Contributions
30 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCharities: Banking ServicesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the challenges faced by charities in accessing ethical and appropriate banking services; and what steps they are…23 Jul 2026HANSARDCharities: Banking ServicesMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his thoughtful and considered reply. Many charities face slow, complicated and burdensome processes to change registered trustees on their…23 Jul 2026HANSARDDomestic Travel and Holidays: Visitor LevyMy Lords, I am a former chair of Core Cities UK, the group of the 10 largest cities outside of London. Core Cities campaigned long and hard for the power to introduce a…21 Jul 2026HANSARDMusic Teachers: RecruitmentMy Lords, the Government have introduced extremely welcome tax relief for orchestras, theatres, museums and galleries, but the outreach they undertake is not eligible for that tax…20 Jul 2026HANSARDFuture Capability of the Armed ForcesMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Harlech, on securing this debate, which is essential to the future of our country. I thank him for his service, as I thank all our…16 Jul 2026HANSARDMini-tender Offers: Protection for ShareholdersMy Lords, given that these mini-tender offers succeed precisely because some shareholders may not recognise that the price they are being offered is well below market value, and…15 Jul 2026HANSARDCyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) BillMy Lords, the Bill sits squarely within the wider national security and preparedness agenda to which this House has repeatedly returned in recent months since the publication of…14 Jul 2026HANSARDFarming Practices: Sustainable Farming IncentiveMy Lords, many of us on these Benches are supportive of British farming and congratulate our farmers on their excellent work in food production. But I have a question for my noble…13 Jul 2026HANSARDDrink-DrivingMy Lords, when I was 18, my parents’ car was hit head-on by a drunk driver. Both my parents survived, but my mother was left with life-changing injuries. I therefore warmly…01 Jul 2026HANSARDPension Access Rules: Impact on Terminally IllMy Lords, does my noble friend the Minister share my concerns about the levels of stress and anxiety that this issue causes people who not only face huge practical and emotional…30 Jun 2026HANSARDFurther Education Colleges: Recovery of VATTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on further education colleges of their inability to recover VAT on expenditure; and what plans they…09 Jun 2026HANSARDFurther Education Colleges: Recovery of VATI thank my noble friend the Minister for that response. As he correctly identifies, since 2011, FE colleges, unlike councils, academies and almost all other public sector…09 Jun 2026HANSARDFurther Education Colleges: Recovery of VATMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I draw attention to my role as president of Capital City College Group.09 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Councillors: Recruitment, Retention and Well-beingTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increasing abuse and intimidation on the recruitment, retention and wellbeing of local councillors;…04 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Councillors: Recruitment, Retention and Well-beingMy Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have expressed a wish to speak in this debate. I draw noble Lords’ attention to my role as a non-exec director at MHCLG. Four years…04 Jun 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, the gracious Speech puts national security where it belongs, at the centre of government. I welcome that, but the question before us is not only what we spend—it is how…21 May 2026HANSARDGrenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) BillMy Lords, first, I declare an interest and draw noble Lords’ attention to my role as a non-executive director at MHCLG, the lead department for this Bill. The Bill, as presented…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastMy Lords, I congratulate the Government on avoiding the pull towards an illegal and pointless conflict in the Middle East, despite the pressure brought to bear from some national…19 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025: Economic Growth and Job CreationTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the Defence Industrial Strategy 2025 on promoting economic growth and job creation in…03 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025: Economic Growth and Job CreationMy Lords, in warmly welcoming the Government’s commitment to significantly increasing defence expenditure and the opportunity to use this lever to promote economic growth,…03 Mar 2026