Contributions
2,291 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, while the UK Government have focused on pragmatic and proportionate implementation of the protocol, with extensive support for businesses, we are clear that further…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, that is exactly what we are doing. We remain committed to our obligations under the protocol, but with a pragmatic and proportionate way intended. That is why we have…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandNo, my Lords, it is not. We understand the commission will write letters of legal action, which we are considering, but we will defend our position vigorously. Our measures are…15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismMy noble friend is correct, but the Government are campaigning on their commitments to tackle racism and discrimination. They are committed to increasing ethnic minority…15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismAs I have said, the commission has one final meeting to finalise its report. After that, the report will go to the Prime Minister and then it will come back for us to look at its…15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismMy Lords, there was obviously, in the last few years, a large report on racism within the police. However, we will continue to work on this, and the commission will continue to…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandThe noble Baroness is right; we must continue with meetings because the protocol is pragmatic and proportionate, and it takes account of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement in all…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandNo, the Government do not agree with the noble Baroness. We are not tinkering; we are listening to businesses and putting in place obligations and changes so that businesses can…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy noble friend is absolutely right. We need to respond to the outstanding concerns of the protocol, but we must be able to command confidence across the whole community, and that…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, I do not believe it is, but there are other parts of the United Kingdom also asking why they do not have a free port. I will take the noble Lord’s question back and give…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandMy Lords, as we have set out, we want to work with the EU on pragmatic, long-term arrangements for the east-west trade, and that includes ensuring a permanent solution for those…15 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandNo, my Lords, I do not agree. The protocol is an important part of what we are working towards with Northern Ireland and the whole of the island. Therefore, we need to make sure…15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismMy Lords, this issue is something that the Government have been working on with the private sector for a long time and will continue to do so, particularly on increasing the…15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismWe certainly will, and I will take that back to the department on behalf of the noble Baroness.15 Mar 2021HANSARDRacismMy Lords, on 26 February we released a second report on the progress being made on tackling Covid-19 disparities experienced by individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. I am…15 Mar 2021HANSARDInternational Women’s DayI remind the noble Baroness about the timing.11 Mar 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, we want to continue work in the joint committee to address outstanding concerns, to provide space for those discussions without the threat of significant disruption. We…11 Mar 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, we have been in close contact with the business community across Northern Ireland as we have announced these measures, and there have been several expressions of…11 Mar 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, we do not agree that we are in breach of our legal obligations. The steps that we took are lawful and consistent with the progressive and good-faith implementation of…11 Mar 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland ProtocolMy Lords, I am afraid I do not agree. The protocol is a unique solution to the complex challenges we were confronted with. We are committed to implementing it, but in a pragmatic…11 Mar 2021