Contributions
1,892 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Insurance: Charity SectorMy Lords, the increase in NICs is highly regressive and the very general impact note does not make that clear. It disproportionately affects charities employing those on lower…13 Jan 2025HANSARDPublic Finances: Borrowing CostsMy Lords, the Government made their first objective high economic growth and, so far, they have not had that much success. Another prime objective, reiterated by the Minister, was…09 Jan 2025HANSARDElectric Scooters and Electric Bicycles: Pedestrian SafetyThere are a number of troubling features about e-scooters and e-bikes, and disagreements on solutions, including licensing, insurance, speed restrictions and better enforcement,…07 Jan 2025HANSARDElectric Scooters and Electric Bicycles: Pedestrian SafetyTo ask His Majesty’s Government what consideration they are giving to introducing safeguards to protect pedestrians and the disabled when considering whether to permit additional…07 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillMy Lords, I must start by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Livermore, for his clear explanation of this short and simple Bill, the context as he sees it, and the “happy new year”…06 Jan 2025HANSARDSilicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024I also welcome the draft Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024. It rightly confirms in law that no compensation is due to shareholders of Silicon Valley…17 Dec 2024HANSARDFinancial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2024Before the Minister goes on, I want to ask about naming and shaming. Is it to be done at the stage when enforcement becomes public? Can we be clear when the naming and shaming…17 Dec 2024HANSARDFinancial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2024My Lords, I rise to address these three significant pieces of legislation, which collectively aim to refine and enhance the regulation of our financial services sector. The…17 Dec 2024HANSARDPlan for Change: Milestones for Mission-led GovernmentMy Lords, I was glad to hear the Leader of the House talk about the use of external expertise in moving forward these milestones and missions. As somebody who came from business…12 Dec 2024HANSARDPlanning Committees: ReformMy Lords, the Minister helpfully said at Question Time that she would be looking at blockages to housing development. Today, she has emphasised that the proposals we are…12 Dec 2024HANSARDMigration and Border SecurityThe Minister mentioned the work of the Migration Advisory Committee, looking at skills. It rather sounded as though we would be allowing additional people into the UK on its…10 Dec 2024HANSARDRetail Crime: EffectsMy Lords, I very much welcome this debate and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Hannett of Everton, whom I regard as a noble friend—not in the sense used in our House but in the…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEconomic ProductivityMy Lords, I believe the Government missed an important opportunity by failing to impose productivity conditions alongside their costly public sector pay rises. I do know that…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEconomic ProductivityTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for increasing productivity in the UK economy.05 Dec 2024HANSARDUK EntrepreneursI have listened to the Minister. Does he acknowledge that the measures announced in the Budget, such as the increase in capital gains tax, make the UK look like a less attractive…04 Dec 2024HANSARDInternational Banking: PaymentsMy Lords, there is much evidence that the international order is undergoing a process of major and very troubling change. The BRICS proposal is just one manifestation of this…28 Nov 2024HANSARDG20 and COP 29 SummitsMy Lords, I agree very much with the Leader of the House on the need for continued international diplomacy, whatever the issues. Lord Prescott indeed played a distinct and…25 Nov 2024HANSARDFinancial Services: Mansion House SpeechMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his welcome; I too look forward to a constructive relationship in the traditions of the House. Can he comment on my point about gilt yields? My…21 Nov 2024HANSARDFinancial Services: Mansion House SpeechMy Lords, the Chancellor’s speech at the Mansion House covered a wide range of very important topics which we will need to discuss over the coming months. I can touch on only a…21 Nov 2024HANSARDCollective Investment Schemes (Temporary Recognition) and Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Amendment) Regulations 2024My question about the impact assessment was actually about the de minimis impact assessment. Proper impact assessments have to be done at about £10 million, or whatever the level…18 Nov 2024