Christmas Adjournment

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

My comments tonight are about the greatest story ever told. I want to cast people’s minds back to the first Christmas. I think of the distance that a young couple had to journey with no hotel booked and no way of knowing what the future held; I think of that young couple going through the most worrying time in their life with no help or support, wondering what the day would bring for their family. They had only their faith in God, which had called them to accept His will. They were uncertain, frightened and alone—how many families in each of our communities feel that way today? They need to know that God has a plan for their lives, and that He will bring an innkeeper who will provide.

I think of those rough and ready shepherds on the hillside—the forgotten men of society, ignored or frowned upon for their work and for being unlearned. These men were used to fading into the background, yet on that night God reminded them that He saw them and that they had a role to play. He sent not simply one angel but a heavenly host to give them the good news that the saviour of the world was born. This reminds me that there is always hope and a future for all. No matter where we are at a particular time, when we meet Christ, it can all change.

I think of the journey that those wise men undertook—years of travelling to find the truth and discover the true light of the world—and how this reminds us all to use our gifts and talents in this House and in our lives for His glory and to follow His commands to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. It reminds us all that we should be thankful for the Christian foundation of this nation. I am also thankful that the Gospel is for all and that everyone who kneels at the feet of Jesus can be changed.

The greatest story ever told is what we call the story of the Bible—the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. I believe it is the greatest truth that can be told about the power of Christmas acceptance, faith and hope, which remain today all wrapped up in the love of God, which is demonstrated in Christ Jesus.

This Christmas, I am thankful for my family, my friends, my community and my colleagues. Above all, though, I am thankful for Christ, my saviour God, humbled and born to lie in a manger, to walk this earth and to die an awful death on the cross for my salvation—and all our salvation—and to give us all hope and a future not just at Christmas, but all year through. Emmanuel, God with us then and now.

I thank you for calling me, Madam Deputy Speaker, and wish all right hon. and hon. Members a merry Christmas and a happy new year. May God bring you all the blessings that he should.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I know that the whole House will join me in congratulating Dave Taylor and the dedicated volunteers at the Royal British Legion in Gravesham; I am sure we can all find similar examples in our areas and constituencies. Despite some of the circumstances, it has been a very good year for the poppy appeal. I pay tribute to the volunteers, who do an absolutely fantastic job, but also to the public, who step forward and support the appeal. The volunteers’ hard work is a really powerful demonstration of our nation’s commitment to those who have served. Should my hon. Friend want to raise this issue in a timely fashion, she could do so next Thursday; or perhaps she could apply for an Adjournment debate, in which she could go into the subject in more detail.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

There are reports that the authorities in Saudi Arabia use wide-ranging internet censorship, automated surveillance, and prosecution under cyber-crime or counter-terror laws to punish online religious expression and dissent. Will the Leader of the House urge the Foreign Secretary to set out the concrete steps that His Majesty’s Government will take to challenge such violations of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia, and to protect the right of religious minorities and non-believers to express themselves online without any fear?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising such an important point, as is his custom in this House. As he knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, both offline and online. The Foreign Office regularly engages with Governments directly to raise areas of concern. I will make sure that these concerns are brought to the attention of the Foreign Secretary, and that the hon. Gentleman gets an answer.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Let me pay tribute to the interesting work that South Side Studios does. The Government remain committed to the rejuvenation of our high streets and to tackling vacancy, and we support innovative solutions to this issue, such as meanwhile use and rental auctions. It is a matter for local authorities to consider temporary planning permission, but I hope that my hon. Friend’s local authority has heard about this matter. Once again, she is right to raise these matters—she shows that on this issue, as on many others, she is on the side of her constituents.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

May I thank the Leader of the House for his positive answers about the persecuted across the world each week? They are much appreciated. I am deeply concerned by the increasing targeted attacks on Christians in northern Mozambique, with more than 20 Christians killed in the past month. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning those appalling attacks? Will he urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what concrete actions the Government will take to ensure the protection of Christian communities and the promotion of freedom of religion or belief in Mozambique?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter in the very sensitive way that he always does. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and we condemn attacks on religious grounds wherever they should happen and for whatever reason. The British high commission in Mozambique, alongside international partners, regularly engages with the relevant authorities and religious leaders to address violence and instability in the region. I encourage him to attend the debate on international human rights in Westminster Hall next week, at which I am sure his wise contribution will be appreciated.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I am deeply concerned by the growing and systematic discrimination faced by Christians in Algeria, including the closing of churches and the aggressive abuse of blasphemy legislation against Christian converts. Will the Leader of the House urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what concrete actions the Government will take to ensure the protection of Christian communities and the promotion of freedom of religion and belief in Algeria as a fundamental priority?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising such a serious issue, as he always does. As he knows, we are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all. We monitor the human rights situation in Algeria and routinely meet religious groups there to determine how best to support freedom of religion and belief. I understand that the relevant Foreign Office Minister met the Algerian Government last month to discuss this very issue. I will ensure that the Foreign Secretary hears the hon. Gentleman’s concerns.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. That kind of investment speaks to the strength of our industrial strategy, which the whole of Government are focused on delivering. He is absolutely right to draw attention to how the strategy is unlocking opportunities for young people in every part of the United Kingdom, and I am sure he will amplify the success of that investment and what the new manufacturing centre means for Rochdale and beyond.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I am deeply concerned by the continuing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, including some disturbing and well-documented allegations of forced organ harvesting. Will the Leader of the House urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what concrete actions the Government will take to press for an immediate end to the unethical harvesting of organs from religious minorities in China and to ensure the protection of the Falun Gong against transnational repression in the UK?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Member for raising such a serious and unreported issue. As ever, he is a real champion for religious minorities, and I commend him on his commitment to that cause. He knows that the Government are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all. The environment for freedom of religion and belief across China is restrictive and includes the persecution of the Falun Gong both in China and overseas. We continue to monitor the situation and review evidence. If these matters are true as he reports them, in our view they would constitute a serious violation of human rights. I will draw the issue to the attention of the Foreign Secretary, but the hon. Gentleman may have noticed that Foreign Office questions are on 2 December.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As the House will know, my hon. Friend has been a formidable champion for mineworkers in his constituency and their families, and I pay tribute to him for that. The Government continue to meet with BCSSS trustees, and I will certainly draw his question to the attention of Ministers.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I am deeply troubled by increasing reports of the Taliban’s crackdown on women’s education: more than 2.2 million Afghan girls have been banned from attending school beyond primary education. Will the Leader of the House urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what concrete actions the Government will take to ensure the reversal of the Taliban’s ban, so that Afghan girls can access their fundamental right to education?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We absolutely condemn the appalling erosion of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. We have provided £151 million in aid programmes to provide lifesaving support for the most vulnerable people in the country, particularly for women and girls. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman gets a reply from the Foreign Secretary to the very important points that he raises with his usual diligence and excellent tone.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

Monday 27 October marked International Religious Freedom Day. In the UK, we are fortunate to enjoy the freedom to believe or not to believe without fear of persecution, but sadly in countries such as Nigeria and Sudan, which was mentioned this morning, many religious minorities continue to suffer appalling daily discrimination and violence. Will the Leader of the House join me in marking that significant day, and urge the Government to reaffirm their commitment to making religious freedom a key foreign policy priority?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am happy to join the hon. Gentleman in his cause, which he raises steadfastly. He is right to do so. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all across the globe, wherever that happens to be. No one should experience discrimination for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief, and I encourage him—I have no need to because he will—to continue to raise these matters in future.

Privileges

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Wednesday 29th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I thank everyone involved in producing the report and the Leader of the House for bringing it to the House for us to consider. I recall very well where I was on that fateful day when the news came through. It has always been very important to me, and indeed to everyone in this House, to ensure that justice is done. I was born in Omagh—I remember little about it, because I was only there as a wee baby—so I always want to see justice done for all those who lost loved ones.

I therefore warmly welcome the report, which is a positive step forward. My party leader—my right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson)—my party and I have encouraged full co-operation, which is what we want to see. I thank the Chair of the Committee for all the swift conclusions brought forward. It would have been untenable for the House of Commons to withhold information that might aid the inquiry’s understanding and assist the families in their quest for truth and justice.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of our local communities, and I am genuinely sorry to hear of the issue that my hon. Friend raises on behalf of her constituents; I know she is doing everything she can to support them. She may wish to apply for a Backbench Business debate, to express her concerns and to hear from Ministers about our £400 million investment in grassroots sports facilities across the UK.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I am deeply troubled by the horrific rise in attacks against the Christian community in Nigeria, including the destruction of churches, kidnapping and the recent murder of 13 Christians in Plateau state on 14 October. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning those appalling attacks and urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what action the Government will take in response to escalating persecution?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, and I join him in condemning any acts against churches and religious groups. The Government are committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all. I gently point him towards Foreign Office orals on 28 October, where he may want to raise this directly.

Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Apparently, we have a short question from Jim Shannon.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

Once again, I welcome the Leader of the House to his new role, which he is clearly enjoying very much. I wish him well.

On Wednesday past, I met a deputation from Chin state in Burma. I am deeply concerned about increased reports of junta military attacks on the majority Christian community in Chin state, including last week’s airstrike, which struck a church in Matupi township. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning this appalling attack and urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what action the Government will take in response to the escalating attacks against religious communities in Chin state in Myanmar?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

In terms of my demeanour, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will just say gently to the hon. Gentleman that appearances can be deceptive. He is, as ever, a fierce champion of freedom of religion or belief, and he raises a very serious matter. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. I will make sure that the Foreign Secretary hears his concerns and that he gets a reply, but I also encourage the hon. Gentleman to raise his question at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 28 October. He is no stranger to questions, I am sure.