Contributions
181 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRMT Strikes: Impact on BusinessesMy Lords, the 20% drop in footfall reported by the hospitality and retail sectors as a result of these strikes suggests that at least 1 million of the capital’s 6 million…28 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Economic UpdateMy Lords, as a fair-minded Cross-Bencher, I acknowledge that there have been some encouraging signs in the first quarter, particularly GDP growth and employment in February. But I…28 Apr 2026HANSARDWorld Economic Outlook: UK Growth and InflationTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the estimate in the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, Global Economy in the Shadow of…22 Apr 2026HANSARDWorld Economic Outlook: UK Growth and InflationI salute the Minister for his stout defence and robust response, but it is not altogether shared by the gilt markets: witness our highest borrowing costs for 18 years. It is not…22 Apr 2026HANSARDArtificial Intelligence: Impact on EmploymentDoes the Minister agree that AI is becoming a rather convenient punchbag for our rising unemployment? Are not the real culprits low growth, poor productivity and increasing costs…13 Apr 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I rise to throw my support behind the four Motions in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe. I will be brief. Is the Government’s apparent resistance to the…25 Mar 2026HANSARDMigraine Care: 10-year Health PlanTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve access to migraine care through the 10 Year Health Plan for England.23 Mar 2026HANSARDMigraine Care: 10-year Health PlanMy Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as a migraine sufferer.23 Mar 2026HANSARDMigraine Care: 10-year Health PlanI thank the Minister for engaging on a subject that has been raised just once in this House since 1961—which is extraordinary, as we have 10 million migraine sufferers in the UK,…23 Mar 2026HANSARDEU Directive: Adequate Minimum WagesMy Lords, given the Minister’s background as a successful entrepreneur, does he agree that, whether coming from the EU or from here, minimum wage directives are not economically…18 Mar 2026HANSARDBritish Business BankMy Lords, the development bank has some eye-catching five-year targets, including funding the creation of 370,000 new jobs and crowding in some £26 billion of additional private…09 Mar 2026HANSARDSmall Businesses: VAT ThresholdTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of HMRC data showing that an increasing number of small businesses in the UK are earning below the VAT tax threshold.05 Mar 2026HANSARDSmall Businesses: VAT ThresholdI thank the Minister for his reply, but we have double trouble. First, an increasing number of registered small businesses are earning less than the VAT threshold of £90,000.…05 Mar 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I support broadly all the amendments in this group, but specifically Amendments 12 and 26 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, to which I added my name. I…05 Mar 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I support Amendment 31 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe, to which I have added my name. I also add my vocal support for Amendment 32 from the noble…05 Mar 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I have added my name to Amendment 34 from the noble Lord, Lord Ashcombe, and I offer my support. It is entirely pragmatic. I would also throw into this documentation…05 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent Loans: ReviewMy Lords, in England alone, outstanding student debt now stands at £270 billion and is forecast to reach £500 billion by the late 2040s. With respect to the nation’s balance…24 Feb 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I support all the amendments in the first group but will restrict my comments to Amendment 1 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe. This concerns the…24 Feb 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendment 6, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe, and the noble Lord, Lord Altrincham, which I have signed, and to Amendments 7, 11, 20 and…24 Feb 2026HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendments 12 and 26, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe, and the noble Lord, Lord Altrincham, to which I have added my name. I am also…24 Feb 2026