Speeches by Dyke.

“How would you implement that strategy?”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for securing this important debate at the start of National Apprenticeships Week. Apprenticeships are particularly important in rural areas such as Glastonbury and Somerton, because they provide a valuable pathway for young people to gain practical skills and go on to secure employment in the…”

“That is why I would be happy with a Westminster Hall debate, because I would rather have the opportunity—”

“Yes, I would. My only concern is, because I think the turnout will be quite high on this, that a Chamber debate would allow more MPs to participate, given the previous debate. To me, it is very important that we have the opportunity to debate this at this particular time, given the critical situation we have in Somerse…”

“I am requesting this debate on ambulance service delays after the Darzi report stated that “the NHS is in critical condition”. Since 2015, the NHS has missed every target. A&E times waiting times have got substantially worse in recent years, following a decade of funding settlements that failed to keep up with demand f…”

“People living with disabilities in rural areas such as Glastonbury and Somerton face many barriers to finding work, including lack of opportunities, poor transport and high childcare costs. How will the Minister support individuals living in rural areas to overcome the barriers to employment and help them to improve th…”

“My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech, and I congratulate her on bringing forward this important legislation. Like many farms in Glastonbury and Somerton, Camel Hill farm’s focus on regenerative farming has improved soil quality and nature loss. However, the farming budget has seen a real-term funding cut after in…”

“Ambulance crews strive every day to provide the very best care for their patients, but ambulances are not arriving to the most serious emergencies quickly enough. An 89-year-old Somerton constituent recently had a fall at home and was left lying on the floor in agony for 10 hours. Sadly, that is all too common, as Sout…”

“Many rural town centres in Glastonbury and Somerton, and the businesses within them, are really worried about business rates. Will the Minister consider implementing a fundamental business rates overhaul for small businesses in rural areas?”

“I have heard from many farming businesses across Glastonbury and Somerton over the last few months, but one farm in Hurcot near Somerton recently wrote to me to describe the anguish and stress that the changes to the APR and BPR have caused them. As in the case of many farming businesses, their succession planning has …”

“Responding to my small business survey, a local business in Street said that high employer national insurance contributions is one of the major challenges and that it could force them to cancel some of their investment plans. Does my hon. Friend agree that the measures being proposed do not encourage growth and could i…”

“T6. More than 170 tonnes of illegal meat products have been seized at the port of Dover since 2022. Given the biosecurity threat posed by African swine fever and foot and mouth disease to more than 800 farms in my constituency, alongside thousands of others up and down the country, what steps is the right hon. Gentlema…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for securing this vital and important debate. She talks about inequality, and SEND funding is unequal across the country. Somerset council is part of the f40 group, which includes a number of the most poorly funded councils across the country. It received less than £8,000 in gross dedicated grant…”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way and thank the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes) for his comments. We know that it costs more to deliver services in rural areas, yet rural councils are set to receive 41% less central Government funding than urban councils in the local govern…”

“Will that help to prevent so much spillage?”

“Despite the large fines that you have incurred, there is still a significant number of spills taking place. There were 25,000 back in 2023. What improvements are needed to clear up the mess?”

“We have outlined that the need for investment in our water infrastructure is clear. We have heard that 20p in the pound goes on water company debts, and 11p in the pound on dividends. The Consumer Council for Water’s survey indicated that about 40% of consumers in England and Wales would struggle to afford the increase…”

“£1 billion was paid out in shareholder dividends in 2023-24. Could you just outline the link between performance and dividends? Do you foresee dividends decreasing following Ofwat’s new regulations?”

“What about previous years following privatisation?”

“Does that give consumer confidence?”