Speeches by Taylor.

“Do you think there is an appetite for change across all the range of occupational income groups?”

“Alex, do you have any data on the background of men and dads who are supporting your campaign for improved paternity leave?”

“Can you tell us about some of the work you have done specifically to break down cultural barriers?”

“Karla, to what extent do you think low take-up rates of parental leave by dads, particularly in groups like working-class dads and some minority ethnic groups, are driven by cultural factors?”

“Do you think there are currently excluded groups that need to be considered in the Government’s review?”

“Joeli, I know you have not come in yet, so I will direct this question to you, but it is fine if other people then feel they want to come in. Should the Government’s objective be to include all working parents in the parental leave system, regardless of their employment status and income?”

“How confident are you that the net economic benefits of reform would actually be realised over, say, two or three years?”

“This is the last couple of questions, and they are also for you, Abby. What would be the advantages of the Government using the model recently developed by yourselves with the Centre for Progressive Policy in assessing the economic impacts of parental leave reform?”

“In 2023, a report by Warwickshire county council revealed that only 9% of education, health and care plans in Warwickshire go to children with special needs in North Warwickshire, compared with 31% in Warwick, which has a lower rate of child poverty. A year later, Conservative Warwickshire county councillors made derog…”

“National security is the first duty of any Government, so I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement, and his strong leadership today. This Government are rising to the challenge of investing in our defence, whereas the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) has said that Vladimir Putin is the leader he admires the mo…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship again, Mr Twigg. In North Warwickshire, private rents grew to an average of £898 in January this year—an increase of 11% from the previous year. Young people are prevented from starting their careers in North Warwickshire because those rent increases are unaffordable, a…”

“Do you have a timescale for when we should be expecting that to come forward? It was in our King’s Speech, and obviously we have seen that happen before—it was in a number of King’s and Queen’s Speeches, but it has not been delivered. Can you give an idea of the timeline and of where the unit’s work on that is at the m…”

“When will section 14 of the Act, on dual discrimination, be brought into force?”

“We have seen a rise in those sorts of practices taking place and being organised particularly by gender-critical groups, so I am really pleased that you have confirmed that those practices will be trans-inclusive. Have you seen a difficulty in those practices being purported to help with people questioning sexuality, b…”

“At our recent hearing on misogyny in music, we heard a number of calls for section 83 of the Equality Act to be amended to extend protection against discrimination and harassment to freelancers. Will you make that change?”

“That is very helpful, thank you. We also heard calls for non-disclosure agreements to be banned in cases of sexual harassment and abuse. Is that a step the Government are prepared to take?”

“So you will be making that change to the Equality Act.”

“Apologies for being late to the meeting; I had another meeting with a Minister. You will be aware that the Conservatives promised to ban the abusive conversion practices almost six years ago, and it was in numerous King’s Speeches, but it was never delivered. It was also in this Government’s King’s Speech. Could you up…”

“Given that a lot of those people who are being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements are not necessarily employees, under what legislation do you think you will bring forward those regulations?”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Edward. There is no doubt that farmers have suffered hugely over the past 14 years, with the damaging impact of botched Tory trade deals and trade barriers doing a huge amount to undermine their hard work. I know that there is so much that the Government can do and…”