Commons
Debate
5 February 2026
Road Safety
I very much welcome the steps that our Labour Government are taking to improve road safety. From record funding to improve road conditions to the publication of the road safety strategy last month—the first of its kind in a decade—there is a clear commitment to deliver on our manifesto commitments a…
Commons
Debate
2 February 2026
US Department of Justice Release of Files
Many of my constituents, like all of us, will be horrified by the revelations regarding Peter Mandelson and the Epstein files, but they will also be shocked to know that the Government do not have the power to remove peerages. Does the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister agree that it is absolutel…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
29 January 2026
Business of the House
I welcome this Labour Government’s record investment in repairing and renewing our roads, and in fixing potholes, with £7.3 billion having been allocated to local authorities over the next four years. Following the recent introduction of red-amber-green ratings for how local authorities are spending…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
26 January 2026
Police Reform White Paper
I thank the Home Secretary for her statement. Can she confirm that, as she consults on the new police force structures, local accountability, community engagement and place-based policing will remain central to the Government’s approach?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
21 January 2026
Warm Homes Plan
I, too, warmly welcome the warm homes plan, which will benefit families in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and especially the measures targeted at helping low-income families out of fuel poverty. Does the Secretary of State agree that, after a decade of failure from the Conservative party, the L…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Business of the House
I want to take this opportunity to publicly praise Luton Town football club for calling out racist online comments directed at several of its black players and, earlier this week, at its assistant manager, Chris Powell, following Luton’s great win over Stevenage. Will the Leader of the House join me…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 January 2026
Offshore Wind
Today’s announcement of a record-breaking auction securing over 8 GW of wind power—enough electricity to power over 12 million homes—is clear evidence of this Labour Government delivering on our clean power mission, and it will help my constituents have lower bills in the future. Does the Secretary …
Commons
Ministerial Statement
8 January 2026
Road Safety Strategy
I thank the Minister for her written statement about enforcement on pavement parking, which is a huge issue in Luton South and South Bedfordshire. I welcome the launch of today’s road safety strategy, particularly the emphasis on tackling drug-driving. There was a trebling of fatal collisions betwee…
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
8 January 2026
Topical Questions
Accessing airports via public transport is hugely important for sustainable aviation. With Govia Thameslink Railway’s Thameslink franchise coming under public ownership through Great British Railways later this spring, will the Minister meet me to discuss the benefits that that could bring for acces…
Commons
Oral Questions
Home Department
5 January 2026
2 contributions
Police Efficiency
10. What steps her Department is taking to help improve police efficiency.
Bedfordshire police have been using both modern technology and AI to ensure that they make the best use of resources over the medium term. However, Bedfordshire faces a disproportionate level of demand due to complex, serious and organised crime, and it relies on special grant support to tackle thes…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
17 December 2025
Local Government Finance
May I warmly welcome the announcement today of the linking between local government funding and deprivation and need? That marks an end to the cuts and austerity brought in under the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition Government. Will the Minister outline how that will benefit the children and youn…
Commons
Debate
10 December 2025
Conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Minister makes a point about the previous disastrous mini-Budget of September 2023. The shadow Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride), said at that time,
“I welcome much in this statement. There is a great deal that will help millions of families and businesses up …
Commons
Oral Questions
Women and Equalities
10 December 2025
2 contributions
“Break Down Barriers to Opportunity” Mission
2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality as part of the Government mission entitled “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity”.
Last week, I met the 93% Club to hear more about its vital work to address the impact of social class on young people’s career and life chances. I welcome our Labour Government’s steps to widen opportunities for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, such as the match funding for criminal barri…
Commons
Westminster Hall
3 December 2025
4 contributions
Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner) on securing this important debate. I welcome the Labour Government’s commitment to the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. After years of underfunding and neglect from the previous Conservative Government in constituencies such as mine,…
I will happily give way to my hon. and young Friend.
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
2 December 2025
Criminal Court Reform
I welcome the news that the Government will match-fund criminal barrister pupillages, and I agree that there should be a focus on opening up a career at the criminal Bar to even more young people from across society and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. What additional plans does the Lord Chancell…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
26 November 2025
2 contributions
Engagements
Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 26 November.
For years and years, rail fares have gone up and up, but that is set to change next year. Can the Prime Minister confirm that commuters in my constituency will see a saving of around £400 on their annual season ticket as a result of this Government freezing rail fares? Can he confirm that it is only…
Commons
Oral Questions
24 November 2025
Topical Questions
T6. This follows on from previous questions about the fair funding review. Luton has seen local services decimated, due to years of Conservative decisions, which stripped consideration of deprivation and need from the funding formula. Under a fairer funding system, Luton is set to gain. What can we …
Commons
Oral Questions
24 November 2025
2 contributions
Pride in Place Funding: Luton South and South Bedfordshire
7. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on the Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituency.
I really welcome the £1.5 million Pride in Place impact funding awarded to Luton, and I have launched a survey with my hon. Friend the Member for Luton North (Sarah Owen) to find out what people want to see improved in our town. Does the Minister agree that local people’s voices must be at the heart…
Commons
Proceedings
20 November 2025
Ukraine: Forcible Removal of Children
Russia is enduring significant financial pressure as a result of its illegal war in Ukraine. Does the Minister share my view that we must impose maximum economic pressure on Russia in order to force Putin to the negotiating table?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
13 November 2025
Police Reform
I welcome the Minister’s announcement that she will abolish police and crime commissioners, which is the right move. That said, may I place on the record my thanks to John Tizard, our Bedfordshire PCC? He has always worked constructively with me, and I know he will continue to work constructively un…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
13 November 2025
Business of the House
I am pleased that so many nominations are rolling in for my fifth annual Luton South and South Bedfordshire small business awards. There are two weeks to go—keep nominating. Many of our small businesses are in the retail sector, and retail businesses make up 4.5% of our economy, but too many retail …
Commons
Oral Questions
Solicitor General
13 November 2025
2 contributions
Serious Fraud Office: Economic Crime
1. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office’s work in tackling serious economic crime.
I welcome the Serious Fraud Office’s first use of an unexplained wealth order to return more than £1 million that had been stolen from the public. How will the Solicitor General support efforts to expand the use of unexplained wealth orders to target those criminals who have defrauded innocent victi…
Commons
Oral Questions
11 November 2025
Topical Questions
T7. Meaningful activity and access to education in prison are key to supporting those leaving prison with the skills and tools they need to move away from crime. However, the University and College Union reports that recent changes to the education contract have triggered notable job losses. Will th…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
2 contributions
Houses in Multiple Occupation: Planning Consent
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for securing this important debate on HMOs. Concerns around access to safe, good-quality and genuinely affordable housing have consistently been raised with me throughout my time repr…
I thank my hon. Friend for making that really important point about unlicensed HMOs, and I thoroughly agree.
Commons
Debate
3 November 2025
Huntingdon Train Attack
I pay tribute to all the LNER train crew and the train driver for their bravery. Their swift action and their extensive training in responding to emergencies was undoubtedly critical to saving many lives. Railway staff will be deeply concerned that this terrible incident has taken place against a ba…