Developments and decisions on the reorganisation of English local government in 2025-26

Developments and decisions on the reorganisation of English local government in 2025-26

Lords message considered. Commons insistence on its disagreement to Lords amendments 89B and 89C, with amendment (a) proposed in lieu, agreed to. Commons insistence on its disagreement with Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155, insists on its amendments 155A to 155F and 155H, with amendment (a) proposed in lieu, agreed to. Commons insistence its disagreement to Lords amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123, insists on its amendments 123C to 123H and 123J to 123K, and proposes amendments (a) to (e) in lieu, agreed to.

Lords message considered. Commons insistence on its disagreement to Lords amendments 89B and 89C, with amendment (a) proposed in lieu, agreed to. Commons insistence on its disagreement with Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155, insists on its amendments 155A to 155F and 155H, with amendment (a) proposed in lieu, agreed...

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week, I tabled a written question to the Foreign Secretary, asking whether Jonathan Powell was subject to scrutiny vetting before or after he was appointed as the Prime Minister’s special envoy on the Chagos negotiations. I have not yet received a...

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week, I tabled a written question to the Foreign Secretary, asking whether Jonathan Powell was subject to scrutiny vetting before or after he was appointed as the Prime Minister’s special envoy on the Chagos negotiations. I have not yet received a...

I beg to move,

That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 89B and 89C but proposes amendment (a) in lieu of those amendments.

I beg to move,

That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 89B and 89C but proposes amendment (a) in lieu of those amendments.

I am pleased to speak once again on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. I thank Members from across the House for their constructive engagement in getting the Bill to this point. This Bill matters because, if we are to transform our economy, drive up living standards and deliver...

I am pleased to speak once again on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. I thank Members from across the House for their constructive engagement in getting the Bill to this point. This Bill matters because, if we are to transform our economy, drive up living standards and deliver...

I put on the record my thanks to the Minister and colleagues in her Department for the constructive spirit in which they have approached the negotiations around the Bill. It remains the official Opposition’s view that the Bill’s overall direction of travel is a centralising one: it brings into effect...

I put on the record my thanks to the Minister and colleagues in her Department for the constructive spirit in which they have approached the negotiations around the Bill. It remains the official Opposition’s view that the Bill’s overall direction of travel is a centralising one: it brings into effect...

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that we continue to protect those greenfield sites, as we do in my constituency and, indeed, as Conservative councils do across the country? Does he agree that it is sad that the Reform candidate for the Mayor of London disagrees and...

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that we continue to protect those greenfield sites, as we do in my constituency and, indeed, as Conservative councils do across the country? Does he agree that it is sad that the Reform candidate for the Mayor of London disagrees and...

My hon. Friend is absolutely spot on in what he says. Members across the Chamber have been surprised to hear Reform say that it wishes to tear up London’s green belt as part of the local election campaign. I am grateful to the Minister and her colleagues for recognising, in...

My hon. Friend is absolutely spot on in what he says. Members across the Chamber have been surprised to hear Reform say that it wishes to tear up London’s green belt as part of the local election campaign. I am grateful to the Minister and her colleagues for recognising, in...

I will be brief, as most of the arguments have already been well stated.

We acknowledge the Minister’s argument yesterday that this Bill represents a step forward, not the final destination, and that consistency is needed to make the system function, but it is important that, in seeking that consistency, we...

I will be brief, as most of the arguments have already been well stated.

We acknowledge the Minister’s argument yesterday that this Bill represents a step forward, not the final destination, and that consistency is needed to make the system function, but it is important that, in seeking that consistency, we...

I thank hon. Members for their continued engagement and their insightful debate on these issues. In the remaining time, I will respond to some of the particular points that have been made.

I want to put on record my thanks to Opposition Members for the constructive way in which they have...

I thank hon. Members for their continued engagement and their insightful debate on these issues. In the remaining time, I will respond to some of the particular points that have been made.

I want to put on record my thanks to Opposition Members for the constructive way in which they have...

Lords consideration of Commons amendments. Lords amendments 89B and 89C not insisted on and Commons amendment 89G in lieu agreed to. Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155 not insisted on and Commons amendments 155A to 155F, 155H and 155K, to the words so restored to the bill by the non-insistence on Lords amendment 155, agreed to. Lords amendments 85 and 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 not insisted on, and Commons amendments 123C to 123H, 123J, 123K, 123M, 123N and 123P to 123R in lieu agreed to.

Lords consideration of Commons amendments. Lords amendments 89B and 89C not insisted on and Commons amendment 89G in lieu agreed to. Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155 not insisted on and Commons amendments 155A to 155F, 155H and 155K, to the words so restored to the bill by the non-insistence...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

My Lords, in moving Motion A, I will speak also to Motions B and C.

What a privilege it is at the end of this Session of Parliament to bring back the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to the House of Lords to consider amendments and reasons from the other...

My Lords, in moving Motion A, I will speak also to Motions B and C.

What a privilege it is at the end of this Session of Parliament to bring back the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to the House of Lords to consider amendments and reasons from the other...

My Lords, I want to thank the Minister for introducing this third round of ping-pong and for her willingness to listen to alternative points of view and effect numerous changes to the Bill. The Government have demonstrated that willingness to compromise and alter. For me, this has been an example...

My Lords, I want to thank the Minister for introducing this third round of ping-pong and for her willingness to listen to alternative points of view and effect numerous changes to the Bill. The Government have demonstrated that willingness to compromise and alter. For me, this has been an example...

My Lords, I will start with Motion A. We have discussed brownfield prioritisation many times in this Chamber, and it is clear that we all agree that brownfield development should be prioritised. I am pleased that the Government have finally tabled an amendment to put that principle into legislation and...

My Lords, I will start with Motion A. We have discussed brownfield prioritisation many times in this Chamber, and it is clear that we all agree that brownfield development should be prioritised. I am pleased that the Government have finally tabled an amendment to put that principle into legislation and...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, and the noble Baroness, Lady Scott. This Government’s objective remains clear: to ensure that every part of England can benefit from devolution. The noble Lord, Lord Shipley, spoke about the level of centralisation we have had in this country. It is...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, and the noble Baroness, Lady Scott. This Government’s objective remains clear: to ensure that every part of England can benefit from devolution. The noble Lord, Lord Shipley, spoke about the level of centralisation we have had in this country. It is...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

That this House do not insist on its Amendments 85 and 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123, in respect of which the Commons have insisted on their disagreement, and do agree with the Commons in their Amendments 123C to 123H, 123J, 123K, 123M, 123N...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

That this House do not insist on its Amendments 85 and 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123, in respect of which the Commons have insisted on their disagreement, and do agree with the Commons in their Amendments 123C to 123H, 123J, 123K, 123M, 123N...

I. Letter dated 25/03/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to Lord Ravensdale regarding reflecting the intention of his amendment in guidance for Strategic Authorities. 2p. II. Letter dated 28/04/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding a document for deposit in the House libraries. 1p.

I. Letter dated 25/03/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to Lord Ravensdale regarding reflecting the intention of his amendment in guidance for Strategic Authorities. 2p. II. Letter dated 28/04/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding a document for deposit in the House libraries. 1p.

I. Letter 26/03/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to Lord Ravensdale regarding amendments 119 and 183 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and changes to guidance. 2p. II. Letter dated 28/04/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding a document for deposit in the House libraries. 1p.

I. Letter 26/03/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to Lord Ravensdale regarding amendments 119 and 183 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and changes to guidance. 2p. II. Letter dated 28/04/2026 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding a document for deposit in the...