Contributions
592 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Planning Policy FrameworkIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Desmond. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt) and all the hon. Members who have…16 Jul 2026HANSARDNational Planning Policy FrameworkMy hon. Friend makes a very important point. He reminds me that, frankly, I struggle with the fact that such a momentous and significant policy instrument is going through…16 Jul 2026HANSARD Estate RegenerationIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I congratulate the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Luke Murphy) on securing the debate. His call for minimum repair…15 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessGiven the important armed forces community in Taunton and Wellington, which includes 40 Commando Royal Marines, 675 Squadron Army Air Corps, our sea and air cadets and our army…08 Jul 2026HANSARDCommonhold and Leasehold Reform: Managing AgentsI thank the hon. Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) and her Select Committee colleagues for their excellent report and for securing this important…02 Jul 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Vaz. I congratulate the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Bradley Thomas) on introducing this important debate, on the constructive…30 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Desmond. The only certainty that consigning applications to officers will bring is a greater certainty of refusal. Officers…30 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026I will give two examples that have a bearing on the hon. Gentleman’s point momentarily. The Liberal Democrats have supported elements of the Government’s reforms. We supported the…30 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026The hon. Gentleman makes a good point about the importance of close working between councillors and officers, and I do not deny it, but the planning committees and the national…30 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026The Minister is being generous in giving way. As he knows, we fundamentally disagree with these proposals. He has just illustrated the point that councillors will be reduced to…30 Jun 2026HANSARDYouth HubsOne of the key routes into employment that youth hubs can provide is supported internships. Will the Minister congratulate Young Somerset on helping people who have been failed by…29 Jun 2026HANSARD Climate ChangeI support these measures. Contrary to what some have said in the Chamber today, the UK Energy Research Centre has found that two thirds of the increase in electricity bills since…24 Jun 2026HANSARDFly-tipping: Residential AreasOn rural and private land, the Environment Agency in my constituency has said that there is a gap in regulation when it comes to privately owned sites that are used for one…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Private Landlord Redress Schemes (Approval and Designation) Regulations 2026It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Barker. On the parent Act to this instrument, the Liberal Democrats campaigned in favour of ending no-fault evictions, and we…22 Jun 2026HANSARD Business of the HouseIn Taunton and Wellington, people recognise the need for new homes, and indeed have supported thousands of new homes. Taunton is the town that has grown most in the south-west—its…18 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Jardine. It is not the first time I have done so as part of a Committee to discuss planning regulations—I am sure, Ms Jardine,…17 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Shops: Illicit ActivityIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Dowd. I congratulate the hon. Member for Halesowen (Alex Ballinger) on securing this important debate and the constructive…17 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Shops: Illicit ActivityWill the Minister accept another intervention?17 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Shops: Illicit ActivityI am very grateful. I just want to clarify one point about planning controls. Key points were made about whether shops are actually shops if their windows are completely covered.…17 Jun 2026HANSARDHousing Developers: AccountabilityWhat many people see as the Government’s developer-led planning approach is draining local communities’ trust in the planning system. The new national planning policy framework…15 Jun 2026