Speeches by Collier.

“I really welcome that announcement, particularly on only the learner being able to book, because we have seen cases, as reported in The Guardian, that people have been paying £850 for a test. Is it your view that these measures that you have announced today are going to make a significant difference in stopping scams, …”

“More than half of passenger rail operators are now in public ownership, but not the one that serves my constituency just yet. We have rail operators, such as Greater Anglia, that consistently perform highly. How is your Department ensuring that that good practice from those private rail operators will continue and be r…”

“The third road investment strategy is due to be published in March. I hope that the A5500 is part of that, but I am not expecting the announcement today. The draft RIS3 emphasises a greater focus on maintenance while also committing to enhancement schemes. Given the increasing cost of maintenance, is the message to tho…”

“Sarah, you mentioned the changing technology landscape. How are you going to ensure that these short courses keep pace with the change and with what industry needs?”

“This is to Sarah. The Government are introducing more short courses in England, which are going to be funded through the growth and skills levy, and Skills England has a role in advising the Department for Education on that and which ones should be prioritised. How do you feel that these short courses are going to impr…”

“I am proud to be a patron of Burton addiction centre, a residential rehab centre in my constituency. It is calling for a 2% target across the nation. Does my hon. Friend agree with that target for residential rehab? Perhaps the Minister would like to visit some time, when she is able to.”

“At a recent Burton and District chamber of commerce meeting that I hosted, businesses raised the importance of financial education for young people about mortgages, savings and pensions. It appears that the Secretary of State was listening. What support she will give teachers, so that they can deliver that effectively?”

“How do you think we can improve the perceptions of people outside the industry of transport manufacturing to try to attract them into the industry?”

“Yes. Eddie, you have just spoken about transferring within the industry. Could you say more about what Government and industry could do to attract people from outside the transport industry into the sector?”

“We are grateful to the United States for its co-ordination. This must not be a temporary peace that fades away. As the Foreign Secretary says, the ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides accused of violations, and fighting on the occupied west bank continues. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the UK wi…”

“2. What steps her Department is taking to support the Gaza peace plan.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 715292 relating to statutory maternity and paternity pay. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse, and a privilege to open this very busy debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee. Calling for statutory maternity and paternity pay to match …”

“I agree, and those are some of the themes that I will come on to. We know, from parents such as Grace and from the stories that we will hear throughout today’s debate, that the current system leaves huge gaps and does not support families or children in the way it should.”

“My hon. Friend is a great champion for his constituents. Many of the issues that he notes will come out in the debate today. He is right to say that the Government have begun the first ever full review of parental leave and pay, which is a serious and welcome step.”

“I know that that is the experience of many parents, and I am sure that the Government will look at it as part of the review that they are undertaking. Under the current arrangements, a mother or primary adopter can receive maternity pay for up to 39 weeks. For the first six weeks, that pay is 90% of average weekly earn…”

“The hon. Lady has highlighted an area that needs to be addressed. One of the starkest, most glaring inequalities in the system is that dads who are self-employed or freelance are not eligible for anything. That is something that the Government should look at.”

“I agree. The day one rights that the Government will introduce will be helpful in the context that my hon. Friend sets out. Ministers have rightly said that they want to remove the barriers that discourage people from having the children that they would like to, and parental leave and pay are at the centre of that effo…”

“The hon. Member can hear from the Chamber that there is support for that position. I am sure the Minister has heard that. Trade unions have welcomed the Government’s review—I declare an interest here, as a proud Unison and GMB member. The GMB says that it is pleased that the Government are listening, and calls for 12 m…”

“I do agree. I think the Government will look at those international comparisons and where Britain is in the league tables. The TUC seeks day one rights, individual entitlements to paid leave and higher pay rates so that all families can benefit, including single kinship, adoptive and surrogate parents and those in atyp…”

“Yes; the hon. Lady highlights a stark inequality that the Government need to address. Behind every statistic is a story. The recent campaign by Pregnant Then Screwed gathered testimony from families across the UK who face the brutal consequences of the current, inadequate system. Laura from the west midlands had to ret…”