Contributions
923 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Civil Service AppointmentsIn his Ditchley lecture at the weekend, the Minister said: “How can we in Government be less southern, less middle class, less reliant on those with social science qualifications…30 Jun 2020HANSARD Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) BillI speak in support of new clause 38, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh West (Christine Jardine), and new clause 36, tabled by the hon. Member for Cumbernauld,…30 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateIf we want to make local lockdowns work, we must ensure that people and businesses get the economic support they need to get through a further outbreak of covid. That means making…29 Jun 2020HANSARDXinjiang: UyghursCan the Minister outline what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the United Nations Human Rights Council takes some decisive action, including setting up a special…29 Jun 2020HANSARD Independent Complaints and Grievance SchemeAs a new MP with a background in human resources, I would echo some of the comments made by the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier). I have often thought…23 Jun 2020HANSARDReading Terrorist AttackIn January this year, the Government said that they would follow through in conducting a review of their Prevent strategy. However, six months on, there is still no chair for the…22 Jun 2020HANSARDDFID-FCO Merger(Urgent Question) : To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the merger of the Department for International Development with the…18 Jun 2020HANSARD International DevelopmentI welcome the opportunity to debate these statutory instruments regarding the ADB and IDA. This is clearly a timely moment to discuss how the UK gives its aid, how much it gives…18 Jun 2020HANSARDDFID-FCO MergerOn Tuesday, the Prime Minister U-turned on free school meal vouchers for disadvantaged kids in England, only to stand at the Dispatch Box and cancel meals for the world’s poorest.…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy constituent Freddie Melville wrote to me last week. He is 10, and when he grows up he wants to be a farmer like his dad. He told me that all animals deserve to be reared to a…18 Jun 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsMay I start by sending, on behalf of all my Liberal Democrat colleagues, our very best wishes to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Amy Callaghan) for a speedy and full…15 Jun 2020HANSARDSocial Distancing: 2 Metre RuleAs we have found over the past few weeks, consistency of messaging is important, and 2 metres is currently consistent across the UK. All Governments in the UK have been questioned…15 Jun 2020HANSARDProbation ServicesOne of the biggest causes of reoffending has been the failure to ensure properly effective through-the-gate services. We know that suitable housing, stable employment and strong…11 Jun 2020HANSARD Education Settings: Wider OpeningAt last Thursday’s business questions the Leader of the House suggested that I should direct my question to the Secretary of State this week. The cap on the number of English…09 Jun 2020HANSARD Electoral ReformI cannot agree that first past the post has a place, because I believe that we can use other ways and methodologies to represent constituencies, such as the single transferrable…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Electoral ReformI thank my hon. Friend for her intervention and entirely agree with her. As I say, only one of our four nations seems to feel that its young people do not have that insight, and…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Electoral ReformIt seems that debates on potential electoral reform are a bit like buses: wait a long time for a chance to discuss it, and then, with the Parliamentary Constituencies Bill last…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresI welcome today’s news from the Scottish Government that we have just had a second day in Scotland of no additional deaths from coronavirus, but I am concerned about the level of…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Electoral ReformAgain, I entirely agree with what my hon. Friend says; this has created our two-party politics and divisiveness, and, as a result, there is not the opportunity to work in…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Victims of the Troubles: Payment SchemeAgain, I am speaking on behalf of and in agreement with the hon. Member for North Down (Stephen Farry), who is unable to be here today. I thank the Minister for acknowledging the…04 Jun 2020