Contributions
869 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)The clause does two things. The proposal to become an established mayoral strategic authority will come up from the locality. The power is about the ability of the Secretary of…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)The devolution White Paper set out our commitment to introduce a new category of established mayoral strategic authority, representing the highest level of devolution in England.…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 7 is a small but important clause that supports the wiring of our new devolution framework. As hon. Members will know, the Bill introduces a systemic approach, ending…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for that very detailed and specific example. The concerns he raised have been heard and noted. Both in practice and principle, ensuring that no constituent…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)We think that the model works well. We have heard representations from constituents, local authorities, Assembly members, and the mayor himself. Any model needs to evolve; as we…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)I will respond to the amendment to clause 48, and then I will pick up the specific questions from the hon. Member. The GLA has a different and long-established governance model.…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)Moving from devolution by deal to devolution by default is at the heart of the Bill. Clause 6 and schedule 2 are essential to achieving that. The Bill ensures that strategic…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)Once the Bill comes into force, there will be various ways in which functions can be conferred on a combined authority or combined county authority that will be operating as…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)On Hampshire and Solent, for example, our conversation was very candid. The leaders were clear about some of the debates that they had had within the council; as the Minister, I…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)The amendment would require the Secretary of State to publish a statement when directing the establishment of a new combined authority, setting out how the proposed combined…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)Committee members will recall that clause 1 introduced the established mayoral strategic authority as a specific type of strategic authority. It drew a distinction between…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I say gently to hon. Members that we absolutely recognise the desire. I have had multiple conversations with the leader of Isle of Wight council, who was enthusiastic about this…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I do not have those figures, but we can write to the hon. Member with them. However, the principle remains that the power is there. It is within the gift of constituent…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I put on record my thanks to hon. Members who are championing specific areas that have a unique identity, which the Government completely recognise. On amendments 43 and 44, I pay…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fourth sitting)I have agreed that I will write on the specifics; I think this question comes back to the same theme of how we mitigate collective decision making and agreement across constituent…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)Yes. Amendment 62 agreed to. Amendment made: 63, in schedule 1, page 80, line 19, at end insert— “5A After section 105B insert— ‘ 105C Non-mayoral combined authority: functions…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I am happy to provide that clarity in writing.14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his detailed, complicated questions. We will write in response, particularly on the public accounting standards. We have set what we think is a good…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I will begin by talking to Government amendments 63 and 65. The Government recognise that the creation of a combined authority or combined county authority can cause some concern…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 62, in schedule 1, page 80, line 19, at end insert— “5A After section 105B insert— ‘105C Non-mayoral combined authority: consent to budget (1) A…14 Oct 2025