Contributions
538 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Ninth sitting)I will now speak to clauses 15 to 17, new clauses 29, 39 and 40, and amendments 130, 131 and 135. Clause 15 will strengthen the new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Ninth sitting)Clauses 11 and 12 enable employed parents to give notice of their intention to take parental leave or paternity leave from their first day in a new job. Clause 11 does that for…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Tenth sitting)We have had a full and thorough debate, and I thank my hon. Friends—in particular my learned hon. Friends the Members for High Peak and for Gloucester—for making many valuable…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Tenth sitting)Free speech is absolutely a cornerstone of British values, but I remind the hon. Member that harassment is not free speech. They are two different things. The Bill concerns…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Ninth sitting)If I may just correct the record, there was not an impact assessment on clause 13—I inadvertently said that there was—because the impact is so small. But there was on clauses 11…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Ninth sitting)Clause 14 establishes a new day one right to bereavement leave. The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal experience, and a sad reality that almost all of us will experience.…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Tenth sitting)I will ensure that that happens. The hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire questioned the necessity of this new legislation, so let me explain again. Often, harassment legislation,…10 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)I draw the Committee’s attention to my interests, and to my membership of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and the National Education Union. The hon. Member for…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)If I may continue, the point is that there is significant leeway. Basically, the way the provision is worded takes into account the context of the particular type of business.…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)What really matters is that flexibility is in-built, and I am sure that colleagues in the Home Office will be able to use it. The other point that the hon. Member for West Suffolk…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)Flexible working is essential to helping people achieve a better work-life balance. It can lead to employees being happier, healthier and more productive. Having the ability to…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for her valuable contribution; she reminds us that flexible working can often be a real help in getting people into work. The changes in the Bill will…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Eighth sitting)Let me make a couple of quick points to sum up. The Opposition are trying to say that most businesses already do this, but this is not about the principle of introducing flexible…05 Dec 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (First sitting)I also refer to my declaration of interests. I am a member of the USDAW trade union.26 Nov 2024HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill (Second sitting)I refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and my membership of USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.26 Nov 2024HANSARD International Men’s DayI remember the hon. Member’s maiden speech. I remember it very clearly. None of us will ever forget it.21 Nov 2024HANSARD International Men’s DayNo, but I am sure, that, as a vet, the hon. Member would still urge men to get checked out. Lastly, the Opposition spokesperson, the hon. Member for East Grinstead and Uckfield,…21 Nov 2024HANSARD International Men’s DayBefore I start my speech, I would like to pay a huge tribute to Lord Prescott, even though he caused great consternation to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport East (Jessica…21 Nov 2024HANSARDJob CreationThe Budget includes a total of £320 million and a commitment for the investment zones in Cardiff and Newport and in Wrexham and Flintshire. This is a crucial part of our work with…06 Nov 2024HANSARDFarming: SupportThe hon. Member will know as well as I do that the new Leader of the Opposition is the one who sold our farmers down the river, negotiating deals with places such as Australia and…06 Nov 2024