Contributions
169 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsLet me just address the points on business rates, Ms Vaz. Members will recognise that business rates are a long-standing issue. The Government are determined to remove barriers to…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsThank you, Sir John. As I look around the Chamber, I see that some of the Members who were here earlier are still here. I thought I might get away with repeating much of what I…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI do not disagree with the right hon. Member. We have seen the impact of online retail, and I think it would be misleading to say that we are about to see its disappearance.…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsOn car parks in particular, a review is under way; I am happy to write to the hon. Member to set out timelines for when we will have the responses. The point about rural…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI know my hon. Friend’s area well, and she does good work not only to champion it but to campaign for improvement. She is absolutely right: if local communities have a real say,…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI am very happy to work with the right hon. Member. I was about to say that I would be happy to meet her to talk about Ravenscourt, which I think she referred to in her speech,…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Diversification is very important in town centres. It drives footfall, which is what keeps high streets alive. Footfall, coupled with having…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI thank the hon. Member for raising Cornwall; he and his fellow Cornish Members of Parliament make excellent representations. He eloquently set out the case for giving power back…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI acknowledge that call, and I believe the NPPF goes some way towards doing it. I understand there may be gaps; Government will always be willing to look at that and work with the…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsFootfall is a key part of keeping our high streets alive. That comes partly through home building, but it also comes from ensuring variety on our high streets. A key part of the…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI thank the hon. Member for that important point. I recognise how passionate people are about that. The NPPF does set out some of that, but the truth is that beauty is in the eye…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss whether the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government can do something to support the local authority in rectifying…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI thank my hon. Friend for reiterating that important point. The Government will make changes here in Westminster, but we have to ensure that those changes are embedded in our…30 Jun 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI will make a bit of progress, if that is all right. Supporting high streets means Government backing our high streets. Each place—each town, high street and village—has a…30 Jun 2026HANSARDWindrush DayI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting how important it is that young people in our constituencies have the opportunity to learn about, talk about and celebrate the contribution…25 Jun 2026HANSARDWindrush DayI congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Helen Hayes) on securing this important debate and on her poignant speech, and I thank other Members for…25 Jun 2026HANSARD Stoma: Public Toilet ProvisionThat is exactly the point that I am making. I thank the hon. Lady for highlighting that very good example of what local leadership can deliver in the community. It is important…18 Jun 2026HANSARD Stoma: Public Toilet ProvisionI absolutely take the point, but there is scope for us to consider how to do that without putting additional statutory burdens on local authorities. Ultimately, we want the same…18 Jun 2026HANSARD Stoma: Public Toilet ProvisionIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I begin by paying tribute to Members from across the House for the incredibly thoughtful and personal stories that they…18 Jun 2026HANSARD Stoma: Public Toilet ProvisionI absolutely take the point. There is a conversation to be had with the sector, local authorities and the Local Government Association about how we can best support local…18 Jun 2026