Speeches by Egan.

“Are we able to see the metrics that you use to successfully get people into the programme?”

“It is very helpful.”

“Do we know why?”

“I really appreciate the emphasis on those few years before pension age. It is a reminder for us to think of that when we have the pensioner poverty review, and to add in whether you have been doing physical or manual work, because the body changes, so it is more difficult. I want to ask about housing benefit, and we to…”

“That makes a lot of sense. Are there any other risks that the panel can see?”

“We have received evidence that for most pensioners, the state pension is their main pension. We have also had evidence in a previous session about the impact of auto-enrolment and how that will change over time. You have talked to these points, so I am trying to think what the main financial risks are as we look ahead,…”

“Members from across the House, including the Secretary of State, have talked about the religious and ethnic complexities of Syria. What does the Secretary of State make of those who are calling for a federal-type system in Syria? Should the Government be giving capacity and voice to those views and approaches?”

“11. What steps she plans to take to reform the leasehold system.”

“I recently met people living on the redeveloped Blackberry Hill hospital site in Fishponds, and they told me about the excessive and unfair leasehold charges that they face from their property management company, FirstPort. What assurances can the Minister provide that this Government will, once and for all, free peopl…”

“T6. On the doorstep in Bristol North East, people regularly talk to me about the difficulties they have getting a GP appointment. Will the Minister assure primary care services in my constituency, such as Kingswood health centre, that the Budget will help them and marks the first steps in transforming our NHS?”

“With our domestic air defences under increased scrutiny, will the Secretary of State update us on the work being done to strengthen them and give assurances that our Government understand that our forces will need the resources available to secure our skies?”

“I appreciate the focus and passion that clearly comes through around the economic activity piece, and I also welcome—you touched on it—that a lot of those answers lie within our communities. As a former local government leader, I know there are local councils that are doing really good things on work programmes. I want…”

“Because the household support fund is devolved to local councils, there are lots of different examples of how the funding is spent, so how will the Minister ensure that the money from councils goes to the people who really need it?”

“19. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the extension of the household support fund in 2025-26 on low-income households.”

“T5. What does the extra funding outlined for children in the Budget mean for the growing number of foster children and children who need foster care?”

“T3. I would like to ask a question that comes out of local government. One of the frustrations that I found after 14 years in local government was that short-term cuts can often end up costing more in the long run—an example that always comes to mind is youth services. What does the Chancellor make of the Local Governm…”

“I thank the Home Secretary for her answer about the criminal gangs. People in Bristol North East also ask me about deterrence. What reassurance can I give them that this action is being backed up with measures to stop illegal working by people who do not have a right to work here?”

“16. What steps her Department is taking to tackle criminal gangs facilitating small boat crossings.”

“The delivery of so much of what the Chancellor describes runs through local government. What progress has been made on giving local councils longer-term funding settlements?”

“9. What progress she has made on increasing economic growth.”