Contributions
362 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTax on Imports under £135My Lords, the last Government removed the VAT exemption for tourists—the ability to reclaim VAT—which hit a lot of retailers and crafts companies based in the UK. The unique…14 Jul 2025HANSARDTax IncreasesMy Lords, as this seems to be a free-for-all on putting forward our economic theories, could we ban discussions of tax cuts and rises and instead look at tax simplification? There…10 Jul 2025HANSARDPalace of Westminster: Restoration and RenewalMy Lords, has my noble friend seen the very interesting proposal to build a barge in the Thames right next to the Palace of Westminster? The man behind it came on my…25 Jun 2025HANSARDLive Music Industry: SupportMy Lords, I declare my interest as a governor of an independent school—and give way to the noble Lord.23 Jun 2025HANSARDAI Opportunities Action PlanMy Lords, to follow on from the noble Lord’s point about skills, behind the flashiness and excitement of AI lie some boring things that have to be done. One of the big challenges…05 Jun 2025HANSARDOfcom: Protection of Children CodesMy Lords, this Chamber provides important scrutiny to the work that Ofcom does, but it is worth noting that the Online Safety Act was a mammoth Bill and that Ofcom has undertaken…02 Jun 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]My Lords, I will make a short intervention, not least because my noble roommate, the noble Earl, Lord Dundee, has just spoken, and we share a birthday—this week, 5 June. It is the…02 Jun 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]We only need the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, who also shares our birthday, to speak after me, and we will be making history, even if we do not pass this amendment. I will steer a…02 Jun 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]My Lords, very briefly, I want to pick up on my noble friend Lady Harding’s point about the Government’s message that they wish to legislate in the round. I urge the Government to…19 May 2025HANSARDTelecommunications Fraud: Reimbursement of VictimsMy Lords, I am glad that the Minister mentioned data sharing because, obviously, a lot of scams and fraud come through nuisance calls and texts. There is a no man’s land, as it…14 May 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]Oh no!12 May 2025HANSARDData (Use and Access) Bill [HL]I shall make a very brief speech. I stood up when the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, stood up, but unfortunately, as so often in my life, he completely ignored me, so I will just…12 May 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness and to hear her bring her considerable expertise to bear on this Bill. I am a smoker. At least, I think I am. I certainly…23 Apr 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillPhilip Morris.23 Apr 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillAs somebody who left the Whip because of the capriciousness of the then Prime Minister, and then managed to get the Whip restored and to be put into this House, I know that there…25 Mar 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I will speak in support of my noble friend Lady Laing’s amendment. I begin by pointing out two problems with her proposal before I give her my unwavering support. I call…25 Mar 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillThe noble Baroness was effectively my first employer, when I was 21 years old, and we have this telepathic understanding: she has seamlessly introduced the main point I wish to…25 Mar 2025HANSARDUnited Kingdom: Global PositionMy Lords, it gives me great joy to follow the noble Lord, Lord Pitkeathley, on the occasion of his maiden speech and to have the privilege of formally welcoming him into the…13 Mar 2025HANSARDIndia and Southeast Asia: Free Trade AgreementsMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lord Bilimoria and his focus on India, reflecting the huge amount of work that he does promoting UK-Indian relations. I…06 Mar 2025HANSARDEmergency Service Network ProgrammeMy Lords, this saga goes back so far that I was the telecoms Minister when this was first being discussed, in 2015. I am glad that progress has been made, but with the greatest…24 Feb 2025