Contributions
426 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProductivity and Economic Growth: East MidlandsSadly, the investment that I had hoped to see in my hospital in Torbay has been kicked into the long grass. We still have hundreds of sewage leaks across the hospital, 85% of…17 Mar 2026HANSARD GP ContractGPs truly are the frontline of our NHS. I recently had the pleasure of meeting representatives from the Chilcote practice in Torquay. They shared with me their concerns about the…16 Mar 2026HANSARDDigital ID: Public ConsultationI thank the more than 6,000 residents who signed a petition against mandatory digital ID. The scheme that has been outlined will inevitably save the Government billions of pounds,…10 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week, Citizens Advice shared a report into Access to Work which confirmed many things that we know from our own postbags relating to disturbing delays in the system on both…09 Mar 2026HANSARDUnemploymentPolitics is all about choices. Last week, the Chancellor stood at the Dispatch Box with a choice: she could have chosen to reverse the jobs tax that is costing thousands of jobs…09 Mar 2026HANSARD Work Capability Assessment TimescalesAs a former caseworker, I can reflect on how it can impact you as an individual. I used to play ABBA after hearing about particularly traumatic events on the phone with…04 Mar 2026HANSARDNHS Capital SpendingWhat a pleasure it is to serve under you as chairman, Mr Western. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) on securing this important…04 Mar 2026HANSARD Local Government FinanceFor Torbay council, on which I still serve, incredible assumptions are being made about the levels of council tax being collected. That results in a deficit of £13 million in…11 Feb 2026HANSARDIndependent Water Commission: Final ReportIf people in Torbay check the Surfers Against Sewage app today as I did, they will see that eight sites are monitored where there could be overflows of sewage. Six overflows have…10 Feb 2026HANSARDSocial SecurityI welcome the proposals on child benefit and guardian’s allowance. When I visit schools in Torbay, it is disturbing to hear how many children are only too alive to the cost of…10 Feb 2026HANSARD Pensions and Social SecurityIt is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams). It is almost as if she has been cribbing off my speech—maybe it is because we…10 Feb 2026HANSARD Standards in Public LifeIt is jaw-dropping how many rich and powerful people were within Epstein’s orbit, and how many of them believed that they were untouchable. It is important that we have a culture…09 Feb 2026HANSARDChanges to Jury TrialsThere is clear evidence up and down the country of Serco failing to serve the Courts Service appropriately, including for my constituents in Torbay. Does the Secretary of State…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChanges to Jury Trials13. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his proposed reforms to jury trials on the court backlog.03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his thoughts on that. I remind my colleague that shortly after the coalition Government, the Conservatives stripped away an awful lot of the…03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillI thank the hon. Member for her non-partisan intervention. The Liberal Democrats opposed the two-child limit. We are on the record as doing that and I am delighted we did so. A…03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillThe Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a society that is free, open and fair, and a society in which no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. That is…03 Feb 2026HANSARDUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) BillWill the Minister give way?03 Feb 2026HANSARD Business of the HouseStorms Ingrid and Chandra have wreaked havoc across Devon, whether it is flooding in Ottery Saint Mary, closure of the Dawlish rail line or having parts of our harbours and…29 Jan 2026HANSARD Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO ReportI met the Secretary of State a few weeks ago, and we reflected on his being a fan of Celtic and Bruce Springsteen, but I was not aware that he is also a member of the Magic…29 Jan 2026