Contributions
345 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland Hospitality SectorI agree with the hon. Member. That is why many representative organisations think that VAT reduction would be a key enabler. It would not solve all those problems, but it would…15 Jul 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Hospitality SectorI beg to move, That this House has considered the potential merits of a VAT reduction pilot for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland. It is a pleasure to serve under your…15 Jul 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Hospitality SectorI agreed with the hon. Member until his last point. The McKeever group owns the hotel in which he was married. I had my wedding reception at the group’s Dunsilly hotel, and it is…15 Jul 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Hospitality SectorI thank the hon. Member for raising that point, because we do share a land border with another jurisdiction. In the Republic of Ireland, hospitality businesses already benefit…15 Jul 2026HANSARDCommunity CohesionIn his first answer, the Secretary of State said that the recent disorder was a problem that needed to be solved. A fortnight ago, I arranged a roundtable in my constituency that…08 Jul 2026HANSARD Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC GuidanceWe should remember that this change will have an effect across all the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. A Northern Ireland coastguard rescue officer contacted me to…01 Jul 2026HANSARD Steel Tariffs: Northern IrelandI will take the Minister up on that offer. I wrote to him asking him to meet companies in South Antrim over two weeks ago and I am still waiting on a response to that. In his…30 Jun 2026HANSARDYouth HubsI recently met Voices for Impacts youth advisory group in Glengormley. Unfortunately, the funding for its youth centre has been cut to one night per week. What encouragement can…29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeWill the hon. Member also acknowledge that even Members of the Finance Minister’s party are now opposed to the budget he produced?29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeI congratulate the Chair on how she is raising the issue in this debate and how she has handled the legacy inquiry. Does she agree that there must be an answer to the concerns…29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeWill the Secretary of State give way?29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeThe right hon. Gentleman will acknowledge that, as there has not been a repetitive budget since 2016, any transformation or investment in health is always more challenging, and…29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeWill the Secretary of State give way?29 Jun 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland OfficeI thank the hon. Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft) for raising the matter. I was the Minister who commissioned the inquiry, and listening to the families and the individuals who…29 Jun 2026HANSARD Farming Road Map and Profitability ReviewThe Minister said that the road map was not written in Whitehall and handed down, but it is an England-only document, despite Baroness Batters receiving submissions from Northern…24 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn an earlier answer, the Minister ruled out a VAT reduction for hospitality businesses across the United Kingdom. Will he at least meet me, Hospitality Ulster and the Northern…23 Jun 2026HANSARDSteel TariffsNorthern Ireland manufacturers—and, indeed, metal traders—who rely on those specialist grades, including stainless steel box section, are already impacted by EU tariffs, and the…17 Jun 2026HANSARD Lifelong Learning: “University of the Air” White PaperIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. I thank and congratulate the hon. Member for Southport (Patrick Hurley) on securing this debate. I should also…16 Jun 2026HANSARD Lifelong Learning: “University of the Air” White PaperI fully support the Member’s contribution. In fact, one in five Northern Ireland students is registered as having a disability. So the Open University opens up not just…16 Jun 2026HANSARD Lifelong Learning: “University of the Air” White PaperReflecting on the contributions so far, it is also worth noting that the Open University supports the members of our British armed forces through its courses.16 Jun 2026