Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Jim McMahon

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Credit unions make a significant contribution, providing safe, ethical and community focused financial services, and they remain an important part of the wider co-operative family. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on the role of credit unions in promoting financial inclusion and supporting local economies, and will he ask the relevant Minister to confirm what steps the Government are taking to strengthen the credit union sector, update regulations and increase public awareness?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to credit unions, which do a fantastic job in many communities across our country. Were he to seek an Adjournment debate, I am sure that he could find common cause with hon. Members from across the House in raising the profile of credit unions and seeking the answer to his question. I remind the House that this time next week we will be approaching the pre-recess Adjournment debate, when Members will have the opportunity to raise whatever they want.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Jim McMahon

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are very clear that they are against religious intolerance wherever it happens and whichever community or faith it comes from. The news from Nigeria is very worrying indeed; let us hope for a suitable outcome. The hon. Gentleman may wish to seek an Adjournment debate or speak in the pre-recess Adjournment debate to give further evidence about his concerns.

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

One issue that literally keeps my constituents awake at night is noisy fireworks. It happens around weddings and around car meets, with young people setting them off at night. That is why I was pleased to support the ten-minute rule Bill introduced yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South and Walkden (Yasmin Qureshi). Given that this is a big issue around the country, affecting veterans, those with sensory issues, animals and others, will the Government consider taking over that ten-minute rule Bill, so that we can get it into law?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an issue that is often mentioned around bonfire night but is also relevant as we approach end-of-year celebrations. It is important that we respond with proportionate measures. I am not familiar with the ten-minute Bill he mentions—I missed that one—so I cannot give him a commitment that the Government will take it over, but I am sure that the matter will continue to be debated. It is right and proper that he raises his concerns on behalf of his constituents.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Jim McMahon

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will draw that to the attention of the relevant Minister, but I also invite the hon. Gentleman to hear about this from Ministers, at first hand. We will arrange an appointment, if he wishes for that to happen.

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

Happy Lancashire day to you, Mr Speaker, and to all celebrating the historic county in Oldham, Chadderton and Royton. For 15 years, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs mileage rate has been 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles. In that time, the cost of buying and running a car, and of insurance and repairs, has clearly increased, but HMRC has not caught up. As a result of those cost rises, the NHS uprated its figure and will now pay 56p per mile for the first 3,500 miles.[Official Report, 1 December 2025; Vol. 776, c. 8WC.] (Correction) That means we now have a two-tier system, in which healthcare workers working for the NHS will be paid 25% more per mile than the home care worker in social care. Is it not time that HMRC got its act together, updated the rates, and finally treated working people with the respect that they deserve by paying them fairly for the mileage that they incur?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

That is a fair point. We owe a great debt to public servants, and it is important that they be treated fairly at work and in their tax matters. If my hon. Friend intends to speak in the Budget debate, he may want to raise this issue then.