Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFuture of Public LibrariesI congratulate the hon. Member on securing this important debate. In Somerset we have a huge number of libraries, and a recent independent review cited Somerset libraries as…14 May 2025HANSARDFuture of Public LibrariesMy hon. Friend is right: Somerset council operates many mobile libraries across the county, which provide a lifeline to rural villages in Glastonbury and Somerton such as…14 May 2025HANSARD Glass Packaging: Extended Producer ResponsibilityIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Stringer, and to speak on behalf of the Liberal Democrats on this important issue. I congratulate the hon. Member for Rotherham…14 May 2025HANSARD Glass Packaging: Extended Producer ResponsibilityMy hon. Friend makes a really good point. Those are, indeed, the unintended consequences we will see if the scheme is rolled out in its current form. I am really worried about how…14 May 2025HANSARD Carer’s LeaveA constituent of mine who lives in Glastonbury told me that she cares for her 95-year-old mum who needs constant assistance. She is concerned because not only is she having to…14 May 2025HANSARD Carer’s LeaveMy hon. Friend was probably going on to say that most carers have no idea that they have accidentally been overpaid carer’s allowance. Unpaid carers are doing such a remarkable…14 May 2025HANSARDUK-EU SummitThe previous Conservative Government undermined farmers and our rural economy with a botched trade deal with Australia and New Zealand. Indeed, the former Secretary of State for…13 May 2025HANSARDFlooding: Planning and Developer ResponsibilitiesI must contest my hon. Friend’s suggestion that he represents the wettest part of the country. Somerset is always at the forefront of flooding. Part of my constituency lies in the…13 May 2025HANSARD Small AbattoirsI thank Members for their contributions, which are much appreciated. I heard very clearly their passion for supporting farmers in their areas. They made it abundantly clear that…08 May 2025HANSARD Small AbattoirsI absolutely agree. Reducing food miles is essential, along with carbon sequestration. Small farmers who supply local markets are doing sterling work by reducing food miles. At…08 May 2025HANSARD Small AbattoirsI beg to move, That this House has considered the potential merits of Government support for small abattoirs. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Sir Desmond. I thank the…08 May 2025HANSARD Trade NegotiationsDespite the reassurances from the Minister, many farmers in Glastonbury and Somerton will feel really anxious about being thrown under a bus yet again as a result of this trade…08 May 2025HANSARDWater Sector Reform: ConsultationBy 2050 we will need more than 4,000 additional megalitres of water a day, with rising temperatures resulting in a fivefold increase in drought risk. That is concerning news for…08 May 2025HANSARD Dedicated Schools GrantThe Minister describes the additional funding but, as I have explained, many parents and children are suffering with severe mental health issues; it is heartbreaking to see. The…06 May 2025HANSARD Dedicated Schools GrantIt is a pleasure to speak in this important debate and to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Butler. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Tewkesbury (Cameron Thomas) on…06 May 2025HANSARD Dedicated Schools GrantI will touch on that. Delivering education in a huge rural county has so many pressures and complexities and my hon. Friend is absolutely right to bring that up. Let me give a…06 May 2025HANSARD Cullompton and Wellington StationsSomerton and Langport is the largest area without a station between London and Penzance; it represents a 28-mile gap between Taunton and Castle Cary. I have worked hard with…06 May 2025HANSARD Cullompton and Wellington StationsI intervene because Jonathan, a constituent from Somerton, hoped that his son would attend Richard Huish sixth form in Taunton, in my hon. Friend’s constituency. However, the…06 May 2025HANSARD Irish Republican Alleged IncitementGiven the proximity of my constituency to the Glastonbury festival, many local people are concerned to learn that a pop group promoting harmful and extremist rhetoric are…29 Apr 2025HANSARDHousehold Energy Efficiency14. What steps he is taking to help improve the energy efficiency of homes.29 Apr 2025