Contributions
992 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Benefit SanctionsI thank the hon. Lady, who is a good friend, for her intervention. She has done fantastic work in this area, which I very much support. I am concerned about the effects that…13 Dec 2022HANSARD Benefit SanctionsI thank my hon. Friend for that intervention and she is absolutely right. We are in a cost of living crisis. During the pandemic, the Department rightly took the view not to…13 Dec 2022HANSARD Benefit SanctionsIt should be among the highest. I thank the Chair of the Select Committee for his very kind words, which I appreciate. I have enjoyed working with him, and he chairs the Committee…13 Dec 2022HANSARD Benefit SanctionsI beg to move, That this House has considered DWP’s policy on benefit sanctions. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Pritchard. I refer colleagues to my entry in the…13 Dec 2022HANSARD Benefit SanctionsI thank my good and hon. Friend for that intervention. I will mention similar specific case studies, and there are clear questions for the Department to answer on this matter.…13 Dec 2022HANSARDCivil Service: Industrial Relations16. What assessment he has made of the state of industrial relations in the civil service.08 Dec 2022HANSARDCivil Service: Industrial RelationsI refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. With workers in 124 Government departments and public bodies now having that mandate for strike action, a…08 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS WorkforceThe hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) raised an important point about problems with the visa process, so will the Secretary of State outline what work he is doing with the Home…06 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS WorkforceIt was noticeable that the Secretary of State talked very little about the workforce in the speech we have just heard, although he spoke about many other things. I want to confine…06 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS WorkforceThe hon. Gentleman knows of my affection for his constituency—many members of my family live there. He raises an important point about rural communities, and in relation not just…06 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS WorkforceThe hon. Gentleman is right; everybody should have excellent care. As we debate the NHS workforce, we need to recognise what the challenges of the workforce are: whether they are…06 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS WorkforceThe hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point; it is all about pay. What he says about hours is pertinent as well. We know that NHS staff go the extra mile. We know that they work…06 Dec 2022HANSARDEnergy Price Guarantee: Impact on Households5. What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the increase in the energy price guarantee in April 2023 on households.29 Nov 2022HANSARDEnergy Price Guarantee: Impact on HouseholdsRising bills terrify most households. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition recently warned that “predictions of ‘a humanitarian crisis’ for children stuck in cold homes are now a very…29 Nov 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsT4. Unite the union, which represents tens of thousands of lorry drivers, has discovered by a freedom of information request that the UK Government’s scheme of £32 million to…24 Nov 2022HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry and Compensation FrameworkThe right hon. Lady is absolutely right about the medical records. There is also the case of individuals who were caring for people as well. They too must be compensated, because…24 Nov 2022HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry and Compensation FrameworkIt is a pleasure to see you in the Chair and to serve under your chairpersonship, Dame Angela. As others have, I pay tribute to the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on…24 Nov 2022HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry and Compensation FrameworkCan I gently suggest to the Minister that he needs to be careful here? There is is already a significant lack of trust in the Government among those impacted. Sir Robert’s study…24 Nov 2022HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry and Compensation FrameworkI am trying to be polite, Dame Angela, but significant recommendations from Sir Robert’s study were put to the Government. Not all of them are about compensation moneys; some of…24 Nov 2022HANSARDScottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court DecisionOur Secretary of State for Scotland, who can go to the unelected House of Lords at a time of his choosing, is setting democratic tests on how Scotland can choose its own future.…23 Nov 2022