Contributions
2,217 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal Planning Authorities: StaffingThe Government regularly engage with local authorities. We understand that they, as well as the wider planning sector, face capacity and capability challenges that have resulted…12 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Planning Authorities: StaffingMy Lords, we do not think that the answer is for local planning authorities to set their own fees. There is no guarantee that additional income would go into planning services or…12 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, I do not recognise the figures that the noble Baroness has put forward. The settlement, which we announced in its final form, represents a real-terms increase for…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesNo, I do not agree with that assessment at all. We have put in additional funding to local government—not just this year, but in many recent years. In addition, we have put in…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, of course I acknowledge that, in 2010, difficult decisions had to be made about public finances both centrally and in local government. However, in recent years, we have…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, I disagree that the amount was low. It was an additional amount on top of the provisional settlement, which sees the core spending power for local government rising from…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, we are committed to broader reform of local government finance, but we have said, in recognition of the disruption and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, that this will…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, we recognise the pressures that local government is facing. That is why we have announced such a substantive increase into the funding for councils this year. We…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesI reassure the noble Lord that the Government are committed to abolishing Section 21 evictions. That is what the Renters (Reform) Bill, currently being considered by the House of…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, in recent years we have tried to give more clarity around elements of the settlement on a multi-year basis. We will continue to do this for the next spending review and…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesWe have listened carefully to local authorities about the pressure that they are facing. That is why we have announced that the final local government finance settlement for…06 Feb 2024HANSARDElectoral Commission Strategy and Policy StatementMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their thoughtful consideration and input today. I will seek to address some of the points made by noble Lords, although I may not be as…06 Feb 2024HANSARDElectoral Commission Strategy and Policy StatementThat the draft Strategy and Policy Statement laid before the House on 14 December 2023 be approved. Relevant document: 8th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee…06 Feb 2024HANSARDElectoral Commission Strategy and Policy StatementMy Lords, the Government are committed to strengthening the integrity of elections so that our democracy remains secure, modern, transparent and fair. The statement we are…06 Feb 2024HANSARDLocal Authority FinancesMy Lords, the levelling-up White Paper set out our ambition for every part of the country that wanted a devolution deal in place to have one. As I referred to earlier, we are…06 Feb 2024HANSARDHousing: Accessibility StandardsI am afraid I will have to disappoint the noble Lord, as I cannot give a specific timeframe for that further work. The building safety regulator is responsible for introducing…05 Feb 2024HANSARDHousing: Accessibility StandardsMy Lords, we have proposed to mandate the M4(2) requirement in building regulations as a minimum standard, leaving the current M4(1) standard to apply by exception only when M4(2)…05 Feb 2024HANSARDHousing: Accessibility StandardsMy Lords, local planning authorities should already assess the housing needs of different groups, including accessibility needs for those with disabilities or older people, and…05 Feb 2024HANSARDHousing: Accessibility StandardsI emphasise that local planning authorities should already assess the housing needs of different groups, including accessibility needs, in their local areas and reflect these in…05 Feb 2024HANSARDHousing: Accessibility StandardsOne of the ways we will signal and have signalled the importance of this to local authorities is through the update to the National Planning Policy Framework. It was updated in…05 Feb 2024