Contributions
723 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingI am going to surprise the Minister and say that I think he is right that the armed forces were not big enough when we left Government, and that every Chancellor since the end of…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Russian Maritime Activity and UK ResponseI welcome the Secretary of State’s candour. It is important that the country understands the threats to the nation. It is estimated that the economy would lose tens of millions of…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipI welcome the Government’s efforts on the 100-year partnership. President Zelensky has made great strides in cracking down on corruption in his country, but he has a long way to…20 Jan 2025HANSARDObesity: Food and DietI congratulate the hon. Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) on securing this important debate. There was a lot in his speech with which I agreed, and a lot with which I disagreed. I do…20 Jan 2025HANSARDObesity: Food and DietThe hon. Gentleman is making some very important points. I would add that adult obesity is not necessarily down to the kinds of food that he has outlined. When people are tired or…20 Jan 2025HANSARDObesity: Food and DietI chuckled to myself when the hon. Gentleman said that, because people ask me if something is seriously wrong. He emphasises the point that weight, whether thin or fat, is a…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Endometriosis: Women in the WorkplaceIt is fortuitous that you are in the Chair tonight, Madam Deputy Speaker, given all the work you did on these issues in the last Parliament as Chair of the Women and Equalities…15 Jan 2025HANSARD Endometriosis: Women in the WorkplaceI want to build on what the hon. Lady said about endometriosis in the workplace. The condition often comes with infection of the digestive system, which can make many women…15 Jan 2025HANSARD Endometriosis: Women in the WorkplaceThere has been a lot of cross-party work on this issue. I led a debate—the last one before the general election was called, I think—on endometriosis education. It is not…15 Jan 2025HANSARD Agricultural and Business Property ReliefI thank my right hon. Friend for securing this debate. I also draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. When a small farm has been in a family…14 Jan 2025HANSARDGas Storage LevelsThe Minister has several times mentioned energy security, and has said that the drive to net zero will make us more energy-secure, but now that Europe has learned the lesson of…13 Jan 2025HANSARDUnited Front Work DepartmentThe west certainly learned a lesson about energy supplies and where they come from when Russia invaded. To build on what my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford…16 Dec 2024HANSARDCumberlege Review: Pelvic MeshThis is such an important debate, and many of us in this room have been working on this issue for a very long time. I point the hon. Gentleman to the Government’s review of the…05 Dec 2024HANSARDCumberlege Review: Pelvic MeshIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I congratulate the hon. Member for Harlow (Chris Vince); it is encouraging that new-intake MPs are already raising…05 Dec 2024HANSARDCumberlege Review: Pelvic MeshMy right hon. Friend has just made an important point. He spoke about the removal of protrusions and seven surgeries. That almost puts a gloss on what has happened. We have all…05 Dec 2024HANSARDFarming and Inheritance TaxDoes my right hon. Friend agree that what is quite frightening about this policy is that perhaps the Government know exactly what they are doing, and that, a bit like “Animal…04 Dec 2024HANSARDEngagementsThank you, Mr Speaker. On 29 November, the House will be asked to consider the Second Reading of one of the most consequential pieces of legislation about the country’s make-up. I…13 Nov 2024HANSARDRural AffairsOn that point, will my right hon. Friend give way?11 Nov 2024HANSARDRural AffairsIt is a pleasure to take part in the debate. I congratulate all hon. Members who have made their maiden speech today; they have all been genuinely fascinating and worth listening…11 Nov 2024HANSARDRural AffairsI am most grateful to my right hon. Friend. We know what our rural communities are like, and I am sure we all enjoy a pint, but when I go to the pub at the moment I hear farmers…11 Nov 2024