Retirement and Participation Committee Report

Baroness Eaton Excerpts

Wednesday 16th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Eaton (Con)]

My Lords, I too thank the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor, and her committee, for their work.

As one of the House’s endangered species, being in the over-80 bracket, I was reluctant to put my name on the speakers’ list. Clearly, I have an interest in the outcome of the process. As the speakers’ list is sizeable, it is very unlikely that I will add anything new or exceptional to the debate. However, the more I pondered the issue for debate, the more I became unclear about the assumed problem that the supporters of the proposals are claiming and aiming to resolve. So I look forward very much to the Leader of the House responding to the question posed by the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde.

Why are Peers aged over 80 perceived as such a problem? Institutional memory is vital. Those of us who have been involved in large institutions and organisations where we have seen a raft of senior figures leave or be removed know of the dangers that follow—the dangers of the constant reinventing of the wheel, as so often happens. I am pleased that the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, raised the issue of discrimination. Age discrimination does not relate to mental capacity, health or ability to contribute. If any Members of your Lordships’ House develop issues of limited capacity, I understand that we have powers and caring ways of helping to resolve the issue, both for them and for the House. These mechanisms are already in existence. Members under 80 may also lose capacity.

The scrutiny work of this House is vital. As we heard from the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, at Monday’s Second Reading, the other place is failing to thoroughly scrutinise much of the legislation it sends to us. Thorough scrutiny by this House is essential.

I understand that 301 Peers will be reaching the age of 80 by 2029. This loss will have a serious destabilising effect on the Chamber. Committees will be underpopulated and the daily functioning of the House could be seriously disrupted.

We are regularly told that as a nation we have an increasing elderly population. Surely the elderly need representation in this House. We, the elderly, have experience and understanding of the problems of being old. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Johnson, for his comments on diversity and inclusion, which were very appropriate in this context.

I have heard many speakers who disagree, but it is still not certain why these proposals are perceived as necessary. If the aim is to have a smaller House, why not use participation in the Chamber and the contribution made to the working of the House to guide such decisions? I look forward to hearing the Leader of the House’s responses.

Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020

Baroness Eaton Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Eaton (Con) [V]]

I declare my interests as recorded in the register. I wish to oppose the two Motions —in the names of the noble Baroness, Lady Grender, and the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby—before us today. From 21 September, courts can start to hear possession proceedings again. Since March, no landlord has had access to the courts to regain possession, even in cases where tenants have broken the law.

The effect of the Motion of the noble Baroness, Lady Grender, will be to reverse the ability of the courts to start hearing these cases. Surely, it is right that landlords can take action against tenants whose anti-social behaviour is causing misery to them and others, as well as those carrying out acts of domestic violence. Surely, it is also right that they are able to address situations where tenants have large arrears incurred before lockdown and in no way connected with the Covid-19 pandemic.

I know that all landlords have concern—rightly—for tenants badly affected by Covid-19. The Government’s rules provide a good balance between the rights and needs of the landlord and the needs of the tenants.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con)]

Let us try the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle, again. No? I call the noble Baroness, Lady Watkins of Tavistock.

Business and Planning Bill

Baroness Eaton Excerpts

2nd reading & 2nd reading (Hansard) & 2nd reading (Hansard): House of Lords
Monday 6th July 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Eaton (Con) [V]]

My Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president and former chair of the Local Government Association. The Bill we are considering today is a positive step towards reopening our economy. It will help with the recovery and ensure that a consistent approach is taken across the country. I will focus my remarks on the important role that local government will play in helping reopen local economies.

During this pandemic, councils, as leaders of place, have supported businesses by, among many things, distributing hundreds of thousands in coronavirus business grant payments. They are now working hard to ensure that the hospitality sector, and other sectors, are able to reopen safely. It is essential that we begin to reopen our economy and get the country moving again. To do this, we need proper safeguards. Councils should receive powers so that they can feel confident that licensing applications that cannot be managed safely can be turned down, and that they will be able to act where issues arise following the reopening of premises.

While we need to support local pubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues, we also need to make sure that those living near to these premises are not faced with anti-social behaviour or noise pollution—a subject raised by many noble Lords today. I would welcome reassurance from the Minister on this point.

The full responsibility and cost for making this policy work successfully do not sit with local authorities alone. However, with the initial burden falling on them, it is crucial that councils are supported financially by central government to meet the cost of processing an expected large number of applications in a short period of time.

It is right that the licensing measures proposed in the Bill are temporary and designed to help and support councils during these extraordinary times. In the longer term, there is a need for a comprehensive review of our outdated licensing legislation to ensure that it is fit for the future. I know that the LGA has long been calling for this review and is ready to work with the Government on this vital programme, once the measures in this Bill have expired. I hope that the Minister will be able to make that commitment to the House today.

The Bill before us also makes it clear that an expedited review process may require a licensing hearing to be held to discuss an application. Since March 2020, licensing hearings, in common with other council meetings, have been held virtually. Last week, the Government published new public health regulations on public gatherings. I encourage the Government to continue to support councils with clear guidance around their meetings, so that we can ensure that local democracy is able to function effectively. This will be particularly key as new legislation and regulations are published over the coming months.

I would like to bring my remarks to a close by welcoming the Bill and giving it my full support. My suggestions are refinements and points of clarification that I believe it will be helpful to make. The principle and the general thrust of the Bill are of course very welcome, as it marks an important step in opening up our economy and rebuilding for the future, and I am pleased to support it.

Personal Independence Payments

Baroness Eaton Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, I dispute those figures. The backlog stands at 107,000 at the moment, and 65,000 claims are being processed every month. Help is available in other areas—such as JSA, ESA, local authority help and NHS help—for those who are awaiting an assessment. The system is not failing; it is succeeding, and the backlog is being cleared.

[Baroness Eaton (Con)]

May I ask the Minister what assessment Her Majesty’s Government have made of the recent report from the all-party parliamentary inquiry into hunger and food poverty?

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, the Government have looked closely at the all-party parliamentary group’s report on food banks and food poverty. It is a complex issue; there is no doubt about that. We have, of course, identified ways in which we can further publicise hardship payments, and we are doing that. We are also looking, with food retailers, at how we can ensure that food waste is minimised. The private sector has a role to play there.