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Business of the House 2025-01-16
16 January 2025
Lead MP
Jesse Norman
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationEmploymentTransport
Other Contributors: 63
At a Glance
Jesse Norman raised concerns about business of the house 2025-01-16 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government's anti-corruption Minister has been named for corruption by another country in an international investigation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is attempting to stimulate growth with little success, leading to stagflation risk as stated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The Employment Rights Bill will cost employers £5 billion annually, while national insurance changes are expected in April. Despite these issues, the Government announced a new name for the UK Infrastructure Bank, now called the 'national wealth fund', but this rebranding is seen as disingenuous.
Jesse Norman
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
The Government's anti-corruption Minister has been named for corruption by another country in an international investigation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is attempting to stimulate growth with little success, leading to stagflation risk as stated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The Employment Rights Bill will cost employers £5 billion annually, while national insurance changes are expected in April.
Lucy Powell
Lab
Liverpool, Wavertree
Welcomed developments between Israel and Gaza; noted the Government's announcement of a money resolution for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Criticised the Conservatives' record on growth, standards, and economic weaknesses.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Thanked volunteers in her constituency for their fundraising activities; raised support for community organisations and sought further government support to ensure they continue to thrive.
Chelmsford
Welcomed public support for Liberal Democrat policies, including the Youth Mobility Scheme (EU Countries) Bill, New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill and fairer voting system. Asked Government to provide parliamentary time to ensure these bills become law.
Recognises the frustration of residents in Bolsover and acknowledges that it is part of several issues the government aims to tackle through their transport strategies.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Calls for an urgent statement from the Secretary of State for Transport on the destruction of trees along the Liberty line. Criticises Network Rail for a lack of accountability and poor communication with local residents.
Lee Barron
Lab
Corby and East Northamptonshire
Raises concerns about delays in Access to Work grant schemes, highlighting a case where a constituent's application faced a 30-week wait. Seeks support for Gary’s situation as soon as possible.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Discusses future debates and highlights the need for clarity on the policing of protests, especially in relation to antisemitism and hate marches in London.
Simon Opher
Lab
Stroud
Asks if legislation will be introduced to cap individual donations and close loopholes regarding foreign money in UK politics.
North East Fife
Requests a debate on compensation for WASPI women, indicating that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has sent a report to Parliament for decision.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Emphasises the importance of councils in delivering local plans to address the housing crisis. Urges protection of green-belt spaces like Whyburn Farm in her constituency.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Asks if Stuart Hogg's MBE should be revoked due to domestic abuse charges and convictions. Calls for transparency on the handling of such cases regarding state honours.
Oliver Ryan
Lab/Co-op
Burnley
Concerned about a decision by the hospital trust to cut the bus route between Burnley General Teaching Hospital Urgent Care Centre and Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. Seeks collaborative efforts to restore this vital service.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Urgently requests a statement from the Secretary of State regarding the abandonment of a chalk stream recovery pack, crucial for river health in his constituency.
Maldon
Asked the Home Office to secure a meeting regarding asylum hotels in his constituency and expressed critical concerns about vulnerable families being placed in deprived areas.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Critiqued The House magazine for incorrectly depicting Northern Ireland's flag, demanding immediate correction and geographic training for staff at the publication.
Hitchin
Expressed support for the Government’s ambition to transition to renewable energy but criticised developers for not making use of rooftops for solar panels in new homes, calling for a statement from the Housing Minister.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
Asked for a debate on how to support community post offices following concerns about closures in her constituency due to partner post office closures.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Sought a debate regarding the impact of flooding on insurance premiums and service charge costs for apartment block residents, highlighting recent flooding issues affecting 213 apartments in Meadow Mill.
Gosport
Pressed for an improvement in ministerial responses regarding consultations on AI and copyright, emphasising the need for dignity and respect in communications.
Andy MacNae
Lab
Rossendale and Darwen
Highlighted ongoing roadworks causing disruption to residents and businesses, advocating for lane rental schemes as a means of improving coordination and reducing congestion.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Raised concerns about water quality issues in the River Nidd caused by housing developments potentially tapping into existing sewerage networks, calling for interdepartmental action to address the issue.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Noted delays and dysfunctionality of the Building Safety Regulator regarding applications for safety approvals in his constituency, requesting a debate on these issues.
Lucy Powell
Lab
Bury South
Responded to several MPs regarding various issues including unregulated aesthetic treatments, airport developments in Southend West and Leigh, environmental protection reports, cathedral funding crisis in Peterborough, support for people with Down's syndrome, traditional English events like wassailing, ocean protection treaty ratification, suicide prevention strategies, Centre Parcs development concerns in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, disused sites on market town high streets in Hexham, criticism of Scottish Labour performance, and aid to Gaza.
Southend West and Leigh
Complained about the lack of regulation around non-surgical aesthetic treatments and their impact on young people. Raised concerns over economic growth and local airport developments, which he believes are signs of recovery after the pandemic.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Discussed the environmental progress report showing the UK is off-track for 20 out of 43 targets and that only five recommendations have been implemented. Called for a review on how to turn this around.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
Highlighted the funding crisis at Peterborough cathedral, which has existed for over 900 years, and requested time in the House to debate national heritage assets like cathedrals.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Asked for a debate on support for people with Down’s syndrome following the passing of the Down Syndrome Act 2022, urging for its full implementation.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Congratulated Grimsby's Green Futures on their wassail event and requested time in the House to celebrate English traditions such as Morris dancing, folk music, and wassailing.
Mid Sussex
Spoke about coastal access and ocean health issues. Requested legislation for ratifying the UN global ocean treaty to protect at least a third of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Invited the House to join her in rebranding Blue Monday as Brew Monday to highlight suicide prevention efforts, requesting a debate on national suicide prevention strategies.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Discussed concerns over the capacity of road networks to support major developments such as Centre Parcs in Scotland, advocating for debates on rural community investment and infrastructure adequacy.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Called for a debate on improving disused sites on market town high streets to boost town centres’ economies.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Critiqued Scottish Labour's performance, suggesting debates could determine the reasons behind their poll ratings decline.
Kirith Entwistle
Lab
Bolton North East
Called for aid to Gaza and support for survivors of the crisis there.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Expressed concern about the impact of localised flooding on small communities that do not meet the Government’s funding threshold, calling for a reconsideration of the formula to provide aid to isolated communities.
Bayo Alaba
Lab
Southend East and Rochford
Complimented the work of the One Love Project in his constituency that supports street homeless people, inviting the Leader of the House to visit Southend and Rochford.
Maidenhead
Raised concerns about families of British citizens murdered abroad not having the same rights as those of homicide victims in the UK, calling for a debate on the issue.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Highlighted the importance of showcasing Staffordshire craftsmanship and ceramics within Parliament, questioning Government policy to ensure British products are represented.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Called for a debate on the Open Doors report highlighting Christian persecution in many countries that the UK has close relations with.
Maureen Burke
Lab
Glasgow North East
Shared data showing her constituency as having the lowest life expectancy and highest poverty rate, requesting a debate to explore factors contributing to poor health outcomes.
Tessa Munt
LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
Asked for measures focusing on preventing transmission of foot and mouth disease by ensuring strict biosecurity standards are maintained in animal imports.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
Supported the Renters’ Rights Bill which aims to end section 21 no-fault evictions, praising organisations for their vital work with homeless young people.
Richard Burgon
Ind
Leeds East
Proposed an annual debate on international volunteers to celebrate the contribution of volunteers in enriching communities and society.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Called for statutory rights for time off work for fertility treatment, requesting updates on the Employment Rights Bill's timetable.
My Constituents in Barking
Unspecified
Unspecified
Delighted to hear c2c train operator will be brought into public ownership, leading to a more reliable service. Refurbishment of Barking station delayed.
Lucy Powell
Con
Cambridge
Government plans for nationalising railways aim to improve reliability and investment, benefiting constituents in Barking.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Commission for palliative care will start taking evidence next week; requests debate on findings to optimise end-of-life care.
Acknowledges Rachael Maskell's campaigning on palliative care and assures regular updates from the Secretary of State for Health.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Hundreds of homes flooded in East Midlands, with flood wardens facing verbal abuse; calls for protection of volunteers.
Abuse of flood wardens is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Government will take action against perpetrators.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Train stations in constituency still inaccessible, impacting disabled people and others; seeks support for Access for All fund.
Acknowledges inadequate station accessibility issues and ensures House updates on Rail Minister's considerations regarding the programme.
Anna Gelderd
Lab
South East Cornwall
Proposes health hubs in towns like Saltash for routine services, reducing pressure on hospitals; requests debate time from Government.
Commits to getting care back into communities and supports early intervention and prevention as critical to improving healthcare.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Constituent's son struggling with ADHD medication shortages; requests Government position on issue and assurance of availability.
Department working to resolve global supply issues, ensuring updates on progress for constituents.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Proposes debate on legislating for mandatory provision of women-specific PPE; company in constituency trialling women’s sizes as standard.
Acknowledges need to address issues with men-centric product design and supports the topic for a future debate.
Hendon
Labour council investing in road repairs following Conservative backlog; requests debate on swift implementation of pothole repair funding.
Commits to supporting councils using funds to address potholes, praising Hendon for investment.
Derby North
Unregulated electric scooters causing antisocial behaviour; seeks meeting with Home Office and Transport Minister to discuss regulation and enforcement.
Acknowledges issue of unregulated e-scooters and supports action for easier vehicle seizure and tackling antisocial behaviour.
Government Response
Discusses measures to address transport issues and provides assurances on addressing individual concerns raised by MPs. Highlights efforts to improve Access to Work grant schemes and the Bus Services Bill to enhance community involvement in local bus routes.
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Assessment & feedback
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