Margaret Ferrier: I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make my maiden speech and to take part in this important debate. I congratulate the hon. Member for South Leicestershire (Alberto Costa) on his interesting maiden speech, and I am sure he will work hard for his constituents over the next five years. I also congratulate my hon. Friends on their wonderful maiden speeches. I am...
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit recipients have been sanctioned in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in the last 12 months.
Margaret Ferrier: I congratulate the Secretary of State on his position. Everyone across the Chamber will agree that it is vital to enforce the minimum wage, but does the Secretary of State agree that we need to go further to deliver a fair wage for thousands of our fellow citizens? Will he now confirm the answer he failed to give to my hon. Friend the Member for Moray (Angus Robertson): when will his...
Margaret Ferrier: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak today and I thank the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) for tabling this important debate on what I consider to be a principal concern in relation to one of the most important global issues facing us. The amount of food wasted each year worldwide is staggering: about one third of all food—approximately 1.3 billion tonnes—is...
Margaret Ferrier: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the practice of voided travel insurance policies as a result of alcohol consumption; and if he will make a statement.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that holidaymakers are treated fairly and equitably when they claim on the travel insurance policies they may take out.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government has taken to notify holidaymakers about the importance of taking out travel insurance when travelling abroad on holiday.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to raise awareness among people travelling within European Economic Area countries in order to ensure all such travellers hold an EHIC card.
Margaret Ferrier: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland on the effect of firefighters pension scheme reforms in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Margaret Ferrier: Surely the UK Government should withdraw this appalling threat to Scotland’s funding and allow the Scottish Government to manage their own public sector pensions within the agreed funding settlement framework.
Margaret Ferrier: The Leader of the House states that today he is answering the West Lothian question and recognising the voice of England in our great Union of nations. There are 56 SNP MPs who have been given a strong mandate to speak up for Scotland. When will the voices of the people of Scotland be not only recognised but heard? All the powers we seek are given to us without any vetoes attached. We have...
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on Firefighters' Pension Scheme reforms.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has made to the Department for Communities and Local Government on the effect of Firefighters' Pension Scheme reforms in Scotland.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will discuss levels of food bank use in Scotland with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in order to assess the potential link between reductions in welfare provision and food bank usage.
Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on changing the benefit sanctions regime in Scotland.