Contributions
764 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCost of ChildcareI know that the hon. Lady does not mean to implore me to ride roughshod over the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, but we need to abide by the devolution settlement in that…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsMy right hon. and learned Friend is right to highlight the issue. A number of things have been said about this matter that are not the case. The money will be made available in…22 Nov 2023HANSARDFlood Recovery FundingThe floods have seen devastating consequences for businesses and households, so the Government have worked hard to come forward with a substantial package that is consistent with…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsIt is easy to throw out a cheap political line like that, but as the hon. Member has heard me say to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Swindon (Sir Robert…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsThe hon. Lady makes her point with great force but, as I just said to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Swindon (Sir Robert Buckland), the money will be spent…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsIt is not our view that the people are being punished for an impasse. The reality is that the budget situation is difficult for all the devolved nations. The hon. Lady will know…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was right when he said that education is the closest thing we have in public policy to a silver bullet, but I say to the hon. Gentleman…22 Nov 2023HANSARDCost of ChildcareEarly education and childcare are devolved matters, so policy and spending decisions are for the Northern Ireland Executive. It is vital that a new Executive are formed to ensure…22 Nov 2023HANSARDFlood Recovery FundingThe rest of the money is within the power of the Northern Ireland civil service to spend, because it is reallocated funding. Alas, the Treasury is not under my control—all I can…22 Nov 2023HANSARDFlood Recovery FundingThe hon. Member is absolutely right to raise that. She will know that such matters are mostly for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. That is why we are so keen…22 Nov 2023HANSARDTeaching Assistants: FundingPay policy in Northern Ireland is devolved, and it is not for the Government to make those decisions. I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree that such decisions should be made…22 Nov 2023HANSARDFlood Recovery FundingI agree with the right hon. Gentleman that a review is needed. I believe that it is possible for the Northern Ireland civil service to get on with that work under the powers that…22 Nov 2023HANSARDTeaching Assistants: FundingI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue. We are actively considering representations made by trade unions. He raises an important point, and I know that he…22 Nov 2023HANSARDPublic Services: Budgetary ConstraintsNorthern Ireland’s finances are unsustainable, I am sorry to say, and the Departments are facing difficult decisions to live within their budgets. That is why my right hon. Friend…22 Nov 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023I join the hon. Member for Putney in congratulating Jon Boutcher. Of course, the need to make his appointment was one reason why we laid this instrument as early as we did, and I…15 Nov 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023I am extremely grateful to my right hon. Friend. He and I have a long history together on such matters, perhaps in more controversial circumstances. The Committee will hopefully…15 Nov 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 1061). I am very grateful to…15 Nov 2023HANSARDDraft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023In relation to future bilateral treaties, as we have said, the UK remains open to negotiating fully reciprocal bilateral agreements where EU member states are interested in doing…24 Oct 2023HANSARDDraft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023Again, I am grateful to my hon. Friend. The best thing that I can do is ask Foreign Office Ministers to write to him setting out their plans. After all, it is their responsibility…24 Oct 2023HANSARDDraft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023I am most grateful to my hon. Friend. In the first place, I am grateful that our country has decided that we are on the moral high ground in giving those retained rights to EU…24 Oct 2023