Contributions
417 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWelfare Reforms and Youth UnemploymentMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Evans of Rainow, on securing this debate and on the largely non-partisan way in which he explained the problem. I would love to see…11 Jun 2026HANSARDTemporary Skilled Worker Visas: Creative OccupationsMy Lords, I declare an interest in that my wife was a board member of the English National Ballet for many years. I want to follow up on the original Question. It is the case, as…04 Jun 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, whose brand of Conservative politics I have always personally admired. He raises very important questions…14 May 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI will just say very briefly: what a load of hypocrisy from the other side of the House. I was a member of Cumbria County Council from 2013 onwards. In 2021, a Conservative…24 Mar 2026HANSARDSpring Forecast StatementMy Lords, I echo the tribute from the noble Lord, Lord Bilimoria, to the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso, and pay tribute to his wonderful public service to this House over…17 Mar 2026HANSARDResetting the UK-EU Relationship (European Affairs Committee Report)My Lords, I join in the congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Ricketts, on the excellent report he has produced, which is exactly what I would expect of a committee which he…26 Feb 2026HANSARDResetting the UK-EU Relationship (European Affairs Committee Report)I am finishing—and it is an advisory speaking time. On defence, we face huge challenges. The transatlantic alliance now hangs by a very insecure thread, in my view. We have to be…26 Feb 2026HANSARDUK-EU Customs UnionMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to welcome my new colleagues who are making their maiden speeches today—my noble friends Lady Gill and Lord Docherty, my good friend who is to…29 Jan 2026HANSARDUK-EU Customs UnionDo you know why we won the Uruguay round? It is because we had the strength of the bloc of the European Union behind us. It was not just something that Britain achieved on its…29 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperMy Lords, I congratulate the Government on producing this White Paper and on putting into effect the excellent work that Sir Jon Cunliffe did in his review. The water industry has…26 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Powerhouse RailMy Lords, I accept the incrementalism of the plan, but can the Minister give us a little more detail about how it will be managed? What will be the role of the northern mayors? Is…19 Jan 2026HANSARDEconomic and Taxation Policies: Jobs, Growth and ProsperityI open by congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Elliott, on an extremely well-argued speech—even politically balanced, at times. It was a complete contrast to the barrage of…13 Nov 2025HANSARDPower Struggle: Delivering Great Britain’s Electricity Grid Infrastructure (Industry and Regulators Committee Report)My Lords, I rise to speak briefly in this debate without having the benefit of being on the committee or without any of the great expertise that others have shown. However, I…04 Nov 2025HANSARDSteel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025I join in the general congratulations of the House to the noble Baroness, Lady Lloyd, on her new appointment and what was an excellent maiden speech. I have known Liz for some 30…23 Oct 2025HANSARDMusic and Dance Schools: Affordable AccessMy Lords, first, I must say how much we miss Lord Lipsey in this debate as he was totally committed to the cause that we are discussing today. I support those who have spoken…16 Oct 2025HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyTo ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards developing their child poverty strategy.10 Sept 2025HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyI very much welcome what the Minister has said about producing a strategy and the actions in the face of economic difficulties that the Government have already taken, but does the…10 Sept 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, I speak briefly to make an apology. I have Amendment 71 in a later group, but I have to catch an Avanti train to Carlisle—and that, as my noble friend Lord Hendy will…24 Jul 2025HANSARDUniversal Credit BillFirst, in her absence, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Shawcross-Wolfson, on a very graceful maiden speech. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Elliott, that if he goes ahead…22 Jul 2025HANSARDTax IncreasesMy Lords, is it not the case that we have a serious long-term question here, beyond what the Chancellor will do in the next year? We have underlying pressures on defence and…10 Jul 2025