Speeches by Kirkham.

“Was there a late realisation that the budget had been completely spent?”

“These extra 3,000 that were in draft were not originally going to be paid out and now are. Where will the costs come from to do that?”

“The Minister said that, and that was why the scheme was reopened. My question is where that money will come from, because obviously that has not been budgeted for.”

“That was going to be my next question. The SFI will be reopening and be redesigned. We have had previous evidence that that will be reconsidered in July. There are a number of farmers, particularly those smaller farmers, who did not have the advice to apply initially. What is the timeframe? When will that scheme be reo…”

“Negotiate with the regulator?”

“Do you mean early in the new year next year?”

“The hon. Member is talking about the resumption of the community ownership fund for pubs. Would the Minister consider other options, such as the British Business Bank, and look into how other funds could be used for this purpose?”

“From next year, the Government will be permanently lowering business rates for retail and hospitality businesses. Does the hon. Member agree that it would be good if the Minister confirmed that that permanent lowering will be in relation to rates as they currently are rather than pre-covid rates or last year’s rates?”

“Cornwall has a thriving maritime sector, particularly in Falmouth, that is well-served by training establishments, such as Cornwall Marine Network and Falmouth marine school, as well as leading apprenticeship programmes across Falmouth. Much of that centres around our Port of Falmouth. Will the Ports Minister meet me a…”

“There is real concern from families in Truro and Falmouth that changes to the adoption and special guardianship support fund are being brought in before the impacts are fully known or assessed. Match funding is going from the fund, which is used for emergency support packages for the most complex cases—including childr…”

“4. What steps she is taking to support the maritime sector.”

“Just quickly to go back to the other people who work for Thames Water—the water engineers and others—I have just had a quick look on the website and there are numerous vacant roles there, so would the same not apply? As Helena was saying, you need those talented people to work on the ground as well. So why is so much a…”

“Were the bidders aware—”

“Was the board aware that the Class A bondholders were being offered this large stake? And was the board aware whether any of the other bidders were doing something similar?”

“Have the creditors played any role in the preferred bidder process?”

“None at all?”

“With no discussion at all with the creditors?”

“Because there were other bidders, were there not?”

“That then does make it look like there is a conflict. If they are the ones basically invested in and essentially economically controlling the company, and they are going to end up with a large stake if this deal goes through, as Barry was saying earlier, it rings alarm bells.”

“Yes, I am going to ask about ownership. I was not here at the last Committee, I know that you did deal with this then, but if you could just go through the structure a little with me? You said last time, Sir Adrian, that you would love to simplify the opaque and complex structure but I am looking at it now and it seems…”