Lords debates state of local government
16 June 2023
On Thursady 15 June, members of the Lords debated the state of local government in England and the case for the reinvigoration of local democracy.
Debate
Lord Shipley (Liberal Democrat), former Newcastle City Councillor and board member of One North East, put forward the debate.
This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.
Members speaking
Members speaking in the debate included:
- Baroness Eaton (Conservative), former chair of the Local Government Association and Bradford District councillor
- Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour), Lords opposition spokesperson for Levelling-up, Housing and Communities and former Cumbria County councillor
- Lord Razzall (Liberal Democrat), former Deputy Leader and chair of the Policy and Resources Committee for Richmond-on-Thames Council
- Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat), President of the National Association of Local Councils.
Opening the debate, Lord Shipley said:
'This debate is about the state of local government, which has suffered huge cuts in financial support and increasing financial burdens, particularly in adult social care, leading to worrying reductions in standards of neighbourhood services used by the general public such as libraries, youth services and leisure centres.'
Responding on behalf of the government, Lord Evans of Rainow said:
'We have been determined to roll out devolution further to places that believe it will benefit their businesses, communities and residents. We set ourselves a mission that by 2030 every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal, with powers at or approaching the highest level of devolution and with a simplified, long-term funding settlement.'
Get involved
Watch and read the debate
Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.
Explore background information
Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.
Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.
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