Contributions
478 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBudget ResolutionsLast year, the Chancellor increased public spending by £72 billion, financed by £40 billion of extra taxes and £32 billion of extra borrowing. That was all justified, we were…01 Dec 2025HANSARDBudget ResolutionsWill the Minister give way?01 Dec 2025HANSARDBudget ResolutionsWill the Secretary of State give way?01 Dec 2025HANSARD ExxonMobil: MossmorranThe closure of the ExxonMobil plant is bad news for the whole of the UK economy, and it is the direct result of Labour’s economic and energy policies. Does the Minister accept…18 Nov 2025HANSARDAsylum PolicyI thank the Home Secretary for her statement. Labour’s change of course is most welcome, and she has outlined some useful steps. My constituents want to see the Holiday Inn in…17 Nov 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseThe decision by Liberal Democrats on Somerset council to cancel the Cross Rifles roundabout upgrade in Bridgwater has left residents facing severe congestion. Combined with a new…13 Nov 2025HANSARDTaxesI would suggest two reasons. First, our economy has slowed down as a result of the very tax increases that the Chancellor has imposed. Secondly, the feral Labour Back Benchers…12 Nov 2025HANSARDTaxesDoes my hon. Friend agree that this very long lead-in period for the Budget has caused enormous uncertainty for businesses, which have faced a string of briefings in the media…12 Nov 2025HANSARDTaxesThe hon. Gentleman will know that the Liberal Democrats joined a coalition Government in 2010 with the Conservatives. We inherited a deficit of £156 billion in 2010—11% of GDP—and…12 Nov 2025HANSARDTaxesDuring the general election, the Labour party said that it would not increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. It repeated that it would not increase taxes on working…12 Nov 2025HANSARDTaxesWould my hon. Friend agree that what has actually changed is the inability of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to control their Back Benchers, who now feel free to demand…12 Nov 2025HANSARDPrisoner Releases in ErrorTwo days before Kaddour-Cherif was released, the Justice Secretary said he had “introduced the strictest checks ever seen in our prison system to stop similar unacceptable errors…11 Nov 2025HANSARD Alcohol Duty: UK Wine SectorI am grateful to my hon. Friend for securing this debate. On the point about excessive tax inhibiting entrepreneurship, I visited Ned Awty and his family, who run the Oatley…11 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingBritain’s welfare system was created as a safety net. It is a system designed to protect people who face hardship through no fault of their own, but today, that net is becoming a…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingWhen we design welfare rules, it has to be for the whole economy and all our people, and I believe that the two-child benefit cap is fair. Under this Labour Government,…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingOn that point, will the hon. Gentleman give way?04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingWill the Minister give way?04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationI beg to move, That this House has considered Royal Mail and the universal service obligation. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. It is also a…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationIf the hon. Gentleman stays, he will find that I answer most of those points in the remainder of my speech. Since 1840, the principle of the USO has been simple: everyone in the…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Royal Mail: Universal Service ObligationIndeed. The hon. Gentleman will find that if only 20% do not get next-day delivery, they are doing better than average; that does not speak highly of Royal Mail. Since I was…04 Nov 2025