Business of the House 2025-12-18

He expressed condolences for the Bondi Beach attack and criticised the Labour Government's failure to meet its promises. He highlighted issues such as rising taxes on working people, a cost of living crisis made in Downing Street, NHS waiting lists continuing to rise, social care delays, energy bills increases, homebuilding delays, police cuts, and called on the government to be honest about funding, transparent about cuts, show backbone, and keep their promises.

Responded by expressing condolences for the Bondi Beach attack, reflecting on achievements over the past year such as homelessness strategy, banning no-fault evictions, new protections for renters, planning reform to build new homes, cost of living support, warm homes plan, child poverty reduction strategy, recruiting more teachers, school funding increases, NHS rebuilding plans, backing local authority workers, postal and shop workers, police and emergency services. Addressed concerns about parliamentary questions by acknowledging the system's challenges.

I agree with my hon. Friend that the callous words of the council appear to be completely nonsensical and, in some cases, outright dangerous. The Government take the matters that he raises very seriously, including questions about road safety, which he has raised in the past. That is why we are backing local authorities with increased resources, but I urge Reform-led Lancashire county council to take these matters more seriously.

May I associate myself with the comments made by the Leader of the House about the victims of the Bondi Beach attack? Antisemitism has no place in our society and I am glad that the House is united against hate. The Government have been engaging in another Christmas tradition this week: rushing out lots of statements in the final week before recess. We had the statement on local government finance yesterday, and it seemed that many Labour Back Benchers seemed to have had access to the figures for each local authority in advance, in a way that we had not.

I took the opportunity a little earlier to wish you a merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. May I echo your thanks to all the House staff for everything they do all year round to guide us and keep us safe? I recently visited St James Carlisle Guides and Brownies. Next year marks 70 years of the Queen’s Guide award. Will the Leader of the House consider how we might best celebrate and thank generations of Guide leaders?

Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in Falkirk, whether it be the Denny Boys getting everybody into the mood last month with their Ring doorbell edition of “Last Christmas”, the school Christmas fairs—or the very successful inaugural Falkirk festival of trees, which took place last weekend and the weekend before.

Questions the Leader of the House about the restoration and renewal of the Houses of Parliament, citing an estimate that up to £800 million may already have been spent without significant progress. Calls for urgent decision-making and clear leadership.

Concerns about Tory-controlled Norfolk county council attempting to close down a special educational needs and disabilities specialist caseworker role supported by 150 families. Acknowledges investment of £12 billion in SEND but criticises the council's approach.

Recognises Sandown Park racecourse's importance, celebrating its 150th anniversary, and requests Government time to recognise long-established local venues like Sandown Park racecourse for their contributions.

Expresses concerns about postal delays affecting constituents and calls on Ofcom to ensure Royal Mail meets its universal service obligation. Asks the Leader of the House for a Government statement.

Raises a case involving animal cruelty and domestic abuse, advocating for a national register of animal cruelty to support victims of domestic violence. Requests support from the Leader of the House in this campaign.

Celebrates Ava’s win in the constituency Christmas card competition, congratulating her school and expressing hope for a peaceful but merry Christmas to all involved in local education.

Complains about unjustified parking tickets issued by ParkMaven at Boscomoor retail centre and Quinton Court shopping centre. Requests a statement from the Government to address this issue.

Raises concerns about playgrounds lacking age-appropriate equipment and proper access for disabled children, leading to antisocial behaviour. Asks for time to discuss how councils can access the £18 million announced in the Budget for refurbishing playgrounds.

Highlights the closure of the Sycamore Tree project, a restorative justice scheme with 50 years of work. Requests a statement or debate on the role of Christian charities in delivering such programmes and expresses hope that funding will be reinstated.

No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

Endorses comments about public sector workers but criticises Yorkshire Water's management for pollution, price hikes, and poor service. Asks for a debate on high pay in corporate Britain.

Responds to criticism of water industry by mentioning government measures to improve it, including looking at the role of the water ombudsman and protecting customers from poor practices.

Wishes everyone a happy holiday season and raises concern about job losses in Aberdeen's oil and gas industry, asking for a better way to measure unemployment beyond just benefit claims.

Agrees to draw Kirsty Blackman's concerns to the attention of relevant Ministers.

Welcomes the festive season and mentions a constituent on hunger strike, asking for improved communication channels with the Ministry of Justice and a debate on supporting families in such situations.

Confirms that welfare of prisoners and their families is important to the Government and will respond through correspondence when necessary.

Wishes everyone a merry Christmas and raises concern about uncompleted housing developments leaving residents in limbo, asking for a debate on holding developers accountable.

Invites Aphra Brandreth to seek a debate next year on these matters, noting the Government’s clarity regarding difficulties of unadopted roads and proposals to hold developers accountable.

Wishes everyone a merry Christmas and pays tribute to Liz Buchanan for her 15 years of service in running Cumbernauld Seniors Club.

Joins Katrina Murray in paying tribute to Liz Buchanan, emphasising the importance of volunteers in communities.

Raises challenges with the child maintenance system and the lack of Government debates on it. Suggests a debate to discuss improvements for better family support at Christmas time.

Agrees to give Wendy Chamberlain's request due consideration, raising concerns directly with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Wishes everyone a merry Christmas and raises concern about British Sikh national Jagtar Singh Johal who has been arbitrarily detained in India since 2017. Asks for the Prime Minister's and Foreign Secretary's involvement.

Praises Dhesi for raising this issue, confirming that the case has been raised directly with Indian PM Modi and that support continues to be offered by the Foreign Office.

Wishes Leo, a leukaemia patient in his constituency, a very merry Christmas as he has found a donor after 700 people came forward. Asks for a statement on funding for leukaemia research and development.

Wishes Leo well, thanking those who sign up to donate. Offers to arrange a debate in the new year focusing on funding for leukaemia research.

Welcomes everyone to Christmas and expresses concern about dismissals at Rockstar Games where employees were sacked after organising. Asks for a debate on the video games tax relief scheme.

Agrees to draw Gilbert's concerns regarding dismissals to the attention of Ministers and offer her meeting with them if she seeks it.

My constituent, a senior NHS nurse and single mother of three, faces severe hardship because her ex-partner deliberately withholds financial support. She is solely responsible for her children’s care, yet the Child Maintenance Service has rejected her claim and failed to enforce the payment of arrears. With no payments coming in, she is forced to rely on food banks and to borrow from family just to get by this Christmas.

I have in my hand the tickets that my late father and I had for the 1966 world cup final. The price was £1 and five shillings, which I am sure the Leader of the House would acknowledge is better value than the ridiculous FIFA prices.

This weekend, Bingley’s Myrtle Park will host the closing event of Bradford 2025. There have been thousands across the whole district throughout the year, with audiences in the millions since the opening ceremony.

I have the honour to represent one of the largest rural constituencies in the United Kingdom, where the ability to drive is essential for many. There are long delays for driving tests and significant delays for people with medical conditions who are applying to renew their driving licence.

Few of us can imagine the extraordinary difficulty of studying for university exams in a war zone. I commend the Government for setting up the scholarship scheme for students from Gaza who won places at UK universities, but it is due to end on 31 December.

Hundreds of my constituents have raised their concerns about continued unacceptable delays in mail delivery. There has been partial or no delivery of mail, particularly in the Worth valley area, for months.

My constituent Sam is a fibre engineer with glycogen storage disease type Ia. Despite his GP and hospital consultant telling him that he should have a blood monitor to check his blood sugar levels, Coventry and Warwickshire integrated care board has refused to fund it.

My constituents in Romford are increasingly afraid to walk through the town centre; reports of violent crime and street robbery are becoming a regular occurrence. Despite paying a huge precept, we do not get the police we pay for.

A merry Christmas to everyone who works in the House.

Welcomed the Christmas season, congratulated Wokingham in Need charity for receiving the King's award for voluntary service, highlighted their support for homeless people and vulnerable individuals.

Highlighted the work of NOAH charity in Luton providing essential services to those who are homeless or rough-sleeping, thanked volunteers and charities for their support during the festive period.

Discussed a constituent's case regarding a child with brain tumour whose care is spread across multiple hospitals leading to delays in communication, called for a debate on ensuring joined-up care in the NHS.

Discussed antisemitism following the Hanukkah murder case, requested Government time for a debate on addressing antisemitism in the UK, highlighted security issues around synagogues.

Celebrated the Hopkins Brothers Tractor Run set up to raise funds for mental health charity Mind following a tragic loss, thanked farmers for their contribution and encouraged community support.

Thanked NHS staff for their care during the flu outbreak, particularly highlighting the dedication of West Midlands ambulance service and Walsall Manor hospital.

Discussed concerns over children's mental health in relation to chatbots and social media, requested a Government debate on regulating chatbots for mental health advice.

Celebrated the support provided by the Premier League to non-league clubs like Ingles FC, thanked volunteers and the Premier League for their contributions.

Critiqued Labour leaders' decision to scrap Tees Flex bus service which affects rural communities in Teesside, called for a debate on the importance of bus services in rural areas.

The Government remain neutral on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill but agree that legislative deadlock is undesirable. Urges the other place to expedite matters and respect the view of the elected Chamber.

Congratulates St Mirren football club for winning the Scottish Premier Sports cup under fan ownership and Johnstone Burgh FC for their victory in the Scottish Communities cup.

Celebrates Weston-super-Mare football club's achievement of reaching the third round of the FA Cup for the first time and looks forward to supporting them against Grimsby Town in January.

Raises concern about a kinship carer who was initially denied support but later received it with delay, causing financial hardship. Asks for an urgent debate on ensuring proper support for kinship carers.

Raises concerns about the quality of work by contractors involved in ECO4 schemes, requesting a debate to discuss oversight and better serve taxpayers and constituents.

Welcomes £20 million allocated for his area by the UK Government and requests a debate on ensuring local people drive how the funds are spent in their best interests.

Raises concern about a family's puppy that was mauled to death by XL bullies, seeking help to meet with relevant Minister to discuss the implementation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.