Speeches by Bedford.

“What do we know about the use of the winter fuel payment in terms of how pensioners are using it?”

“Finally from me, some of the panel mentioned that a lot of this support is in the community by charities, which you do not get Government support for. What could Government be doing to help you guys deliver some of the reforms that are needed, particularly around recruiting people to pension credit and the winter fuel …”

“One of my frustrations is siloed thinking by Government Departments, where one Department makes a decision that has an impact on another. What do you see as the knock-on effect of this on other Departments—for example, on healthcare or social care?”

“The last panel said—I think the quote was—the policy came in too quick, too soon. Do you have anything to say about that? Clearly before the election, none of the main parties mentioned this in the policy.”

“Does anyone else have anything to add?”

“On the back of Amanda’s questions, Caroline, I recently met Tony Donovan of Age UK Leicestershire. He was telling me about all the work they do in Leicestershire to help recruit pensioners to the winter fuel payment, pension credit and those associated benefits. He was saying to me he was very concerned about the Budge…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. On the point about the hospitality and pubs sector, on which I held a debate in Westminster Hall a few weeks ago, there is real concern about this part of legislation, in particular about freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Does my hon. Friend agre…”

“The hon. Member mentions reasonable steps being taken by small businesses. Does he accept that an impact assessment on the consequences of bringing in this kind of legislation for these businesses should be conducted up front, so that businesses can at least understand how much time and money it will cost them and how …”

“Research shows that money habits are instilled in young people from the age of seven. What are the Government doing to improve financial education in schools, particularly in England, where that is not currently on the national curriculum?”

“The hon. Member for Dundee Central referred to how a lot of businesses will have insurance for various eventualities. As a maximum is not specified, have the Government considered the unintended consequences of such provisions on businesses’ ability to insure against such instances?”

“The one thing that businesses do not like is uncertainty. Unfortunately, there are so many gaps that need filling in the Bill that it makes it very difficult for businesses to plan for the future—for example, about how many people they will employ, what risks they will take on, and how to budget. Does the Minister acce…”

“The Bill as drafted seems to skew a competitive advantage in favour of large businesses. Earlier, my hon. Friend mentioned that small and medium-sized businesses are the key to economic growth in our country. These amendments will enable them to compete evenly because, as he says, they do not have large HR functions, o…”

“The example the hon. Gentleman has just given would be covered anyway by employment law. If an individual is being discriminated against, they could take that to a tribunal under current employment law. The amendment would not in any way dilute the rights that currently exist in that respect.”

“I am not giving way. These details are vital, but so is our humanity. Being with my nan in the warmth of her home, as she was surrounded by her loving family after months of excruciating pain and no hope, I knew there and then that she should be able to choose her time to say goodbye to her family. Like so many others,…”

“This is a humbling subject to speak about. I put on the record my thanks to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) for bringing this important issue before the House. I have witnessed at first hand the cruelty that a terminal diagnosis brings. As the son of a single mother, my grandparents were like second pa…”

“I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. He gives an example in his constituency, but I have seen the same in Leicestershire and, from speaking to other hon. Members, I know there are similar examples in other constituencies. So where are we heading? We have a Government that are steadfast in their plan to concrete …”

“Q Ms Costello, you mentioned some statistics on those leaving your organisation quite early on after starting. Could you reflect on the impact on productivity of the day one rights and probationary period? Claire Costello: Gosh, that is a good question. I do not see why it would make a difference to productivity itself…”

“Does the hon. Member agree that the issue goes beyond religious freedom into other equality matters such as women’s rights and LGBT rights, which go hand in hand?”

“I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, as I am a serving councillor in Leicestershire. I am grateful for this opportunity to raise the challenges posed by cross-boundary planning applications, and I thank Barrie Gannon, a Markfield parish councillor who has campaigned …”

“The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. I will go on to address some of those points, particularly in relation to the use of infrastructure. Markfield village sits in the local planning area of Hinckley and Bosworth borough council, but under the current framework, Markfield parish council and Hinckley and Bosworth bor…”