Contributions
352 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Valedictory DebateThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to catch your eye for what will be the last time in my 23 years in this place. Like all Members who have spoken in this wonderful…24 May 2024HANSARDEngagementsQ12. The best ways to help people with the cost of living are to cut their taxes, keep unemployment low and get inflation down—things that this Government are doing. What is the…22 May 2024HANSARDEngagementsI very much associate myself with the remarks of my right hon. Friend regarding Lord Frank Field, who was a good man. I very much welcome the Government’s firm commitment to…24 Apr 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I chair the 1922 defence committee, and the Secretary of State will know from Prime Minister’s questions that the whole Conservative party…24 Apr 2024HANSARDDraft Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations 2024As somebody who has run pension fund money, I have a few concerns. One is the administrative concern raised by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Yorkshire, but this could…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDraft Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations 2024Thank you, Dame Maria. I fully understand where the Government are coming from on these measures, but what assurance can the Minister give that the Pensions Regulator, if and when…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDraft Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations 2024I will keep my comments very brief, for the benefit of the Committee. I seek clarification. It is not just the admin cost of these measures that concerns some of us. I am pleased…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDraft Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations 2024This will be my last intervention. I take on board what the Minister has said, but he still has not directly answered the bit of my question about the fluctuating fortunes of a…13 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Armed ForcesI join my hon. Friend in commending the professionalism of our armed forces, and in pointing out that Labour has not committed to an increase in defence spending, but may I remind…11 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsThe shadow Secretary of State underplays the strength of the British economy, with record employment and an unemployment rate one third below the EU average. I put this to him:…11 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsWill the hon. Member give way?11 Mar 2024HANSARDBudget ResolutionsI commend the Government for this Budget, which I think is more radical than first meets the eye. I say that as someone who is probably making their last Budget speech. As some of…11 Mar 2024HANSARDEngagementsQ4. My constituents and I send our best wishes to the King and the royal family.Despite the popular narrative, our economy is doing well, with an unemployment rate well below the…07 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Billrose —12 Dec 2023HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillI am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that the British are world champions at queueing. We do not like queue jumpers, which is why illegal immigration grates with us.…12 Dec 2023HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillThe Prime Minister has come up with a plan. He is committed to it. We have had assurances from the Dispatch Box that all steps will be taken to stay within international law. What…12 Dec 2023HANSARDEngagementsWith both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the ONS confirming that the British economy is now substantially larger than they estimated even a few months ago, does my right…29 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn StatementI commend the Chancellor for the compassion and enterprise incentives that shine through his statement. I thank him for the UK retail disclosure framework, although I have not…22 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI refer Members to my entry in the Register of Member’s Financial Interests. The Chancellor has acknowledged that investment trusts, which make up one third of all FTSE 250…14 Nov 2023HANSARDAfghan Citizens Resettlement SchemeLast week, the Government made the right decision to lift the quota for pathway 3, thus allowing all eligible British Council contractors to come to the UK. However, many…24 Oct 2023