Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI am very happy to engage with the hon. Lady’s constituents on this matter, and I thank her for so robustly defending them in this House. She is right to say that we have spoken a…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI thank the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) for tabling this urgent question on what is an incredibly important matter. I welcome the opportunity to set…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyThe situation that the hon. Gentleman describes of a CRO in his constituency is exactly what I want to avoid. He is right to point out that, like a number of the CROs I spoke to…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyCoastguard rescue officers in Bournemouth East carry out an incredible service on behalf of their local community and their country in keeping the public safe, and we thank them…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI have already been very clear from the Dispatch Box that I do not just want, but expect, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to allow trade unions to play their full role when it…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyOn what I am doing personally to solve the problem, the reason that those consultation sessions are not going ahead this week is that I am honouring the commitment I made to the…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyWe need to work through this process strategically and methodically to ensure we are taking the right decision based on data and the lived experience of CROs. I have paused the…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising the tragic case of Grace, Sarah and Mark. My condolences to their families. He is right to say that this is not a theoretical…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyWhen I was in Southampton a few days ago, the intricacies, the difficulties and, ultimately, the horribleness of mud rescues were explained to me. The hon. Lady very powerfully…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyThe Liberal Democrat spokesperson was right to say that CROs do not do it for the money, but it is the money that makes what they do possible. He also said that £11 an hour does…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyThe hon. Gentleman is a far more seasoned Member of this House than I am, so I will leave it to him to opine on whether “the law is an ass” is parliamentary language or not. It is…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI thank the hon. Gentleman for being such a champion of the CROs in his constituency, and I am very happy to engage with them if he would be willing to facilitate that. Making…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyMy hon. Friend speaks powerfully about rural and island communities in Scotland, and about the impact that coastguard services can have. From speaking to CROs in Southampton, I am…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI thank my hon. Friend for her doggedly determined support for her CROs. She is absolutely right to do what she is doing. I would be pleased to engage with the evidence sessions…08 Jul 2026HANSARDMaritime and Coastguard AgencyI have already made a commitment to the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) to keep the House fully informed about any next steps that are taken, but my hon.…08 Jul 2026HANSARD Carlisle-Settle Railway: 150th AnniversaryIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Efford. I heartily congratulate my very good and hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns) on securing this debate on the…07 Jul 2026HANSARDNational Policy Statement: PortsDevelopment of ports in England, as in other parts of the United Kingdom, is essential for supporting growth, energy resilience and energy transition. It is equally important that…06 Jul 2026HANSARD Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC GuidanceI am committed to continuing to engage with CROs, trade unions and Members of Parliament on that important issue. The risks I just outlined around worker status exist now and it…01 Jul 2026HANSARD Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC GuidanceI have heard the hon. Gentleman’s point. I will have a conversation with my officials about what is appropriate to share with MPs, who I know are doing their level best to…01 Jul 2026HANSARD Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC GuidanceThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point about CROs across the United Kingdom feeling that their voice is heard. I will take that point away and ensure that it informs my…01 Jul 2026