Speeches by Milne.

“We have been losing more homes for social rent than we have been building ever since the 1980s, and it has now reached critical levels and is arguably having a knock-on impact on all kinds of other benefits. In that context, how effectively do social and supported housing providers assist claimants to live independentl…”

“15. When she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban conversion therapy.”

“It is good news that the rural prosperity fund has been extended for another year, but it has been reduced to £33 million this year. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need a firm, long-term commitment to solving the challenges of rural infrastructure provision?”

“Previous Governments have promised to bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy, but it has not happened yet. Eris, one of my constituents in Horsham, tells me that recent headlines have created fear and uncertainty within the trans community, increasing their sense of isolation. Will the Minister show the LG…”

“SEND provision in our schools is in a state of deep and growing crisis. In my area, West Sussex county council is already struggling with a £130 million SEND deficit this year—a figure likely to rise to £224 million by next year. That huge figure is one of the worst in the country, but what is truly concerning is that …”

“Okay, thank you. There is a lot of emphasis now on safeguarding within DWP’s culture—a culture shift. Are conditionality and sanctions not slightly uneasy bedfellows with that new culture?”

“I have a few questions about the sanctions regime, but don’t worry, I am not talking about the Israeli far-right Ministers; you have not stumbled into the wrong Committee. We have heard a lot of evidence about work coach appointments being undermined by the threat of sanctions, which are having a negative impact. Do yo…”

“What changes can we anticipate seeing to the regular 10-minute appointments?”

“Thank you very much; I welcome that. The DWP is running a trial—I think you referred to it earlier—in which work coaches choose the communication channels for appointments. Just to play devil’s advocate, do you think that giving coaches that flexibility could also lead to a danger of a lack of consistency in service de…”

“I have one last quick question. A predecessor Committee, I think in 2019, recommended a yellow card system—like a warning, if you are not familiar with football—before you get the sanction, so before you are sent off.”

“In evidence to the Public Accounts Committee, the DWP Permanent Secretary said that reducing the initial work coach appointment from 50 minutes to 30 minutes does not seem to have made a lot of difference, which is concerning. Do you think that suggests they are asking the wrong questions? Is it too formulaic? What do …”

“Yes. How does the thinking that the culture in the DWP has perhaps been too performative and punitive, and should place more emphasis on safeguarding, sit with maintaining sanctions and conditionality? Are they not somewhat in conflict?”

“So you are not seeing the need to intervene or make changes to the sanctions regime as it stands?”

“I take it that you support sanctions; what sort of sanctions? For example, do you think the threshold for financial sanctions is set too low and that we jump to the threshold too quickly?”

“I welcome the Government’s decision to widen access to free school meals—a long-standing Liberal Democrat policy—but Castlewood primary school in my constituency tells me that it is currently losing 56p for every single meal it provides. Will the Chancellor undertake to fully fund school meals, or else is she asking sc…”

“I wish to speak about my new clauses 46 to 48. The Bill concentrates entirely on removing perceived barriers to development. Unfortunately, in the Government’s view those turn out to be nature and the general public, and to that end the Bill proposes a huge reduction in the ability of local residents and councillors to…”

“I thank the Minister for her response and all right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions. Wherever we stand on renewable energy, we can all agree that we must have the highest possible safety standards—that is an absolute given. From the conversations I have had with industry, clear national guidance would be …”

“The issue of site choice is closely associated with grid capacity, so that is a factor. That is why some of these sites are ending up in otherwise somewhat improbable and very un-industrial settings. Rules around the pollution of watercourses are one of the most important measures to be brought in, and a wider discussi…”

“The hon. Gentleman is better acquainted than I am with the way that devolution works, but yes, I hope that the Minister will be able to set out whatever course of action is required to get to that point. It is essential that we build battery energy storage sites to proper safety standards so that we do not find ourselv…”

“I beg to move, That this House recognises the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion fires in battery energy storage sites; and calls on the Government to bring forward enforceable national regulations for their design and construction. I have asked for this debate in order to highlight important issues associated with…”