Contributions
1,533 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI am grateful to the noble Lord for his question. We are repairing the public finances. At the time of the spring forecast, borrowing was set to fall more over this Parliament…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateOf course there are consequences; I agree completely with the noble Lord. He talks of a hypothetical of the defence investment plan not happening. It will happen and, as I have…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateNo, and I disagree with the noble Lord, as I am sure I do on many issues. He talks about trade restrictions. He obviously championed a Brexit which put up massive trade…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateIt was estimated at the time to be costing us some 4%, subsequently estimated to be 8%, of GDP, so he has put up massive tariff barriers with our biggest partner, which is not…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI have the greatest respect for my noble friend Lord Robertson but I disagree with him. Looking at the decisions that the Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken, we are…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI agree with the noble Lord on that point. He is far more expert in these matters than me and was in the Treasury through many more crises than I have been, so he has great…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI am particularly grateful to the noble Lord for his optimism, which is much needed at times. Let us hope that he turns out to be correct. As I have said already, the long-term…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateThe noble Lord is absolutely correct to say how important it is to do that. That is why we have taken further action to weaken the link. Last week, the Chancellor announced plans…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI do agree with what my noble friend said. Already, even before this crisis, the damage that Brexit was doing to our economy was apparent. As I say, at the time of Brexit it was…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateI am very grateful to the noble Lord for his question. I have much experience of his fair-minded Cross-Bencher activities, and I am always grateful to him for his comments. He is…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateMy noble friend is consistent in his support for public/private partnerships. He knows that I agree with him on that. He is also a consistent champion of greater levels of retail…28 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksMy Lords, the decision to provide banking services is largely a commercial one. Banks have strict obligations to ensure the legitimacy of a new customer and to protect against…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksI am grateful to the noble Lord for his question and for our brief conversation last week about some of the issues he has experienced. He will be aware that many of the issues he…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksI thought I was going to be able to agree with everything the noble and gallant Lord said—right up until the last sentence. I agree with 99% of his question, and I absolutely…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksYes, they would be required to do so.27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksI agree in large part with what the noble Baroness says. As she will know, as part of the small business strategy, the Government have introduced a range of measures to remove…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksThe noble Lord will know that the money laundering regulations rightly mean that, for new customers opening an account, banks are required to take due diligence measures to verify…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksI fully recognise and understand many of the things the noble Lord says. I understand that being a politically exposed person means enhanced scrutiny and administrative burdens…27 Apr 2026HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksI do not think I agree with the noble Baroness on the question she asked about disadvantaging challenger banks. As I have said already, the regulations are not prescriptive in…27 Apr 2026HANSARDWorld Economic Outlook: UK Growth and InflationMy Lords, we did not start this war, but it affects us. The IMF’s updated forecasts build on its judgment that the UK is more exposed to energy price shocks than our…22 Apr 2026