Contributions
532 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, I have Amendments 4 and 5 in this group, which are purely probing amendments to enable the Minister to explain clearly the Government’s rationale for abolishing…22 Apr 2025HANSARDBirmingham City CouncilMy Lords, the Minister has referred to serious financial failings in Birmingham, and the Statement admits that: “Practices in the waste service have been the source of one of the…01 Apr 2025HANSARDTown and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025My Lords, I share the concerns of the noble Lord, Lord Young of Cookham, and I hope that the Minister will be able to respond satisfactorily to the points that he raised. Reading…25 Mar 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, I agree with both amendments in this group. If you believe in “education, education, education”, you should not tax independent schools in the way that the Government…18 Mar 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, I remind the House that I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I have great sympathy with the contribution of the noble Earl, Lord Lytton, and agree…18 Mar 2025HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) BillMy Lords, I support the amendment by the noble Baroness, Lady Scott of Bybrook. The issue of anchor stores seems fundamental in increasing footfall into traditional shopping…18 Mar 2025HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, I, like my noble friend Lady Grender, welcome the Bill. I thank the Minister and her colleagues for getting the Bill to this stage after several years of waiting. I…04 Feb 2025HANSARDCouncil TaxMy Lords, council tax is a regressive tax and for the past 10 years, Governments have been loading part of the increasing cost of adult social care on to council tax. Poorer…03 Feb 2025HANSARDBuilding HomesMy Lords, this Statement is about building the homes we need, but it talks about housing targets, not targets for homes, particularly homes for families to live in. What is the…17 Dec 2024HANSARDOperaMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Murphy of Torfaen, for the opportunity to debate the problems facing the opera sector. I agree with much that has been said. The noble Lord…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHousing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (England) Order 2024My Lords, I declare that I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. Back in 1980, when the right to buy was brought in, I was in favour of it in principle, because…10 Dec 2024HANSARDHousing Supply and HomelessnessMy Lords, I first remind the House that I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Warwick of Undercliffe, for this debate. I…05 Dec 2024HANSARDHousebuilding: Regional MayorsMy Lords, the Minister talked of mayors’ strategic planning role, but who actually makes decisions on targets—the local planning authority, the mayor, the department or the…05 Dec 2024HANSARDChildren’s Social CareMy Lords, I remind the House of my registered interests. I strongly welcome the Statement and particularly the confirmation that, wherever possible, children should remain with…19 Nov 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformThe noble Earl, Lord Devon, in his support for the principle of hereditary Peers, talked of his sense of duty. I understand that, but I make the point to him that ending…12 Nov 2024HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Howell of Guildford, reminds us that we are living in very dangerous times, and I agree. I recall my noble friend Lord Fox saying in the early part…11 Nov 2024HANSARDWhistleblowersMy Lords, on 29 July I submitted a Written Question to His Majesty’s Government to ask “what payments they have made to whistleblowers in the NHS in each of the last five years…28 Oct 2024HANSARDSocial HousebuildingMy Lords, the Question relates primarily to new social homes, but it was reported at the end of September that around 70,000 council and housing association homes are now lying…21 Oct 2024HANSARDExternal Auditing of Companies: DeficienciesMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Sikka, for enabling us to have this debate, which is timely. I thank him also for the forensic examination he has presented of some of the…14 Oct 2024HANSARDBus Fares: National CapMy Lords, the Minister said that the department was working very hard to get a solution to this important problem. Can she put a better timescale on that, given that there are…07 Oct 2024