Contributions
172 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCouncillors: Publication of AddressesTo ask His Majesty’s Government, further to their 2022 response to the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on Local Government Ethical Standards, what plans they…08 May 2024HANSARDImpact of Environmental Regulations on Development (Built Environment Committee Report)My Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Banner, and thank him very much for his contribution. I…19 Apr 2024HANSARDAsylum ClaimsMy Lords, in considering measures for sustainably managing waiting times for asylum claims, does my noble friend agree that a balanced approach, which effectively deters economic…25 Mar 2024HANSARDLocal Government FinancesMy Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, on securing this incredibly important debate…21 Mar 2024HANSARDFree Childcare SchemeMy Lords, I understand that there have been reports suggesting that the pressure on childcare places will cause special needs children to be squeezed out of the provision. Could…20 Mar 2024HANSARDIndependent SchoolsMy Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that, should Labour enter government and introduce the 20% VAT on private school fees which was mentioned earlier, it would have…18 Mar 2024HANSARDIndia: Democratic FreedomsMy Lords, how are the Government collaborating with western partners to address shared challenges and promote democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law? What…14 Mar 2024HANSARDEnvironment AgencyMy Lords, I am sure that the Environment Agency would accept that councils play an important part in the management of flood risk and coastal erosion. Despite this, councils…07 Mar 2024HANSARDForeign AffairsMy Lords, I join others in recognising and thanking my noble friends Lord Ahmad and the Foreign Secretary for all the work they do. It gives us all confidence seeing them on the…05 Mar 2024HANSARDHousing Benefit: Temporary AccommodationMy Lords, I also declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. Research by the Local Government Association confirms that government could save £780…28 Feb 2024HANSARDPavement ParkingMy Lords, I remind my noble friend that the government consultation on banning parking on pavements across England ended three years ago. Last month, local authorities, supported…21 Feb 2024HANSARDEnvironment Agency: Flood Defence ExpenditureMy Lords, many councils report that the formula used to determine the Environment Agency flood defence grant favours urban areas over rural communities. Will my noble friend the…20 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Planning Authorities: StaffingDoes my noble friend the Minister agree that, if local authorities had the ability to set their own planning fees, they would be in a far better position to recruit more planning…12 Feb 2024HANSARDConversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]My Lords, I recently had the privilege of hearing Keira Bell speak about her experiences of so-called gender transition. It was profoundly moving. Her experience led her to…09 Feb 2024HANSARDPrivate Rented Sector OmbudsmanMy Lords, I declare my interest in the private rented sector. Can my noble friend the Minister tell us how the private sector will be made aware of this new process, if and when…18 Jan 2024HANSARDSchools: SafeguardingMy Lords, I join with others in thanking my noble friend Lady Jenkin for initiating this debate. I also thank all contributors so far for their thoughtful and helpful comments and…07 Dec 2023HANSARDNear-earth SatellitesMy Lords, I welcome the merger, but can my noble friend the Minister tell the House what influence the French Government will have as a result of it?13 Nov 2023HANSARDCapital Projects: SpendingMy Lords, as the Government lost the vote on nutrient neutrality, could my noble friend tell the House if there are plans for it to return in the King’s Speech, because it would…26 Oct 2023HANSARDIsrael/GazaMy Lords, I share with others my thanks to the Minister for his excellent introduction to this debate. I also thank colleagues for their contributions on a subject which so many…24 Oct 2023HANSARDDomestic Abuse Refuge SpacesMy Lords, we are all extremely distressed to hear of the increase in this dreadful crime of domestic abuse. I am pleased to hear from my noble friend of the work that is being…21 Jun 2023