Backbench Business Committee
Tuesday 3rd November 2026
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16:15
Bob Blackman
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Bob Blackman
Order, order. Welcome to the meeting of the Backbench Business Committee, where we will be considering applications for debates in the main chamber and in Westminster Hall on a Tuesday and Thursday. First application is from Mike Reader on Children's Safety on online gaming platforms. This is for a debate in Westminster Hall on a Tuesday morning. 90 minute debate. And over to you, Mike, to present your case. Thank you chair. Everyone who's got kids in the room will know the name Roblox. Major platform with millions of users. Few, though, will know that online gaming is one of the main places that adults first make contact with children.
The government's own research shows 40% of offenders sort contact children online first, and did so via online gaming. We've debated in this house social media restrictions considerably, but we haven't specifically related gaming and gaming works differently. Voice chat it's in-game currency, user generated worlds, and lots of pathways to taking children into off platform private messaging. The government has committed to bringing new restrictions. They've already started with major platforms, but this debate would give us a chance to press D, sit on scope, age assurance and the off platform problem before regulations and rules are written. I've got cross-party support from Labour, conservative, Lib Dem, SNP, DUP and independent members and I'd be grateful for the committee's support.
Thank you. Well.
The government's own research shows 40% of offenders sort contact children online first, and did so via online gaming. We've debated in this house social media restrictions considerably, but we haven't specifically related gaming and gaming works differently. Voice chat it's in-game currency, user generated worlds, and lots of pathways to taking children into off platform private messaging. The government has committed to bringing new restrictions. They've already started with major platforms, but this debate would give us a chance to press D, sit on scope, age assurance and the off platform problem before regulations and rules are written. I've got cross-party support from Labour, conservative, Lib Dem, SNP, DUP and independent members and I'd be grateful for the committee's support.
Thank you. Well.
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16:18
Bob Blackman
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Bob Blackman
I'd be happy to work with the committee on that, but this side or the early side of of Christmas would be in the early new year would be good. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Thank you Mike. The clocks will be in touch with you in due course. As as well said, we can only allocate on a Tuesday morning when the answering department is the relevant one. So we await the rotors. Yes. Thank you chair. Thank you. Thank you. Committee. Right. Next up is our season ticket holder, Jim Shannon. And this is for a debate in Westminster Hall I believe are on ending the unhealthy homes and buildings crisis in the UK.
16:18
Speaker 1
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Speaker 1
Mr. chairman, I want again, thank you very much for giving me the chance to come on and ask for another debate. The debate is ending the unhealthy homes and building crisis in the United Kingdom. Very fortunate that some other names on that later. Mr. chairman, if that's okay. We've got a. We didn't have as many conservative members on it, but we have Sir Robert Lee, John Cooper and Rishi Sunak. I think that makes for conservative names on the on the application form, along with many other Lib Dem and lots of Labour members. Why is this important?
Debate will highlight the urgent need to end the problem of unhealthy homes and buildings in UK. I believe it's time for government to embed the health, the health and wellbeing as a core preventative principle across any future legislation to ensure our homes and buildings do not continue to cause or exacerbate poor health and building wellbeing. Government has committed to building a meet that target of 1.5 million homes, but they will meet a large target of homes. But it's important that within this, I believe, a historic, once in a generation opportunity to adopt a holistic approach and end the blight of unhealthy homes and buildings.
When it comes to the warm home plans, when it comes to expansion of social and council housing, when it comes to the updated Decent Homes standards, we must ensure these investments are new to new and existing homes are fit for the future generation. So we've got that opportunity right now with the government targeting specifically large building projects across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This debate will urge government to shift from reacting to poor conditions towards preventing illness before it starts. The approach does not require. And here's one of the great things about it, Mr.
Chairman. It does not require burdensome new regulations, but rather the strategic alignment of housing, health, energy and planning around shared outcomes. And that's got to be an opportunity that we should take advantage of. Mr. chairman, thank you very much, Mary.
Debate will highlight the urgent need to end the problem of unhealthy homes and buildings in UK. I believe it's time for government to embed the health, the health and wellbeing as a core preventative principle across any future legislation to ensure our homes and buildings do not continue to cause or exacerbate poor health and building wellbeing. Government has committed to building a meet that target of 1.5 million homes, but they will meet a large target of homes. But it's important that within this, I believe, a historic, once in a generation opportunity to adopt a holistic approach and end the blight of unhealthy homes and buildings.
When it comes to the warm home plans, when it comes to expansion of social and council housing, when it comes to the updated Decent Homes standards, we must ensure these investments are new to new and existing homes are fit for the future generation. So we've got that opportunity right now with the government targeting specifically large building projects across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This debate will urge government to shift from reacting to poor conditions towards preventing illness before it starts. The approach does not require. And here's one of the great things about it, Mr.
Chairman. It does not require burdensome new regulations, but rather the strategic alignment of housing, health, energy and planning around shared outcomes. And that's got to be an opportunity that we should take advantage of. Mr. chairman, thank you very much, Mary.
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Speaker 1
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Speaker 1
I was sitting there thinking because I thought, I thought the question I would have thought that would probably would have been the department, the appropriate one. But I mean, I'll be guided by by the committee and what they think is appropriate. I'm happy to be flexible. And whenever the debate can be called. Thank you so much.
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16:21
Bob Blackman
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Bob Blackman
Well, the reason why I say this is obviously you're a veteran of applications to this committee. Yes. And whilst we're always pleased to see a huge number of people that are interested in the subject. Yes. I'm just concerned about, you know, if we allocate the debate on Thursday afternoon, how many people of this list are going to turn up and and join you in in a very important debate? Don't get me wrong, but very important debate, particularly the ones you've just mentioned, in addition to the names that are on our list here.
16:22
Speaker 1
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Speaker 1
I think I'm a I think many people, Mr. Chairman, always would wish very kindly to offer support whenever I ask him about a debate. I think I'm wise enough in this world to understand that while they may offer their verbal support, their physical appearance may not always come up to that level of expectation. With that being the case. Well, I'm overwhelmed, Mr. Chairman, with the number of people who have indicated a wish to to, to be present.
I think the reality is they will not all be there.
I think the reality is they will not all be there.
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16:23
Speaker 2
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Speaker 2
Thank you very much, chair. And I'm seeking a debate in support of Islamophobia Awareness Month, which takes place each November. The purpose of the debate would be to consider the prevalence and impact of anti-Muslim hatred in the UK, the contribution of British Muslims to our society and what more can be done to to tackle discrimination? It would be a timely debate, given the continuing concerns around religiously motivated hate crime and the wider public discussion about community relations. The debate would provide Parliament, I believe, with an opportunity to address an issue of growing concern to my constituents in Barking and Dagenham, but I know that anti-Muslim hatred is also a concern for many others around the country.
Religiously motivated hate crime impacts different communities of different religions. It's a scourge on our society. I know members will agree there is a substantive body of evidence demonstrating the harmful impact that prejudice, discrimination and negative stereotyping can have on individuals and communities. This debate would allow members to share experiences from their constituency of anti-Muslim hatred and discuss the government's response. The timing is particularly important given the debate would coincide with Islamophobia Awareness Awareness Month itself. Holding the debate during November would maximise public engagement and provide an opportunity for Parliament to demonstrate leadership in challenging religious hatred and promoting community cohesion.
I appreciate the pressures of time. So although I'm asking for the debate to be considered in November, it's an ongoing issue across the country, so I'd welcome the debate to be tabled at any time. And the principle that people should be able to practice their faith free from hatred is one that I think I know that commands support across the House. I've secured support from members from different political parties, which reflect the broad interests that people have, and I believe we will ensure a well attended and balanced debate.
Religiously motivated hate crime impacts different communities of different religions. It's a scourge on our society. I know members will agree there is a substantive body of evidence demonstrating the harmful impact that prejudice, discrimination and negative stereotyping can have on individuals and communities. This debate would allow members to share experiences from their constituency of anti-Muslim hatred and discuss the government's response. The timing is particularly important given the debate would coincide with Islamophobia Awareness Awareness Month itself. Holding the debate during November would maximise public engagement and provide an opportunity for Parliament to demonstrate leadership in challenging religious hatred and promoting community cohesion.
I appreciate the pressures of time. So although I'm asking for the debate to be considered in November, it's an ongoing issue across the country, so I'd welcome the debate to be tabled at any time. And the principle that people should be able to practice their faith free from hatred is one that I think I know that commands support across the House. I've secured support from members from different political parties, which reflect the broad interests that people have, and I believe we will ensure a well attended and balanced debate.
16:25
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16:26
Bob Blackman
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Bob Blackman
Thank you. The other issue is, of course, there's no problem with the very large number of members you've got on the list here. But for for us, we require a balance between government and opposition. So as as this list stands, it's acceptable for a Westminster Hall debate. But you need to supply probably another 4 or 5 opposition names. That could be for any opposition parties to balance it up. So there is a balanced debate across the chamber. Were we to take this forward for the chamber? So without prejudging what colleagues will say, if you're wanting a chamber debate, then you'll need to supply extra opposition names to make this a live application, as has been mentioned.
There's not much time to go back now before the end of November. So you would need to do that very promptly indeed for us to even consider this for the chamber.
There's not much time to go back now before the end of November. So you would need to do that very promptly indeed for us to even consider this for the chamber.
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16:28
Speaker 3
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Speaker 3
That's right. Thank you. Chair. Disabled children's social care is simply not working well enough for families who depend on it. Families rely on respite and short breaks, personal care, specialist equipment and adaptations. Yet, even when a child has been assessed as needing support, workforce shortages can mean that that help never arrives. Access has also become a postcode lottery, with families facing different thresholds and levels of support depending on where they live. Too often parents are seeking practical help, but they encounter an intrusive and complex system that can leave them feeling scrutinised rather than supported. The Law Commission has proposed a simpler and fairer legal framework, with send reform and wider social care changes firmly on the agenda.
Now is the right time for Parliament to consider what happens next. So a Westminster Hall debate would allow MPs from across the House to bring forward their constituents experiences, scrutinise progress on the law's Commission's recommendations and press the government for a clear timetable for reform so disabled children and their families get the right support and certainty that they deserve.
Now is the right time for Parliament to consider what happens next. So a Westminster Hall debate would allow MPs from across the House to bring forward their constituents experiences, scrutinise progress on the law's Commission's recommendations and press the government for a clear timetable for reform so disabled children and their families get the right support and certainty that they deserve.
16:29
16:29
Jonathan Davies
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Jonathan Davies
Thank you chairman. You mentioned in your application, Samantha, that you wanted the Department for Health and Social Care to be the answering department, but many of these issues sit under DfE. In fact, the Law Commission review that you've mentioned is commissioned by the DfE. Is it definitely DHS that you want to answer, or would you rather it was a DfE?
16:29
Speaker 3
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Speaker 3
It is a tough one. I'm talking specifically here about disabled children and the support the social support they get. It could be a toss up between the two. I think if I'm thinking personally about my constituency, I'm thinking specifically about young chap Alfie, who has cerebral palsy, who is desperately trying to get support from Derbyshire County Council and the support services there are are lacking. But it could be either department. But it's with a specific focus on social care.
16:30
Bob Blackman
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Bob Blackman