Exiting EU Committee Armagh Session

07 Dec 2017

I spent a fascinating day in Northern Ireland with the Committee for Exiting the European Union. The border issue is about so much more than trade. It is about identity, community and peace. In the committee session I asked Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris, PSNI and Simon York, Director, HMRC…

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City Of Culture 2021: Swansea

06 Dec 2017

MPs showed their support for Swansea’s City Of Culture 2021 bid during a debate in Westminster Hall. I took part in the debate and spoke about how Swansea winning the bid would have a positive impact on the whole Swansea Bay area. Stephen Kinnock: The hon. Gentleman is making a…

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Effect of Israeli Demolitions On Palestinian Communities And The Peace Process

06 Dec 2017

I secured a Westminster Hall debate on the effect of Israeli demolitions on Palestinian communities and the peace process. You can read my speech below. Stephen Kinnock: I beg to move, That this House has considered the effect of Israeli demolitions on Palestinian communities. It is a pleasure to serve…

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Brexit Impact Assessment Papers

06 Dec 2017

The Permanent Secretary for the Department for Exiting the EU, Philip Rycroft, appeared before the Committee for Exiting the EU and I asked him about the Brexit impact assessment papers. Stephen Kinnock: Thank you very much, Mr Rycroft, for coming to see us today. I am just interested in the…

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Public Sector Pay

05 Dec 2017

In a packed Westminster Hall MPs called on the Government to scrap the 1% cap on public sector workers and for public sector workers to be paid properly for the hard work they do. I attended the debate and raised the contribution the Council workforce have made to help meet…

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Aberavon Has Certainly Been A Victim Of This Arbitrary And Poorly Designed Gerrymander

01 Dec 2017

My colleague Afzal Khan’s Constituency Boundary Bill was debated in the House. It sought to keep the number of MPs at 650 and allows a 7.5% variation in electorate of any constituency instead of the current 5% variation. I spoke in the debate in favour of the Bill and about…

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Brexit Minister Should Withdraw Remark And Apologise For Misleading Comments

28 Nov 2017

Today Labour dragged the Government to the Commons to answer Urgent Questions on why they had only released redacted copies of the Brexit impact reports. The reports need to be published in their entirety, as Parliament’s motion instructed that they should be. During Urgent Questions I called on the Brexit Minister…

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Effect Of Loneliness On Local Communities

16 Nov 2017

My colleague Rachel Reeves MP secured a debate on the effect of loneliness on local communities. In the debate I spoke about the power of the Great Get Together and the incredible way it brought communities together, helping to tackle loneliness and uniting communities. Stephen Kinnock: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend…

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We Need To Ensure We Anchor The Rights Of Our Workforce In The Bill

16 Nov 2017

I spoke in the debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill about the need to amend the Bill to enshrine workplace rights and give Parliament say on EEA membership. EEA and EFTA would give unfettered single market access, opportunity to reform free movement, no European Court of Justice jurisdiction & ability…

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Can The Government Confirm Once And For All That The Transition Deal Is On The Basis Of ECJ Jurisdiction?

15 Nov 2017

As the EU Withdrawal Bill made its way through Parliament I intervened in the debate to call on the Government to confirm, once and for all, that the transition deal is on the basis of the European Court of Justice jurisdiction. Stephen Kinnock: The hon. Gentleman rightly points out that a…

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Brexit Secretary And His Party Still Don’t Seem To Realise What A Transition Deal Will Actually Mean

14 Nov 2017

On the day that the Brexit Secretary announced that Parliament would have a meaningful vote on Brexit, I questioned him on whether he and his Party realise what a transition deal will actually mean. Stephen Kinnock: I am sure that the Secretary of State will wish to join me in congratulating…

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EEA Brexit Is Only Way To Reunite Britain

07 Nov 2017

I secured a Backbench Business Debate in the House of Commons on British membership of the European Economic Area (EEA). In the debate I argued that an EEA-based Brexit is the one Brexit that could reunite our divided country: it is a Brexit that provides the basis for avoiding a…

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Government Need Proper Contingency Measures To Defend Steel Industry From Harm

07 Nov 2017

Today in the House I asked the Government what they are doing to defend the steel industry from harm following changes to the EU Emissions Trading System Register. Without UK government action the steel industry could face millions of pounds of additional costs. Stephen Kinnock: Imminent changes to the operation…

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Islamophobia Awareness Month Speech

03 Nov 2017

My speech at the Islamophobia Awareness Month launch: Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to Parliament for this event to mark the launch of Islamophobia Awareness Month. I’d like to thank Sufyan for all his hard work and dedication in making this evening possible, and to congratulate…

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Exiting The EU Sectoral Impact Assessments

02 Nov 2017

A motion was put to the House calling for the Government to release the Brexit sectoral impact assessments. I spoke in favour of the motion, as without this information it is impossible for Parliament to do its job: hold the Government to account. You can read my contribution below. I…

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The British People Deserve An Electoral System In Which Every Vote Counts

31 Oct 2017

The petitions committee granted a debate in Westminster Hall for the proportional representation petition. I took part in that debate and advocated that we need a change in our voting system to one where every vote counts. You can read my contribution below. It is a pleasure to serve under…

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Written Questions On Personal Independence Payments

31 Oct 2017

My questions to the Department of Work and Pensions on the Personal Independence Payments. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has any plans to review the personal independence payments assessment criteria. Penny Mordaunt: There are no current plans to review the Personal Independence Payment assessment criteria. To…

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Covenant Is Final Nail In Coffin For Prison Proposals

31 Oct 2017

I again attended questions to the Ministry of Justice to raise concerns over plans to build a prison on the Baglan Industrial Estate. On this occasion I asked him about the covenant on the land that states it should not be used ‘other than as an industrial park’ and calling…

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How Is It Possible To Have A Meaningful Vote On Something That Has Already Taken Place

26 Oct 2017

During Prime Minister’s questions I asked the Prime Minister about the meaningful vote the Government promised on the Brexit deal. The Prime Minister failed to explain how that is possible if, as David Davis say, the vote will come after Brexit has happened. You can read the exchange below. Stephen…

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Committee For Exiting The European Union Questions David Davis

26 Oct 2017

The Committee for Exiting the European Union were given the chance to question David Davis MP, the Minister for Exiting the EU. I took the opportunity to ask him about a transition arrangement and the potential of a no deal scenario. You can read the exchange below. Stephen Kinnock: In…

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Big Ben Renovation Is Fast Becoming A Symbol Of This Government’s Indifferent And Incompetent Approach To Our Steel Industry

22 Oct 2017

I questioned the House of Commons Commission about the steel used in the renovation of Big Ben. Big Ben is seen as symbol of our country around the world, but its renovation is fast becoming a symbol of this government’s indifferent and incompetent approach to our steel industry. British steelworkers…

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