, it is unclear what the benefit would be of prescribing further consultation at local level with groups representing pensioners. To prescribe the categories of organisations to be consulted would be restrictive and unnecessary. Many local authorities already have good consultative schemes and, in any case, people are not backward in coming forward to put their point across.

    Amendment 71 states that the Secretary of State should have regard to the impact of any guidance on those of pensionable and working ages, and those on benefits, particularly disability benefit. Again, however, the Government have already made clear their intention to use this guidance to set out the importance of supporting work incentives through the design of local schemes. We will consider how best to ensure that local authorities are aware of their duties in relation to vulnerable groups.

    It is unclear what the amendment would add to the clear commitment that the Government have already made.

    Taken together, amendments 57, 58, 59 and 60 would delay the start for localising council tax reductions. My hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock) asked me why I thought that should be resisted. I believe it should be resisted because it is right to get the scheme in place quickly, to ensure that our programme of deficit reduction proceeds unhindered. It is an essential part of the Government's programme that that saving should be made. Any hon. Friends or other colleagues around the House who might wish to unravel that programme of deficit reduction need only look a little way across the channels-Irish or French-to see the consequences of so doing.

    The Government are clear that this reform needs to be implemented in 2013, to secure the agreed savings. The savings from the localisation of council tax benefit will make an important contribution to our deficit reduction plan. I have already made the point as clearly as I can that that deficit reduction plan is essential, and that the Bill provides powers for local authorities to create other income streams by tackling discounts and exemptions. There will be a possibility for them to do that, if they so choose.

    As for ensuring that the timetable is adhered to-the right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr Raynsford) raised some issues in this regard-we are already working with local authorities and IT suppliers to identify how we can ensure that any new processes and systems are in place for April next year. We are committed to ensuring a steady flow of information to local government on our plans for delivery and the framework in which local authorities will operate. We will also look at what tools we can provide for local authorities to help them in their planning.