Speeches by Lewin.

“Sorry to cut across, Martin, but that is a qualified answer, and we have all watched these kinds of sessions before. I am just going to give you one more opportunity to just say that you are sorry for where we have got to, to recognise and then to have the conversation. I need to hand it over to a colleague, but this i…”

“Thank you for being here, Martin. I still feel new to this job, and as an MP, you have to be across local issues, national issues and international issues as best as you possibly can. You cannot be across everything, but some issues cut through, and FirstPort has cut through. I am afraid that I think it will be univers…”

“I am MP for Welwyn Hatfield.”

“Swallow Dell primary in Welwyn Garden City is a fantastic school. I have had the privilege of meeting the leadership team, who are ambitious for every single child. They have a state nursery as part of the school, but they are seeking to expand, and unfortunately their bid was rejected in the last round. I am passionat…”

“6. What steps she is taking to expand school-based nurseries.”

“It is a source of pride to see a Labour Chancellor announce such a transformative programme for social housing. My hope is that the boost to the affordable homes programme can be used to unlock stalled projects like those in Welwyn Garden City, in my constituency, where the Metropolitan Thames Valley development adjace…”

“I just want to check, Will. In your own submission, you said that it “is frequently used purely to compensate overpaying for land or to maximise profit”. Is that your view? Is that still the view of the NHF? That “frequently used” is important.”

“Yes, but that is contested.”

“I just want to say that I do not agree with the characterisation that it is a common misconception. There is an active debate about the value of land. Hope value can sometimes be hundreds of times the original value. That might be your view, but it needs to be recognised by this Committee and others that there is a ser…”

“Melanie, can I ask specifically whether you would support a minimum acceptable requirement, as Richard has just set out, for affordable and social housing?”

“Good morning. The Government have committed to reviewing their viability planning practice guidance. I think that it was last looked at in 2014, so it is not before time. I have lost count of the conversations that I have had with local councillors in Welwyn Hatfield and across the country, of all political persuasions…”

“I completely understand, Melanie, that there is nuance to this, but I have to say that I am cynical about some elements of it. I represent Welwyn Hatfield. In Welwyn Garden City there is a much-discussed development adjacent to the station. It is 25 minutes to Finsbury Park on the train and I have been told that it is …”

“I am Andrew Lewin, the MP for Welwyn Hatfield.”

“I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Blyth and Ashington (Ian Lavery) on securing such an important debate. Next week, the Lloyds and Halifax branches in Welwyn Garden City will close their doors to customers for the last time. In Hatfield, we have already lost every bank branch from White Lion Square in the ce…”

“We have learned a lot about trade policy in the House today. The Conservative party is still desperately defending its failed deal, and as for Reform, we had a no-show from the leader of the party of no deal. Labour is the only party that is serious about getting a good deal with the European Union. I congratulate the …”

“17. What recent discussions he has had with NATO allies on European security.”

“The Ukrainian military’s response to Putin’s invasion has been formidable. One of the ways it has been so impressive is through its innovation in drone technology, with Ukraine now a world leader in strategic and tactical drones. Does the Minister agree that it is important that the UK, along with our NATO allies, cont…”

“It is curious, is it not? I have seen Conservative Front Benchers talking up the OBR when it is convenient, but in this case, when they do not agree with it, they decry it and say we must not listen to it. Step one: it is time to accept that it was a deal that made the country poorer and it must be looked at again. My …”

“As this is a debate in the name of His Majesty’s Opposition, it is only right that I share some personal reflections on the record of the Conservative party when it was in government. I am feeling generous, Madam Deputy Speaker: I am sure the House will be pleased to know that this will be a brief speech. But I am also…”

“I am conscious that, as we have had a good discussion this morning, there has been talk about equalising the system and making sure that all local authorities benefit. I am interested in how we strike the balance with the powers given to local authorities over business rates. I am keen to know a little more about the a…”