Contributions
1,819 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlanning ApplicationsThis statement confirms that it has been necessary to extend the deadlines for decisions on the following five applications made under the Planning Act as indicated below to allow…29 Apr 2020HANSARDRail Franchises: Emergency-measures AgreementsIn these uncertain times, the railway has a vital role to play in ensuring Britain’s key workers can travel and vital supplies are kept moving. My absolute focus is on making sure…23 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)As I said in pre-empting the hon. Gentleman’s intervention, the Chancellor will say more about all that shortly. I recognise the concerns raised by the hon. Gentleman and other…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)I do not want to pre-empt what the Chancellor might say later, but I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. I will repeat what I said at the beginning of my speech…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)Last week’s Budget was a blueprint for a more connected, more prosperous and more equal Britain—a nation where we deliver on our promises, where investors want to do business and…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)The right hon. Lady makes an excellent point, as ever. The reality is that, because of social distancing, it might well be desirable to have more space between people so that they…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)The hon. Member speaks for the concerns of many across the House and across the country. I do not think there can be any denying it, because that is the severity of the enemy in…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. As many Members across the House will know, people often think that just because a constituency is in a certain part of the country—the…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)Again, I want to make a bit of progress, because I am aware that many hon. Members want to speak in the debate. We have been clear about how we will fight the war. The first…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)I will not give way yet; I want to make some progress. That package was part of a wider £30 billion stimulus to offset the economic impacts. However, we understand that this is…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)The hon. Gentleman is right to say that the principle should be that, as far as we can make it work, people—individuals and companies—are in the same position when we come out of…17 Mar 2020HANSARDIncome tax (charge)The hon. Gentleman, who has questioned me passionately many times about greening the economy, will appreciate that red diesel contributes tremendously to the problems he often…17 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Public TransportWe have published health guidance for staff and the transport sector, following carefully the Public Health England advice on protocols. In addition, I have contacted the various…12 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Public TransportThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Obviously, the issue of covid-19 is occupying the minds of everybody in this country at the moment. As an example, 2,500 posters—digital as…12 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Aviation Safety Agency MembershipThe hon. Gentleman is right that the UK has the third largest aviation network, but the idea that we are there because of EASA is untrue. The reality is that we already have the…12 Mar 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsWith your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to say a few words about an issue that I know a lot of Members have been concerned about: smart motorways. I announced last year…12 Mar 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsI share the hon. Gentleman’s frustration. I have a consultation virtually ready to go. I am working with Transport for the North to get that signed off across various different…12 Mar 2020HANSARDBus PatronageYes, I will gladly back that campaign. Everyone recognises that buses could and should be doing a lot more. I recognise that we have lost services over a period of time. Buses are…12 Mar 2020HANSARDBus PatronageThe Bus Services Act 2017 introduced powers for local authorities and operators to work to grow their patronage. That is in addition to the £5 billion national bus strategy that I…12 Mar 2020HANSARDBus PatronageI am surprised that the figure 5 with “billion” after it did not answer the hon. Gentleman’s question. We are not just paying lip service; we are doing it. What he does not seem…12 Mar 2020