Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundI should probably declare my commercial interests before I answer the question. The reality is that local government has had a pretty generous settlement. The core spending power…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundThe noble Lord is a champion and a crusader on this, and quite rightly. This is something that we take seriously and have taken particularly seriously during this pandemic, so…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundAs a local authority leader for some of the most deprived parts of the country, I used to look at the index of multiple deprivation very carefully. The borough that I led for six…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundThe UK community renewal fund will ultimately be financed by the taxpayer, although it is the successor to the EU structural funds. It is important to test things out with the…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundWith regard to union, it was very clear that we wanted to fund all four nations. That criterion was set from the outset. In addition, we wanted to raise all boats and strengthen…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundOf course I am not saying that. I am saying that there is a methodology and approach and that they are transparent. We have funded those bids according to that methodology. There…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundThe sham is the analysis conducted by the University of West London. I have lived in west London all my life and I have never heard of the University of West London. Its…08 Dec 2021HANSARDUK Community Renewal FundThe Government have confirmed that applications to the UK community renewal fund were assessed against the criteria set out in the prospectus and the assessment criteria published…08 Dec 2021HANSARDRating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) BillMy Lords, I will do my very best. I start by saying that local authorities are protected by what is known as the local tax income guarantee; I know the noble Baroness, Lady…01 Dec 2021HANSARDRating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) BillI thank noble Lords for raising two important issues. The noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, asked whether we will have data to know whether the £1.5 billion is enough and that we are…01 Dec 2021HANSARDRating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) BillThe Government always keep these matters under review. We recognise the importance of business rates in providing the financial stability and underpinning for local councils, and…01 Dec 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, I am not sure that that question is directed entirely at my department —my noble friend probably knows more about this than me—but I am happy to write to the noble…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, any government Minister needs to be aware of when they are being lobbied. It is important to understand where the information is coming from and whether there is a…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, I have to accept that we are on a journey. We need to learn from local areas, particularly those areas that have chosen locally to introduce a ban on smoking in the way…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, we need to recognise that we are making excellent progress. We as a Government are committed to reducing the harms caused by tobacco and have made long-term progress in…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsI thank my noble friend for making the point about how progress has been made and that it has been on a national basis. However, as someone who spent 20 years in local government—…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsThe temporary pavement licence provisions introduced in the Business and Planning Act 2020 and subsequently extended have a national smoke-free condition requiring businesses to…24 Nov 2021HANSARDConformity Assessment (Mutual Recognition Agreements) (Construction Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2021That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 16 September and 21 October be approved. Considered in Grand Committee on 23 November24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, I have to say that because alcohol is served in that grungy location, it attracts even me and I am a non-smoker. I believe in personal choice and I recognise what is…24 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoke-free PavementsMy Lords, I will have to write on that engagement because I will not be able to give a sufficiently accurate answer now. I am happy to do that.24 Nov 2021