All articles written by Bob Blackman MP on PoliticsHome.com

20 Mar Parliament

Our committee gives backbenchers the opportunity to vote on issues their parties might overlook

When the Backbench Business Committee was established in 2010, it was the first business committee of any kind in the House of Commons. Nearly 15 years later, the committee has played a vital role in the functioning of our parliamentary democracy.

29 Sep 2024 Political parties

Senior Tories Resist Pressure To Shorten Leadership Contest

Senior Conservative MPs are not expected to shorten the contest to choose the party's next leader despite public calls to do so from some of the candidates.

29 Jul 2024 Political parties

Six Candidates Enter Race To Become Next Tory Leader

Six Conservative MPs have formally entered the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory party leader after receiving the required number of backers.

06 Nov 2023 Home affairs

Tory MP Accuses Suella Braverman Of "Stigmatising" Homelessness

Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on homelessness, Bob Blackman, has criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman's remarks on homelessness in which she claimed living in tents was a "lifestyle choice".

24 May 2023 Communities

Gaps in the Renters Reform Bill risk leaving vulnerable tenants unprotected

Prior to becoming the Member for Harrow East, I was in local government for over 20 years, which inevitably spurred an interest in the housing sector.

28 Nov 2022 Health

Awaab Ishak’s heart-breaking death is a stark reminder that housing standards need urgently addressing

I was deeply saddened by the news of Awaab Ishak’s death recently, caused by extended exposure to mould in his home.

18 Oct 2022 Communities

Introducing a nationwide rent freeze would hit struggling households harder in the long term

In recent weeks Nicola Sturgeon has introduced a rent freeze in Scotland in an effort to address the cost of living crisis that has resulted post-pandemic.

14 Jun 2022 Home affairs

Ukrainian refugees have suffered enough – they need more support to avoid ending up homeless and destitute

It is tragic to see the ongoing situation in Ukraine as the war continues to rage on.

11 May 2021 Communities

Government must advance social housing to prevent yet another Grenfell disaster

The social housing white paper provides a unique opportunity to implement a fundamental shift in the treatment of social housing tenants and fully address the full scale of the building safety crisis.

30 Nov 2020 Communities

We must make Housing First the default option for homeless people with complex needs

This housing model is the cornerstone of successful homelessness strategies worldwide. It must be properly funded and rolled out across the UK

23 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

Longer Sunday trading hours would be bad news for workers, with little benefit for the economy

Extending Sunday trading hours would have little economic benefit, and be damaging for the workers who have kept us fed through this pandemic

28 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

No one in our society should become homeless because they have had to flee domestic abuse

This lockdown throws into sharp relief why it’s essential that domestic abuse survivors are guaranteed the right to a safe home, write Rosie Duffield, Neil Coyle and Bob Blackman

16 Mar 2020 Foreign affairs

Sharing values of peace and development, Britain and Azerbaijan both have a great deal in common

With large numbers of Azerbaijani youth already travelling to the UK to study at top universities, and with international trade on the increase, a close partnership between the UK and Azerbaijan is important than ever

31 Jul 2019 Communities

Theresa May should be proud of her legacy on homelessness

Bob Blackman MP writes on Theresa May's support for the Homelessness Reduction Act and his asks for the new administration.

26 Jul 2019 Foreign affairs

London rally points the way to better policies for Iran

Bob Blackman MP writes ahead of a rally in central London organised by Iranians in exile and supporters of the Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

12 Jun 2019 Home affairs

Homelessness should not be a crime

The Vagrancy Act is an archaic law that undermines the positive work being done by this government to help the homeless – it should be repealed immediately, says Bob Blackman

04 Mar 2019 Foreign affairs

'February was a very tumultuous month for Iran’s regime'

Conservative MP Bob Blackman writes about the Iranian people’s ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy following two major recent conferences in Warsaw and Munich.

18 May 2018 Foreign affairs

Britain and the US can still work together and put pressure on Iran

Conservative MP Bob Blackman writes that the foreign policy establishment in the UK and throughout the world should be ready for collective action through punitive sanctions and through support for the Iranian dissidents who want to establish a free, democratic and non-nuclear Iran.

23 Apr 2018 Communities

My Homelessness Reduction Act will make a difference – but it’s far from job done

Shifting the balance towards prevention work will have a big impact on reducing homelessness. But it is only one part of the solution, writes Bob Blackman

20 Nov 2017 Economy

Taylor-made Budget - The Chancellor must consider the self-employed

Ahead of the Budget, Conservative MP Bob Blackman urges the Chancellor to take note of the Taylor Review recommendations on how best to support the self-employed.

17 Nov 2017 Communities

Chancellor should fund a Help to Rent scheme to help tackle homelessness

We must commit to fund a National Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme and a Help to Rent scheme, says Bob Blackman MP.

28 Sep 2017 Foreign affairs

Securing international inquiry into the 1988 massacre will win over the Iranian people

Conservative MP Bob Blackman writes that securing an international inquiry into the 1988 massacre of thousands of political prisoners will win over the Iranian people.

03 Mar 2017 Foreign affairs

It is right to reject appeasement of Iran and its Revolutionary Guards

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps 'unquestionably' fits the United States' criteria of a foreign terror organisation, argues Bob Blackman MP.

27 Jan 2017 Political parties

'Time is against us' - Homelessness Bill could fall at final hurdle

Ahead of the Homelessness Reduction Bill's final stages in the House of Commons, Bob Blackman MP calls for MPs to pass the first 'substantial change' in England's homelessness legislation in forty years.