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Christmas Adjournment
17 December 2020
Lead MP
David Amess
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
HousingBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
David Amess raised concerns about christmas adjournment in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
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
MP Sir David Amess highlighted several issues affecting his constituents, including concerns about C2C's timetable reorganisation, the closure of Nazareth House and its reopening as a testing centre, road quality, parking signage, church closures during the pandemic, endometriosis awareness, SUDEP Action report recommendations, homelessness initiatives, crime reduction, fire service inspections, virtual centenarians' tea party, city status for Southend, animal exports ban, Remembrance Day and VJ Day celebrations, Chase High School Geoff Nash building opening, coronavirus deaths and medicine relationship query, high street support for independent shops.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
Discussed the negative impact of C2C’s reorganisation on commuters; raised concerns about noise pollution from Amazon flights at Southend airport; criticised Arriva UK Bus for replacing eco-friendly buses with polluting ones; expressed delight in Southend United's recent improvement in league table and potential stadium celebration; praised local NHS staff and organisations during the pandemic; highlighted the need to address drug abuse and antisocial behaviour on Leigh Cliffs; called for better road quality and parking signage; celebrated the release of Lakhbir Sandhu from Czechoslovakia imprisonment; congratulated Fair Havens hospice and Salvation Army projects; questioned church closures earlier in the year; reported progress on endometriosis awareness campaign; highlighted sudden unexpected death due to epilepsy case and charity foundation; praised Southend’s HARP for reducing rough sleeping; commended local charities, including Prost8, for their efforts during tough times; congratulated the reduction of crime rate in Southend; thanked Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for inspecting high-rise buildings with cladding; suggested a city-status competition for Queen's jubilee to benefit Southend; praised ambassadors' work and Safe Passage charity; welcomed Government’s ban on live animal exports, calling for farrowing crates stoppage; mentioned muted Remembrance Day and VJ Day celebrations; celebrated Chase High School Geoff Nash building opening; inquired about the relationship between coronavirus deaths and certain medicines; supported independent shops through high street initiatives.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Mr. Holden discussed various local issues including the opening of a new community hospital in Shotley Bridge, feasibility studies for public transport links, reductions in motor home taxes, legislation on relief for public lavatories, access to cash machines, personal independence payment assessments, private Member’s Bills banning virginity testing and psychoactive substance testing in prisons, vaccine roll-out progress, mental health initiatives, town and high street funds, post office closures, Christmas lights installations, hospitality sector support, planning issues, and speeding concerns.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Aaron Bell expresses gratitude to House staff for their efforts during the pandemic and acknowledges the challenges faced in his constituency, including high infection rates. He highlights the significant reduction in cases but emphasises that it is still too high. He praises the Government's economic support during the pandemic while also calling for more assistance for the high street and hospitality industry. Bell raises a major issue concerning Walley’s Quarry landfill in Silverdale, which has caused pungent odours affecting local residents' quality of life. Despite the Environment Agency's approval of the site in 1997, there have been numerous complaints due to the proximity of residential properties to the site and its impact on funerals at Newcastle cemetery. He presents statistics from October and September showing a high percentage of odour complaints related to Walley’s Quarry compared to other sites nationally. Bell calls for more scientific monitoring and proper regulation to address residents' concerns, urging for changes in how the odours are measured or monitored.
David Johnston
Con
Somerton and Frome
Discussed the need to reopen Grove station, highlighted the achievements of a local resident on 'MasterChef', raised concerns about Royal Mail services, expressed worries over the closure of Wantage Community Hospital, pointed out the increase in population without corresponding healthcare infrastructure improvements, and reflected positively on the resilience shown by Britain during the challenging year.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Gullis congratulates colleagues and staff, emphasises the kindness of Stoke residents, and thanks local health workers and key workers for their sacrifices. He highlights community initiatives such as Carol Shanahan’s Hubb Foundation which has served 250,000 meals to over 30,000 families during the crisis. Gullis also praises Rich Stephenson-Evans for his work in delivering food from Tesco and helping charities secure grants. He calls on the Government to provide additional support to local businesses like the Titanic Brewery and ceramic manufacturers facing economic challenges due to the pandemic. Additionally, he discusses plans for improved transportation infrastructure including the Stoke-Leek rail line and a game school for young people interested in gaming careers.
Tom Hunt
Con
Ipswich
Tom Hunt discusses the challenges his constituents faced during the pandemic, including loss of livelihoods and mental health impacts. He supports the Prime Minister's approach to Brexit, stating that it aligns with voters' expectations for a 'proper Brexit'. Regarding COVID-19, he is pleased about Ipswich remaining in Tier 2 despite concerns about virus prevalence among elderly people. Hunt thanks healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, and charities for their efforts during the pandemic. He advocates for increased funding for special educational needs to ensure no child misses out on achieving their full potential due to disabilities or learning difficulties. Additionally, he mentions issues such as the need for infrastructure improvements like resolving the Orwell bridge closures and addressing cladding safety concerns.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
Welcomed the debate and raised several issues such as digital exclusion, Remembrance Day, and supported Southend's city status. Highlighted concerns about misinformation around vaccines and called for a permanent £20 uplift in universal credit to help millions of people. Emphasised the importance of no pay freeze for public sector workers and advocated for an employment Bill to address zero-hours contracts. Mentioned constitutional issues regarding Scottish independence and Brexit.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall North
Congratulated new MPs on their first anniversary and thanked her deputy who was unable to attend due to shielding. Discussed the importance of transport for productivity, agreed with a colleague about library closures in Walsall, and appreciated tributes paid to the health service.
Paul Holmes
Con
South East Hampshire
Acknowledged the comments made by Valerie Vaz regarding him being a friend of the Deputy Chief Whip and rightly paying tribute to the health service. He mentioned businesses and breweries in his constituency but did not provide further detail.
Asked for clarification on the delay between press release issuance by Department for Education regarding schools' return and the written ministerial statement laid before the House, highlighting the chaos created by this delay.
Stuart Andrew
Con
Daventry
Thanked Members for their contributions, paid tribute to new Members and mentioned various issues including libraries, levelling-up fund, independent lifeboats, cladding safety, small shops, domestic violence, food security for children, key workers, Christmas rules, freeport bids, human rights in China, city status, motor homes, tax relief, public toilets, landfill, special educational needs, and thanked House staff. He wished everyone a happy Christmas.
Nigel Evans
Con
Ribble Valley
On behalf of Mr Speaker and his team, thanked everybody for their efforts during the difficult year, particularly praising technicians who have worked miracles to ensure parliamentary democracy has continued. He wished everyone a happy Christmas and hoped that 2021 would be better.
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