"I know that it is unconventional to crowdsource one’s speech on the Budget, but I happened to do my annual online Budget Q&A last night, and it was an absolutely joyful experience. The key themes that were raised with me were: is this Budget bold enough; and what does it …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"I will not give way—we will hopefully move to a vote soon.
This is the right moral decision and the right compassionate decision. It aligns with our values—it should align with everybody’s values—and it is also the right economic decision. It is not in the interests of public spending to …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"I am listening with interest to the right hon. Member’s remarks, and I have some professional experience in this area. Amendments 95 and 98 seem more about delaying a reasonable approach to the Government administering right-to-buy receipts. I am interested to know what the Opposition think would be the alternative …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"I will have a go at delving into the process point; I do think that these are simply delaying amendments from the Opposition, but I will nevertheless engage on the principle of the process point. What is it about a determination, which would be open to written or oral questions, …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"The Minister has been incredibly generous. I wonder whether he will reflect in his closing remarks on the clause—which repeals what were, in my view, ideological attacks on something that is a very practical solution to a range of market needs and the affordability options open to people—that the previous …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"I strongly welcome the move to remove the local connection test for armed forces veterans. It indicates this Government’s recognition that the local connection sometimes creates barriers for people to making their way off the streets, particularly when they are vulnerable. I welcome the Bill’s acknowledgment of the issue. I …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech
"On new clause 55, can the hon. Member share the evidence base for his proposal, including the number of tenants aged between 16 and 25? I struggle to believe that the proposal would make any difference in terms of home ownership for people aged between 16 and 25. In fact, …..." Rachel Blake - View Speech