Contributions
965 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDInternal Drainage Board Levy Support GrantAt the local government finance settlement on 9 February 2026, the Government confirmed the £5 million internal drainage board levy support grant for the financial year 2026-27.…15 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government Best ValueThis Government are committed to taking the action necessary to fix the foundations of local government. Today, I am updating the House on the Government’s action to update the…15 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationAs the hon. Member has indicated, we have set out a process and are sticking to it.13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. Nearly 21 million people in our country are served by complex two-tier structures that divide responsibilities, slow down…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. He said I was desperate to avoid scrutiny—13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI am a Minister, too, and I can answer. I am sure that the Secretary of State would agree with me that I have answered a number of Westminster Hall debates on this subject, and we…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank the Chair of the Select Committee for her very important contribution. I meet regularly with the leadership of the LGA for all the reasons that she mentions. These reforms…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationThe Liberal Democrat spokesperson asks me what conversations I have had with my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield; I am afraid that they have been mainly about Everton…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank my hon. Friend for his important question, especially given the state of public transport in many parts of this country. I will take his question as a request that I…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationObviously, like all politicians, I pay close attention to opinion polls.13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank my hon. Friend for his representations. I cannot respond directly to them, but as ever, I keep the views of Members of this House under close watch.13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI am sorry to disappoint experienced and knowledgeable hon. and right hon. Members, but having referenda is not part of the local government reorganisation process. It is very…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationIt is fair to say that I am champing at the bit to make this statement, and I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your support in helping us to do that. My hon. Friend the Member for…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank the hon. Lady for her important and serious point. I have been working very closely with my colleagues in the Department for Education on this issue. A big change process…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank my hon. Friend for her contribution. She will understand that until we have made the announcement, there is little I can say in response to her point, but I will just say…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank the hon. Gentleman for the many exchanges we have had. I know that he just wants the best for his constituents, as we all do. It might help the House if I explain the…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank my hon. Friend for that really important point. This is not just about constitutional niceties or the importance of councils to government in this country, crucial though…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationLast time I checked, my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield had, in fact, been elected.13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationI thank my hon. Friend for his question. I have set out the process by which this House will be updated on the decisions, but if my hon. Friend has evidence of anything else that…13 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationThe approach we are taking is to put power in the hands of people and communities so that they can take decisions for themselves, because all the evidence is that if people with…13 Jul 2026