Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill follows the publication of the Levelling Up the United Kingdom White Paper, which highlighted disparities across different regions of the UK.

People living in the most deprived communities in England have up to 18 years less of their lives in good general health than the least deprived. Furthermore, early a quarter of all neighbourhood crime in 2018-19 was concentrated in just 5% of local areas. Whilst I support the idea of levelling up these regions, I have concerns about measures of the Bill relating to planning and the environment. 

New Clause 98 would add a duty for the Secretary of State to hardwire a regard for Climate Change within the planning system. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 174 and Noes 322.

New Clause 120 would require the Secretary of State to review resources and skills within local planning authorities and those potentially available to them such as Planning Performance Agreements and to report the findings to Parliament. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 172 and Noes 321.

Amendment 78 would have given precedence to local development plans over national policies. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 171 and Noes 320.

Amendment 84 intended to ensure that if the Government insist the infrastructure level is made mandatory, it must deliver sufficient levels of affordable housing. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 171 and Noes 319.