Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Student Loans
"I am just about to give up and I will not get an extra minute. I like the hon. Gentleman very much and in ordinary circumstances I would, but I will not.
We need some urgency on this matter, and I urge some cross-party working to make sure that all …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Student Loans
"I must be suffering from some sort of political amnesia, because I was absolutely convinced that it was a Labour Government that introduced tuition fees in the first place. Maybe the Minister will correct me...."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Fuel Duty
"It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Gordon and Buchan (Harriet Cross), who spoke with her usual passion on behalf of her constituents and a sector that is important to her local economy, and with the depth of knowledge that the House has come to …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Fuel Duty
"I do. My right hon. Friend is right to point to the universality of the negative impact of the proposal. As a good Yorkshirewoman who I know is always persuaded by the validity of common sense, I hope that she will accept the point that when everybody says that the …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Fuel Duty
"I would probably suggest to my hon. Friend that a lie-down with a cold flannel in a darkened room might be a good idea for him if that is what he thinks they are doing. I think that they have broadly given up. Let us just make the point. I …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Fuel Duty
"My right hon. Friend is right. It is important to relitigate this point: we froze fuel duty not merely because we could but because there was a reason so to do. It is why—I say this as a former Local Government Minister—we enhanced and protected and preserved the rural services …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 18 Mar 2026
Fuel Duty
"This is a point I made to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. All these increases—in council tax, domestic and transport fuel, food prices and so on—are putting pressure on so many household budgets. The Minister knows that; he will see the data from his officials in real time. Families …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Asked by:
Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to help support pre-pensioners with long-term health conditions in the context of increases to the State Pension age.
Answered by Diana Johnson
- Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
People with long-term health conditions will continue to be supported by the benefit system, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP), up to and beyond reaching State Pension age, and Universal Credit for those unable to work before reaching retirement.
We recognise the wealth of skills and experience that older workers bring both to the workplace and the economy, as well as the role of good work in supporting health and wellbeing. We asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the Keep Britain Working Review to examine how employers can better support disabled people and those with health conditions; the final report was published on 5 November 2025. We are now in the Vanguard Phase to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work. To support people who are nearing State Pension age and who have long-term health conditions, we are joining up health and employment support services. This includes through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care, Pathways to Work, and WorkWell. Support is also available through Access to Work grants.
We have additional dedicated support for workers aged 50 and over within jobcentres. This includes 50PLUS Champions, the Midlife MOT, and local Employer and Partnership Teams, offering tailored guidance and connecting people with health, skills, financial support and employers. As part of our plans to create a new Jobs and Careers Service, we are considering the best way to support customers aged 50 and over, and customers with health conditions, so that they can access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 17 Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment
"It frankly beggars belief that the Secretary of State does not understand the impact that the Government’s policies on business, tax and regulation have had on the confidence of businesses up and down the country to invest and employ. There is a direct causal link, and nobody will understand why …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 17 Mar 2026
Middle East
"In June last year, Mr Trump told the world that the Iranian nuclear sites had been “completely destroyed”, but the last few weeks prove that he did not believe that to be true. Last week, the President told the world that the war was nearly completely won and that he …..."Simon Hoare - View Speech
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