Contributions
965 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Office Disqualification: Terrorism OffencesI simply say again that there is absolutely no justification for terrorism. All of us who seek elected office are responsible for upholding the standards I just read out. We are…06 Jul 2026HANSARDRepeal of Vagrancy ActToday I am confirming that the Vagrancy Act 1824 has been repealed. This Government are drawing a clear line after over 200 years of criminalising people for sleeping rough. The…29 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026He is nodding, which is helpful. In that case, I will write directly to him about that important local issue. I am not overly concerned that the example the hon. Gentleman raised…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026The hon. Gentleman asked about a specific example, which sounds like it relates to a specific concern.24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026. It is a pleasure,…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I will do so in a moment. The shadow Minister makes a very reasonable point on councils in receipt of exceptional financial support and the disposal of assets. He knows that the…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I fear that it would test your patience, Mr Vickers. Let me make a final point to the hon. Member for Broxbourne. He makes a reasonable point, but the issue is that local…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I thank the hon. Lady for raising that important point. I will happily come to this House and spend hours talking about local government finance any time anybody wants—24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I thank members of the Committee for their contributions to this debate. Before concluding, I want to address some of the points raised. The shadow Minister asked about disputes…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I will give way to the hon. Member for Spelthorne and the hon. Lady in a moment once I finish responding to the shadow Minister. On arm’s length management organisations and…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026I am afraid I am finishing. The SI reflects engagement with councils and wider consideration with local government representatives, and will help to support the safe, orderly and…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026You are very generous, Mr Vickers. The hon. Member knows that I am sympathetic; it is a matter for the authorities themselves, of course, but he makes a good case.24 Jun 2026HANSARDTemporary Accommodation: Tackling Poor ConditionsI am grateful to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee for their report published on 22 April 2026, and our response, laid and published today, sets out the…22 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Secretary of State took the decisions about local government reorganisation according to the criteria that we set out, but I hear the right hon. Gentleman’s comments and will…15 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank— [ Interruption. ] I can assure the shadow Secretary of State that I was very busy last week. Most people are bothered about the fairness of the council tax system, and…15 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I will.15 Jun 2026HANSARD Legacy of Jo CoxI truly thank my hon. Friend and agree with what he said about the importance of that issue. Of course, we must all thank my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Kim…11 Jun 2026HANSARD Legacy of Jo CoxI am so grateful to my hon. Friend for making that intervention, because it is not possible to visit the Syrian community in Manchester without talking about Jo, given the impact…11 Jun 2026HANSARD Legacy of Jo CoxOn behalf of us all in this House who have ever received the kindness of a letter from the hon. Gentleman, I say to him that he embodies the “more in common” spirit and we are so…11 Jun 2026HANSARD Legacy of Jo CoxWith the leave of the House, I will close the debate on behalf of the Government. Before I respond to the points that have been made, I just want to make one very brief point,…11 Jun 2026