Contributions
245 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. He has a lot of experience in local government, so I take his view on this topic and look forward to hearing his substantive…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I beg to move amendment 8, in clause 2, page 3, line 19, at end insert— “‘due regard’ means that specified bodies should think about and place an appropriate amount of weight on…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Efford. Amendment 8, standing in my name and those of my right hon. and hon. Friends, is a straightforward but important…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I beg to move amendment 13, in clause 2, page 6, line 37, at end insert— “343AZC Armed Forces Covenant Action Plans (1) Within six months of the passage of the Armed Forces Act…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Given the strength of the argument this morning, I would like to test the will of the Committee and press amendment 8 to a vote. Question put, That the amendment be made .24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I would rather have it in the legislation from the outset. We could take a position where we hope that local authorities will sit down and read through the legislation but, as we…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I thank the hon. Member for her intervention, and she makes a good point. But who defines “narrow”? From what we have seen with local authorities, most councils want to go above…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Promises, promises.24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I thank the Minister for his wind-up. In the light of his answer, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Ordered, That further consideration…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Looking across the Committee, I see Members who have served in local government, some of whom may have had military experience before doing…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I thank the hon. Member for her intervention; she is an expert in these areas. National Governments have legal teams to help them interpret the concept of due regard and apply it…24 Mar 2026HANSARDEducationWe have heard the argument repeatedly that it was the Conservatives and the coalition Government that brought in these changes. I am someone with a plan 2 loan. I was in the…23 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceI beg to move, That this House has considered the performance of Royal Mail. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I want to ask everyone to go along with me…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceI thank the Speaker’s Office for granting this important and timely debate. Most importantly, I thank right hon. and hon. Members for turning up this morning and making their…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceThe hon. Lady makes a serious point, and I hope the Minister will address it. Bear in mind that Royal Mail is a private company. Many organisations choose the deferred mail…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceAt no point have I laid any blame at the posties’ feet; this is a structural issue. The point that I am making—this is important, because it is affects all of us in this House—is…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceThat is a serious point. We can talk about the Royal Mail service for our constituents, but the posties themselves are experiencing significant trouble at the moment. I am sure we…18 Mar 2026HANSARD Student LoansI say to Labour Members that we all want to get this issue sorted out. When I spoke to the Chancellor during the spring statement, she said that the way that she was going to…18 Mar 2026HANSARD Student LoansWe have heard the argument repeatedly that it was the Conservatives and the coalition Government that brought in these changes. I am someone with a plan 2 loan. I was in the…18 Mar 2026HANSARDRoyal Mail: PerformanceI have been looking at the numbers over the last few years, and Royal Mail has gone from significant losses of about £400 million three years ago, to £200 million losses, to…18 Mar 2026