Contributions
783 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, we have had three—13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillThey are likely not to have the power to agree to have a debate on the amendment as an entity. Considering that the Government are supporting this amendment, it is likely to be…13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI shall start again. We have an amendment signed by three noble Lords who have, in their usual lawyerly way, made a powerful case for one side of the argument. Here I am, however,…13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. I am pleased that we have had this debate on this group of amendments about parish and town councils, but I am very disappointed…13 Apr 2026HANSARDSussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026My Lords, I thank the Minister for her introduction to this statutory instrument, one in a series of statutory instruments creating county combined authorities that we have…23 Mar 2026HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention and Levy and Safety Net: Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026My Lords, I draw the Grand Committee’s attention to my interest as a councillor on Kirklees Council. This is a very technical measure and a bit of a mixed bag. The reset of the…23 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I now have to remember where I left off.05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Banner, has returned to this issue, which was the subject of debate during the then Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Then, the amendment in his…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the difficulty the public have with the word “consultation” is that they often dismiss it as being a mere sop by those who want to change the order of things, whatever…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI was making a point about public consultation. Since the land is held by a trust for public benefit and for the public good, it seems to me that some consideration should be…05 Mar 2026HANSARDRent Officers (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Functions) (Modification) Order 2026I am sorry to interrupt the Minister, but I feel very strongly about the use of the phrase “affordable housing”. Affordable housing is, by definition, not affordable. The broad…03 Mar 2026HANSARDRent Officers (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Functions) (Modification) Order 2026My Lords, my noble friend Lady Thornhill set out the case for the Government to rethink their decision to freeze local housing allowance. She set it out superbly, with all the…03 Mar 2026HANSARDSurrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining the draft order for the reorganisation of the 11 districts and one county in Surrey into two unitaries. I do not totally agree with…02 Mar 2026HANSARDSurrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026I am sorry to interrupt, but this is an important issue. I accept what the Minister is saying about the importance of councils being financially stable but, if I were a resident…02 Mar 2026HANSARDCheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026My Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing these two statutory instruments, which are progress on the way to the Government’s policy of mayoral devolution. I accept the notion…10 Feb 2026HANSARDCheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026Before the Minister finishes, will she answer my question about the position of the deputy mayor?10 Feb 2026HANSARDCheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026My Lords, I will just repeat the final comment I had to make. When the Minister referenced how the constituent authorities would be able to vote in decision-making mode, she…10 Feb 2026HANSARDCheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026I will be quick.10 Feb 2026HANSARDCheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026I should have been quicker.10 Feb 2026