Contributions
346 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Ninth sitting)I have served in the two-tier system and know it is not perfect, but nor is what the Government are proposing in the Bill. There are some unitary councils, such as Slough, that…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)We are talking about a mayoral CIL reset, but some local authorities will not introduce a CIL because they get far more out of section 106 negotiations. Will mayors be able to…21 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Seventh sitting)What happens if one plan says one thing and another plan says another? The Minister just said that the strategic spatial framework would take precedence, but what happens if the…21 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has said that the Secretary of State needs to speed up publication of the guidance on single-sex spaces used by trans people in schools,…20 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)In a certain way, the citizens assembly is the electorate, and there is an election for mayors. Why does the hon. Lady feel the need for more engagement and more citizens…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)The Minister has said previously, “We want to empower local communities,” “We want mayors to have freedom,” and, “We want mayors to have choice,” but in this case she is…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)This is one of the good clauses in the Bill, but I would like the Minister to clarify this. A number of authorities want this power now to combat the issues she just spoke about,…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)In that sense, if an authority wants one now but is not on the devolution priority programme and does not have a strategic authority coming, will it be able to get those powers…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)I rise in support of amendment 300, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. It is important that we bring in more powers to tackle this issue. When…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)I am in favour of the two amendments in the name of my hon. Friend the shadow Minister. I have served on a district council and a county council. Some of the powers to do with…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)When areas go through this process—and they are being made to go through it—will the Minister consider making it easier for areas that are unparished to create town and parish…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)The Minister mentions that 6,000 people replied to the consultation on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, but that only a small number of respondents actually mentioned the name.…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister talks about our scrutiny committees being able to recommend the termination of commissioners. Has she given any thought to their involvement in the appointment of…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)Will the Minister give way?14 Oct 2025HANSARDDigital IDThe British people did not vote for a two-tier digital police state run by this failing Labour Government. This policy is undemocratic and authoritarian and will do absolutely…13 Oct 2025HANSARD Points of OrderOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Tuesday 16 September, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology visited my constituency to…13 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)I am a former councillor and I know lots of the witnesses from my previous role leader of Broxbourne council.16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q I want to continue down the planning route. You mentioned utility companies earlier; I completely agree that we need to get them around the table. What about the NHS and health…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q You mentioned earlier that you want to see some powers removed from councils and placed at a strategic level. I am completely against taking powers away from local councils,…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q You could currently do what you have just described without the Bill, could you not? Catriona Riddell: No, because you do not have the strategic authorities.16 Sept 2025