Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Alan Brown

Tuesday 20th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Atkins]

I have a great deal of respect for the hon. Lady, but I must point out to her gently that we have, in fact, conducted that review. In the autumn statement, we were able to announce a £13.6 billion package of help over the next five years, including a multiplier freeze for all ratepayers, large and small; a transitional relief cap funded by the Exchequer; retail, hospitality and leisure relief; and a small business support scheme, which will help to cap bill increases at £600 per year for any business losing eligibility for some or all small business rate relief or rural rate relief at the 2023 revaluation. We have done that review and are supporting businesses that need help.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

13. What recent assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential effects of energy prices on the cost of living.

Afghanistan Policy

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Alan Brown

Monday 13th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Atkins]

I ask the hon. Gentleman to write to the Minister for the Armed Forces.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

In trying to justify allowing only 5,000 refugees in through year one of resettlement scheme, the Minister said that that followed consultation with local authorities, based on capacity and assimilation. Will she publish the collated information that shows that, cumulatively, all local authorities in the UK responded that they could take only that figure of 5,000?

[Victoria Atkins]

The hon. Gentleman may not have heard when I referred to the fact that we were looking at the Syrian resettlement scheme, which is widely regarded as being a success. That scheme was resettling 5,000 people a year.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and Alan Brown

Monday 25th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Atkins]

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this matter. Ketamine is just one of the new substances that we are seeing emerge on the street scene and that I was discussing only last week with the chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs—a body that helps to inform and advise Government on drugs policy. I am very happy to meet him to discuss it, but there is a very clear message: these sorts of substances are very, very harmful and carry huge risks if anyone takes them.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

T7. Earlier on, the Secretary of State spoke about protecting the rights of EU citizens, yet my office has had to deal with three cases where EU citizens, who have stayed here most of their lives, are being told by the Department for Work and Pensions that they do not have a right to reside here and therefore cannot access universal credit. Will he issue an apology to my constituents and, more importantly, advise the House on how many other EU citizens will be affected by these current immigration rules and what the Government are doing to prevent the next big scandal?