Contributions
565 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Land Use Change: Food SecurityIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I thank the right hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) for securing this important debate. British…18 Nov 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT8. Gareth from Pitney lives in an off-grid home. He has no affordable heating options available to him other than oil. Despite being really keen to transition to renewable…18 Nov 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and GirlsMy constituent Fiona from Milborne Port is a victim of historical rape. With recent reporting highlighting the vile attitudes of some in regard to historical rape victims, Fiona…17 Nov 2025HANSARD Illegal Waste: Organised CrimeWaste crime on an industrial scale is blighting rural communities across the country and costing the UK economy £1 billion a year. It has even been described as the “new…17 Nov 2025HANSARDCurriculum and Assessment ReviewFood and farming are almost entirely missing from the national curriculum, leaving young people with limited understanding of where their food comes from, or awareness of career…05 Nov 2025HANSARDAgricultural and Business Property Relief: Impact on FarmersA Liberal Democrat freedom of information request revealed that the Treasury recently had plans to review the family farm tax. Farmers across the country are fed up with bickering…04 Nov 2025HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance ReductionsMy hon. Friend speaks about security and education. A charity in my constituency, School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, has delivered 160,000 school bags filled with…04 Nov 2025HANSARDSupporting High StreetsThe Loft bar in Street—a locally owned and run business—contributes so much to the social fabric of the town but has been crippled by business rates and rocketing utility and…04 Nov 2025HANSARDAgricultural and Business Property Relief: Impact on Farmers10. If she will hold discussions with farming representatives on the potential impact of changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on farmers.04 Nov 2025HANSARDDefence Sector: Economic GrowthThe south-west, as the Minister has already confirmed, is home to major military assets. The defence sector supports over 60,000 jobs in the region, including many in Glastonbury…03 Nov 2025HANSARD Support for Disabled VeteransJohn, who lives in Fivehead, lost his hearing due to inadequate ear protection on the practice firing range, and he receives compensation as a result. He has never claimed…28 Oct 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT4. Only 30% of people with autism are in work, compared with nearly 55% of disabled people. Charlie, who is celebrating his 31st birthday on Saturday, lives in Baltonsborough…27 Oct 2025HANSARD Statutory Maternity and Paternity PayThe current support for multiple birth families is inadequate. Samantha from Wincanton is a mother of twins, and after giving birth she received the same statutory maternity pay…27 Oct 2025HANSARDEngagementsQ13. Many in Glastonbury and Somerton are forced to travel hundreds of miles to see an NHS dentist or suffer in agony, fall into debt to pay for private treatment or turn to DIY…22 Oct 2025HANSARDJhoots PharmacyJhoots Pharmacy has revealed the severe financial strain facing community pharmacies. The towns of Glastonbury and Bruton are home to fantastic independent pharmacies, continuing…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Community Helipads: Rural AccessI thank my hon. Friend for giving way and for securing this important debate. South Western Ambulance Service covers 10,000 square miles. However, due to the large rural areas in…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Community Helipads: Rural AccessI also want to celebrate and thank all ambulance crews, as well as everybody working in the NHS, for the brilliant work they do providing this service. Dorset and Somerset Air…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Tree Maintenance: Guidance to Local AuthoritiesI thank the right hon. Member for giving way and for securing this important debate. In addition to proper maintenance, which is essential—it is heartbreaking to hear the stories…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Tree Maintenance: Guidance to Local AuthoritiesOn tree canopy cover, I was lead member for environment and climate change at Somerset council when it was developing the tree strategy. The county is 8% tree canopy—way below the…15 Oct 2025HANSARDTackling Climate Change: International Co-operationCOP30 begins next month in Brazil. The UK must play a leading role on the world stage to tackle climate change. At home, however, Somerset council is hampered in its attempts to…14 Oct 2025