Business of the House

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Bobby Dean

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Bobby Dean.

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

I thank the Leader of the House for his warm welcome—it is a warmer welcome than I received online, where somebody compared me to a failed contestant on “The Apprentice”, which is a good start. I share the right hon. Member’s sympathies expressed about the synagogue attack in Manchester, as well as his tribute to Ming Campbell, which is greatly appreciated by Liberal Democrat Members. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Marie Goldman) for her service in this role, and I wish her well in her new job.

This past week we have been digesting news of the ceasefire in the middle east which, despite reporting, has nothing to do with President Trump’s candidacy for the Nobel peace prize and is all about the welfare of the people living in that region. There is indescribable relief that the hostages are now heading home and the bloodshed can come to an end. The immediate concern is that the ceasefire holds, and the hope is that there will be a just and sustainable peace in the region, including a two-state solution. As we look to the future, it is also important that we do not forget what happened before. A few weeks ago there was a UN report that a genocide had taken place in Gaza, and it is the international community’s obligation to establish the truth and hold those responsible to account. Will the Government, at the appropriate time, make a statement about how Britain will contribute to such an international process, so that justice and accountability for what happened in Gaza can be served?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Bobby Dean

Tuesday 1st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Unfortunately, I cannot see the relevance of the question. I call Bobby Dean.

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

2. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the data her Department holds on high net worth individuals.

Business of the House

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Bobby Dean

Thursday 26th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

I join the Leader of the House in congratulating the Deputy Speakers on their birthdays, and in celebrating our armed forces.

Earlier this year, when the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced the welfare reforms, her argument to this House was that they were all about getting people back into work. That argument was undermined somewhat by the timing; in the spring statement the following week, we discovered that the £5 billion saving we achieve from the welfare reforms makes up fully half of the fiscal headroom that the Chancellor is relying on. When we take a closer look at the reforms, we find that most of the savings are generated by changes to the eligibility criteria for the personal independence payment. Entitlement to PIP is given to those in work, those out of work and those unable to work. It follows that many of those who stand to lose out as a result of the reforms will not be incentivised into work, because they will already be in work, or will be unable to join the workforce any time soon. No wonder, then, that when the Bill was published last week, there was condemnation from all sides of the House. If the books need to be balanced, we need to make sure that they are not balanced on the backs of the disabled.

The Leader of the House will be well aware of all the rumours circulating around this place that the Government are preparing to make concessions on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. What is the procedure for doing that? We understand that a reasoned amendment, if one is tabled, would kill the Bill off entirely. What are the options for the Government to make concessions? Will they have to withdraw the Bill and re-present it, or is there some other mechanism by which they can make compromises with their Back Benchers before next week?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Bobby Dean

Tuesday 10th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We need to speed up a little. We are only now getting to Question 2.

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

2. What steps she is taking to support the rehabilitation of offenders.