Contributions
1,335 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater BillIt has been an absolute delight to listen to the debate. There were times when I thought that having an official Opposition was unnecessary because of the amount of opposition…28 Mar 2025HANSARDWater BillI am absolutely not saying, “You’ve never had it so good,” but I am drawing attention to the actual data, so that we can make a balanced judgment. I will come to some of the…28 Mar 2025HANSARDWater BillThe profit motive does promote efficiency in innovation, because companies want to minimise their costs and therefore maximise their profits. It also provides access to capital in…28 Mar 2025HANSARDPassenger Rail PerformanceWe are told that nationalisation is the answer to improving passenger rail performance. If that is the case, surely it would make sense to start by nationalising the worst…27 Mar 2025HANSARDPassenger Rail PerformanceI thank the Secretary of State for that answer, but she ducks the point that if she had the political will she could bring CrossCountry in-house now. It is not the first operator…27 Mar 2025HANSARDSt Patrick’s Day and Northern Irish AffairsIt has been an enormously enjoyable debate. I start by paying tribute to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Adam Jogee). From the perspective of Conservative Members, he is…27 Mar 2025HANSARDEngagementsIn October last year the Chancellor delivered a massive tax, borrow and spend Budget. Now her plans have collapsed around her ears, with an emergency Budget to cut that spending,…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025The Minister has mentioned the £5 billion over two years on a number of occasions—not just in this debate, but in previous ones—but does he accept that if we take the £2.4 billion…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025Does my hon. Friend accept that farmers right across the country are currently seeing a cash-flow crisis? A business may be profitable in one, two, three or five years’ time, but…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025I drove a tractor to Fakenham racecourse about five or six weeks ago, to take part in a demonstration that not only involved farmers but encompassed the wider rural community,…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025I am grateful to my hon. Friend for allowing multiple interventions. We have heard about food security, but the Government have a number of other legal obligations, one of which…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025I should have referred to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I personally benefit from these payments, and I am the director of a farming company that…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025The rate of decrease has been increased substantially. Does the Minister not agree that that will have a negative impact on financial viability? The change in the pace of the…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025Is the problem not worse than that? Farmers can no longer rely on the schemes that seem to be applicable to them because the SFI can be paused or cancelled without notice. What…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025We all enjoyed the emergency Budget earlier today. One of the core elements that the Chancellor of the Exchequer planted her flag on was economic stability. How does my hon.…26 Mar 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillI am just flummoxed by the Government’s approach to the Bill. Clause 1 raises employer national insurance from 13.8% to 15%. Almost more damagingly, clause 2 reduces the threshold…25 Mar 2025HANSARD Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners' Liability) Measure (HC 773)
Church Funds Investment Measure (HC 772)This appears to be a very sensible proposal. I noticed that the parishes of Brundall, St Lawrence, Great Plumstead, St Mary and Buxton, St Andrew are all in my constituency. Am I…24 Mar 2025HANSARDTransport Connectivity: North-west EnglandTheir concerns were wrong. I had a minor position in the Treasury at the time, and I can assure the hon. Lady that that was genuine redirection of funds, albeit over a period, as…19 Mar 2025HANSARDTransport Connectivity: North-west EnglandIt is lovely to see you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Leigh and Atherton (Jo Platt) for securing the debate, and congratulate all hon. Members,…19 Mar 2025HANSARDTransport Connectivity: North-west EnglandWill the Minister give way?19 Mar 2025