Business of the House

Debate between Alice Macdonald and Lucy Powell

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. Mr Speaker and I discuss this matter regularly, and we share the concern about it, as do many others across the House. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that this building is in desperate need of investment and of restoration and renewal. He will be aware that three options for how we take the project forward will come to the House early next year, and I will play my full part in ensuring that we restore and renew this fantastic building.

[Alice Macdonald (Norwich North) (Lab/Co-op)]

My constituent Claire’s son Elliot was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy at the age of four and needed a wheelchair immediately. Elliot is now eight, and his chair desperately needs adjusting. However, due to the waiting list for reablement services, Claire and Elliot have had to wait over six months. May we have a debate in Government time on the provision of reablement services?

[Lucy Powell]

My hon. Friend raises an important matter about reablement care and services, and it is another shocking symptom of the state of care and the NHS in our country. That is why the Budget yesterday was so important for renewing our national health service. The Budget debate next Tuesday will be on fixing the NHS and reforming our public services, and that might be a good moment for her to raise the matter.

Business of the House

Debate between Alice Macdonald and Lucy Powell

Thursday 10th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Member for the birthday wishes and for all her work over recent months. As ever, she raises another thoughtful and important matter. She will be aware that the Government are committed to imminently bringing forward the tobacco and vapes Bill, which will rightly bring in new restrictions around the sale of vapes to children, and there will be further measures announced in the Bill when it is soon introduced.

[Alice Macdonald (Norwich North) (Lab/Co-op)]

In Norfolk, safety concerns regarding school ceilings have recently been identified. Norfolk county council has inspected 60 schools and at least 15 are in need of urgent repairs; signs of these faults were reportedly missed in previous inspections. Can we have a debate on school safety in Government time to ensure that every child is educated in a decent building?

[Lucy Powell]

The woeful state of our crumbling school buildings is there for all to see, and the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete scandal a year or so ago was just another symptom of the previous Government’s lack of decision making and lack of funding for these things. I am sure that the Education Secretary would be happy to take a question from my hon. Friend in oral questions, which are coming up soon, and I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard her question.