Business of the House

Andy MacNae Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise these matters; she is a doughty campaigner for her constituents. We are very aware of the challenges facing dentistry, particularly—but not exclusively—in rural areas, which is why we are rolling out 700,000 more urgent dental appointments from April. I encourage my hon. Friend to attend the Adjournment debate on NHS dentistry later; perhaps those concerns can be addressed there. If she wishes, I will get her a meeting with the relevant Minister to see what further can be done for her constituency.

[Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)]

Ever since Australia banned social media for under-16s, my office has been inundated by appeals from parents for action here in the UK. They see the very real risks of a social media wild west; they fear for their children and want to say no, and are simply asking for the Government to have their backs. As a parent of an eight-year-old, I share their fear. I am pleased that the Government have launched a consultation and I look forward to hosting listening sessions across Rossendale and Darwen. This is a complex issue; there is much to be considered. We have to get this right. Would the Leader of the House agree to an early debate in Government time to allow Members to fully explore how we best meet this generational challenge?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in welcoming the Government’s consultation into children’s use of technology, potentially including a social media ban. This subject is really important to parents; I think all our inboxes will have been filled with such concerns over the last few weeks. It is a complex matter, which is why the consultation is the right way forward. Although, for understandable reasons, yesterday’s second Opposition day motion on social media was not debated, there will be a Westminster Hall debate on young people’s screen time next week, which he may wish to attend.