Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 21st May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am not sure the hon. Gentleman should necessarily draw that conclusion; as he will be aware, the Government are committed to improving access, but, as he will also know, it takes time to turn around the system that we inherited. He is right that if he gets information from Ministers, he should also get an update on the progress that we are making. I will ensure that he gets that from the relevant Minister.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

I pay tribute to Councillor Angela Loughran, who has sadly passed away. She first represented the Manor ward in ’97, and worked tirelessly for her residents for nearly 30 years. A previous teacher, she was a true public servant, and she will be greatly missed by her friends, family and the wider Stafford community.

In a recent survey of more than 500 residents, 61% cited the return of an indoor market in Stafford as their top priority. I am campaigning with residents for that: a lively, all-day destination that draws in people from across the town and beyond, and will create local jobs. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on the contribution of indoor markets to local economies in towns like Stafford?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Councillor Angela Loughran. Local figures like her truly embody the spirit of the community they serve. I also recognise the importance of the issue that my hon. Friend raises for the people of Stafford. I encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on the impact that indoor markets can have on local economies, as I am sure there will be others who share her enthusiasm and support for such markets.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 14th May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend’s advocacy for businesses in his constituency is commendable, and I pay tribute to him. We are currently reviewing the eligibility for the British industry supercharger and the energy intensive industries compensation scheme. I encourage him to raise these matters during the King’s Speech debate on Monday, which is around backing business to create economic growth.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

Given that it is marathon season, will the Leader of the House join me in recognising the new endurance event in my constituency: the 39-week Creswell roadworks? Before the scheme started, many of my constituents were deeply concerned about safety, disruption and delays, and they were right to be. This week was the first week, and constituents have reported children being late for school in exam season, public transport issues, vehicles driving the wrong way down a one-way street, and confusion after changes to the route were decided but not communicated to anyone. Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate in Government time on how roadworks are planned and communicated, so that disruption is minimised, the cost to businesses is considered, and communities such as mine are not left to bear the burden once again?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is a strong campaigner for her constituency, and she has raised similar concerns on behalf of her constituents with me before. She is right to say that her constituents deserve better, which is why we are clamping down on roadworks that overrun and doubling fines. This is a matter not just of ensuring that people can get to school, but it is also about disruption to business. I therefore encourage her to raise such matters during Monday’s debate on backing businesses to create economic growth.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Leigh Ingham

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I do not always disagree with the right hon. Gentleman, but I disagree with his analysis of where we have got to with this matter. I agree that there should be a voice for residents, but there should also be rights and responsibilities for local authorities, who walk a difficult line. We need to protect our environment wherever we can but, as he recognises, we walk a difficult line because our residents need more houses. Housing is a good thing in driving the economy, provided that the protections in place are available to protect the areas he talks about. I understand that can be frustrating for residents, including, as he points out, my own constituents. At the same time, they realise that there is a housing shortage in our country and that housing is at a premium in many areas, so frankly we need to get on with it and build some new houses.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

Mr Speaker, I know that you, like me, are incredibly passionate about youth services. My constituents are very concerned that under the previous Conservative-led local authority, Staffordshire faced the third worst youth service cuts in the country. While I welcome the new Government report, the national youth strategy and the £500 million being invested in youth services, the first wave of those hubs announced is concentrated on cities. Will the Leader of the House guarantee a debate in Government time on youth services in towns, which have been so decimated under Conservative-led authorities?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As my hon. Friend will have heard, her remarks were well received by Members on the Labour Benches, because there is an acceptance that youth services are vital for the future of young people. The reality is that there was no youth strategy when we came into office, but we now have one that has been drawn up by young people. We are doing everything we can to tackle what has effectively been the closure of more than 1,000 youth centres under the previous Government. I will raise the matter with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and ensure that my hon. Friend gets a response.

May I also put on the record my thanks to my hon. Friend for her brilliant work as my Parliamentary Private Secretary? I understand her motivation and her reason for not wanting to continue—I hope it was nothing I said—but I put on the record my sincere thanks. She was absolutely fantastic.