Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDraft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2025It is a pleasure to serve on this Committee with you in the Chair, Mrs Hobhouse. The Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s desire to make manufacturing and packaging more…09 Dec 2025HANSARDDraft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2025The Liberal Democrats have urged the Government to consider exempting pubs from the EPR, and to review the scheme’s scope and timeline to stop further damage to the hospitality…09 Dec 2025HANSARDPost-16 Skills EducationAs was identified in the national food strategy, there is a shortage of skills in food and farming. The Liberal Democrats are proposing a “Farm First” scheme to give young people…08 Dec 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseYesterday, in my role as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on women in defence, and alongside Angela Owen OBE, who founded Women in Defence UK in 2011, I was pleased to…04 Dec 2025HANSARDBudget ResolutionsOn neighbourhood health plans, St Dunstan’s House health and wellbeing centre and West Mendip primary care network are seeking to put together a preventive approach to crime,…02 Dec 2025HANSARDUkraineSince 2022, 1,600 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Somerset away from Putin’s war machine, many making Glastonbury and Somerton their home. The US-led peace negotiations, dictated…02 Dec 2025HANSARD Angiolini InquiryI associate myself with the comments from across the House today. My thoughts are with Sarah Everard’s family and all those whose lives have been impacted by violence against…02 Dec 2025HANSARDUkraine4. What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of US foreign policy on Ukraine.02 Dec 2025HANSARDChild Poverty StrategyRural areas have deep pockets of deprivation, and nearly 18% of children in Glastonbury and Somerton live in poverty. How will the Minister ensure that the child poverty strategy…01 Dec 2025HANSARDOffice for Budget Responsibility ForecastsAt last year’s autumn Budget, the Chancellor claimed that 75% of farms would be unaffected by agricultural property relief and business property relief, a figure that has been…01 Dec 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseLast year, gig ticket scams cost music lovers over £1.6 million, as fans were exploited by greedy ticket touts. The money they paid for fake tickets often went on to fund serious…27 Nov 2025HANSARDPackaging: Extended Producer ResponsibilityI want to push the Minister on the plight of our struggling hospitality sector. I asked if she could consider exempting pubs from the EPR scheme at this stage to give a chance to…27 Nov 2025HANSARDPackaging: Extended Producer ResponsibilityIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Lewell. I congratulate the hon. Member for Gower (Tonia Antoniazzi) on securing this important and timely debate, and on her…27 Nov 2025HANSARDEngagementsQ4. This morning, I met farmers on Whitehall and on Saturday I met farmers supplying milk to family-run Wyke Farms, which has been making traditional cheddar cheese near Bruton…26 Nov 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT7. In Somerset, only 41% of children have seen an NHS dentist in the past two years, which is well below the national average. Ben from Somerton is a single parent of four…25 Nov 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI will focus my attention on my amendment 174, which would ensure that rural, remote and coastal areas are properly considered when preparing a local growth plan. As it stands,…24 Nov 2025HANSARDFamilies in Temporary AccommodationThere are nearly 300 households in temporary accommodation in Somerset, and 120 of them include children. Somerset is spending nearly £3.4 million per year on additional temporary…24 Nov 2025HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy hon. Friend will know that Somerset county council was near bankrupt in 2018. Indeed, we suffered a lot under the previous Conservative-led county council’s tenure because of…24 Nov 2025HANSARDSpecialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional EconomiesThe hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech. As he knows, the south-west has a brilliant, large defence-related manufacturing sector. Needles and Pins Aerospace is a small,…19 Nov 2025HANSARD Flood Risk and Flood Defence Infrastructure: North-west EnglandIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I thank the hon. Member for Warrington South (Sarah Hall) for securing this important debate. In recent years,…18 Nov 2025