Commons
Debate
21 January 2026
3 contributions
Antisocial Behaviour on Canals and Rivers: Bath
Will the hon. Lady give way on that point?
I spoke to the hon. Lady before the debate, and I explained why it is so important that I support her. In the middle of Newtownards, my major town, we have a massive canal—it has been there since the year 1—so I understand some of the things that the hon. Lady refers to. I asked her about antisocial…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
21 January 2026
7 contributions
Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation
Will the Secretary of State give way?
On the point of trust, just so that we get it on record, is there any guarantee that the Republic of Ireland will withdraw the inter-state case if this legislation passes?
+5 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
21 January 2026
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
I commend the shadow Minister for what he is saying. This is about not just those on lower incomes, but those on middle incomes. It is about the mums and dads of the students—all this falls back on their shoulders. Does he agree that this Bill is an attack on younger people who have aspirations and …
Commons
Ministerial Statement
21 January 2026
Warm Homes Plan
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. It really is good news, and we all welcome the warm homes plan and help for families. However, I have some concerns. I know that the Barnett consequential for the devolved nations has been confirmed, and that is good news, but the Executive will be t…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 January 2026
Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums
I commend the hon. Member for securing this debate. Having been elected as a councillor back in 1985—in those days, I had some hair—and served some 26 years on the council, there is a special place in my heart for local government and the real benefit of local councils making local decisions. Does h…
Commons
Oral Questions
Wales
21 January 2026
Clean Energy Projects
I thank the Secretary of State very much for her answers, and she is absolutely right to develop green energy and clean energy. The Irish sea separates Northern Ireland and Wales, and the winds blow up and down the west coast of England and Wales and the east coast of Northern Ireland, which is some…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 January 2026
Dementia Support: Hampshire
This is a massive issue for each and every one of us. The hon. Lady has referred to figures in her constituency, but given Northern Ireland’s ageing population, the figures there are expected to almost double, rising from 22,000 to 43,000 by 2040. That poses major challenges for health and social ca…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 January 2026
Animal Welfare Strategy for England
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. I thank the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Samantha Niblett) for setting the scene so well and for her contribution. I understand that this issue is devolved, but colleagues in Northern Ireland watch decisions in this House very carefully…
Commons
Debate
20 January 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
I commend the shadow Minister and the Conservative party on this amendment, which is crucial. The key is whether the British Government have fully briefed the US about the risks to the Pelindaba treaty that will result from Diego Garcia becoming sovereign to Mauritius, because if they have, Presiden…
Commons
Debate
20 January 2026
Sentencing Bill
The Minister has outlined very clearly what the Government, and he in particular, are trying to achieve. There is a perception among the general public—this is certainly indicated in the press and the media—that the Government are going to be a bit soft on those who carry out crimes, but I am very m…
Commons
Oral Questions
20 January 2026
Cyber-attacks: Global Response
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive responses. On ransomware and what we are trying to do with technology, Northern Ireland leads the way on cyber-security, as does south-east England, but the technology is always advancing. The Minister has responsibility for ensuring that we are protected, …
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
ADHD Diagnosis
I commend the hon. Member for securing the debate. He has outlined the waiting lists, which are no better for us in Northern Ireland—they are over a year, and up to six years. The issue about early diagnosis is that every child with ADHD has a different level of ADHD. The diagnosis is really importa…
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
County Durham: Cultural Opportunities
I commend the hon. Lady, who I spoke to before the debate, for recognising the cultural attachments that we all have. I know she is aware that County Durham and Northern Ireland share deep-rooted cultural parallels, largely shaped by their industrial heritage, strong community identity and significa…
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025: Enforcement
I commend the Liberal Democratic party for all they do on water issues. That cannot be taken away from them: they are to the fore. Other parties may be a wee bit annoyed at that, but they are so active it is incredible. Well done.
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the private companies do not appe…
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
Domestic Abuse-related Deaths: NHS Prevention
It is always a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. I thank the hon. Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) for securing this debate, setting the scene incredibly well and giving us all an opportunity to participate.
As always, I want to give a Northern Ireland perspective of what is happening. …
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
Temporary Accommodation: Out of Area Placements
I commend the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate. I am absolutely incredulous that any authority should send a family way out of their area. I was shocked when I read about an example of this issue in my constituency, with a family whose child attended a special school being offered accommodatio…
Commons
Debate
19 January 2026
Disclosure and Barring Service
I commend the hon. Lady for securing this debate; I spoke to her beforehand about the incredibly important issues that she is raising. Does she agree that child safety must be paramount? The Government need to clarify paid and voluntary sector rules—for example, how often should screening be done an…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
19 January 2026
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
I, too, thank the Minister very much for the statement. I also thank the Liverpool MPs, who have worked very hard to achieve balance in the Bill between citizens and the priority status of security agencies. As the Minister said, it is time for the Government to get this right, and that is what we s…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
19 January 2026
Arctic Security
I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for your patience in getting us all in; it is much appreciated. I also thank the Foreign Secretary for her statement. I agree that the sovereignty of Greenland is a matter for her own people, but I understand the dangers present, with the Russian threat and aggress…
Commons
Proceedings
19 January 2026
Proposed Chinese Embassy
I thank the Minister for her answers. In last week’s urgent question on the Chinese embassy, I highlighted that while the consulate is entitled to facilities that enable its citizens to get consular help, the Chinese are not entitled to facilities that pose any type of threat to national security. T…
Commons
Debate
19 January 2026
Local Elections: Cancellation
The hon. Lady is indeed a very honourable lady, in her response and in the way that she does things in the House, but the fact is that, whether it be down to reorganisation or a new strategy—whatever reasons the Government put forward—3.7 million people will be denied the right to cast their vote. T…
Commons
Proceedings
19 January 2026
Iran: Protests
I thank the Minister for his answers. He will be under no illusions about the barbaric tactics that are being employed in Iran; indeed, last week’s statement made it very clear that the Government are fully aware of them. The strongly worded condemnation has not brought about any change, and we have…
Commons
Oral Questions
Education
19 January 2026
Flu Vaccination: School Absences
In Northern Ireland there is only a 52% uptake in flu vaccinations. There are two reasons for that: first, parents want to be sure that it is okay and safe for their children; and secondly, schools sometimes show reluctance to let it happen. Will the Minister share the policy that the hon. Member fo…
Commons
Debate
15 January 2026
2 contributions
New Towns
Will the hon. Lady give way?
I thank the hon. Lady for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch—I hope I have pronounced that correctly; apologies if my Ulster accent has destroyed that word. The last new town we had in Northern Ireland was Craigavon back in 1965, some 60 years ago, when I was a 10-year-old starting secondary school. Does…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Prisons: Illegal Drugs
I thank the Chair and his Committee for all their hard work. Back home in Northern Ireland, 41% of prisoners surveyed said it was easy to acquire illicit drugs and, worryingly, 28% reported developing a drug problem while in prison. I think those figures are replicated in the report that the hon. Ge…