Commons Chamber

Thursday 13th November 2025

(began 1 hour, 56 minutes ago)

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None Portrait Q2. What steps she has taken to improve access to nature. (906281)
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Mr. Speaker. Question that the government is delivering on our manifesto commitments to improve access to
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None Portrait Q3. What her planned timeline is for moving away from the use of farrowing crates and cages in farming. (906282)
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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and will work closely with
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None Portrait Q7. Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of solar farms on food security. (906288)
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Only 0.1% of land is used for solar and half of the agricultural land generating solar power is still
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None Portrait Q11. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of food waste. (906292)
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So many questions. We are committed to tackling food waste and ensuring food reaches those in
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None Portrait Oral questions: Attorney General’s Office
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Solicitor General. Mr. speaker, since April 2020,
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None Portrait Q1. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office's work in tackling serious economic crime. (906305)
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Mr. speaker, since April 2020, the SFO has recovered over £550 million from criminals for the UK
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None Portrait Q4. What steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates in cases of violence against women and girls. (906309)
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Mr. speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions
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Helen Grant Portrait Helen Grant MP (Maidstone and Malling, Conservative)
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welcome the right hon. Lady to her place. She is indeed my third Solicitor General in the last 12 months, and I also look forward to working with her constructively where we can and having healthy debate in this chamber in the weeks and months to come. I would also like to associate myself with her remarks on the sad passing of Baroness Newlove. I had the honour of working with her when I was the

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victim's Minister. She was a great champion of victims and she will be very, very sadly missed. You.

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You. Mr. Speaker. Violence against women and girls is a scourge. It women and girls is a scourge. It wrecks families and it ruins lives. And one of the most sickening aspects of it is cruelty and abuse aspects of it is cruelty and abuse to children. Currently, there is no national mechanism to track down national mechanism to track down and monitor serious child cruelty offenders after service of their offenders after service of their sentences. Her ministerial colleague, the Member for Rother colleague, the Member for Rother Valley, at Report stage of the sentencing bill, said this and I quote A problem in the system has been identified and we are determined to fix it.

It simply determined to fix it. It simply cannot be right that some horrific child abusers can have access to child abusers can have access to children, live with children and work with children at the end of work with children at the end of their sentences without any system of monitoring or notification. The of monitoring or notification. The Minister went on to welcome the offer of cross-party talks. He also promised to work at speed to establish a child cruelty register. So can the Solicitor General please update the House on what concrete steps have been taken since then?

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Mr. chairman. I thank the hon. Member for that
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Alan Campbell Portrait Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)
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Jurisdiction Bill. Tuesday, the 18th of November, Second Reading of 18th of November, Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. Wednesday the 19th of November. Consideration of Lords amendments Consideration of Lords amendments to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, followed by Committee of the whole House and Committee of the whole House and remaining stages of the Property Digital Assets Bill, Thursday the 20th of November debate on a motion on the subject of International Men's Day, followed by a debate on a motion on an Injury in Service Award.

The subject for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. On Backbench Business Committee. On Friday, the 21st of November. The House will not be sitting the provisional business for the week commencing the 24th of November include Monday, the 24th of November. Remaining stages of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Day one Tuesday, Empowerment Bill. Day one Tuesday, the 25th of November. Remaining stages of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Day and Community Empowerment Bill. Day two Wednesday the 26th of November.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver her budget statement Thursday, the 27th of November. Continuation of the of November. Continuation of the budget debate Friday the 28th of November. The House will not be sitting Monday, the 1st of December. Continuation of the budget debate and Tuesday the 2nd of December. Conclusion of the budget debate. Jesse Norman. Mr. speaker, I am
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Jesse Norman Portrait Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)
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sure I speak for many members when I thank you and the whole of the speaker's office for the work you have put in to make this past week of remembrance so memorable. The Gardens of Remembrance, the projection of images from the projection of images from the Second World War onto the Elizabeth Tower, the wreath laying in Westminster Hall and much else. All Westminster Hall and much else. All these things I know took a huge amount of organisation, coordination and hard work.

So coordination and hard work. So thank you to you and your office. I would also draw the attention of colleagues to the launch of the colleagues to the launch of the project to build the remembrance clock at the National Arboretum, clock at the National Arboretum, and I hope that they, in turn, will dig deep to support that. Mr. speaker, in the spirit of speaker, in the spirit of exchanging news stories that the leader and I have developed over the past 2 or 3 weeks, let me give the past 2 or 3 weeks, let me give you a raft, if I may, of intriguing items.

Nine former four star items. Nine former four star generals who condemned the government's treatment of veterans on Remembrance Day, 1 million more on Remembrance Day, 1 million more people are now claiming Universal Credit than a year ago, without any need to have to look for a job. The Chancellor gave an unexpected early press conference, apparently to prepare people for major tax rises. And the Prime Minister has acknowledged yesterday the rise in national insurance. Junior doctors have announced a five day strike starting tomorrow in pursuit of a 26% pay rise, on top of the woefully inadequate, as they would see it, 29% received last year.

Number ten Downing Street has insisted that the Prime Minister has full confidence in Morgan McSweeney and that he, or perhaps it's Mr. McSweeney, will still be Prime Minister at the next election. Mr. speaker, it has rightly been said that our country has moved from being post-war to being pre-war. In recent weeks, we've seen a marked escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian forces have made gains in and around the city of Pokrovsk, threatening to cut transport routes and displace thousands more civilians.

Missile and drone attacks on energy and transport infrastructure have intensified, with serious consequences for Ukraine's ability to sustain its economy through the winter. These developments follow reports of a significant increase in Russian arms production, and continued circumvention of sanctions through covert oil and gas shipments. The same time, international aid flows have slowed and Ukrainian forces are facing actual or potential shortages of money, ammunition and equipment. All this, I would suggest, underlines the need for Parliament to take stock three years into the conflict.

The nature of the war is shifting and now demands renewed strategic coordination among Ukraine's allies. In this context, I'd like to ask the leader to commit to keeping back December 4th for the backbench debate on Ukraine requested by my brilliant right hon. Colleague, the Member for Harwich. Where is he? Over there and north Essex, and agreed by the backbench Business Committee. By my calculation, we have not had a general debate on Ukraine on the floor of the House since February of this year, and not on a substantial motion since 2023.

This debate would allow the House to review the current worrying state of military preparedness and the humanitarian situation. The position on frozen Russian financial assets held in Europe, the status of occupied territories which Russia claims quite wrongly for itself, the government's approach to long range defensive support and sanctions enforcement. It would allow us to examine the diplomatic context. It would allow us to test government policy and cross-departmental coordination, and to bring the very diverse range of expertise and knowledge across this House to bear on a crucial issue facing the entire continent of Europe.

And above all, it would allow this House of Commons as an institution to brief itself in full and demonstrate that strong sense of unity that exists in this country, on the vital defence of our sovereign ally, Ukraine. The House has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine, and rightly so. But as the conflict evolves, we must ensure our response evolves with it. Now, it is possible that the leader's genius for prognostication and intelligence gathering may have already caused him to form a supportive view of this request, but if not, I ask very much that he have the government make time for this timely and important debate.

On December 4th, leader. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. speaker,
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Alan Campbell Portrait Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)
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it's very early in the day. Mr. speaker, I can assure. You I thank the Shadow Leader for his remarks, the Shadow Leader for his remarks, and I join with him very much in thanking you, Mr. Speaker, and indeed all House staff, for this indeed all House staff, for this week's work on remembrance events. It's a real opportunity each year It's a real opportunity each year when we come together, not just as a house, but as a nation, to pay a house, but as a nation, to pay tribute to those who served and who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

And I also join with him in drawing And I also join with him in drawing attention of members to the Remembrance Clock at the National Memorial Arboretum, which will Memorial Arboretum, which will serve as a permanent memorial to MPs, peers, journalists and staff MPs, peers, journalists and staff who died in war conflict and because of acts of terrorism. And I know, Mr. Speaker, that you have written to members with this regard. You and the Lord speaker have done so, and I join with the shadow so, and I join with the shadow leader in asking, where possible, colleagues may wish to contribute colleagues may wish to contribute to that fund.

I also, Mr. Speaker. to that fund. I also, Mr. Speaker. Draw attention to the fact that today the government has published its response to the UK Commission its response to the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, setting out plans to mark this period in our nation's history. My thoughts and those of the government are with the many families who suffered devastating loss of a loved one during this time, and I know a number of the Covid 19 bereaved families are represented here in Parliament today.

We thank them for all that they do to provide support to others in their grief, and the commemorative program will ensure that, as a country, we do not forget, this month also marks a number of important awareness campaigns, Mr. Speaker, and November is Men's Mental Health Month, which raises awareness and tackles stigma surrounding men's mental health and encourages men to seek help and support when they need it. We also recognise Islamophobia Awareness Month. Islamophobia has no place in our society. The government is very clear that we must challenge and eradicate all forms of Islamophobia and ensure that everyone feels safe in their community.

Mr. speaker, I also come to the. I will come to the shadow leaders point in a moment, but I'm sure the whole House will join with me in welcoming the Transport Secretary's announcement yesterday about plans aimed at reducing long waiting lists for driving tests and preventing slots being sold on at inflated prices. This is good news because I know many of our constituents take a keen interest in this, but it's also important to note that many members across the floor have raised this question during business questions and indeed other parliamentary occasions, and it's evidence if we need it.

Mr. speaker, that the government is listening to those concerns and is taking action. Let me turn now to the shadow leaders remarks and to some extent put aside his knockabout, except to point out, of course, that it is true that more people are moving across to Universal Credit because they're moving across to Universal Credit. The system was always planned that people would move across to the new system. So it's not there's no great surprise there. On the more serious point that he raises, though, on the question of Ukraine, we stand firm in our support for Ukraine and its sovereignty.

I'm not just talking about this government, Mr. Speaker. I'm talking about this House. And it's really important that we get an opportunity to discuss these matters. And I will take very seriously his his reasonable request that we have a debate, certainly before the end of this year. And because the government does stand to shoulder with the people of Ukraine, we have, I think, a good record of bringing the matter back to the House, particularly through statements in order that the House is updated on any developments.

But I do want to also give the House an opportunity to debate the matter more fully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two families in High Green in my constituency have now waited two years for a scheme of works to years for a scheme of works to their social houses, which was originally estimated to take just 12 weeks. This is completely unacceptable. I visited them last week and saw that work has been week and saw that work has been completed to a substandard, creating damp mould issues and causing damage to property and causing damage to property and personal possessions.

This has left families with a horrific impact on their wellbeing and mental health. their wellbeing and mental health. The Renters Rights Act has now become law. Will the Leader of the
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Bobby Dean Portrait Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)
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thanking you and all the staff for their role that they played in organising the remembrance events organising the remembrance events of the past week. Mr. speaker, I too would like to focus on Ukraine this week. The Russias war is is this week. The Russias war is is rumbling on and we're about to enter a long and cold winter where enter a long and cold winter where it looks like temperatures will drop below 20 degrees. And we hear that Vladimir Putin has got a that Vladimir Putin has got a vicious plot to attack the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, threatening the heat supply to the very homes that families are trying very homes that families are trying to survive in.

And as Russia makes these advances, it does feel somewhat that Britain, its allies, somewhat that Britain, its allies, have reached a bit of a stalling point. We are standing around wondering whether or not it's wondering whether or not it's legitimate to seize Russian assets. We are worried about potential future legal claims by the Russian future legal claims by the Russian state, and all the while Putin is pouring petrol into his war machine. pouring petrol into his war machine. Mr. speaker, I feel that the time for deliberation is surely over.

There have been several routes There have been several routes through this legal route proposed. I think the time now is to act. In the meantime, one of the weapons we the meantime, one of the weapons we do have in our armoury is the sanctions against Russia. And it's not only important to impose these sanctions, but to enforce them as well. And so it was quite shocking this week, Mr. Speaker, to learn that the government were unable to explain why over £30 million worth of Russian planes were imported into the UK.

And I note, Mr. Speaker, that the Office of Financial Sanctions implementation is much smaller than its equivalent in the US and the EU. And I wonder whether in this debate that we may have about Ukraine before the end of the year, where we could focus on the role of ofsi, where we can determine whether or not it's adequate and whether it has the resources to properly deal with the

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scale and importance of the UK sanctions regime today. Mr. speaker, the hon. Gentleman

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Mr. speaker, the hon. Gentleman is right. Addressing Ukraine's financial needs is absolutely vital for ensuring that the Ukrainians for ensuring that the Ukrainians can continue to defend themselves against Russian aggression. He is against Russian aggression. He is also right that the UK is determined, I can confirm, is determined to make progress on this determined to make progress on this issue at pace. But he also understands, I'm sure, that it does involve working with other partners involve working with other partners in this regard.

So there is no intention not to move at pace. But intention not to move at pace. But there are other people involved in this discussion as well. Whether Russia has a plot for a new stage Russia has a plot for a new stage in the campaign or not, we continue to bolster Ukraine's armed forces to bolster Ukraine's armed forces and increase pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table, because, of course, we all want to
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