Contributions
684 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCost of LivingA few months ago I met farmers in Merthyr Cynog, in Brecon and Radnorshire, who warned me about the growing pressures that they were facing. Since then, Trump’s reckless war with…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARDEngagementsMay I associate myself and my party with the Deputy Prime Minister’s tribute to Jo Cox? We extend our condolences to her friends and family, and to those of Roy Hattersley as…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARDEngagementsWe are pleased to hear that the Government are looking at that, but they need to act far quicker. It is now more than five years since the Prime Minister originally set out his…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARD Costs for MotoristsLike so many Labour Government announcements, the announcement to extend fuel duty relief later this year is too little, too late. When we look around the world, we see other…21 May 2026HANSARD Middle East: Economic ResponseI feel as though we are slightly through the looking glass. For six months, we Liberal Democrats have been calling for an emergency temporary VAT cut for hospitality, leisure and…21 May 2026HANSARDBacking Business to Create Economic GrowthFor too many people, the promise that hard work would help them get on in life is broken. The promise that each generation would do better than the last is broken. The expectation…18 May 2026HANSARDBacking Business to Create Economic GrowthAnd who was responsible for that?18 May 2026HANSARDBacking Business to Create Economic GrowthOn that point, will the right hon. Gentleman give way?18 May 2026HANSARDWork and PensionsI had two separate questions. The first was whether any of the 173 active substances have faced sustained calls to be banned already. I recognise that none are banned, but have…13 May 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsBusiness rates bills have been landing on doormats over the last few weeks, and some small businesses in St Albans and beyond tell me that the future looks bleak, with some taking…28 Apr 2026HANSARDConflict in the Middle East: Cost of LivingAustralia, Italy, India and more have all slashed fuel duty in response to Trump’s idiotic war in Iran. We Liberal Democrats are calling for fuel duty to be cut by 12p per litre…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI thank the Chancellor for advance sight of her statement. The Chancellor should have come here today to explain how she was going to use the £20 million extra that the Treasury…21 Apr 2026HANSARDDraft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026These regulations ensure that potentially harmful chemicals are carefully controlled, and will provide greater certainty for business, so we Liberal Democrats will not seek to…21 Apr 2026HANSARDDraft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026I had two separate questions. The first was whether any of the 173 active substances have faced sustained calls to be banned already. I recognise that none are banned, but have…21 Apr 2026HANSARD British Industrial Competitiveness SchemeI thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. Our country is in a very fragile state. We cannot defend ourselves, we cannot feed ourselves and we cannot power…16 Apr 2026HANSARDDraft National Employment Savings Trust (Amendment) Order 2026Broadly speaking, the Liberal Democrats support this measure. However, we note that an assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions suggests that 77% of NEST members are…15 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI thank the Chancellor for advance sight of her statement. Our thoughts are with our brave armed forces at this time. I agree that the last Government’s failure to invest in…24 Mar 2026HANSARDHigh Street Businesses: Tax ChangesSmall businesses are the backbone of our economy, but the Federation of Small Businesses is warning that they will face a cost cliff edge in April because of the cumulative impact…10 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn times of crisis, the UK Government have often had to spend more on energy support for households and small businesses than other comparable countries, because our energy market…10 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI am grateful to the Chancellor for advance sight of her statement, but it does not include a single concrete announcement, and in itself will not provide the reassurance that…09 Mar 2026