Contributions
617 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater and Sewage Companies: Directors’ RemunerationTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for reforming remuneration of the directors of water and sewage companies operating in England.22 Feb 2024HANSARDWater and Sewage Companies: Directors’ RemunerationMy Lords, it is a pleasure to open this debate. Privatisation of water in England has not yielded the promised benefits to the people, but directors of these companies are highly…22 Feb 2024HANSARDUK EconomyMy Lords, the Minister talked about curbing inflation. The Government have a very strange policy. I characterise it as somebody who has an ailment and goes to see their doctor,…21 Feb 2024HANSARDUK EconomyCan I have another bite here? The Minister said that public sector wages are within reasonable bounds, which suggests that the Government think wage rises are inflationary. But…21 Feb 2024HANSARDFinance BillMy Lords, it is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Leigh of Hurley, even though I do not agree with much of what he said. This Bill is a mishmash of policies…21 Feb 2024HANSARDFinance BillI am grateful to the Minister. Is she saying that we cut taxes for people? Earlier she mentioned 29 million people. Can she also confirm that 17.8 million UK adults with an income…21 Feb 2024HANSARDFinance BillI am happy to respond to the Minister—this could get interesting. The £12,570 threshold —and, as I said, 17.8 million adults have less than that —is after taking account of the…21 Feb 2024HANSARDPost Office Governance and Horizon Compensation SchemesMy Lords, I have a question about the undated letter from Sarah Munby to Mr Staunton that has been released. It asks him to focus on “effective management of legal costs”. Can the…21 Feb 2024HANSARDRegistered Office Address (Rectification of Register) Regulations 2024My Lords, it is pleasure to follow the insights of the noble Lord, Lord Vaux. I will speak to the second SI, the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law)…19 Feb 2024HANSARDPost Office Horizon Scandal: RacismMy Lords, none of the racist terms in the report, codenamed Project May, could have been used without the approval of directors, all of whom were appointed by the Government.…19 Feb 2024HANSARDDeveloping World: Debt ReductionMy Lords, a major reason for the indebtedness of developing countries is that too many multinational corporations operating in them dodge taxes by shifting profits to low-tax or…13 Feb 2024HANSARDWorkers (Economic Affairs Committee Report)My Lords, I thank the Economic Affairs Committee for its report. The title, Where Have All the Workers Gone? , is intriguing. Neoliberal economists would argue that markets do not…08 Feb 2024HANSARDBuy Now, Pay Later: RegulationMy Lords, buy now, pay later services may offer interest-free periods, but, as has already been said, they charge high interest rates and fees for late payments, which really push…07 Feb 2024HANSARDPost Office LtdOn 22 January, I tabled a Written Question about possible conflicts of interest associated with the position of Henry Staunton, the former chairman of WH Smith, which operates…30 Jan 2024HANSARDChildren’s Care Homes: Private EquityMy Lords, private equity has already devoured care homes such as Southern Cross and Four Seasons, which actually had more subsidiaries than General Motors. Profiteering, asset…30 Jan 2024HANSARDEast Coast Main LineMy Lords, in the last 10 years, £75.2 billion of subsidy has been handed to rail companies. In return, the public do not own a single engine, carriage or seat, and it is…24 Jan 2024HANSARDAlan Bates and Others v Post Office LimitedMy Lords, I remind the Minister that the Government have the sole responsibility for law enforcement. It is no good saying that they are relying on some committee to turn up…24 Jan 2024HANSARDAlan Bates and Others v Post Office LimitedTo ask His Majesty’s Government, following the December 2019 High Court judgment in the case of Alan Bates and Others v Post Office Limited , how many Post Office directors have…24 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS: Hospital Waiting TimesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of people who have died while waiting for NHS hospital appointments in England in the past five years.23 Jan 2024HANSARDNHS: Hospital Waiting TimesMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Under this Government, the number of unfulfilled NHS hospital appointments in England has increased from 2.5 million in 2010 to 7.76…23 Jan 2024