Contributions
59 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRoad Closures in Central LondonMy Lords, we are all very glad that this is a peaceful demonstration, but it makes life very difficult for those of us who are disabled, particularly Members of this House who…08 Oct 2019HANSARDPersonal Independence PaymentsMy Lords, is it not clear, in the light of this and other judgments, that the PIP descriptors in the field of mental health need substantial amendment? It sounds as if that is…23 Jul 2019HANSARDUniversal Credit FraudMy Lords, is it not very sad that certain claimants say that they are being penalised in cases of fraud? Can the Minister guarantee that this does not happen? Is it not the answer…10 Jul 2019HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill [HL]My Lords, I thought I might start my brief intervention by flushing out the arguments, but a colleague poured cold water on that idea. Seriously, I congratulate the Government on…10 Jul 2019HANSARDBenefit Changes: Vulnerable PeopleMy Lords, I am pleased that this debate enables us to have a calm, rational look at recent changes to benefits. I think the whole House appreciates that powerful contribution from…27 Jun 2019HANSARDWorking-Age Disabled AdultsMy Lords, my question follows on from that of the noble Baroness, Lady Thornton. What happened to the cross-government strategy we were promised to address the issues of…24 Jun 2019HANSARDUnpaid Carers: SupportMy Lords, the right reverend Prelate mentioned one group of carers. I would like to ask about those from the BME community, many of whom do not know about the benefits to which…13 Jun 2019HANSARDInequalitiesMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, has helpfully defined what particular inequalities he is focusing on: income, wealth and living standards. It is well known that families with…13 Jun 2019HANSARDHousing: Pensions and DepositsMy Lords, could the Minister clarify whether the average 35 year-old has put £35,000 into a pension pot, or whether the figure is much lower, as statistics showed a few years ago?…05 Jun 2019HANSARDDisabled PeopleMy Lords, I too congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Borwick, on knitting together two very different issues: the here-and-now problems that disabled people have in their everyday…09 May 2019HANSARDSevere Disability Premium: Transfer to Universal CreditMy Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Answer. She said that the Government are considering their options and whether the regulations will have to be rewritten. What…07 May 2019HANSARDResidential Construction and Housing SupplyMy Lords, I shall follow the noble Lord, Lord Borwick, down the route of talking about homes for disabled people. The Minister knows exactly what I am going to say, and I believe…24 Apr 2019HANSARDBereavement BenefitMy Lords, the Government said several months ago that they were considering what to do following the Supreme Court judgment in favour of cohabiting couples being eligible for the…09 Apr 2019HANSARDHouseholds Below Average Incomes StatisticsMy Lords, I am afraid that I am a very inadequate substitute for my noble friend Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope, who is unavoidably absent today. I am a very poor stand-in—or rather,…28 Mar 2019HANSARDHousing: Future Homes StandardTo ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Future Homes Standard announced in the Spring Statement will include measures to ensure accessible and adaptable standards are met.21 Mar 2019HANSARDHousing: Future Homes StandardI thank the Minister for that Answer. This is so important, because only 7% of our housing stock is accessible and adaptable. Will the Government use this opportunity to ensure…21 Mar 2019HANSARDEmployment and Support Allowance PaymentsMy Lords, from the Lib Dem Benches, I thank the Minister for making this important Statement. The issue of passported benefits is extremely important. I wonder how the department…25 Feb 2019HANSARDMesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2019My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining these two important orders. I think this is her first time speaking on these matters. I do not know whether it is the first time on…14 Feb 2019HANSARDLocal Authorities: Essential ServicesMy Lords, I shall concentrate on the provision of social care but, before that, I want to mention something that I would call an essential service but which turns out to be…24 Jan 2019