Contributions
553 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSpecialist Domestic Abuse ServicesMy Lords, the noble Baroness is right about the importance of resources and the need to ensure that we properly fund our partners such as Women’s Aid, Imkaan and Refuge, which do…04 Mar 2019HANSARDParking (Code of Practice) BillMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Hunt of Wirral for bringing the Bill to this stage with his customary aplomb and expertise. It is not a flashy Bill but a necessary and…04 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecialist Domestic Abuse ServicesMy Lords, my noble friend highlights a very real problem and in doing so, indicates just how broad this issue is. As we have heard around the Chamber, there are many different…04 Mar 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsSchemes such as Help to Buy equity loan have helped to deliver 222,000 new homes in 2017-18, the highest level since 2007-08. However, we expect builders to act responsibly. We…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, I should point out to the noble Lord that the Help to Buy scheme was initiated under the coalition Government. Some of the figures he has quoted were made by his leader,…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, I do accept that standards are important. The noble Lord will be aware that the National Planning Policy Framework tightens up some of these quality and design…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, I leave it to the Labour Party to have an assault on profits; there is nothing wrong with profit itself. It is inappropriate when the money is not being invested…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, most of the suppliers of homes under the Help to Buy scheme are small and medium-sized enterprises, although I accept that the larger players are delivering the volume.…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, the noble Lord is right: the new Help to Buy scheme, which will start in April 2021 and run for two years, will be restricted to first-time buyers. At the moment, 81% of…27 Feb 2019HANSARDHelp to Buy: Housebuilders’ ProfitsMy Lords, the figures are right, to the extent that they stack up mathematically. I accept that the figures set out by the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, featured in the press, but…27 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that I have previously referenced the guide that has been developed with Westminster, which the Short Term Accommodation Association wants…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, where short-term lets breach the rules, local authorities already have numerous powers to take action. We are strongly encouraging industry to continue its progress on…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, I did not have the privilege of seeing that programme last night, as I had duties in the House, but I have had reports of it. Those businesses to which the noble…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, the Short Term Accommodation Association is grappling with problems of sharing data under the current law, and it is trying to proceed with that. It also has a…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, I agree with the noble Lord on that. It is nevertheless important, as he acknowledged, that they satisfy certain conditions. Those that join the Short Term Accommodation…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for all that he does, not only in relation to the regulation of property agents, but more generally in the area. The noble Lord has written to my…26 Feb 2019HANSARDShort-term LettingsMy Lords, Airbnb is the market leader and is doing a good job within London, which is the only place where the 90-day limit applies. Its software ensures that you cannot go over…26 Feb 2019HANSARDBusiness Rate AppealsMy Lords, no Question is complete without a contribution from the noble Lord. This is one of the many areas where we are making good progress—as we are on Brexit too.25 Feb 2019HANSARDBusiness Rate AppealsMy Lords, I did not dismiss it; I just added a note of caution, saying that we should not rush into these things. From memory, I think that was the position of the Liberal…25 Feb 2019HANSARDBusiness Rate AppealsMy Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Earl, who has been very active in this area. Two hours ago, he sent me a list of issues he is concerned about, which I will ensure that…25 Feb 2019