Speeches by Edwards.

“You also decided to abolish the quality committee and the inclusion and wellbeing committee, and to set up a strategic delivery committee. Is that largely focusing on casework assurance and the experiences of service users, or does it also combine with corporate strategy?”

“Is the board developing a new equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy as part of its work?”

“The Government have now retaken their decision in relation to the PHSO’s investigation into communications around changes to the women’s state pension age, and will not be providing compensation. There is obviously a range of views about that decision, even on this Committee. I personally find it deeply disappointing a…”

“There is no enforceable mechanism for Parliament to ensure that your recommendations are adhered to, and there are obviously limits to public scrutiny. Are you concerned about the impact that the Government’s decision on the WASPI women will have on public confidence in the PHSO? Will you be advocating for any changes …”

“Do you have a timetable for when the action plan will be produced?”

“You have not started work on it yet?”

“Are you confident that the DWP can change its culture to one of continuous improvement, openness and learning from feedback, as you were speaking about earlier in the session, when engaging with trusts, for example?”

“I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. As someone who represents an area where more than 90% of businesses are SMEs, I particularly welcome the financial incentives for SMEs to take on young apprentices in the key industries of hospitality and retail. Demand for apprenticeships has been high for some time, s…”

“May we have a debate on the recent Valuation Office Agency changes to business rate classifications for flexible and co-working spaces? The agency says that it is just following case law, but the changes could have significant implications for businesses, some of which will face big backdated bills. Flexible working sp…”

“I add my voice to that of my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis) in calling on the Government to publish the review of market access for small breweries as soon as possible. I was delighted that Moot Brew brewery from Halling in my constituency produced the guest ale for the Strangers’ …”

“Before I became a Member of Parliament, I worked for the CWU at the time of Royal Mail’s privatisation, and I am sad to say that much of what we feared would happen has come true. Residents in Grain in my constituency reported receiving no first-class or second-class mail for weeks, similar to the reports of other Memb…”

“Thinking back to your time, was there any particular arm’s length body or Department that, despite experience being varied across government, was a really good example of best practice? If you were somebody in the Cabinet Office, is there anything about which you would be thinking, “That worked really well. We need to …”

“Do you know why that is?”

“You mentioned in some of your recommendations that departmental boards are not really abreast of their arm’s length bodies’ performance, and also their risk exposure, which is quite important. Are there any cases where that lack of oversight has led to adverse consequences?”

“You talked earlier about ministerial oversight of arm’s length bodies, and we have certainly heard evidence throughout this inquiry of that varying across Departments. How seriously do Departments and civil servants take oversight of their ALBs?”

“After you made those recommendations, which all seem very sensible and born out of direct experience, do you get the sense that much has changed?”

“The Government’s business rate relief package for pubs has been hugely welcome, but other high street businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors are struggling. Will the Minister consider increasing the small business rate relief threshold to encourage growth and hiring? Over half the high street small b…”

“To your knowledge, are any expectations set for new Ministers when they come into role around how they will be engaging with and overseeing arm’s length bodies?”

“Do you think the Cabinet Office should be doing more to improve in this space?”

“Net migration has fallen to the lowest level since 2021, which will have a significant impact on our labour market and economy if we do not train and support unemployed people in the UK into jobs in key sectors. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to target back-to-work programmes, especially those for young pe…”