Contributions
965 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI hear what my hon. Friend says, and I will happily discuss it with him and with my colleague the fire Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI have a much greater level of confidence that we can find pockets of deprivation in rural areas, because the latest indices of multiple deprivation are much better-quality data.…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank my hon. Friend for that question on behalf of the people of Birmingham. We know that they deserve better. Birmingham is a great city; I was there only recently and always…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I have every confidence in the details that we are publishing today. We will be working with local authorities, as I have said, to…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceWell, you should see the level of debt that the Tories left us with. The global financial crisis was a tough time, but I never thought a Tory Government would leave us with a…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceThe hon. Lady asked if I recognise that issue, and I have already said several times that I do, as well as setting out some of the steps that we are taking to address it. As I…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI have to agree with my hon. Friend that it is not just the people of Bedford who are excited about Universal Studios; the excitement can be felt across the United Kingdom.…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank the hon. Gentleman and former council leader for his question. It is nice to have a bit of agreement at Christmas, Madam Deputy Speaker—if it is over multi-year…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank the hon. Member for meeting me recently to discuss that issue, which was really helpful. As I said in my statement, decisions about financial support will be taken in the…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceThe hon. Lady has made precisely the case that I was trying to make in my statement. We must fund councils properly, but if we do not get a grip on escalating costs it will do no…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceMy hon. Friend is not just a former deputy leader of Milton Keynes city council; she has become a fantastic champion of that great city since coming to this House. If she wants to…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceLuton is an extremely important place, with great potential to grow our economy. Most importantly, we want to see those children in Luton thrive, because they are our future.…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceIt is excellent to hear that Anna Coles has done so well in providing local services. I do not recognise the figures mentioned by the hon. Gentleman and I would be happy to…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank my hon. Friend for being a brilliant champion for Croydon. She has stood up for the people she represents. We know that poverty in London has changed, and areas such as…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI have answered a number of questions on rural areas, so I refer the hon. Lady to the answers I have already given. I have real confidence in the latest indices of deprivation.…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI thank the hon. Lady for speaking up on behalf of rural areas. In addition to what I have said to a number of hon. Members, I would add that it is not just in adult social care…17 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight how we have to do things differently in rural areas, and we have tried to take account of that need. That is why we are…17 Dec 2025HANSARDHousing, Communities and Local GovernmentI thank my hon. Friend for that contribution. Children who are stuck in inappropriate B&Bs should know that they have a champion in this House, they should know that there is…15 Dec 2025HANSARDHousing, Communities and Local GovernmentI thank my hon. Friend for that contribution. Children who are stuck in inappropriate B&Bs should know that they have a champion in this House, they should know that there is…15 Dec 2025HANSARD National Plan to End HomelessnessI thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments, and I thank hon. Members across the House for the cross-party way in which they have engaged on the strategy. We will disagree—I am…11 Dec 2025