Commons Chamber

Thursday 6th March 2025

(began 3 days, 17 hours ago)

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09:35
None Portrait Oral questions: Cabinet Office
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Order. Order. Order.
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None Portrait Q1. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the emergency alert system. (903023)
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Order. Order. We Order. Order. We start Order. Order. We start with questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
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None Portrait Q3. What recent progress his Department has made on strengthening cyber security. (903025)
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Question number three.
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None Portrait Q8. What steps he is taking to improve relations with the European Union. (903030)
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None Portrait Q15. Whether the Cabinet Secretary has issued guidance on Ministerial appointments. (903040)
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15 Sr.
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None Portrait Q18. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government advertising through social media. (903044)
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Question number 18 Mr Speaker.
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None Portrait Q19. What steps he is taking to ensure the security of democratic processes from foreign interference. (903046)
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paid promotion to communicate important government information. important government information.
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Lucy Powell Portrait Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you Mr Speaker. Will the Leader of the House give us the forthcoming business? I shall. Business for the week commencing 10 March includes Monday, commencing 10 March includes Monday, 10 March, Second Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill. Tuesday 11th March, remaining stages of the Employment Rights Bill. Wednesday 12th of March remaining stages of Employment Rights Bill day two. Thursday 13th of March general debate on the future of followed by debate on the future of followed by general debate on the mental health and educational setting.

The subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. By 14 March Private Members' Bills. The provisional business for the week commencing 17 March will include, Monday 17th March, remaining stages of that Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill day one. She is 18 March remaining stages of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill day two. Wednesday 19th March consideration of Lords Amendments to National Insurance Contributions secondary class contributions will followed by class contributions will followed by Opposition Day, first allotted today second part.

Debate on a motion in the name of the Official Opposition subject to be announced. Thursday 20th March, general debate on knife crime amongst children and people followed by general debate on coastal communities. Subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Friday 21st of March the house will not be sitting.
10:34
Jesse Norman Portrait Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)
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Thank you Mr Speaker. May I first of all associates myself strongly with your kind remarks about Peter Hipkins and his service to the house. I should also say that we join with all colleagues in celebration of International Women's Day this Saturday. I am sure the whole house will also share my deep concern at the latest news in relation to Ukraine. We wish to send all of our best wishes to the Prime Minister and other European leaders who are doing everything they can to support that country.

It is now three months or so since I became shadow leader and I'm sad to say that these joyous Thursday morning sessions seem to have fallen into a bit of a rut. No, no, I hear you cry, Business Questions is still as fresh and lively and engaging as it ever was if not more so. But Sapega feel that is not true. It is our function on this side of the house of course depress public concerns and raise questions about the government. Indeed, as his Majesty's loyal opposition, it is not only our function at our constitutional duty to do so.

On the other side, it is of course the government's job to respond to these questions and concerns and to make the case publicly for the policy choices and decisions that it has made. If it has a strategy for its underlying strategy. Unfortunately, the strategy. Unfortunately, the government is not doing that in our sessions. In fact leader of rarely if ever responds to the important public questions and concerns that I raised. Instead I'm sorry to say we get the same endlessly reheated mishmash of standard party political lines, personal jibes, and irrelevant comment.

You will recall that I raised this issue first in Business Questions on December 4 and I highlighted a series of occasions in which the leader had been unwilling to answer or even to address some obvious examples of government economic incompetence. As I pointed out, many different responses were open to her. She could have said I agree all the shadow leader is wrong for the following reasons or even that I don't know. She did not want to respond at that particular time she could have said, as so many other ministers do, I will look into it, I will reply to you, I will ask a colleague to investigate and respond.

We just saw the head of the Cabinet Office say just those things. But in fact, none of these occasions did she bother to give any kind of proper answer at all. Instead her approach was to change the subject and attack the previous government rather than defend the record of her own government which is, after all, the whole point of these exchanges. What is more troubling still is she herself is often called for transparency from ministers, and a failure is in breach of the rules of this house, the Nolan Principles and of the Ministerial Code of conduct.

I wish I could report that anything had changed since December. If anything, I'm afraid that as I got worse. The recent low point was Business Questions on 13 February when I raised five important issues relating to the government approach to the rule of law during a potential clash between domestic and international law, the level of risk the government was seeking to take and its attitude towards judicial review. I'm sorry to say the leader did not respond did not bother to respond to any of these questions.

Instead we had yet another series of irrelevant political attacks. We need a better way to track and monitor these invasions. In the spirit of openness and transparency, I would like to propose a new approach which we can call leaders bingo. Colleagues get a point every time the leader blames the previous government, attacks members of the opposition, changes the subject, or uses the words " Gently remind, take no lectures, " or similar in a no lectures, " or similar in a response.

I would not suggest we shout Bingo in the chamber but there could be other ways we could indicate the card has been filled. This is a light-hearted suggestion but it has a serious purpose. I know how much you care about parliamentary scrutiny and government decisions. I would ask the Leader of the House if she would reaffirm her commitment to these values and engage in future the questions I have been asking?
10:38
Lucy Powell Portrait Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )
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Thank you Mr Speaker. Could I also join you in passing on our condolences to the family of Peter Hitchens for his long service in this house. Can I also start by wishing peace and blessings to those observing Ramadan, and those marking Lent. Today is also World Book Day, a day to celebrate our favourite books and authors. And I have to say every working parent's worst nightmare, to find a last-minute costume. I see that the right honourable gentleman has come as his favourite author, himself.

And for those who have not read the thrilling historical novel, it is still available in all good bookshops. He can give me some royalties later. Saturday does indeed mark International Women's Day and I want to start by thanking you Mr Speaker for allowing us to come together in this chamber and take a historic photograph to mark the most elected female MPs ever to this house. It is a reminder that the gender pay gap is still 13.1% in this country.

And women work for free on average seven weeks each year. Perhaps the honourable gentleman is working for free most of the time anyway. Can I thank him for comment on Ukraine? I think it has been really important to this country's international role and its support of the Prime Minister that the House of Commons once again has shown such unity and backing for Ukraine. And for the Prime Minister's leadership in these weeks. He will know that we are focused on making sure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position to achieve long-term lasting peace through strength.

As we have done in recent weeks, we will make sure the house is constantly kept updated on these matters. But that is right ended today because I think the shadow leader used his slot again today to I think not actually ask me a single question. He says I have not given him any answers any weeks that we have been standing here but if he wants me to tell him again today where he has gone wrong, I'm happy to give him some advice about that.

If he really wants it, and I'm happy to tell him that yes, his governments did get many things wrong and we are getting many things right. If he wants to play leaders Business Questions bingo perhaps you can start by saying Bingo every time he actually asked me a question because there was not much of that that we heard today. There are lots of people are Business Questions today so I won't hold the house much longer. I notice he did not ask me about some of the really good things that the government has been doing here at home as well as abroad.

Shall we just remind the house as there are lots of people here today for the we have confirmed the first 750 schools to receive free breakfast clubs because we don't want any child to start school hungry stop we are ending the 8 AM scramble in our GP surgeries with more appointments and better access. We have launched our fantastic commonholds white paper, another step to finally ending the feudal leasehold system. And we are dealing with the courts backlog that his government frankly left as another shameful reminder of their shocking record on criminal justice.

We have announced our plan for neighbourhoods, and other £1.5 billion to help restore pride in our communities. That is on top of the additional amendments to our Employment Rights Bill because, unlike his vacuous contribution today, this government is getting on with delivering for the country whether it is at home or abroad.
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Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)
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And I thank the deputies for the debates and allowing the maximum amount of people to contribute. When we come to the full estimates, I hope we can be advised of the dates as that would be appreciated. If we are given the debate on St Patrick's Day and Northern Irish affairs, followed by a debate on the 10th anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act, and I have to say, we now have a queue of debates for the chamber that will last until the summer recess, so I would be grateful for every time given, particularly if the house will rise early on government as Ness.

In addition, on 11 March, there will be a debate on governance of the English rugby union. On the 13th, a debate on opportunities for young carers. On 18 March, with your agreement will be a debate on free school meals. On the 20th, debates on British sign language week and the tourism industry. And on Tuesday the 25th, retrospective accountability of the construction industry. On the 27th, a debate on prevention of drug deaths and the first anniversary of Hughes report in pelvic mesh.

The Minister for India was attacked when he was leaving a public venue when he had been addressing an audience of Indian people in this country. He of Indian people in this country. He was attacked by a Pakistani thug. The police and the security footage failed to ensure that he was made safe. This is an affront to our allies in India and we need to make sure that it doesn't happen again. So will the leader ensure that the appropriate minister makes a statement to this house about what protection will make sure that we have visitors to this country and
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Building the North Sea’s energy future
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We now come to the statement, and I invite the Minister to come to the Frontbench.
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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With permission, I would like to make a statement about this government's plans to unleash the North sees clean energy future. For almost half a century, the workers, businesses and communities of the North Sea have powered our country and indeed the world. We believe and indeed the world. We believe that they can and will continue to do so the next half century and beyond, which is why yesterday we launched a consultation on the steps we are taking to seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition in the North Sea.

This is about working with businesses, workers and communities to strengthen north-east Scotland's status as the energy capital of the UK. It's about showing global leadership as we deliver a managed, orderly and prosperous transition. We note the Northsea is a maturing basin. Oil and gas production has seen a natural decline of 72 % between 1999 and 2023. As a result the industry has lost around 1/3 of its direct workforce over the last decade. The truth is that sprinting to clean energy is the only way to to clean energy is the only way to deliver energy security and good long-term jobs for the workforce and communities.

At the same time, we know we need to listen to the science of what is required to keep global warming to 1.5degrees. And the science aligned approach to future oil and gas production is the only way to deliver climate security for future generations. So we go into the Northsea workers and communities who have done so much for our country to come up with a proper plan for the future. And that is what this government is doing. First we are consulting on our manifesto commitment to not issue new licences to explore new fields.

While we have always been clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role for decades to come, the reality is that new licences for oil and gas awarded in the last decade have only made a marginal difference to overall production. To continue granting would not help our energy security, would not be compatible with our climate commitments, and it would not take one penny of the bills. So we will not award new licences, but we will continue working with the sector to manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.

We will also provide the long-term certainty the sector needs in terms of its fiscal landscape. The Treasury yesterday set out plans for a new regime to respond to future spikes in oil and gas prices once the energy profits levy ends in 2030. The second part of this consultation is about harnessing the Northsea's unique strengths, including its offshore infrastructure, highly skilled engineers and the deep supply chains to make it a global clean energy powerhouse. In just eight months, we have already made significant progress.

We have established Great British Energy in Aberdeen said that it is in the perfect position to drive the rollout of clean energy projects. We have improved the offshore wind auction so that later this year there will be for the first time a new clean industry bonus to reward investment and good mother factoring jobs and clean supply chains. Overseen a record-breaking renewals auction, kickstarted the U.K.'s carbon capture and hydrogen industries, the energy sectors of the future with strong early investments. Just yesterday we awarded more than £55 million to the port for upgrades that will support the developed of floating offshore wind.

Creating hundreds of jobs as we ensure Scotland and the UK remain world leaders in this next generation technology. But this is just the start. Our clean power action plan will drive £40 billion a year of investment to meet our goal of clean power by 2030. And research shows that jobs in offshore wind renewable sectors could increase by tens of thousands in that time, so we will also make sure workers have the tools they need to take of these new opportunities. Already we've worked with the Scottish government and trade bodies to launch a skills passport, making it easier and quicker for oil and gas workers to bring their skills and experience into clean energy jobs.

This is an idea which has been stuck in the mud for years. Thankfully, we've made more progress in the last eight months than the previous 14 years combined. At the same time we are putting clean energy at the heart of our upcoming modern industrial strategy. We are incredibly fortunate to have the Northsea on our doorstep. For decades the oil and gas buried there has been fuelling to element and charged our economy. But the North sees long- term future lies in its incredible clean energy potential.

We know that its stable winds and shallow shelves make it one of the best locations in the world for offshore wind farms. We know the UK continental shelf alone has enough capacity to store up to 78 billion tonnes of carbon, which is roughly the amount this country has produced since the Industrial Revolution, and with our skilled offshore wind workforce we are perfectly placed to seize this natural advantage and get ahead of the global race for new jobs in new industries. So instead of sticking our heads in the sand, and avoiding the big decisions, we have set out a plan to deliver the future that Northsea workers and communities deserve.

I plan to coordinate the scale up of clean energy industries from offshore wind and hydrogen to carbon capture and storage. I plan to give the oil and gas sector the support and clarity it needs to continue operating the decades to come, a plan for energy security and sustainable economic growth and plan to keep working with the people who matter most, the north-east businesses, workers, communities and trade unions to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities of the years ahead together. And I commend this statement.



**** Possible New Speaker ****

I call the shadow Minister. Thank you. I thank the Minister

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you. I thank the Minister for advance sight of a statement. Another day, another demonstration Another day, another demonstration of this government's total ignorance of our oil and gas industry. The north-east of Scotland, their incompetence on the economy, disregard for the hundreds of thousands of workers in our Northsea and their dangerous ineptitude and and their dangerous ineptitude and it comes to our energy security. No other country in the world, especially at a time of heightened global instability and volatility would actively choose to aggressively and apace shut down its domestic oil and gas industry.

This is exactly what this government and in particular this department led by the eco-warrior in chief is doing. The consultation announced yesterday was trumpeted by government spinners as the beginning of the end of the energy profits levy, a brave new dawn for the Northsea, complete and utter rubbish. It is a total joke. The energy profits levy is higher now than it was before because of the decisions of this Labour government. The investment allowances almost all scrapped by this Labour government.

But crucially, the windfall tax is now in place for far longer until 2030 because of this Labour government. 2030 is five years away. Five years. The oil and gas industry doesn't have five years. Investment is drying up. Work is being put on pause. Companies required literally shutting up shop. The truth is that these high-paid good long-term jobs she speaks of not yet exist in renewables in the north-east of Scotland. People are leaving in their droves to other countries, the USA, Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Norway where the industry does have a future.

She says we are to the North sees workers and communities to come up with a proper plan for their future. This government's plan for the Northsea is simply to shut it down. This government's plan as a betrayal of those workers. This governance plan will devastate the communities of the north-east of Scotland. It said that in every oil-producing country in the world, you will find an Aberdonian. Turns out the only country you won't find an Aberdonian working in the oil in the near future is Scotland, so driven by this mad rush to claim McLean power 2030 and obsession of renewables at the expense of everything else, it might be drill baby drill in the USA, its dollar baby doll in the UK.

It will cost our economy £12 billion It will cost our economy £12 billion to lost tax, and on top of the 12 billion of loss capital investment for that it makes a complete mockery of their claim to be anything like progrowth. It is insanity. To be doing all this to our own industry fast becoming increasingly reliant on more imports from abroad and causing more carbon to be released into the atmosphere, more imports of liquefied natural gas, fact in the USA, frozen and shipped across the Atlantic on diesel chugging ships, or more imports from Norway, in Essex body were drilling it from the very same see that we could drill it from ourselves.

It's completely nonsensical. This government is a complete joke. Overseeing the wilful deindustrialisation of our nation. And if you went to my word for it, maybe she will take it from the GMP who said that the new geopolitical reality, it's madness, or the general Seki of Unite you said we need to resist any calls that amount off shoring our carbon response abilities for the sake of virtue
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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Shadow Minister quotes the trade unions, having not met with them in government and not supported them at all. It's always rich. He quotes Gary Smith from the GMB, the shadow Minister says he did. I stand corrected, though I suspect he did do it often. The general secretary of the GMB, I will quote him back said Tory ideology has left the UK vulnerable and exposed. Our government stood by and exported the bulk of the jobs are closed gas storage and failed to invest in new nuclear and skills.

Can I thank the shadow Minister for his response? And I will come to his questions, but I have to say it's a fairly familiar story from the party opposite. No acknowledgement of their failed record on the Northsea, no acknowledgement of their presiding over the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, no answers to the future challenges our country faces. And of course I would remind him that it is his party that lost 70,000 Northsea jobs in under a decade. 70,000 jobs, and whilst his government was content with those workers have to go around the world to find jobs, this government wants to keep those talents here in the UK, and that is why unlike the UK, and that is why unlike the Secondly, Ms Debbonaire said that everyone accepts that the Northsea is a declining basin.

I don't have the shadow Minister understands the basic geology around this. This is a super mature basin. And the harder it gets to drill for oil and gas, the less likely it is that people will be successful. Only one in 10 of the licences that have been offered in recent years that have been granted in recent years have actually ended up in any work. What I would say to the honourable gentleman about his position is that he needs to establish what his party's view is on this agenda.

The Minister sat next to him, had some very peculiar things to say yesterday in Westminster Hall, and it's unclear quite what the position is. But look, the shadow Minister was a minister for the grade 2 opposed grid infrastructure. He was the Minister for solar who opposed solar power, and now here he is, the Minister for Aberdeen campaigning against jobs and investment in his own community. We are getting on with a plan for the future, to firstly invest in clean power. It is ludicrous at this time that we have bills that are reliant on what Putin chooses to do that we have to respond to, but he is suggesting that we should do more of that.

Even if there was no climate change, even if there was no push to clean power, if we trailed as much oil and gas as we possibly could from the North Sea, it would be less than 1% of the global market. We would have no

**** Possible New Speaker ****

We We will We will invest We will invest in We will invest in clean We will invest in clean power. We will invest in clean power. We will give immediate support for workers and support Scotland more widely. Great British Energy. Grangemouth, £200 million for the Grangemouth, £200 million for the National Wealth Fund. Saving plants National Wealth Fund. Saving plants from closure. £55 million yesterday from closure. £55 million yesterday announced. The round AR6, 20% of that auction is going to Scotland.

We have hydrogen investment in We have hydrogen investment in We have hydrogen investment in Ayrshire. The biggest budget for the Scottish Government we have seen. This is a party committed to supporting the people of Scotland. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Minister was quite right to remind us that the North Sea is a mature basin. She was right to remind us 70,000 jobs were lost there in the last 10 years. She was quite right to remind us and to praise the skilled engineers who have made such a contribution in the North Sea and to this country.

She mentioned the fact the government is making progress with the industry in finding alternatives in the jobs transition. The Select Committee has heard evidence a number of times now that one of the challenges is pay in the North Sea is significantly higher than equivalent jobs in the renewable sector, in offshore wind in particular. So can I ask her, what are her thoughts at this stage on how we make paying more attractive for workers moving from oil and gas and into renewable?

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Can I thank him for his question

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Can I thank him for his question and the work he does in the committee? It is very important. As he knows for a long time we have been stuck in trying to set up a passport system because of the passport system because of the different skills and qualifications in each industry and a need to bring them together. That is why government tried to make sure that government tried to make sure that we can bridge the gap and make sure that people can do that transition.

Oil and gas workers are highly skilled and in demand and paid good skilled and in demand and paid good wages. We need to make sure that we are working with the new offshore wind companies. We would like to see new recognition and strong salaries for these jobs as well because they are as he says highly paid. There will be other jobs as well that people can go into. I think the plan here is we need to make sure we support people to make that transition.

Not just leaving them to drift like the previous government.
12:18
Claire Young Portrait Claire Young MP (Thornbury and Yate, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrat spokesperson. agree with. The North Sea provides the UK with opportunities to become a powerhouse in renewable energy generation. It is time we seized it. We urge the government to make good on their commitment to boost investment jobs. It is vital to make sure that we support the redeployment of skills and jobs and provide the right incentives to encourage fossil fuel industries to invest in green technologies. I would like to ask what detail the Minister can provide government support to upskill and redeploy those formally working in the fossil fuel industry.

We believe bolder fuel industry. We believe bolder action is needed urgently to ensure energy security. To cut bills and with Donald Trump threatening to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement again, to resume the global leadership role on climate action for the UK. Which was abandoned by the previous Conservative government. We urge the government to introduce an emergency 10 year plan to insulate homes. Starting with free insulation for the most vulnerable and introduce a social tariff to tackle fuel poverty and health inequality calls by cold homes.

-- Caused by cold, damp homes. -- Caused by cold, damp homes. We are concerned about the cost of heating bills after the Ofgem decision to increase the price cap this April, the third increase since October 2024. We believe the government should decouple from these prices and toughen up on the windfall tax, increasing it by another 2% to a headline rate of 80%. Time and again we have been disappointed by decisions that has taken to delay energy support for households.

The warm home schemes will not benefit households...
12:20
Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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Maximum two minutes. You have exceeded your time. Please be seated. Minister.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

I thank the honourable lady for her remarks. In terms of upscaling and redeploying workers, as I said previously, introducing the passport scheme is an important part of that scheme is an important part of that and making sure we break down the barriers that exist in different industries. Because actually the skill and talent people have in oil skill and talent people have in oil and gas is transferable into renewable energy. We want to make sure we do that. She talked about vulnerable residents and the cost of heating.

She is right to raise that. heating. She is right to raise that. We know that we have all suffered from this huge cost of living crisis caused by Putin's invasion of Ukraine. I would respond by saying Ukraine. I would respond by saying that we are doing all we can. 6 million people this winter now will get the £150 warm homes money, which will help with their energy bills. She also asked about the windfall tax. The clue is in the name. It is Profits.

While the oil and gas industry are making those windfall profits, there will be a windfall tax and when they are not they will not. That is the way the scheme works. But I think her points on the need to insulate homes, which we are working on at pace, we need to support vulnerable people and it is absolutely right and the principle is we have an energy bill rise driven by fossil fuels and so we must move to home grown power for our own energy security and for long-term bill reduction.
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Stella Creasy Portrait Ms Stella Creasy MP (Walthamstow, Labour )
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It is good to see the government taking a sensible approach in the consultation about working with our consultation about working with our European partners on how we get renewable energy and energy costs down. As with so many other areas, our constituents have paid higher bills because the last government refused to work with our European counterparts. But can she give us more detail? As we are looking to expand capacity to create renewable energy, she will be aware there is a risk of an £800 million charge because of variation between trading schemes.

Can she tell us more about what working with the North Sea

**** Possible New Speaker ****

energy cooperative might entail and whether we might rejoin that organisation to drive down bills further for our constituents? She raises a number of thoughtful

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She raises a number of thoughtful issues in terms of the ETS which I am responsible for. We have lots of am responsible for. We have lots of . What the EU does, what we do and what we need to do going forward. These things are enormously complex. You can pull one lever and have unintended consequences so we are treading carefully as you would expect. In terms of the EU partnerships and the relationships we have with our partners, they are very important.

The Prime Minister is today in Ireland and we are agreeing an energy partnership where we are working in the Celtic and Irish Sea to speed up some of the energy and wind turbines by using data and resources to look at our marine landscape and get to a point where private investors can invest quicker. These things are worth doing and we will carry on. doing and we will carry on.
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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Keep responses short.

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I have so many things to say. You always worry when people on your own always worry when people on your own side quote words back to you. My honourable friend and I have talked honourable friend and I have talked often about ceramics. I am well aware we had a great debate in aware we had a great debate in Westminster Hall this week on the challenges of the industry in terms of the transition and energy prices. of the transition and energy prices.

We are working to fix them. I give as much time to ceramics as I do to

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as much time to ceramics as I do to any other industry and will continue to do so. The Minister previously said energy security is national security. So why is she cutting security. So why is she cutting energy jobs in the North Sea and yet proposing and buying energy from companies in China? At best one of our competitors and at worst enemy. Instead she should be investing in highly paid, highly skilled jobs in highly paid, highly skilled jobs in We are not cutting energy jobs.

The Northsea is declining because there is less and less oil and gas there. The previous government, the work that the previous government did on renewable energies secured no supply chains for this country so we were reliant on other countries as he points out. We are putting in place incentives for supply chains to be in this country so we are making more. I'm delivering a steel strategy to make sure we use steel from this country for our clean energy future.

These are the policies we are putting in place to make sure we have a managed transition, clean energy, lower bills and energy security.
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Caroline Johnson.
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Dawn Butler Portrait Dawn Butler MP (Brent East, Labour)
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I beg to move this House consider International Women's Day. Madam Deputy Speaker, thank you. I would like to thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting this debate today. And also to bring the attention of the House to my Of a very good scheme where if you are feeling unsafe in a club, you can go to the bar and talk to somebody and they will help you in any way they can. Also an ambassador for fair pay. The global fair pay Minister, I was instrumental in getting the flag flown.

For International Women's Day. Flown over the house. Also the first debate we had on the floor of the house. And I remember speaking to the Speaker at the time and asking if the Member for Birmingham Yardley, now the Minister, could read out the names of the women who had been killed by men to start the debate without a speech and I think it took seven or eight minutes. The thing is 10 years later that list is still as long.

It still takes that amount of time. You think, how can that be so? How can it be so that a woman is still killed every three days? There are still women that are not counted like women who commit suicide because of domestic abuse. And trans women and girls. I have been thinking about this a lot. I been thinking about this a lot. I have been told that heterosexual, straight white men and boys are feeling there is no place for them any more in society and that is why they are turning to the far right.

That really saddens me. Because there is a place for everyone in society. Of course there is a place for straight white men and boys and a very important one for them in society. We will hear a lot today about the fact that a woman is killed every three days. 97% of them killed every three days. 97% of them are killed by men. The majority of them are white. If we want to protect women, we need to reach out to those men.

The ones that are informed, kind and loving. We need to say that we need you now more than ever before. Because right now there are some serious, toxic, misogynistic men and some of them are straight and they are harming women, harming society, harming gay people, harming black people, and this is the very foundation in which we live. I give way.

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I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for giving way. In the UK a woman is murdered by a current or former murdered by a current or former partner every week. Research from Women's Aid shows 46% of women have faced some form of abuse in an intimate relationship in their lifetime. Given the harrowing lifetime. Given the harrowing statistics, we must confront domestic abuse for what it is. A domestic abuse for what it is. A national emergency. Does she agree that life saving specialist domestic that life saving specialist domestic abuse services, which have been chronically underfunded, must get

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the investment they need? I thank my honourable friend for that intervention. He makes a very important point. Absolutely we need important point. Absolutely we need important point. Absolutely we need investment. If we are serious about saving lives we need to do what it takes. If we want to reduce the number of women killed, we need to number of women killed, we need to invest in making that happen. We need to have uncomfortable conversations. It is not tough to conversations.

It is not tough to hit women as like Andrew Tate spouts out or raped or ridicule women and out or raped or ridicule women and girls because they have said no. We have to have those conversations and we have to say this is wrong. We have to say to all the men that are feeling, I am wearing a male shirt and tie today, doesn't mean the world is going to run out of male shirts and ties. There are enough to go round. But we have to have that conversation.

We have to show men loving women. We have to show that. We have to educate boys and girls. What is really interesting is there are some fathers who treat their daughters like princesses and they think that is how their daughter is going to learn how to be treated. When the reality is the daughter will learn how to be treated by how

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the dad treats the partner. I thank the honourable lady for bringing this forward. Unfortunately bringing this forward. Unfortunately I cannot stay for debate so I want I cannot stay for debate so I want to have it on record that in Northern Ireland, statistics for the murders of women is at the highest in all of the United Kingdom. The Minister knows that. Does the Minister knows that. Does the honourable lady agree that when it comes to addressing these issues of the murders of women across the the murders of women across the United Kingdom, there needs to be a strategy that starts here and sweeps out to the rest of the regions so we can better manage it and respond to

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Our women, women, ladies and young girls in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom? I thank my honourable friend for the intervention and I am sure you the intervention and I am sure you will be forgiven for missing part of the debate today. Absolutely. Women are killed. That is a fact. We have got to used to talking about statistics without thinking about statistics without thinking about who is at the end of it. We are losing a woman every three days to losing a woman every three days to murder.

It starts somewhere. At the end of the day, the way that women end of the day, the way that women are demonised, the way they are attacked, the way we attack trans women starts somewhere. It is a women starts somewhere. It is a deliberate action stop I want to thank a lot of the organisations such as centenary action of which I am co-chair with the shadow Minister. A resource centre in Brent. It is important we celebrate women. Madam Deputy Speaker, when the mayor renamed the train line, the lioness line that I get on, I was a bit confused at first.

Am I on the right train? And now I smile because I think when people say why is it called lioness, the response will always be because there is a really great female football team that brought the cup home. These are the little things we had to do. Which I think will make a big difference. There are a lot of men who feel insecure about that and we need to tell them, do not worry. There are men that are saying that we should not talk about women that are first to this and that and I say that we should celebrate and talk about it.

It shows a bit of progress. We still have further to go. Like the first female speaker of colour in the chair, congratulations. We should celebrate that. The first female metro mayor. The first registered blind MP for Battersea. I could spend my whole time talking about all of these firsts. We should celebrate it. There are more good people in the world than bad. When I see men in power saying do not do this, do not celebrate that, do not talk about women, raise women which is quite scary that they are erasing women and our achievements, I know there are men in that room that could speak out.

There are men in that room who must speak out. Because actually we have some aggressive male white supremacist people that are saying we don't exist or should not exist or we belong in the kitchen and that is it. We cannot go backwards. We have come too far to backwards. We have come too far to So I say to people like if I was to ban steps, like bear with me a moment, if I was to ban steps and replace all steps with a slope, that stop you from getting to your destination? No, it wouldn't, but would it help people who have problems walking or wheelchair users get to theirs? Yes it would.

So isn't necessarily about taking something away. It can be about changing it to help other people also get to their destination. So the question I want to pose to those boys and men that are feeling they have to turn to the far right or they are becoming like incels, involuntary celibate, is it time to change? Is it time for you to change how you talk, your attitude, how you act, would you like your mother, your sister, your girlfriend, your partner being talked about, treated

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the way that you treat women? I think the honourable member and my honourable friend for giving way. She is making a powerful speech and She is making a powerful speech and I'm sure the young women in Brent North London watching her will be very proud. One of the conversations very proud. One of the conversations that often comes up when we are on WhatsApp chats with all the local mothers is about social media. She is talking a lot about change. is talking a lot about change.

Statistics show that 40% of young women and girls after spending time women and girls after spending time online and on social media feel lonely and depressed because of all the online abuse. Can I ask my honourable friend to comment on the fact that I think social media platforms need to take some responsibility on the content that

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is amplified through their platforms? I think I for giving way. Social

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I think I for giving way. Social media platforms have a vital role to play. Social media platforms play. Social media platforms understand that negativity spreads faster than positivity. It's like the old days of the legacy media where if it bleeds, it leads. They where if it bleeds, it leads. They are absolutely aware of the damage that they do. And so we have two if they are not going to voluntarily they are not going to voluntarily make the changes that they need to make to the platform, we need to as a government legislate for those changes to be made.

I thank my honourable friend for that intervention. When I watched the story of the war's only women's Army Corps, unit of colour which stars Kerry Washington as captain charity Adams, I actually cried. The six Triple-A century battalion, contributed to the war effort in a unique way. They did was sorting through 17 million pieces of mail and delivered it to American soldiers on the front line, improving their morale, and that was 855 black women who did that, brought hope to the front lines but they were discriminated against and there were barriers put in their way to stop that happening.

And yet still after going through all of that, history still tried to raise them. And you think why is that? Why do you continually try to raise

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history? I thank my honourable friend for giving way. And for securing this giving way. And for securing this debate. As we mark International Women's Day, I'm proud to stand Women's Day, I'm proud to stand here, not just only as a black woman but as a former nurse. I feel absolutely honoured. But, black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act. Does my honourable friend agree Act. Does my honourable friend agree that we can only truly say that we have honoured international women's day when this glaring disparity is

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addressed? Thank you. I thank my honourable friend, and she is also a first, so congratulations. And yes, I congratulations. And yes, I absolutely agree with my honourable friend on that point. On average, we will all live to see 80 Christmases. So the thing is, what are you going So the thing is, what are you going So the thing is, what are you going to do with those 80 Christmases that we are going to live to see? Some people in the world acting like they are going to live forever.

God, I are going to live forever. God, I hope not. On average, that won't be the case, but some people pass through the world and leave it just as they found it. Our job in Parliament is to change the world for the better. We need to leave an indelible footprint that stands the test of time in perpetuity. And if we want to impress on that footprint, you must ensure that the world protects women. And the world needs to protect all women.

Not just a straight white women. We should start with the gay women, black women, the disabled women because if we protect those, we will protect all women and the world will be a better place. And I often say I can't get my rights until everybody has their rights, and our rights and lives are very much intertwined, whether we sometimes believe it or not. And just because I am pro- women, and pro LGBTQI plus and Pro black, it doesn't mean sometimes I am accused online the time antiwhite.

Far from it. I am project chicken and rice and peas and I still love a bit of pie and mash and fish and chips. You can love more than one thing and be pro many things. I kind of want to end around this on a really cold reality check. I want to quote Malcolm Gladwell. He wrote a brilliant book called the tipping point, and has recently written an updated one called the revenge of the tipping point. And he talks about the law of the very few.

He talks about the over story and the corn, the counterfactual line, like what would have happened if... Now I feel that we were slowly winning the war on highlighting violence against women and girls, highlighting injustices, highlighting discrimination. But we didn't appreciate the honest conversations we needed to have around how epidemic works. Or appreciate the power of group proportions. We are absolutely falling ourselves if we think that we bear no responsibility for the epidemic that surrounds us in regards to violence against women and girls.

Epidemics have rules. They have boundaries. They are subjected to over stories, and we in society are in a position of power to create those over stories. These over stories, the change in size and shape when they reach a tipping point, and it's possible to know when we are reaching that tipping point. And we are currently at that tipping point when it comes to violence against women and girls. And the lessons of the opioid crisis in the US is the lesson for us all.

Most of the medical professions acted professionally, but they were a tiny fraction, just a few who did not, and that was enough to fuel an opioid epidemic in the US. So this tiny fraction of people are driven by a certain class of people, and those people can be identified. And the tools needed to control an epidemic right in front of us. They , and we can either grab those tools all at the scrupulous people grab the tools. But we can grab them and build a better world, so I think we need to have action and have this honest conversations.

We need to say organisations that believe in DUI, believe in fair pay, we need to use them, make sure they get procured contracts, and we need to be mindful about the social media platforms that we use, and we need to elect people who care for lots of people and not just the one %. And by doing this, we will as the theme of International Women's Day this year accelerate action. And two, I will end with the to stray white boys and men who were in the middle of the table, we need your protection.

We need your love. We need your care, and we need your kindness. We know as I've said that daughters and young girls learn how to be treated by their partners by watching how men treat women in their lives. And little boys and young boys learn how to be men by the men in their lives. So to all men, regardless of colour, class, economic status, we need to lead by example. Women are literally fighting for their lives. And I want every single man who is watching this today in the world to join us in that struggle.

Because we should all believe in fairness. You should all believe in ending discrimination, homophobia, we should all believe in that. And by the time it has taken me to make this speech, globally, one woman would have been killed by their partner or family member. May her partner or family member. May her

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soul rest in peace. The question is as on the order paper, and I call Harriet Cross.
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Harriet Cross Portrait Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)
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It's a privilege to be able to speak in today's International Women's Day, and I thank the Member for bringing the debate. And do want for bringing the debate. And do want to use this opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of Scottish women, particular those from my constituency and the wider north- east Scotland. When we speak about women breaking barriers, I need to look no further than mefloquine Aberdeenshire, the birthplace of Dame Evelyn Glennie, profoundly deaf from the age of 12, shouldn't just overcome the challenge that revolutionised our understanding of how music can be experienced, feeling vibrations or through her body to become the world's first full-time solo percussionist.

With over 100 performances worldwide each year and having commissioned more than 200 new works, she has shown how determination can transform what many would see as a limitation into a unique strength. In the largest town in my constituency, we have Hannah Miley who trained at the amateur swimming club for representing Great Britain at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. What many don't know however about her remarkable story is that she spent her life training in a 25 m pool rather than Olympic standard 50 m facilities of her competitors.

Often sharing lanes with the public. Yet she went on to become a Commonwealth gold medallist and now inspires the next generation of swimmers across Scotland. And in the realm of science, Aberdeen's Professor Dame Anne Glover stands as a testament to Scottish women's intellectual prowess. Not only did she serve as the first chief scientific adviser in Scotland, but also became the first chief scientific adviser to the president of the European commission. Her pioneering work in microbial biosensors at the University of Aberdeen has placed our region at the forefront of scientific innovation.

And in the field of agriculture, which is so important to my Gordon Buckingham constituency, we see women taking ever more prominent roles. Jane Craig from Aberdeenshire except advise this leadership is a co- founder of the rural youth Project which connects young people with opportunities in agriculture. The skills and determination of women farmers are essential to our local economy and the future of Scotland's agricultural sector. And it would be remiss of me also not to mention Professor Lorna Dawson CBE who is based in Aberdeen at the James Hutton Institute.

As of 2025, she continued her pioneering work in soil forensics and has helped solve numerous criminal cases, advising police investigations across the UK. Professor Dawson also recently was rewarded the RSC James Hudson medal for her exceptional contribution to earth and environmental sciences. How about connecting the soil science to justice demonstrates how expertise from our region is making a difference, both nationally and internationally. And of course it would be wrong for anyone on these benches not to acknowledge the groundbreaking legacy of Margaret Thatcher.

The U.K.'s first female Prime Minister whose determination to succeed in a male dominated political world opens doors for women across the political spectrum. Her legacy continues to inspire women in politics every day. And finally, most important to me, my mum it was as far as has been reported the first woman mechanic on an all weather lifeboat when she joined the crew at a station in Ireland in 1998. There really is nothing more inspiring if not a bit scary as nature old watching your mum: Her dry suit and heading out to sea in gale force conditions.

And she would not forgive me if I did not emphasise the open-mindedness of the men on the crew who almost 30 years ago were willing and able to see the potential, not gender with my mum telling me just this morning. I was only able to become a mechanic because the crew were willing to give me a chance. Decades of tradition and fishermen to me to see and allowed me to achieve, particular Tony. If the crew hadn't been so open-minded, I wouldn't have become one.

Let us use this International Women's Day to reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and creating a more
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Sarah Owen Portrait Sarah Owen MP (Luton North, Labour)
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Select Committee chair. introducing this incredibly important International Women's Day debate. It always is well attended. It is also one of the most informative and heartfelt debate we have in Parliament. I am proud to be taking part in this debate as the chair of the select committee. It has been said that we have had quite a flying start. We have done a lot. But I answer with the fact there is a lot to do. The theme has already been set and it is accelerated action.

We know that we cannot slow down. We do have to accelerate and not just with words but with action. On the half of my committee, I am proud to say we will not slow down anytime soon. We have focused our work in less than a year very much on key areas and following on from the work of the previous committee as well. Particularly around health. Last year we produced a report on reproductive health and it was called medical misogyny. Some people said that is quite strong.

But frankly we could not describe the evidence we had seen in the enquiry as anything other than misogyny. On average eight years for diagnosis and people are waiting much longer not for treatment but for diagnosis. Women being ignored and left in pain. The amount of women that I know that have endometriosis eventually who have been fobbed off time and again by medical practitioners and doctors. Told to have some paracetamol and a lie down and you will be fine. Again, another example where women are ignored at the detriment of their health but also that of our country and economy as well.

Painful procedures still taking place for women without any offer of pain relief. Not a sharp pinch. Not on my Nelly is that a pinch. Not on my Nelly is that a sharp pinch. That sort of pain women have to endure, I am grateful men do not have two but why is it women still have two? Even though the guidelines have changed, women still had to go through incredibly painful procedures without the relief they deserve. In terms of education, one of the other recommendations made clear we need to educate young people better as to what to expect with women's reproductive health and We need to end the stigma of period and period property in particular.

Also for young people to know what is normal. We were often told it is normal your periods are going to hurt, and he will bleed and be uncomfortable. But it is not normal to be in bed for seven days. It is not normal for your menstrual cycle to be so painful you cannot go to school, cannot take part in PE, cannot go to work. These are not normal but it has been ingrained it is normal to be in pain and normal for lives to be disrupted by hormones and everything happening with our body but it is not.

That is why one of the recommendations made clear we need to better educate ourselves and our young people and enable educators to have the tools and resources to make sure the next generation of women and young men know exactly what happens to a know exactly what happens to a When it comes to research, this is something that stuck out in my mind when we were looking at the report. Too much research has been tailored towards men and men's medical needs. We know the average paracetamol days for example is actually the correct dosage for a Western mail.

Not for a woman. It is the same for seat belts and everything else. But here is something for you, five times more research goes into erectile dysfunction, which affects 19% of men, than PMS, which affects 90% of women. When we talk about action, we need to see it across the board. Particularly regarding health. There is progress, absolutely. I am proud we will see a bill come forward next week but there are always ways to improve. Always. The committee has produced a report in January looking at miscarriage.

This is an issue close to my heart and I know for many in this chamber and outside of the chamber have long campaigned for the right to grieve the loss of a pregnancy following miscarriage at work. We have seen some movement and that is very welcome. Now it is time for action. There are thousands of employers out there that already offer bereavement leave for workers that miscarry. Many of them are private sector employers. They are not doing it out of the kindness of their heart.

Let's be honest. Because it is financially rewarding. It is reputational a good and good for your workforce. There are massive companies that I went to visit last week and I did not contain my joy when I sat in a cockpit. When I asked where are the women engineers, I was told they are struggling and they want to have women engineers. They have fantastic apprenticeships and they are so right and they are ready. I asked for workplace policies when you miscarry and they said, I wish people knew.

So there are companies out there that do the right thing. They tried to make sure the workplace is right for women. Looking at public sector employers, the NHS offers miscarriage Bereavement Leave and Pay for its workers. The NHS. The largest public sector employer of women in our country offers bereavement leave for those who miscarry. I have had them sat in front of me in two different committees. One on Public Accounts Committee before the election and one on the equality Select Committee.

I asked how much it costs. The chief finance officer for the NHS said basically nothing. But it is not costing them anything to offer this. If anything, it is saving them. In terms of staff retention. Length of time off sick. When you do not grieve well and have the space to grieve and the time to grieve, you store it up longer term. I think society has caught up with that. It is time that the law has done. The difference that it could make is one that not only we hear about in the Select Committee from women brave enough to testify as to their experience of multiple miscarriages, having to drive themselves to hospital because their partner or husband could not take time off and almost bleeding to death on the way.

I know the difference it could make. And how angry I was when I had to take sick pay. When I had my three miscarriages. People were really lovely. I was very open about it. But not one single person said, get better soon. They said I am sorry for your loss. Now if society has moved on and realises miscarriage and pregnancy loss is a loss and not a sickness, it is time the Lord did as well. Thank you. -- Galore did as well.

In terms of maternal health, -- law. I know we need to close the gap on maternal death rates for black mothers. Fantastic work is being done on this and I praise everybody working to close the gap because it is much needed. Yesterday at the Select Committee we heard evidence on female genital mutilation, FGM. There are an estimated 137,000 victims of FGM in our country. I fear actually the number is much higher from the evidence we heard yesterday. In terms of the levels of under reporting.

There was much noise, movement and progress made 10 years ago but it has stalled. Some of the training manual for doctors and midwives are 10 years out of date. They are well past time for review. In the time we have had this movement in the last 10 years, we have seen about three prosecutions for FGM. I know actually prosecution is perhaps not where we need to be and I do not want to predetermine the outcome of the report.

But prevention is a big part of the answer. We will present our report accordingly. Another area in which we have produced a report is around technology. I know my honourable friend already touched on this. We friend already touched on this. We . It is a deeply personal crime which can have a life changing and life-threatening consequences. As the lived experience of a witness demonstrates. The committee heard shocking evidence of the scale of impact with a tenfold increase in just four years and reported cases of more than 22,000 in 2024.

Every victim of the offence deserve to be treated with respect and have their case investigated properly by police. However, that is not what we heard. In many cases police treat victims of intimate image abuse with a lack of understanding and in some cases misogyny, with officers patronising victims rather than supporting them. It is totally unacceptable and must change. We welcome proposals to make this an offence but a gap remains. It can continue to circulate online years after the image was posted.

Many sites will eventually remove the content when prompted but around 10% do not. There is not enough in the proposals on the Crime and Policing Bill is to address this concern and I would love to see the government bring forward amendments to make possession of images and offence in addition to creation. It will put it on the same footing as other areas of the law and we hope will provide encouragement to block or disrupt access to this content which has been hosted overseas in particular.

There is also work we are doing on community cohesion. Shared Parental Leave. Women in business and entrepreneurs. It is important. The government is focused on growth. Women must play a significant role in that. There is a lot I could talk about. There is too much in this speech already and I am sure there will be loads in this debate. But we live in a divisive world and women are at the sharp end. Why do we need International Women's Day? To be honest, I wish we didn't stop but we need it because progress is not inevitable.

We see in countries like Iraq, the lowering of the age of consent down to 9. Nine and consent. Those words do not go together. A child cannot give consent. Women's bodies being used as weapons of war in the Congo, Kashmir, and the list goes on. It is harder to be a woman goes on. It is harder to be a woman than it should be. One day I really hope we will not need International Women's Day to highlight the problems or asked for action but to celebrate the progress.

Because there has been progress and I want to end on a high note which is on sport. Women's sport, love it, adore it and I know there are some big fans here. The Lionesses, Luton town ladies, and there are fantastic success stories. I am so glad that when I sit with my five-year-old girl, I was excited when the Lionesses were on television and she looked at me and said, yes? She For her this is normal. It is not something special. For me it is special to see that but for her it is normal.

And I want it to be normal for every little girl in our country. Now I will do something a little bit left field for me. I went to a sport event, a sky sports event and it was fantastic. Sporty spice was there so the 16-year-old me was even more excited. There were fantastic sportswomen but also the people that support and show that support and show there is money to be had from it and there is progress to be made and that people want to watch it and cheer from the stands.

They want to cheer on sportswomen. And at the start of it there was this incredible spoken word piece and a song I will not sing, do not worry, by a fantastic, beautiful artist. We all know that famous Barbie monologue. We have all heard it. For me this goes one step further and I am going to read just a little bit of what she said. It is called Gladiators. They say you are strong for a girl. Fast for a woman. How can she be a girl? How can gold be a woman? They call you a butterfly, because they see those wings.

I know you are the Eagle - type high above these things. They say act like a girl. But the whole world would not be if we deceived our power. The world trembles as we rise from the dust but we meet the mountains we are expected to climb. But with no sweat. No muscles. No grind. But with make up, gentleness and competitiveness that is and competitiveness that is comfortable for them and kind. Would you mind maintaining your shape? Your figure 8? Don't get too strong.

Practice a soft voice. But still win. Still first place. But like a lady might. Funny that. It is when I am at my strongest that I feel most like a lady. When these legs activate and I can jump to crazy heights. When these shoulders broaden and I can carry the world and opinion straight to the finish. God bless these arms. The strength in these arms. How they have helped me over the years. God bless the sisters I have found sat across.

sisters I have found sat across. This table is laid before us in the presence of our friends and enemies. We celebrate our wins while they parade our anatomy. To be a woman is to live twice. Live for the thing that you love and then a second life for the fight. One for the game and another for the right that it might take to still choose this day after day, to give the girls two gold medals. Women double pay.

Triple their portion. Let applause reverberate. Sing her song. When you sing of the great and strike for a woman after her name because if she has changed the face of the whole game, he is victorious over history would you like to be as you grow, who would you like to become as you age? Pretty? Have your face across pages? Would you like to be demure, known for softness and patience for a girl? How would you like to become a gladiator? Do all the women gladiators in this place, past and present and outside of the place, thank you.

One day International Women's Day will be about the realisation of all our hopes and ambitions. Until that day, I am ambitions. Until that day, I am
13:32
Liz Saville Roberts Portrait Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP (Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Plaid Cymru)
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I am honoured to speak on this debate in advance of this International women's day which I will be celebrating on the railway. The day remains as relevant as ever, and we have achieved so much since the first International women's day in 1911. And we still have a long way to go. We talk about a gender equal society, let's be clear about where we mean, in the home, in public spaces, we celebrate the 40% of this Parliament and our women.

In the Senate, the caucus has been re- established, a bold show of force between women across political divides. These are positive steps towards gender balance but not necessarily towards gender equality, including equally safe workplaces, about which I want to speak now. Honourable friends will know that a poll found that three in five women have experienced sexual harassment, early on, or verbal abuse in the workplace, and reports from colleagues make up 50% of calls made to helplines. Protections are limited.

The workers protection act created a preventative duty for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and automatic investment into a breach of this duty only takes place after an individual successfully brings a claim of sexual harassment. And many other forms of gender-based violence are excluded. Meanwhile, the health and safety act which is so familiar to employers. We ensure the health and safety of employees at work, so why not use the toughest mechanism we have in the workplace to tackle workplace gender-based harassment and violence as well.

That is exactly what my health and safety act, developed with the beautiful Susie lamp seeks to do. Alongside new clauses to the same effect. I would hope my noble friends consider supporting these. My bill introduces actionable duties to protect workers from violence and harassment, including risk assessments and policy development and the provision to all employees. Those boring sounding things that make a difference in the workplace and that would make a difference to people's lives. It mandates that people do not currently consider gender-based violence a workplace hazard and it is not viewed as the primary authority for bullying, harassment or Domestic Abuse Act in the workplace to develop an enforceable health and safety framework on violence and harassment in the workplace and to issue guidance for employers.

Leveraging health and safety will require employers to actively work towards eliminating gender-based violence establishing a systematic and publicly enforceable approach to the prevention of and safeguarding from the spectrum of gender-based violence in the workplace. So to close, if these are the differences that we wish to make, the differences to women's lives in the workplace, let us use all the powers that we have at our disposal and make them work for women more effectively than the present day.

Let's use all our powers. Happy International women's day on Saturday.
13:36
Natalie Fleet Portrait Natalie Fleet MP (Bolsover, Labour)
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Thank you. It is an honour to be here today as the first MP to represent Bolsover. I am here to be surrounded by fantastic women here and in Bolsover, women run businesses inspire us as community leaders, and support charities to thrive and fight to make a difference with tenacity. I am going to spend this week celebrating them all and more. I want to talk about the issues that affect us as women that are being hidden.

Too often, our private burden. If we look at the last Parliament, the BBC was discussed more often than childcare. You're more likely to hear about fishing in the menopause. This historic house that women die to get us into spent more time discussing for all than rape. My daughter tells me, she is brave and wonderful, that every time you talk about rape, every time you say the word, I bristle. Please do not stop. And my baby, my little baby is about to start big school and the data tells me that while she is there, she will witness sexual harassment, potentially be sent pics, and there is nothing I can do to protect her from that.

This isn't a class thing or an age thing. Mary Queen of Scots, it is an accepted part of her story that the nobles chose among them who was going to rape her with the intention of impregnating her. Yet we still don't accept that that happens in the UK. 10 births every day from rape. No charity to support these women, no advice on the NHS website, men that can access these children any time that they like. Every single one of us has either been raped or knows somebody who has been raped.

Rape is a part of our story as women yet it is a part that we don't tell. So I want to tell you about rape and being an MP. Rape threats are an accepted part of the job. Thank you to the Minister for speaking up about this disgusting truth. I am the 690th women MP so rape crisis estimates that 1/4 of women have been raped or sexually assaulted. If we apply that data to MPs, 172 of us have been raped, half of those, 86 women MPs will have been raped more than once.

Statistically, 28 of them will have reported this. And if there is a miracle, at the very best on an optimistic day, there is a potential that one could have led to

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conviction. I would like to thank my

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I would like to thank my honourable friend for giving way. An extremely powerful speech. Can she extremely powerful speech. Can she remind everybody the importance not remind everybody the importance not only of the fact every bit also the importance of how we make sure that we prosecute and convicted the perpetrators of those rapes so that we remember that this is not simply about a passive violence against about a passive violence against women and girls but we identify the causes and the people who do the

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actual crimes. I am proud to be part of a government that set out to government that set out to unprecedented ambition to half women and girls. But what I want to think about together is how we tell our about together is how we tell our story. I have spoken publicly about giving birth after being the victim of statutory rape and I am sick of of statutory rape and I am sick of being told I am brave. I don't want to be brave, I wanted to be expected that we tell the truth, so courage that we tell the truth, so courage calls for courage everywhere.

Let's make it normal to talk about rape in workplaces, in kitchens, with friends. Instead of bristling, let's talk about it like we do football, talk to our boys about consent and celebrate the men who are our allies. Most importantly, listen to her, support her, and for gods sake, believe her. So if you are one of the colleagues and friends, the constituents that told me about your rape, I ask you to tell each other. You will be surprised by how many people believe you and then share people believe you and then share their story with you.

I am very proud grandmother, and I have a granddaughter who is named after a suffragette. I genuinely believe if we are brave now and make speaking out the norm, you can have a world where she tells her grandchildren about the fact that they did it and we hit it. And I want that to be the part that her grandchildren don't believe. So there is a lot to do and it can feel overwhelming but let's put our arms around each other and use our power to force that shame to change sides.

change sides.
13:42
Lincoln Jopp Portrait Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne, Conservative)
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I think International woman's day is a fantastic day because it gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to someone whose birthday would have been on International women's day had she not been born in 1909 and I hope that she passes the gladiator bar that the member for Luton North refers. Her name was Beatrice Schelling and she is one of the most consequential people at the 21st- century that you have never heard of. She was born in Waterlooville of.

She was born in Waterlooville and Hampshire in 1909 and soon became one of those children that loves taking things to bits. She won a Meccano prize. She saved up her pocket money at the age of 14 and bought her face motorbike. By the time it was 1936, she was only the second woman ever to record an average speed of 100 miles an hour around the Brooklyn circuit. By 1939, she was at the aeronautic and engineering establishment. Obviously, the Second World War was upon us, and crucially, the Rolls- Royce Merlin engine used in the Hurricanes and the Spitfires had a fatal flaw.

When she went into a negative G dive, the engine had a propensity to flood and cut out. The Germans didn't have that problem because they had a fuel injector and obviously, they soon worked out that the British pilots were in this dilemma. As to whether to follow them or not. It could have been catastrophic, so they turned to Tilly Schilling as she was universally known to come up with a solution, and she invented a small thing the size of a thimble with a little hole in it which could be crucially fitted for the fuel line of the Merlin engine without taking the planes of it, meaning that the much-needed airpower of the Second World War could remain in the fight.

She was subject to a certain amount of male condescension inasmuch as her device which she had designed was referred to as Miss Schillings orifice. However, no one minded the fact that when fitted today's plains, they kept them in the fight and she contributed an extraordinary amount to the winning of the Second World War. And so, I really welcome International women's day because it gives me the chance to tell that story, and at a time when clouds are darkening again around the world, and we are having to rearm as a nation, and as we have also heard in this debate, we must encourage as much as possible the Tilly Schillings of tomorrow to come forward in order to contribute to our industry.

I hope the story of Tilly Schilling will act as an inspiration to many, many people across this country to see that they can make a huge contribution to our
13:45
Carolyn Harris Portrait Carolyn Harris MP (Neath and Swansea East, Labour)
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In my almost 10 years in this place I've become somewhat vocal on women's issues, some would call me a voracious campaigner. And a challenging mouthpiece. I will take both. My passion to ensure women get access to support and services they need is what drives me. From women struggling through menopause to women in prison, victims of domestic violence or modern slavery, it's been my mission to be a platform for their voice. Today I want to talk about an industry powered by women, that is all too often overlooked.

As a former co-chair with Madame Deputy Speaker on the APPGA in the last Parliament, a group we are currently reconvening, I have often spoken about the personal care sector. We championed them during the pandemic when they were belittled by those in power, and were among the last businesses to reopen. Since then we continued to promote the contribution they make to our economy, as well as the physical health and mental well-being benefits they bring to society. More than 80% of those working in the personal care industry are women.

And the industry, as -- has one of the biggest rates of personal ownership than any other sector. Women are four times more likely to open a personal care business than in any other sector. The Federation of Small Businesses future of the High Street report recognised winning owners of SMEs were more likely to engage with their communities, but also highlighted the difficulties women faced with excessively high rental costs. When they would typically be earning less than their counterparts.

So spreading the brunt of the time and cost of raising a family. Therefore it's encouraging to see beauty and well-being businesses predominantly owned and staffed by women continue to open and thrive. And they really are thriving. In 2023 there was an 11% year-on-year growth in GDP contribution from the industry, to 27.2 billion. The same year saw a 10% increase in the industry's workforce, with businesses employing 418,000 people. Professional services such as salons directly employed 224,000, of which 180,000 were women.

Everyday this industry plays a role in our lives, from the products we buy to the services we use. They keep us clean, enhance our appearance, and help to protect our physical and mental health. So can we wish every woman who works in the personal care service or owns a business, because let's face it they will probably be working all day Saturday, so can we wish them a very

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happy International Women's Day. I'm imposing an immediate three-
13:49
Seamus Logan Portrait Seamus Logan MP (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Scottish National Party)
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minute time-limit. It's a true privilege to speak at this year's debate. I want to start this year's debate. I want to start by acknowledging just some of the women in Scottish politics who are inspiring in paving the way for future generations of women in Scotland. Especially the next generation of female politicians. Of course I want to start by acknowledging our Chief Whip, the member for Aberdeen North, who sadly can't be here today. I'm sure she would love to be here.

Our MSP Karen Adam, and only two of our local councillors in Aberdeenshire, the opposition group leader and our group chair Louise McAllister. I also want to pay tribute to the tireless work done by Sally Donald, a member of staff from a neighbouring MP, as co-chair of parlay gender, a workplace equality network, she has introduced a mentorship scheme for female member's of staff which has been very popular, showing demand for such schemes in this place. While I stand here and thank the women who have committed their time, energy and lives to the people of Scotland want to take a second to look at our current pace, a girl born today will be nearly 40 years old before women in this place hold as many seats in parliament as men.

This is a devastating statistic in the face of this year's theme, rights, equality and empowerment. Though we are currently honoured to be in a parliament which has the highest number of female MPs in history, let us not forget women were only allowed to stand in elections as late as 1918. Up until 1997 women had never held more than 10% of seats in Parliament. On this day, dedicated to the rights, equality and empowerment of all women, I want to acknowledge the additional challenges that exist for women in today's society.

More so the obstacles they face to enter the work of politics and those that persist when they are here. I want to acknowledge how much stronger and more diverse this house would be with more female colleagues sitting in these benches. I want to finally pay tribute to those great women in the independence movement in Scotland, too many to mention but just to the late great Winnie Ewing, and also the late President of Fraser SMP. I'm endlessly inspired, I want to ask the Minister what initiatives is the government taking to allow more women and girls to access a career in politics so they can follow the footsteps of all my female colleagues and ensure the rights of women.

Finally I will recognise the member for Brent East in bringing this debate today, and also the powerful speech he made. I will also mention briefly the member for Bolsover speaks about the need for us to speak out about rape cases. In the SLAPPs debate in December I brought notice to the Minister that day about a rape case, I was promised a ministerial meeting and I am still waiting on that meeting, that was five months ago. Perhaps the Minister could respond to that.
13:52
Harpreet Uppal Portrait Harpreet Uppal MP (Huddersfield, Labour)
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Thank you to the member for bringing forward this important debate. It's with huge pride I stand here today as the first woman MP for Huddersfield. Hopefully not the last. Female leadership continues in my local area with the female lead of the council and our fantastic West Yorkshire mare, Tracy Brabin, and of course I have to mention Madame Deputy Speaker as a proud Yorkshire woman. That's absolutely fantastic. International Women's Day is a fantastic day to celebrate the achievements of women, but it also marks the called for action to accelerate women's equality.

Around the world we are witnessing a growing push back against women's rights, advances that were painstakingly made over decades. As parliamentarians in this chamber we have a particular responsibility to ensure we can do anything we can to progress women and girls equality, to fight back against the culture wars. From those who would try and give easy and angry responses to complex problems, which too many times pit us against each other when many of us are fighting for the same goals.

I recently attended a Greek the night march in Huddersfield, the first of these took place in Leeds in 1990s #1977. -- 1977. We were there to renew our commitment to build a future free from violence against women and girls, to go out without fear whatever time of day or without fear whatever time of day or night it is. Recent data shows 2 million women are estimated to be victims of violence perpetrated by men e.g., that's one in 12. Police chiefs have also warned of young men being radicalised online by so- called influencers.

As the Minister for Birmingham Yardley said, the for Birmingham Yardley said, the scale of violence against women and girls in our society is intolerable. I am very proud that the Minister is in this role doing this work. We are lucky, well not lucky, I am proud we have more women in this Parliament than we've ever had but we are still at 40% so there is still more to do. I am glad that a women's caucus has been established to look at issues on a cross-party basis.

But the onus on this can't be just on women, we must all act together and say enough is enough. I want to particularly note a couple of local organisations in Huddersfield who worked really hard to support women, this includes Pennine domestic abuse partnership, Kirklees rape and sexual abuse Centre, the women's Centre, the lipstick object, amongst many others. If I could quickly mention the responsibility of social media giants in curtailing the behaviour online, we must simply ask are they doing enough.

If the answer is no, we have to demand more. It cannot be right that algorithms are driving this destructive and divisive behaviour. behaviour.
13:55
Alison Griffiths Portrait Alison Griffiths MP (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)
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As the 649th woman to be elected to this house it is an honour to be called today to contribute to this important debate, and I thank the honourable member for Brent East for her contribution and bringing this debate. I am struck that with 650 members of this house we are only now, in this Parliament, reaching the threshold where the number of female MPs actually matches it. I am particularly proud to be one of only eight newly elected Conservative MPs, standing alongside 18 distinguished Conservative incumbent female colleagues who have set the bar high.

Their dedication, resilience and leadership continues to inspire me, and countless women across the country. My journey to this place has been a long one. One that began 15 years ago, when I first joined the Conservative candidates list. However, like many I started my journey far earlier. As I spent far too many years thinking of running without ever putting my name forward or making it known that this is what I might want to do. As conservatives we champion equal opportunities for everyone, across the United Kingdom.

Ensuring that individuals, regardless of their sex, their race or their background, can achieve their full potential. We are the only political party to have elected a female Prime Minister. Not once, not twice, but three times. We made history with Margaret Thatcher's election in 1979, and we continue to make history today under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch, our fourth female leader. In government we took action to support women at work, ensuring that over 2 million more women entered paid employment between 2010 and 2023.

Boosting our economy and securing financial independence for many. It's why we launched the women's health strategy, ensuring better healthcare outcomes for women. And why we restored sex-specific language to the NHS, to protect female only medical care. It's why we introduced 30 hours of free childcare per week for working parents, easing the burden on families, and supporting mothers who want to return to work. However, there is still more work to be done and they always will be.

As conservatives we will always fight to ensure that every woman, no matter how background, can reach her full potential.
13:58
Lillian Jones Portrait Lillian Jones MP (Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)
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Its and on to speak in this debate which has been secured by my right honourable friend for Brent East. International Women's Day, observed every day -- every year on 8 March, recognises the invaluable contributions women make on every sphere of life, cultural, economic, social. It's a day to look at the challenges we meet and to reinforce the resolve to dismantle the barriers that continue to impede the progress of women and girls everywhere. In 1908 a group of women workers in New York City took to the streets to protest for better wages and working conditions.

The Socialist party of America organised the first International Women's Day in honour of those women who were demanding their rights. It wasn't until 1975 however that the United Nations formally began recognising 8 March as International Women's Day. What began as a call for social change in the early 20th-century has evolved into a global celebration, a recognition of women's achievements and struggles. As we celebrate we must that this day is not only about celebration, it's about progress. When so much has been achieved we must also acknowledge the challenges and inequalities that persist.

For example, women and men in some parts of the world -- women in some parts of the world only and 70 % of what men do. This includes women in leadership positions. Around 70% worldwide face physical violence. Educational opportunities for girls, especially in underprivileged regions remain a challenge and the list continues. Moreover, women of colour, LGBT women, and women with disabilities often experience multiple layers of discrimination that amplify the challenges they face. This intersection reminds us that gender inequality is not A1 size fits all endeavour, it's crucial we consider the unique experiences of all women as we work towards more inclusivity.

Women have been leaders, innovators and changemakers, often in the face of immense adversity. From Marie Curie's groundbreaking scientific discoveries, to the advocacy for girls and women's education, women have demonstrated restraint, a Jacinda Ardern has proven women can leave nations with wisdom, compassion and strength. Women have also been the driving force in movements for social justice, environmental sustainability, and Demands and and to sexual harassment and violence. These women and countless others might ask of the transformative power women hold when given the opportunity to support and resources to succeed.

They have shattered glass ceilings and pave the way for future generations of women to try. Their efforts demonstrate that when women are demonstrate that when women are
14:02
Ashley Fox Portrait Sir Ashley Fox MP (Bridgwater, Conservative)
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There are many women in my constituency who are doing incredible things and I am pleased to be able to speak on International women's day. We have leading members of the action group who successfully convinced EDF they should not destroy a beloved local area of national beauty with an unwanted saltmarsh. I nominated a local member for an MP hero award for her work in our community and the local people that she employs. Nicky Miles visited me in Parliament to raise awareness around the dangers of gambling addiction in memory of her brother Dell.

Amy Branson along with her husband Ben have campaigned on the injustice of sentencing guidelines in memory of their daughter Bethany who was killed by a drunk driver in 2022. Elizabeth Murphy is a special constable who brought attention to the fact that specials do not get to request unpaid time off work like magistrates or councillors. It is magistrates or councillors. It is she that inspired me to achieve my amendment to the bill, and members opposite can show their support by cosigning new things.

I want to pay tribute today to the Nelson trust Somerset women's Centre based in Bridgwater. Celebrating its 40th year this year, the Nelson trust provides a one-stop shop support to over 5000 women annually and Wales. The centres are women only spaces, provided for women such as homelessness, addiction, mental- health, domestic and sexual abuse and familial distance. I want to pay tribute to Gemma Berry and Lorna Griffiths for their work not only to women but the whole community.

Thank

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you. I want to congratulate my honourable friend for bringing honourable friend for bringing forward this vital debate. 2158, that is not my number. We have a that is not my number. We have a long way to go before we get to that. That is the year that we will that. That is the year that we will see full gender parity, 133 years or five generations of girls who five generations of girls who continue to live under a system of gender inequality.

Could you imagine if the leaders of the suffragette
14:05
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Portrait Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill, Labour)
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movement knew it would take another 10 generations to achieve equality of the sexes. That is why this year's theme is appropriate because the current rate of action is the current rate of action is unacceptable. I want to focus on unacceptable. I want to focus on women's health. Members will have heard me speak about racial heard me speak about racial disparity and the rate of fatalities to black mothers, but the issues of to black mothers, but the issues of maternity and now worsening for all women.

When I heard the issue of maternal health, black women were more likely to die in childbirth. That is now over three times and awareness has played a huge role in that so I pay tribute to organisations that have done that to raise awareness. But regrettably, most is not because maternity services are improving. The UK sits in the middle to low range compared to the global standard but we shouldn't set it for that. Not for poor maternal care. The mortality rate is far higher than those of other high-income countries like Iceland, Norway and Finland and it is not just maternity care we are being failed.

Women's issues have been overlooked with men being treated as a default. For men, it is just a few questions to be diagnosed for something like erectile dysfunction. But it takes eight years for women to receive a diagnosis for endometriosis. Every 7.5 seconds, minutes prescribed medication what it takes eight years for a female diagnosis. We still know next to nothing about symptoms and diagnosis for the management of things like PCOS despite it also impacting one in eight women. Even periods, everyone understands the pain and discomfort that a period cramp is typically more painful than testicular trauma at its least at its most, as intense as a heart attack.

And research has shown that dedication is set to health when women are suffering from these issues. Women feel gas lit by MPs, told to go on painkillers, and there is so much more that they are not receiving when they go and ask for help. We cannot fight for gender equality when health conditions are so stark, and I don't imagine that next International women's day will have a complete gender equality but have a complete gender equality but I do hope we see some concrete steps to get there.
14:08
Aphra Brandreth Portrait Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury, Conservative)
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There is a saying that has always resonated with me. When you get to the top, send the left back down. For those of us in such a privileged position to sit on these green benches, we hold the responsibility to speak out for and to support women and I am proud to be an honorary vice president of the Conservative women's organisation, the oldest women's political organisation in the world who do so much to inspire, encourage and mentor women as they progress and roles in politics and public life.

Time is short so I just want to take a few moments to share with the house some examples of inspiring women. Women like the entre now who runs her company global air training on the aviation map. Women like Helen Bevington a dairy farmer. Every morning she gets up at 4 AM to attend to her stock. She works from dawn to dusk to keep her farm going. According to a recent survey, women in farming have the worst mental- health scores.

I have spoken on numerous occasions in this house about the importance of our family farms and mental health. Women are the backbone of the rural community and they deserve to be celebrated today. And women like councillor Rachel Williams who, every month, cooks a community lunch, bringing people together, combating loneliness and isolation and supporting others. International women's day is of course not just a chance to celebrate women but also to highlight whether there is still vital work to be done. Too many women face domestic violence.

We in this house are here for them and I very much welcome the government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls. I was pleased to be able to support the Institute for addressing strangulation at the end of last year in writing to the Minister to emphasise the important work that they are doing. Two thirds of domestic violence cases at some point will include a woman being strangled. It is a red line in terms of escalation of violence.

If a woman has been subject to strangling, the probability that she will go on to be murdered in the future will increase by seven fold. I am very grateful to the Minister who subsequently committed to funding the Institute for another year to ensure that the vital work they do can continue. Together, we must speak up and deliver change on behalf of all women on matters such as these. It is the honour and privilege of my life to be the 575th female Member of Parliament to be elected to this house and I am committed to do what I can to inspire support, champion and speak up for women and girls together.

We can accelerate action. can accelerate action.
14:11
Cat Eccles Portrait Cat Eccles MP (Stourbridge, Labour)
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Thank you for bringing this important debate and to all members for contributions. My constituency have a proud history of only electing women since the seat was reintroduced in 1997 and I am honoured to continue that as the 680th female MP. Representation matters. Stourbridge is home to so many incredible women who provide much for our constituency, but I worry that in a society which can move so fast at times, we may forget to take the time to make our appreciation truly known to one another as often as we should.

In my role, I am fortunate to interact with many of the amazing women in my constituency, and that is why we shine a light on some of the incredible women making a difference every single day, and I would like to tell you about them. First is Chloe Cox, an English teacher who bravely returned to the classroom after surviving a brain tumour. People are so happy for her to be back, and her resilience is As a champion for animals and the owner of three cats myself, I believe the work Mandy is doing is so important in being able to deliver parity for our pets.

Kate Coco overcame a stroke to become an HR manager at one of the great local workers, introducing opportunities for work experience and for work experience and apprenticeships. Chief Moreland, leader of the arts, keeping her in sound company community choir alive since 2012, performing at just events like community spirit at Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Commonwealth Games. Her dedication has fostered growth, inclusivity, and perseverance, especially during lockdown. I will also be celebrating Rosemary Taylor who is in her 80s but still goes out every day in all weathers with her little trolley picking letter all around the area.

Heather Cruickshanks who turns 80 this year is still running a rainbow unit and helps the guides. She was described as an amazing woman by constituents who are so grateful for her and let me not forget Elsie Gail, a driving force behind the AA PG on black maternal health, fighting to improve maternal care in the UK. Another nominee who is raising funding through her jigsaw library and just 15 months, she has raised more than £26,000. Angie Burford who is working on local recovery for drugs and alcohol, and finally, Samantha Bill in, a name I have mentioned before in this chamber, a fierce campaigner.
14:14
Jerome Mayhew Portrait Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)
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This is my first international women's day debate that each one of them is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the exceptional women that have made up our history and to be reminded of those exceptional women who are in this chamber today. My contribution for Norfolk is someone called Elizabeth Fry. I am proud of her because she happens to be my five times great aunt. But Elizabeth Fry is as close as I get to real commitment and fame.

In the early 19th century, she was horrified by the conditions of prison. She visited Newgate prison and she took action. She funded present schools for the children who were incarcerated longer than others in those days. She taught employment skills and promoted rehabilitation as a concept which was new at that stage, and she developed the wider movement for reform and she was the first woman ever to give evidence to a House of Commons enquiry and it is directly because of her campaigning work that we had the jails act and the presence act of 1835.

That was the beginning of the end of the truly terrible conditions of the 18th-century. But we talk now about violence against women and girls. But that is not new because in her personal diaries she expressly discussed the need to protect female prisoners from rape and sexual Much has improved beyond recognition from those days, we should recognise that and elsewhere. But too much remains the same. Just in the last government we had offences of stalking, non-fatal strangulation, coercive control, and public sexual harassment.

The fact that those new legislations were needed demonstrates the failure of us to change attitudes. Those were conditions that would have been familiar to Elizabeth Fry back in the 1820s. And our work isn't about legislation, because that isn't action or solution. All legislation does is deal and treat symptoms. The problem is the generational transfer of attitudes, from time sorry to say typically father to son. It's our work to challenge those generational attitudes. I don't often agree with the member for Brent East, that on this I absolutely stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
14:16
Catherine Fookes Portrait Catherine Fookes MP (Monmouthshire, Labour)
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The CEO of the women's equality network Wales, I have a long history of campaigning for women. I was proud of the work we did to get more women in public life, and to recognise the huge army of unpaid women carers out there. The theme of IWD this year is to separate action, and goodness don't we still need action? Yes, we now have a whopping 40% of all Welsh MPs as women, which is brilliant. But there are only two women leaders of Welsh local authorities, one I'm proud to say is our very own leader in Monmouthshire.

One of the difficulties to -- issues women face today is inequality. For many years it's been underfunded and people haven't wanted to talk about periods and the menopause, I want to pay tribute to the member for Neath and Swansea East who has done such a huge amount in this area. It's thanks to her that this place has signed up to the menopause mandate, and it's thanks to her I feel able to share today my own story. She has given me the courage to do so.

My journey with the menopause was a difficult one. For me it happened literally overnight, as I had increasingly heavy and painful periods which some days stopped me from going to work due to be heavy flow. I literally could not be more than one minute away from the Louvre. Eventually the bleeding was so bad and unstoppable I ended up in A&E thinking I had a haemorrhage. It was thyroids, with one as big as orange. The story and happily, but having a hysterectomy and came immediately and overnight menopause.

I stupidly thought I could get away with it without drugs, refused patches offered at hospital despite being the CEO of the women's equality network charity Ayah not done my research. I was grateful to my friends at the NHS for helping the understand what was going on. I am so proud of our government bold commitment to halve violence against women. It is so important. I connected to this issue is one that has filled my inbox, that inefficiency and the impossible industry -- situation with the child maintenance service.

It's unforgivable that after a woman has made a really difficult decision to leave her partner she can then continue to be abused financially by her husband, as the CMS fails to prevent this. I would like to thank my honourable friend member for Birmingham Yardley, who has inspired me over the years and done so much on violence against women. And finally I want to highlight the talented, inspiring and wonderful women of Monmouthshire who came to my International Women's Day event in Chepstow on Saturday.

It was a pleasure to be joined by so many inspiring women, we raised £500 for Welsh women's aid.
14:19
Iqbal Mohamed Portrait Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)
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As other speakers have referenced, International Women's Day was born out of struggles waged by past generations of women. Whose sacrifices by and large will not be recorded in the history books. But whose actions have enabled other women to walk an easier path through life than perhaps they did. Unfortunately the continuation of that struggle seems more pertinent now than at any time in my adult life. As there is a concerted attempt to roll back hard-won gains of the women's movement.

We see this in the toxic influence of a resurgent reactionary politics, amplified by a two loosely regulated social media platforms, enabling misogyny to literally reach into the bedrooms of our young teenage boys. I am not just referring here to the Andrew Tate's of the world, I am also referring to the Donald Trump's of the world, who ridiculed the very notion of there being an unequal playing field that hinders the lives of women. Indeed, Trump and his supporters state the exact opposite.

In their world it is men, white men in particular, who are the real victims of moves to tackle inequality. There are two things about this narrative that worry me. Firstly it is getting traction in this country. A study conducted by the global Institute for women's leadership at King's College found that nearly one in two Britons, 47%, say that when it comes to giving women equal rights with men things have gone far enough in Great Britain.

A notable increase in the 38% said the same last year, and a stark increase in the proportion of those who feel this way as recently as 2019. The increase means for the first time Britons are more likely than Americans to agree women's equality have gone far enough. Secondly, these views normalise misogyny and encourage violence against women and girls. They literally put women's lives in literally put women's lives in danger. It is therefore critical for MPs to work on this, it's often denied, in the military or police force where instances of misogyny get reduced to bad apples and people get let off the hook.

We have to forcibly demonstrate a zero tolerance approach to hate against women and girls. We also need more practical measures right now to make it safer for women to live their lives free of harassment go about their everyday lives without fear or attack. In conclusion, two years after the murder of Sarah Everard it should be the least we can do in her memory and in the memory of approximately 450 women murdered by...

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I would like to thank the member for Brent East for allowing us to do for Brent East for allowing us to do what this house does best, when we speak as one and when we work
14:23
Katrina Murray Portrait Katrina Murray MP (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, Labour)
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speak as one and when we work together. International Women's Day is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the achievement of winning. To reflect on the progress we have made, and more crucially recommit to the work still to be done. As we have been reminded through this debate, there are still battles to be won. Many, many battles, whether in our local communities, across the nation, or globally. Women have always been at the forefront of change. Often having to fight to have their voices heard.

Yet they have made significant contributions and lead movements for justice and equality. The fight for women's rights is the fight for economic justice, the reproductive rights, and freedom from violence and discrimination. It is a fight against exploitation, against trafficking, and against the silencing of women's voices. The theme for International Women's Day this year is to accelerate action, and whilst every single one of us in this place has a role to play in that it's also necessary in our communities.

Like other members, I want to take a moment to share the stories and celebrate the achievements of some really spectacular women in my constituency. However not a single one of them would say they are spectacular, not a single one of them would say they are doing something above and beyond. Women like Lavinier Makorani, the ladies President at the Bowling club. Who I met at the fundraising coffee morning last year. Women's sport, like bowling, is just as important as that on the telly.

Or a primary pupil whose app designing skills saw her win the make it happen club app design challenge. The save the whale idea was not only recognised but developed into reality, yet another woman into stem. Or the engineering company in my constituency who is overwhelmingly recruiting graduate women engineers in the water industry, and the inspiring women. I must admit I am biased, I was a girl guide, I was a Brownie, and an occasional adult volunteer.

These volunteers are bringing those young women forward. Our fight is not finished, the battle for equality continues everywhere. Let's recommit ourselves to not only celebrating

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action. As I grow older I find myself becoming more and more intensely aware of the injustices that confront women and girls every day confront women and girls every day in the UK. I would like to cover a viewpoint beginning with health. It's alarming to note that NICE It's alarming to note that NICE recognises 9/10 women suffer period
14:26
Tom Collins Portrait Tom Collins MP (Worcester, Labour)
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recognises 9/10 women suffer period pain, 3/10 severely. Up to three in eight girls will face heavy periods with one in 20 women in their 20s and 40s having heavy problems. These issues are common but we should not accept them as normal. It's equally alarming to recognise the error bands in those statistics, they are huge. The upper limits being five and 10 times than the lower values than the stats opened with. Recently don't know enough about these conditions. We have a deficit of research, a deficit of knowledge and a deficit of clinical solutions.

We need to do more and these issues of lived experiences of women, they are the experienced -- the responsibility of us all. I would like to talk about an issue that sits primarily with men. I have listened to stories of men in my constituency of Worcester talking about the impact of pornography on their mental health, their relationships, by extension the women in their lives. Pornography is wildly addictive, it is harmful to men, hazardous to women. It's industrially available and increasingly violent, it is silently fuelling sexual violence and exploitation.

I would like us to move rapidly to a regulation and enforcement that is fierce, fast and forceful to make our country safe. I would like to raise a local issue in my constituency of Worcester, it's very urgent and very important. The Dawn project supports survivors of domestic violence in Worcestershire. I have heard first hand the stories of survivors who found their lives transformed by the service. It is saving lives and restoring futures. But it's a risk, as funding streams are drying up.

Local people in Worcester are digging deep trying to crowdfunding money to support the charity, that I would be eager to meet with the Minister to secure

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funding for the Dawn project in future. Firstly can I thank the honourable member for Brent East, for bringing this important debate. It is so vital we honour International Women's Day today, not International Women's Day today, not only to recognise the remarkable achievements of women across the country but to also accelerate the drive for equality that is still so desperately needed. Sadly, far too desperately needed. Sadly, far too many women come to my surgeries with many women come to my surgeries with harrowing experiences of dissemination in the workplace, inequalities in the health system, and violence and Domestic Abuse Act
14:29
Alex McIntyre Portrait Alex McIntyre MP (Gloucester, Labour)
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home. Many are deeply concerned about the alarming rise of violence, about the alarming rise of violence, last year we saw sexual abuse and violence reach record levels in violence reach record levels in Gloucester. My Ten Minute Rule bill earlier this year seeks to provide victims of sexual abuse are right to access 10 days of safe paid leave. access 10 days of safe paid leave. I've worked with organisations such as women's aid, fear free, save lives and G two work on this bill.

We know that one in four women will experience this and a lifetime, I would encourage the government to add this to their mission. The theme for this year's International Women's Day is to accelerate action. I am encouraged by the government's commitment to do just that. We are committed to an ambitious plan to halve violence against women and girls, introducing Raneem's Law, protecting women from abuse and harassment, criminalising spiking, closing the racial mortality gap and tackling sex-based dissemination at work, supporting women during maternity and menopause and closing the gender pay gap.

I would like to take this moment to celebrate the inspirational women in my city. Like the fantastic Gloucester women rugby team, from Carol Francis the first black councillor in Gloucester who continues to champion for her community, no Julie Kent who founded the charity and will soon become the high sheriff. Sally Barnes died in January after years of service to our city. We also thank other inspirational women for their service to Gloucester, and the wider county, as they step down this year.

Like Sally being at the Barnet trust and Sue Cunningham and GL communities, and Mary Hudson at Gloucestershire ITV. I would like to thank the member for Bridgwater's comments about the Bridgwater trust to do excellent work in my constituency. I will continue to use my position in this house to celebrate the success of women in Gloucester but our also advocate for a brighter future which I can hope we can all agree will lead to a brighter future for women in

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The first time I saw the sculpture in Trafalgar Square, I was sculpture in Trafalgar Square, I was overwhelmed. It spoke of a body that overwhelmed. It spoke of a body that carried life. It said I exist, bodies like mine exist, and therein is beauty. We shall no longer be is beauty. We shall no longer be invisible. However, unlike nondisabled women, our experience of
14:31
Marie Tidball Portrait Dr Marie Tidball MP (Penistone and Stocksbridge, Labour)
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nondisabled women, our experience of pregnancy had not been celebrated nor discussed. When I found out I was pregnant in 2017, I was filled with joy and a deep connection to my body and unborn child. Growing up, the absence of women's representation in discussions on sexuality, relationships, menstruation, menopause and maternity left me feeling that my womanhood did not count. That it was vitiated by my physical disability. By contrast, when I was pregnant, my body was no longer just a topic of medical scrutiny.

I wanted my maternity to be improved. That was not my reality. Instead, the system was unprepared for a body like mine. Early on, I was triage to a service. I was left feeling devastated. As by pregnancy progressed, there were no midwifery teams and the interaction between maternity continued. I had to be induced at 37 weeks leading to a cesarean section. My core muscles were severely impacted. I was left debilitated. After birth, the ensuite room I was putting was inaccessible.

The very space that was meant to aid my recovery became another barrier. Upon discharge, the Occupational Therapy team had no specialist. I became increasingly dependent on family members. I was exhausted and lost my confidence. Not because of anything I had done but because of the structures that were meant to support me did not know how to do so. My experience came eight years after the UN committee on the rights of disabled people for disabled women's rights into healthcare.

This week, London School of tropical medicine has published a report which helps

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disabled women who endure longer .$$NEWLINE I think my honourable

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.$$NEWLINE I think my honourable friend for giving way. She is making an incredibly powerful speech. To she agree with me that health

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services are lacking behind. I want to ensure that health services take an intersectional services take an intersectional approach. UK maternity policy continues to overlook women's needs. continues to overlook women's needs. Now it is time for action. Disabled women should have maternity care for 20 joined up maternity care pathways throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period to improve access, experience and outcomes for disabled women, and crucially, there must be nothing about us without us. Disabled women must be central in improving maternity care services.

And while I'm at some clinicians, we must increase their understanding through better training and up date guidelines for appropriate care. Finally, we must ensure facilities are accessible and the reasonable adjustments to maternity wards enable disabled women to recover from birth with dignity.

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Thank you to my member for that incredibly powerful speech and all the women who have formed such a the women who have formed such a full 10th group. The people I full 10th group. The people I primarily want to say thank you to today are the women who look after
14:36
Sarah Russell Portrait Mrs Sarah Russell MP (Congleton, Labour)
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today are the women who look after my children and all of the women who look after all of our children, and of course, childcare is not solely the provenance of women but the majority of the childcare workforce in this country is women. This is some of the most undervalued work in our society. It is often paid at Minimum Wage Act, and without it, other people cannot work. Nursery providers are deeply concerned. Labour is putting £1.8 billion into the early years and we want 75% of children to be school ready.

These are ambitious targets and I am proud of them, but the people who deliver this work are childminders and nursery staff. Childcare is key infrastructure. We want a stable workforce and well-trained workforce. There is a risk that if we do not fund things well enough, the only businesses that well in the sector will be major nurseries. They are the ones that can manage economies of scale which will enable them to thrive in most environments. There is nothing wrong with these nurseries and I do not wish to be suggesting that the staff within them are anything but committed or that their owners are anything other than working for the greater good.

But what I don't want to see is small passionate women owned businesses squeezed out of the sector and I am concerned about that. Partly because that is the kind of childcare I had in the early years, and that is what I want for all children as an option. But partly because in Australia when the nursery chain went bust, 19,000 families woke up without childcare overnight and I guarantee that it was predominantly women who didn't go to work the next day and not those children's fathers.

So a consolidated sector is inherently fragile one I hope that in the upcoming spending review, we will look at the rates we pay for three and four-year-old childcare as I understand that is what is causing concern. We have to make sure they are well funded and that the uptake is as we all needed to be 100%. I want to say thank you to all the people who have inspired me in this chamber and beyond, all the women who have helped me, but most of all, I want to say thank you to the women who looked after me and the women who look after my children.
14:38
Leigh Ingham Portrait Leigh Ingham MP (Stafford, Labour)
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Firstly, I cannot express what a privilege this is today. This year's theme accelerate action could not be more relevant. My constituency has a proud history of women taking action against misogyny and against inequality and I want to honour that legacy were also shining a light on the challenges we still face. One of the most remarkable things is Alice walkins, a suffragette who worked in industry before moving to Leicester where she became a key figure in the fight for women's rights to vote.

Alice lived on Red Lion St and her activism reminds me that change happens when we take extraordinary action. We await the generations before us to continue their fight for equality today. However, while there is much to be carried out, there are areas where we must act with urgency. Statistics on violence against women and girls are shocking. In Staffordshire, the situation is dire. The last five years, Staffordshire Women's Aid which is based on my constituency has seen a 361% increase in referrals for their sexual violence services, and 800 referrals for specialist counselling services.

Despite working in the sector for years, when I had those figures, I was devastated. Violence against women and girls is happening every corner of this country, and I firmly believe that it is a national emergency. In my own case were, I continue to see women, many with children who are forced to flee their homes and start over again because of domestic. Time and time again, it is the women and children having to uproot their lives while perpetrators face fewer consequences. When I stood for election last year, I was so proud to be a member of a party that has promised to halve violence and girls, but we must go further.

I would like to thank the Minister who was murdered in July last year. I will be following this closely I want to express how grateful I am to the Minister for the timeless worksheet has done in this space. Sorry, you are a very inspiring Sorry, you are a very inspiring woman. Our mission remains the same, to build a society where we can live free from fear and reach full

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potential. I rise today as the youngest

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I rise today as the youngest women in Parliament and the first woman to represent my constituency woman to represent my constituency of Kettering. I was also raised by women, my mum, my Nan and my aunt Emma. I am proudly agendas the Emma. I am proudly agendas the woman. Like many others my age, I grew up on social media, I watched grew up on social media, I watched the series of love island. This weekend, I am going to see Sabrina Carpenter and I am still shocked
14:41
Rosie Wrighting Portrait Rosie Wrighting MP (Kettering, Labour)
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Carpenter and I am still shocked about Tommy Fury's breakup. But absolutely none of that takes away from my ability to serve my constituents. Being a young woman in this place has its full and I know that women MPs bear the brunt of online abuse. Making ourselves read daily online comments which criticise our appearance, question our intelligence and threaten our safety. In a post-20 election was called last year, more people asked me if I hadn't only fans account than about our manifesto pledges.

Online, I am called Barbie. I am a stupid girl and a child playing politics and many more creative things that I can't say in this house. I know many great women who haven't stood for Parliament because of online abuse or worrying about their safety and this house is worse off because of it. My message for women who are thinking of getting into politics is that there is a

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place for you here and we need you. Does she agree with me that she is a phenomenal role model herself is a phenomenal role model herself as a woman with a great knowledge of business and sitting on the Select business and sitting on the Select Committee brings a special expertise having worked herself in the fashion industry.

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industry. I thank my honourable friend for those really kind comments. But the things that I see on my screen also things that I see on my screen also translate to real life. When I walked back to my flat tonight, I walked back to my flat tonight, I won't have my headphones on so I can hear if someone is following me. And when I go out with my friends, I won't put my drink down because I'm worried I might be spiked. And when a man asks for my number on the tube, all I'm thinking is how I can

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let him down gently because I'm worried how he might take it if I say no. I would just like to remark in

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I would just like to remark in support of her observations about the experience of being a female the experience of being a female Member of Parliament that when we were advised about security as candidates by this place, the advice candidates by this place, the advice that we got from a bunch of white that we got from a bunch of white men we kind of looked at each other as candidates and observed that almost everything a suggesting that almost everything a suggesting that we did, walk in the light, don't have your headphones on, be careful where you stand on a platform were basically the advice we have been

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given by our mothers at the age of 12. Yes, I do agree and coming into

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Yes, I do agree and coming into this place, it is sad to say that this advice wasn't new to us. It is things we have had to learn just things we have had to learn just through our own experiences, and I also want to put on record my admiration for colleagues from the LGBT+ community, and members who LGBT+ community, and members who have disability because they fight a fight I can't even imagine. I am surrounded by many, many great colleagues in this place and I know that we cannot accelerate action without also engaging young men.

We have to be clear that we cannot tackle violence against women and girls without supporting young men at this vital point. My constituency is not unique to having women in our community who have been killed by a family member or partner and I want to take a moment to mention a horrific case of a well loved nurse in Kettering who was killed alongside her two children in alongside her two children in She went to work to support our public services, but when she needed support the most she was left out.

We have so much more to do to support women at work, walking down the street, even in our own homes. I know members of across this house will continue to work together to accelerate this action.

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Every year over 1.6 million women in this country experience domestic
14:46
Anneliese Midgley Portrait Anneliese Midgley MP (Knowsley, Labour)
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in this country experience domestic abuse. In my own constituency we have recently heard the highest rate of femicide. I am determined to do everything I can in my power to keep women safe in my constituency. Madame Deputy Speaker, a woman from Knowsley, in her family's words Paul was beautiful inside and out, so kind and loving, she was the person that was there for everyone. She worked at Asda, and was mum of Jason, Jessica and Matthew, and the proudest nanny for her first proudest nanny for her first grandson.

But Paula's husband, barbarically murdered Paula in her home stabbing her up to 300 times. And behind each statistic we cite rel lives, like Valery Turner, Magdalena, Karen Dempsey and Courtney boom, all women from Knowsley killed by male violence against women. Some murdered by their own sons. One in 10 women killed by men are killed by their own sons. Madame Deputy Speaker, I would like to turn to the urgent issue of funding for the specialist domestic abuse services.

For many survivors these are a lifeline, but the fact is they are struggling financially. They are stretched, underfunded, in some cases shutting doors. We can't accept this. Many survivors are more likely to turn to them and have more trust than they do in the state and the police. The services must be at the heart of this government's mission to halve violence against women and girls. We have to put our money where our mouth is. The first step, the only independent specialist domestic abuse service in Knowsley literally saves lives.

I want to commend the Chief Executive and her team for what they do from Knowsley, Caroline Grant, she's up there. Yet they are being forced to turn women away because the sustainability of funding just isn't there. That's why I've written to my honourable friend, the victims Minister, to ask for stable multi-year funding committed to domestic abuse services including the first step in Knowsley. I welcome Raneem's Law and everything this government is doing on this urgent matter. We have made great progress and have great ambition for women, I would like to thank my honourable friend on the front bench today for all her work.

But no funding was pledged for domestic abuse in the last budget, I very much hope that changes in the spring statement. spring statement.
14:49
Chris McDonald Portrait Chris McDonald MP (Stockton North, Labour)
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I would like to thank my honourable friend the member for Brent East for moving the motion. We have heard from the last two speakers some incredibly powerful testimony, but if members will forgive me I intend to shift the tone slightly and talk about a moment of joy I experienced yesterday. But first, I also want to acknowledge the proud achievements of our Labour Party in advancing the cause of women over the last century, and pay particular tribute to the members of our labour and trade unions for the work they do in local communities.

Yesterday I had a lovely visit to our marvellous education centre from students of St Joseph's Catholic Church primary school in Billingham. As always I was asked the best and hardest questions by the students there. I was asked what are MPs going to do to help women who play football have the same level of pay as men who play football? What a great question that is. We have heard a bit about sport today, a rapid transformation for football for women and girls, we've heard about the lioness effect.

We have heard about women being fantastic role models, they have achieved on the main stage at Wembley under the floodlights, putting their critics to rest. But we shouldn't forget what they've been up against. The football Association today have ambitious targets to grow the girls game, but on 5 December 1921 the FAA met at its headquarters in London and announced a ban on the women's game. They said the game of football is quite unsuitable for females, and ought not to be encouraged.

Before that there were 150 women's clubs, attracting 45,000 fans to their games, you have to wonder whether the F a were more motivated by how the women's game were taking fans away from the men's game. If you had asked women about that I'm sure they would say there's a bright future for the women's game, there certainly is now, because since that band was reversed in 1979 the women's game has gone from strength to strength, I would like to commend the football Association for the work they have done to improve access and opportunities for women and girls.

Tomorrow to celebrate International Women's Day I will be joining the Beaulieu primary school in Billingham to watch a training session and a football match run by the Hartlepool football foundation. I think it sends a strong message to women and girls that they can look forward to the same achievement in our national game as the boys. I would like to close by saying it's incredibly inspiring for me to work with such brave, talented, dedicated and hard-working women in Parliament. Including everyone who is speaking in the debate today.

Our women members are wonderful role models, thank you.

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Ahead of International Women's Day we have got to remember that violence against women and girls is
14:52
Tonia Antoniazzi Portrait Tonia Antoniazzi MP (Gower, Labour)
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violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Men who kill, men who rape, men who abuse and sexually harass do so in the context of entrenched sexual dissemination that normalises predatory behaviour and quickly blames victims. With sufficient will and that context being changed, it can and must be ended. This is why the most welcome change since last years International Women's Day is that we now have a Labour government. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on commercial sexual exploitation I have particular interest in prostitution, it's one I want to highlight today.

The femicide sensors, whose authors are here today, is harrowing. It is nonetheless a groundbreaking report, its latest addition was published its latest addition was published yesterday. It looks in detail at the first -- the details of women killed by men on their database. 2,000 women is to thousand to many. 45 were identified as being involved or having been involved in prosecution -- prostitution. So it's likely to be a huge undercount. The research found this cohort of women killed by men in the UK have been involved in restitution and tend to be younger and less likely to be born in the UK than any other women killed by men.

The data shows women involved in prostitution are also the most vulnerable in society. A Home Office report noted approximately 50% of women in prostitution in the UK started being paid for sex acts before they were 18 years old. While up to 90 While up to 95% of women in street prostitution are believed to be problematic drug users. They are the most vulnerable. It is not a job, this is not work. They are disproportionately victims of violence, including fatal violence.

In their death they are more likely to be subjected to sexual violence, and after their death their bodies are more likely to be desecrated. This is not a coincidence. Prostitution is the oldest form of sexual exploitation, a form of violence against women and girls. It is another manifestation of sexual

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inequality. Does the honourable member agree

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Does the honourable member agree with me that it is important this week that our government has week that our government has announced they will no longer place young women in young offender institutions.

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institutions. Goes to show at the heart of what our Ministers and our cabinet members are doing to support women members are doing to support women and girls. But all in all, women and girls matter. Including those that girls matter. Including those that are exploited in the sex trade. Whom I would like to dedicate my remarks to today.

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Thank you for calling me to make a contribution to this debate on International Women's Day. I am International Women's Day. I am proud to be the first woman to represent my constituency of Scarborough Whitby. In my acceptance speech I pledged to play my part in ending the epidemic of violence against women and girls, and to see the first, the very first, women's
14:55
Alison Hume Portrait Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)
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the first, the very first, women's refuge built in North Yorkshire. Today I rise to pay tribute to a constituent who has spent a lifetime overcoming what happened to her as a young girl to become an outspoken survivor and advocate for victims of child sexual abuse. When I say a lifetime, I mean a lifetime. Abused at 10, Suzanne buried what had happened to her to build a successful career and raise a family. She told me it was only once her children had grown up and left home that she felt able to deal with what had happened to her.

At 48 she went to the police, and at 50 after a very traumatic and drawnout investigation and trial the perpetrator was sentenced to 13 years. As such, perpetrators only serve half his time in prison, and he is due to be released in the summer. As a childminder and early years inspector, Suzanne loves where she lives. Of course she does, it's our home. But as she waits for the decision of the Parole Board she is planning to sell her home, because when her abuser is released he will be back to his family home a new streets away from her.

In a house she has to walk past reach her parents home. The man who abused my constituent as a child will live literally two streets away from her. A three-minute walk away from her home, Eimear 322 metres away, and visible from her upstairs rooms. Understandably, she can't face the thought of coming face-to-face with her abuser. Suzanne told me she was very fortunate to have been signposted to Ida's, a specialist charity supporting victims of domestic abuse and violence, without their support she would have taken her own life.

I ask why a child, why a man who has abused a child in their close neighbourhood, should be allowed to return to live just a few streets away. It goes beyond whether they are seen as a risk, I'm sure there are no easy answers but I would like to pay tribute to Suzanne today for allowing me to share her story. I would like to thank her for her courage. We want women to feel safe on the streets and in our homes, and that includes survivors like Suzanne.



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I will be beginning frontbench

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I will be beginning frontbench speeches at 3:15 PM, we have three people left to speak. Much like the member first

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Much like the member first garbage I'm here as the fifth woman
14:58
Jayne Kirkham Portrait Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )
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garbage I'm here as the fifth woman in a row representing my constituency. It's 50 years since Barbara Castle introduced the equal pay bill to the House of Commons, she was a pioneering woman obviously, the First Secretary of State for employment. She supported the strike of workers in Dagenham which paved the way for equal pay legislation in 1975. However it wasn't until 84 that the female Ford factory workers received full skills recognition in a line with the men. Just last year the Fausat society revealed that the mean gender pay gap is still quite high, we still have a long way to go it is harder to get equal paperwork, especially when having children, afterwards it's even harder.

I'm glad this government is doing things like flexible working and expansion of free childcare and breakfast clubs for children that will relieve some of the pressure on mothers who still carry far more mental load. When I became a single mum and my son was small my income dropped exponentially, I left a job in the city to move to Cornwall. I found a job fitting with school hours, those jobs after low-paid and less secure. So improving childcare in this country and making it more important is crucial to eliminating that gender pay gap.

The employment Strikes Bill introduced to this house in October has many provisions that will help. Flexible working will become default where practical, it will be harder for employers to refuse lexical working requests. This will allow women with caring responsibilities to more easily balance work. It will also benefit women suffering from health conditions such as endometriosis, will be able to manage their symptoms and appointments. I have met with constituents with endometriosis who have shared stories of chronic pain and multiple surgeries making it difficult to work.

They also struggle to feel heard and supported by the medical profession, feeling they have to fight for treatments, sometimes waiting years for diagnosis as has been pointed out. Companies with more than 250 employees will be required to create action plans addressing gender inequality, including menopause. I know myself from bitter experience that migraines, sleeplessness and hot flushes can be debilitating, as can basic words dropping out of my head. Having arrangements and understanding in place will allow more women to keep working. Skilled social care workers are chronically underpaid for what they do, the job I found as a single mum was a teaching assistant, working in a school supporting role was another sector where the pay is very low.

I am very pleased Bill gives respect and recognition to social care workers and support staff in the workers and support staff in the
15:01
Kirith Entwistle Portrait Kirith Entwistle MP (Bolton North East, Labour)
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Can I add my thanks to my honourable friend for bringing this debate to the house? I am especially proud to speak in this debate as a member on the women and equalities Select Committee. I am also the first woman to represent my constituency, and frankly, I think there are far too many of us first women representing our constituencies, so I hope that changes. On Monday, I was proud to host a coffee morning in aid of Fort Alice who provide refuge accommodation, one-to-one sessions for children to work through trauma and outstanding nurseries on sites to help provide a lifeline for victims and survivors of domestic.

I also hosted two further events on Tuesday and spoke proudly about Endeavour who are the U.K.'s first domestic service who provide a fostering service, and they recognise that women facing domestic feel trapped because they don't want to leave a pet behind which is a barrier for help. Today is also a time for honesty. We had so many contributions so far. It is a dangerous time. We are seeing women's rights being rolled back across the globe. We face stark reality and work being done, and having followed her career so closely, I am on it to be in place with the woman on the frontbenchers.

We have a long way to go in this country. Women must fight for everything in society. We have to keep working together to fight for and protect women and girls. We are still fighting for equal pay. We are still fighting for safety on our streets, in our homes, and also in the digital world, we are seeing abuse and violence and girls taking on new forms as technology evolves. We have seen the creation of deep fakes, nonconsensual abuse, online harassment, and let's not forget social media platforms are owned and controlled by men.

Yes it is true that women have more opportunities. We are able to work, to go out and earn our own wage, but expectations placed on us remain. We still carry the mental road. We are still primary caregivers in charge of household chores, managing childcare, so we have to keep demanding better. We tell young girls that they can be anything, they can have it all, but we do not tell young boys the same about making sure that they take on their share of the housework, that they become good parents.

This must change. We cannot create a safer and fairer world for women and girls without working with men and boys. without working with men and boys.
15:04
Amanda Martin Portrait Amanda Martin MP (Portsmouth North, Labour)
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I want to thank the member for Brent East for bringing this debate and all members have contributed today, but particularly to the member whose experience in maternity service is shocking but not unique and I hope we can eradicate that. On International women's day, we celebrate the contribution of women and girls across our community, and what better way to honour this day than to shine a light on a place in my constituency that welcomes new life into the world and champions the health and well-being of mothers.

We have a fantastic all- female team at Queen Alexandra Hospital. In the past year, this unit has delivered 5000 babies and a dedication 24 seven 365 day a year midwife which goes far beyond the delivery room. I would like to highlight some of the trailblazing initiatives that help make life for parents and babies easier and safer. A new care pathway has been developed by the team to provide additional support and information for all families who are expecting a baby with Down syndrome.

It includes a paediatrician, feeding specialists, additional scans and offer of induction of 39 weeks. A new partnership also allows babies to be registered in hospital. This helps children through the process helps children through the process and takes 10 to 15 minutes before taking the pressure off, and also allowing all parents to get their support and be treated differently as parents no matter what their background is. In terms of the neonatal resuscitation units, even the tiniest newborn babies have the best chance of a healthy start with babies born at 24 weeks having a fantastic 80% survival rate when the national 18.

The trust dedication has and the place among the finest in the Parliamentary awards providing the hard work is not just felt in Portsmouth but nationwide. I was proud to go along and meet the team at the ceremony where they were shortlisted for the midwifery award and the future of the NHS award, and I am looking forward to moving forward with the unit. We have been invited with the UNICEF award. International women's day is about celebrating progress in the Queen Alexandra unit is a great example.

I Alexandra unit is a great example. I am proud to be women MP number 686 and be able to celebrate the women in my constituency of which there are many, and I am proud of the women in my constituency have a dedicated team to get them through childbirth. 281 midwives and countless students, and to them, I say thank you. say thank you.
15:07
Polly Billington Portrait Ms Polly Billington MP (East Thanet, Labour)
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Last Saturday, women from across East Thanet came together at a conference about tackling women and girls. They gave their testimony on what they want, quality of policing, lack of reliable affordable safe public transport and safety in the workplace and in the streets all

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bought up time and time again. Women are overrepresented in

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Women are overrepresented in vulnerable employment. Does the member agree that the protections member agree that the protections afforded in the rates bill are

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really important for these women? It is indeed true and it was

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It is indeed true and it was powerful to see people talking about the strength of increased representation in the workplace I trade unions, giving them greater trade unions, giving them greater protections as well. But again, housing, housing and housing. I know my friend and the Frontbench will recognise that this is key for the kind of security and safety that women in particular require. We spent a lot of time talking about the importance of opportunity because it has been restricted over centuries, and we celebrate the smashing every day.

Our Leicester Domestic Abuse Act, they point out that because we have high level of youth unemployment, we have a high level of young people not in education employment and training. We have young women being encouraged, forced by their boyfriends, soon-to-be pimps, to setup their own only fans accounts in order to be able to secure income. We also need to remember that that is exactly why we need the security and confidence in the law in order to be able to make sure that we are all safe.

Security in the home, in the community, security for our country. It is violence against women and girls that I hosted and brought those issues to the service, and bringing the unsafe and unpredictable world in which we live, this is becoming only more important. So it is in this context that I pay tribute to the government to increasing spending on the defence of our country because security and safety is just not personal, it is also based on the community and the country.

We need to acknowledge the crucial role of aid in increasing security here and abroad. Including four women at home in the UK and elsewhere. Women across the globe, international aid has been a lifeline for them. It has given them both the security and access to opportunities that they otherwise would likely not have. I understand that we are having to make difficult decisions and I absolutely support increasing defence spending. I am simply reminding the house of the role and impact that international aid has on women across the globe.

We know that 30% of the people who come across the channel on small boats are women and children. Aid can reduce that. If those women have security and opportunity at home, why would they take that dangerous journey? I finish in my constituency. Claire night would have been my constituent if she had lived but instead, she was killed while walking her dog on the beach in August 2023. Last week, her killer was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

But it is important to know that he escaped arrest the day before for up skirting. We will hear the names of the women who have been killed at the hands of men this year on the Frontbench and making those were invisible is important. It is part of the struggle. of the struggle.
15:12
Brian Leishman Portrait Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Labour)
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There have been many powerful contributions by honourable members across the house this afternoon and my contribution won't focus on violence or intimidation or even health issues. Instead, I would like to speak about domestic equality and fairness. It is an incontrovertible fact that women have been disconnected against for centuries. The historic struggle that women have had and continue to have is have had and continue to have is incredible. It has taken until 1920 until 1924 women to receive the vote, and it took until 1970 to make equal pay equal for employees.

In that particular issue, I would like to thank my honourable friend for securing this debate today on pay gaps just a few weeks ago. In a Scottish context, this is a very current issue. The Trades Union Congress have shown that women in Scotland can expect to earn an incredible 3000 years less than men and in Scotland, the gender pay gap and in Scotland, the gender pay gap has risen from 6.4% to 8.3% in 2024. This is unfairness in action and shows that the fight is very much ongoing because it is still tolerated in modern society.

Now that we are in government, we would do well to heed the political power of those born in the 1950s because they are discontent at pension equality which has become a national movement. Now that we have the power that could correct that injustice, we should deliver on what is right and deserved. Credit to the west be women. They continue to fight against the injustice. They are victims of wasabi women and this is based on the values of fighting against discrimination and inequality.

A struggle women know so well. And us on this side of the house know that power concedes nothing without demand. It never has

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and never will. I call the final speaker from the backbenches with a very short
15:14
Naushabah Khan Portrait Naushabah Khan MP (Gillingham and Rainham, Labour)
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speech. It is a pleasure to speak on this

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It is a pleasure to speak on this debate as the first female MP. I am surrounded by so many hard-working women from across the house. Politics have always been a vehicle through which gender stereotypes are smashed, barriers to entry are pulled down and trailblazers are forged. Despite the progress made in politics, there is still work to do. And the underrepresentation of women in industries extends beyond Westminster. It has real implications for our society and our economic prosperity as a nation.

Take construction. Only 15% of the construction workforce was female and when I visit college which serves my constituents, I am inspired by the young people who are passionate about entering the industry, but the reality they face as they will be entering a sector with no female representation across-the-board and systemic barriers to career progress. And then Armed Forces which are vital components for the government strategy to deliver economic growth and national security. It is therefore critical that women can look to the military with confidence for their own careers yet we still hear stories about those in the military facing misogyny, harassment, and bullying, and even cases of one woman who face sexual cases of one woman who face sexual The need to recruit and make sure women stay in our forces is crucial.

Looking back in history there are important lessons we can learn from personnel who were pivotal to war efforts in World War I, World War II, and many subsequent conflicts. One of Medway's key cultural assets is a reminder of such triumphs. HMS Cavalier was solely built by women in only nine months in 1944, I'm not sure what that says about nine months. Our investment in national security needs to ensure we have successful pathways for women to join our Armed Forces, also importantly to stay there.

To fulfil their potential and keep Britain safe, as they always have done. I recognise that across all these sectors significant work has been undertaken to address inequality, but there is a battle to fight. Out dated gender stereotypes which have nasty consequences. Britain has always been at its best when women get opportunities. On International Women's Day I remind this house of its obligations to enable women across the UK to pursue the occupation they are passionate about and create new pathways so they can

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realise their ambitions. We now start with the frontbench speakers, I call Liberal Democrat
15:17
Alex Brewer Portrait Alex Brewer MP (North East Hampshire, Liberal Democrat)
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speakers, I call Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Alex Brewer. Thank you. Ahead of International

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Thank you. Ahead of International Women's Day this Saturday I want to celebrate women's achievements. celebrate women's achievements. Starting by congratulating the honourable member for Brent East for bringing this important debate today, for being a trailblazer in this Parliament's diversity, and for speaking so passionately. We have made the most amazing progress since the inaugural International Women's Day, following workers rights protests in the early 20th-century. Women in this country can now vote, start a business and undergo surgery on their own bodies without consulting a man.

The absence of these rights might feel faintly ridiculous now, but they were hard- won in our relatively recent past. And we must remember they don't apply universally across the world. We must also recognise that while so much progress has been made, given the current local political environment this progress has never felt so Karius. This year marks 250 years since Jane Austen's birth in our beautiful countryside. Austin's novels, despite high praise and popularity, were published anonymously, and it was her brother who often dealt with her publishing negotiations.

One of her first books was simply written under the authorship "By a Lady". As we celebrate world book Day today as well it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on the enduring impact of authors such as Jane Austin who not only shaped our literary world but also challenged societal laws of our time. Women's literature in the UK thankfully is no longer published anonymously, but we still live in a world where 122 million girls are out of school, 496 million adult women worldwide cannot read alright, and women make up two thirds of the global illiterate population.

Issues of education and illiteracy will be worsened by the recent announced cuts to international aid. These policies, as highlighted by the honourable member for you stand it, disproportionately harm women. We need foreign policy with gender equality at its heart, not just because it's the right thing to do, but also because countries that educate girls do better economically for everyone. We must also increase international funding developments that aim to eradicate sexual abuse and violence in areas of conflict.

The UN confirmed a sharp rise in this violence between 2022 and 2023. Women and girls made up 95% of the victims. It's not just sexual violence, 61% of preventable maternal mortality occurred in 35 crisis affected countries. That amounts to around 500 deaths per day, and the average incidence of child marriage was 14.4% higher in conflict affected countries than in non-conflict settings. Women continue to be abused across the world. Murder is still the leading cause of premature death of women, and we have heard that every 10 minutes woman or girl is murdered by her intimate partner or family member.

We also heard powerful testimony from the honourable member for pulse over on rape and sexual assault. And we must develop our mechanisms of support by embedding domestic abuse specialists in every police force, increasing protections for refugees, and expanding our rape crisis centres to tackle these crises. In this Parliament I am proud to be the first female member of Parliament for north-east Hampshire, the 658 on the list, and a member of the women and equality Select Committee.

I support the powerful professional and personal testimony from our chair, who spoke on health inequalities as did honourable members from Monmouthshire and Penistone. Strides are being made in this house to improve the lives of women and achieve equality. The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, originally introduced by my honourable friend the member for Bath, mineralised upskirting. And it has been heartening to hear such powerful speeches across the house on a wide range of topics. Women must also be protected financially.

Right now in the UK women continue to be economically disadvantaged in the workplace. The medium hourly pay is 7.7% less than women, and in Hampshire the gap almost doubles. The gender pay gap also worsens with age, among full-time employees aged 40 or over the gap widens considerably due to the motherhood penalty. This is not a fact we should accept. Women deserve better from their workplaces and from the societal structures that enable this to continue. Policies such as increased paternity leave will help women to have a share of wages, improving policy for women also improves it for men as the honourable member for Kettering has said, equality benefits everyone.

said, equality benefits everyone. Today I speak proudly as a progressive internationalist cosmopolitan woman, inspired by the strength of women leaders. Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand impressed the world with her management of crises from terrorism to the pandemic, whilst also being the second ever elected world leader to give birth while in office. Kamala Harris was the first female, the first black and Asian American Vice President of the UK, and Salah Martin became the youngest Prime Minister in 2013 and guided Finland to become a member of NATO.

In the face of sexism in public life, who can forget Julia Gillard's speech on misogyny when she powerfully addressed the sexism to which she had been subjected. It is this persistence and fortitude that women and girls must continue to have in political, public, professional and private spaces across the globe. It will ensure we continue moving in the right direction of equality for all women. We are not there yet, but our progress must be celebrated. progress must be celebrated.
15:24
Mims Davies Portrait Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)
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Thank you. It's always a pleasure to close this debate and be part of this debate. Especially today on behalf of His Majesty's Official Opposition. I am proud to be the Shadow Cabinet member as the shadow Minister for Women, and again today it's a poignant, proud and challenging, sometimes joyful, debate. But once again, it has been always informative. I would like to thank the honourable member for Brent East, my fellow co-chair of the all-party women in parliament, and the Backbench Business Committee for securing this debate.

I thank all members for their contributions, I will touch on the remarks as I go. Of course, it is women's history month and I thank Mr Speaker for the event in the house last night where we were able to celebrate women's history. In fact, a particular pleasure to hear from the member for Spelthorne about Tilly Schilling today in the chamber. International Women's Day is important in allowing us to take stock, to be realistic, but also to celebrate our progress as women towards equality.

But also, as we've heard today, recognise that more can and should be done. Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining the Nordic Council at the British and Nordic breakfast here in Westminster with the secretary- general, with Helen Pankhurst a convener of the centenary action, and the coordinator of the parliamentarians. We exchange views and experiences of women in democracy, civil society, and the importance of inter-parliamentary importance of inter-parliamentary support. as we've heard it is important. I am pleased to celebrate International Women's Day as we mark the half-century since the first woman to be elected a party leader.

Also on this side of this house of course, on the Conservative benches, going on to be the first head of government in the Western world as a woman. And of course I'm talking about Margaret Thatcher. I couldn't help but notice across, didn't get much of a mention, it was up to me to make sure that was balanced. In her time in office more women entered the workforce and were professionals and became trailblazers. In fact, her statue just out there, iron ladies in their field just like she, she really challenged the status quo allowing all of us to do that.

As women we stand on the shoulders of women who have come here before us. I am the 380th woman elected to Parliament. I must say to men and women in the chamber, no one ever is here just to make up the numbers. And I say that the honourable Lady opposite from Kettering, who works with me on the all-party youth affairs. The power of young people really matters. We agree furiously on that. It was famously said that we were all the future once, so do not worry.

I am pleased to work with her on shaping that future. It's young women and young men working together that is vital. In fact, Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge in the other place should be praised for her work as a young woman in parliament, taking on the deepfake porn, I can't even think of words for what I would say about that at the Dispatch Box. It's really important I remind a house, in keeping with our conservative values, that Aymeric Chrissie is not values, that Aymeric Chrissie is not a tick box.

It's not tokenism. Our rise and success of more Conservative MPs is not about making up the numbers. I paid rebuke to the honourable Lady from Penistone and stop ridge, sharing her experience as a pregnant woman and her disablement, and her incredible strength on talking about it. Getting here just shows what a strong voice she is in sharing that. We have had three more Conservative women leaders on our sides,, on folks over there! And the subsequent new leader, in subsequent years we have seen my right honourable friend for north-west Essex leading us.

I'm extremely proud to sit in the Shadow Cabinet with her. I'm sorry to say in the last year I lost many female MP dear colleagues, who haven't come back to this place. The voters bit back, we will keep pushing on this side of the house. We will hear from the honourable Lady opposite about the truly shutdown lives of those who had their lives robbed by femicide. And we will acknowledge the impact on their family and friends. I welcome the new governments Minister for Women, Baroness Smith, in the other place.

And I do want to thank the previous Minister for her sisterhood and kindness to me in her previous shadow role and in government. But it would be remiss of me not to say at this point that I'm disappointed the role has not been retained in this side of the house, perhaps the honourable Lady opposite will have found time to take it. Because I have worked with and seen the honourable Lady in the last 10 years working together on the first women and equalities Select Committee.

There is admiration, I hope, on both sides. May I quickly turn to some amazing women in my constituency. Reverend Martha, the new vicar of Staines Hill following Reverend Bay of in place today. Sabrina Cohen Hatton, the West Sussex chief fire officer. Katie Bourne, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex. Many people know I have two daughters, one born on International Women's Day, so it's always a cake versus marching day. This weekend cake has one. One of my young daughters as a degree and is now an apprentice in a frontline role.

I know exactly what it means to take on challenges. Kathryn Hibbert little, who I must mention from East Grinstead, Aidan amazing women like an amazing woman entrepreneur. Helen Thomas, a wonderful lady I must mention at the box. The cross government menopause champion, proud of her work around no time to step back. And in my time in government, working with the honourable Lady opposite. The work we have done on women's employment, progression, safety, spiking, standing up for women, and standing up for menopausal women, it is something we I would also like to mention as Marge's brain tumour awareness month, my friend and constituent Holly Vivian.

She is a young mum, she's a nurse, and she is living with brain tumour. And it's where a hat day so please do that for her, raising awareness and fundraising. I just want to turn if I may to the accelerating action on women and girls. The fundamental right is to be safe from violence, and I remind the House that criminality in the home is something called domestic violence. That is criminality. Front and centre. We should never accept it, and we should always remind women or anybody suffering from domestic violence that there is a safe place for you, and we as MPs and in the community will be there for you.

I also want to remind the House what I brought forward to the box previously around my concern along with Women's Aid about the early release scheme. I'm sure the honourable lady opposite on the front bench will be continuing to look at the safety of women because of that, and I hope the quality ministers will work with Justice colleagues and Home Office colleagues to ensure that dangerous criminals for offences relating to sexual or sex-based violence are not amongst those getting the chance to leave prison early.

We know just last week, Mason Crown Court it was reported a prisoner from that scheme groped a woman within 15 minutes of being released. And I hope the Minister can assure this House on this issue. On safety, I want to reiterate the calls from my party around the time-limited independent enquiry on grooming gangs. I want to thank all members of this House who stood up on this matter, particularly the honourable friend from Keighley and Ilkley as well as the honourable member from Rotherham who like many others have continued to work on this.

I do believe we can and should go further to make sure victims are adequately heard. We continue to protect women and girls from these appalling crimes, the world Wales wide grooming gang. The victims of have asked for this and I hope the governor on this day will listen. The honourable lady from Knowsley talked about mothers murdered by sons. As I said, domestic violence is criminality in the home, and I found that particularly stark part of this afternoon's proceedings.

The honourable lady from Brent talked today about the challenge of raising women and that we have come too far to go back with. I know that she won't let that happen. We don't always agree on everything, but on that we can definitely agree. My honourable friend from Gordon and Buchan spoke about her gay forced mum, an incredible woman and also Olympians and amazing farmers in her constituency. I also thank the chairman of the Select Committee talking about her work and also highlighting FGM, which I think in particular is something extremely pertinent.

If I may close, I will find my final note, semi-notes here, because Madame Deputy Speaker is going to drag me out. Otherwise. Madeline Albright said, it took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and I have it, now that I have it, I'm not going to be silent. In the theme of accelerating action now, it's time to hear Member of Parliament stands for most persistent, and we all have to do what we can together with men and boys to deliver true equality, safety and fairness for all.

Today, International Women's Day and beyond. beyond.
15:35
Jess Phillips Portrait Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)
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Thank you. Thank you to both, all the Madame Deputy Speakers who have sat through this debate. I want to start by thanking the Member for Brent East for bringing this debate. She said in her comment that she was the 286 Member of Parliament. Is that right? 286 female Member of Parliament elected to this House in 10 years after she was first elected, I was elected and I was, I am the 311th, so there was actually only 25 in between the two of us.

And yet there are women who have stood in this chamber today who said they were 689th, so in the following 10 years, the acceleration of that pace is what International Women's Day is all about this year, accelerating action, so let's keep that up. International Women's Day is a moment to celebrate the achievement of women here in the UK and to recognise the enormous contribution they have made. Across every sector, and many have done that in the House today. It's really shone through in the debate, and has been a privilege to listen.

As members have reflected on the women who have influenced and inspired them. But it turns to me to do the thing I do every year. And I wish I could be entirely uplifting while we celebrate women who have lit up our lives and helped change the world, we also lament the loss of those who did not have the chance. The statistics show that a woman is killed by a man on average every three days in the UK. And that one in five homicides are domestic homicides.

We cannot allow this to continue, we must act now and be relentless in chasing the change. Many have mentioned today the names law that the government have brought into embed specialists in 909 control rooms, and I hope that this shows how important this list, the issue of women killed as to this Government, how it drives our actions because I read out the names of rename, Tudor and Carla Celine, her mother on the years that they were killed.

We've also set about putting in place the new domestic abuse protection orders, which is a huge step forward and has already seen where perpetrators breach their orders that they are being arrested swiftly and incarcerated, and that entirely comes from every domestic homicide review that I have read that tells me when a perpetrator breaches in order, if we don't respond, the consequences can be fatal. The government is also seeking to push forward massively on stalking laws, and there are many who I have read on the list over the years who have died because we didn't take stalking too seriously.

One of the things the government will do is allow people to know the identity of their online stalkers. Which currently isn't the case and is based on the case of Nicola Fort. I'm going to call it Nicola's law because I want to start having laws for women who didn't die, women who didn't have to die so that we changed the law is what we have to get to. We must go further and push harder. Unfortunately it's too late to protect those already taken from us.

To ensure that we do not forget them and all the women who have suffered due to violence against women and girls, and I say this, it is men's violence against women and girls. I will take this opportunity to read the names collated by the amazing women at the famous side sensors. They collate the list of women and girls aged 14 and above, and this year for children are included on the list who have allegedly been killed or known to have been killed by men in the past year.

This is the 10th year I have read this list. I do it now for the first time from the despatch box. Of the House of Commons. I do it in front of and to honour the families of these women and the women who have appeared on the list in the past. Last year, I said that I felt tired and angry and weary. I was sick of the failures, but as I stand here today, on the frontbench, placed here by a Prime Minister inspired to action, he mentioned the reading of the list in the very first ever speech he made from this despatch box as the Prime Minister, alongside a Home Secretary and a flight of brilliant ministers who are totally dedicated to this, I feel hopeful.

That the women whose names I'm about to read out, they left us breadcrumbs. They left us clues as to why they died. And we cannot stand and say any more that lessons will be learned. What I promise is that I will actually learn the lessons. Here is the list this year. Pauline Sweeney, Carole Matthews, Ursula Almen, Tiffany Matthews, Ursula Almen, Tiffany Brenda, Frances Dwyer, Ruth Baker, Kennedy, Samantha Micawber, Rachel McDade, Lisa Welford, Karen O'Leary, Sonia Parker, Tangent Riaz, Anita McKay, Bosch and Paul, Catherine Parton, Emma Finch, Margaret Parker, Amy Gray, Maria Negara, Patsy Alston, Virginia, Delia, Joanna Ward, Lauren Evans, Maxine Clark, Scarlet Vickers, Sophie Evans, Joanne Cermak, Carol Hunt, Louise Hunt, Hannah Hunt, Jenny Sharp, Alana Odysseus, Laura Robson, consumer actor, Rebecca Symbian, Olivia Wood, Courtney Mitchell, Nina Dennis, a Burton Albion, Stephanie Marie, Sophie Watson, Vicky Thomas, Eve McIntyre, Montserrat, share maximum, Brady McGregor, signals of under, brainy Goodway's and her children Oscar Bertil and Aubrey Bertil, Davinia Graham, Barbara, Christine Everett Hickson, Juliana prosper and her children Gisele and Carl prosper, Rachel Simpson, Mary Ward, Luca Bennett Smith, Anita Rose, Michelle alias, Rhiannon Sly white, Catherine Flynn, Sadie Butler, Rita filming, Cheryl McKenna, Carole James, Phoenix Spencer Horne, half sheet umbrella, Alana Armstrong, Margaret Cunningham, Christine, Margaret Hanson, Karen Cummings, Astra's European, Miriam brush, Gemma Devenish, Joanne Pearson, to hone a grant, Heather Newton, Junior empty, Lady Young, Julia Buckley, Gemma, Lady Young, Julia Buckley, Gemma, Diane Cleary, Claire, Margaret worthy, Rita Lambourne, Megan Hughes, Lisa Smith, and Maria, Leanne Williams, two women from Birmingham whose names have not yet The suspects have not been identified, I would like to honour the lives of Dora Lisa and Christine Jefferies, also in the last year Sharon Hollande, Chloe Hollande's mother has asked, because her name would never have been read out on this list if she would be remembered.

So, I ask that we remember Chloe and we remember alongside her in the list of women who died from suicide, or unclear, sinister and hidden circumstances, where we know there was a history of domestic abuse. All sexual violence. Those women's names will not make it onto this list, because nobody has ever been held accountable for their deaths. I promise today that we are working on these hidden homicides. They deserve a better, they deserve justice. I will finish by thanking everyone who has contributed to the debate.

I note that this year's debate, the amount of people who talked about the women who had been harmed in their constituency and the calls for action for change has been incredibly empowering. We have heard about the making work pay, keeping our streets safe and women who have fought, tirelessly, to embed a true equality into our everyday lives. This is a fight that demands of the very best from all of us and we must rise to the occasion. Under this issue, under this government, this issue will get the attention that it deserves.

We will keep honouring and celebrating women as we build a society, in which they are respected and protected. And we will back up our words with action, as we seek real and lasting change. Undeterred by those who sit on the sidelines, longer.
15:48
Dawn Butler Portrait Dawn Butler MP (Brent East, Labour)
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Dawn Butler to windup. thank the Minister for doing what she does in reading out those names. This is a very difficult debate to have had today and I feel more emotional than normal, because I fear, I fear that things are going I fear that that list is going to get longer, because we are at that tipping point. And if we do not stop what is going on, globally around it will get worse. I must say to everybody who contributed in this debate today, thank you.

It has been a powerful debate, it has been wonderful for members and to have an excuse to talk about the brilliant women in their constituency. It has been great to hear about them, I would love to meet all of them. And for all the women who talked about their own lived experience, from being pregnant and being treated as a disabled woman, being the youngest women in parliament and how you are treated, being raped and how you have come through that. The lived experience, I hope that everybody out side of this chamber his those

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stories today. Thank you. And we should never need an excuse. The question is as on the excuse. The question is as on the Order Paper. As many as are of that Order Paper. As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye".. The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it. The front benches wanted to take a few moments We We now We now come We now come to We now come to the We now come to the backbench We now come to the backbench debate on political finance rules, Lloyd Hatton to move.
15:50
15:50
Lloyd Hatton Portrait Backbench Business: Debate on a Motion on Political Finance Rules Lloyd Hatton MP (South Dorset, Labour)
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said at the dispatch box by my right honourable friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley. This House and our government are stronger, more effective and more compassionate, because of her contribution and her I beg to move motion in my name, as on the Order Paper. I should begin this debate by declaring an interest. I am a member of a many years actively involved in party politics. As a campaigner, as a local councillor and now as a member of Parliament. So, I know that political parties sit at the centre of our political landscape and political parties are key pillars in our elections and our broader democratic system.

Of course, these parties need funding, to fulfil their day-to-day functions Our pluralistic democracy depends upon a lively and active political parties, which can campaign and engage with the public. Indeed, tomorrow evening I will be back out on the doorstep, clipboard and leaflets in hand, listening to voters and campaigning with my local Labour Party. And these are very activities would be impossible, without political donations. But far too often, the financing of political parties involves a suspect donations, making their way into party coffers.

And these are not small numbers, Madam Deputy Speaker. Research by Transparency International, found that £115 million in donations, that is almost one in £10 of the reported donations came from unknown, or questionable sources between 2021 and 2024. So how has this been allowed to happen? Unfortunately, the U.K.'s political finance rules designed to block foreign donations and dirty money from seeking into political parties are ripe for abuse and riddled with loopholes. Hostile state at those, kleptocrats and international billionaires are easily able to sidestep the U.K.'s permissibility rules and funnel money, via UK registered shell companies, into our registered shell companies, into our As it stands, British company is permitted to make donations, using money raised overseas, even if the company has not generated sufficient funds to support that same donation.

This does mean that foreign actors, or indeed any mystery donor, Madam Deputy Speaker, could legitimately use shell companies as a conduit to channel money, into political parties, here in the UK. This is symbolic of a much bigger problem. It should not be this easy to pump money into British politics, behind a layer of corporate secrecy. Donations, such as this, which could come from anyone, anywhere, pose a significant threat to the security and integrity of our democratic system. Foreign interference, in British democracy and elections, are a direct attack on our sovereignty and our national interest and our vital democratic institutions.

And we have been warned about this A series of independent review bodies, and the security services have sounded the alarm, time and time again. They have made clear that there are risks posed by opaque donations, coming in from overseas. In 2020, a report by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee identified that multiple members of the Russian elite, with links to Vladimir Putin had tried to donate or successfully donated to British political parties. Later, into 2022, That a Chinese That a Chinese agent That a Chinese agent had That a Chinese agent had sought That a Chinese agent had sought to influence parliamentarians, on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

And again, in 2023, concerns were raised in Parliament about the alleged links between the Chinese Communist Party and party fundraising. Then a Minister of state for policing noted correctly that all political parties need to be alert to the danger of representatives of hostile states, seeking to infiltrate, or influence their activities. I fear, Madam Deputy Speaker that our help unhealthy dependence on a handful of large donors also poses a real risk of undue influence and capture by a narrow vested interest.

We know that of the £85 million of private donations, made in 2023 alone, two thirds came from a 19 mega donors. Each giving a well over £1 million. Just recently, one would be a mega donor did headlines for this are very reason. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and are not a British citizen was giving, "Serious thought to donating millions of pounds to a British political party, that is Reform UK. " Is a South African born billionaire who lives in the US, Elon Musk cannot legally make a personal donation to a British political party.

But as we know, he could easily go through his UK subsidiaries, from his various companies. Though these rumours have not yet come to pass, the risk that this poses to the integrity of our democracy cannot be understated. I repeat, it should not be this easy to pump money into British politics, especially from halfway across the world. Our democratic institutions and elections should never be the plaything of a billionaire who cannot even vote in a British election. And at the UK registered company should not be a convenient vehicle to allow them to make such a donation.

Even the perception that our political parties are captured by those with deep pockets has a corrosive effect on public trust, politics and art as politicians. At a time when that trust is regretfully at a historically low level, we need to tackle this perception, head on and show that our politics is not for sale and cannot be unduly influenced. So how do we go about toughening up the rules? First, by closing the loopholes, I have outlined, once and for all. And ensuring that the companies are only able to make donations, from profits, made in the UK, in the last two years.

And also by introducing a requirement, for political parties and to identify the true source of donors funds. Second, we need to have a tough deterrent for those who break the rules. Because even if Elon Musk were to ever breach election law, why would he care? The maximum fine at the Electoral Commission can impose is just £20,000. That is not even a small change to the world's , the previous government only made matters worse, when they strip to the Electoral Commission, tasked with regulating political finance of its independence.

And it further open the floodgates to make a period, by around 18%. Strengthening of the rules around donations to political parties is a manifesto commitment, for this new government. I know the Government and Ministers are committed to restoring trust and protecting British democracy. So I hope that Ministers will act swiftly on this commitment and restore the Electoral Commission's independence and empower it to impose much larger fines. And that the Government should also look closely at capping donations and spent, perhaps in line with recommendations put forward by the independent committee, on standards in public life.

Smart tweaks to existing regulations, such as increasing finding powers, lowering reporting thresholds and capping spending limits do not require primary legislation to. These changes could be acted quickly, Madam Deputy Speaker and still have a significant impact on cleaning up our politics and ensuring that our parties are all three from suspect donations. Finally I sincerely hope that Ministers will look closely at the role that shell companies play in allowing pay donations to be made, here in the UK. Often originating from overseas.

I am proud, Madam Deputy Speaker that this Labour government was elected on a mandate to restore integrity in politics. As the Prime Minister rightly stated, his victory speech in the early hours, the fight for trust is at the battle that defines our age. I wholeheartedly agree with the Prime Minister and I look forward to hearing from the Government and honourable members here today on exactly how we can win this crucial battle. Only by doing this can we protect democracy, clean up our politics and rebuild trust, with the public.

Thank you.

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The question is as on the Order

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The question is as on the Order Paper. As members will be able to tell we have considerably more members wishing to speak with and we members wishing to speak with and we have time, so perhaps that we start by trying to have an informal time by trying to have an informal time by trying to have an informal time Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. And I thank the honourable member for securing this debate, which is on such a crucial topic.

Public trust
16:00
Ellie Chowns Portrait Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)
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only 12% of people trust political parties. Only 15% of the population think that political funding is transparent. There is clearly a transparent. There is clearly a problem, at the heart of British politics and it is clearly, particularly bad, in our country. As at the honourable member referred at the honourable member referred to, because we have an Electoral Commission with very little in the Commission with very little in the way of teeth. And very little in the way of limits. It leaves our democracy open to corrosion, other democracy open to corrosion, other dark money.

That is something we have to be particularly worried about guarding against. As the honourable member for Brent East referred to, in the previous debate. We must regard our democracy against those forces, those antidemocratic forces and dark money and that influence money that is a key part of that. In the UK there is no limit on individual donations. That is not the case in Canada, in France, even in the US. Why is there no individual limit on how much money, how much money and how much influence an individual can therefore exert on British politics? Corporate donations are allowed here, but the band in it so many other countries.

Foreign donations are theoretically banned here, but these loopholes exist that to mean that an individual such as Elon Musk could quite easily bend the rules, work within the existing bendable rules, in order to exert what will be undoubtedly be a very, very be undoubtedly be a very, very And the honourable member mentioned the lack of enforcement powers, a £20,000 maximum fine when we're talking about influence going into the tens of millions of pounds. In our politics. Just in the last decade, £150 million from unknown sources.

This is clearly a serious serious problem. Now I welcome the fact that the government, the current government made a manifesto commitment to strengthening the rules on donations to political parties in order to protect our democracy from foreign influence, and I very much hope that the Minister will be able to clarify in her summing up exactly what that will amount to, what actions does the government intend to take to protect our democracy from foreign influence, and can she commit to taking measures such as strengthening the powers of the Electoral Commission to issue fines, such as reducing the reporting thresholds to increase transparency, and clarification of spending limits.

Those measures don't require primary legislation, so can the government set out a timetable under which they will bring forward those urgently needed measures to protect our democracy? Big money in politics is a corrosive influence. This government has the opportunity to put a stop to that, to bring us up to the standards that other democracies have put in place. Will the Minister set out her timetable for doing so and precisely what you

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will do? Thank you. I intend to make a
16:03
Chris Hinchliff Portrait Chris Hinchliff MP (North East Hertfordshire, Labour)
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Thank you. I intend to make a short contribution on one particular aspect of political funding that I believe is especially corrosive the believe is especially corrosive the faith in democracy in our country. Across North Hertfordshire from Huntington to Longbridge, local communities have worked hard to create local neighbourhood plans that are pragmatic but full of hope for the future. Yet time and again, these plans overruled and residents get development that could hardly be further from what they sought to secure.

Poorly designed, palpably unsustainable and outrageously overpriced. And the reason for this is so often because of the enormous financial and political pressure big developers are able to bring to bear on the debates of our future towns and villages in the Relenza's pursuit of profit maximisation. Our constituents will never have faith in our planning system delivering fair outcomes that put nature, community life and generally affordable homes before develop agreed for so long as those same developers and the lobbyists they employ are pouring vast sums of money into the bank accounts of political parties.

And given the constant clamour for planning deregulation and the already enormous profits that these developers are making, it's hard to escape the conclusion that this has been a very wise investment on their part. The Labour government has inherited the Conservative Party's housing crisis. We must not inherit the same issues of influence that made the previous administration. Trust in politics will only return when we make our position unimpeachable. And the future of development in our towns, villages and countryside is too important to even appear to have been subverted for private interests.

Everyone the public to believe that the planning guidelines that we set nationally and locally will be fairly adhered to and it's my contention that we must ban all political parties from developers, those who work for them and the lobbyists they employ.

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Thank you. At like to thank my honourable friend the Member for South Dorset for bringing this South Dorset for bringing this important debate. The lack of transparency in the way our transparency in the way our political parties are funded is well documented. Though I suspect not so well known among members of the public who tend to associate the corrupting influence of money in corrupting influence of money in politics to other countries, usually very far away. The reality is it's very far away.

The reality is it's taking place on our doorstep. According to research done by transparency International, almost 1 pound in every £10 reported by political parties and their members since 2001 has come from unknown or
16:06
Iqbal Mohamed Portrait Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)
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questionable sources. £42 million comes from donors alleged or proven to have been involved in other to have been involved in other corruption, fraud or money- laundering. And 38.6 million comes laundering. And 38.6 million comes from unincorporated assorted associations who have not reported associations who have not reported the source of their income despite Parliament introducing new Parliament introducing new transparency rules in 2010. The rest of their findings highlight millions of their findings highlight millions from donors who are related or proven to be intermediaries for foreign funds, and or hidden source and millions from companies who have not made sufficient profits to support the political contributions support the political contributions they've made.

Other research has confirmed that the successive governments have invested trillions in the defence industry with our new government also proposing to increase defence spending to 2.5 and then 3%. The defence industry is reported as being responsible for approximately 40% of all corruption worldwide. And much of the money that we and other countries spend on defence is funnelled back through opaque channels into political parties and members. The industrial military complex needs to be investigated and dismantled.

The fact our political finance rules are too weak to prevent hidden money from making it vulnerable to subordination from rich individuals and secretive vested interests, my constituents and people from our country are concerned by the malign influence of parties, governments and opposition ministers and members accepting millions from state and industry lobbies, corporations, megarich donors, on government policy and decisions. I will give way.

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He's making a case. Would he agree with me that foreign money has agree with me that foreign money has no role in our democracy, and one of the strongest ways we can clean up our politics and indeed strengthen our politics and indeed strengthen our democracy is actually to make sure the Electoral Commission has real teeth, it has higher fining powers, and would he also agree with me that when we have concerns about foreign money coming into our foreign money coming into our country, we should have particular concerns about money coming from

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people Elon Musk? I thank the honourable member for his intervention, and I completely agree, and I think the action that the Electoral Commission should be permitted to take should not just be limited to bigger greater fines for donors, but there should be consequences from those accepting donations and potentially being influenced. My constituents and the people of this country see and feel the deep impacts of the pro-rich, pro-war anti-poor and anticonsumer decisions and policies in their daily lives.

The solution lies in reforms which would tighten spending rules, shine a light on the source of financial contributions, lower spending limits to reduce campaign costs and reliance on large donations. Introduced donation camps of £10,000 per year for individuals and organisations as recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. To remove the corrupting influence of big money in politics and closing loopholes to ensure overseas trips of parliamentarians are only funded by trusted sources. The UK used to lead the way on funding transparency.

The UK was a founding member of the open government partnership and placed third in the 2014 OECD open data index, but in recent years, the UK has slipped. The most recent OECD rankings or the UK fall to 24th Pl with stories about dodgy dealings, PPE procurement, government ministers disappearing, what's messages all contributing to the decline in trust the public places in its politicians. As has been mentioned, it should be a cause for grave concern that £85 million in private donations in 2023 alone, two thirds came from 19 donors, giving over £1 million each, the highest share of mega donations.

If we don't want our politics to go the way of American politics, with British equivalent to the likes of Elon Musk and his fellow tech billionaires, blatantly using money to buy influence to remake politics in their interest, we need tighter regulation of political finance then we currently have and full

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transparency to the public. At like to start by thanking my fellow Dorset resident, my fellow Dorset resident, my honourable friend the Member for South Dorset for securing this South Dorset for securing this important debate. It really goes to the heart of the concern that the
16:11
Neil Duncan-Jordan Portrait Neil Duncan-Jordan MP (Poole, Labour)
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public have. Namely the economic dominance leads to political influence. Money is used to influence politics, and politics is then used to enable those people to make more money through changes in laws or regulations. This is the issue that worries the public. We also know that civic participation diminishes if people feel they have no influence compared to those with large amounts of money. Public trust in our political system as other members and honourable members have already mentioned is now at an all- time low.

That flows in part from a sense that politicians are unable to properly represent those who elect them, that money and our politics exerts undue influence, which is often obscured from public view, and that those who break the rules that do exist are not properly punished. Nearly 60% of the public think funding of political parties isn't transparent and only 30% think political parties that break the rules will face any action. That is why Labour's manifesto pledge to establish a new independent ethics and integrity commission with its own independent chair to ensure probity in government is extremely welcome.

This must be empowered to challenge the corrupting influence, not only of the developer lobby but also of other big money donors, including those from oil and gas industries. In this vein, we should also close loopholes to ensure overseas trips for parliamentarians are only funded by trusted sources and publish guidance on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality. Now it is also worrying the UK political parties have increasingly relied on a small number of extremely wealthy people to bankroll their election campaigns.

And the previous government increased national campaign spending limits from 19 million to 34 from 19 million to 34 million, which has intensified the demand for donations across all of our political parties. As the Member for Dewsbury and Batley said earlier, transparency International UK claim that between 2001 and May 2024, 42 million and May 2024, £42 million came from donors alleged to be proven to be involved in corruption fraud or money-laundering. Vertical parties should therefore be required by law to identify the true source of funds as part of a risk-based approach to donations, and a donation from a company should not be allowed to exceed its net profits generated in the UK within the preceding two years.

A UK registered company is permitted to make donations using money raised overseas. That is why political parties should be required to conduct checks on donations to assess and manage their risks. And there are real concerns around unincorporated associations. These associations are not required to check that those who donate them are permissible. This means that they could legitimately make donations using funding from otherwise impermissible sources including from overseas. And as other members have said, the Electoral Commission should therefore be given powers to investigate candidates compliance with the rules and to impose sanctions, and finally, banning companies that win public contracts from making political donations or end the potential conflict-of- interest this creates and the perception that political friends

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May I congratulate the Member for

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May I congratulate the Member for South Dorset for securing this debate and the backbench committee for granting it. As the promised and
16:16
Paul Kohler Portrait Mr Paul Kohler MP (Wimbledon, Liberal Democrat)
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for granting it. As the promised and declared himself last year, on the world stage now, the fight for trust will be the battle that defines our political era. It is clear that if we as MPs are going to achieve the lies we need a functioning democracy. If those that represent do not trust us to act in their best interest, we will simply not be an effective institution. Currently this is simply not the case. Politics and politicians, from the UK and across the globe.

The UK, 76% of people have little to no trust in members of this House. Often 54% a decade ago. I note, with no great relish that after years of uncertain government, concerned with their internal politics, in search of those around the country, this may not be surprised. It should be a deep concern for us all. We have been entrusted politics as a goal, regardless of colour or persuasion. I'm sure members of the House will support, it will not happen overnight.

Research from the Electoral Commission shows that only 50% of people believe there is transparency over the money spent and received by parties and campaigners. Down from over 1/3 in 2011. We should be clear that donations themselves aren't inherently wrong. They are part of a inherently wrong. They are part of a vibrant democratic system. Individuals should be able to take part in the democratic process, through political donations. Donations can help people further their goals and ideals. What they believe in. Any donations will give power, giving small parties unable to campaign against incumbents.

It will work against many of our democratic principles. This clear whilst political donations are a good thing, we must have adequate transparency, as to the source of that power. However it is not the case. The legal framework for the political finance system is now over 25 years old. Explicitly planned to ban foreign donations to political parties there are clearly many loopholes. Foreign interest in altering our politics, dictators alike Putin and Xi Jinping have made it perfectly clear they do not believe in democracy and are willing to undermine our institutions.

The current system has a loopholes, built in that allow foreign interest to channel money into politics, to shape it in their interest. At present the UK companies are permitted to make donations with money raised overseas, unincorporated associations can legitimately make donations, using funding from other donors. It is not just a foreign donations and that should cause concern, the sheer amount of money coming from a small number of extremely wealthy donors is also worrying. Of the £85 million from private donations in 2023 alone, two thirds came from just 19 donors.

Money helps a direct people to win and having that money comes with a small number of powerful individuals, risks bringing our democratic system to distribute. We must also introduce a cap in donations. How low will the intention no person should be able to donate, giving of the impression of undue influence on our democracy. A step between our politics, it would not be popular too. A recent YouGov poll found that more than two thirds of the British people pull want a limit on political

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foundations. It will be popular too. Also consider the capacity further balance exercise. It might appear balance exercise. It might appear under the influence on accumulated by political... They can donate and by political... They can donate and withhold as they see fit. It is a withhold as they see fit. It is a complex one. We are at a crucial juncture, it is in everyone's interest that the government has a proper handle on this issue. We can't enter the next general election with so many questions left unanswered, thank you.

unanswered, thank you.

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Like Like everyone Like everyone in Like everyone in the Like everyone in the chamber Like everyone in the chamber I'm sure I draw everyone's register of interest. It is one of those phrases
16:20
Stella Creasy Portrait Ms Stella Creasy MP (Walthamstow, Labour )
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interest. It is one of those phrases we always hear, follow the money, as if there is a somehow a crushing inevitability that money will determine the outcomes of all areas of life, whether personal or political. But now in a democracy and there is a clear and present danger that the loudest voices and largest wallets will dominate and that the two are connected. Even in is extraordinary to think that the existential threat to our country's democracy, posed by the suggestion that Elon Musk could donate 100, posed by the suggestion that Elon Musk could donate £100 to any Musk could donate £100 to any political party here hasn't caused a Cobra meeting to be called, because it is a national security threat.

A foreign agent, who is now part of the structures of a foreign state, openly talking about interfering in our democracy, buying it, boasting about doing so and not the only one. I guess for many, the idea that politics is so enthused with money is not a surprise. After all we have been trying for over hundred and 60 years, in this country to regulate foreign donations and indeed local donations. The avoidance of doubt donating to a political party is a noble thing to do, and your concerns passions and that you have.

We have all sought donations in this chamber. We have also seen scandals through the years. After all it's darted with the Daniel Lloyd George. We have had PPE. Transparency International have drawn our attention to the current data on this. That's before we even get to It is me, you, I've. We are the problem as politicians because we haven't regulated this, even though we have seen these problems time and time again. In the short time available to me I want to make it clear to the Minister though, to make sure that she is looking at the impact at a local level.

Because actually were missing money travel through unincorporated organisations, many will have seen in our communities and our constituencies, the impact of that and frankly the failures of the CPS and the police, to intervene. In America, created primarily to influence the selected nomination or appointment of candidates at a local level. Many of us now have third- party organisations active in our local communities, trying to cause disinformation, to disrupt our local democracy. People would say, in my constituency, what is the problem? A substantial majority result given that one in five MPs and I have a majority of less than 5%, these kinds of activities, third-party adverts on Facebook and could be critical to the outcome of local and indeed national elections.

We have charity gagging laws but we do nothing to do with the businesses that are behind this and are funding these activities. And it is a great irony to me that many of us came yesterday to defend mainly as part of national security work, because part of our aid budget goes on countries. We are not doing anything about it happening at a local level. Just the other week a Guardian reported that there is a network of Telegram channels with Russian links, encouraging UK residents to Acts and offering cryptocurrency in return.

It is also a line in terms of the activities that are happening. We have all seen it, the online is now the off-line threat and vice versa. But we saw it with Cambridge Analytica and nobody really acted then. Members here are challenge in terms of the fines that are happening in the actual regulations, but we need to do something about the fact that a be born to be on MPs, because of the results being much closer. This is not some Netflix drama, this is the state of British democracy at the moment.

Everybody in this chamber has a vested interest in resolving

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speech. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say. Thank you. I thank my honourable

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Thank you. I thank my honourable friend, the Member for South Dorset to place an instrumental role in the to place an instrumental role in the APPG on anti-corruption, for securing this important debate. I was really proud to stand on a manifesto commitment strengthen the rules around donations to political rules around donations to political parties and I welcome the government's commitment to bring forward and Elections Bill, in due forward and Elections Bill, in due course. So I hope today will help course.

So I hope today will help inform what will be in that future bill. Because as others have said, restoring trust in our political system and ensuring that everyone has a voice on decisions that affect their lives is absolutely crucial to British democracy. We know, from
16:25
Joe Powell Portrait Joe Powell MP (Kensington and Bayswater, Labour)
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evidence, internationally, the risk of allowing ever increasing amounts of money to dominate politics. I lived in Washington the sea, for almost 10 years and I saw first hand almost 10 years and I saw first hand the impact of that system, including and now the world's richest man, and now the world's richest man, spending 1/4 of $1 billion, to bankroll the last election. And when it billionaires and corporate interests drown out the voices of interests drown out the voices of everyone else, should not be surprised that people lose faith in democracy, working for them.

And it democracy, working for them. And it continues to amaze me that representatives from Reform, who unsurprisingly have not turned up in their seats for this debate, seem eager to take this approach to politics. They preach populism on the one hand, while courting foreign billionaires and their policy agendas on the other and that is not in keeping with British values. It is also about places like Moldova and countries where we have seen a Russian operatives shipping of money in two by-elections.

We should not be complacent. Others have covered the threat to the UK and in the interest of time, I would just like to pay tribute to Transparency International UK, spotlight on corruption and all the other great organisations that help shine a light on this issue. To move quickly to St Mary's, I hope she will consider reforms on donations and the cap. The unincorporated associations we have heard are particularly vulnerable to abuse, since 2010, over £40 million has come through unincorporated associations and a 95% of that money we have no idea where it came from.

As it stands and they are not required to check those that donate to them are permissible, so there could be foreign dozers. They are easy to setup, there are no transparency requirements in law for the donations to candidates as opposed to political parties or campaigners. I hope in the future Elections Bill the Government will introduce reforms to hamper down on these loopholes, including identifying people responsible for Incorporated, unincorporated association. Permissibility checks for political donations and lower reporting thresholds. In company donations we have heard already that big point and I adores that the proposals my honourable friend from South Dorset made on that issue.

Thirdly, we need robust independent oversight and to restore the independence of the Electoral Commission. We need an urgent review of the requirement for the commission to submit a Strategy and Policy Statement, to the government, I believe that that was part of an entirely confected agenda, on voter fraud, in the 2022 elections. I hope that we will repeal that as soon as possible. And finally, I do believe it is a time now to consider Political Donations. The Previous Government a Massive Increase in Its Spending Limits and the Increasing Reliance on Major Donors has made me think it is beneficial.

It is about the health of our democracy. There is lots more to do, but in 16, automatic voter registration, improving citizenship, education, ensuring citizens have a voice, between elections, not just at them. But on this particular issue, with the trust so low, it is vital we act urgently.

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Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week gave me to really clear reminders about why this matters. I spoke with the Member for Kensington
16:28
Rachel Blake Portrait Rachel Blake MP (Cities of London and Westminster, Labour )
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spoke with the Member for Kensington and Bayswater and the illegal invasion of Ukraine and saw a frank reminder of authoritarianism right there. And on Thursday my local party lost the by-election. What I don't like the result one bit I'm very proud to live in a country where community can come together and can make a decision about who represents them. It is that sort of politics where people can go out to the polling station. Sadly we are at a real risk of seeing that decline.

I cannot ignore the fact that there are forces intent on weakening our voice, our vote and our rights come in the media, in business and in politics. And that they are coordinated to replace democratically elected regimes, with those that we do their bidding. These forces are spreading conspiracy theories, which are driven division and in violence in our communities was that the platform to those that question fundamental British values and they undermine the democratic process, as the question of free and fair elections, around the world.

This is not a question of competition, within our democracy, but of democracy itself. We need to preserve a system where the voters are the ones choosing their leaders, not billionaire autocrats. Keeping their money out of politics is becoming a difficult task. Our financial flows are becoming more elusive, with vehicles such as cryptocurrency enabling a money laundering a scale. And our politics has a growing demand for more cash, with ever-growing competition of the voters attention. What member he hasn't had to struggle with an inscrutable doorbell, ring doorbell or security gate.

And so understandable changes to home security design to have a real impact on political finance as we spend more and more money trying to reach voters through online ads and direct mail. Getting this money out of our politics is more important than ever, at a time when it trust in politics is at an all-time low. Politicians must be effective, natural communicators as well as helpful legislators. And even the suspicion that we might not be acting in our constituents interest will continue to erode trust, that So fixing political pilots through So fixing political pilots through social part -- finance.

Much comes from questionable sources donate through loopholes in existing law. And so now we have to come to the solutions. Enforcement is made more difficult by loopholes and a weak enforcement system. Companies House reporting rules are too loose while the Electoral Commission lacks the independence to swiftly and thoroughly investigate potential breaches. Reporting obligations for parties, elected officials and candidates require tightening up as they allow some individual candidates to accept money without reporting. And meanwhile, the disincentives for bad behaviour such as fines are set well below the level which benefit bad actors.

We need to close the loopholes around unincorporated associations. Political parties need to be opened up to greater transparency, and more power needs to be given to enforcement entities. We take it for granted that voters will always be up to speak truth to power and we need to fight to preserve the system where British leadership is decided by British voters. The actors are
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Phil Brickell Portrait Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West, Labour)
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foreign interference are knocking at our door, and we need our Ring our door, and we need our Ring doorbell more now than ever. As Chloe has only done today, don't congratulate my honourable friend congratulate my honourable friend the Member for South Dorset on securing this debate. I rise to speak today as an individual who dedicated almost 15 years of my working life before coming to this place as an anticorruption professional. And it's an issue which goes to the heart of our politics, and somewhat disappointing politics, and somewhat disappointing to see that there are no backbench members from the official opposition members from the official opposition here in the debate to speak today because it is a vital issue on which we need to build consensus across party lines.

We've heard about low turnout at elections, which I think we all know here tear at the very fabric of our society, corroding democracy and the social contract between the citizen and the state. Foreign political donations might well be banned in the UK, but the current restrictions are far too easy for determined actors to circumvent. So we must be bold in updating our oversight of political donations for the risk posed by foreign interference plagues all of our parties. This is not just about one person.

One individual or one party. But to have taken the liberty of raking back through donations of years past illustrate my argument. Indeed just before the election, the bureau of investigative journalism made what should have been impermissible donations to all six major parties, all but one, Labour I might add, failed to correctly identify that the donation can be accepted under current rules, and return the money. Elsewhere the intelligence and Security committee's 2020 report on Russian interference medically, Russian money has not just been used to buy up sprawling mansions, has been used to attempt to buy influence in our politics too.

We've seen the wife of a former Putin minister donating over £2 million to the Conservative Party. Modesty mean pounds bike? One might ask. He and return was rewarded with a tennis match with Boris Johnson and dinner with Liz Truss. And Theresa May. They picked up the bill, presumably. Elsewhere let's take the case of oligarch Alexander to Marco. He ran a Russian state arms company and has coughed up over £700,000. Separately, we know the Russian state and its proxies has a well documented history of interfering in the politics of other countries and subverting hard-won democracy, whether that's in United States, France and Moldova as my honourable friend the Member for Kensington mansion.

And we should not be so arrogant to assume that Britain is immune to this. So what can we do? I hope we will see an elections bill in the next Parliamentary session which will be a Gordon opportunity to close the loopholes we've had about today to give the regulator real powers and safeguard our democracy against foreign influence. If the Minister is looking for inspiration, she need only look to organisations such as Spotlight on corruption, transparency international UK as well as the Electoral Commission itself.

Including proposals around making sure that we introduce know your donor rules or KYD, requiring parties themselves to conduct proper checks on the sources of a donation, and where this can be established, that the parties themselves will be required to reject. The money. Second, we should close the current loophole in our donation system which allows shell companies which have never even turned a profit in the UK to donate. Third, we must crackdown on unincorporated corporation such as the...

Have become opaque slush funds to channel money into politics allowing money from an undisclosed foreign source to trickle into our election campaigns. If we fail to act, failed to send a clear message, we undermine our democracy and trust in our politics. We must not allow that to happen, and I urge the Minister

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to be bold. Which brings us to the front benches, Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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spokesperson. Can I also thank the Member for

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Can I also thank the Member for South Dorset for his work in securing this important debate as well as the members from across the House for their contributions this House for their contributions this afternoon. The Liberal Democrats support this motion which aligns with our long-standing stance on political finance reform and
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Sarah Olney Portrait Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)
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protecting democracy from foreign influence. We've long called for reforms to prevent foreign interference and increase the transparency in political donations. We support strengthening the Electoral Commission by restoring its independence and increasing its enforcement powers, including higher fines for breaches of political finance laws. Our democracy should never be up for sale to foreign billionaires, oligarchs or hostile states and as such we support this motion which acknowledges some of these risks. Liberal Democrats will continue to push for strong measures to protect our political and electoral system.

We want to take big money out of politics by capping donations to political parties, and I'm proud the my honourable friend and party colleague the Member for Stratford-upon-Avon has a bill presented in this House to do just that. And we want to enhance registry powers to protect British democracy from the unprecedented threat posed by foreign interference and attacks on our democracy. Liberal Democrats will make protecting our democracy and national security priority. We're seen record levels of disillusionment with the political process with citizens becoming increasingly disengaged.

Research from the lateral commission highlights a significant drop in the rate of public confidence in political finance transparency, falling from 37% in 2011 to about 15% today. They also recently pointed out the threat of foreign influence on social media, highlighting the rising misinformation and artificial intelligence deep fakes in the run- up to the general election in July last year as well as new issues arising from the changes to fact checking on popular websites. Public trust in our electoral process was not helped by the disastrous record of the former Conservative government.

It wasn't just their successive sleaze scandals which created a crisis of democracy in this country, nor their exorbitant voter ID scheme which disproportionately disenfranchised as the young and those from ethnic minority communities. But the shameful decision to weaken the independence of the Electoral Commission is one which will go down in history. If we are to strengthen our democratic strange gods and restore public trust in our democracy, it has to start with empowering the Electoral Commission, that's what we need to reverse the Conservative changes first we want to strengthen the Electoral Commission by repealing the government's power to designate a strategy statement for the commission.

The former Conservative government also failed to take the threat posed by Russia seriously. They were content to allow Russian money to flood into the UK and also to allow Russian money to flow into the coffers of their own party, and the manner in which Boris Johnson that the Russian report sit on his desk was shocking. When that report was finally published, laid bare the extent to which Russia is a threat, including to our democratic institutions. The report said the U.K.'s clear target for Russia's disinformation campaigns and political influence operations and must therefore equip itself to counter such efforts.

A court Russian influence in the UK the new normal, and said that the government had underestimated the response required to the Russian threat. We continue to call for the full publication of the unredacted report. The Russian government has been accused of orchestrating a widespread campaign of interference and disinformation that seeks to undermine democracy for in 2024, the heads of the MI6 and CIA joining warned that the international order is under threat in a way not might not seen since the end of the Cold War.

So hope the Minister shares my concern that this week United States Defence Secretary has announced the stepping back of US counter cyber measures against Russia. This is an incredibly concerning decision by the Americans and threatens not only their cyber security but also our own. So what the most to be able to update the House and what measures the UK is taking to step up our defence of our democratic institutions, and we will continue to urge the government to designate protecting our democracy as a national security priority.

Of course in terms of foreign oligarchs, it would be remiss of me not to mention Elon Musk. That is recall that mask just weeks before he became a US government official, suggested that America should liberate the people of Britain and overthrow the UK government. And I hope that other party will join the Liberal Democrats in unequivocally condemning remarks like this. This incident further proves we need to urgently tighten up political funding that includes a cap on big donations. We must present foreign oligarchs from being able to interfere in our democracy.

The Lib Dems want to take big money out of holidays by capping donations to parties, and affair Will show that our constituents choose. We must deliver the reforms people are demanding.

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Shadow Minister. I'm going to start with a confession. I'm one of the Guardian readers on the Conservative benches. readers on the Conservative benches. And I would like to pay tribute to the article they published today on the latest update on what's been
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David Simmonds Portrait David Simmonds MP (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, Conservative)
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the latest update on what's been happening in the world of political donations, which is quite helpful. It illustrates the point that despite the increase in spending limits that were set out in previous parliament, the spend at last general election has reduced as parties have an all side reins in their spending. And it also sets out in some detail the fundraising efforts of parties in this chamber and helps to put some of the figures that have been quoted in the public debates in context that whilst there may be those promising to donate $100 to British little parties, the party in question managed to raise £280,000 over the quarter, which is approximate 1/8 of the funds raised by my own party, a bit less than 1/4 of the funds raised by the Labour Party over the same period.

And as a dedicated fan of privatised, it's very clear that the transparency that is brought by the reporting of these donations is enormously these donations is enormously helpful, and did as mentioned in many of the contributions today. On the whole, the debate has been in my view a positive one. It's avoided by a large many of the bits of casting aspersions we often see in this debate and focused on the practicalities, so I have some brief points to make and then some questions which I'm going to put the Minister that are very much about the practicalities of taking forward the work that is under way at the moment.

The first key point is around the need to respond as a political party and as a state to political party and as a state to that, evolving roster of challenges we face. We know there are practices being imported in particular from the United States with the funding of issue-based campaigns that have enormous political impact, including on the election of politicians but that are not in the form of donations to specific little parties, and clearly we've been keen to work with the government to ensure that donations that offer a political purpose without being too political party are open to the appropriate level of scrutiny.

There is a loophole that's recently been created by the decision of Labour in Wales and the SNP in Scotland to extend the franchise to a greater proportion of foreign citizens to allow them to vote in British elections because the principal that underpins reporting is that people are required only to donate to a political party in an election where they are also able to vote. And the fact that two eras of our country have different rules on that enables of course those people to donate to those parties because the political parties that operate there are national, and that's a loophole I hope the government will be addressing.

And of course political finance is not just in the form of donations to political parties. It's also seen in the lobbying that a number of members have been referring to. The trips, the research, and we know in the last Parliament the lobbying scandal that revolved around a Chinese spy donating around £700,000 to Labour Party organisations is also reflected in the challenge that has come from the side of the chamber around the position of the government in respect of the Chinese embassy.

Whilst the government may feel it's a legitimate foreign policy objectives that they set out to cosy up to China, it's also a view expressed by many members across the party that the influence of China also in British politics is a significant concern. So let me put some questions to the Minister. The first is why the government has chosen to abandon the commitment made by Parliament in the last government in the national security bill to enhance the powers so that regulators, law enforcement and security services could share information with political parties, a process that would have specific helped to avoid the kind of situation with labours Chinese spy problem by enabling parties to be more informed about who individuals were coming forward.

The government take steps to close that loophole created by the Labour Welsh government and the SNP Scottish government, which allow for the first time Russia, Chinese, Iranian citizens resident in those countries to donate to UK-wide politicians and I would like to ask the Minister why she has chosen not to include China in the foreign registration scheme. And whilst we recognise the point of the Government is pursuing a greater trade with China which is a legitimate political expectation, is that not a green light to the at the degree of influence they seek to transact in English politics? I would like to ask the Minister, does the Government accepted that UK politicians themselves are low risk.

Whilst it is important that we are here having this debate, seeking the highest possible standards, we need to make sure that the goldplating that we saw in the past of the politically exposed rules, which saw parliamentarians, on all sides of to basic financial services. Does the Minister think that we need to remove the risk of genuine and legitimate UK politicians of being already banked, because of their political views and finally, and perhaps most importantly, in the context of the need to maintain consensus, Madam Deputy Speaker.

I'd like to ask the Minister why the Government is failing to consult the political parties on its plans for changes to political finance law. The precedent set by past administrations, of all parties. Does she accept the long-standing convention that the government of the day does not unilaterally seek to impose measures affecting political finance, for their own party's advantage? So will she undertake that there will be discussions, with the parliamentary parties plan, that they will be forming consultation with parties. Will there be discussions through the so-called usual channels, on privy Council terms, so that we can ensure that the inner context, we know our electoral rule is complex, for good reason to protect the integrity of our democracy.

So that we can also retain the cross-party confidence and that those rules are

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agenda. Thank you. I want to start off by thanking my honourable friend the Member for South Dorset for opening this debate. Congratulate the backbench committee and key members of that committee for securing this
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Rushanara Ali Portrait Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Bethnal Green and Stepney, Labour)
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of that committee for securing this debate. I'm extremely grateful to the honourable members of the insights and the excellent contributions that are being made, all of which are incredibly valuable, as we make progress on this really important agenda. I have heard a real passion and conviction, today, in the speeches. It is clear, in the powerful speeches we have heard, in defence of our democracy and our desire to protect it from and our desire to protect it from those who would distort it and disrupt it.

The U.K.'s democratic system has evolved, over time, to create a stable and adaptable Stop with strong institutions, that are rightly held as exam Plaza, the expanding of democratic rights, making our system a more representative and inclusive. But we must not be complacent. Democracy is our democracy is eternal vigilance. And nowhere is this truer than campaign finance and political funding. This government is committed to strengthening our democracy and ensuring full participation in our elections. We will be setting out the government's approach to elections and electoral reform, for this parliament, in a published document, before the summer recess.

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial, for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. Points well made, today, in the speeches made by The UK has a strong political finance framework, which makes it clear that only those with a legitimate interest in UK elections can make political donations. Foreign money has no place in the U.K.'s political system, which is why the law is clear that foreign donations are not permitted, with the exception of donations from a certain primary sources at a Northern Ireland political parties.

This recognises the special place, in Ireland, in the political life and culture of Northern Ireland and is consistent with the principles set out in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. Accepting, or facilitating a legitimate foreign donation is rightly a criminal offence. Little parties of all required by law to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. And there are rules which safeguard against impermissible donations, through the back door. While it is clear that foreign donations, Madam Deputy Speaker, to political parties and other campaigners are legal, the Government recognises that the continued risks posed by actors who seek to interfere and under minor democratic process.

Points made in speeches from honourable members today. We do not think the current rules provide strong enough safeguards. That is why the Government committed in its manifesto to protect our democracy, by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties, including enhanced safeguards against foreign donations. We are considering a series of policy interventions, such as enhanced checks by recipients of donations and tighter controls on donors. Including more restrictions around company donations. Honourable members, honourable members... Am afraid I have a quite limited time.

Honourable members, I have also mentioned the important role that the Electoral Commission plays, in the U.K.'s democratic system, as at the regulator political finance. Rigorous regulation and enforcement of political finance rules are crucial, for public, promoting public confidence and trust in democratic processes. In assuring, integrity, combating the threat of integrity, combating the threat of foreign interference. As part of delivering, on our commitment, to strengthening the rules around political donations, we are also reviewing whether any changes or I'd to the role and powers of the regulator, to ensure that enforcement provide a clear deterrent against breaking the law, while remaining proportionate.

The government is currently developing proposals to give effect to these commitments. In the meantime, I want to assure honourable members that the we are carefully considering evidence, from a ride range of stakeholders, including recommendations from the public administration and Constitutional affairs committee, Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Electoral Commission. At its core, this work is about protecting the integrity of our democratic process. It is therefore vital that we also remain responsive to the full range of threats, to our democracy and continue our efforts to, on related issues, of election security and preparedness.

Working across government, with the intelligence agencies, the devolved governments, the police and external partners the Government will continue to monitor and respond to emerging issues, such as protective cyber threats as well

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way. I'm very pleased to Minister say

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I'm very pleased to Minister say

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I'm very pleased to Minister say that the almond is looking at the evolving nature of the threat. Especially the cyber threat. One of the things I had the colour could do

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the things I had the colour could do so with a social media can be used to directly benefit or indirectly benefit. The Defending Democracy Taskforce, by the Home Secretary and alongside the Deputy Prime Minister is very much looking at these

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is very much looking at these She talked about the evolving nature of the threat and members on nature of the threat and members on both sides of the House today have spoken of Elon Musk and I feel compelled to do so again, because compelled to do so again, because was going through riots said we were on the verge of civil war. This is a on the verge of civil war. This is a Ministers should be put in jail for supper she evidence over the record that this is exactly the type of person that we need to investigate person that we need to investigate and his money has no place in our politics.

focus on making sure our democracy and the integrity of our democracy and the integrity of our democracy is protected from interference. And that we have public confidence. That is what our focus is. And instead of going into specific individual cases, my focus is on ensuring that we can build that trust in our system and protect our democracy, against interference and political finance and keep out of that. In closing, Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to thank honourable members, across the House, for the contributions to this important with a lot of important suggestions and ideas and as we make progress, in the coming months, I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues, across party, to ensure that we take the necessary action.

We want a robust, vibrant representative democracy and that means fighting foreign interference and fighting unfair funding. I look forward to bringing forward further details, before the summer recess and how we intend to strengthen our democracy and uphold the integrity of elections. Thank you to honourable members, for their contribution.

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Lord Patten to wind up. Thank you to all members here in

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Thank you to all members here in the chamber for what I think it's been a thoughtful and constructive debate. I would like to thank the honourable members for North honourable members for North Herefordshire and my honourable friend for north-east Hertfordshire, particularly thoughtful particularly thoughtful contributions. My honourable friend for making a powerful remark about the relationship between donations the relationship between donations and public trust. I like to thank the honourable member for Wimbledon, for his very consensus driven for his very consensus driven contribution.

I would like to thank my honourable friend, the Member for Walthamstow, for outlining the urgent need for change. We cannot keep waiting for this reform to materialise. I would like to thank my honourable friend the Member for Kensington and Bayswater, for the important context he brought to this, how it sits within our global responsibilities, to fight dirty money and to clean up politics. I would like to thank the honourable, my honourable friend for the Cities of London and Westminster who is no longer in the chamber for powerfully making, though she is! Apologies.

These good shares. For defending our vibrant democracy. And what is at stake if we fail to do so. I would
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Lloyd Hatton Portrait Lloyd Hatton MP (South Dorset, Labour)
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like to thank my honourable friend at the Member for Bolton West for robustly outlining the risk proposed robustly outlining the risk proposed by Russian oligarchs and other dirty by Russian oligarchs and other dirty We must stand against it. Before I close I would just gently say to the honourable member for Dewsbury and Batley, that this is a really important discussion and I think we all agree on that. We must always be driven by the fact and by evidence.

And I think to sometimes oversimplify the argument means that we won't get the right outcomes. I do believe that you can support a policy, such as increasing defence burning to 2.5%, but not be sort of somehow ad hoc or in the pocket of military, industrial complex as it was put. I think that is a gross simplification. I would just gently remind him of that. Finally I would like to thank the Minister for her closing contributions. I really welcome the government's commitment to setting out their thinking on this important issue, later this year.

The reconfirming that foreign donations have no place in British politics. And for making clear the Government agrees on the need for stronger safeguards and that the Electoral Commission will play a crucial role in this. And we must ensure that it is a fully independent. Thank you.

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The question is as on the Order Paper. As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye". Of the opinion, say, "Aye". Of the contrary, "No". I think The Ayes
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17:00
None Portrait Adjournment: Geothermal energy
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adjourn. The question is that the House of

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do now adjourn. I'm grateful to have been granted this adjournment debate. I welcome the opportunity to put on the record, in this new parliament the benefits to deliver for our country. benefits to deliver for our country. In particular what it can deliver for part of our countries that most need investment or making need investment or making contribution to the vital issue of energy security. Help me in this effort more broadly is at the IPG, the renewable energy Association. I'm delighted for members for Falmouth and others, in the chamber, the APPG, an opportunity read recognise them and thank them for the work that they are doing.

Geothermal energy remains an underutilised resource in the UK. Despite being reliable heat in particular, but also powerful. Decarbonising heating, now is the time to give this technology the attention it deserves. As we work towards energy security and decarbonisation we must explore every viable energy source. The geothermal offers a stable and sustainable solutions, it remains a largely untapped in the UK. The government must take the lead, providing necessary support to projects off the ground and It must be treated as a priority.

The UK has more than 20.5 million homes and 1.9 million other buildings including offices, hospitals, shops, warehouses, the vast majority of which rely on gas boilers for both heating and hot water. These buildings alone account for nearly 1/5 of the U.K.'s total emissions. Climate Change Committee has identified the carbon heat as one of the most difficult yet essential steps in reaching net zero. Achieving net zero by 2050 requires us to use every tool at our disposal. While most of the government's attention has been focused on heat pumps, which have an important and certainly dominant role to play, converting the entire housing stock to these technologies put immense pressure on our electricity grid and supply chains.

This is where deep geothermal stands out. Offers a reliable low carbon solution for heating that is not dependent on there being some wind. It's there all year round whatever the weather and has been

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successfully deployed in other countries to great effect. Does the honourable member agree

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Does the honourable member agree that geothermal as a baseload energy source that can be developed quickly should be included in the should be included in the government's clean power plan? And have the priority that affords for grid connections?

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grid connections? I fully support the efforts of the honourable member in raising this and I'm sure from her own constituency and local projects constituency and local projects there we are making a start, but it's not enough needs to be part of the broader plan in a comprehensive way. I first learned about deep geothermal technology, thought it sounded too good to be true, and environment friendly and cost- effective source of heating power right underneath our feet the more explored at the more I realised it truly lives up to its promise.

If I could briefly split the technology, deep geothermal taps and naturally occurring hot water deep underground to produce significant amounts of usable heat and energy. Making use of this is no different to the way in which the Romans built their parts above hot springs just run a pipe down to make its own way to the surface. People wonder if this is fracking, like Europe we are able to have access to resources of naturally flowing water that simply need to be tapped.

Greenpeace, Friends of the F and the United Nations all support deep geothermal in light of its environment benefits. A site is typically one to 2 acres, doesn't take up huge swathes of farmland like solar

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panels can or wrecked wind turbines like some community think detract from the landscape. I think the honourable member for giving us the opportunity to discuss giving us the opportunity to discuss the potential and barriers of geothermal and when it comes to planning in my constituency we have businesses at the forefront of both businesses at the forefront of both shallow geothermal energy through ground source heat pumps developed ground source heat pumps developed by cancer, but also deep geothermal systems being pioneered by systems being pioneered by geothermal energy Ltd's deep geothermal power projects, soon to geothermal power projects, soon to become operational, but does the honourable member agree with me that industry needs government support, including as you just mentioned, planning reform to reduce deployment timescales and the UK geothermal licensing scheme to calculate the size of the geothermal asset and how

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the asset is protected in law? I do agree, and actually I think

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I do agree, and actually I think I go on to say that the government needs an entire strategy in place for deep geothermal, and that will hopefully then draw attention to these different pieces of the these different pieces of the puzzle, including planning and licensing. And actually not too far away from the honourable gentleman is the Eden Project, and when it comes to environmental credentials, I think you will see the Eden Project as bywords for environment in this country, and there pioneering the technology which the supplier powerful testimony to the environment benefits since the closure of the nonrenewable heat incentive in 2021, just unfortunately as interest was speaking from industry, like solar and wind the early beginnings, deep geothermal has been without comprehensive government support to develop the market.

They have been encouraging breakthrough system above that mentioned, in 2023 U.K.'s first operational deep geothermal plan to open in 37 years went online at the Eden Project. And deep geothermal also made its historic debut in allocation, five contracts with three projects from Geo thermal Ltd, securing a total of 12 wag megawatts capacity. He fun now supporting a geothermal plant to turn that into local supply. The successes show the right backing geothermal can become a powerful player in our transition.

These aren't providing the dedicated approach we need. The UK is full and far behind other countries which have failed to harness the power of geothermal. There were hundred 90 projects in Germany. Deep geothermal energy heats more than 1/4 of a million homes in Paris and the French governor aims to increase the number of schemes by 40% by 2030. Munich is pouring in 1 euro billion through to 2035 to develop cheap deep geothermal. Germany is a reproducing month range and 50 MW annually and the government are targeting at least 100 new geothermal projects.

Across Europe alone hot sedimentary aquifers have the potential to provide 8 TW of heat at 90C, 30 times more than the district heating systems that currently serve sent to and in people across the region, the potential being anonymous.

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I would be looked upon very badly if it didn't briefly mention the British geological survey which is based on my constituency. He talks based on my constituency. He talks there about Europe and what's happening in Europe, but would he happening in Europe, but would he agree with me that what's happening in this country we have one of the world's experts in studying geothermal technology and could help geothermal technology and could help unlock what we are doing in this country around deep geothermal?

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country around deep geothermal? Absolutely right, and I join him in paying tribute to the GDS, an in paying tribute to the GDS, an organisation I've worked with over recent years, they've done some fantastic work mapping and identifying potential, and know they have the appetite with the funding to go even further and help reduce the uncertainty by helping developers and investors understand the resource underneath our feet. The UK is a really wild lead in tackling climate change and clean energy, having the first major economy to halve our missions, renewables now counting more than 50% of our electricity of just 10% in 2010.

With deep cemetery bases in East Yorkshire and Cheshire, granites and callers, aquifers in Surrey, Dorset and Sussex, the U.K.'s unique geography puts us in an ideal position to explore the

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benefits of deep geothermal energy. Really grateful for the work the

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Really grateful for the work the honourable member has done in this area. York itself has some really area. York itself has some really rich sources of deep geothermal. The rich sources of deep geothermal. The York Central site could heat 30,000 homes in my constituency, yet the local authority and other bodies yet don't have the confidence to be able don't have the confidence to be able to bring these projects on board. This agree that the government could provide tools and support to enable such projects to come to fruition from planning but also just that

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basic understanding? I think you are also a member of

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I think you are also a member of the APPG. The member is. I didn't the APPG. The member is. I didn't recognise that at the start. One of the things I think we could do to the ABG and started to do in the the ABG and started to do in the last Parliament trying to reconstitute as ourselves help local authorities to form a group with those interested local authorities help us support because it's new to them and the donors only have the expertise and understanding but expertise and understanding but again, the members absolute right these are the sorts of things that are comprehensive government led strategy could help address, help close those gaps.

As I said, the resource in Europe, the rocks that are being exploited are essentially exactly the same veins of rock that cross the channel. No geological difference, no less potential than exploited in Europe. It's true to say the heat and rocks for deep geothermal it was the rare here in the UK with Cornwall leading the field and where this projects are mention getting across the ground, but I think historically the focus on electricity has caused us to overlook the potential heat. The renewal energy Association worked with us to assess the footage of the UK estimates the UK can support throughout and 60 geothermal plants producing 50,000 cheque gigawatts of feed each year, could provide he did too many homes through he now works.

Some of these plants could generate around 450 GW of electricity annually, enough to power a further 15,000 homes. I know the mist will be looking closely securing the best possible value for money, every penny being invested into renewal technologies. I remain four points about the way in which this exercise is undertaken because to narrow EFRA would underestimate the benefits of deep geothermal to our economy overall. Firstly, solar and wind are cheaper now, but they didn't used to be. It's a potential trend because when you think about.

Secondly, as mentioned, deep geothermal is baseload and like solar and wind, this has got to be given due consideration. And 30 the question of where the investment will end up. I worked with the Durham energy Institute as part of National review for the previous government. We identified deep geothermal can play key role in levelling up with six of the 10 least any canonically economically viable. Six of the 10 locations fit within the top 100 UK local authorities in need of levelling up.

That's three times the amount of chance for the investing in the sector would create thousands of well-paid jobs and drive green growth in areas that need it most. Fourth, also provides a natural transition for oil and gas workers as many skills like drilling are directly transferable. It's oil and gas companies delivering these projects across Europe, sometimes UK companies, surely the obvious industry to invest and to protect those jobs and businesses as we transition. So how might we go further in the short time? I work with the industry to develop a ready-made plan.

But ask the Minister to look closely at proposals to create a carveout in the public sector decarbonisation scheme to unlock the opportunity. Already played a crucial role in helping transition to a low carbon heating transition. Could support an initial cohort ensuring that schools, hospitals and other basic buildings can benefit. The government will not only accelerate the decarbonisation of public infrastructure but provide a strong foundation for the wider geothermal to scale up. I've spoken about how hospitals are fantastic candidates.

Industry leaders identified that 109 hospitals overlie potential deep geothermal aqua fires. The advantages of working across the NHS as we can bond opportunities to create a bigger investment opportunity. Hospitals across the country are already exploring this. One of the challenges for deep geothermal is scale and cost and uncertainty so solar and wind are cheaper and more certain. A single geothermal plant is expensive, can't guarantee it will tap into the reserves you expect to find fault by pulling together an investment opportunity, you create economies of scale and confide from the risk of not all the sites delivering but still make the numbers add up.

The private sector is willing and able to invest. I've personally met a number of capital funds and deep geothermal developers. Our estimate is that a dedicated fund of just £15 for 10 plants, 10 public sector size: £215 of private sector investment and kickstart a wide industry. Be grateful if the Minister could consider a meeting with me and other members of the ABG to discuss this. Alongside this there is the powerful argument for abroad geothermal development incentive modelled on the heat incentive which will provide business confidence that geothermal is part of the energy future for the UK.

It can be modelled on contracts for difference, ensuring the competitive process and by offering scale would be reducing risk for developments. Another concerns about open-ended support any industry, but the aforementioned REA report modelled support for any initial wave of 30 projects that would help establish a scaled industry in the UK which can stand on its own 2 feet. Establishing a strategy is crucial to setting clear targets and providing a roadmap. Can the Minister advises if the government will produce one? Government support is key to enabling a route to market for the sector.

The government is shortly due to publish a review of the comparative costs. If the muscatel is when she expect the review to be published, that would be welcome. No industry stakeholders that work with the APPG and others will be happy to act as critical friends of that review ahead of publication. With the Minister facilitate that? So important to ensure this review has licked all the evidence and can make full use of the experience of industry. The APPG also considers it is trying to raise awareness of the benefits of shadow geothermal as the member opposite mentioned.

Whilst very closely related issue she might expect, the issue faces the challenges back in offer solutions more widely than deep geothermal. Another significant private sector investment available and again we are talking about a technology that could reduce the strain of electricity driven grid connections. For both sectors GB Energy might well be expected to play a vital role. Cut them as to confirm my expectation to what extent heat and electricity, and what she confirm It is It is fair It is fair to It is fair to say It is fair to say we It is fair to say we don't It is fair to say we don't really have that here in the UK.

Isn't there another thing he would support being brought forward?

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I agree that as one of the steps of the jigsaw that were further of the jigsaw that were further upset the investment. The industry is slightly further along the chain. The numbers don't add up at all at The numbers don't add up at all at the moment. A proper regulatory the moment. A proper regulatory regime in place. The demand for these other areas is going to rampart. This thought through strategy, where we can anticipate and prepare to bring in those other and prepare to bring in those other elements.

To finish, I hope I've done an adequate job of showcasing this industry and its potential. Everything we've learned over recent years as we need to take advantage of every opportunity, build the biggest coalition to deploy the largest possible workforce and explain the benefits of decarbonising as much as possible and bring in the country with this with the challenge. I can't think of a better way of doing that than by putting dedicated resources into new geothermal. I know it can bring benefits to my constituents and the constituents of many other members and unlike hundreds of millions of not billions of pounds of investment into our economy.

I look forward to

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hearing the Minister's plans and ambitions, which I hope will get us there. Minister. I would like to start by thanking the honourable member for Bexhill and Battle bringing this important issue to the attention of the House issue to the attention of the House and for the contributions of my
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Miatta Fahnbulleh Portrait Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Peckham, Labour )
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and for the contributions of my honourable friend's and the valuable way in which they have engaged in this debate. The honourable member has been a great champion of deep geothermal energy in recent years and the role he has played, in the formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for geothermal is commendable. I was very pleased to attend the meeting in December and I am grateful for both the engaged, the destructive discussion that we had. -- Constructive discussion. Let me start by saying I agree with the honourable member that there is a huge opportunity here.

I want to honour the honourable member is a desire for action and pace. Madam Deputy Speaker, I share that desire for action and pace. And let me just say quite briefly, he will know, as I know that we are coming out of the worst cost of living crisis we have seen in a year. Energy has been at the very heart of that crisis. The reality is that for too many people energy is unaffordable. It is increasingly out of reach for people that absolutely rely on it, as an essential stop we are determined as a government to fix that.

That means we need to take action to lower reliance on international fossil feel markers and sprinting towards clean, home grid power. This is why the Government is so committed and we are running at our green power 2013 mission. It is also why our Warm Homes Plan is absolutely critical and let me reassure him that geothermal power is, we see, it is a critical role to play in our energy mix, following its success for the fifth auction round of contracts for difference.

I agree with the honourable member, geothermal energy does represent an important opportunity and if he has nothing else I say today, please hear that. It has the potential to deliver energy and heat that is clean and secure, reducing our reliance on fossil fuel markets. As mentioned in the honourable member support a just transition. We are thousands of jobs use skills from our oil, gas and coal mining sectors. The Government provides projects today and will continue to do so and the critical thing is ensuring that this is done at an acceptable cost to consumers and in an environmentally friendly way.

The most widespread potential for deep geothermal in the UK, which the honourable friend mentioned is a low carbon heat source for heat pumps. I'm concerned that heat networks Important role to play, as we roll out clean heat and as we upgrade millions of homes, across the market share, from 3% and there is today, to 20% by 2050. Now one of my first visits as of the Minister for energy consumer was at the mercy he works. The heat from Leeds and Liverpool Canal it was being used to drive hot water and low carbon thanks to water source heat pump.

It is a great example of how energy sources, which is what the the debate. What my honourable and I completely commend and support. There are significant geothermal success stories, such as in Gateshead, the first in my water heat network to be in operation in the UK. This received £5.9 million, from our heat network investment project. That money enabled the council and energy company to install a 5 km of heat pump, heat network pipes and six, heat network pipes and 6 MW mega source heat pump, today, the network heat 350 council homes in the Baltic Art Centre, with 217 more homes to be added.

Now, the honourable member refer to the public sector scheme. Geothermal heat projects supply public sector sites, they are eligible to apply for support, provided they meet the scheme eligibility criteria. I agree there is a big opportunity here. Any however, we need to be considered once at the current spending run, as he will expect me to say, is completed. Let me reassure him of this. I will be very happy to meet the honourable member and members of

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proposals. The point emphasises that the current scheme, the idea that you go project by project and that project by project and that undermined the ability to bundle this which is so vital. That is the this which is so vital. That is the key chain, an opportunity with a number of sites being brought together. That is what is most attractive to investors.

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attractive to investors. Thank you to the honourable member. We are keen to think about creative ways in which we can unlock creative ways in which we can unlock the potential for investment. I'm the potential for investment. I'm very keen to meet with him, very keen to meet with members of the APPG, given that assurance, so we can hear the proposals. In the honourable member, I think has made, not just today, but over recent years, a convincing case for the merits of pursuing a deep geothermal.

The Government remains committed to exploring renewable energy opportunities afforded by our geography and geology. He will understand, I hope, that the priority now, the thing that my bosses task me with is of the Warm Homes Plan. It would be premature, I think, for the Government to set a geothermal strategy, with detailed targets in advance of this. It is a question I think for this of sequencing. For instance, if we are to make the geothermal potential, we need to start by creating an environment that enables a group of heat networks and protects consumers along the way.

To this end the framework in January 2026, to approve -- improve consumer protection. We are also consulting on heat networks, which is an essential part plan to establish and accelerate heat networks. We think this will increase public sector investment and remove some of the barriers. We are committed to taking the long term strategic view, we are trying to sequence it, so that we do the Warm Homes Plan and build the environment for this. I absolutely

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recognise the need for us to set the policy framework, in which geothermal energy can try. I will I thank the Minister for giving

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I thank the Minister for giving way. She knows that I really by the work that she is doing, in this space. The Warm Homes Plan that she space. The Warm Homes Plan that she mentions, this is more of a query than anything else. Is there a sense of emerging out of the warm homes of 5 million properties, how many might 5 million properties, how many might be dead by district heating? And associated technologies? As a solution? Is there a crystallisation solution? Is there a crystallisation of what that construct might be, to get us to 5 billion homes at the we are targeting.



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Thank you to my honourable friend, we know that big opportunity. Particularly in some of our centres for district heating to our centres for district heating to stop the work that we are trying to do through the Warm Homes Plan is a think about where those opportunities are and to make sure opportunities are and to make sure that we are working with regional governments and local government, in order to do the planning and in order to do the planning and in order to do some of the identification of opportunities, so we can take a strategic approach, area by area, place by place.



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area by area, place by place. I'm grateful for all the Minister is doing, in this area. However some of this is quite time sensitive is that the example we have this major development, in the first phase going to planning in September. And we very much want to work with government to see what we can deliver, or that York Central. You would be prepared to work with us to working, on some of these micro-

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sites? Thank you to my honourable member, we are very keen to work member, we are very keen to work with members across the House. We are very keen to work with local government and regional government, we have set ourselves a pretty we have set ourselves a pretty with anyone that is unable to unlock and bring forward investment opportunities, in order to realise opportunities, in order to realise it over the course of the Parliament. It would be remiss of me if I didn't say that we recognise, if I didn't say that we recognise, from all the opportunities that there are still challenges that are faced, by industry.

In order to secure the necessary investment. As a result, very if you are deep geothermal projects in the UK are financially viable, without support, as opposed to what we see on the continent, in other countries. The honourable member mentioned the role of Great British Energy. We are very clear that Great British Energy will provide further opportunities for investment in clean energy. The Great British Energy Bill sets out the clean energy needs, energy production, from sources other than fossil fuels, including geothermal.

So let me reassure him that it is within scope. And we will give clear direction, as an independent organisation, but we will give it clear direction that it should be looking for all opportunities that can be exploited, across the country and different technologies, like geothermal. Deployment at a scale is geothermal. Deployment at a scale is also unlikely. Unless there is a multiple pathway to bringing down the cost of geothermal heat. To make it comparable to other renewable technologies.

We know this, this is why we have been working with stakeholders to improve our knowledge and understanding, in this area. In 2024 we commissioned Acosta research project, as at the honourable member referred to. We intend to publish that. I'm asking my officials that a worker pays to do this. Let me reassure him that we will be engaging with industry prior to this publication. He has my assurance that I will facilitate this, to ensure that it happens. My honourable friend mentioned that British geology survey, I share his enthusiasm for them.

We have commissioned work on open access tools that shows that technical viable opportunities for geothermal projects in the UK. We need to work projects in the UK. We need to work with them. The UK is also an active member of the International Energy Agency technology collaboration program geothermal energy. That was a mouthful. This is now enabled us to gather further learning and learn from international examples. All this is to say that we see the opportunity and we are trying to build the evidence base.

We want to work with industry to think about how we are working. We see it as an expansion of the heat networks and homes and cheaper bills. Let me conclude, by saying this, Madam Deputy Speaker, we are absolutely committed to the project. We are absolutely committed to delivering warm homes. We need a range of technologies to do that, we know that. We cannot do this are spent on our own and therefore we will always want to work with industry, in order to enable us to get there.

Thank you again to the honourable member for raising this debate. To my honourable friends for being such avid champions of the geothermal. My department is a very, very keen to work with you and look forward to meeting in due course.

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The question is that the House do now adjourn? As many as are of that now adjourn? As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye". The Ayes have
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