Commons
Oral Questions
16 April 2026
Business of the House
Queen Elizabeth II was and still is held in the highest esteem by the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, and next Tuesday is the 100th anniversary of her birth. Will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to Her late Majesty’s long life of service to our United Kingdom and …
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
2 contributions
Archbishop of Canterbury
9. What the priorities are for the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
The people of Newcastle-under-Lyme join me in welcoming Archbishop Sarah to her new responsibilities and in wishing her well. We also give thanks to Bishop Michael, who has announced his intention to stand down in September, for his service. The new archbishop will have a long to-do list, but what s…
Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
2 contributions
Regulation of the Marmalade Market
I confess to the House that I prefer English strawberry jam to marmalade, but my wife is an assiduous and loyal orange marmalade fan—
It must be a Northern Irish thing. She often purchases marmalade at one of the excellent shops in Newcastle-under-Lyme. May I congratulate the hon. Lady on an excellent and interesting speech, and on giving voice to the sweet, sweet tastes of Paddington Bear himself?
Commons
Petition
15 April 2026
Baldies Field
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Declares that Baldies Field—a green space adjacent to Hoon Avenue and Milehouse Lane—has been used by local people for generations, and is valued by residents as an accessible open space used for walking, r…
Commons
Debate
19 March 2026
Online Harms
We are enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech; she has a number of pages left, and we want to hear all of it. She rightly talks about the potential ban for under-16s. I was at Newcastle academy last week, and a number of young people said that they would feel much safer if such a ban were imposed, so I wo…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
19 March 2026
International Development
Holy Scripture tells us that we should never walk by on the other side, and I am reassured by the Secretary of State’s statement that she agrees, even if she used other words. She is right to talk about value for money for taxpayers and the values that we hold close as Brits. I particularly welcome …
Commons
Petition
17 March 2026
Corpusty Primary School
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today is 17 March, St Patrick’s day. People will be celebrating across the world, something that has been made easier for us this evening because Opposition Members voted for the Government business today. Madam Deputy Speaker, as chair of the Ireland and t…
Commons
Oral Questions
16 March 2026
GP Contract
We all welcome the work being done to get our national health service back on track. What engagement does the Department have with, and what guidance does it provide to, ICBs about what happens when a practice closes or a GP returns their contract in rural communities, like in Betley in Newcastle-un…
Commons
Debate
11 March 2026
20 contributions
Commonwealth Day 2026
I am grateful for the chance to lead the House in acknowledging and marking Commonwealth Day 2026. I declare an interest as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for the Commonwealth and a member of the executive of the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—and as, in many …
If the hon. Member waits a little minute longer, he will hear all the important points that I make, some of which he has just mentioned. I agree with him. He knows that I had the wisdom to marry a woman from County Antrim—
+18 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Treasury
10 March 2026
Topical Questions
My constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme are sick and tired of poor-quality, dangerous roads. The county council has resources from this Government, and must stop being missing in action. What message does the Minister have for Staffordshire county council?
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 March 2026
4 contributions
Fur: Import and Sale
I had not planned to speak; I only came to show my support for my hon. Friend the Member for Newport West and Islwyn (Ruth Jones), but as there is time I will make a brief contribution, with your indulgence, Ms Jardine. It is excellent to see you up there presiding over us; this is the first time th…
Forgive me, I should have known—two successful twins. My right hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool Garston brought back the fur ban while I was in primary school, so it now falls to another Eagle to get the job done and deliver the fur-free Britain that we all want to see.
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
5 March 2026
2 contributions
Palliative Care
Can I take my hon. Friend up the M6 from Birmingham to Newcastle-under-Lyme and, through her, pay tribute to the wonderful Dougie Mac hospice? For many years, it has served people in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and across north Staffordshire. The staff there are committed, caring and compas…
My hon. Friend is making a really important speech, which I am enjoying, as I am sure others are. He set out the challenges facing the palliative care system. Does he agree that rather than proceeding with changes to bring in assisted dying—a change from zero to hero that would only make the challen…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
5 March 2026
Consular Assistance
I associate myself with the Minister’s condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and I thank him for his statement, for his tone and for summoning the Iranian ambassador yesterday, who I hope was left in no doubt about both our values and our resolve. I acknowledge the work to get t…
Commons
Oral Questions
4 March 2026
2 contributions
Economic Growth
12. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing economic growth in Wales.
The best place in our kingdom, Newcastle-under-Lyme, is 30 miles or so from the Welsh border, so the recent rail announcement from this Labour Government will benefit my people, too, as the upgrade to the Marches line will deliver quicker services to south Wales. Can the Secretary of State reassure …
Commons
Petition
24 February 2026
College Fields in Madeley
The petition states:
“The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Declares that there is growing concern in Madeley about proposals that would limit public access to College Fields, a green space that has been used by the community for many years; further declares that t…
Commons
Debate
5 February 2026
2 contributions
Road Safety
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for setting out the danger to our county in not taking this issue seriously. I know that he shares my horror about the case of my constituent, who was knocked down as he took his daughter to school in December 2025. Luckily, he pushed his daughter away, and he was not…
I am grateful to my other constituency neighbour for giving way—there is a theme about the quality and condition of our roads in Staffordshire. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for setting out the situation in her constituency, and I just want to make it clear that the same situation is also happenin…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
5 February 2026
Sudan
The Sudanese diaspora in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme will welcome the statement today, and I thank the Foreign Secretary for her leadership in travelling to the region—we have to be seen to be believed.
I welcome the programme of sanctions that has been announced, because we must do what…
Commons
Debate
3 February 2026
British-made Bricks (Proposals)
I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish proposals for measures to increase the use of British-made bricks in construction projects in the United Kingdom, including specific measures relating to the building of new homes; and for connected p…
Commons
Debate
22 January 2026
Local Government Finances: Surrey
I thank the hon. Gentleman for letting me take the debate from Surrey to Staffordshire. There is concern in Newcastle-under-Lyme about what a potential new unitary may look like and about whether the debt of current councils will be carried over to it. I want to add my concerns to his. This is not a…
Commons
Petition
22 January 2026
Safety of the A525 near Meadows Primary School
The petition of the residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme declares that the A525 outside Meadows primary school and the A531 at the junction of Crewe Road are inadequate, dangerous and putting the lives of the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme at risk. The petition acknowledges that in …
Commons
Proceedings
22 January 2026
2 contributions
Agricultural Sector: Import Standards
Madam Deputy Speaker, isn’t it wonderful to get to Thursday and find that business has run fast, so there is no time limit on speeches and some time to go? Rejoice! [ Interruption. ] I shall rejoice; whether others do is a different matter.
This has been an excellent debate, and I particularly enjo…
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Royal Stoke University hospital, which is across the road from my constituency border but is staffed by and serves the vast majority of my constituents, is ensuring that its patients and workers enjoy the highest standards and the best of British food. I feel…
Commons
Westminster Hall
22 January 2026
2 contributions
Transport Connectivity: Midlands and North Wales
The right hon. Lady represents one part of the west midlands; I represent another part—the last seat in Staffordshire, which is on the Cheshire border. Many of the challenges that my constituents in Madeley, Audley, Wolstanton and Clayton have raised with me are related to the role that private comp…
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and county neighbour for giving way. I just want to give voice to the people in his constituency who he has just referred to, as well as people in Newcastle-under-Lyme and north Staffordshire. On that urgent need, I join him in urging the county council to get its act…
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 January 2026
2 contributions
Food Inflation
I shall add a Labour voice to the case for supply and production, but first I pay tribute to the Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which does wonderful work, particularly at the Newcastle Congregational Church on King Street.
The intervention by the right hon. Member for Orkney and…
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. It is not for me to touch on stereotypes, but being his mate and, at Christmas, his secret Santa recipient, I can confirm that he is very generous indeed. We are all enjoying his speech immensely, but I wonder whether he agrees that no farm in this Uni…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 January 2026
Northern Powerhouse Rail
I welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to improving connections to Manchester airport, and I hope she will support my calls for a direct line between Stoke-on-Trent railway station, which serves most of my constituents, and Manchester airport. As the Secretary of State has heard from my hon. …