Contributions
177 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDElectric Cars: Export to EUMy Lords, I declare an interest as a former member of the Government’s Automotive Council UK, looking at investment in this important industry of ours. The Americans have set…02 Mar 2023HANSARDEnergy Profits LevyMy Lords, my union, Unite, has shown that corporate profiteering is responsible for massively fuelling inflation, unlike public sector pay rises, which in my opinion are not…07 Feb 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillMy Lords, the arguments against this undemocratic Bill are well understood by both Houses and, indeed, beyond. Unfortunately, there is not enough time today for me to do justice…06 Feb 2023HANSARDBroadband: PriceMy Lords, there is a pattern here. The Government are keeping down wages for our heroes in the public sector, such as teachers, nurses and firefighters, but at the same time, they…02 Feb 2023HANSARDEmployment Rights LegislationMy Lords, I am pleased that the Minister recognises the importance of employment rights to workers in Britain. But as he will remember, last week I asked, as did my noble friend…01 Feb 2023HANSARDEmployment Rights LegislationTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to retain employment rights legislation contained in retained European Union law beyond the end of 2023.01 Feb 2023HANSARDManufacturing Post BrexitMy Lords, Honda closed its factory primarily because of Brexit, when, unlike Europe, we removed those tariffs on vehicles coming in from Japan. Twelve years ago, the Government’s…26 Jan 2023HANSARDHospitality IndustryMy Lords, I declare an interest, in that many thousands of workers in the hospitality industry are members of my union, Unite. As the Minister knows, new figures show that one in…24 Jan 2023HANSARDREUL Bill: Trade Unions and Workers’ RightsMy Lords, unfortunately the Minister has selective amnesia, and that is very worrying. This appalling Bill places many of our precious and hard-fought-for employment rights on the…23 Jan 2023HANSARDBanks: Forged Customer SignaturesMy Lords, I struggle to read these facts out; they are quite unbelievable. As the Minister is well aware, the Lloyds Banking Group is accused of forging customers’ signatures.…16 Jan 2023HANSARDFood BanksMy Lords, the majority of people—or a large percentage of people, at least—are on universal credit because work does not pay and wages are too low. Does the Minister agree that…09 Jan 2023HANSARDRail ServicesMy Lords, there are things that we do not do if we want to improve the railways. First, we do not close ticket offices to the detriment of customers, and we do not sack guards on…20 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverMy Lords, bringing in the military to break strikes is, in my view, an appalling use of our Armed Forces. As my noble friend Lord Reid said, top military brass are saying that…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPrime Minister: Trade UnionsAs the former leader of Unite the Union, let me tell noble Lords that no worker wants to go out on strike, as it costs them wages that they can least afford to lose. But workers,…19 Dec 2022HANSARDFootball: Abuse and ViolenceMy Lords, unfortunately I have personal experience of being assaulted on a football pitch as a young referee. I do not recall making any bad decisions, by the way. In all…12 Dec 2022HANSARDRail Strikes: Impact AssessmentMy Lords, while nobody wants disruption over Christmas—or at any other time, for that matter—it is an open secret that the Government are obstructing a settlement with the RMT.…08 Dec 2022HANSARDEmployment PoliciesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of their employment policies with the International Labour Organisation’s Declaration on…06 Dec 2022HANSARDEmployment PoliciesMy Lords, I only wish that the Government were indeed honouring their international obligations, as the Minister suggests. Since 2010, the Government have reneged on ILO…06 Dec 2022HANSARDCivil Society and Human Rights DefendersMy Lords, at the heart of civil society are the trade unions, the workers’ last line of defence against bad bosses and authoritarian Governments across the world. Yet,…23 Nov 2022HANSARDNHS: Waiting Lists and Increased SpendingMy Lords, the current shortage of 60,000 nurses is devastating, and its impact on waiting lists even more so. It is obvious—to me, anyway—that the main cause of this staffing…22 Nov 2022