Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Jeremy Hunt

Tuesday 19th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Hunt]

I would be happy to ask one of my colleagues to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss why freeports are not appropriate in his part of Leicestershire.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with his Scottish counterpart on farm budgets for the financial year 2024-25.

Economic Update

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Jeremy Hunt

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Hunt]

I am absolutely delighted to give that assurance. It is a fundamental part of the Conservative philosophy that economic opportunity should be evenly shared across the country, and we accept that it is not at the moment.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

The chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association made the point this morning that, time after time, freezes in spirits duty have delivered more revenue to the Treasury, contrary to all the forecasts from the Treasury. The Chancellor will know that that is correct, so why does he think that it would be different this time?

[Jeremy Hunt]

I will happily take that piece of wisdom away to the Treasury and ask them to relook at the figures, but I do not think that it is likely that they would have advised me to take the measures I took today if that was the case. I will go and ask them to look at it again.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Jeremy Hunt

Tuesday 4th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on ensuring that the NHS has the workforce it needs after the UK leaves the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

The 150,000 EU nationals working in our health and care services do a brilliant job and we want them to continue doing it. I am in regular talks with Cabinet colleagues to inform both domestic workforce plans and the Government’s negotiations with the EU.

[Mr Carmichael]

The Secretary of State will be aware that that figure represents in excess of 5% of the total workforce in the NHS. This matter will have to be addressed, engaging with the recruitment sector, the employment sector and, indeed, the devolved Administrations. Is that how he will handle it?

[Mr Hunt]

We absolutely will be taking a UK-wide approach. The numbers for England are actually slightly higher than those the right hon. Gentleman talks about—about 9% of doctors and about 19% of nurses are EU nationals. However, we are still seeing doctors and nurses coming to the UK, and we need to do everything in all parts of this House to reassure them that we see them as having a bright and vital future in the NHS.