Contributions
520 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBudget ResolutionsI am going to make a bit of progress. Sadly, the Labour party is putting this in jeopardy. Labour Members have no plan to cut taxes, and cannot name a single one that they would…12 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsI praise the hon. Gentleman for the work that he has done on this very important issue, and I know that the capital we are providing will help with issues such as the one he has…12 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsUnlike the Labour party’s massive £28 billion unfunded tax commitment until 2030, our long-term ambition to cut national insurance and erase the double tax on work does not have a…12 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsNo, I will not. I have been very generous with my time. When I began thinking about this agenda in 2009, no one could have foreseen the technological changes of the last decade.…12 Mar 2024HANSARDNational Living WageI can commit to the hon. Gentleman that we are absolutely monitoring the effects, but, as I said, a good package of support is in place for businesses.06 Feb 2024HANSARDNational Living WageI thank my hon. Friend for his question, and I will take the two parts of it in turn. The Government continue to support businesses with the higher costs through a generous…06 Feb 2024HANSARDNational Living WageThe Government are committed to ending low pay. From 1 April 2024, the national living wage will increase by 9.8%, to £11.44. That represents an increase of more than £1,800 to…06 Feb 2024HANSARDCost of LivingFourteen years of the Conservatives has halved unemployment and increased employment by 4 million. Crucially, poverty is down: we have 1.7 million fewer people in poverty now than…06 Feb 2024HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation: FundingI can confirm that we are working with the Cabinet Office and the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that we can respond as quickly as possible once the inquiry…06 Feb 2024HANSARDCost of LivingThe Government stand by households, with one of Europe’s largest support packages, worth on average £3,700 per UK household, but we all know that the key to reducing cost of…06 Feb 2024HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation: FundingI know that the hon. Gentleman has a lifelong friend who has suffered from this terrible tragedy, and I can reassure him that we are determined to do right by the victims and…06 Feb 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe university sector is one of the jewels of this country and I am proud that we have four of the world’s top 20 universities. I am happy to look at any individual proposals from…06 Feb 2024HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation: FundingThis is an appalling tragedy, and my thoughts remain with all those affected. We understand the strength of feeling, and the need for action. The Government have accepted the…06 Feb 2024HANSARDCost of LivingCouncil tax is a matter for councils, but we put in place a limit, which I do not believe existed under the previous Labour Government. More than that, the most difficult thing…06 Feb 2024HANSARDCost of LivingI reiterate: we have 400,000 fewer children in poverty now than in 2010. In addition, the national insurance contributions cut that we have introduced has been shown to cut child…06 Feb 2024HANSARDPublic Service Pension Scheme Indexation and Revaluation 2024Public service pensions continue to be among the very best available. Legislation governing public service pensions in payment requires them to be increased annually by the same…25 Jan 2024HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyThe hypocrisy is absolutely astonishing. During the pandemic the shadow Chancellor wrote that the strategy of turning to big-name UK manufacturers was not delivering the supply…19 Dec 2023HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyI do not know what more I can add to my last answer. This was done very quickly, at pace, because we were desperate to get PPE to the frontline as quickly as possible. We have set…19 Dec 2023HANSARDPublic Spending: Value for MoneyDuring the pandemic our priority was absolutely clear: to get PPE to the frontline as quickly as possible. There was an unprecedented global increase in demand for PPE during the…19 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is a brilliant advocate for his constituency. I hear what he has to say and I am happy to meet him to talk about it.19 Dec 2023