Contributions
869 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe flag is something that we must reclaim, and reclaim proudly. We know that in some communities flags are being used to intimidate and divide, and we are working with local…13 Oct 2025HANSARDDevolution: Impact on Economic GrowthWe have consulted on the fair funding review. My colleague the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness is looking at proposals at the moment, and we will report back in due…13 Oct 2025HANSARDDevolution: Impact on Economic GrowthDevolution to strong local leaders who understand the economic opportunities and challenges in their patch has clear economic benefits: it can drive higher productivity, boost…13 Oct 2025HANSARDDevolution: Impact on Economic GrowthMy hon. Friend is completely right to highlight that. There is a huge opportunity for strategic authorities to support community businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises…13 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThere are two processes going ahead: the devolution process, driven by economic imperatives to unlock the growth prospects across the country; and the reorganisation process,…13 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for his enthusiasm. He is absolutely right: we are putting right the neglect and decline that we saw after 14 years, where communities had been held back…13 Oct 2025HANSARDDevolution: Impact on Economic GrowthWe are looking closely at every area. We know that local government is going through the process of reorganisation at the same time as we are doing devolution. We are doing that…13 Oct 2025HANSARDDevolution: Impact on Economic GrowthOne hundred per cent. Devolution offers the opportunity to put communities in the driving seat and give them genuine power. For example, this Government’s Pride in Place programme…13 Oct 2025HANSARDCoalfields Regeneration Trust: Capital Funding RequestWe recognise the excellent work being done by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and remain committed to working with it. As my hon. Friend will know, the current fiscal position…13 Oct 2025HANSARDCoalfields Regeneration Trust: Capital Funding RequestThe Government remain committed to supporting ex-coalfield communities, such as those in my hon. Friend’s constituency, and to tackling the decline and neglect we saw under the…13 Oct 2025HANSARDCoalfields Regeneration Trust: Capital Funding RequestWe recognise that we need to support communities across the country who have been held back. We are working with the Northern Ireland Office to make sure that support is available…13 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Second sitting)Q The Government will do our very best to make sure that chaos is not the thing that comes out of this set of reforms. I think most people would concede that the status quo is not…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Second sitting)Q Let me start by thanking you for the support, encouragement and enthusiasm for what we are trying to do through the Bill. You are completely right that this is our baseline—our…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q Thank you for setting out how we are building on the community right to bid and the additional powers that are baked in to the legislation that will generally give communities…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you, Mr Davies and Mr Butler, for setting out the gravity of the situation, the urgency and need to reform, and how the Local Audit Office is an important step. You both…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Second sitting)Q To follow up on the point that you made around local growth, which is a big driver of everything that we are doing, what things should we think about in the context of local…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q Mr Whittaker, I want to pick up on the sporting asset of community value measures within the Bill. Obviously, sporting community assets are of huge value to our local…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q We think that strategic planning and the role of strategic authorities within that are quite important—in the context of how we want to “build, baby, build”, to quote my boss,…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q But if I may, Mr Fletcher, do you recognise that the UK is an outlier? What we are doing is moving to a system that is consistent with other major economies and works well.…16 Sept 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)Q I have a question for Mr Fletcher and then a question for both witnesses. You have expressed some reservations and concerns about the upward rent review. Is it fair to say that…16 Sept 2025