Contributions
205 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFuel DutyI apologise for saying “you”, Madam Deputy Speaker. Does the hon. Member agree that that plan is for the next 10 years? We need change now. We need fuel duty sorted out now.18 Mar 2026HANSARD Domestic Abuse Survivors: Government SupportI am from Somerset. Will the Minister meet me to have a conversation about these issues?18 Mar 2026HANSARD Domestic Abuse Survivors: Government SupportAbusive ex-partners can exploit loopholes in the Child Maintenance Service to get control and avoid paying. A constituent of mine is owed over £15,000 and has been left in…18 Mar 2026HANSARDFuel DutyI completely understand what you are saying about public transport, but in rural communities, such as mine in Somerset, there is no public transport, so how can someone get to…18 Mar 2026HANSARDFuel DutyMy constituent Sam works in a local haulage company. He tells me that the average profit margin for a company like his is 2%, while the cost of running a typical lorry has…18 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentPeople with special educational needs and disabilities are more likely not to be in employment or training. It is great that the new apprenticeship incentives will include…17 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: Universal Service ObligationDoes the Minister recognise that meeting the universal service obligation is a challenge because of poor recruitment and retention? That poor recruitment and retention is no…11 Mar 2026HANSARDEngagementsQ8. In January last year, Somerset received around 2,000 pothole reports. This January, there were nearly 7,000—a 250% increase. I recently stood on the Fosse Way in my…25 Feb 2026HANSARDAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorWe rightly say that no one in the country is above the law, and recent weeks have reinforced that principle. Surely it must also be true that no one is above our democracy. Does…24 Feb 2026HANSARDSchools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and ThrivingIt is good that the White Paper recognises the need to develop systems to help with early identification, including Best Start hubs, the phonics screener, and schools sharing best…23 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI am worried that if we do not get the new medium-lift, and if we should want Leonardo to be a bidder for Proteus, its job force might not be there—the company has that concern—so…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI agree that we need action. We need to ensure that we arm our forces with the correct equipment now. By contrast, not awarding the contract is lose, lose, lose, particularly for…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI completely agree with my hon. Friend. This issue affects not just our constituencies but many constituencies in the south-west. Leonardo is the backbone of our area, and we must…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI thank the Minister for reiterating that point. My concern is that we do not have a date for when the DIP will come out, and he has just said that the new medium helicopter…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI thank the Minister for that comment, because that is so important. As he knows, Leonardo, which is based in Yeovil in the south-west, is the only end-to-end helicopter factory…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeWill the Minister give way one more time?11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeThe Minister made the point about funding; is a lot of this tied up with the money for the contract not being there from the Treasury?11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI completely agree with my hon. Friend. I will come on to that point and his question to the Chief of the Defence Staff later in my speech. In a response to my last urgent…11 Feb 2026HANSARD New Medium Helicopter ProgrammeI beg to move, That this House has considered the future of the New Medium Helicopter programme. It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Allin-Khan. I thank the…11 Feb 2026HANSARD Young Children’s Screen TimeI thank the Minister, as always, for replying to me. Only 18% of dyslexics have access to assistive technology. I know that she is passionate about getting that changed, so are we…10 Feb 2026