Contributions
497 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Sixth sitting)I am grateful to the shadow Minister for clarifying the purpose of his amendment 291, and I will be happy to withdraw my comment that it contradicts amendment 348, tabled by my…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)That deals with my first concern, but the second one was about subsections (2) and (3) in proposed new section 22G on the first 14 lines of page 124. However, I apologise and…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg to move amendment 372, in schedule 5, page 124, leave out lines 1 to 14. This amendment would remove the Secretary of State’s power to make regulations which create…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)I think there is absolutely a role for citizens assemblies. What does the hon. Member think about asking the Minister to look at a role for citizens assemblies but without the…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)I am really sympathetic to the idea of citizens assemblies. In fact, when I was at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, we looked at how we could create something that was…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .16 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg to move amendment 8, in clause 21, page 23, line 28, leave out subsection (b) and insert— “(b) one or more of the following— (i) health and social care; (ii) planning; (iii)…16 Oct 2025HANSARDEducational Assessment System ReformIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Lewell. I thank the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Josh Dean) for securing the debate. The current assessment system…15 Oct 2025HANSARDEducational Assessment System ReformI absolutely agree. I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and allowing me to pause in my emotion. My constituent Kacie did not pass her English and maths GCSEs. She got…15 Oct 2025HANSARDEducational Assessment System ReformI am just wondering whether the hon. Member was listening to all the speeches about the massive increase in mental health issues for young people. Does he acknowledge the link…15 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)Nobody is suggesting a veto; we are suggesting a voice. There is a big difference. We have already heard that district councils felt that they were pushed around by the county…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)No power is being lost, because parish councils have few powers in the first place. What we are suggesting—what we feel should be at the heart of devolution—is about consent:…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 4, in clause 3, page 2, line 27, leave out subsections (1) to (3) and insert— “(1) A unitary district council or a county council may submit a proposal to…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I used to live on the Isle of Wight. I got married there and my parents met there, so I have a fond connection to it. Does the hon. Member agree that if “Isle of Wight” is not…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)Will funding be made available for areas that are not yet in a programme on the same footing as the areas that are already in one? It would be completely inappropriate if that…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)We were seeking to divide only on amendment 39, but given that we have had that assurance, I am happy not to do so. I beg to ask to leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)Our councils are struggling to make ends meet. With so many on the edge of a precipice, I can see why they would be queuing up to create a strategic authority, which come with…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 38, in clause 3, page 2, line 32, at end insert— “(3A) The Secretary of State must make provision to ensure councils designated as a single foundation…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for his intervention. I am not in the mind of the Government; I cannot understand why they would not want to embrace the incredible hard work of these…14 Oct 2025HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Third sitting)The reality is that the only reason they are queuing at the Minister’s door to access devolution is that they are being denied access to funding if they do not. Let me give the…14 Oct 2025