Contributions
571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThames WaterYes, we want Thames Water’s priority to be investing in the water infrastructure needed to improve the service it gives its customers and to drive environmental improvement.16 Jun 2026HANSARDThames WaterQuite simply, I do not want customers to pick up the bill for the repeated failures of Thames Water, but I hear the hon. Gentleman’s concerns about uncertainty, and I would like…16 Jun 2026HANSARDThames WaterMy hon. Friend is right to say that Thames Water has a terrible record going back—as I said in my statement—at least 15 years. He is also right to say that sewage spills in the…16 Jun 2026HANSARDThames WaterI thank the hon. Lady for welcoming the fact that I have sent the letter with my early concerns. As I said, there are two different ways for a special administration regime. One…16 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI congratulate David Attenborough, a national treasure, on his recent 100th birthday. I also congratulate Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir on winning “Britain’s Got Talent”. Since the…04 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe will make that clear at the time of opening.04 Jun 2026HANSARDSupport for Farmers: Fuel CostsThe National Farmers’ Union president, Tom Bradshaw, said: “The government’s decision to scrap the planned rise in fuel duty is good news, and the cut to red diesel duty is a…04 Jun 2026HANSARDSupport for Farmers: Fuel CostsI thank the hon. Lady for welcoming the cut to red diesel fuel duty. I can reassure her that we have recently published draft guidance for SFI 2026 and will be opening the first…04 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI was aware of my hon. Friend’s love of kayaking. I am not a kayaker, but I am passionate about improving people’s access to nature. Earlier this year I was with the King when we…04 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe are well aware of the concerns of the farming sector, and I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that we are taking its very strong views and concerns into account. As I am…04 Jun 2026HANSARDSupport for Farmers: Fuel CostsThis Government are taking decisive action to support farmers with rising fuel costs. We have cut red diesel fuel duty to its lowest level in 20 years, reducing rates by a third,…04 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Farmers’ Union of ScotlandThe short answer is yes. The longer answer is that the Farming Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Dame Angela Eagle), and I meet frequently with NFU Scotland and…04 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will take no lectures from the right hon. Lady, given that the Conservatives could not even be bothered to spend their own farming budget. We have a record farming budget during…04 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Farmers’ Union of ScotlandI met NFU Scotland on 6 May for a constructive discussion about the impact of the middle east conflict on input costs, food security and supply chains, alongside wider farming…04 Jun 2026HANSARDEU-UK Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement: Business ReadinessFurther to the written statement of 9 March 2026, I am today updating the House on the Government’s work to support business preparation for a future sanitary and phytosanitary…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis Labour Government are committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual sector, as we laid out in our manifesto. We already have some very successful agricultural…19 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have promoted and protected farmers in trade deals, unlike the previous Government, who sold them down the river with the US and Australian trade deals.19 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsLet me gently point out to the right hon. Lady that on Monday the Prime Minister announced a £53 million package to help rural communities that are reliant on heating oil. On…19 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Lady had 14 years to do what she is talking about.19 Mar 2026HANSARDSustainable Farming IncentiveI respectfully disagree with the hon. Gentleman’s analysis. We are simplifying the SFI precisely because we want more farmers to benefit from it. At the moment, 25% of SFI funding…19 Mar 2026