Commons
Debate
5 November 2025
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill forward and for all the hard work that the Government have done in relation to this. There is one thing that always concerns me. In my office, nearly every week I have people come to me who have inadvertently made mistakes. They perhaps do not understand ho…
Commons
Debate
5 November 2025
Employment Rights Bill
I hope that the Minister has not referred to this already, but small businesses in my constituency that do not have human resources departments tell me that they will find it hard to navigate these legislative waters. Although we need strong employment rights and I support the Bill’s objectives, we …
Commons
Proceedings
5 November 2025
Conflict in Sudan
I thank the Minister very much for his answers. Open Doors reports that there has been a spike in the abduction and killing of Christian men, women and children by radical Islamist groups. Church leaders have been targeted with false charges, including terrorism and apostasy, while Christian convert…
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights
I do not often have a different opinion from the hon. Lady, but I do here. Our party, the Democratic Unionist party, is very much opposed to the European convention on human rights, and our opposition is primarily based on arguments about national sovereignty and the need for the UK to have full con…
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
Fresh and Nutritious Food: Inequality of Access
I am sorry to hear the story that is unfolding in the hon. Gentleman’s speech. In the area he is referring to, which I do not know, are there church groups or people of faith—whatever faith that might be—who would be willing to help? Has he been able to ascertain whether they could do something for …
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
House Building: London
I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate; he is absolutely right to underline this issue. Older couples whose families have flown the nest want to downsize but cannot find an affordable house in a suitable area, and that problem is replicated throughout the United Kingdom. Does he agree …
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
2 contributions
Bronze-age Heritage: Cambridgeshire
rose —
I will do what you tell me to, Mr Twigg. This great nation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is something to be incredibly proud of, and it must be protected and treasured for future generations. It is said that we cannot know where we are going if we do not know where we h…
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
4 contributions
Financial Transparency: Overseas Territories
It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I thank the hon. Member for Bolton West (Phil Brickell) for leading today’s debate with such a detailed, informative speech. We are all impressed by the way he set the scene.
This United Kingdom is made up of four countries that are dir…
Just for a second; thank you.
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
4 November 2025
Sudan: Government Support
I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate and for all his work across Africa before coming to this place. I respect him greatly for his desire for human betterment.
As the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief, I have spoken and asked …
Commons
Debate
4 November 2025
Welfare Spending
The Minister is a good man, and I mean that sincerely. I think he understands and shares the faith that I have when it comes to looking after those who are less well off. Every day in my office I meet constituents who have disabilities or complex health needs, anxiety and depression or severe mobili…
Commons
Debate
4 November 2025
Supporting High Streets
I thank the shadow Secretary of State for bringing this debate forward, and I welcome it. I am always constructive and encouraging, so let me say that Ards and North Down borough council, my local council back home, has a scheme for a new, thriving high street. A council grant enables shop owners to…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Houses in Multiple Occupation: Planning Consent
I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. In September, it was alleged that more than 20 HMOs in Northern Ireland did not have appropriate consent. Does he agree that, whether the HMOs are student accommodation, private housing or Home Office housing, there must be planning consent, and…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
I am very much informed by my constituents in Strangford, where local church groups undertake fantastic work to support those in other countries plagued with the likes of malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. I think specifically of the Ards Elim church in Newtownards in Strangford, which sends groups out…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Cross-border Healthcare
It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd, as always. On behalf of us all, I look forward to your deliberations. I thank the hon. Member for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe (David Chadwick)—I think I pronounced that right—for securing this debate. [ Interruption. ] Did I get it wrong?…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. I also respect the men and women of Royal Mail but, in my office, one major issue has been delay. For those who are elderly, with sometimes complex and severe health problems, the mail is not arriving in time. They miss their appointments and th…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Official Development Assistance Reductions
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I thank the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) for setting the scene so incredibly well. International development aid has been significant in helping at-risk individuals and groups around the globe. As chair of the all-party par…
Commons
Debate
3 November 2025
Care Leavers
I commend the hon. Lady for bringing this debate forward; I spoke to her beforehand. Does she agree that those leaving care may not have had the financial advice and instruction that they should have had and that many of us take for granted? It is imperative that they are taught how to be self-relia…
Commons
Debate
3 November 2025
2 contributions
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
Will the Prime Minister give way?
I commend the Prime Minister and the Government for bringing this Bill forward. I think it heartens us all to see its contents. Does the Prime Minister not agree that, with the rise of social media, there is more public scrutiny than ever before and less trust in our institutions? As he has outlined…
Commons
Proceedings
3 November 2025
2 contributions
Points of Order
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.
You will tell me whether it is or not, Madam Deputy Speaker. In my constituency, a young man was killed in Portavogie today in a knife attack. I think it would be in order to mention that there and perhaps the House would join me in prayers—
Commons
Debate
3 November 2025
“Soldier F” Trial Verdict
I will first declare an interest: I served in the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Ulster Royal Artillery for some 14 and a half years.
This ruling was expected, as there was no additional evidence and it was twice held to be not fit for prosecution, as others have mentioned. It is hard to understan…
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
3 November 2025
Ukraine: Military Support
I thank the Secretary of State for his answers. Reports in the newspapers indicate that 150,000 new Russian soldiers are being prepared for an onslaught in eastern Ukraine. I do not doubt for one second that the Secretary of State, the Labour Government and this Parliament are committed to doing som…
Commons
Debate
30 October 2025
GP Services: Melton and Syston
I find in my constituency, and I think the right hon. Gentleman will find the same, that the extra responsibility of filling in forms, such as for personal independence payments, universal credit, employment and support allowance and disability living allowance, falls on the GP. Has he found that pr…
Commons
Proceedings
30 October 2025
5 contributions
Ageing and End-of-life Care
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the ageing community and end of life care.
I thank the Backbench Business Committee for selecting this subject for debate. I declare an interest as the son of Mona Shannon, who is 94 years young and resides in a nursing home near Killyleagh in my const…
I thank the right hon. Member for his intervention and for the wisdom that he brings to all the debates he participates in. The Minister is listening, and he is a good Minister, so I know he will come back with the response we hope to have.
How often have we listened to family members who are past …
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
30 October 2025
Property Service Charges
I commend the hon. Lady for securing this important debate—the fact that so many Members are present is an indication of its importance. In my constituency I have seen an increase in the number of people who bought their house or flat many years ago and are now facing difficulties with the level of …
Commons
Proceedings
30 October 2025
Israel-Palestine Conflict: Government Response
I thank the Chair and the Committee very much for their report, and I think what they are saying is positive. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, the EU and many Arab states have all pushed for peace. They state collectively that Hamas cannot have any part in the future of Palestine, t…