Council Tax

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Clive Betts

Thursday 14th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)]

I really do not know how the Opposition spokesperson, the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds), can stand there and talk about cuts and shortfalls with a straight face. We know where responsibility lies—and on the Lib Dem Benches as well. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think that the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) will want that Yorkshire cup of tea. It will come very quickly if he carries on. I call Clive Betts—another Yorkshireman.

[Mr Betts]

Let me take my hon. Friend on a trip down memory lane. When I first became a councillor—only 48 years ago—councils had the freedom to raise rates for domestic and non-domestic property. Should we not, at some point, start a conversation with councils and the wider public about whether thresholds at all are appropriate? Councils in this country have less freedom to raise local taxation than virtually any other councils in western Europe. Council tax itself is regressive, both between individuals and between different local authorities. Can we not start that conversation at some point?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Clive Betts

Monday 28th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)]

Let me first draw attention to my declared interest as a trustee of Fields in Trust.

In the last Parliament, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee received a large amount of evidence concerning the importance of well-designed open spaces for children and young people, but the national planning policy framework mentions them once and mentions bats twice. Is it not about time we got our priorities right, and did more to improve the design of—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Just a minute, please! One of us will have to give way.

The hon. Gentleman is one of the most senior Members of Parliament. He should be looking at me when he is asking a question, not at the Minister. Come on, Clive: I am better-looking.

[Mr Betts]

I will agree with you on the latter point, Mr Speaker.

Will the Minister tell us whether he will change the guidance in future to place more emphasis on the importance to children and young people of properly designed open space?

[Mr Speaker]

But not in this instance! [Laughter.]