Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Siân Berry

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

First, I express my thanks to the No Tier Snooker Society and other organisations that support those with dementia. When I play snooker, it inevitably ends in tears. As we know, community support is vital for those suffering with dementia and other diseases. That is a matter not just for her constituency but for everyone across our country. I will ensure that the Health Secretary and the Culture Secretary hear about the case she raised and see what further can be done.

[Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green)]

This week, it is the 14th birthday of Khaled, the son of the British-Egyptian former political prisoner Alaa Abd el-Fattah. Khaled will not see his father in person as Alaa was prevented from travelling to the UK by the Egyptian authorities in November. While I am sure the Leader of the House will wish Khaled a happy birthday, will he also assure me that the Government will help ensure that his father can travel here as soon as possible?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am happy to join the whole House in wishing a Khaled a happy birthday. Let us hope that his family concerns are addressed sooner rather than later. I will ask Ministers for an update on what they are doing and what hope we can have for the family to be reunited.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Campbell and Siân Berry

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will certainly do that. I will ask my hon. Friend to write to the hon. Gentleman on that matter.

[Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green)]

10. To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to install solar power for churches.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Church of England has committed to net zero carbon by 2030, and is actively supporting solar installations on churches and cathedrals to make the buildings more efficient to run, and to lower operating costs. Through its net zero carbon programme, the Church has allocated £30 million for the years 2023 to ’25, and a total of £190 million over nine years for energy efficiency and renewables projects.

[Siân Berry]

Brighton and Hove has excellent energy co-ops and many church roofs, so what is the Church doing to bring together clergy, congregations and co-ops to make more solar projects viable? Can the commissioners reduce planning risks for listed churches by adding more weight, perhaps through guidance or strategies, to their visible leadership role in communities?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I congratulate the hon. Lady’s local churches, which are leading the way for others to follow. St Bartholomew’s church in Brighton is just one example of what can be done with a listed building to reduce long-term running costs via the installation of modern heating and lighting. Grants are available for solar panels via diocesan schemes alongside technical support and match funding initiatives. The main obstacle to faster installation is civil planning authorities that see their role as protecting the look and feel of a building, rather than ensuring that the building can pay for itself. I will draw the hon. Lady’s comments to the attention of the Second Church Estates Commissioner, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Marsha De Cordova), who will, I am sure, give them consideration and write back.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Siân Berry

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I do agree. It is a debilitating and life-altering condition. As my hon. Friend said, our renewed women’s health strategy will set out our longer-term vision. Members from across the House will have concerns about this issue, so my hon. Friend may want to seek a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate.

[Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green)]

Ella’s law—the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill—will now not get its Second Reading on 21 November, despite wide cross-party support. Will the Leader of the House ensure that the Government make time on Fridays or at other times for more of the most vital private Members’ Bills, such as Ella’s law, or could they adopt the measures into their own Bills—for example the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The House will know that we have had the allocation of 13 sitting Fridays, but if certain reasons were brought forward—if, for example, amendments might have been made to Bills in the Lords—the Government may have an open mind about what sitting Fridays might look like. I also think there is a debate to be had about how we deal with private Members’ Bills, if I am honest. I cannot comment on whether the measures are appropriate to be incorporated into Government legislation, but the hon. Member may wish to draw that to the attention of the appropriate Department.