Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 21 Jan 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation
"I am extremely grateful to the Secretary of State for giving way; he is an immensely courteous Member of this House and always has been. He will be aware, however, that there is a live legal case by the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, and that the very Human Rights Act …..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Asked by:
John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to promote apprenticeships in the construction industry.
Answered by Andrew Western
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by an additional £725 million investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and more opportunities for young people. It will align with the industrial strategy, creating routes into good, skilled jobs in growing industries, such as construction.
Construction is one of the key sectors that will benefit from new foundation apprenticeships with three standards, including onsite trades, launched in August 2025. These foundation apprenticeships will support more young people to begin their careers in the construction industry and allow them to then progress and specialise in advanced apprenticeships. Employers will be provided with up to £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in the construction industry.
The industry will also benefit from around 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places being made available per financial year by 2027-28 thanks to a £140 million industry investment and the creation of 32 pioneering new homebuilding skills hubs.
In addition, the government is investing £625 million in construction skills over this Parliament, with the aim of delivering up to 60,000 additional skilled workers and supporting employers to invest in training. This funding is designed to expand apprenticeship opportunities, improve access to training, and ensure the workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a modern, safe, and productive construction sector.
The industry-led Construction Skills Mission Board is also working to create construction job opportunities to meet the government’s announced infrastructure and built environment commitments.
Written Question
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Asked by:
John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question
to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to issue fines against social media companies which host sexualized deepfake content.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Sharing, or threatening to share, a deepfake intimate image without consent is a criminal offence - for individuals and for platforms. Ofcom is the independent regulator for online safety and has confirmed that they have opened an investigation into Grok’s production of sexualised deepfake content. They have the backing of this government to use the full powers which Parliament has given them.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
"I am immensely grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker. The best laws begin as Bills that metamorphosise during their passage and are improved through scrutiny. However, that depends on Ministers listening and learning. The amendments before us from the House of Lords are measured and reasonable. They are not wrecking amendments, but …..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Temporary Accommodation: Out of Area Placements
"I will call Josh Babarinde to move the motion, and then call the Minister to respond. Other Members may make a speech only with prior permission from the Member in charge. There will not be an opportunity to wind up, sadly, as it is only a half-hour debate...."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Temporary Accommodation: Out of Area Placements
"It is a private joke, don’t worry!..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Domestic Abuse-related Deaths: NHS Prevention
"Thank you for winding up. This has been a really important debate and I am so pleased that everyone was able to contribute. I hope that, had I spoken in the debate and not chaired it, I would have spoken with the same passion and insight that everyone has shown.
…..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
"rose—..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
"On that point, the Minister will be aware that the matter was debated at length in the Lords. Indeed, one of the amendments that we are considering deals precisely with the entitlements of the Chagossians. They were not involved in the negotiations at any stage, and they have made that …..."John Hayes - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
"On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Chair made it clear at the outset that the amendments that deal with matters of finance were inappropriate to be considered here, for obvious reasons. I understood, however, that the amendments that we were debating, including those that reference the Chagossians, …..."John Hayes - View Speech
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