Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
29 January 2026
2 contributions
Modern Industrial Strategy
14. What steps he is taking to implement the modern industrial strategy.
For 14 years under the last Government, my constituents’ living standards stagnated. Across Blaydon and Consett, we have many successful manufacturing and engineering firms such as Slaters Electricals and Petersen Stainless Rigging in Blaydon, Gardner Aerospace and CAV Systems in Consett, and many m…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Business of the House
Next Monday is Brew Monday, which Samaritans has reclaimed from the marketing myth that is blue Monday, when we are all miserable. May I invite the Leader of the House, all hon. Members and of course you, Madam Deputy Speaker, to join me and Samaritans in the Jubilee Room for a chat, a cuppa and to …
Commons
Oral Questions
Scotland
14 January 2026
2 contributions
Economic Growth
6. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support economic growth in Scotland.
Buses are hugely important to our communities and our transport network, so it is vital that Falkirk-based Alexander Dennis Ltd and its supply chain, including Dellner Glass in Consett in my constituency, are supported. It has taken the SNP First Minister over a year to recognise that. Can the Secre…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
12 January 2026
Topical Questions
T10. The recovery grant guarantee is a vital mechanism that protects the most deprived authorities. Will the Department commit to increasing the guarantee to match the national average core spending power increase, so that the areas that need funding most are fairly protected?
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
12 January 2026
2 contributions
Social and Affordable Homes: Blaydon and Consett
6. What steps he is taking to build more social and affordable homes in Blaydon and Consett constituency.
I am glad to see the Government focusing so much on building social housing, including some in my constituency, but it will also be important to maintain the stock once it has been built and to look at existing stock. Can the Minister say when the issue of rent convergence will be resolved?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
8 January 2026
Road Safety Strategy
I very much welcome the proposals in the strategy, which I have no doubt will save lives. May I thank the Minister for her statement on pavement parking earlier today? Many of us have raised that issue over many years.
I am particularly pleased to see moves to crack down on unlicensed and uninsured…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
17 December 2025
Engagements
Q5. In 2020, my constituents John and Karen Rowlands lost their son Andrew in a road collision. He was just 18 years old and a passenger. Like too many others, the driver of the car should never have been on the road. He was under age, unlicensed and uninsured, and he bought the car on social media …
Commons
Proceedings
11 December 2025
Business of the House
Right across my constituency, the decorations are up, the lights have been switched on and Christmas fairs have been in full swing. As we head towards Christmas, I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who make these festivities happen and keep our communities thriving throughout the seas…
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
11 December 2025
Topical Questions
Earlier this year, 150,000 workers across the north-east benefited from the increase in the national minimum wage, with another increase due in April as a result of the Budget. However, it is important that these increases are actually applied, so the Minister set out what steps she is taking to ens…
Commons
Westminster Hall
11 December 2025
Fairtrade Certification
I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate. Through their pioneering work, the Fairtrade movement and other organisations, such as Transform Trade, have demonstrated that we can have a real impact on human rights abuses and working conditions abroad by upholding standards in our own supply chai…
Commons
Proceedings
4 December 2025
Business of the House
It has been five years since the Cumberlege report shone a light on a shocking patient safety scandal. Last year, the Hughes report set out redress options for those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. Many of the affected individuals have faced complex, lifelong challenges, which have bee…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 December 2025
Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan
It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dame Siobhain. I congratulate the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes) on his opening remarks. We have served together on the all-party parliamentary group for acquired brain injury for a number of years. He gave a ver…
Commons
Oral Questions
25 November 2025
2 contributions
Mental and Physical Health Services
2. What steps he is taking to ensure parity of esteem between mental and physical health services.
Our mental health system is still suffering from the strain of 14 years of Conservative government. Rethink Mental Illness has reported that 12 times as many people are now waiting for mental health treatment than for physical health treatment. Nearly one third of those surveyed attempted suicide wh…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
20 November 2025
Business of the House
Yesterday evening, I had the privilege of hosting the British Standards Institute at a reception at Speaker’s House to mark the launch of the UK’s first national suicide prevention standard—BS 30480: Suicide and the Workplace. That is a huge step forward in making suicide prevention everybody’s busi…
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 November 2025
World COPD Day
It is a pleasure to take part in this debate with you as Chair, Mr Efford. I also thank the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for securing this important debate. He and I have worked together on the respiratory health APPG for some years now, and I know how committed he is to tackling this is…
Commons
Oral Questions
18 November 2025
Topical Questions
Polling by National Energy Action has shown that four in 10 adults with prepayment meters have found themselves without credit and unable to access heating or power in the past 12 months. Families often face immense distress as standing charges continue to accrue as a debt that must be cleared befor…
Commons
Debate
5 November 2025
Employment Rights Bill
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The hon. Gentleman is talking about seasonal work but has he thought about the impact on young people of so-called zero-hours contracts and the pressure that puts on their being able to live a decent life and plan for the…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
5 November 2025
Curriculum and Assessment Review
I welcome the inclusion of community history and the acknowledgment of its importance. Does the Secretary of State think that projects such as the Addison project, which looks at a category D village in my constituency, help children to develop digital skills, learning and thinking skills and practi…
Commons
Proceedings
30 October 2025
Business of the House
Amazing community groups such as The Pickle Palace, Leadgate Salvation Army, Gateshead Youth Initiative and Building Self-Belief have all been nominated by residents in my constituency to receive one of my red kite awards, created to celebrate all the work that our incredible volunteers do across th…
Commons
Debate
29 October 2025
Sentencing Bill
I welcome the Minister’s comments on new clause 20 and a possible child protection register. My constituents Gemma Chappell and Rachael Walls have been campaigning for stronger child protection measures after their great-niece, Maya, was murdered by her mother’s abusive partner. Does the Minister ag…
Commons
Proceedings
23 October 2025
Business of the House
The clocks turn back this Sunday and many children will soon go to school in the dark. The Child Brain Injury Trust has a campaign called GloWeek, which promotes high visibility so that young people can be seen in the dark and avoid accidents that can alter their lives forever. Tomorrow I will join …
Commons
Oral Questions
16 October 2025
Topical Questions
T6. Communities in my constituency have been devastated by the destruction of Shotley Park, a grade II listed building, in a recent fire. I understand that an investigation is going on into the circumstances, but can the Minister say in more general terms what steps we can take to protect our listed…
Commons
Oral Questions
16 October 2025
2 contributions
Youth Services: Funding
7. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on levels of funding for youth services.
I welcome the Government’s work on the national youth strategy and their investment in youth services so far. How do they expect the move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to benefit young people from different backgrounds in my constituency and in general?
Commons
Proceedings
15 October 2025
Point of Order
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Members will be aware that the Upper Waiting Hall is this week hosting the Speak Their Name exhibition of suicide memorial quilts from across the UK. This would not have been possible without the help of House staff who have gone way over and above to ensur…
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 October 2025
6 contributions
Child Risk Disclosure Scheme
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the potential merits of a child risk disclosure scheme.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. The focus of this debate, a child risk disclosure scheme, might sound a bit complicated and dry. In some ways, it is. It is about how …
I know that people in my hon. Friend’s community were also affected by the case. I certainly agree that the law would make a real difference to people and children in future. That is what we want to do—protect other children.
I have been particularly moved by Gemma and Rachael’s determination to wo…
+4 more contributions in this session