Contributions
183 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEmployer National Insurance ContributionsEconomic growth is the Government’s No. 1 mission. These changes to national insurance contributions are being made in the context of a resilient labour market, with the estimated…05 Mar 2025HANSARDEmployer National Insurance ContributionsI do believe in this policy, in the same way I believe in all the announcements we made in the Budget. As is so often the case with Conservative Members, they will the ends of the…05 Mar 2025HANSARDMake Work Pay PlanMy hon. Friend is right to raise the concerns of parents who are worried about how their kids will get good jobs. The SNP has said that a zero- hours contract is “a positive…05 Mar 2025HANSARDMake Work Pay PlanI have not had that chance, but I would be delighted to do so. Scottish education is, of course, devolved to the SNP Government. SNP Members should think long and hard about the…05 Mar 2025HANSARDEmployer National Insurance ContributionsI certainly will. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for all he does to promote apprentices and skills, and particularly apprentices in our defence industry, who are doing so much to…05 Mar 2025HANSARDEmployer National Insurance ContributionsThe hon. Gentleman is perfectly aware that 73% of agricultural property relief claims each year are for less than £1 million, so almost three quarters of those claiming the relief…05 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2025I thank all hon. Members who contributed today. The hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine noted that the order is a broadly sensible technical change. He intimated…25 Feb 2025HANSARDDraft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2025I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order…25 Feb 2025HANSARDFarming IndustryWe are in ongoing discussions with the National Farmers Union of Scotland. As I have said, I am proactively attending its conference next month. I am slightly surprised to hear…22 Jan 2025HANSARDFarming IndustryThe Secretary of State meets the Deputy First Minister on a regular basis and the inter-ministerial group for environment, food and rural affairs convenes regularly to discuss…22 Jan 2025HANSARD“Make Work Pay” InitiativeThe increase in the national minimum wage is delivering on our commitment from day one in government that work should always pay. Modernising the UK labour market, including…22 Jan 2025HANSARDFarming IndustryAs the hon. Member is perfectly aware, the majority of estates will not be affected. We are in ongoing conversations with the National Farmers Union of Scotland. We have asked it…22 Jan 2025HANSARDSupport for Women PensionersI am afraid that another hon. Member is in a bit of a fankle. The question about the legality of the changes has been settled by the courts. The question that the hon. Lady and…22 Jan 2025HANSARDSupport for Women PensionersI appreciate that campaigners are disappointed, but the hon. Lady has got herself in a bit of a fankle and is eliding two separate issues: a decision about the legality of the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDSupport for Women PensionersThe Labour Government’s choice to protect the pension triple lock means that millions of women pensioners will see their yearly pensions rise by up to £470 in April, and by up to…22 Jan 2025HANSARD“Make Work Pay” InitiativeThe hon. Gentleman might not be aware that unemployment actually came down in Scotland this week. We promised that there would be no return to austerity, and workers’ payslips…22 Jan 2025HANSARD“Make Work Pay” InitiativeOur plan for change will benefit workers in Scotland more than most. More than 100,000 workers in Scotland on zero-hours contracts could benefit from the Employment Rights Bill.…22 Jan 2025HANSARDFarming IndustryThese reforms still provide a very significant level of tax relief, with the first £1 million of combined business and agriculture assets continuing to receive 100% relief in most…22 Jan 2025HANSARDFarming IndustryI could not agree more with my hon. Friend. Opposition Members have told us about how they want to see the benefits of the Budget, but they are not prepared to support any of the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDSupport for Women PensionersPolls come, polls go. The fact remains that this Labour Government have provided record investment for Scottish public services. I suggest the hon. Member invests in a notepad so…22 Jan 2025