Rutland Lieutenancy

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Tuesday 15th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

We are still in the process of working with that local area on its proposals for unitary local government. We invited its proposals, and councils in the area sent us their interim plans in March and received detailed written feedback on those submissions in June. At this stage, no decisions have been taken on those interim proposals, so decisions will be taken on that in due course. The legislation to enact the devolution proposals has just been introduced in the other place. So, as that proceeds, we will be considering carefully the sequencing of any further legislation that is needed in respect of these ceremonial boundaries, which we all want to protect and safeguard.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

The Minister is absolutely right that it is a great tribute to the House of Lords that we can look after the interests of the 41,000 people of Rutland, the lord-lieutenant and the 12 deputy lieutenants. Does she also agree that if President Putin and President Trump did the same in their own countries, the world would be a better place?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I think that is probably a question for my noble friend Lord Collins to answer, rather than me. But the point is that this issue of devolution will provide greater power and decision-making, and greater funding, for all our local areas. That is a benefit to all of us in the country, and I look forward to working with all areas, including Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, as we move these proposals forward. It is a great project we are working on, and the community empowerment part of the Bill is as important as the English devolution part.

Council Tax

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

As a former Chancellor, the noble Lord will have detailed knowledge of this, and I am sure he made similar representations to his own Government. We all know that problems are caused by outdated valuations and the regressive nature of council tax. However, widescale reform of the council tax system at this stage would be time consuming and complex. We would still have winners and losers whichever way we did it. Instead, this Government are committed to fairer funding. We will start it in this year’s funding settlement, with a further review in the 2025 spending review.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that it would have been great if we had had a much higher threshold in the European referendum so that we could have avoided the disaster of Brexit? It has been particularly disastrous for farmers.

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I hear my noble friend’s point, which he has made in the House several times before. The impact of Brexit is widespread, and I completely understand his point.