Contributions
1,533 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsI totally understand what the noble Baroness is saying. I do not think I said that it was not possible to do that; I said that we had not yet been presented with sufficient…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsThe location of supermarkets is largely a commercial decision for the supermarkets themselves and not one for me, but I believe that that is exactly what the social supermarkets…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsFor the avoidance of doubt, I was not tempted to go down that path. Having heard from my noble friend, I am even less tempted to do so than I was before.19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankI agree with much of my noble friend’s analysis, but they are two slightly separate issues. The Government have been very clear that there is nothing contradictory between ESG…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankAs I am sure the noble Lord knows, the defence investment plan is the first zero-based review of defence spending in almost two decades. It will set out the MoD’s plans to ensure…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankI am grateful to the noble Lord for his Question. I am pleased to see that he has made a full recovery; I know he was battling a very heavy cold during our recent King’s Speech…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsI have to apologise to the noble Lord, I am afraid, because I do not know the answer to his question about the applicability of this relief to Northern Ireland under the Windsor…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankI start by saying what a pleasure it is to take a question from my noble friend again and to welcome him back to the House. He is known for his optimism, so I hope I can join him…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsI think we are satisfied.19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankMy Lords, while we are of course interested in working with NATO allies such as Canada, we have no current plans to join the defence, security and resilience bank. Our priority is…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankThe scale and precise focus of the mechanism remain to be determined, but the scope of those activities would include lending to sovereigns and to the sector and providing loans…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsMy Lords, the new VAT relief on business donations of goods to charity came into effect on 1 April this year and it is too soon yet to assess the impacts. We anticipate the relief…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsI am aware of the concerns set out by some, including the noble Baroness, about the inclusion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar within the scope of this relief. The work that…19 May 2026HANSARDVAT Relief: Business DonationsI am not sure that it is for the Government to cap prices. We are working closely with supermarkets to ensure that they are keeping costs down, and competition is thriving in the…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankI am grateful to the noble and gallant Lord for what he says. I am sure I was aware of it, but probably not as aware as he is because I am nothing like the expert that he is. But,…19 May 2026HANSARDDefence, Security and Resilience BankI welcome the noble Baroness’s conversion to spending more on defence; she had 14 years to do something about it but did not do anything. To ensure that the UK is prepared to…19 May 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, I thank His Majesty for his gracious Speech and all noble Lords for their thoughtful contributions today. I congratulate my noble friend Lady Anderson on her excellent…14 May 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI do not have a crystal ball and I cannot look ahead to everything the Government will be doing, but I can tell the noble Lord, as I said to his noble friend, that we are…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI do not actually have with me the figure of the number of days of gas storage. I apologise if I should have that figure with me: I am more than happy to find it and to write to…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateMy Lords, I am grateful for the questions and comments from the noble Baronesses, Lady Neville-Rolfe and Lady Kramer. The noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe, started her comments…28 Apr 2026