MPs Seek Local Powers, Fair Funding and Accountability

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held five debates covering community infrastructure, NHS Continuing Healthcare, a proposed visitor levy, waste crime enforcement, and the value of public baths and lidos. Members urged clearer Government guidance and sustainable investment for voluntary groups and community centres, while Ministers referenced new rights, partnership structures and tax reliefs. On Continuing Healthcare, MPs cited inconsistent eligibility and withdrawn packages; the Minister highlighted oversight, variation monitoring and formal appeals. The visitor levy debate weighed international competitiveness against local control and potential ringfencing. Ministers outlined a waste‑crime action plan and the benefits of lidos for health and heritage, amid calls for stable funding.

Detailed Summary

Government support for voluntary groups and community centres

Opening the debate, Ben Coleman said community centres are “the backbone of our local social infrastructure” and warned of intense financial pressures and unmet need. He welcomed initiatives such as Pride in Place but set out five challenges identified by the Ethical Property Foundation, including lease insecurity (“the single greatest threat”), funders’ 15–25‑year tenure requirements for capital bids, ageing buildings, problematic landlord and local authority practices, and the absence of a national framework. He asked for Department for Culture, Media and Sport guidance on support for voluntary organisations in council buildings, on insecure tenancies, and on when community buildings may be removed.

Contributions highlighted high volunteering rates in Northern Ireland (just under 46% of adults) and rising running costs, with calls for help to “keep the lights on” and support for “warmth, light and insurance”. MPs raised property insecurity for Scout groups and the demolition of Parkside community centre in Barnehurst. Louie French cited the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ warning that Budget changes would “intensify the ‘triple squeeze’ charities face”. Responding, Stephanie Peacock referred to a forthcoming community right to buy and the Common Ground Award (“up to £10,000 of capital funding”), relaunch of the tackling loneliness hub, the civil society covenant and Civil Society Council, and new VAT relief on business donations from 1 April. She undertook to write on tenancy issues and suggest a meeting with the relevant Minister. The debate concluded: “Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for voluntary groups and community centres.”.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Ayoub Khan said CHC, intended as a lifeline for those with significant needs, too often “confuses, delays and denies”, citing a Nuffield Trust description of an “all or nothing” cliff‑edge. He alleged a 42% fall in CHC spending in 2024 despite rising need, raised concerns about private contractors in eligibility reviews, and described “Daniel’s” case where funding was revoked after a reassessment conducted without “clear evidence of a change in needs” as required by the framework. He asked the Minister to review the case and meet the family.

Stephen Kinnock said CHC supports thousands, noting that “over 164,000 people across England were found to be eligible…an increase from the 160,000…in 2017”. He outlined efforts to reduce integrated care board (ICB) running costs while protecting statutory duties, Baroness Casey’s commission on adult social care, and NHS England’s monitoring of eligibility variation. He detailed dispute routes—local review, NHS England’s independent review panel, and then the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman—and invited written representations on Daniel’s case. “Question put and agreed to.”.

Proposed visitor levy in England

Damian Hinds argued the levy was absent from the manifesto and that consultation focused on implementation rather than principle. He stressed inbound tourism’s export value, the UK’s 20% VAT and other charges, and urged that any levy must be ringfenced in law: “will the Government write into primary legislation that the money must be ringfenced”. Others warned it was “the wrong policy at the worst time” for hospitality, could add over £100 to a family holiday, and should exempt youth groups. Supporters framed a modest, local contribution: Rachael Maskell proposed a flat rate “the price of a cup of coffee…£4”, potentially raising £6.8 million for York, with exemptions and inclusion of short‑term lets.

Minister Alison McGovern placed the proposal within devolution, saying it would be for mayors to decide and that revenues “should be reinvested in those places where it is generated”. She noted consultation on scope (commercially let short‑term accommodation) and proposed national exemptions (e.g. primary‑residence Gypsy and Traveller sites, charitable refuge), over 1,000 consultation responses, and that the King’s Speech is expected to provide the legislative framework before the end of the Parliament. The debate concluded: “Resolved, That this House has considered the proposed visitor levy in England.”.

Waste crime in Knowsley

Anneliese Midgley called waste crime “serious criminality on an industrial scale”, citing 38 million tonnes of illegal dumping—enough to fill Wembley 35 times—and a £1 billion annual cost. She highlighted two sites: long‑running odour and dust from Simonswood affecting Kirkby—“It looks like the Welsh mountains”, with reported health impacts—and a recent 15,000–20,000‑tonne illegal dump near the M57/A580, “enough to fill more than 12 Olympic‑sized swimming pools”. She urged parity with other centrally supported clean‑ups, earlier intervention and stronger consequences.

Minister Mary Creagh said, “Waste crime is serious crime, and this Government will treat it as such”, noting the Environment Agency had stopped illegal activity at over 1,200 sites, secured 122 prosecutions and 10 prison sentences. The action plan includes overhauling the carriers/brokers/dealers regime and introducing mandatory digital waste tracking, removing widely abused permit exemptions, and doubling the EA’s enforcement budget with an extra £45 million over three years. On Simonswood, “the Environment Agency is looking at the next regulatory enforcement step, including revocation of its permit…There is a live enforcement case”. She also referenced potential landfill‑tax rebates to support local clean‑ups. “Question put and agreed to.”.

Public baths and lidos

Andrew Pakes celebrated the heritage and health value of lidos, noting Peterborough’s art deco pool was saved by a 2,500‑strong campaign and enjoyed its best‑ever season. He added that a new indoor public pool is backed by £20 million from the growth mission fund. Members described restoration plans, recent closures and community campaigns, the role of users’ groups and the importance of school swimming, with calls for sustainable or dedicated funding in some cases.

Replying for the Government, the Minister highlighted swimming’s mental‑health benefits and savings to the NHS, and expressed concern that only 73% of Year 7 pupils can swim 25 metres. He pointed to Sport England support—over £250 million invested annually, including “£10.6 million…for grassroots swimming”—and noted Peterborough’s lido had “over 37,000 visitors last year—a record year”. The debate concluded: “Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of public baths and lidos on local communities.”.