Speeches by Naish.

“I used to advise businesses on their target operating models, so I understand how to build teams and structures. On what basis does the hon. Member think that the figure of 50 is correct? What work has he done to understand the different structures that will be required? How does he think the aims of the Bill can be ac…”

“The shadow Minister says that one individual suggested that several people would be sufficient, yet he claims that the figure of 50 is not plucked out of thin air. I ask him again: what modelling has been done, how many departments would be involved, and how many people would be in each of those departments, so that he…”

“We heard this morning that probation services in Nottinghamshire have been rated inadequate following visits by inspectors. They have been judged as understaffed, with urgent improvements needed. I therefore welcome the £700 million increase for probation services, but can I ask the Lord Chancellor what other steps can…”

“As the Minister says, we inherited a recruitment and retention crisis in the teaching industry. Data from the National Association of Head Teachers shows that one in three teachers leaves within five years, and that around one in three headteachers no longer continues as a head within five years. That is the situation …”

“Many of my constituents have told me that they feel that their works have already been scraped, and that AI development has already trampled over their rights. What reassurances can the Secretary of State give me that we already recognise that this is a time-limited issue and that action is required?”

“I thank my right hon. Friend for this excellent report that is rooted in pragmatism and practical steps, which I know my constituents welcome. He has highlighted a gap—as he sees it, it is a first step —and there is a lot more to do. Will his Committee undertake to monitor the gap between what the Government have commi…”

“I wholeheartedly agree. Prior to coming to this place, I led a council, and one of the motions we passed twinned us with part of Ukraine, because we recognised that the long-term reintegration of Ukrainian people and rebuilding of Ukrainian society would take a long time. It will require a huge global effort to make th…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. I, too, pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Johanna Baxter) for securing this debate. It is on a harrowing subject—the systematic abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children—but it is absolutely one that we should…”

“This morning, I met the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, which does great work around good governance, electoral integrity, democratic rights and citizen engagement. It has lost 70% of its funding as a result of USAID cuts, but it recognises that it will play a fundamental role in how Ukraine is rebuilt …”

“I want to just take a step back. We are talking about CSSF in the UK context and saying that it is a great strength. What are other countries doing in that same way? What is the benchmark here that we are comparing to or, in reality, is there not such a benchmark in other parts of the world?”

“Finally, 60 seconds each maybe, but lessons from CSSF morphing into ISF when it comes to future funding and obviously the spending review around conflict resolution: what are the key messages you would want to leave to us as a Committee but also if you were speaking to a Minister, very briefly?”

“I have one very short question. Have either of you or organisations you are aware of been consulted by the Government at all about the future of the ISF in the context of the general spending review?”

“Lewis, just that broader point on focus since the general election for ISF.”

“In summary, what you are saying is that the emphasis on conflict prevention, gender, and so on is being diluted, with national security and defence themes being prioritised.”

“The ISF came into being around April 2024 I think it was. We then had the general election in July. What are your perspectives—both of you—on the objectives and the priorities of the ISF since the general election in 2024? Has there been a clear shift? Are the goals clearer than they were when it was initially establis…”

“From what you have seen, is that partly to do with the rise in in-donor refugee costs here in the UK or is that a general trend prior to that becoming a bigger issue that we have dealt with?”

“Yes, it is a skillset that needs to be valued and prioritised. The flip of the cost drain that could be Ukraine will be the fact that the Government are committed to raising defence to 2.5% of GDP. What effect do you think that might have on ISF, Nic?”

“Mike, do you have any thoughts on the risk that some peacekeeping can end up being so significant that it has a wider detriment on the role of the ISF?”

“You have mentioned Ukraine a few times, Nic. We do not really know what the end of that conflict will look like and we do not know the role of ISF within that. If we assume that ISF were to play a role, how do you think any future UK peacekeeping operation would start to affect other activities beyond Ukraine? Will tha…”

“Mike, anything that you want to add on that?”