Contributions
1,101 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSecurity UpdateI do not think I have had chance from the Dispatch Box to pay a genuine, heartfelt tribute to my immediate predecessor as Deputy Prime Minister. Having done the job for a few…11 Sept 2023HANSARDSecurity UpdateProper scrutiny is provided by the Intelligence and Security Committee. I certainly take the reports produced by the ISC very seriously— [ Interruption. ] I am fully aware of the…11 Sept 2023HANSARDSecurity UpdateThe hon. Gentleman would not expect me to comment specifically on the agencies, but I can give him a general assurance that we have provided them with the necessary resources they…11 Sept 2023HANSARDSecurity UpdateAs I said in answer to a previous question, the full response to the ISC will be coming shortly. An important point has been raised in respect of ACOBA, for which I have overall…11 Sept 2023HANSARDSecurity UpdateI have great respect for the hon. Gentleman, as he knows, but I simply do not accept this slightly over-the-top characterisation of the Government’s approach. We have been…11 Sept 2023HANSARDNational ResilienceMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that security of energy supply is critical to our national resilience, and we have made significant progress on this. We are moving from often…07 Sept 2023HANSARDNational ResilienceStrengthening our national resilience is a key priority for me and for the whole Government. Last month, we updated the national risk register. This is the most transparent…07 Sept 2023HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests: RemitWe have already reformed the role of the independent adviser. It is now the case that the independent adviser can initiate investigations with the presumption that the Prime…07 Sept 2023HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests: RemitThe Prime Minister’s independent adviser on Ministers’ interests, Sir Laurie Magnus, works within established and robust terms of reference, to provide impartial advice on matters…07 Sept 2023HANSARDCyber-securityThe Government’s cyber-security strategy sets out our plans to strengthen the resilience of the Government’s critical functions against cyber- attacks. A key milestone in our plan…07 Sept 2023HANSARDPropriety in Public LifeWhat we saw during the crisis was the Prime Minister, who was then Chancellor, acting decisively and rapidly to save the economy and millions of jobs. Since we have passed out of…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight those challenges. The health service—I have seen this in my own constituency—is coming up with innovative models to look at wider…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsTomorrow marks the first anniversary of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and it is of course right that as a country we honour Her late Majesty’s legacy. As a first step towards…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMay I begin by welcoming the right hon. Gentleman to his new position? It is wonderful that the great tradition of gingers across the Dispatch Boxes continues—although, if he does…07 Sept 2023HANSARDCyber-securityMy hon. Friend is totally correct that the external risk landscape is increasing all the time, not least because of the conflict in Russia and Ukraine, which has meant that the…07 Sept 2023HANSARDPropriety in Public LifeThat is simply not the case. If the hon. Gentleman had listened to the exchange, he would have heard that the Prime Minister answered comprehensively every question raised by the…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat is an interesting proposal. If we are to get public consent for the number of houses we need to build, we must be able to reassure people that the infrastructure is in place.…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct to raise all of these questions, and that is precisely what my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is overseeing with…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI have already met with Lord Janvrin, who will be leading the committee. He of course has two decades of experience in service to the royal household, including as private…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsOf course, it is incumbent on Ministers to drive efficiencies in arm’s length bodies such as Homes England. I am very happy to pick that up with my relevant ministerial colleagues.07 Sept 2023