Speeches by Dewhirst.

“Net debt is increasing and is reported to be £8.76 billion, if that is correct. Your gearing is just below 65%, so just below what you would say is the upper range of what you would want to see. Ofwat recommends 55%. Is it a sustainable position to be 10% above where Ofwat would like you to be?”

“Like other water companies, you have been overspending on service delivery and enhancing your services. It has also been widely reported that you have been paying dividends greater than profits. How has that overspend been funded, and is it sustainable?”

“I have one final point on Windermere specifically and the ambition to reduce phosphorus levels. You have talked about working with third parties. Does the regulatory environment easily allow that third party working, or is it a challenge to work with others to achieve those aims in the current environment?”

“On a general point, do you feel that the price review process is effective, given the fact that you, like other companies, are having to overspend?”

“You announced a £13.7 billion investment plan for the next price review. Ofwat has, basically, reduced that to £13 billion. Does that curtail your ambitions to reduce pollution?”

“Like other water companies, you have been overspending on service delivery and enhancing your services. It has also been widely reported that you have been paying dividends greater than profits. How has that overspend been funded, and is it sustainable?”

“Q The Information Commissioner has indicated that some of the areas of previous concern on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill have been answered. Do you not share that position, and do you continue to have concerns in that area? Ellen Lefley: We continue to have concerns, acknowledging that there are two …”

“Q A number of times you mentioned the importance of human engagement throughout the investigative process. Are you convinced that this programme will be sufficiently resourced? The previous Government, for the DWP angle, said that they needed an extra 1,400 counter-fraud officers and 2,000 additional officers to look a…”

“T4. Open access operators such as Hull Trains offer excellent, cheap, unsubsidised inter-city services to locations across the north, so why are Ministers trying to block their expansion and stifle growth?”

“I thank the petitioner and the hundreds of people in my constituency who signed the petition. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart) eloquently put it, it is encouraging to see many more MPs present on the Government Benches. I mean that genuinely; previous debates have been a li…”

“rose—”

“You are saying, if you do not get the funding in the next seven weeks, you are stopping the checks.”

“Helen, could I come to you on a wider point about the current collaborative framework between agencies and authorities? How would you improve it, if you had the opportunity to?”

“I could not agree more. I hope that the hon. Lady’s local clubs will play a key role in the rebuild of the national side and that there will be a few more victories in future. Returning to listed events, the broadcast rights must be offered to the main free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters on fair and reasonable terms. …”

“I think we can all agree that we are looking forward to the women’s world cup. I am not aware of the detail of the situation to which the hon. Gentleman alludes, but I am sure it is something the Minister will take an interest. I hope they can both meet to discuss it further. Viewing figures for matches that involve th…”

“I thank the hon. Member for that intervention, and the debate is very timely, given what I am about to say. I am also grateful for her contribution, given her role in Parliament as regards rugby and her previous role in the sport as well. I am very aware that income from broadcast deals is vital to the home nations’ ru…”

“We could. Perhaps that is an opportunity for later in the year; we could return to Westminster Hall. There were several reports in the media last week that a deal between the Six Nations and TNT Sports for coverage in 2026 and beyond was imminent. I am grateful to the Six Nations for providing me with clarification on …”

“I absolutely agree. The women’s rugby game has been a huge success story over the last decade, and the free-to-air coverage that we have of the women’s Six Nations has been a key part of that. I pay tribute to all the clubs up and down the country that have done such a huge amount of work to get more girls and women in…”

“I absolutely agree; the hon. Member makes a good point. I will come on in some detail to the importance of the tournament’s accessibility and how it inspires the next generation of fans and players. I also note that the match at the weekend was really excellent for at least 40 minutes, but we will leave it there. The t…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the potential merits of free-to-view access for the Six Nations Rugby Championship in 2026 and beyond. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I am pleased to have secured this timely debate on the future of the Six Nations and its broadcast in the UK, a…”