Contributions
255 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCoastal Communities: Isolation and Hidden DeprivationIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I congratulate the hon. Member for Isle of Wight West (Richard Quigley) on securing this key debate. The vital…14 Jul 2026HANSARDBusiness of the HouseMetal prices being what they are, if we were to take the amount of brass neck on show here today and melt it down, we could fund defence properly. The right hon. Gentleman tells…14 Jul 2026HANSARDUK-Switzerland Enhanced Free Trade AgreementAs a member of the Business and Trade Committee, it is a delight to see the fruits of Brexit being brought home. Will the Minister confirm that the deal is not contingent on us…14 Jul 2026HANSARD NATO SummitScotland stands ready to play its full role in the defence of Britain with many fine young men and, increasingly, women in our forces. We also have a huge array of industrial…09 Jul 2026HANSARDEuropean Entry and Exit SystemHaulage, agricultural and fisheries firms in my constituency are heavily reliant on Dover, and delays, particularly to seafood, are disastrous—the value of the cargo disappears…08 Jul 2026HANSARDEarly Release of PrisonersThe Scottish Government famously take no lessons from anyone, but perhaps in sentencing we might learn something from them, because they are in the grip of soft-touch-justice…07 Jul 2026HANSARDYouth Employment16. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the creation of jobs for young people.02 Jul 2026HANSARDYouth EmploymentWhile still at school, I played my part in the creative industries by playing in bands with names as louche as Street Lethal and Cheap Sweeties. It was very lucrative.02 Jul 2026HANSARDYouth EmploymentI’ve got it! In the modern era, that all important first job is increasingly hard to find because of the Chancellor’s jobs tax and the massive 330-page Employment Rights Act 2025.…02 Jul 2026HANSARDSocial Security: Fraud and ErrorIn Scotland, benefit fraud has effectively been decriminalised; the number of prosecutions is vanishingly small. Given that the Department for Work and Pensions continues to have…29 Jun 2026HANSARDSocial Security: Fraud and Error15. What recent estimate he has made of the level of fraud and error in the social security system.29 Jun 2026HANSARDPrisoner Early ReleaseSoft-touch fever is spreading across the land because in Scotland, the SNP Scottish Executive are about to start releasing rapists as much as 2.5 years early. Do the Ministers on…29 Jun 2026HANSARD Asylum AccommodationThe Mercure hotel in Dumfries is home to around 100 men of uncertain origin and, thanks to the good offices of the Home Office, I have been able to visit. However, I have not been…29 Jun 2026HANSARDMedia Green PaperAs a former journalist, I salute the Secretary of State’s ambition to leave no one behind, but as the hon. Member for Hexham (Joe Morris) pointed out, the death of terrestrial…24 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026I thank the hon. Gentleman for a very important question. The GDP deflator is incredibly complex, as are all these matters. We talk about cross-Government working here, and I…10 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026This is a difficult question. Something like £1.25 of public money is spent in Scotland compared to £1 in England. There is tension there within that settlement. That money…10 Jun 2026HANSARDScottish IndependenceMy constituents will be alarmed to hear that, because Labour’s “devolve and forget” approach is a huge problem. When the Secretary of State is away, the nats will play. We know…10 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026Thank you, Chair.10 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. At first blush, the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase in Borrowing Limits) Order 2026 is, as outlined by the Secretary…10 Jun 2026HANSARDDraft Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026Absolutely. I would like to clarify my point: it is not unreasonable in the context to look at this issue in the round. This is public money. The SNP wants to pretend that this is…10 Jun 2026