Contributions
520 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsThere has been a lot of discussion about our record in government. Under the Conservatives, England climbed international educational league tables, but what happened to Labour-…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe problem that we have is that while we are learning the lessons of our defeat, the Government are failing to learn from our brilliant record on school standards. Results…04 Nov 2024HANSARD Higher Education ReformI thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of her statement. The Budget last week declared war on business and private sector workers, and on farmers, as we have just heard.…04 Nov 2024HANSARDTaxes on Working PeopleDuring the election campaign, I held a press conference at which I outlined the glaring funding gaps in Labour’s plans and the taxes they might raise to pay for them. One of those…29 Oct 2024HANSARD Ministerial Code: Policy Announcements(Urgent Question): To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on whether Ministers disclosing policies to the media before the Budget are in contravention of the…29 Oct 2024HANSARD Ministerial Code: Policy AnnouncementsThe response from No. 10 yesterday, and Labour’s whole argument, seems to be, “We did it because you guys did it.” But I am old enough to remember a fresh-faced Prime Minister…29 Oct 2024HANSARDCost of Living: Support for PensionersTen years ago, the now Chancellor argued in this House that winter fuel payments should be means-tested and cut for “the richest pensioners”. The Chancellor’s 10-year campaign has…03 Sept 2024HANSARDCost of LivingI cannot comment on the specifics of car insurance companies, but what I can say is that for people struggling with the cost of living, whatever form that struggle takes,…07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingI think that we have heard enough from the Brexit zombies on the other side of the Chamber.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingI am, if the hon. Gentleman would just like to listen. The national living wage is up by 9.8% this year, which helps with exactly the type of costs that he is talking about.07 May 2024HANSARDGreen BookIn 2020, the Treasury undertook a comprehensive review of the Green Book and how it is used in practice, and we have made several changes as a result. We regularly update the…07 May 2024HANSARDGreen BookMy hon. Friend is, as ever, a brilliant advocate for his local area. I note that West Dorset is getting £4.4 million from the UK shared prosperity fund, and the wider Dorset area…07 May 2024HANSARDGreen BookThe hon. Gentleman raises an excellent point—one that I will be discussing with the Northern Ireland Finance Minister in a couple of weeks.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingThe Office for Budget Responsibility expects UK living standards to grow in all years of the forecast period.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingThe hon. Gentleman will know that the Bank of England is independent. The good news is that the OBR expects inflation rates to fall to near target in the very near future.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingIt is good news that energy prices are set to fall. The hon. Lady will know that the Chancellor abolished the surcharge in one of his first Budgets.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingIt is important to note that inflation has more than halved since the Prime Minister took office, and is now at 3.2%. That will have a material impact on the cost of living…07 May 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman will know that this is an issue that is close to my heart, as a former Pensions Minister. We did a huge amount of work to increase the uptake of pension credit.…07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingI know my hon. Friend cares deeply about this matter. I know she has a report coming out in a few weeks, and I look forward to reading it.07 May 2024HANSARDCost of LivingAs ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely right.07 May 2024