Contributions
595 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFarmingI have often spoken about my deep connection to farming; it is in my DNA. I love the rural way of life and for 40 years, I have been part of a local farming community that values…13 Mar 2025HANSARDSustainable Farming IncentiveTrust between farmers and this Government is well and truly broken. Farmers feel betrayed and let down, and many are at breaking point. The closure of the SFI is a bitter and, I…12 Mar 2025HANSARDTrade Diversion and Windsor FrameworkI have listened intently to the Secretary of State’s contribution and I am somewhat bemused by some of what he said. He speaks of businesses in his constituency that are jealous…04 Mar 2025HANSARDFamily BusinessesIn Northern Ireland, the Agriculture Department has indicated that almost half of all farms, and 75% of all dairy farms, will be impacted by the inheritance tax. When will the…26 Feb 2025HANSARDFamily BusinessesA joint survey by leading hospitality trade associations in Northern Ireland has revealed that 65% of hospitality businesses will reduce their employment levels, 55% will cancel…26 Feb 2025HANSARD Warm Home DiscountNorthern Ireland is the only region of this United Kingdom where the warm home discount scheme is not available. Since 2011, the UK Government have failed to grasp this issue. The…25 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestThe IRA itself claimed the terrorists shot by the security forces at Clonoe, describing their actions that night as being “active service”. They had just launched a cowardly…11 Feb 2025HANSARDInheritance Tax Relief: FarmsI commend the hon. Member for his sterling work. He will know that early mornings, late nights, no holidays and low profit margins make up a typical day in the life of British…10 Feb 2025HANSARDClosure of High Street Services: Rural AreasThe hon. Member will know that many shops have been resilient to increased costs over recent years, but does she agree that the hike in national insurance contributions and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDWomen’s State Pension AgeWomen across this United Kingdom feel let down by this Government, and rightly so. What will the Minister do to reassure those women? He needs to put action to his words and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipDoes my hon. Friend agree that it would be utterly outrageous if the benefits of any trade deal with the US were not felt equally in Northern Ireland—an integral part of the…04 Feb 2025HANSARDSupport for Female OffendersAcross the UK we face the bizarre and worrying reality that common-sense protections for women are being dismissed. For example, in Northern Ireland a motion to ensure that…28 Jan 2025HANSARD Agricultural Property ReliefIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I commend the hon. Member for Caerfyrddin (Ann Davies) for bringing forward this debate. She is a real advocate for…28 Jan 2025HANSARD Agricultural Property ReliefThe hon. Member is not wrong—he is rarely wrong. That the policy could lead to the splitting up of family farms is a concern for many farming families across Northern Ireland and…28 Jan 2025HANSARDListed Places of Worship SchemeShankill parish church in Lurgan in my constituency is iconic within the town. It has been part of the fabric of the town since 1725, and was rebuilt in 1863 following the Ulster…22 Jan 2025HANSARD Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Money)It is mind-blowing that there is no money to pay for winter fuel payments or to support the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, yet the House is about to approve the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDStrengthening the UnionThe Secretary of State has spoken eloquently about his efforts to strengthen the Union between our nations. What, then, is he doing to fix the problems that the Windsor framework…22 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillNorthern Ireland has possibly more veterans per head of population than any other constituent part of the United Kingdom. Thousands served in the Ulster Defence Regiment and the…21 Jan 2025HANSARDFoot and Mouth DiseaseDoes the Minister not agree that it is preposterous that Northern Ireland has been excluded from the UK ban on imports from Germany because of the outbreak of foot and mouth? Does…15 Jan 2025HANSARD Women’s Changed State Pension Age: CompensationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving way; he is being very kind in doing so. In Upper Bann and indeed across Northern Ireland, thousands of women feel absolutely betrayed…15 Jan 2025