Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Labour (Co-op)MP for Streatham and Croydon North
“This Government is driving the most ambitious programme of local government reform in a generation, replacing the inefficient two-tier system with new unitary councils so that all parts of our country can access strong services, and are rea…”
“Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This government is driving the most ambitious programme of local government reform in a generation. Replacing the inefficient two tier system with new unitary councils so that all parts of our country are re…”
“Today, the Security Minister and I have laid and published the Government’s full response to Philip Rycroft’s independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics, which we jointly commissioned in N…”
“generation Harlow like himself or more recent. But they also know that when people commit crimes and abuse that that status, then of course they should be removed. We have made significant progress, progress in our time in office, and we've…”
“This Government is determined to build a new relationship of respect, trust and shared responsibility between the state and its citizens. On 21 May, I announced this government’s ambitious new programme to reform local services, building mo…”
“I associate myself with Mr Speaker’s comments about Lord Hattersley. I gently remind the honourable Member for Winchester (Dr Chambers) that the Liberal Democrats had many years in government with the Conservatives in which they chose auste…”
“Since the election, this Government has taken steps to support local renewal, including investment through the Pride in Place Programme, fairer local government funding, publication of the Northern Growth Strategy, and further progress on f…”
“The first duty of any government is to keep its people safe. The truest test of whether that is being met is how we respond when a community comes under attack. This crisis of antisemitism – the disgusting attacks being made against British…”
“Happy Easter to you, Mr Speaker. Shipley will benefit from the £1.5 million allocated to Bradford through the Pride in Place impact fund. The Department has asked local authorities to engage with their local MP and a wider range of local st…”
“On 25 March I made a written statement on Local Government Reorganisation. There was a minor error in the statement. In outlining the new councils to be created in Suffolk, it said:…”
“This Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections, as set out in our 2024 manifesto. We have already made progress on this, with our Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections published in Ju…”
“This Government is undertaking the biggest reform of local government in a generation, ending the two-tier system and replacing it with new single-tier unitary councils. This agenda is key to this government’s vision of local councils that …”
“indicated assent.…”
“I would like to make a statement on foreign influence and interference. The responsibility of protecting our democracy is a duty that every single Member of this House shares. As a Government, we are clear-eyed about the evolving threats we…”
“I have previously updated this House that this Government will do what it takes to fix the foundations of local government. That includes taking prompt and direct action when councils are failing their Best Value Duty. In that context, toda…”
“I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. I start by paying tribute to the bereaved family members of those who died at Grenfell Tower, as well as the survivors and members of the local community. Nothing we can say in this Ch…”
“This Government has published “Protecting What Matters”, which has been laid before Parliament as a Command Paper, setting out initial steps to strengthen social cohesion in the UK.…”
“With permission, I will make a statement on the Government’s action plan for social cohesion entitled, “Protecting What Matters”. Britain has faced global crises at many moments in our history; we got through them by staying strong and unit…”
“I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. There is a lot of interest from Members across the House in this Bill, and that is no surprise, because we are all proud of our British democracy. Our democracy is a fundamental part o…”
“The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 was a preventable tragedy that claimed 72 innocent lives. This tragedy was the consequence of profound failures within the system of oversight. People should have been protected. This Government recognises th…”
“I start by acknowledging the presence in the Gallery of survivors and relatives of those who died at Grenfell Tower. They have the deepest sympathies of the whole House, and our most profound respect. The fire at Grenfell Tower, which claim…”
“On Monday 16 February the Government wrote to the High Court setting out that I had decided to withdraw my decision to postpone the council elections of 30 local councils due to take place in May 2026 in the light of legal advice.…”
“With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on local government reorganisation. This Government are taking action to repair local government, through a new fairer funding settlement based on need, through more powers bein…”
“On 27 January, we published the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, marking the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system and supporting millions of families with the cost of living. We are reinvigorating commonhold and c…”
“I beg to move, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27 (HC 1604), which was laid before this House on 9 February, be approved.…”
“This Government is undertaking a once-in-a-generation reform of local government and we will end the outdated two-tier system with new single-tier councils within this Parliament.…”
“This Government were elected on a promise to repair the broken foundations of local government. In 2024, councils were on the brink financially, while a third of the country was left paying for wasteful duplication as a result of having two…”
“This statement follows the decision I made today to grant planning permission and listed building consent for a new Embassy in London.…”
“This Government will do what it takes to fix the foundations of local government. That includes taking prompt and direct action in the small number of councils who are failing their Best Value Duty and not meeting the high standards expecte…”
“The Government are committed to building the new homes people need so that we can end the housing crisis that we inherited. The method for calculating local housing need aligns with the Government’s ambition for 1.5 million new homes over t…”
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