Contributions
3,240 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillMy Lords, I have tabled this amendment in light of the strength of feeling in both Houses. Throughout the passage of the Bill, the Government have been clear about the intentions…28 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) BillMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions to this important debate. We all agree that this is a matter of great importance, which is why, on Report, I committed to…28 Jan 2021HANSARDEU: MusiciansI absolutely reject any suggestion that this Government have betrayed the sector. We continue to support it. We have championed it with a £1.57 billion culture recovery package…28 Jan 2021HANSARDEU: MusiciansThe noble Lord makes a serious point. In relation to the first part of his question, he will be aware that the arrangements are different in different countries. For example, the…28 Jan 2021HANSARDEU: MusiciansMy noble friend raises an important point. As she knows, during the transition period, UK players were guaranteed their membership of the EUYO, and have been reinvited during…28 Jan 2021HANSARDEU: MusiciansThe noble Lord is right that there are changes to the cabotage arrangements going forward. UK operators can perform some additional movements within another nation’s territory,…28 Jan 2021HANSARDEU: MusiciansI think where we have got to is that we have secured a deal with the European Union extremely recently. The agreement cannot be renegotiated. It needs now to be implemented. We…28 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionMy Lords, there is no raid going on of the BBC; quite the reverse. We are working towards much more transparency around the licence fee settlement and my right honourable friend…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe figures that my noble friend refers to—the 91 people receiving a custodial sentence—are for the period 2015-18, and those numbers have declined significantly in recent years.…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionMy Lords, the Government’s response to the consultation states that “decriminalisation will remain under active consideration while more work is undertaken to understand the…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe noble Lord is right that it is absolutely Ofcom’s responsibility to address issues such as the one he has just raised.26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe noble Lord makes an important point. In the review of the licence fee—which, as he knows, we are committed to until 2027—a very wide range of issues will be taken into…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionI do not entirely agree with my noble friend but he is right that it risks sending the wrong signal to the very small minority who seek to evade payment. We feel that it is more…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe noble Baroness is right that there is a very important reform agenda. In their responses, the general public were roughly split evenly; those reporting through campaign groups…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe noble Viscount is right —my notes say 30 June rather than 20 June, but we will not argue about that. In relation to his second point, that is absolutely correct; about 0.6% of…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionPerhaps it would help if I quote directly from the Government’s response to the consultation in relation to the noble Lord’s valid and important point. We said that: “The…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionThe noble Baroness covers a number of points. On her first point, I absolutely sympathise with the issue she raises, although we have to recognise that the BBC is independent in…26 Jan 2021HANSARDSocial CapitalI start by saying that it is an enormous honour to be the Minister for Loneliness. My inbox on loneliness is fuller than on any other subject that I am responsible for, and it is…25 Jan 2021HANSARDSocial CapitalMy Lords, social capital is the fabric that binds our communities together. Sources, such as the ONS and our Community Life COVID-19 Re-contact Survey, shape the steps that build…25 Jan 2021HANSARDSocial CapitalI genuinely disagree with the noble Lord’s last point. He is right that the impact of the pandemic has been uneven and hit the poorest hardest, and young people particularly hard,…25 Jan 2021