Contributions
1,092 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence of Undersea InfrastructureWith escalating threats to our critical infrastructure, I was concerned by reports over the weekend that our armed forces chiefs are apparently being gagged over the upcoming…24 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT8. Nearly one in seven young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training. That is an 11-year high. Given that Slough is the youth capital of Britain, what are…17 Mar 2025HANSARDConstruction Apprenticeships17. What steps she is taking to increase the number of construction apprenticeships.10 Mar 2025HANSARDConstruction ApprenticeshipsHaving worked in construction for a couple of decades, prior to being elected, I am glad the Government recognise the importance of the industry and are firmly committed to house…10 Mar 2025HANSARDGazaAs well as expressing my sadness and alarm about the Netanyahu Government’s again blocking aid from entering Gaza, may I point out that over the years I have repeatedly expressed…04 Mar 2025HANSARDUkraineI welcome the Prime Minister’s statement, the warmth of his welcome and hugs for President Zelensky, and his show of leadership on defence and security matters in our continent as…03 Mar 2025HANSARD High Street BusinessesMy hon. Friend is making an excellent speech, because, for too long, places such as Slough have been painted with empty and boarded-up shop faces. Local businesses are of course…26 Feb 2025HANSARD High Street BusinessesAfter more than a decade of Tory Government neglect, the number of police community support officers has halved, and the number of special constables is down by more than two…26 Feb 2025HANSARDDefence and SecurityI welcome the Prime Minister’s statement on defence and security, because times are a-changing and we must all recognise that these are pivotal moments not just for our nation’s…25 Feb 2025HANSARDUkraineIn my role as Chair of the Defence Committee, I get the opportunity to meet many ambassadors, Defence Ministers, attachés and other stakeholders, both here in London and at events…24 Feb 2025HANSARD Cadet ForcesI thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate on cadet forces. In Slough, we have the Sea Cadets, Air Cadets and Army Cadets, which provide a fantastic development and learning…29 Jan 2025HANSARD Defence Procurement: Small and Medium-sized EnterprisesI thank the Lib Dem defence spokesperson for allowing me to intervene. The Procurement Act 2023 was intended to make it easier for small businesses to access public sector…28 Jan 2025HANSARD Defence Procurement: Small and Medium-sized EnterprisesI congratulate my hon. Friend on securing today’s debate on SME participation in defence procurement. Having run my own start-up construction business in bonnie Scotland many…28 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingWe live in an increasingly volatile world, so I thank the Minister for his clarification on defence spending. Surely the cost of fighting a war, notwithstanding the human cost, is…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Russian Maritime Activity and UK ResponseI thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. It is very apt that he should be making this statement, because during our Defence…22 Jan 2025HANSARD Education, Health and Care PlansI congratulate the hon. Lady on securing today’s important debate. In Slough, attainment outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities were below the…22 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. He has made a massive impact on the workings of the Defence Committee, of which he is a member. I will directly address the issue…21 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI rise primarily to address amendment 5, just referred to by the spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire), which would directly…21 Jan 2025HANSARD Global Combat Air ProgrammeThe existing partnership with Japan and Italy is a strong one, but we must recognise that further partners could benefit the programme. Our report warns that including any…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Global Combat Air ProgrammeI thank the hon. Member for his excellent question and for his hard work on the Committee—long may it continue. I wholeheartedly agree, and I hope that Ministers are listening…20 Jan 2025