Contributions
171 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDListed Places of Worship Grant SchemeWhatever one’s faith, the historic churches in North East Hertfordshire are an incredible part of our local heritage. They are places of peace and beauty, ever-present reminders…15 Jan 2026HANSARDListed Places of Worship Grant Scheme4. What discussions the Church of England has had with the Government on when the evaluation report of the listed places of worship grant scheme will be published.15 Jan 2026HANSARDRail FaresThe fact that this Labour Government have frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years is hugely welcome, but for many of my constituents, recent years have felt like death by…08 Jan 2026HANSARDRail Fares1. What steps she is taking to help reduce rail fares.08 Jan 2026HANSARD Road Safety StrategyAs I have previously discussed with the Minister, the A505 is one of the deadliest roads in the country, and the stretch between Baldock and Royston in particular has seen tragedy…08 Jan 2026HANSARDJury TrialsI have great respect for what the Minister is saying, but I and many others on the Labour Benches still have questions. Will he agree to meet those of us who think, for example,…07 Jan 2026HANSARDAgricultural Property Relief and Business Property ReliefI thank the Minister for listening and acting on the concerns that I and many other Labour MPs raised alongside our farming constituents. Now that a happier compromise has been…05 Jan 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT6. I thank the Minister for meeting me recently to discuss the campaign for Hugh’s law and the Government’s plan to consult on support for families with seriously ill children.…11 Dec 2025HANSARD National Plan to End HomelessnessI welcome the Minister’s work on this important subject. Just after we came into office, Ministers committed from the Dispatch Box to a revolution in council house building. I…11 Dec 2025HANSARD Water ScarcityIt is an honour to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Stuart. I begin by recognising that the Minister takes these issues very seriously, and congratulating the hon. Member for…09 Dec 2025HANSARD Water ScarcityBriefly, may I encourage the Minister to come to my constituency and see the incredible work being done by the RevIvel campaign, which is trying to restore the Ivel chalk stream?…09 Dec 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI am not certain whether I or the Minister will be more relieved at the conclusion of debates on this legislation. I welcome the fact that the Minister has tabled an amendment to…08 Dec 2025HANSARDDigital IDMy hon. Friend is making a powerful speech, as usual. Does he agree, from the clear argument across the Chamber, that constituents are overwhelmingly unconvinced by the proposed…08 Dec 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseLast year, against a target of restoring 5,000 hectares of ancient woodland in England, we managed a grand total of zero. It is little surprise, then, that Government analysis…04 Dec 2025HANSARDBudget ResolutionsThe hon. Member asked whether there were any positives in the Budget. Does he not think that raising more children out of poverty than any other Parliament on record is a…02 Dec 2025HANSARDBudget ResolutionsThroughout the Budget debate, all those on the Government Front Bench will have heard the concerns of Labour MPs who represent rural constituencies, as I have, about the proposed…02 Dec 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI apologise in advance, Ms Barker, for the fact that I cannot stay for the full debate because I have been assigned to a Delegated Legislation Committee. I want to echo the…01 Dec 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI absolutely agree. The freedom to go out the front door and play in the street or near home is no longer part of many children’s lives, as it used to be. The right to play would…25 Nov 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI have tabled new clause 13 to address a slight oversight in this Bill—namely, that despite its title, it does not give communities any substantially new powers. The strengthening…25 Nov 2025HANSARDGaza: Humanitarian ObligationsUNICEF has highlighted that the Israeli blockade is preventing nearly 1 million bottles of ready-to-use infant formula from reaching babies in Gaza at risk of malnutrition. Does…24 Nov 2025