Contributions
923 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillThat is not the intention of this Bill. I am sure that some of this will be explored in Committee stage, if the Bill gets there. The Bill also intends to break down monopolies…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillThat is not the intention of the Bill. I am not the first MP to campaign on this issue, and I must give credit to the sponsors of the Bill from across the Chamber. I also give a…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI wholeheartedly agree. My hon. Friend makes a strong point.13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillThe cost, of course, varies and the uniform is the uniform. If a school says a cap, a coat, a bag, a tie—all branded—are needed, some children will definitely feel left out if…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I have met the Schoolwear Association, which shared that research with me. The research I am referring to is from 1,000 parents…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI agree with my hon. Friend; this is just simply sad and unacceptable. Children should never lose out on education because of the family’s financial situation. Research released…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for sponsoring the Bill. I can confirm that it is not anti-branding. As we go through proceedings on the Bill, things will become clear. I thank the…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI do not disagree about quality, but we should also think about choice and affordability, and that is the key thing that this Bill addresses. One parent wrote to me about a…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI do; I concur completely with the hon. Gentleman. When I was at school and people did not have a uniform—as I said, it highlighted the haves and the have-nots—the fashions of the…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. On 9 January, I was lucky enough to be drawn No. 1 in the ballot—the first private Member’s Bill of this parliamentary…13 Mar 2020HANSARDEducation (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) BillI thank the hon. Member for that question. I cannot quite believe this, but I am actually going to agree with him. As a remainer, yes, I really think that people should take…13 Mar 2020HANSARDRail FaresGiven that rail fares have gone up by a massive 40% since 2010, we now have the second most expensive railway in Europe. However, I still have a situation where constituents in…12 Mar 2020HANSARDRail Fares2. What steps he is taking to reduce the cost of rail fares.12 Mar 2020HANSARDClaimants with Disabilities: Number of AssessmentsThat passion certainly does not seem to be demonstrated in recent tribunal cases—the Department for Work and Pensions has lost more employment tribunals for disability…09 Mar 2020HANSARDClaimants with Disabilities: Number of AssessmentsBefore Errol Graham was found dead after his employment and support allowance was stopped, he wrote a letter to the Department for Work and Pensions, pleading with officials. He…09 Mar 2020HANSARDChild PovertyAccording to the Department’s own figures, the majority of households hit by the two-child limit are in work but on low incomes. This policy pushes working families further into…09 Mar 2020HANSARD Health InequalitiesWill the Minister give way?04 Mar 2020HANSARDFurther Education Colleges: Future SkillsApprenticeships are down 46% since the introduction of the levy. What will the Minister do in National Careers Week to turn that around?02 Mar 2020HANSARDVoting at 1619. If he will bring forward legislative proposals to lower the voting age to 16.27 Feb 2020HANSARDVoting at 16If it is good enough for the Welsh and the Scottish, why on earth are 16 and 17-year-olds in England and, indeed, Northern Ireland not entitled to the vote? It is a question of…27 Feb 2020