Same-sex Marriage in Churches

Debate between Iain Stewart and Maria Miller

Monday 10th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I will have to get back to my hon. Friend with those exact data, but I am sure that all the ceremonies that have taken place have been joyous occasions.

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

Has my right hon. Friend had a chance to examine the experience of those other European countries that have legalised same-sex marriage? Have any churches in those countries been forced to marry a couple against their faith?

[Maria Miller]

The simple answer to that is no. Many European countries have permitted same-sex marriage for many years. Denmark, for example, adopted such a policy in 1989, and now Spain, Canada and many others are putting in place similar legislation. This reflects societies that are willing to embrace change while ensuring that protection for important religious institutions is in place.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Iain Stewart and Maria Miller

Monday 28th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

12. What plans he has to publish a strategy on disability.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller)]

I will publish a discussion document in December to support debate, and a new disability strategy next year. Our vision is to enable disabled people to fulfil their potential. We will co-produce the strategy with disabled people and their organisations, focusing on the themes of realising aspirations, individual control, and changing attitudes and behaviours.

[Iain Stewart]

Has my hon. Friend assessed how many disabled people the Department will be able to support back into work as a result of the Government’s reforms?

[Maria Miller]

I am sure that the strategy we develop will include an action plan and that work will form an important part of it. The Work programme is already providing important support for disabled people to get into work. The further work that is being done with the Sayce review suggests that an additional 35,000 disabled people could be supported into work if we use the money that is there to support specialist disability employment more effectively.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Iain Stewart and Maria Miller

Monday 28th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I thank the hon. Lady for giving me the opportunity to clarify the situation yet again, even though the Prime Minister did so last week in Prime Minister’s questions. The Government are not removing DLA mobility from care home residents from 2012. We made it clear that we have listened to concerns across the House and from disabled people. We will consider care home residents at the same time as all other recipients—both current and future claimants—as we develop the personal independence payment. What we have uncovered is an unacceptable way in which mobility is often dealt with in care homes, and we will look at that further.

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

3. When he plans to respond to the review of employment support services for disabled people conducted by Liz Sayce.

--- Later in debate ---

[Iain Stewart]

I very much welcome this review, but will my hon. Friend assure me that it will also specifically consider the potential power of new media and new technologies to unlock additional training and employment opportunities for disabled people?

[Maria Miller]

As I travel around and speak to disabled people in various types of employment, I hear from them directly how important new media are in helping people in that sector both to obtain jobs and to remain in employment. I am sure that new media opportunities will remain at the heart of the Government’s drive to get more people into work.