"It already has a bill going through parliament designed to do this, the planning and infrastructure bill, but, with the legislation close to reaching the point where it clears both houses and becomes law, the government has produced a raft of amendments that will make it stronger. Rachel Reeves to confirm changes to outdated' planning system That is why Steve Reed, the housing secretary, has been doing a media round this morning. But, inevitably, most of the questions have focused on China."
"He restated the government's assertion that the decision to drop the prosecution was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service, not by ministers, because the law in place at the time the alleged offences was committed was too restrictive to allow a successful prosecution to proceed. As housing secretary, Reed will have the final say over whether to approve the application from China to build a new super-embassy in the centre of London. A decision is due later this month."
Government announced plans to relax planning rules and introduced a raft of amendments to the planning and infrastructure bill to accelerate construction of new infrastructure. The bill is close to clearing both houses and amendments aim to strengthen its provisions. Housing secretary Steve Reed held a media round where most questions focused on China and a dropped prosecution of two men alleged to have spied for China. Ministers and officials struggled to explain why the trial could not proceed. The government said the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case because the law at the time was too restrictive. Reed will decide on China's application to build a central London super-embassy; a decision is due later this month after a hold-up over unredacted plans.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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