Contributions
5,553 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI think the hon. Lady said “should, or indeed must”. We are certainly not compelling people to wear face coverings. But plainly they can be of benefit to others primarily because…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI thank my hon. Friend for that question and perhaps I anticipated it by pointing out that the bounce-back scheme for loans of £50,000 has already paid out £5 billion. I am given…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI am not going to make any commitments now from the Dispatch Box on future pay settlements, but what I can say is that I am lost in admiration for the efforts of our civil…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI am so sorry to hear about my hon. Friend’s father, and I am sure the whole House joins with me in extending to him our sincerest condolences. The point that he makes about care…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyThank you, Mr Speaker, for getting me to my feet faster. The hon. Lady raises a very important point. I will try to give the House more details of what we are doing, but I can…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the next steps in our battle against coronavirus and how we can, with the utmost caution, gradually begin to…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI understand, Mr Speaker. Would it be in order for me to request that my interrogation continues a little bit longer in order for me to make all these points? Finally, no earlier…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI am grateful for all the questions the right hon. and learned Gentleman has raised and for the spirit in which he has raised them. Let us be absolutely clear: what we are trying…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI think that the furloughing scheme has been one of the most remarkable features of the Government’s response. It is unlike anything seen internationally, with 6.5 million people…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI can confirm that the starting point of the fines will be £100, which will be lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days, but it will go up and up and up, as I said earlier, to…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyAbsolutely, and I remind the hon. Lady of what I said to the Leader of the Opposition earlier—do not forget that many businesses have kept going throughout this crisis across many…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyThis country has made huge progress in the last two months, and thanks to our collective efforts we have got the R down below one. Now is the time to make small, calibrated…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyOut of this tragedy and this disaster, we hope that some changes and some opportunities will come. I certainly see a huge opportunity for cleaner, greener transport. The UK will…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyAs the hon. Lady knows, we have invested £3.2 billion extra in supporting local councils. I will take away what she says about Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Council and take…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI think it will be perfectly obvious to the House what we are trying to do and what we are saying by “stay alert”. We are emphasising the importance of those who cannot work from…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyThe short answer is yes. I know Loughborough University well; it is an outstanding university, and I thank my hon. Friend for championing it. We will work with Loughborough and…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI thank my hon. Friend very much, and I assure him that the spirit of Romford will certainly be actuating our approach. There is a huge difference between the way this Government…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyI have. I have considerable respect for the press, but I would advise the hon. Member not to believe everything he reads about that matter until he has heard from the Chancellor,…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyQuickly, the answers are: one—yes; two—I think “stay alert” is a valid piece of advice, and indeed, so is “stay at home if you can”. My answer to No. 4 is no, and I say to the…11 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: StrategyWe have made substantial provision for the protection of airports and other large businesses, with loans that the Government have made available. A question was asked earlier…11 May 2020