Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Callum Anderson and Ed Miliband

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

I absolutely will take up that case. I know the right hon. Gentleman has a long-standing interest on a whole range of such issues. Because of that interest, I say to him that we will be forthright on human rights when it comes to China, and we will be strong in relation to foreign interference, espionage and on any threats to this country that we find.

[Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)]

T2. I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s decision to show personal leadership in acting as the UK Governor to the World Bank, given the wildfires that we have seen in Europe across the summer and the flooding in Nepal. Will he tell us how he intends to use the UK’s influence to ensure that adaptation and resilience finance is accessible much more quickly to those countries that need it most?

[Ed Miliband]

My hon. Friend raises a really important point. The reason I took up this role is that I want the World Bank to do more to make adaptation and resilience go further and faster and to make it simpler and more accessible. We know from events around the world how vulnerable countries on the frontline of climate breakdown are, and I undertake to him and to the House that I will make that a top priority.

Warm Homes Plan

Debate between Callum Anderson and Ed Miliband

Wednesday 21st January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

I thought that for the first time in 20 years, we were going to agree completely, and we nearly got there. However, three-quarters agreement is better than we have done in 20 years. On the first part of what the right hon. Member said, Barnett consequentials have already been allocated for this. It is obviously for the Executive in Northern Ireland to make their own decisions about how they spend the money. We want the warm homes agency to work with the devolved Governments as well. We also want to look at how a zero or low-interest loan scheme could work across the United Kingdom. We want to work as much as possible with the devolved Governments to help people across the UK.

[Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)]

I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I particularly welcome the new requirements placed on private landlords, which will be a huge boost to tenants in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. My question concerns rural communities, which often face high energy costs and other practical barriers, such as the limited availability of those who install things like heat pumps. Can he set out in a bit more detail how his Department will work with relevant local authorities and suppliers to ensure that rural communities, such as those in north Buckinghamshire, are not left behind?

[Ed Miliband]

My hon. Friend asks a really important question, and I want to tell him a nerdy fact. I like nerdy facts; it is in character. Nearly half the people on the boiler upgrade scheme are in rural areas, and I think am I right in saying that a third are off the gas grid. That tells you something about the appetite, particularly in rural communities and among those who are off the gas grid, to find alternatives. Hopefully, the continuation and expansion of such schemes will help my hon. Friend’s constituents.