Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
Strategic Defence Review: Funding
Often, most of the focus is on munition and defence systems, but what are the Government doing to boost defence numbers and ensure that our military personnel are properly paid for their vital role? For too long, our junior non-commissioned officer ranks have been poorly paid and had poor living and…
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 April 2026
5 contributions
“For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First Anniversary
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the first anniversary of the For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers ruling.
It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I thank all hon. Members, as well as those in the Public Gallery, for their attendance. On Thursday, we wi…
I sincerely hope my hon. Friend is right and that the Government will do the right thing as per the law.
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 March 2026
2 contributions
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
The hon. Member is certainly making a very powerful speech on this issue. On 7 January 2024, Teddy Jason Williamson, aged just seven weeks and from my constituency, died of sudden infant death syndrome. Does the hon. Member agree that more practical support is required? Yes, we need research, but we…
Will my hon. Friend join me in commending Dr Julie Rankin, a consultant in emergency medicine, who has been instrumental in working with the Williamson family from my constituency to create a bereavement suite in Craigavon Area hospital in memory of those little children who have died suddenly in un…
Commons
Westminster Hall
23 March 2026
Puberty Blockers Clinical Trial
Children deserve protection, not experimentation. In Upper Bann alone, 1,300 people signed the petition—more than twice the number of signatories in any other constituency. Their message is clear and I stand with them.
Animal testing on mice and monkeys shows that puberty blockers cause irreversibl…
Commons
Debate
18 March 2026
2 contributions
Fuel Duty
rose—
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the £53 million is welcome, but that calculates to about £35 a household, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things? Does he agree that fuel duty should be cut, VAT should be removed and the North sea opened up? That should come alongside dealing with fe…
Commons
Oral Questions
18 March 2026
Pornography: Regulation
Some 50% of boys aged 11 to 13 have already viewed online pornography. Clearly, frequent exposure to violent sexual content is damaging young people’s minds and their understanding of relationships. Does the Minister agree that, alongside engagement with platforms, the criminal law must be modernise…
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 March 2026
Royal Mail: Performance
I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. We have been talking about this issue for many months, and yet there has been no improvement. There are still delays. In one office in my constituency, there is a staffing shortage of 10, so there is a fundamental problem with motivation and sta…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
17 March 2026
Meningitis Outbreak
Given that we are nearing the Easter holidays, what discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland about ensuring that students travelling home are aware of the situation and the need to take precautions?
Commons
Oral Questions
17 March 2026
Topical Questions
While it would be inappropriate to speak of a live case, I am mindful of the McNally family from my constituency, who are currently sitting through the trial of a man accused of murdering their daughter—truly heartbreaking. There was another murder in County Fermanagh recently. This demonstrates how…
Commons
Debate
11 March 2026
2 contributions
Finance (No. 2) Bill
The hon. Member is speaking very powerfully. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland has estimated that 4,500 farms, mainly in the dairy industry, will still be impacted by the set changes. Does he agree that, given the need for food security, we need to prot…
Many small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency are looking to expand, invest and grow beyond being an SME, but the Bill does not afford them that opportunity. You would forgive businesses in Northern Ireland for feeling deeply disadvantaged. That, on top of the practical daily problems t…
Commons
Oral Questions
11 March 2026
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
My criticism is of Royal Mail’s senior leadership; it is certainly not of our local posties. In Upper Bann, the posties are excellent and so is my liaison officer in Royal Mail, who has gone above and beyond to get information flowing. Staff are at breaking point, there are absences and gaps—we have…
Commons
Debate
10 March 2026
Courts and Tribunals Bill
The Criminal Bar Association says it is “fundamentally opposed” to restricting jury trials, with around 90% of criminal barristers being against these proposals. This was not in Labour’s manifesto, and there has been an admission that the plans are ideological rather than practical. Does the hon. Me…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
10 March 2026
Digital ID: Public Consultation
My constituency led the way on this issue, with more than 7,000 people signing the e-petition against digital ID cards. The public see this scheme for what it is—a gateway to unprecedented state surveillance—and they do not want to be part of it. They see it as a waste of money and effort to create …
Commons
Oral Questions
Treasury
10 March 2026
Northern Ireland Hospitality Sector: VAT
I support the call for a cut in VAT for the hospitality sector from the hon. Member for Belfast South and Mid Down (Claire Hanna). She is right to say that oil prices are rising sharply. The fuel price at the pumps is rocketing, and families are struggling with the cost of living. In Northern Irelan…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
4 March 2026
China: Foreign Interference Arrests
The Minister has said numerous times that the Government always prioritise UK national security, but those words ring hollow whenever we think of the Chinese embassy, and the fact that this Government have granted a mega-embassy close to underground cables carrying highly sensitive data. In the ligh…
Commons
Oral Questions
4 March 2026
Cost of Living
Families and businesses are feeling hard-pressed more than ever, and events around the world are making food security more important than ever. Does the Minister recognise the seriousness of the Government’s anti-farming agenda, particularly the family farm tax?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
3 March 2026
Spring Forecast
The Chancellor calls this the right plan, but for whom? Is it the right plan for farmers being taxed to death, WASPI women still waiting for justice, small businesses and hospitality firms barely surviving or hard-working childminders set to lose their 10% tax allowance? The price of energy is risin…
Commons
Debate
24 February 2026
Army Reservists: Employment Rights
I know that the hon. Lady has served and that she comes at this very much from a service background. Time is of the essence, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson) made a powerful point about three reservists who served with Major Milroy having passed away. I am not he…
Commons
Debate
24 February 2026
Online Harm: Child Protection
Consultation and timeframe is key, because while we procrastinate, online harm is continuing and our children are being put at risk. The statistics around online pornography show that up to 50% of boys aged 11 to 13 have already viewed pornography, and it is influencing their minds on a daily basis …
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 February 2026
2 contributions
EU Membership Referendum: Impact on the UK
Will the hon. Member give way?
I think the hon. Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Ben Coleman) has had his say, quite significantly.
The EU is a failing entity and we got out at the right time. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is the continued capitulation of this Government and other UK parties, and a failure to accept the de…
Commons
Debate
23 February 2026
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
It is an honour to follow the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister). I stand to speak in support of new clause 1 in his name, which is supported by numerous people across the Opposition Benches.
New clause 1 is not radical or wrecking; it is actually very reasonable in what it ask…
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
11 February 2026
Autumn Budget 2025
Cancer is a thief and a home-wrecker. Sadly, Northern Ireland has the worst cancer outcomes across the UK. I recently lifted the lid on breast cancer referrals, with red-flag appointments taking in excess of 14 weeks. Although the autumn Budget has been helpful, can the Minister confirm whether conv…
Commons
Westminster Hall
11 February 2026
Hughes Report: Second Anniversary
Women have been left in lifelong pain; children have been born with preventable disabilities; families have endured financial and emotional stress; many women have lost their jobs, their homes and even their marriages. Does my hon. Friend agree that, although financial and non-financial support are …
Commons
Debate
10 February 2026
Pensions and Social Security
Accuracy and fairness are really important, so I think the face-to-face assessments are vital. There has been talk of a 30% increase, which is a little bit less than what I would like to see. Can the Minister give this House assurances that the increase will not sit at 30%, and that the Government w…
Commons
Debate
4 February 2026
Lord Mandelson
The hon. Member is right: victims should be at the heart of this process. The allegations against someone who the Prime Minister and Ministers put full trust in are also absolutely shocking.
Jeffrey Epstein was a sick child predator and a sex offender. He visited Hillsborough castle on at least one…