Contributions
134 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK EntrepreneursMy Lords, in spite of Black Friday and the run-up to Christmas, many small high street businesses report low footfall and a concern about their continued viability. Many of those…04 Dec 2024HANSARDWater BillsMy Lords, I welcome the fact that the Government not only are taking immediate legislative steps to improve the water sector’s performance but have launched the biggest review of…21 Nov 2024HANSARDFuture of the Post OfficeMy Lords, last week there was a long, well-researched report on the “News at Ten” that some of the managers who were there at the height of the Horizon problems are still there…18 Nov 2024HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024My Lords, I will focus my comments about the Budget on local government funding. I served as a unitary councillor on Telford and Wrekin Council for 22 years, holding many…11 Nov 2024HANSARDFood BanksMy Lords, before I ask my question, can I wish all noble Lords a happy Diwali? When all food banks are eliminated, do the Government have any plan for what will happen to all the…31 Oct 2024HANSARDSouth Asia: Minority Faith CommunitiesMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, for bringing this short debate to the House. I want to bring to your Lordships’ attention the plight of the Sikh community in…28 Oct 2024HANSARDSocial HousebuildingMy Lords, last week, the Government allocated £68 million for 54 councils to build social housing on brownfield sites. Will there be further funding for other councils for similar…21 Oct 2024HANSARDUN Sustainable Development GoalsMy Lords, my speech is about world poverty today and its historical root causes. According to the World Bank, nearly 10% of the global population—approximately 700 million…17 Oct 2024HANSARDTaiwanMy Lords, it is a well-known geopolitical fact that India and China do not see eye to eye over many issues in Asia. Are our Government regularly in touch with the Indian…17 Oct 2024HANSARDChildren: Impact of International ConflictMy Lords, our modern weapons of war do not discriminate between the young and the old when they are used, such is their destructive power. Children in conflict zones are always…12 Sept 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, it is a real honour and a privilege to take part in this debate. I am pleased that our Labour Government will reset our relationship with European partners, which can…25 Jul 2024HANSARDSpending Commitments to Local CouncilsMy Lords, the LGA estimates that one in 10 local authorities are on the brink of bankruptcy due to the lack of proper funding by the previous Government. What is the new…22 Jul 2024HANSARDNational Immunisation ProgrammeMy Lords, there are reports that the AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots and other side effects, and it has been banned in some countries. Do the Government still think it is…23 May 2024HANSARDHate Crimes Against Muslim WomenMy Lords, I recently read a report saying that more and more Sikh women are wearing turbans and are often the victims of hate crime as well. Are the Government engaged with any…20 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationMy Lords, a great deal of the flour imported either from Canada or the Indian subcontinent is used by the Asian communities for chapatis, et cetera. Will the Government make sure…16 May 2024HANSARDPrepayment MetersMy Lords, I represented one of the most deprived wards in my town for over 20 years. What I learned about these prepayment meters is that they are the bane of the lower-paid. Some…14 May 2024HANSARDPost Office (Horizon System) Offences BillMy comments are, as we say in politics, from the grass roots about what some postmasters are saying and their feelings. As for the legal matters of this case, I leave it to your…13 May 2024HANSARDCare Leavers: Universal CreditMy Lords, the savings threshold to qualify for universal credit is £16,000, and that has been the case for years. Do the Government have any plans to increase it?13 May 2024HANSARDAsylum ClaimsMy Lords, India was recently designated a safe country, along with Georgia, Albania and other countries. How many claims have been processed for India and what was the reason for…25 Mar 2024HANSARDNational Minimum Wage LegislationI thank the Minister. The International Labour Organization recommends that there should be one inspector for every 10,000 workers to check that employees are being paid the…21 Mar 2024