Speeches by Aldridge.

“Free trade across the UK single market, from major tech hubs in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to smaller towns such as Weston-super-Mare, is vital to supporting innovation in Northern Ireland and across the UK. What steps is the Minister taking to streamline Northern Ireland’s ability to trade with all corners of the U…”

“3. What steps he is taking to help support innovation in Northern Ireland.”

“Numerous mental health charities and a number of civil society experts have raised with me that there are powers within the Online Safety Act that must be used by the regulator. Indeed, the Secretary of State for DSIT made it very clear last week that he backed the Act and those powers. Does my hon. Friend agree that t…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for allowing me to intervene again. In my previous role as head of public policy at the British Computer Society, the one thing that my colleagues and I talked about a lot was the lack of focus on education in the Online Safety Act. I commend the previous Government for passing that legislation, …”

“Many of my constituents have written to me to express their horror at what is happening in Gaza. Does the Minister agree that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency plays an indispensable role in the provision of humanitarian assistance, and does he oppose the Bills recently passed in the Knesset that would prevent…”

“There are wide-ranging consequences of the impact of the EU AI Act. I would like to seek some clarity on where we are with that.”

“Some 37% of five-year-olds in Weston-super-Mare have enamel or dental decay—a figure well above the national average. The Better Health North Somerset team does amazing work to promote good oral health, but regular dentist check-ups are the oral health silver bullet. Will the Minister explain and outline the work he is…”

“I really appreciate that. Thank you. Moving on again slightly, I will leave the AI point, which we will all be pleased about. What preparations are you undertaking to commission an independent review into the operation of the Windsor framework, if required by the outcome of the democratic consent vote?”

“Secretary of State, I would like to shift slightly. We will remain with the Windsor framework. In a previous world, I worked a lot in IT and digital services, specifically with those in Northern Ireland, so quarterly I would visit and work with those companies that were trading with the UK and the rest of the world. Th…”

“23. What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to NHS dentists.”

“Shoplifting is a major concern for my constituents, businesses and retail workers in Weston-super-Mare, many of whom have contacted me for support. Shoplifting has increased massively, with more than 1,000 cases these past 12 months. That is a 31% annual increase. To reassure my constituents, can the Solicitor General …”

“8. What recent discussions she has had with regional mayors on rates of prosecution for street crime.”

“Can I urge the Minister to go further and faster in delivering clean power for our communities, which the NESO report so clearly stated would lead to lower bills and energy security?”

“T2. Following on from the exciting announcement of the £1 billion investment in wind power, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Severn estuary to the west of Weston-super-Mare, with its transformative potential for the generation of clean, renewable energy. The potential of domestic energy has been neglected fo…”

“It is important to look at the role of public health in local government as well. Better Health North Somerset has a great programme led by Catherine Wheatley that is all about promoting oral health, which the hon. Gentleman mentioned, in early years and for children and young people. One thing I have noticed is that w…”

“T7. Weston-super-Mare is a town of sanctuary for many people with care needs, and 1,319 people there will be better off because of the Government’s increase to carer’s allowance. Can the Minister share the timescales for the independent review of carer’s allowance?”

“It is privilege to serve in this Parliament, and I am immensely proud to speak in support of the Budget, the Chancellor, and her remarkable team. As someone raised by strong, brave, and kind women, I cannot in good faith ignore the significance of having a woman lead the charge to rectify the economic instability left …”

“Will the right hon. Lady give way?”

“Avon and Somerset police, who are responsible for upholding the rule of law in my constituency, pioneered a new, innovative way of investigating rape and sexual violence called Project Bluestone. When rolled out nationwide as Operation Soteria it led to a 110% increase in rape prosecutions, according to Home Office dat…”

“2. What steps her Department is taking to support victims of rape and sexual violence through the criminal justice system.”