NHS Ownership | November 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding NHS ownership. Universal healthcare, free at the point of use, is a founding principle of the NHS, and neither I nor the Government wish to see this changed. That is why the Government is committed to ensuring that the NHS remains publicly owned. The...
Vehicle Emissions | November 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding vehicle emissions. The Government is committed to be the UK’s greenest ever and has established a 25-year plan to improve the environment to help achieve this goal. It is imperative that a balance is struck between keeping the cost of living as low as...
Pub Closures | November 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding pub closures. Pubs play an important role in the economic and social life of our nation, as well as helping to promote responsible drinking. It is estimated by the British Beer and Pub Association that each pub contributes £80,000 a year to its local...
Fixed Odds Betting Terminals | November 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT). FOBTs are important to the economic viability of many betting shops, which currently employ around 53,000 nationally. However, we cannot ignore the evidence presented on the potential impact these machines can have on individuals and the wider community. It...
Fur Trade | May 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding the fur trade. Animal welfare is of the utmost importance. As such, I welcome the tight regulation on imports of fur products. As you are aware, it is illegal to import furs derived from cats or dogs, or products made from them; in addition,...
Windrush Generation | April 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding the “Windrush Generation”. Commonwealth citizens, including the Windrush generation, came to this country in the 1960s and 1970s and have since built their lives here and made a significant contribution to this country, both socially and economically. Some citizens of the Windrush generation, who...
Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia | April 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the use of such arms in Yemen. The situation in Yemen is extremely complex, with a number of different groups in conflict. Military action should be the last course of action; however, the threats from international terrorism...
Unpaid Work Trial Periods | April 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding unpaid trial work periods. The UK’s flexible labour market gives our businesses a competitive advantage internationally and works for the majority of the population. Employment rates in Britain are at historically high levels, due in no small part to worker’s flexibility. Clearly, if someone...
Hannah Rose Thomas’s Exhibition on Yezidi Women | March 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding Hannah Rose Thomas’s exhibition on Yezidi women. The trauma that Yezidi women must have encountered while under ISIS captivity is inconceivable. The Government is committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief for individuals of all faiths and beliefs...
Abortion | March 2018
I have received numerous letters regarding abortion. Abortion is a sensitive issue and one which the Government treats with the utmost rigour. In 2016, there were 190,406 abortions carried out in England and Wales, which was slightly lower than in 2015 (191,014). Induced abortion is a crime in the UK....
