Contributions
2,132 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThe right hon. Member will know that the winter fuel allowance has been restored for many people in this country, and the Chancellor has given a clear commitment that any existing…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewMy hon. Friend raises an important point about the financial implications of this measure. Of course, we will engage with all the relevant organisations. The cost is important,…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewOne of the real achievements of the last Labour Government was to recognise that giving children the best start in life is fundamental to rebuilding our society, and that is at…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewMy hon. Friend certainly knows how to get me to attend a constituency—with the offer of a pint—and I look forward to taking him up on that. He has raised an important point about…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI welcome the Liberal Democrats’ support for this review. The hon. Lady is right to point out that it was the coalition Government who introduced shared parental leave, although…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThis Government should be leading the way in these areas. If there are specific examples of where we can do better, I would be interested to discuss them with colleagues in other…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI take it that the shadow Minister is not in support of the review. May I correct him on a few points? Of course it is not a coincidence that this is being announced today; our…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThat is an important point, and I expect we will be examining it as part of the call for evidence. I referred to the work that Aviva has done in this area. That organisation has…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThe hon. Member makes an important point. We will of course be taking representations from all interested parties. A call for evidence is now live and will be up for a period of…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI thank the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee for her contribution. She raises an important point and we are studying her Committee’s recent report on the issue with…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewAs always, it is a pleasure to hear from the hon. Gentleman. He raises an important point about how the current shared parental leave system is not working. We have seen that the…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewAs the hon. Member said, she has raised this very important point before. Having had some recent involvement in the adoption system myself, I understand that it does not really…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewMy hon. Friend, as a new father himself, will know about the system. He rightly referred to the complexity of the system and the lack of availability and opportunity, particularly…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI wish to make a statement on the parental leave review. The plan to make work pay This Government are committed to making life better for families. The current parental leave and…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI congratulate my hon. Friend on his recent parenthood and pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for York Outer (Mr Charters), who I understand is on paternity leave as we…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to identify the current paternity leave measures as being of concern to fathers and, indeed, to all parents across the country. That will…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThat is an interesting point that is slightly outside the scope of the review, because it is more about how people are dealt with in the workplace. This is really about ensuring…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewYes, I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend’s proposition. Indeed, we have consistently said through the passage of the Employment Rights Bill that treating the workforce well,…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewThe hon. Member raises an important point. The Government have clearly done great work already in expanding the availability of affordable childcare, but there is always more to…01 Jul 2025HANSARDParental Leave ReviewI have met The Dad Shift and held an event in my constituency. The group puts forward an articulate case as to why paternity leave is falling down. I reflect on my own experiences…01 Jul 2025