To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the business rates system is supportive of SMEs; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing VAT rates for smaller and medium sized businesses; whether she is planning to take steps...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the business rates system is supportive of SMEs; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing VAT rates for smaller and medium sized businesses; whether she is planning to take steps...

Lords consideration of Commons reasons and amendments. Lords amendment 2 not insisted on and Commons amendment 2C as an amendment to Lords amendment 2 agreed to. Lords amendments 89B and 89C insisted on on division (217 to 145). Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155 insisted on and Commons amendments 155A to 155F and 155H disagreed to on division (210 to 145). Lords amendments 37 and 91 not insisted on and Commons amendments 91C to 91E in lieu agreed to. Lords amendments 94B and 94C not insisted on and Lords amendments 94F and 94G in lieu disagreed to on division (58 to 138). Lords amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 insisted on and Commons amendments 123C to 123H and 123J to 123K disagreed to on division (199 to 144). Bill returned to the Commons with reasons.

Lords consideration of Commons reasons and amendments. Lords amendment 2 not insisted on and Commons amendment 2C as an amendment to Lords amendment 2 agreed to. Lords amendments 89B and 89C insisted on on division (217 to 145). Lords amendments 36, 90 and 155 insisted on and Commons amendments 155A...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

My Lords, in moving Motion A, I will also speak to Motions B, B1, C, C1, D, E, E1, F and F1. It is a pleasure to bring the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill back to the House of Lords to consider the amendments and reasons from the other...

My Lords, in moving Motion A, I will also speak to Motions B, B1, C, C1, D, E, E1, F and F1. It is a pleasure to bring the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill back to the House of Lords to consider the amendments and reasons from the other...

My Lords, I will speak to Motion E1, as an amendment to Motion E. I have listened very carefully to what the Minister, who I hold in the highest regard, has said this evening. But I am disappointed that the other place continues to disagree with our amendment—in its view,...

My Lords, I will speak to Motion E1, as an amendment to Motion E. I have listened very carefully to what the Minister, who I hold in the highest regard, has said this evening. But I am disappointed that the other place continues to disagree with our amendment—in its view,...

My Lords, I support the more focused amendments in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, on the agent of change that deal only with the noise issue, primarily as it might and does affect grass-roots music venues.

A number of amendments to Bills that have been going through ping-pong...

My Lords, I support the more focused amendments in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, on the agent of change that deal only with the noise issue, primarily as it might and does affect grass-roots music venues.

A number of amendments to Bills that have been going through ping-pong...

My Lords, I support Motion E1. The noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, has explained the agent of change principle with characteristic clarity. I would have preferred the broader amendment that we passed on Report, which reflected the full range of ways in which new development can harm existing businesses, but I...

My Lords, I support Motion E1. The noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, has explained the agent of change principle with characteristic clarity. I would have preferred the broader amendment that we passed on Report, which reflected the full range of ways in which new development can harm existing businesses, but I...

My Lords, I respect the views that have already been expressed. I also respect the views of the elected House on this matter, which have been expressed to us quite clearly on a number of occasions. This is an improved amendment that the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, has put before...

My Lords, I respect the views that have already been expressed. I also respect the views of the elected House on this matter, which have been expressed to us quite clearly on a number of occasions. This is an improved amendment that the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, has put before...

My Lords, there have been four very powerful speeches on the agent of change principle. I support the Motion in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh of Pickering. If she decides to test the opinion of the House, she will have the support of these Benches.

Not a lot...

My Lords, there have been four very powerful speeches on the agent of change principle. I support the Motion in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh of Pickering. If she decides to test the opinion of the House, she will have the support of these Benches.

Not a lot...

My Lords, I rise very briefly and with great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Shipley. I agree with all the House’s alternative amendments, but I am going to speak just on Motion C1. I have spoken at every stage of the Bill on this issue.

Rather than repeat what...

My Lords, I rise very briefly and with great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Shipley. I agree with all the House’s alternative amendments, but I am going to speak just on Motion C1. I have spoken at every stage of the Bill on this issue.

Rather than repeat what...

My Lords, I am pleased to see that the Government have conceded, first, to add rural affairs and coastal communities to the list of competences for mayors. I extend my thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, for pressing ahead with this issue and for getting what...

My Lords, I am pleased to see that the Government have conceded, first, to add rural affairs and coastal communities to the list of competences for mayors. I extend my thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, for pressing ahead with this issue and for getting what...

My Lords, we have heard and addressed concerns over the role and importance of rural affairs within our devolution

framework for England. I already thanked the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell, but I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Scott, and the noble Lords, Lord Best and Lord Cameron, for their...

My Lords, we have heard and addressed concerns over the role and importance of rural affairs within our devolution

framework for England. I already thanked the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell, but I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Scott, and the noble Lords, Lord Best and Lord Cameron, for their...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

My Lords, I have already spoken to Motion B. I beg to move.

Motion B1 (as an amendment to Motion B)

My Lords, I have already spoken to Motion B. I beg to move.

Motion B1 (as an amendment to Motion B)

Moved by

Baroness Scott of Bybrook

Moved by

Baroness Scott of Bybrook

I beg leave to test the opinion of the House.

I beg leave to test the opinion of the House.

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

My Lords, I have already spoken to Motion C and I beg to move.

Motion C1 (as an amendment to Motion C)

My Lords, I have already spoken to Motion C and I beg to move.

Motion C1 (as an amendment to Motion C)

Moved by

Lord Shipley

Moved by

Lord Shipley