Speeches by Fookes.

“Can I ask a question for clarification? Apologies, Chair, I am going a bit off the question I was supposed to ask, but I do not understand; have PIP implants been banned here in the UK?”

“I have a question about the rise of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. Has there been a rise in reports of that, and if so why?”

“We have compensation schemes for the infected blood scandal and for other scandals. I just feel that it is so important that, in my opinion, the Government should most definitely have a compensation scheme for women who have undergone these breast implants. It looks like everybody agrees.”

“Do certain types of breast implants, such as textured versus smooth, have higher rates of BIA-ALCL reported?”

“Before I start, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Fleur Anderson MP, who has raised this issue consistently in Parliament and has really tried to raise awareness of it—perhaps it is thanks to her that we are doing this inquiry. The French Government urged 30,000 women to seek removal of the implants and that was …”

“If those trade deals were such sunlit uplands and such wonderful deals, can the right hon. Member explain to me why our seafood exports to the EU plummeted by 80% since the Brexit deal? Why did that happen on his watch, if that deal was so good?”

“I am so pleased that the Minister is trying to negotiate a new SPS deal and working to remove the red tape. Would he agree with me that businesses in my constituency, such as Tri-Wall in Monmouthshire, are absolutely desperate to remove that red tape, so they can increase exports again, as they did before the botched B…”

“I am delighted to contribute to the debate. I was really pleased to hear the Minister say from the Dispatch Box that, at the EU summit, we will focus on safety, security and growth. And, boy, don’t we need growth, after 14 years of chaos and disaster from the Conservative party. Since leaving the EU in 2020, businesses…”

“Will the right hon. Member give way?”

“Will the right hon. Member give way?”

“Absolutely, I remember that well. The reduction in exports is mainly due to the increase in paperwork, form-filling, and checks and barriers to trade. Some companies have simply given up because they have had such a difficult time dealing with the red tape. Companies have also had to put up prices, which has impacted c…”

“Does the Minister agree with me that the new fair repayment rate, which caps universal credit deductions at 15%, along with the actions of the Welsh Government to help more than 48,000 young people gain skills and find jobs through the young person’s guarantee scheme will help alleviate poverty in Wales, and therefore …”

“It is great to meet you all; you have fantastic CVs. Can I start with Devie, please? What has been your experience of accessing, or trying to access, investment for your business?”

“I have two small follow-ups. Roni, sorry if I missed it at the beginning, but how did you get the funding for your business 15 years ago?”

“Funnily enough, we had a roundtable in Birmingham last week where we talked about mandating targets. In terms of the British Business Bank, because so much of its funding percentage has gone towards male-led businesses, we could say, “Right, we now need a target for women-led businesses.” The women entrepreneurs in Bir…”

“It is so ironic, is it not? We are 51% of the population, so how can beauty or menopause products or health tech for women be niche? It is certainly not niche.”

“We have talked a little already about caring and family responsibilities, particularly with you, Roni. But for everyone, to what extent have caring and family responsibilities impacted the running of your business or the businesses of those that you know? Obviously it does not have to be just childcare, but caring for …”

“Do any of you think—Dr Savage, you might like to respond to this one—that there is merit in mandating a gender balance on investor panels or committees, or at least those that are supported by the British Business Bank? Do you think that might work?”

“Does anyone else want to add to any of that?”

“The conversation around confidence and courage brings me perfectly on to the next bit. Izzy and Roni, I see both your points of view here, but just to reflect back on what you said, at the end of the day, we are where we are. I agree with Izzy: at this point we need to build courage or confidence in our women when they…”