Contributions
1,153 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is right that we need everyone—not just central Government—to be involved. I would like local authorities, businesses—all of us—to see the youth opportunity…27 Apr 2026HANSARDStatutory Sick PayI believe that removing the three-day limit and giving access to statutory sick pay from day one, as well as making it available to those who work for multiple employers, should…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am happy to ensure that the hon. Member gets a meeting with a Minister from the Department to discuss his constituent’s case.27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI have discussed this subject a lot with hon. Members from right across the House, and the issue that the hon. Member raises about transport is raised quite a lot with me. It is…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsYouth hubs are another part of the effort, and the advantage is that we can get the help that the jobcentre can give to where young people are in the community. This also means we…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend and sing a song of praise for the Song School in Southend. He is absolutely right to draw attention to the importance of the creative industries. Our…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to the need for skills for house building. We support those skills through sector-based work academy programmes. Last year,…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe policies that I am advocating are creating opportunity for young people, through offering employers hiring incentives, through promoting youth apprenticeship starts and…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for a very good question. Here is another fact the shadow Secretary of State may not welcome: the truth is that before the pandemic, face-to-face interviews…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI know that the Chair of the Select Committee cares deeply about health inequalities in this country, which, to be honest with the House, are deep seated and long term. As in many…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI know that responding to hon. Members’ inquiries—be they direct or on behalf of their constituents —is very important. I raise that with the Department constantly. If the hon.…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I have said a few times today, I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets a meeting with a Minister. I congratulate him on speaking up for his area and the workers within it.27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe are promoting apprenticeships for young people in particular through the way that we prioritise the funding in the apprenticeship levy, and we are putting in place hiring…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI know, because my constituency is not too far away, that advanced manufacturing is in the DNA of Staffordshire, so I warmly welcome what my hon. Friend said about her local…27 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsWe always listen to representations that ask for more funding for many good causes. On the issue of construction, a specific construction sector skills package was announced last…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for being such a formidable champion for her constituency, and for opportunity within it. I would be very happy to talk with her further about this issue,…27 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe shadow Secretary of State said that she wanted some facts, so let me give her some facts. The Tories inherited spending on defence at 2.5% of GDP; they left office with it…27 Apr 2026HANSARDApprenticeshipsThe number of youth apprenticeship starts has fallen by 40% over the past decade. Because we want to give more young people the chance of apprenticeships, we are fully funding…27 Apr 2026HANSARDWork and PensionsI agree that “NEET” is not the best and most user-friendly term, but it has been used for some time. As for the hon. Lady’s question about what is devolved and what is GB-wide ,…25 Mar 2026HANSARDWork and PensionsI think that the statement offers hope to young people throughout the United Kingdom. I look forward to a positive and close working relationship between the UK and Welsh…25 Mar 2026