Contributions
1,006 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCouncil FundingFirst, we need to reset the relationship between the Westminster Government and local authorities. I have seen far too many examples where the Secretary of State and Ministers…02 Sept 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn the final 2024-25 local government finance settlement, a £3 million grant was announced to assist local authorities experiencing significant pressures on their internal…02 Sept 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsWithin the first couple of days of this Government, the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to local authority leaders, inviting them for discussions on devolution agreements. One of the…02 Sept 2024HANSARDLocal Audit BacklogLocal authorities and other local bodies, including police, fire, transport and waste authorities, as well as national parks, provide vital public services to local communities.…30 Jul 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)Will my hon. Friend give way on that point?21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)Any functioning Government should be able to balance the need to involve local people in decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, providing certainty about the future and…21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)In the end, it would be for the Labour Government to assess what they inherit at that point, but does that not make the case for not having a scorched-earth policy of completely…21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)The problem is that there was no debate or legislation when the Prime Minister woke up one morning and decided to cancel HS2; it was done on a whim. All those manifesto…21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)I welcome the debate so we can reflect on the importance of high-speed rail, the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, and connecting our towns and cities. When we talk about…21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)I will, although I am conscious of time, Madam Deputy Speaker.21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)Will the Minister give way?21 May 2024HANSARD High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill (Instruction) (No. 3)This was only separated out because, as in this debate, some tried to make out that residents were opposed to the project overall. However, my hon. Friend must have seen in the…21 May 2024HANSARD Business of the HouseA significant issue across Oldham, Chadderton and Royton is the rapid increase in the number of houses in multiple occupation. It was previously a big issue for our pub industry,…16 May 2024HANSARD Relationships, Sex and Health Education: Statutory GuidanceIn reviewing the 2019 guidance, does the Secretary of State share my concern that not enough is being done on child safeguarding when it comes to child sexual exploitation, and in…16 May 2024HANSARDWar in GazaThe Deputy Foreign Secretary knows that international law applies to all, or it matters to none. He speaks of the right of self-defence, and the House would agree with that, but…07 May 2024HANSARDCo-operative SectorAs the Minister outlines, co-operatives are worth £41 billion to the UK economy; moreover, they are, on average, 10% more productive than other businesses, twice as likely to…07 May 2024HANSARDCo-operative Sector2. What assessment he has made of the contribution of the co-operative sector to the economy.07 May 2024HANSARDDraft Combined Authorities (Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 2024I do not particularly disagree, but I would ask for an acceptance that there is a natural tension in the devolution programme between the need to have devolution for a purpose,…29 Apr 2024HANSARDDraft Combined Authorities (Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 2024It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship today, Ms Nokes. I will start by confirming that we do not intend to divide the Committee on this statutory instrument. We agree…29 Apr 2024HANSARDDraft Combined Authorities (Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 2024I will avoid answering the Minister’s question for him, but we need to accept that different Mayors have different powers. Some are police and crime commissioners, while some do…29 Apr 2024