Speeches by Bedford.

“Finally, I think Energy UK have proposals around those that use electric heating and perhaps adjusting the levies and tariffs around that to support. Clearly that is an additional cost to them. Do you have any views on that?”

“Would that latter approach be more bureaucratic and more costly to administer than the energy companies themselves delivering that support?”

“Turning to support that energy companies could provide, such as the social tariff or similar schemes. Clearly support for pensioners or vulnerable people has to be paid for by someone, either the state or energy companies. Someone has to pay. I am thinking the most efficient way of delivering that could be directly thr…”

“In terms of what you believe the Government should be prioritising in the run-up to winter coming this year, what do you think could be the best mechanisms to support those that are in fuel poverty?”

“You touched on earlier the standing charge issue in terms of it is a flat fee per day. Often those older people or those in high-energy use, that it would disproportionately affect them given that they might not be using as much energy. What are your thoughts on that in terms of how the social tariff or a framework cou…”

“Earlier we touched on the social tariff. You touched on it briefly about your reluctance to go down that route because of the impact of the market. Do you recognise the advantage, though, of having a social tariff for vulnerable customers? I thought you could elaborate a bit further on it.”

“In a recent evidence session in Cardiff we spoke to stakeholders and one of them mentioned that a significant cost is the standing charge on fuel bills—50p a day, 60p a day, regardless of what energy you have used. What is your view about how that could be baked into a social tariff and how that could help to support?”

“Given that my constituents overwhelmingly voted to take back control of their borders in the 2016 referendum, what safeguards is the Prime Minister putting in place to ensure that his youth experience scheme is not open borders by the back door, which would be seen by my constituents as yet another Brexit betrayal?”

“Employers in my constituency tell me that they are less likely to employ young people as a result of the Employment Rights Bill because of the increased risk of employing someone at the start of their career. What representations has the Minister made to her colleagues to ensure that the most damaging parts of that leg…”

“Will the Green Paper specifically increase or hinder the chances of finding employment?”

“You spoke earlier about the proposal to introduce a new targeted, contribution-based employment insurance. Can you tell us more about it and your views about it?”

“On the employment point, given the link between Universal Credit, health entitlement and the daily living component of PIP, how might this in your view affect people with fluctuating conditions and mental health concerns accessing benefits and engaging with employment?”

“Specifically, how do you see the additional £1 billion investment in employment support sitting with the cuts to income support for disabled people? They seem contradictory. What are your views on that?”

“T10. The Government have committed to providing 700,000 extra emergency dental appointments, but in the midlands the units of dental activity rate is just 83% and there is no additional funding for the integrated care boards. Will the Minister therefore give assurance to my constituents that he will fully deliver on th…”

“The Bill addresses the serious issue of fraud and error in our public services. I welcome the Government’s continuation of the work of the previous Government to protect taxpayers’ money and uphold the integrity of our welfare system. The amendments proposed by the official Opposition would not undermine the Bill; they…”

“What the Sentencing Council ludicrously proposed was nothing short of two-tier justice: guidelines which would mean that young black, Asian or indeed other non-white offenders could receive more lenient sentences than their white counterparts in exactly the same circumstances. Let me be clear: justice must be equality …”

“Aspiration and ambition are drivers of social mobility and help to reduce deprivation and crime. What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Education to increase apprenticeships and training, so that these opportunities can be extended to all and we can reduce young offending throughout the UK?”

“15. When he plans to present to Parliament the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos islands.”

“Given that there is no binding legal basis for the ceding of the Chagos islands and that the deal will cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer north of £9 billion, £18 billion or possibly £50 billion a year, will the Secretary of State confirm what total financial liabilities will be brought to the UK and whether they w…”

“At the weekend, I was speaking to residents of Braunstone Town, and many, particularly the elderly, were frightened by the use of off-road bikes and similar vehicles given the noises they make and the risk to pedestrians. Will the Secretary of State assure me that the Government are taking the matter seriously and that…”