Contributions
592 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOther CorrectionIn Avon and Somerset, the former Conservative police and crime commissioner cut PCSOs by a further 80 last year—a massive 28% reduction— following the closure of our main Taunton…17 Mar 2025HANSARD Housing Development Planning: Water CompaniesThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that we need more investment in this area, which is why the Liberal Democrat manifesto was the only manifesto to identify the additional…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Housing Development Planning: Water CompaniesIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Lewell-Buck. I congratulate my hon. Friend the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) on securing this debate and on…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Crime and Policing BillI welcome many of the measures in the Bill, particularly those concerning knife crime and the protection of shop workers who all too often bear the brunt of antisocial behaviour.…10 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI welcome the announcement of the extra sitting days, and also the announcements about reform. I hope that the ancient right to trial by jury will remain. Somerset Crown court in…05 Mar 2025HANSARD Plan for NeighbourhoodsThe Liberal Democrats welcome this plan to work with communities to improve local amenities and engagement in the process. We also welcome the move away from local council areas…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Plan for NeighbourhoodsApologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will the Secretary of State review the list of 75 towns, so that others can be included in future? Finally, will the Government consider rolling…04 Mar 2025HANSARDMarket Towns: Cultural HeritageI congratulate the hon. Member for Southend East and Rochford (Mr Alaba) on securing this debate. Market towns are essential to our national heritage. Taunton and Wellington have…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Bathing Water RegulationsSeeing the quality of the river water is key, and that is one thing that bathing water status allows us to do. In tackling the need for improvement, many local groups face an…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Bathing Water RegulationsI beg to move, That this House has considered bathing water regulations. It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir John. It is a privilege to open this debate, and…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Bathing Water RegulationsMy hon. Friend and neighbour is absolutely right. We need to see more bathing waters not fewer. That is one of the concerns I have in this debate. Bathing waters are not just…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Bathing Water RegulationsI am really grateful to everyone who has taken part in the debate. I thank them very much. I am delighted that when I was filling in the form for bathing water status in French…04 Mar 2025HANSARD Future Skills Programmes: UniversitiesDoes my right hon. Friend agree that if the UK is to get the growth it needs from the new Tata Agratas gigafactory in Somerset, the University Centre Somerset in my constituency…26 Feb 2025HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 ReportLiberal Democrats stand firmly with the many bereaved family members, as well as the immediate community, friends and neighbours, as they mourn the 72 people, including children,…26 Feb 2025HANSARD High Street Rental AuctionsI congratulate the hon. Member for Bournemouth West (Jessica Toale) on bringing this key issue for our town centres to Westminster Hall. I was elected on a platform that focused…26 Feb 2025HANSARD Future Skills Programmes: UniversitiesWhere a major international investor is coming into the country—such as Tata, where 4,000 new employees will be needed—does the DFE support colleges and universities to set up the…26 Feb 2025HANSARDDraft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025The Liberal Democrats are concerned that without planning officers in place we simply will not deliver the homes that we need. Homes are less likely to be the genuinely…25 Feb 2025HANSARDInheritance Tax Relief: FarmsIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I rise to speak up for the 337 signatories to this petition from my Taunton and Wellington constituency. One thing…10 Feb 2025HANSARDInheritance Tax Relief: FarmsI agree; that would be a very useful statistic. If the Minister is not willing to look it up, I hope he might ask the House of Commons Library to do so, because it would certainly…10 Feb 2025HANSARD High Street RetailersWill the Minister give way?05 Feb 2025