Contributions
147 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Hospitality SectorWhen the hon. Lady was on that Bill Committee, did she consider the fact that a large part of the hospitality sector in Scotland would have no business rate relief, even though…01 Jul 2025HANSARDDriven Grouse ShootingRural Britain, and particularly remote Scotland, is in crisis. The young are moving to the cities, the schools are closing, healthcare is being centralised and the cost of living…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDriven Grouse ShootingAs we speak, there is a massive fire south of Inverness. All around that fire are the gamekeepers in that area. It is they who are controlling that fire, but they do not own that…30 Jun 2025HANSARD VAT Registration Threshold: SMEsThe hon. Gentleman mentioned the increase in the registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000, which came after many years of it not being increased and is far below inflation.…24 Jun 2025HANSARD VAT Registration Threshold: SMEsI am reluctant to come in on the side of the Opposition on this issue, but I can tell the Minister that my constituency has never suffered as much in my whole business career as…24 Jun 2025HANSARD VAT Registration Threshold: SMEsThank you for allowing me to speak, Mr Vickers, after I turned up late. Few people can speak about VAT with such excitement as I can. I was UK entrepreneur of the year, I have…24 Jun 2025HANSARDGeo-engineering and the EnvironmentI hope this is not too much of a diversion, but the Minister will know that mains gas is 6p per kWh, largely imported and certainly a carbon fuel, while renewable energy is…23 Jun 2025HANSARD Businesses in Rural AreasI want to make the case for a review of the VAT system. VAT starts at £90,000 and above, and I think that that level should be increased to £250,000. The UK has 3.1 million sole…18 Jun 2025HANSARD Businesses in Rural AreasWill the Minister acknowledge the disparity in energy price between rural areas and urban areas? Businesses in urban areas can access mains gas and pay 6p per kilowatt for their…18 Jun 2025HANSARD Businesses in Rural AreasI wonder whether I can make the case for real support from the Government for community benefit from renewable energy. It is being proposed at a fairly modest level by the…18 Jun 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing BillIf a woman goes all the way through to full term and then decides it is an inconvenience, does the hon. Lady still think that she should be covered by this legal protection?17 Jun 2025HANSARD Business Rates Relief: High-street BusinessesI suggest that England is in an extraordinarily lucky position, because in Scotland we are not getting business rates relief. There is none for retail or leisure; there is some…04 Jun 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMay I posit the idea that what my hon. Friend is suggesting, and what the previous intervention was suggesting, is a slippery slope? It is an enormous concern, and I suspect that…16 May 2025HANSARDNational Wealth Fund: Opportunities for IndustryThe domestic user of electricity pays 24p per kilowatt; the domestic user of mains gas pays 6p. People who live in urban Britain buy their energy for a quarter of the price paid…29 Apr 2025HANSARDSewageWill the right hon. Lady give way?23 Apr 2025HANSARDSewageWe have been hearing all about monitoring in one hour and the huge amounts of discharges. We do not have any of that information in Scotland as it is not a requirement for…23 Apr 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI welcome the Deputy Prime Minister’s decision to introduce powers to create a bill discount scheme to help households closest to new electricity transmission infrastructure.…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Rural Communities: Government SupportI wonder whether the Minister can persuade the Chancellor to leave her constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey and explore the reaches of rural Britain. It strikes me that a lot of…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Rural Communities: Government SupportI thank my hon. Friend the Member for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) for securing the debate. My two main calls for Government support for rural communities are as follows. First,…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Renewables Obligation Certificate SchemeIn rural Britain, particularly rural Scotland, the cost per kilowatt to heat a house is about 24p, whereas those on mains gas in the city pay about 6p, so those using renewable…05 Mar 2025