Contributions
869 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I or one of my colleagues will happily visit that fantastic scheme.23 Feb 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for his effective and committed campaign. We are clear that local areas should be given the power to shape their high streets. When businesses such as…23 Feb 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe tourism levy has been campaigned for by mayors and local areas. We are consulting on the levy at the moment, but we are clear that there will be a balance between the ability…23 Feb 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe plight of our high streets is something that this Government are very alive to, and we are trying to work with national and local governments to make sure we respond. Our job…23 Feb 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Local Growth FundWith funding from the UK shared prosperity fund ending, we are committed to continuing local growth funding in Northern Ireland to boost productivity and growth. We are working…23 Feb 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I will meet my hon. Friend.23 Feb 2026HANSARDFoundation Strategic AuthoritiesOver the last year, this Government have made clear the scale of its ambition on English devolution. We introduced the transformational English Devolution and Community…12 Feb 2026HANSARDPride in Place ProgrammeIn September, I was proud to announce a significant expansion of our Pride in Place programme, handing up to £5 billion directly to 244 of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the…05 Feb 2026HANSARDGovernment Support for High StreetsHigh streets are the heart of our communities—they should be vibrant centres where people come together, where local businesses take root and flourish, and a source of pride in…02 Feb 2026HANSARDHolocaust Memorial DayI start by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket (Peter Prinsley) for opening the debate with such a poignant and thoughtful contribution. He set…29 Jan 2026HANSARDDraft Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026
Draft Cumbria Combined Authority Order 2026I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026.28 Jan 2026HANSARDDraft Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026
Draft Cumbria Combined Authority Order 2026The draft orders were laid on 18 December 2025. For both the Cheshire and Warrington combined authority and the Cumbria combined authority, I will hereafter use the term…28 Jan 2026HANSARDDraft Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026
Draft Cumbria Combined Authority Order 2026I thank the shadow Minister for his points and for the cross-party support in getting these important statutory instruments through. I will take his questions in turn. We have…28 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyWe are already working with all the authorities involved. That is why we put in place £500 million for Woking local authority. We have been working with it historically, and we…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyI will make a little progress, if I may. I acknowledge the pressure that social care is creating for the local government finance system; that is squeezing vital services. The…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyI would do no such thing as tease with announcements that sit with the Chancellor. What we have said to partners on the ground in the local authority is that this is a shared…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyUltimately, that will be a local question. The process is always to put in place a combined authority first and foremost, and to get that working. The big lesson that I have…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyI am happy to take that point away, and either my Department or the DFE will write back and provide an answer to the hon. Gentleman. Let me address the question about devolution…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyWe are simplifying and consolidating 36 revenue funding streams worth over £56 billion over three years, which we hope will provide greater flexibility, stability and certainty…22 Jan 2026HANSARD Local Government Finances: SurreyI thank the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Dr Spencer) for opening this debate on the important topic of funding for local government in Surrey and for the thoughtful,…22 Jan 2026