Ian Lavery

Ian Lavery

Labour — Blyth and Ashington

Speaking in the House of Commons on 6 January 2026

Debate

Poverty and Welfare Policies

Contribution

I thank my hon. Friend for his powerful contribution with regard to poverty. What concerns me greatly is families sitting around a table on a cold night—as cold as it is today—and not being able to put the heating on or to feed themselves. They are not bothered whether it is abject poverty or whatever type of poverty. I hope that one of the commitments my hon. Friend will ask the Minister for will be to get rid of the definitions and descriptors and to just say, “We want to get rid of poverty in the UK.”

More from Ian Lavery

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Ian Lavery's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Ian Lavery report card.