Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, there is no doubt that you need to turn to lawyers to know how long it will take to turn these things round quickly. We need primary legislation. I have been told by…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, I will not make such a statement today in the House but a statement will be made very shortly. Community land trusts are a separate policy matter. I agree with the noble…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, I assure my noble friend that some of the “fleecehold” practices that we have seen around ground rent escalations are absolutely abhorrent. That is one of the things…05 Jan 2021HANSARDHousing: LeaseholdMy Lords, the noble Lord is a very wise man. I cannot give him any particular position on enfranchisement today, but it is important that we take these points into consideration…05 Jan 2021HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, that is a misrepresentation of the thrust of the planning reforms. We need to engage with communities. The idea of the planning reforms is to ensure that engagement…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, there is a tremendous commitment to the objective that my noble friend—well, not my noble friend; sorry, I am not good on the protocol yet, but I consider the noble Lord…03 Dec 2020HANSARDBusiness and Planning Act 2020 (London Spatial Development Strategy) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 2 November be approved. Relevant document: 34th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. Considered in Grand…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeNational policy statements set out the planning policy framework for nationally significant infrastructure, including energy and transport. It is for relevant Secretaries of State…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, Mark Carney, who is the finance adviser for the UK presidency of COP 26, made the point that we make our choices today very rationally, and around two-thirds of the…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, I am not going to take the prompt from the noble Baroness. We need to write to her on the matter, because I do not want to make policy on the hoof.03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, the Government recognise the importance of climate change and responding to a commitment in the manifesto towards that net-zero objective. We have a plan in place to do…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, I am sure that the climate change strategy team has read every single report on the matter and recognises the importance of having clear planks to be able to achieve the…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeI do not recognise that the commitment to a net-zero standard in the future homes standard is anything other than very bold and brave. This Government are pushing that. We…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, I point out that the National Planning Policy Framework was updated to deliver commitments in the 25-year environment plan and on other matters, but there is obviously…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, the point around brownfield is very well taken. It is much better to build on brownfield than on greenfield land, although I have to say, from my own experience of 16…03 Dec 2020HANSARDNational Planning Policy Statements: Climate ChangeMy Lords, in 89% of cases, the advice from the Environment Agency is followed. There is a commitment to maintain and enhance the objectives on avoiding environmental damage in the…03 Dec 2020HANSARDLeaseholders and CladdingMy Lords, with the greatest respect, the bill for remediation of historic cladding defects cannot simply be passed to the taxpayer. We expect developers, investors and building…25 Nov 2020HANSARDLeaseholders and CladdingMy Lords, there is no problem in public life that has not been seen before. My noble friend makes a valuable point and I will indeed ask my officials to look into the ways in…25 Nov 2020HANSARDLeaseholders and CladdingMy Lords, I thank my noble friend—that will be about five minutes’ work. I agree that leaseholders must be protected from unaffordable costs, particularly if these are driven by…25 Nov 2020HANSARDBusiness and Planning Act 2020 (London Spatial Development Strategy) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020I have to disagree with the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy of Southwark—I think he has an immense degree of humour. I have really enjoyed my time at the Dispatch Box, and in this rather…25 Nov 2020