Contributions
445 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, this has been a genuinely useful debate, raising the key issues of the duty to co-operate and co-operation in local areas. As the Bill stands, it places a duty on…29 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I will try to be quick, given the time. This has been a useful debate. I am sympathetic to the principle behind Amendment 100 in the name of the noble Earl, Lord…29 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI will take back what the noble Baroness says. In this case, my point is that a random unelected body is not the same as an elected body. I genuinely think that democracy is…29 Jan 2026HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2026At end to insert “but this House regrets the significant reductions in business rate discounts arising from the draft Regulations because they fundamentally threaten the future of…28 Jan 2026HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2026I thank the Minister for her response. Before I comment on it, I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Stoneham, for his work as the Liberal Democrat Chief Whip. I am slightly envious…28 Jan 2026HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2026My Lords, in speaking to this regret amendment in my name, I declare my interest as a councillor in Central Bedfordshire. At first glance, the statutory instrument may appear…28 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Lansley for his amendments. I think that there has been consensus among noble Lords contributing on this group that this is something that…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I shall speak to the two amendments in my name and that of my noble friend Lady Scott of Bybrook. Amendment 49 would allow the Secretary of State to make subordinate…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Lansley for his thoughtful amendments and comments. I also thank the Minister for her feedback, which has certainly provided some more…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillWith voting, the figure required can be either two-thirds or 50:50. Can the Minister clarify what figure is required to remove a commissioner?27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, we have had an interesting debate. I thank all noble Lords who have participated. It does appear to be the first one today where we are not quite in agreement on things.…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I will take a step back to reflect on what this debate is really about. It is not simply about committees, processes or institutional design—it is about trust that…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the Clause 12 stand part notice, in my name and that of my noble friend Lady Scott of Bybrook, is intended to probe. We recognise that mayors and mayoral combined…27 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI thank the Minister for her response. If I may, I will delve a little deeper into some of her comments. She said that the first time an authority borrows, it will have to get…27 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationAs there is still time, I will come back on a couple of things that the Minister said. The Minister spoke of the need for fundamental reform. Can the Minister answer the following…26 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationLike my noble friend Lady Scott of Bybrook, as a councillor in central Bedfordshire I have already been through unitisation. That did not involve cancelling elections; in fact, we…26 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026My Lords, I declare my interest as a councillor in central Bedfordshire. We are generally coming to a fairly positive view across the parties on this instrument. It makes a…21 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026I want just to clarify the point that I tried to make about consortiums. I want to make sure how the consortium will function where maybe people are looking, shall we say, to give…21 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill20 Jan 2026