Contributions
26 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFuture Capability of the Armed ForcesI thank the noble Lord, Lord Harlech, for securing this important debate. He speaks with great authority, particularly about the Reserve Forces. I agree with everything he said…16 Jul 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, and I start by congratulating the Government on bringing forward this Armed Forces Bill in this particular form.…06 Jul 2026HANSARDLobbying Transparency (In-house Lobbyists) Bill [HL]My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lady Hayter on bringing forward this Bill, and I agree with every single word of her introduction. Going back to first principles, I agree…03 Jul 2026HANSARDFood SecurityTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current condition of UK food security.29 Jun 2026HANSARDFood SecurityI thank my noble friend for that reply, and I congratulate the Government on today’s publication of the farming road map , with its recognition that the UK’s food system is…29 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026The noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, will not be surprised to hear that I do not agree with his interpretation of the Government’s announcement yesterday of a major drive to create…17 Mar 2026HANSARDNational Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026Perhaps I could recommend to the noble Lord that he takes time to read the Low Pay Commission’s report, which sets out its reasoning in full, and the evidence base it is drawing…17 Mar 2026HANSARDInternational Women’s DayMy Lords, my warm congratulations go to all my noble friends who have made such brilliant maiden speeches today. We are very lucky to have them all with us. I want to use my few…06 Mar 2026HANSARDAutumn Budget 2025My Lords, this Budget continues to build the foundations for a more stable, more resilient and ultimately more productive economy. Some noble Lords in this debate have questioned…04 Dec 2025HANSARDAccidental Prison ReleasesMy Lords, what work is being done to improve prison officer training to reduce releases in error, as a matter of urgency and in the long term?10 Nov 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I had prepared a whole speech opposing Amendment 145, but I have now abandoned it, because the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, made my points for me. Before I make some…30 Oct 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillI am very sorry that the Committee stage of this Bill has kicked off with an attempt to remove the intergenerational ban for tobacco products, because these amendments…27 Oct 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI will make a brief comment on Amendment 1, which would replace a right to have guaranteed hours with a right to request. I very much fear that it undermines the purpose of the…14 Jul 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, my noble friends on this side of the House have commented on this amendment in far better terms than I could, but I will make a supplementary point. I was very surprised…03 Jun 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentTo ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made on plans to expedite and streamline armed forces recruitment processes.21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentMy Lords, there has been some improvement in retention rates recently, but since 1999 there have been only six years when the number of personnel joining the Armed Forces was…21 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I focus particularly on Amendments 83 and 84, which purport to deal with a hypothetical “banter ban”. I listened very carefully to what the noble Lord, Lord Young, said…19 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I did not want to interrupt the noble Baroness when she was speaking. However, I refer her to Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010, with which I am sure she is familiar,…19 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, on her tenacious championing of the interests of Armed Forces personnel. I know that that commitment long predates my arrival…30 Apr 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I follow on from the excellent points that have been made by my noble friends on this side of the Committee by addressing, perhaps more specifically, the letter of…29 Apr 2025