Contributions
2,217 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSpending Review 2025My Lords, today’s growth figures make tax rises in the autumn all the more likely, but one rise that we do not have to wait for is the 5% increase to council tax each year planned…12 Jun 2025HANSARDWinter Fuel PaymentMy Lords, when your Lordships’ House debated the original changes to the winter fuel payment, it was suggested that we should not means-test the winter fuel payment but tax it…10 Jun 2025HANSARDPreterm Birth Committee ReportMy Lords, this has been an excellent debate so far, based on an excellent report. That is unsurprising, since it has taken place under the expert chairmanship of the noble Lord,…06 Jun 2025HANSARDOfcom: Protection of Children CodesMy Lords, the Minister talked about the research that the Government are doing on the impact of phones on children. The research is overwhelming on the impact of screen use on…02 Jun 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendments 127, 128 and 139 in my name. Before doing so, I would like to add my support to all the amendments in this group, in particular Amendment 76…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillThe Minister said that this brings paternity leave in line with maternity leave, but for maternity leave, the right to pay is also a day-one right. Does he acknowledge that the…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillWill the noble Lord clarify whether he just said that there are no day-one rights to parental pay, including for maternity?13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillDoes the noble Lord acknowledge that maternity allowance is available from day one, at the same rate of pay as statutory paternity pay?13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillDoes the noble Lord acknowledge that, in linking the payments to CPI, what is actually happening is that we are seeing a bigger gap between statutory payments and people’s…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillCan the Minister confirm that the Government will meet that manifesto commitment to start the review within the first year, and can he give a timescale not just for when the…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillIs that to start the review?13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI am sorry to interrupt the noble Lord again. He has just talked about the importance of a day-one right to paternity leave, giving fathers the ability to take that leave, but, as…13 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I rise to move Amendment 64 in my name. This amendment makes a simple change to the right to request flexible working. In 2023, the Employment Relations (Flexible…08 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill08 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their participation and support and my noble friend Lord Ashcombe in particular for his comments, which demonstrated very practically the…08 May 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI thank the noble Lord for that offer; I really appreciate it. Just to touch on the points made by my noble friend Lord Jackson, I absolutely heard his support for flexible…08 May 2025HANSARDTax: ChangesMy Lords, can the Minister confirm whether his Government agree with another of the OBR’s assessments, which anticipates that the Employment Rights Bill will have a net negative…29 Apr 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I add my congratulations to the quad of maiden speakers we have had in our debate today. In four minutes, you need to cut to the chase, so that is what I will do. I am…27 Mar 2025HANSARDSpring StatementThe Minister has repeatedly cited figures on living standards. What impact will yesterday’s Statement have on the living standards of the poorest half of our population?27 Mar 2025HANSARDStrategic Priorities Statement: DefenceMy Lords, can the Minister confirm that any defence spending channelled through the National Wealth Fund will not be constrained by the Government’s fiscal rules, specifically the…25 Mar 2025