Contributions
753 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHousehold IncomeMy Lords, despite increases in the minimum wage and personal tax allowance, which have a limited impact on poverty—in or out of work—the Office for National Statistics report…10 Mar 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020I asked some specific questions, which I do not believe the noble Lord has answered. I will not get into a long debate about sustainability and so forth, although I addressed that…03 Mar 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020I point out that if the Government were really concerned about those at the bottom end, they would put more money into child benefit rather than personal tax allowances. Personal…03 Mar 2020HANSARDGuaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2020Could the Minister explain why it was unsustainable? People are not having larger families. What was unsustainable about benefits reflecting family size and meeting people’s needs?03 Mar 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020I have another question. I asked specifically: are the Government still committed to child benefit? The Conservative Party used to be committed to it; are the Government still…03 Mar 2020HANSARDGuaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2020My lords, at last, after four years we finally have an uprating order that actually uprates working-age benefits. But it is very disappointing that it does nothing to start making…03 Mar 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020My Lords, I wish to say a few words about child benefit. I will not repeat the general arguments about the four-year benefit freeze that I made in Grand Committee but simply want…03 Mar 2020HANSARDImmigration: Points-based SystemMy Lords, most carers are women, which is one reason their work is undervalued and treated as not skilled. According to the Women’s Budget Group, the proposals will discriminate…25 Feb 2020HANSARDImmigration: Refugee DoctorsMy Lords, if the Home Secretary is looking to the economically inactive to fill the gaping labour market holes that her immigration policy will create, will the Government now…24 Feb 2020HANSARDUniversal CreditMy Lords, the Minister’s helpful letter to Peers ends by saying that the Government have always said they will proceed with each new phase of universal credit only when it is safe…04 Feb 2020HANSARDNet MigrationMy Lords, what assessment has been made on provision of care if net migration is reduced? There is real concern in the care sector, as well as in the health sector, that it could…03 Feb 2020HANSARDLow-income Families: Benefits FreezeTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on low-income families of the four-year freeze in working age and children’s benefits.13 Jan 2020HANSARDLow-income Families: Benefits FreezeMy Lords, welcome as the end of the freeze—as required by law—is, it will do nothing to restore the significant losses suffered by millions in poverty, which are, on average,…13 Jan 2020HANSARDChildren: Rights and Well-beingMy Lords, in view of the recent High Court judgment that the exorbitant fees charged to children who register that they are entitled to citizenship are unlawful because due regard…09 Jan 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)My Lords, I do not think it will come as any surprise to the Minister that I am here to resume our exchanges on the future of the welfare mitigation scheme, which were so rudely…07 Jan 2020HANSARDChildren in Public Care: Unregistered AccommodationMy Lords, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. If the Government could finally incorporate that convention, would that not make…04 Nov 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019: Section 3(5)My Lords, I am speaking in the gap to raise an urgent issue mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Empey, which I spoke about in the Queen’s Speech debate—to no avail, to the…28 Oct 2019HANSARDNorth-east SyriaMy Lords, Save the Children and members of the Minister’s party yesterday argued very strongly that all British children should be repatriated. The response was that the…23 Oct 2019HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, I have chosen to speak today in order to raise a pressing devolved affairs issue, but I turn first to some other matters. The proposed immigration Bill will be the third…21 Oct 2019HANSARDQueen’s SpeechI am sorry to intervene, but my question was: what will happen after March 2020? The evidence from the charities was that it is very successful but they are anxious about what…21 Oct 2019