Contributions
1,892 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI think we need to consider the position of SMEs, as well as big employers such as Tesco. I cannot speak for Tesco any more, but it contributed to a letter that was sent to us…28 Oct 2025HANSARDBuilt Environment SectorMy Lords, I too very much welcome the Minister to her seat. Much of the historic success of the built environment has depended on small and medium-sized businesses: developers,…28 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatMy Lords, I am not sure what the dozen or so cables that are under the Atlantic between the UK and the US carry, but if you are a UK business, what should you be preparing for in…27 Oct 2025HANSARDFishing and Coastal Growth FundI must say that I find this conversation surprising. The Government seem to have given 12 years of fishing away in a negotiation without getting any very clear benefits in…27 Oct 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, as time is short, I will simply focus on the lifeblood of local communities: small enterprises, or SMEs as we call them. A journey of a thousand leagues starts with a…22 Oct 2025HANSARDRules on Duty-Free GoodsMy Lords, returning to the Question, we on these Benches fully recognise the importance of the agreements reached between the previous Administration and the European Union.…22 Oct 2025HANSARDFinancial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Mutual Recognition Agreement) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025My Lords, this statutory instrument gives legal effect to the mutual recognition agreement between the UK and Switzerland known as the Bern financial services agreement. As the…21 Oct 2025HANSARDAmazon Web ServicesI think the Minister can hear that everybody is rather concerned about this development and the related developments on things such as mobile. I wonder whether it is time for a…21 Oct 2025HANSARDFinancial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Mutual Recognition Agreement) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025I am grateful to the Minister for explaining the scale of the opportunity to date and, therefore, our ambition for more; this is very good news. I am not sure that it has been…21 Oct 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, I support my noble friend Lady Hodgson of Abinger and her Amendment 45, to which I tried to add my name but was too late. It was persuasively introduced by the noble…20 Oct 2025HANSARDGDP Per CapitaMy Lords, per capita GDP is, of course, a proxy for productivity in the longer run, and I am very concerned that productivity has become an increasing problem for the UK economy.…20 Oct 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing BillMy Lords, while I agree with so much that has been said so eloquently today, I want to focus on three areas close to my heart: the inadequacies of enforcement of the criminal law;…16 Oct 2025HANSARDStablecoin OwnershipMy Lords, I also want to thank the Lord Speaker for all he has done for this House. Although popular with some young people and tech entrepreneurs, most of us have little idea of…16 Oct 2025HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, I refer to my register of interests as the joint owner of a small cottage in the village where I live. I strongly support Amendment 64B, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord…14 Oct 2025HANSARDSchool Fees: VATI start by echoing the tributes to Lord Campbell. It seems only yesterday that he was with us. I believe that taxing education is a shabby policy, and we have seen some 50 schools…13 Oct 2025HANSARDRoad PricingMy Lords, much revenue is raised from motorists through vehicle licensing, fuel duty and indeed congestion charges. If there was a move towards raising more from road pricing, can…18 Sept 2025HANSARDFinancial Services (Overseas Recognition Regime Designations) Regulations 2025My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for introducing the statutory instrument crisply and clearly. I am also grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, for her usual…17 Sept 2025HANSARDMaking Tax DigitalMy Lords, in the Government’s plan for SMEs, Backing Y our B usiness , they claim that they are prioritising growth and productivity potential—good news. However, in a Written…17 Sept 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill17 Sept 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, I am honoured to speak, in the last group, to my Amendments 361A and 361B, on encouraging SME builders, and to Amendments 363 and 364, on mechanisms for encouraging the…17 Sept 2025