Contributions
237 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence and SecurityI welcome the Prime Minister’s statement, this Government’s unwavering support for Ukraine and this very necessary decision to increase defence spending. As someone whose close…25 Feb 2025HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]I am afraid the hon. Member and the shadow Secretary of State speak as if the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education was an unblemished success. Between 2018-19 and…25 Feb 2025HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]Conservative Members are making quite the noise about IfATE’s independence, but I remind the House that this is a precedented move. The Conservative Government established the…25 Feb 2025HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]For too long, our skills system has not delivered due to policies that simply have not worked. Businesses have struggled to recruit the skilled workers they need, young people do…25 Feb 2025HANSARDInstitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]May I ask the hon. Gentleman a question that I asked some of his colleagues earlier? In 2011 the last Government set up the Standards and Testing Agency, whose predecessor was a…25 Feb 2025HANSARD Warm Home DiscountMany of my constituents, like others across the country, will be concerned about the increase in their energy bills announced today. I therefore welcome the Government’s extension…25 Feb 2025HANSARDSocial Media Use: Minimum AgeI congratulate my hon. and learned Friend on an excellent speech. On that point, students from Brighton Hill community school in my constituency recently raised the issue of the…24 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week, I held a summit with local businesses in the Top of Town in Basingstoke to discuss how we can breathe new life into our town centre. One of the key messages was that…24 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsLearner drivers in Basingstoke have been left stranded for months—in some cases, years—unable to book a driving test. That is affecting their jobs, their education and the local…13 Feb 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseOn 1 April, Tory-run Hampshire county council will remove the ability of those with disabilities to use their concessionary bus pass before 9.30 am. Multiple constituents have…13 Feb 2025HANSARDCost of EnergyFrom what I am hearing, the hon. Member is making an anti-renewables, anti-action on climate change speech. She mentioned that electricity prices are some of the highest in…11 Feb 2025HANSARDCost of EnergyWe are not talking about what was committed to in the manifestos. My question was about what the hon. Member said a few minutes ago, that she is committed to removing all the…11 Feb 2025HANSARDBiomass GenerationThe Minister should be commended for ending the terrible deal negotiated by the previous Conservative Government, which led to higher bills, excess profits and poor sustainability…10 Feb 2025HANSARDRosebank and Jackdaw OilfieldsUnder the previous Government, thousands upon thousands of jobs were lost in the North sea, energy bills hit record highs and the Government put Britain’s energy security in the…10 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT4. Basingstoke is a digital powerhouse, once dubbed the “silicon suburb”. It is home to over a thousand tech companies and thousands of high-quality tech jobs. Will the Minister…30 Jan 2025HANSARD New Hospital Programme ReviewThere is no doubt but that this statement will be met with a deal of anger and frustration by my constituents. The hospital in Basingstoke is badly needed, and they are not…20 Jan 2025HANSARD UK-China Economic and Financial DialogueI thank the Chancellor for her statement. I think it is worth reminding the House that under the previous Government business investment fell to 28th out of 31 OECD countries,…14 Jan 2025HANSARDGas Storage LevelsIn government, the Conservatives saw the closure of Rough and reduced gas storage. In opposition, they oppose our proposals for clean power, and would see this country more…13 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsI am sorry, Mr Speaker. During these exchanges on the urgent question alone, we have heard chuntering from Opposition Members about the cut in the winter fuel payment. We have…09 Jan 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseWill the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to Criss Connor, who sadly died over the Christmas break? Criss was a long-standing member of Labour, a former borough and…09 Jan 2025