Caroline Nokes MP: speeches 2024

Speeches

• 19 Dec 2024 · Christmas Adjournment · Hansard source

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  I get the opportunity to have the last word. Many Members have mentioned family, and I want to take this opportunity to say merry Christmas to our parliamentary family, making sure we remember our Doorkeepers, the Sergeant at Arms, the Clerks, who keep me in order, and the catering and security people. Godfrey and Margaret got a mention, but I would also like to say—although I may not have been there today—a thank you to Kelly and Jackie in the hairdressers downstairs. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to consider clause 2 stand part. I remind Members that in Committee they should not address the Chair as Madam Deputy Speaker. Please use our names when addressing the Chair. “Madam Chair”, “Chair” and “Madam Chairman” are also acceptable.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Point of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. He has put his concerns on the record, and I am sure that those on the Government Front Bench have been listening to them carefully. If he and his right hon. and hon. Friends have not done so already, I recommend that they make contact with the private offices of the Ministers concerned. If that does not lead to prompt replies, a number of options are open to them, including tabling questions, both written and oral, and seeking an Adjournment debate. I suggest that the Table Office could be very helpful in giving them further ideas as to how they can best hold Ministers to account.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Copyright and Artificial Intelligence · Hansard source

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  Order. It is the Minister who is setting out concerns, not me.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Copyright and Artificial Intelligence · Hansard source

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  The Minister would be well advised not to sing at the Dispatch Box, but I thank him for his comprehensive responses this afternoon.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Copyright and Artificial Intelligence · Hansard source

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  I will just make the point that I can see that this is very technical and complicated. It might require long answers, but I am not sure it required that level of input from not-Adele.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Post Office Redress and Funding · Hansard source

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  Order. Three times, “you”—it needs to be “he” or “the Minister”, please.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Post Office Redress and Funding · Hansard source

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  I call the shadow Secretary of State.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Post Office Redress and Funding · Hansard source

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  I call the Chair of the Business and Trade Committee.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Post Office Redress and Funding · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Post Office Redress and Funding · Hansard source

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  Last but by no means least, I call Emma Foody.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to consider: Clause 2 stand part. New clause 1— Reports on loans or other financial assistance to Ukraine — “(1) The Secretary of State must— (a) prepare reports on the operation of assistance provided in accordance with section 1(a), (b) lay a copy of each report before Parliament. (2) Each report must provide details of the amount of— (a) monies provided by the United Kingdom to Ukraine under section 1; (b) the United Kingdom’s share of the principal loan amount and interest accrued under the scheme; and (c) receipts of extraordinary profits from the Russian immobilised sovereign assets under the scheme. (3) Each report must also provide a summary of discussions between His Majesty’s Government and other G7 governments about discussions on any subsequent arrangements that are supplemental to or modify or replace the arrangements referred to in section 1(a), including any discussions concerning— (a) the range of Russian assets to which the arrangements might apply, and (b) the use of those assets. (4) The first report must be laid within the period of 6 months of the passing of this Act. (5) Each subsequent report must be laid within the period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the previous report was laid. (6) The duty under subsection (1) ceases to have effect 12 months after the arrangements referred to in section 1(a) or any subsequent arrangements of the kind referred to in section 1(b) cease to operate.” This new clause establishes an annual reporting requirement relating to the UK share of loans to Ukraine and receipts from the extraordinary profits from the freezing of Russian state assets and to any G7 discussions to extend the arrangements.

• 18 Dec 2024 · Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill · Hansard source

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  I remind Members that in Committee, they should not address the Chair as Madam Deputy Speaker. Please use our names when addressing the Chair. “Madam Chair”, “Chair” and “Madam Chairman” are also acceptable. Clause 1 Provision of Loans or other Financial Assistance to Ukraine Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

• 17 Dec 2024 · National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill · Hansard source

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  I remind Members that in Committee they should not address the Chair as Madam Deputy Speaker. Please use our names when addressing the Chair. “Madam Chair”, “Chair” and “Madam Chairman” are also acceptable. Clause 1 Rate of secondary Class 1 contributions

• 17 Dec 2024 · National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill · Hansard source

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  Order. The hon. Lady has every opportunity to contribute to this debate if she so wishes. Interventions are getting longer and longer; they must be shorter.

• 17 Dec 2024 · National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. He will be aware that it is important that Members stay in order. The hon. Member for Milton Keynes North (Chris Curtis) has given some context in his speech, but he might be reminded of the need to stick to national insurance contributions.

• 17 Dec 2024 · National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 4, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is amended as follows. (A2) In section 9(1A) after paragraph (aa) insert— “(ab) if section 9AA below applies to the earnings, the reduced secondary percentage;” (A3) After section 9A insert— “ 9AA Qualification for reduced secondary percentage (1) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this section applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, where the earner is employed— (a) by a charity registered in the charity register or the Scottish charity register, (b) by a voluntary organisation within the meaning of regulation 2 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, (c) to work in a GP practice, (d) by a university, or (e) by a college of further education. (2) For the purposes of section 9(1A)(ab) above, the reduced secondary percentage is 13.8%.”” Amendment 7, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is amended as follows. (A2) In section 9(1A) before paragraph (a) insert— “(za) if subsection (1B) below applies, the healthcare and small charities secondary percentage;” (A3) After section 9(1A) insert— “(1B) This section applies where the earner is employed to work— (a) in any of the following settings— (i) a GP surgery, (ii) an optometry or dispensing optician practice, (iii) a dental surgery, (iv) a pharmacy, (v) a residential care setting, or (b) for a registered charity employing 50 people or fewer. (1C) For the purposes of subsection (1A)(za) the healthcare and small charities secondary percentage is 13.8%.”” Amendment 13, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is amended as follows. (A2) In section 9(1A) before paragraph (a) insert— ‘(za) if sub section (1B) below applies to the earnings, the specified sector secondary percentage;’ (A3) After section 9(1A) insert— ‘(1B) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this subsection applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, where the earner is employed in any of the following specified sectors— (a) adult social care, (b) hospices, (c) primary care, (d) nurseries registered in the Early Years Register maintained by the Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, or (e) a charity registered in the charity register or the Scottish charity register. (1C) For the purposes of this Act above, the specified sector secondary percentage is 13.8%.’” This amendment would provide that adult social care, hospice, primary care, nurseries and charities would continue to pay contributions at current rates. Amendment 19, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) In section 9(1A) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, before paragraph (a) insert— “(za) if the employer is a specified employer under subsection (1B), the specified employer secondary percentage;” (A2) After section 9(1A) of that Act insert— “(1B) A “specified employer” means— (a) a provider of education or childcare to children under five years of age— (i) registered in England in the early years register maintained by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, (ii) registered in Wales with Care Inspectorate Wales, or (iii) registered in Scotland with the Scottish Care Inspectorate; or (b) a university. (1C) For the purposes of this Act, the specified employer secondary percentage is 13.8%.”” This amendment provides that Early Years Settings and Universities would continue to pay contributions at current rates. Amendment 20, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) In section 9(1A) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, after paragraph (aa) insert— “(ab) if the employer is a specified employer under subsection (1B), the specified employer secondary percentage;” (A2) After section 9(1A) of that Act insert— “(1B) A “specified employer” means— (a) a registered charity, or (b) a housing association. (1C) For the purposes of this Act, the specified employer secondary percentage is 13.8%.”” This amendment provides that charities and housing associations would continue to pay contributions at current rates. Amendment 23, page 1, line 2, at beginning insert— “(A1) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 is amended as follows. (A2) In section 9(1A) after paragraph (aa) insert— “(ab) if section 9AA below applies to the earnings, the veterans secondary percentage;” (A3) After section 9A insert— “ 9AA Veterans secondary percentage (1) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this section applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, where the earner is a veteran. (2) For the purposes of section 9(1A)(a) above, the veterans secondary percentage is 13.8%. (3) For the purposes of this section, a “veteran” means a former member of any of His Majesty’s forces.”” This amendment would exempt veterans' salaries from NICs changes. Amendment 10, page 1, line 3, at end insert— “(1A) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 is amended as follows. (1B) In section 9(1A) after paragraph (aa) insert— “(ab) where the employer is a specified employer under subsection (1B), the specified employer secondary percentage;” (1C) After section 9(1A) insert— “(1B) A “specified employer” means— (a) a person providing a care home service or domiciliary support service regulated under the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, or (b) a person providing primary medical services through contractual arrangements with a Health and Social Services Board, (c) a person providing general dental services under Part 2 of the General Dental Services (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1993, (d) a person providing pharmaceutical services under Part 2 of the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, (e) a provider of health and care registered as a charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, (f) a person providing hospice care whether in a hospice or elsewhere, (g) a voluntary or community organisation, and (h) a provider of childcare registered in the Family Support NI Register. (1C) For the purposes of this Act, the specified employer secondary percentage is 13.8%.” (1D) After subsection (3) insert— “(4) The Secretary of State must by regulations define a voluntary or community organisation for the purposes of subsection (1B)(g).”” This amendment aims to provide that in Northern Ireland care homes, domiciliary care providers, GP and dental surgeries, pharmacists, health and care charities, hospice care providers, voluntary or community organisations and childcare providers would remain subject to the current secondary Class 1 contribution rate, not the increased rate proposed in the Bill. Amendment 16, in clause 1, page 1, line 3, at end insert— “(1A) The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 is amended as follows. (1B) In section 9(1A) before paragraph (a) insert— “(za) if sub section (1B) below applies to the earnings, the specified sector secondary percentage;” (1C) After section 9(1A) insert— “(1B) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this subsection applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, where the earner is employed in any of the following specified sectors— (a) adult social care, (b) hospices, (c) primary care, (d) nurseries registered with Family Support NI, or (e) a registered charity in Northern Ireland. (1C) For the purposes of this Act above, the specified sector secondary percentage is 13.8%.”” This amendment would provide that adult social care, hospice, primary care, nurseries and charities in Northern Ireland would continue to pay contributions at current rates. Clause stand part. Amendment 2, in clause 2, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” This amendment, and Amendment 3, exempts care providers, NHS GP practices, NHS commissioned dentists, NHS commissioned pharmacists, charitable providers of health and care, and those providing hospice care from the changes to the threshold. Amendment 5, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) in respect of an earner listed in section 9AA(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” Amendment 8, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) in respect of an earner to whom the healthcare and small charities secondary percentage under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 applies, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” Amendment 11, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” This amendment provides that the employers listed in Amendment 10 would be subject to the existing secondary threshold for secondary Class 1 contributions, not the lower threshold proposed in the Bill. Amendment 14, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) in respect of an earner in a specified sector under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” This amendment would exempt adult social care, hospice, primary care providers, nurseries and charities from changes to the threshold. Amendment 17, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) in respect of an earner in a specified sector under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” This amendment would exempt adult social care, hospice, primary care providers, nurseries and charities in Northern Ireland from changes to the threshold. Amendment 24, page 1, line 12, leave out “£96” and insert— “(i) where the earner is a veteran within the meaning of section 9AA(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £175, and (ii) in all other cases, £96.” See Amendment 23. Amendment 3, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 or section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” This amendment is linked to Amendments 1 and 2. Amendment 6, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner listed in section 9AA(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner listed in section 9AA(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” Amendment 9, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner to whom the healthcare and small charities secondary percentage under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 applies, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner to whom the healthcare and small charities secondary percentage under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 applies, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” Amendment 12, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) for a specified employer under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” This amendment makes provision for the monthly and annual thresholds in line with Amendment 11. Amendment 15, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner in a specified sector under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” This amendment would exempt adult social care, hospice, primary care providers, nurseries and charities from changes to the threshold. Amendment 18, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner in a specified sector under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) in respect of an earner under section 9(1B) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” This amendment would exempt adult social care, hospice, primary care providers, nurseries and charities in Northern Ireland from changes to the threshold. Amendment 25, page 1, line 14, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “£758” substitute— “(i) where the earner is a veteran within the meaning of section 9AA(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £758, and (ii) in all other cases, £417”, and” (b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£9,100” substitute— “(i) where the earner is a veteran within the meaning of section 9AA(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, £9,100, and (ii) in all other cases £5,000.”” See Amendment 23. Clause 2 stand part. Clauses 3 and 4 stand part. New clause 1— Review of the impact of the Act — “The Chancellor of the Exchequer must, within a year of this Act being passed, publish an assessment of the impact of the changes introduced by this Act on— (a) rates of employment, (b) real wages, (c) inflation, and (d) real household disposable income.” New clause 2— Review of effect on SMEs, hospitality, tourism and seasonal workers — “(1) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a review of the impact of the measures contained in this Act. (2) The review must consider in particular— (a) the impact of those measures on the finances and staffing of small and medium sized businesses; (b) the impact of those measures on the finances and staffing of small and medium sized businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector; (c) the impact of those measures on sectors who rely on seasonal workers. (3) In this section, “small and medium sized businesses” means any business which has an average headcount of staff of less than 250 in the tax year 2023-24.” This new clause would require the Government to produce an impact assessment of the effect of the Act on SMEs, Hospitality, Tourism and Seasonal workers and on the sectors relying on seasonal workers. New clause 3— Review of effect of employer NIC threshold — “(1) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a review of the impact of the measures contained in this Act on part-time workers. (2) The review must consider in particular the effect of the threshold set by section 2 of this Act on part-time workers— (a) earning £5,000 - £9,000, or (b) working under 16 hours per week.” This new clause would require the Government to produce a report into the impact of the employer NIC threshold on part-time staff, especially those who are lower paid or working less than 16 hours a week. New clause 4— Employment allowance: review of exception on childcare service providers — “(1) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must conduct a review of how the exception from the employment allowance under section 2 of the National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) affects providers of childcare services. (2) The review must consider the likely impact on providers of childcare services were section 2 of the 2014 Act to be amended to enable such providers to qualify for the allowance. (3) A report setting out the findings of the review must be published and laid before both Houses of Parliament within six months of this Act being passed.”

• 17 Dec 2024 · National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill · Hansard source

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  Mr Doogan, I will not be in a quagmire.

• 17 Dec 2024 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order, which reiterates a point that came up yesterday in Work and Pensions oral questions—and, indeed, in the Chamber this afternoon. I am sure that all Members will play their part in ensuring that constituents are aware of the benefits, including pension tax credits, to which they are entitled. As far as the point of order goes, I confirm that there has been no request today from Department for Work and Pensions Ministers to make a statement on this issue.

• 17 Dec 2024 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the right hon. Member for that point of order. He has put his point on the record, and he will be aware that the Secretary of State specifically responded to that point throughout the statement. Bill Presented Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Secretary Bridget Phillipson, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary Angela Rayner, Pat McFadden, Secretary Wes Streeting, Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary Liz Kendall, Catherine McKinnell, Jess Phillips and Sir Nicholas Dakin, presented a Bill to make provision about the safeguarding and welfare of children; about support for children in care or leaving care; about regulation of care workers; about regulation of establishments and agencies under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; about employment of children; about breakfast club provision and school uniform; about attendance of children at school; about regulation of independent educational institutions; about inspections of schools and colleges; about teacher misconduct; about Academies and teachers at Academies; repealing section 128 of the Education Act 2002; about school places and admissions; about establishing new schools; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow and to be printed (Bill 151) with explanatory notes (Bill 151 - EN).

• 16 Dec 2024 · Victims of Sexual Violence: Court Delays · Hansard source

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  Order. If the hon. Lady wants to contribute to the debate she always has the opportunity to ask the Member in charge and the Minister, but interventions must be shorter than that.

• 16 Dec 2024 · Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Order. I call Julie Minns.

• 16 Dec 2024 · Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Order. I am going to reduce the time limit to three minutes, after the next speaker. I call Andrew Pakes.

• 12 Dec 2024 · LGBT Veterans: Etherton Review · Hansard source

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  Before I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, I will just make the point that it is imperative that Members be present for the opening statements of any debate if they wish to be called—perhaps particularly so for those on the Front Benches.

• 12 Dec 2024 · LGBT Veterans: Etherton Review · Hansard source

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  Order. It might be helpful if I provide a small business update to hon. and right hon. Members. The second debate that was scheduled for this afternoon will now not go ahead. That gives this very important debate the full time up until 5 o’clock, which will certainly enable me to get all Members in.