Contributions
783 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillI thank the Minister. I thank the noble Lords, Lord Jamieson and Lord de Clifford, for their supportive comments, as the Minister was not so helpful. Businesses require clarity…24 Feb 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillIn which case, I apologise to the Minister. I must have missed that bit of his explanation. We have been saying right from the start that Covid relief would be the definition for…24 Feb 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, I thank the noble Lords, Lord Jamieson—also known as the noble Baroness, Lady Scott—and Lord Thurlow, for the amendments in this group. I have always in principle…24 Feb 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, at this point in our first day in Committee, I ought to remind the Committee of my relevant interests as a councillor—we are reliant on business rates for what we do—and…24 Feb 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillSeveral times already we have queried the decision to make the dividing line £500,000. It would be good to know why that number was chosen. Why not £600,000 or £400,000?24 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]As far as I have heard on this third day in Committee and at Second Reading, there has been a majority consensus for the Government’s proposals. What we are trying to do is to…13 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]We have not blamed anybody. That is not fair.13 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]My Lords, this is an eclectic mix of amendments. My Amendment 53 focuses on effective governance arrangements, which are key to an effective transfer of powers to local transport…13 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this mini-debate. In particular, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Grey-Thompson, for her important amendment; again, it…13 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]My Lords, I remind the Grand Committee at this stage that I am a serving councillor. The changes proposed in the Bill, as we discussed earlier in the amendment on governance, will…13 Feb 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]13 Feb 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Local GovernmentI remind the House that I have relevant interests as a councillor and as a vice- president of the Local Government Association. This is a wide-ranging Statement about the future…12 Feb 2025HANSARDSolar PanelsMy Lords, one of the big challenges in encouraging more solar panels on large industrial premises is the lack of ability to connect to the national grid. I am sure that the…12 Feb 2025HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, further to the question from my noble friend Lord Shipley, some council tax payers are now paying 12% on top of the council tax bill to pay for social care—the social…03 Feb 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, I hope I am okay in asking the Minister to pass on my condolences to the noble Lord, Lord Khan of Burnley, and his family at this particularly sad time for them all. I…29 Jan 2025HANSARDThames, Yorkshire and Northumbrian Water: Ofwat Proposed FinesMy Lords, the annual water bill is about £473, although some people, especially in households with disabled people, may pay £700 a year, so support and help for those families is…29 Jan 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]Yes, sorry.28 Jan 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]My Lords, I thank the Minister for his detailed reply and the clarity of his answers to all our amendments. I remind the Committee that my Amendment 4 seeks to encourage the…28 Jan 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]28 Jan 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]My Lords, I remind the Committee of my local government interests as a councillor and a vice-president of the Local Government Association. Extending bus franchising to all of…28 Jan 2025