Speeches by Darling.

“I am sure that my residents would be horrified that these proposals are seeing the light of day in the Committee. I am shocked that Conservative Members are putting them out there. I expected us just to pass on by them, but I want to make sure that it is on the record that the Liberal Democrats do not support these rat…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairwomanship, Ms Furniss. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Lisa Smart) on securing this really important debate. I highlight to the Minister the adoption support fund; I would be grateful if he could talk about any long-term plans the Government may have t…”

“I echo the shadow Minister, who sits to my right—in more ways than one. Definitely, further clarity from the Minister would be welcome.”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I welcome the clarity offered by the Government in the amendment.”

“I broadly welcome the way forward proposed in these clauses.”

“It is a pleasure to work under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I broadly welcome the bringing together of powers under the fair work agency. I note that the Secretary of State is due to publish an annual report, but I am sure that businesses in Torbay would be interested to know where in the Bill the critical friend is …”

“I know from my surgeries and casework in Torbay that discrimination is sadly alive and well. I ask the Minister to reflect on some of the evidence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which talked about the provision leading to fragmentation and the possibility of some of its standard work falling between two…”

“I welcome the points made by the shadow Minister, and wait eagerly to hear from the Minister.”

“It is important that we hear from the Minister about getting the balance right and supporting people’s rights, while not being too invasive to businesses. I look forward to hearing from him.”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. On behalf of my residents in Torbay, whether they are employers or workers, a strategy to know how the Government are looking to drive this agenda forward can only be welcomed.”

“I am concerned about the heavy weather that colleagues on the Opposition Benches are making of this. For me, this measure is about driving a positive culture in employment, and the board’s balance is entirely appropriate. I welcome the clause.”

“I broadly welcome the proposals in the clauses, and I look forward to the Minister’s explanation of the issues outlined by the shadow Minister.”

“I welcome the further clarity that the amendments offer. Amendment 92 agreed to. Amendments made: 93, in clause 83, page 85, line 11, after “any” insert “other”. This amendment is consequential on amendment 92. Amendment 94, in clause 83, page 85, line 15, leave out subsection (5). This amendment is consequential on NS…”

“You have been helpful already in highlighting some barriers that claimants may face. Are there any barriers that you want to amplify or show to us that you are aware that claimants may be facing, particularly where their vulnerability may be exacerbated by the barriers that they are facing?”

“Thank you. Sophie, you have nicely cued me up for my next question. I wanted to unpack professional curiosity. I know that when Ofsted is reviewing social care—and although this is not social care it is not a million miles away from dealing with people who face challenges—quite often the lack of professional curiosity …”

“Tim has already slightly touched on this area. I would be grateful if the panel can unpack what they see as the pros and cons of having a clear definition of what “vulnerable” is. Clearly, the DWP does not have that definition at the moment. What are the pros and cons of that? Then I will have a follow-up question afte…”

“I have some sympathy with the desire to understand the cost, but to me, the vast majority of the Government proposals before us today are about modernising the system appropriately. I am concerned that this afternoon we have seen the official Opposition one minute say that all in the garden is rosy and there is no need…”

“I am concerned that the hon. Gentleman is taking a Panglossian approach that all in the world is perfect. It is far from perfect, which is why I welcome large tracts of the Bill, as long as we are supporting employers on the journey.”

“I strongly welcome this modernisation of approach. Question put and agreed to. Clause 53 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 54 Industrial action ballots: turnout and support thresholds Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.”

“I will be concise and echo the shadow Minister’s call for clarity.”