Contributions
523 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTrade Unions: Skilled Professional Graduate WorkersMy Lords, it is unusual to begin a speech by congratulating someone on a speech they have not given, but I would like to be the first person to congratulate my noble friend Lady…06 Jul 2023HANSARDIncome Tax ThresholdTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to adjust the threshold for the higher rate income tax of 40 per cent to account for inflation.04 Jul 2023HANSARDIncome Tax ThresholdI thank the Minister for her reply, but I remind her that paying tax at 40% used to be a sign of achievement in this world and the middle classes—the middle earners on whom the…04 Jul 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, I will start with three words of the Minister: “much-needed legislation”. I have not had a single email asking me to support this Bill or a single letter. No…04 Jul 2023HANSARDNational Security BillMy Lords, I will take just two minutes, because when I vote against the Government, I generally listen to the debate and have a clear view. Democracy is being bought. This is part…21 Jun 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, can I make a simple point? This is nonsense, because all the services are devolved, as has been said. I am not totally in agreement with the noble and learned Lord, Lord…08 Jun 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillNoble Lords will not be surprised that I agree with the amendment as tabled. I have been a student of history for many years. You do not requisition labour except in times of dire…08 Jun 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration BillMy Lords, broadly speaking, I support this Bill, but there are many things in it which give me cause for concern and we have now hit one of them. The noble Lord, Lord Davies,…07 Jun 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration BillMy Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register. As noble Lords will know, I frequently get up to speak on the rights of trade unionists. I am also president of a trade…07 Jun 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration BillThe noble Baroness will recall that we had a referendum to leave the European Union. Many of us opposed that, but it was the clear will of the democracy of this country that we…24 May 2023HANSARDUkraine: CeasefireTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist the realisation of a ceasefire followed by negotiations in the conflict between the Russian Federation and…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraine: CeasefireMy Lords, this war has now been going on for a year, and it is getting worse. We have started to see incidents within the Russian Federation’s borders. Unless someone makes some…15 May 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration BillMy Lords, I too fully support this necessary Bill. I thank the trade unions UNISON and the RMT for their briefing. I have noticed over the years that the Labour Party no longer…10 May 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, many people in this House will know that I have a firm belief that the best industrial relations are conducted by two parties that are trying to achieve objectives in…26 Apr 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, this amendment really shows what a ludicrous Bill this is. The clause that we are dealing with is unworkable. As noble Lords know, I have to declare an interest as an…26 Apr 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, I point out that Scotland and Wales have separate trade union organisations. Perhaps the noble Baroness, Lady O’Grady, would like to tell us of some of the divisions,…26 Apr 2023HANSARDParliamentary Democracy in the United KingdomMy Lords, one can say very little in two minutes, so I will concentrate on one subject. I spent a long time in another legislature in another country. One of the conclusions that…25 Apr 2023HANSARDUkraine: Depleted UraniumMy Lords, for those of us who are students of history, the present times seem very much like 1913. Every few weeks, there is a ratcheting up of confrontation and no one has any…30 Mar 2023HANSARDUkraine: Depleted UraniumTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the consequences of their decision to supply Ukraine with shells capped with depleted uranium, given the…30 Mar 2023HANSARDPrison Officers: RetirementMy Lords, I do not have extensive experience of the prison estate, so I do not come here with that hat on, but I do have a background in the trade union movement stretching back…30 Mar 2023