Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Adoption and Special Guardianship Support FundI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) for securing this urgent question. Zach and Iesha were placed in the care of my amazing caseworker, Sammie, nine…01 Apr 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and GirlsWomen and girls will never truly be safe while terrifying online influencers such as Andrew Tate are allowed platforms that radicalise men and boys into extreme misogyny. What…31 Mar 2025HANSARDSpring StatementGrowth is not the word on the lips of farmers, whose confidence in the Government is at a low ebb following the family farm tax, the abrupt closure of the sustainable farming…26 Mar 2025HANSARDDigital InclusionLack of access to digital services prevents people from applying for jobs, studying and accessing healthcare, but community interest companies such as Donate IT, based in…26 Mar 2025HANSARD Great British Energy BillThere are five community energy schemes in my constituency, and they all contribute to local energy supplies. An increase in community energy projects would boost the local…25 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillI have reservations about whether the Bill will achieve its aims. Somerset faces a significant need for more homes, particularly social and affordable housing, especially in rural…24 Mar 2025HANSARDSexual HarassmentI thank the Minister for his response, and for the work he has done. The 2024 armed forces continuous attitude survey reported that 13% of female personnel had experienced sexual…24 Mar 2025HANSARD Planning and Infrastructure BillAs a fellow Somerset MP, my hon. Friend will be aware that Somerset has had 18,000 homes stuck in a planning moratorium for nearly five years. While some of those have been…24 Mar 2025HANSARDSexual Harassment6. What steps he is taking to protect female members of the armed forces from sexual harassment.24 Mar 2025HANSARD Council Tax ReformSomerset council is in the position of having to raise council tax this year, but a recent external assurance review reported that a significant proportion of the council’s budget…19 Mar 2025HANSARD Council Tax ReformSixty-six per cent of Somerset council’s budget goes to fund social care. That budget is funded through the taxes raised on property based on prices from 1991, as the hon. Member…19 Mar 2025HANSARDWinter Fuel PaymentA constituent from Tintinhull who is suffering from stage 4 stomach cancer contacted me because he has recently had a gastrectomy, which has caused him considerable weight loss.…19 Mar 2025HANSARDWinter Fuel PaymentAround 40% of properties in Glastonbury and Somerton are not connected to the gas grid. They are more expensive to heat, and people experience more fuel poverty as a result.…19 Mar 2025HANSARD National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillI rise to speak to Lords amendments 1, 4, 5, 9 and 13. These amendments tabled by the Liberal Democrats in the other place would ensure that care providers, NHS GP practices,…19 Mar 2025HANSARDNEET Young PeopleLike young people in Portsmouth North, in Cramlington and Killingworth, and in Derby South, young people in Glastonbury and Somerton face barriers to their employment, education…17 Mar 2025HANSARDWomen’s Changed State Pension Age: CompensationWASPI women should be fairly compensated. Just this week, I spoke to a woman who lives in the village of Street in my constituency. She worked hard for 40 years, but has recently…17 Mar 2025HANSARDEngagementsYesterday, with no notice, DEFRA closed sustainable farming incentive applications, leaving thousands of farmers who want to deliver public goods waiting for a year without…12 Mar 2025HANSARDSustainable Farming IncentiveComing at a time of record low confidence in farming, many farmers in Glastonbury and Somerton will feel that the sudden closure of the SFI scheme will bring them closer to…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Housing Development Planning: Water CompaniesI thank my hon. Friend for securing this really important debate. Speaking of medieval villages, I met residents of a little village called Mudford in my constituency last week.…12 Mar 2025HANSARD Rural Communities: Government SupportI will not, because of time. Given that the SFI has now finished, will the Department publish the scheme’s key performance indicators and how they were met? Or will it keep…12 Mar 2025