My Lords, I would like to place on record my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, who has been a worthy sparring partner over the last

two and a half years that I have been in your Lordships’ House. It is often the way that, as one door closes,...

My Lords, I would like to place on record my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, who has been a worthy sparring partner over the last

two and a half years that I have been in your Lordships’ House. It is often the way that, as one door closes,...

My Lords, this has been a welcome and wide-ranging debate, which has enabled many different interpretations of a general debate about local government and electoral reform. The health of our local governance structures is vital to our health of our democracy; the two are inextricably entwined. That is why this...

My Lords, this has been a welcome and wide-ranging debate, which has enabled many different interpretations of a general debate about local government and electoral reform. The health of our local governance structures is vital to our health of our democracy; the two are inextricably entwined. That is why this...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for this important debate on democratic accountability, public participation and electoral reform in local government. It is particularly poignant that he chose his final speech to be on this subject, which is so important to so many of us in this...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for this important debate on democratic accountability, public participation and electoral reform in local government. It is particularly poignant that he chose his final speech to be on this subject, which is so important to so many of us in this...

My Lords, I begin by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for an excellent valedictory speech and for securing this debate as his final farewell and statement to this House. The noble Lord was introduced to the House in 2010, but it is his service over many more years than...

My Lords, I begin by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for an excellent valedictory speech and for securing this debate as his final farewell and statement to this House. The noble Lord was introduced to the House in 2010, but it is his service over many more years than...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response to the debate, which has been very helpful, with a lot of food for thought and a lot of pointers for the future. I have great confidence in Ministers driving forward the devolution debate. I hope that this Chamber will, in...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response to the debate, which has been very helpful, with a lot of food for thought and a lot of pointers for the future. I have great confidence in Ministers driving forward the devolution debate. I hope that this Chamber will, in...

Hear, hear!

Hear, hear!

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 28 August 2026 to Question 18188 on Devolution, if she will summarise the 43 requests; and what the response was for each of those requests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 28 August 2026 to Question 18188 on Devolution, if she will summarise the 43 requests; and what the response was for each of those requests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the written statement of 1 September 2026, HCWS297, on bus fares, whether (a) devolved administrations and (b) London will receive any consequential funding as a consequence of the £400 million of government funding from the DESNZ budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the written statement of 1 September 2026, HCWS297, on bus fares, whether (a) devolved administrations and (b) London will receive any consequential funding as a consequence of the £400 million of government funding from the DESNZ budget.

My Lords, our devolution reforms will give mayors and strategic authorities greater powers to support housing delivery within a national framework, enabling them to direct housing investment to reflect their local housing needs. Housing targets are an important tool to make sure that sufficient housing is delivered in the right places, and the Government have no plans to amend the standard method for assessing housing need introduced in December 2024.

My Lords, our devolution reforms will give mayors and strategic authorities greater powers to support housing delivery within a national framework, enabling them to direct housing investment to reflect their local housing needs. Housing targets are an important tool to make sure that sufficient housing is delivered in the right places, and the Government have no plans to amend the standard method for assessing housing need introduced in December 2024.

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her helpful response. Not all of us share her optimism, unfortunately. As a former deputy mayor of London, I was disappointed to learn that Taylor Wimpey, a major housebuilding developer, recently pulled out of any further projects in London. Its chief executive stated as an explanation that:

“The reward for undertaking … development in London has … evaporated”.

Does the Minister share my concern? How does she expect the Government, who have promised affordable housing to buy and to rent, to provide housing when they are making it unaffordable to build?

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her helpful response. Not all of us share her optimism, unfortunately. As a former deputy mayor of London, I was disappointed to learn that Taylor Wimpey, a major housebuilding developer, recently pulled out of any further projects in London. Its chief executive stated as an explanation that:

“The reward for undertaking … development in London has … evaporated”.

Does the Minister share my concern? How does she expect the Government, who have promised affordable housing to buy and to rent, to provide housing when they are making it unaffordable to build?

It is not this Government who are making housing unaffordable to build. There are a number of factors affecting that. But I accept that there is an urgent need for more housing, especially social and affordable housing and particularly in London. That is why we are acting to address this. In March, the Government and the Greater London Authority confirmed a package of temporary emergency measures providing targeted support for housebuilders to improve the viability that the noble Lord spoke of and to get quicker approvals for new housing schemes. We are also making major longer-term investment, including in the social and affordable homes programme that I have spoken about many times in this Chamber, with up to £11.7 billion for London and £1.5 billion from the new low-interest loans scheme for social and affordable housing.

It is not this Government who are making housing unaffordable to build. There are a number of factors affecting that. But I accept that there is an urgent need for more housing, especially social and affordable housing and particularly in London. That is why we are acting to address this. In March, the Government and the Greater London Authority confirmed a package of temporary emergency measures providing targeted support for housebuilders to improve the viability that the noble Lord spoke of and to get quicker approvals for new housing schemes. We are also making major longer-term investment, including in the social and affordable homes programme that I have spoken about many times in this Chamber, with up to £11.7 billion for London and £1.5 billion from the new low-interest loans scheme for social and affordable housing.

My Lords, under the devolution Act, mayors have new powers to unlock land for housing. Can we go further by giving local authorities and mayors the ability to reach housing targets through the acquisition of land for housing at agricultural prices, as in the case of the housing development zones in Nijmegen in Holland and Hammarby in Sweden, which I have raised repeatedly in the House? We need some new, radical thinking.

My Lords, under the devolution Act, mayors have new powers to unlock land for housing. Can we go further by giving local authorities and mayors the ability to reach housing targets through the acquisition of land for housing at agricultural prices, as in the case of the housing development zones in Nijmegen in Holland and Hammarby in Sweden, which I have raised repeatedly in the House? We need some new, radical thinking.

My noble friend has indeed raised land supply many times. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act strengthens mayoral housing and planning powers, including powers relating to planning applications of potential strategic importance, mayoral development orders and a mayoral community infrastructure levy. Alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Act, it also supports the new framework for spatial development strategies. We continue to look at issues around land supply and at creative and innovative ideas. We continue to look across Europe and elsewhere for ways in which we might help our mayors and leaders to develop on the land that they need to develop.

My noble friend has indeed raised land supply many times. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act strengthens mayoral housing and planning powers, including powers relating to planning applications of potential strategic importance, mayoral development orders and a mayoral community infrastructure levy. Alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Act, it also supports the new framework for spatial development strategies. We continue to look at issues around land supply and at creative and innovative ideas. We continue to look across Europe and elsewhere for ways in which we might help our mayors and leaders to develop on the land that they need to develop.

My Lords, I welcome this shift to local government deciding what the housing needs are. I live in Tower Hamlets, where there are about 28,000 people on the social housing waiting list. How will the Government’s designation of data centres as critical national infrastructure affect housing decisions? I hope Ministers will ensure that the proposed data centre in Brick Lane is not built, because it would impact the mass housing crisis and the well-being of children and families.

My Lords, I welcome this shift to local government deciding what the housing needs are. I live in Tower Hamlets, where there are about 28,000 people on the social housing waiting list. How will the Government’s designation of data centres as critical national infrastructure affect housing decisions? I hope Ministers will ensure that the proposed data centre in Brick Lane is not built, because it would impact the mass housing crisis and the well-being of children and families.

It is very important across the planning system. The noble Baroness raises the important issue of how we balance the needs of our economic infrastructure, of which data centres are an increasingly important part. We just had a whole debate on AI. We cannot operate AI without data centres. That needs to be balanced with the need for housing, and this Government are committed to a streamlined planning system that is plan led, pro-growth, accessible and understandable to all, and delivers that balance as far as possible. We work with our colleagues in Defra on the land use framework to make sure that we take account of all the needs for land.

It is very important across the planning system. The noble Baroness raises the important issue of how we balance the needs of our economic infrastructure, of which data centres are an increasingly important part. We just had a whole debate on AI. We cannot operate AI without data centres. That needs to be balanced with the need for housing, and this Government are committed to a streamlined planning system that is plan led, pro-growth, accessible and understandable to all, and delivers that balance as far as possible. We work with our colleagues in Defra on the land use framework to make sure that we take account of all the needs for land.

My Lords, currently, Whitehall sets the targets, mayors determine the strategy and planning officers at a very local level take even more decisions under delegated powers. Can the Minister explain exactly what is left for locally elected councillors to determine? How is this felt to strengthen local democracy in the eyes of the local community? That is where the tension at the heart of the noble Lord’s Question originates.

My Lords, currently, Whitehall sets the targets, mayors determine the strategy and planning officers at a very local level take even more decisions under delegated powers. Can the Minister explain exactly what is left for locally elected councillors to determine? How is this felt to strengthen local democracy in the eyes of the local community? That is where the tension at the heart of the noble Lord’s Question originates.

I think it was clear that the previous system of not having housing targets was not delivering the housing that we need. We continue to think that the best way for councillors and communities to engage in the development process for their areas is through the local plan process, which will be agreed by the council. We are not changing the consultation rules on planning applications. Representations are considered by the decision-maker, whether that is an officer taking the decision or a planning committee. It is vital that in exercising that democratic oversight planning committees operate as effectively as possible, focusing on applications that require member input while placing trust in skilled planning officers in local authorities and making sure that they decide applications more quickly in the service of residents and businesses.

I think it was clear that the previous system of not having housing targets was not delivering the housing that we need. We continue to think that the best way for councillors and communities to engage in the development process for their areas is through the local plan process, which will be agreed by the council. We are not changing the consultation rules on planning applications. Representations are considered by the decision-maker, whether that is an officer taking the decision or a planning committee. It is vital that in exercising that democratic oversight planning committees operate as effectively as possible, focusing on applications that require member input while placing trust in skilled planning officers in local authorities and making sure that they decide applications more quickly in the service of residents and businesses.

My Lords, if we take London as an example, the Mayor of London has failed to deliver housing over a 10-year period. Which powers will the Government retain to make sure that local authorities and mayors build the homes we need? Do not devolve this power and devolve the responsibility along with it.

My Lords, if we take London as an example, the Mayor of London has failed to deliver housing over a 10-year period. Which powers will the Government retain to make sure that local authorities and mayors build the homes we need? Do not devolve this power and devolve the responsibility along with it.

I have already set out the steps the Government are taking to work with colleagues in London to accelerate housebuilding there. There has already been a significant increase in applications. Through the City Hall Developer Investment Fund and the new homes accelerator, we are providing support to accelerate stalled schemes and driving housing-led regeneration on nationally significant sites, such as Euston. We continue to make sure that we work with the mayor’s office to deliver the housing that London needs.

I have already set out the steps the Government are taking to work with colleagues in London to accelerate housebuilding there. There has already been a significant increase in applications. Through the City Hall Developer Investment Fund and the new homes accelerator, we are providing support to accelerate stalled schemes and driving housing-led regeneration on nationally significant sites, such as Euston. We continue to make sure that we work with the mayor’s office to deliver the housing that London needs.

My Lords, can I ask the Minister about the devolution to mayors and combined authorities of the power to set up development corporations? These have huge potential, such as the London Legacy Development Corporation. They are going to be really great, but they will need some seed corn—some setting-up funding. Will the Government provide that so that we can see more of these wonderful development corporations?

My Lords, can I ask the Minister about the devolution to mayors and combined authorities of the power to set up development corporations? These have huge potential, such as the London Legacy Development Corporation. They are going to be really great, but they will need some seed corn—some setting-up funding. Will the Government provide that so that we can see more of these wonderful development corporations?

The noble Lord will be aware that I am a big fan of development corporations. We have had many discussions about them. He is quite right that there is some need for capacity. In August, the Prime Minister announced measures to strengthen the capacity and capability of mayoral strategic authorities as part of the Government’s wider devolution agenda, with measures such as Civil Service secondments to mayoral offices, a place-based fast stream pilot, support for digital and data capability and the expansion of leadership development opportunities between central and local government. It is very important that we support areas such as Liverpool. I went to a meeting there recently about its mayoral development corporation, which is doing very exciting work delivering 17,500 homes and 5 million square feet of commercial space. We need to give it every support in the capacity to deliver that.

The noble Lord will be aware that I am a big fan of development corporations. We have had many discussions about them. He is quite right that there is some need for capacity. In August, the Prime Minister announced measures to strengthen the capacity and capability of mayoral strategic authorities as part of the Government’s wider devolution agenda, with measures such as Civil Service secondments to mayoral offices, a place-based fast stream pilot, support for digital and data capability and the expansion of leadership development opportunities between central and local government. It is very important that we support areas such as Liverpool. I went to a meeting there recently about its mayoral development corporation, which is doing very exciting work delivering 17,500 homes and 5 million square feet of commercial space. We need to give it every support in the capacity to deliver that.

The London Borough of Lewisham has estimated that these regulations will increase build costs by 15%. What are the Government doing to cut the costs of building and buying a home?

The London Borough of Lewisham has estimated that these regulations will increase build costs by 15%. What are the Government doing to cut the costs of building and buying a home?

We continue to work with people across the construction sector to look at the issues, but we do not want to go through another Grenfell or have issues around poor-quality build in future. Again, this is an issue of balance. We must absolutely get the balance right and introduce the regulation we need to make sure that people’s homes are safe, affordable and warm and that we do not have the sort of disasters we have seen in the past. Affordability is very much part of that equation, and this is all about balance.

We continue to work with people across the construction sector to look at the issues, but we do not want to go through another Grenfell or have issues around poor-quality build in future. Again, this is an issue of balance. We must absolutely get the balance right and introduce the regulation we need to make sure that people’s homes are safe, affordable and warm and that we do not have the sort of disasters we have seen in the past. Affordability is very much part of that equation, and this is all about balance.

My Lords, do the Government have any policy to counter land banking by large companies?

My Lords, do the Government have any policy to counter land banking by large companies?

We have looked extensively at how we urge building to take place. We now have our homes accelerator, which is helping to move forward some sites where development has stalled. I am sure that will contribute to delivering the housing that we all want to see. There is a focus right across our department and the team to make sure that we have taken steps on planning and regulation. We are now moving into the delivery phase, and we have already seen a 15% increase in starts this year.

We have looked extensively at how we urge building to take place. We now have our homes accelerator, which is helping to move forward some sites where development has stalled. I am sure that will contribute to delivering the housing that we all want to see. There is a focus right across our department and the team to make sure that we have taken steps on planning and regulation. We are now moving into the delivery phase, and we have already seen a 15% increase in starts this year.

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether local authorities receiving additional devolved housing powers will remain subject to national housing targets.

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether local authorities receiving additional devolved housing powers will remain subject to national housing targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders, of 7 September 2026, whether she plans to publish another Devolution White Paper further to the publication of December 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders, of 7 September 2026, whether she plans to publish another Devolution White Paper further to the publication of December 2024.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the devolved appointment processes described by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in her statement on 12 August 2026 are consistent with the accountability expected of an accredited initial teacher training provider.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the devolved appointment processes described by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in her statement on 12 August 2026 are consistent with the accountability expected of an accredited initial teacher training provider.

To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to ensure that the proposed devolution of technical educational pathways for young people to mayors and local authorities will retain the same equal access and opportunities for all young people, irrespective of where they reside.

To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to ensure that the proposed devolution of technical educational pathways for young people to mayors and local authorities will retain the same equal access and opportunities for all young people, irrespective of where they reside.

How to take complaints about UK Government departments and other public organisations to the Public Service Ombudsman

How to take complaints about UK Government departments and other public organisations to the Public Service Ombudsman

Polling day for UK elections is usually Thursday and cannot be held at a weekend. Weekend voting pilots were held in four areas in local elections in May 2026.

Polling day for UK elections is usually Thursday and cannot be held at a weekend. Weekend voting pilots were held in four areas in local elections in May 2026.

The UK Government authorised early and flexible voting pilot schemes in England in May 2026. Further pilots are due in May 2027.

The UK Government authorised early and flexible voting pilot schemes in England in May 2026. Further pilots are due in May 2027.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the First Minister of Scotland’s Programme for Government statement on 1 September 2026 that he would seek to identify new powers that could be quickly devolved to the Scottish Parliament, whether his Department (a) has undertaken and (b) plans to...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the First Minister of Scotland’s Programme for Government statement on 1 September 2026 that he would seek to identify new powers that could be quickly devolved to the Scottish Parliament, whether his Department (a) has undertaken and (b) plans to...

This briefing tracks the progress of the bill to introduce votes at 16, automatic voter registration, tighten the rules on political donations and allow bank cards to be used as voter ID.

This briefing tracks the progress of the bill to introduce votes at 16, automatic voter registration, tighten the rules on political donations and allow bank cards to be used as voter ID.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the fiscal devolution roadmap, to be published alongside the Autumn Budget, will include a weighting for rural sparsity and remoteness within the arrangements for the retention of business rates and income tax by strategic authorities; and whether those arrangements will provide for a minimum...

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the fiscal devolution roadmap, to be published alongside the Autumn Budget, will include a weighting for rural sparsity and remoteness within the arrangements for the retention of business rates and income tax by strategic authorities; and whether those arrangements will provide for a minimum...

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide for the appointment of commissioners in rural areas within strategic authorities that meet a defined rural population threshold such as 20 per cent; and what assessment they have made of the powers to be made available for that purpose...

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide for the appointment of commissioners in rural areas within strategic authorities that meet a defined rural population threshold such as 20 per cent; and what assessment they have made of the powers to be made available for that purpose...

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to set out a time-bound and resourced route by which foundation strategic authorities may progress to the full devolved settlement; and what steps they are taking to ensure that areas without a mayoral strategic authority are not left with materially weaker powers...

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to set out a time-bound and resourced route by which foundation strategic authorities may progress to the full devolved settlement; and what steps they are taking to ensure that areas without a mayoral strategic authority are not left with materially weaker powers...

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Dear Colleague letter on Introducing No10 North, of 1 September 2026, whether the policy of devolution by default will apply to requests for devolution by (a) principal local councils and (b) town and parish...

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Dear Colleague letter on Introducing No10 North, of 1 September 2026, whether the policy of devolution by default will apply to requests for devolution by (a) principal local councils and (b) town and parish...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of devolution in England on equitable grant funding for English farmers in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of devolution in England on equitable grant funding for English farmers in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional administrative capacity required by local government to take on any new tax powers.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional administrative capacity required by local government to take on any new tax powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to devolving the power of setting business rates to Northern Ireland as part of the government's devolution agenda.

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to devolving the power of setting business rates to Northern Ireland as part of the government's devolution agenda.

To ask His Majesty's Government what powers they are considering devolving to local authorities.

To ask His Majesty's Government what powers they are considering devolving to local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, whether recent discussions about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability could include the shaping of transport, housing, economic development, skills...

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, whether recent discussions about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability could include the shaping of transport, housing, economic development, skills...

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, what recent discussions has she had about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and councillors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, what recent discussions has she had about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and councillors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce measures to grant Cornwall Council devolved powers to promote and protect the Cornish language.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce measures to grant Cornwall Council devolved powers to promote and protect the Cornish language.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement further fiscal devolution.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement further fiscal devolution.