Speeches by Darling.

“On 30 September, I had the privilege of participating in the Baton of Hope relay across Torbay, which is an initiative that propagates conversations around suicide. The impact that it had across our communities in Torbay was amazing. Does my hon. Friend agree that the more conversations we have about suicide, the more …”

“Can you rule out future cuts?”

“The Social Security Advisory Committee advised against using the term “co-produced” because of concerns that it may not truly be co-produced. Why did you continue to use it? Pat McFadden: We want to work with disability organisations. It is right that they have a voice in policy. Of course, it is also true that at the …”

“Welcome. I would like to turn to the Timms review. Under your watch the terms of reference have been changed, to talk about sustainability of PIP within the track lines of the OBR’s projections. There is a risk that those who have engaged with this process may fear that they are aiding the axeman in respect of PIP. Wha…”

“We went from one extreme to the other extreme. Where is the sweet spot for face-to-face assessments?”

“As somebody who has been registered blind since the age of 18, I have benefited from the Access to Work scheme. However, I am just in a bubble of my own. Michelle, I would welcome some reflections about those who might have fluctuating conditions. Also, you said you are with an employer with a number of people with dis…”

“Thank you. Any brief reflections from other members of the panel?”

“I want to focus on Access to Work, which is meant to be there to help. Sometimes it appears there are barriers with Access to Work. What barriers around Access to Work have you found—some of that has already been unpacked—and what is on the horizon? Are you aware of any other barriers that could be coming your way?”

“Any other reflections from other members of the panel?”

“What hopes and fears do you have given the vacuum that now exists?”

“I think there is movement towards the Government encouraging employers to share more of the burden of the Access to Work costs. How reasonable is that?”

“That is really helpful; thank you. Do other panel members have any brief reflections?”

“Evan, Geoff alluded to the proposal to end the work capability assessment, which was going to be explored in a White Paper that the Government said would be published this autumn. However, it appears to have been walked away from. What are the implications of walking away from this White Paper? What reflections do you …”

“I apologise for inadvertently using the word “you” the last time that I spoke, Mr Speaker. Clearly, the clock is ticking for WASPI women. There are 3.6 million WASPI women across the United Kingdom, which is half a million more than the population of Wales. Sadly, a WASPI woman dies every 13 minutes. I welcome the stat…”

“A Torquay solicitor has recently told me of multiple occasions when there has been a lack of security staff to convey convicted criminals from Newton Abbot magistrates court to prison. On one occasion, one individual started self-harming. On another occasion, an individual waited and then absconding because the buildin…”

“I thank the Government for the steps taken to improve the Bill since it was debated in Committee. We as Liberal Democrats still have grave concerns about elements of the Bill, but it is in a much better place, and I thank all colleagues for working together collaboratively to drive for improvements. Clearly, fraud is w…”

“I thank the hon. Member. I reflect on the savage cuts made to public health spending. I would particularly mention the number of people who sleep rough on our streets. I campaigned on the issue as a young Liberal, more than 30 years ago. Sadly, those rough sleepers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the c…”

“It is important that the House, first of all, reflects on where the Conservatives left our community when they left power. We should reflect on the fact that the number of people who are economically inactive has gone up from 2.1 million in 2019 to 2.8 million. The fact that the bill for incapacity benefits has gone up…”

“I congratulate the Minister on making real progress on this matter, after many years of delays. I recently met Jean Hill and her daughters. She has been campaigning on this issue for 30 years. Sadly, her husband died in 2004 at the age of 48; his brother died at 25; and a nephew died in more recent years. What assuranc…”

“The Minister has already acknowledged that it is olive harvest season in the west bank—a harvest that supports approximately 100,000 farming Palestinians—yet we have seen more than 150 attacks by settlers against those farmers. How are the Government holding the Israeli Government to account to stop those settlers acti…”