Business of the House
Alison Griffiths Excerpts(5 days, 22 hours ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our condolences to the family and friends of Neil Whitehouse. The 10-year health plan will deliver a single patient record that will, following consultation, go live from 2028. We expect that to go towards resolving some of the issues the hon. Gentleman describes, but he may wish to look towards the Backbench Business Committee or an Adjournment debate to raise them, because I am sure colleagues across the House share his concerns.
Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
At Prime Minister’s questions yesterday, the Prime Minister offered scant reassurance to business owners trying to create jobs and growth in the face of higher taxes, costs and regulations. The Institute of Directors warns that:
“Business confidence has plumbed new depths”.
Ahead of Small Business Saturday on 6 December, will the Leader of the House provide Government time for a debate to celebrate and recognise the business owners working so hard and making great personal sacrifices to support jobs and services in our communities?
Sir Alan Campbell
We certainly do recognise the importance of small businesses in our constituencies, across communities and to the economy in general. That is why, when we brought forward our small business strategy, it was welcomed by many small businesses. The hon. Lady will have the opportunity, not only around Small Business Saturday but as the Budget approaches, to make those points to see how those matters might be better addressed.
Business of the House
Alison Griffiths Excerpts(1 month, 3 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
Yes, I will. Environmental matters are so important in constituencies, and the work of community groups is so important, because they are the heart of what makes a true community. I pay tribute not just to that group, but to my hon. Friend for his tireless work on their behalf.
Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
Two nights ago, a man in his 30s was stabbed in the centre of Bognor Regis, and that follows a fatal stabbing earlier this year. Will the Government bring forward a debate to consider how to make high streets safer and tackle the increasing prevalence of knife crime in small seaside towns such as Bognor Regis?
Sir Alan Campbell
We are taking action to tackle knife crime. In fact, we have given a commitment to halve it over the next decade and, I hope, go even further. The hon. Member said two things that are particularly relevant to me. One is that, as a former Home Office Minister, I am acutely aware of the importance of levels of knife crime. The other is that, as an MP for a seaside town, I know how important it is that they are safe places not just for people to visit, but for people to live. The Government are absolutely determined to bear down on violent knife crime, and I am sure there will be opportunities to discuss that in future legislation or should she choose to seek a debate on the matter.
Business of the House
Alison Griffiths Excerpts(2 months ago)
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Lucy Powell
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise such issues. Fraud is increasingly prevalent across our country and economy. It is becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially given advances in technology such as AI. That is why the Government continue to focus on those issues. I think it would make a very good topic for a debate.
Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
In a week when the Liberal Democrat-run Arun district council has been found to have the worst possible grading for its social housing provision—including more than half of its homes being without smoke alarms—it is alleged that two senior directors, including one responsible for housing, have left the council with redundancy payments totalling £350,000. Can the Leader of the House advise me on how best to hold the council to account in this place for the benefit of taxpayers in my constituency?
Lucy Powell
I am sorry to hear about the issues that the hon. Lady has rightly raised on behalf of her constituents. I do not know about those specific allegations, but I assure her that we take standards in local government incredibly seriously, as we take standards across all our politics seriously. We will have further legislation at some stage in this Parliament.
Business of the House
Alison Griffiths Excerpts(10 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con)
In West Sussex, the number of education, health and care plans has risen from 3,362 in 2015 to 7,684 in 2024—a 228% increase. With schools increasingly stretched, there is an inevitable cost to children with and without special needs. I have recently met special needs co-ordinator leads from two excellent schools in my constituency, Bishop Tufnell and Edward Bryant, to discuss the funding and staffing challenges that they face. They are not specialist support centres, and local specialist schools are oversubscribed. They are reliant on local charities such as the Rotary Club, which works tirelessly to raise money to improve their facilities, but it cannot assist with the impact of the national insurance contributions rise on staffing levels and staff retention, or with temporary contracts and burnout. Will the Leader of the House commit to granting a debate to consider a sustainable future funding model for schools with SEND provision?
