Contributions
2,184 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPolitical Parties: FundingMy Lords, the Government committed in their manifesto to “protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties”. Foreign money has no place in our…15 Jan 2025HANSARDPolitical Parties: FundingI agree with my noble friend that there are a large number of people still unregistered. When one goes out campaigning it is very clear that there are people who are not…15 Jan 2025HANSARDCombined Authorities (Borrowing) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing and Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025I thank the noble Baroness and apologise for missing that. She will have seen that one of the adjustments we have made to the local government finance settlement that came out…13 Jan 2025HANSARDCombined Authorities (Borrowing) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing and Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025That the Grand Committee do consider the Combined Authorities (Borrowing) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing and Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.13 Jan 2025HANSARDCombined Authorities (Borrowing) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing and Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025My Lords, I thank both noble Baronesses for their participation and broad support for this SI. I will address some of the questions raised. The noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, asked…13 Jan 2025HANSARDCombined Authorities (Borrowing) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (Borrowing and Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025My Lords, these regulations were laid before this House on 19 November 2024. The other place debated them on 8 January 2025. The regulations relate to the York and North Yorkshire…13 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsAs I explained, the Government have no responsibility for funding town and parish councils. The Welsh Government’s budget is growing in real terms in 2025-26. In fact, the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsThe denial of responsibility from that side of the House is quite astonishing. Public services were broken by neglect from the party opposite for 14 years. I am surprised that…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsI agree with the noble Lord that special needs transport has been a significant burden on local government in recent years, and with little help from the last Government. However,…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsI am always very happy to meet colleagues from NALC and have done so several times in the past, as the noble Baroness knows. The issue here is that parish and town councils have…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsI have seen the figures from the Nuffield Trust. The Government have provided additional funding for local government, as the noble Lord is aware. I have cited the figure before…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsThe noble Earl raises a key point. We have looked very carefully at charities and the voluntary sector. Many arts organisations have charitable status and there has been…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her Question. The devolved Governments will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26. The Welsh Government…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsI agree with my noble friend. When we start to get some alternatives from the other side of the House, I might be more prepared to listen to their arguments about not putting NICs…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsI have heard a great deal from that side of the House about NICs. If we had not had to fill a £22 billion black hole, we would not have had to do it in the first place. None of us…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsThe noble Lord makes a very good point about social enterprise. I am a great champion of social enterprises. They do magnificent work in our country. I set out the basis on which…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingI echo my noble friend’s points about Baroness Randerson’s work in Wales. He makes a valid point: a good reason for building social housing is that it saves expenditure on DWP…06 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingMy Lords, I add my tribute to Baroness Randerson and offer my condolences to her family and friends. Her wisdom and experience were greats asset to this House, and she will be…06 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingThe new methodology has been carefully considered. It strikes a balance between meeting the scale of need right across the country and focusing additional growth on places facing…06 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Policy Planning Framework: HousingThe right reverend Prelate raises a very interesting point about space standards. Coming from a new town, I remember the standards that were introduced when my town was built. On…06 Jan 2025