Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Commons Chamber

Thursday 23rd October 2025

(began 2 weeks, 6 days ago)

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09:39

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Patients Patients end Patients end up Patients end up in Patients end up in A&E, Patients end up in A&E, for Patients end up in A&E, for example, making hospital delivery very difficult because they can't access support and care in the community. And that's why the Department for Health and Social Care has been setting out its plans for supporting delivery of care services in the local community by local people are. local community by local people are. Mr.

09:39

Michelle Scrogham MP (Barrow and Furness, Labour)

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Mr Speaker, the government is absolutely committed to ensuring that UK's PHE delivers a security clearance process that is efficient and fit for purpose. Security vetting clearances are being processed within agreed timescales and UK's performance is monitored monthly and is working to ensure demand for vetting is better forecast. Michelle Scrogham. forecast. Michelle Scrogham.

09:40

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have the Minister will know how proud we are in Barrow to be building our world class nuclear submarines, to work in the shipyard requires security clearance provided by UK SV. However, some of my constituents have lost job offers due to the significant delays in receiving that clearance. This has a severe impact on those individuals, as well as in our ability to deliver the our ability to deliver the submarines to which we defend the country. Can the Minister assure me that steps are being taken to speed up the process?

09:40

Q4. What recent steps his Department has taken to strengthen partnership working with the voluntary sector. (905955)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'm grateful to her, and she will know better than anyone that Barrow makes a critical contribution to UK national security. I can assure her national security. I can assure her that UK CSV continues to undertake a programme of work to improve the efficiency of the vetting process, efficiency of the vetting process, and further work is ongoing to digitise and improve the automated automation of processes. If she has any further concerns, I'd be very any further concerns, I'd be very Beales.

09:41

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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And before, Mr Speaker.

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Mr. Well. This government believes that strong partnerships with the.

09:41

Danny Beales MP (Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Labour)

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Voluntary sector are central to delivering for people across the country following our ambitious plan to partner with civil society in to partner with civil society in July, the Civil Society Covenant. We are now working with partners to

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launch a new £100 million programme. This programme. Will. Reform services at a local level

09:41

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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Reform services at a local level to help prevent the most vulnerable from falling into crisis. Partnering with the voluntary sector to support with the voluntary sector to support people who might otherwise fall through the cracks between services like prison leavers or those

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suffering domestic abuse. Danny Beales. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I welcome the covenant and the Minister's response. NCA research indicates that the charity and voluntary sector delivers £14 voluntary sector delivers £14 billion worth of public services annually and in my own constituency, Hillingdon Cab, Mencap and Mind provide vital advice and support, but have had their funding cut by the local authority in recent years. the local authority in recent years. I'd like to ask the Cabinet Office what steps they're taking to reform public procurement, strengthen public procurement, strengthen partnership, working with the voluntary sector so organisations like these can play a greater role

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in future. Well, I know that. My honourable friend has been a real leader in working with

09:42

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

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real leader in working with voluntary organisations in his constituency of Uxbridge and Ruislip and indeed across the country. And as he knows, these organisations are often closest to the communities they serve. So I'm proud to say that from April next year, all government departments must set a two year target for direct spend with voluntary community and social enterprises and publish their results annually. This is a clear commitment of this government's belief that the voluntary community and social enterprise sector is vital in rebuilding and renewing our country.

09:42

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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Robin Swann. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I welcome the Minister's reassurance. UK Shared Prosperity Fund is about to come to an end, to be replaced by the Liberal Growth Fund. Wandering community organisations in Northern Ireland. And I express and the real concern that they're going to be left in a limbo while one ends on the other starts. What reassurances the other starts. What reassurances can the minister give them in recognition to what they just said in regards to that two year funding in regards to that two year funding pot that that will actually carry over to those organisations in Northern Ireland who support some of community?

09:43

Katrina Murray MP (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, Labour)

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Yeah. OK. understanding is that the new funding will start in the new financial year, but I will look into the specific issue he raises in relation to Northern Ireland, and I will write to him to reassure him of that.

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Question number five, Mr Speaker. Minister. With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to group questions five would like to group questions five and 17 as the response to module one of the Covid 19 inquiry made clear,

09:44

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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the Cabinet Office is playing a greater role in preparedness for cross-cutting catastrophic risks. Our preparedness for future pandemics has been stepped up through Exercise Pegasus, the

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largest ever national pandemic response exercise. It's treatable. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last week,

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with a general manager of one of the major supermarkets in my constituency, and we were talking about those memories from the early days of the Covid from the early days of the Covid pandemic. Of rows and rows of empty shelves, all future planning should build on the lessons learned from build on the lessons learned from the last one. So can I ask what role the retail and logistics sector is

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playing in future pandemic planning? Yeah. Well, she's right, Mr Speaker. Businesses which move and sell vital Businesses which move and sell vital goods are an essential part of any pandemic response. The Resilience Action Plan, which was published in

09:44

Sadik Al-Hassan MP (North Somerset, Labour)

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Action Plan, which was published in response to Covid 19 inquiry Module one, seeks to enable a whole of society approach to pandemic resilience. As part of this effort, we invited businesses to participate we invited businesses to participate in the ongoing national pandemic exercise, Exercise Pegasus. Thank you, Mr.

09:45

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Speaker, and I thank. pharmacist who worked on the front line throughout the last pandemic. I'd like to know what discussions the Cabinet Office has had with local resilience forums to ensure that areas like my constituency of North Somerset have the local co-ordination structures needed to respond effectively to a future pandemic, particularly given the strain on our community health service.

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Well, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank my honourable friend for his vital work on the front line during the pandemic. The government

09:45

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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the pandemic. The government absolutely recognises that the most complex emergencies impact the whole system. That is why there's been extensive engagement with local partners ahead of Exercise Pegasus. The exercise will test national to local coordination arrangements, and lessons from the exercise will help

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strengthen pandemic preparedness at national and local levels. Thank you, Mr Speaker. During the

09:46

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. During the pandemic, government agencies, bodies and departments suddenly discovered ways to comply with GDPR discovered ways to comply with GDPR to share significant amounts of data, which was critical to managing the response to the pandemic. Since then, the shroud of using GDPR as a reason not to share data has once again choked opportunities to solve big problems that our society faces. So as the work that the minister is doing to look at data sharing as part of that resilience planning, can you also ensure that that is shared with government departments on a day to day basis in the future, to get round using GDPR as a reason

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not to share data? Yeah. Well, Mr Speaker, I'm grateful to him. I think he makes a sensible and him. I think he makes a sensible and constructive point, and I can give him the assurances that he seeks since January, increasing our since January, increasing our preparedness included publishing an updated central crisis management doctrine. That's the Amber book, as well as launching the Bio Threats radar to improve data sharing. And radar to improve data sharing. And we've also, as I've said, undertaken the largest ever national pandemic planning exercise.

09:47

Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)

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Listen to. The number six, Mr Speaker. Minister.

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Minister. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In July this year, the government published the Resilience Action Plan, which the Resilience Action Plan, which sets out our strategic vision for a stronger and more resilient United Kingdom. The government also successfully carried out the second ever national drill of the Emergency Alert System last month. Mr Speaker, I'm pleased to tell the House that this test reached 96% of cell mass across the country. This is a significant improvement on the first significant improvement on the first test in April 2023, and indicates that more people are receiving these critical alerts than ever before.

09:47

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Alison.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. In August, authorities declared a major authorities declared a major incident after a wildfire broke out in Langdale Forest and spread dangerously close to the ballistic missile Early Warning base RAF Fighting Dales. Given the increasing Fighting Dales. Given the increasing threat that wildfires pose to our security. Could the Minister confirm security. Could the Minister confirm if he will consider automatically activating a national resilience activating a national resilience response in future incidents where critical military infrastructure is under threat?

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under threat? Well, I'm grateful to her, Mr Speaker, for her question, and I commend the emergency services and

09:48

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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commend the emergency services and the local community who came together in my Honourable friends constituency to bravely tackle the Langdale Moor fire. The risk of wildfires to critical sites is well known to local responders who planned for such events, and can call on central government for support. The National Resilience Wildfire Advisor assesses what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to

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increase resilience for future incidents. I'll the chance. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The government's own advisers tell us that the climate and nature crisis pose a huge resilience threat crisis pose a huge resilience threat to our country. And yet, in an answer to a question on wildfires, the minister does not even reference the minister does not even reference that climate change make these more frequent and more severe. What is the government doing to tackle this

09:49

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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the government doing to tackle this huge threat from climate change? Well, I'm grateful, Mr Speaker,

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Well, I'm grateful, Mr Speaker, for her question, and I can tell her that the government routinely conducts and updates assessments on conducts and updates assessments on a whole range of threats on Gov.uk. The government publishes the outcome of these assessments in the National Risk Register and in its Chronic Risks analysis, including on climate

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change and on biodiversity loss and ecosystems. This trade expert. No. Yeah.

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No. Yeah. Thank you very much. Mr Speaker. And I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster to

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Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster to his post. I know that. He's one of the most able. Formers in the government, and

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Formers in the government, and he's now in one of the most important and underappreciated roles in government. And for and, you in government. And for and, you know, for the good of the country. I wish him well. He's also, Mr Speaker, the first chief secretary

09:50

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Speaker, the first chief secretary to the Prime Minister. And I think on this side of the House, we all want to congratulate him on how well Downing Street's been run since he took over. Yeah. Well, we've we've enjoyed it greatly. Phase two is proving to be a real belter. On the issue of the alleged case of spying against members of this House. The Downing Street has revealed that the Prime Minister became aware that the case was about to collapse. On the 13th of September.

Please can this House be told when the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister was first told the trial was unlikely to

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proceed, and who told him. No, no, no, don't stop. Well, I'm.

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I'm. Grateful, Mr Speaker. I'm just slightly struggling to make the connection to resilience. But I'm very happy to respond to the right

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very happy to respond to the right honourable gentleman help. Because I think security is about resilience of this House. It's about

09:51

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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resilience of this House. It's about security of this House, if need be. We could go through a bit more, but I'm sure the minister will use imagination to answer it.

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Thank you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, let me tell the right honourable gentleman the decision not to prosecute was taken independently by the CPS. The government were extremely disappointed by that decision and published the NSA's three witness statements. All three witness statements clearly articulate the statements clearly articulate the very serious threats posed by China. No minister or special adviser in No minister or special adviser in this government interfered with the case. I wonder whether Honourable and Right Honourable members opposite can say the same about

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opposite can say the same about their government. OK, well, I'll I'll repeat the question for the security minister

09:51

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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question for the security minister because either he didn't hear it or he chose not to answer it. My question was very specific. It was about the fact that we know that the Prime Minister was told that the trial was unlikely to proceed. On the 13th of September. Downing Street have told us that. My question is, when was the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told, and who told him? Because The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster oversees the Cabinet Office's National Security Secretariat, and he chairs the National Security Council.

When was

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he told? Well.

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As the Prime Minister has made. So I think we've had 1 or 2 a little bit and we don't need that. You bit and we don't need that. You should know better. You've been here long enough now, and I expect a little bit more respect.

09:52

Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat)

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little bit more respect. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the purposes of transparency, the Prime Minister took the decision to Minister took the decision to publish the NSA's witness statements that the Prime Minister has been absolutely crystal clear, that no minister and no special adviser in this government in any way interfered with the case. I'd be very grateful for confirmation from the Right Honourable Member if that

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government. spokesperson. Very much, Mr Speaker, two cyber attacks because the recent cyber attacks because the recent cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover is reported to cost the UK economy £1.9

09:53

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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reported to cost the UK economy £1.9 billion, making it the most expensive in British history. It follows similar crippling incidents for companies like M&S and the co-op. We're in an increasingly interdependent world where individual companies are taking their own security decisions, but the impact of those decisions can be felt at a national and an international level. Could the Minister please update the House on the progress being made in this area? Under the government's Resilience Action Plan, and when he expects the introduction of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, as mentioned in last year's King's Speech, so that we can assure the British public that these attacks are being treated as a pressing

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matter of national security. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'm genuinely grateful for her raising genuinely grateful for her raising this because this is a matter of real concern for the chief Secretary and for myself, protecting national security, including defending against cyber attacks, is absolutely

09:53

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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our first duty. And she's absolutely right to highlight the concerns that have been expressed about the attack on Jaguar Land Rover. I can say to her that we take this incredibly seriously. Indeed, my first visit as a Cabinet Office minister was to the National Cyber Security Centre, and I can also tell her that the Home Office is progressing a new package of legislative measures to protect UK businesses from ransomware, which, as she knows, is the most harmful cyber crime facing the UK.

09:54

Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East, Conservative)

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Jo Robertson. Mr Speaker, this government's aim is to recruit the brightest and the best talent into the civil service. Brilliant people from across the UK with the skills needed to deliver the priorities of the British people. We have already taken steps to improve recruitment with the first ever cross-government standardised recruitment processes and benchmarks to strengthen accountability and bring faster, higher quality and more inclusive higher quality and more inclusive recruitment. Fast, fair, inclusive. That's our recruitment vision.

09:54

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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Joe Robertson. is restricting applications to the civil service fast stream summer internship programme to those that it deems to be from working class background in favour of those kids. What does the Minister have to say to children of hard working nurses, police officers, teachers who now won't get the same opportunities

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government? You, Mr Speaker, the Fostering Programme, which I'm very proud to be a graduate of myself, is actually the number one graduate employee scheme in the country. We're very scheme in the country. We're very proud that we've had over 70,000 applicants for just 754 appointments. Now, we know that

09:55

Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)

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we've done very well on increasing diversity in terms of ethnic minority applicants, women, people with disabilities. But we are falling really short in terms of those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. And I'll have no apologies about making proactive decisions to make sure that people can take internships who don't necessarily have the same social capital or relationship strength, that people from other and higher social backgrounds have. The numbers

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of working class people in the civil service are three times smaller than the broader UK workforce. We're taking action on that. Shared Minister Mike Wood.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last year, the government promised us it was

09:56

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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the government promised us it was going to slash the size of the civil service, but instead the latest figures showed that the size of the civil service has increased by 7000 compared to last year. And it's not only other departments that have failed to get a grip. The minister's own department's headcount is up by 7%. So can the Minister guarantee that when the next set of figures are published, they will show a reduction in the size of the civil reduction in the size of the civil

09:56

Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)

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Boris Johnson said he'd cut the civil service by 91,000. It went up. Jeremy Hunt said he'd cap the civil service. It went up just as they lost control. They've lost control of the civil service just as they

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lost control of our borders, our streets, our prisons. We're taking action to bring that down. All right. Well.

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All right. Well. The speaker, I think the minister is missing the fact she's in government now has been for well over a year. And the numbers are going up, not down, as they promised. But the minister is correct when she says that the civil

09:57

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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correct when she says that the civil service must be able to recruit the brightest and the best. But surely she can see that this isn't helped when the most senior civil servant, handpicked by the Prime Minister barely months ago, faces a barrage of media briefings from within of media briefings from within government, so will the Minister and her department commission an inquiry into the breach of the Special into the breach of the Special Adviser Code following the personal attacks on the Cabinet secretary? And will she condemn the vicious And will she condemn the vicious media briefings that have clearly come from within number ten?

09:57

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Yes.

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We have full confidence in the Cabinet secretary. We condemn all leaks and breaches and we, of course, will be undertaking to look

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course, will be undertaking to look into how any leaks from government take place. And in my. Number eight, please.

09:58

Andy McDonald MP (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Labour)

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Number eight, please. Mr Speaker. Marvellous, Minister. Mr Speaker, with your permission, I'll answer. Questions eight and.

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Questions eight and. behalf. Of the Parliamentary. Secretary, the honourable member

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for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, who, with your permission, is at an event with the Prime Minister in his constituency today. This government's. New.

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New. Social value model includes fair work and skills criteria so that authorities can reward. Suppliers

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authorities can reward. Suppliers providing good quality. Jobs, supporting. People into work and providing their employees with additional their employees with additional development opportunities. We are consulting on further reforms to public procurement and will update

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the House. In due course. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his for his answer. With the government's welcome commitment to improving pay conditions and career progression in

09:58

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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conditions and career progression in adult social care demonstrated through the planned Fair Pay Agreements and the Care Workforce pathway. Can the Minister confirm that the government's response to the public procurement consultation will deliver a public interest test that accelerates insourcing and requires providers to recognise trade unions, as well as creating

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more sustainable long term employment opportunities? As always, my hon.

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As always, my hon. Friend makes a powerful case. The government wants public bodies to examine carefully how best

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to deliver public services. That's why we're consulting on proposals to introduce a public. Interest. Test, allowing the evaluation.

10:00

Euan Stainbank MP (Falkirk, Labour)

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Test, allowing the evaluation. As to. Services being more. Effectively delivered in-house before they are contracted out, covering value.

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For money. Service quality and wider social and economic benefits. We will

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and economic benefits. We will consider the range of responses, including those from trade unions. Can I declare an interest? As the

10:00

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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co-chair of the British Bosses APPG? Alexander, Dennis and great boss Kate. 13 jobs for every four directly hired in bus manufacturing. And Alexander Dennis has.

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And Alexander Dennis has. Been. For decades a highly valuable piece of the Scottish economy. After they almost left Scotland following the SNP's disastrous Chinese bust buying strategy. They, to their credit, spent 4 million fixing the

10:00

Q10. What steps he is taking to improve the delivery of Government priorities. (905965)

credit, spent 4 million fixing the near fatal error. Will the minister set out what the Cabinet Office is doing through public procurement so that my constituents taxpayer money is maximised in Falkirk, Scottish and British based businesses? Yeah. and British based businesses? Yeah. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

10:00

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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And unlike the. it matters where things are made and who makes them. And that's why we're consulting on further procurement reforms. To boost domestic supply chains and create more opportunities for businesses of all sizes, whether that be in Falkirk or indeed across the United Kingdom.

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Ken Stevenson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Question ten please. Chancellor.

10:00

Kenneth Stevenson MP (Airdrie and Shotts, Labour)

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Chancellor. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister has asked me to help drive forward delivery of the public's priorities in Scotland. We've priorities in Scotland. We've delivered more money for public services than at any point since devolution began. An extra £9.1 billion over the next three years. And I know my honourable friend and his constituents in Airdrie and Shotts will expect to see this money invested in Scotland's NHS, schools and frontline policing instead of being frittered away by the SNP.

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And Stevenson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In less than 18 months, this government has delivered defence contracts that will support Scottish jobs for years to come. Invested in pride of Place

10:01

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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to come. Invested in pride of Place scheme that will see Scottish town centres, including those in North Lanarkshire, rejuvenated and committed record funding to the Scottish Parliament to invest in Scottish public services. Does he agree with me that this stands in stark contrast to the priorities of the SNP and government in Holyrood, who have just wasted more taxpayers money on producing yet another tired

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paper on independence, where 1 in 6 Scots wait on NHS waiting lists. Yeah.

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Yeah. Mr Speaker, my honourable friend rightly recognises the defence dividend which Labour has delivered for Scotland, including the recent

10:01

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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for Scotland, including the recent £10 billion frigate deal with Norway. And as my noble friends constituents will know only too well. And this is a remarkable stat, Mr Speaker. More people have waited over two years for NHS treatment in Lanarkshire alone, compared to the whole of England. Next year, voters in Airdrie and shops and across Scotland will look at this record and have the chance to vote out the tired SNP government, failing to deliver on public services in Scotland and choose a new direction, with Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Labour. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

10:02

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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The Cabinet Office co-chairs.

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Priority to bolster. Up flood defences. But residents in Eastbourne, at this very point in in Eastbourne, at this very point in time on Watling Road, on Seaside, on Whitley Road and earlier this week Whitley Road and earlier this week in McMillan drive, have had to wade through canals created by flooding through canals created by flooding brought about by adverse weather. The work being done to protect against flooding is not enough. Will against flooding is not enough. Will the Minister meet with me and other stakeholders to figure out how we can best protect residents,

10:03

Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat)

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can best protect residents, businesses and schools like Nottingham School from the flood risk?

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I'm sorry to hear the situation in my Honourable friends constituency. He knows that the constituency. He knows that the government takes flood risk very seriously. It's a key risk in our national risk register. That's why the government has increased. the government has increased. Spending on flood defences significantly in the recent budget and the spending review, but I absolutely recognise there's more to absolutely recognise there's more to do and I will make sure that we look at the specific circumstances in his constituency and help him understand constituency and help him understand when funding will be coming to support his constituents.

spokesperson.

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Very much, Mr Speaker, I think the government's right to identify economic growth as a key priority. And I also agree with The

10:03

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Chancellor, who this week identified Brexit as one of the reasons why they are finding growth. Tough to find. Brexit red tape is a millstone stone around the neck of our economy. It's added 2 billion pieces of extra business paperwork, piled on costs and stifled innovation. There are businesses in my Hazel Grove constituency who tell me they've stopped selling to our nearest neighbours, the world's largest trading block altogether. Does the Minister agree with me that if the government is serious about growing our economy, it should unleash trade by joining a bespoke customs union with the European Union?

10:04

Q11. What steps he is taking to increase opportunities to work in the civil service for people who live outside London. (905966)

I firstly, can I welcome the Honourable lady to her new spokesperson role and we recognise the impact that Brexit's had on the the impact that Brexit's had on the UK economy. That's why we've entered into a new trade deal in our first year in government with the European year in government with the European Union, with a very key part being the SPS agreement for food and drink trade, which my right honourable trade, which my right honourable friend is working on with European counterparts at the moment.

Once that is implemented, we look forward to seeing trade improve, growth to to seeing trade improve, growth to increase in prices to come down on the shelves in supermarkets across the United Kingdom.

10:04

Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Labour)

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They will.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Question number 11, Minister.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Our great civil service serves all the people across the UK. So it should look like them, sound like them and come like them, sound like them and come from the same towns, cities, regions and nations as the communities it serves. By 2030, half of the senior serves. By 2030, half of the senior civil service will be located outside London, with half of the fostering placements also in the regions and nations. This government regions and nations. This government is absolutely committed to radical reform to ensure people from all parts of the UK can have a full and

10:05

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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parts of the UK can have a full and rewarding career in His Majesty's Civil Service. Well. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank

10:05

Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for the answer. The government's plan to reduce or to relocate the civil service jobs

10:05

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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relocate the civil service jobs outside of London will bring high quality jobs across the United Kingdom, and ensures the policy is delivered closer to the communities that it serves. However, none of the areas identified for the relocation are in the East of England, or notably Essex. What steps are the notably Essex. What steps are the government taking to ensure these opportunities are felt in every region, including my constituency of region, including my constituency of Southend East and Rochford. And will the Minister meet with me to discuss the opportunities available?

10:05

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Thank you. constituency, and we greatly value the contribution of the 23,000 civil servant staff who are based in the East of England. And we are determined that the people of Southend East and Rochford have the same opportunities as those in

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Redcar and anyone else in the country. So I'd be absolutely delighted to meet my honourable friend. This is not a further. Effort to.

10:06

Jessica Toale MP (Bournemouth West, Labour)

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Effort to. Question number 12, Mr Speaker.

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Question number 12, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Keeping our country and our citizens safe is the first duty of this government. the first duty of this government. The Cabinet Office plays a central role in that endeavour. My right honourable friend, the Security Minister and I regularly bring ministers together from across government to take decisions which strengthen our country's national security. Recently, my department has published the Resilience Action Plan, and we are now implementing the National Security Strategy, which sharpens our efforts to improve national security.

improve national security.

10:06

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Just thank you, Mr Speaker. Later today, my honourable friend the member for South Dorset and I will be meeting defence sector, SMEs and skills training providers to discuss how we can benefit in Dorset from the government's Defence Industrial Strategy. So can the Chief Secretary tell me how this government's can commitment to increasing defence

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funding to 2.5% by 2027 will create jobs and growth in my Bournemouth West constituency? Can I thank my honourable friend

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Can I thank my honourable friend for her question and welcome the companies from her and her colleagues constituency to Parliament today. As she knows, this

10:07

Nick Timothy MP (West Suffolk, Conservative)

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Parliament today. As she knows, this Labour government is committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Our Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy will also make defence an engine for economic growth, creating jobs and driving innovation in every nation and region. And I can I pay particular thanks to the important work of institutions such as Bournemouth and Port College and the University of Bournemouth for their focus in developing defence skills for the future and creating jobs for for the future and creating jobs for young people in her constituency.

10:07

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Thank you so much. Powell wrote a box note for the Prime Minister on the Spin China spy trial. When number ten was asked about this, the official spokesman said it was for the Cabinet Office to answer. And as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and The Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster is uniquely placed to tell us so, did Powell write a box notes

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to the Prime Minister? Yes or no? No. Right. Liz Jarvis number 14, please.

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Liz Jarvis number 14, please. Mr Speaker. Was that a yes or a no? Mr Speaker.

10:08

Liz Jarvis MP (Eastleigh, Liberal Democrat)

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Mr Speaker. 2476 people have now received offers totalling over £1.8 billion. Alongside the work. Alongside the work. secondary. consultation. that.

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Applications are opening today for further interim payments of

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for further interim payments of £210,000 to the estates of infected people who have sadly passed away. And in addition to that.

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And in addition to that. Ayoub Khan have now asked every living infected person registered with a support scheme to come forward and start their claim, and

10:08

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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forward and start their claim, and has also opened a service for people to register their intent to claim Liz Jarvis. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Many

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Many scandal. And bereaved families are still waiting far too long for waiting far too long for compensation. They include my constituents, the family of Kevin Newman, who is infected with HIV and hepatitis C while a pupil at Lords College and tragically died in 2018. The family received their first payment last December, but have been waiting for another ever since, and now have to fill in yet another form with the time limit. Will the Minister ensure that these payments are speeded up?

10:09

Q15. What progress his Department has made on the relocation of civil service jobs to Scotland. (905972)

Yes.

10:09

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Absolutely, Mr.

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and loan approach and this House quite rightly held me to account. Quite. Rightly, at the start of that process when the numbers were lower. process when the numbers were lower. Those numbers are exponentially rising at the moment. That's where

10:09

Martin Rhodes MP (Glasgow North, Labour)

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rising at the moment. That's where there are offers totalling over £1.8 billion. But the honourable ladies should be reassured. I'm 100% not

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complacent. It will continue to drive progress. Not in rent. Question number 15, Mr Speaker.

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Question number 15, Mr Speaker. I thank you, Mr Speaker. In May, we committed to strengthening our presence in Scotland and across the

10:09

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (Bristol North West, Labour)

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presence in Scotland and across the UK, ensuring that talent from across the country can have a full career in the civil service without having to move to London. My first visit as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations was in fact to Scotland, and I was delighted to visit the Cabinet Office second HQ, based in my Noble friends constituency of Glasgow North, which will continue to offer

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more careers and opportunities in the civil service. Lots and lots. Thank you and thank you Minister.

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Thank you and thank you Minister. For this reply. And would the Minister agree with me that the point he made about me that the point he made about having different roles and different levels of positions within the civil service, within Glasgow and within service, within Glasgow and within Scotland is important in order that people can progress their careers and while remaining in Glasgow or in Scotland.

10:10

Q16. How many working days have been impacted by strikes in the civil service since July 2024. (905973)

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Scotland. I absolutely agree with my honourable friend. We want senior roles in locations across the

10:10

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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roles in locations across the country and not just in London. That's why we've committed to ensuring 50% of UK based senior civil service jobs are located outside London by 2030. And I should add that on my visit to the Cabinet Office headquarters in my Honourable friends constituency, we met with a senior civil servants there too and look forward to returning again in the months ahead.

10:10

Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)

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Jerome Mayhew and Mr.

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I just declare I'm a member of the Unite Union and refer to my relevant entries in the member's Register of Financial Interests on Register of Financial Interests on supporting general election campaigns. The office for National Statistics estimates that 36,000 working days were lost because of Labour disputes in the public administration and defence sector,

10:11

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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administration and defence sector, which includes the majority of the civil service. Between July 2024 and August 2025. That is down from the 95,000 days lost between May 2023 and June 2024.

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Gentlemen. I am grateful for that, albeit partial answer from from the partial answer from from the Minister, because he's quite right. He relies on the Office of National Statistics for the compilation of

10:11

Topical questions: Cabinet Office

Statistics for the compilation of these figures. Now, even they have a strike mandate and they're refusing to attend work even for two days a week. So what is the government doing to enforce attendance levels at work? And when does he think the National find time to report on it?

10:11

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Yeah. important, Mr Speaker, but the honourable gentleman's got some Hotspur because under the previous Prime Minister, who I note is no longer in his place. So he was earlier in the questions. The UK lost more days due to strike action than France did. And he's here trying to lecture us about it. We will work in partnership. With trade unions to avoid unnecessary disruption and not end up in the

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right. We come to topical Shaun Davies. Answer.

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Secretary and Mr Speaker, this is my first appearance at the despatch box as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. In this role, I've been Minister. In this role, I've been tasked with modernising the state to build a system that will better deliver the public's priorities and better communicate the changes we better communicate the changes we are making across the country. There are, sadly, too many political parties today that wish to tear down

10:12

Shaun Davies MP (Telford, Labour)

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our institutions and the public services we all rely on as the solution to the public's frustration with a legacy system that struggles to deliver change. But there is an alternative. Mr Speaker, this government is committed to renewal and delivering on the promise of change. We will build a modern state and better public services that are there when people need them, and we will lead the way to a Britain renewed. And Mr Speaker, with your permission, I may just answer the question from the official opposition that I couldn't answer any substantive questions about when I was informed of the CPS decision to not proceed with the case.

I was informed of this decision after the Prime Minister and I should also inform the House that I look forward to answering more questions before the Joint Committee on the National the Joint Committee on the National week.

10:13

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Transforming Britain's public services is going to be a mammoth task. But while the white heat of AI and digital technology offers a revolutionary opportunity to improve performance and value for money, from healthcare to tax services and everything in between, will the government seize this opportunity to modernise our public services within the brightest and the best industries across Britain? industries across Britain?

10:13

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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The answer is absolutely yes. Mr Speaker, all of our constituents know from their experiences at home whether they're trying to do their banking or do their shopping or book a holiday. They have the power to do it when they want to do it, how they want to do it on their phone and deliver the services in the way they want them. That is in complete contrast to a number of our public services and the public rightly expect when they're paying tax money for public services, that we catch up with the private sector and deliver better public services to

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work. So successfully. Alex Burghart. I think thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I thank The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for giving us a degree more clarity. Perhaps he would give us a degree more clarity. would give us a degree more clarity. Again, was he told that the case, the alleged case of spying gets Members of Parliament, was due to collapse before the information

10:14

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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collapse before the information became public, and if so, who told him. I was not informed.

10:14

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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Alex Bercow. Honourable gentleman, but I find that answer quite extraordinary, and I think the Right Honourable gentleman should find it extraordinary as well. As we've already said, Mr Speaker, the Right Honourable gentleman chairs the National Security Council. He National Security Council. He oversees the Cabinet Office's National Security Secretariat. The Prime Minister knew. The Home Prime Minister knew. The Home Secretary knew the Cabinet Secretary knew the chief of MI5, knew the Attorney General's office knew that Attorney General's office knew that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister did not.

Has he asked why wasn't he told? And what answer was he given?

10:15

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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And the honourable member seems to be confused by the list of his institutions. The only relevant institution in this case is the Crown Prosecution Service. It is the Crown Prosecution Service. It is the CPS Who independently decide whether to bring forward these cases. It was the independent decision of the the independent decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed. And might I just point out, Mr Speaker, that the opposition's arguments over the last few weeks have been quite bemusing.

They started with an accusation that there was political interference in a Crown Prosecution Service case that was proven to not be the case, and so they changed their argument and so they changed their argument and are now asking, why did you not politically interfere? Because that country.

10:15

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Here in.

10:15

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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Mr Speaker. related.

10:16

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Power.

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Cuts. Can last hours quite often. Days in. North Cumbria and can include the loss of power to mobile phone mass. loss of power to mobile phone mass. Now, fixed telecoms operators are under a licence obligation to ensure that there is power.

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Backup at. Their key infrastructure points, but no such obligation applies to the mobile operators. Can I. Ask.

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What assessment. Has been. Made of the. Resilience of mobile networks in the event of a prolonged power cut?

10:16

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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the event of a prolonged power cut? Mr Speaker, I'm very grateful to her for her question. We absolutely recognise the impact that loss of recognise the impact that loss of communication services can have on constituencies like hers. The Cabinet Office is responsible for the coordination of resilience and crisis management across government, and I've seen first hand the diligence and professionalism of crisis teams in Cobra being more than happy to discuss this matter with Ms. Honourable friend further, and also to represent her concerns

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to date it. Doctor Ellie Chowns. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last week it was. Reported that number 10th May

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Reported that number 10th May have blocked publication of a new Joint Intelligence Committee report

10:17

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Joint Intelligence Committee report on the severe threat to national security posed by the climate and nature crisis. Now, with the government's own advisers making clear that we are in no way prepared for the effects of climate change that we are already seeing, such as wildfires, floods and storms, as we've heard today, let alone the changes that are expected in coming decades. Can the Cabinet Secretary please tell the House whether it is true that the government is trying to block the Joint intelligence chiefs efforts to keep us all safe? And when can we expect this report to see the light of day?

10:17

Gurinder Singh Josan MP (Smethwick, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The government takes seriously the risk of climate change and its risk to national security. That's why we're taking action to mitigate that risk and to reduce our carbon emissions. As the Honourable lady will know, the government publishes the outcomes of routine assessments done by the government in relation to the National Risk Register on Gov.uk,

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case. Sammy Wilson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

10:18

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The cryptocurrency and digital assets are held by increasing numbers of UK citizens. Over 8 million people in citizens. Over 8 million people in recent figures, and the UK had the potential to be the world leader in this field, supporting our growth mission. So, can the Minister detail what steps he's taking to ensure that we rapidly put in place a regulatory regime that give confidence to the industry to develop, and for companies to be based in the UK while providing protection for consumers?

10:18

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

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Well, Mr Speaker, I'm very grateful to him for the work that he does, co-chairing the all-party group for crypto and digital assets. Financial services are integral to our mission for economic growth, and we're absolutely committed to creating the right conditions for a vibrant, competitive and innovative financial services sector. That's why the government is proceeding with proposals to create a new with proposals to create a new financial services regulatory regime for crypto assets. Bradley Thomas. for crypto assets. Bradley Thomas.

10:18

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. In absence of a plan, the government appears to be centralising power and bureaucracy in the form of new quangos over 25 created since this government came to office. What is

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the Minister doing to drive. Ministerial accountability and, crucially, to. Ensure that there are sunset clauses so that when quangos. Have

10:19

Patrick Hurley MP (Southport, Labour)

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clauses so that when quangos. Have met their objectives, they are wound up and come to an end? The government agrees that the

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The government agrees that the principle of the honourable members question. As I said earlier to the House, we want to reduce the layers

10:19

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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of bureaucracy and be able to deliver more action in fewer words. That's why we are taking action to close arm's length bodies and other institutions, the largest, of course, being the announcement to close NHS England and bring decisions back into the Department

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for health, for ministers to take. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was pleased. To see the Minister earlier.

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To see the Minister earlier. Give an update. On the work of the. Authority. But, Mr. Speaker. This process.

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This process. Is still taking too long. So can I. Press the. Minister further to undertake.

10:20

Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)

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Minister further to undertake. Work specifically. To expedite the timescales. Expected for compensation to be

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paid? My friend is. A powerful. Advocate for infected blood victims, and he.

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Can rest. Assured that I will continue. To. Drive progress as quickly as I possibly can. That's why we've got possibly can. That's why we've got to the stage now. We're over £1.8 billion of offers have been made,

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and I will continue to drive that progress quickly going forward. Steve Darling.

10:21

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Steve Darling. recently. Been. Contacted by.

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International House talk, a language school who welcomed the opportunity of. German foreign. Students to. Be.

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Be. as. A group. Can the minister. Advise what.

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Advise what. Opportunities they see. For further opportunities. For other. European countries. Such as Switzerland, Italy.

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Such as Switzerland, Italy. And Spain, to take. Advantage of. Such a similar scheme?

10:21

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)

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Such a similar scheme? Well, Mr Speaker, we're going even further than that because the government is looking to negotiate. A youth.

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A youth. Experience scheme with the European Union that will of course, be capped, but it will give significant opportunities not just

10:21

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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significant opportunities not just for young Brits to travel, work and study abroad, but also to welcome

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Kyrke-Smith. meet. And greet session last week, my

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And greet session last week, my constituent Mick also raised this point about the importance of our young people having more opportunities to work and study opportunities to work and study abroad, including in Europe, and I was so pleased by the government's announcement of a youth mobility

10:21

Rt Hon John Glen MP (Salisbury, Conservative)

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announcement of a youth mobility scheme with the EU. But can I ask the Minister for an update on where those plans have got to and how that

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Aylesbury? Well, I thank the Honourable lady for again raising this issue and.

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for again raising this issue and. Any scheme would give. Young Brits, including my hon. Friends, young constituents in Aylesbury, the opportunity to Aylesbury, the opportunity to travel, experience other countries cultures as well as to work and study abroad. Of course, the exact study abroad. Of course, the exact parameters will be subject to discussion and negotiations are stand.

10:22

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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stand. Up these opportunities for. Young Brits as soon as possible. John Glen Mr Speaker. I welcome the. Paymaster General's.

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Paymaster General's. Remarks around the acceleration. Of the. Delivery of payments. Its very welcome. On infected blood.

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On infected blood. One of my constituents has has it. I also welcome his response to

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it. I also welcome his response to the additional report by Sir Brian Langstaff in July. Given that. Does he can.

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Does he can. You update the House on what the lifetime of the public inquiry will be and what conversations he's had be and what conversations he's had about the ending of that inquiry, which seems to be going on a rather long time given the legislation was

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passed in May last year. I'm very grateful to the Right honourable gentleman and indeed,

10:22

Ruth Cadbury MP (Brentford and Isleworth, Labour)

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honourable gentleman and indeed, again paid tribute to his work when he was the Paymaster General, which was hugely important in this area as regards the public inquiry and the recent report, with, of course, subject to your permission, Mr Speaker, I hope to update the House in due course on actions on the recommendations as regard the actual public inquiry. Remaining open is, of course, a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff.

10:22

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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We've come.

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I've heard from small businesses locally, including a butchers and a lighting supplier, about how Brexit

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lighting supplier, about how Brexit has imposed extra barriers. On small. Businesses such as theirs. So

10:23

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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Businesses such as theirs. So could the minister. Outline to me how the UK EU common understanding how the UK EU common understanding will improve conditions for small businesses, particularly those who

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import from and export to the EU. Mr. Mr Speaker, my honourable

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Mr. Mr Speaker, my honourable friends a powerful advocate for her constituents and the common understanding will, of course, benefit the businesses that she's talking about and our deals on emissions, energy, trading, food and agricultural trade will all reduce agricultural trade will all reduce costs for business. Astonishingly, the party opposite, the honourable member for Clacton, want to reverse this and reimpose those costs on

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businesses. Horror picture. Given that the Cabinet Office.

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Advises a government on establishing public inquiries, will the Minister meet the families of those senior military and intelligence personnel who were killed when an RAAF Chinook

10:24

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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helicopter crashed in the Mull of Kintyre in 1994? The families have gathered compelling evidence suggesting that the Ministry of Defence was aware that the Mach two Chinook, in which the travelling was not airworthy. They are petitioning not airworthy. They are petitioning the government to establish an independent, judge led public independent, judge led public inquiry. So will the minister meet with the families or at least advise irrelevant Cabinet colleagues what irrelevant Cabinet colleagues what to do? They're.

10:24

Andrew Cooper MP (Mid Cheshire, Labour)

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I'm grateful to the honourable gentleman.

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Very serious case. If he were able to write to me directly about it, I will certainly look at what

10:24

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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it, I will certainly look at what would be the most suitable ministerial meeting for that. Andrew Cooper.

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Andrew Cooper. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I recently met with Estonian MPs to hear about their experience of using digital ID their experience of using digital ID over the last two decades, and in particular, how the ability to see who has access to your data is the cornerstone of the data privacy controls at the heart of their system. They talked about the efficiency gains across the public and private sector, such as when you change your name after marriage or buy a property.

How does the minister see modernisation of the

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state? Improving the delivery of public services in the UK? Mr Speaker.

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Mr Speaker. everywhere. You look outdated. Digital and.

10:26

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds, Conservative)

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Digital and. Data systems trap us in the past. We are. Laser focussed on reforming the state and central to that is.

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state and central to that is. A free. Universal digital ID that will. Bring the. State to.

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State to. All citizens and improve access to public services. A national digital identity system. Is a.

10:26

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Is a. Public good. That. Is long. Overdue. And this government. Will deliver it.

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Will deliver it. So let. Us thank. You. Very. Much, Mr Speaker. Now, the shadow of The Chancellor of the Duchy of

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of The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has just come to a despatch box and says that we have done a. New trade deal with the European

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New trade deal with the European Union, which I think is news to both Brussels. The only thing this government has done so far in. Terms.

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Terms. Of EU relations. Is. Sell out our fishing industry for

10:26

Sam Carling MP (North West Cambridgeshire, Labour)

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the next 12 years. So with that in mind, will you actually stand up for British interests in. Future negotiations. With Brussels? Hey.

10:26

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Hey. I stand up for British interest in every negotiation. With Brussels. I tell you what he does in standing up for British

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does in standing up for British interests is when we negotiated within ten months of coming into government, the new. Common understanding that will be. Good for jobs, good.

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To bear down on bills and giving us tools to secure our borders. The

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us tools to secure our borders. The party Opposite's leader opposed it before even. Reading it. Mr Speaker, I've been thinking about the costs of software licensing in the public sector because Northwest Anglia NHS Foundation Trust are trying to move Foundation Trust are trying to move to an electronic patient record, and one of the biggest ongoing costs to that is third party payments for software and other trusts are in the same position. For many schools paying for pupil management software. So will the procurement Minister commit to looking into

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Minister commit to looking into this? Whether we can do. Some of. That in-house instead and. Save some quite significant sums?

10:27

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

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Save some quite significant sums? It's kind of. Pieces of the game the honourable gentleman is talking about is the reason we've been consulting on a public interest consulting on a public interest test. In terms of the specific case that he raises, I will ensure that if you write into me that the minister, the honourable member for Brighton, Peacehaven, Kempton, will Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven will provide him with a response.

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That's a month. Can my constituent fellows in the special. Category mechanism.

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Category mechanism. Of 916. People who are inexplicably excluded.

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From the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in. February, even though the government's expert group said they should be contracted. And compensated?

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And compensated? In August last year on the 5th of June. Ross general said he considered the compensation arrangements.

10:28

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the compensation arrangements. I may have missed it. Forgive me if I have, but I also asked for a list of conditions that might be.

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might be. Included within that. Has he an. Update for me, please? I'm certainly looking at. The issue of.

10:28

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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The issue of. The special category mechanism, as I undertook to do. If she writes. To.

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To. Me, I can look at the specific list. I'm also hoping, with Mr. Speaker's permission to update the

10:28

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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House on this and other infected blood issues very shortly. Why? For his party. Residents in a housing

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Residents in a housing development at my North. Cornwall constituency are facing a number of issues after another developer has issues after another developer has yet again gone bust. Parts of the shared communal land reverted back to the ownership of the Duchy of Cornwall, rather than the residents themselves, who have to purchase this land back and cover the duchies legal costs. The Duchy of Lancaster legal costs. The Duchy of Lancaster has Cabinet oversight, quite rightly, but Minister, who does a Duchy of Cornwall answer to? And Duchy of Cornwall answer to? And what recourse can my constituents now take in this case?

10:28

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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If the honourable member writes to me with his constituency case, I'll make sure that the Duchy of Cornwall looks at it in due course.

10:28

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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The government.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Eastbourne is benefiting from some coastal air defence scheme funding and the flood

10:28

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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defence scheme funding and the flood defence grant in aid. But it leaves heritage assets behind only residents and businesses currently qualify, which is leaving East Bourne's historic bandstand at risk of severe flooding. Will the Minister meet with me and colleagues across DCMS and Defra in order to review that loophole that leaves our

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bandstand behind? I recognise the problem, Mr Speaker. The decision, of course, was to use the budget available to

10:29

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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was to use the budget available to protect people's homes and that has left other buildings at comparable risk. I know my honourable friend,

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the Minister in Defra is working with DCMS on this issue and I will ensure that a conversation can take place. Mr Speaker.

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Mr Speaker. And relation to the Blood compensation scheme in Northern Ireland as of the 21st of February, Ireland as of the 21st of February, 149 people had started the process. 38 offers made totalling some 48 38 offers made totalling some 48 million. Can I ask the Minister this question? What assessment were made on the time taken from when an

10:29

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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application is made as to when a door? Thank you. ICA is operationally independent,

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ICA is operationally independent, but of course I am accountable to this House. It's important. I regularly have conversations and challenge about the kind of timescales the honourable gentleman is talking about. But the infected blood scandal predates modern day devolution, and you can rest assured that all four corners of the United

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Kingdom are at the forefront of my mind on speed of delivery. Andrew Snowden. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Minister was.

10:30

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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The Minister was. Earlier. Asked about the ever growing size of the Civil Service and the Cabinet Office under this government, and Office under this government, and whether we would see those numbers coming down, not up next year. Instead of answering the question about the future, they talked about the past. So let's ask the question again, but from a different angle. When is this government going to take ownership of the fact that they are in government now, and these are their problems that they need to resolve?

10:30

Urgent Question: To ask the Solicitor General if she will make a statement about the role the office of the Attorney General’s Office in the decision to drop the China spy prosecution

Mr Speaker, I'm very happy to take ownership of the fact we're in government and very happy to confirm that they're in a.

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Not complete questions. We will

10:31

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Oh, Oh, come Oh, come to Oh, come to the Oh, come to the Urgent

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Oh, come to the Urgent Question. Robert Jenrick speaker, to. Ask the Solicitor.

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Ask the Solicitor. General if she'll make a statement about the role of the Attorney General's Office in the

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decision to drop the China spy prosecution. Minister. Well. Mr Speaker, I thank the

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Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for raising this Urgent Question following the deeply disappointing collapse of the disappointing collapse of the prosecution case concerning two individuals charged under the

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individuals charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911. It. Is a bedrock constitutional

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Is a bedrock constitutional principle that prosecutions in this country are free from political country are free from political influence. This means that prosecutors, not politicians, who decide which cases to prosecute. It is prosecutors, not politicians, who decide what evidence will be used at decide what evidence will be used at criminal trials. And it is prosecutors, not politicians, who prosecutors, not politicians, who decide when cases should be dropped. Although individual decisions are made independently and protected from political influence, the CPS as from political influence, the CPS as an organisation is superintended by the Attorney General by virtue of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

The details of what that means in practice are set out in the Framework Agreement between Law Offices and the Director of Public Prosecutions, signed by the then Attorney General under the last government. The framework makes plain that the role of the CPS is to take independent decisions on individual cases referred to it by the police and other criminal investigation authorities, based on the evidence available and the public interest in pursuing a prosecution. This accords with the code for Crown Prosecutors.

There

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are a limited number of. Offences. Including those under the Official Secrets Act, in which Official Secrets Act, in which Parliament has made statutory provision requiring the Attorney General's consent to prosecute in individual cases. In doing so, the Law Officer acts in a quasi judicial Law Officer acts in a quasi judicial capacity independently of government, and applies the same two government, and applies the same two stage test as the code. Consent was given by my predecessors on the 3rd given by my predecessors on the 3rd of April, 2024.

Following that date, no law officer intervened in the case. At any stage it would have case. At any stage it would have been wholly inappropriate for the law officers to do so. Once consent law officers to do so. Once consent is given, then the law officer plays no ongoing role. If the prosecutor contemplates dropping the case because of evidential reasons, then the requirement is that the the requirement is that the prosecutor informs the Attorney General of the decision as soon as it has been taken.

That is what it has been taken. That is what happened in this case. The DPP and senior Treasury counsel have already confirmed that the decision to offer no evidence in this case was made without any political influence. The

10:34

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Conservative)

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without any political influence. The Cabinet Secretary, Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister will all give written and oral evidence to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy this and next week. The ongoing disinformation around the collapse of this case, and our distracting from the most important issue. We should all be focussed on how the government can work across parties and with the UK law enforcement community to ensure that enforcement community to ensure that Chinese espionage and interference is not successful in the UK.

10:34

Speaker's statement

Shadow Secretary Robert.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me cut to the chase. It's standard practice to the chase. It's standard practice for the CPS to inform the Attorney General if a case of political significance that had required Attorney General consent in the first place was likely to be dropped. We're told that the Attorney General was informed this Attorney General was informed this case was at risk, but the case had not formally been ended in August. not formally been ended in August. Is this correct? Can the Solicitor General provide the exact date of General provide the exact date of that meeting? It would have been his duty to ask why it was at risk.

That duty to ask why it was at risk. That does not mean seeking to change the independent judgement of the CPS on whether to proceed, but it could and whether to proceed, but it could and should have meant asking and ensuring more evidence was provided ensuring more evidence was provided to the CPS at their request. It was abundantly clear that the CPS were

10:35

Q1. What steps he is taking to develop the Government's approach to public sector reform. (905951)

asking for further evidence on the question of whether China posed a current threat to national security. current threat to national security. So the Attorney General and the government had a decision to make whether to provide the evidence or

10:35

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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whether to provide the evidence or not, even if they thought it was excessive to do so. The Attorney General must have understood what was required. We are told he is an eminent lawyer. So what did he do? The moment he knew, who did he inform within government? And when did he inform the Prime Minister or his office? Did he take any steps to

10:37

Lewis Atkinson MP (Sunderland Central, Labour)

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ensure the evidence was provided? We know that on the 1st of September, the director general of the AG's

10:37

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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the director general of the AG's office attended a meeting at which the case was discussed. At this point, the case could still have point, the case could still have been salvaged. At that meeting, did the attorney General's office push the attorney General's office push for further evidence to be provided? Following that meeting, The Sunday Times has reported that the Attorney Times has reported that the Attorney General's office was asked to speak to the CPS. Can the SG confirm to the CPS.

Can the SG confirm whether anyone from the NGO spoke directly or indirectly to the CPS?

10:37

Mrs Elsie Blundell MP (Heywood and Middleton North, Labour)

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directly or indirectly to the CPS? Mr Speaker, the AG knew the case was going to collapse in August. He knew what was required to save it. But unless she can provide a compelling account today, we must all conclude account today, we must all conclude that the AG, on behalf of the government, chose not to provide it. He may not have killed the case, but he allowed it to die. There are examples in the recent past of AGS examples in the recent past of AGS having the candour to come to the House and explain that the government and the prosecuting government and the prosecuting authorities have chosen to drop cases of the highest national security questions for diplomatic reasons.

Will the SG today have the candour to do exactly the same with this case?

10:37

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Today we've heard from the shadow Justice Secretary yet more of the baseless smears which have characterised the Conservative Party's approach to this matter of such importance to this House and the whole nation. And he knows that the Attorney General will be giving evidence next week, as soon as Tuesday, to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy. Like me, the shadow Justice Secretary trained and practised in law, so he should know the importance of consistency when putting a case together.

Yet his words today have only brought more confusion to their chaotic approach. First, they accused this government of political interference government of political interference in this case without evidence. When this was disproven, they argued that we didn't interfere and that we we didn't interfere and that we should have interfered in an independent prosecution. So which is independent prosecution. So which is it? Mr Speaker, their approach has only served to distract from their only served to distract from their own failings and, frankly, does a disservice to the history and heritage of their party.

I heritage of their party. I respectfully remind the House that part of the reasons we find ourselves in this situation is ourselves in this situation is because the Conservative Party spent their years in government fighting amongst themselves and not fixing amongst themselves and not fixing glaring holes in our national security laws. The charges in this security laws. The charges in this case report under the Official Secrets Act.

10:39

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Mr. General, when you get the UCU, you get your time, and I want that to be heard in silence because, quite rightly, this is an important issue that affects this House. But I do not need barracking from those benches. I want you to help me, benches. I want you to help me, because if you're going to catch my eye in the future, it's not the best way to do some. It's listening. way to do some. It's listening.

10:39

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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To. The charges in this case report under the Official Secrets Act of 1911, outdated legislation drawn up even before the dawn of World War One. As I said, the Attorney General, the Chief secretary to the Prime Minister, the deputy national security adviser, the Cabinet Secretary and the Director of Public Prosecutions will all appear before the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy next week. And the government has committed to fully government has committed to fully engaging with committees across both houses.

As this issue is rightly scrutinised, along with proper parliamentary scrutiny. Another core tenant of our democracy is a tenant of our democracy is a prosecution service free of political interference on this side of this House. This is something of this House. This is something that we will always defend unjustly. that we will always defend unjustly.

10:40

Michelle Scrogham MP (Barrow and Furness, Labour)

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Mr Speaker, given that the party opposite sought to develop an even closer relationship with China during their 14 years of chaotic power, can I urge the government to continue Labour's approach, which is looking for opportunities to work

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together while not compromising our values and our. National interests.

10:40

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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At any time? I'm grateful for my honourable friend, and I agree with the position that he set out. And of course, it reminds the House that the test in this case applied to the

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how China was viewed under the previous government and not under this one. Ben Maguire Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

10:41

Q4. What recent steps his Department has taken to strengthen partnership working with the voluntary sector. (905955)

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spokesperson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Throughout these revelations, revelations, the Minister and the Prime Minister's

10:41

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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Minister and the Prime Minister's spokesperson repeatedly claimed that the government had no sight of the witness statements and no input. The PM's PM himself said this at PMQs last week. But the government legal services own guidance requires the Attorney General to be consulted on these most sensitive legal cases involving the government. So in a case as high profile as this one, where the very integrity of this Parliament and our national security was at stake, did the Attorney General, the government's top legal adviser, really not review the witness statements before they were submitted on behalf of the government? And if not, please, could the Minister tell us why not? Given the very serious national security implications, will the SG security implications, will the SG commit to a statutory independent inquiry into why this case collapsed? And will she please collapsed? And will she please update this House as to when the government will share the full China audit with the Intelligence and audit with the Intelligence and Security Committee?

10:42

Danny Beales MP (Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Labour)

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I thank the honourable member for his question as set out in my answer to the question the previous law officers gave consent to prosecute officers gave consent to prosecute in April 2024. After that happens, it is then right that there is no it is then right that there is no further involvement of law officers in cases and in accordance with the in cases and in accordance with the framework it. That is how things work. It is right that politicians work.

It is right that politicians do not interfere with prosecutions in criminal cases. And that's what in criminal cases. And that's what happened in this case. Once consent to prosecute was granted.

10:42

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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Talk to that.

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Mr Speaker, may I just stop by saying nobody in this House is disputing the independence of the

10:42

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

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disputing the independence of the prosecution or indeed the judicial officers. Nobody's had any dispute on that point at all. The question

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is a different one. It's whether an behalf. Of.

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Of. The government, not on behalf of himself, but on behalf of the government, should have had any communication with his own government. After the prosecutor said the evidence wasn't sufficient. government.

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government. Isn't supplying. supply. A little. Bit more. Now, the argument that

10:43

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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Bit more. Now, the argument that the government is using is that he gave evidence on the basis of the. Government between 21 and 23.

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Government between 21 and 23. Well, that's a little. Odd because the Labour Party manifesto wasn't written until 24. And yet he quotes it in his evidence. So there is an incoherence here. Either he's giving evidence on the basis of the government's view between 21 and 23, in which case the Labour Party in which case the Labour Party manifesto is irrelevant, or he's reflecting the view of the government post 24, in which case government post 24, in which case the quotation of a Labour Party manifesto is relevant.

10:43

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Now.

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Which is it? I think the honourable member for

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I think the honourable member for his question. I think that in terms of the witness statements, to start

10:44

Katrina Murray MP (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, Labour)

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of the witness statements, to start with, the first and by far the most substantive witness statement was the one that was made under the previous government in relation to more recent statements. The opposition starting point was that the government in some way interfered with the evidence. And now it seems to be a criticism that we didn't interfere with the evidence. It is right that the deputy national security adviser gave that evidence free from any political interference, as has been confirmed numerous times in this House already.

10:44

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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So, Iain Duncan Smith, Mr Speaker.

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The my right honourable friend who started this Urgent Question is quite right, because throughout all

10:45

Sadik Al-Hassan MP (North Somerset, Labour)

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quite right, because throughout all of this saga as well, I just made clear there's been conflicting stories about who did and what was done and why it was done, and why it couldn't be done all in the same breath. But the rules. We now require that the Attorney General is consulted in matters that are politically sensitive. In this case, it doesn't. It doesn't transgress cross across his independence. It simply means he has to be informed or she has to be informed at the time.

And it is their role then, if necessary, as we understand from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Director of Public Prosecutions, that they must have been told. The Attorney General must have been told that there was insufficient evidence that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. If so, the Attorney General's role in this matter independently is to say to the independently is to say to the authorities and the government, you are not providing sufficient evidence. This prosecution will evidence. This prosecution will collapse unless you do.

Did the Attorney General say to the government, you are not providing enough evidence to secure a prosecution on this? It is over to prosecution on this? It is over to you to do as you have been asked by the DPP. Did the Attorney General say that to the government?

10:46

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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Yeah.

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Oh, the Attorney General will be giving his evidence to the committee giving his evidence to the committee next week. But I think it's right to say that in this case, the case was dropped by the CPS Not on public interest grounds, but on evidential grounds. And when a case is dropped on evidential grounds, then the on evidential grounds, then the framework sets out that law officers be informed when that has happened

10:46

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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be informed when that has happened and not that there is consultation beforehand. This was this was this was a case that didn't continue on

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evidential grounds. While given the.

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Really important. National security implications of this whole sorry case, what this whole sorry case, what assessment as the law officer's department made of the impact this decision may have on confidence in

10:47

Q6. What recent progress his Department has made on strengthening national resilience. (905959)

decision may have on confidence in our ability to prosecute alleged foreign interference?

10:47

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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With the. under legislation that was in force when the offences when the alleged offences were committed in 2021 to 2023. Of course, the law has now changed. It took the opposition party many years to tighten up national security legislation. It was passed with support from members on this side of the House. But of course, under new legislation as it stands now, bringing prosecutions of this nature will be easier because this nature will be easier because the enemy test no longer has to be satisfied.

10:48

Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)

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But the message.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Attorney General has a duty to superintend prosecution agencies, and the government has previously

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and the government has previously defined superintendents as, inter alia, a right for the Attorney General to be consulted and informed about difficult, sensitive. And.

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And. High profile cases of which this is clearly one. Give me Attorney. General responsible by statute,

10:48

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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for the superintendence of the Crown superintendency. Of the DPP. And additionally has the requirement for consent to.

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requirement for consent to. Prosecute certain categories of. Criminal offences, such as those relating to official secrets. What action did the.

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action did the. Attorney General take once. He had been informed of. The potential collapse of. The China spying trial? Yeah.

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The China spying trial? Yeah. As I said in previous answer,

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As I said in previous answer, consent to prosecute in this case had to be granted by law officers, and that was done under the previous government. Once that consent is granted, it is for the CPS to prosecute the case without rightly prosecute the case without rightly without political interference. This was a case that was discontinued by the CPS on evidential grounds as opposed to public interest grounds. I'm sure the honourable member is I'm sure the honourable member is aware of the two parts at test for prosecutors where where a case is prosecutors where where a case is discontinued on evidential grounds, it is not for the CPS to consult with law officers in advance of with law officers in advance of that.

And I'll say again that the Attorney General will be giving Attorney General will be giving evidence, written evidence first this week and then oral evidence, then oral evidence. As I have already said on Tuesday.

10:49

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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The Desmond Swayne.

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Chagos, not the embassy. But as my right honourable friend, the for member New Forest East says.

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member New Forest East says. It all makes sense if the. Government has prioritised. A. Strategic relationship.

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With communist. China. Doesn't it? Yeah. Yes. The general.

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Yes. The general. Well, I politely remind the honourable gentleman that this case honourable gentleman that this case was to be tried under the government's position in relation to government's position in relation to China between 2021 and 2023, when,

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of course, it was his party that was in government. Thank you, Mr Speaker. So the.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. So the. Solicitor General has. Repeatedly said. That it's prosecutors, not politicians, who should decide on politicians, who should decide on whether to prosecute. Of course that's the case. That's a that's a straw argument. The issue here is straw argument. The issue here is not political interference in the decision to prosecute, but political

10:50

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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interference. And what evidence was given to the CPS affecting their ability to prosecute. We've been told, Mr Speaker, that the Attorney General was informed. Why was he informed, if not to allow him to take action to protect the evidence? Why didn't he?

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Yeah. Solicitor general. Well, the Prime Minister and the DPP have the Prime Minister and the DPP have both confirmed that there was no interference with any political interference with the evidence that interference with the evidence that was given by the Deputy National Security Advisor, and rightly so. Security Advisor, and rightly so. And the party opposite can't have it both ways. At first, their argument was that we interfered with the

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was that we interfered with the evidence. Now the argument seems to be that we didn't interfere with the evidence. Which is it? Alison Griffiths.

10:52

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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Alison Griffiths. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Sunday

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Times reported on a key meeting on. The 1st of September. It reported. That. Following the. Meeting. The Attorney. General's.

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General's. Office was asked to. Speak to the CPS. Did anyone from. The Attorney.

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The Attorney. General's office speak directly or indirectly to the CPS after. That meeting?

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Yes, Mr. Chairman.

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Yes, Mr. Chairman. There was a meeting on the 1st of September in relation to this and September in relation to this and that meeting, as I understand it was on, took place on the basis that the prosecution would be going ahead and it was a meeting to discuss it was a meeting to discuss bilateral relations with China in the context of the ongoing legal case.

10:52

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Gentlemen.

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The Director of Public Prosecutions has said that the case was dropped because efforts over many months. To get. Evidence that China represented a

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Evidence that China represented a threat to national security were not forthcoming from this government.

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forthcoming from this government. When was the Attorney General informed that the case was at risk? And what did he do? Yeah.

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Yeah. So let's do Jemmy. It in this case, in order to

10:53

Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat)

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It in this case, in order to succeed. It was based on the relationship with China at the time relationship with China at the time of the offences and how China was viewed then. I've already referred to the meeting on the 1st of September. This was on the presumption that the case would continue. The Attorney General will be setting out his evidence to the

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joint committee next week. Tom Gordon. Thank you. Mr Speaker. I previously asked the Security.

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previously asked the Security. Minister about. The lack. Of inclusion of China on the enhanced tier of the foreign

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enhanced tier of the foreign input. Or advice has the Attorney General or Solicitor General given

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General or Solicitor General given to the government on that? And given the ongoing situation which we. See. Will she now reconsider that and

10:53

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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Will she now reconsider that and push for the government to do so? So that's the general.

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So that's the general. I thank the honourable member for that question. Of course, under the that question. Of course, under the law, as it now stands, it would be easier to bring prosecutions in cases such as these. We are, of course, deeply disappointed that this prosecution did not go ahead. But I will get back to normal on the specific points that he raises.

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Thank you. Speaker. The Solicitor General has. Expressed. Several times her and presumably

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Several times her and presumably the government's disappointment at the fact that this did not go to trial. Well, disappointment would trial. Well, disappointment would suggest that she and the government wish for an alternate outcome. The very simple point that I and my

10:54

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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very simple point that I and my constituents who have contacted me about this, because they are really outraged and concerned, the point we

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cannot get our head around is why, if the government wishes an alternate outcome, why. Did it not exhaust. Every single

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Did it not exhaust. Every single possibility to bolster the. Case of the CPS so that regardless of interference, there's

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regardless of interference, there's interference? Why did they not exhaust. Every single opportunity to put

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Every single opportunity to put the CPS in the strongest possible position to ensure a. Successful prosecution? Yeah, just in general.

10:55

Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East, Conservative)

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Yeah, just in general. The government are disappointed with the fact that this prosecution with the fact that this prosecution didn't go ahead. And if the previous Conservative government had had had got our laws in relation to national security tightened before 2022, then we may find ourselves not in this position. But it is absolutely right that there was no political interference with the witness interference with the witness evidence. It is an important part of our Constitution that criminal prosecutions are done without prosecutions are done without political interference.

10:55

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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Are you.

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informed about the case was going to collapse? Such that. The Attorney General will be

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The Attorney General will be setting out his evidence next Tuesday to the joint Committee?

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Tuesday to the joint Committee? Luke. Timothy. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Although, to be perfectly honest, I don't know

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what the point is because we've had two weeks of statements and Urgent Questions and ministers keep coming, attacking straw men and answering. Questions.

10:56

Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)

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Questions. That aren't actually being asked. It's pathetic. Yeah. On Monday, the security minister

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On Monday, the security minister came to the House and was asked several times when the Home Secretary knew that the case was going to collapse and what going to collapse and what representations she made to ensure that the case was as strong as possible. He didn't answer that several times. So.

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When did the Home Secretary know? What representations did she make, and to whom did she make them? and to whom did she make them? Surely among them was the national security adviser, the Prime Minister, and the Attorney General.

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Minister, and the Attorney General. I don't speak on behalf of the Home Secretary, but I'm sure I'm Home Secretary, but I'm sure I'm sure that she will be happy to address the honourable members

10:56

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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points. Jim Shannon Ki. Mr Speaker, can I welcome the

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Mr Speaker, can I welcome the Minister to her? Our rule. You rule under which her every success and under which her every success and unhappiness in this rule. And I hope they will not be as hard as I came prosecution.

10:57

Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)

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Rules.

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The growing concerns on the ground about the state of national security and our own intelligence

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Friend, for those

10:57

Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, Minister without Portfolio (Redcar, Labour )

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There is now new legislation in place, which means that it's no longer necessary to prove the enemy part of the test in order to bring a successful prosecution. That will make it easier to bring prosecutions of this nature in future. It is regretful that the previous government did not bring in this legislation sooner. Had they have done so, I expect we wouldn't have found ourselves in the situation we are in today. are in today.

10:58

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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That could unfold. ask your advice? Unusually, the Attorney General does not sit in the House of Commons. When I submitted written parliamentary questions to the Attorney General, they were answered by the Solicitor General. But the Solicitor General refused to provide answers for the attorney, only answering for herself. Today, understandably, the attorney couldn't come to the House because he's not a member of the House. But he's not a member of the House. But repeatedly, the solicitor general refused to give answers.

On behalf of the Attorney General. She of the Attorney General. She referred to the Attorney General's written answers and to a Select written answers and to a Select Committee hearing, which is ordinarily held in private. How does the House of Commons hold the the House of Commons hold the Attorney General to account?

10:59

Andy McDonald MP (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Labour)

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There is collective responsibility for government to answer within this House the absolute right to ask the question. What I am not responsible for is the answers that the Solicitor General provides. Well, I would say is, and provides. Well, I would say is, and this goes back to the frustration of the previous administration, when the Foreign Secretary sat in the Lords and not in the House. But my view is it is much harder. But there view is it is much harder.

But there is a collective responsibility that those questions will be answered in this House. But I'm not going to this House. But I'm not going to keep the debate going. Now, that completes the debate. We now come to the Urgent Question. Next Urgent the Urgent Question. Next Urgent Question. Seamus Logan does the Secretary of.

10:59

Euan Stainbank MP (Falkirk, Labour)

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State.

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To make a statement on the. Coastal Community. Growth Fund? Mr. Well.

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Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We are working closely with our fishing and seafood sectors with our fishing and seafood sectors to ensure that they are vibrant, profitable and sustainable alongside a healthy and productive marine environment. That is why on the ninth of 19th of May, this

11:00

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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government announced the Fishing and. Coastal Growth Fund, a £360 million investment that would support the next generation of fisher fishers and breathe new life into our coastal communities. This fund recognises the vital contribution that fishing and coastal communities make to our economy, local communities and national heritage. Designing this fund with stakeholders is paramount

11:01

Q10. What steps he is taking to improve the delivery of Government priorities. (905965)

to its success, and we want to work with industry and communities to get their views on how to maximise value

11:01

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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their views on how to maximise value and target investment for maximum local impact. This engagement is just beginning. We will be considering investment in such things as new tech and equipment to things as new tech and equipment to modernise the police training and skills to back the next generation, and to promote and support the seafood sector to export across the

11:01

Kenneth Stevenson MP (Airdrie and Shotts, Labour)

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world. Since the fund was announced, this government has heard calls from a wide range of stakeholders to learn from previous fisheries learn from previous fisheries funding schemes. And instead of funding being held at a UK wide level, that the funding be devolved. level, that the funding be devolved. That is why, on the 20th of October, the government confirmed that the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund would be devolved, providing devolved governments with full discretion over how to allocate funding and reaffirming this government's commitment to devolution.

This approach enables each devolved government to design each devolved government to design and deliver support that responds to the specific needs of their fishing the specific needs of their fishing and coastal communities, ensuring investment is targeted towards

11:01

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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regional needs, national views and best supports their coastal towns and villages. It ensures that decisions are taken closer to the communities they serve, so the sector can thrive for generations to come. While this government respects the devolution settlement, I would like to encourage collaboration across all governments to maximise the fund's impact, as each government will have its own insights into how the funding can be

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used and will learn lessons over the fund's lifetime. Seamus Logan. Thank you, Mr.

11:02

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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Speaker, and I thank. The Minister. For her response. I would be feeling in my duty to constituents feeling in my duty to constituents and to people across Scotland if I did not reflect the anger, the dismay and the sense of betrayal that has greeted the set of allocations from the Coastal Growth Fund on March the 5th this year, ahead of the much vaunted EU reset deal with the UK, the Prime Minister told me from the despatch box and I quote, I recognise the huge and historic importance of the fishing industry in his constituency and others, and I am determined to make the sector more secure, sustainable and economically successful.

But we were once again used as a bargaining chip when EU access to Scottish waters was extended for another 12 years, way beyond what the EU

11:04

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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negotiating team had hoped for. Boris Johnson used the fishing industry as poster boy in his reckless Brexit campaign, and then betrayed them afterwards. And now this government has done exactly the same thing by reserving more than same thing by reserving more than 300 million for English coastal communities over the next 12 years, while handing us pocket money, while handing us pocket money, despite Scotland representing 60% of our fishing capacity, despite our fishing capacity, despite landing almost 50% of the catch in these islands, despite more than 75%

11:04

Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat)

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of all species caught land up by Scottish vessels, we are offered a Scottish vessels, we are offered a mere 7.78% of the of the fund. But, Mr Speaker, this question has been co-signed by colleagues from across co-signed by colleagues from across the House who represent coastal communities across Scotland in Orkney and Shetland, the Outer Orkney and Shetland, the Outer Hebrides and indeed my Welsh colleagues here equally dismayed at the crumbs they are offered. I the crumbs they are offered. I recognise this Minister and her team may need time to get to grips with their beef, but her predecessor said he intended to engage fully with devolved governments.

But the Scottish Government have been ignored. Again, I urge the Minister ignored. Again, I urge the Minister to look at this decision. There is time before next March to take a fresh look at these allocations and

11:04

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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fresh look at these allocations and recognise the crucial role that the fishing industry plays in our beautiful coastal communities, around our massive coastline and in our island communities across Scotland. If the Minister is in any doubt about the strength of anger about this matter and why it is so crucial, I repeat the offer I made to her personally yesterday. Please come and see for yourself in my constituency. Thank you Minister.

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Well, thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I was looking at some of

11:04

Q11. What steps he is taking to increase opportunities to work in the civil service for people who live outside London. (905966)

Speaker. I was looking at some of the history of such seafood support funds in the past, and the last one was a UK seafood fund, which was reserved by the government, then reserved by the government, then government nationally, to be used in a strategic way. And there were a strategic way. And there were many, many vocal complaints that that fund should have been devolved. that fund should have been devolved. And we've now devolved a fund using the way that devolution of funds the way that devolution of funds always happens using the Barnett formula, Mr Speaker, which gives a formula, Mr Speaker, which gives a 20% uplift to devolved governments for all other spending.

I would also for all other spending. I would also note that the devolution settlements note that the devolution settlements in CSR 2025 give the Scottish Government another 8.5 billion that they can choose to spend in any they can choose to spend in any other way, and it's always open to them, Mr Speaker, to decide to them, Mr Speaker, to decide to support what is a very, very important industrial sector for them with some of the money that they've with some of the money that they've been devolved using other parts of CSR.

Devolution settlement.

11:05

Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Minister for coming to the despatch box and for the member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East for raising this important issue. I think there is a question of fairness, of geographical distribution, and I think the Minister should consider that, and I Minister should consider that, and I hope the funding will will be reviewed in due course. But there's another aspect to fairness to and that's fairness across the sector. I want the funding to be aimed at new entrants to fishing communities that face big challenges for the population, for crewing and for keeping themselves going, for keeping themselves going, for example by allocating and buying quota so that local authorities can distribute them to new entrants, as distribute them to new entrants, as happens to a limited degree in Orkney and in the Western Isles to.

I want it to be aimed at new opportunities. An £800 tuna was landed in my constituency.

11:06

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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This summer.

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Landed the North Atlantic to be sold at a famous market in Tokyo.

11:07

Jessica Toale MP (Bournemouth West, Labour)

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sold at a famous market in Tokyo. These are the kind of schemes. These are the kind of places and the kind of fish, fishing. And coastal communities.

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And coastal communities. That the fund should be aimed at, not just funnelling it to the already wealthy quota barons who dominate the industry and dominate

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the airwaves. Mr Speaker. I think my honourable friend has made some very interesting made some very interesting observations about creativity, which may well be applied to the fund and what we will be doing just about to begin to do is try to co-design the begin to do is try to co-design the way this fund will work itself for the next 12 years so that we can try to be creative, we can think about to be creative, we can think about how we can support the younger how we can support the younger generation of people who wish to go into the industry.

And I think some of the suggestions he's made are intriguing, and I will certainly intriguing, and I will certainly follow up with him and others about them.

11:07

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Mr. Doctor Neil Hudson.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, this fund is a weak apology from a Labour government who has

11:07

Nick Timothy MP (West Suffolk, Conservative)

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from a Labour government who has this year sold out the UK fishing industry. It is a mere sticking

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plaster, a rushed one at best. That ignores the proportion of fish caught across these isles of fish caught across these isles of the UK. Poorly involves the devolved administrations and ignores evidence administrations and ignores evidence based delivery and logic. This fund, Mr Speaker, is Labour trying to buy

11:08

Q14. What recent progress he has made on the infected blood compensation scheme. (905971)

Mr Speaker, is Labour trying to buy off the UK fishing fleet due to their disastrous 12 year deal with

11:09

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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the EU, three times longer than the deal Labour sought, denying Britain from setting annual fishing quotas. from setting annual fishing quotas. Like other independent coastal states, fishing organisations have states, fishing organisations have called that deal a horror show for fishermen. Can the minister tell us if this money will be frontloaded if this money will be frontloaded and spent, where it will cause the greatest benefit to support the industry and coastal communities? What impact will fishing organisations and representatives have to ensure that is spent in the have to ensure that is spent in the right place? Now? Fishing too is not just about the fish caught, but both

11:09

Liz Jarvis MP (Eastleigh, Liberal Democrat)

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the people and the marine wildlife involved. Can the government explain how this fund will support fishers how this fund will support fishers mental health, and how it will support efforts to protect marine support efforts to protect marine wildlife, such as by ending bycatch? There is also not enough detail for the industry to plan. So I ask, how the industry to plan. So I ask, how will this be delivered? How is it being targeted to support the fishing industry, and how are the fishing industry, and how are the Labour government supporting the next generation of fishermen and women with this fund? This fund is

11:09

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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women with this fund? This fund is an example of the Labour government trying to buy off the industry with trying to buy off the industry with a sticking plaster, rather than ensuring that the best deal for the British fishing industry is the one

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that they negotiate with the EU. Minister. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The fund is about long term transformation and partnership, and for that reason we want to modernise the fishing we want to modernise the fishing sector, support coastal regeneration and build resilience across the

11:09

Q15. What progress his Department has made on the relocation of civil service jobs to Scotland. (905972)

industry, across the all of the UK. And for that reason, we are going to co-design the fund with both local communities and the industry itself. So I'm not able to answer in detail So I'm not able to answer in detail at this very precise moment, the questions the honourable gentleman questions the honourable gentleman has asked, because we are seeking to cooperate with those who will be beneficiaries. And when we're in a beneficiaries. And when we're in a position and when I'm in a position to make further announcements, I certainly will.

11:10

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Show Scotland.

11:10

Martin Rhodes MP (Glasgow North, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. As a coastal MP, I was delighted that my constituency of Barrow and Furness

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was selected for £20. Million pride in Place funding.

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Million pride in Place funding. Can the Minister update us on how these funds. Will benefit. Our communities. And coastal communities around the country? Thank you.

11:10

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (Bristol North West, Labour)

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the country? Thank you. Mr. Well, pride in place funding is

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Well, pride in place funding is an a new initiative from the MH, CLG and colleagues will know that it's and colleagues will know that it's based very much on trying to have a bottom up approach to improving place. And those allocations at my understanding is, will be, will be given and directed by local boards with community membership on them. I think that that's a really important way of trying to do regeneration, because it doesn't do things to people from on high.

It actually tries to involve and listen to those who live in those places, who know what is best and that kind of what is best and that kind of principle. I hope we will be able to apply to the use of these funds over time.

11:11

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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To. Yeah. Ben Maguire Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, the Liberal Democrats, of course, welcome any. Further investment into our

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Further investment into our fishing communities. The coastal towns involved in this funding must have a proper say on how this money

11:11

Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)

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have a proper say on how this money will be spent. The allocation of this funding must reflect the significance of our fishing industries across our isles. The proud fishermen in my North Cornwall constituency have been wrapped up in so much red tape and extra costs, thanks to the Tories botched Brexit deal, they now want proper management of fish stocks and a new bylaw to limit larger vessels inside the six mile line. What steps is this government taking to reverse this damage and provide our fishermen with greater access to fishermen with greater access to their largest and closest market? And how will the government use this fund to give greater powers and fund to give greater powers and resources to the coastal communities, to allow them to properly invest in their local properly invest in their local areas? And finally, what assurances can the Minister provide that this fund will improve water quality to fund will improve water quality to protect our fishing industry into the future? the future?

11:12

Shaun Davies MP (Telford, Labour)

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So thank you, Mr Speaker. On his last point, first, clearly there are other areas where water quality needs to be improved. This Coastal Growth Fund is not about improving water quality. It's about building resilience, helping to modernise the fishing industry, high tech access to training, entry to the industry itself. So we mustn't mix up government support for one area and try to shove it all into this particular area. The honourable gentleman also asked about essentially the reset for export purposes, the reset with the EU, if we can do it properly, will enable it.

The export of fish and catch much with much less red tape than we have ended up in post-Brexit. And there are big gains to be made from that. Likewise also, Mr Speaker, if we can get the free trade agreements to work properly, that will also

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increase the prospects of export for the fishing industry to other parts of the world. Baxter.

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Baxter. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Scottish salmon. Is renowned. Around the world for its quality

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Around the world for its quality and taste. So can the Minister set out how the government is supporting promotion of the Scottish salmon

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promotion of the Scottish salmon industry around the world? Oh well. Honourable friend is

11:14

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Oh well. Honourable friend is correct. I believe that the Indian free trade deal took away all tariffs on Scottish salmon, so

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tariffs on Scottish salmon, so hopefully there'll be a lot more of it heading that way soon. So just like Mr. Alistair

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So just like Mr. Alistair Carmichael. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome to minister to her new position. I have to say though, if

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position. I have to say though, if ever there was an illustration of the scale. Of the challenge. Of ministers and turning around this department, this.

11:14

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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Is it. Let us not forget that this fund was created because the Prime Minister went and rolled over for 12 years. The catastrophically bad deal that Boris Johnson gave us for five. And if the Minister is sincere when she says that a to the aim of the

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government is to maximise local formula. To distribute.

11:15

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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To distribute. This is ocean going madness by volume and by volume. Shetland alone

11:15

Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

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volume and by volume. Shetland alone accounts for 9% of the fish landed in this country, but Scotland as a in this country, but Scotland as a whole will get only 8%. So when will this funding formula be reviewed and when will we hear exactly where this when will we hear exactly where this money will be spent and what it will be made available for, wherever it's going to be? Yeah.

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going to be? Yeah. Well, certainly the difficult parts of the fund will have to ask the Scottish Government what they're going to do with that. And, and he may was also to ask whether there's may was also to ask whether there's any extra money from the devolved

11:15

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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any extra money from the devolved CSR process which gave the Scottish Government an extra 8.5 billion to

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spend this year. Yeah. you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I warmly welcome the

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I warmly welcome the government's. Investment in a. Sustainable fishing and shellfish industry, which will create jobs. And drive growth in coastal communities like mine in Scarborough and Whitby. Could the minister and Whitby. Could the minister provide a timeline for when stakeholders such as the Whitby Fishing School and Whitby Lobster Hatchery in my constituency will be formally engaged in the process of

11:16

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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formally engaged in the process of developing and delivering this important fund, sir. Well, we are just at the very

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Well, we are just at the very early process, as I said to the House earlier, of seeing how we can House earlier, of seeing how we can do this, but we are committed to trying to co-design this, and I'm happy to talk to about how she wishes that cooperation to be taken forward in the fantastic area of Scarborough, which is near Bridlington, where I was born, which

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also has a little to do with craft. Father of the House Edward Leigh. Yeah, and. Making.

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Making. Sure we know all about fishing, because Grimsby. Used to be. port. It just beggars.

11:16

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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It just beggars. Belief that as a coastal nation, we import twice as much fish as we export. And fishermen obviously feel

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export. And fishermen obviously feel completely betrayed under years of vassalage to the EU. And. end.

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end. On a positive note. To this. To my favourite minister. So will she ensure that we are where we are? she ensure that we are where we are? We've got this fund now that she will use it to try and recreate fishing in areas such as Grimsby, which have now just have a minuscule fishing to help the modernise, get more staff and try and rebuild our industry.

11:17

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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Well, the father of the House knows that flattery will get him everywhere and obviously I hold him in equally high esteem and I'm more than happy. Along with the honourable friend, the member for Grimsby as well, to work out to see

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how we can use this fund to do precisely as he has suggested. Jayne Kirkham. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Speaker. And I welcome this fund. The Cornish fishing fleet have suffered and they have put together a joined up proposal, actually for a part of this fund. So I would be grateful if

11:17

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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the Minister could look at it, talking about things like Frontloading, the investment, multi-year project funding and

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science and research, the data collection for the numbers of fishery caps. And the. Way we catch them, particularly

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Way we catch them, particularly focusing on careers and skills and infrastructure. Now, recently, this week, there's been an announcement week, there's been an announcement about an environmental lead regulator going into the development

11:18

Gurinder Singh Josan MP (Smethwick, Labour)

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at Falmouth Port that will make a massive difference and speed up things like port infrastructure redevelopment. So I would urge the Minister and the government as a whole to look at doing more of that. And of course, looking at local seafood production and encouraging people to eat local.

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So. Mr. Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is rather odd that we have to export rather odd that we have to export more the that we catch because we

11:18

Dan Jarvis MP, Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Barnsley North, Labour)

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more the that we catch because we eat what we don't catch in this country. And I think sort of expanding the UK's sort of population's view of what it can eat from the catch might make it easier to help revive our fish industries. But with respect to Cornwall, I am seeing a group of Cornish members, I think, next week to talk about some of the details, suggestions that they've got about the fund, and I am very interested in all creative ideas.

11:19

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

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All right.

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As a sweetener. To our fishing communities after they were completely sold out in the government's.

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government's. EU Brexit reset. 12 years. Of access to. Our seeds given.

11:19

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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Our seeds given. Away in that negotiation. the. Tonnage of fish in the UK.

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Tonnage of fish in the UK. And 60% of the value. Scotland.

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Yet of this £360 million fund, Scottish. Fishermen are. Only going to get 28 million,

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Only going to get 28 million, 7.7%. Does it really make sense to the Minister that Scotland gets. 8% of a. Fund when they're bringing in so

11:19

Patrick Hurley MP (Southport, Labour)

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Fund when they're bringing in so much of the value of fishing? And if it doesn't make sense, what is she going to do about it? Minister.

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Minister. As I mentioned earlier, Mr Speaker, the predecessor fund, a UK Speaker, the predecessor fund, a UK seafood fund, was complained about massively because it was ring fenced and tell that UK level the demand then was for it to be devolved. We've devolved it, we've used the Barnett formula and that's the way the allocations work. The Scottish Government can always spend some of Government can always spend some of the extra uplift, the largest uplift in the Scottish devolution settlement since devolution itself.

On supporting the fishing industry should it wish to do so.

11:20

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Steve Darling. has the highest value catch in England and yet it is in a local England and yet it is in a local authority of Torbay that is the most deprived in the South west of England. How will the levels of England. How will the levels of deprivation of a local community colour? The allocation of the funding for England Minister. Please, Minister.

11:20

Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)

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Certainly part of the fund and the use of the fund is to try to create more vibrant modern fishing industry, which is resilient. And part of that resilience has got to be social resilience. So I look forward to any of the views of his local constituencies into how this fund could be best used. But fund could be best used. But remember, it's fishing related, it's not general and it's there to not general and it's there to modernise and make more resilient.

The UK's fishing industry.

11:21

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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James Wild thank you very much, Mr Speaker. When the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was announced, the government said it had also secured a new SPS agreement. secured a new SPS agreement.

11:21

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)

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To slash red tape for UK.

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fleet in Kingsland, Brancaster and deal. Will.

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Will. Actually be implemented? Mr. Well, we are awaiting the EU mandate, which the Commission tell

11:21

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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mandate, which the Commission tell us will be available by the end of November, and we are very anxious then to get on to do the SPS deal as quickly as possible so we can tear away all the red tape that Brexit caused to happen, which has caused so much damage and made it so hard for UK fishing industry actually to trade with our closest neighbour. Ann Davies.

11:21

Rt Hon John Glen MP (Salisbury, Conservative)

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90% of our fishing fleet in Wales

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are small under ten metre boats. The Seafish economics. Of the UK Fishing Fleet Report for the last year found that while Scotland and England saw strong fishing income growth, profits in fishing income growth, profits in Wales fell by nearly 10% despite more active days at sea. So does the more active days at sea. So does the Minister agree that funding, based on what the sector needs and the fishing communities needs in Wales,

11:22

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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fishing communities needs in Wales, would be far more fair and far more effective than the outdated Barnett formula? Yeah. Yeah.

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Yeah. Well, I think it's important that we try to support all of our fishing industry around the UK. The idea of devolving the fund was to allow the devolved administrations to do that in their particular areas, because they have more information and views about how best to support. And certainly there's £18 million of extra support within the fund that goes directly to Wales, which can be used and decided upon by the Welsh used and decided upon by the Welsh Assembly to support its local industry.

11:23

Ruth Cadbury MP (Brentford and Isleworth, Labour)

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Wendy Chamberlain.

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Neuk fishing fleet in my constituency may not be delivering what. Shetland does in terms of

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Shetland does in terms of tonnage, but it is critical and it is facing challenges around spatial mass. And recruitment, and I

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mass. And recruitment, and I associate myself with the remarks of my right honourable friend, the. Member. For. Orkney and Shetland, in. Relation. To how this.

11:23

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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To how this. Fund is going to be distributed, but can I query the Minister in relation to the 12 year span of this relation to the 12 year span of this plan? Now, obviously it's linked to the EU agreement, but what guarantees can the Minister actually give us that.

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This fund will. Last for those 12 years, because otherwise what is proposed becomes even bigger? Yeah.

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Yeah. Minister, no Parliament can find its successor. But it's not unusual for funds that have been announced

11:23

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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for funds that have been announced in this way to be suddenly ended in the at the beginning of next Parliament. And certainly we want to ensure that we put in place plans that are so useful and effective that no subsequent government would even think of, of cutting the fund.

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It would be in half. Jim Shannon you, Mr Speaker, can I thank you, Mr. Very much for your answers to the inquiries. That was all. I absolutely welcome the fund and thank the Minister for the goals that match this funding. However, that match this funding. However, with Northern Ireland fishermen funding allocation based on the Barnett consequential, I don't feel Barnett consequential, I don't feel that the £10 million designated for Northern Ireland is enough for the goals of investment and technology

11:24

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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goals of investment and technology and equipment for a new generation of fishermen, as well as the necessary harbour updates. However, a real concern that I have is that these monies may not be ringfenced to ensure that it is not frittered away on the devolved ministers goals and aspirations, rather than and aspirations, rather than directly to the fleets. So what guidelines can I ask, Minister? What guidelines are in place to safeguard the use of this fund and ensure that every penny, every penny rebuilds our fishing fleets? Those are portable, giving those in our class portable, giving those in our class and those in cooking.

Thank you.

11:25

Andrew Cooper MP (Mid Cheshire, Labour)

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Mr.

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Well, clearly, Mr Speaker, it's the way that devolution works. The

11:25

Josh Simons MP, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Makerfield, Labour)

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the way that devolution works. The government here wants it's distributed to the fund via the Barnett formula. Cannot ring fence it in any of the devolved administrations because that would be a ridiculous sort of misinterpretation of what devolution would mean. And I'm sure that those devolved administrations would be the first to complain if we tried to do that. So I think the honourable member and thank you for his welcome to me, needs to talk to the Northern Irish devolved assembly about what they're going to do.

We want the fund to be used for the purposes for fund to be used for the purposes for which it was created. But by definition, the devolution settlement takes the ring fence off settlement takes the ring fence off and so he must have his arguments with them.

11:25

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds, Conservative)

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I know.

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Mr Speaker, and I thank the honourable friend for securing this ultimate question. Mr Speaker, the ultimate question. Mr Speaker, the aggregated coastline of my Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber constituency is greater than that of France and

11:26

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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is greater than that of France and therefore the fishing industry plays an absolutely crucial part in its economic well-being. And having barely survived the disaster of Brexit, this latest decision by the UK government as another kick in the teeth to those fishing communities. We are all agreed that this formula is fundamentally unfair. So can I ask the Minister? Did the Secretary of State for Scotland at any point come to her department and specifically on how to reverse this decision, yes or no?

11:26

Sam Carling MP (North West Cambridgeshire, Labour)

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since leaving the EU as part of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, the UK received an uplift in fishing quota. 65% of that went to Scotland and on 2020, for figures that was worth £107 million. So I think worth £107 million. So I think Scotland got a reasonable deal. And remember that uplift in quota, actually that uplifting quota which creates real income, actually is locked in going forwards.

11:27

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Like just quickly. I think there's a very important debate. And can I thank the Minister for this debate. It was well attended, very important with just to say, one of important with just to say, one of the reasons that was given to not grant it. The answer was to me, there will be a Westminster Hall there will be a Westminster Hall debate next Wednesday, though, on an unrelated subject, banning plastic unrelated subject, banning plastic wipes. I think we concede today this was very, very important and I know it stopped the minister.

And I just it stopped the minister. And I just want to say thank you for coming, doing it right, let the banks change doing it right, let the banks change Rights. We now come to business questions and shadow Leader of the House Jessye Norman. Thank you very much indeed. Mr

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Speaker, will the Leader of the House give us. House? Thank you, Mr Speaker.

11:28

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The business for the week commencing 27th of October. Will include. Monday, the 27th of October.

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Monday, the 27th of October. Remaining stages of the. Victims and Courts Bill. Tuesday, the 28th of October.

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Opposition day, on a. Motion in the name of the Official Opposition, subject. To be announced.

11:28

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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To be announced. Wednesday. The 29th of October. Remaining stages of the sentencing Bill. Thursday the.

11:28

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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Thursday the. 30th of October. General debate on property service charges, followed by a general debate on the. Ageing.

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Ageing. Community and end of life care. The subject for. These debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee Friday, the 31st of October. The House will not be sitting and the provisional business for the week commencing 3rd of November includes Monday the 3rd of November. Second Reading of the Public Office Accountability Bill. Jessye Norman.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, in addition. To the. Tributes paid earlier this. Week, I. I believe.

11:30

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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I believe. I will be. Speaking for all members. In mourning the death on. Monday of our. Former colleague,

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Monday of our. Former colleague, Oliver Colville. All of it entered the House with me in that glorious parliamentary generation of 2010. He

11:30

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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parliamentary generation of 2010. He was nationally famous for taking a wicket. In India on live television for.

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The Lords and Commons. Cricket team, and. For his memorable. Call in 2015 for hedgehogs to

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Call in 2015 for hedgehogs to become a national emblem of the UK. As he pointed.

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As he pointed. Out in this chamber, hedgehogs are prickly, have racial.

11:30

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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are prickly, have racial. gardens. As well as noisy sex. Lives. He said he.

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He said he. Left it to the Chair to decide which of those traits he.

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Himself possessed. Mr Speaker. The Leader of the House has quite

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The Leader of the House has quite rightly put some distance between himself and his predecessor in electing not to engage in political

11:30

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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electing not to engage in political knockabout, and I am foursquare behind him on that. So in that spirit, if I may, I will content myself by noting some of the news, simply noting some of the news. This week, the UK has just recorded net borrowing of more than £20 billion in September, the highest of any month since 2021. The Crown Prosecution Service has been forced to abandon the most consequential trial of Chinese spies. For many years, four people have resigned from the Grooming Gangs inquiry panel and the leading candidate for the Chair has withdrawn.

Newspapers have been briefed by number ten that

11:31

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Bristol North West, Labour)

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the new Cabinet secretary will be removed in the new year after barely 15 months in his post, a person deported under the government's one deported under the government's one in, one out programme has immediately returned by dinghy, reportedly citing his terror at reportedly citing his terror at being in France. The leader may or may not wish to comment on these may not wish to comment on these issues, but there are two specific items affecting many members of this House, which, if I may, I would like to bring to his attention.

The first is the imminent closure of the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme, as the

11:31

Urgent Question: To ask the Solicitor General if she will make a statement about the role the office of the Attorney General’s Office in the decision to drop the China spy prosecution

and Vegetable Aid scheme, as the leader will be aware that the UK fresh produce sector is worth over £3 billion and is a significant part £3 billion and is a significant part of the UK farm economy. There has been a plan in place now for some time to grow that sector rapidly

11:31

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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time to grow that sector rapidly over the next three years, through public and private investment in equipment, technology and equipment, technology and infrastructure. But the current scheme closes at the end of this year without any movement to date on year without any movement to date on this crucial issue from the Department for environment, Food and Rural Affairs. And therefore, I ask if the leader could ask the if the leader could ask the Secretary of State to pick this up as soon as possible, push ahead with the plan, and make a statement to the plan, and make a statement to the House so as to avoid risk to the horticulture sector, local food production jobs and national food production jobs and national food security.

The second issue relates to the government's new local Government Fair Funding review. As the House will know, this is a very fraught area of concern for members across both sides and, as I should declare, a particular interest since it appears likely that Herefordshire Council, my own county, will face a funding gap next year of around £27 million, or 11% of its net budget. That is a gigantic sum, which comes on top of the withdrawal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant, which supported so many local services.

It is entirely unclear what the rationale for such a cut could be, especially for what is a relatively poor and very sparsely populated part of the country. But I also note, and I bring to colleague's attention across the House, that the new formula will create serious problems across many local authorities up and down this country, including London boroughs. The need for reform is clear, but the government is still consulting barely six months before the new formula is due to be rolled out, and haste is the last thing anyone needs in an area of this complexity and delicacy.

So could I impress on the Leader of the House the need for care and deliberation here from the government, both in how this consultation is carried out and then implemented, and ask him in turn to impress this concern on ministerial colleagues, and for him to give proper time for these issues to be debated at the length they deserve in this chamber.

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OK, leave the House. You, Mr Speaker, I'm very pleased to see the Speaker, I'm very pleased to see the shadow Leader of the House, Buck, in his place this week. Let me just inform him if he didn't already know inform him if he didn't already know that last week, in his absence, we discovered that his highly capable discovered that his highly capable deputy in the honourable for member Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, who may or may not be joining us in who may or may not be joining us in deliberations, later joined the shadow Leader of the House in paying tribute to Oliver Colville, who the tribute to Oliver Colville, who the House will remember fondly as the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport from 2010 to 2017.

Our thoughts are with his family, apart from his other achievements, not least in other achievements, not least in seeking to save hedgehogs. My understanding is that he never broke his party's whip and therefore he his party's whip and therefore he would be a Chief whip's dream Commissioner. We also remember, Mr Speaker, this week. It's 59 years Speaker, this week. It's 59 years ago since the Aberfan disaster, when 144 people lost their lives, 144 people lost their lives, including 116 children. And we must never forget.

This week also marks the launch of the Royal British the launch of the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal. Today. Actually, we remember those who served and gave their lives in the served and gave their lives in the service of our country, including those who were members of this House. I also want to pay tribute on a personal level, Mr Speaker, and give my thanks to Kate Wilson, who is leaving the Cabinet Office this week. She her career has spanned three decades. She supported successive governments work in Parliament on behalf of the office of the Leader of the House of Commons and the government's Chief Whip's Office, and I hope the whole

11:36

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Conservative)

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House will join with me in wishing Kate the best in her future endeavours. I also, Mr Speaker, join endeavours. I also, Mr Speaker, join with you in wishing England all the very best in their rugby league very best in their rugby league match on Saturday against Australia. match on Saturday against Australia. We wish England well indeed. Turning to the leader of the shadow Leader to the leader of the shadow Leader of the House. Points. First of all, it is true that that I think we need to get the balance right in these questions between serious matters and no doubt from time to time, knock about and I am committed and knock about and I am committed and I've spoken to him privately about this to end some of the knockabout.

But I have to say in the list that But I have to say in the list that he presented with me, he's tempting me. I should, I should perhaps the only thing I'm going to say, Mr only thing I'm going to say, Mr Speaker, because some of those issues might come up in questions issues might come up in questions later, is my starting point. Last week on questions about the economy, week on questions about the economy, to say that any member on that side of the House that asks a question on the economy should begin with an the economy should begin with an apology.

On the substantive matters which he raised, is the fruit and which he raised, is the fruit and vegetable aid scheme. He is a strong advocate for the industry, and I know particularly for his beautiful county of Herefordshire, where I understand it's been a great year for apples, but not always for other veg and fruit. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the Defra Minister, who I'm sure will be happy to meet him if he seeks a meeting, and also to give the House updated on local government funding.

Sorry on on that matter on local government funding. I just want to respond by saying that the current system of local authorities funding has left some places behind. There is no doubt about that. It's not a fair system. The previous government understood this very well in their funding review, but they like as many issues. They just didn't deliver on it. So we will make good on our commitment to introduce improvements to align funding with need. And that will be the first time that's happened since 2013.

We'll also publish our response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 later this autumn, which will be followed by the publication of the Provisional Settlement. And then, in the usual way, there will be plenty

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Nichols. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last week the ONS published the

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latest report on drugs. Related deaths in England and Wales. Sadly, for. The. 12th consecutive year, drugs

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related deaths have increased with a harrowing 5565 people losing. Their lives to drugs in the last year.

11:38

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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11:40

John Slinger MP (Rugby, Labour)

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Of. Housing, particularly in London and the South East. So can the government give us assurances that they intend to fix the problems with their current proposal, that they're going to listen to the feedback from London councils and Local Government Association, and come back with a authorities.

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Leader thank you, Mr Speaker. A request to bridge the gap between request to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality coming from Lib Dems to show us how far they've

11:40

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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come. Mr Speaker, I have to say in terms of Brexit, it is becoming clearer that the cost of that decision. But I would point him towards the deal which the government is seeking to achieve with the European Union to get a better deal, as we just heard in the Urgent Question. Mr Speaker, not least for fishing communities like my own, in terms of local authority spending, as I just said to the shadow Leader of the House. The shadow Leader of the House.

The current system is broken. The government is committed to fixing it in a way that the previous government didn't do. We do intend to make good on that commitment, and he will have to wait and see what he will have to wait and see what the outcome of that is. But he's right. It's not just a concern for people on that side of the chamber. people on that side of the chamber. It's on this side, too. And the government will bring forward its proposals in good time.

Our proposals in good time. Our intention is to make things better, and the government will come back and explain in full how that is going to happen.

11:41

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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This. I'm incredibly.

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Proud that five of my constituents Kelly Buxton, Maddie Buxton, Demi-leigh Walsh, Olly Taylor and the youngest nine year old Blake Webster, all from Ãvolution Martial Arts in Glossop, Ãvolution Martial Arts in Glossop, will be representing England at the Kickboxing World Championships in my Niagara. Will the Leader of the Niagara. Will the Leader of the House not only join me in wishing them every success, but also make

11:42

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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them every success, but also make time in government, time to have a debate on ensuring access to people?

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Their leader. Mr Speaker. Absolutely, John, my honourable friend in wishing the very best of luck for all those involved in evolution martial arts. I think it would make a good topic I think it would make a good topic for debate. Mr Speaker, perhaps in Westminster Hall, should he seek to apply for one, because what that apply for one, because what that will enable is the Minister concerned to talk about the government's recent announcement of government's recent announcement of £400 million in future grassroots facilities, which in no small part facilities, which in no small part will make sure that facilities are there to provide the kind of opportunities which his constituents

11:43

Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)

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opportunities which his constituents seeking to benefit from. Bob Blackman Backbench. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

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Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. And I would add my tribute to the late Oliver when I first came across him in the final selection in Brent him in the final selection in Brent North, where he was up against Sajid Javid and Grant Shapps. He had to wait until 2010 to be finally elected, and the famous cricket match in India, where the Lords and Commons will take you on an Indian select level. There were two moments, one where he bowled completely, completely bowled.

An Indian state state sponsored cricketer. But the second, more important one, was when he was fielding on the boundary in front of

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the camera. He bent down to pick up the ball, his trousers split. To reveal Union.

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To reveal Union. Jack underpants. Yes. I thank the leader for the

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I thank the leader for the convivial meeting we had on Monday. On trying to make sure that Backbench contributions can be Backbench contributions can be maximised in the chamber going forward, I could I gently ask that we get any notification if we're we get any notification if we're going to get time in the chamber on the 4th or 5th of November and, and,

11:44

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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the 4th or 5th of November and, and, and obviously the week after which will facilitate debate in Westminster Hall, the business next week on the 2020 eighth of 328 will be obesity and fatty liver disease. On the Thursday though, there there'll be a 29th. There'll be a statement from the Zog Select Committee on the report on land value capture and something is very in great importance across the country, followed by debates on histological testing of excise moles And then the liaison Committee have a debate on the Education Committee on Children's Social Care on the Tuesday, the 4th of November, there'll be a debate on the impact of UK Oda cuts on international development.

On Tuesday the 11th of

11:46

Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP (Chingford and Woodford Green, Conservative)

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November, a debate on support for dyslexic pupils at school and on dyslexic pupils at school and on Thursday the 13th, the first debate will be on modern day slavery in Pakistan and will be offering Pakistan and will be offering another debate later. Now, Mr Speaker, there are rules governing Speaker, there are rules governing the use of fireworks in this country on Diwali, Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve. People are entitled to Year's Eve. People are entitled to have displays up until 1 a.m.

On Guy have displays up until 1 a.m. On Guy Fawkes Day till midnight. But at all other times it's 11 p.m. Now. I'm not sure about other colleagues across across the country, but the reality is there are very unsociable people that release fireworks in the people that release fireworks in the early hours of the morning that start in September and seem to go on to the end of January. Not only do to the end of January. Not only do they do that, but we have these very expensive, very loud fireworks, which of course are frightening for which of course are frightening for animals.

They disturb children's sleep and those people that need their sleep I go to work are also their sleep I go to work are also severely inconvenienced. So could we have a statement from a minister on what action is going to be taken to what action is going to be taken to actually prevent this from happening, and ensure that enforcement action is taken not only enforcement action is taken not only on hours, but also on restricting these very powerful fireworks which caused such distress.

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Leader. Speaker. First of all, I thank the honourable gentleman for his

11:46

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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the honourable gentleman for his question, but also for his work with As Chair of the Backbench Business Committee, we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible about upcoming backbenchers. But I take particular note about the 5th of November and I'll get back to him as soon as possible. On fireworks. The government's intention is to minimise the negative impact of fireworks. People do enjoy fireworks, but at the same time communities can be plagued by the misuse of fireworks and we certainly support their considerate, considerate use.

But we need to reduce the risks and disturbances to individuals and I think particularly to animals. We've launched a firework safety campaign for this firework series, and current regulations control their sale availability and their use, including maximum noise for consumer fireworks. But the government will fireworks. But the government will keep that under review and our Crime and Policing Bill currently in the Lords, will give the police greater Lords, will give the police greater powers to get persistent anti-social offenders off our streets, whatever the time of year.

the time of year. we're.

11:47

Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat)

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Aiming for about 1230 finish and a good example of speed will be Dot Marie Tidball.

11:47

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last month I held a community event in one cliff side. I'm building an NHS fit for the future. My constituents were pleased to hear about our government's plans to bring health care closer to our communities. They want to see diagnostic and treatment centres like those in the glassworks in Barnsley. Also established at the heart of Stocksbridge are Steel Town. Can the Leader of the House advise me what I can do to secure a community health hub in

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Stocksbridge, in my constituency, to enable preventative care locally? Leader. Mr Speaker, my honourable friend

11:48

Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)

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has been a fierce campaigner on healthcare issues and I pay tribute to her for that. As she points out, we are committed to Neighbourhood Health Service, ensuring that more care is delivered in local communities and open six days a week. I don't know the answer to her question about how she gets a hope, but I will make sure that the appropriate minister, he is that and we will get back to it.

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Andrew Snowden. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Lancashire County Council. Have started a.

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Have started a. Consultation on the future of adult social care, but critically, this includes a consultation on the this includes a consultation on the future of ten critical care homes across Lancashire. And they say that they've not made their minds up

11:48

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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they've not made their minds up about this consultation yet. There is already a timeline pulled together for when these care homes would be closed down, should the decision be made. This includes Millbank in Kirkham, Thornton House just up the.

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Road and indeed Grove House in Adlington in the Chorley

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constituency. I was wondering if. The Leader of the House would use his good offices. To ask.

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To ask. The minutes, the relevant minister to organise a cross-party meeting of myself, the Labour MPs meeting of myself, the Labour MPs that are affected and indeed you, Mr Speaker, so that we can hold this reformed County Council to account

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reformed County Council to account making. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The honourable gentleman is absolutely right to raise this issue on behalf right to raise this issue on behalf of his constituents, but also for an issue which goes much further afield issue which goes much further afield than that. We all know the concern about the possible closure of care about the possible closure of care homes, and therefore, I will speak to the relevant Minister in the hope that we can get the meeting, which he request.

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he request. Through the procurement. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, the Leader of the House join me in congratulating

11:49

Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West, Conservative)

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join me in congratulating Wednesfield in Bloom for once again achieving gold in the Britain in Bloom Award. From Ashmore Park to the village, our high street, including Saint Thomas's Church, Guru Nanak Gurdwara. The hub at Ashmore Park Nursery School, shops and businesses. Will he thank the phenomenal volunteers and everyone involved for their blooming marvellous efforts and success?

11:50

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Yeah.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. I absolutely join my honourable friend in congratulating Gwen's fair Wednesfield in Bloom and everyone involved in their success. It's a really good example of the immense contribution the community groups and volunteers make to our local

11:50

Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)

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and volunteers make to our local community. And as I usually say at this point, Mr Speaker, volunteers and community groups are the golden thread that runs through our communities. They hold our well.

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Hello, Morgan. A number. Of constituents have. Come to see me about adaptations

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Come to see me about adaptations made to their home under the eco four scheme, in which an installer has received a grant from the has received a grant from the government from the taxpayer to hopefully improve the energy efficiency of their home. But what efficiency of their home. But what they've experienced is significant disruption and energy bills that have actually gone up. And yet the

11:51

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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payment to the installer from the taxpayer is based on estimates of their energy use before and after. There are no facts involved. Can we have a statement from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and net zero on whether these schemes are representing value for money for the taxpayer and the homeowner, and

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whether they can be improved in their efficiency in the future? Mr Speaker, the honourable lady raises an important question, which really is in two parts. First of all, are the homes getting the improvement that we want them to have and the very ambitious plans

11:51

Alison Griffiths MP (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)

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that we have, but also as the taxpayer getting good value for money. And I will draw that to the

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attention of ministers and ensure that she gets a full response on this. Calvin Bailey.

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Calvin Bailey. Thank you, Mr Speaker. And it's. Business questions. I figured I would come to work in my high would come to work in my high visibility jacket. Over the summer recess. My team organised a series

11:52

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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of round tables in Waltham Forest and Redbridge, which send families. A key theme. Highlighted to me locally was the need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach. Wherever we can, we need to avoid forcing families into adversarial and often chaotic HCP processes. Does the Leader of the House. Agree that with.

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The right. Resources and environments, all schools should be able to meet all but the most complex of needs without isolating children from their peers? And can we have a debate on this, given so.

11:52

James Wild MP (North West Norfolk, Conservative)

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debate on this, given so. Many families have waited years. To have some help?

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To have some help? And I agree with my honourable friend that every child should have friend that every child should have access to the best education possible wherever he or she attends. It's very clear, Mr Speaker, that the Sen system is broken. It doesn't work for parents. It doesn't work for children. It doesn't really work for staff either. We've invested an extra billion pounds in Sen. But he honourable friend knows that we are honourable friend knows that we are committed to reforming the system where we are getting on with it, because it's really important, as we because it's really important, as we go forward, that the next generation of children don't suffer some of the traumas, Mr Speaker, that the current generation or previous current generation or previous generations have.

We keep the House updated on these matters, but I'm sure if he wishes to speak to a minister, they would be happy to Johnson.

11:53

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Mr Speaker, applications.

11:53

Tom Gordon MP (Harrogate and Knaresborough, Liberal Democrat)

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For battery storage sites are springing up.

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Concerned about them. This month, the UK Health Security Agency. Wrote to my local.

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Wrote to my local. District council, raising concerns about one. Such application discussing fire

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risk, toxic gases, the potential. For. Particulate matter causing cancers, the damage that. Could.

11:53

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Could. Occur to the aquifer and to water supplies and. The environment. concerns. And could we have a debate in.

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And could we have a debate in. Government time. To. applications? Because I don't think they've

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Because I don't think they've detail. In the speaker area. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Planning practice guidance does encourage developers and local planning authorities to engage with, for example, local fire and rescue services. So there is part of the process there, Mr Speaker, which clearly needs to be followed. But should the honourable gentleman Honourable lady wish to raise this in a debate, I'm sure that others will join her in raising their will join her in raising their concerns and get a response from ministers.

11:54

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

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Sojan Joseph.

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The government has delivered increased funding on schools, buses, roads and social care to local councils. However, the reform administration in Kent is in chaos, administration in Kent is in chaos, focusing on internal disputes rather than delivering for my constituents. At the weekend, a video emerged of At the weekend, a video emerged of the leader of the council shouting and swearing at other reform councillors who disagreed with her, councillors who disagreed with her, as can. County council is responsible for billions of pounds tax payers money.

Can we have a

11:54

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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tax payers money. Can we have a debate on local government accountability and how we can ensure

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the people of Kent receive high quality local services they deserve? Oh. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Already

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Already there is a theme emerging this morning about the difference between the offer that reform makes in order the offer that reform makes in order to get into government, local government, and then what actually happens in in reality, and as the happens in in reality, and as the Prime Minister said yesterday, Prime Minister's Questions what people get if they vote. Reform is total chaos if they vote. Reform is total chaos and broken promises. Elected representatives, Mr Speaker, have a duty to local taxpayers to spend duty to local taxpayers to spend their money wisely.

So my honourable friend may wish to seek an adjournment debate so that he can

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further expose the role of reform in Kent County Council. Stephen Flynn 2019 Newsnight.

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Stephen Flynn 2019 Newsnight. Interview, Prince Andrew stated that. He broke off ties with the

11:55

Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)

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He broke off ties with the notorious international paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after going to visit

11:55

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Jeffrey Epstein after going to visit him for four days in New York. We've since learned through email chains that he in fact got in contact with

11:55

Nick Timothy MP (West Suffolk, Conservative)

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that he in fact got in contact with Jeffrey Epstein subsequent to that, and stated that he was looking forward to playing some more. Now, following those revelations, and indeed further allegations in the public domain, I've laid a motion before this House, which calls on the government to listen to parliamentarians, to listen to the public and to listen to victims and take legislative action to remove the dukedom from Prince Andrew. When is the government going to come forward with that legislation?

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Do you? Thank you, Mr Speaker.

11:56

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Do you? Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, any discussion of this issue needs to begin with the simple issue needs to begin with the simple fact, important fact that at the heart of this should be to remember the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. So we do that. The question of titles is primarily a question for His is primarily a question for His Majesty. And I know that there has been speculation about legislation, been speculation about legislation, but the Palace have been clear that but the Palace have been clear that the recognise that there are other matters that this House needs to be getting on with, and we are guided getting on with, and we are guided in this by the palace.

That doesn't mean that doesn't mean that doesn't mean that doesn't mean that doesn't mean that the House can't find ways of debating these matters, whether it be the matter of titles or it be the matter of titles or whether it be a matter of the finances, which I know are also finances, which I know are also under question here. And the honourable gentleman is Right honourable gentleman has been here long enough in order to find a way to make that happen. Rachel ten.

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the taboo around. The menopause. Today's government. Announcement that. Menopause will be included in

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that. Menopause will be included in the 40 plus. Health. Check is a huge step in the. Right direction. Again.

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Again. This will mean women across my constituency of. North Warwickshire and Bedworth will get the.

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Medical support that they need. However, we must go. Further so that. Every woman gets the support that

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she needs in her workplace. Can I there for us the Leader of the House. If he will. Support a debate in government

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Support a debate in government time on how to work across government to ensure that managers, departments and businesses. Give.

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Give. All women the support that they need in the workplace in order to thrive. Mr Speaker.

11:58

Points of Order

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Mr Speaker. My honourable friend is absolutely right. It is time to end the taboo and I pay tribute to her

11:58

Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Conservative)

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the taboo and I pay tribute to her campaigning on this important issue. We are improving menopause support through the Employment Rights Bill, requiring employers to produce an action plan showing what they're doing to support menopausal staff. There was a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Speaker, last week to mark World Menopause Day, but I'm sure there

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will be further opportunities for members to discuss these matters. Next month. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. In 2023, my Private Member's Bill achieved Royal Assent as the

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Equipment Theft Prevention Act in order to. Bring it into force, some statutory instruments had to be statutory instruments had to be moved police forces up and down the land, as well as police and crime commissioners, hailed it as a major

11:59

Mr Speaker

step forward in preventing agricultural equipment theft and indeed power tool theft, which was envisaged in the original debate of the bill. Yet last week I had a letter from the policing minister telling me that the contents of the act were going to be hollowed out. The requirement for immobilises from quad bikes removed, and only forensic marking required for GPS units. That is a bad let down to rural communities up and down the land. So can we have an at minimum a statement? Better still, a debate in government.

Time to explore what this government's real approach is to rural crime. Because without the

11:59

Urgent Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund

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full provisions of this act, it is a free ride for the criminals. Yes. Come on, speed up, because there

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Come on, speed up, because there are a lot of other people who want to get in, and it's only if everybody gets a chance later. Yeah. The government believes that

11:59

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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12:02

Seamus Logan MP (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Scottish National Party)

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12:05

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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12:05

Torcuil Crichton MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Labour)

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deliver improvements in quality of care. We are committed to tackling the issue that he mentioned, and I will ensure that the Health

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Secretary hears his concerns. In 2020. My constituent, Dorian

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In 2020. My constituent, Dorian Williams, submitted a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman Service about the professional conduct of his

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the professional conduct of his former legal representatives. It took the Ombudsman. Four years. To find in his favour, a delay

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To find in his favour, a delay which took Mr. Williams over the six year limitation period, denying him the opportunity for legal recourse. the opportunity for legal recourse. Does the Leader of the House agree that the Ombudsman defends that as the customers experience similar. the customers experience similar. Delays is totally unacceptable and until and allow a debate in the

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until and allow a debate in the House to provide accountability? It's not good enough to explain away such delays by simply explaining that they happen, and that people should stand in a queue for them. I think we're all for them. I think we're all frustrated sometimes at the work that ombudsmen do, though they do important work. I will draw that to

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the attention of the appropriate response. Brian Leishman. Finally, what about the speaker from. His first.

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His first. Stage performance in our town hall with the. Brilliant four from the stage school to starting his

12:06

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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the stage school to starting his office and headstone at the Lyric Theatre in London. What a journey. Actor Dylan Wood has been on from the wee County to the West End. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Dylan on his fantastic theatre run? And does he

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agree with me that Dylan is. An inspiration to young people from across Alloa and Grangemouth. To pursue.

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To pursue. A career in the creative arts? Gary. Absolutely Madam Deputy Speaker, and want to add our my congratulations to Dylan. It's really important that people get the opportunity to shine and show their

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opportunity to shine and show their talents. And I wish Dylan well. Thank you very much. Many of my constituents in bad.

12:07

Dr Neil Hudson MP (Epping Forest, Conservative)

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12:09

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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which. Play such a vital role in. Improving outcomes for children and young people.

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and young people. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will, of course, congratulate him in the work that we're doing. That's precisely the point of what the government is the point of what the government is seeking to achieve, to make sure that everybody gets the best start in life and make sure that that

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investment is there, because it pays off later. Phil Brickell you. I recently met one of my constituents, Tony Hibbert, who constituents, Tony Hibbert, who expressed concerns about how parents of disabled children can become court protection deputies when their court protection deputies when their child turns 18. The current process can not only take many months, it also requires us to pay large sums throughout the application process, adding extra financial burden when they may already be stretched. Tony

12:10

Michelle Scrogham MP (Barrow and Furness, Labour)

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they may already be stretched. Tony started a parliamentary petition, which has received almost 9000 signatures, in the hope of making this process much simpler for parents who are often already stretched, so will the Leader of the House allow a debate in government

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time on potential changes which could address this critical issue? I don't. Have to speak here. I think I'm

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Have to speak here. I think I'm honourable friend for raising what is a very important issue on behalf of Tony. The government recognises

12:10

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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of Tony. The government recognises the difficulty that parents and guardians face, and from the outset, it's really important that safeguards are there to protect vulnerable people. He will have the opportunity to raise this with the

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minister directly at the next justice questions, or he may wish to apply for a an adjournment today. Bradley Thomas.

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Bradley Thomas. Yes, thank you, Madam Deputy. Speaker, with the government planning to bulldoze all over the greenbelt and other parties not greenbelt and other parties not faring much better, the Liberal Democrats in their manifesto wanted to build even more houses and many conservatives came pledging to protect the greenbelt. Will the Minister explain to my constituents why the Bromsgrove in the villages why the Bromsgrove in the villages housing target has increased by a staggering 85%, whilst Birmingham has reduced by over 30%? And if he

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has reduced by over 30%? And if he can't explain that, will he grant a debate on this important topic? Yes. Don't we seek a debate, Madam

12:11

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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Don't we seek a debate, Madam Deputy Speaker, either through Backbench or resume it to draw attention, particularly to the matter of his constituency? But I matter of his constituency? But I would I would very gently point out that people need somewhere to live. And the argument which is often made against these things from people who are already have houses in which they live and don't seem particularly bothered about those about solving this particular problem. And further to that, Madam Deputy Speaker, each scientist from a sedentary position would put further to that the public services that people need around housing will only be paid for if we get growth in the economy.

And housing is a really

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important part of delivering them. Thank you, Madam Speaker. The clocks turn back this Sunday and. Many children. Will soon be going

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Many children. Will soon be going to school in the dark. Now the term brain injury trust have a campaign called Law Week about promoting high visibility to be seen in the dark and avoid accidents which can alter

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young people's lives forever. And tomorrow I join pupils. At. Chartwell Primary School as they learn all about it.

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learn all about it. So can we have a. Debate in government time. On how. We.

12:12

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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We. community? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank my honourable friend who raises, as usual, an important issue raises, as usual, an important issue and his night's drawing. It's important that we promote campaigns such as Glow Week at Work is underway to deliver an updated strategic framework for road safety, and I'll make sure that ministers

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are made aware of the campaign by the Child Brain Injury Trust. And I today. Clive.

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Clive. Very much. When I'm Deputy. Speaker, it was announced yesterday that family courts will no

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yesterday that family courts will no longer presume that content contact with both parents. Is preferred when domestic violence has occurred, many in violence has occurred, many in Wokingham, including kaleidoscopic UK, are concerned that abusive partners will still manipulate partners will still manipulate courts by claiming they are the victim. Family courts only get limited, mandatory training. That is limited, mandatory training. That is why residents want an expert to advise the judiciary, case by case, advise the judiciary, case by case, to stop abusive practice.

So will he allow a debate in government time on how we can best implement this advisory role into the judiciary to support victims of domestic violence?

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violence? Madam Deputy Speaker, the government is absolutely committed to supporting victims of domestic to supporting victims of domestic violence, but I would encourage him because I'm sure his concerns are shared across the House. I'd encourage him to seek a debate,

12:13

Johanna Baxter MP (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)

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encourage him to seek a debate, either through the Backbench Business Committee or indeed an adjournment debate. So, or to put the point directly to ministers in Justice Oral, so that ministers can give a response to his point.

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Euan Stainbank speaker. Constituents living in the. High flats at town. The park in

12:13

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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High flats at town. The park in Kipper Avenue in my constituency have raised for years unacceptable antisocial behaviour and sometimes criminal behaviour. These flats are

12:13

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)

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criminal behaviour. These flats are the last place that any drug dealer should be rehoused. Can we have a debate on government time on housing and the operation of their qualities Excellent. Can better defend housing historically reserved for older people from the social consequences

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of Scotland's drug prices? This week I thank the honourable friend for his question. I know it must be a worrying time for residents of high flats. Local authorities and social landlords have a range of existing levers to have a range of existing levers to tackle anti-social behaviour, including eviction, and the government expects them to use these bills responsibly and proportionately, but importantly, to use them where appropriate. I think this would make a very powerful

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this would make a very powerful topic for a Westminster Hall debate, and would encourage my honourable friend to apply for it. Madam Deputy Speaker, next month,

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Madam Deputy Speaker, next month, the UK will be co-hosting the Global Fund Replenishment with South Africa, but it has been reported that the UK.

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that the UK. Will slash its. Own funding by 20%. It is estimated that such a cut

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Africa. And cost over 5 billion to. Its GDP. Will the government have a debate on the global.

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Fund replenishment. So the House. Can scrutinise these decisions. Before they are made? Yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

12:15

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The honourable lady Will will know why the government has made some decisions or on the question of overseas aid, given the situation which we inherited. However, I understand the concerns that she is making because there will be echoed in constituencies across the

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constituency, across the country. Yeah. Speaker. Carlisle.

12:16

Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)

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Carlisle. Beer and Cider Festival. A. Fantastic celebration. Of local independent brewers,

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including those just over the border in Scotland, who now benefits. From the guest beer agreement, making it easier for them to get

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making it easier for them to get their local product into local pubs. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating. The organisers of the festival,

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and. Will he arrange for the business Minister to make a statement on the. Outcome of the government's market access? Review of the.

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Barriers small. Booths face? Deputy Speaker, I. Congratulate the organisers of the festival. Carlisle has a very

12:16

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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the festival. Carlisle has a very proud history of brewing and I know my honourable friend is a strong advocate for the success of mutual of Local Breweries. We are currently assessing the beer market, identify any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs, small breweries from accessing pubs, and I'll make sure that the relevant minster hears her words.

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Monica Harding Deputy Speaker. Recent studies from Stanford University. link. Between the excessive phone. Use.

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Use. Addictive. Social media. Algorithms and. Deteriorating mental. Health outcomes for young people.

12:16

Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough, Conservative)

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Health outcomes for young people. Technology in this area is evolving at extraordinary speed, meaning the legislation like the Online Safety Bill, is not being

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Online Safety Bill, is not being implemented fast enough before new harms emerge and. Our NHS is picking up the pieces.

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In my constituency, over 6000 young people are. Waiting for a first point of. Contact that. Takes eight months with mental health services.

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health services. So will the Leader of the House please find space in government? Time for a debate on how. We can.

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We can. Protect young people by addressing the growing connection. Between digital. Addiction and mental health.

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The Honourable lady can seek a debate either through backbench business or indeed an adjournment debate, because I'm sure her debate, because I'm sure her concerns are shared by other members and then she can hear from the relevant minister and answer to the point she raises.

12:17

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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point she raises. So questions please talk or. Quieten speakers. I'll return flight from my Western Ireland hill, and your Western Ireland hill, and your constituency to Glasgow can cost £600. Return enough to make Donald Trump think twice about coming to his mother's home, Ireland. There is a near discount scheme, but what we really need is a public service obligation, government support for these vital social and economic flights. Can I ask to leave the flights. Can I ask to leave the House to lean on the Department of Transport to get together with the Scottish Government, with Loganair, with the local authority to make these flights more affordable for Islanders and for the president of the United States.

12:17

Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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I will raise it with the department and ensure that my honourable friend gets the answer he sees. So on.

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So on. Deputy Speaker, can I join the Leader of the House? And as acknowledgement of the start of the Poppy appeal? But as the leader of a House aware that the Northern Ireland or British Legion I host have and is required to have an appointed EU rep to handle compliance for safety issues for products, the services it sold are given for donation during the public health. Will the leader of House

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agree with me that this is ridiculous and speak to the appropriate minister so we can have a meeting about it? yeah. Yeah, I'm sure the Minister will

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Yeah, I'm sure the Minister will have heard the honourable gentleman's concerns. Either a meeting with the minister might be

12:18

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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meeting with the minister might be appropriate, or indeed, he may wish to raise it through an adjournment debate on the floor of the House. It's a timely topic.

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Again, thank. You, Madam Speaker. I have heard from local residents, as well as local refugee charities in Redwing, who are all calling for the use of hotels to House asylum seekers to end as soon as possible. This practice began five years ago as a result of the previous government's irresponsible build up of the backlog of claims. build up of the backlog of claims. May I ask the Leader of the House to set aside time for the government to update us on the progress that it update us on the progress that it has already made to speed up claims processing, as well as to set out the timeline for closing down

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hotels, such as the one in my constituency. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As my honourable friend says, we inherited a broken system. We're

12:19

Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)

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inherited a broken system. We're working as fast as we can to close all asylum hotels as quickly as is practicable. We've already halved the number currently open, and I'd encourage you to raise this

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particular case at the next Home Office oral questions. And in the meantime, I'll make ministers aware of the matter. Ben Maguire.

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Ben Maguire. Thank you, Madam Speaker. promised. To replace Cornwall's EU. Structural funding pound for pound after Brexit, but they only actually delivered a. Shared.

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Shared. Prosperity Fund. Under this government, Cornwall faces a devastating cliff edge on this vital Funding in March.

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Funding in March. Please can the Leader of the House help all Cornish MPs convene

12:19

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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an emergency meeting with Treasury ministers ahead of the budget to ensure Cornwall. Is. Not left high and dry.

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Not left high and dry. Madam Deputy Speaker, I hear what the honourable gentleman is saying because, as he acknowledges, we've because, as he acknowledges, we've got some very powerful advocates for Cornwall on this side of the House and I will make sure that ministers

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are aware of that request and see what we can achieve. Shaun Davies. Telford residents.

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Telford residents. And businesses tell me that they are not getting. Reliable 5G. Connections for. Broadband or. Their mobile phones, despite surrounding towns and cities that do. And sometimes they even get a 3G

12:21

Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)

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do. And sometimes they even get a 3G Or 4G signal is a real challenge. Can we have a. Debate in government. Time about the importance of digital. Connectivity for economic

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digital. Connectivity for economic growth and access to public services, and what. More can. Be done to connect Telford. And

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Be done to connect Telford. And is a strong advocate for his area? Madam Deputy Speaker, and quite rightly puts this in the context not

12:21

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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rightly puts this in the context not just of the frustrations of his constituents, but also the importance of in terms of economic importance of in terms of economic growth. I would suggest that he seeks a backbench business debate or

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seeks a backbench business debate or an adjournment debate so that he can raise the concerns directly with minister testimony. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Chinook Justice campaign presented a petition at Downing Street this week asking for Street this week asking for transparency about the entire crash in 1994. The Mod at Boscombe Down in 1994. The Mod at Boscombe Down grounded these Boeing Chinooks before this flight, but the Special Forces pilots were blamed by the

12:21

James Wild MP (North West Norfolk, Conservative)

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Forces pilots were blamed by the RAF, only to be exonerated fully and given a posthumous apology by the Defence minister in 2011. Can the Leader of the House please press the Defence Secretary, the Justice Secretary and the Victims Minister to have compassion and meet the families so they can finally gain understanding of what happened all those years ago.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I will draw that to the attention of my Right honourable friends. I do

12:21

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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my Right honourable friends. I do recall this is a serious matter. It needs a serious response. And for families it's a devastating

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situation. So I will draw that to the attention as you request. Josh Newbury. Thank you. I recently met a constituent

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I recently met a constituent whose late husband died while serving in the police force, and now finds herself in a difficult position under the 1987 Police position under the 1987 Police Pension Scheme. Surviving partners do not receive lifelong survivor benefits, whereas under the 2015

12:21

Ann Davies MP (Caerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru)

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benefits, whereas under the 2015 scheme they do. She feels, understandably that this creates an inconsistency for families who have already given so much to.

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Public service. Could we have a debate on police pensions to discuss whether more can be done to ensure the system treats

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be done to ensure the system treats all police families with consistency and compassion? Yeah. I understand very well what the

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I understand very well what the gentleman is asking for. And when I say that there are no plans currently to review the scheme, I currently to review the scheme, I would urge him to call for a debate so that he can make his case, because I'm sure it'll be supported by others across the House as well. And make sure that ministers hear

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the significance of this. There will have. How did you. Speaker, last week I. Visited remind, a dementia

12:22

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Visited remind, a dementia charity in bath, and in an earlier answer we already mentioned the modern service framework for dementia and frailty, which was dementia and frailty, which was promised in the ten year plan by the NHS. Can we actually have a statement from the Health Secretary when this framework is forthcoming, for the urgent need for some

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certainty for all those affected by dementia? Thank you. Speaker. As I said earlier, we

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Speaker. As I said earlier, we are determined to bring forward the framework and at the appropriate time, I will make it. When it happens, I will make the make sure that the Health secretary here's her call to accompany that with a

12:23

Wendy Chamberlain MP (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)

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call to accompany that with a statement so that she can speak to ministers at that point and hold them to account. Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is brilliant that new playgrounds are being built in Derby, including in Stockport Park and in Knightsbridge Stockport Park and in Knightsbridge in Mackworth. But Stockport Park is also home to an incredible local grassroots football club, the stock Brook Colts, whose play has been stopped because the pitch that they play on is unusable and in need of repair. They deserve a ground which matches the effort that they put in.

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Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on grassroots football? And it's important to our local communities. Yeah.

12:23

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Yeah. You grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of our local communities. I'm genuinely sorry to communities. I'm genuinely sorry to hear of the issue that my Honourable friend raises on behalf of her constituents, and I know she's doing everything she can to support them. She may wish to apply for a Backbench business debate to hear, to express her concerns, but also to hear from ministers about our £400 million investment in grassroots

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sports facilities across the UK. Shannon. Deputy Speaker, Leader of the House I'm deeply troubled by the

12:24

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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House I'm deeply troubled by the horrific rate of and attacks against the Christian community in Nigeria, including the destruction of churches, kidnapping and the recent murder of 13 Christians in Plateau State and 14th of October. So will the Leader of the House join me in condemning these appalling attacks and urge the forum to outline what

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action the government will take in response to escalating persecution. Thank you so. Much. Deputy Speaker. We share the

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Deputy Speaker. We share the honourable gentleman's concerns and I join him in condemning any acts I join him in condemning any acts against churches and religious groups in the in the way that he groups in the in the way that he describes, the government is committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all. And I religion and belief for all. And I gently point in towards Foreign Office orals on the 20th of October, directly.

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Thank you. Having met representatives. From local. Businesses and suppliers in the JLR supply.

12:25

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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JLR supply. Chain, there can be no doubt that this government's 1.5 billion guarantee to support JLR has safeguarded thousands of jobs across safeguarded thousands of jobs across the West Midlands. Given the increasing cyber threats facing UK

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House. Commit to scheduling. A. Debate. In government time on strengthening cyber resilience across manufacturing and other

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critical sectors? Speaker my friend may wish to seek his own debate on these seek his own debate on these matters, not least to highlight this issue, but also, as he points out, the support that the government gave the support that the government gave to JLR and all of the companies that support that. He will know that cybersecurity is an important cybersecurity is an important matter. And we're working with the National Cyber Security Centre to provide businesses with tools, advice and support to protect them

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advice and support to protect them against cyber attacks. And I think a debate to highlight this issue would be well attended. Samantha Niblett madam.

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Samantha Niblett madam. Speaker. Four years ago. Today. 17 year. Old Phoebe Johnson tragically

12:26

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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Old Phoebe Johnson tragically died in a car crash. constituency. Of South Derbyshire.

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The driver of the car she. Was in. Had only been driving for eight weeks and admitted she was. Too. Drunk.

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Drunk. To drive after. Leaving her House party. Phoebe's parents, Nicky and Paul, said our lives would never be the said our lives would never be the same again and are working with the brake campaign, pushing for a graduated driving. Licence system to improve road safety to help prevent

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further young lives being lost. With the leader of the. House. Please commit government time for this to be discussed.

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this to be discussed. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to pay my respects to the family of Phoebe. Phoebe? It to the family of Phoebe. Phoebe? It is an unbearable tragedy when this happens, but it happens too often. happens, but it happens too often. Work. Madam Deputy Speaker, is underway to deliver an updated strategic framework for road safety.

12:26

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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That'll be the first one in over a decade, and I'll ensure that my honourable friend receives an update on that. And should she seek a

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debate? I'm sure it would be well attended. Sonia Kumar. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have. Returned to where. I visited. A rehabilitation. Centre supporting those injured by the supporting those injured by the Russian invasion. I was deeply moved by the dedication of the Ukrainian clinicians working under immense pressure.

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pressure. As a physiotherapist. I recognised about. The role of allied health. Play in recovery and I will add,

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Play in recovery and I will add, it was AHP day last week and I'd like to thank all the dedicated clinicians for the unconditional

12:27

Mr Speaker

clinicians for the unconditional service that they provide every single day. Well, the Leader of the House agree a debate on the importance of healthcare

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professionals collaborating internationally to help Ukrainians and the UK. Yes.

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Yes. Deputy Speaker, this is a very timely question and I thank my Honourable friend for that and also Honourable friend for that and also her commitment to this cause. We are delivering equipment in training, including specialist physiotherapy including specialist physiotherapy and prosthetics to Ukraine, and we are a world leader in military rehabilitation, rehabilitation, contributing to the NATO funded project Renovator. She may wish to raise these points at the next defence questions, or indeed apply

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defence questions, or indeed apply for an adjournment debate. To put these matters further. Thank you madam. Very good. For 17 years.

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For 17 years. The Sterling Observer has. rallying. Big hearted people, businesses,

12:28

Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House

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schools and community groups to make sure no. Child wakes up on Christmas morning without a. Present to unwrap.

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Present to unwrap. This year's appeal launched this week, where the Leader of the House join me in thanking the Sterling Observer and especially the brilliant and.

12:28

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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brilliant and. Tireless Kaiya Marsh. Banks, who has driven. This appeal from day one. And consider making time for

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And consider making time for debate and the vital role local newspapers play in strengthening both our democracy and the

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both our democracy and the communities we all serve. Yeah. Here. Thank you madam. This week I will join my honourable friend in commending the Sterling Observer and the wonderful work they do with. They give a gift appeal and join with him in praising Keir for her dedication, ensuring that children in Stirling and Strathallan have a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning. It's a really good example, Madam Deputy Speaker of a local newspaper, rallying at the community for a

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brilliant cause. Danny Beales thank you to speaker. Will the Leader of the House join me in welcoming the House join me in welcoming the announcement that Hayes Police Station front counter will remain open after a strong local community open after a strong local community campaign? And can we make time in this House to discuss the importance of police front counters, such as

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that one that needs to reopen at Uxbridge, and the importance of rebuilding neighbourhood policing? Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. Indeed,

12:29

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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12:33

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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12:37

Charlotte Nichols MP (Warrington North, Labour)

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Growth of right wing populism in Europe and the United States. And it is for. Progressives to defend the values

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Progressives to defend the values that we hold of decency, of

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the. Way. People are feeling today and the. Impact of the rise of racism.

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Impact of the rise of racism. And together we send a message that we will fight this once again. People of colour across the country People of colour across the country have told me about fearing for themselves or their families, and for their futures.

12:38

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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All of. Us together are coming together as a nation. In a.

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In a. Coalition that unites rather than divides, and to do so in Parliament today is so crucial.

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today is so crucial. A senior. Businessman contributing millions to our economy. Told me recently to our economy. Told me recently about going out in Buckinghamshire for a pub lunch and being told to go

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home. He was home. We thought. These days had gone. But we are.

12:39

Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)

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12:40

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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leaders and got a real sense of the lived experiences, challenges and heard views from the ground up on how we must drive real change going forward. And I was grateful also to the conversations with my honourable friend. Baron Rhys of Easton in the other place. Yesterday at M Shed in Bristol, I had the privilege of meeting the Bristol bus boycott. Elders, including Guy Bailey, and to hear directly from them about the story of the Bristol bus boycott, which helped result in the Race Relations Act 1965 under a Labour government.

Guy who I met was 17 years old when he was refused a job as a bus driver because of his colour. He told his youth worker, Paul Stephenson. At that time that was legal. And of course, Paul was furious and in vain. He spoke to the bus company. He refused to change their mind. So with the help of Roy Hackett, Audley Evans, Owen Henry and Prince Brown, they called for a boycott because if their Labour wasn't good enough for them, nor was their money.

Two days later, on April 29th, the Bristol bus boycott began. Together, Blacks and Asians marched peacefully with purpose, shoulder to shoulder, in solidarity shoulder to shoulder, in solidarity with students from Bristol University and sympathetic Bristol Lions. They were joined by their Lions. They were joined by their local MP, Tony Benn, and even Bristol, and even Parliament's very Bristol, and even Parliament's very first black life peer, Sir Larry Constantine, loaned his support. And Constantine, loaned his support. And of course, he too had infamously suffered from the colour bar himself suffered from the colour bar himself some years earlier.

After four months of marching with dignity for months of marching with dignity for equality on August 28th, 1963, the bus company caved in and agreed to bus company caved in and agreed to employ people of all colours. This victory for equality happened on the same day that Martin Luther King gave his iconic and immortal I Have a Dream speech during the March on Freedom in Washington, DC, and three. I will give you.

12:42

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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Can the Minister outline what steps she's taking to ensure that equality and opportunity are at the missions?

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Thank you. Just to help backbenchers, when you're. Intervening on a member, it's up

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Intervening on a member, it's up to them whether they want to take the intervention. You don't need my authority. Minister. I thank my authority. Minister. I thank my Honourable friend for her question and indeed for the work that she and indeed for the work that she does, and she will be aware of the importance of tackling barriers to opportunity and that everyone, opportunity and that everyone, regardless of your race, your background, your religion, your colour should be able to get on in colour should be able to get on in life.

And that mission of tackling barriers to opportunity is one of the key priorities of this the key priorities of this government, and I will certainly be talking further about the work we have done in the last year and the have done in the last year and the work we will be continuing to do in this Parliament, to make sure that Britain is a place that anyone and Britain is a place that anyone and everyone can set up and achieve everyone can set up and achieve their ambitions.

Now I want to I was speaking, Madame Deputy Speaker, speaking, Madame Deputy Speaker, about the very important date of about the very important date of August the 28th, 1963, and indeed it was three weeks later, on September was three weeks later, on September the 17th, that Rugby Singh, a Sikh, became Bristol's first bus driver of colour. And this context of that year is also personal, because it was in 1963 that a young Sushil Kumar Malhotra made his way to the United Kingdom by ship from India to start work as an engineer in London, and such was the environment in which my father took his first steps in the United Kingdom.

His journey, like the journey of many that I met yesterday, a journey of courage in navigating the United Kingdom at that time without race laws to set up a life and dream and hope for a better future for his family in Bristol yesterday, local community artist and activist Jules Davids recounted the story of the impact of the Bristol bus boycott and subsequent campaigning against the Colaba by Paul Stevenson, who passed away last year. His campaigning caught the attention of future Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who contacted Paul and promised to bring in a Race Relations Act if elected.

Harold Wilson kept his promise and Labour introduced the Race Relations Act in 1965, the UK's first ever anti-racist law. It was strengthened in 1968 76 and in 2000, before being superseded by the Equality Act of 2010. This year, we proudly mark the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act and our theme for this Black History Month is legacies with Action Understanding 60 Years of Change and challenge the

12:47

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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racism that our forebears experienced and which shaped their experienced and which shaped their everyday lives must not be forgotten. Even as we continue to forgotten. Even as we continue to make progress, to redress the past. And as we continue today, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of as we as we acknowledge and celebrate the lives and achievements of Black Britons. I want to make of Black Britons. I want to make mention of a few others. Last summer I joined Lord Simon Wyllie, principal of Hamilton College and deputy vice Chancellor of the deputy vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, for his charter night as the first black man charter night as the first black man to lead an and an Oxbridge college.

He and other inspiring leaders now, He and other inspiring leaders now, such as Professor Ijeoma Lucy Rigby and Sunita Allen, two other black and Sunita Allen, two other black Cambridge college heads, are transforming. One of the oldest transforming. One of the oldest academic institutions in the world, helping to make sure that our institutions are both inclusive and truly representative. And while we celebrate Maro Itoje proudly captaining England and the British and Irish Lions this year, we remember the racist abuse that John Barnes received from his own fans at

12:48

Dr Marie Tidball MP (Penistone and Stocksbridge, Labour)

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the height of his career in the 80s and 90s. And indeed the more recent and 90s. And indeed the more recent racist abuse of black England players called out by England manager Gareth Southgate as unforgivable. So yes, in so many ways, as a nation we have come far. ways, as a nation we have come far. But the battle is not yet won and we know that it remains the case for know that it remains the case for too many people in 2025 that their access to opportunity is determined

12:48

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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access to opportunity is determined not by work ethic or talent, but by assumptions based on race and assumptions based on race and ethnicity. That people who have lived here for generations, who work lived here for generations, who work hard in our schools, our hospitals, who defend our country and raise who defend our country and raise families and shape the very fabric of our communities up and down the countries to be told, as my countries to be told, as my honourable friend has highlighted, that they do not belong here.

Madam

12:48

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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that they do not belong here. Madam Deputy Speaker, I think we can all be clear that there is still so much be clear that there is still so much to do, and indeed, the fight for racial equality is not over. But racial equality is not over. But throughout its history, Labour has consistently built on the foundations of the Race Relations Act 1965 to outlaw discrimination based on race in employment and housing, and placed legal duties on the police and public bodies.

Each new law took crucial steps to build a fairer society, and have laid a foundation for progress that continues today. That's why we're building on past successes to tackle racial discrimination today, and it is what drives our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and to put equality at the heart of our plan for change. And we can today also celebrate the most diverse

12:50

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Parliament in our history, and indeed, a series of further firsts indeed, a series of further firsts in the Right Honourable member for Tottenham, the first black Deputy Prime Minister and the first black Lord Chancellor, and over the last year, I am proud of the work that we year, I am proud of the work that we have done in government in the Windrush reset that we announced last October, and in taking forward

12:50

Mrs Sureena Brackenridge MP (Wolverhampton North East, Labour)

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last October, and in taking forward our work on equalities. Let me say a few words about the appalling injustice of the Home Office Windrush scandal. I said last year that the people who came here to Britain to help at a time of great Britain to help at a time of great need, that they should later be made to feel that they did not belong to feel that they did not belong here, was and remains an outrage. And to quote Ross Griffiths this And to quote Ross Griffiths this week, Chair of the Friends of Windrush Square, who opened the

12:50

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Windrush Square, who opened the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition at the Home Office, she said When at the Home Office, she said When the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in 1948, it brought Tilbury Docks in 1948, it brought more than passengers. It brought promise, it brought teachers, nurses, engineers, artists and dreamers. It brought a generation that helped rebuild Britain after the war. Laying the foundations for

12:51

Helen Morgan MP (North Shropshire, Liberal Democrat)

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the society that we live in today. This exhibition is about bearing This exhibition is about bearing witness, reclaiming dignity and ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. And it is past are never forgotten. And it is also about celebrating the resilience, the creativity, the brilliance of the Windrush brilliance of the Windrush generation and their descendants. People who, despite adversity, People who, despite adversity, continue to build, to create and to love. This exhibition has been displayed as part of this government's fundamental reset of government's fundamental reset of the approach after the Home Office Windrush scandal we have, in which

12:51

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Windrush scandal we have, in which we have re-established the Windrush unit in the Home Office. We have recruited a Windrush commissioner, recruited a Windrush commissioner, the Reverend Clive Foster MP, who will serve as an independent will serve as an independent advocate for those affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal. A sure delivery of the Windrush compensation scheme, and make recommendations to embed lasting

12:51

Mr Calvin Bailey MP (Leyton and Wanstead, Labour)

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change in the Home Office and across government. And we have implemented a new single named caseworker process for the Windrush Compensation Scheme to streamline the process and increase transparency. And I am proud that we have also launched a 1.5 million programme, a pan programme of grant funding for organisations at grassroots level to provide advocacy and support for people who need help with the compensation scheme application process, but no serious ambition to face these challenges to tackle inequality is possible without also prioritising the perspectives of those affected.

For communities to tell us the nature and the impact of discrimination, and for us to do what too many

12:53

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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governments before us have neglected to do, which is to listen. That's why in March, we announced a new why in March, we announced a new race equality engagement group, chaired by Baroness Lawrence of chaired by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, to help the government's plans to seize opportunities and to remove barriers to racial equality. The group's core aim is to strengthen the government's links with ethnic minority communities, with ethnic minority communities, enabling an effective two way dialogue on the government's work to tackle race inequalities.

The group tackle race inequalities. The group met for the first time in June at ten Downing Street at a meeting ten Downing Street at a meeting joined by the Prime Minister. And in September I joined the group as they held their first thematic roundtable held their first thematic roundtable in Birmingham, one of our country's most diverse cities. There, they

12:53

Dr Caroline Johnson MP (Sleaford and North Hykeham, Conservative)

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most diverse cities. There, they closely examined the actions being taken by the National Police Chief Council's chief counsel to build trust and confidence with black communities through the Vital Police communities through the Vital Police Race Action Plan, and reviewed the work with the British Business Bank work with the British Business Bank and others on tackling barriers to access to finance finance for ethnic access to finance finance for ethnic minority entrepreneurs. Everyone, Madam Deputy Speaker, has the right to feel safe and protected by those who have been granted the power to uphold the laws of this country.

This is a minimum expectation. We have a long tradition of policing by

12:55

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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consent in this country, where order is maintained by primarily by a is maintained by primarily by a trusting, trusted relationship between the police and community. And it must be every community And it must be every community without exclusion or exception. And Madam Deputy Speaker, I am also proud that we are building on the foundations from the past to deliver a legislative programme to address

12:55

Sojan Joseph MP (Ashford, Labour)

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a legislative programme to address many of the inequalities that persist in our society. We are persist in our society. We are committed to introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting scheme for large reporting scheme for large employers. Our public consultation on ethnicity and disability pay gap on ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting closed in June, and we are considering the responses in order to inform our next steps on to inform our next steps on developing the legislation. These measures will be taken forward in the upcoming equality, Race and the upcoming equality, Race and Disability Bill, which we have committed to publishing in draft within this parliamentary session, within this parliamentary session, and we will be working closely with businesses on developing and implementing this commitment to

12:55

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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implementing this commitment to ensure that reporting is beneficial and helps to identify tangible

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and helps to identify tangible appreciate. That the. Draft is going to be published this session when she.

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Has. timelines. For this, whether it will be before Christmas, for example, or

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before Christmas, for example, or likely after Christmas, would she be timeline. So that we. Can get get ready for

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Can get get ready for scrutinising that and can assist in bringing it forward, which we very

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bringing it forward, which we very there. I thank the honourable lady for her contribution in. Indeed, she and I have sat on many a committee in

12:55

Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP (Aberdeen South, Scottish National Party)

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I have sat on many a committee in the past scrutinising legislation and I understand the wish to be able to say more clearly. There are clearly some stages still to go through in terms of addressing the and making sure that we consider fully the responses to the consultation and indeed then working with the Leader of the House on when we can bring forward that draft legislation. But I will endeavour to keep the House updated on progress. And indeed also, Madam Deputy Speaker.

We know that claimants also currently face significant barriers when bringing pay discrimination claims on the grounds of ethnicity or disability. That is why we have also committed to making the right to equal pay effective for ethnic

12:57

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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minorities and disabled people. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, I look forward Madam Deputy Speaker, I look forward to our debate today, and I thank all honourable members who were here to honourable members who were here to take part for what I am sure will be a celebration of a defining characteristic of our country, its diversity, and to recognise that diversity, and to recognise that this diversity is in the very fabric and essence of our institutions and and essence of our institutions and our society.

The languages we speak, the food we eat, and the culture we the food we eat, and the culture we enjoy are the result and reward of a country that is confident with difference. A country that faces outward to the world that is proud of its identity and recognises what of its identity and recognises what I think we all do. That what we have I think we all do. That what we have and what we share, and what is so important, is that we have more in important, is that we have more in common.

And indeed the story of our nation is a story still being nation is a story still being written, a story of contribution, a story of recognition, a story of story of recognition, a story of hope, a story of ambition, a story of partnership, of a continuing

12:58

Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Labour)

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conversation, of listening and of learning and of making sure that all learning and of making sure that all voices are in the room. I share a quote from Bristol from the Rebel quote from Bristol from the Rebel Creative Curators project that I read yesterday, that we share a common history, but yours is quite different, you see. So when I talk about liberty, it is through my eyes about liberty, it is through my eyes that it must be. And if we have to rebuild, then I think first you rebuild, then I think first you should ask me.

So this Black History should ask me. So this Black History Month, we mark not only the stories of individual achievement, but the story of a nation. Because black

12:58

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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story of a nation. Because black history is British history. Parliament must foster that Parliament must foster that collective national spirit and be a place that reflects the richness of place that reflects the richness of modern Britain and drives the work of reconciliation through inclusion, of reconciliation through inclusion, representation and opportunity. Our strength is in our unity of purpose. strength is in our unity of purpose. When every community can see themselves in the national story,

12:58

Greg Smith MP (Mid Buckinghamshire, Conservative)

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themselves in the national story, when they know that national purpose cares for them. And every young person knows that there is a space for their firsts too. Then we will be truly the country that we claim

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to be. Thank you. Thank you. On listening to the Minister, if. The House.

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The House. Will let me indulge, I was. story. bacon. Who. Would. Have carried.

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Have carried. Me into this country, and who would have thought that I would make history sitting here in the speaker's Chair? But it is my mother's story that is far more relevant than my mother is called. For example, the bacon, I call it. The question.

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The question. Is that this House has considered Black History Month, and I called the Shadow Minister, my neighbour, Mims Davies. Yeah.

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Yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I am pleased to be speaking on and I am pleased to be speaking on behalf of His Majesty's loyal Opposition in this debate in government time. And I am very proud government time. And I am very proud of my constituency neighbour. It's wonderful to see her in the Chair

12:59

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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this afternoon and this year's Black History Month theme is Standing Firm in Power and Pride, and invites us to reflect not only on the achievements of black Britons, but also on the strength, resilience and leadership that have shaped our nation. And it is rightly a moment to honour those who stood firm in the face of adversity, led with pride, continue to as well, and have transformed institutions and communities and culture. And in fact, the Minister opposite. I'm very jealous of her visit with Lord Woolley of Woodford.

At my time at

13:01

Emma Foody MP (Cramlington and Killingworth, Labour )

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DWP, I tried very hard to coincide with him. Covid got in the way, with him. Covid got in the way, don't you know? So it was something I was trying to do in my time as a minister. I'm delighted she was able minister. I'm delighted she was able to achieve it and I absolutely agree. And those in my party would actually agree with the Honourable actually agree with the Honourable lady. The Minister to state very clearly that black history is clearly that black history is British history, and black Britons have shaped the nation that we live in, in ways that we are only still

13:01

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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in, in ways that we are only still beginning to recognise and graphs. And I fully recognise that myself as I learn more. So I agree with her wholeheartedly and I'm sure in the spirit of many Thursday afternoon debates, this is that one where there is one where we recognise progress and also recognise there's progress and also recognise there's always more to do. Now at present, from sport to science, politics to from sport to science, politics to public services. The Honourable lady opening highlighted Black Britons opening highlighted Black Britons have been woven into the fabric of our society.

They are household names, they are inspirations from

13:01

Claire Young MP (Thornbury and Yate, Liberal Democrat)

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names, they are inspirations from those victorious lionesses from now those victorious lionesses from now and of course, previous. And one of the most wonderful ladies that I've had the chance to meet here is Nikita Parris. I was I'm a big fan of hers. Alex Scott. There is, of course, Jess Carter and many more proving you can rightly be black, British and proud. A message we need to hear right now and showing my age. Dame Floella Benjamin, in the

13:03

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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other place and showing my era to her being on my screens as I grew her being on my screens as I grew up. Also showing my age and her age, defying the amazing Naomi Campbell defying the amazing Naomi Campbell wow. And mention, of course, Idris Elba OBE, Lewis Hamilton, Sir Steve

13:03

John Slinger MP (Rugby, Labour)

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Elba OBE, Lewis Hamilton, Sir Steve McQueen and may I too from this side of the House which Baroness Lawrence of the House which Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon. A very happy birthday for to tomorrow. And I think as well for to tomorrow. And I think as well as athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and plus Katarina Johnson-Thompson and plus East Grinstead, if I may, Madam Deputy Speaker mention her move. It's a it's something championed by the town mayor about getting more

13:03

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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women involved into sport. We have the this girl cam but this is a growing focus from my town and it's growing focus from my town and it's growing across the country. And we were delighted when Dame Kelly were delighted when Dame Kelly Holmes gave it her seal of approval, showing that she is still inspiring

13:03

Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP (Aldridge-Brownhills, Conservative)

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showing that she is still inspiring another generation. And as the Minister said rightly, each generation stands on the shoulders generation stands on the shoulders of previous pioneers. So it's right that we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act 1965, a landmark in our legislative history, and I still find it remarkable standing here myself to see how many turning points and changes happened in this very building. Of course, as those who now represent and seek to do the same.

How amazing that we get to

13:04

Lee Pitcher MP (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, Labour)

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stand on the shoulders of those previous pioneers work together. So as we commemorate this milestone as we commemorate this milestone during Black History Month, we reflect on how far we come and again reiterating how far we have to go. reiterating how far we have to go. And of course, we remember the lives and legacies of pioneers such as

13:04

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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and legacies of pioneers such as Paul Stevenson, who led the Bristol bus boycott. Of course, in 1963, bus boycott. Of course, in 1963, Lord Herman Ouseley, the former Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, their courage and Equality, their courage and conviction, amongst others, made and laid the groundwork for progress that we do see today. And similarly, 14% of Members of Parliament come from ethnic minority backgrounds. from ethnic minority backgrounds. That is progress. Representation is matched by action. We are still

13:04

Matt Vickers MP (Stockton West, Conservative)

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matched by action. We are still always working on it in my party, but we do continue to push that way. And of course we honour as the honourable lady opposite, the Minister did the Windrush generation, whose story is central to black British history. The voyage to black British history. The voyage of those on the Empire Windrush is now rightly seen as a defining now rightly seen as a defining moment. The contribution of Caribbean migrants, including many

13:05

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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who really made changes to our NHS. Immense 7.4% of NHS staff are black. Immense 7.4% of NHS staff are black. And building on that legacy, which began with thousands of Caribbean women answering the call to fill staffing shortages in the 1950s and

13:05

Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West, Labour)

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staffing shortages in the 1950s and 60s giving up their lives to help us with our lives. And it gives me a chance to mention my pain. I've got chance to mention my pain. I've got so many on today. We do feel that we're pinned up sometimes. Here is we're pinned up sometimes. Here is the have you just about to say the Black History Month bad from Amazon? Black History Month bad from Amazon? Who would have thought it Amazon. Yeah they they really have Yeah they they really have everything don't they.

So Amazon in my constituency I just recently visited and they gave me a bad of pesky. This is pesky their actual emblem who's a little parcel. And

13:05

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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emblem who's a little parcel. And they had a display and were working with their with their staff in in my constituency. You really do see everything in this wonderful job as everything in this wonderful job as being an MP. And that was wonderful to see. But of course, black history

13:05

Ann Davies MP (Caerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru)

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to see. But of course, black history in Britain did not begin solely with Windrush, rightly, as the Minister highlighted, stretching back centuries. The first black MP believed to be elected back in 1767. Many children rightly know and recognise the immense contribution of Mary Seacole made during the Crimean War, and it speaks to a long standing and complex history that we do have as a nation, which we all need to understand and learn about. And this week we celebrated the 220th Trafalgar Day.

Despite the

13:07

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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horrendous and shameful role that Britain played in the Atlantic slave trade in the 18th century, the 19th century saw a turnabout where the Royal Navy was used to hunt down slave ships. It is estimated that up

13:07

Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Independent)

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slave ships. It is estimated that up to 150,000 Africans were liberated from slavery in America. As a result from slavery in America. As a result of these direct actions, something that we should rightly be proud of and all grow to understand. And I'm and all grow to understand. And I'm proud too, that when the world faced an enemy enemy of the utmost racism during the Second World War, 16,000 during the Second World War, 16,000 Caribbean men and half a million Africans served Britain to fight

13:07

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Africans served Britain to fight back against the tyranny ahead of them. These stories are often them. These stories are often airbrushed out of our national history, not fully understood. So challenging these omissions as part

13:07

John Lamont MP (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Conservative)

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challenging these omissions as part of a Black History Month is something that we all must do. And we must also, of course, confront we must also, of course, confront the present. The racism and abuse in the present. The racism and abuse in the 2,021 final, a stark reminder of the work still needed. Again, the minister alluded to this there is still too much racist abuse on social media and in particular sports, and that is something I, as sports minister, took on head on and

13:09

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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as a minister, worked incredibly hard to tackle that abuse on the pitch, which too often has been seen pitch, which too often has been seen within sport. And I know past colleagues and current colleagues will continue to work tirelessly on will continue to work tirelessly on this and wider issues in something that should be such a celebration. that should be such a celebration. Now, one being the landmark Inclusive Britain Action Plan, where we work to tackle racial disparities. And it's something that I'm particularly proud of from our

13:09

Dawn Butler MP (Brent East, Labour)

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time in government. Before we left office, we delivered on 62 of the 74 actions in just one year after the plan was announced, and I was proud as a minister to work on access to as a minister to work on access to investment, social mobility, entrepreneurship in government for

13:09

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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entrepreneurship in government for all. It is absolutely vital that this government indeed builds on that and leans into, as the Minister that and leans into, as the Minister alluded to earlier, it's vital to understand the ethnicity pay gap reporting, and I would be keen that reporting, and I would be keen that she, when able, is able to share the responses for scrutiny and responses for scrutiny and understanding on this potential legislation. We must, in this chamber, ensure Black History Month

13:09

Tom Gordon MP (Harrogate and Knaresborough, Liberal Democrat)

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chamber, ensure Black History Month remains a space for reflection, education and importantly, celebration. And of course, never division. It must not become a political football. And as the leader of the opposition has said, teaching black history. And I have reiterated at the box today, as British history is vital,

13:10

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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highlighting the contributions of figures such as Lord Ribeiro, a figures such as Lord Ribeiro, a pioneer in keyhole surgery. Lionel Turpin, a World War One veteran whose story also deserves further recognition. I look forward with others to celebrating the

13:10

Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West, Labour)

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others to celebrating the outstanding contributions from those in our constituencies and wider that in our constituencies and wider that we are so proud of and hearing contributions from across the House. And I agree with the Minister. This And I agree with the Minister. This is a positive story that we can all continue to write. We can celebrate unity, we can reject tokenism and boost real opportunities and real outcomes, where social mobility is truly here for all. Thank you. It gives me huge pleasure to call the gives me huge pleasure to call the mother of the House Diane Abbott.

13:10

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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mother of the House Diane Abbott. Thank you. I am sorry to have to say, in this black history moment that any objective assessment of the that any objective assessment of the current state of racial justice in this country would not be a wholly positive one. Representation is the great success story. We have to acknowledge the progress it is acknowledge the progress it is registered in. Having a black female leader of the opposition, a leader of the opposition, a Pakistani heritage Home Secretary, a black Caribbean heritage Lord black Caribbean heritage Lord Chancellor and at least 90 black and minority Members of Parliament.

When minority Members of Parliament. When I entered the House in 1987, there were no black appeals whatsoever, were no black appeals whatsoever, and for ten years I was the only and for ten years I was the only black female MP. But sadly, black female MP. But sadly, increased representation has not been accompanied by the improvement been accompanied by the improvement in policy and practice that some of us would have liked to see. Many in us would have liked to see.

Many in this House have been waxing lyrical this House have been waxing lyrical about the contribution made by the Windrush generation of migrants from the Caribbean, and I. the Caribbean, and I. Would share.

13:13

Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)

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and their accomplishments. My mother was one of that generation of West Indian women that came to this country and helped to build our NHS, country and helped to build our NHS, but I would point out to the House but I would point out to the House that at this point, at this point, the majority of Windrush migrants the majority of Windrush migrants have not had their compensation. So if she is not aware of this, I would

13:13

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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if she is not aware of this, I would urge the Minister to look into it and make sure that these men and and make sure that these men and women get their compensation before women get their compensation before they pass away. But although we can wax lyrical about the Windrush

13:13

Clive Jones MP (Wokingham, Liberal Democrat)

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wax lyrical about the Windrush generation today, all too often in the current political debate, migrants are spoken about as if they make no contribution at all. We are make no contribution at all. We are saying you could only come if you were highly paid. You can automatically bring your family. We will charge you thousands of pounds. will charge you thousands of pounds. Even though we need you. You may have no right to citizens or workers, and we may even expel you workers, and we may even expel you from this country where we have previously granted you the right to stay and your family a legal right to stay here.

This is not contributing the cherishing of our migrant class. It is creating a class of third class guests, our biases. And in all their stomachs, all these other things. It is being suggested on both sides of the House suggested on both sides of the House that you may have to train British workers for your job. I am old enough to remember when employers enough to remember when employers were responsible for in-work training, but sadly, this policy is training, but sadly, this policy is the logical conclusion of Brexit and putting the interests of business way before the interests of people.

And we should remember in this And we should remember in this debate on migration, it is largely aimed at people with black and brown aimed at people with black and brown skin. I do not hear the same anxiety skin. I do not hear the same anxiety and concern about migration from Hong Kong or Ukraine, I mean. Of course.

13:14

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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I thank you very much for making.

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She shared a concern that I share that much as in the US, where southern. Strategy.

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Strategy. Away from. Explicit conversation about race to coded. References about race, that we should be. Just. As. Concerned today.

13:14

Wendy Chamberlain MP (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)

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Concerned today. With the change in rhetoric. Where we no longer see racial terms being deployed, and instead. We.

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We. Talk about. Things. Such as cultural. Coherence.

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I do so agree it is we have to be very careful about talking about progress when, as my colleague says, progress when, as my colleague says, a lot of the debate on race is now

13:16

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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pursued by using codes. But the issue still remains the colour of issue still remains the colour of your skin. So the hue and cry about immigration today does not apply to migrants from the Hong Kong or migrants from the Hong Kong or Ukraine, nor my faith of one, but the target of the constant demonisation of migrant. Clearly

13:16

Ms Julie Minns MP (Carlisle, Labour)

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demonisation of migrant. Clearly highlights the thing. And sadly, I would say the theme is racism. would say the theme is racism. Matters are hardly any better for the long established Black and Asian British communities in this country. Sadly, we have had successive governments who attempt to deny the governments who attempt to deny the existence of racism at all, to take what is shame that I feel very

13:16

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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what is shame that I feel very strongly about. It is educational underachievement, because even after poverty is accounted for, mixed white and black Caribbean children, white and black Caribbean children, black Caribbean children have black Caribbean children have amongst the lowest levels of

13:16

Monica Harding MP (Esher and Walton, Liberal Democrat)

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educational achievement and. Amongst other things, they have. Black children have three times the amount of exclusion. As white children, they are going to university in greater numbers, but less than the population as a whole, and the levels of exclusion for children, black and white have alarming consequences for their life chances. It is a former director general of the Prison Service, Martin Neira, who said on the day you exclude a child from school.

13:16

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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You might as well.

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prison. And if we. Wish seriously. To address the life chances of

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To address the life chances of this generation of black and minority ethnic children, we really

13:17

Torcuil Crichton MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Labour)

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minority ethnic children, we really do have to address issues in relation to education. But to my knowledge, none of the four paths actually to state for education are even my colleague, the current Secretary of State for education, have ever mentioned black children and education. They prefer instead to speak solely of the disadvantages of white working class pupils. To give another example of this rampant

13:18

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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colourblindness when it comes to education, the Children's Wellbeing Schools Bill currently goes through

13:18

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

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Schools Bill currently goes through Parliament, makes no mention of race this year. Children's Wellbeing and this year. Children's Wellbeing and Safeguarding Practice Review says that is a significant silence in that is a significant silence in talking about race and racism in child safeguarding. I have worked child safeguarding. I have worked for many years on issues in relation to black children in education, and to black children in education, and I plead with ministers to start to address this issue because we're

13:18

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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address this issue because we're talking about millions of children who are being found by the system. And what is true of education is And what is true of education is true for black and Asian people throughout their lives and across all in important areas such as jobs, pay, housing, health care, mental health, and in all aspects of the

13:18

Yuan Yang MP (Earley and Woodley, Labour)

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health, and in all aspects of the criminal justice system. I would remind the House that black people remind the House that black people face higher police, stop search rates, higher rates of arrest, higher rates of convictions and are higher rates of convictions and are more likely to receive custodial sentences for longer periods. There is a two tier justice system in this country, and the victims are black people and increasingly Muslim men.

13:20

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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And on top of all this, those suffering, these indignities have to suffering, these indignities have to listen to a daily diet of claims that they are all a drain on public that they are all a drain on public services without migrants, many of our public services would not be as

13:20

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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our public services would not be as our public services would not be as strong as they are. We have to hear that they get preference in housing, that they get preference in housing, which only deals with housing case working with minority community, working with minority community, which we know is a sick child and that they are all sexual predators, paedophiles, which is the most paedophiles, which is the most monstrous lie straightforwardly the

13:20

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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1930s political playbook. Finally, Mr Speaker, there is the indignity of being told that those who want to take to the streets try to burn asylum seekers after accommodation asylum seekers after accommodation wants to randomly attack Muslims.

13:20

Shaun Davies MP (Telford, Labour)

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wants to randomly attack Muslims. And I quote, legitimate. Concerns. I would add that it is one thing to wax sentimental about the bravery and the accomplishments of an earlier generation, but they were, without exception, migrants, and I am confident they would want a debate which doesn't just look back

13:21

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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but looks forward to a fairer and more just society in relation to more just society in relation to rising migration. I'm aware that many members of this House are not paying attention to this debate, but hopefully some are civil servants. hopefully some are civil servants. Perhaps the reason some of my parents came to this country in the

13:21

Tessa Munt MP (Wells and Mendip Hills, Liberal Democrat)

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50s, they didn't come to be a drain on the public sector. They didn't on the public sector. They didn't come to in any way harm society. They came. They came to help rebuild They came. They came to help rebuild Britain of the Second World War. They came to contribute, and yet they came to make a better life for their children. And I have to pay their children. And I have to pay them credit. I have to honour them. And that whole generation, and also And that whole generation, and also as minister and ask of the House that we move beyond the sort of debate we are having on migration.

debate we are having on migration. We address issues in relation to

13:21

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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rights, including education, including up. And increasing crime.

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including up. And increasing crime. We have to look at those issues because otherwise everything. We are. Saying in this debate today is

13:22

Josh Newbury MP (Cannock Chase, Labour)

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purely lips up. I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Marie Democrat spokesperson, Marie Goldman. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and it is an honour, a Speaker, and it is an honour, a privilege and slightly daunting to follow the speech of the mother of the House who speaks so powerfully the House who speaks so powerfully on this particular subject. This year's theme for Black History Month, Standing firm in power and pride, speaks to a long and ongoing history of courage, resilience and

13:22

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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history of courage, resilience and leadership of driving change in the face of injustice and to the pride, face of injustice and to the pride, purpose and strength found in black communities around the world. We owe an enormous debt to the black an enormous debt to the black British community. From the Windrush generation's foundational role in building the NHS to the countless building the NHS to the countless trailblazers who pushed boundaries in politics, the arts, science and

13:22

Wera Hobhouse MP (Bath, Liberal Democrat)

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in politics, the arts, science and activism, their legacy is woven into the fabric of this country. Yet the work is far from done. Too many work is far from done. Too many people still face daily injustices, from racism and hate speech to unequal opportunities and barriers unequal opportunities and barriers that prevent full participation in society, prejudice continues to harm society, prejudice continues to harm lives, communities and trust. We must acknowledge that reality and

13:23

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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act to change it. I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are committed to standing firm in this fight. We to standing firm in this fight. We reject racism in all its forms and are determined to drive meaningful are determined to drive meaningful change. But very sadly, we saw again last summer racism is still far too prevalent in our society and it

13:23

Catherine Atkinson MP (Derby North, Labour)

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prevalent in our society and it creeps into everyday life, especially for people of colour, including my constituent who told me including my constituent who told me at a surgery just last week that his wife no longer feels welcome. He wife no longer feels welcome. He told me that he fears for the future of his mixed race children, and desperately wants more politicians desperately wants more politicians to stand up and stand firm against prejudice and hate, calling it out prejudice and hate, calling it out for what it is.

It's vital that those of us with platforms do this.

13:23

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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those of us with platforms do this. I want to be clear racism is abhorrent. It is not representative abhorrent. It is not representative of my wonderful, diverse community and Chelmsford or by and large, across our wonderful country as a across our wonderful country as a whole. And it must be called out. Chelmsford, like the rest of the UK, has a proud history of being a has a proud history of being a welcoming home for everyone. And for the avoidance of any doubt, I'm proud to say that we are better for proud to say that we are better for it.

In recognising this, my party and I are clear that we must address

13:25

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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past injustices, including implementing the Windrush Lessons learned review and ending the learned review and ending the conservatives hostile environment policy. I want to turn now to something that's very close to my something that's very close to my heart, and that's maternity services. I think everyone across the House knows the maternity the House knows the maternity services are in general in dire straits. Indeed, while I applaud the

13:25

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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straits. Indeed, while I applaud the incredible hard work of midwives and NHS staff battling a system that is so obviously not fit for purpose, so obviously not fit for purpose, the problem is so systemic that a casual observer might be forgiven for thinking that women have only for thinking that women have only been giving birth for a few years. I and countless others have spoken on this issue on many occasions. It is crucial that the government implement the immediate and essential actions in the Ockenden Review and reverse their decision to

13:25

Chris Bloore MP (Redditch, Labour)

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Review and reverse their decision to end the ring fencing of £100 million for vital improvements to maternity care. But I mentioned this care. But I mentioned this specifically today, Madam Deputy Speaker, because Liberal Democrats are clear that we must urgently address the appalling, disproportionately high maternal mortality rates for black women and mortality rates for black women and eliminate racial disparities in maternal health. And this must

13:25

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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happen right now. It surely cannot be right that we continue to accept these inequalities today on the promise that there will be more parity in the future. Looking to our friends in other countries, I recently returned from a British group, Inter-Parliamentary Union Delegation to Senegal in West Africa. It was wonderful to return to a country where I had spent a year as a student. It was especially heartening to see the progress that Senegal has made in the intervening quarter of a century, and the pride

13:26

Samantha Niblett MP (South Derbyshire, Labour)

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with which its elected officials talk of the strength of their democracy. In a region beset by democracy. In a region beset by violent conflicts. And they are keen to strengthen ties with other countries around the world, countries around the world, especially the UK. Like us, they are ambitious when it comes to increasing trade, to working together to grow both our economies together to grow both our economies for mutual benefit and to tackle the huge inequalities that persist. Persist. It is clear to me that Persist.

It is clear to me that working together with our friends across the world is what truly helps across the world is what truly helps to keep us all safe. Indeed, I wear this pin today as a symbol of the new UK Senegal friendship group we formed to further that aim. Returning closer to home, I want to

13:26

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Returning closer to home, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to some of my own constituencies, local organisations who affirm this year's Black History Month theme of year's Black History Month theme of standing firm in power and pride day in, day out. One of these is the in, day out. One of these is the over 50 Black Men Forum oh 5 p.m, a not for profit group which has been established in Chelmsford and across established in Chelmsford and across Essex for some years, chaired by my constituent Enitan, came.

They do

13:26

Sonia Kumar MP (Dudley, Labour)

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constituent Enitan, came. They do excellent work improving the health and community voice of black men who are over the age of 50 and aiming to are over the age of 50 and aiming to reduce future dependency on the NHS among older black men working with UK government departments, the NHS, local councils and sports organisations. They now have projects across much of the South and East of England providing critical support for community led programmes that improve this. Marginalised groups health, tackle inequalities and challenge prejudice.

More recently they have launched an oral history project. It's titled Sir Asoka is from a Yoruba phrase translating to speak

13:28

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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up oh 5 p.m. Are, as they say, highlighting the untold stories, highlighting the untold stories, memories and experiences of older black men in Essex and come to speak out, raise their voices and demand change, creating such projects where black people are given space to remember and celebrate their remember and celebrate their cultural heritage, communities and local stories, is so important. As local stories, is so important. As oh 5 p.m. Points out, this is especially true for a number of reasons. From Essex born black

13:28

Chris Kane MP (Stirling and Strathallan, Labour)

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British youth learning about the experiences of their elders to celebrating the joyfulness of our diverse communities in Essex, and diverse communities in Essex, and creating an inclusive and accurate history of our British Isles more broadly, we must all preserve broadly, we must all preserve history, teach younger generations about how far Britain has come and draw inspiration, knowledge and courage from such stories to continue the work of challenging discrimination and improving the discrimination and improving the lives of the black community. On this note, Black History Month also presents a wonderful opportunity to presents a wonderful opportunity to build community.

One of the greatest tools we have against division and hatred. In my constituency of

13:28

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Chelmsford, the New Generation Development agency, Nida is running some brilliant community events some brilliant community events supported by Chelmsford City Council and the local bid Chelmsford for you. Whether it's their chatty patty drop in sessions or providing an open space for people to share their views and experiences of race equality, these events provide space to the recognition of local black community voices, and teach others how to be better allies. They help us all better empathise and strengthen our relationships with strengthen our relationships with our neighbours.

They reinforce that humans really aren't that different from one another, and we should all from one another, and we should all be sceptical of those who claim be sceptical of those who claim otherwise. We all have dreams, we all experience loss and love. We all all experience loss and love. We all have one life. This Black History Month, as we honour the pioneers, the local activists and the next the local activists and the next generation, Liberal Democrats are clear. We stand with you. We will stand firm in your power and pride, and we will continue working for a more just, equal and inclusive more just, equal and inclusive United Kingdom.

Dawn Butler. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

13:29

Naushabah Khan MP (Gillingham and Rainham, Labour)

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And can I say.

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that. Big Chair as a, as a for lots of people to the count. Thank you. I welcome the.

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I welcome the. Government's decision to hold Black History. Month in. Government time. It's something

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Government time. It's something and. I want to just. Congratulate Brent Council, actually, before. I.

13:30

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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I. Black. History Month event. Yesterday. And I want to also

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Yesterday. And I want to also thank the Shadow Minister for her. For her words and her speech. There

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For her words and her speech. There will they're always. They're always really quite

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They're always really quite moving. The only thing is when you look behind you and you see none of your colleagues, it makes us think, well, you're.

13:30

Daniel Francis MP (Bexleyheath and Crayford, Labour)

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well, you're. The. Only one that. Thinks like. That in your. Party.

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But we're glad you do. And we Chair the Abt women in Parliament together, and we do that very well. So I'm pleased that we have at least one good. Voice in the party. October is an exhausting month for a lot of us, not just because it's Diwali and yesterday was New Year, Hindu New Year, and we celebrate the Bandi child us as well. I mean, I

13:31

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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was very proud yesterday to wear my sari in the chamber, and I wrapped sari in the chamber, and I wrapped it myself. And having done 50 odd squats trying to get into PMQs, I wasn't cold, but my sari stayed intact, so I was very proud of intact, so I was very proud of myself. October is also Breast myself. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I've kind of avoided a lot of that this year. avoided a lot of that this year.

It's very triggering. But with Black History Month you can't avoid obviously talking about Black obviously talking about Black History Month, but I saw something really powerful on TV, an affirmation that goes, I love myself, I love my skin, I love my

13:31

General debate: General Debate on Black History Month

myself, I love my skin, I love my hair, my melanin. And I thought that was just so amazing. And it's for kids. But I actually think adults

13:31

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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14:00

Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)

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14:10

Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP (Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Independent)

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14:21

Marie Goldman MP (Chelmsford, Liberal Democrat)

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14:30

Dawn Butler MP (Brent East, Labour)

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14:40

Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)

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15:01

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill, Labour)

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something and together we can achieve. It's now led by Clive achieve. It's now led by Clive Saunders and he does amazing work for the community in in the for the community in in the constituency with activities for the over 50s a lot of support around sickle cell, which my friend from Chelsea and was talking about community help and advice and engagement. And during Covid it did great work as well. And of course, we know that black and minority ethnic people were disproportionately impacted by Covid when that was when that was taking when that was when that was taking place.

Clive is a really typical representative of an excellent community organisation in that he is community organisation in that he is always delighted to see you, but he's jolly well good to hold you to account when he does. And we love account when he does. And we love him dearly for it. I should also like to pay tribute this year to my like to pay tribute this year to my local council Chair at Watford Borough Council favour. As I said Borough Council favour. As I said you, she is a was a fellow councillor of mine when I was a councillor prior to being elected to councillor prior to being elected to this place for many years, and she's overcome adversity herself and has persevered in achieving many great things locally, and she does tremendous work supporting young people, especially through her church, in her own right, and simply to do it for her community.

This year is the 65th anniversary of Nigerian independence, and I recently had the pleasure of being able to attend one of several celebrations that was held in the constituency and the generosity of their the attendance of the organisers of this event was quite something remarkable to behold, because I was really surprised to go into it and find one of my caseworkers there with her father, and I hadn't expected her to be present at all, but they'd taken their car to the garage that was opposite the venue where the event was being held, in order to get it repaired, and they were hanging around outside the garage, and the people who had organised the celebration just came out and said, do you want to come in and join us in celebrating what we're doing locally here? And that was a tremendous thing to see.

So I then plus the diary management there to my caseworker, I think I'd like to also add support for an organisation called One Vision in my constituency, which is led by Enoch and Garage. And it's in fact it's an award winning. It's just won a national award for the work that it's been doing, has very deep links with the community, and it does incredible work with faith, faith communities in the context of health. And this was touched on also by the honourable member for Chelsea and Fulham, because people, you know, they are often intimidated by going to an NHS setting and, and to receive testing and treatment and so on, and they will go to their church.

And so one vision has done tremendous work in bringing those two groups together in order to be able to help people get tested for diabetes. For example, I'd like to thank also Eva Mburu, who is a community activist and hosts something called spiced in Watford, which is supporting women in the in the constituency. And of course, we must celebrate the legend that is Luther Blissett from Watford Football Club, who, having already given so much to Watford over years, now does incredible work with his partner Lauren, supporting the veteran community in my constituency and obviously they'll be doing that work going forward, so thank you

**** Possible New Speaker ****

very much. Abrupt and forgive me, I'll come

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Abrupt and forgive me, I'll come Davies. Yes. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy

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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. And with leave of the House, I'm grateful to wind up for House, I'm grateful to wind up for my party on the frontbench. And I thank all honourable members this thank all honourable members this afternoon for powerful, important and wide ranging contributions made and wide ranging contributions made today. And it's clear right across the House there is a shared commitment to recognising the commitment to recognising the achievements of black Britons and addressing, of course, the addressing, of course, the challenges that remain the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities concluded that Britain Disparities concluded that Britain is a model for multi-ethnic society with shared national values, a beacon to Europe and the world.

And that is not to ignore some of the that is not to ignore some of the issues that have been raised today in the chamber that we face, but to rightly acknowledge the progress rightly acknowledge the progress we've made. And importantly, I think today, the potential that we today, the potential that we continue to hold now, if any country can continue to advance equality and opportunity for black people, it is rightly this one. And as mentioned this afternoon, obviously the leader of the opposition is the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK.

And as we have agreed today, Black British history is a powerful weapon to challenge racism and tackle underachievement. And I think that was importantly drawn out across the chamber today to tackle inequalities in health, education and justice and to make sure that we all have the economic opportunities that we all want and desire for all of our constituents. Now, turning to contributions this afternoon, the honourable lady, the mother of the House, the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, the Right Honourable member, I should say now it is a pleasure to be in this House with the Honourable lady, because I remember watching her on the telly on the this week's show.

That was my particular favourite. Very much enjoyed watching and I thought it was really passionate and particularly value her valuable, her drawing out the importance of migrants that support our public services, and particularly drawing out the educational outcomes and the disparities and disadvantages that remain for too many young black children. The Honourable lady from the Liberal Democrats rightly raised the maternal health disparities. And just to respond for my party in regard to the concerns she raised under our tenure, we did launch a maternity disparities taskforce exploring inequalities in maternity care to improve vital outcomes for women.

That was back in February 2022, and this was absolutely to focus on some of the disparities raised today by women from ethnic minorities and those living in deprived areas who saw too much lack of parity with others. So we launched a £50 million fund to tackle health inequalities in maternity care and our women's health priorities of 2024, to build a consortium to deliver research, which has been raised today and capacity over the next five years. So I hope the Minister across can undertake to watch and hold to account other departments to make sure that this is rightly being built on, and I'm sure she will take the opportunity after today's debate, especially with it being mentioned roundly around the table.

The honourable lady from Brent East, who she raised that we shared, the all party women in Parliament, spoke bravely and movingly again about the direct racism that she receives that is abhorrent, unacceptable, unwarranted and unbelievable in this day and age. I loved the I love myself affirmation. I think I might start telling myself that in the mirror every morning. I think maybe we all should. If we need to get away from that kind of rot which is coming to us on social media more widely and absolutely agree about the points made about one particular party, which is trying to take people back to some kind of past that is offering a mirage.

They need to pick a side capitalist, socialist or populism. But for me, it is not a direction I want to go. In the mentioned today as well about from the Honourable lady, from Brent East, she also mentioned that there is no joy and energy in racism, the pure negativity. She might know I love my music, so I'm quite happy that maybe DJ Love Spoon could make an appearance at her events. And the quote was around making some noise.

And I think that is exactly right. The honourable gentleman. He is not in his place at the moment for Leyton and was, oh, sorry, he's moved. How could I miss him in that jacket? I can't believe, but I was going to say he had upset with us talking about making some noise, but was making a splash. And that is the jacket today in the chamber. And he rightly spoke about the pride in being black and British. And that was absolutely brilliant to see.

And he also came in and others did, talking about a prostate cancer rates for black men. Now the Prostrate Cancer Support Organisation has just recently done event in my patch in East Grinstead with the district lines over 1000 men. Just last Saturday came to the Meridian Hall, the seventh annual event. Madam Deputy Speaker, to get checked and sometimes it's actually going to the less formal places to have conversations to where there may be stigma or concern around health, which can really tackle concerns.

And so I'm sure, like we heard from other members this afternoon in the House, sometimes it's people like Brian and his team who have that conversation, which can give the confidence to go to the NHS and to other, more formal structures. And I think that gives me the opportunity to gently challenge, but I think rightly, challenge from my side of the House. Regarding the men and Women's Health Strategy, this is not just about waiting lists. This is about real interventions and real change for people.

The honourable member for Aberdeen North talks about how to pronounce a cuddle. I, I thought only cuts when it comes to Wales was quite a new one on me. But she spoke about the miracles every day and I think there is a danger in all of this negativity that we miss those miracles every day that we have in our own constituency, and also the miraculous ness of dentistry. True, over the decades, over history, how vital those people in that sector are to us now and previously the honourable member for Chelsea and Fulham, rightly spent much of his time reflecting his time and the value of our select committees in this House and tackling the outcomes when it comes to the NHS for black people in Britain.

And I urge him to work with his party on this experience. As I say, around birth and women's health. And the government rightly say that they are committed to the Women's Health Strategy. Again, I am imploring the frontbench to remained committed to that, to work together because we know what a difference it can make. And he spoke about being radical. Being radical is implementation. They say the first iteration of policy is operations. So let's get it going when it comes to this.

And it can really make the change. There are so many changes in NHS England. I think all of us are seeing rightly a forensic look in terms of this, but a lack of interest in outcomes for Wales and a lot of money going in directions that we might not always be comfortable with. So let's use this opportunity for challenge when it comes to inequalities. I mentioned the minister opposite the ethnicity pay gap reporting. I do think it is vital for us to fully understand the scrutiny and look at the potential legislation and the honourable lady from Brent, I may call her my friend.

I know this is so personal. The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, of course, October will be wearing it at pink, many of us on various days and are highlighting events across

15:14

Mr Calvin Bailey MP (Leyton and Wanstead, Labour)

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15:23

Ben Coleman MP (Chelsea and Fulham, Labour)

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15:46

Tom Hayes MP (Bournemouth East, Labour)

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15:59

Matt Turmaine MP (Watford, Labour)

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16:03

Speaker's statement

16:03

Matt Turmaine MP (Watford, Labour)

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16:03

Speaker's statement

House House of House of Commons House of Commons - House of Commons - 23 House of Commons - 23 October House of Commons - 23 October 2025.

16:23

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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This debate has concluded

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