Speeches by Hoare.

“But 83% of BMA members voting for strike action—”

“You have now said on the record, via this Committee, to the BMA that there is no additional money on the table, other than that which has been tabled over the last few days. We recognise that their strike action is irresponsible and that it will put ever greater pressure on an already pressurised system because of the …”

“Well, every other medical opinion says that that is the case, Prime Minister.”

“That is clearly going to have a negative impact. The supermarkets can work out when their Christmas rush is going to start and prepare for it from Eastertime. There appears to have been precious little winter preparedness in NHS England this year. When you overlay the unforeseen challenges now presented by strike actio…”

“Is that a 10 out of 10?”

“It may be irresponsible—I agree with you on that—but it is not actually surprising, is it? You have pointed to the massive pay rise last year, to which there were no productivity improvements linked at all. The BMA could be accused, with some justification, of thinking that they have the Government over a barrel and yo…”

“rose—”

“Let us take a look at the amendment which Mr Speaker has selected in the name of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s amendment tells us that he “welcomes the policy paper” on “the plan for small and medium sized businesses, which sets out”— wait for it— “a comprehensive vision for productivity and success”. [Inter…”

“I suggest that a new customs union might take a little bit of time—maybe just a day or two. The hon. Lady asked a perfectly legitimate question: how do I know? In direct response to her party’s motion, I raised the issue directly with representatives of the European Union, and the answer was, “No, thank you.” That is w…”

“It is a lovely pub. The hon. Lady has been and has not been barred yet. Anybody who knows their trade union history, as I know she does, will know about the Tolpuddle martyrs in 1834. The pub is named after them.”

“I am not suggesting that the hon. Lady should have been hanging on my every word yesterday, but she was in the Chamber during that debate. I would not call 100 votes in favour and 100 votes against a win. A ten-minute rule Bill will go nowhere. Why her leader jumps up and down on social media as if he has just introduc…”

“The pub was bought by the village for £500,000. It is a community asset-type pub. One significant stakeholder is the TUC itself, which decided that thirsty trade unionists might, after the martyrs memorial, enjoy a pint and, indeed, one of the excellent sandwiches that the hon. Lady has referenced. After the Budget, Ma…”

“From one state school boy to another state school boy—we were also the first in our families to go to university—does my hon. Friend agree that we all have gaps in our knowledge, understanding and experience, but that the way you fill them is by asking the people who practise in a sector and listening to what they have…”

“On my hon. Friend’s point, how can businesses be expected to plan, having been told in the 2024 Budget that the tax rate was a one-off, and in 2025 that there was an unforeseen second tax rate but with no further plans? That is not a promise that one can necessarily rely upon. The presumption is that there will be more…”

“I am afraid that I do not know anything about Mr Williams, so I cannot add to the lovefest. I wonder whether my hon. Friend has reflected, as I have, that in households that have been workless for quite a long period of time, temporary seasonal intro-jobs often show our young people the value, importance and benefit of…”

“Over the next 10 years—another “wow” moment. Jam tomorrow—well, we don’t even know if it is jam tomorrow; it is a promise of something that might materialise, but these sectors need support now. Let me conclude my remarks by highlighting what I fear will be a terrible downward-pulling spiral in confidence from investor…”

“I will, but let me finish this point. Roofing prices are up 7%, bricks 8%, blocks 9%, landscaping 8%, drainage 8%, and plaster, plasterboard and cladding 7%. Costs can be increased, and companies can absorb as much as they can, but at some point, as Travis Perkins points out, those increased costs can no longer be self…”

“We would probably find that helpful, Chair.”

“I was slightly taking that as a given.”

“Your summation—I do not want to put words into your mouth—is that it is a useful power for the police to have, but you are encouraged by the fact that it appears to be being used in a more Exocet-like way rather than a grapeshot.”