Contributions
37 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOnline Challenger BanksMy Lords, during my time as a trade envoy to Rwanda and Uganda, I noticed first hand that UK businesses could open a bank account in those countries in less than five minutes, but…27 Apr 2026HANSARDBurial Provision in England and WalesMy Lords, there are over a million Hindus and Sikhs living in this country who continue to face significant delays in securing a place at a crematorium, often long after their…22 Apr 2026HANSARDUK Start-up CompaniesMy Lords, many SMEs and start-up businesses are facing a challenging time, not just because of high taxation but because they are heavily regulated as well. To open a bank account…28 Jan 2026HANSARDCompanies House: Filing of Annual Accounts by Small CompaniesMy Lords, we as a country are heavily legislated for small companies. We see a large number of UK companies leaving the London Stock Exchange for New York, and a large number of…08 Jul 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions: Hospitality SectorMy Lords, we are a highly regulated and highly taxed country; that has a big impact on SMEs. On regulation, to appoint a lawyer can take as much as two months, to open a bank…13 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: Employer ContributionsMy Lords, no other country in the world taxes companies to employ people. We do that through our national insurance contributions, which are now going up from 13.8% to 15%. That…09 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance: GDPMy Lords—19 Dec 2024HANSARDAfrica: Commercial Opportunities and ExportsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to (1) raise awareness among United Kingdom businesses of commercial opportunities in African markets, and (2) support…12 Sept 2024HANSARDAfrica: Commercial Opportunities and ExportsMy Lords, I declare my recent interest, having served as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC until the election. I am glad to have secured this debate.…12 Sept 2024HANSARDUK Trade PerformanceMy Lords, I welcome the figures that my noble friend the Minister gave us, but our major problem is a trade deficit. This is not something new; it has been the case for the last…07 May 2024HANSARDRwanda: Asylum Arrangements TreatyMy Lords, I declare my interest as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Rwanda. I was appointed in 2014 by the then Prime Minister, who I am delighted to see on our Front Bench…21 Nov 2023HANSARDUganda: LGBT PeopleMy Lords, I declare my interest as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Uganda and as someone who was born in Uganda. This Act is a grave assault on the human rights and the…05 Jul 2023HANSARDUgandan School AttackMy Lords, I express my sorrow, as a proud Ugandan, at the recent attack, which took the lives of so many innocent schoolchildren. My condolences and prayers at this difficult time…21 Jun 2023HANSARDCar IndustryMy Lords, I declare my interest as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy for Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. My noble friend the Minister must have seen the article in the Times last week…17 May 2023HANSARDForeign PolicyMy Lords, I start by declaring my interest as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC, a role that I very much enjoy and which rather neatly brings together…03 May 2023HANSARDPeople of African Descent in the United KingdomDoes my noble friend the Minister agree that we have an amazing record when it comes to challenging racism and celebrating diversity? Four of our five most senior Cabinet…17 Apr 2023HANSARD50th Anniversary of the Expulsion of Asians from UgandaThat this House takes note of the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda.27 Oct 2022HANSARD50th Anniversary of the Expulsion of Asians from UgandaMy Lords, it is an honour and a privilege to move this Motion. It is with great pride that, 10 years ago, I had the privilege to lead a debate on the 40th anniversary of the…27 Oct 2022HANSARD50th Anniversary of the Expulsion of Asians from UgandaMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords who took part in this debate. We heard many moving speeches from all of them. Although we were born in Uganda, we were made in Britain. The noble…27 Oct 2022HANSARDHer Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIMy Lords, there are very rare moments in life when the passing of one person touches so many hearts and brings the entire world together. The passing of Her Majesty the Queen is…10 Sept 2022