Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Business of the House
One of the greatest privileges I have had in this place so far was sitting on the assisted dying Bill Committee. We have seen in the press today rumours that No. 10 thinks the Bill will not return before the King’s Speech and subsequently would fall. Could the Leader of the House enlighten us on wha…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 January 2026
Northern Powerhouse Rail
I completely disagree with the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Broadland and Fakenham (Jerome Mayhew) in his comments about the betrayal of the north by this Labour Government. While this plan is not by any means perfect, it is a damn sight better than what we saw from the last Government. At l…
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 January 2026
UK-France Relations
The hon. Gentleman mentioned tourism. Does he have any thoughts about the fantastic work that organisations such as Harrogate International Partnerships do in town twinning—a lot of which was set up off the back of world war two—and about how the educational, cultural and tourism exchange that such …
Commons
Debate
12 January 2026
2 contributions
Social Media: Non-consensual Sexual Deepfakes
I welcome the statement by the Secretary of State. When she talks about a ban, one thing I am slightly concerned about, whether it is limited, short-term or long-term, is how it would be enforced. Is she confident that Ofcom could do so in response to X and what we have seen? How do we ensure that i…
It was about ensuring that the ban is enforceable.
Commons
Proceedings
8 January 2026
Business of the House
I join the Leader of the House in recognising people who were awarded honours in the new year’s list, including those who live and work in Harrogate and Knaresborough such as Simon Roberts, Jane Bayliss, Professor Piers Forster, Miriam and Terence Wilcox, and Master Ali, who was awarded an MBE for s…
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
8 January 2026
Topical Questions
As a Yorkshireman, I love a bargain, so I welcome the great British rail sale, but members of the Young Liberals have told me that they cannot use their railcards when purchasing rail sale tickets. Can the Minister justify a rail sale that excludes young people, and will she look to fix it?
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
8 January 2026
2 contributions
Rail Services: Harrogate and Knaresborough
8. What steps she is taking to help improve rail services in Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency.
Constituents of mine who rely on the Leeds to York via Harrogate line face regular disruption, because part of the route is single track. Given the indefinite pause of the York area capacity scheme, which means that the Harrogate to York trains still have to go on to the fast east coast main line, w…
Commons
Debate
7 January 2026
2 contributions
Jury Trials
Will the Minister give way?
The Minister talks about record demand and the pressure on court services. Is he able to outline what assessment has been made of the increase in pressure on the court system as a result of cracking down on the right to protest in legitimate cases?
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 January 2026
4 contributions
Free Bus Travel: Over-60s
It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I congratulate the hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Tony Vaughan) for putting the key points across so well when he opened the debate. I thank the 226 people in my constituency of Harrogate and Knaresborough who added the…
This is an issue where party politics can be left at the door. It is about ensuring that we have better bus routes and better access across the board. I absolutely want people to get around the table and work collaboratively where possible. I have worked with several colleagues, including the hon. M…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Petition
17 December 2025
Knaresborough Castle
I am pleased to present this community petition on behalf of Kathy Allday. Alongside it, there were over 2,300 online signatures. It calls to save Knaresborough castle, which is in a poor state of repair but is vital to our town’s history and our thriving tourism industry. The petitioners therefore …
Commons
Petition
16 December 2025
House of Lords
Last week’s peerage list shows that the House of Lords is still used to reward loyalty, connections and convenience, all to the tune of £370 a day to the taxpayer. I am pleased to present this petition with the support of Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Dixon.
The petition states:
The petition …
Commons
Proceedings
16 December 2025
Petitions
Last week’s peerage list shows that the House of Lords is still used to reward loyalty, connections and convenience, all to the tune of £370 a day to the taxpayer. I am pleased to present this petition with the support of Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Dixon.
The petition states:
The petition …
Commons
Debate
10 December 2025
2 contributions
Seasonal Work
The hon. Lady makes an excellent point about the need to see the minimum wage increase—people who live in my constituency of Harrogate and Knaresborough simply cannot afford to live or work in the area, and that is a real problem—but does she accept that it is not just the minimum wage that is the i…
I do not believe the hon. Lady has yet got one of these devolution mayors, although she can correct me if I’m wrong. We have one in York and North Yorkshire, who is now looking at how they might implement a tourist tax. Will the hon. Lady give her thoughts on the impact such a tax would have? When I…
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 December 2025
International Human Rights Day 2025
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Butler. I congratulate the hon. Member for Penrith and Solway (Markus Campbell-Savours) on securing the debate. This year marks 75 years since the European convention on human rights, and 25 years since the implementation of the Human Rights Act in U…
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 December 2025
2 contributions
Village Schools
My hon. Friend has mentioned those involved in making sure that schools function. For village schools across my area, such as in Scotton and Burton Leonard, parent teacher associations are having to fund the bare minimum and basics. Temporary classrooms that are not fit for purpose are now being use…
The home-to-school transport issue has affected people across North Yorkshire. One of the campaigners, Jo Foster, has been leading and working with the School Transport Action Group and has highlighted the inconsistency in the local authority’s approach. It used to be catchment-based, which makes se…
Commons
Oral Questions
Work and Pensions
8 December 2025
Child Poverty
One thing that really concerns me is that I have met a number of parents who have had to leave work because of the unmet need of their children with special educational needs and disabilities. Children who are already really vulnerable are ending up being forced into poverty because there is not the…
Commons
Westminster Hall
8 December 2025
2 contributions
Digital ID
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Will the hon. Lady comment on the polling around digital ID? This summer, there was net support: over 30%. When the Government announced that they were picking it up, that collapsed to minus 14%. Will she give her thoughts on why that might be?
Commons
Oral Questions
2 December 2025
Topical Questions
T8. Last month, I met Anoosheh Ashoori and opened his exhibit “Surviving Evin” at a Harrogate district Amnesty International branch event at Ripon cathedral. Given the continued use of arbitrary detention and state-sponsored kidnapping and hostage-taking by Iran, what steps are the Government taking…
Commons
Westminster Hall
26 November 2025
3 contributions
Driving Test Availability: South-east
As ever, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Dr Pinkerton) on securing this important debate. The availability of driving tests is a subject of growing concern for families, young people and businesses in every consti…
I recognise that that is part of the problem, but we need a comprehensive solution in the round that does not simply add to the backlog and the other pressures on the system, which I have outlined. I would be grateful to the hon. Gentleman if he could come up with any solutions: I am sure the Minist…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Petition
24 November 2025
Sale of Disposable Barbecues
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. During the course of the previous debate, I waited over four hours to speak. In the Minister’s winding-up speech, she did not acknowledge any of my contribution or the amendments. I believe I was the only Yorkshire MP to speak in the debate, and this underl…
Commons
Debate
24 November 2025
2 contributions
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
I tabled new clause 28, which would make provision for a new form of regional governance. The explanatory statement specifically mentions that it would make provision for a Cornish assembly. I understand that when the hon. Member was on the Bill Committee, he might have abstained on such a measure. …
I rise to speak to new clause 28. I thank my Liberal Democrat colleagues who tabled a similar amendment in Committee.
New clause 28 would effectively allow a new form of regional governance. One thing that frustrates me at the moment—it is quite bonkers from a fairness perspective—is that Yorkshire…
Commons
Westminster Hall
19 November 2025
Suicide: Reducing the Stigma
One of my constituents, Steve, founded the Jordan Legacy after he lost his son to suicide. Its work involves outreach to schools, universities, employers and community groups. I echo the point that the hon. Gentleman is making. Does he, like me, think that there should be more support for the fantas…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
18 November 2025
China Espionage: Government Security Response
I have previously mentioned that the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on transnational repression specifically singled out China for having the most comprehensive TNR campaign in the UK of any country. The report called for China to be on the enhanced tier of FIRS. If all the actions the Chine…
Commons
Oral Questions
18 November 2025
3 contributions
Energy Efficiency Schemes: Consumer Confidence
6. What steps he is taking to improve consumer confidence in energy efficiency schemes.
I appreciate the response that the Minister has given. He will not be surprised to hear me banging on—
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 November 2025
Land Use Change: Food Security
The right hon. Lady has talked a lot about housing and development infringement upon the green belt. An issue in my area, around the village of Scotton, is the proposal for a huge solar farm. While I completely agree and want to see that the targets and net zero are reached, does the right hon. Lady…