My Lords, my noble friend Lord Hunt gave an eloquent introduction to this debate as to why we should support the Government’s political aims. I am a well-known Labour Party hack and I tend to vote for the Government on most occasions, but I have to admit that, in the...

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Hunt gave an eloquent introduction to this debate as to why we should support the Government’s political aims. I am a well-known Labour Party hack and I tend to vote for the Government on most occasions, but I have to admit that, in the...

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Whitty, that the national insurance increase and the farms tax were very bad ideas which did considerable damage. It is a pity that more noble Lords behind the Government did not make that clearer in time to avoid the disaster.

I hope...

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Whitty, that the national insurance increase and the farms tax were very bad ideas which did considerable damage. It is a pity that more noble Lords behind the Government did not make that clearer in time to avoid the disaster.

I hope...

My Lords, I want to focus on the Government’s priorities on creative education and the importance of making changes to improve the uptake of music education in state schools. I warmly welcome the Government’s acceptance of the curriculum and assessment review recommendations, including the removal of the Ebacc performance measure....

My Lords, I want to focus on the Government’s priorities on creative education and the importance of making changes to improve the uptake of music education in state schools. I warmly welcome the Government’s acceptance of the curriculum and assessment review recommendations, including the removal of the Ebacc performance measure....

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Hunt on his excellent introduction to this debate.

I first met our new Prime Minister when he was a special adviser in the first term of the Blair Government. He was a great friend of the man with whom I shared

an office in...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Hunt on his excellent introduction to this debate.

I first met our new Prime Minister when he was a special adviser in the first term of the Blair Government. He was a great friend of the man with whom I shared

an office in...

My Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord, Lord Liddle, raised the question of Europe, because it probably will not surprise those listening to learn that I intend to say a word about that, too. I intend to say a word about it not just because I am deeply...

My Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord, Lord Liddle, raised the question of Europe, because it probably will not surprise those listening to learn that I intend to say a word about that, too. I intend to say a word about it not just because I am deeply...

My congratulations to my noble friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on securing this debate. This Government’s agenda marks a fundamental shift in how power and capital are distributed across the United Kingdom, positioning my old European constituency of the West Midlands and the second city of Birmingham as central...

My congratulations to my noble friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on securing this debate. This Government’s agenda marks a fundamental shift in how power and capital are distributed across the United Kingdom, positioning my old European constituency of the West Midlands and the second city of Birmingham as central...

My Lords, I wish to discuss two crucial components of the Prime Minister’s programme for growth: the devolution agenda in England and our relationship with the EU. For decades, I have advocated greater devolution of powers to Yorkshire, so I greatly

welcome moves to shift decision-making out of Whitehall. I...

My Lords, I wish to discuss two crucial components of the Prime Minister’s programme for growth: the devolution agenda in England and our relationship with the EU. For decades, I have advocated greater devolution of powers to Yorkshire, so I greatly

welcome moves to shift decision-making out of Whitehall. I...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, on bringing this debate. I also want to apologise to him, because I am always surprised by how passionately he talks about climate change. That is on me. Sorry about that. It is wonderful to listen to.

I have met the new...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, on bringing this debate. I also want to apologise to him, because I am always surprised by how passionately he talks about climate change. That is on me. Sorry about that. It is wonderful to listen to.

I have met the new...

It is a treat to be able to take part in this debate. I will talk about the Government’s programme on pensions, where the scale of what is being undertaken and what is potentially in prospect is far greater than people appreciate. We have

already had one pensions Bill. I...

It is a treat to be able to take part in this debate. I will talk about the Government’s programme on pensions, where the scale of what is being undertaken and what is potentially in prospect is far greater than people appreciate. We have

already had one pensions Bill. I...

My Lords, one thing that I felt incredibly encouraged by with our new Prime Minister was the fact that he seemed to come here with an outside lens, because he has been away from Westminster for 10 years. When he came into Westminster, he was able to voice a lot...

My Lords, one thing that I felt incredibly encouraged by with our new Prime Minister was the fact that he seemed to come here with an outside lens, because he has been away from Westminster for 10 years. When he came into Westminster, he was able to voice a lot...

My Lords, I am delighted to follow the excellent, eloquent speech from the noble Baroness, Lady Hazarika, which I agree with entirely. Today, I want to focus on the justice system and, in particular, the contrast between the crisis in the adult justice system and the many successes achieved by...

My Lords, I am delighted to follow the excellent, eloquent speech from the noble Baroness, Lady Hazarika, which I agree with entirely. Today, I want to focus on the justice system and, in particular, the contrast between the crisis in the adult justice system and the many successes achieved by...

My Lords, the Government have told us repeatedly that their number one priority is growth, and I am sure that every single one of us in this House would wholeheartedly back that aim. But I am afraid that there is a startling gap between those words and a real understanding...

My Lords, the Government have told us repeatedly that their number one priority is growth, and I am sure that every single one of us in this House would wholeheartedly back that aim. But I am afraid that there is a startling gap between those words and a real understanding...

My Lords, I declare an interest as executive chairman of Iceland Foods and of Bywater. As the former Prime Minister’s cost of living champion, I advocated targeted help for families who could not absorb soaring bills, and it is good to see some of those ideas come to fruition. But...

My Lords, I declare an interest as executive chairman of Iceland Foods and of Bywater. As the former Prime Minister’s cost of living champion, I advocated targeted help for families who could not absorb soaring bills, and it is good to see some of those ideas come to fruition. But...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, for securing this debate, and I welcome his contribution. I will focus on energy and climate. This Government have an opportunity for a reset. The British people support change, but this Government have to do more to enable it. Nowhere is...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, for securing this debate, and I welcome his contribution. I will focus on energy and climate. This Government have an opportunity for a reset. The British people support change, but this Government have to do more to enable it. Nowhere is...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Hunt on securing this important debate, and on his excellent opening speech. On entering No. 10, our new Prime Minister said:

“Let’s make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again—the moment we bring back hope”.

That has been mentioned several times today....

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Hunt on securing this important debate, and on his excellent opening speech. On entering No. 10, our new Prime Minister said:

“Let’s make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again—the moment we bring back hope”.

That has been mentioned several times today....

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness—

4.42 pm

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness—

4.42 pm

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my noble friend Lady Nargund. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to social care in his response to questions on his Statement to the Commons on Tuesday. While we wait for the recommendations from the review by the noble Baroness, Lady Casey,...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my noble friend Lady Nargund. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to social care in his response to questions on his Statement to the Commons on Tuesday. While we wait for the recommendations from the review by the noble Baroness, Lady Casey,...

My Lords, I have two minutes so I will be brief. First, on UK debt and financing it, as my noble friend Lady Coffey put so well, the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, spent half his speech talking about the Opposition and, for whatever reason, certain noble Lords opposite wish to...

My Lords, I have two minutes so I will be brief. First, on UK debt and financing it, as my noble friend Lady Coffey put so well, the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, spent half his speech talking about the Opposition and, for whatever reason, certain noble Lords opposite wish to...

I remain happy to have followed the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, who reminded us of the blight in our country: the extreme levels of difference in social deprivation from postcode to postcode. This is also an urban-rural issue. If the Prime Minister is to be successful, it will be about...

I remain happy to have followed the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, who reminded us of the blight in our country: the extreme levels of difference in social deprivation from postcode to postcode. This is also an urban-rural issue. If the Prime Minister is to be successful, it will be about...

My Lords, it has been an excellent debate—there I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, who I always attempt to agree with but sometimes fall short, for which I apologise. I may do so later in these brief remarks.

Like so many others, I am very grateful to the noble...

My Lords, it has been an excellent debate—there I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, who I always attempt to agree with but sometimes fall short, for which I apologise. I may do so later in these brief remarks.

Like so many others, I am very grateful to the noble...

My Lords, we have had a great debate and I am looking forward to responding to all the wide-ranging points that have been made. I just say to the noble Lord, Lord True, that not only did the Prime Minister break a world record on Tuesday with a three-and-a-half-hour Statement...

My Lords, we have had a great debate and I am looking forward to responding to all the wide-ranging points that have been made. I just say to the noble Lord, Lord True, that not only did the Prime Minister break a world record on Tuesday with a three-and-a-half-hour Statement...

My Lords, I think I have about one and a half minutes to respond. I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. It has been good-natured, and I am grateful for that.

I say to the noble Lord, Lord True, that I always enjoy his contributions, but...

My Lords, I think I have about one and a half minutes to respond. I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. It has been good-natured, and I am grateful for that.

I say to the noble Lord, Lord True, that I always enjoy his contributions, but...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what arrangements her Department plans to put in place for ongoing engagement with Members of Parliament, principal councils, and other local stakeholders regarding proposals for local government reorganisation and devolution in Devon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what arrangements her Department plans to put in place for ongoing engagement with Members of Parliament, principal councils, and other local stakeholders regarding proposals for local government reorganisation and devolution in Devon.

Motion that this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities. Agreed to on question.

Motion that this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities. Agreed to on question.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities.

I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association, and I am extremely worried about the widening gap in opportunity, social mobility and economic growth between rural and urban areas. Rural areas are being held...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered Government support for rural upper tier local authorities.

I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association, and I am extremely worried about the widening gap in opportunity, social mobility and economic growth between rural and urban areas. Rural areas are being held...

I am sure that the issues in Shropshire that the hon. Lady mentions are the same as those that we in Cornwall have experienced. Does she agree that the move to a mayoral share of income tax is not a detriment to non-mayoral areas like ours but an opportunity to...

I am sure that the issues in Shropshire that the hon. Lady mentions are the same as those that we in Cornwall have experienced. Does she agree that the move to a mayoral share of income tax is not a detriment to non-mayoral areas like ours but an opportunity to...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I would need to see the detail of that proposal and what it would mean. Shropshire is already a unitary authority and is essentially at the bottom of the list for a devolution plan, so that seems too far off. There seems to...

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I would need to see the detail of that proposal and what it would mean. Shropshire is already a unitary authority and is essentially at the bottom of the list for a devolution plan, so that seems too far off. There seems to...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate. Like her, I am passionate about local government. I find myself in Cornwall corner here today, but I am proud to be a Member...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate. Like her, I am passionate about local government. I find myself in Cornwall corner here today, but I am proud to be a Member...

The hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech, and he is absolutely right about road mileage. Devon has to maintain over 8,000 miles of road, which is the most of any upper-tier authority in the country. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that partitioning Exeter off from the rest of Devon—from...

The hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech, and he is absolutely right about road mileage. Devon has to maintain over 8,000 miles of road, which is the most of any upper-tier authority in the country. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that partitioning Exeter off from the rest of Devon—from...

I understand the Devon road network, which is similar to Norfolk’s—Norfolk and Devon’s councils were paired—and there are obvious challenges with it. I am sure the Minister heard the hon. Gentleman’s point about local government reorganisation, but I will not comment on it. I can barely understand Norfolk’s proposals, let...

I understand the Devon road network, which is similar to Norfolk’s—Norfolk and Devon’s councils were paired—and there are obvious challenges with it. I am sure the Minister heard the hon. Gentleman’s point about local government reorganisation, but I will not comment on it. I can barely understand Norfolk’s proposals, let...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship again, Mrs Barker, after a bit of a break since the last time.

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting out so well the funding challenges facing upper-tier councils. She quite correctly articulated the challenges...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship again, Mrs Barker, after a bit of a break since the last time.

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting out so well the funding challenges facing upper-tier councils. She quite correctly articulated the challenges...

Meur ras —it is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I congratulate the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) on securing this important debate.

I want to focus on SEND and home-to-school transport. On SEND, Cornwall is the 11th lowest funded of 151 local authorities, receiving less...

Meur ras —it is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I congratulate the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) on securing this important debate.

I want to focus on SEND and home-to-school transport. On SEND, Cornwall is the 11th lowest funded of 151 local authorities, receiving less...

The hon. Gentleman is making an important and fundamental point: everything costs more when it is spread out. For example, bin collections cost a huge amount more for unitary authorities. Home-to-school transport is not just for children with SEND but for children who cannot catch the bus to school because...

The hon. Gentleman is making an important and fundamental point: everything costs more when it is spread out. For example, bin collections cost a huge amount more for unitary authorities. Home-to-school transport is not just for children with SEND but for children who cannot catch the bus to school because...

I do agree with the hon. Lady. I cannot believe that in the 21st century it is beyond the wit of man or woman to calculate the major costs that affect our rural and remote coastal areas compared with the costs for our urban counterparts. We are not trying to...

I do agree with the hon. Lady. I cannot believe that in the 21st century it is beyond the wit of man or woman to calculate the major costs that affect our rural and remote coastal areas compared with the costs for our urban counterparts. We are not trying to...

It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting the scene incredibly well. It is good to see another supreme example of her fighting for her constituents, as she always does.

As the Member of Parliament...

It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for setting the scene incredibly well. It is good to see another supreme example of her fighting for her constituents, as she always does.

As the Member of Parliament...

It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this debate, which is important and relevant to me.

I will probably shorten my speech a little, as the Minister is getting a double dose of Cornwall this...

It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I thank the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this debate, which is important and relevant to me.

I will probably shorten my speech a little, as the Minister is getting a double dose of Cornwall this...

It is an honour to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Barker. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) on securing this important debate. My very good friend, my hon. Friend the Member for Didcot and Wantage (Olly Glover), warned earlier against pitting different...

It is an honour to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Barker. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) on securing this important debate. My very good friend, my hon. Friend the Member for Didcot and Wantage (Olly Glover), warned earlier against pitting different...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan), and I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for rural business and the rural powerhouse.

This Government have rebuilt the local government funding formula...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan), and I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for rural business and the rural powerhouse.

This Government have rebuilt the local government funding formula...

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Barker. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate.

Before moving to rural South Devon in 2007, I had spent all my life living in and around major cities: Edinburgh,...

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Barker. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate.

Before moving to rural South Devon in 2007, I had spent all my life living in and around major cities: Edinburgh,...

The point of combined authorities is to derive economies of scale from placing urban and rural areas together. Some of those economies of scale can be driven by the density in the urban area. Does my hon. Friend agree that it makes no sense to split up the urban and...

The point of combined authorities is to derive economies of scale from placing urban and rural areas together. Some of those economies of scale can be driven by the density in the urban area. Does my hon. Friend agree that it makes no sense to split up the urban and...

I absolutely agree. It makes no sense to any of us in Devon. I have spent the entire summer listening to constituents who are deeply distressed about what has happened, which leaves them in a rump rural local authority with no option for economic growth or regeneration.

I absolutely agree. It makes no sense to any of us in Devon. I have spent the entire summer listening to constituents who are deeply distressed about what has happened, which leaves them in a rump rural local authority with no option for economic growth or regeneration.

As a part-Devon Member of Parliament—the other part of my constituency is in Somerset—I entirely agree with what my hon. Friend is saying. The part of my constituency in Devon is 800 square miles and will form just part of an enormous rural authority. Does she agree that that authority...

As a part-Devon Member of Parliament—the other part of my constituency is in Somerset—I entirely agree with what my hon. Friend is saying. The part of my constituency in Devon is 800 square miles and will form just part of an enormous rural authority. Does she agree that that authority...

I absolutely agree. The Government ignored local voices and went with the proposal that came fourth out of five in a public consultation, but was backed by Labour council leaders and Labour MPs who had the ear of Ministers and wanted to expand their cities. None of my constituents want...

I absolutely agree. The Government ignored local voices and went with the proposal that came fourth out of five in a public consultation, but was backed by Labour council leaders and Labour MPs who had the ear of Ministers and wanted to expand their cities. None of my constituents want...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker, and I welcome the Minister back to his place. I commend the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate and giving us the opportunity to speak about the rural areas that this Labour Government...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker, and I welcome the Minister back to his place. I commend the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) for securing this important debate and giving us the opportunity to speak about the rural areas that this Labour Government...

Does the hon. Member recall the enormous slashing of the budget of Cornwall council under his Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition Government?

Does the hon. Member recall the enormous slashing of the budget of Cornwall council under his Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition Government?

Lots of difficult decisions had to be made. I politely say to the hon. Gentleman that his party is in government now. We will see the mettle that they are made of in the coming months, when they have to make difficult decisions to produce their Budget, and we will...

Lots of difficult decisions had to be made. I politely say to the hon. Gentleman that his party is in government now. We will see the mettle that they are made of in the coming months, when they have to make difficult decisions to produce their Budget, and we will...

If His Majesty’s Opposition are so unhappy about the local government reorganisation, why is there not a single Opposition Member here to make that point other than him?

If His Majesty’s Opposition are so unhappy about the local government reorganisation, why is there not a single Opposition Member here to make that point other than him?

I thought someone might make that point in this debate. I have been in debates where no Labour or Liberal Democrat MPs have turned up. When I go out and speak to my constituents about how, when they turn on the TV, the Chamber is not full, I explain to...

I thought someone might make that point in this debate. I have been in debates where no Labour or Liberal Democrat MPs have turned up. When I go out and speak to my constituents about how, when they turn on the TV, the Chamber is not full, I explain to...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker, and to hear the debate and the passion that Members have for their areas. I quite liked the county competition for the most beautiful part of England, but I am sure that we can agree that England is magnificent...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker, and to hear the debate and the passion that Members have for their areas. I quite liked the county competition for the most beautiful part of England, but I am sure that we can agree that England is magnificent...

On that specific point, part of the reason why there is a conflation of devolution and the local government funding settlement is that, because our local councils in some areas are so deprived of funding, they have to get funding from something like a visitor levy, which would not typically...

On that specific point, part of the reason why there is a conflation of devolution and the local government funding settlement is that, because our local councils in some areas are so deprived of funding, they have to get funding from something like a visitor levy, which would not typically...

In a sense, I recognise that there will be differences of opinion, depending on which local authority and what part of the country Members represent, about whether the fair funding review fully picks up all the particular circumstances. There might be more agreement on the sufficiency of local government finance....

In a sense, I recognise that there will be differences of opinion, depending on which local authority and what part of the country Members represent, about whether the fair funding review fully picks up all the particular circumstances. There might be more agreement on the sufficiency of local government finance....

The Minister says there is an area cost adjustment, and yet the leader of Devon county council says that Devon lost £14 million because of the rural services delivery grant, which was removed. How can those two things be true? If a grant that takes account of the fact that...

The Minister says there is an area cost adjustment, and yet the leader of Devon county council says that Devon lost £14 million because of the rural services delivery grant, which was removed. How can those two things be true? If a grant that takes account of the fact that...

We have always taken the view that the rural services delivery grant had, to put it mildly, a weak evidence base to support it. A political decision was made when the coalition Government came in and the grant that was given to largely urban authorities was taken away with almost...

We have always taken the view that the rural services delivery grant had, to put it mildly, a weak evidence base to support it. A political decision was made when the coalition Government came in and the grant that was given to largely urban authorities was taken away with almost...

I thank all hon. Members who have come along and made excellent speeches—particularly team south-west, who have turned out in force. They all highlighted the difficulties in delivering services in sparsely populated areas with vast distances to travel. They spoke about the impact on highways funding, the importance of generating...

I thank all hon. Members who have come along and made excellent speeches—particularly team south-west, who have turned out in force. They all highlighted the difficulties in delivering services in sparsely populated areas with vast distances to travel. They spoke about the impact on highways funding, the importance of generating...

Statement on the work of the newly formed Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the change it will bring.

Statement on the work of the newly formed Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the change it will bring.

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the work of the newly formed Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the change it will bring.

On the steps of Downing Street six weeks ago, the Prime Minister set out the priorities that will guide...

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the work of the newly formed Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the change it will bring.

On the steps of Downing Street six weeks ago, the Prime Minister set out the priorities that will guide...

I thank the deputy Prime Minister for advance sight of her statement. I congratulate her on her appointment—it is a major achievement—and I look forward to working with her.

I also congratulate the right hon. Lady on the wording of her statement. The phrase “rewiring the state” was first coined by...

I thank the deputy Prime Minister for advance sight of her statement. I congratulate her on her appointment—it is a major achievement—and I look forward to working with her.

I also congratulate the right hon. Lady on the wording of her statement. The phrase “rewiring the state” was first coined by...

The Prime Minister set out how he plans to cut tax on the very first day of his premiership. I thank the shadow Secretary for his kind words. My title is First Secretary of State; he may wish to be the shadow deputy Prime Minister, but that would not be...

The Prime Minister set out how he plans to cut tax on the very first day of his premiership. I thank the shadow Secretary for his kind words. My title is First Secretary of State; he may wish to be the shadow deputy Prime Minister, but that would not be...

I offer two congratulations: first, to my right hon. Friend and constituency neighbour, the First Secretary, on her well-deserved promotion—I am sure she will do an excellent job. Secondly, I congratulate her and the Prime Minister for their real commitment to devolution, which I have wanted to see for an...

I offer two congratulations: first, to my right hon. Friend and constituency neighbour, the First Secretary, on her well-deserved promotion—I am sure she will do an excellent job. Secondly, I congratulate her and the Prime Minister for their real commitment to devolution, which I have wanted to see for an...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and my constituency shares that exact same problem: in the east, there are fewer sixth-form options than in the wealthier west of the constituency. That is huge issue for educational inequality for our constituents, and I will take it away and look at it...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and my constituency shares that exact same problem: in the east, there are fewer sixth-form options than in the wealthier west of the constituency. That is huge issue for educational inequality for our constituents, and I will take it away and look at it...