Record oil prices driving up the cost of fuel at the petrol pump are making life hard for families and businesses – especially smaller businesses or those, such as haulage firms, that use cars and lorries more than average.  read more »

I realise that many neurological conditions can cause varied symptoms and can often have debilitating and life-long effects on sufferers. The Government will respond to the recommendations arising from the report, and subsequent Public Accounts Committee very soon.  read more »

Having examined the Budget carefully, I must accept that the zero rating of VAT on alterations to a listed building is an anomaly, because alterations and extensions are ultimately a form of new build, which does attract VAT.  read more »

The Government has made it clear that it is seeking to reduce the number of mandatory subjects on the curriculum and although I cannot pre-empt the current review by Professor Oates of the curriculum, I believe, given the review’s remit, that it is unlikely that learning ELS will be a statutory part of the national curriculum.  read more »

I do not believe that people who are blind or partially sighted should be defined simply by their condition or their disability.  read more »

At the heart of the Government’s plans over internet and digital communications data, is a desire to maintain national security and protect the public in the face of rapidly changing technology.  read more »

The Government wants public service pensions to remain among the very best available but people are living longer, meaning that it is only fair that they pay a bit more and work for a bit longer before drawing their pension.  read more »

I think it is absolutely right to highlight the huge number of untapped potential that exists in our workforce.  read more »

Legal aid forms a vital part of a system of justice of which we are rightly proud - access to justice is a hallmark of a civilised society. Our legal aid system is, however, among the most expensive in the world, costing over £2 billion a year or £39 per head of population, compared to £19 per head in New Zealand.  read more »

The number of women who die from pregnancy and in childbirth in poor countries is scandalous and we must urgently tackle the large number of preventable deaths.  read more »