Contributions
42 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLow-carbon Heat NetworksMy Lords, what risk assessment did the Government undertake before they moved the regulation of social housing landlords’ heating networks from the Housing Ombudsman to Ofgem? The…22 Apr 2026HANSARDLocal Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) (Revocation) Order 2026Briefly, I make a plea to the Minister that she takes personal oversight of all those councils where the delays may have an impact on staff’s ability to step up and do the right…21 Apr 2026HANSARDSussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026I commend the Government on getting on with doing something on this agenda. I am a massive fan of mayoral authorities. If that is the price to pay to take power away from…23 Mar 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationThe current Secretary of State was held in quite high regard across the whole of the sector before we started this. Let us not allow him to take the blame for this. It was not the…25 Feb 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I was not going to speak on this group either, but my noble friend Lord Lansley raised some points. I need to declare a set of interests. I am a non-executive director…20 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I am slightly reluctant to follow such a position on the basis that I believe that the Government—if they stick to what they say in the Title of the Bill—are doing the…08 Dec 2025HANSARDNHS Industrial ActionMy Lords, in response to the previous question from the Benches opposite, I refer the noble Lord, Lord Watts, to a programme on Radio 4 this morning, which made it clear that,…02 Dec 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, I will speak briefly, mainly to declare my registered interests before we get to the meat of Committee. I am a director and beneficial owner of Porter and Verrells,…17 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords—01 Apr 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI shall be brief. I apologise; I have not spoken on this Bill so far. Noble Lords who know me will know that one of the reasons is because my fantastic mother-in-law, Dorothy Ann…01 Apr 2025HANSARDLocal Government: Electoral QuotasMy Lords, I bring the House’s attention to my interests in the register: primarily, that I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. Before I ask my question— I am…11 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillMy Lords, I apologise if it is inappropriate to speak now, when I have not paid any attention to this debate previously—there is a good reason for that, which I will explain in a…06 Feb 2025HANSARDEnglish DevolutionI bring Members’ attention to my registered interests, and I thank the Minister for the briefing yesterday. Can she confirm, now that we are in a public session, that the…19 Dec 2024HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementI draw the attention of the House to my interest, as set out in the register, as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I have nothing but sympathy for the…19 Dec 2024HANSARDHousing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (England) Order 2024I rise briefly to take part in this debate. Before doing so, I draw Members’ attention to my register of interest: I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association and a…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHousebuilding: Regional MayorsMy Lords, I draw the attention of the House to my registered interests. It is quite interesting for me to debate this with the Minister, because we used to spend a lot of time…05 Dec 2024HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry ReportMy Lords, I draw the House’s attention to my register of interests. For the avoidance of any doubt, I was the chairman of the Local Government Association on the morning of the…22 Nov 2024HANSARDInternal Drainage Boards: LeviesMy Lords, I declare my interests on the register. Up until May last year—as some noble Lords and certainly the Minister will be aware—when the electorate unceremoniously but quite…21 May 2024HANSARDPrepayment MetersOn the basis of that answer, can my noble friend confirm for the public at large, so that there is no doubt, that any tenant who has occupied a property that had a bad credit…14 May 2024HANSARDPrepayment MetersThat is strictly not true. The tenants in rented property are responsible for their own gas, electricity and water supplies; the landlord is not.14 May 2024