Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGrenfell Tower: DemolitionMy Lords, I have been very clear that the police have said that they do not require any evidence from the tower as part of their investigation. I am also aware that we need to…06 Sept 2021HANSARDGrenfell Tower: DemolitionMy Lords, I am happy to clarify that there has been ongoing engagement not only with the bereaved and survivors but also with the community. I also want to put on record that…06 Sept 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, the Government do not have any plans to introduce such a land value tax, but they are committed to supporting those on low incomes, including by increasing the living…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy noble friend’s suggestion has some merit. Even a limited revaluation would be costly and would yield significant extra revenue only in those parts of the country where house…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, we have looked at putting on hold the reform of the local government finance system because of the pandemic, and further reforms will be potentially be brought forward…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxYes, it does. On that basis, grant enables areas with lower council tax bases to receive 16% more in core spending power. I recognise the point made by the noble Lord about the…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, I note that my noble friend again calls for a new, higher band of property. If that higher band were based on 1991 values, the Valuation Office Agency would need to…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, I am interested to hear the specific examples given, but we must recognise that, for local authority funding, council tax represents only a proportion of the income…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxI thank my noble friend. He joins the chorus of people calling for new bands and a reform of the council tax system, but, as I have said, we do not intend to bring in new bands.…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, I do not recognise the picture that the noble Baroness paints. Throughout the pandemic, we have provided considerable additional funding for local authorities. Local…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxI note my noble friend’s call for a council tax revaluation. As I said in my previous answer, a full revaluation would be costly. The council tax bands are well understood by…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, I am delighted that all these ideas are being floated on how we should support and organise the funding of local government. As I said, the Government have put that on…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, I point out that Westminster has a low-tax policy and sets probably the lowest council tax in the country, and it should be commended for being a low-tax authority.…22 Jul 2021HANSARDCouncil TaxI recognise my noble friend’s interest in this issue, but the Government do not have any plans to introduce higher bands for council tax. Many people living in high-value…22 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]20 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]My Lords, I point out that the maximum penalty would apply per lease and, for highly complex buildings, that soon multiplies to a substantial amount of money, so we believe that…20 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]20 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]My Lords, in constructing a penalty regime for any landlords who breach the provisions of this legislation, we wanted to set the penalty at a level that was proportionate but…20 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]20 Jul 2021HANSARDLeasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill [HL]20 Jul 2021