Contributions
152 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Service ReformMy hon. Friend is right: no person has a monopoly on good ideas, and no Government do either. I want the best for the whole United Kingdom. Where Northern Ireland leads the way,…03 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Growth Deal: Economic ImpactThere is rightly huge pride in the defence sector in Northern Ireland, where aerospace and defence are worth more than £2 billion a year. The defence growth deal will unlock even…03 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI will do all that I can to ensure that. I have met many of those businesses and many small businesses from across Northern Ireland to discuss the defence growth deal. The hon.…03 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Growth Deal: Economic ImpactMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. This investment is a win-win-win—we protect ourselves, our allies and our economy, and with that we boost opportunities for people to get good,…03 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Service ReformNot only have we given a record settlement—more than ever before in the Executive’s history since devolution—but we are supporting the Executive, having discussions with them and…03 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyThe first duty of any Government is to protect their people, and this Government are ensuring that we all feel the benefit of the investment in defence. Take, for example, the…03 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Service ReformYes, but, as I have always said, it is not just a question of cutting a cheque and walking away. Of course we have given more money to the Executive than has ever been received…03 Jun 2026HANSARDProposed Police Training College: KinnegarWe are all indebted to the men and women who serve in our police force, who work day in, day out to keep our communities safe. I know that the Police Service of Northern Ireland…25 Mar 2026HANSARDProposed Police Training College: KinnegarI would be very happy to join the hon. Member on that visit. He makes his case powerfully and rightly pays tribute to the brave men and women who serve in our police. I am sure…25 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025I absolutely accept that we can do even more to support such companies. The companies I have been meeting in relation to the defence growth deal have said that the opportunity to…11 Feb 2026HANSARDEducationJust last month, I went with the early years Minister to visit schools that are really focused on being inclusive and nurturing for pupils, and my hon. Friend is totally right to…11 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025I reject that characterisation. The immunity that was offered by the last Government was false. We do not agree with that in principle, and the veterans we speak to do not want…11 Feb 2026HANSARDPublic ServicesI thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising this matter powerfully last month and again this month. We raised his concerns with the European Union, and I am pleased—I hope he is,…11 Feb 2026HANSARDEducationWe support integrated education, and integrated schools are a really important part of that. I was recently at some shared education schools, at the request of the Minister, and I…11 Feb 2026HANSARDEducationChances in life are set early. Although education is devolved in Northern Ireland, we must work together. That is why it was my privilege to bring the Minister for Early Education…11 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025I am happy to join my hon. Friend in doing that. Just last week I visited Mallaghan, where four apprentices were being given incredible opportunities as a result of taking up…11 Feb 2026HANSARDEducationI absolutely do. I have always said that this is not a case of cutting a cheque and walking away. There is work we can do with the Northern Ireland Executive, and we continue to…11 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025This Government are supporting businesses in Northern Ireland. The work that I am doing with them on the defence growth deal is designed specifically to ensure that this will…11 Feb 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025The defence of our country is always the first duty of any Government. Last week I met businesses big and small, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and…11 Feb 2026HANSARDPublic ServicesI can absolutely give the shadow Secretary of State that assurance. That work is under way and we will update the House on anything that may emerge.11 Feb 2026