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Chris Bryant
Current MP
Chris Bryant
· 2001–present
6,895 speeches on record Last active 24 Feb 2026
LAB · Labour
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor24 Feb 2026
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Chris Bryant
Let me be clear from the outset: we support this motion. Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others—abuse that was enabled, aided and abetted by a very extensive group of arrogant, entitled and often very wealthy individuals in this country and…
Hansard · 24 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
Clause 1 - Limit on selective financial assistance for industry23 Feb 2026
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Chris Bryant
It is good to see you in the Chair, Mrs Cummins. I welcome all Members to this slightly unusual Committee. Normally, a Committee of the whole House is awfully contentious, with everybody shouting at one another, but it will not be so contentious this afternoon—certainly not as regards the main body of the Bill. I…
Hansard · 23 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
New Clause 3 - Impact of financial assistance limits (No. 2)23 Feb 2026
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. I thank all colleagues for their engagement on the Bill. As you will know, Madam Deputy Speaker, Voltaire said, “A small book is a great evil”, but this small Bill will do a great deal of good. It will ensure that the…
Hansard · 23 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
UK-India Free Trade Agreement9 Feb 2026
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That this House has considered the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. I will start by saying why this deal is so important. That may seem obvious, I suppose. We did £47.2 billion-worth of trade with India last year. That was up 15% year on year, and India is now our 10th-largest trading…
Hansard · 9 Feb 2026 · parliament.uk
Support for Pubs: Fylde29 Jan 2026
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Chris Bryant
From April, every pub and live music venue will get 15% off its new business rates bill, on top of the £4.3 billion of support announced in the Budget. Bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years. We have also raised the employment allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, meaning that…
Hansard · 29 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Trade with the EU29 Jan 2026
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Chris Bryant
Some 46% of the UK’s trade is with the EU, but we want to do far better, achieving trade with the EU that is as frictionless as possible. We are in the process of fine tuning the deal that we reached last year on food and drink, and negotiating on joining the single electricity market.…
Hansard · 29 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Encouraging Exports29 Jan 2026
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Chris Bryant
The UK is the fourth largest exporter in the world and the second largest in services, but we want to do even better, which is why we are pushing forward our new trade deals to cut barriers for UK businesses, strengthening UK Export Finance, providing tailored market advice and targeting resources so that businesses can…
Hansard · 29 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Arms Export Licences: Israel29 Jan 2026
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Chris Bryant
We regularly assess Israel’s compliance with, and commitment to, international humanitarian law. It was those assessments that led us in September 2024 to suspend licences where the items might be used in military operations in Gaza. Most of the licences suspended at that time have since expired, but we have continued to refuse licence applications…
Hansard · 29 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions29 Jan 2026
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Chris Bryant
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply, because he is in China with the Prime Minister. In the last few weeks, our Department has concluded an enhanced trade deal with the Republic of Korea, published a critical minerals strategy and secured the Employment Rights Act 2025, which will see the biggest improvement in…
Hansard · 29 Jan 2026 · parliament.uk
Parliamentary Debate15 Dec 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. We want businesses to grow, innovate, expand, invest, find new markets here and overseas, develop new products and new services, and bring them successfully to market. That often requires two forms of financial support from Government: grants and loans. That is why…
Hansard · 15 Dec 2025 · parliament.uk
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill15 Dec 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. We want businesses to grow, innovate, expand, invest, find new markets here and overseas, develop new products and new services, and bring them successfully to market. That often requires two forms of financial support from Government: grants and loans. That is why…
Hansard · 15 Dec 2025 · parliament.uk
Small and Medium-sized Businesses11 Dec 2025
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Chris Bryant
Without our small businesses, we as a country are nothing, which is why we have published the first small business strategy in 10 years. We are going to change the law to tackle late payment, unlock billions to support businesses to invest, and revitalise the British high street.
Hansard · 11 Dec 2025 · parliament.uk
Economic Growth11 Dec 2025
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Chris Bryant
We are championing investment across every nation and region. At the recent regional investment summit and Wales investment summit, we showcased the strengths of our world-leading sectors and secured billions in private investment and commitments. We are making the UK the best place to start, scale and invest, while cutting unnecessary regulation so that businesses…
Hansard · 11 Dec 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions11 Dec 2025
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Chris Bryant
I apologise on behalf of the Secretary of State, who is striking deals in the United States of America. In recent weeks, we have announced £2.5 billion of investment in the UK’s first small modular reactor site at Wylfa, launched a critical minerals strategy and done a deal with the US on pharmaceuticals. Mr Speaker,…
Hansard · 11 Dec 2025 · parliament.uk
Jaguar Land Rover Cyber-attack9 Sep 2025
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Chris Bryant
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I fully recognise the anxiety and deep concern that employees at Jaguar Land Rover and across the supply chain will be feeling. The Government and the National Cyber Security Centre will do everything in our power to help resolve this as soon as possible. We are engaging with JLR on a…
Hansard · 9 Sep 2025 · parliament.uk
Hospitality Sector3 Sep 2025
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Chris Bryant
If I might, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will start with an apology. As I told the shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the hon. Member for Droitwich and Evesham (Nigel Huddleston) , last night, I am not able to be here for the end of this debate—I do apologise.
Hansard · 3 Sep 2025 · parliament.uk
Music Streaming: Label-led Principles22 Jul 2025
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Chris Bryant
And now for something completely different. With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement about the Government’s progress with industry on the remuneration of artists in the music sector. Music is not just the food of love. It does not just set our hearts dancing and express our deepest desires. It does not…
Hansard · 22 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords]14 Jul 2025
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Chris Bryant
Well, this is a rum old affair, isn’t it? I think we can definitely put this down as one of the recondite moments of parliamentary democracy. A number of people have asked me today, “What on earth is all this about?” and then said, “What is an opposed private Bill?” or “What has the Chairman…
Hansard · 14 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Heritage Sector: Impact of Spending Review3 Jul 2025
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Chris Bryant
I want to pay tribute to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the way she conducted the spending review. In the words of Diana Ross, she reached out and touched our Department with £8.2 billion, meaning we can make this world a better place. For the heritage sector, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport…
Hansard · 3 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
British Musical Acts: International Promotion3 Jul 2025
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Chris Bryant
The new music growth package will invest up to £30 million to help emerging British artists access international markets with support for touring, showcasing and export promotion.
Hansard · 3 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions3 Jul 2025
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Chris Bryant
The hospice sector is not specifically my responsibility, but of course I value hospices. To go back to the earlier point about the state of the finances in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, this is the first Secretary of State who has managed to get £3 billion for investment in capital funding. That…
Hansard · 3 Jul 2025 · parliament.uk
High-speed Internet25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
The Secretary of State is in Singapore celebrating 60 years of diplomacy between our countries and drumming up investment, so I am afraid you have the deputies today, Mr Speaker. Access to high-speed internet is essential and we are determined to take everyone with us into the digital age. I am glad that 98% of…
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Rural Mobile Coverage25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
Rural mobile coverage just is not good enough, which is why we have committed all the money needed to complete the shared rural network, with new masts coming online every month. I can also announce that Ofcom’s new coverage checker will come online tomorrow, and I urge every single Member to check their constituency then.
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Artificial Intelligence: Legislative Proposals25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
As soon as we have legislative proposals on AI, we will introduce them to the House and let the right hon. Member know in the usual way.
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Science and Innovation Funding25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
The Chancellor has announced that the Government’s research and development spending plans go through to 2029-30 and that our R&D budget is rising from £13.9 billion in 2025-26 to £15.2 billion in 2029-30—a real-terms increase—and will total £58.5 billion over the spending review period. I am sure that that will benefit my hon. Friend’s York…
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Health Science and Innovation25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
From the development of vaccines to the discovery of the structure of DNA, British medical innovation has played a fundamental role in changing the lives of people globally and extending the UK’s global influence. Our industrial strategy and forthcoming life sciences sector plan will put the UK at the very centre of global efforts.
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Digital Inclusion: Southend East and Rochford25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
The digital inclusion action plan is one of things I am proudest of. Only this morning I launched the “IT reuse for good” charter. One thing that is really problematic for many families who do not have access to the internet is that they simply do not have a device. I urge every Member of…
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions25 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
The Department is determined to make the UK the best place in the world for science and technology. Last week, the spending review committed £86 billion to research and development, enabling every aspect of our tech economy to start firing on all cylinders. Building on that, we published the digital and technology sector plan as…
Hansard · 25 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Pride Month23 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
Not Secretary of State, Mr Deputy Speaker—well, I don’t think so.
Hansard · 23 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Before Clause 138 - Statement and bringing forward of a draft Bill: copyright infringement, AI models, and transparency over inputs10 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their amendment 49F and proposes, in lieu of the Lords Amendment, amendment (a) to Commons amendment 45, amendments (b), (c) and (d) to Commons amendment 46 and amendment (e) to the Bill. I fear it is an inevitable aspect of…
Hansard · 10 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
Before Clause 138 - Statement and bringing forward of a draft Bill: copyright infringement, AI models, and transparency over inputs3 Jun 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 49F. I am tempted to start with a quote from “Macbeth”— “When shall we three meet again?”— because I notice there is a similar cast to our previous debates, but let me start by dispelling some misconceptions. We are not, contrary to what some…
Hansard · 3 Jun 2025 · parliament.uk
UK Film Production22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
We support and incentivise film production in the UK through our range of audiovisual tax reliefs, through support for business rates relief, and through funding directly to the industry.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
UK-India Cultural Co-operation Agreement22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
The programme of cultural co-operation, which the Secretary of State signed earlier this month, creates significant opportunities for the UK’s cultural sectors to reach a market of over 1.4 billion people in India. We expect this agreement to create skilled jobs and opportunities for young people from Southall to Kolkata over the next five years.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
UK Artists Touring the EU22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
I was absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister’s EU-UK deal included a direct reference to the importance of touring artists and cultural exchange. I have already been in touch with my EU counterpart commissioner, and I intend to take the matter forward as soon as I can.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Creative Industries: Wales22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
Our primary support for the creative industries in Wales is through the tax reliefs available to video games, the audiovisual sector, theatre, museums and orchestras, and also through the screen industry’s research and development firm Clwstwr, which is based in the Cardiff region.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Creative Industries: Bedford22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
The most important thing we have done for Bedford is secure the Universal Studios theme park, which will be the biggest theme park in Europe and one of the biggest investments in the UK for many years.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
Since the last Question Time, we have closed the deal on a multibillion-pound investment in a new Universal Studios theme park, and the Secretary of State has signed a cultural co-operation agreement between the UK and India, which helped underpin the free trade agreement that we concluded this month. I have been working with colleagues…
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Before Clause 138 - Requirement to make provision in relation to transparency of copyrighted works used in relation to AI models22 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
The right hon. Member must have missed several of the debates in which I expressly said that I did not think there was any uncertainty about the law as it presently stands.
Hansard · 22 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Digital Landlines: Rural Communities14 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
One of the things that keeps me awake at night is how we ensure that people are protected—the most vulnerable and rural communities in particular—as we transition from the copper network to fibre. That is why I was glad that, in November last year, I was able to get all the network operators to sign…
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Broadband: Rural Communities14 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
Rural broadband coverage simply is not good enough.
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Digital Inclusion14 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
It is important that we have the right data on which places are missing out. That is why, as I have said before, I am desperate to ensure that, if people check Ofcom’s online announcements on coverage in their area, it matches their lived experience. I can announce that Ofcom will be radically changing its…
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions14 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There are older people, and others for that matter, who either have no online access or do not have a smartphone, who would not be able to access things in a digital world. That is why we introduced a digital inclusion plan, and that is one of the key…
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Clause 28 - DVS trust framework14 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That this House insists on Commons Amendment 32 to which the Lords have disagreed and disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 32B and 32C proposed to the words restored to the Bill by the Lords disagreement.
Hansard · 14 May 2025 · parliament.uk
United States Film Tariff7 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
As the House will be aware, President Trump announced on Sunday that he had authorised the Department of Commerce to initiate tariffs on all movies produced in foreign lands. He has made other comments since. This is a very fluid situation and we will continue to take a calm and steady approach. I spent most…
Hansard · 7 May 2025 · parliament.uk
New Clause 16 - Economic impact assessment7 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
Hansard · 7 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Neon Signage6 May 2025
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Chris Bryant
I am sure that you look forward to every response from a Government Minister, Madam Deputy Speaker. I note that my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South and Walkden (Yasmin Qureshi) ended her speech by saying, “Let us light the way for the future of British neon”. I am grateful to her for securing…
Hansard · 6 May 2025 · parliament.uk
Supporting Musicians3 Apr 2025
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Chris Bryant
I want every child to have a chance to learn how to play a musical instrument or take part in music, and I want every musician to be able to make a living out of their career. I am working on better support for small venues across the UK and better remuneration for legacy artists,…
Hansard · 3 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Promoting Coastal Britain3 Apr 2025
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Chris Bryant
Britain, as everybody will have noted, is an island nation, so our coastline is a vital part of what defines us as a visitor destination. I am really glad that the “Starring GREAT Britain” campaign, which we launched earlier this year, features many coastal areas, but we need to ensure that people get an opportunity…
Hansard · 3 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Tourism Outside Cities3 Apr 2025
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Chris Bryant
Not only are we an island economy, but I would argue that our towns and villages are just as important for our visitor economy as our great cities. I recently spent a pleasant weekend in Chipping Campden, and many international visitors were wandering up and down Broadway. The right hon. Gentleman has some extraordinarily beautiful…
Hansard · 3 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
National Insurance: Creative Industries3 Apr 2025
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Chris Bryant
As the right hon. Gentleman knows, a large proportion of the creative industries are constituted as small and medium-sized enterprises, and the vast majority of those are protected from the increase in national insurance contributions. Importantly, as many of them have said to me, they fully understand the need for greater expenditure on our public…
Hansard · 3 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions3 Apr 2025
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Chris Bryant
I would be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend. I know that a lot of work has gone in to try to get that back up, to get actors back on the stage and to get audiences back in. I hope that we can arrange a meeting as soon as possible.
Hansard · 3 Apr 2025 · parliament.uk
Mobile Coverage: Ofcom Reporting26 Mar 2025
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Chris Bryant
I am sure that every Member of the House would agree that Ofcom’s reporting of mobile coverage is rather over-optimistic and does not reflect people’s lived experience. I am absolutely determined to change that, and Ofcom is helping me to do so.
Hansard · 26 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Digital Inclusion26 Mar 2025
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Chris Bryant
If we are to be a successful digital nation, we have to take the whole nation with us. We were proud recently to publish our first digital inclusion action plan, the first for 10 years, because of precisely that: we want to take everybody with us.
Hansard · 26 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions26 Mar 2025
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Chris Bryant
This country is a creative content superpower, and we will do absolutely nothing to undermine that. We want to make sure that people are properly remunerated for their work and that AI companies have access to the high-quality data that they need to be able to deploy effectively in this country.
Hansard · 26 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill7 Mar 2025
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Chris Bryant
I just thought my hon. Friend might like know that I will not be making any of the arguments that he is arguing I should not argue.
Hansard · 7 Mar 2025 · parliament.uk
Television Industry: Wales27 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
I am glad to say that we have a thriving TV industry in Wales. We have not only our own broadcaster, S4C, but phenomenal studios, including Dragon Studios just outside my constituency, where “Willow” was produced with the magnificent Warwick Davis. And, above all, we have “Gavin and Stacey”. I know that it is completely…
Hansard · 27 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Electronic Travel Authorisations: Tourism27 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
We are absolutely determined to reach our goal of 50 million international visitors to the UK by 2030. I am very hopeful that the electronic travel authorisation system will be simpler and make it easier and safer for people to visit the UK in the coming years.
Hansard · 27 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Small Theatres and Performing Arts Venues27 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
We are absolutely committed to supporting small and large theatres across the UK. It is one reason why we have specifically announced capital funding, as the Secretary of State has said, of £85 million for theatre and other cultural infrastructure across the UK.
Hansard · 27 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions27 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
I would be absolutely delighted to come to St Kilda. I think there are quite a lot of Members who would quite like to send me to St Kilda for a very prolonged period. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”] It is nice to unite the House, isn’t it? You’re so cruel! My hon. Friend makes a…
Hansard · 27 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Parliamentary Debate12 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
I am a DSIT Minister today, but the debate felt remarkably like the creative industries debate a couple of weeks ago, when I was responding as the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism. I will get on to some of the points about AI and copyright later, so if anybody wants to intervene on…
Hansard · 12 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Innovation: Livingston12 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
We have already spent £4 million on projects in my hon. Friend’s constituency, including £88,000 on SilviBio Ltd. I am very proud of the fact that we have been able to commit, in 2025-26, to a record amount of money—£20.4 billion—for research and development.
Hansard · 12 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Animal Testing12 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
Our aim is to phase out animal testing as soon as is practicable. We have been working closely, and it was a manifesto commitment of ours. We have been meeting scientists and other Departments, because this area is not the sole responsibility of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. We intend to publish a…
Hansard · 12 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions12 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
My hon. Friend makes a good point. We need to look at that specifically at the Committee stage of the Data (Use and Access) Bill. Perhaps he will sit on the Bill Committee.
Hansard · 12 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords]12 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
I hope the hon. Lady recognises that one of the changes we have made to the Bill is to insist on there being meaningful human involvement. That was not in the previous version of the Bill. I think that that helps considerably with the issue of automated decision making.
Hansard · 12 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
AstraZeneca3 Feb 2025
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Chris Bryant
As the largest company listed on the London Stock Exchange, employing more than 10,000 people and investing about £2.5 billion every year in the UK, AstraZeneca is a close and valued partner to this Government and is critical to the UK’s thriving life sciences sector. We saw that in the covid-19 pandemic, when AstraZeneca partnered…
Hansard · 3 Feb 2025 · parliament.uk
Creative Industries27 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move, That this House has considered the creative industries. I have of course noted the point of order that was just raised, and I will pass on the comments and make sure that an answer is provided. I should declare an interest of my own in this debate. Two of my books…
Hansard · 27 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Short-term Lets: Regulation16 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
We aim to get up a statutory registration system for short-term lets very soon, not least because we want to make sure that local authorities have all the data that they need to assess local accommodation needs, and so that there is a level playing field for different kinds of accommodation.
Hansard · 16 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Small Music Venues16 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
We have Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music fund, and in addition, we are pushing the live events industry to introduce a voluntary levy on arena and gig events to support small music venues.
Hansard · 16 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions16 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
Yes, I congratulate the church. I know that lots of people are interested in the future of the fund. The best way of describing how the Department is approaching that is to quote a hymn: “God is working this purpose out, As year succeeds to year… Nearer and nearer draws the time, The time that…
Hansard · 16 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Live Events Ticketing: Resale and Pricing Practices13 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about ticketing in the live events sector. In the words of the musical “Hamilton”, there is nothing quite like being “in the room where it happens”. I would hazard a guess that every single one of us here can remember the first time…
Hansard · 13 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
AI: Copyright in the Creative Industries8 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
We are absolutely determined to make sure that copyright and intellectual property are protected, as they always have been in this country. Our consultation is designed to do two specific things: to make sure there is legal certainty for AI developers and creative industries alike, and to make sure there is more licensing of copyright…
Hansard · 8 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Gigabit Broadband: Rural Areas8 Jan 2025
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Chris Bryant
Only this week, we announced a £289 million contract that will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 131,000 difficult-to-reach premises across England and Wales. We are determined to make sure that in every part of the country, including in the hon. Member’s constituency, we reach all those places.
Hansard · 8 Jan 2025 · parliament.uk
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence18 Dec 2024
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Chris Bryant
And now for something completely different! With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement regarding our launch of a public consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence. The United Kingdom has a proud tradition of creativity and technical innovation. From our film and television sectors to video games, publishing, music, design and fashion, our…
Hansard · 18 Dec 2024 · parliament.uk
Tourism: Coastal Towns28 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
Tourism is vital to our coastal towns, and if we are to reach our target of 50 million international visitors to the UK by 2030, we will need to do far better at improving tourism numbers in our coastal towns.
Hansard · 28 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Listed Building Status: Community Groups28 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
Historic England assesses applications for listing. I want that process to be as simple as possible for community groups up and down the land, so they can steer a balance between preserving what is truly valuable and leaving communities with decaying, listed eyesores.
Hansard · 28 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions28 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
Copyright and the protection of artists’ moral and economic rights is an absolutely essential part of ensuring that they are properly remunerated for their creativity. We will do everything in our power to make sure that the copyright regime remains, is strong, and is strongly enforced.
Hansard · 28 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Shared Rural Network20 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
The Government and industry are working together to accelerate the shared rural network and deliver substantial improvements to outdoor 4G mobile coverage across the UK. In the past few months, the Government have activated 13 publicly funded masts across the UK, and there are now 27 Government-funded extended area service mast upgrades delivering 4G.
Hansard · 20 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Digital Connectivity: Rural Areas20 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
We are improving digital connectivity in rural areas by rolling out 30 Project Gigabit contracts, filling in gaps that are not being met commercially, predominantly in rural areas, and delivering better 4G mobile coverage and eliminating partial notspots through the shared rural network.
Hansard · 20 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Project Gigabit: Rural Areas20 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
Project Gigabit has always been designed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to premises that will not be met by the market, regardless of whether they are in urban or rural areas. Most premises deemed uncommercial by the market are in rural areas, but consistent evidence suggests that we will also need to intervene in some urban…
Hansard · 20 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
5G Roll-out20 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
Unfortunately, the UK’s roll-out of 5G has been far too slow. According to Opensignal, the UK ranks 22nd out of 25 European countries for 5G download speeds and availability after 14 years of Conservative rule. We are determined to change that, aiming to have higher-quality stand-alone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
Hansard · 20 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Project Gigabit20 Nov 2024
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Chris Bryant
More than 30 Project Gigabit contracts are currently in place, with a total value of almost £2 billion, and more are in the pipeline. In the past few months, the first premises have been connected as part of Project Gigabit contracts in areas including Norfolk, West Yorkshire and south Wiltshire, and the build has now…
Hansard · 20 Nov 2024 · parliament.uk
Visitor Levies17 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
Responsibility for tourism levies is devolved, but we want to watch what happens in Scotland and Wales with close interest. One of my main hopes is to increase the number of international visitors to the UK, and ensure more and more visitors come not only to London and the south-east, but travel across the whole…
Hansard · 17 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Creative Industries: Artificial Intelligence17 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
I have had many meetings with the creative industries, which have raised AI at every single one. I make it absolutely clear that human creativity deserves remuneration. Wherever we end up, the rights of artists, musicians, publishers and journalists need to be protected while we garner the significant benefits of artificial intelligence.
Hansard · 17 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Secondary Ticketing and Dynamic Pricing17 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
We want to put fans back at the heart of live events and we want to ensure that more of the revenues come to the creative industries. That is why we will be launching a consultation on the secondary ticket market soon —the piece of paper in front of me actually says “in the autumn”,…
Hansard · 17 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions17 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
I completely agree with what my hon. Friend was about to say.
Hansard · 17 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Telegraph Poles: Planning Permission17 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
As this is the first time that I have seen you in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I say how glad I am that you were elected? I voted for you, so there. [Laughter.] It is a secret ballot, so you can’t check. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Northfield (Laurence…
Hansard · 17 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Mobile Phone Reception: Bridgwater16 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
The most recent statistics, which are available for the old shape of the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, suggest that 97% of properties there have 4G connection. However, I am not sure that the statistics reflect the lived experience of most people in his constituency—or, I suspect, any other constituency in the land. That is not good…
Hansard · 16 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Project Gigabit: Chester South and Eddisbury16 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
As part of Project Gigabit, Freedom Fibre is delivering a contract to provide 15,000 homes and businesses across Cheshire, including in the hon. Lady’s constituency, with access to fast, reliable broadband. In addition, over 800 vouchers have been issued to connect premises in her constituency through the gigabit broadband voucher scheme.
Hansard · 16 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
UK Space Sector16 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
We have already debated some of these issues, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, and he is right to stress that the UK space sector is one of our most important areas of possible economic growth. We want to maximise our unique potential in this area, and I look forward to working with him and…
Hansard · 16 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions16 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
it seems—[Interruption.] It seems I have never been so popular! I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady, as she makes a serious point. We want every single part of this country to share in the digital future. We can do that only if we have the infrastructure that we need everywhere in the…
Hansard · 16 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Film Industry9 Oct 2024
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Chris Bryant
Take a step to the left. [Laughter.]
Hansard · 9 Oct 2024 · parliament.uk
Dynamic Ticket Pricing10 Sep 2024
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Chris Bryant
It is a particular delight to see you in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker; I have not had an opportunity to congratulate you on your election—hurrah! It is also a great delight to see the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage) and to congratulate her on her election. Not many Tories have been elected…
Hansard · 10 Sep 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions23 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I hope that it is in order for me to thank all the ministerial team for when they have been absolutely courteous to us and when we have been able to work together on matters. I particularly pay tribute to the Under-Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew) , who is…
Hansard · 23 May 2024 · parliament.uk
AI Seoul Summit23 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I am grateful to the Minister for advance sight of his statement. I hope this is in order, Mr Deputy Speaker, because I note that the Minister for Employment, the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds (Jo Churchill) is on the Front Bench, and that she is not standing at the general election. I know…
Hansard · 23 May 2024 · parliament.uk
NHS23 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
Dame Rosie, in the words of “South Pacific”, if we ain’t got dames, where would we be? In November 2021, Boris Johnson and the right hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Sir Sajid Javid) appointed me to co-chair a programme board to create a national strategy on acquired brain injury. This issue matters in every single one…
Hansard · 23 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme21 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
The thing is, this will all happen again unless we change the way we do our parliamentary politics, because Parliament failed, as did the whole of British politics. Of course, there are some notable exceptions. Frankly, I think of my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) as a…
Hansard · 21 May 2024 · parliament.uk
After Clause 308 - Secondary ticketing facilities21 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I beg to move manuscript amendment (a), leave out from “House” and insert “agrees with the Lords in their Amendment”. I confess that I am completely perplexed as to why the Government have adopted the attitude that they have taken today. The Bill could have gone through both Houses quite easily and have steamed ahead…
Hansard · 21 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Israel and Gaza20 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I rather agreed with the comments made about the ICC by the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the right hon. Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis) , but I would gently point out that I do not think there is a single Member of this House who supports the actions of…
Hansard · 20 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Ukraine20 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
My anxiety is that all the Minister’s figures about what the Russian economy is doing indicate that Russia has put the production of ammunition and matériel on a war footing, while everything I have heard from our western allies says that we have chosen not to do that. It feels as if we give bits…
Hansard · 20 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Ukraine and Georgia15 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I warned in 2014 that if we kept on feeding the crocodile, the danger was that we would be last on the menu. That is why it is so important that we get the next steps right over the next two years in making sure that Putin does not win in Ukraine. Two things still…
Hansard · 15 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Parc Prison13 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
We know that roughly two thirds of prisoners arriving on the secure estate have suffered a brain injury before they arrive in prison. That can lead to poor executive functioning, anxiety and depression—all problems that can be massively exacerbated by being in prison. I understand that the MOJ wants all prisoners to be screened for…
Hansard · 13 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Risk-based Exclusion13 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
Where this whole debate has gone completely wrong is by being obsessed with exclusion. It is actually about making a risk-based assessment of what needs to be done, in a certain set of circumstances, completely proportionate to the point and the severity of the crime being considered, to ensure that this place is safe. I…
Hansard · 13 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Business of the House9 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
Can we have a debate on ministerial transparency? As the Leader of the House knows, ordinary MPs have to register with the House any hospitality that they receive from other parties within 28 days and in considerable detail. However, under the scheme that she still favours, Ministers have an exemption and they do not have…
Hansard · 9 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Miners and Mining Communities9 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I feel a bit disturbed by the line that the hon. Member is going down. My local authority has tried to make bids in each of the different rounds. One time, we were told that we were not allowed to do so because we had received 5p in a previous round. Then we were told…
Hansard · 9 May 2024 · parliament.uk
NHS Waiting Times8 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
One of the problems that a lot of my constituents have raised with me is that when they do get a letter calling them for an appointment—including one for which they have been waiting for some time—that letter arrives after the appointment date, because the Royal Mail is now delivering such an appalling service. Is…
Hansard · 8 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Russia8 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I wholeheartedly support every word the Home Secretary has said today. He is right that Putin has been engaged now for at least 10 years—arguably longer—in a sustained, hostile and malign set of actions against the UK and our allies. On occasions where we have not been as overt in our opposition, I think he…
Hansard · 8 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Passport e-Gates Network Outage8 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
I commend the Minister for making the statement; it is good to see such transparency. Can he clarify how long it took from the moment the service went down to its restoration? Was it one, two, or three hours? What is the longest period that passengers had to wait? If it was not a cyber-attack…
Hansard · 8 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Parliamentary Trade Envoys2 May 2024
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Chris Bryant
What the travel costs of parliamentary trade envoys were in each of the last three years.
Hansard · 2 May 2024 · parliament.uk
Jimmy Lai30 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
I know that the Minister takes a close interest in this issue. Has she or any other Foreign Office Minister had an opportunity to raise this directly with the Chinese ambassador?
Hansard · 30 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Port Talbot Steelworks30 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
The Secretary of State casually discards 2,800 jobs and is so uninterested in the ongoing effect on the rest of the economy in south Wales that he has not even made an assessment of what the economic impact will be on the south Wales valleys more generally. Can he clear up for us precisely how…
Hansard · 30 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Clause 19 - Power to impose conduct requirements30 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
First, I pay tribute to my much-loved neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Alex Davies-Jones) , who led for Labour during the last round of proceedings on the Bill, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Seema Malhotra) , who led for us when the Bill was introduced. Might…
Hansard · 30 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
SEND Provision: Bournemouth29 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
How many children in schools in Bournemouth have relied on special educational needs and disability provision because they have had an acquired brain injury in the last five years? If the Minister does not know the answer—he might not know it today—will he be able to write to me? If his officials are not able…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Checks on Goods Entering UK29 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
What do the Government have against the £6.2 billion floristry industry in this country, which employs 240,000 people—seven times as many dentists as we have in this country? Many of them work in small family businesses on very small margins. Why did the Government do absolutely no impact assessment when they increased the costs for…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Health and Disability Reform29 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
I am grateful to the Minister for his swift response to my request earlier this afternoon for support for the people at Everest in Treherbert, who look likely to lose their jobs in the next few days. Depression and anxiety are real, are they not? It is not just a question of people pulling up…
Hansard · 29 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Ministerial Code25 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
What recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of compliance with the ministerial code.
Hansard · 25 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Topical Questions25 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
This is a very simple question to the Deputy Prime Minister: does the Foreign Secretary stand recused in any aspect of his job by virtue of his financial interests, either now or before he was appointed to his post—yes or no?
Hansard · 25 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Business of the House25 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
It is standard practice in schools, universities, the NHS, local government and Government Departments that if somebody is arrested for or charged with a sexual or violent crime, a risk assessment will be carried out, followed potentially, if necessary, by an exclusion or suspension from work, pending further investigations and, if necessary, a trial. The…
Hansard · 25 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Community Ownership Fund22 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
Mr Speaker, I know you know that there could not possibly be a better project to receive funding from the Government than the Rhondda tunnel, which would connect Blaencwm and Blaengwynfi—I am very happy to dangle all the Ministers down the hole and into the tunnel, if they ever want to come and see it.…
Hansard · 22 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Clause 1 - Introduction22 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
Will the right hon. and learned Member give way?
Hansard · 22 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill19 Apr 2024
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Chris Bryant
It is really a sort of point of order. I do not think it appropriate for anyone presenting a piece of legislation to claim the monarch’s support or otherwise. That is not what royal confirmation means.
Hansard · 19 Apr 2024 · parliament.uk
Chris Bryant — Hansard Social