Contributions
279 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrivate Rented Sector: Affordable RentsI thank the Minister for her response, but current rents remain unaffordable for the 34% of renters in poverty—a figure likely to rise with the freeze of local housing allowance.…27 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillMy Lords, I support Amendment 3, moved by my noble friend Lady Kramer and supported by my noble friend Lord Sharkey, and other amendments in this group, but I will not mention…25 Feb 2025HANSARDWater Companies: FinesMy Lords, I thank the vast number of Peers participating in this debate. Some, having discussed culture, felt a bit too squeamish to stay for this debate, which I understand. In…06 Feb 2025HANSARDWater Companies: FinesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that fines paid by water companies are used to repair the damage done by sewage pollution.06 Feb 2025HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, the Liberal Democrats welcome the Bill and support the fundamental principles in it of rebalancing the relationship between landlord and tenant. We thank the Minister…04 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendment 5 in this group, which would amend Clause 1 to retain the original rate of 13.8% for both charities and housing associations. I refer to my…21 Jan 2025HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationMy Lords, no doubt the Minister will be aware of the eye-watering debts of over £2 billion left to the people of Woking by their former Conservative council. What is the level of…16 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Charity SectorMy Lords, can the Minister explain why this Government have decided to tax charities through national insurance contributions and yet to persist at the same time with the…13 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to compare the need for affordable housing with the need for council and social housing as part of the National Planning…06 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingMy Lords, while the NPPF is welcome, does the Minister share the widespread concern that the technical term “affordable” does not mean affordable to those in acute need? Research…06 Jan 2025HANSARDNon-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Owen, on bringing forward this Bill. It is timely, essential and urgent. This new Government have committed to delivering this…13 Dec 2024HANSARDHousebuilding TargetsMy Lords, does the Minister agree that the large housebuilding companies have too much power when it comes to deciding what homes to build, where to build and when to build? Can…12 Dec 2024HANSARDHousing Supply and HomelessnessMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Warwick, on leading us in this debate. It is an absolute honour to speak along with so many noble Lords who have dedicated their…05 Dec 2024HANSARDGreat British Energy BillMy Lords, I rise to speak in favour of Amendment 18, not Amendment 28— to be clear. I regret that I was unable to be here for Second Reading. This amendment inserts two additional…03 Dec 2024HANSARDSchools: Mobile PhonesMy Lords, I too congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Kidron, not just on this debate but on her tireless advocacy for online safety for all children. She has my lasting…28 Nov 2024HANSARDLandlords: Long-term RentalsMy Lords, does the Minister agree that two of the most profound underlying causes of children, the most reluctant tenants of all, being in temporary accommodation—150,000 of them…27 Nov 2024HANSARDPrivate Sector Renters: Eviction ProtectionDoes the Minister agree that the balance is wrong if, according to a report by Generation Rent, nearly 40% of fuel-poor households rent privately but only 14% of energy company…06 Sept 2023HANSARDPrivate Sector Renters: Eviction ProtectionTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect renters in the private sector who are seeking help with energy-saving improvements from eviction.06 Sept 2023HANSARDHomeless People and Rough SleepingMy Lords, does the Minister agree that the one silver lining of the awful tragedy of the Covid pandemic was the Everyone In project, led by the noble Baroness, Lady Casey? But the…01 Mar 2023HANSARDUK Journalism (Communications and Digital Committee Report)My Lords, this has been a fascinating debate. I particularly applaud our committee chair, the noble Lord, Lord Gilbert and the staff he has already mentioned, for steering us…13 Oct 2021