Contributions
617 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNHS and Care Volunteer Responders ServiceMy Lords, the Air Ambulance Service is a vital part of emergency care. It is a matter of concern and shame that one of the richest countries has to rely primarily on charitable…20 May 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, and I take this opportunity to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Spielman, on her splendid and insightful…15 May 2025HANSARDPensioners: ShopliftingTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the reported increase in shoplifting by pensioners.15 May 2025HANSARDPensioners: ShopliftingMy Lords, poverty is a major cause of shoplifting. The full state pension of £11,973 is less than 50% of the minimum wage and is received by less than 30% of pensioners. Despite…15 May 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillSince my noble friend mentioned me, I think I am honour-bound to ask her a couple of questions. Will she confirm that foreign bank accounts will not be covered by any of the…15 May 2025HANSARDUncollected Financial PenaltiesMy Lords, since 2018 only seven unexplained wealth orders were issued, and not a single penny of wealth has been recovered since 2019. This seems to undermine the Government’s…13 May 2025HANSARDSchools: Mobile PhonesMy Lords, sometimes technology can help to deal with social problems. As a Faraday cage blocks phone signals, it would be appropriate to install those cages in all classrooms and…12 May 2025HANSARDEnergy Grid ResilienceMy Lords, resilience is something which is always in the process of being made. It requires embracing emerging technologies. Thorium-based nuclear energy is much safer and cheaper…06 May 2025HANSARDTax: ChangesMy Lords, the richest fifth pay 30% of their gross household income in direct taxes; the poorest fifth pay 16%. The richest fifth pay 11% of disposable household income in…29 Apr 2025HANSARDThames Water: BidsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what guarantees they expect to give to, or receive from, any bidder for Thames Water.28 Apr 2025HANSARDThames Water: BidsMy Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer. Let us look at the facts. Thames Water was put on the road to ruin by private equity. Now its shareholders have designated KKR,…28 Apr 2025HANSARDSteel IndustryMy Lords, the Minister said that the Government seek to take control of blast furnaces at Scunthorpe without taking control of British Steel. They are trying to avoid the words…12 Apr 2025HANSARDAudit, Reporting and Governance AuthorityMy Lords, it is fundamentally wrong that a body funded and populated by corporate and audit industry interests makes the rules which affect distribution of income and risks. Its…31 Mar 2025HANSARDScunthorpe SteelworksMy Lords, it is good to hear the Minister talk about developing a steel-making strategy, but I am sure that she appreciates that it is impossible to have a successful steel-making…31 Mar 2025HANSARDEnergy PricesMy Lords, I thank the Minister for the reply. We need a glimpse of reality here: between 2020 and 2024, the UK’s 20 biggest energy companies made an operating profit of £483.4…26 Mar 2025HANSARDEnergy PricesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to control energy prices.26 Mar 2025HANSARDCuba: Political Dialogue and Cooperation AgreementMy Lords, Cuba, a comparatively poor country, has 9.31 doctors per 1,000 people and exports medical professionals. The UK has 3.2 doctors per 1,000 people, well below the EU…25 Mar 2025HANSARDFinance BillMy Lords, I welcome my noble friend Lady Caine of Kentish Town to the House and look forward to hearing more from her. The key point is that Governments cannot rejuvenate the…19 Mar 2025HANSARDNational Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2025My Lords, perhaps I, too, could have one more bite. I referred to the penalty situation. The one we have at the moment enables directors to gain because the chances of all…17 Mar 2025HANSARDNational Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2025My Lords, I welcome the increase in the national minimum wage, although most of its real value has already been eroded by hikes in the price of energy, water, housing, transport,…17 Mar 2025