Contributions
286 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eleventh sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I will speak to new clauses 12, 20, 52 and 59. New clause 12 stands in my name, new clause 20 in that of my hon.…28 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eleventh sitting)These amendments go to the heart of local accountability and good governance. They would ensure that the checks and balances that protect public money are independent and not…28 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eleventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 18, in clause 66, page 70, after line 28 insert— “(4A) A Local Audit Office may make arrangements about— (a) the membership of an audit committee; (b) the…28 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Eleventh sitting)We will not press new clauses 12, 52 and 59 to a vote, although we may reintroduce them on Report, but we will push new clause 20 to a vote.28 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.28 Oct 2025HANSARD Statutory Maternity and Paternity PayI was a PhD student when I had my first child, so I understand the challenges that students face. All forms of parental leave and pay, including for adoptive, foster and…27 Oct 2025HANSARD Statutory Maternity and Paternity PayIt is a pleasure to serve under you in the Chair, Mrs Hobhouse. I thank the petitioners for bringing this important issue before Parliament. Having a baby should never be what…27 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 250, in schedule 25, page 254, leave out lines 3 to 12. This amendment retains the statutory requirement for public notices to be published in printed…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)Amendments 250 and 251 would protect the right of local residents to be properly informed about decisions that affect them by retaining the statutory requirement for public…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I want to support the hon. Lady. The national Government should not force structures of local governance on local councils. We saw written evidence from Councillor Martin Smith,…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 14, in clause 58, page 60, line 11, at end insert— “(1A) It is a duty of a local authority to specify the description of a neighbourhood area that will…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Ninth sitting)In my constituency, Stratford-on-Avon district council will be abolished. I worked as a district councillor there, and I know how close district councillors are to their…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Ninth sitting)Sorry, Chair. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the resulting democratic deficit sets a dangerous precedent?23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the Minister for her reassurance, but would she put what she has said about the protection of town and parish councils in writing to us?23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Ninth sitting)In Warwickshire, too, four of five district and borough councils proposed a South Warwickshire—they wanted two unitary councils, rather than one huge, single unitary. That put…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I will address these amendments as two separate groups. Amendments 14 and 15 are simple and, in combination, would ensure that the definition of a “neighbourhood area”, which is…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)Does the hon. Lady agree that the heart of the issue is actually choice? In this brave new world of unitary councils, local councils should have the ability to choose and shape…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I will not press the amendments to a vote, although my hon. Friends might table them again on Report, but I will press new clause 51 to a vote later on. I beg to ask leave to…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 5, in schedule 24, page 246, line 27, after “government” insert — “having particular regard to the need for the new single tier of local government, or new…23 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 349, in schedule 27, page 265, leave out lines 1 to 8. This amendment would remove the provision for assets of community value to be removed from the list…23 Oct 2025