Contributions
40 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBuilt Environment SectorTo ask His Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report from New London Architecture The Built Environment Sector , published on 16 September, what assessment they have made…28 Oct 2025HANSARDBuilt Environment SectorI thank my noble friend the Minister for that reply and welcome her to her first Oral Questions. I also welcome plans to streamline judicial review for nationally significant…28 Oct 2025HANSARDMaking Tax DigitalI thank my noble friend the Minister for the helpful Answer. Given that Making Tax Digital has significantly increased the cost of compliance for small businesses through…17 Sept 2025HANSARDMaking Tax DigitalTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use the rollout of Making Tax Digital as a strategic entry point to encourage wider adoption of digital tools among small…17 Sept 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I am aware that many of the amendments in this group have a rather different focus from the points I wish to make. I acknowledge the amendments by the noble Lords, Lord…21 Jul 2025HANSARDUK Constitution: Oversight and Responsibility (Report from the Constitution Committee)My Lords, I was once told that the constitution was best left to the lawyers, the historians and the former Cabinet Ministers. So naturally, here I am, a musician turned town…04 Jul 2025HANSARDHousing Associations: Financial AssistanceMy Lords, will my noble friend the Minister outline how, alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the £39 billion commitment to affordable housing that has been referred to…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBusiness Rates ReformTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of business rates reform on business improvement districts.23 Jun 2025HANSARDBusiness Rates ReformI thank my noble friend the Minister for that reply. Business improvement districts—BIDs—are vital to local economies and high street regeneration, and rely heavily on the…23 Jun 2025HANSARDBusiness Rates ReformMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and I refer the House to my registered interests, including that I run two business improvement…23 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this short but important debate. I appreciate that my amendment may seem controversial to some, not to mention unfeasibly…03 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I have tabled Amendment 132 as a probing amendment to highlight some of the concerns from the perspective of small businesses. Amendment 137, proposed by the noble Lord,…03 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill03 Jun 2025HANSARDPlanning Reforms: Energy and Housing CostsI thank my noble friend for that helpful response, and I refer the House to my entry in the register of interests. Working with not-for-profits, I have seen how vital and often…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning Reforms: Energy and Housing CostsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of their proposed planning reforms on productivity in the United Kingdom, specifically in…15 May 2025HANSARD80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over JapanMy Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to add a voice from one of the smaller corners of our national story; and I do so among so many moving and powerful speeches today,…09 May 2025HANSARDAudit, Reporting and Governance AuthorityMy Lords, late last year, the chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council said of the transition to an audit, reporting and governance authority: “It’s long overdue. It’s…31 Mar 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, like buses, you wait for one nepo Peer to come along— I rise to speak in support of this Bill and refer the House to my registered interests. First, I congratulate all…27 Mar 2025HANSARDSpring StatementMy Lords, the UK continues to lag behind many EU countries in overall productivity—something that cannot be explained solely by differences in how the French choose to measure…27 Mar 2025HANSARDUnited Kingdom: Global PositionMy Lords, it is with great humility and a profound sense of responsibility that I rise to address this House for the first time. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of joining…13 Mar 2025