Business of the House 2025-03-13

Lucy Powell responds to Jesse Norman's critique, acknowledging the difficult decisions taken by her Government due to economic challenges. She defends the increase in farming budget and new support schemes for farmers, criticising opposition claims as misinformation. Powell highlights legislative achievements of the current Government including boosting public services and reforming the state.

Eccles raises concerns about the effects of Primodos, a hormone-based pregnancy test from the 1960s and 70s linked to severe birth defects in children. She calls for a full debate on this issue or a public inquiry.

Discussed the importance of ensuring children have access to healthy and nutritious food. Highlighted that in government, her party introduced universal free school meals for infants. Proposed increasing the after-tax threshold for free school meals to £20,000 a year, expanding eligibility to 900,000 more children.

Called for a debate on improving accessibility at Luton station through the Government’s Great British Railways plan. Mentioned delays in Network Rail's Access for All programme which has led to frustration among disabled constituents.

Announced various upcoming debates on topics such as digital platforms' impact on democracy, access to sport and physical education, drugs prevention, and waste incinerators. Also highlighted the celebration of Purim and Holi.

Recognised the work of Amy Scullard in running a peer support group for parents with mental health issues. Highlighted the importance of perinatal mental health services.

Asked for an urgent statement on the Government's decision to permanently decommission shale gas facilities, raising concerns about potential future emergencies needing these resources.

Expressed concern over delays in DBS checks impacting job offers for public service roles. Requested a debate to address this issue and mentioned hardship escalation requests as a possible solution.

Requested an early debate on the ending of radio teleswitch, which is crucial for many people relying on electric heating. Mentioned previous debates in December and a roundtable meeting promising updates but no action yet.

Expressed concern over the reduced opening hours of the Consett Empire, a cultural centre crucial for local arts access and combating loneliness. Requested a debate to explore ways to ensure such venues thrive.

Expressed concern about the Department for Work and Pensions backlog of more than 30,000 pension credit claims. Cited assurances from the Minister in October that extra staff would be deployed but noted the continued presence of a significant backlog despite additional staffing.

Responded to concerns about the pension credit backlog, noting an 81% increase in claims and deployment of additional staff. Emphasised that successful applications would be backdated for applicants. Acknowledged challenges faced by Parkinson’s PIP assessors and committed to keeping Members updated on training and understanding necessary for these assessments.

Celebrated Holi and highlighted the issue of Parkinson's disease, requesting a debate on supporting people with Parkinson’s and other degenerative conditions due to inadequate support from PIP assessors. Commended Parkinson's UK for their work.

Expressed concern about the financial difficulties faced by Dundee University due to nearly £3 million of employer national insurance contributions, requesting a Treasury Minister statement on this issue and potential pause for establishments in serious financial difficulties.

Called attention to the Canal & River Trust’s management of 2,000 miles of waterway, including nearly 500 miles in the north-west. Highlighted confusion about ownership and funding difficulties faced by the trust and requested a debate on the importance of canals as part of our heritage.

Requested a statement from a Health Minister regarding the future of Porton Down facility in his constituency after its transition through multiple health-related agencies. Mentioned persistent applications for an Adjournment debate on this topic.

Celebrated Young Carers Action Day and congratulated a constituent, Danielle, for her poetry prize in the Show Racism the Red Card competition. Highlighted the importance of creative writing in breaking down barriers and challenging division.

Called for a debate on the impact of shipping on the UK economy, particularly focusing on his constituency's economic ties to this sector. Mentioned recent North Sea incidents during a meeting with the UK Chamber of Shipping.

Discussed challenges faced by constituents in obtaining necessary wheelchairs, advocating for NHS England to take an active role in ensuring adequate wheelchair services and resources are prioritised. Requested a debate on these challenges.

Raised concerns about delays in visa processing for a constituent, Jennifer, seeking indefinite leave to remain. Highlighted the financial and work-related uncertainties this has caused. Requested assistance from the Home Office to expedite the process.

Discussed local survey results regarding antisocial behaviour and off-road bikes in her constituency. Emphasised support for measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to tackle these issues, requesting a debate on ensuring police have necessary powers and resources.

Supports the funding for Huntingdon High Street resurfacing, encourages more steps towards regeneration. Requests time to debate high street regeneration.

Supports funding for Huntington High Street and praises BID teams. Promises support for future regeneration efforts. Acknowledges the role of pubs in community hubs like the Royal Oak in Wolverhampton West. Defends government action on Northern Ireland justice issues, suggesting reform is needed. Commits to robust parliamentary scrutiny of trade deals. Praises foster carers and raises concerns about fostering education. Supports ovarian cancer awareness initiatives. Urges the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to restart cross-party talks on social care. Encourages MP engagement with constituents regarding their role in Parliament. Promises a debate on the food and drink industry. Emphasises capital investment in school buildings.

Congratulates Royal Oak pub for community fundraising efforts, requests Leader of the House to visit and acknowledge its contribution to local communities.

Critiques current justice system in Northern Ireland as one-sided and demands a debate on historical truth and legacy issues from the Troubles era.

Asks for adequate time to discuss trade deals with Gulf Co-operation Council, Israel, India, etc., which have implications for UK economy, environment, and global trade.

Praises foster carers in his constituency, suggests fostering education inclusion in school curricula to reduce stigma around different family structures.

Urges for debate on ovarian cancer awareness and asks Leader of the House to attend an event next week.

Requests restarting cross-party talks on social care, criticises last-minute cancellation of such talks.

Engages with school pupils and raises questions about her role as an MP. Asks for a message to be sent to Welsh-medium schools during Your Vote Week.

Requests debate on UK's food and drink industry's value in exports and tourism, emphasising local employment and export benefits.

Highlights poor condition of school buildings in his constituency and calls for capital investment in schools, referencing the Building Schools for the Future programme by the previous Labour government.

Expresses concern over the Walshaw moor wind farm, which is a large development in protected peatland. Asks for a debate on the importance of raising local concerns about such developments and criticism towards Labour's removal of the moratorium.

Defends Labour's lifting of the moratorium on wind farm developments, highlighting their importance for energy security, jobs, and lower bills. Announces the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ensure incentives for those affected by new infrastructure.

Raises the issue of mental health support for children with autism in his constituency, urging a debate on improving such services specifically for young people under 18.

Discusses the community equipment services sector and its importance in aiding individuals to live independently outside hospital. Requests a debate on the impact of rising national insurance contributions on this sector.

Praises his vote for the Employment Rights Bill which bans fire and rehire tactics, but criticises Devon County Council's use of these tactics. Asks for a debate to address this issue.

Raises opposition among residents in the Scottish Borders to plans by ScottishPower Energy Networks to build pylons through their area. Requests the Leader of the House to engage with Ofgem on this matter.

Discusses barriers faced by children on the Isle of Sheppey in accessing secondary school places due to distance from mainland. Asks for a debate on the allocation system for these schools.

Requests a debate on nuclear energy developments at Wylfa, questioning whether this Government remain committed to such projects despite changes in national policy statements.

Announces efforts to reconnect his communities through a proposed super-loop bus service. Congratulates Hornsby Travel for its 110th anniversary and seeks support in ensuring transport links for constituents.

Raises concerns about social housing repair funding falling below inflation levels, requesting a debate on how to protect tenants while addressing the social housing crisis.

Congratulates Union Yard in Aldershot for opening and asks for support to facilitate more retail opportunities for local creative businesses. Requests a debate on this issue.

Raises the case of Zoe, who has had difficulty obtaining diagnoses and treatment for POTS due to lack of national guidelines or clinical pathways. Asks for a debate to discuss creating such guidelines.

Concerned about NHS POTS services in Scotland under Scottish Government.

Expresses concern over human rights violations against Kabyle Berber minority in Algeria, including arbitrary arrests and restrictions on religious freedom. Urges the Foreign Secretary to make a statement on this matter urgently.

Reassures Jim Shannon that British ambassador regularly raises concerns with Algerian counterparts.

Pays tribute to Madge Tillsley MBE, a trailblazing councillor and first black mayor in Worcestershire. Requests Leader of the House to send condolences to her family.

Supports Chris Bloore's tribute and sends condolences to Madge Tillsley’s family.

Thankful for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland resilience forum exercise 'Operation Mercury' testing emergency response. Requests Leader of the House to join in thanking local emergency services.

Fully supports Amanda Hack's appreciation towards the work done by emergency services.

Concerned about methanol poisoning deaths in Laos and requests a debate on increasing awareness of risks associated with methanol poisoning.

Acknowledges the tragic case, updates travel advice, and continues to press for investigation to prevent future incidents. Sends best wishes to Simone’s family.

Concerned about potential closure of Cumbernauld theatre due to funding cut by Creative Scotland, requests debate on the importance of local theatres in cultural access.

Supports Katrina Murray's position but points out that the matter is devolved and requires action from Scottish Government.

Pays tribute to Almanaar Muslim cultural centre for its pivotal role after Grenfell and during the pandemic, wishing all Muslims a blessed Ramadan.

Joins Joe Powell in paying tribute to Almanaar Muslim cultural centre's work post-Grenfell tragedy and wishes all Muslims a blessed Ramadan.