Retail: Business Rates

Debate between Baroness Hanham and Lord Skelmersdale

Tuesday 12th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, business generates itself, and I agree very much with what the noble Lord has said about small individual businesses. In fact, a number of those are being generated at the moment. In all high streets, there are people who are setting off in entrepreneurial ways. I do not think that is something that the Government want to deal with, but we want to ensure that, where we can, we encourage small entrepreneurs to develop their own businesses.

[Lord Skelmersdale]

My Lords, my noble friend the Minister mentioned the competition with the high street from internet shopping. Would she accept that the most successful firms in the high street also have internet sales operations?

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the internet shopping people do in fact contribute to the rates, as they have to pay for the premises they use to store their goods and where they have their offices. As for internet shopping, well, there it is; many people take advantage of it. I am not sure that the Government can do anything about that, or would want to.

Housing

Debate between Baroness Hanham and Lord Skelmersdale

Thursday 21st October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, when the income of some people who are living in subsidised accommodation rises after taking that accommodation, their change in circumstances needs to be taken into account.

We have just discussed housing benefit levels. As far as I can see from the proposals, nobody will be evicted. Everyone will be given an opportunity. Local housing authorities will have the responsibility to ensure that they deal with people decently and respectfully.

[Lord Skelmersdale]

My Lords, are the Government looking at the knotty subject of succession tenancy in social and local authority subsidised housing?

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the answer is yes for future tenancies, and no for existing tenancies and arrangements.