Parliament

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 May 2024

Given that the Prime Minister only has to give a month’s notice before a general election, and we are expecting that the Labour party will be in power, I am waiting to hear the hon. Member’s answers t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 May 2024

Given that the Prime Minister only has to give a month’s notice before a general election, and we are expecting that the Labour party will be in power, I am waiting to hear the hon. Member’s answers t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 May 2024

Given that the Prime Minister only has to give a month’s notice before a general election, and we are expecting that the Labour party will be in power, I am waiting to hear the hon. Member’s answers t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 May 2024

He’s shaking his head at me again. Some things are a political difference of opinion, right? This is a point blank refusal to offer protection to human beings at risk of death. There is no other way t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 May 2024

I absolutely will ask the Minister to answer that question. That does not mean that he will, because I quite often ask questions that never get answered, as do we all, but I hope he tries to answer.Ro ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 May 2024

Last Friday, I held a public meeting in Dennistoun in my constituency of Glasgow North East on what more people can do to help the people of Gaza. My constituents, like everybody else, are feeling utt ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 May 2024

Given that the Prime Minister only has to give a month’s notice before a general election, and we are expecting that the Labour party will be in power, I am waiting to hear the hon. Member’s answers t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 May 2024

Given that the Prime Minister only has to give a month’s notice before a general election, and we are expecting that the Labour party will be in power, I am waiting to hear the hon. Member’s answers t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 May 2024

He’s shaking his head at me again. Some things are a political difference of opinion, right? This is a point blank refusal to offer protection to human beings at risk of death. There is no other way t ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 May 2024

I absolutely will ask the Minister to answer that question. That does not mean that he will, because I quite often ask questions that never get answered, as do we all, but I hope he tries to answer.Ro ...

Palestinians: Visa Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 May 2024

Last Friday, I held a public meeting in Dennistoun in my constituency of Glasgow North East on what more people can do to help the people of Gaza. My constituents, like everybody else, are feeling utt ...

Immigration Update

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 May 2024

I haven’t finished. I emailed the Home Office last night and I went to the Home Office this morning, but officials refused to give me any information. I went with a letter for one of the Minister’s co ...

Youth Mobility: European Commission Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 May 2024

The youth mobility scheme would allow young people in my constituency of Glasgow North East and across Scotland to participate in youth exchanges, work, study and travel across Europe. The Minister go ...

Immigration Update

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 May 2024

I haven’t finished. I emailed the Home Office last night and I went to the Home Office this morning, but officials refused to give me any information. I went with a letter for one of the Minister’s co ...

Youth Mobility: European Commission Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 May 2024

The youth mobility scheme would allow young people in my constituency of Glasgow North East and across Scotland to participate in youth exchanges, work, study and travel across Europe. The Minister go ...

Immigration Update

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 May 2024

Yesterday, my 21-year-old Springburn constituent, Abdullah Salimi, was detained. He was then taken on a 10-hour journey from Scotland to England, I suspect because in Scotland he would get legal aid a ...

Youth Mobility: European Commission Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 May 2024

7. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposal for a youth mobility scheme on young people in Scotland. ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 April 2024

My hon. Friend reminds me that I have loads of constituents—I do not know how I missed this out—who say they can no longer let their dogs run free off the lead when they are out for a walk because of ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 April 2024

As I should have said in my speech, I understand that a lot of antisocial behaviour comes from having nothing to look forward to and few job prospects. I will not stand here and say, “This is all your ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 April 2024

Some of what the hon. Gentleman is talking about would apply in England and Wales only; that is one point. My feeling is that there are so many instances of this behaviour that the police would be kep ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 April 2024

My hon. Friend reminds me that I have loads of constituents—I do not know how I missed this out—who say they can no longer let their dogs run free off the lead when they are out for a walk because of ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 April 2024

As I should have said in my speech, I understand that a lot of antisocial behaviour comes from having nothing to look forward to and few job prospects. I will not stand here and say, “This is all your ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 April 2024

Some of what the hon. Gentleman is talking about would apply in England and Wales only; that is one point. My feeling is that there are so many instances of this behaviour that the police would be kep ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 April 2024

My intention is not to make registration financially prohibitive, but the hon. Gentleman is right that such a scheme would be a deterrent in other ways. If people know they cannot go around unidentifi ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 April 2024

I thank the hon. Gentleman. Before the issue came to my attention, he was speaking about and campaigning on it, so I thank him for that on behalf of my constituents.Littlehill golf course, in my const ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2024

I very much appreciated the conversation with the Minister and his remarks. I am not somebody who stands here and says, “I demand that the law be changed immediately.” I welcome any progress that we c ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 April 2024

I agree with the hon. Lady, although electric bikes are not—yet—included in the Bill. According to my mother, who is 84, anybody on a bicycle should have to have a registration plate, so that she can ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 April 2024

I thank my hon. Friend for those words, and I echo what he says about our colleagues Bob Doris and Councillor Allan Gow. Constituents in Glasgow North East have been calling, emailing and messaging me ...

Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 May 2024

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.I have always believed that politicians and political parties should show leadership rather than simply following public opinion, and that that l ...

Business of the House

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 April 2024

Springburn Winter Gardens Trust has submitted a bid to the community ownership fund to stop our winter gardens—once the largest glass house in Scotland—collapsing. Could we have a debate in Government ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 April 2024

Thank you, Ms Vaz. I was thinking, “Please don’t call me, because my speech is eight minutes,” but there we go—you have not given me time to cut it down! I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Cen ...

Green Technologies: Investment

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 April 2024

Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), I co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group on green deal mis-selling. After nearly 10 years, we are still ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 April 2024

Thank you, Ms Vaz. I was thinking, “Please don’t call me, because my speech is eight minutes,” but there we go—you have not given me time to cut it down! I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Cen ...

Green Technologies: Investment

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 April 2024

Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), I co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group on green deal mis-selling. After nearly 10 years, we are still ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 April 2024

Thank you, Ms Vaz. I was thinking, “Please don’t call me, because my speech is eight minutes,” but there we go—you have not given me time to cut it down! I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Cen ...

Green Technologies: Investment

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 April 2024

Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), I co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group on green deal mis-selling. After nearly 10 years, we are still ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 April 2024

Thank you, Ms Vaz. I was thinking, “Please don’t call me, because my speech is eight minutes,” but there we go—you have not given me time to cut it down! I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Cen ...

Green Technologies: Investment

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 April 2024

Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), I co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group on green deal mis-selling. After nearly 10 years, we are still ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 April 2024

Does the hon. Lady agree that supermarkets leave food to the very last minute rather than distributing it for human consumption, because they are incentivised to divert it to animal feed? If we can tu ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 May 2024

Thank you, Ms Vaz. I was thinking, “Please don’t call me, because my speech is eight minutes,” but there we go—you have not given me time to cut it down! I thank the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Cen ...

Green Technologies: Investment

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 May 2024

Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), I co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group on green deal mis-selling. After nearly 10 years, we are still ...

Food Waste and Food Distribution

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 May 2024

Does the hon. Lady agree that supermarkets leave food to the very last minute rather than distributing it for human consumption, because they are incentivised to divert it to animal feed? If we can tu ...

Defending the UK and Allies

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 January 2024

In his statement, the Prime Minister told us that one of his motives was the ordinary people of Yemen. He said that the Houthis’ attacks risked worsening the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen itsel ...

Defending the UK and Allies

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 January 2024

In his statement, the Prime Minister told us that one of his motives was the ordinary people of Yemen. He said that the Houthis’ attacks risked worsening the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen itsel ...

Defending the UK and Allies

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 January 2024

In his statement, the Prime Minister told us that one of his motives was the ordinary people of Yemen. He said that the Houthis’ attacks risked worsening the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen itsel ...

Cost of Living in Scotland

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 January 2024

I was waiting for the appropriate moment. I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate, but also for allowing me to make a couple of points. I wonder whether my hon. Friend shares my absolute horro ...

Cost of Living in Scotland

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 January 2024

I was waiting for the appropriate moment. I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate, but also for allowing me to make a couple of points. I wonder whether my hon. Friend shares my absolute horro ...

Cost of Living in Scotland

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 January 2024

I was waiting for the appropriate moment. I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate, but also for allowing me to make a couple of points. I wonder whether my hon. Friend shares my absolute horro ...

Sri Lanka

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 December 2023

Many prominent Sri Lankans were credibly accused of war crimes against the Tamil minority, particularly towards the end of the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. But all these years on, they are still at ...

Sri Lanka

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 December 2023

Many prominent Sri Lankans were credibly accused of war crimes against the Tamil minority, particularly towards the end of the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. But all these years on, they are still at ...

Sri Lanka

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 December 2023

12. Whether his Department is taking diplomatic steps to help ensure that perpetrators of alleged human rights violations against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka are held to account. ...

Sri Lanka

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 December 2023

Many prominent Sri Lankans were credibly accused of war crimes against the Tamil minority, particularly towards the end of the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. But all these years on, they are still at ...

Sri Lanka

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 December 2023

12. Whether his Department is taking diplomatic steps to help ensure that perpetrators of alleged human rights violations against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka are held to account. ...

Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 December 2023

Humanitarian aid agencies are now repeatedly warning in strong and unmistakable terms that they simply cannot fulfil their mandate in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has said that Gaz ...

Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 December 2023

Humanitarian aid agencies are now repeatedly warning in strong and unmistakable terms that they simply cannot fulfil their mandate in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has said that Gaz ...

Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 December 2023

Humanitarian aid agencies are now repeatedly warning in strong and unmistakable terms that they simply cannot fulfil their mandate in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has said that Gaz ...

Sri Lankan Tamils and Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 December 2023

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day), and I thank him on behalf of all my Tamil friends and colleagues for bringing this debate back here. It matters a ...

Sri Lankan Tamils and Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 December 2023

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day), and I thank him on behalf of all my Tamil friends and colleagues for bringing this debate back here. It matters a ...

Ceasefire in Palestine

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2023

In recent days, we have had a pause in the violence in Palestine. That pause has allowed some aid to get through, and some Israelis and some Palestinians to be released. Instead of people being bombed ...

Refugee Family Reunion Routes: Sudan

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2023

I am sure my hon. Friend is aware that there is a big Sudanese community in Glasgow, and I remember a meeting I had with a number of Sudanese people who made that very point about Ukraine. They said, ...

Refugee Family Reunion Routes: Sudan

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 December 2023

I am sure my hon. Friend is aware that there is a big Sudanese community in Glasgow, and I remember a meeting I had with a number of Sudanese people who made that very point about Ukraine. They said, ...

Ceasefire in Palestine

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 December 2023

In recent days, we have had a pause in the violence in Palestine. That pause has allowed some aid to get through, and some Israelis and some Palestinians to be released. Instead of people being bombed ...

Fuel Poverty

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 November 2023

Across the world and in the United Kingdom, human rights are being eroded and fuel poverty is on the rise. This Government could address both by declaring access to energy a human right. It would mean ...

Fuel Poverty

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2023

Across the world and in the United Kingdom, human rights are being eroded and fuel poverty is on the rise. This Government could address both by declaring access to energy a human right. It would mean ...

Fuel Poverty

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 December 2023

4. What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of fuel poverty since 2018. ...

International Development White Paper

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 November 2023

The Minister has consulted widely, and he truly has a refreshingly collaborative cross-party approach. We in the SNP broadly welcome the tone of it and some of the detail around mutual respect, listen ...

International Development White Paper

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 November 2023

The Minister has consulted widely, and he truly has a refreshingly collaborative cross-party approach. We in the SNP broadly welcome the tone of it and some of the detail around mutual respect, listen ...

International Development White Paper

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2023

The Minister has consulted widely, and he truly has a refreshingly collaborative cross-party approach. We in the SNP broadly welcome the tone of it and some of the detail around mutual respect, listen ...

International Development White Paper

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 December 2023

The Minister has consulted widely, and he truly has a refreshingly collaborative cross-party approach. We in the SNP broadly welcome the tone of it and some of the detail around mutual respect, listen ...

Energy bills support

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 November 2023

Thousands of people desperately worried about paying their energy bills will not get the support from this Government that they got last year. I am on the record as being critical of that, and of ener ...

Illegal Immigration

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 November 2023

This morning I met a British Palestinian woman called Wafia, who told me that 30 members of her family have died in the last month in Gaza. She told me about her cousins, who so far have survived but ...

Energy bills support

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2023

Thousands of people desperately worried about paying their energy bills will not get the support from this Government that they got last year. I am on the record as being critical of that, and of ener ...

Illegal Immigration

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2023

This morning I met a British Palestinian woman called Wafia, who told me that 30 members of her family have died in the last month in Gaza. She told me about her cousins, who so far have survived but ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 November 2023

T5. If life is so peachy for pensioners and if the Minister really is as passionate as he says he is about supporting pensioners, why does Independent Age say that, despite the long list he has given, ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 November 2023

T5.If life is so peachy for pensioners and if the Minister really is as passionate as he says he is about supporting pensioners, why does Independent Age say that, despite the long list he has given, ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2023

T5.If life is so peachy for pensioners and if the Minister really is as passionate as he says he is about supporting pensioners, why does Independent Age say that, despite the long list he has given, ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 November 2023

T5.If life is so peachy for pensioners and if the Minister really is as passionate as he says he is about supporting pensioners, why does Independent Age say that, despite the long list he has given, ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 November 2023

T5.If life is so peachy for pensioners and if the Minister really is as passionate as he says he is about supporting pensioners, why does Independent Age say that, despite the long list he has given, ...

Cost of Energy: Dalmarnock

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 October 2023

I thank my hon. Friend for taking my intervention. I wanted to come in earlier on prepayment meters, but I was very keen to listen to what else she was saying. Despite the fact that Ofgem has, for the ...

Cost of Energy: Dalmarnock

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 October 2023

I thank my hon. Friend for taking my intervention. I wanted to come in earlier on prepayment meters, but I was very keen to listen to what else she was saying. Despite the fact that Ofgem has, for the ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2023

Q10. The day I had to phone my bank to tell it that I was having difficulty paying my mortgage was one that has lived with me for years. I found that because my income was so low at the time, ironical ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2023

I absolutely agree. One of the things that shocked me most when I read through the briefing notes was that someone can fail their vetting but still be a serving police officer. It did not just shock m ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2023

My retired constituents, from Dennistoun to Ruchazie, from Carntyne to Blackhill, and across the north and east of Glasgow, know that I am a champion for their rights. That is why I set up the all-par ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2023

I absolutely agree. One of the things that shocked me most when I read through the briefing notes was that someone can fail their vetting but still be a serving police officer. It did not just shock m ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2023

Q10.The day I had to phone my bank to tell it that I was having difficulty paying my mortgage was one that has lived with me for years. I found that because my income was so low at the time, ironicall ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2023

My retired constituents, from Dennistoun to Ruchazie, from Carntyne to Blackhill, and across the north and east of Glasgow, know that I am a champion for their rights. That is why I set up the all-par ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2023

Thank you for calling me to speak, Mr Davies.“We wonder why people become disillusioned. I am sure that all those decades ago when the Macpherson report was first published, there were many who heaved ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2023

2. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on increasing the uptake of pension credit among older people. ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 July 2023

I absolutely agree. One of the things that shocked me most when I read through the briefing notes was that someone can fail their vetting but still be a serving police officer. It did not just shock m ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 July 2023

Q10.The day I had to phone my bank to tell it that I was having difficulty paying my mortgage was one that has lived with me for years. I found that because my income was so low at the time, ironicall ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 July 2023

My retired constituents, from Dennistoun to Ruchazie, from Carntyne to Blackhill, and across the north and east of Glasgow, know that I am a champion for their rights. That is why I set up the all-par ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 July 2023

Thank you for calling me to speak, Mr Davies.“We wonder why people become disillusioned. I am sure that all those decades ago when the Macpherson report was first published, there were many who heaved ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 July 2023

2. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on increasing the uptake of pension credit among older people. ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 July 2023

I absolutely agree. One of the things that shocked me most when I read through the briefing notes was that someone can fail their vetting but still be a serving police officer. It did not just shock m ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 July 2023

Q10.The day I had to phone my bank to tell it that I was having difficulty paying my mortgage was one that has lived with me for years. I found that because my income was so low at the time, ironicall ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 July 2023

My retired constituents, from Dennistoun to Ruchazie, from Carntyne to Blackhill, and across the north and east of Glasgow, know that I am a champion for their rights. That is why I set up the all-par ...

Metropolitan Police: Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 July 2023

Thank you for calling me to speak, Mr Davies.“We wonder why people become disillusioned. I am sure that all those decades ago when the Macpherson report was first published, there were many who heaved ...

Pension Credit Uptake

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 July 2023

2. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on increasing the uptake of pension credit among older people. ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 May 2023

T9. For seven long years, my SNP colleagues and I have fought for justice for victims of green deal mis-selling. A successful recent test case is now being appealed, and the resolution to this could t ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 May 2023

T9.For seven long years, my SNP colleagues and I have fought for justice for victims of green deal mis-selling. A successful recent test case is now being appealed, and the resolution to this could ta ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 May 2023

T9.For seven long years, my SNP colleagues and I have fought for justice for victims of green deal mis-selling. A successful recent test case is now being appealed, and the resolution to this could ta ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 June 2023

T9.For seven long years, my SNP colleagues and I have fought for justice for victims of green deal mis-selling. A successful recent test case is now being appealed, and the resolution to this could ta ...

Public Order Act 2023

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 May 2023

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. A few moments ago, the Minister claimed that the former Justice Secretary, Keith Brown MSP, had welcomed the Public Order Act. Well, I have just spoken to the f ...

Public Order Act 2023

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 May 2023

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. A few moments ago, the Minister claimed that the former Justice Secretary, Keith Brown MSP, had welcomed the Public Order Act. Well, I have just spoken to the f ...

Public Order Act 2023

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 May 2023

No, as the hon. Lady refused to take my interventions.No doubt those Labour MPs who have been consistent and committed in their principled opposition to this Act have been reminded that they are up fo ...

Public Order Act 2023

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 May 2023

I thank all Members who have spoken in this SNP debate on the repeal of the Public Order Act 2023. I particularly want to mention the speeches of my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow Central (Alison ...

Energy Bill [Lords]

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 May 2023

Does the hon. Member share my concerns, which I think are widespread, about the plight of people on prepayment meters who are struggling to pay for energy? Does he share my disappointment that nothing ...

Energy Bill [Lords]

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 May 2023

Does the hon. Member share my concerns, which I think are widespread, about the plight of people on prepayment meters who are struggling to pay for energy? Does he share my disappointment that nothing ...

Energy Bill [Lords]

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 June 2023

Does the hon. Member share my concerns, which I think are widespread, about the plight of people on prepayment meters who are struggling to pay for energy? Does he share my disappointment that nothing ...

Energy Bill [Lords]

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 September 2023

Does the hon. Member share my concerns, which I think are widespread, about the plight of people on prepayment meters who are struggling to pay for energy? Does he share my disappointment that nothing ...

Sudan: Emergency Situation

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 May 2023

Earlier today, I spoke to someone from the Sudanese community in Scotland, who are all desperately worried. She was one of the organisers of an event at the weekend raising money for the Sudan Doctors ...

Sudan: Emergency Situation

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 May 2023

13. What steps his Department is taking in response to the emergency situation in Sudan. ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 April 2023

No.I was certainly sympathetic when the hon. Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) lamented the terrible situation whereby the UK might be unable to make its own decisions if it is outvoted by other count ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 April 2023

No.I was certainly sympathetic when the hon. Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) lamented the terrible situation whereby the UK might be unable to make its own decisions if it is outvoted by other count ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 April 2023

No.I was certainly sympathetic when the hon. Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) lamented the terrible situation whereby the UK might be unable to make its own decisions if it is outvoted by other count ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 April 2023

No.I was certainly sympathetic when the hon. Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) lamented the terrible situation whereby the UK might be unable to make its own decisions if it is outvoted by other count ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 April 2023

No, I will not.Official development assistance has been cut from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income, creating a £4.6 billion funding black hole compared with 2019 levels, and health and wellbeing p ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 April 2023

There is a need for reflection and scrutiny of the covid-19 pandemic, and we need to understand the plans for any future pandemics, but we need an international approach, and the SNP fully supports th ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2023

No.I was certainly sympathetic when the hon. Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger) lamented the terrible situation whereby the UK might be unable to make its own decisions if it is outvoted by other count ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 April 2023

No, I will not.Official development assistance has been cut from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income, creating a £4.6 billion funding black hole compared with 2019 levels, and health and wellbeing p ...

Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: International Agreement

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 April 2023

There is a need for reflection and scrutiny of the covid-19 pandemic, and we need to understand the plans for any future pandemics, but we need an international approach, and the SNP fully supports th ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 February 2023

We did not get it.Question put,That this House has considered the Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process.The Chair’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.Question not decided ( ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 February 2023

We did not get it.Question put,That this House has considered the Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process.The Chair’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.Question not decided ( ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 February 2023

We did not get it.Question put,That this House has considered the Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process.The Chair’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.Question not decided ( ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 February 2023

Not for Glasgow. ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 February 2023

We do not really need feedback. The Minister has just given us the feedback. The feedback is: the Minister has come in at the last minute and said, “If you have had round 1 funding, you are not gettin ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 February 2023

Will the Minister take a brief intervention? ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 February 2023

I am sorry to have offended the Minister personally, but I am very surprised to hear her say that she does not recognise that this is ideological, or that people in these deprived communities are bein ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 February 2023

With all that the right hon. Gentleman has just said, how does he explain the fact that Glasgow City Council officers were told that their bids were good and were scoring well, that they should expect ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 February 2023

rose— ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 February 2023

Does the hon. Member agree that it is not the individual who makes the promise who is supposed to keep it, but whoever inherits that position? They are not speaking in a personal capacity; they are sp ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 February 2023

That is utter nonsense. I am not going to repeat what the right hon. Gentleman just said. Lots of funding is going into both areas. That is our taxpayers’ money as well. Why should the Scottish Govern ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 February 2023

Can I have a little longer to explain this to the right hon. Gentleman? The Scottish Government have a fixed budget. It is fixed by his Government. They decide how much they can spend. As I said earli ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 February 2023

It is a scandal. That is exactly what I am saying because that is exactly what we were told and the explanation the council was given. At a time when local authorities are feeling the financial strain ...

Levelling-up Fund Round 2: Bidding Process

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 February 2023

I beg to move,That this House has considered the Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process.It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. Round two of levelling up: what on earth ...

Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 February 2023

It should never have got this far. We should never have ended up in a situation in which we are now talking about compensating people for something that should never have been allowed to happen to the ...

Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 February 2023

It should never have got this far. We should never have ended up in a situation in which we are now talking about compensating people for something that should never have been allowed to happen to the ...

Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 March 2023

It should never have got this far. We should never have ended up in a situation in which we are now talking about compensating people for something that should never have been allowed to happen to the ...

Prepayment Meters: Ofgem Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 March 2023

It should never have got this far. We should never have ended up in a situation in which we are now talking about compensating people for something that should never have been allowed to happen to the ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 February 2023

Q2.This morning, just two hours ago, I launched the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters. I did so because most people on those meters are on very low incomes, yet they pay more per unit ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 February 2023

Q2.This morning, just two hours ago, I launched the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters. I did so because most people on those meters are on very low incomes, yet they pay more per unit ...

Engagements

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 February 2023

Q2.This morning, just two hours ago, I launched the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters. I did so because most people on those meters are on very low incomes, yet they pay more per unit ...

Energy Bills: Self-disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 January 2023

Next week I am launching the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters, and one of the first things we were looking at is so-called self-disconnection. Given that I wrote to the Secretary of ...

Pre-payment Meter Energy Customers and Higher Costs

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 January 2023

The usual laws of commerce and capitalism are that buy first, pay later costs more and that those who can pay inadvance will get a discount. The direct opposite is true for people on prepayment meters ...

Energy Bills: Self-disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 January 2023

Next week I am launching the all-party parliamentary group on prepayment meters, and one of the first things we were looking at is so-called self-disconnection. Given that I wrote to the Secretary of ...

Pre-payment Meter Energy Customers and Higher Costs

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 January 2023

The usual laws of commerce and capitalism are that buy first, pay later costs more and that those who can pay inadvance will get a discount. The direct opposite is true for people on prepayment meters ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 January 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 January 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 January 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 January 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 June 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and forcible transfer

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 June 2023

People on pre-payment meters live in precarious situations. They can only have gas and electricity if they have money to feed the meter, otherwise they must freeze in the dark, yet the energy companie ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and self-disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 January 2023

The Prime Minister earns a much higher than average salary, and is already one of the wealthiest men in the UK. He cannot and does not argue that he is too poor to pay his energy bills, so if he stopp ...

Pre-payment meter energy customers and self-disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 January 2023

The Prime Minister earns a much higher than average salary, and is already one of the wealthiest men in the UK. He cannot and does not argue that he is too poor to pay his energy bills, so if he stopp ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 December 2022

I thank everybody who participated in the debate and who signed the application. I also thank my team—it was my office manager, Margaret Young, who first brought this issue to my attention. I do not t ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 December 2022

The Minister seems to be arguing that if the energy companies have to take people to court, it will cost those people more than having their prepayment meters cut off. The point is that they will not ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 December 2022

May I ask, for the purpose of clarification, whether Labour supports at least a moratorium on so-called self-disconnection, so that no one with a prepayment meter can be disconnected, at least over th ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 December 2022

I thank the hon. Member for his kind words. I should probably clarify that I was always brought up to believe that if someone thinks and acts positively, they will get positive results. I also think, ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 December 2022

My hon. Friend directed me to the story of the couple he mentioned. One of the most moving things to read was that, on top of needing to keep everything warm, all Mel wants to do is provide memories f ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 December 2022

I absolutely agree with that, and for another reason too: we have an issue in the health service with bed blocking. If people are unable to run the equipment at home, they will end up in some kind of ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 December 2022

That is exactly what the Good Law Project is working on; I think it was featured in that article. Tens of thousands of warrants are being rubber-stamped by magistrates in minutes. The Good Law Project ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 December 2022

Yes, I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady on that. The whole system is wrong and crazy. Let me go back to what I was saying about the people who are just disconnected for their £5 or £10 of debt. Whe ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 December 2022

I absolutely agree on that. I should thank the hon. Lady, because I have a ten-minute rule Bill on this matter and she spoke up for it last week in allowing it to continue in this place. I will come o ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 December 2022

I see that the Minister is nodding and I thank him for that. I hope he is able to come back next week before Parliament goes into recess, before we are plunged into even colder temperatures than we ar ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 December 2022

I beg to move,That this House recognises that prepayment meter customers, who pay for their usage in advance, are not afforded the same rights when in energy debt as customers who pay in arrears, such ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 January 2023

I thank everybody who participated in the debate and who signed the application. I also thank my team—it was my office manager, Margaret Young, who first brought this issue to my attention. I do not t ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 January 2023

The Minister seems to be arguing that if the energy companies have to take people to court, it will cost those people more than having their prepayment meters cut off. The point is that they will not ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 January 2023

May I ask, for the purpose of clarification, whether Labour supports at least a moratorium on so-called self-disconnection, so that no one with a prepayment meter can be disconnected, at least over th ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 January 2023

I thank the hon. Member for his kind words. I should probably clarify that I was always brought up to believe that if someone thinks and acts positively, they will get positive results. I also think, ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 January 2023

My hon. Friend directed me to the story of the couple he mentioned. One of the most moving things to read was that, on top of needing to keep everything warm, all Mel wants to do is provide memories f ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 January 2023

I absolutely agree with that, and for another reason too: we have an issue in the health service with bed blocking. If people are unable to run the equipment at home, they will end up in some kind of ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 January 2023

That is exactly what the Good Law Project is working on; I think it was featured in that article. Tens of thousands of warrants are being rubber-stamped by magistrates in minutes. The Good Law Project ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 January 2023

Yes, I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady on that. The whole system is wrong and crazy. Let me go back to what I was saying about the people who are just disconnected for their £5 or £10 of debt. Whe ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 January 2023

I absolutely agree on that. I should thank the hon. Lady, because I have a ten-minute rule Bill on this matter and she spoke up for it last week in allowing it to continue in this place. I will come o ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 January 2023

I see that the Minister is nodding and I thank him for that. I hope he is able to come back next week before Parliament goes into recess, before we are plunged into even colder temperatures than we ar ...

Prepayment Meters: Self-Disconnection

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 January 2023

I beg to move,That this House recognises that prepayment meter customers, who pay for their usage in advance, are not afforded the same rights when in energy debt as customers who pay in arrears, such ...

Benefit Sanctions

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 December 2022

I agree with my hon. Friend that sanctioning people on the lowest of incomes at any time is grossly unfair, but at this time, when even many people in well-paid work are struggling to pay their bills, ...

Benefit Sanctions

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 December 2022

I agree with my hon. Friend that sanctioning people on the lowest of incomes at any time is grossly unfair, but at this time, when even many people in well-paid work are struggling to pay their bills, ...

Benefit Sanctions

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 December 2022

I agree with my hon. Friend that sanctioning people on the lowest of incomes at any time is grossly unfair, but at this time, when even many people in well-paid work are struggling to pay their bills, ...

Benefit Sanctions

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 January 2023

I agree with my hon. Friend that sanctioning people on the lowest of incomes at any time is grossly unfair, but at this time, when even many people in well-paid work are struggling to pay their bills, ...

Park Homes Energy Support

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 December 2022

Park homes, by their nature, have commercial suppliers, but many park homes are not holiday homes. They do not have holiday homes or facilities such as pools, restaurants and bars, but they do have pe ...

Park Homes Energy Support

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 December 2022

Park homes, by their nature, have commercial suppliers, but many park homes are not holiday homes. They do not have holiday homes or facilities such as pools, restaurants and bars, but they do have pe ...

Park Homes Energy Support

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 December 2022

Park homes, by their nature, have commercial suppliers, but many park homes are not holiday homes. They do not have holiday homes or facilities such as pools, restaurants and bars, but they do have pe ...

Park Homes Energy Support

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 May 2023

Park homes, by their nature, have commercial suppliers, but many park homes are not holiday homes. They do not have holiday homes or facilities such as pools, restaurants and bars, but they do have pe ...

Bill of Rights Briefing and Dropin - With Liberty and British Institute of Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 November 2022

On Tuesday 28th November Anne will host a briefing and dropin for MPs with Liberty and the British Institute of Human Rights. This will be an opportunity to hear first hand from leading experts on ho ...

Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection)

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 November 2022

I beg to move,That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit; to require e ...

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 November 2022

The Supreme Court today did not rule that Scotland should not be independent or that Scotland should not be able to have a referendum; it ruled that the existing legislation written by Unionist politi ...

Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection)

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 November 2022

I beg to move,That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit; to require e ...

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 November 2022

The Supreme Court today did not rule that Scotland should not be independent or that Scotland should not be able to have a referendum; it ruled that the existing legislation written by Unionist politi ...

Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection)

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2022

I beg to move,That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit; to require e ...

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 November 2022

The Supreme Court today did not rule that Scotland should not be independent or that Scotland should not be able to have a referendum; it ruled that the existing legislation written by Unionist politi ...

Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection)

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 December 2022

I beg to move,That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit; to require e ...

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 December 2022

The Supreme Court today did not rule that Scotland should not be independent or that Scotland should not be able to have a referendum; it ruled that the existing legislation written by Unionist politi ...

Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection)

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 May 2023

I beg to move,That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit; to require e ...

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 May 2023

The Supreme Court today did not rule that Scotland should not be independent or that Scotland should not be able to have a referendum; it ruled that the existing legislation written by Unionist politi ...

Devolved Finances

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2022

Independent research shows that the Scottish block grant will be cut by £5 billion in real terms over the next two years. What if the Scottish Government have £5 billion less to spend and our councils ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2022

I am in the governing party’s bad books today, somehow; I do not know what I have done. Would I say that vile people smugglers should be stopped from treating people in the way that they do? Absolutel ...

Migration

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 November 2022

The £120 million totally wasted on the Rwanda plan could have quadrupled the number of caseworkers and cleared the backlog in asylum cases urgently. Can we have a Department focused on the nuts and bo ...

Devolved Finances

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 November 2022

Independent research shows that the Scottish block grant will be cut by £5 billion in real terms over the next two years. What if the Scottish Government have £5 billion less to spend and our councils ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 November 2022

I did not know that we were allowed to go off on a tangent. This is getting into an argument about how people come to this country. We are talking about migrant workers; asylum seekers are not allowed ...

Migration

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 November 2022

The £120 million totally wasted on the Rwanda plan could have quadrupled the number of caseworkers and cleared the backlog in asylum cases urgently. Can we have a Department focused on the nuts and bo ...

Devolved Finances

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 November 2022

3. What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the reduction in the Scottish block grant on devolved finances. ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 November 2022

I will try to be courteous. I will support the regulations, but I do not support the skills charge. As we discussed last week in Westminster Hall, there are massive shortages in heavy goods vehicle dr ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 November 2022

Is that acceptable, Ms Fovargue? ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 November 2022

I have no idea what the hon. Lady is talking about. ...

Draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2022

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 November 2022

I will be brief. It would be remiss of me not to point out that we would not have labour and skills shortages, and would not have to be constantly tinkering with immigration rules, if we were still in ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2022

Could that failure to recruit enough HGV drivers from overseas have been anything to do with the fact that they were told they could come here for 12 weeks and would then have to go home again? ...

State Pension Triple Lock

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2022

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the work done by Loughborough University that was commissioned by Independent Age? It stated that if everybody who was entitled to pension credit claimed it, that would ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 November 2022

Could that failure to recruit enough HGV drivers from overseas have been anything to do with the fact that they were told they could come here for 12 weeks and would then have to go home again? ...

State Pension Triple Lock

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 November 2022

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the work done by Loughborough University that was commissioned by Independent Age? It stated that if everybody who was entitled to pension credit claimed it, that would ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 November 2022

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of another issue, which the Daily Record in Scotland revealed the other day, that delivery drivers for Just Eat, Deliveroo and others—I cannot remember which of the others ...

State Pension Triple Lock

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 November 2022

The 19 December deadline only allows people to get £324. I will be getting my constituents to sign up for that on the basis of the £324, but I am asking whether somebody who applies until the end of M ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 November 2022

I appreciate the clarification, but it was quite clear that the leader of the Labour party said there were too many migrant workers in the NHS. The shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ...

State Pension Triple Lock

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 November 2022

The £650 cost of living grant to those on pension credit is great, and would have been a great incentive to get that other 30% to 40% to sign up for pension credit. We know that some people feel that ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 November 2022

I really do thank the hon. Lady for that. There will be so many migrant workers who have worked their backsides off in the NHS, especially during the pandemic, and who will be devastated about what ha ...

Labour and Skills Shortages: Temporary Recovery Visa

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 November 2022

I am pleased to serve under your chairwomanship, Mrs Cummins. I thank the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron)—he comes from a beautiful part of England—for highlighting this crucial ...

Opposition Day

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 November 2022

indicated dissent. ...

Scottish Independence and the Scottish Economy

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 November 2022

indicated dissent. ...

Scottish Independence and the Scottish Economy

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 November 2022

I do not whether my hon. Friend, like me, has been contacted by many constituents about that. If she has, she will know that it is not just us, and that the people of Scotland are utterly horrified an ...

Cross-Channel Migrants: Manston Facility

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 October 2022

The Prison Officers Association’s Andy Baxter has described this as:“A humanitarian crisis on British soil”.As we have heard, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal, to ...

Cross-Channel Migrants: Manston Facility

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 November 2022

The Prison Officers Association’s Andy Baxter has described this as:“A humanitarian crisis on British soil”.As we have heard, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal, to ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 October 2022

I thank the Minister for his response. He said that the number of claims increased by 275% during the week of pension credit awareness day. That seems to me to be an argument in favour of having more ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 October 2022

I thank the Minister for his response. He said that the number of claims increased by 275% during the week of pension credit awareness day. That seems to me to be an argument in favour of having more ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 October 2022

I am trying to help the Minister’s throat. ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 October 2022

I appreciate the Minister taking another intervention—I am doing so to help his throat and give him the chance to have a glass of water. If he is saying, “It was set up quickly because we had to help ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 31 October 2022

To clarify, I was blaming individual politicians and sections of the media for besmirching the character of people in receipt of social security payments. I am not suggesting that the UK Government ar ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 November 2022

I thank the Minister for his response. He said that the number of claims increased by 275% during the week of pension credit awareness day. That seems to me to be an argument in favour of having more ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 02 November 2022

I am trying to help the Minister’s throat. ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 November 2022

I appreciate the Minister taking another intervention—I am doing so to help his throat and give him the chance to have a glass of water. If he is saying, “It was set up quickly because we had to help ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 04 November 2022

To clarify, I was blaming individual politicians and sections of the media for besmirching the character of people in receipt of social security payments. I am not suggesting that the UK Government ar ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 November 2022

I could not agree more with the hon. Gentleman. It is really important that we monitor it. We are talking about the people in these four countries who are the very poorest and really need that help.Th ...

Pension Credit and Cost of Living Support Grant

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 November 2022

I beg to move,That this House has considered pension credit and the cost-of-living support grant eligibility period extension.It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I am not going ...

Departure of Previous Home Secretary

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2022

Let us be clear: the idea that this Conservative Government are suddenly avid followers of the ministerial code is for the birds. What was the real reason for the Home Secretary’s abrupt departure? Wa ...

Departure of Previous Home Secretary

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 October 2022

Let us be clear: the idea that this Conservative Government are suddenly avid followers of the ministerial code is for the birds. What was the real reason for the Home Secretary’s abrupt departure? Wa ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 October 2022

I am so disappointed that we are debating a piece of legislation that should have been resigned to the scrap heap, along with the previous Cabinet’s regressive legislative programme. We are firefighti ...

Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 October 2022

I am not sure that that was an answer to my question. However, assuming that the Secretary of State does agree with Professor Aileen McHarg and that he will consult the Scottish Parliament, if the Sco ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 October 2022

I am so disappointed that we are debating a piece of legislation that should have been resigned to the scrap heap, along with the previous Cabinet’s regressive legislative programme. We are firefighti ...

Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 October 2022

I am not sure that that was an answer to my question. However, assuming that the Secretary of State does agree with Professor Aileen McHarg and that he will consult the Scottish Parliament, if the Sco ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2022

I am so disappointed that we are debating a piece of legislation that should have been resigned to the scrap heap, along with the previous Cabinet’s regressive legislative programme. We are firefighti ...

Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2022

I am not sure that that was an answer to my question. However, assuming that the Secretary of State does agree with Professor Aileen McHarg and that he will consult the Scottish Parliament, if the Sco ...

Human Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 October 2022

To save me raising a point of order later, I want to say in response to the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Dartford (Gareth Johnson), that we are constantly saying that ther ...

Energy Prices: Support for Business

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 September 2022

I am a member of the voluntary board of the Scottish Pantry Network, whose shops are significantly affected by rising energy costs. It exists for environmental reasons to stop food waste, but primaril ...

Energy crisis support for small and medium sized businesses, the public sector and charities

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 September 2022

Small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our local economies, but energy price increases threaten to cripple them. In addition, when times are tough, it is the public sector and the thir ...

Energy Update

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 September 2022

Mr Deputy Speaker, if you, I, the Minister or anyone on these Benches were to stop paying our energy bills, we could be cut off or disconnected from gas and electricity, but it would take a long time ...

Overdose Prevention Centres

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 September 2022

Last week I spent an evening in Glasgow with families who, like me, have lost someone to drug addiction. They and I accept that the ideal situation is that people will conquer their addiction, but doe ...

Energy Update

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 September 2022

Mr Deputy Speaker, if you, I, the Minister or anyone on these Benches were to stop paying our energy bills,we could be cut off or disconnected from gas and electricity, but it would take a long time b ...

Overdose Prevention Centres

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 September 2022

Last week I spent an evening in Glasgow with families who, like me, have lost someone to drug addiction. They and I accept that the ideal situation is that people will conquer their addiction, but doe ...

Overdose Prevention Centres

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 September 2022

11. If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness of drug consumption rooms. ...

HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 July 2022

I thank the right hon. Lady and the Home Affairs Committee for the work that went into the report. I do not agree with it all—some of it does not go far enough for me—but I agree with many of the Comm ...

HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 July 2022

I thank the right hon. Lady and the Home Affairs Committee for the work that went into the report. I do not agree with it all—some of it does not go far enough for me—but I agree with many of the Comm ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 July 2022

T9. Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to know I have a very short question that could be answered with one word. Will serving personnel receive an above-inflation pay rise this year? ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 July 2022

T9.Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to know I have a very short question that could be answered with one word. Will serving personnel receive an above-inflation pay rise this year? ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 September 2022

T9.Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to know I have a very short question that could be answered with one word. Will serving personnel receive an above-inflation pay rise this year? ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 03 November 2022

T9.Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to know I have a very short question that could be answered with one word. Will serving personnel receive an above-inflation pay rise this year? ...

Work and Pensions

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good;I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claims ...

Work and Pensions

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good;I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claims ...

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 July 2022

rose— ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good; I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claim ...

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2022

rose— ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good; I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claim ...

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2022

rose— ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good; I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claim ...

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2022

rose— ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good; I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claim ...

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 July 2022

rose— ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 July 2022

I know what the Government have said they are doing to increase the uptake of pension credit, and that is good; I do not want to hear it again, though. I also know that people can backdate their claim ...

Access to Justice for Victims of Crime

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 July 2022

The Scottish Government are investing an extra £4 million this year to tackle violence against women and girls and offer greater support for victims’ needs. The Crown Office budget in Scotland is more ...

Macpherson Report: Twenty-two Years On

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 July 2022

Just on that, does the hon. Lady agree that allowing suspicionless stop and search under the Public Order Bill will increase disproportionality rates between the different ethnicities, because now off ...

Macpherson Report: Twenty-two Years On

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 July 2022

Thank you, Ms McDonagh. It feels a little strange to be summing up after just one speaker, but the speech of the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) was a comprehensive ...

Department for Education

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 July 2022

I wonder whether my hon. Friend was in the Chamber on the day that a Government Minister was ridiculing the Scottish Government for the amount of money they spent on what were called welfare payments, ...

Department for Education

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 July 2022

I wonder whether my hon. Friend was in the Chamber on the day that a Government Minister was ridiculing the Scottish Government for the amount of money they spent on what were called welfare payments, ...

Department for Education

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 July 2022

I wonder whether my hon. Friend was in the Chamber on the day that a Government Minister was ridiculing the Scottish Government for the amount of money they spent on what were called welfare payments, ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 July 2022

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This really is a tale of two countries.In Scotland, legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is not law if it is incompatible with the rights defended in the Human Rights A ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 July 2022

I am sorry to laugh—[Interruption.] ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 July 2022

Last week, Russia followed the UK Government’s lead in ignoring a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights, telling the Court:“Russia no longer complies with the prescriptions of the ECHR—that’s ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 July 2022

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This really is a tale of two countries.In Scotland, legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is not law if it is incompatible with the rights defended in the Human Rights A ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 July 2022

I am sorry to laugh—[Interruption.] ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 July 2022

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This really is a tale of two countries.In Scotland, legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is not law if it is incompatible with the rights defended in the Human Rights A ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 July 2022

I am sorry to laugh—[Interruption.] ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 July 2022

Last week, Russia followed the UK Government’s lead in ignoring a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights, telling the Court:“Russia no longer complies with the prescriptions of the ECHR—that’s ...

Windrush Review

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 June 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairpersonship, Ms McVey. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Kate Osamor) and other Members present who have been so tenacious in pursuing this issue, ...

Windrush Review

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 July 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairpersonship, Ms McVey. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Kate Osamor) and other Members present who have been so tenacious in pursuing this issue, ...

Bill of Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 June 2022

This Bill of Rights and the removal of the Human Rights Act are the culmination of multiple pieces of legislation that have gone through this place in the past year. They are all about one thing: remo ...

Bill of Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 June 2022

This Bill of Rights and the removal of the Human Rights Act are the culmination of multiple pieces of legislation that have gone through this place in the past year. They are all about one thing: remo ...

Bill of Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 June 2022

This Bill of Rights and the removal of the Human Rights Act are the culmination of multiple pieces of legislation that have gone through this place in the past year. They are all about one thing: remo ...

Bill of Rights

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 June 2022

This Bill of Rights and the removal of the Human Rights Act are the culmination of multiple pieces of legislation that have gone through this place in the past year. They are all about one thing: remo ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 June 2022

In answer to an earlier question about Sri Lanka, the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), said that she would continue to lobby the Sri Lankan Government, but that Government ...

Public Order Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 June 2022

I certainly support properly acknowledging and tackling crimes motivated by sex or gender, but this new clause applies to England and Wales only, so I will abstain, in keeping with my party’s aforemen ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 June 2022

In answer to an earlier question about Sri Lanka, the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), said that she would continue to lobby the Sri Lankan Government, but that Government ...

Public Order Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 June 2022

We will not be voting against it. We will just be abstaining on it because it is our principled stance not to vote for it. I certainly support it. ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 June 2022

In answer to an earlier question about Sri Lanka, the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), said that she would continue to lobby the Sri Lankan Government, but that Government ...

Public Order Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 June 2022

Yes, but it does not have a number outside. I was unable to be here last week due to a diary clash, and I apologise for that, although I advised the Committee.I recall that the previous week the Minis ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 June 2022

T1.If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. ...

Public Order Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 June 2022

Thank you for allowing me to speak, Mr Dowd, despite my being a couple of minutes late. I am sorry, but I could not find room 10; I could find rooms 9 and 11 but not 10. I thought I was in a Harry Pot ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 June 2022

I suppose that is a question for the Minister, but I am not allowed to ask the Minister. ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 June 2022

Q Good afternoon and thank you for coming. This rehash of the protest parts of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that did not get through Parliament seems to me to be more about reacting ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 June 2022

Q My question is for Mr Groves. If tunnelling is the biggest issue for HS2, are you surprised that it has just been added on as an amendment, given that it is so important? What that does is cut out ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 June 2022

Q I am not sure that your organisation is known for campaigning alongside Black Lives Matter people, for example. However, are you suggesting that the only legitimate way for the people that I mentio ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 June 2022

Do you want to respond, Nicola? You do not have to.Nicola Bell: No, it is the same as what I was talking about before. It is about the fact that the police recognised that there was nothing that would ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 June 2022

Q How can those people and others make their views known without being criminalised?David Dinsmore: News brands are a very good channel for campaigning. We would see ourselves as giving a voice to th ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 June 2022

Q Good afternoon to both of you. My question is for John. In your written evidence, you stress several times that the protests that you face are often unlawful. If Nicola agrees, I am happy for her t ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 June 2022

Q As MPs, we have the opportunity every day to express our views, and the media has an even greater opportunity to do that. You have said yourself that you are a proponent of freedom of speech, so ho ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 June 2022

Q I would love to follow on from that, but I will not. The next thing I want to ask about are serious disruption prevention orders. The HMICFRS report said:“We agree with the police and Home Office t ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 June 2022

What I am really trying to say is that they disagree with the answers that you have given me; if they have a different view, they must have the right to protest. How can they do that and make an impac ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 June 2022

I suppose that is a question for the Minister, but I am not allowed to ask the Minister. ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 June 2022

Q Good afternoon and thank you for coming. This rehash of the protest parts of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that did not get through Parliament seems to me to be more about reacting ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 June 2022

Q My question is for Mr Groves. If tunnelling is the biggest issue for HS2, are you surprised that it has just been added on as an amendment, given that it is so important? What that does is cut out ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 16 June 2022

Q I am not sure that your organisation is known for campaigning alongside Black Lives Matter people, for example. However, are you suggesting that the only legitimate way for the people that I mentio ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 June 2022

Do you want to respond, Nicola? You do not have to.Nicola Bell: No, it is the same as what I was talking about before. It is about the fact that the police recognised that there was nothing that would ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 17 June 2022

Q How can those people and others make their views known without being criminalised?David Dinsmore: News brands are a very good channel for campaigning. We would see ourselves as giving a voice to th ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 June 2022

Q Good afternoon to both of you. My question is for John. In your written evidence, you stress several times that the protests that you face are often unlawful. If Nicola agrees, I am happy for her t ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 18 June 2022

Q As MPs, we have the opportunity every day to express our views, and the media has an even greater opportunity to do that. You have said yourself that you are a proponent of freedom of speech, so ho ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 June 2022

Q I would love to follow on from that, but I will not. The next thing I want to ask about are serious disruption prevention orders. The HMICFRS report said:“We agree with the police and Home Office t ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 June 2022

What I am really trying to say is that they disagree with the answers that you have given me; if they have a different view, they must have the right to protest. How can they do that and make an impac ...

Public Order Bill (First sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 June 2022

Q Thank you, and good afternoon. I had four questions, but I will keep it to two. I want to look at the offence of being equipped to lock on, which the Bill creates. That is where an individual has a ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 June 2022

Q Thank you both for your answers. I am glad that you accept that there should be a right to protest peacefully, but what you both seem to be saying is, “They’re wrong; we are contributing to the sol ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 June 2022

I understand that, but I am asking about—Elizabeth de Jong: Yes, I promise I will try to answer that. Our industry is vital to achieving net zero, and there is lots the oil industry is already doing, ...

Public Order Bill (Second sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 22 June 2022

Q Much of what you have both described does sound extremely challenging. I understand that, but I am wondering whether you understand that many protesters are protesting because they have firmly held ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 May 2022

The hon. Gentleman keeps going on about criminals, saying “We’ve got to get rid of these criminals” and “We’ve got to do something about these criminals.” He is characterising an awful lot of people a ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 25 May 2022

The hon. Gentleman keeps going on about criminals, saying “We’ve got to get rid of these criminals” and “We’ve got to do something about these criminals.” He is characterising an awful lot of people a ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 May 2022

The hon. Gentleman keeps going on about criminals, saying “We’ve got to get rid of these criminals” and “We’ve got to do something about these criminals.” He is characterising an awful lot of people a ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 May 2022

The hon. Gentleman keeps going on about criminals, saying “We’ve got to get rid of these criminals” and “We’ve got to do something about these criminals.” He is characterising an awful lot of people a ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 May 2022

What we have here is a once-in-a-fortnight opportunity to bring back legislation that has been rejected in this place. The Government expect us to accept the result of the referendum eight years ago, ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 May 2022

No, I am not giving way. There is widespread acceptance that the answer to both of those questions is no. Again,“a little inconvenience is more acceptable than a police state”.It is not just the one p ...

Public Order Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 May 2022

“A little inconvenience is more acceptable than a police state”—not my words, but those of a police officer consulted by Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary and fire and rescue services on prop ...

Foreign National Offender Removal Flights

PUBLISHED DATE: 19 May 2022

May I say how disrespectful it is that Conservative Members keep talking about lawyers who are, after all, simply protecting people under the laws of this country? It is childish in the extreme that e ...

Foreign National Offender Removal Flights

PUBLISHED DATE: 20 May 2022

May I say how disrespectful it is that Conservative Members keep talking about lawyers who are, after all, simply protecting people under the laws of this country? It is childish in the extreme that e ...

Preventing Crime and Delivering Justice

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 May 2022

The Government are constantly doing this: they are constantly trying to suggest that, because we do not like the draconian laws that they want to bring in, we somehow support everybody’s right to do w ...

Preventing Crime and Delivering Justice

PUBLISHED DATE: 13 May 2022

The Government are constantly doing this: they are constantly trying to suggest that, because we do not like the draconian laws that they want to bring in, we somehow support everybody’s right to do w ...

Preventing Crime and Delivering Justice

PUBLISHED DATE: 14 May 2022

It seems only a matter of weeks since we were in this place fighting against the UK Government’s now-successful attempts to restrict some of our most precious and long-held fundamental rights. It seem ...

Preventing Crime and Delivering Justice

PUBLISHED DATE: 15 May 2022

If, as the hon. Gentleman says, Opposition Members do not know the difference between economic migrants and, as he calls them, genuine asylum seekers, the Home Office does not, either. The Home Office ...

HM Passport Office Backlogs

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2022

Like many other Members, I have constituents and family members who have lost a lot of money and had to cancel plans because of the passport delays. I share the concerns for those people, but I want t ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 April 2022

Does the right hon. and learned Member not understand that Members who support the system of an unelected Chamber and put people into it—the Scottish National party does not—are the ones who are being ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2022

Does the right hon. and learned Member not understand that Members who support the system of an unelected Chamber and put people into it—the Scottish National party does not—are the ones who are being ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 29 April 2022

Does the right hon. and learned Member not understand that Members who support the system of an unelected Chamber and put people into it—the Scottish National party does not—are the ones who are being ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 30 April 2022

We have had this discussion so many times before. The hon. Member needs to go and look up the meaning of the word “presumption”.Lords amendment 5 is about Cart judicial review—in Scotland, it is Eba j ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 01 May 2022

I will speak briefly about the parts that apply to Scotland, which are significant and potentially extremely damaging to people’s rights to access justice. Because Scotland is currently compelled to d ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 April 2022

So many of us have already answered that on so many occasions. There already exists legislation and the powers for the police to control demonstrations that are not peaceful and out of control, but we ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 26 April 2022

The main response to this issue should be safe and legal routes. The Government keep saying that they have them. I submitted a written question asking for the detail of all the routes available, and t ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 April 2022

So many of us have already answered that on so many occasions. There already exists legislation and the powers for the police to control demonstrations that are not peaceful and out of control, but we ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 27 April 2022

The main response to this issue should be safe and legal routes. The Government keep saying that they have them. I submitted a written question asking for the detail of all the routes available, and t ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2022

Throughout the proceedings on this woefully drafted Bill, I have maintained that, although it is largely reserved to England and Wales, part 3 on protest will severely restrict anyone from Scotland, o ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 April 2022

T9.I am getting sick and tired of the fact that every time any Opposition Member talks about our disgust with the “abandon people in Rwanda” scheme, Government Members start shouting, “What are your p ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 May 2022

So many of us have already answered that on so many occasions. There already exists legislation and the powers for the police to control demonstrations that are not peaceful and out of control, but we ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 11 May 2022

The main response to this issue should be safe and legal routes. The Government keep saying that they have them. I submitted a written question asking for the detail of all the routes available, and t ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 May 2022

Throughout the proceedings on this woefully drafted Bill, I have maintained that, although it is largely reserved to England and Wales, part 3 on protest will severely restrict anyone from Scotland, o ...

Topical Questions

PUBLISHED DATE: 12 May 2022

T9.I am getting sick and tired of the fact that every time any Opposition Member talks about our disgust with the “abandon people in Rwanda” scheme, Government Members start shouting, “What are your p ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

rose— ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

Do you know what? I think I won’t—I’ll just carry on. [Laughter.] Thanks for that.I want to come to my final concern. Having served on the Nationality and Borders Bill Committee, I am well aware of th ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

Madam Deputy Speaker, do I have time to take an intervention? ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

No. I am not giving way to somebody who has not even been interested enough to sit through the debate—as long as the hon. Gentleman is somebody who was not interested enough. [Interruption.] Yes, he i ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

We are far more comparable to European countries, and particularly to Ireland. I ask the question that I asked earlier: is the Minister saying that all the European countries, including Ireland, are s ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 April 2022

The Minister does not know what I am going to say—he should wait till I say it. Lord Ricketts has said he is not concerned that we are going to bring in security threats. On Monday, my hon. and learne ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 08 April 2022

The hon. Gentleman has done so much in this respect for victims of trafficking.I want to repeat that Positive Action in Housing based in Glasgow has a rooms-for-refugees scheme; it is not a paid schem ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 April 2022

I want to acknowledge two things at the outset. First, the UK is not doing nothing and what the UK has done so far will have made a massive difference for some to whom we have given protection. Some m ...

Refugees from Ukraine

PUBLISHED DATE: 10 April 2022

Is the Minister saying that the UK is receiving different security advice from all those European countries and our near neighbours Ireland, or is he saying that they are putting their people at risk? ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, has told the Minister and his colleagues—as have I—that every one of the 32 Scottish local authorities, in addition to taking in refugees under the ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

Will the Minister give way? ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

As well as asking for that, I asked about the people who are then placed with a family or with somebody who has a spare room. How will we ensure that they have the knowledge, the means and the confide ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

I know that the Minister is going to say that these things all take time. They do, but is he really saying that we cannot not keep up with other comparable European countries? If we are so much more b ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

I absolutely agree. Many people have never had a passport because they have never had the money to go anywhere where they would require one, or they cannot afford one. As the hon. Member said, lots of ...

Ukrainian Refugees

PUBLISHED DATE: 07 April 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Gray. Today’s debate was opened by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell). Her speech demonstrated that she not only is ...

Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Funding

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairwomanship, Dr Huq. Many believe that Putin felt emboldened to act in Ukraine after the Taliban took over Afghanistan last August. That is why now is not the t ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I absolutely do, because if people feel empowered by being part of that democracy, other than getting to vote every four years, that can only be a good thing.The notion that the police can intervene o ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I absolutely do, because if people feel empowered by being part of that democracy, other than getting to vote every four years, that can only be a good thing.The notion that the police can intervene o ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I was trying to find a way to work that into what I was saying, so I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that.We know that without demos and protests, a lot of things would not change. The Minister sai ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I absolutely do, because if people feel empowered by being part of that democracy, other than getting to vote every four years, that can only be a good thing.The notion that the police can intervene o ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I was trying to find a way to work that into what I was saying, so I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that.We know that without demos and protests, a lot of things would not change. The Minister sai ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

Let me begin by speaking about Lords amendments 73 to 89, which broadly cover the provisions in part 3, on public order. Part 3 does not technically extend to Scotland, but we are still very keen to l ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 28 February 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

I absolutely do, because if people feel empowered by being part of that democracy, other than getting to vote every four years, that can only be a good thing.The notion that the police can intervene o ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

I was trying to find a way to work that into what I was saying, so I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that.We know that without demos and protests, a lot of things would not change. The Minister sai ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

Let me begin by speaking about Lords amendments 73 to 89, which broadly cover the provisions in part 3, on public order. Part 3 does not technically extend to Scotland, but we are still very keen to l ...

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 06 April 2022

I will keep my comments to Lords amendments concerning the extraction of information from electronic devices. To be clear, it is not that the Scottish National party does not have views about everythi ...

UK’s Human Rights Framework

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The other thing that the Secretary of State keeps on doing is saying that we have to review this because there are so many dangerous foreign criminals, but will he listen to the UK security services, ...

UK’s Human Rights Framework

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am tired of hearing the rights of asylum seekers so desperate to get here that they will go on these dangerous boats conflated with those of dangerous foreign national offenders. The Secretary of St ...

Nationality and Borders Bill: LGBTQ+ People

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Sharma. Contrary to everything the Government claim, the Nationality and Borders Bill is not some piece of wonder legislation that will fix a broken ...

Nationality and Borders Bill: LGBTQ+ People

PUBLISHED DATE: 05 April 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Sharma. Contrary to everything the Government claim, the Nationality and Borders Bill is not some piece of wonder legislation that will fix a broken ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I reiterate that we vehemently oppose much of the Bill. Nothing that has been said today or during the Bill’s passage has done anything to allay my fears or those of my party.I thank the people who we ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

You will be pleased to know, Madam Deputy Speaker, that most of the SNP’s objections are around judicial review, so I have only two amendments that I want to speak to and I can do that within a couple ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Much of this Bill has no impact on Scotland or our separate courts and legal system, so our amendments and my comments are focused on the parts that do, which primarily deal with judicial review. The ...

Migrant Crossings: Role of the Military

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The Royal Navy website says:“Whether disasters are human-made or natural…Responding to these life-threatening scenarios is central to our ethos”.Given that the Government have decreed that, contrary t ...

Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 January 2022

I echo what has been said and offer my thanks to those involved in the recruitment process and to those who have given their service. I also pass on our best wishes to Ms Middleton, who seems to be an ...

Categories :

General

Finance (No. 2) Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 January 2022

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I apologise for arriving slightly behind schedule this morning. It was good to see the ministerial team picking up exactly where we ...

Categories :

General

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I have two sentences left, Ms Ali. He decided to make a dangerous, illegal and treacherous journey to Iran. He fell and broke his leg. He did it because his wife was getting so desperate. She is now i ...

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I thank the Minister for advance sight of her statement. I welcome the shadow Home Secretary, the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), to her place.I welcome the ...

Strength of the Union

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

A happy new year to you, Mr Speaker. A key aspect of the Union of which the right hon. and learned Lady is so fond is Scotland’s separate and distinct legal system. Does she agree that any actions tak ...

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

It is an absolute pleasure to serve under your chairwomanship, Ms Ali. I will speak quickly. I congratulate the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) on securing this and, from a quick look at the ...

Exports to Northern Ireland: Businesses in Great Britain

PUBLISHED DATE: 24 January 2022

Would not the best way by far to support east-west trade, and to overcome the entirely self-inflicted wounds that this Government have created with the protocol, be simply to realign with the single m ...

Categories :

General

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I will take your advice on that, Madam Deputy Speaker, although I am little unsure whether we will get answers, because we have not any other time we have been asking for them.Any disqualification fro ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I support any attempts to help people who are victims of modern slavery, of course I do. Some good measures have been taken—of course they have—but it depresses me that this Government continually ass ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

It is an absolute pleasure to follow my hon. Friend, and neighbour, the Member for Glasgow East (David Linden).I have said repeatedly how disgusted I am with this Bill in its entirety, so I will not g ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I thank the right hon. Member for everything that he is doing on this. He will be aware of Madeline Gleeson, the Australian lawyer, academic and author of the book “Offshore”, who is an expert on offs ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I have been told to be very brief, Madam Deputy Speaker. Is my hon. Friend aware of Dr Nick Martin, a medical doctor who had been in the British Navy for a number of years and worked on Manus Island, ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Will my hon. Friend take an intervention? ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am coming to the end, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I pay tribute to Mr Iqbal, my hon. Friend’s constituent, because that is what we want. We want public pressure, and in Committee I felt that we were n ...

Nationality and Borders Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Even though the Scottish National party has fundamental disagreements with most of this horrific Bill, that is not the case for part 1, where we are in agreement with much of it. We support the effort ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Further to that point of order, Mr Rosindell. I want to reiterate what everybody else has said and thank everybody involved. I wish the hon. Member for Stockton North well and I hope that he recovers ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Encouraged by the Minister, I have decided that I will say a few words, even if none of them are original. Most of what I have to say is in agreement with the hon. Member for Hammersmith, but it is go ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am not sure whether the right hon. Gentleman’s intervention was aimed at me or the Minister. If he was aiming it at me, all I will say is that it would not be the first, second, third, fourth or fif ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I will be brief. Basically, I agree with the hon. Member for Hammersmith and share the concerns about this being the second ouster clause in the Bill. I feel it is a bit early to use the legal framewo ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am not sure what I am supposed to say, but I do not wish to withdraw the amendment.Question put, That the amendment be made.Question negatived.Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bi ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I beg to move amendment 31, in clause 47, page 54, line 34, at end insert—“(7) Notwithstanding the provisions above, nothing in this Act relating to Scotland shall come into force without a consenting ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

In the light of what the Minister has said about the potential breach of the ministerial code, and knowing how seriously almost everyone takes that, I hope that what he tells me is correct. I beg to a ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Eleventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I beg to move amendment 30, in clause 47, page 54, line 34, at end insert—“(7) Notwithstanding the provisions above, this Act shall not come into force until the Lord Chancellor has laid before Parlia ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

We have just spent a considerable amount of time arguing about that issue in Committee, so let me turn to another part of the Bill. The presumption in favour of prospective quashing orders will mean t ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

On a point of order, Mr Rosindell. I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman, but is this within the scope of the Bill? This is not a Bill about borders or preventing people from coming in. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

There has been much gnashing of teeth in the past week over MPs who breach standards and their right to appeal—natural justice, I think they call it. Why, then, do the Government propose to remove a v ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Does the hon. Member think that politicians and political parties should slavishly follow public opinion, or that they should propose their own values and principles, based on human rights, and seek t ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

That is what he implied. Anyway, I wanted to move on to ouster clauses.Ouster clauses put decisions beyond the reach of the court. Despite the Government backing down after an outcry on proposals to i ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The right hon. Member can quote scripture at me all he likes. If we are going to talk about scripture, then we are going to talk about Christianity, which is surely about compassion. To say that it do ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am very pleased to hear that the right hon. Member has given up. Feel free to intervene again. [Interruption.] I will say that, from a sedentary position, he says that there are none so blind as tho ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Is the right hon. Gentleman asking me to give way? ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Can I sit down and chat as well? ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I do not think I suggested that there were huge numbers of cases of people with disabilities. What I said was that there are huge numbers of people with disabilities and huge numbers of people who cou ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

Strangely enough, no I cannot. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us? ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I could not have put it better myself. I completely agree with that. I do want to go on to look at other people who will be affected. Let us imagine that the Members opposite are not that bothered abo ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

What I find offensive is the way in which asylum seekers are treated right now, and the much more awful way that they will be treated if the Nationality and Borders Bill goes through in its current fo ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

That is an excellent intervention and I absolutely agree. Interestingly, my notes state that we are not just talking about immigration. I agree about the hostile environment; it is vile. If I am right ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I thank my hon. Friend for reminding me of that. I foolishly accepted the 97%, knowing it was not correct. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

There’s a competition. I will go to the left first. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

On the issue of 97% of the cases failing, if the decision-making processes at the beginning of the claim were better, we would not have all those people going through the tribunal system. I absolutely ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I have lost track of all the questions. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I will finish this story. Before the hearing in the upper tribunal, the Home Office conceded the appeal and accepted that the appellant was a refugee. If Cart had not been an option, that man would ha ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

We have them already. I am perfectly happy with what is in place. It is the right hon. Gentleman’s Government who seek to change that and take away people’s access to justice. It is not me who is tryi ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I think the hon. Member is trying to trivialise what we are talking about and I am not going to entertain it any longer. To my mind, the justice system should not accept that sometimes people will end ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

The “third bite of the cherry” is not about whether the case is correct or the person’s claim is correct; it is about whether they got the correct process and mechanics in the first place. If they wer ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

Absolutely. I would love to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I absolutely agree with that. I am happy to talk about this because I do not think the Government have a leg to stand on when it comes to how they plan to treat the most vulnerable human beings on our ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

No. I still think that is an absolute nonsense. If we are going to have a debate about the Nationality and Borders Bill and the wickedness of pushing back not boats, but people—human beings are on tho ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

Briefly. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I certainly will. If we are talking about saving £400,000, here is my suggestion for another way to do it: do not criminalise legitimate asylum seekers simply because we did not supply safe and legal ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I am told it will be a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Rosindell. I am sure it will be.As I often say in this place, we never know who is watching. We probably do not have a huge a ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

The hon. Member is talking about the sooner we can get rid of these people out of the country. One of the people I spoke about on Second Reading was a Venezuelan man who fled after state actors murder ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I have just served on the Nationality and Borders Bill Committee. I did not get a break between that and this Committee—in fact, last week the two clashed—so I know that what the Minister says is not ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

rose— ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

indicated dissent. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

I thank the Minister for that second bite. I know he was not deliberately conflating serious sexual offenders with asylum seekers, but I really want to make that distinction. We are talking about peop ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

rose— ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 09 November 2021

If that is the case, and if the Minister is so concerned about the court backlog, does that mean that he will not support the Nationality and Borders Bill, which attempts to criminalise asylum seekers ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The Minister keeps saying that, and I keep saying this, so I will just keep saying it. The legislation says that judges must—they must—use those orders unless they can demonstrate otherwise. Why not j ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Third sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

If the Minister simply wants to put more in the judges’ toolkit, and does not expect a presumption in favour—or a default position, as I said earlier—will the hon. Lady support one of the upcoming ame ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Yes, and that is what we are talking about—ordinary people who ordinarily do not have the access to justice that people with perhaps a little more money do. The tribunal system, which we will come on ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Third sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

May I point out that there is no presumption in any of the devolved legislation, and that is primarily what we are arguing about here? It is not about having the ability to do this; it is about the pr ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

As I said earlier, suspended quashing orders and prospective-only remedies do not apply in Scottish courts, and will not apply, but because these are UK-wide laws to which the people of Scotland are s ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

While the subsection says that“the court must exercise the powers”and amendment 27 asks for it to say that the court “may” exercise them, the Minister’s interpretation is that courts may exercise them ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

But the Minister’s last point was that it is without presumption, and only in certain circumstances. As I understand it, in certain circumstances in England and Wales those orders can be used anyway. ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Thank you, Sir Mark.On the power to issue a suspended quashing order with the option of prospective-only effect, the Bill says:“the court must exercise the powers in that subsection accordingly unless ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Suspended quashing orders and prospective-only remedies will not apply in Scottish courts, but because they can and will affect UK-wide laws, the people of Scotland, who remain subject to UK-wide laws ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill (Fourth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The Minister is talking about giving judges the right to use suspended or prospective-only quashing orders, but that is not what the Bill is about. The Bill is about the presumption that they will use ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fourteenth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Does the Minister not think that if someone represents a threat to the public, they would be in jail? If they are not in jail, there is no evidence that they represent a threat to the public. ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fourteenth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

We support amendment 151 for the self-explanatory reason that we need to know the impact of these actions. We are not saying that visa penalties should never be imposed in any circumstances, but we sh ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fourteenth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

What are the experts comparing with? My question is, will they be comparing the bone density or whatever with that of children of the same age in the UK, knowing that the development of children from ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fourteenth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I will be brief, as I have just a couple of questions. Ethics aside, as is the want of this Government—if that is not the case, why are they running away from the amendment tabled by the hon. Member f ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

But the Government are refusing to accept amendment 163, which would put in the Bill what some of the good reasons could be. The Minister says that he will allow decision makers to have discretion, bu ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I had not quite finished, but okay. ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I have a couple of points to make. My hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East made the point that once people get past the deadline, they will be terrified to come forwa ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

We know that it is common for the impact of trauma on trafficking survivors to result in late disclosure of the trafficking experiences. I will not repeat things that we have already said, but let us ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I beg to move amendment 175, in clause 47, page 42, line 24, leave out from “account” to the end of the subsection and insert“of all the factors that may have led to the person providing the informati ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I do not know the hon. Gentleman’s circumstances; he could have 10 kids or none. We have already established that most asylum seekers have no idea where they are going. They do not decide where they a ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Twelfth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

It is a pleasure to follow my friend, the hon. Member for Sheffield Central. When there are no safe and legal routes —or very few, as we have discovered throughout our many debates in this Committee—r ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I thank the hon. Lady for again letting me in. Surely this is ordering judges to have a presumption in favour of prospective, rather than retrospective, quashing orders? We are not giving them the opp ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

rose— ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am a bit confused. The hon. Lady said that taking away Cart judicial reviews would not stop somebody going to the Court of Appeal from the tribunal system, so I just wonder what the route is. Perhap ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, but she is wrong to think that I can suggest anything, because I cannot do so. I would love to know what the Secretary of State is saying about this. We really cann ...

Judicial Review and Courts Bill

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I welcome the Secretary of State to his new role, and I pay tribute to his predecessor, who was courteous and respectful to me at all times.This Bill is just one part of a broader programme of constit ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I agree that it is right that local authorities are consulted, so the Minister will forgive me for being a little cynical that that will happen. When asylum seekers were put into a hotel in Falkirk a ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The Minister says that he hopes that, by the time the Bill is enacted, the safe and legal route will be up and running. We are talking about Afghanistan. Does he mean that, by the time it is enacted, ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I know that we have said “another letter” a number of times today, but I appreciate that offer. I understand that the Minister might not have heard of the unit because it is in Glasgow—although his pr ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I wonder whether the Minister agrees or disagrees with the Conservative former Immigration Minister, the right hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green), who said in August:“There are times and places wh ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I was really glad to hear the Minister say that, but then my cynical friend the hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark pointed out that this is not about the intention but about making it crysta ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I would absolutely support that. I had no intention of speaking for any more than five minutes, but Members keep on interrupting and goading me. I want to make two more little points, if I may. The Bi ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

We heard that the devolved Governments were prevented from taking part in the consultation because it took place during purdah in the run-up to their elections. However, Shona Robison MSP, the Cabinet ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Thank you, Ms McDonagh. That was a rather ridiculous intervention, so I was unsure whether to reply to it. ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Will the Minister give way? ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Exactly. I thank the hon. Member for saying that. The right hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby argues that those who have money are not vulnerable or in danger of persecution. In the case of the 2 ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Earlier today, I asked about safe and legal routes. The Minister said that by the time the Bill is enacted, a safe and legal route from Afghanistan will be up and running. I asked him about the other ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I give way to the hon. Member for Halifax. ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it would be more helpful and more humane to have the safe and legal routes before we enact the Bill so that we do not have a gap for however long it takes when people ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I do not know where to start with that. I take real exception to what the right hon. Gentleman said about my endorsement of people smugglers and those routes. I have been very clear that we do not wan ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

The hon. Gentleman is being generous in giving way, at least. He seems so determined to stop illegal crossings—not illegal people, illegal crossings—and I agree that no one wants people to take danger ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Absolutely, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for reminding me of that. For me, it is wider than that: Afghanistan just showed us what is happening throughout the world. It may have been escalated and wa ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2021

The hon. Member keeps talking about people coming here illegally to apply for refugee status. Of the 5,000 people who came last year by boat, 98% were deemed by the Home Office to be eligible to apply ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2021

I absolutely endorse the ambition for everyone to be able to get here by safe and legal routes, but nothing in the Bill will set up any safe and legal routes. In fact, they will be taken away from som ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2021

It is clear to all on the Opposition Benches that if this goes ahead, we will be breaching our international legal obligations. Does the hon. Gentleman share my concern that in doing so, the damage do ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Seventh sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2021

Thank you, Chair, and good morning, everybody. The Government say they are introducing this Bill because they want people who need our protection to use safe and legal routes, but where are those rout ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Eighth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 21 October 2021

The hon. Gentleman mentions the UNHCR, which is the guardian of the refugee convention. Does he agree with me that on that basis, if we are to listen to anybody’s opinion about this issue, it would be ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I am sorry. ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I just want to share a story. When I was in primary 7, everyone in my class went on a trip to Paris, except me, because my parents were too strict and thought I was too young. At least I understood wh ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

My mum is even less likely to be watching this, but if she is, I will certainly let the hon. Member know.Fraser—I must remember to use the adopted name—came from Sudan. His village, where he grew up, ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

Before I come to what I was going to say, may I respond to the right hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby as well? He does not need that reassurance, and he does not need to worry about the British ...

Nationality and Borders Bill (Fifth sitting)

PUBLISHED DATE: 23 February 2022

I will be brief and echo what my hon. Friend has said. I welcome the Minister to his place and wish him well although I am sorry to say not with this Bill. I thank all the multiple organisations that ...