Speeches by Newbury.

“This is why I mentioned that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is holding an inquiry on the future of farming, as part of which we are looking at this issue of balance and ensuring that we strike the proper balance. The underlying principle has to be that we empower farmers to do what is right for their…”

“I thank the right hon. Member for his intervention. I completely agree that we need to ensure that our farms are properly supported and that we highlight best practice, so that it is spread across the country. Sustainable food production and national self-sufficiency need to go hand in hand with that work. We must enco…”

“It is an honour to speak on the Bill, given the twin challenges of tackling climate change and ensuring that our natural world not only survives but becomes a far greater part of our lives. Those priorities are shared by the vast majority of my constituents in Cannock Chase, many of whom have written to me over the las…”

“Do you think you will appeal to the CMA?”

“Lastly, Macquarie previously suggested that they might inject £650 million of equity into Southern if the price review was favourable to its finances. Are you in a position to be able to say whether that conditionality has been met and whether that injection of cash will happen?”

“Is that in any way related to whether or not the company might appeal the price review?”

“How long will we have to wait for that?”

“Are you confident that might come forward at this stage? Can you say that?”

“I have a few pithy questions about the price review and bill increases. I will cut to the chase. Mr Gosden, how satisfied are you with the outcome of the price review?”

“In terms of that shortfall, Southern requested the highest bill increase of any water company, 83% over five years, and that would have increased the average household bill from £420 to £768. Why did you think that substantial increase was necessary and why do you think your assessment of what was necessary differed so…”

“Do you think you will appeal to the CMA?”

“Lastly, Macquarie previously suggested that they might inject £650 million of equity into Southern if the price review was favourable to its finances. Are you in a position to be able to say whether that conditionality has been met and whether that injection of cash will happen?”

“How long will we have to wait for that?”

“Is that in any way related to whether or not the company might appeal the price review?”

“Are you confident that might come forward at this stage? Can you say that?”

“I have a few pithy questions about the price review and bill increases. I will cut to the chase. Mr Gosden, how satisfied are you with the outcome of the price review?”

“In terms of that shortfall, Southern requested the highest bill increase of any water company, 83% over five years, and that would have increased the average household bill from £420 to £768. Why did you think that substantial increase was necessary and why do you think your assessment of what was necessary differed so…”

“Thank you, Chair. It is one of my favourite topics, to be honest. We have talked in the context of the budget and the usage of AI. You referenced legacy infrastructure, so can we touch on legacy IT systems? The NAO identified this as a risk in the delivery of existing agreements and payments to farmers. What progress h…”

“Great. I think what you have just described there touches on a lot of the improvements that we have been asking to see. The IT systems might be boring, but I think they are crucial to a lot of stuff you need to deliver.”

“Okay, great. Briefly, could you just touch on the benefits that that new bespoke system will bring maybe for administration or even cost savings, based on what you have now?”