Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Lincoln Jopp

Thursday 12th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in thanking all those involved in community radio, including Jeff, Paul and Emma at Erewash Sound. I know my hon. Friend was a keen musician in his youth, and that community radio stations such as those in his community are vital for local and grassroots music. I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on the topic, because I am sure others would wish to join in and celebrate what is happening in their areas.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

On Monday, my wife asked me what we were doing at work this week, and I said I was trying to support the British pub industry. She looked at me and said, “Trust me, you’re doing your bit already.” We probably will not agree on the reasons why the pub industry is suffering a bit, but does the Leader of the House agree that we would show some leadership in our communities if all 650 Members committed to going to their local pub and buying a drink this weekend?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly encourage Members to visit their local pubs, because they are an important part of local communities, but I also encourage them to be moderate in their actions, because we might save the pub, but we might not save our marriages.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Lincoln Jopp

Thursday 26th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As ever, my hon. Friend raises a very important issue. We all want children across the UK to have the best opportunities and start in life, so it is vital that important transport services are available for children to access education, particularly in rural areas. As I have said many times, the Scottish Government have a record funding settlement and they should make use of it. I hope that Falkirk council has listened to my hon. Friend’s concerns.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

At 3 o’clock on Saturday, Windsor & Eton football club will play the Ashford Town (Middlesex) team in the north of my constituency. My hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Jack Rankin) is coming over with 100 of his closest friends. Will the Leader of the House join me in encouraging as many members of my Spelthorne constituency to get themselves to Ashford Town at 3 pm to cheer on the team?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in hoping that the day is a success. Of course, we want to encourage people to go along and cheer on and support teams, not least because many clubs face difficult financial circumstances, so getting communities behind teams is really important. The only thing that surprises me is that a Member of Parliament has 100 friends.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Lincoln Jopp

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

First, I extend my deepest sympathies to Jo and Chris and all their family in what is an unimaginable situation. Every life lost to suicide is a profound tragedy, and we are committed to delivering the five-year suicide prevention strategy. As my hon. Friend says, we are also determined to keep young people safe online, and I obviously join him in welcoming our consultation on children’s use of technology. Once that consultation has concluded, we will update the House.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

Pride in Place funding is about £5 billion directed at our most deprived areas. I think it is worked out on a constituency basis, and that constituencies have to hit a point on two indices of deprivation to qualify, and must therefore be what the Government call “double deprived”. I have significant pockets of deprivation in my constituency, particularly in parts of Stanwell, yet they do not qualify for Pride in Place funding because it is calculated on a constituency basis, which seems pretty unfair to me. Will the Leader of the House allow Government time for us to debate the Pride in Place funding formula, so that we can understand it, and bring such anomalies to the attention of the Government?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct in his analysis of how funding is allocated. Certainly in my local case, the allocation is not actually to the poorest neighbourhoods; it is to neighbourhoods that are poor, and are left behind on certain indices. It is a different way of calculating than might previously have been used.

The hon. Gentleman is right, though, to point out that the Government are putting more investment in through Pride in Place. We will continue to do so, but this is not only about the investment that goes in; it is about putting local people in charge, because it is not just that some communities look like they have been left behind, but that people feel that they have been left behind. The Government obviously wish to see this scheme rolled out further, so I hope that he is more successful in future. I will do everything I can to ensure that we get an opportunity to debate these matters, because we have a good record and a good story to tell, and he will be able to make his concerns known then.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Lincoln Jopp

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Secretary of State has made it clear that he is looking at this matter as a matter of urgency and will bring forward his proposals at the earliest opportunity. My hon. Friend will have the opportunity to comment at that point.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

The news has broken that overnight the first asylum seekers have been moved into Crowborough barracks in Sussex. The Minister for Border Security and Asylum stood at the Dispatch Box and told me that the Stanwell hotel in my constituency would not be kept open as an asylum hotel for a minute longer than necessary. Will the Leader of the House please use his good offices to encourage the Home Office to come here on Monday to make a statement, which I am sure would be of interest across the House, to find out where the asylum seekers that have been moved into Crowborough barracks have been drawn from?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will certainly draw the hon. Gentleman’s concerns to the attention of the relevant Minister. It is important that we make progress on this matter, and that does involve change, but it is also important that Members are kept up to date. I will get the hon. Gentleman an update.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Lincoln Jopp

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I know that the whole House will join me in extending my deepest sympathies to Henry’s family. I know the case is sub judice, so I will be careful in how I respond, but I will raise with the relevant Minister my hon. Friend’s concerns on the wider issue of knife crime and what further we can do to support victims.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

I welcome the Leader of the House’s opening remarks about charities. Spelthorne Dementia Support does outstanding work throughout my constituency, so I was delighted when it was given the King’s award for voluntary service in the recent list. It occurred to me that all hon. Members will have similar charities so awarded, and it would be fantastic to have an annual debate in Government time on the King’s award for voluntary service so that all hon. Members across the House could celebrate in the same way as I am celebrating Spelthorne Dementia Support.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Let me join the hon. Gentleman in thanking Spelthorne Dementia Support for everything it does and commending it on getting a King’s award, which is a big achievement. He will know that the parliamentary year is quite full, but I will certainly give thought to what further we can do to highlight the fantastic achievements of charities across our country.