Speeches by Waugh.

“Will we get an update on the metrics and the timetable?”

“As we heard earlier from Sir Peter, skills are crucial. What has been slightly disappointing is that the only new specific investment in skills in this document is an extra investment for the NFTS, which is in the south, as you are aware. What are you going to do for investing in skills in the other regions?”

“Can I ask a broader question? One thing that many people have been frustrated by, while welcoming the broad thrust of this plan, is the lack of deadlines. Was that for the particular reason that you wanted flexibility? If you are working on the deadlines, when can we see them?”

“Could you find out for us? The vague phrase “this summer” was used about the next step on intangible cultural heritage and what would be done to promote and protect it. Can we get an answer from the Department as to what the phrase “this summer” means?”

“Minister, I understand completely why you will not want to publicly suggest which tax credits you prefer to recommend to the Treasury and which you would not. Would you at least tell us whether or not you think there is real merit in the suggestion of the Film Distributors’ Association about helping independent and loc…”

“Thank you very much for being admirably candid and forthright so far in your statements. We all appreciate that. I would like to pursue that a little bit further. Sir Peter, you said something in your testimony that was quite ear-catching about public service broadcasters. You suggested that we should very quickly get …”

“Qhat should Government do to prepare for, if not shape, that future, with a slimmed-down number of public service broadcasters?”

“Maybe Alastair might answer this, given that you are not the Minister directly responsible, Sir Chris. Intangible cultural heritage is a clunky phrase for British cultural traditions and customs, but obviously it is important to you; it is important to a lot of us around this table. Alastair, in April the Government sa…”

“Could you find out for us? The vague phrase “this summer” was used about the next step on intangible cultural heritage and what would be done to promote and protect it. Can we get an answer from the Department as to what the phrase “this summer” means?”

“Rochdale is the historic birthplace of the co-op movement, so it is fitting that we will host the UK Co-op Congress 2025 this weekend. There is an impressive array of speakers, including Steve Coogan, Patrick Grant, my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Andrew Pakes), and the Leader of the House herself. As we ce…”

“When this Labour Government extended free school meals to half a million more children last month, Laura—a working mum in Rochdale—told me it would save her £500 a year. She said: “I am over the moon. Only Labour would have done this.” Does the Prime Minister agree that people voted Labour a year ago for not just chang…”

“Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2 July.”

“After years of unfunded and undelivered promises from the Conservatives on levelling up, places like Rochdale are finally getting the fairer share of money that they really deserve. The Minister expanded a little on the Green Book, but could she outline how its place-based approach will help places like mine and advanc…”

“This weekend, the England women’s football team play their final friendly before they defend the Euro championship trophy they won so brilliantly in 2022. I am delighted to say that Rochdale’s very own Keira Walsh will again wear the No. 4 shirt at the heart of our midfield. Will the Leader of the House join me in than…”

“Rochdale has been a proud home for Ukrainians ever since they were forced to flee Soviet starvation, murder and oppression in the 1930s and 1940s, so many in my constituency will warmly welcome the decision to send 350 advanced air missiles to Ukraine, built in Britain and paid for by the interest on seized Russian ass…”

“Rochdale Training provides local apprenticeships in engineering and other skills that we desperately need, and works with local employers to deliver that. Its chief executive, Jill Nagy, told me that today’s announcement of £1.2 billion in extra funding for training is warmly welcomed, as are the new foundation apprent…”

“Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?”

“Thank you all for coming today. As the Chair says, we are keen on getting a sense of the challenges you face—not just the passion that you have for each of your heritage sites but the challenges you are facing. Professor Toulmin, you mentioned your direct link to Morecambe Winter Gardens. What motivates you to turn tha…”

“Dr Roberts, what might surprise us about the realities of trying to maintain a historic building?”

“Camilla, in what sense have things changed over the last decade or so? Is working in this field less stable or more stable?”