Contributions
89 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDevolution (Immigration) (Scotland) BillWe have talked a lot about demographic challenges in Scotland over the course of the debate, and I do not doubt the concerns about the demography—I have a lot of concerns myself…25 Apr 2025HANSARDDevolution (Immigration) (Scotland) BillThe issue is not necessarily about having a border between Northern Ireland and southern Ireland; a border has in effect been put in the Irish sea by the Windsor framework.…25 Apr 2025HANSARDDevolution (Immigration) (Scotland) BillMy hon. Friend, by talking about the minutiae, is doing a fantastic job of showing the vast complexity of one aspect of the SNP trying to cut off the connection between Scotland…25 Apr 2025HANSARDCivil Service ReformI thank the Minister for his response and I am perfectly happy to accept the diligence of the civil service. Regardless, every two years a third of the civil service change their…24 Apr 2025HANSARDCivil Service Reform5. What steps he is taking to reform the civil service.24 Apr 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsCan the Minister give an assessment of the potential merits of restricting triable either-way offences to summary trial, except for sentencing?22 Apr 2025HANSARD Croydon Area Remodelling Funding: Brighton MainlineI am very grateful to the Minister for outlining the investment made in the line historically. Indeed, in Gatwick’s case, a very large portion of the investment was made directly…31 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI have learned over the years not to look a gift house in the mouth. This is a positive step forward. No doubt other steps could be taken in future, but this is significant in…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillDespite the many fine contributions made by Members so far and no doubt many yet to come, planning is quite a dreary subject for many. Indeed, I heard some senior Members of this…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillMy hon. Friend must be reading ahead. The impact on escalating costs and viability as a result of the delays is hard to overstate. The capacity issues do not stem from laziness or…24 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT2. What consideration has been given to the introduction of safe leave for employees experiencing domestic abuse?19 Mar 2025HANSARDFree School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) BillIt has been a while since I looked at the numbers, but my understanding when I last looked was that the level of unclaimed benefits in our system is at least 10 times greater than…14 Mar 2025HANSARDFree School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) BillI absolutely agree. I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for his intervention. The Government are doing a lot to try to address this issue, but that is not to say that we cannot…14 Mar 2025HANSARDFree School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. I am very grateful for my good fortune in having the chance to introduce a Bill in my first year as a Member of this House…14 Mar 2025HANSARDFree School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) BillI agree with my hon. Friend. I am well aware of the amount of effort that local schools are having to make directly to deal with the consequences of financial deprivation. It is…14 Mar 2025HANSARDWar in Ukraine: Third AnniversaryAs Members have said, a number of us were in Ukraine at the end of last week, and four days ago we were sat in a bomb shelter in Kyiv as the Ukrainian military worked to clear the…27 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsSince April, Crawley’s urgent treatment centre has been temporarily closed overnight because of low staffing levels. What do the Government intend to do to ensure that normal…11 Feb 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyUnder the Mauritian criminal code, anyone who questions the integrity of Mauritian territories, including the Chagos archipelago, is potentially subject to 10 years’ imprisonment.…18 Dec 2024HANSARD Gatwick Airspace Modernisation ReviewI am well aware of many of the points the hon. Member is making. In fact, back in 2014 I was on Gatwick’s consultative forum as a community representative and I was well aware…18 Dec 2024HANSARD Provisional Local Government Finance SettlementI commend the Minister for his work in bringing forward the settlement to secure a fair deal for the sector, but, as many hon. Members have alluded to, the elephant in the room is…18 Dec 2024