Contributions
869 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal ElectionsI reiterate that these are inaugural elections, and therefore we are not cancelling elections. [ Interruption. ] These are inaugural elections that were always subject to us…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsMy hon. Friend is right that this about local people and delivering for them. I reassure her that that same concern and commitment is at the heart of everything that we are doing.…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI have said time and again that we will crack on with local council elections next year, but it is right, if there are extenuating circumstances and particular circumstances on…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsLet me respond to the question directly. Local elections will go ahead in 2026—that has been and continues to be our position. We are a responsible Government, so if there are…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsIt is really important that we distinguish between two things. We have been absolutely consistent that local council elections are happening in 2026. We are cracking on with it…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank the right hon. Gentleman for asking that question. All our areas in the devolution priority programme have been working at pace, and I give them huge credit for working…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsLet me be very clear: it was not us who briefed the media. We cannot control what other parties do—we always want to update the House, as well as local authorities. It is…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank my hon. Friend for the huge amount of work that he put into getting us to this place. The fact that we are in a position where we have devolution deals and places…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank the hon. Lady for making that powerful point. Yes, we absolutely will do so.04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank my hon. Friend for pointing out the funding. Just so that the House records it, let me say what we are investing in. In the Cheshire and Warrington combined authority we…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsLet me reiterate that we are committed to moving forward with local council elections next year. On the fundamental question of local government reorganisation, which the hon.…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsWe want investment to be spent on local communities—on that there is agreement—but I come back to the point that I have made time and again: the status quo is neither sustainable…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank my hon. Friend for raising that absolutely fundamental point. We have now had coming on for one decade of mayors working alongside their places, and the lesson—whether in…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that. We have seen the huge impact that the Greater London Authority and the Mayor have had in London. London is one of the most successful cities…04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsI do not believe that question warrants a response.04 Dec 2025HANSARDLocal ElectionsIt is important that we keep coming back to the investment. During the transition period—over the next two years—we will be bringing forward that investment because we know that…04 Dec 2025HANSARDPride in Place Programme ProspectusIn September, we announced the Pride in Place programme, providing up to £5 billion to drive change that people can see from their doorsteps. Today, I have published the programme…03 Dec 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillWe will consult on whether that power should be extended to foundational strategic authorities that do not have a mayor, and we will see the responses to that consultation. I said…25 Nov 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillIt is my pleasure to open the debate on day two of Report on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Today we are concerned with parts 3, 4 and 5 of the Bill, which…25 Nov 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.25 Nov 2025