Contributions
1,239 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy hon. Friend is absolutely correct. The hospitality sector has been particularly hard-hit by Labour’s damaging economic policies. Many of us who were out on small business…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI beg to move, That this House regrets Government policies that are making seasonal, flexible and part-time work more difficult; notes that these policies particularly impact…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkYes, indeed; my hon. Friend makes an important point. I was here when the Minister said that. He said that there were “no plans” to bring in a tax—although clearly there were,…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAbsolutely. My right hon. Friend makes a really important point. It is quite remarkable, following the Budget, to hear Labour MPs say to their constituents, “We have helped you…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI suspect that during the debate we will hear many names of great pubs, and I will try to visit as many of them as I can, as long as they still survive—but my hon. Friend is…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkPerhaps the hon. Gentleman can correct me.10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI suggest that the hon. Lady talk to those constituents again. I do not think one has to be a sparkling economist to work out that when something has gone up, it is higher, not…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAbsolutely. The hon. Gentleman makes a really important point. We see that the hospitality sector is hard-hit, because numbers for the sector are easily available, and there have…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkNo, the pandemic was largely to blame for that, but to ensure that we recovered from the pandemic, and to help save lives and livelihoods, which included supporting the…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMembers of Parliament may not have to work in business, but I expect every one to come to this House and advocate for business.10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy right hon. Friend is correct: having people who have run a business is good for Government. I am sorry to hear that Labour Members do not believe that their Cabinet would be…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI, too, have a great deal of affection for the hon. Gentleman; we go back quite a long way from when we were elected. We need to recognise that there are Members on both sides of…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI will give way one more time, and then I will make a bit of progress.10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI have spoken to a few zero-hours workers, and many of them are not happy with the Government’s policy, because it is going to make some of them unemployed. Of course, the one…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkThe hon. Gentleman’s final words are key: how are public services paid for? The top 1% of income tax payers in this country pay 29% of all income tax. It is estimated that the…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkYet more common sense is coming from those on this side of the Chamber, and I agree with my hon. Friend. Of course, it is young people in particular who do not have confidence in…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkI think my hon. Friend knows my answer to that. It is ironic—it would be laughable if it was not so sad—that the Government announced over the weekend that they will introduce…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkMy hon. Friend and constituency neighbour is absolutely right. I think the increase in costs for the average pub over the next few years—I have the figures and will come to them…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAbsolutely. Again, my hon. Friend is a great advocate for the hospitality and leisure sector. He is absolutely right that there are alternative approaches to backing businesses…10 Dec 2025HANSARDSeasonal WorkAgain, my right hon. Friend is correct. Of course, it is not just the tax policies, but the wraparound—the devil in the detail of what can and cannot be included in various…10 Dec 2025