Speeches by Snell.

“Do you have any evidence that that relates to the changes that were made, not just economic circumstances or personal lifestyle changes? Is there anything that can link that reduction in activity to the rule changes?”

“I understand that. The question that I was trying to get at—apologies, Chair, that I wasn’t clear in explaining it—is, even with a principles-based system, somebody has to be the arbiter of whether a principle has been breached. If part of the principle is about restoring faith and trust in politics—that is, politician…”

“It follows on from Mark’s question. In the last code of conduct review, the Committee concluded against introducing restrictions around MPs’ second jobs—they used that term, although I do not like it—that would potentially require the Commissioner to make subjective judgments about how MPs should spend their time. Do y…”

“No, you didn’t say that; you mentioned doctors.”

“This is not about advocacy. You were talking about paid employment.”

“You said that conflicts of interest could be perceived to arise if a Member has a media show or a contract of employment for media because Parliament is responsible for media policy. We are also responsible for regulating health policy; we are responsible for the law and for business regulation, so why did you draw the…”

“Stoke-on-Trent is wonderfully served by the Dougie Mac and Donna Louise hospices. They are part of a healthcare system in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that the Minister knows has a £90 million projected deficit. What oversight will there be to ensure that the money that goes to the ICBs reaches the hospices and tha…”

“Will the Leader of the House arrange for either a statement or a debate in Government time on the regulation of houses in multiple occupancy? Without an article 4 direction in Stoke-on-Trent, we are at the mercy of developers who buy family homes or terraced properties and then convert them, using permitted development…”

“Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker, and happy Hanukkah to those who are observing. What action are this Government taking to promote the purchasing of British-grown and seasonal produce through their public procurement framework?”

“For now.”

“I thank my hon. Friend for the work that he has done on the campaign across the midlands and across the country. I was very proud to support it when I was last in this place. The sheer volume of workers who are now protected is testament to my hon. Friend’s hard work and his ability to tell such a compelling story. Cou…”

“After eight years of Conservative rule in Stoke-on-Trent, the council was taken to the brink of bankruptcy, and the Minister will be well aware of the extraordinary financial support that we have received and about which we are having additional conversations. How will the recovery fund interact with authorities in rec…”

“I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish an independent Office of the Whistleblower to protect whistleblowers and whistleblowing; to make provision for the Office of the Whistleblower to set, monitor and enforce standards for the management of whistleblowing cases, to provide disclosure and ad…”

“The hon. Gentleman is making an eloquent argument against increasing the employer’s part of national insurance contributions. Yet he himself voted for the health and social care levy, which was an increase of greater proportion on both employees and employers. I have just checked Hansard—he made none of the arguments t…”

“This will be a sad moment for the 4,000 women in Stoke-on-Trent Central who I have campaigned alongside for justice and a fair transition. I understand the Secretary of State’s need to balance the budget, given what was left by the previous Government, but is this a case of no compensation now because of the economic c…”

“What assurances can the Minister give me that energy-intensive industries in Stoke-on-Trent, such as ceramics, will benefit from the investment coming from this Government and will not get left behind in our transition to net zero?”

“The phrase damned by faint praise springs to mind. To be clear, I think the analysis of the Treasury and the Chancellor of the state in which we found the public finances is absolutely accurate. I think the remedies we are taking, while unpalatable to some, are necessary. I just wish we were able to mitigate some of th…”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“I actually do not agree with the hon. Gentleman’s assessment, because in my city of Stoke-on-Trent, when there is need, people arrive to offer help. It is one of the things that people often say; we are a friendly, welcoming people, and if someone is in need, we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in. However, I agree th…”

“No—I will give way in a second. Savana is the provider of the rape and sexual advice service in Stoke-on-Trent. It gets all its money from the Ministry of Justice; it is essentially running a Government service by virtue of contracts, yet it will now see an increase in its national insurance contributions of something …”