Contributions
592 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWelfare SpendingI will not at the moment. Let me come to the shadow Secretary of State, who, like many Conservative Members, was in total denial of the Conservative record, not only on child…15 Jul 2025HANSARDWelfare SpendingBefore I turn to some of the rawer politics as the debate demands, I thank all hon. Members who have taken part in this important debate. Like other hon. Members, I am appalled by…15 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillAt the outset, I take the opportunity to declare my own interest. Unlike the hon. Member for South West Devon (Rebecca Smith), I was elected prior to Lord Cameron ejecting…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillThis matter is important to everybody in this House, because it is important to the constituents of everybody in this House. I would be very open to ensuring that Members of this…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillThe right hon. Gentleman is correct in his interpretation, although I do not entirely agree with his characterisation. It is, I think, perfectly reasonable that we would ask…07 Jul 2025HANSARDChild Maintenance PaymentsMy noble Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Lords), Baroness Sherlock OBE, has made the following written statement: I am pleased to inform the House that yesterday, the…24 Jun 2025HANSARDWelfare Fraud: Organised CrimeI thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. We take all allegations of fraud seriously. People who suspect fraud against the Department for Work and Pensions can use existing…23 Jun 2025HANSARDWelfare Fraud: Organised CrimeThe Department works collaboratively across Government and law enforcement agencies to investigate welfare fraud perpetrated by organised criminal gangs. This type of criminality…23 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. The treatment of maternity allowance in universal credit was subject to a judicial review, which upheld the policy of treating it…23 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am very sorry to hear about the plight of the hon. Member’s constituent. If she would like a meeting with me, I am very happy to give her that, and I am also happy to look into…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChild Maintenance System: Economic AbuseI am sorry to hear about the case that my hon. Friend has highlighted. He will have heard the reform that I announced earlier, but I absolutely understand why he wants to raise…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChild Maintenance System: Economic AbuseThe issue of economic abuse through the Child Maintenance Service is a serious one, which this Government are looking to address urgently. I am pleased to say that a response to…23 Jun 2025HANSARDChild Maintenance System: Economic AbuseI hope the hon. Member has heard me say that we concur with the need for change. We have announced changes in the right direction today, and I will of course pick up with my…23 Jun 2025HANSARDWelfare Fraud: Organised CrimeI am very happy to raise with the Home Office the issue that the hon. Gentleman has highlighted, but I would say to him, and indeed to his colleagues on the Opposition Front…23 Jun 2025HANSARDMother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: Capital DisregardIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship this afternoon, Ms Jardine, and to do so in a debate on such an important and emotive subject. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for…10 Jun 2025HANSARDMother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: Capital DisregardI am going to disappoint the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, because I am unable to give her that assurance today. Conversations between the UK and Irish Governments, as well as…10 Jun 2025HANSARDMother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: Capital DisregardI do not want to openly disagree with the hon. Lady, but I gently say that social security matters are devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, although of course it seeks…10 Jun 2025HANSARDMother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: Capital DisregardI will happily take that request back to the Department; clearly, it is a matter for the relevant Minister. However, I can perhaps liaise with my hon. Friend the Member for…10 Jun 2025HANSARDOffice for Nuclear Regulation Corporate Plan 2025-26Later today I will lay before this House the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s corporate plan 2025-26. This document will also be published on the ONR website. I can confirm, in…20 May 2025HANSARDBenefit System: Fraud and ErrorThe annual statistics for fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year ending 2025, were published on Thursday 15 May 2024, at 9.30am. Today's figures confirm the…15 May 2025