Contributions
174 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFinancial Services ReformThe reforms are targeted at getting greater investment into British infrastructure and cutting red tape. Does my hon. Friend agree that it was a little bit rum for Opposition…16 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesI rise to speak against the Opposition motion. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has raised taxes. She has done so to stabilise the public finances, because the…15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesI will make some progress if I may. Our debt to GDP ratio is almost 100%, and we inherited that from the previous Government. Conservative Members object to tax rises while…15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesI am very happy to reflect that the covid pandemic happened, but I also reflect that Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s mismanagement happened. The Conservatives lost the last…15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesAll I will say, Madam Deputy Speaker, is the plain fact is that North sea oil and gas will be produced for many years to come, and the Government support that. The Government are…15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesI would like to make some progress, because there are many speakers, but I will give way.15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesI cannot recall saying anything disparaging about Scottish education. I did criticise the Scottish NHS—[ Interruption. ] Well, the reality is that businesses are absolutely…15 Jul 2025HANSARDTaxesNo, I will make some progress. The huge inflation unleashed by the previous Government caused immense misery to my constituents. The interest rate rises made life a misery for…15 Jul 2025HANSARDIndustrial Strategy: Impact on Scotland4. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the industrial strategy on Scotland.09 Jul 2025HANSARDIndustrial Strategy: Impact on ScotlandThe industrial strategy identifies defence as a key industry. It is a big employer in Glasgow, and could create many good jobs for my constituents. However, the SNP has banned the…09 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillI hope the right hon. Gentleman would accept that diversification is critical here. Of course, illiquid private assets are not something that one holds for a couple of years and…07 Jul 2025HANSARDGovernment Performance against Fiscal RulesMy constituency faces a housing crisis, and inflation and out-of-control borrowing costs make it much more expensive to build social housing, and those costs are passed on to…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPension Schemes BillI rise to speak in favour of the Bill. On a policy basis, the Bill addresses a number of very important challenges. The first is ensuring that the pension system delivers good…07 Jul 2025HANSARDSpace Industry (Indemnities) BillI will keep my remarks short. I thank all Members for their support today, on Second Reading and in Committee. I also thank the Department for Transport civil servants who…04 Jul 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillMy hon. Friend—who recently had her birthday—is quite right to emphasise the importance of good working between the Scottish Government and the Westminster Government to ensure…04 Jul 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillDoes my hon. Friend agree that the UK Government’s focus, under the Secretary of State for Scotland, on working closely with the Scottish Government—where possible, to be…04 Jul 2025HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillWhen one thinks of dogs and their close relationship with humans, a good place to start is literature. A great novel about our relationship with dogs is “White Fang” by Jack…04 Jul 2025HANSARDSpace Industry (Indemnities) BillMy hon. Friend makes an important point. The UK Government have committed to investing in defence and in advances in tech defence. As we develop defence, investing in space is…04 Jul 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillThat is a very good point, and I suggest that the Chair of PACAC picks it up with the Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee. There are learnings from what happens in Scotland…04 Jul 2025HANSARD Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) BillMy hon. Friend mentions the lack of enthusiasm for voting among some young people. That is a real problem in Scotland. Does she agree that one potential explanation is the…04 Jul 2025