Contributions
869 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)I recognise the intent behind the amendment, but we cannot accept it. In any planning process, constituent authorities will be fully consulted and engaged. Ultimately, the…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)Clause 32 expands existing Mayor of London powers in relation to mayoral development orders and directions to all mayors of strategic authorities. It will allow the mayor to be…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)We all share the desire to see housing built. I will not make the political point that the last Government, of which the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner was part,…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)Mayors will be given new powers in relation to planning applications of strategic importance, in order to help them to shape the strategic development in their area. The Secretary…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)Devolving adult education functions, such as the duty to secure the provision of education and training for persons aged 19 or over, will provide strategic authorities with an…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)Strategic authorities are uniquely placed to understand the sustained demand for education and training places in their areas. In line with the rest of the Bill, the clause places…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 105, in clause 30, page 38, line 3, leave out “adult”. This would be consequential on Amendment 108.16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)Local transport is a key responsibility of strategic authorities, which will continue to be the local transport authority for the area. These authorities will be responsible for…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceMy hon. Friend is completely right. The opportunity to invest through this in local community services and youth services is absolutely huge, and putting local mums in the driving…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceMy hon. Friend is completely right—levelling up was a hollow slogan. We see from the record that there was no substance behind it. Unlike the Conservative party, we are doing the…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceApologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. Because of the Conservatives’ record, I would expect a little bit more contrition. We are focused on the task ahead, which is the opportunity to…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceI will take each of those points in turn. This is about empowerment. We are driving through what we believe is the biggest boost to devolution in a generation, and there are three…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceThere is the pride in place impact fund—£1.5 million that will go to local authorities across the country to bring about high-street regeneration. Alongside that, there is this…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceAbsolutely. Let me put it on record that we want communities to be in the driving seat. That is how this differs from programmes organised under the last Government, and if we get…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceI thank the right hon. Gentleman for telling us about the progress on his patch. It is incredibly encouraging to see the work that has already been done, whether through the local…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceAbsolutely. We are trying to make this as permissive as possible, and we want communities to genuinely choose the schemes and projects that will work in their areas. As long as…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceI shall not comment on the specifics of the council, but what I will say is that we are very clear about the fact that the local community should be in the driving seat. The…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceI completely agree that we need pace and urgency. Communities have been let down and held back for far too long, and this is our chance to act with purpose and speed. We want to…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceMy hon. Friend is completely right. This is a huge opportunity for our communities to get involved. As I have said, I think there is a powerful role that Members of Parliament can…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Pride in PlaceMy hon. Friend is completely right. Long-term, stable investment that is anchored in our communities and puts them in the driving seat is a game changer. I am incredibly excited…15 Oct 2025