1-20 of 171 results for askedby:"Claire O'Neill"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.313 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.004 seconds
- Search query
- askedby:"Claire O'Neill"
- We searched for
- tablingMember_ses:302922 OR askingMember_ses:302922
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
More
Member
More
Primary member
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
This is also my last Prime Minister’s questions, and I want to follow the comments that have been made about your strong leadership from that Chair, Mr Speaker, and, indeed, your kind comments about my good friend my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) and others. I would also like, if I may, to take this opportunity to thank the staff of this place, particularly those in the Library and the catering department, and the Doorkeepers, who do so much to keep us hale and hearty. I thank my numerous friends and colleagues across this place, including my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), who have been so personally kind to me over the past few months and so supportive of our policies, particularly the introduction of our net zero legislation. I want to thank the people of Devizes who have given me their trust for the past nine years; it has been the privilege of my life to serve you.
I would like to ask the Prime Minister a question. Does he believe, like me, that there is no planet B and that we should take the opportunity of this Brexit blockage breaking election to move the country on and focus on the incredible things we can do as the host next year of the UN’s global climate change talks, which may be in Glasgow but are a four-nation COP, so that we can help the world to get on with dealing with the problem of the next 30 years and how we repair our climate?
This is also my last Prime Minister’s questions, and I want to follow the comments that have been made about your strong leadership from that Chair, Mr Speaker, and, indeed, your kind comments about my good friend my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) and others. I would also like, if I may, to take this opportunity to thank the staff of this place, particularly those in the Library and the catering department, and the Doorkeepers, who do so much to keep us hale and hearty. I thank my numerous friends and colleagues across this place, including my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), who have been so personally kind to me over the past few months and so supportive of our policies, particularly the introduction of our net zero legislation. I want to thank the people of Devizes who have given me their trust for the past nine years; it has been the privilege of my life to serve you.
I would like to ask the Prime Minister a question. Does he believe, like me, that there is no planet B and that we should take the opportunity of this Brexit blockage breaking election to move the country on and focus on the incredible things we can do as the host next year of the UN’s global climate change talks, which may be in Glasgow but are a four-nation COP, so that we can help the world to get on with dealing with the problem of the next 30 years and how we repair our climate?
May I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for everything she has done in her parliamentary and ministerial career, and associate myself with your comments, Mr Speaker, about my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke)? I know that my right hon. Friend is leaving this place to do something perhaps even more important, which is to run our COP 26 summit next year in Glasgow, and I know that she will do an absolutely outstanding job. She is completely right that it would be far more wonderful for this country to focus on what we can do to lead the world in tackling the problems of the environment and climate change rather than frittering away yet more political time and capital on two more pointless referendums. I thoroughly agree with her proposal.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what analysis he has undertaken on the effect of the national living wage on the cost to the adult social care sector of employing staff on sleep-in contracts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what analysis he has undertaken on the effect of the national living wage on the cost to the adult social care sector of employing staff on sleep-in contracts.
Workers who are required to be available to perform work as and when called upon are entitled to the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) for the entire shift if they are deemed to be “working”. This remains the case, even if they are permitted to sleep during that shift.
The Government asks the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to monitor and evaluate the impact of the National Minimum and National Living Wage rates. The LPC carry out extensive research, consultation and analysis across a range of sectors to inform its wage rate recommendations.
The LPC autumn 2016 report, summarises its consultation with business stakeholders on the impact of the NLW and NMW. The report is available here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-low-pay-commission-autumn-2016-report
The Government also produces analysis of the NMW/NLW rates in its Impact Assessment, this projected that around 126,000 workers are affected by the April 2017 rate rises (p79). Available here - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/465/impacts
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote stability and support the Philippines during its state of national emergency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote stability and support the Philippines during its state of national emergency.
We have a strong and growing bilateral relationship with the Philippines, which covers a range of issues including peace and security, counter terrorism, counter extremism, and human rights. We remain actively involved in efforts to promote stability, particularly in the southern Philippines. During my visit to Manila last December, I met senior members of the Philippine Administration and discussed how we can strengthen our cooperation. We will continue to offer support, drawing in particular on UK expertise in these areas.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the commitment to spend at least two per cent of GDP on defence.
Ministers regularly raise the two per cent commitment during discussions with our NATO Allies.
For example, the Secretary of State was in Brussels last month and he reminded his counterparts that Britain is committed to spending two per cent of our GDP on defence every year of this decade and encouraged them to meet the commitment they all made at the Wales Summit in 2014.
Q8
.
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
As the Prime Minister leads us towards a smart and smooth Brexit—as I like to call it, a “smexit”—I am sure she shares my
view that the flexibility of Britain’s labour market is one of this country’s great strengths. However, she will be aware that the growth of new business models as part of the so-called gig economy is causing real concern that employment rights could be eroded. Indeed, the news that Uber is seeking a licence to operate in my constituency has left local people concerned about what their jobs could look like in the future. What reassurances can the Prime Minister give to me and my constituents that the Government are working to make sure that employment rights and employment regulations keep pace with this sort of innovation?
Q8
.
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
As the Prime Minister leads us towards a smart and smooth Brexit—as I like to call it, a “smexit”—I am sure she shares my
view that the flexibility of Britain’s labour market is one of this country’s great strengths. However, she will be aware that the growth of new business models as part of the so-called gig economy is causing real concern that employment rights could be eroded. Indeed, the news that Uber is seeking a licence to operate in my constituency has left local people concerned about what their jobs could look like in the future. What reassurances can the Prime Minister give to me and my constituents that the Government are working to make sure that employment rights and employment regulations keep pace with this sort of innovation?
As I mentioned earlier, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people in employment in this country, and that is because we have got the strong economy that we have. However, I recognise that employment and types of employment are changing. Technology is the driver in many cases. That is why I have asked the chief executive of the RSA, Matthew Taylor, to conduct a review of and report on modern employment practices, so we can ensure that the legislative framework is absolutely the right one for the economy of the future and the jobs of the future. That shows that it is now the Conservative party that is the party of working people.
If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 30 November.
If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 30 November.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the recommendations of Lord Young's report on Growing Your Business.
[159363]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the recommendations of Lord Young's report on Growing Your Business.
[159363]
The Prime Minister announced on 5 June that Government will accept all recommendations in Lord Young's report ‘Growing Your Business’. Work has now begun to implement these recommendations including the extension of Start Up Loans, a Growth Voucher programme to test innovative approaches to small business support, the reform of public procurement to increase access for SMEs, and improved marketing of Government schemes through a new GREAT campaign targeted at new and developing small businesses.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the introduction of the universal credit pathfinder.
[155883]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the introduction of the universal credit pathfinder.
[155883]
It is too early to make a formal assessment of universal credit yet.
Under this Government, Britain has moved into the top 10 of the most competitive places in the world to do business, according to the World Economic Forum; our tax system is seen as one of the most pro-business in the world; market interest rates are at record lows; red tape has been cut by almost £850 million in the past two years; and exports to China, India and Brazil are up by almost two thirds since 2009.
I thank the Chancellor for that reply. Is he aware that, according to accountants KPMG, Britain is now the best place in the world to do business, for the first time ever? That is very welcome news for businesses in my constituency, but what more do we need to do to maintain and consolidate that position?
I thank the Chancellor for that reply. Is he aware that, according to accountants KPMG, Britain is now the best place in the world to do business, for the first time ever? That is very welcome news for businesses in my constituency, but what more do we need to do to maintain and consolidate that position?
My hon. Friend refers to the remarkable survey by KPMG that found that in the space of three years Britain has gone from having one of the least competitive business tax systems in the world to having the most competitive one; we are ahead of Ireland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as, of course, the United States, France and Germany. That is because of the hard work we have done on corporation tax and on the controlled foreign companies regime. Of course, we have to go on making this country the most competitive place to do business, so that we can succeed in the global race.
Q7
.
[146197]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Last year, more than 100 women were killed by men in the United Kingdom. We know that domestic violence happens behind doors across the entire country. Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity of international women’s day to pay tribute to the outstanding work of Wiltshire police in trialling new ways of reducing this appalling crime and to the victim support centre in Devizes, which provides services for those who suffer in my constituency?
Q7
.
[146197]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Last year, more than 100 women were killed by men in the United Kingdom. We know that domestic violence happens behind doors across the entire country. Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity of international women’s day to pay tribute to the outstanding work of Wiltshire police in trialling new ways of reducing this appalling crime and to the victim support centre in Devizes, which provides services for those who suffer in my constituency?
I am happy to do that. Fighting domestic violence is an important part of international women’s day, as my hon. Friend says. I commend not only the police in Wiltshire, but the local authority because it has done very good work to bring all the agencies together to ensure that there is a joined-up approach to cracking this difficult problem which, as she says, has often been hidden from view.
I am a governor of two academies in my constituency of Devizes, both of which have been asked to become sponsors of primary schools that are doing less well. We are happy to get involved in that process, but the due diligence process is very rapid and there is concern that if we rush, we may ignore important local interests. I have written to the Minister for Schools on that issue. Will he please meet me to discuss this important process as soon as possible?
I am a governor of two academies in my constituency of Devizes, both of which have been asked to become sponsors of primary schools that are doing less well. We are happy to get involved in that process, but the due diligence process is very rapid and there is concern that if we rush, we may ignore important local interests. I have written to the Minister for Schools on that issue. Will he please meet me to discuss this important process as soon as possible?
A Minister will certainly meet my hon. Friend.
Q3
.
[142825]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that with the Government’s plans to cap social care bills at £75,000 we are finally starting to diffuse the ticking time bomb that is adult social care? The action will allow the insurance market to grow to protect against the liability, and we are helping people to protect their family homes in their old age.
Q3
.
[142825]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that with the Government’s plans to cap social care bills at £75,000 we are finally starting to diffuse the ticking time bomb that is adult social care? The action will allow the insurance market to grow to protect against the liability, and we are helping people to protect their family homes in their old age.
My hon. Friend makes an important point and I would have thought that every Member of Parliament had heard from their constituents, and in meetings with groups such as Age Concern, and others, that right now it is completely unfair that the fickle finger of fate can pick someone out for dementia or Alzheimer’s and they lose the house they have invested their lifetime savings in. That is not fair, and for the first time this Government have come up with the money to make sure that we put a cap on what any family has to spend. It is the biggest pro-inheritance move that any Government have made in 20 years. Let us be clear: the intention is not that people should have to spend £75,000, but because we have put a cap in place there should be a proper insurance market. I do not want anyone to have to pay anything, and that is what these reforms can help to achieve.
Q15
.
[135536]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Last week, I visited the T. H. White group in Devizes and heard about its healthy order book and its recruitment plans for 2013. Like many British employers, however, it cannot find enough engineers to hire. Britain’s universities lead the world in teaching science and engineering, yet we have an annual shortfall of 60,000 graduates, and nine out of 10 postgraduate students in those subjects are from overseas. What more can we do to plug that critical skills gap?
Q15
.
[135536]
Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con):
Last week, I visited the T. H. White group in Devizes and heard about its healthy order book and its recruitment plans for 2013. Like many British employers, however, it cannot find enough engineers to hire. Britain’s universities lead the world in teaching science and engineering, yet we have an annual shortfall of 60,000 graduates, and nine out of 10 postgraduate students in those subjects are from overseas. What more can we do to plug that critical skills gap?
My hon. Friend is entirely right; we have to tackle that problem at every level. That means making sure that we are teaching maths and science and other STEM subjects properly in schools. There are signs that the number of people taking those subjects is increasing. We need to ensure that our universities are properly funded; the tuition fees will make sure that that is the case. We also need to raise the profile of engineering, and that is one of the reasons that we introduced the £1 million Queen Elizabeth prize for engineering. That, combined with the 34 university technical colleges, will help to ensure that we train the engineers we need for the future.