Contributions
683 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRegional Accents and Social MobilityThis is a serious issue—we must ensure that people are not disadvantaged for any type of accent—but does my hon. Friend agree there is sometimes a humorous side, as we saw this…15 Jul 2026HANSARDCommunity CohesionCommunity cohesion is important, both racially and politically. Everyone accepts that political leaders and others have to be cognisant of what they say and what they do, and…08 Jul 2026HANSARDEngagementsQ10. The Government have said that higher taxes are needed to fund rising welfare spending. In Northern Ireland, my party’s Communities Minister is taking action to reduce welfare…08 Jul 2026HANSARDDraft UK-EU Agreement on GibraltarI congratulate the hon. Member on securing the debate. He mentioned cross-party support; does he agree that, as far as we are able to ascertain, the people of Gibraltar are glad…08 Jul 2026HANSARDUK Aid Policy: Global Funding TrendsDoes the hon. Member agree that one of the most cost-effective ways of helping, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is to allow local people to avail themselves of clean drinking…07 Jul 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT5. Will the Secretary of State consult the devolved regions on the roll-out of small modular reactors, so that all the consumer and job opportunity benefits can be shared right…07 Jul 2026HANSARDMPs’ Second Jobs: ProhibitionI congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this timely debate. He is rightly elaborating on the need for more transparency, and he just alluded to the 10 Members whose second…01 Jul 2026HANSARDMPs’ Second Jobs: ProhibitionOn the issue of any complexity adversely affecting a Member’s ability in the House, does my hon. Friend agree that while we all should be open and transparent and the register…01 Jul 2026HANSARDHigh Street Regeneration and Unlawful StorefrontsI congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his success in securing this debate, which I suppose is indicative of the crisis that he is talking about. I have secured a similar debate…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI agree that that is contributing significantly to the downturn.30 Jun 2026HANSARD Steel Tariffs: Northern IrelandThe Minister has been very clear and open about offering the problem companies that are having difficulties a meeting with his officials. He has heard the number of people who…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI beg to move, That this House has considered the future of high streets. When I was considering a title for this debate, I toyed with “High streets: a future?” or “High streets:…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI agree, and in a few moments I will talk about some of the positive developments, but they are chinks of light, not the answer. I believe that we need to look at this issue much…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI agree. The roll-out of banking hubs has helped in a small way, but has made only a marginal difference. The other issue is the difficult problem—or the advantage, as some would…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI do not know whether the hon. Member is a mind reader, but I was about to come to that very point. The prevalence of online shopping has dramatically changed the high street.…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsYes, I agree. When I conclude, I will try to draw some of these threads together into a proposition that I hope the Minister will consider. Charity shops and vaping shops are now…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsI agree. If we are to see the clampdown that the Home Secretary has outlined, as I hope we do, the problems that we are discussing will not get better in the short term. There…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsYes, I agree, and I will come on to that point. If we make our high streets more attractive to families, to shoppers and to those who live and work in town centres, the vacuum…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsYes, I do, and I am glad to hear that. I hope that the Minister can deal with that type of intervention. I secured a similar debate in Westminster Hall just 18 months ago, but…30 Jun 2026HANSARD High StreetsThe hon. Member is right. I agree that edge-of-town and out-of-town retailing are having an impact on city centres and town centres.30 Jun 2026