Speeches by Aldridge.

“What else could we do if it is not really enough money? I get that there are fiscal challenges everywhere. What else can we do, and can this Committee contribute to that?”

“We have covered quite a lot of this question. I would like to ask about what steps the Executive are taking with UK Government to ensure there is no cliff edge in funding from 2026 to 2027.”

“There is a serious point about regulatory capture, which we should talk about cross-industry, cross-sector. There is something that we could do constructively across the House on regulatory capture. We talk a lot at the moment about artificial intelligence and the growth of the tech industry, and we need to implement s…”

“There are many dynamic tech and digital companies at the vanguard of the mission for economic growth in Northern Ireland. Does the Secretary of State agree that these industries are critical to Northern Ireland’s economic future? What steps are the Government taking to support these industries in growing to their full …”

“10. What steps his Department is taking to help grow the economy in Northern Ireland.”

“I am going to be really brief, as we have to get downstairs. Are mental health services being funded and delivered adequately? Keep your answers brief if you could, but also look at how we, as a group of people, could support you and the Executive to deliver on what is the biggest Budget the Northern Ireland Executive …”

“I am going to be really brief, as we have to get downstairs. Are mental health services being funded and delivered adequately? Keep your answers brief if you could, but also look at how we, as a group of people, could support you and the Executive to deliver on what is the biggest Budget the Northern Ireland Executive …”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. The hon. Gentleman talks about the outrage across the House, and I also feel outraged as a member of the public. The vast majority of my constituents are incredibly outraged at the situation they find themselves in. One of the things I am told when I knock on d…”

“As a fellow Member from a coastal town, I echo my hon. Friend’s point about the anger and frustration on the doors from residents in Weston-super-Mare. Over the past decade the quality of water on the three main beaches has got worse and worse, and the bathing water at all three is now classified as poor. The anxiety a…”

“Multi-year budgets are something many of us are breathing a bit of a sigh of relief around. In my constituency of Weston-super-Mare it is seen as a game changer and a move away from a very destabilising period for public services. In your view—and I do not mind who goes first—what effect would multi-year budgets have o…”

“Could I just come back on that? We often talk about changing the levers and then expecting things will be delivered. But if you are talking about responding to a decade of single-year settlements and firefighting, is there a process of cultural change and a bit of support that needs to happen within the public sector a…”

“Conversion practices trade and prosper on fear, prejudice and intolerance. Charities in Weston-super-Mare and across this country do amazing work to bring communities together to promote tolerance and tackle prejudice. Will the Minister outline what support the Government are providing to help charities deliver that vi…”

“4. What steps she is taking to ban conversion practices.”

“The protection of our beaches, rivers and bathing waters is incredibly important to my constituency, as hon. Members may expect me to say, as I represent a coastal constituency. My friends, family and I are regular swimmers in Weston-super-Mare’s fantastic Marine Lake, so my interest is personal as well as professional…”

“It is disappointing that some Opposition Members are trying to turn what should be a moment of collective unity in the face of a shared security threat into a political row. Does the Security Minister agree that it is pretty incredible for the party whose Defence Secretary was sacked for leaking vital intelligence abou…”

“In the 1980s, aged 18, my constituent Robert moved from Scotland to sunny Weston-super-Mare to pursue a bright career at RAF Locking, which was then a vital part of the RAF’s technical training, radio and radar network. However, not long after moving to Weston, Robert was questioned by the special investigations branch…”

“Providing quality education and training for offenders is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending. Weston College in Weston-super-Mare runs a transformational prison education programme across the south-west of England, which supports successful rehabilitation, resettlement and employment of offenders on…”

“15. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce reoffending.”

“I think we can all agree that food security is national security. The future of British farming deserves a stable Government with a funding strategy reflective of that significance. I and so many others welcome the Government’s £5 billion increase to the farming budget over the next two years—the largest budget for sus…”

“As so often, I agree with my hon. Friend and fellow south-west MP. As she has identified, we are trying with the Budget to fix the neglect of the previous Government. It is important to say that so many of my constituents in Weston-super-Mare are dismayed at the idea that tax relief of up to £3 million is not enough. T…”