Business of the House

Ben Maguire Excerpts

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[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.

[Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) (LD)]

Given long-standing community concerns in my constituency about road safety, the extremely high rate of fatalities on the A30 at the Plusha junction, and the need for a graded junction at that location, may we have a debate in Government time on how National Highways and the Government can better work together to deliver critical infrastructure projects to reduce accidents and fatalities on our busy A roads?

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Member for that question. As he will be aware, yesterday we announced additional funds for road and other infrastructure, which will play an important role. We will deliver an updated strategic framework for road safety shortly, and I will ensure that Ministers come to the House regularly to report on that.

Business of the House

Ben Maguire Excerpts

Thursday 5th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question and for continually raising these important matters. The decision to means-test winter fuel payments was not one that any of us wanted to take. It was a decision that we had to take to balance the books. As we have just discussed, it is those on the lowest incomes who pay the heaviest price when the economy crashes and the real cost of living goes through the roof. That is why delivering on living standards, getting growth in our economy, delivering lower energy bills and getting energy independence are core to the Government’s agenda. That is what we will see over the Parliament.

[Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) (LD)]

Local communities in and around Port Isaac in my constituency have been left angered and frustrated at the lack of consultation by the Marine Management Organisation relating to applications for huge seaweed farms in their area. Will the Leader of the House give us a debate in Government time about making sure that the Marine Management Organisation properly informs, involves and consults communities when processing applications for marine licences for seaweed farms?

[Lucy Powell]

The hon. Member raises a really important issue about seaweed farms, which I did not know a lot about until recently. He will know that the Marine Management Organisation is required to consult local people. I know that he has been active in that consultation. I hope that the organisation listens to what he has said—it has a statutory obligation to do so—and that he can deal with the issues that his local community are worried about with the proliferation of seaweed farms in his area. If he continues not to make progress in that regard, I will ensure that the appropriate Minister gets him a response.