Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Storm BertResidents across Somerset are once again feeling incredibly anxious. Parts of Glastonbury and Somerton saw 130 mm of rain during Storm Bert over the weekend, which has placed…25 Nov 2024HANSARD Global Plastics TreatyI thank the hon. Member for bringing forward this important debate. The last Government oversaw soaring rates of plastic incineration, and delays to modest waste reforms such as…20 Nov 2024HANSARD Flood Preparedness: NorfolkI congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. I also live far away from Norfolk, but Somerset obviously has a record of flooding—in fact, it is named Somerset…20 Nov 2024HANSARD Global Plastics TreatyCarymoor Environmental Trust in my constituency runs fantastic plastic sessions and has educated over 58,000 children in Somerset about the environmental impact of plastic and…20 Nov 2024HANSARD Global Plastics TreatyMy constituent Catherine Conway is the founder of GoUnpackaged, the world’s first modern zero-waste shop, which is hugely reducing the use of single-use plastics. She is also part…20 Nov 2024HANSARD Apprenticeships and T-LevelsI thank the right hon. Member for securing this important debate. Some 6.9% of young people in Somerset are believed to be not in education, employment or training, which is…20 Nov 2024HANSARDFood BanksI thank the hon. Member for securing this important debate. He mentioned the Trussell Trust, which supports the largest network of food banks in the UK. The charity distributed…19 Nov 2024HANSARDVeterans: Newcastle-under-LymeI recently met Got Your Six in Wincanton, which provides crucial therapeutic support for veterans and serving personnel. One veteran told me that its support had been invaluable…18 Nov 2024HANSARDChildren’s Social CareSomerset council is facing a £7.5 million overspend on children’s services this financial year, with an increased number of children coming into care. I welcome the pledge to…18 Nov 2024HANSARD Bus FundingThe new funding for bus services in Somerset is welcome, but my constituents often tell me that they need bus-rail links to connect areas not served by train stations. Will the…18 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandI am grateful to my hon. Friend for securing an audience with the Minister. I hope we can ensure that we get the coverage we need in Somerset, which is largely a rural county.13 Nov 2024HANSARD Educational OpportunitiesI thank the hon. Member for securing this important debate. Somerset is home to Agratas, which is a 40 GWh gigafactory at the Gravity Smart Campus. It is creating jobs and…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandI take your point, Dame Siobhain, so I will hesitate to take any more interventions. The previous Government launched a consultation on reaching very hard-to-reach areas, and to…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandAs I said, we must work harder to resolve some of the problems that CDS has left us in Devon and Somerset. Farms are also hindered by poor mobile connectivity. An NFU survey…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandI wholeheartedly agree, and will say more about the implications for rural businesses, farmers and vets. Farmers rely on the internet for multiple purposes, such as sustainable…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandI could not agree more. The ongoing spending review must take that into account and must ensure that the remaining unspent funds for Project Gigabit are spent on ensuring that…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandThe funding is very welcome, but we need to make sure that it is fit for purpose and reaches our customers. That is the most important thing. Far too many rural areas are in very…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandYes, I agree, and I will come on to that as I move through my speech. County Councils Network analysis shows that only 21% of county areas have gigabit broadband, compared with…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Future of the Post OfficeStreet in my constituency will lose its main high street post office in early 2025. There is a new listing for another post office, but questions around its viability will now…13 Nov 2024HANSARD Rural BroadbandI beg to move, That this House has considered broadband in rural areas. It is a pleasure to serve under you in the Chair, Dame Siobhain. Broadband and internet connectivity are…13 Nov 2024