Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, all of us who have run local authorities recognise the spending pressures intrinsic to local government, particularly for adult social care but also for social care for…06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, I am sure that my noble friend Lord Bethell is absolutely right and the matter is under review.06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementI will have to write to the noble Lord about that. I did not quite catch his question, but I will make sure that we get a full and proper answer to him and put a copy in the…06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, I have never heard so many questions poured in with such economy, but I refuse to give advice to any council, or any councillor, on how they should tax their local…06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportMy Lords, I, too, commend the work of the Salvation Army. I now consider Dean Pallant to be a close friend, and the work it does is phenomenal. It is fair to say that it has been…06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportMy understanding is that DCMS funding is open to places of worship. In fact, a number of places of worship, including many cathedrals, have been in receipt of funding already.06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportMy Lords, I know that that will be the start of a series of specific, bespoke requests, but it is right that the Government think about how we support small, grassroots charities.…06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportI do not recognise that no support has been given. In fact, during the pandemic, there have been 10 schemes available to places of worship, including churches, four of which are…06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, I have saved my data, which I carefully put together—although I will not be able to read it very well—for my noble friend’s question, of which he kindly gave me notice.…06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportThat sounded incredibly technical, to be honest. I need to reflect on it and write back to the noble Lord, giving a comprehensive answer and putting a copy in the Library.06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportMy Lords, it is important that we provide joined-up government. I am working closely with my colleagues in DCMS, and we work across Whitehall to ensure that that happens.06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, unfortunately I do not have the ability to declare an interest in local government as a vice-president of the Local Government Association, despite 16 years as a local…06 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for mentioning the Oxford-Cambridge arc. Unlike the Prime Minister, I err more towards the Cambridge end of it. My noble friend is absolutely…06 Jan 2021HANSARDReligious Groups: Financial SupportI join my noble friend in condemning those who point the finger at any community, including British Muslims. I absolutely commend the role taken by Muslim charities, such as the…06 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdI thank my noble friend. There is no doubt that in this country we are unique in having leasehold. We need to focus on reform, which will take this forward to a position similar…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdAll I can say is that there is a real commitment to drive forward reform. I am now the Minister responsible for leasehold, and the noble Lord will see action.05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, I have just looked at the index of things that we are working on. That policy is still in development, but it is important that we get it right—it is a tricky area.05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdI assure your Lordships that leasehold reform is coming. A lot has been announced and, subject to the vagaries of the Downing Street grid, more will be announced shortly.05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, first of all I point out my residential and commercial property interests as set out in the register. The Government are committed to promoting fairness and transparency…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdCommonhold exists today but the noble Baroness is absolutely right that this will require change, which is always difficult. Never underestimate the power of the status quo.…05 Jan 2021