Contributions
1,036 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTackling IslamophobiaI thank the hon. Member for that comment, and I did indeed hear those comments. What I would say is that, within the Labour party, we are seeking to address any issues that relate…07 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsT3. As we know, there are strong links between financial difficulties, mental health and suicide. The poorest 10% are twice as likely to die from suicide than the wealthiest 10%.…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of violence and abuse towards the retail workforce. It is a pleasure to present this debate and to serve under your…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI most certainly do agree. My hon. Friend’s experience of visiting shop workers has clearly been the same as mine. She has heard the same stories, so we must do something to make…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI thank the hon. Member, who is right to remind us that the issue is about not only supermarkets, but small shopkeepers; I think of some of the villages in my constituency. I want…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI thank my hon. Friend for that comment. I hesitate to venture into other police areas, but we find this issue across a number of regions and I will come on to the issue of…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI certainly agree that the Government have failed to go far enough. They had the opportunity last year when they introduced the aggravating-factor legislation, but we need to go…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceThe problem is that if cases are not taken through to court for prosecution, that aggravating factor does not come into play. I think that what all of us here are arguing is that…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail Workforcerose —05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceI thank the Minister. Will he address the issue that I raised about the resourcing of the police? In my local Northumbria police area, we are still 400 police officers down. That…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceWith regard to the Minister’s explanation of the differences and the choices that local police forces have made, I am sure he will know that the impact of increasing the precept…05 Dec 2023HANSARD Violence and Abuse towards the Retail WorkforceThis has been an interesting debate, and a very important one to our retail workforce who are suffering violence and abuse, both verbal and physical. Clearly I am disappointed…05 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsT9. Over the past year, the north-east has seen a dramatic collapse in the number of homes being upgraded through the Government’s sustainable warmth and eco schemes. That poor…28 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsThere is much in the autumn statement on which I could comment, but I want to focus on one area. Having heard what was said by my neighbour, my right hon. Friend the Member for…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsWhat steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that Access to Work schemes will be readily available, funded and put in place much more quickly than they are now?27 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Procurement: Value for MoneyIf the Minister thinks that every pound of taxpayers’ money matters, what are the Government’s plans to recover the loss of billions of pounds in flawed covid contracts?23 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Procurement: Value for Money2. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure value for money in public procurement.23 Nov 2023HANSARD Business of the HouseToday is Carers Rights Day, when we recognise that unpaid carers have rights too and need those rights strengthened. Carers UK today published new research that shows thousands of…23 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: Children4. What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of children experiencing destitution.13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenThere has been a shameful increase in the level of destitution in the UK, with 1 million children not having their basic needs met. In my constituency of Blaydon, nine children in…13 Nov 2023