Contributions
20 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFurther 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 2026HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I shall speak to the amendments in this group. For the record, I declare my interest as a trustee of Action on Smoking and Health. First of all, I follow on from the…03 Mar 2026HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillI will come to that point in a moment and explain further. The TRIS process concluded on 18 February. The UK Government have provided a clear and satisfactory response to the…03 Mar 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationMy Lords, I declare an interest as a non-executive director of MHCLG. Can my noble friend the Minister remind the House of the original purpose of local government reorganisation?…25 Feb 2026HANSARDSecurity of Candidates, MPs and ElectionsMy Lords, does my noble friend the Minister share my concern about the rising tide of abuse in our politics being detrimental to the broadest range of candidates putting…12 Feb 2026HANSARDMedical Training (Prioritisation) BillMy Lords, I must begin my contribution to this debate with two formalities. First, I declare that I am an honorary member of the court of Newcastle University. In fact, I am a…12 Feb 2026HANSARDPublic Transport: Remote CommunitiesMy Lords, further to the question from the noble Lord, Lord McLoughlin, can I ask my noble friend the Minister to join me in thanking the many hundreds of volunteers who run our…09 Feb 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillMy Lords, I seek to make a brief contribution to the discussion on this amendment. Noble Lords might ask themselves why somebody whose political experience was predominantly in a…05 Feb 2026HANSARDUK Development Partnership AssistanceMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Featherstone, for securing this debate. I fear that my contribution will be a mere shadow of the exemplary exposition of the challenges…29 Jan 2026HANSARDBusiness RatesMy Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree with me about the importance of certainty and security for businesses in the payment of business rates in particular? While local…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRetail and Hospitality SectorMy Lords, it is the tradition in your Lordships’ House that maiden speeches are heard in silence, originally as a mark of respect for the recently deceased father of the…22 Jan 2026