Commons
Ministerial Statement
30 June 2026
Defence Investment Plan
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement, but I worry that scrapping the Type 83s that were due to replace our Type 45 destroyers, and were to be the backbone of our fleet, in favour of a hybrid, uncrewed, autonomous Navy is a gamble. Unmanned service vessels of that size are untested, espec…
Commons
Debate
25 June 2026
7 contributions
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, for granting me this debate.
South Shields is a beautiful constituency, with our gorgeous coastline matched only by our friendly, lovely locals. Houses in multiple occupation are buildings or flats in which two or more households share a bathroom, toilet o…
The hon. Member pre-empts what I am going to talk about later in my speech. I am also going to explain what we actually did in South Shields: residents and I forced our council to do exactly what he suggests.
The character and history of our housing is being demolished before our eyes. Housing is b…
+5 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
8 June 2026
Water Companies
For over a decade, I have worked with campaigners in South Shields to stop sewage dumping in our sea. We are still waiting for Northumbrian Water’s compliance plan that was promised to us last year. The industry is broken. Introducing regulations and penalties and blocking bonuses is clearly not wor…
Commons
Debate
28 April 2026
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges
I have watched this whole sorry saga play out for weeks now. Like the public, I feel let down, disappointed and angry. Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed. That was a fundamental failure of judgment. Matthew Doyle should never have been given a peerage. That was also a failure of judgme…
Commons
Westminster Hall
22 April 2026
Car Insurance Industry: Fraud
Order. Could the hon. Member reassure me that there are no ongoing legal proceedings in relation to the case he is referring to?
Commons
Westminster Hall
22 April 2026
2 contributions
Osteoporosis and Bone Health
Order.
Order. The debate may now continue until 4.55 pm.
Commons
Westminster Hall
22 April 2026
2 contributions
Mountain Rescue
Order. The sitting is suspended for a Division in the House.
The sitting is resumed. The debate may now continue until 4.15 pm. I call Chris Kane.
Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
2 contributions
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
A decade ago, I raised the heartbreak that siblings in the care system suffer when they are separated and have no contact with each other. My aim was simply to create parity in legislation, by extending the requirement for a looked-after child’s reasonable contact with their parents to contact with …
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that intervention—possibly one of the nicest interventions I have ever had in this place.
I hope that if those children I worked with are listening now, they will know that I have honoured my word to them. It may have taken me a decade and they will now be adult…
Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
Strategic Defence Review: Funding
I genuinely respect my friend the shadow Minister, but seriously, defence was hollowed out in his party’s time in government. Our safety is the primary responsibility of any Government, and more must be spent on our defence. However, that should not come at the expense of pensioners and people with …
Commons
Debate
26 March 2026
Business of the House
Yesterday I was very sorry to be absent from the very powerful Adjournment debate led by my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Rebecca Long Bailey), who is seeking justice for our nuclear veterans after previously covered-up information has proved that there was radiation fallout. My right hon. Fri…
Commons
Oral Questions
26 March 2026
Topical Questions
Heugh Street bridge in South Shields was closed over four months ago by the council, as it deemed it to be unsafe. It was used by over 5,000 vehicles per day and the closure is damaging my local economy. The council is currently unable to give any timescale for reopening the bridge and I am led to b…
Commons
Westminster Hall
25 March 2026
2 contributions
Proposed Visitor Levy
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Efford. I thank the right hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for securing the debate.
South Shields is a beautiful coastal town that really comes alive in the summer months. The overall borough of South Tyneside has nearly 6 million visitors e…
When I was looking through the guidance, it seemed to indicate that mayors will have to consult local authorities and local industry before they come to any decision, but there is no requirement to hold discussions with local MPs, who arguably know their constituencies far better than any mayor ever…
Commons
Debate
9 March 2026
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
I will speak briefly to Lords amendment 17. Since 2016, I have used every single parliamentary lever possible to improve sibling contact for children in care, by trying to create parity in the legislation. Although the Children Act 1989 requires local authorities to allow a looked-after child reason…
Commons
Debate
9 March 2026
Middle East: Defence
The Secretary of State is right that our armed forces are the very best of us. Australian and British media are reporting that HMS Anson has departed western Australia ahead of schedule. Can my right hon. Friend indicate whether HMS Anson will play a role in defending British interests in the region…
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 March 2026
Local Museums
With a time limit of four minutes on Back-Bench speeches, I call Dr Kieran Mullan.
Commons
Westminster Hall
25 February 2026
3 contributions
Student Loan Repayment Plans
Order. As Members can see, this is a very popular debate, so there will be a two-minute limit on all Back-Bench contributions.
Order. I am going to have to reduce the time limit to one and a half minutes.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
11 February 2026
Woodland Creation
If Back Benchers could keep their speeches to five minutes, that would be most helpful.
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 February 2026
Fast-Track Visas: Skilled US Citizens
I will call Christine Jardine 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. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 February 2026
5 contributions
Civil Service Pension Scheme: Administration
Order. I remind Members that when they say “you”, they are referring to me. It is the same convention as in the Chamber.
We will need to keep Back-Bench contributions to three minutes. I call Ann Davies.
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
2 February 2026
Topical Questions
Intensifying security competition in the Arctic necessitates enhanced co-operation with our regional allies. Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Government intend to invite Canada to join the Joint Expeditionary Force?
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 February 2026
4 contributions
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Order. I call Patrick Hurley.
Order. The sitting is suspended.
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 January 2026
Dementia Support: Hampshire
I will call Liz Jarvis to move the motion. I will 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 and the Minister. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for the Member i…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 January 2026
Animal Welfare Strategy for England
I am immediately imposing a four-minute time limit on Back-Bench speeches, so not every Member will get to speak. However, if Members keep their speeches shorter, more people will get in.