The official site of the Prime Minister's Office

25 February 2008

Hazel Blears spent over an hour this morning answering your questions on the new strategy for housing and older people, and other topics including faith, communities and regional development.

• Hazel Blears biography (Communities and Local Government website)

Read the full transcript

Moderator says: Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, will be in Downing Street for a live webchat on Monday 25 February from 11:00 GMT.

Use the box below to put your question to Hazel.

Moderator says: Good morning and welcome to today’s webchat. Hazel is just settling in so we’ll be starting shortly.

Hazel says: Hello this is Hazel Blears from the Communities Department. Today we’re launching our strategy for housing in an ageing society that means how we’re going to make sure homes are fit for people throughout their lives so that people can remain in their own homes with downstairs toilets and showers, doors wide enough for wheelchairs etc. We will be expanding the handyman repairs service so an extra 125,000 people per year can get simple and cheap repairs done. There will be an increase in the money available for adaptations £100 million over the next three years so more people can get stairlifts, grabrails, walk-in showers they can reach etc all the practical things that make a real difference.

We also want to make sure neighbourhoods are supporting older people so lighting, pavements, benches, toilets and all the facilities which make life a little easier will be a priority for us. It’s also really important that young people and older people have a chance to mix together so we will be making sure there are choices so that people can use community facilities together.

Bill Rogers: Dear Hazel, With the people with the most social economic problems being placed as priority on the housing lists, does this not create in itself larger larger deprived areas leaving little chance of having balanced and sustainabe communities.

Hazel replies: Bill, thanks so much for everything you’re doing to involve older people in vital housing issues. It is important that everyone can have their say including housing association tenants and I will ensure that the Housing Corporation are fully on board with this agenda

Ken Wilson: Middlesbrough Council is spending millions of pounds refurbishing all it’s council stock and older properties to house people from the common market. Why carn’t the elderly who live in private houses have their homes up dated under the same european regeneration grant scheme

Hazel replies: Ken over the last few years about £20 billion has been spent bringing homes up to standard and I know its been really welcomed but there is more to do. There have been grants available for owner occupiers, especially the elderly, including Warmfront and Decent homes, but most of the new homes are for people living alone so the new handyman service available for private owners will be really useful.

sam b: I am a student hoping to purchase affordable housing at some point, how will forcing builders to put bathrooms downstairs help me?? surely this will just pump up the price of all new houses??

Hazel replies: Sam, its not about downstairs baths for everyone but making sure properties can be adapted in future so leaving enough space for a shower if needs be and having doors a little wider. Lifetime homes standards benefit people of all ages, from toddlers and families to older people.

We estimate the cost to be about £75 per flat and £550 per house, so it’s not too much and will help homes to adapt to all our changing needs. Believe it or not, you will be old one day Sam!

Margaret Whitcroft: As an older person wishing to downsize it seems incredible that planning consent is given to turning bugalows into houses, while at the same time due to the developers need to fit the reqired number of dwellings on the hectare there are no bungalows being built, we do not all wish to live in blocks of flats or apartments. We wish to stay in our vilage and have a parcel of land at the rear of our garden which is a brown field site, yet we are told we cannot build a bugalow or even put a mobile or log type home there. My question is why when there is not only a need for low cost housing for the first time buyers cannot older people have suitable properties also built in to the long term housing plans.

Hazel replies: Margaret, you’ve raised a really important issue and many older people will want to change their housing as their circumstances change. We should explore more ways for people to be able to “step down” as well as opportunities for first time buyers to have a part share in their homes as they get onto the housing ladder. Today’s strategy will offer older people more choice and attractive homes that better suits their needs. The key is flexibility for everyone and I will continue to pursue this.

The strategy is available on the DCLG website

Max Rodgers: Hazel,

As a young person can I ask what you personal view is on the Youth Parliament. Also in my hometown we do have a Teen Council, will you encourage more teen councils in local areas?

Hazel replies: Absolutely Max. I have been to the Parliament meetings for the last couple of years and have been incredibly impressed by the standard of debate and the ideas coming forward. I want to make sure young peoples’ views are taken seriously, and I am currently considering appointing a youth adviser or indeed several to help me in my work. Please get in touch!

Michael Felse: When I was at junior school in Doncaster I was bullied. It is the scar that lasts a lifetime, haunted from memories of going through school gates to face cruel words and fists from older kids. Fifty years on has brought world drugs, knives and guns into school life and on reflection I realise how lucky I was to have grown in lesser violent days. Is it possible to connect government departments that have responsibilities for schools, culture, inclusion, justice, health and local communities to launch a joined up campaign for iconic youth clubs to engage community services in finding new ways to help our young people to not feel isolated, at threat, frustrated or exposed to mental, emotional or physical cruelty. How can adults get involved in building safer, inclusive and responsible communities that are better able to meet the modern world challenges.

Hazel replies: Lovely to hear from you Mike. Mentoring is the best way for adults to help young people cope with the incredible pressures that they have to face in our complex world. A single responsible adult who cares can make a massive difference. Thanks for all you do and love to Trevor

d johnson: Older single people need better housing instead of being only offered small hut-like accommodation and especially people with medical conditions who need room for oxygen tanks and nebulizers etc.

What are you doing to help these vulnerable people who need it now not n years ahead when perhaps they will not be here?

Hazel replies: We will be increasing the disabled facilities grant by £100 million over the next 3 years which will help. And the new standards for the future will ensure homes are suitable for a wide range of people, especially the vulnerable that you are rightly concerned about.

Chris Hall: I just wonder how the BSF program fits into Communities when its clear especially in Stoke on Trent that its going to rip schools out of communities… The only thing this as so far done is brought the communitty together to fight against a council who will not listen so in the end the communitty will be in devistation.

Hazel replies: Chris, it’s vital that councils involve communities especially in such a big programme as Building Schools for the Future. I know there have been some difficult issues in Stoke, and I will be keeping in close touch to make sure that everyone can have an input and that the eventual proposals serve the whole community.

Jim Kent: Public toilets are being closed all over the country, or else users are to be charged a fee. Could government not consider specific extra support to local councils to maintain this essential public service?

Hazel replies: Crucial issue Jim, not just for older people! Our proposals are not just about housing but how we make neighbourhoods more friendly to older people. Watch this space: new proposals for better access to toilets to be published very soon. Just hold on!

Trevor Burchick MBE: Hazel, with the wonders of technology I am sat in the Lowry Outlet coffee shop with my PC live to your webchat. Does it not demonstrate why housing, health trainers and public service portals could be worth putting into shopping malls, with some expert young in shop iCT modern apprentices and other helpers to show older people, migrants and our treasured community volunteers how to best connect by new teachnology to advisory service, joining up disability forums, diversity groups, housing needs and wellbeing?

Hazel replies: As ever Trev, a fantastic idea! It would help with community cohesion and intergenerational work, bringing people together learning from each other wil follow up. See you soon Hazel x

ohid ahmed: Dear Hazel,

Tower Hamlets is one of the most deprived Boroughs in the Country, unemployment and poor housing is the two most pressing issues for us. Although there are so much regeneration going on in Tower Hamlets but many local people seemed not happy and think this regeneration is only for rich people and not for local historical working class people? There is clearly so much appetite for more council housing? The crime is also a big issue for us; poor housing condition is one of the main reasons for high crime in this borough. How would you address above issues to build a sustainable community in Tower Hamlets?

Cllr Ohid Ahmed
Cabinet Member of Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnership
LBTH

Hazel replies: Ohid, Like everywhere Tower Hamlets is changing fast but we must make sure noone is left behind. There is excellent work going on in the borough like Link Age Plus,and the Sundial Centre, which fits with our vision of lifetime neighbourhoods. We are keen for councils to build new homes and have a number of schemes going on now. We need more homes and better quality too. We must never forget that older people have a huge amount to offer and can help our young people to thrive too. Well done you for everything you do

Liam: You have put a real emphasis on mixed communities, yet very few housing associations or developers in London are building family sized accommodation for affordable home ownership. How can the Government guarantee that we will not end up with 3 million one bedroom flats by 2020?

Hazel replies: Good question Liam. We are working with councils to ensure that the planning framework gets the balance right and incentivise more family homes. We are also ensuring a greater proportion of affordable housing in developments, but we’ve all got to agree that we need more homes and we are committed to building 3 million more by 2020.

Lee: The statutory overcrowding standards were last updated in the 1930s. Overcrowding most accutely affects deprived families in private rented and temporary accommodation, and has a negative impact on children’s well-being. Is it not time the Government updated their standards so that the country’s most deprived children have an equal chance in life?

Hazel replies: Absolutely right Lee. The standards are now very old and we’ve just announced the private sector review that will look at the overcrowding standards in the modern context, so do please feed in your views. This strategy also will provide attractive options for older people to downsize into helping them, and releasing larger properties onto the market.

Mike Greenstein: Please can you tell me the current state of the reform of the planning system (particularly in relation to permitted householder development) and when we can expect a bill to be introduced into Parliament.

Hazel replies: We’ve already announced some changes to things like loft extensions and small developments to make the system quicker and more flexible and want to look at further changes soon. Much of this can be done through regulations and doesn’t need primary legislation, so I hope we can make changes quickly. But we have to make sure we protect peoples rights as well. Its always a question of balance!

Keith Simmons: I am a resident in Bedfordshire where all of the two tiers of principal Council agreed that system was not working. Your decision has been to say that Bedfordshire can move to two single tier authorities provided the applications stack up. I am now faced with a County Council which objects to that decision. Do I have any way of stopping the County Council from wasting my Council Tax on court action to prevent the obvious improvements of moving to a single tier of councils? I am a school governor and would want that money spent on educating my son.

Hazel replies: Keith you make some excellent points, and I am keen to ensure that local people get the best deal out of any changes. Clearly it’s up to councils what action they want to take, but I hope we can make progress in the best interests of everyone.

John Holsburt: Dear Secretary of State, can you tell me if Parish Councils will be given more powers and budgets to make decisions at local level and not have to rely on the main council/government before community projects are implemented?

Thank you

John Holsburt
Local resident,
Totland Bay
IOW

Hazel replies: John, Parish councils can make a big difference because they’re close to the people. Quality Parishes have the power to promote well-being which should help a lot and working with the voluntary sector is a great way of getting things done.

Liz Marsden: What will happen to the scrutiny of the regional development agencies when the Assemblies are abolished and when will new arrangements be put in place?

Hazel replies: Liz, accountability is really important and local authorities will have a key role in ensuring that the single regional strategies really do reflect the priorities of local people.

Carl Bibbs: Hazel, The government stated that there are better ways, other than casinos, to regenerate Cities such as Manchester and Blackpool, but they haven’t given any examples or idea of how. Can you tell us of any of the ideas for regeneration that are being considered?

Hazel replies: Carl - I’ve been looking at how other forms of regeneration can help and education is key to make sure local people have the skills to get new jobs, housing is important too so people want to live in an area, and retail activity can help enormously.

Attracting the private sector is essential but government can help by making it more attractive for the private sector to come in. We are committed to regenerating all of our communities and I hope you’ll agree that there have been dramatic improvements over the last few years but there is much to do

Jeff McWhinney: Hazel, Can you outline how your department is monitoring equality of access for disabled people in local authorities as it seem that the accessibility to local public services differ vastly from one council to the next. Deaf people have access to an on-line sign language interpreting service in one council and the next does not have this facility forcing them to wait up to two weeks (six weeks in some areas according to the RNID) for a face to face interpreter. Current experience of these deaf citizens are that the councils are indifferent to them and because they use BSL they are unable to table a formal complaint - they need an interpreter for this - a vicious circle…. Who can resolve this on their behalf?

Hazel replies: Jeff, I do take these issues very seriously because it’s only right that all citizens should have a say. As you probably know there are duties on local authorities and they are monitored. I will look specifically on what you’ve said and see if we can get councils to adopt the best practice of others

Vernon Yarker: Second question, but their first previously submitted is the more important of the two. The present complaints procedure for tenants of Housing Associations does not, apparently, take into account the elder, or those perhaps not equipped to follow a logical argument through. Presently a complaint, if persued upwards goes onwards to three in-house stages, which are quite incestuous handled in the smaller Housing Associations. If still not statisfied it can then be taken by the complainant to the Ombudsman. In view of the fact that some tenants are quite elderly whose greatest concern is having the strength to be able to cook their dinner . May I ask the Minister if this is really a fair complaints system and if her Department could look at means of making it fairer to residents.

Hazel replies: Hello Vernon good to hear from you. Thanks for raising this important point, complaints can be a good way of improving the performance of organisations so I will certainly look at what you say and see what can be done to make the system clearer. Our strategy is about ensuring the voice of older people is heard loud and clear we must make that real.

Jim Smith: Hello Hazel,

A question about the new eco-towns.

Some of the bids are clearly for the benefit of the developer and not necessarily for the community at large.

What safeguards have The Government put in place to ensure such bids are rejected?

Not all the bids are on brownfield sites, do not create employment and are not self sustaining.

Hazel replies: Jim, eco-towns will be really important in achieving our Green Paper vision of homes for the future, but we have to make sure they are in the right place and will be sustainable. We have some pretty tight criteria and will be making sure we get it right. Look out for our major consultation document on eco-towns to be published in the spring where you can comment on our approach.

David Pollock: Dear Ms Blears

Does the remit of the Cohesion and Faith Unit of CLG extend to those with non-religious (non-faith) beliefs, like the Humanists? If it does not, why not, considering that the Human Rights Act requires Government not to discriminate on grounds of religion or belief? And if it does, why does CLG persistently favour religious groups, as with its consultation paper “Face-to-Face and Side-by-Side” , which seems to be exclusively about faith groups and which was launched at an event to which huge numbers of religious groups were invited but the Humanists were not? Or (another example) CLG’s effective rejection of the CLG Committee’s recommendation that “the Government’s language reflects the broad nature of its responsibility for tackling discrimination on the grounds of belief, including nonreligious beliefs”, to which the CLG responded in the very language that the CLG Committee was complaining of?

Hazel replies: David, Like you I want to make sure everyone can contribute to making our communities stronger and that includes people of faith and those of no faith. I recognise that there are a wide range of motives for people to get involved in building community cohesion and I want to harness all these talents. Face-to-face and side-by-side will include people of no faith who want to get involved in social action. Please keep in touch

Clare Morris: Hi Hazel, what made you want to get into politics? Had it always been an ambition of yours?

Hazel replies: Clare, very simple really I know its a cliche, but I really did and do want to make a difference. I was and am angry about poverty, injustice and inequality. Having the chance to do something about it is what gets me out of bed every morning. It really is worth it i promise! Hope you will get involved too.

Hazel says: Goodbye everyone I’ve really enjoyed talking to you. You’ve given me lots to think about.

Speak again soon Hazel x

Moderator says: That’s all we have time for today. Again, if you want to know more about today’s strategy on housing and older people, you can find all the details on the DCLG website.

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