Contributions
377 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Further Education Institutionsrose—16 Jul 2025HANSARD Blue Badge EligibilityI thank the hon. Lady for securing this important debate. She raised the problem of applying for blue badges online. When the condition is unnamed or unrecognised, that receives…16 Jul 2025HANSARDWelfare SpendingI thank my hon. Friend and colleague from Dorset for giving way. He has talked about the issues outside his constituency of Bournemouth East, and he does not have to look far to…15 Jul 2025HANSARD Beer DutyMy hon. Friend will know—I have said this several times in this Chamber—that the overwhelming majority of businesses in West Dorset are microbusinesses, many of them in…15 Jul 2025HANSARDNeighbourhood Plans: Planning DecisionsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms McVey. I congratulate the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth (Dr Evans) on securing this important debate. I have been struck…09 Jul 2025HANSARD Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment BillMy hon. Friend and neighbour’s constituency, like mine, is extremely rural; he will know that the cost of delivering services in rural areas is four to five times higher than it…09 Jul 2025HANSARDNeighbourhood Plans: Planning DecisionsWill the hon. Gentleman give way?09 Jul 2025HANSARDNeighbourhood Plans: Planning DecisionsGiven the hon. Gentleman’s concerns over that Liberal Democrat-run council, I am sure he would welcome the opportunity to join me in applauding Liberal Democrat-run Dorset…09 Jul 2025HANSARD Early Years Providers: Government SupportOver the weekend, I was at a village fête. I will not name the primary school, but I was approached by the head, who told me that with the expansion of the number of hours and the…09 Jul 2025HANSARDNeighbourhood Plans: Planning DecisionsI agree 100%. I will come on to the campaign that the Liberal Democrats have been running to make water companies statutory consultees, and the importance of their involvement. In…09 Jul 2025HANSARD Hospitality SectorI would struggle to think of a policy that would be worse for microbusinesses. Meanwhile, transport and parking infrastructure across rural West Dorset is stretched to breaking…01 Jul 2025HANSARD Hospitality SectorIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Butler. I congratulate the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood) on securing this debate. It is…01 Jul 2025HANSARDDriven Grouse ShootingThe hon. Gentleman has red kites in his constituency, but we have sea eagles on the south coast. They have recently been reintroduced but sadly there have been cases of them being…30 Jun 2025HANSARD English Wine ProductionI congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this debate during English Wine Week. I could not allow her to list the places where we produce wine without mentioning beautiful West…25 Jun 2025HANSARDGP Funding: South-west EnglandThe Minister mentions the ageing demographic of the south-west. I do not know if it is actually a fact, but one of my favourite things that I have ever been told about the…25 Jun 2025HANSARDControlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) BillAfter a year of being a Member of Parliament, it is wonderful that not a week passes without my discovering a new arcane practice that seems designed to stand in the way of doing…25 Jun 2025HANSARDSecurity Action for Europe InitiativeIn an increasingly unstable world, working with our European allies on defence and weapons production is vital for our security and our economy. If investment is needed, providing…24 Jun 2025HANSARDDepartment for EducationThe future of our country is being shaped every day in our classrooms, yet we are failing too many children, too many families and too many schools in places like West Dorset…24 Jun 2025HANSARDChina AuditOn page 39, the “National Security Strategy 2025” states: “Instances of China’s espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have…24 Jun 2025HANSARD National Security StrategyThe national security strategy document outlines an expanded meaning of national security to include areas such as food security. If food security is national security—I certainly…24 Jun 2025