Contributions
2,740 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillHow is what the Minister is saying consistent with what he said on the Floor of the House on 9 December, when he said: “the changes are designed to… focus the time of elected…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI will give way a final time, and then I will make some progress, if I can.24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI am concerned about the points that my right hon. Friend has raised. The Government talk about abolishing a layer of government, but they are actually introducing a new layer of…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI agree that, in order to be fair to areas that include protected landscapes and national parks, that should be a consideration. The removal of powers from councillors will only…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillIt is totally unfair. In my view, it is cynical gerrymandering.24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillMy right hon. Friend is right to express her concerns. What everyone wants to see is fairness. We would expect everybody to carry a fair share of the extra housing, but that is…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Plan for NeighbourhoodsValue for money.04 Mar 2025HANSARDLocal Government FundingThe Minister mentions local government reorganisation. On 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister stated: “We are postponing elections for one year, from May 2025 to May 2026” —[…03 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsHelp to Buy helped 350,000 young first-time buyers and the stamp duty discount helped 640,000 first-time buyers get on the housing ladder with discounts of up to £11,000. Both are…03 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will try again. The Government’s manifesto promised to preserve the green belt. Then grey belt came along, which was supposed to be a few garage forecourts. Now it turns out…03 Mar 2025HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 ReportMay I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for advance sight of her statement and the Government’s response to the phase 2 report? I echo the Deputy Prime Minister’s sentiments, which…26 Feb 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Local GovernmentI thank the Secretary of State for her statement, and for giving me advance sight of it. Although we support the principle of devolving power to local areas, we are totally…05 Feb 2025HANSARD Police Grant ReportUtter rubbish.05 Feb 2025HANSARD Police Grant ReportRubbish.05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceMay I first put on record my admiration for the fine work of councils, councillors and officers right across the country? That work is often carried out at the most challenging…05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI can only reiterate what the hon. Gentleman has said and what I said earlier: they do fine work and most do not do it for money but because they have the interests of their local…05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI have spoken before about the financial pressures all councils are under. That is principally due to rising demand on services; that is the reality. Eighty per cent of…05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI will come on to that, but we do have a different perspective. The point that I am making principally right now is that there are rising costs on councils, both in direct costs…05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceOf course there are some needs around deprivation, but that is not the entirety. The major cost drivers for local authorities are the things that I outlined earlier: adult social…05 Feb 2025HANSARDLocal Government FinanceI do not want to be party political, but it is not us who are changing the formula. The reality is that this Labour Government are robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is a zero-sum…05 Feb 2025