Contributions
5,553 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEngagementsI notice that both the leader of the Scottish nationalist party and the Leader of the Opposition now support an indefinite extension of the furlough scheme. [ Interruption. ] That…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEngagementsThe hon. Gentleman is entirely right about the gravity of the situation, and although it is true that some firms are powering through this, many face very difficult circumstances.…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEngagementsThe hon. Gentleman is right in the sense that of course the Government are going to come forward with further measures. I do not think that it would be sensible simply to extend…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEngagementsI certainly can. It was a former Labour Planning Minister who said, “The green belt is a Labour achievement, and we intend to build on it.” That is what he said. The Government’s…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEngagementsI thank the hon. Lady, because I am aware of this problem of people facing real disadvantage—leaseholders and others—because of unsafe cladding still on their buildings. I think…23 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19The hon. Gentleman asks an excellent question. It is not an anomaly that I had hitherto been aware of, but if he would care to write to me with the details of his constituents’…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19It is up to all of us to obey the guidance and to urge everybody in this country to obey the guidance and follow the rules, because that is the way we will defeat the virus.22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19Actually, over the last few weeks and months, there has been an exceptionally high degree of collaboration between the UK Government and all the devolved Administrations.…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19I am afraid that I must correct the hon. Gentleman’s figures. We are now testing more than any other country in Europe, and the median journey is, I think, about 5.8 miles. No…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19The sectors that my hon. Friend refers to have in many respects already been provided for and supported, but clearly there will be further demands. I know that my right hon.…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19I have to say that I think the hon. Lady is grossly undermining the huge effort of local authorities, which are an integral part of NHS Test and Trace. They are doing a…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19Of course, and that is why we are putting our hopes and confidence in a local, regional approach, rather than a blanket, one-size-fits-all national approach. We hope that those…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19Yes; under the current procedures, it is up to the House to confirm that the Executive do have the power to continue measures under the Coronavirus Act, and that will continue to…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19We will do whatever we can to support the coach sector and all other sectors across the country. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have put in place a massive programme of loans,…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19My hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to the huge importance of sport to our national economy and our wellbeing. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19I thank my hon. Friend for the way he represents Blyth Valley. I can tell him that we will continue to listen to people and to respond to their concerns in any way that we can.22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19My hon. Friend really puts his finger on the heart of the dilemma. The tragedy of the coronavirus epidemic is that people who are not badly affected themselves can none the less…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19The comparisons with other European countries are actually illuminating, because the furlough scheme is far more generous than that of either Germany or France, or virtually any…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19My right hon. Friend asks a really important question. The answer is, of course, that we must look at what the data tell us. There are several important data. The R is perhaps the…22 Sept 2020HANSARD Covid-19The plan is that we should continue to keep the economy moving in the way that I have described and the Government have set out, which I believe is, quite rightly, supported by…22 Sept 2020