Contributions
752 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q So they will be published, but in terms of scrutiny, will there be any role for Parliament in agreeing or disregarding those codes? Andrew Western: I am happy to confirm…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Yes. Andrew Western: Because they are iterative documents that will change as we go through the test-and-learn phase. In particular, we are looking to introduce the eligibility…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q But Andrew, you will be aware that new statutory instruments can be introduced and passed in Parliament in the space of six weeks. It is not an obstacle to an iterative approach…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q This is looking a lot like the King Henry VIII powers that the Government railed against in opposition for many years. Andrew Western: I would not accept that and I do not think…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q If I may continue, and I am drawing to a conclusion, the Cabinet Office has a document, “Guide to Making Legislation”. Are you aware of it? Andrew Western: Is that to me or…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)It is to you both as Ministers. It is the Government’s “Guide to Making Legislation”. Andrew Western: Yes.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Have you read it? Andrew Western: Not recently, but I did when I first became a Minister.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q In appendix E, which relates to codes of practice and legislation, the first paragraph says: “Where it is proposed to introduce a code of practice in a way or for a purpose…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q The document goes on to say that “the drafting of the code ought to begin early enough to enable a decision as to whether statutory provision is required”. Has that drafting…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Following that, the document states that “if Parliament is to be asked to enact statutory provisions relating to a code,” which appears to be the case in this instance, “a draft…25 Feb 2025HANSARDIndefinite Leave to RemainThere is clearly a cost to doing nothing about the current indefinite leave to remain policy, and a recent Centre for Policy Studies report estimates the net lifetime cost as £234…24 Feb 2025HANSARDIndefinite Leave to Remain2. What assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain.24 Feb 2025HANSARD Infected Blood Compensation SchemeI thank the Minister for his very thorough statement and for advance sight of it. I want to start by thanking the campaigners and victims who have spent years pushing for justice…13 Feb 2025HANSARDInheritance Tax Relief: FarmsWhen Jane’s husband died just under three years ago, their farm passed to their son—the fifth generation of the family to farm that land. Their accountant says that if that had…10 Feb 2025HANSARDInheritance Tax Relief: FarmsWill the Minister give way?10 Feb 2025HANSARDOutsourcing: Government DepartmentsBusinesses have to fulfil their legal obligations. The previous Government introduced the national living wage, which will increase this April under the current Government, and of…29 Jan 2025HANSARDOutsourcing: Government DepartmentsI really need to make progress so that the Minister can respond. It is particularly troubling that Labour has refused to clarify exactly how the new procurement rules will work in…29 Jan 2025HANSARDOutsourcing: Government DepartmentsI congratulate the hon. Member for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East (Andy McDonald) on securing this debate. He may not be surprised to learn that I do not agree with his general…29 Jan 2025HANSARDOutsourcing: Government DepartmentsNumerous reports, not least by the Institute for Government, have found that, in many areas of Government activity, outsourcing and public procurement from private providers…29 Jan 2025HANSARD Storm ÉowynI thank the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for his statement and for providing advance sight of it. I pay tribute to all the emergency services, responders and volunteers…27 Jan 2025