Business of the House

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Rushanara Ali

Thursday 7th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important point. The Royal Air Force Museum is amazing; I was there recently at the RAF gallantry awards dinner. At most times, such work would be very unfortunate for one of our most impressive national museums, but anniversaries coming up this year will mean more people will want to visit the museum, particularly to see the reconnaissance aircraft. This matter is devolved to the Mayor of London, but I know my hon. Friend has done service by getting the concerns of many people on the record. I will ensure the relevant Department has heard his concerns, to see what pressure can be brought to bear on Transport for London and the Mayor of London.

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

The Budget means net tax cuts of £9 billion taking effect in an election year, but that is dwarfed by the £27 billion of tax increases that took effect last year and the £19 billion of tax rises that will come into effect after the general election, because of the actions of her party. The Chancellor has given with one hand and taken with the other. Does the Leader of the House think that her party is fooling anyone?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I encourage the hon. Lady to re-read the Chancellor’s Budget speech to see what progress we are making on growth and inward investment into this country. This year, our investment summit had a record amount of money being put into this nation, with more than £30 billion garnered in just that week. She will know that yesterday we had revised forecasts on returning to our target for inflation. These are tough times, but the plan is working, and we are determined to see hard-working families through.

Replacement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Rushanara Ali

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

First, I fully appreciate the optics of my appearing at the Dispatch Box, but there is a very genuine reason why the Prime Minister is not here. I understand that people will wish to make political hay out of it. She would wish to be here, but she is unable to be here at the moment. The Chancellor will be along shortly to answer these questions.

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

Last Friday, the value of the pound fell after the Prime Minister walked out of her press conference after just over eight minutes. Is it not increasingly the case that she and her Government are a risk to Britain’s financial stability? It is time she stopped shirking and turned up to be held accountable, or she should get out of the way and call a general election.

[Penny Mordaunt]

I stress again to all honourable colleagues that there is a very good reason why the Prime Minister is not here. The Chancellor will be making a statement shortly, when Members will be able to ask him these questions.

Future Relationship with the EU

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Rushanara Ali

Tuesday 9th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. It is not just that we have been in this partnership with the EU but the fact that its arrangements with other nations set the parameters for many of the things that we are discussing. This is perfectly doable. It is just a matter of good will and focus, but there is good will, and there is increasing focus.

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

Time is running out, and there is a real risk of a cliff-edge Brexit, which would come in the context of a health pandemic and the associated economic crisis, with rising unemployment towards the end of the year. Have the Government initiated any planning for the event of a deal not being reached?

[Penny Mordaunt]

It would be prudent and wise for us to prepare for every scenario, just as we have always done. We did so last year and then did not need to implement those preparations. I am confident that we can not only come to an agreement but do so in a timeframe that gives people the time that they need to prepare and to understand. We are very aware of the other things that are going on in the world that form the backdrop to that. Our approach is going to be achingly pragmatic.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Rushanara Ali

Wednesday 21st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will certainly do that. I praise World Vision for the campaign and all the work it does. Children in conflict zones are a priority for my Department, and I would also like to put on the record our thanks to the Evening Standard for its War Child fundraising appeal.

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

T7. Over 160 British parliamentarians have called on the UK Government to refer the Burmese military to the International Criminal Court. Does the Secretary of State agree that unless we hold them to account for their genocidal intent, it will be impossible to return the Rohingya from Bangladesh to Burma without risking further atrocities?

[Penny Mordaunt]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right. As I said earlier, we continue to consider all means of holding people to account for these appalling atrocities. As well as other measures, including the recognition of citizens’ rights, justice is a major part of giving people the confidence to return.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Penny Mordaunt and Rushanara Ali

Wednesday 28th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

2. What support her Department provides to internally displaced people.

[The Secretary of State for International Development (Penny Mordaunt)]

The UK is committed to meeting the needs of displaced populations, including internally displaced people. We are providing multi-year funding to support IDPs and the communities that host them through both humanitarian and longer term development programmes.

[Rushanara Ali]

I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. The number of IDPs has risen by 10 million over the past four years to 40 million worldwide. What representations has the Secretary of State made to ensure that the UN negotiations on the global compacts for migration and for refugees do not sideline the needs of IDPs?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank the hon. Lady for raising this matter. IDPs due to conflict and violence outnumber refugees by two to one, but they have not received the focus or been given the profile that they need. In addition to the compacts that the hon. Lady mentioned, there are moves to set up a new panel looking at the particular and unique needs of IDPs, and the Department for International Development will support that.