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Speech in Written Statements - Mon 29 Jun 2026
Repeal of Vagrancy Act

"Today I am confirming that the Vagrancy Act 1824 has been repealed.

This Government are drawing a clear line after over 200 years of criminalising people for sleeping rough.

The moral case is clear: no one should be punished for having nowhere safe to sleep, and people facing homelessness deserve …..."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Repeal of Vagrancy Act

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"He is nodding, which is helpful. In that case, I will write directly to him about that important local issue. I am not overly concerned that the example the hon. Gentleman raised is engaged by this change, but I will write to him to confirm that, because it sounds like …..."
Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I am afraid I am finishing.

The SI reflects engagement with councils and wider consideration with local government representatives, and will help to support the safe, orderly and effective delivery of our programme of reorganisation. I commend the draft order to the Committee...."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I beg to move,

That the Committee has considered the draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026.

It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairship, Mr Vickers. This statutory instrument was laid before the House on 14 May 2026.

The …..."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"The hon. Gentleman asked about a specific example, which sounds like it relates to a specific concern...."
Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I thank members of the Committee for their contributions to this debate. Before concluding, I want to address some of the points raised.

The shadow Minister asked about disputes between councils. I want to be explicit that councils remain responsible for their decisions during the transition and must act in …..."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I will do so in a moment.

The shadow Minister makes a very reasonable point on councils in receipt of exceptional financial support and the disposal of assets. He knows that the number of councils in EFS is a great concern of mine. We liaise with those local authorities week …..."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I will give way to the hon. Member for Spelthorne and the hon. Lady in a moment once I finish responding to the shadow Minister.

On arm’s length management organisations and academies, this depends on the specifics of the contract and the transfer that has taken place. Again, we are …..."

Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"You are very generous, Mr Vickers. The hon. Member knows that I am sympathetic; it is a matter for the authorities themselves, of course, but he makes a good case...."
Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

Speech in General Committees - Wed 24 Jun 2026
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026

"I thank the hon. Lady for raising that important point. I will happily come to this House and spend hours talking about local government finance any time anybody wants—..."
Alison McGovern - View Speech

View all Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Control of Disposals etc.) (Amendment) Order 2026