Speeches by Poynton.

“Assuming that we were then to go forward with the framework and infrastructure that you describe, what do you see as the benefit to the UK economy and as a driver for growth?”

“This is a question to Nicola Smith. You have touched on this in some of your previous answers, but I think it is important to tease it out a little further. The Bill proposes several changes to the requirements for union recognition, so that the requirements are lower and more streamlined—essentially, making it easier …”

“I welcome the Minister and the Government’s work to secure the long-term future of the Royal Mail. The statement shows that we have got a good deal for UK customers and workers. Will the Minister assure me, Royal Mail customers and workers in the Livingston constituency that when the deal goes through, the new owners w…”

“This week has seen the result of the Home Secretary’s work, which has led to the agreement with Germany. It is hard work and grip that gets results. It is incredible that, under German law, the stockpiling of the boats and engines used to cross the channel was not prohibited. Can the Home Secretary assure us now that t…”

“More broadly, what discussions and information exchange are taking place between our allies? Given Israel’s actions in terms of monitoring on the ground, how do we take into consideration what other allies are seeing and how they are acting?”

“It was touched on earlier, but how were the ICJ advisory opinion and the associated provisional measures, the US State Department report of 10 May, and the Administration’s threatened suspension weapons shipments taken into consideration in the Government’s decision to keep the large majority of export licences open?”

“How do the recent ICC arrest warrants impact your assessment of these export licences to Israel?”

“You said that there is an ongoing assessment just now, so would that be part of it?”

“16. What steps her Department is taking to increase the supply of social housing.”

“I have another question on the SNP’s failure on housing, because it is so bad. Scottish figures show that new build starts are falling in all sectors, and are at their lowest level since 2013. Private sector new builds are down 20% since 2022. For social housing, the figure is even worse: they are down by 30%. This is …”

“The former Conservative Immigration Minister, the right hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick), has said that the country is “right to be furious” about his party’s record on immigration, and that the Conservatives need to own their failures and change. What is there, in the Conservatives’ obsession with their failed …”

“You talked about the new fiscal rules and infrastructure. There are big spending and investment plans, but much of that spending is not in your Department. How do we make sure that the funding that is allocated and announced in that Budget does drive growth?”

“I will keep it quick, given the time. You have talked in the past about your ambition for audit and governance reform. When can we expect to see that Bill, and what will be in it?”

“I just have a couple of quick follow-ups. You talked about the investment piece and the bit about co-ordination, and you touched on skills. You have also talked about planning, the stability piece, tax, regulation and political stability. Again, these things are not necessarily part of your Department’s remit, but will…”

“I want to take you back slightly to one of the things you talked about with Antonia Bance, the unsexy bit that you do not put on a leaflet about driving private capital. Over the Parliament, the OBR expects that higher public investment will crowd out rather than crowd in private investment. Is that a fair assessment o…”

“I have one last question on that. You talked about the accountability of directors. Will that be all directors, not just those with professional qualifications?”

“11. What steps her Department is taking to help keep children safe online.”

“I greatly welcome the action that the Government are taking, but the fight against child sex abuse online is only as strong as its weakest link, and Facebook’s decision to allow the encrypted sharing of images makes it a very weak link indeed. Does the Minister share my anger that Facebook appears to be turning a blind…”

“Another day, another Labour Minister at the Dispatch Box cleaning up the mess left by the Conservative party. Does the Secretary of State agree that the decisions outlined in today’s statement will fix the foundations of our nation’s defence, spend every penny he has wisely and keep our nation safer?”

“Are you or your team incentivised in any way to reduce costs?”