Commons
Proceedings
19 January 2026
Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
I find it a bit rich that the Conservatives are raising this issue, given that around 7,000 pubs and bars closed on their watch, which is felt in Blackpool and across the country. Will the Minister continue to engage with the hospitality sector, UKHospitality and small businesses to ensure that we g…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
12 January 2026
New Homes
In Blackpool, we have a waiting list of around 12,000 for social and council housing. Given the deprivation throughout Blackpool, we know that the quality of housing is below where it needs to be, and so many people are struggling with their health and other conditions. Will the Secretary of State o…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
8 January 2026
Road Safety Strategy
In Blackpool we have seen year-on-year increases in the number of uninsured drivers, skyrocketing our premiums and the cost of insurance. Can the Minister outline to my constituents what her Department is doing to clamp down on this problem, and has it done any assessment of what this will mean for …
Commons
Proceedings
8 January 2026
Business of the House
Blackpool experiences homelessness rates that are higher than the national average, with a record number of rough sleepers recorded last year, so I was delighted to secure over £3 million to tackle that. With the current spell of extreme cold weather, conditions are especially dangerous for those sl…
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
8 January 2026
Economic Growth: Transport System
Reliable transport links are vital to the prosperity of Blackpool. Although it is the most deprived town in the UK, we rely heavily on tourism, yet because of the Office of Rail and Road’s restrictions, Avanti announced before Christmas that it has slashed our direct routes to and from London by ove…
Commons
Oral Questions
Energy Security and Net Zero
6 January 2026
Topical Questions
Blackpool and The Fylde college has excellent courses that are training young people in the area in use of the vital renewable energy equipment that we need to go forward, but there are no jobs for those young people locally. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can create those job…
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
15 December 2025
Topical Questions
The recent Typhoon deal is welcome news in my constituency of Blackpool South, an area in the country where we see high levels of deprivation, but also high demand for jobs and apprentices. Can the Minister outline what more can be done? Could there be a domestic order? What other deals are we looki…
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
11 December 2025
Topical Questions
Last weekend I attended Waterloo Road’s first ever winter wonderland Christmas lights switch-on, which was a fantastic celebration in the spirit of small business Saturday in the most deprived ward in our country. Those businesses told me on Saturday, as they have done many times, that they have bee…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
20 November 2025
Business of the House
Blackpool council has asked for the views of residents for the most ambitious and exciting regeneration project in our town’s history. In less than a week, more than 2,500 residents have signed my petition calling for Blackpool to build a world-class arena on the empty site in the Blackpool central …
Commons
Proceedings
20 November 2025
Russian Ship Yantar
This reckless act from Russia demonstrates how important it is that the world stands united against Putin’s aggression. What discussions has the Minister had with his international partners about maintaining and galvanising that support?
Commons
Oral Questions
20 November 2025
Topical Questions
Yesterday in Parliament, I met a number of bus drivers who told me that in their research of 420 routes, 222 did not have any toilets on the route, and 155 of those had no procedures in place for drivers who needed to access toilets during their route. These drivers deserve toilet dignity in their w…
Commons
Debate
27 October 2025
2 contributions
Prisoner Release Checks
I thank my right hon. Friend for coming to the House today to address this serious issue. Many of my constituents raised it with me over the weekend. I notice that not a single Member from Reform is here, especially not the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby (Sarah Pochin). I am assuming that she is…
On your advice, Madam Deputy Speaker, I withdraw that remark. To finish my question, will the Secretary of State ensure that there is a swift plan, so that when mistakes are made we can ensure that public trust in the justice system is retained?
Commons
Proceedings
21 October 2025
Rape Gangs: National Statutory Inquiry
Blackpool continues to live with the scars of Charlene Downes and Paige Chivers, two young girls in Blackpool who never came home and were subject to grooming. Will the Minister confirm to my constituents that the grooming gangs inquiry will be thorough and comprehensive, and committed to a full and…
Commons
Oral Questions
Education
20 October 2025
Topical Questions
In Blackpool, too many young people needing SEND placements have been sent outside the borough, often an hour away. There is a proposal on the table for two new SEND schools in Blackpool with 120 places, but it seems to be in limbo. Will the Minister agree to meet me to discuss this and how we can g…
Commons
Proceedings
16 October 2025
Business of the House
I am sure the whole House would join me in expressing my deepest condolences following the sad passing of the people’s champion, Ricky Hatton—a man who inspired millions with his courage in the ring and his honesty outside it. My thoughts are with Ricky’s family at this time. In his memory, those cl…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 October 2025
Pride in Place
In my area of Blackpool, the damning legacy of the Tories means that we now live in the most deprived borough in the country. High streets such as those in South Shore—Bond Street, Waterloo Road and Lytham Road—have been left to ruin. Will the Minister outline how the £1.5 million that can be used t…
Commons
Oral Questions
13 October 2025
Topical Questions
South Shore in my constituency is one of the most deprived areas in the country. It has just been named by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, which outlined 34 mission-critical neighbourhoods, as No. 1 for hyper-local need. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can improve…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
11 September 2025
Business of the House
I recently had the pleasure of attending this year’s switch-on of the iconic Blackpool illuminations, lighting up our promenade and attracting millions and millions of visitors each year since 1879. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Kate Shane, Richard Williams and all the peopl…
Commons
Oral Questions
11 September 2025
2 contributions
Transport: Economic Growth
3. What steps she is taking to ensure that the transport system supports economic growth.
Taxis are an essential part of Blackpool’s transport network, yet the licensing scheme is failing both passengers and our local economy. Vehicles licensed outside the area continue to operate in Blackpool, undermining passenger safety, costing our publicly owned bus company nearly £1.5 million, and …
Commons
Oral Questions
Defence
8 September 2025
Topical Questions
Young people in my constituency are crying out for decent, well-paid jobs, especially in the defence sector, so will the Secretary of State agree to meet me to discuss the Typhoon order that is desperately needed, not only for our country, but for jobs across Blackpool and Lancashire?
Commons
Debate
22 July 2025
Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
It is a privilege to speak in this debate in memory of Sir David Amess.
My home town of Blackpool is full of character and resilience. Its people are proud, its communities are close-knit and, despite facing more than a decade of neglect, we remain hopeful for the future. A person does not have to …
Commons
Ministerial Statement
22 July 2025
2 contributions
Music Streaming: Label-led Principles
Today’s news is great, especially for the artists and musicians in my constituency who regularly play at the Bootleg, a fantastic venue that we must ensure stays open for future generations to enjoy as my dad and I have enjoyed it. What plans are in place to engage with artists, representatives and …
indicated assent .
Commons
Ministerial Statement
22 July 2025
Orgreave Inquiry
It was alleged that Amber Rudd refused to hold an Orgreave inquiry because it would slur the memory of Thatcher. Can the Minister confirm that this inquiry will have a statutory power to compel witnesses to provide evidence, and that politics will not get in the way of uncovering the truth once and …
Commons
Debate
21 July 2025
Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary
While we celebrate VJ Day on 15 August, as we should, does the Minister agree that we should also encourage schools to mark that anniversary when term resumes, so that young people remember the sacrifices that so many made and the stories of so many valiant veterans and armed forces personnel?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
21 July 2025
Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional Report
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Following the inquiry’s report, will the Government now speed up the current timelines of 2027 and 2029 for the payment of compensation to victims?