Contributions
167 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDangerous DrivingMy hon. Friend is making a passionate and moving speech, and I am pleased to see so many families here. She, like me, will have spent far too many hours in grieving families’…08 Jul 2019HANSARD Parental Involvement in Teaching: Equality ActI thank hon. Friend so much for giving way. I spent a couple of hours with the headteachers of the schools. Does he agree, while he is talking about the demonstrations, that the…25 Jun 2019HANSARDFree ChildcareOn many occasions, the Minister has told us that what he really cares about is quality and sustainability. Will he explain how he is improving quality when the National Day…24 Jun 2019HANSARDFree TV Licences: Over-75sTwenty years ago, I played a character in “Coronation Street” called Tricia Armstrong, who was imprisoned for not paying for her TV licence. That caused quite a furore and, in…11 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI beg to move, That this House has considered rising crime and antisocial behaviour in smaller towns and communities. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray,…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Sure Start: IFS ReportThank you for granting this urgent question, Mr Speaker, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Central (Lucy Powell) for asking it. The IFS report showed that Sure…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI thank colleagues across the House for their contributions. It is really interesting to know that I am not alone in representing a community that feels that crime has got out of…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI absolutely agree. My hon. Friend makes a powerful point about the reduction of police officers on the streets. If an officer has to travel further with a prisoner, they will be…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI absolutely agree. In comparison with cities, the quality of life in some towns is being diminished because services are going out to cities—infrastructure and so on. We should…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsThat is a very well-made point. By working with Safer Kirklees and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, we can have a joined-up effect on the most persistent burglars and try to get…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI thank my hon. Friend for that comment. Certainly, in Batley, the police station has gone up for sale. It is disconcerting for communities when they see that “For sale” sign…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsThat is an excellent point. I pay tribute to those officers who are increasingly asked to go beyond the call of duty and attend what are sometimes quite violent situations that…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsMy right hon. Friend makes a fantastic point. We need the community presence, as well as the intelligence that comes from relationships with communities. That can stem the flow of…05 Jun 2019HANSARD Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Small TownsI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting antisocial behaviour, which I will come to. The cuts certainly have an impact on our streets. The funding cuts to West Yorkshire police…05 Jun 2019HANSARDTV Licences for Over-75sIt is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington South (Faisal Rashid). I am pleased to speak in this important debate, which I thank my hon. Friend the Member…08 May 2019HANSARDTV Licences for Over-75sI could not agree more. I am 100% behind what my hon. Friend has said. This is not just about being able to make brilliant programmes that challenge international players such as…08 May 2019HANSARDDementia SupportMy friend and constituent Malcolm Haigh, who is known locally as Mr History because of his forensic knowledge of the history of Batley and Spen, is now living with dementia. We…07 May 2019HANSARD Places of Worship: Security FundingI thank the Home Secretary for what he has said this afternoon. I encourage all places of worship in my constituency, including churches and mosques, to access this money, but on…07 May 2019HANSARDEnvironment and Climate ChangeThe right hon. Gentleman spoke earlier about leadership. Will he celebrate with me the Labour council of Kirklees, which, in January, had already declared a climate change…01 May 2019HANSARDCreative Projects: Early Years ExperienceThe Minister may be aware of the recent “Sounds of Intent” report, which showed that targeted music lessons for under-fives helps close the gap, particularly in deprived areas and…29 Apr 2019