Contributions
312 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSeasonal WorkI beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: “notes the Government’s strong support for small and medium-sized businesses, including…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI will give way one more time, but only because I have deep affection for the right hon. Gentleman.10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkThat is exactly my point—the Conservatives were not going to make those choices. Those choices were not in their financial plans, but they are in ours.10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAgain, I will talk about the transitional relief that we have brought in. Under the plans for valuation that we inherited, pubs were looking at rates increasing by about 45%;…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy apologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. Opposition Members raise the matter of business rates as well. It is exactly because we recognise the stress that retail, hospitality and…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkThe hon. Lady makes an important point, which is exactly why we are trying to drive down costs for business, not least when it comes to red tape. If there is something in…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkNo, I am coming to a close. This is the most expensive time of year, and December is the most expensive month. Labour is proud to be acting to ensure that families can plan for…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkNo, I have given way several times. I will make progress. The Government are fully supportive of the variety of working arrangements that people, including young people, might…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. I recall working in this place as a younger man when we had all-night sittings, as the Conservatives united with those in the other place to…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI could not agree more with my hon. Friend. Again, the Conservatives do not understand the link between what is in people’s pockets and what goes into the tills. I spent a…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is one of the important ways we will get the welfare bill down as well as getting more money into people’s pockets, and ultimately more…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkIf the hon. Member had been here at the start of the debate, she would have heard me talking about how I ran a business as well. She mentions job creation. The first year of this…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkBut it is in our plan. We have just passed the Budget, which introduces the relief on business rates. Let me return to the theme of “A Christmas Carol” and the visit of the ghost…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAbsolutely. Members on the Government Benches recognise the link between the standard of living and business sustainability. My hon. Friend mentioned that her area will benefit…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSupporting High StreetsWe made it clear a few days ago that we plan to reduce the administrative cost of the regulatory burden by nearly £6 billion, and that is what we will do. Conservative Members…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationI certainly will. As I mentioned a moment ago, the more dispersed geography of Scotland means that the postal service is often even more of a lifeline in our part of the world. I…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationMy hon. Friend makes an essential point about the importance of the postal service in rural areas. The hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (Mr MacDonald) made that…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationI can certainly do that. Through Ofcom, Royal Mail has obligations in terms of the accessibility of post boxes, and I will raise my hon. Friend’s point with the chief executive of…04 Nov 2025HANSARDSupporting High StreetsThe cost of the Employment Rights Bill is around 0.4% of wage costs across the country, and the additional help that the Bill provides will have a huge impact on small businesses…04 Nov 2025HANSARDSupporting High StreetsIt has been a pleasure to listen and respond to this passionate debate. Before we get into the things on which we may disagree, I should say that it has been really interesting to…04 Nov 2025