Commons
Debate
29 June 2026
6 contributions
Northern Ireland Office
I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting time for this timely debate on the spending of the Northern Ireland Office. As I stand here today, it remains the case that Northern Ireland has no agreed budget, despite it being a quarter of the way through the financial year. Executive Ministe…
I recognise that we do find ourselves in a rather ridiculous situation, which impacts directly on the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
This precarious financial situation has serious implications beyond Northern Ireland, and the consequences for the Northern Ireland Office and the Treasury shou…
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
25 June 2026
Draft Conversion Practices Bill
I thank the Minister for talking to me in advance of her statement and the publication of the draft Bill. Does the symmetry in the Bill allow detransitioners to bring retrospective cases against therapists and professionals who transitioned them using the affirmative approach that was in use at the …
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
3 June 2026
Replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023
During our Committee’s inquiry on legacy, we heard serious concerns from victims and survivors about the Government’s approach to information disclosure. In the Dillon case, the Supreme Court showed a significant degree of deference to Government on national security grounds. What reassurances can t…
Commons
Debate
27 April 2026
2 contributions
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over)
I thank the Secretary of State for the way in which he has carried out his work on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill with such sensitivity to all parties. However, I would also like him to explain and give more detail on the responsibility to the victims and survivors of the troubles, as well as th…
I thank the shadow Secretary of State for giving way. However, this faux outrage was never— [ Interruption. ] My Committee has done some excellent work on this very sensitive matter, and when we were in Westminster Hall there was no faux outrage. These people did not turn up to speak up for the vete…
Commons
Debate
27 April 2026
Dunmurry Police Station Attack
The two incidents in Lurgan and Dunmurry are of deep concern to us and to my Committee. I give my sincere thanks to the PSNI officers who have kept their communities safe. Does the Secretary of State agree that those responsible should face the full force of the law?
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 April 2026
2 contributions
Sex Trafficking: Scotland
Does my hon. Friend agree that while websites advertising prostitution such as Vivastreet and AdultWork constitute human trafficking operations in and of themselves in Scotland, the National Crime Agency should also be investigating these sites for facilitating organised crime in England and Wales? …
Does my hon. Friend share my alarm at the findings of the Home Affairs Committee inquiry into human trafficking in 2023, which found that the partnership working between the National Crime Agency, the Home Office and websites advertising prostitution was
“inexplicable, particularly given the total …
Commons
Debate
14 April 2026
Crime and Policing Bill
I rise to speak in support of Lords amendment 361 and Government amendments to it. I was horrified to learn of the increasing number of cases in recent years of women facing criminal investigations and prosecutions on suspicion of illegal abortion offences. The abject cruelty that more than 100 desp…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
25 March 2026
Engagements
Q6. My constituents Tony and Rebecca Wadley received insulation under the Tory Government’s ECO4 scheme, but the work left their home with black mould, leaks, damp and even a solar fire—damage now requiring £100,000-worth of repairs. Rebecca is suicidal, Tony has had pneumonia and their asthmatic…
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
25 March 2026
Spring Forecast
Though the funding in the spring statement is welcome, the Secretary of State told us that he was looking at alternative sources of funding for the charity sector because of the disappointment in Northern Ireland over the local growth fund split of 70:30. Will he update the House on his conversation…
Commons
Westminster Hall
23 March 2026
6 contributions
Puberty Blockers Clinical Trial
The hon. Gentleman is making a very good start to his speech. I appreciate that this is very contentious, but I am concerned about the manner in which young people—children—are asked questions. The KIDSCREEN-10 index is a primary outcome measure for the PATHWAYS trial, and when I look at the questio…
Will my hon. Friend give way?
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
19 March 2026
3 contributions
Northern Ireland: Legacy of the Past
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the Second Report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, The Government’s new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland, HC 586, and the Government response, HC 1716.
It is a privilege, as always, to serve under your chairsh…
I thank the hon. Member for the work she does and the perspective she brings to the Committee, and I agree that this is a matter of building trust and confidence and building a better future across these islands. That requires everybody to step up.
We noted a range of concerns in our report regardi…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
17 March 2026
Topical Questions
T9. Only a couple of weeks ago, I introduced my ten-minute rule Bill—the Police (Declaration) Bill—on a requirement for the police to declare their membership of societies or organisations such as the Freemasons. Given the huge and controversial reduction in jury trials, what reassurances can the Se…
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 March 2026
Child Maintenance Service
My hon. Friend is making an excellent case. Has she noticed that child maintenance payments are being stopped when an ex-partner applies for child benefit? That is another source of income that is being manipulated by a partner to keep the money from the parent who is looking after the children.
Commons
Debate
12 March 2026
2 contributions
International Women’s Day
I would like to make the point that there are many people with different views across this House, many of which I agree with. The hon. Lady makes a very good point in naming some individuals, but there are also many other women who stand up for sex-based rights. I would like to say that on the Floor…
It is a real privilege to speak in this debate marking International Women’s Day. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton (Hannah Spencer) for her maiden speech. I remember that when I made my maiden speech nearly nine years ago—time flies—in the Gallery above me were my mum, my young…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
5 March 2026
Consular Assistance
I am grateful to the Minister for his statement and the advice he has given my constituents and everybody else. I want to raise two issues with him. We asked the FCDO yesterday about vulnerable travellers. It said, “People who identify as vulnerable should highlight this to the FCDO”, but it was not…
Commons
Oral Questions
5 March 2026
2 contributions
Devolved Administrations
6. What recent progress he has made on strengthening the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations.
My constituents in Gower need both Governments focused on what matters to them: the cost of living, jobs and public services. Does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster agree that, with Labour Governments in Westminster and Cardiff, that is exactly what we are getting? Does he also agree that nei…
Commons
Debate
4 March 2026
Police (Declaration)
I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require police officers and certain employees of police forces to declare a membership of or affiliation to certain types of society and organisation; to require such declarations to be accompanied by a statement relating to that membership; …
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
4 March 2026
Engagements
Q10. In 2018, this House legislated to allow the prescription of medicinal cannabis for children with drug-resistant epilepsy after a campaign spearheaded by my late good friend Hannah Deacon for her son, Alfie, yet many families are still paying around £1,300 a month due to conflicting guidance fro…
Commons
Debate
26 February 2026
3 contributions
St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs
I am very close to the hon. Lady’s constituency, so a banking hub in Rhydaman would benefit my constituents too. I thank LINK for working with local councillors to bring banking hubs to Mumbles and Gorseinon. I think she will be successful in her bid to secure a banking hub in Rhydaman.
Hear, hear!
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
11 February 2026
Troubles-era Violence: IRA Accountability
On the subject of troubles-era violence, this week my Committee published a unanimous report calling on the Government to formally name agent Stakeknife. The Government have said that the Supreme Court judgment in the Thompson case has implications for their decision, but lead officers have said it …
Commons
Debate
21 January 2026
2 contributions
Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
I would like to make the point that a lot of work is done in good faith in this House, particularly on my Select Committee and particularly by the Secretary of State. I really do not appreciate the way in which this debate is being led by those on the Opposition Benches. The shadow Secretary of Stat…
Commons
Proceedings
19 January 2026
Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
I refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and to my chairship of the all-party parliamentary beer group. Does the Minister accept that pubs are anchor employers on our high streets, and will he please ask the Chancellor to expedite a package of rates relief and duty reducti…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Business of the House
I will not be the only Member dealing with a large number of child maintenance issues that have been ongoing for years and years. It is frankly intolerable. Could the Leader of the House ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what further steps he is taking to prevent an appeal process bei…
Commons
Debate
13 January 2026
Finance (No. 2) Bill
I thank the Minister for speaking about an imminent decision on business rates, but this is not just about business rates. The Victoria Inn in Mumbles in my constituency has not banned me as a Labour MP—it has not banned any Labour MPs—but it would like to extend an invitation to those on the Front …
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
7 January 2026
2 contributions
European Convention on Human Rights: Belfast Agreement
11. What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK’s membership of the European convention on human rights on the Belfast agreement.
Our predecessor Committee took evidence that said that leaving the ECHR would have implications for policing in Northern Ireland. Does the Secretary of State agree that calls to leave the ECHR would add to the challenges faced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland? What assessment has he made of…