Contributions
255 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEngagementsLarge spending announcements for defence would make people think that Britain is marching to war, but the Ministry of Defence is bimbling along with procurement systems that are…19 Mar 2025HANSARDFarmingI thank the hon. Gentleman, who is in fact my neighbour, for giving way. He talks about the number of farms that will be affected by this. It is far higher than the Treasury tells…13 Mar 2025HANSARDChanges to APR and BPR: Number of Farms AffectedThe Scotland Office is conducting a series of agricultural roundtables, talking directly to farmers and putting together statistics to push back against the orthodoxy that only a…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillI rise as a former member of a trade union, and the harsh lessons I learned then are what concern me about this Bill. As a low-paid journalist on a local paper, I had hoped that…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillThe hon. Lady is a fearsome campaigner on the Business and Trade Committee. She talks about intimidation and paints a lovely picture of unions working actively for their workers,…12 Mar 2025HANSARDChanges to APR and BPR: Number of Farms Affected3. What estimate she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of farms affected by changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief in Wales.12 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillIf growth is the intended destination, as my friends in Dublin would say, “You can’t get there from here”. This Bill—so long on amendments and so short on detail—cannot be…11 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillI completely agree with my right hon. Friend. He is a very experienced parliamentarian and knows full well that to arrive at this stage with, as we have heard from other Members,…11 Mar 2025HANSARD North Sea EnergyWith due deference to the newly appointed Minister for Aberdeen on the Conservative Benches, the question of these jobs is not a matter purely for the north-east or purely for…06 Mar 2025HANSARDDepartment for Business and TradeI, too, am a member of the Select Committee. Perhaps no other Department has an impact on the lives of so many Britons. The economy affects each and every one of us, and when the…05 Mar 2025HANSARDDepartment for Business and TradeI completely agree that much more needs to be done on international trade. As I said, we lack ambition in this field, because we base so much of what we expect on previous deals.…05 Mar 2025HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024: Business ConfidenceThe Chancellor, with her unimpeachable record in the sector, will know that economics is known as the dismal science. As a member of the Business and Trade Committee, rather than…04 Mar 2025HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024: Business Confidence13. What discussions she has had with businesses on the potential impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on levels of business confidence.04 Mar 2025HANSARDUkraine“Scottish soldiers could be in Ukraine by end of the year”, was the headline in The Herald newspaper this morning, based on quotes from First Minister John Swinney in answer to…03 Mar 2025HANSARD St David’s Day and Welsh AffairsIt is wonderful to hear that my hon. Friend has a new string to her bow. She makes the point about the many ways in which we are connected and share heritage across the country.…27 Feb 2025HANSARDFamily BusinessesBritain’s got talent! Right across this great land we have many clever people innovating and working hard. As a member of the Business and Trade Committee, I have been in places…26 Feb 2025HANSARDDefence and SecurityScotland wants to play its full part in this great national endeavour at this moment of peril, yet, almost incredibly, tomorrow the Scottish Parliament will discuss stripping…25 Feb 2025HANSARD UkraineIt is a truism from ancient Roman times that if we want peace, we must prepare for war, and I am glad the strategic defence review is preparing us for war—sadly—although in slow…13 Feb 2025HANSARDClonoe InquestIt is a great pity that no one from the Defence Front-Bench team is here with us because I am sure that if they were, they could confirm that the DShK machine gun that these men…11 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT5. We pressed the Government to extend continuity of education allowances to 100% for service families. We were told that there would be no exemptions from the depredations of…10 Feb 2025