Contributions
511 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Adoption and Kinship PlacementsAbsolutely: the goalposts have completely shifted. As we saw with farming, it happened overnight, so there was no warning for families and no ability for them to come up with…20 May 2025HANSARD Adoption and Kinship PlacementsThe hon. Gentleman takes the words right out of my mouth, and if he stays for the whole debate he will hear me say exactly that. He raises an important point: we are asking people…20 May 2025HANSARD Adoption and Kinship PlacementsWe heard earlier about the role of a corporate parent. That did not make it into my speech—I ran out of time—but although that might be a local authority responsibility, it is…20 May 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe British defence company Babcock employs over 2,000 people from my constituency. The long-awaited strategic defence review is due any day now, so will the Secretary of State…19 May 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI tabled amendment 102 in good faith, as I thought it might be workable. I want to reflect on what the Minister said at the beginning of his speech. I do not recall ever being…16 May 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and GirlsMy constituent Keith Levell was sexually abused at school, and was referred to as a number, not a name, during the investigations. He has been holding out for the redress scheme…07 May 2025HANSARDGPs: Time with PatientsMy constituent Dr Toby Nelson, an NHS consultant dermatologist, has started a business that seeks to address the heavy demand on primary care for skin health screening. His…06 May 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillI thank the hon. Member for his intervention, but that is not what we are debating; it is certainly not part of my speech. Our new clauses 11, 12 and 20 are on the impact on…29 Apr 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillWith the leave of the House, I will make a few additional comments. This is the perfect opportunity to respond to some of the points made about Conservative amendments and new…29 Apr 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillWill the hon. Member give way?29 Apr 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillAnd cheesecake as well—I did not want to say it from the Front Bench, but I have now. Madam Deputy Speaker, you will have to look back at Hansard , but I will never look at a…29 Apr 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillI echo my hon. Friend’s concern that the existing powers are not being used enough. I ask the Minister to give us further information on how those powers are being used and an…29 Apr 2025HANSARD Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillI echo the Minister’s comments about the work of the Bill Committee. We had a constructive few weeks getting into the nitty-gritty. I have no doubt that the House will agree that…29 Apr 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhat assurances can the Minister provide to concerned adoptive parents in my constituency who benefited from the match funding element of the adoption and special guardianship…28 Apr 2025HANSARD“For Women Scotland” Supreme Court RulingI am sure the Minister will recognise that there are many women, including former supporters of her own party, who voted for candidates like me entirely because of our record of…22 Apr 2025HANSARDBlair Mayne: Posthumous Victoria CrossLike everybody in the Chamber, I thank the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for securing this debate on the final day before Easter. We have really enjoyed listening to…08 Apr 2025HANSARDNew TownsIn the new town of Sherford, which is already being built in my constituency, there will be up to 5,500 new homes built over the coming years. However, there are challenges around…07 Apr 2025HANSARD Relationship Education in SchoolsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. I congratulate the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) on securing this debate. We have some fantastic…01 Apr 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillGiven the hon. Member’s expertise as a former council leader, would he agree that the provision in the Bill that enables councils to set fees for planning could go further,…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that the emphasis in the Bill on removing the powers of planning committees will, by default, lead the public to believe that planning committees…24 Mar 2025