Speeches by Robertson.

“13. What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the independent sentencing review’s interim report, published on 18 February 2025.”

“It is a pleasure to speak under your chairship, Mr Turner. I have some sympathy with what the hon. Lady is trying to do with new clause 21. I invite the Minister to address, as I am sure he will, her very specific point that it is not about restricting access to social media for people aged between 13 and 16, but about…”

“Does my right hon. Friend think that some of the problems that he is identifying are a result of the Bill’s being rushed through this Chamber?”

“To great fanfare the Government cancelled the previous Government’s contract for ministerial travel by helicopter, describing £40 million as “grossly wasteful”. We now learn that the Government have signed their own contract for ministerial helicopter travel, but it is a secret contract—so secret that we do not know ho…”

“I remember that clearly. I would like the Minister to spell out how she will deliver those productivity gains through reform. We want to hear more detail so that we can be confident that the NHS is secure. Let me turn to one area that the Minister might like to reflect on: the use of technology. Penny Dash, the candida…”

“I commend my hon. Friend the Member for North Cotswolds (Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown) for his introduction to the debate. I agree with the majority of what I have heard so far. We must understand the context of the large figures announced by the Government. In particular, the £10 billion for the NHS next year sounds lik…”

“I agree with all those things, and I am happy that the hon. Lady and I agree with each other. I hope that she acknowledges that £10 billion does not cover the basic requirements of the NHS. It delivers nothing more; in fact, it delivers less. The NHS will be able to continue to grow only if it delivers productivity gai…”

“It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. Further to the comments made by my hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, does the Minister at least accept that the Bill poses a risk of entrenching inaccurate data relating to sex through public bodies using DVS systems? Notwithstanding his vie…”

“I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way and for his assessment of the Finance Bill. Does he agree that the best way the Government can raise revenue is not to raise taxes but to grow the economy and increase the money taken through taxes in that way? Does he also agree that the national insurance contribution in…”

“Does the hon. Member agree that the national insurance contribution rise for small and medium-sized businesses is not only passed on to the consumer but is damaging for the economy as a whole, because it stifles growth? Growth, not increasing tax rates, is the way to increase the tax take for the Treasury.”

“It is not about my opinions, but I think that is probably a major issue within the NHS. It is such a big organisation; how do you ensure the accountability at lower levels and not just at the top?”

“Good morning. You have talked about ensuring that there is an effective executive team in place, and of course you will get to appoint a new chief executive, as Amanda Pritchard is standing down. What are the qualities you are looking for in a new chief executive to help deliver all this reform and change?”

“Thinking about the executive team, rather than the chief exec per se, I want to invite you to reflect on where we maybe have not achieved or delivered as we would have wanted to in the last few years, and where you would like to see the new, refreshed team deliver on. I think it would give the public confidence if you …”

“Just thinking about that good example of technology, but getting the basics right—not running before you can walk—to what extent is not managing to get the basics right so far the responsibility of the executive team? Is there some accountability lower down in the system? For example, having five logins does not necess…”

“If you can achieve that, you will achieve a huge amount, if I may say so.”

“I congratulate the hon. Member for Reading West and Mid Berkshire (Olivia Bailey) on securing this important debate. I think it is true that all of us would like to see more affordable housing delivered for our constituents, but does the Minister agree that top-down housing targets for all areas of the United Kingdom a…”

“My hon. Friend mentions dementia. Nearly 1 million pensioners in this country are living with dementia. Two weeks ago, NHS England published its priorities, and dementia had been removed, as had the target for diagnosing it. Does he agree that that is a huge concern, not only for those living with dementia, but for the…”

“No, but I hope I am about to.”

“That is very useful. Thank you.”

“Francesca, what would have made the biggest difference to you?”