Commons
Oral Questions
Justice
16 September 2025
2 contributions
Court Backlogs
7. What steps his Department is taking to reduce the Crown court backlog.
Some cases are now being listed for 2029, which is completely unacceptable. How is the Secretary of State undoing the harm inflicted by the Conservative party not only on the justice system but to trust that justice will be found?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
11 September 2025
2 contributions
Suicide Prevention
I start by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme (Lee Pitcher) for securing this important debate just one day after World Suicide Prevention Day, and for speaking so movingly about his personal experience.
It does not take much scratching below the surface t…
I thank the shadow Minister for his comments. There is no question but that we all want to work together to achieve the best outcome. May I remind him, however, that the £10 million voluntary services grant was a one-off grant and that the last Government failed to renew the funding—the £57.1 millio…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
11 September 2025
Business of the House
School holidays are great, but they can be a really tough time for some families. Programmes such as the holiday activities and food programme help to bridge the gap by providing not only meals, but opportunities to build social skills and confidence with age-appropriate activities and a side servin…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
10 September 2025
Engagements
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It can be scary to talk about suicide, but we need to. So many of our constituents will know or love someone who has taken their own life, or they may have suicidal thoughts themselves. But suicide is not inevitable; it is preventable, and everyone has a role t…
Commons
Oral Questions
Treasury
9 September 2025
2 contributions
Better Futures Fund
15. What progress she has made on establishing the better futures fund.
Our North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, is taking child poverty seriously, with the recent announcement of £28.6 million for the north-east child poverty action plan, including funding for a local pilot to expand specialist youth provision and support to open up pathways to future employment opportuni…
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
8 September 2025
2 contributions
Armed Forces: Welfare
21. What steps he is taking to improve the welfare of armed forces personnel.
One of Labour’s key manifesto commitments was to give our armed forces greater representation through the creation of an Armed Forces Commissioner—a promise that we have made good on with the passing of the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 last week. How does the Minister expect that to improve th…
Commons
Proceedings
4 September 2025
Business of the House
Next Wednesday is World Suicide Prevention Day. People can be nervous of talking about suicide, but it affects so many people in our communities. This year, Samaritans is sharing this message:
“If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care.”
T…
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 September 2025
Eating Disorders: Prevention of Deaths
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight West (Mr Quigley) for organising this important debate.
I come to this debate through my work with the all-party parliamentary group on suicide and self-harm prevention. There is a clear…
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 September 2025
Defibrillators
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Sam Rushworth) for securing this important debate. I know that the subject matters a great deal to constituents who have contacted me about defibrillators over the years.
I recen…
Commons
Debate
22 July 2025
Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
I recognise that it is a privilege to speak high up the list in this important Sir David Amess debate.
Just over a year ago, we welcomed not only a new Labour Government but the creation of the new Blaydon and Consett constituency. It is fair to say that there was some bemusement locally about our …
Commons
Oral Questions
21 July 2025
2 contributions
Mental Health Support in Schools
4. What steps she is taking to improve mental health support in schools.
I thank the Minister for his reply and for last week’s publication of the new relationships, sex and health education—RSHE—curriculum guidance. I was pleased to see that secondary schools are now being asked to talk about suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way. Andy, Mike and Tim, the 3 Dads W…
Commons
Proceedings
17 July 2025
Social Media: Misinformation and Algorithms
I thank my hon. Friend and her Committee for highlighting the challenges we face in scrutinising powerful technology companies. As she knows, I am particularly concerned about suicide and self-harm-related content. In 2022, more than three quarters of the individuals surveyed by Samaritans said that…
Commons
Proceedings
17 July 2025
Business of the House
This morning, we heard the incredible news that a novel in vitro fertilisation procedure, developed at Newcastle University, has resulted in eight babies being born free from mitochondrial disease. That is life-changing for families affected by this devastating and previously incurable condition. My…
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
17 July 2025
2 contributions
High Street Businesses
12. What steps he is taking to support high street businesses.
When I am out and about in my constituency, I am always impressed by the dedication of staff and small business owners who bring our high streets to life. Places such as Blaydon’s Precinct and Consett’s Middle Street are at the heart of local pride and identity, but after years of austerity and a co…
Commons
Proceedings
10 July 2025
Business of the House
The north-east is known for its passion for football, and last week I went to a walking football session at Blaydon youth and community centre, hosted by the Newcastle United Foundation and supported by the Premier League. There was plenty of Toon Army pride on show, though not a lot of walking, but…
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
26 June 2025
2 contributions
Local Bus Services
17. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.
My constituents in Blaydon and Consett rely heavily on buses. Thankfully, with the support of the North East combined authority and our Mayor Kim McGuinness, my constituents have benefited from subsidised fares as a result of the Government’s continuation of the bus service improvement plan funding,…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
12 June 2025
Spending Review: Health and Social Care
I welcome the additional £29 billion of day-to-day funding and additional capital announced yesterday. Our investments are already paying interest, in the reduction of waiting lists. May I remind hon. Members of the announcements made earlier this year? I was particularly pleased that the Shotley Br…
Commons
Proceedings
12 June 2025
Business of the House
Chopwell is a small village in my constituency, but this weekend it will see hundreds gather from around the world as it hosts cycling’s pump track world championships UK qualifier on Sunday—the only track of the competition in the UK. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our vibrant community …
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
12 June 2025
2 contributions
Small Businesses: Exports
5. What steps his Department is taking to encourage small businesses to export.
Small businesses—like Rezon in my constituency, which makes groundbreaking brain protection sports headwear—are working hard to grow and export, but it is often hard to know where to get the right advice. What practical support are the Government giving to small businesses to help them export and ta…
Commons
Proceedings
15 May 2025
Business of the House
A few weeks ago, I was pleased to welcome three educational groups to Parliament: Derwentside college in Consett, St Joseph’s primary school in Blaydon, and St Mary’s primary school in Blackhill. I congratulate all of them, pupils and staff, who were a real credit to their schools and colleges, and …
Commons
Oral Questions
15 May 2025
2 contributions
Pavement Parking
9. What recent discussions she has had with local authorities on pavement parking regulations.
Back in 2018, I had an Adjournment debate on pavement parking after meeting my then constituents Margaret and Laurel, who are both visually impaired. They told me—in fact, they demonstrated to me—that pavement parking prevented them from using pavements safely, which undermined their independence an…
Commons
Oral Questions
8 May 2025
2 contributions
Water Sector Reform: Consultation
4. What steps he is taking to consult the public on reforms to the water sector.
As we act to protect our rivers and waterways from pollution, regulation will be important. The Environment Agency’s resources were decimated under the Conservatives. How will the 2025 Act give the Environment Agency the powers it needs to hold polluting companies to account?