My Lords, I also congratulate my noble friend on her well-deserved appointment. Many of us will share the concerns about the number of young people—16 to 24 year-olds—not in education, employment or training at this time. She has already mentioned the Milburn review, but can she tell the House what …
My Lords, I declare my interests as a member of the president’s circle at the Central School of Ballet and a trustee at the Old Vic Theatre. I want to talk today about a proposition for a national arts bank, which comes from my experience as leader of Southwark Council and the financial support that…
My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare an interest as a member of the president’s circle of the Central School of Ballet.
My Lords, the Government recognise the important contribution of the performing arts, including classical ballet. We continue to support degree-level provision of these subjects through the student finance system and though direct funding for providers via the strategic priorities grant. That includ…
The UK benefits from a strong and diverse fuel supply. The fuel supply industry has been clear that fuel production and imports continue as usual. The Government continue to monitor the situation closely and will act if necessary. The essential lesson of this conflict, however, is that while we are …
I thank my noble friend for his question. His first statistic is correct. His second statistic, not that it is necessarily one that has his support, is categorically untrue—it is categorically untrue that there are only four weeks of fuel supply in the UK. However, the Government are closely monitor…
My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the gap, which also gives me the opportunity to congratulate the maiden speakers and say that I look forward to their participation in our work here.
I would like to associate myself with my noble friend Lady Stedman-Scott’s remarks. As the Mi…
I am very pleased to give the House an update on the social and affordable housing programme. We have now published its prospectus, and the Government have put in £39 billion of funding to kick-start social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country. The core objective of that new prog…
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In so doing, I declare my interests as a peer mentor adviser for the Local Government Association and Thurrock Council.
My Lords, local government reorganisation is a once-in-a-generation reform. Our vision is clear: stronger local councils equipped to drive economic growth, improve public services and empower their communities. We are working with 204 councils across 21 areas. We have already announced two new counc…
My Lords, one of the concerns expressed to me by colleagues in local government has been about the cost of preparing submissions and scoping work for local government reorganisation. My noble friend talked about the £63 million of additional funding that will go to local government to support it goi…
I am very pleased to commend this initiative by Southwark Council. It was developed by the council’s public health team and is a good example of what local action can do. My noble friend talked about the extension of this initiative across the country. I very much support that. What struck me, havin…
My Lords, this debate feels like getting the gang back together around this table. I declare my political interest as a former chair of London Councils and leader of Southwark Council. It is particularly nice to see so many colleagues from those days. I acknowledge the significance of the amendments…
I welcome the noble Lord to the Chamber and thank him for his question. The national government policy that has been announced since we came in is critical, and local government is an even more critical part of leadership in our communities. Not only do local authorities offer the vision and ability…
My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to welcome my noble friend Lord John and thank him for his excellent maiden speech, which was both entertaining and wise, as befits a barrister of over 25 years’ standing. I am sure we were all impressed by his knowledge and insight into how best to develop comme…