Commons
Westminster Hall
16 September 2025
London Fashion Week: Cultural Contribution
I congratulate the hon. Member on securing this really important debate. Lynne Franks is a good friend of mine and a constituent, and she is also the creator of London Fashion Week. However, her impact does not end there. It is global, but also local. She is the founder of the SEED Hub in Wincanton,…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 September 2025
International Day of Democracy
The hon. Member mentioned young people. Last Friday, I met some A-level politics students at Huish Episcopi academy in my constituency of Glastonbury and Somerton and I was struck by the political enthusiasm of the young women in the classroom. However, we face an alarming rise of extreme misogyny t…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 September 2025
Children with SEND: Assessments and Support
It is an honour to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Huq, and a privilege to follow the powerful speech of the hon. Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft). I thank all the petitioners, including the 221 from Glastonbury and Somerton.
As vice-chair of the f40 group, which represents the worst-funded 43 local…
Commons
Westminster Hall
9 September 2025
Free-to-air Broadcasting: Cricket Participation
It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms McVey. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson) for securing this important debate and for his excellent speech. This summer has been a great one for British sport with the Lionesses’ success in the Euros, and I hope the Red…
Commons
Westminster Hall
9 September 2025
Neurodivergent People: Employment
It a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms McVey. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Ely and East Cambridgeshire (Charlotte Cane) for securing this important and timely debate and for her excellent speech.
As vice-chair of the f40 group, I know how vital fair funding is for education. Toda…
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
8 September 2025
2 contributions
Women in the Armed Forces
4. Whether he plans to implement the outstanding recommendations of the second report of the Defence Committee of Session 2021-22, “Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life”, HC 154.
The Atherton report, published in 2021, surveyed 4,000 female service personnel and veterans. It revealed that 62% had been victims of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual assault during their service. Does the Minister recognise that at a time when we are expanding our armed forces, we mu…
Commons
Proceedings
3 September 2025
Property Taxes
Queen Camel Community Land Trust is working to create much-needed homes in south Somerset, but it is often hampered by lack of access to finance and an outdated planning system. Does my hon. Friend agree that this Government should focus on community-led development to deliver the affordable homes t…
Commons
Debate
2 September 2025
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
It is a pleasure to speak on this important piece of legislation, and I declare my interest as a vice president of the Local Government Association. This Bill’s intention is to support further devolution—something that the Liberal Democrats are in favour of. However, the Bill fails to properly do so…
Commons
Petition
15 July 2025
Rural Post Offices
I rise to present this petition about rural post offices in Glastonbury and Somerton, which have closed at an alarming rate over recent years. A separate similar petition from the owners of Somerton Stores, Mr and Mrs Thievendran, recently garnered 800 signatures within two weeks, highlighting the o…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
Beer Duty
Glastonbury and Somerton is home to some lovely small breweries. Obviously, we are the natural home of cider and produce some of the world’s best. Fine Tuned Brewery in Somerton is one of our brilliant little breweries. Although I recognise the Government’s intention to make the packaging more susta…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 July 2025
Future of the Post Office
I thank sub-postmasters across Glastonbury and Somerton, and across the country, in particular Jim Gordon from Martock. Many post offices in my constituency have closed in recent years, including those in Somerton, Butleigh, Charlton Adam, Charlton Mackrell, Keinton Mandeville and Sparkford, deprivi…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 July 2025
State of Climate and Nature
The Met Office report and the Climate Change Committee have made it clear that we are unprepared for climate change, with progress on food security and nature restoration either insufficient or limited. The Lang partnership in Curry Rivel has proudly championed regenerative farming and nature-friend…
Commons
Westminster Hall
9 July 2025
2 contributions
Early Years Providers: Government Support
Ellie from Wincanton in my constituency has autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a specific learning disability. She was not diagnosed during her early education and did not have the support framework around her, so I am really pleased that the Government’s Best Sta…
I think my hon. Friend is coming to an important point that I want to make, too. I recently met Acorn childcare in Somerton, another brilliant women-led nursery in my constituency. Staff there have told me over and over again that they are really struggling with the unsustainable costs and the fundi…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
8 July 2025
Road and Rail Projects
Residents in Somerton and Langport are isolated from the railway line that runs right through the area. Some 50,000 residents could benefit from a new station, but hopes for that station took a massive hit when the Chancellor cancelled the restoring your railway fund. What steps will the Secretary o…
Commons
Debate
8 July 2025
Government Resilience Action Plan
Somerset is so often at the forefront of climate change. Recently, Somerset Rivers Authority set up a community flood action fund to provide small grants for small-scale works to reduce flooding in Somerset. These local, community-led interventions can make all the difference on the ground, but fund…
Commons
Debate
7 July 2025
Government Performance against Fiscal Rules
George is the fifth-generation owner of Knight’s fish and chip shop in Glastonbury. It is a much-loved business in the town, but it is under severe pressure after the NICs increases and business rates and some of the decisions made by Ministers on our economy. Hiking national insurance hurts our sma…
Commons
Oral Questions
7 July 2025
Antisocial Behaviour
Glastonbury town centre has seen increasing rates of antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and crime. A local charity shop manager told me that residents and customers are too scared to walk down the high street, which obviously has a negative impact on the local economy. Will the Minister meet me to di…
Commons
Oral Questions
Treasury
1 July 2025
Topical Questions
Jackie from Street suffers with Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia and mental health issues. She worked for most of her life until ill health made it impossible. Under the reforms, she will lose her entitlement to personal independence payment and employment and support allowance, plunging her into pover…
Commons
Westminster Hall
30 June 2025
Driven Grouse Shooting
It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs Harris. I thank the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont) for leading this important debate. I also thank the 348 petitioners in my constituency.
The red grouse is a unique wild bird, native to the moorland areas of the…
Commons
Debate
26 June 2025
3 contributions
Armed Forces Day
Veterans play an important role in my Glastonbury and Somerton constituency, where 11% of households include at least one veteran. However, female veterans are more than 10% less likely to be employed than male veterans. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that we must put more support into helping …
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. If I may just correct the right hon. Gentleman, the Glastonbury festival site is not in my constituency.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
26 June 2025
Business of the House
June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, celebrating the colourful histories and contributions of those communities. People are drawn to Glastonbury and Somerton as a place of pilgrimage, because of its unique spiritual heritage. After the Conservative cuts, we have no sites across Somerset …
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 June 2025
Businesses in Rural Areas
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Western. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Steff Aquarone) for securing this important debate and for his excellent speech.
Small rural businesses are the heartbeat of the economy in Glastonbury and Somerton, but many are in cris…
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 June 2025
2 contributions
Disabled People in Poverty
My constituent in Langport, Samantha, is a recipient of personal independence payment. She had treatment for endometritis and is struggling with cancer. Her PIP review was submitted in 2024. It comprised 100 pages of evidence—an onerous process that took six weeks to complete—and she is still awaiti…
I spoke to Jacqueline from Street, who is unable to work and is absolutely desperate. Heartbreakingly, she told me that if her PIP is removed, she is prepared to take her own life. Does my hon. Friend recognise that the vital support that PIP payments provide to the most vulnerable in society is not…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 June 2025
Farmed Animals: Cages and Crates
It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Mundell. I thank the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Irene Campbell) for leading this important debate, and I thank the 322 petitioners in Glastonbury and Somerton.
As a nation, we value high animal welfare standards. The public care abo…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
4 June 2025
Engagements
Q13. Glastonbury is experiencing a notable increase in antisocial behaviour. St John’s church was recently forced to close its doors after gravestones were reportedly used as counters for drug transactions. Constituents Peter and Melanie told me that people have been targeted with demands for money …