Contributions
426 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Employment Rights BillI agree with my hon. Friend. When I go and speak to primary school teachers, they say that they face a challenge where there is poor attachment between the parent and the child,…11 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillThe holy grail sought by all Governments, of whichever hue, is economic growth. I therefore think it important for us to look through the lens of economic growth, and to think…11 Mar 2025HANSARD Employment Rights BillAs somebody who was adopted myself, I know only too well the importance of supportive love. I have been heavily involved with children’s services, and I know that the best care…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Ninth sitting)I just want some assurance on how it was decided that one month was long enough. For my sins, I served the people of Torbay in elected of office for 30 years before getting…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Ninth sitting)I seek the Minister’s guidance as to how DWP officers, when they undertake these acts, will ensure that seize and sift will not be the standard modus operandi and that it is used…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Ninth sitting)The power to seize items, down in the weeds of an investigation, is essential to ensuring that we hold the right people to account. However, I am alive to the fact that seized…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Ninth sitting)I am pleased to have had the debate. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 75 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 76 Entry,…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Ninth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Western. We have touched previously on having an independent overview of the activities that will take place under the Bill,…11 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. The Liberal Democrats broadly welcome the proposals in the clauses. Safeguarding people is an essential part of the…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)Will the Minister confirm whether, once the Bill has passed, he could choose to increase the scope to include all pensioners?06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)I referred to the proposals as Orwellian, and my concern goes back to “Animal Farm” where the notice was amended to read: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)We need to make sure that there is a level of proportionality. On pension credit, proportionality suggests to me that pensioners are often extremely private people, and they will…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)I reflect to the hon. Member for South West Devon that accusing somebody of being short-sighted when they have a guide dog with them is a bit of a juxtaposition, but it was taken…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)I am sure that many colleagues will be alive to the fact the proposals before us mean that one in eight will be affected by these quite significant powers of mass surveillance.…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)I will press both my amendments to a vote.06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)The Minister will not be surprised that I return to the fact that the Bill has been rushed. I respectfully remind him that we are a very refreshed House of Commons. This is fresh…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eighth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this afternoon, Sir Jeremy. Liberal Democrats believe, as do all members of the Committee, that fraud is bad. It clearly impacts…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)The amendment is about ensuring transparency around the Bill. I have already explored transparency, and other hon. Members have talked about reasonableness. The Bill gives the…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 31, in clause 64, page 34, line 23, at end insert— “(1A) Prior to appointing an independent person, the Minister must consult the relevant committee of the…06 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Seventh sitting)Legislation that is rushed is often legislation that is dangerous, and I fear that that is where we are today. The hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire was very…06 Mar 2025