Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceI thank the noble Lord for drawing attention to our respective backgrounds in local government. Clearly, the most important thing is to keep the important services of councils…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceAt the moment, all I can point to is the commitment by the department to ensure that the cost and demand pressures, as well as the income pressures, are covered by a comprehensive…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceMy Lords, my noble friend is quite right that we need to think about how we can deliver services differently. The use of artificial intelligence and other technologies will…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceMy Lords, there is no doubt that there is pressure on the funding of our cultural institutions, but we must recognise that there has already been a commitment of £27 billion to…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceMy Lords, there is an absolute commitment to provide support for local councils through this extremely difficult period. My noble friend is right to point out the pressures we…29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Local Government FinanceI know of my noble friend’s love of the game of cricket. I am sure that we can take that up with the Ministers responsible.29 Jun 2020HANSARDGreater Manchester Combined Authority (Fire and Rescue Functions) (Amendment) Order 2020My Lords, a previous version of this order was published and laid in both Houses on 9 March 2020. It was debated and approved in both Houses on 5 May 2020. Regrettably, following…17 Jun 2020HANSARDGreater Manchester Combined Authority (Fire and Rescue Functions) (Amendment) Order 2020That the draft Order laid before the House on 4 June be approved. A debate on an identical Order took place on 5 May (HL Deb, cols 414– 426 ) .17 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial HousingMy Lords, it is important to recognise the points outlined by the noble Baroness about the stigma around social housing and that we do what we can to ensure that so-called “poor…16 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial HousingMy noble friend has made a very good point, which is that we could use the returns from housing in order to increase investment. I shall have to write to her on the specifics of…16 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial HousingMy Lords, the definition of “affordable” is certainly not an easy one. While the Government have not set a specific percentage of the incomes that people in social housing should…16 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial HousingIt is fair to say that the differential between social and private rents has narrowed over a considerable number of decades. The policy of rent restructuring was started under the…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State followed entirely the planning guidelines that were set out by the MHCLG. I do not accept the way that this has been…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityOf course these requirements apply to the Secretary of State, but it is absolutely clear that at every step of the way, he disclosed all that he needed to disclose to the…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityMy Lords, probity in the planning system is absolutely critical to its function. We are also aware of the delays in making decisions on the part of the Planning Inspectorate. The…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityI do not feel that it is appropriate to comment on a live planning application. I am sure that the Secretary of State followed the MHCLG guidance on propriety matters in planning…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityLet us be clear. It was the letter from the department that was sent out on 14 January. The determination by the Secretary of State was made a considerable time before…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityThis is about the probity of the planning system. It is quite right that currently we do not have taxpayer funding for political parties. All the fundraising by the Conservative…16 Jun 2020HANSARDPlanning Process: ProbityI note my noble friend’s point about the strength of feeling locally about the location of this memorial, although I will not comment on a specific planning matter. I am sure that…16 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial HousingMy noble friend makes an important point about the accessibility of social housing, and I will write to her about the specific measures we will be taking. I can say that, as well…16 Jun 2020