Contributions
478 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFirearms LicensingDoes my hon. Friend agree with the concerns raised by the Highbridge, Huntspill and Burnham District Wildfowling Club in my constituency that aligning these licences will put an…23 Feb 2026HANSARD Local Government FinanceDoes my hon. Friend acknowledge that the Labour Government have abolished the rural services delivery grant, a decision that has cost Somerset council £4.1 million and has cost…11 Feb 2026HANSARDUK-India Free Trade AgreementDoes this not suggest that when a deal was presented to the then Conservative Secretary of State for Business and Trade, she declined to sign it because she judged it not in the…09 Feb 2026HANSARDUK-India Free Trade AgreementThe hon. Gentleman quotes a Brexit hit of 6% to 8% of GDP. Has he just invented that figure or has he got some evidence for it?09 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillIf the hon. Gentleman had listened to what I was saying, he would know that I was describing the tactics of the hon. Member for Clacton. That, I believe, is what motivates his…03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillThe benefits system is a safety net designed to support people in hardship, but a fair system must balance that with the needs of those who pay for it. Benefits are paid by the…03 Feb 2026HANSARDPrisoner Rehabilitation: Education and TrainingNext year, the Government will spend more money on education in prisons, yet they will actually commission 25% less education by way of quantity of service. Why are they doing…03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillTwelve months ago, not only did the Government support the two-child cap, but they were busy suspending Labour Back Benchers who voted against it. Can the Secretary of State tell…03 Feb 2026HANSARD Business of the HouseI thank the frontline staff at the Environment Agency, drainage board and council who are working hard to tackle flooding in Somerset. This year, water levels have risen faster…29 Jan 2026HANSARD Prison Capacity: Annual StatementI thank the Minister for his statement. He said that the release of prisoners will depend on their behaviour while inside. Can he confirm that his definition of good behaviour…29 Jan 2026HANSARD River Habitats: Protection and RestorationAt the risk of delivering more “flim-flam”, I should say that the hon. Member has just told us that it was the Water (Special Measures) Act that announced the ban on company…29 Jan 2026HANSARD River Habitats: Protection and RestorationWill the hon. Member give way?29 Jan 2026HANSARD River Habitats: Protection and RestorationI thank the hon. Member for his intervention. I do not think it is for the Government to regulate the salaries of the private sector. It was the Conservative Government that…29 Jan 2026HANSARD River Habitats: Protection and RestorationIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Butler. I congratulate the hon. Member for South Dorset (Lloyd Hatton) on securing this debate; it is a welcome opportunity…29 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationThe hon. Member anticipates much of my speech, and I thank him for that intervention. Unsurprisingly, in my survey those in larger villages reported the best service, and those in…27 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationI beg to move, That this House has considered the impact of the time taken to install gigabit capable broadband on rural communities. It is a pleasure to serve under your…27 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationI thank the hon. Lady for raising that point, and I agree with her. That is why I started my speech with a reference to electricity being rolled out to the last few villages in…27 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationI am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that point. The lack of reliable broadband discourages innovation and investment, and pushes people towards cities and towns—not because…27 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationI think the word “shambles” is harsh; I would say that “patchy” is a more accurate description. Going from 6% in 2018 to 78% today is an achievement, and the hon. Lady should give…27 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural Broadband: InstallationI agree with the hon. Gentleman. He and I have perhaps similar constituencies, in that we have one large dominant town and a hinterland of many small villages and hamlets. Those…27 Jan 2026