NHS Shared Business Services

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Monday 27th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Objection to the manner and content of a ministerial response is not a novel phenomenon in the House of Commons.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

There have been cries of privatisation from the Opposition. Is not the truth that in 2007, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs lost the entire collection of child benefit records, affecting 25 million people? Is not the point that all data holders, whether in the private or public sector, must hold our private information securely?

Article 50

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Tuesday 24th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman has another birthday until December—I think his birthday is 23 December—so he has a long time to wait: nothing to worry about.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

Today, British judges in the highest court in the land decided a point of historic constitutional importance that is unprecedented in law. It was right to seek the judgment of the Supreme Court to enable it to “discover” the law, as we lawyers euphemistically call it. Crucially, the Supreme Court recognised the limits of its constitutional powers when it left the form of that legislation to this Parliament. Is this not our constitution thriving in action, and does it not bode well for the future?

Corporate Governance

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

1st reading: House of Commons
Tuesday 29th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I observe in passing that there is an undiluted sea of men seeking to catch the eye of the Chair. If a female Member were to stand, she would be called, but at the moment she is not, so she will not.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

If that was a serious bid, I call Victoria Atkins.

[Hon. Members]

Hear, hear!

[Victoria Atkins]

I welcome this statement. Will my right hon. Friend assist the House by saying how the plans tie in with the need to ensure that business owners comply with not only the letter of the law, but the spirit? I am thinking in particular of the Companies Act 2006 and corporate governance failures that have led to prosecutions—something that may be relevant when the hon. Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis) talks about BHS.

[Mr Speaker]

She is not a barrister for nothing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Monday 9th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

That was a very well informed answer, I am bound to say.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one way in which Members can help young people to find work is by hosting jobs and apprenticeships fairs? Does she look forward to the first-ever jobs and apprenticeships fairs in my Louth and Horncastle constituency on 2 September?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Monday 25th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We have now exceeded the time available for the Minister’s exam, and we come now to topical questions.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Tuesday 9th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call next the medal-wearing member of the team which won the parliamentary pancake race this morning, against the peers and against the press.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

7. What progress the Government has made on integrating and improving care provided outside of hospitals.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Debate between Victoria Atkins and John Bercow

Tuesday 27th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Before the hon. Lady continues with her speech, I want to notify the House that I would like to secure a contribution from the hon. Member for Bootle (Peter Dowd), which will be brief, as I must leave time for the Minister. I therefore feel confident in expressing the hope that the hon. Lady is approaching her impressive peroration.

[Victoria Atkins]

I am grateful, Mr Speaker. This is a very quick point.

The concept of job quality is beguiling, but how on earth do we define it? I am conscious that I may be about to upset the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman). I am going to describe a real-life job. Someone in their early 20s worked six days a week, or seven on occasion, without a break and far beyond nine-to-five, earning so little that she did not pay income tax in her first year, with no pension, no sickness pay and no holiday pay. Some Members might think that the quality of that job was very poor, but the opinion of the person who had it was that it was a great stepping stone into a very fulfilling career. I can say that because it was my first job. The hon. Member for Bishop Auckland laughs. I do not for a moment recommend it as a first job; we must all find our own courses in life. Nevertheless, how on earth do we define the quality of a job? I fear that this new clause would be a lawyers’ paradise—and I know whereof I speak.