Contributions
366 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSixth-form Colleges: Pay AwardBalcarras school in my constituency has calculated that if its funding for its sixth form had increased by just 2% over the past 15 years, it would now have more than £650,000…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Climate and Nature BillThe hon. Gentleman will of course also congratulate the Labour Government before 2010 and the Liberal Democrat coalition on their good work, and it is important, in the spirit of…24 Jan 2025HANSARDCyber SecurityMinisters in this Department and in others have been generous in engaging with my repeated requests for engagement with Cheltenham’s cyber-security industry, where GCHQ and the…23 Jan 2025HANSARD Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs: OBR CostingBence Builders Merchants in my constituency has been providing good local produce and good local jobs since the Earl of Aberdeen was in power. The owner, Paul Bence, fears that…23 Jan 2025HANSARDObesity: Food and DietI thank my Gloucestershire neighbour for giving way. He mentioned the nanny state. As a Liberal, I believe in freedom, but there are two sides to it: freedom from and freedom to.…20 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillMy strong suspicion is that the market will help to decide the answer to that question, but it is inevitable that if we produce more energy from some sources, it will lower demand…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillThe right hon. Lady speaks powerfully for her constituency, which I know has a specific issue. We mentioned housing developers, and one housing developer has put its head above…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillThe Bill focuses on solar photovoltaics. Solar thermal panels are a different type of technology and are not covered by the Bill. I would also like to thank CPRE. The right hon.…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillThe hon. Member is absolutely right. He will recall that if we go back more than a decade, there was a thriving solar energy industry in this country. Sadly, we have taken steps…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillI take the hon. Member’s point on board entirely, and agree with him. This Bill is limited to residential new builds; I was very conscious that in the public sector, the cost of…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillThe hon. Member makes a very reasonable point. We need to be clear that our supply chains in this country are free from slave labour. That is a matter for Government procurement…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillMy hon. Friend is entirely right. As she knows, the Bill includes a recommendation to set an industry standard, so that consumers can have confidence in what they are buying. Not…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. I move the Bill with sunshine in my heart. I am an environmentalist, I have fought for years to improve the housing market…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillThe right hon. Lady is entirely right. She and Members across the House will have noted that the Campaign to Protect Rural England has taken a strong interest in this issue and in…17 Jan 2025HANSARDNew Homes (Solar Generation) BillI thank the Minister for his generous words. Although I accept that I will not be cracking open a beer this evening to celebrate the Bill’s passing—perhaps a bottle of Corona—this…17 Jan 2025HANSARD Covid-19 InquiryIn Cheltenham, in Sandford Park, we have an avenue of trees that were planted in honour of the covid heroes and the many victims that our town lost during the pandemic. Not far…16 Jan 2025HANSARDGrassroots SportsSport and physical activity must play a bigger part in the debate on our nation’s collective health and the future of health services. Sport England reports that almost one in…16 Jan 2025HANSARD Local Government ReorganisationCheltenham has had a voice since Victoria was on the throne, and we need to be reassured by the Minister that we will retain that voice as part of any devolution and local…15 Jan 2025HANSARDChildren’s Social Media AccountsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I thank the Petitions Committee for enabling this debate and the hon. Member for Sunderland Central (Lewis Atkinson) for…13 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsAccording to media reports today, the former Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk is issuing cease and desist letters to those who have accused her of crashing the economy09 Jan 2025