Contributions
1,195 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI beg to move amendment (a) to Lords amendment 117.17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillThe Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill has had a lengthy passage. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all my predecessors in my role and to colleagues across the Department…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI thank the Father of the House for those comments. I can assure him that the Government are carefully considering his points, and those made by other colleagues. I turn to…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI will just finish this remark, and I will certainly give way to my former ministerial colleague. The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs already publishes an…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI will address that matter in due course, so I hope my right hon. Friend will allow a little patience.17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI thank my right hon. Friend for what he has said, and for all the vital work that he did in his previous role in taking forward the country’s reaction to climate change. This is…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI can confirm for my right hon. Friend that we will scrap the duty to co-operate for the reasons that she mentioned. We will consult on how we expect local authorities to work…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. We did discuss the matter of housing targets in the Lords debate. The Lib Dems’ policy to have 380,000 houses a year—that is certainly this week’s…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI thank my right hon. Friend and esteemed predecessor in my role. I will come on to speak a bit more about the “banana” policies of the Liberal Democrats later in my remarks. For…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillThe hon. Lady makes some good points. As I said, we agree on the importance of those services, particularly for the rural communities that we represent. That is why we are pushing…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI assure my right hon. Friend that I heard his remarks and concerns. Until we have published the response on the NPPF, it is not possible for us to give directions to the planning…17 Oct 2023HANSARD Levelling-up and Regeneration BillI thank my right hon. Friend for raising that point, which I think is a matter of interest to all colleagues. She will know that we have had an exceptionally high level of…17 Oct 2023HANSARDFirst-time BuyersThe Government have a range of schemes available to first-time buyers, including First Homes and shared ownership. The mortgage guarantee scheme helps to increase the supply of…16 Oct 2023HANSARDGreen Spaces: ProtectionThrough the Levelling Up Parks Fund we have made available £9 million for local authorities in areas of high deprivation to create or significantly refurbish green spaces. The…16 Oct 2023HANSARDFirst-time BuyersThe hon. Lady asks whether we will match Labour’s ambition. I have news for her: from what I picked up from the Labour party conference, it announced the same targets that we are…16 Oct 2023HANSARDGreen Spaces: ProtectionI can assure my hon. Friend that it is the Government’s policy to strongly encourage local authorities to make the most of brownfield land first, especially for new homes. It is…16 Oct 2023HANSARDGreen Spaces: ProtectionI thank the hon. Gentleman so much for his comments, and I would be delighted to read the report from his APPG and respond to him. I fully agree with his broader point that green…16 Oct 2023HANSARDGreen Spaces: ProtectionMy hon. Friend is completely right. As ever, he champions his constituents over the actions of Labour-run Bradford Council, which obviously has a detrimental impact on his…16 Oct 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is doing an excellent job in raising the concerns of his constituents on the Floor of the House. I know that those concerns are also raised with many other…16 Oct 2023HANSARDGreen Spaces: ProtectionMy hon. Friend will, I hope, understand that I cannot comment on that specific case or situation, but it is really important that local authorities make decisions according to…16 Oct 2023