Contributions
1,309 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDepartment for EducationMy right hon. Friend makes powerful points, including about the additional unfunded cost pressures for nursery providers—of course, that argument also extends to regular…24 Jun 2025HANSARDDepartment for EducationThe most recent figures—the Government’s own figures—show a fall of 11,000 in the number of children at independent schools. Of course, the number of teachers in the state sector…24 Jun 2025HANSARDDepartment for EducationNo? If the Government simply mean teachers with qualified teacher status, then I gently remind the Minister of something we covered in Bill Committee, which some colleagues might…24 Jun 2025HANSARD Businesses in Rural AreasIt is a great pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Western. The family farm tax was a hammer blow to our agricultural businesses. We understand that the Government seek to raise…18 Jun 2025HANSARDMental Health Support: SchoolsWhat are the principal differences between this Government’s groundbreaking plan to introduce mental health support teams to schools and the previous Government’s already…16 Jun 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI will be brief as many colleagues are waiting to contribute. I will speak only to new clause 40, which calls for a review of the standard method of assessing local housing need.…09 Jun 2025HANSARDFraudThe figures were, of course, coming down, but the incidence of fraud—much of it online—is now back up to a new high. Many factors are involved, but will the Government look at…02 Jun 2025HANSARDFraud6. What recent assessment she has made of trends in the incidence of fraud.02 Jun 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyThe hon. Lady makes a good point about small businesses, particularly rural small businesses, and I will talk about national insurance contributions and business rates, but let me…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyIt is a pleasure to join this lively debate. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in my constituency. In fact, 99.9% of businesses in East Hampshire are small or…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyIt will, and I repeat that it can only be one of those three groups. There will be some price increases, and those costs will be felt by customers and consumers, but all the…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyI shall suitably dampen. At a time when the Government are changing the relief from 75% to 40%, try telling those businesses already facing the national insurance contributions…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyPerhaps the hon. Gentleman is going to tell me that he has told that to his local retailers and pubs.21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyForgive me, but I do not have the history at my fingertips. The relief has been recognised over the years, and has been looked at in the past by Treasury officials. I have been a…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyForgive me; I will not. Finally, there is the effect that the measures will have on the removal of job opportunities for those further from the labour market—perhaps those who…21 May 2025HANSARDBusiness and the EconomyI am conscious that I have gone on for quite a while, and I want to wind up. Fourthly, there is the Employment Rights Bill. On the face of it, who would not like something with…21 May 2025HANSARDSupport for VeteransNational insurance relief for employing veterans comes at really quite a low cost to the Treasury, but it is effective, not just in its financial incentive but because it opens up…19 May 2025HANSARDSupport for Veterans16. What steps he is taking to help support veterans into employment.19 May 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy right hon. Friend is right, of course. When we in this House are told that there will be secondary legislation, guidance or a code of practice, we can only ever take that on…16 May 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillFor reasons of timeliness, I will speak only to amendment 101, which relates to adults with Down syndrome or a learning disability, although the amendment is directly relevant to…16 May 2025