Contributions
457 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtection of Prison StaffMinisters will recall the horrific attack on prison staff at HMP Frankland in Durham last month. While I was grateful for the Minister for Prisons’ reply to my correspondence, I…12 May 2025HANSARD Tobacco and Vapes BillI begin by declaring an interest as the co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on smoking and health. I will speak to my amendments and one or two others. The Tobacco and…26 Mar 2025HANSARD Welfare ReformWhen cuts to incapacity support were introduced by the last Government through the work-related activity component, we saw severe rises in poverty, no significant increase in…18 Mar 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillAs a young worker in the late 1980s, I experienced the precarious nature of the world of work, along with many of my peers. Lack of knowledge about our rights and the fear of…11 Mar 2025HANSARD Crime and Policing BillThis Bill presents an opportunity to confront the challenges facing our communities, protect the most vulnerable and ensure that justice serves everyone. I welcome the…10 Mar 2025HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 ReportThe report from the Grenfell Tower inquiry is utterly scathing about the role of central Government and their obsession with deregulation. The drive to scrap so-called red tape…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Services3. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving public services.26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic ServicesLast December, the Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland revealed that there is a severe shortage of nursing staff in the north—there are almost 2,000 vacancies in the…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The new clause asks for a consultation, so a lot of issues would need to be worked through with the Chancellor. However, the tobacco companies make exorbitant profits from a…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Sixteenth sitting)I wonder whether the Minister will allow me to indulge in a history lesson of my own, as that seems to have been the order of the day for most of the Committee’s sitting days.…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The new clause would be a game changer. One of the questions was whether the measure might later be applied to other areas—I presume that the hon. Member means taxing the big…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. New Clause 4 Ban on supply of cigarette filters “(1) The Secretary of State must make regulations under…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The difference is that the tax would not come from the consumers. This would be a tax on the big four tobacco companies, rather than raising taxes from consumers. We know that…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. I will not be pushing this new clause to a vote; nevertheless, I think it is a policy that the Minister should take into…30 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Fourteenth sitting)I totally agree that we need a consultation—that is the beauty of gauging the public interest—but the issue around smoking in public places, and particularly play yards, is about…28 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Thirteenth sitting)indicated dissent.28 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Tenth sitting)I will not press these provisions to a vote but they are worth raising now, and perhaps for consideration at a later stage of the Bill, further down the line. The amendment and…21 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move amendment 5, in clause 91, page 51, line 26, at the end insert— “and markings containing health warnings”. This amendment enables regulations to be made requiring…21 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 91 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 92 Contents and flavour Question proposed, That…21 Jan 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes Bill (Tenth sitting)No, I do not. As I said, the Department is consulting on pack inserts, but that may not capture the people who have or are offered one cigarette. We all know that it takes only…21 Jan 2025