Contributions
391 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDClassroom Disruption: SmartphonesLast Thursday, I felt the fear in a hall full of parents of primary school children in Totnes as they listened to campaigners going through the evidence of the impact of…21 Jul 2025HANSARDClassroom Disruption: Smartphones20. What steps she is taking to support schools that plan to ban smartphones.21 Jul 2025HANSARDWelfare SpendingPoverty robs children of their future: it limits their life chances; impacts their long-term health; and reduces their ability to participate in the bits of childhood that widen…15 Jul 2025HANSARD Future of the Post OfficeSince the election, three post offices in my constituency have closed—in Churchstow, Aveton Gifford and Dittisham—through the resignation of postmasters and, in one case, the…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsI share the concern about delays in justice—no rape victims should ever have to wait five years for their day in court—but I am seriously concerned about the limiting of trial by…09 Jul 2025HANSARD Early Years Providers: Government SupportIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Pritchard. I thank the hon. Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh) for securing this important debate. High-quality…09 Jul 2025HANSARD Early Years Providers: Government SupportMy hon. Friend is talking about the provision in rural areas. We have a wonderful nursery called Rainbow nursery in Totnes, which serves not only the town but the wider area.…09 Jul 2025HANSARDGovernment Resilience Action PlanOne of the vulnerabilities that we saw in the pandemic, after the invasion of Ukraine and even during the “beast from the east” winter storm was to food supplies, but I did not…08 Jul 2025HANSARDRoad and Rail ProjectsI welcome the Minister’s statement, and it is good that Devon made it on to the map—just. Many on the Liberal Democrat Benches and others across the House travel from Paddington…08 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillDoes the hon. Member agree that there is an opportunity here to do something transformational for our local communities by enabling funds, particularly local government pension…07 Jul 2025HANSARD NHS 10-Year PlanI really welcome this 10-year plan, especially the shift from hospital to community. I am excited by the digital transformation, and I hope it works in the broadband blackspots of…03 Jul 2025HANSARDUniversal Credit and Personal Independence Payment BillDoes my hon. Friend agree that these changes risk devastating consequences for people living with complex mental health conditions? They may not score four points on a single…01 Jul 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsDevon and Torbay combined county authority will receive just £40 million between 2026 and 2030 in local transport grant funding—less than half the amount awarded to York and North…26 Jun 2025HANSARDRural Mobile CoverageI thank the Minister for his answer. I was going to say that having looked at the villages in my constituency on the mobile map, which was supposed to be updated this month, it is…25 Jun 2025HANSARDRural Mobile Coverage3. What steps he is taking to improve rural mobile coverage.25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI feel like a lone voice, but in an increasingly unstable world I personally find it quite harrowing that the British Air Force might be flying planes that can drop nuclear bombs…25 Jun 2025HANSARDMiddle EastWe talk weekly in this place about Russia’s illegal bombing of Ukraine. Russia may not be a close ally like the US, but presumably if international law applies to that, the US…23 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the Minister for clarifying that. New clause 11 would also require the Government to produce annual reports on the uptake and accessibility of the scheme, increasing…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)The Liberal Democrats’ new clause 11 would give access to the victim contact scheme for victims of violent and sexual offences where the offender is sentenced to less than 12…19 Jun 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts Bill (Third sitting)Does the Minister agree that somebody who has been convicted of a serious child sexual offence against a child for whom they do not have parental responsibility still poses a…19 Jun 2025