Contributions
426 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBlind and Partially Sighted People: Employment SupportThe hon. Member has clearly been reading my notes, because my next point was that someone cannot be a Disability Confident employer and not employ anyone disabled—she is spot on.…20 Nov 2024HANSARDBlind and Partially Sighted People: Employment SupportThank you for your sterling chairmanship, Dr Huq. I thank the hon. Member for Battersea (Marsha De Cordova) for securing this debate on an issue that is extremely important,…20 Nov 2024HANSARDFrontier AI SafetyOn question number 13, Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister what steps he will take to ensure that people who are visually impaired are able to engage—20 Nov 2024HANSARD Asylum Seekers: Hotel AccommodationI am sure that the vast majority of Members accept that the new Government have inherited a complete and utter shambles of an asylum system, and are having to clear up another…20 Nov 2024HANSARD Primary School Breakfast Clubs“Tired, hungry and cold.” That is how one headteacher told me a number of her pupils came to school feeling, when I visited a primary school in Torbay last week. I was impressed…18 Nov 2024HANSARDChildren’s Social CareFor far too long, children’s services have been a Cinderella department. I am delighted that the Secretary of State is shining a light on them and driving a positive way forward…18 Nov 2024HANSARD Bus FundingI would like to acknowledge the significant investment in my constituency and say how welcome this will be after Torbay’s first “bus back better” bid came back empty from the…18 Nov 2024HANSARD Social Security Advisory Committee: Winter Fuel PaymentMany of us in the Chamber accept that the new Government inherited a financial mess from the old Government. It is a pity that that is being balanced on the backs of pensioners.…12 Nov 2024HANSARD NHS Dentistry: South-westI thank you, Mr Vickers, for ably chairing the debate, and my hon. Friend the Member for Honiton and Sidmouth (Richard Foord) for securing it. I represent Torbay, which is sadly a…12 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am sure all Members in this Chamber are aware of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign and the parliamentary ombudsman’s findings. Will the Secretary of State…11 Nov 2024HANSARDPension Credit: UptakeOn Armistice Day, it is important that we as a Chamber reflect on the Royal British Legion and its “Credit their Service” campaign. This is a campaign to ensure that when benefits…11 Nov 2024HANSARDIncome Tax (Charge)The fact is that the new Government have inherited an economic shambles thanks to the previous Government. The Office for Budget Responsibility identified a yawning £10 billion…04 Nov 2024HANSARDGreat British Energy BillI echo that. Torbay has an oven-ready solar scheme that would power our hospital and our council, yet because the national grid is not fit for purpose, that scheme has remained a…29 Oct 2024HANSARD Remembrance and VeteransDoes my hon. Friend agree that the Government should give serious thought to excluding military compensation when calculating pension credit?28 Oct 2024HANSARD Infected Blood Compensation SchemeThis is a deeply sad scandal. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need reassurance from the Minister that there is adequate capacity to process the applications at pace?23 Oct 2024HANSARD Employment Rights BillI congratulate the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Fleetwood (Lorraine Beavers) on a powerful maiden speech. I broadly welcome the Bill before us—after all, it is clearing up…21 Oct 2024HANSARDCarer’s AllowanceThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a great honour to stand here as the MP for Torbay. It is right and proper that I acknowledge the hard work of my predecessor, Kevin Foster.…16 Oct 2024HANSARD Renters’ Rights BillI refer colleagues to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I welcome this Bill, and want to reflect on my constituency. The national average proportion of…09 Oct 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsMr Speaker, may I draw your attention to a report recently published by the University of Bath, which highlights that benefit claimants face a series of cliff edges if they claim…07 Oct 2024HANSARDWinter Fuel PaymentThere are 2.7 million pensioners over the age of 80 who would have benefited from the £300 winter fuel allowance. They are among the most vulnerable in our society. The right hon.…07 Oct 2024