Speeches by Stephenson.

“Mr Cohen, how can marine protections be expanded without damaging your communities?”

“Thank you. Mr Sykes and Mr Cohen, I am interested to know if we were to move to a whole-site approach, what impact you think that would have on your respective industries.”

“My first question is also to you, Mr Villemot. Legislation across UK jurisdictions currently provides protections for individual species and habitats rather than entire ecosystems. I know you touched on this in your opening remarks. Does this approach necessarily provide the best protection for marine habitats?”

“Mr Cohen, how can marine protections be expanded without damaging your communities?”

“I will come to Mr Cohen last so he can have the final word on the impact on fishing communities. The same question to you, Mr Sykes.”

“Communities in Mid Bedfordshire have always done their bit to take new housing, but continued pressure to build is chipping away at our beautiful countryside and the historical character of our towns and villages. Will the Minister assure communities such as mine that the new towns taskforce cannot hit us with a double…”

“2. Whether the number of houses recommended by the new towns taskforce will be in addition to the housing targets set in the national policy planning framework.”

“I am enjoying the hon. Member’s speech, and to give him a few moments to gather his thoughts, I remind him that new clause 1 would require a review of how many people receiving the new state pension at the full rate are liable to pay income tax this year and in the next four tax years, and specifically what the tax lia…”

“The extension of the scheme will be welcome news to those involved with churches such as St Botolph’s in Aspley Guise in Mid Bedfordshire. People there have told me of their concern about the lack of certainty for longer-term projects that may need support beyond 12 months. Will the Church Commissioner join me and othe…”

“2. What discussions the Church has had with the Government on the extension of the listed places of worship grant scheme.”

“I could not agree more. Later, I will talk about the need for step-free access to Harlington and Flitwick stations, but that is necessary right across the country for the reasons the hon. Gentleman has set out. In this debate, I will focus on the Thameslink services on the Bedford line and east coast main line, which m…”

“Very briefly—it is only a half-hour debate.”

“I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman, and I thank him for joining this important debate for the communities across Bedfordshire that rely heavily on rail services for leisure and work. The disruption is also having a huge impact on our economy; I will come to that later in my speech.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the performance of Thameslink train services. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. Many of my constituents in Mid Bedfordshire rely on Thameslink services on the Bedford line to get to work or get into London for leisure. About 1.5 million pas…”

“The Prime Minister recently said he was: “hardwiring growth into all the decisions of the Cabinet”. How did he react when the Home Secretary told him that her policy on electronic travel authorisations would cost the economy nearly £735 million over five years?”

“My hon. Friend says no, but I was making a rhetorical statement. Perhaps I am being unfair. Perhaps the Government care deeply about supporting pensioners and have been working tirelessly to help them. Well, there is another problem there, because a Government working tirelessly to support the most vulnerable pensioner…”

“I do not think they are listening either, but let’s try. The Minister for Employment has told me previously about the Government’s desire to help pensioners reduce their energy bills, and I agree. There was a flagship policy in Labour’s manifesto, but good intentions alone are not enough to reduce energy bills. The Gov…”

“I am absolutely shocked, and I will come on to mention a few stories from my own constituents. They are very similar, and I think we are hearing these stories up and down the country.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered Government support for pensioners. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dame Siobhain. I have secured this debate because not only do pensioners represent an enormous portion of our population—over 10 million people—but the way we support them impacts every singl…”

“Indeed, the winter fuel allowance is one example of many broken promises. I know that my constituents feel let down by this Labour Government, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising some pertinent examples from his constituency. Where do we go from here? Well, I am here to help the Government with some simple ways in w…”