Last week, I spent the morning with Elmbridge Rentstart, a Walton-based charity supporting local homeless people into rental accommodation and work. I was particularly impressed with their ‘Freedom2Work’ scheme, which helps homeless people secure shared accommodation in the private-rented sector in order to provide a stable environment for them to find employment. Under the scheme, […]
Read MoreI was up in Manchester last Thursday to deliver the keynote speech at the annual Chartered Institute of Housing Conference. I focused on three key themes. First, the safety measures we are implementing following the terrible tragedy in Grenfell, based on the Hackett Report. Second, the drive to build more homes, and make them more […]
Read MoreToday, you can read my interview with the i’s Nigel Morris, where I set out plans to end the grip of big business on the housing market to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), and introduce pro-consumer reforms to ensure that the housing sector works better for SMEs and low- and middle-income buyers and renters. […]
Read MoreYesterday, I opened the Second Reading debate for the government on the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill. Put simply, the Bill does two things. First, it allows councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for over 2 years. Currently, local authorities can levy […]
Read MoreLast Thursday evening, I went along to the Cobham and Downside Residents’ Association AGM at Cobham Village Hall. I spoke to the group about some of the positive news we’ve seen locally in Cobham, including the progress towards opening the permanent site for the Cobham Free School at Munro House. I also paid tribute to […]
Read MoreI wrote a column for the Mail on Sunday, today, setting out the government’s approach to planning reform in advance of publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework tomorrow. Planning reform is an important part of our housing strategy, to build the homes we need and make the more affordable for those on low and […]
Read MoreToday, I have written an article for The Daily Telegraph on the government’s announcement of £866 million investment in local infrastructure to unlock new projects, to build up to 200,000 new homes. Last year, 217,000 new homes were delivered, and 2017 saw the highest number of first-time buyers in ten years. But, we need to […]
Read MoreOn 22 November the Chancellor made a key announcement for first time buyers in the Autumn Budget. To make housing more affordable, the Chancellor abolished stamp duty for first time buyers on properties up to £300,000, and on the first £300,000 on properties up to £500,000. Nationally, the move will save 80% of first-time buyers […]
Read MoreToday, I met up with Jane Bourgeois (Manager) and Alison Mein from the Elmbridge West branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau - based in Walton. Jane and Alison talked me through some of their casework. We’ve seen an increase in housing, relationship breakdown, and consumer referrals to the CAB, and a reduction in the number […]
Read MoreToday, on my various rounds locally, I caught up with Transform Chief Executive Paul Mitchell along with Surrey High Sheriff, Elizabeth Kennedy (pictured below). Transform is an innovative local charity that provides housing and support to some of the most vulnerable across our community (the Elmbridge branch is in Walton). I am a huge admirer of […]
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