Contributions
1,763 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI thank the hon. Gentleman for his typically positive and constructive remarks, and I will try to address the five key points he raises. First, the 60-day time period is longer…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI welcome my right hon. Friend’s observations on the Church of England’s interventions on financial literacy. The ongoing challenge is to develop national consistency in the…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the excellent work of Christians Against Poverty, which is indeed a key stakeholder. We engage widely with the sector, including the…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeThe hon. Lady will know that, as I said in response to the previous question, that is an issue of the administration of benefits and is the responsibility of the DWP. I will…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI acknowledge the hon. Lady’s deep interest in and work on this topic over several years. She has raised points to which it is difficult for me to respond because they are outwith…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeThe hon. Lady makes a sensible point about the need for appropriate financial education at all levels. It needs to start early and endure through adolescence and into early…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI thank the hon. Lady for her observations, and she is right that the Government have carefully listened to and observed the experience in Scotland. She asks about the timeline,…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeThe hon. Lady raises two points. I was not familiar with the Debt Hacker app, but I will seek it out because it sounds like a very worthwhile initiative. I respectfully say to her…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend for those observations and for mentioning the Trussell Trust, which is headquartered in my constituency and has done a lot of work in…19 Jun 2019HANSARD Breathing Space SchemeI am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments. He played a significant role in the passage of the legislation that led to today’s announcement. He urges me once…19 Jun 2019HANSARDUK Debt Management OfficeThe United Kingdom Debt Management Office (DMO) has today published its business plan for the financial year 2019-20. Copies have been deposited in the Libraries of both houses…13 Jun 2019HANSARD Local Bank ClosuresThat behaviour that my hon. Friend experienced in his constituency is not best practice. It is not acceptable. It is very unfortunate when that happens. My job is to try to ensure…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Local Bank ClosuresIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Ryan. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Moray (Douglas Ross) on securing this important debate. I acknowledge the…12 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersI am running short of time, but I will give way to the chair of the APPG.06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersThat is a reasonable point to make. This intervention has to be meaningful and it has to deal with the problem of mortgage prisoners. I am very clear about that, and we in the…06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersAs I have tried to set out, I am not the arbiter of this specific issue, and it would be wrong for me to be drawn into the outcome before the consultation has concluded. That is…06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersOn the hon. Gentleman’s first point, the regulator is not making up these rules in isolation in an ivory tower. It is working with industry representatives to ensure that the…06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersI am grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government about an issue which I know has caused widespread concern throughout the House. A range of matters have been…06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersNo; I shall continue. Borrowers who would like to switch lenders, who are currently up-to-date with payments and not looking to borrow more, can expect to find switching to a new,…06 Jun 2019HANSARDMortgage PrisonersMy hon. Friend made reference in his speech to the distinction between business debts and mortgage debts, but I will clarify my remarks on that specific point to him in writing.…06 Jun 2019