Contributions
484 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRegional Accents and Social MobilityThat is very kind of the hon. Gentleman. My youngest son Liam speaks with a much harsher dialect than me, but he speaks five times faster than the hon. Gentleman. Imagine the…15 Jul 2026HANSARDRegional Accents and Social MobilityI say a big thank you to my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh and Atherton (Jo Platt) for bringing this important debate to the House. I am keen to discuss this issue, as someone…15 Jul 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT2. A small coach operator in my constituency of Blyth and Ashington has local authority school contracts, and he has seen the price that he pays for fuel increase by 38% per…02 Jul 2026HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIncreasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness are being forced to choose between accessing accommodation and keeping the pets that provide them with companionship,…02 Jul 2026HANSARDMPs’ Second Jobs: ProhibitionI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds East (Richard Burgon) for bringing this really important issue to the House. As ever, it is a pleasure to serve under your…01 Jul 2026HANSARDEngagementsQ13. The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, a miners’ charity established in the 1920s to support the miners in their communities, has carried out some incredible work…24 Jun 2026HANSARDTeacher Recruitment and RetentionThe working lives of teachers and leaders study last year showed that almost three in 10 teachers were expecting to leave the profession in the next 12 months, and 90% of the…22 Jun 2026HANSARDTeacher Recruitment and Retention12. What steps her Department is taking to encourage teachers to remain in that profession.22 Jun 2026HANSARD British Coal Staff Superannuation SchemeA number of years ago, the Business and Trade Committee came forward with recommendations, which were totally ignored by the Government of the day. The Labour party has been in…22 Jun 2026HANSARD British Coal Staff Superannuation SchemeI should declare an interest, as probably the only deferred member of the mineworkers’ pension scheme left in the Commons. There is a perception that the Government treat the…22 Jun 2026HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation SchemeI am sure that hon. Members from across the House would agree with the hon. Lady’s sentiments. On the estate claims, what has just been explained cannot be right, as the right…18 Jun 2026HANSARD Business of the HouseThe Ashington, Blyth and Tyne train line, which was closed during the Beeching cuts of the ’60s, reopened in December 2024 and has already been used by more than 1.5 million…18 Jun 2026HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation SchemeWe have got to boil this down very, very simply. This has been described as the biggest tragedy the NHS has ever seen. As a result, lots of people have sadly passed on, and people…18 Jun 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz10. What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help ensure freedom of navigation through the strait of Hormuz.16 Jun 2026HANSARDStrait of HormuzThey say the devil is in the detail. While we await the full details of the US-Iran agreement, does the Secretary of State agree that, had we followed the calls from Opposition…16 Jun 2026HANSARDSocial Media Ban for Under-16sI have had the absolute privilege of consulting the young people in my constituency in every secondary school in Bedlington, Ashington and Blyth. There was not one who believed an…15 Jun 2026HANSARDGeneral Strike Centenary CommemorationsI declare an interest, as I spent most of my life—31 years—in the coal industry before I became a Member of Parliament. I believe I am the only coalminer in the Commons who worked…03 Jun 2026HANSARDGeneral Strike Centenary CommemorationsAll they wanted was dignity, an existence, food and a roof over their heads: “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day.”03 Jun 2026HANSARD Workplace Exposure to Silica DustThank you, Dr Allin-Khan. As always, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I congratulate the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Liz Jarvis) on securing this timely debate on…02 Jun 2026HANSARDContaminated Blood: CompensationI thank my right hon. Friend for the sterling work he has done on this scandal. As mentioned by those on the Opposition Benches, there are still real issues that need to be worked…23 Apr 2026