Commons
Proceedings
7 July 2026
Early Release of Prisoners
There is a perpetual uncertainty about this issue, as my hon. Friend describes, but at the heart of it is the distance between the popular expectation of what criminal justice should deliver, and what the Government are putting in place. I am not saying that this began with this Government—there is …
Commons
Westminster Hall
30 June 2026
3 contributions
High Street Regeneration and Unlawful Storefronts
rose—
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing this debate to Westminster Hall and for his interest in what I am about to say. The Government took powers under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 to license these kinds of premises, but there is real uncertainty—I have had correspondence with the previous H…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
30 June 2026
2 contributions
High Streets
I will call Gregory Campbell to move the motion; I will then call the Minister to respond. I remind other Members that they can make a speech only with the prior permission of the Member in charge and of the Minister. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for t…
I must point out that this is our second debate on this subject on the same day, in the same place and with the same Minister, whom I invite to respond. You will say something like what you said earlier, I guess.
Commons
Westminster Hall
30 June 2026
5 contributions
Financial Inclusion: Young People
Order. I should remind Members that they need to bob, though I see they already know that. I call Robbie Moore.
Order. Four Members are standing, so they have about five minutes each.
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
22 June 2026
British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
It is a delight to hear a Nottinghamshire voice; as the hon. Gentleman knows, I was an adopted son of Nottinghamshire for a long time. He is making a case for the nobility of labour, and that case is too rarely made in this place. Working men deserve the same respect as anybody who learned at a univ…
Commons
Debate
17 June 2026
2 contributions
National Security (State Threats) Bill
Before my hon. Friend moves on to fines, the issue she has raised, and which I raised earlier, seems to be crucial. It is true that Jonathan Hall, as the Minister said on Second Reading, recognised that the approach to a terrorist organisation was different from the approach to a state. Nevertheless…
I am glad that the Minister has addressed that point, because it was raised by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Sir Jeremy Wright) and I on Second Reading. Surely the counter-argument is that it will be a sure defence when prosecutions are brought; it will be m…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 June 2026
4 contributions
State Pensioners: Personal Allowance
rose—
I am extremely grateful for your indulgence and generosity, Dr Huq. I wish to speak because I have enjoyed correspondence with the Minister at the Treasury Bench on exactly this subject on behalf of constituents who have written to me. Not only has he replied to me to address the concerns of my cons…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
3 June 2026
Lebanon: Israel Defence Forces Operations
In referring the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, I commend the Minister for visiting Lebanon in April, and for his continuing dialogue with the very good new ambassador here and our ambassador there. He will know that the Lebanese people deserve to be free from fea…
Commons
Debate
3 June 2026
6 contributions
Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address
rose—
The right hon. Gentleman knows me well, and he knows of my disdain for Gladstone and my deep admiration for his rival Benjamin Disraeli, who in my judgment was the greatest ever Prime Minister by far.
The key thing about the ISC, on which I sit—I am grateful for the Minister’s comments about its wo…
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
20 April 2026
Security Vetting
When I was privileged to serve as Security Minister, the Prime Minister was my shadow. As we dealt with matters of the most significant national security, he was straightforward with me, as I was with him, so I hope that he will answer this straightforward question. The Humble Address made it clear …
Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
2 contributions
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The evidence is still more profound, is it not? Screen time is now a profound problem across the board. This is not just about phones; it is about all kinds of devices. We now know not only that it affects children’s confidence in communicating, but that their cerebral capacity is being altered over…
My right hon. Friend is generous in giving way. She is making the profound point—and this should concern every Member of this House across the normal party divides—that the abnormal is becoming routine. Growing up has never been easy and moving from childhood to adulthood is always a challenge, but …
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 April 2026
Cost of Heating Oil
Those who are obliged to use heating oil are isolated by definition, and they are further disadvantaged if they happen to be old, or infirm, or disabled or poor. Surely the Government recognise that the mechanisms already exist to cut prices, as has been said. There is no need for delay. We need to …
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 April 2026
2 contributions
Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives
I sent a note, which you were kind enough to mention, Mr Stringer, to apologise for entering the debate late, but I am delighted to be able to contribute.
The hon. Gentleman must surely know that renewables need to face the same tests of cost-effectiveness as all other kinds of generation. For exam…
While the Minister is on the subject of science, would he turn his attention to agronomy? He will know that only around 15% of the land in the United Kingdom is grade 1 and 2. Much of that is in the east of England and, indeed, in my constituency in Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire has been targeted by so…
Commons
Debate
25 March 2026
4 contributions
Nuclear Test Veterans
I am extremely grateful to the hon. Lady for the warm words that she offered. She gave me too much praise—this is a team effort. She is absolutely right to say that the veterans deserve the most praise. Our friendship in this place was formed through our joint commitment to those veterans and our sh…
I rise principally so that the Minister can compose herself—her emotion and her commitment are evident. I have stood at the Dispatch Box over 19 years on both sides of this Chamber, and I know what it is like to be a Minister. I simply say to her, echoing the call of the hon. Member for Salford (Reb…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
24 March 2026
Points of Order
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise as chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for acquired brain injury and to voice my concern about the news that 287 patients in a hospital in Northampton are to be relocated across the country. NHS England has told local health bosses that the…
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 March 2026
Water Supply and Housing Targets: West Kent
Tom Tugendhat will move the motion and the Minister will respond. I remind other Members that they may make a speech only with prior permission from the Member in charge and the Minister. I have had notice that one Member will intervene, which is fine. Unfortunately there will not be an opportunity,…
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 March 2026
6 contributions
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
Order. Given the seriousness of the subject and of the hon. Lady’s intervention, I let that go, but interventions should generally be slightly more pithy.
I remind Members to bob—and I can see that they are doing so. A number have indicated that they desire to speak. Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the subject, I want to be able to get them all in. Please bear that in mind when you contribute.
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
18 March 2026
Points of Order
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Further to the point made by my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis), and notwithstanding your ruling, Mr Speaker, “Erskine May” makes it clear that Ministers come to the House to answer questions, does it not? While the Standing Orders…
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 March 2026
6 contributions
Social Enterprises and Community Ownership
Order. I see that lots of Members are bobbing. Given that I am going to call the wind-ups at 5.22 pm, Opposition spokesmen will have five minutes each and the Minister will have 10 minutes. You will appreciate that time is limited, so let us try to get everyone in. I suggest speeches of about three …
Order. Members are getting two minutes each. Let us try to get everyone in.
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 March 2026
2 contributions
Cheadle Train Station
Order. I will call Tom Morrison to move the motion and then call the Minister to respond. I remind other Members that they may make a speech only with prior permission from the Member in charge of the debate and the Minister. As is the convention in these 30-minute debates, there will unfortunately …
Before I call the Minister, I remind Members that we must conclude by 4.42 pm, when the next debate will begin.
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 March 2026
5 contributions
Immigration Reforms
There has been too much immigration into this country for too long, and that is certainly the view of the vast majority of the people I speak to in my constituency. I suspect it is a widespread view among law-abiding, patriotic Britons from all kinds of backgrounds.
Three myths have been perpetuate…
The hon. Gentleman is of course right. The blame for all this should not be laid exclusively in the hands of the Labour party or Labour Governments. Successive Governments have administered a regime that has been out of tune with the sentiments of the vast majority of the population, who know what I…
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
11 March 2026
3 contributions
Disability Equipment Provision
I want to speak about three things in this debate, which was helpfully secured by the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East (Seamus Logan).
The first has already been dealt with but requires some amplification: the system is not working as well as it should. The figures that we heard q…
On that specific point, the Government have said that that additional money for the grant will provide about 5,000 additional home adaptations. It would be really useful if the Minister, when he responds, could describe how local authorities will access that funding, how those 5,000 adaptations will…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
10 March 2026
Courts and Tribunals Bill
The right hon. Gentleman is right that the rule of law is a living thing, and the connection between the public and the exercise of criminal justice is fundamental. Central to that is the age-old principle of juries and jury service. It is a direct engagement of the public in something that otherwis…
Commons
Proceedings
10 March 2026
Points of Order
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, the Government brought a statement to the House entitled “Protecting What Matters”. One might think that that could be preserving historic buildings or endangered wildlife, or simply affirming the importance of our Christian heritage. In fact, the statemen…
Commons
Debate
9 March 2026
3 contributions
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Would my right hon. Friend allow me?
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on making the case for banning mobile phones in schools and for restricting access to social media. We do not need more discussion or consultation, and we do not need more research, because research already shows the harm that those things are doing. By delaying a…
+1 more contribution in this session