Disadvantaged Communities

In Scarborough, life expectancy is 10 years less in Ramshill compared to Ayton. My constituents struggle with access to healthcare, especially since the closure of Scarborough hospital’s stroke service.

Recognizes that some of the most deprived communities are next to rapidly growing areas and argues for a test on infrastructure investment’s impact on these deprived communities.

Discussed the need for local government funding formulas to better account for housing costs in micro-communities within wealthier areas.

With 34 critical neighbourhoods in my constituency, more than any other, I agree that the impact is felt daily across Blackpool. The Labour Government has a responsibility to turn the tide for coastal communities like ours.

Called for a reversal of Government changes to personal independence payments and an industrial strategy focused on job creation in rural areas.

Discussed the significance of businesses as a backbone for local communities and highlighted the importance of employment for economic, physical, and mental health wellbeing. He also mentioned concerns about child poverty and the two-child benefit cap.

Points out that Stoke-on-Trent spends £11 per young person on youth services annually compared to £111 in inner London, and mentions that Staffordshire police has fewer officers than it did in 2010.

Highlights high child poverty rates reaching over 60% in Florence, Stoke-on-Trent South, and agrees that sustained investment is needed to tackle such issues.

Described challenges faced by Stoke-on-Trent, including high levels of fuel poverty and child poverty, advocating for a national programme targeting root causes of systemic problems. Welcomed the larger allocations for Stoke-on-Trent under levelling up, but highlighted that these were mainly capital funds which did not provide revenue streams to staff and offer services.

Discussed difficulties young men face in returning to education after leaving school and suggested apprenticeships as a solution.

Asked about barriers to opportunity in her constituency, focusing on access to further education and funding.

Endorsed the points made by his colleague, highlighting housing infrastructure issues contributing to poverty.

Welcomes the call for national renewal and highlights the significant impact of Sure Start centre closures in her constituency.

Quoted a report noting that child poverty in Nuneaton increased from 18% to 33%, and highlighted the impact of poverty on health and life expectancy.

My constituency has enormous potential but has been held back by austerity. Investment needs to be made now in towns like Blackpool North and Fleetwood, not just cities in the north of England. The disused railway line reopening would give Fleetwood the connectivity it lacks.

Supports the work of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON), which identifies 613 left-behind neighbourhoods around the country, and highlights that South Stanley in his constituency needs essential funding. Neighbourhoods like South Stanley, ranked 41st among 34,000 super output areas for need, feel left behind due to lack of targeted investment. While welcoming recent announcements on transport infrastructure, there is a recognition that such projects often benefit core cities rather than isolated towns and villages.

In Sherwood Forest, there are significant health disparities between different parts of the constituency. The north sees poorer mental health outcomes and fewer job opportunities compared to the south. Former coalfield communities continue to be some of the most deprived areas in the country. Asked the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner if he would give way during his speech.

In Leyton and Wanstead, families live in unsafe conditions due to lack of housing. The Government's Renters’ Rights Bill needs proper funding for councils to meet their statutory duties.

Called for a project of neighbourhood renewal after it was disappointing that no Conservative Back Benchers attended the debate.

Pressed David Simmonds on his responsibility for the increase in child poverty due to the two-child benefit cap introduced by the last Tory Government. Asked if she could give way to ask a question.

Points out that in her constituency, life expectancy increases by more than seven years within a short drive; agrees with the need to narrow health inequalities.

Welcomes the Government's plan for neighbourhoods with £1.5 billion investment but concerned that none of the mission-critical neighbourhoods are in mid-Cornwall despite uplift being necessary.

Highlighted state failure in underinvesting communities, noting that East Thanet is among the most deprived areas but often overlooked due to upper-tier local authority statistics.

Emphasizes the importance of recognizing interconnected barriers such as a lack of post-16 education and poor transport connectivity, which blunts young people’s ambitions in her constituency.

Called for urgent action on the winter fuel allowance cut, advocated scrapping the two-child benefit limit to lift 470,000 children out of poverty, and urged rethinking support cuts affecting disabled individuals.

Responded to the debate by highlighting the commitment of her Government to tackle disadvantage and poverty. She mentioned that millions of children are growing up in poverty, something she attributed to 14 years of Conservative government.

Noted the closure of youth centres, the impact of neglect on communities, and called for better support from the Government.

Communities such as Newgate, Carr Bank, and Ransom Wood are mission-critical neighbourhoods needing targeted investment. The spending review must make these places a priority to address the concentrated problems in economic activity, health, education, and crime.

Child poverty remains an issue, with solutions including the resurrection of Sure Start centres. Access to such centres significantly improves children’s educational outcomes and reduces hospitalisations for depression and anxiety disorders. Asked whether the Conservative party commits to ending child poverty as an explicit goal under current leadership.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill could remove local authorities' power in planning, and the jobs tax has affected fire authority budgets. There is a need for three-year settlements covering true costs.

People in Rumworth, Farnworth, Little Hulton are left behind due to 14 years of Tory austerity. Despite this, local groups help young people build futures, run food banks, warm spaces and support services beyond handing out food. Agreed with the Minister's statement about the number of Prime Ministers and Chancellors during the previous government period, adding that billions were wasted in scandals like PPE contracts.