Business of the House

Debate between Andy McDonald and Alan Campbell

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

This is not just a matter of concern locally for the hon. Gentleman; the Prime Minister is very committed to the future of the steel industry, and to the workers in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency and the surrounding constituencies. I am not sure why he did not get a direct answer to his question, but I will make sure that he gets a readout from the Prime Minister’s visit, so that he can see what took place and what assurances the Prime Minister was able to get. The Prime Minister is absolutely committed to the workforce.

[Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East) (Lab)]

I would like to place on the record my disappointment that today the Government have chosen to make two oral statements, both of which are of huge significance—on Sudan and on the national cancer plan—when so many Members will be absent from the Chamber. As co-chair of the Britain-Palestine all-party parliamentary group, may I put on the record that this shows disrespect to Members seeking to participate in today’s Backbench Business debates, particularly the one on the obligation to assess the risk of genocide under international law in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories?

Over many months, the Government have failed to respond to the decisions of the International Court of Justice and the UN commission of inquiry, and they have now squeezed the time available for Members to discuss that with the Minister. This is a gross discourtesy to this House, and to the millions of Palestinians impacted by Israel’s actions. Can the Leader of the House prevail upon Government Front Benchers to provide us with adequate time to debate this key issue in this place as soon as possible?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

There is a perennial problem with timely statements and the effect they have on the business of the House. The national cancer plan is of huge significance and is timely, and Sudan is an extraordinarily important matter. It is important that the House gets an update on these matters. There will be some pressure on time today, but I hope that Members, including my hon. Friend, are able to get their points across. If that is not the case, I will certainly consider what further time could be made available.

Business of the House

Debate between Andy McDonald and Alan Campbell

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises a very interesting issue. The Government want to ensure that people can look forward to a comfortable retirement, and there is a strong history of learning from best practice in other countries, not least on old age and employment-related pensions. The Pension Schemes Bill is progressing through the Lords, and I will raise my hon. Friend’s concerns with Ministers, because he certainly makes interesting points.

[Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East) (Lab)]

Yesterday, MPs heard from some of the international non-governmental organisations whose Israeli registration to operate in Palestine will be terminated and which from 1 March will no longer be able to provide critical aid. In Gaza, the suffering and the killings have not stopped. In bitter winter conditions, delays are preventing critical food, medical, hygiene and shelter supplies from entering Gaza. Many still face starvation. The birth rate has dropped by over 40% in the past year, and newborns are not surviving.

While Israel prevents the work of aid organisations, the UK continues its membership of the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre, which is meant to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza—part of the state of Palestine, which the UK now recognises. Can we have a debate in Government time to explore the exposure of the UK to this restriction via the CMCC and what measures the UK can take, economic and otherwise, to ensure that UK public-funded agencies can continue to deliver aid and help bring this catastrophe in the state of Palestine to an end?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We desperately need to get humanitarian aid into Gaza, as my hon. Friend has said not just on this occasion but on many others. I understand his frustration, because he cares deeply about these matters. We continue to press for the crossings to be reopened and for restrictions on aid to be lifted. We are members of various bodies that can be used to influence these matters. It is much more important that we are engaged in these organisations, so that we can work through the issues and ensure that aid flows as quickly as possible and in the quantities that are required. I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard my hon. Friend’s point and that he gets an update on not only what we are doing, but what further plans we have.

Business of the House

Debate between Andy McDonald and Alan Campbell

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman raises further evidence that the SEND system is broken. It does not work for parents or children, and it does not really work for the staff of our schools either. We have committed to investing an additional £1 billion in SEND funding, but there is a wider issue, as the Government have recognised, and we will therefore be bringing forward proposals to radically alter the system. The hon. Gentleman asks for a debate; should he secure a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate, I think that would actually help the wider debate.

[Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East) (Lab)]

Earlier this week, I was pleased to welcome health practitioners, charities and those with lived experience to the House when the all-party parliamentary group on spinal cord injury published its new report, “From Fragmented to Co-ordinated: Building a National Spinal Cord Injury Strategy”. The APPG officers look forward to the Government’s considered response. Will the Leader of the House ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to meet the APPG officers and the secretariat, and could we also have a statement in the House from the Department on the report’s recommendations?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for his work as the chair of the all-party group on spinal cord injury. He has worked tirelessly on this matter across the years; it is a good example of the campaigning work he does. I pay tribute to him and to the injuries unit at Middlesbrough James Cook university hospital, which is a good example but one that, unfortunately, is not always replicated across the country. I am sure that Health Ministers will have heard his concerns, and should he and the all-party group want a meeting, I am sure that Ministers will accommodate them.

Rail Franchising

Debate between Andy McDonald and Alan Campbell

Wednesday 10th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth) (Lab)]

claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

Question put forthwith, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Main Question accordingly put.

Question agreed to.

Resolved,

That this House believes that rail franchising is failing to provide adequate services for passengers or value for money for taxpayers; notes that regulated rail fares have risen by 32 per cent since 2010 while planned investment has been cancelled; opposes the recent bail-out of Virgin Rail Group East Coast; and calls on the Government to run passengers’ services under public sector operation.

[Andy McDonald]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The motion has been passed unanimously by the House, demonstrating that the rail franchising system has failed and that the railways should be run by the public sector. When can we expect a statement from the Secretary of State to outline his plans for implementing the will of the House?