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The message to developers is simple: it’s time to deliver for the Wirral

I’ve heard heartbreaking stories about the impact of the housing crisis on the Wirral. The scale of the challenge is stark. 

Between 2023 and 2024, 5,636 people at risk of homelessness sought help from the Council. The number placed in hotels and B&Bs has doubled since 2021, with the cost of temporary accommodation soaring from £406,418 in 2019 to a projected £1.6 million in 2023/24. This is unaffordable and unsustainable. Change is long overdue. 

But tackling this crisis isn’t just about building houses – it’s about creating homes. We need high-quality homes in the right places, supported by infrastructure, transport, and jobs. New homes can unlock opportunity in neglected areas – turning empty industrial buildings, abandoned shops, and rundown streets into vibrant places to live. 

To make real progress, we must hold developers to account. Across the country, big housebuilders are sitting on plots for 501,691 homes. Sites of over 2,000 homes often take over 14 years to complete. That simply isn’t good enough. 

On the Wirral, brownfield sites with planning permission remain untouched as developers hold out for bigger profits. Meanwhile, families are priced out, young people leave, and our precious green spaces come under threat. These aren’t distant problems – they affect our neighbours, friends, and families. 

Labour is determined to act. We’ve launched the New Homes Accelerator to speed up stalled housing developments. Just last month, we announced a major reform: for the first time, developers will have to agree a timeframe before planning permission is granted. 

Those who repeatedly fail to build, or who use planning permissions to trade land for profit, could face a ‘Delayed Homes Penalty’ – with funds going straight to local planning authorities. 

Here on the Wirral, there has been progress – the completion of Millers Quay has delivered 500 much-needed new homes. I welcome that. But only last year, it was reported that Wirral Waters was seven years behind its target of 1,100 homes by 2025. 

Developers cannot be allowed to exploit the system by building on Green Belt land, leaving viable brownfield sites unused.  

The message to developers is simple: It’s time to deliver for the Wirral. 

Originally published in the Wirral Globe

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Matthew supports government mission to halve violence against women and girls

Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons (6 January 2025), Matthew outlined the need for economic abuse to be a central part of the Government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade.

He highlighted the work of Citizens Advice Wirral in supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse on the Wirral, and the charity Surviving Economic Abuse for their pioneering support and research on economic abuse.

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Matthew supports brownfield development and calls for urgent action to end housing crisis

The Government has announced new housing targets in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in order to tackle the housing crisis in the UK. The announcement comes following Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years. The Government confirmed that brownfield land must be the “first port of call” for development.

The housing crisis is impacting many people on the Wirral, with the numbers of people in temporary accommodation in the borough doubling since 2021 and homelessness rising. Temporary accommodation now costs Wirral Council a projected £1.6m a year, up from £406,418 in 2019.

Matthew Patrick, MP for Wirral West, said that this is “unsustainable” and that “urgent action” was needed to ensure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

In the House of Commons, Matthew highlighted to the Housing Minister the thousands on waiting lists for housing on the Wirral, and welcomed the Government’s brownfield first approach. He also asked the Minister to confirm the support Wirral Council would get from the Government to ensure that housing was built in the right places.

Following the Government’s statement in the Commons, Matthew said:

“The housing crisis is impacting many people on the Wirral, with many forced to move away to get onto the property ladder. Urgent action is needed so children can grow up and stay in our area, and families can find affordable places to live.

“People on the Wirral have been clear that brownfield first is their preference, alongside the desperately-needed regeneration of Wallasey and Birkenhead. I agree and I have taken action on this to deliver the change Wirral voted for at the election. I want to see regeneration and development in areas that need it, and to protect our green spaces.

“I submitted representations to the NPPF consultation which addressed the need to unlock viable building on brownfield sites, so that we can protect the greenbelt which contributes so much to our lives and our environment here in Wirral West.

“I also highlighted the risk of speculative planning applications. Developers should not be allowed to refuse to build on brownfield land and speculate on our beautiful countryside while our community is left with empty industrial buildings, shuttered shops, and poor-quality housing.

“I will continue working with Wirral Council and with other MPs to ensure that affordable, decent homes are built in the right places and that the council has the right support to deliver for local people.”

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Matthew hosts discussion on assisted dying

Matthew standing in front of a group of people taking notes

Thank you to everyone who came to the discussion I hosted about assisted dying in Hoylake yesterday.

It’s an emotive subject, and people shared powerful, personal stories and perspectives. The discussion drew on the deep expertise of people in Wirral West, and, in our best traditions, was reasonable and thoughtful.

If you’re a constituent and would like to share your views with me, please email my office to share your perspective.

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Matthew stands up for survivors of economic abuse at PMQs

Matthew Patrick MP has today (Wednesday 6 November) used a Prime Ministers Question to advocate for survivors of economic abuse.

Matthew asked the Prime Minister and the Government to work with him to get the credit files of victim-survivors of economic abuse restored.

Currently, victim-survivors can suffer lasting consequences of economic abuse perpetrated by a current or former partner long after they’ve fled due to their credit rating being harmed by coerced debts.

Matthew shared the story of Emily*, a survivor of domestic abuse who was left with a ruined credit file when her abusive ex-partner stopped contributing to their joint mortgage after she fled to safe accommodation for her safety.

Despite informing her lender of the economic abuse she was experiencing, Emily* has seen lasting damage from the years spent trying to separate herself financially from her perpetrator, having faced issues trying to rent a property, finance a car and take out a mobile phone contract in her own name.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Matthew said: “Emily left her ex, but the abuse did not stop.

“He stayed in their home, cancelled his mortgage contributions and destroyed her credit score.

“Now, she cannot even take out a mobile phone contract.

“Surviving Economic Abuse and UK Finance have made progress tackling this problem, but there is more to be done.

“Would the Prime Minister and his Government work with me to bring in new provisions to restore the credit files of survivors of economic abuse like Emily?”

Responding, Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to ending the “national emergency” of economic and domestic abuse. He also assured that Matthew would meet with relevant Ministers to progress his work.

He said: “I thank my Honourable Friend for raising this important issue because economic abuse has a devastating impact on victims leaving them vulnerable and isolated.

“We are committed to ending this national emergency and keeping women safe from domestic abuse, harassment and stalking.

“That includes £200,000 this year to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse and HMRC have launched an online tool to help charities and business identify and respond to economic abuse.”

Notes

  1. Emily* is a pseudonym to protect the survivor’s identity.
  2. For more information about economic abuse, or support if you are experiencing or have experienced economic abuse, please visit Surviving Economic Abuse.

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Matthew mentions Claire House in Westminster Hall debate

I was pleased to be able to champion the incredible work of Claire House in Parliament last week, and the passion and pride every single member of their team displays.  

Funding must be there for all seriously ill children and their families to ensure they have the support they need, regardless of where they live.

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Matthew pays tribute to “selfless and dedicated” carers “pushed to breaking point” by overpayments scandal

Matthew Patrick has today (16th October) spoken in Parliament about carers “pushed to breaking point” by the Carer’s Allowance overpayment scandal.

The MP for Wirral West shared the experiences of Wirral carers in the House of Commons, many of whom have faced anxiety over the potential financial impact of repayments and the pressures of balancing care work with day-to-day life.

Under the previous Conservative government, a large number of carers were made to pay back thousands of pounds over minor or inadvertent breaches of the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall today announced an independent review into this situation, to be led by former Disability Rights UK chief executive Liz Sayce.

The review will investigate how overpayments of Carer’s Allowance have occurred, what can best be done to support those who have accrued them, and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Matthew paid tribute to carers in the community and the “selflessness and dedication” they embody.

He said: “At times of immense need, they step in. Day after day, supporting family members, making such an important contribution to their loved ones and our community.

“Our country would simply not function without them, without their contribution.”

He also criticised the approach of the previous government, saying the crisis was “left to grow” and “totally ignored” while carers suffered.

Matthew said the review announced would deliver long-overdue stability to carers who have faced anxiety over the scandal.

Closing his speech, Matthew expressed hope that carers would “feel valued and listened to” and that “the issues they feel are important are brought to light”. He said: “I welcome today’s announcement and hope that with it, our brilliant carers know that this is a government that is on their side.”

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Matthew and Prime Minister praise “dignity, courage and love” of hostage families

Matthew Patrick MP has today (Monday 7th October) paid tribute to the families of hostages for “the dignity, the courage and the love” they’ve shown.

The Member for Wirral West asked a question of the Prime Minister following his statement in the House of Commons marking the one-year anniversary of the 7th October attacks.

Matthew spoke of the collective grief felt across the Jewish community on the anniversary of Hamas’ attacks, and paid tribute to the loved ones of Israeli hostages for their efforts to bring them home.

He said: “Today, as with so many times in the history of the Jewish people, we are bound in grief and in mourning. Would the Prime Minister assure the Jewish community that we are not alone in that grief?

“And would he take this opportunity to join me in praising the dignity, the courage and the love shown by the families and friends of the hostages in their efforts to bring them home?”

In his response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately made assurances to the Jewish community that they are not alone. He also paid tribute to the families and friends of hostages for sharing their stories.

Keir Starmer said: “It is incredibly moving to spend any time with [the families of the hostages] and to hear firsthand what they are going through. As I’ve said to them every time I’ve met them, the impact it has I think on anyone listening – the impact it has on me – is profound.”

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Government announces £3m Household Support Fund Grant for Wirral

  • Wirral Council allocated over £3m as part of Household Support Fund extension.
  • Millions of families to be supported with cost-of-living support this winter.
  • Local MP welcomes swift action to support those in need.

The Government has TODAY (27 September) announced more than £3 million in cost-of-living support for families on the Wirral.

Labour’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, announced earlier this month that the Household Support Fund (HSF) would be extended for a further six months, until 31 March 2025. The scheme provides money to local authorities to deliver essential help to the most vulnerable people in society.

Wirral Council has been given an HSF Grant of £3,049,345.09 as part of a wider package of £421 million being provided to local authorities across England.

Matthew Patrick, MP for Wirral West, has welcomed the Government’s investment in tackling poverty and ensuring those in the most need across the Wirral are supported. He said: “I’m pleased to see the new Labour government acting swiftly to ensure support is available for those feeling the harsh impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We are already working hard to deliver change – to eradicate the root causes of poverty and prevent hardship – but I know many people in our community will be relieved to see short-term support continue.

“If you or anyone you know is struggling this winter, please get in touch with my office or Wirral Council to explore the support available to you.”

Wirral Council previously delivered support to families and pensioners struggling with the cost of living through the HSF, helping with the cost of water and energy, as well as funding community projects, foodbanks, debt support and holiday activities for children.

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Matthew says transport connections “lagging behind” between Wales and Wirral

Matthew Patrick MP has questioned the Secretary of State for Wales on transport links between Wales and the Wirral. 

He spoke in the House of Commons during Welsh oral questions on Wednesday 11 September to raise concerns that transport connections are “lagging behind” despite the strong links between Wales and Merseyside. Matthew asked for details on the conversations she’s having across government and with external organisations to deliver better connections for people on both sides of the border.

Speaking in the Commons, Matthew said: “Connections between my constituency of Wirral West and Wales are many, they’re deep and they’re valued on both sides of the border. Our transport connections, however, are sadly lagging behind.

“Could she please set out what conversations she’s having with ministers and stakeholders to improve those connections?”

In her response, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP shared that she has discussed improving connections between Wales and Merseyside with Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP.

Stevens said: “I recognise the importance of cross-border travel for people across the region. The UK and Welsh governments are committed to strengthening these connections, which are vital to unlocking economic growth and employment opportunities for people and businesses.”

She also recognised the need for enhancements on the Wrexham to Bidston line and committed to working across government to deliver them.