Business of the House 2025-01-30

Expressed concern over negative impacts of the Chancellor’s Budget, including a staggering drop in employment and job vacancies. Urges the Leader of the House to seek a U-turn on policies that cause economic pain.

Responded by acknowledging concerns raised and reminding her of positive statistics such as reduced inflation, wage growth, job creation, and business investment. Announced upcoming bills and initiatives, including the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, and plans for economic development.

Honoured local figures in her constituency and suggested a debate on music as a unifier and community cohesion. Congratulated Liz Mitchell of Boney M for their contributions to the reggae capital of Europe, Brent.

Echoed words about tragedy in Washington DC and expressed condolences to victims and families.

She expressed concern about the decision to eliminate all PCSOs in Essex due to budget cuts. She emphasised that local communities rely on these officers for reassuring presence and deterring crime.

The hon. Member acknowledged concerns raised by constituents regarding bobbies on the beat, expressing support for strengthening neighbourhood policing through additional funding and recruitment of 13,000 PCSOs nationwide. She stated that local decisions are a matter for local police but assured that the Government is committed to reversing years of cuts.

The hon. Member discussed the strategic importance of good transport infrastructure in supporting economic growth and prosperity, highlighting a successful business event in his constituency facilitated by improved local transport links.

Today, Lord Ericht has ruled that the consent for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields was granted unlawfully by the previous Government because they had failed to properly account for the effect on the climate of burning the fossil fuels that would be extracted. Can we have a debate on the future of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields and on the UK joining the countries that formed the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance?

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has told me that, aside from funding, motor neurone disease research needs a better regulatory framework to encourage investment into this country and to make it easier for UK citizens to take part in overseas trials. That research benefits not only the one in 300 who will develop MND but those who develop other neurodegenerative conditions, such as the many forms of dementia. Will the Leader of the House ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to make a statement to the House on that issue?

Constituents in the village of Killamarsh in my constituency, a community of just over 9,000 people, do not now have any access to cash—not even an ATM—in the village. Will the Minister grant a debate on access to cash in semi-rural communities and make sure that my constituents’ voices are heard?

A rail freight interchange is being proposed near Hinckley and Burbage in my constituency. Before Christmas, the Planning Inspectorate passed its judgment on it and the then Transport Secretary said she was “minded to refuse” the application. However, in an unprecedented decision, the Department extended the call for further information, which closes in a couple of weeks’ time. After yesterday’s speech from the Chancellor, there is growing concern among my community that the project might be greenlighted. In light of that, while I know that the Leader of the House cannot comment specifically on that case, will she write to the new Transport Secretary to make sure that all protocols are followed as they are written? May we have a debate in Government time on having a joined-up national strategy on rail freight interchanges and where they are placed?

Yesterday, it was reported that a former constituent of Kensington and Bayswater, Roman Abramovich, owes up to £1 billion in UK tax—potentially a bigger case than even Bernie Ecclestone. Does my right hon. Friend share the country’s anger at people such as Roman Abramovich using complex corporate structures and British overseas territories to dodge tax while others pay their fair share, and will she ensure that time is made to scrutinise whether His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has all the resources it needs to pursue the case and recover as much money as possible for the Treasury?

This week, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation forecasted child poverty levels across England and Wales for the next five years. The results are stark: child poverty rates are forecast to increase in both Labour-run Wales and Labour-run England. However, there is hope and a way forward. Child poverty rates in Scotland, which are already estimated to be the lowest in the UK, are set to drop further, with the SNP Scottish Government’s Scottish child payment recognised as a driving force in that reduction. Can we have an urgent statement from the UK Government on extending the Scottish Government’s approach to child poverty, including the Scottish child payment, to the rest of these islands to ensure that a reduction in child poverty is not confined solely to Scotland?

Rochdale Get Together After Serving is opening a brand-new military veterans and community hub at R-KIX sports centre this Saturday. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking all the local businesses and charities that donated computers, carpets and even new windows for this new hub, which will support job searches and provide skills help? Will she congratulate in particular Royal Navy veteran Adam Trennery on his excellent initiative, which will help all veterans in Rochdale?

Could the Leader of the House bring forward a statement on smart metres and their roll-out? She may be aware that there was a geographic divide in the United Kingdom in the original roll-out, whereby properties essentially north of the M62 were supplied with data by something called the radio teleswitch service. The service is due to be switched off in June, but over 165,000 properties in Scotland still rely on it, of which 3,745 are in my Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency. It appears that the roll-out of the new metres will not be able to meet the timescale of the switch-off, and it is important that we hear the response from Ministers to that.

My constituent Clare Rogers came to my surgery after she lost her son to a ketamine addiction. Clare told me of the severe pain and neurological damage he suffered. A crisis of ketamine usage among our young people has become apparent, and we must look to mental health and addiction services because they are ultimately the ones that will treat addiction, prevent relapses and give people a chance to turn their lives around. Will the Leader of the House provide time for Members to discuss this issue, which goes across the Home Office, the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care, so that our young people understand the harms of ketamine usage and so that we can put this issue to bed?

I ask this question of the Leader of the House on behalf of my constituents and neighbouring constituents from Cheadle, because their MP is on paternity leave following the birth of beautiful baby Poppy last week. Stepping Hill hospital in Hazel Grove has a reported repairs backlog of £130 million, yet it does not qualify for the new hospital programme. Will the Leader of the House encourage Health Ministers to come to the House to update us with a statement on what the plans are to repair those hospitals that do not qualify for the new hospital programme?

Welcomes the Government’s commitment to a strong new right to buy and maintain community assets. Raises concerns about Stone parish council's attempt to purchase a pub freehold and seeks debate time on protecting vital community assets.

Congratulates Jim Dickson for his work on the lower Thames crossing. Welcomes measures in the devolution White Paper around community ownership and right to buy. Acknowledges difficulties in purchasing community assets but promises to explore further support.

Questions the Secretary of State for Health's claim about recruiting extra GPs, asking for specific figures on progress made by the Government.

Acknowledges the need to recruit more GPs due to the poor state of NHS workforce planning. Promises regular updates from Health Ministers and Department of Health and Social Care regarding GP recruitment numbers.

Asks for a debate on Scotland’s sewage crisis, highlighting the lack of monitoring compared to England despite UK Government steps being taken.

Agrees that sewage flowing into Scottish waters is unacceptable and highlights the need for action from the Scottish Government as water is devolved. Mentions legislation introduced by the UK Government on this matter.

Requests a debate to add crane operators to the skilled workers eligible occupations list, highlighting King Lifting Ltd's difficulties in employing necessary staff due to immigration policies.

Acknowledges skills as crucial for future job creation and clean energy initiatives. Promises to review the issue raised by Tessa Munt regarding crane operators' eligibility for UK immigration lists.

Congratulates Greenhill primary school on its excellent work, as recognised in recent Ofsted reports. Seeks a debate to support solar energy programmes in schools.

Joins Mark Sewards in congratulating the school and acknowledges efforts by other schools to implement Solar for Schools programme. Promises to update Secretary of State for Energy Security on this matter.

Raises concern over new laws in Kyrgyzstan that impose stricter regulations on religious practices and freedoms, requesting condemnation from the Leader of the House and further discussion with Foreign Office colleagues.

Promises to raise concerns about the breach of freedom of religious belief in Kyrgyzstan with the Foreign Office and ensure a full reply is provided.

Highlights the importance of support for municipally run galleries and creative entrepreneurship. Requests Government time to discuss this matter further.

Commits to supporting municipally run galleries, emphasising their role in making communities vibrant places to live and work.

Raises concerns about the ferry service from Ardrossan to Brodick due to reduced sailings. Seeks a debate on the need for clearer ferry schedules and operations.

Acknowledges Irene Campbell's campaigning efforts, criticises SNP Government for their management of ferry services and budget allocation, promising further support in addressing the issue.

Requests a debate on the importance of preserving local heritage centres such as Kinneil Museum, which is threatened with closure despite its UNESCO world heritage status.

Acknowledges the concerning nature of potential museum closures at UNESCO sites and suggests that this topic would make an excellent debate subject.

He raised concerns about the closure of a WHSmith store in Stockton, which put at risk their town centre post office. He requested that his right hon. Friend consider a debate in Government time on this issue.

She brought attention to the concerns of year 5 pupils from St Thomas Becket Catholic primary school about deforestation and child labour, urging for a statement on the Government's £239 million pledge towards halting and reversing deforestation.

He expressed concern over the closure of Bank of Scotland’s Alexandria branch in his constituency, highlighting the need for banking hubs to ensure access to cash and face-to-face banking services for vulnerable communities.

He discussed the devastating cuts to youth services since 2010 and called for adequate and equitable funding for these services, noting that spending in Stoke-on-Trent is less than half of what it was in London.

He welcomed new funding announced for West Yorkshire’s creative industries sector plan which would benefit towns such as Holmfirth, and requested a debate on further support for local creative venues.

He highlighted the need to raise awareness of high-quality apprenticeship opportunities in schools after meeting a constituent taking up a degree apprenticeship with Nuclear Transport Solutions, advocating for more support through careers advice.

He welcomed investment in Wrexham and Flintshire’s investment zone but emphasised the need to reduce red tape that has hindered business growth post-Brexit under the previous Government.

She asked for a meeting between relevant Ministers to discuss extending baby loss certificates from England to Wales, providing recognition and comfort to bereaved families.

She raised the closure of banks in her constituency and requested a debate on banking hubs to maintain services on high streets.