Speeches by Bedford.

“You spoke earlier about the proposal to introduce a new targeted, contribution-based employment insurance. Can you tell us more about it and your views about it?”

“Specifically, how do you see the additional £1 billion investment in employment support sitting with the cuts to income support for disabled people? They seem contradictory. What are your views on that?”

“Will the Green Paper specifically increase or hinder the chances of finding employment?”

“T10. The Government have committed to providing 700,000 extra emergency dental appointments, but in the midlands the units of dental activity rate is just 83% and there is no additional funding for the integrated care boards. Will the Minister therefore give assurance to my constituents that he will fully deliver on th…”

“The Bill addresses the serious issue of fraud and error in our public services. I welcome the Government’s continuation of the work of the previous Government to protect taxpayers’ money and uphold the integrity of our welfare system. The amendments proposed by the official Opposition would not undermine the Bill; they…”

“Aspiration and ambition are drivers of social mobility and help to reduce deprivation and crime. What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Education to increase apprenticeships and training, so that these opportunities can be extended to all and we can reduce young offending throughout the UK?”

“What the Sentencing Council ludicrously proposed was nothing short of two-tier justice: guidelines which would mean that young black, Asian or indeed other non-white offenders could receive more lenient sentences than their white counterparts in exactly the same circumstances. Let me be clear: justice must be equality …”

“Given that there is no binding legal basis for the ceding of the Chagos islands and that the deal will cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer north of £9 billion, £18 billion or possibly £50 billion a year, will the Secretary of State confirm what total financial liabilities will be brought to the UK and whether they w…”

“15. When he plans to present to Parliament the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos islands.”

“At the weekend, I was speaking to residents of Braunstone Town, and many, particularly the elderly, were frightened by the use of off-road bikes and similar vehicles given the noises they make and the risk to pedestrians. Will the Secretary of State assure me that the Government are taking the matter seriously and that…”

“Someone mentioned earlier some stats around take-up of attendance allowance but, in benefit take-up more broadly, what are the advantages and disadvantages of setting targets for take-up rates?”

“Some of the points you made there tie into my next question around some research done by Loughborough University that said that for every £1 spent, there is a £2 potential saving in health and social care costs. That has a knock-on impact. Would you like to add anything to that discussion?”

“Turning now to benefit take-up, what are the costs and benefits for local authorities of investing in benefit take-up campaigns?”

“Does my hon. Friend agree that housing targets mean little if the Government do not get a grip on immigration, which is causing massive demand for housing?”

“It is painfully clear that if this Government believe you did not vote for them, they will continue to turn their back on you. That is clear from their treatment of independent schools, small business owners, farmers, and now—and most cruelly—pensioners. Within just weeks of taking office, this shameful Government scra…”

“No, I am not giving way. That small sum of money allowed pensioners to keep the heating on, helping them to make it through those cold winter nights, and supported them in not having to choose between heating and eating. Wherever I go in my constituency of Mid Leicestershire, I have conversations with older people, and…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The numbers simply do not stack up. In comparison, it was a Conservative Government who introduced the triple lock and increased the state pension by almost £4,000. It was a Conservative Government who reduced the number of pensioners living in absolute poverty by more than 200,000, …”

“Does the Minister agree with me and many of my hon. Friends that policy decisions by unelected non-departmental bodies such as the Sentencing Council are eroding public confidence in our democratic institutions? Will he commit to scrapping such bodies, so that policy is always made by Ministers, who are directly accoun…”

“It is right that the welfare system supports those with disabilities. However, does the Secretary of State agree that social media influencers who are teaching people to game the Motability system in order to get free vehicles is a disgrace? If so, what does she intend to do about it?”

“I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about financial education; and for connected purposes. Without that education, we are collectively creating the greatest financial crisis of our time. The problem, quite simply, is that we as a nation are not living within our means. There was once…”