Contributions
1,912 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSupport for TownsI think that goes without saying. Yes, of course, we recognise that many places would like to see additional funds from the levelling-up fund, but we will evaluate the strength of…25 Oct 2021HANSARDSupport for TownsAt the moment, we are reviewing the first tranche of the levelling-up fund, so the criteria for the second and future tranches will be decided in due course, but I can tell my…25 Oct 2021HANSARDRegeneration in Towns and CitiesI agree with my hon. Friend: parking policies are important in supporting high streets to thrive. That is one of the reasons why, in the build back better high streets strategy,…25 Oct 2021HANSARDSupport for TownsYes.25 Oct 2021HANSARDRegeneration in Towns and CitiesI apologise to the hon. Lady, but I am not sure, given her reference to COP26, what sort of answer she is expecting. I can ensure that she gets a letter providing further…25 Oct 2021HANSARDRegeneration in Towns and CitiesThe hon. Gentleman will know that the Government are doing everything they can to support communities such as his. He knows the official Government policy on universal credit. We…25 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)Clause 10 and schedule 6 deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitments to make it easier for British expats to vote in parliamentary elections and to get rid of the arbitrary…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)I do not think there is anything wrong with the hon. Gentleman’s suggestion. Obviously, I will not commit to anything here, but it is always useful to know the exact demographic…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)I am afraid that the amendment would have what I suspect is an unintended consequence, so we cannot accept it. In short, it prevents many overseas electors from casting their…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)As I sum up, I would like to add a further point in response to accusations that the clause represents a power grab. I wholeheartedly agree with the excellent points made by my…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)Yes, I have just referred to that. However, within the UK, there are many who do not pay tax who can still vote. That is my point: the principle is not used universally at the…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)Unlike the previous amendments that we discussed, we are in complete disagreement with these amendments; the Government just do not believe that they are necessary. Amendment 85…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)Clause 11 and schedule 7, which is associated with it, amend the voting and candidacy rights of European Union citizens. The law as it stands reflects our old obligations under EU…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)As Opposition Members will probably have guessed, we believe that the amendments are unnecessary, for two reasons. First, the provisions for the introduction of the strategy and…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)I do not believe that is the case. We would have to bring in a different statement if Parliament did not allow it, and during a parliamentary debate views could be considered. The…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)Strategy and policy statements are not unique to this regulator. We have had them for other independent regulators. We had one for Ofgem, and it is also mentioned in the energy…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission is a statutory committee whose existing remit is narrowly restricted to overseeing the commission’s finances and the…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Tenth sitting)The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission is a statutory committee, the membership of which is set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)There are two aspects to this group of amendments: creating a statutory definition of residence and the list of evidence of residency. A statutory definition of residence, however…21 Oct 2021HANSARDElections Bill (Ninth sitting)The amendments would require all declarations from overseas electors to contain two attestations, which is linked to the important principle of the Bill that only those entitled…21 Oct 2021