Contributions
130 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTransnational Marriage AbandonmentMy Lords, in recent months, I came across a very strange case in my community. A couple who had lived here for about three or four years had a child, and they were working and…18 Jun 2026 · 2d agoHANSARDChild PovertyMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Lister for bringing this debate to your Lordships’ House. I begin by congratulating the Government on taking the historic decision to remove…18 Jun 2026 · 2d agoHANSARDAntisemitismMy Lords—11 Jun 2026HANSARDFinancial Services and Markets Bill [HL]My Lords, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Financial Services and Markets Bill, in particular to consider the implications for local authorities, local…08 Jun 2026HANSARDTemporary Skilled Worker Visas: Creative OccupationsMy Lords, when a skilled worker applies for a job in the UK, he pays thousands of pounds to the Home Office in fees, and then he pays thousands of pounds in surcharge every year…04 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Councillors: Recruitment, Retention and Well-beingMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Forbes of Newcastle for bringing forward this important debate. It is a subject that matters deeply to me, not only as a politician but as…04 Jun 2026HANSARDSocial Housing Bill [HL]My Lords, I am another former council leader. When I was leader of Telford and Wrekin Council in Shropshire, we took a bold and innovative decision to address the growing shortage…01 Jun 2026HANSARDSupermarkets: Voluntary Price CapsMy Lords, first, I congratulate the Government on bringing inflation down to 2.8% and removing the 5p fuel duty. If the Government had a quiet word with the supermarkets making…20 May 2026HANSARDLocal Government Pension FundMy Lords, I congratulate the Government on planning to reintroduce the pension scheme for local councillors, which was abolished in 2015 by the noble Lord, Lord Pickles, when he…18 May 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, I will focus my remarks on the proposed changes to settlement rights for overseas workers. I recognise the need to balance compassion with control and fairness with…18 May 2026HANSARDMidwives: Graduate GuaranteeMy Lords, given that the National Health Service is always short of nurses and midwives, do the Government have any plans to bring in any overseas nurses and midwives to fill the…21 Apr 2026HANSARDLocal Resilience ForumsMy Lords, the West Mercia area has an elected police commissioner at the moment, but we have no elected mayor in Hereford and Shopshire. What is the Government’s plan for…16 Apr 2026HANSARDChild Poverty and Homelessness: Asylum and Settlement PoliciesMy Lords, on the settlement policy, does my noble friend the Minister accept that extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years for care…14 Apr 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Section 106My Lords, what specific measures will the Government take to address disparity in the representation of underrepresented groups in roles across public sector organisations, and…10 Mar 2026HANSARDUK-India: Comprehensive Economic and Trade AgreementMy Lords, I speak passionately in support of this landmark trade agreement between the country of my birth and my adopted country. This comprehensive economic and trade agreement…04 Mar 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationMy Lords, in 2015, the previous Government abolished the pension for local councillors— I believe that the noble Lord, Lord Pickles, was responsible for that. Do the Government…04 Mar 2026HANSARDPost Office Capture and Horizon ScandalsTo ask His Majesty’s Government whether they will provide an update on the Post Office Capture and Horizon scandals.12 Feb 2026HANSARDPost Office Capture and Horizon ScandalsI thank the Minister for his Answer. My friend, Kuldip Gill, ran a post office in 1995 in my neighbourhood. He was accused by the Post Office of stealing £5,000. He protested but…12 Feb 2026HANSARDDonations to Political PartiesMy Lords, I rise with a profound sense of responsibility because the issue before us goes to the very heart of our constitutional settlement: the integrity of our democracy. At…12 Feb 2026HANSARDNew Homes TargetMy Lords, in order to deliver these homes, local authorities need to co-operate with the Government, particularly in preparing local plans, allocating land, speeding up planning…11 Feb 2026