Contributions
444 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and Health Service Commissioner for EnglandI beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that His Majesty will appoint Paula Sussex CBE to the offices of Parliamentary Commissioner for…29 Apr 2025HANSARDLocal Authority Procurement: Economic GrowthI welcome the House’s continuing passion for procurement, and my hon. Friend has helped to lead the way in this area at Hammersmith and Fulham council. I have seen how much energy…24 Apr 2025HANSARDDataI appreciate this collegiate style of discussion. There is a huge amount to do here. When we came into power, we set out, as I said, a review of the picture that showed just how…24 Apr 2025HANSARDDataThe two issues are completely linked. To use the opportunities of AI, which are enormous, to personalise services and target prevention, we need to have a clear data picture. We…24 Apr 2025HANSARDDataI would be delighted to meet the hon. Member. I am very passionate about this. In local government, I saw how difficult it was for frontline staff who were not able to get data…24 Apr 2025HANSARDDataWhen we came into power, the Government commissioned a comprehensive state of digital government review, which demonstrated just how far we have to go. It set out a picture of…24 Apr 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe know of the brilliant craftsmanship of the Stoke-on-Trent industry. We are committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring that they have the best chance of winning…24 Apr 2025HANSARDLocal Authority Procurement: Economic GrowthThe guidance we put into the national procurement policy statement makes it clear that we want to deliver best value for money, which means not just cost but ensuring that we…24 Apr 2025HANSARDLocal Authority Procurement: Economic GrowthGrowth is the No. 1 mission for this Government. We have learned from local authorities such as Hammersmith and Fulham, which built economic value into procurement. The…24 Apr 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)The Henry VIII power is to ensure that any other legislation is in line with this legislation. We do not expect it to be used on lots of occasions, but it will be used on some. We…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)This is the final group of clauses that the Committee will consider. I give massive thanks to the Committee for our constructive dialogue, which I am sure will continue—I look…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the hon. Lady for raising the critical issue of whistleblowing. I assure her of how seriously the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions—my hon. Friend the Member…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)This is similar to the previous new clause we discussed. We have a lot of sympathy with the points set out. We want to ensure that we recover money, whether it is fraud against…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We already have effective fraud legislation. The issue that the Bill seeks to address is that we do not currently have the resources or the powers to properly investigate that or…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)As I set out, these measures are already covered, and the proposals would potentially reduce sentences from 10 years to seven years. I am sure that the hon. Member does not want…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Western. I appreciate the intention of the hon. Member for South West Devon in tabling the new clause—that is, to take fraud…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)The powers in the Bill are conferred on the Minister, but they will be exercised by officials specifically authorised by the Minister and termed “authorised officers”. The clause…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)It is a pleasure to continue to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. A priority when designing the Bill was that its powers be sufficiently balanced by strong oversight and…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)The clause creates potential for the Public Sector Fraud Authority to be established as an arm’s length statutory body, as defined in schedule 2. It contains provision for the…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)I echo the shadow Minister and thank him for his constructive line of questioning. It has been helpful to look into this part of the Bill in such detail. As he set out, I hope we…06 Mar 2025