Contributions
188 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDomestic Travel and Holidays: Visitor LevyMy Lords, when it comes to visitor levies, surely one size does not fit all. Applying them to small, family-run operators in our struggling coastal towns will inflict further…21 Jul 2026HANSARDBusiness HiringMy Lords, the Government’s White Paper Get Britain Working aims for an 80% employment rate, but 20 months on we remain stuck at 75%. With the recent steep drop in new recruits,…14 Jul 2026HANSARDCyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) BillMy Lords, it is getting late, and I am told that we are now competing with the Spain v France World Cup semi-final—the winner may well face England in the final—so I will try to…14 Jul 2026HANSARDBritish Industry and Services: Public ProcurementMy Lords, why is it that, while our SMEs’ share of local government spending has increased to 33%, their share of central government contracts remains flat at just 16%—nowhere…07 Jul 2026HANSARDHigher Education: Affordability and QualityMy Lords, I must thank my noble friend Lady Deech for securing this debate, which has been appositely framed with the words “affordability and quality”. I will tackle these words…02 Jul 2026HANSARDConstruction Sector: Skills ShortageMy Lords, the construction sector is suffering from an acutely ageing workforce, with 35% over the age of 50. This means that 750,000 workers will retire over the next 10 years.…29 Jun 2026HANSARDHome Ownership: First-time BuyersMy Lords, the fact that the average age of first-time home buyers has shot up from 26 to 34 is not just bad news for mobility and well-being but very bad news for economic growth.…22 Jun 2026HANSARDRMT 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 2026