Contributions
2,740 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAffordable and Safe Housing for AllOn planning reform, as the Secretary of State knows, 30 years ago small and medium-sized enterprises built two thirds of new homes and today that figure is only 23%. The costs of…18 May 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsDoes not the collapse of the Serco fraud trial and the fact that the Serious Fraud Office was prosecuting only mid-level managers rather than the people responsible for defrauding…18 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkThe point is that we need to put political differences aside on this issue. Decades of under-investment have brought us here. The hon. Gentleman is trying to make a cheap…12 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkFirst, may I wish the Chancellor a very happy birthday? The scale of his ambition on levelling up is absolutely right, but the scale of the challenge is also huge. The economic…12 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkOf course, jobs depend on economic growth under the stewardship of the SNP. Over the past eight years, average UK GDP growth has been 2% a year, and in Scotland it has been 1.2%.…12 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Lady seems to be accusing Members of this House of personally pocketing money. Will you ask her to explain exactly what…12 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkThe hon. Lady talked about people with connections to the Conservative party trying to get their favoured contractors to the front of the queue. Does she remember emailing me in…12 May 2021HANSARDBetter Jobs and a Fair Deal at WorkIt is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris). I totally agree with him that levelling up has to be very much about better jobs and a fairer deal at…12 May 2021HANSARDAccess to Airports: North of EnglandWhat steps his Department is taking to improve access to airports in the north of England.29 Apr 2021HANSARDAccess to Airports: North of EnglandVital plans to expand Leeds Bradford airport have been delayed due to planning matters. I realise that my hon. Friend cannot comment on planning matters, but does he agree that…29 Apr 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for BusinessesWhat steps his Department is taking to support businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak.27 Apr 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for BusinessesWarren Buffett once said: “What we learn from history is that people don’t learn from history.” With a 50% rise in the number of companies in significant financial distress, to…27 Apr 2021HANSARDPost Office Court of Appeal JudgmentI have used this quote already in the Chamber today; Warren Buffett often says: “What we learn from history is that people don’t learn from history.” When we finally discovered…27 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillI rise to speak to amendment 8. I listened carefully to the Minister’s comments, and he has engaged across the House very frequently on this issue. I know this challenge is not of…26 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillCould we agree a basic principle that identical borrowers—the Minister uses the example of two similar borrowers in similar situations—should be treated exactly the same? One…26 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillI know that the problem the Minister is trying to solve is not of his making. The problem originated when the affordability rules were changed pursuant to the financial crisis.…26 Apr 2021HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillI absolutely accept that our tax system is very complex, and I have proposed a number of measures on the Floor of this House to try to simplify it. For example, abolishing…20 Apr 2021HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillIt is a pleasure to speak in this part of the debate, and I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. It was probably 15 years after…20 Apr 2021HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillI very much welcome the digital services tax, which is there to try to make sure that everybody pays their fair share, as the Minister said in his opening remarks. Having said…20 Apr 2021HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillI draw the Committee’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Is the hon. Member aware that there are very strict requirements for people involved…20 Apr 2021