Contributions
242 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEducational Attainment of BoysI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Sam Rushworth) for securing today’s debate. As others have done, I start by saying that the numbers are stark. By almost…10 Jul 2025HANSARD Children’s Social CareI very much welcome the report, which I look forward to reading in detail. I thank the Committee for all its work on this important matter, and of course the Chair for introducing…10 Jul 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseNext week is Bees’ Needs Week, a chance to highlight the vital role that pollinators play in our environment and to encourage everybody to get involved to help these essential…10 Jul 2025HANSARDFossil Fuel Advertising and SponsorshipIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Burton and Uttoxeter (Jacob Collier), who is sometimes mistaken for my twin, for…07 Jul 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Seventh sitting)I question the logic of the hon. Member’s statement that the increased cost is £10 per week. He is assuming that somebody travelling two journeys per day buys a single fare each…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Seventh sitting)It is a pleasure to speak with you in the Chair, Dame Siobhain, for what may be the final time on this Committee. I thank you for guiding us—particularly those of us who are new…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)I have just looked at how long floating bus stops have been in use in the UK, and I found that they were first installed in London around 2013. That was clearly under the previous…01 Jul 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to make my first speech in Committee with you in the Chair, Dame Siobhain, particularly on a matter as important to the residents of towns and villages in Cannock…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewAs a supporter of The Dad Shift campaign, I wholeheartedly welcome this statement. One of my constituents told me that after the birth of both his children, his wife had…01 Jul 2025HANSARDRoad Safety Powers: Parish and Town CouncilsI thank my hon. Friend for giving way and echo the comments of other colleagues: he is being very generous with his time. I thank him for calling this debate and giving us the…30 Jun 2025HANSARDPriorities for Water Sector ReformI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Helena Dollimore) not only for leading this statement but for her forensic and passionate scrutiny of water companies as…19 Jun 2025HANSARD Water Safety EducationI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton Itchen (Darren Paffey) for securing today’s debate, particularly during Drowning Prevention Week. I will speak of not just the…19 Jun 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseAcross the UK, volunteers give their time, energy and care to support our communities, and we could not do without them. One such champion is my constituent Doug Smith, who…19 Jun 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT2. Whether it is cheap vapes littering our parks and town centres, or fly-tipping blocking country lanes in Norton Canes, my constituents are rightly fed up with waste crime. My…19 Jun 2025HANSARDFuture of the Gas GridI beg to move, That this House has considered the future of the gas grid. It is a pleasure to lead a Westminster Hall debate for the first time with you in the Chair, Dame…18 Jun 2025HANSARDFuture of the Gas GridI thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and I pay tribute to him for all his years of work in the gas industry and for the knowledge that he brings to the House and indeed to…18 Jun 2025HANSARDFuture of the Gas GridI could not have put it better myself. My hon. Friend must have been reading my mind, because I was about to come to that point about my neck of the woods. My fear is that,…18 Jun 2025HANSARDFuture of the Gas GridAbsolutely. That was a topic of huge discussion when I worked in the sector. I go back to my point that there are no silver bullets or dominant technologies, or at least there…18 Jun 2025HANSARDFuture of the Gas GridIt is genuinely a pleasure to lead this debate on my birthday. Some people might sooner spend their birthday at Alton Towers or on the sofa, but an energy wonk like me would…18 Jun 2025HANSARDFarmed Animals: Cages and CratesIt is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Mundell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Irene Campbell) for leading the debate; I heard her speak at…16 Jun 2025