Speeches by Dyke.

“My hon. Friend is making a strong speech. I am proud to represent Glastonbury and Somerton, where RNAS Yeovilton is based. The constituency is home to many veterans and serving personnel, with 11% of households being home to at least one veteran. We have many charities that support our veterans, like RBL Martock, which…”

“Women and girls will never truly be safe while terrifying online influencers such as Andrew Tate are allowed platforms that radicalise men and boys into extreme misogyny. What steps is the Secretary of State taking with Cabinet colleagues to support police in tackling violence against women and girls?”

“Growth is not the word on the lips of farmers, whose confidence in the Government is at a low ebb following the family farm tax, the abrupt closure of the sustainable farming incentive, and now possible departmental cuts, which could reduce the farming budget further. Charlie from Upton Bridge farm in Long Sutton told …”

“Lack of access to digital services prevents people from applying for jobs, studying and accessing healthcare, but community interest companies such as Donate IT, based in Wincanton, are helping to bridge the gap by diverting IT equipment that was otherwise heading to landfill. By refurbishing that tech and distributing…”

“What is your view on the impact on consumers from July?”

“Going back to Nigel’s point about the medium-risk checks that are going to be introduced in July, it is interesting to hear that you do not know yet and we are just a few months away from that being implemented. On that, how prepared do you think the fresh produce and logistics sectors are for the introduction of these…”

“The phased implementation has been bringing out some interesting information from the stats that you have just told us about, which are quite stark. It seems to me that data is key to this and we are not necessarily getting this. Resource is key. Efficiency can be vastly improved. We are talking about the timescale of …”

“Some of the features envisaged in the 2023 BTOM policy have not yet been delivered, as we have been hearing. That includes the single trade window, the trusted trader schemes and the authorised operator status. Despite this, DEFRA’s delivery team for the biosecurity, borders and trade programme will shortly be restruct…”

“On that, what is the strategy to implement more staff to deliver these schemes properly?”

“How can the process be bettered?”

“Are you suggesting there is a protocol in place that is just not being viewed as a mechanism?”

“There are five community energy schemes in my constituency, and they all contribute to local energy supplies. An increase in community energy projects would boost the local economy, as my hon. Friend says, create jobs and reduce energy costs, especially in rural areas. Does she agree that we must go further and create …”

“As a fellow Somerset MP, my hon. Friend will be aware that Somerset has had 18,000 homes stuck in a planning moratorium for nearly five years. While some of those have been unlocked, many are still in limbo. The Bill is meant to fix that impasse, but does he share my concern that the measures in the Bill may actually f…”

“I have reservations about whether the Bill will achieve its aims. Somerset faces a significant need for more homes, particularly social and affordable housing, especially in rural areas. It is crucial that local communities such as those in Glastonbury and Somerton have a strong voice and a real stake in the process of…”

“6. What steps he is taking to protect female members of the armed forces from sexual harassment.”

“I thank the Minister for his response, and for the work he has done. The 2024 armed forces continuous attitude survey reported that 13% of female personnel had experienced sexual harassment in service during the prior 12 months, and many women have said they would not report an incident due to fear of the consequences.…”

“A constituent from Tintinhull who is suffering from stage 4 stomach cancer contacted me because he has recently had a gastrectomy, which has caused him considerable weight loss. Despite that, he has now lost his winter fuel allowance, which is making it more difficult for him to keep his heating on as it costs him a lo…”

“I rise to speak to Lords amendments 1, 4, 5, 9 and 13. These amendments tabled by the Liberal Democrats in the other place would ensure that care providers, NHS GP practices, NHS-commissioned dentists, NHS-commissioned pharmacies, charitable providers of health and social care, and hospice care continue to pay secondar…”

“Somerset council is in the position of having to raise council tax this year, but a recent external assurance review reported that a significant proportion of the council’s budget shortfall was attributable to decisions taken by the previous Conservative Administration, who recklessly froze council tax for a record six…”

“Sixty-six per cent of Somerset council’s budget goes to fund social care. That budget is funded through the taxes raised on property based on prices from 1991, as the hon. Member has set out. Does he agree that that is archaic and unfair, and that we should enact real reform to the way we fund local authorities?”