Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Sorcha Eastwood

Tuesday 10th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, but this question should be about Northern Ireland.

[Sorcha Eastwood (Lagan Valley) (Alliance)]

I thank the Minister for his response. I have to declare an interest because I started a parliamentary petition exactly on a VAT cut for hospitality in Northern Ireland, the reason being that we have the Republic of Ireland with its very competitive VAT rate right up against us. Businesses saw the official Government response, because that petition got over 10,000 signatures, and they felt very despondent. I am sure that Treasury Ministers and the Chancellor will want to join me in trying to do everything we can to protect our hospitality sector. The Minister says this is complex to do, but would he agree with me that it is worth revisiting that idea?

Competition and Markets Authority Chairman

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Sorcha Eastwood

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sorcha Eastwood (Lagan Valley) (Alliance)]

I thank the Minister for his responses so far. Does he agree that the first duty of the Competition and Markets Authority is to ensure that regulations are followed, and to break up monopolies at a time when our small businesses are suffering? The national insurance increase has not helped. If the CMA takes decisions that just so happen to have the by-product of stimulating economic growth, that is well, but the narrative that taking away regulation will promote growth is wrong.

[Mr Speaker]

It might be worth the hon. Member putting in for an Adjournment debate.

Election of Speaker

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Sorcha Eastwood

Tuesday 9th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sorcha-Lucy Eastwood (Lagan Valley) (Alliance)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker-Elect. I warmly congratulate you on your re-election.

I am here as the new MP for Lagan Valley and representative for the Alliance party of Northern Ireland. My presence here demonstrates a changing, more shared and more integrated Northern Ireland. Of that, we in Alliance are very proud.

Mr Speaker-Elect, you have managed business smoothly and fairly, including ensuring that smaller parties have had their voices heard. Given the greater diversity of parties in this House, that leadership and precedent becomes even more important. I also want to put on the record how well you represented Parliament on the world stage, and at the time of the passing of our late Queen and the coronation of our new King.

I also want to associate myself with the Prime Minister’s remarks about this job being one of public service. All of us in this House owe a debt of gratitude to our constituents. I will never forget the constituents of Lagan Valley, and I join everyone in the whole House in looking forward to committing myself to public service for all.

[Mr Speaker-Elect]

Finally, I call Jim Allister to speak on behalf of Traditional Unionist Voice.