Contributions
867 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentAs I said, we are working with local areas so that we can deliver local government reorganisation. I have also said that the 500,000 population figure is a guide for efficiency—we…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI recognise that Devon is a huge rural area, and as I have said in previous debates on this issue, we have issued a guide for unitary authorities—it is a guide; I have said that…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank my hon. Friend for her comments and for her contribution about what it is like at local level for people, including in Hastings and Rye, when they have a two-tier system…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThis is not a rushed process. Reorganisation is coming because we are working with local areas. The areas in the priority programme were selected for it because they had plans…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI welcome my hon. Friend’s comments, because she talks up what is happening across Norwich and the £3 billion of growth already being delivered there. We want local growth plans…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI have been consistently clear on the elections. Elections do cost money, but how can we justify having an election to then have another election within 12 months, which will cost…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. On the certainty that he and local leaders have requested, we will set out a timetable and are writing to all MPs and local areas. As…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThat legal order was, of course, signed this week. I commend the hon. Gentleman, other Members and the local leaders for working to continue to put Lancashire on the map—of…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank my hon. Friend for his question. [ Interruption. ] The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution chunters that there is more to it than potholes, but there is a…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThe hon. Member will know that the fact that it is an island produces limitations, but nothing has been taken off the table. We want to deliver reorganisation and deliver for the…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank the hon. Member for raising the important issue of the challenges that Surrey faces. That is why we have put Surrey within the priority programme, but we do need a…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank the hon. Member for welcoming the clarity we have delivered today. As I set out in my statement, we will be writing out to two-tier areas. We want to engage with all tiers…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentMy hon. Friend knows that I have met MPs for the Cornish area. I recognise the Council of Europe status and the uniqueness of their area, and I hope that that has come across in…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI kindly say to the hon. Member that, whether we like it or not, the people of Eastbourne voted for those councillors. We have said that we will facilitate a one-year delay for…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThe hon. Gentleman could not handle my cocktails, but if he wants to buy me a pint, I’m happy to accept. Lancashire has already agreed to come forward with its proposals, and we…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI agree with my hon. Friend. I am really pleased that Essex devolution is going forward, and that there has been cross-party support and real collaboration to achieve it. That is…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentLike the rest of England, Gloucester did not fare well when the Conservatives were in power. Councils have faced significant pressures and increases, at the same time as a 23% cut…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI would say to the hon. Member that they have not lost their right to vote. Their right to vote will be there, but voting in an election for something that is not going to be…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThis is one part of a package, through which we are trying to reverse the decline and decay that we saw under the previous Conservative Government. They made cuts of 23% in a…05 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentThe closure of the community college is nothing to do with local government reorganisation or the work that we are setting out today. I kindly remind the right hon. and learned…05 Feb 2025