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Not specified in the provided text - Clause being debated is not specified in the provided text
08 September 2026
Lead MP
Karin Smyth
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 22
At a Glance
Karin Smyth raised concerns about not specified in the provided text - clause being debated is not specified in the provided text 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
The provided text does not contain detailed arguments from Karin Smyth beyond the formal motion to read the clause a second time. Further details are needed for a comprehensive analysis.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
The provided text does not contain detailed arguments from Karin Smyth beyond the formal motion to read the clause a second time. Further details are needed for a comprehensive analysis.
Jim Allister
DUP
North Antrim
Jim Allister questioned the compatibility of new clause 94 with section 45B of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, expressing concerns over the imposition of a licensing programme for medical devices from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Bernard Jenkin intervened to ask the Minister to give way, without specifying the nature of the intervention.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
Ms Cummins supports the new clauses, highlighting concerns about the conflict of interest arising from the CQC's involvement in releasing sensitive information and questioning the readiness criteria for merging HSSIB with CQC.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Mr Morris argues for new clauses 113 and 114, emphasising the need for a national framework of agreed metrics for radiotherapy, annual reporting by integrated care boards, and a review of radiotherapy access and waiting times. He notes the variation in access to radiotherapy across the UK and the importance of cross-party consensus on health inequalities.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
Torfaen
She argued for the restoration of Healthwatch and HSSIB, strengthened whistleblowing routes, and new clauses to address the corridor care crisis and ensure timely cancer treatment. She cited statistics on A&E waits and excess deaths, and emphasised the need for robust patient safety measures. She also criticised the proposed politicisation of drug trials and single-sex spaces.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon
Twist welcomed new clause 159, which seeks to establish national waiting time standards for mental health services and ensure accountability for parity of esteem between mental and physical health. She highlighted the significant backlog of mental health referrals and the severe consequences of the current lack of parity.
Gosport
Speaks about the need for regulation in the funeral sector due to cases like Elkin and Bell and Robert Bush. Emphasises the need for a register of businesses overseen by the Human Tissue Authority to ensure families can verify the legitimacy of funeral directors. Supports the idea of robust regulation and the need for the Government to bring forward a statutory scheme.
Amanda Martin
Con
Weaver Vale
Agrees with Caroline Dinenage's call for robust regulation in the funeral sector. Supports the idea that reputable businesses are crying out for regulation.
Stuart Andrew
Con
Pudsey
Supports Caroline Dinenage's amendment by referring to the Donna Ockenden report, which details mortuary issues in Nottingham, reinforcing the need for better regulation in the funeral sector.
Proposes new clause 81 to provide families of seriously ill children with a single named co-ordinator to support them with financial, practical, and emotional issues. Argues that this would cut away repetitive bureaucracy and help families navigate the challenges they face during difficult times.
Supports the amendment to guarantee that the Government delivers on cancer targets and is held accountable by Parliament. Argues that the removal of the statutory requirement to prioritise cancer outcomes could deprioritise cancer objectives amid competing priorities.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Bernard Jenkin supports amendments 1 to 4 to remove the abolition of HSSIB from the Bill, arguing that the Government has failed to make a case for removing this safety investigation function. He suggests the removal may be due to the health system's dislike of being held accountable by an independent body.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester, Withington
Jeff Smith supports new clauses 86 and 87, advocating for psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments involving schedule 1 controlled substances. He highlights the growing evidence of successful treatment for PTSD, trauma, and mental health issues. He notes the barriers the current system places on research involving schedule 1 drugs and the need for a pilot programme to facilitate research.
Anna Sabine
Lab
Leeds North West
Anna Sabine supports new clauses 116 and 117, focusing on the availability of medical cannabis for children with epilepsy and improving access to speech and language therapy. She shares the story of a child who benefited from medical cannabis and highlights the challenges faced by people with voice loss due to unequal access to therapy.
Interjected, questioning the Minister about whether her remarks suggested that the Government may be reviewing the plans to scrap Healthwatch, expressing concern over potential risks to patient safety and scrutiny of the health system.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Asked to give way, suggesting further questions or concerns regarding the Minister's statements about Healthwatch.
Asked to give way, suggesting further questions or concerns regarding the Minister's statements about Healthwatch.
Complimented the Minister's efforts, noting the improvements in NHS trust in north-west London, and enquired whether the changes brought in through the Bill would help reduce waiting lists and address corridor care issues.
Asked to give way, suggesting further questions or concerns regarding the Minister's statements.
Asked whether the Minister accepted that the Prime Minister had stated the sector needed to be regulated, and that this remained a priority for the Government.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Damian Hinds welcomed the Secretary of State back to the Department and paid tribute to his predecessor, Stuart Andrew. He acknowledged the support for important aspects of the Bill but expressed concern over the lack of detail on a significant IT project and the potential removal of patient voice. Hinds also raised concerns about the top-down reorganisation of the NHS, which has occurred ten times since 1974, questioning the efficacy of such reorganisations.
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