Contributions
775 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingLet me reiterate what the Minister is not quite saying: we are looking forward to a defence review that will set out what we need. It will not then be circumscribed as a…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Russian Maritime Activity and UK ResponseI thank the Secretary of State for his profoundly important statement, which is immensely reassuring, but may I ask about pre-emption? We all know that Russia is no respecter of…22 Jan 2025HANSARDEngagementsThe Prime Minister’s Budget raised taxes, borrowing and public spending as a strategy for economic growth. When will he accept the words of one Labour Prime Minister in the 1970s,…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipI join others in very much welcoming this declaration of solidarity between London and Kyiv on the future of Ukraine, but there is something surreal in these exchanges. Everything…20 Jan 2025HANSARD Covid-19 InquiryMay I echo the sentiments of the hon. Member for Blackley and Middleton South (Graham Stringer) by expressing concerns about the inquiry? The Minister has been clear that he…16 Jan 2025HANSARD Child Sexual Exploitation and AbuseThe House should be generous towards the Home Secretary, as she has travelled a long way since last week by recognising that there is a requirement for far more inquiries into the…16 Jan 2025HANSARDGas Storage LevelsThe National Electricity System Operator issued a warning of a 1,700 MW shortfall at the evening peak. It revised that down to barely more than 1,200, and it was running at one…13 Jan 2025HANSARD Public Finances: Borrowing CostsHaving listened very carefully to the right hon. Gentleman’s responses, I believe that he is making a more significant statement than many of his colleagues might realise. By…09 Jan 2025HANSARDChild Sexual Exploitation and AbuseI also thank the Secretary of State for her statement. I think the House is overwhelmingly behind her in dealing with these difficult subjects and implementing the findings of the…06 Jan 2025HANSARD Hospice FundingMerry Christmas, Mr Speaker. The St Helena Hospice in Colchester, which serves my constituency and that of the Labour hon. Member for Colchester (Pam Cox), estimates that the…19 Dec 2024HANSARD UkraineCould we be completely realistic? The outcome of the conflict is likely to be determined by President Trump and what he chooses to do. Therefore, it is essential that the British…19 Dec 2024HANSARD Harland & WolffI add my congratulations to the Government for getting this agreement over the line, but when will we get their defence industrial strategy? So far we have had only a rather…19 Dec 2024HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyThe Government clearly want to dismantle legacies of empire. Why, then, do we think it is so important to attach the Chagos islands to Mauritius when, in fact, that link was only…18 Dec 2024HANSARDUnited Front Work DepartmentJust a few days ago, the head of MI5 talked about having to make “uncomfortable choices” and paring back counter-terrorism operations in order to deal with the huge rise in state…16 Dec 2024HANSARD English DevolutionWhat guarantee can the Minister give that there will be new money from the Treasury to fund the costs of any local government reorganisation in Essex, to avoid the costs of that…16 Dec 2024HANSARD Building HomesWill the Minister reaffirm the principle of “infrastructure first” in order to get homes built? In Tendring and Colchester, we are planning to build a 9,000-home borders community…12 Dec 2024HANSARDPlanning Committees: ReformThis working paper smacks of having been thought up after a request for options to streamline the planning process. What is the evidence that what planning committees decide is…09 Dec 2024HANSARD Business of the HouseWill the Leader of the House provide time for a debate about free trade and how best to approach the incoming American Administration to secure a free trade agreement? Will she…05 Dec 2024HANSARD Plan for Change: Milestones for Mission-led GovernmentI assure the right hon. Gentleman that I do not think anybody doubts the sincerity of the new Government in wanting to achieve these laudable aims. I remind him, however, of John…05 Dec 2024HANSARD Grenfell Tower InquiryI completely agree. The record keeping of airlines, air engine manufacturers and aircraft maintenance companies has to be absolutely meticulous. It is inspected by the CAA, but…02 Dec 2024