To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of additional school places required in (i) Telford & Wrekin and (ii) Shropshire as a result of new housing developments within existing and emerging local plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of additional school places required in (i) Telford & Wrekin and (ii) Shropshire as a result of new housing developments within existing and emerging local plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of GP practices in (i) Telford & Wrekin and (ii) Shropshire to meet demand for primary care as a result of new housing developments within existing and emerging...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of GP practices in (i) Telford & Wrekin and (ii) Shropshire to meet demand for primary care as a result of new housing developments within existing and emerging...

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase the level of support for amateur boxing clubs in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase the level of support for amateur boxing clubs in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the new powers she will be able to exercise from 1 January 2028 to revoke or vary abstraction licences without paying compensation, on food production and farm profitability...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the new powers she will be able to exercise from 1 January 2028 to revoke or vary abstraction licences without paying compensation, on food production and farm profitability...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the programme of catchment reviews on food production in Shropshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the programme of catchment reviews on food production in Shropshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the number of farmers in (i) Shropshire and (ii) Telford & Wrekin who (a) applied for funding in the Sustainable Farming Incentive second application window and (b) were unsuccessful with their application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the number of farmers in (i) Shropshire and (ii) Telford & Wrekin who (a) applied for funding in the Sustainable Farming Incentive second application window and (b) were unsuccessful with their application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will meet with Severn Trent Water to discuss expanding rainwater management systems across the public sector estate in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin so rainwater can be recycled for maintenance and irrigation of grounds and amenities...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will meet with Severn Trent Water to discuss expanding rainwater management systems across the public sector estate in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin so rainwater can be recycled for maintenance and irrigation of grounds and amenities...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department plans to take to provide (a) earlier diagnosis, (b) greater treatment options, and (c) more support for people living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department plans to take to provide (a) earlier diagnosis, (b) greater treatment options, and (c) more support for people living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

What information her Department holds on the percentage of Green Belt land that is classified as grey belt in Shropshire.

What information her Department holds on the percentage of Green Belt land that is classified as grey belt in Shropshire.

The Government do not collect data on how much land within green belts has been formally identified as grey belt by individual local authorities. It is for local authorities themselves to determine whether land in their areas constitutes grey belt, either through plan making or through looking at specific applications. On 27 February 2025, the Government updated green-belt planning practice guidance to support a consistent approach to assessing green belt to identify grey-belt land.

The Government do not collect data on how much land within green belts has been formally identified as grey belt by individual local authorities. It is for local authorities themselves to determine whether land in their areas constitutes grey belt, either through plan making or through looking at specific applications. On 27 February 2025, the Government updated green-belt planning practice guidance to support a consistent approach to assessing green belt to identify grey-belt land.

Is the Minister aware that speculative developers want to build 800 new houses in Albrighton, in my constituency, inside the green belt and outside the local plan? Let me be clear: the constituents I met in a public meeting on Friday are not against housing—they are just against housing at the wrong scale and in the wrong location. This is not about nimbyism, but about protecting nature, open spaces and the green belt. On consultation, nearly 4,000 signed a local petition against these flawed proposals. Does the Minister accept that Shropshire’s green belt needs to be protected from this destruction?

Is the Minister aware that speculative developers want to build 800 new houses in Albrighton, in my constituency, inside the green belt and outside the local plan? Let me be clear: the constituents I met in a public meeting on Friday are not against housing—they are just against housing at the wrong scale and in the wrong location. This is not about nimbyism, but about protecting nature, open spaces and the green belt. On consultation, nearly 4,000 signed a local petition against these flawed proposals. Does the Minister accept that Shropshire’s green belt needs to be protected from this destruction?

I am aware of the case. My understanding is that Shropshire council refused planning permission for the development on the basis that the land was not grey belt and therefore building on it would constitute inappropriate development in the green belt. In general terms, when it comes to determining whether a site is classified as grey belt, the relevant inspector will, at appeal, consider relevant legislation; national planning policy, including the national planning policy framework; planning policy guidance; and any other relevant local development plan policies and material considerations.

I am aware of the case. My understanding is that Shropshire council refused planning permission for the development on the basis that the land was not grey belt and therefore building on it would constitute inappropriate development in the green belt. In general terms, when it comes to determining whether a site is classified as grey belt, the relevant inspector will, at appeal, consider relevant legislation; national planning policy, including the national planning policy framework; planning policy guidance; and any other relevant local development plan policies and material considerations.

Motion that this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities. Agreed to on question.

Motion that this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities. Agreed to on question.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities.

I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association, and I am extremely worried about the widening gap in opportunity, social mobility and economic growth between rural and urban areas. Rural areas are being held...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities.

I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association, and I am extremely worried about the widening gap in opportunity, social mobility and economic growth between rural and urban areas. Rural areas are being held...

I am sure that the issues in Shropshire that the hon. Lady mentions are the same as those that we in Cornwall have experienced. Does she agree that the move to a mayoral share of income tax is not a detriment to non-mayoral areas like ours but an opportunity to...

I am sure that the issues in Shropshire that the hon. Lady mentions are the same as those that we in Cornwall have experienced. Does she agree that the move to a mayoral share of income tax is not a detriment to non-mayoral areas like ours but an opportunity to...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I would need to see the detail of that proposal and what it would mean. Shropshire is already a unitary authority and is essentially at the bottom of the list for a devolution plan, so that seems too far off. There seems to...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I would need to see the detail of that proposal and what it would mean. Shropshire is already a unitary authority and is essentially at the bottom of the list for a devolution plan, so that seems too far off. There seems to...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate. Like her, I am passionate about local government. I find myself in Cornwall corner here today, but I am proud to be a Member...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate. Like her, I am passionate about local government. I find myself in Cornwall corner here today, but I am proud to be a Member...

The hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech, and he is absolutely right about road mileage. Devon has to maintain over 8,000 miles of road, which is the most of any upper-tier authority in the country. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that partitioning Exeter off from the rest of Devon—from...

The hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech, and he is absolutely right about road mileage. Devon has to maintain over 8,000 miles of road, which is the most of any upper-tier authority in the country. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that partitioning Exeter off from the rest of Devon—from...

I understand the Devon road network, which is similar to Norfolk’s—Norfolk and Devon’s councils were paired—and there are obvious challenges with it. I am sure the Minister heard the hon. Gentleman’s point about local government reorganisation, but I will not comment on it. I can barely understand Norfolk’s proposals, let...

I understand the Devon road network, which is similar to Norfolk’s—Norfolk and Devon’s councils were paired—and there are obvious challenges with it. I am sure the Minister heard the hon. Gentleman’s point about local government reorganisation, but I will not comment on it. I can barely understand Norfolk’s proposals, let...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship again, Mrs Barker, after a bit of a break since the last time.

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting out so well the funding challenges facing upper-tier councils. She quite correctly articulated the challenges...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship again, Mrs Barker, after a bit of a break since the last time.

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting out so well the funding challenges facing upper-tier councils. She quite correctly articulated the challenges...