Commons
Westminster Hall
10 June 2026
2 contributions
Water Supply in Kent
I beg to move,
That this House has considered water supply in Kent.
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair this afternoon, Mr Twigg. I am grateful to colleagues for coming to the debate, but it is disappointing that we are having to have it at all, after the fourth incident—and the third major o…
I absolutely agree. There are many farmers in my constituency, and I have heard about the challenges they face when there are water shortages and they do not know when the water will come back—even the uncertainty is difficult for them.
For businesses, loss of trade is not simply a temporary inconv…
Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
3 June 2026
2 contributions
Defence Growth Deal: Economic Impact
4. What assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of the defence growth deal on Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland defence sector already makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting well-paid, highly skilled jobs right across the region, with at least 900 jobs directly supported. Does the Minister agree that, as well as benefiting national security, this new investment …
Commons
Proceedings
3 June 2026
South East Water: Disruption of Supply
Like many of my constituents, I have lost all faith in South East Water after its repeated failures to deliver adequate standards for customers in my constituency and across Kent. The latest incident left around 4,000 of my constituents having to cope for days with no water entirely, an intermittent…
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 June 2026
Preparedness for National Emergencies
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mrs Barker. Emergency preparedness in east Kent is essential because the area contains major strategic entry points to the UK, including the port of Dover and the channel tunnel. Those vital gateways for trade and travel handle a significant proportion of th…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
22 April 2026
Pension Schemes
A few weeks ago, I raised in this Chamber an issue affecting my constituent, Andrew Mackay, whose wife Katy passed away at the end of September. Both Andrew and Katy worked for Border Force for 40 years, and Andrew has been in contact with Capita numerous times, but with no luck. I have written to t…
Commons
Debate
26 March 2026
Gurkha Veterans
It is crucial that we continue to recognise the invaluable contributions of the Gurkhas, both militarily and in our communities, and I thank the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Cameron Thomas) for securing this debate and explaining eloquently the issues that the Gurkha community faces. We need to conti…
Commons
Debate
26 March 2026
Business of the House
On Friday, I met my constituent Andrew Mackay, whose wife, Katy, passed away at the end of September. Like Andrew, Katy was a retired civil servant, having worked for Border Force for over 40 years. Nearly six months later, Andrew is still not receiving his widower’s pension. Despite his repeated ca…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
17 March 2026
Meningitis Outbreak
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I pay tribute to all the health leaders in Kent and the school leaders for their calm and quick actions yesterday and over the weekend. I was able to get a briefing from UKHSA yesterday morning and also was able to visit my local hospital, the Willia…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
12 March 2026
Business of the House
Overgrown vegetation is impeding access to footpaths on Stansfeld Avenue and Pritchard Drive in Hawkinge in my constituency. When I made representations on behalf of local residents to the local council, I was informed that the footpaths are not registered with the town council, the district council…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
2 March 2026
Middle East
Iran’s reckless attacks have fuelled further regional instability, putting British people at risk along with our allies across the region. The attacks have naturally caused concern about what they mean for our own national security due to rising oil prices and the cost of living. Does the Prime Mini…
Commons
Debate
24 February 2026
2 contributions
Online Harm: Child Protection
This is an issue in which I have taken a close personal interest, because I have spent 22 years working in mental health services in the NHS. During that time, I have seen a gradual increase in mental health conditions, especially among young people. I do not want to say that this is all because of …
Local studies show that locking away smartphones leads to students feeling that they have not been taken away. They are still able to hold on to their phones in their pockets, but they are not able to use them. I agree with my hon. Friend’s suggestion that another option is for children to have bric…
Commons
Debate
23 February 2026
Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving
In the consultation events that I held with parents, carers and teachers, the message was clear: it is crucial that SEND support starts early. I welcome what my right hon. Friend has said about that. As the proposals move forward, will she ensure that those with lived experience of the system remain…
Commons
Westminster Hall
3 February 2026
2 contributions
Transport in the South-East
I congratulate the hon. Member for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller) on securing this very important debate. It would not be a debate about transport in our region if I did not use it to mention international rail services returning to Ashford International station. Last month was the 30th anniversary …
I was really pleased that our Government brought in the rating system so that we can hold local authorities accountable. I completely agree with my hon. Friend.
Since being elected, I have written on multiple occasions to the Reform administration at KCC, as well as to their Conservative predecesso…
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 February 2026
Indefinite Leave to Remain
As part of the armed forces parliamentary scheme, I recently visited some of our Army training centres and met with a few international recruits who are concerned about the future of their life in this country. Last week, as chair of the APPG on adult social care, I had the pleasure of hosting an ev…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
20 January 2026
Mobile Phones and Social Media: Use by Children
Earlier this month, I hosted in Parliament a performance by students from Kent of “Generation FOMO”, a powerful verbatim play that looks at young people’s real experiences of using social media. It highlighted the impact that social media use can have on mental health, and how it leads to an increas…
Commons
Oral Questions
13 January 2026
Topical Questions
T5. I thank the Secretary of State for his letter following the concerns I expressed about corridor care at the William Harvey hospital during Health and Social Care oral questions in October. He noted the decisive steps taken to reduce the pressure, including employing more doctors, freeing up beds…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
10 December 2025
Engagements
Q5. Working in the NHS, I saw the consequences of Tory under-investment in our health service. I welcome the progress under this Labour Government: falling waiting lists, higher patient satisfaction with general practice and the roll-out of neighbourhood health centres announced in the Budget. I tha…
Commons
Westminster Hall
8 December 2025
2 contributions
Digital ID
About 5,000 people from my constituency of Ashford have signed this petition. I recognise the benefits that the national digital identity scheme could bring; they have been debated in the media and elsewhere. However, if the Government are to go ahead with the scheme, Ministers must ensure that it i…
I need to carry on; I am sorry.
Constituents have also raised concerns about the security of a national ID scheme. This year, we have seen the impact that cyber-security breaches have had on some well-known brands. My constituents have expressed worry that a similar breach of a national ID database…
Commons
Proceedings
2 December 2025
Budget Resolutions
I congratulate the Chancellor on delivering a Budget that protects the national health service, reduces the national debt and eases the cost of living. I warmly welcome her decision to find money to reduce energy bills, freeze rail fares and freeze prescription charges. I also welcome her decision t…
Commons
Westminster Hall
19 November 2025
5 contributions
Suicide: Reducing the Stigma
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Mundell. I congratulate the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Sarah Olney) on securing this important debate, and I pay tribute to her constituent, who is in the Gallery to support this campaign.
It is important to reflect on the progress that has bee…
As someone who worked in mental health services for 22 years, I absolutely agree. We need access to mental health services, and not just for young people; everyone is important. Getting help early is key to preventing suicide among young people.
The situation is worse among men working in the farmi…
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
17 November 2025
Asylum Policy
I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement on how the Government will make our asylum policy fit for this country. The broken immigration and asylum system under the Conservatives created an unprecedented backlog, which hindered the Home Office’s ability to process legitimate cases, including those of…
Commons
Proceedings
17 November 2025
Illegal Waste: Organised Crime
It took four years before statutory bodies did anything about the waste dumping in Hoad’s Wood near my constituency after it was originally reported. Can the Minister tell us more about how she hopes to work with local authorities such as mine in Ashford to ensure that immediate actions are taken ag…
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
12 November 2025
Engagements
Q3. Despite extra Government funding, adult social care services in my community are in disarray. My constituents also face a new fire risk because we do not have a fully functioning fire authority. This has all been caused by the dysfunction at Kent county council, because so many Reform councillor…
Commons
Westminster Hall
12 November 2025
SEND Provision: Kent
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. I am regularly contacted by parents or guardians of children to express their concerns about the provision of SEND education in our area, so I am grateful to my constituency neighbour, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Folkestone and …
Commons
Prime Minister's Questions
Prime Minister
5 November 2025
Engagements
Q9. I am regularly contacted by leaseholders and residential freeholders from across Ashford, Hawkinge and the villages who raise concerns about rising property management fees, poor service and a lack of transparency over what they are being charged for. As they already pay council tax, it is wr…