Business of the House

Caroline Nokes Excerpts

Thursday 20th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)]

May I, too, offer my condolences to the shadow Leader of the House?

Women’s rights have come a long way; indeed, we have had three female Prime Ministers, and we now have our first female Chancellor and a female Leader of the House. However, many women and girls in the UK are still being denied the right to feel safe in their communities, on the streets, in their homes and even online. Although charities and Governments continue to work tirelessly to combat sexual violence—indeed, our Government have a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls—some of my constituents say that many agencies, including the police, still do not take sexual violence seriously, respect victim-survivor testimonies or take serious action to stop the harm. Will the Leader of the House provide time for a debate—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. We really do have to have shorter questions. Can the hon. Gentleman please get to his point?

[Jas Athwal]

Will the Leader of the House provide time for a debate on how state agencies can work to protect victim-survivors better?

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[Luke Taylor (Sutton and Cheam) (LD)]

I, too, add my condolences to the shadow Leader of the House and his family. His father—from defending our country to improving our children’s happiness and increasing our cultural awareness—had an incredible life, and one of which I am sure he can be proud.

The Government’s new Crime and Policing Bill promises significant reforms to policing in this country. However, it is concerning that no money motion was passed for the Bill, especially when the need to strengthen community policing to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms is urgent. Will the Leader of the House commit to moving a money motion that specifically allocates funding for community policing—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. It may be helpful if I point out that policing measures, as criminal justice matters, do not require a money resolution, as I have just been advised by the Clerk. I am not sure if that is of assistance either to the hon. Member or to the Leader of the House. I call Luke Taylor if he wants to complete his question.

[Luke Taylor]

It seems you may have pre-empted the end of my question, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I would very much appreciate some clarification.

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. We are expecting an important statement at midday, so if Members keep their questions short and the Leader of the House provides snappy answers, we might get everyone in.

[Tom Rutland (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Lab)]

Like 1% of the population, I suffer from coeliac disease, an autoimmune disease in which the gut attacks itself if the sufferer eats gluten. There is no treatment other than a gluten-free diet. The cheapest loaf of gluten-free bread can cost six times the price of one that contains gluten. Despite that, prescriptions for gluten-free bread are being restricted across England by integrated care boards, leading to coeliacs facing economic hardship and putting themselves at risk of cancer and osteoporosis. This must be reversed. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate in Government time on the availability of gluten-free prescriptions across England?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lucy Powell]

Those issues absolutely remain central to our diplomatic relations. The Foreign Secretary and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Friern Barnet (Catherine West), are here, and they will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s question. We stand firm on human rights; we make that very clear in our discussions with China, and with anybody else.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

We have a very important statement coming in just one minute. Final question: Chris Webb.

[Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)]

The Blackpool pleasure beach in my constituency was named the best seaside park at the UK theme park awards. World-class attractions such as the pleasure beach brought an estimated 23 million people to Blackpool last year. Will the Leader of the House join me in praising the pleasure beach and all the attractions in Blackpool, and encourage everyone to have a staycation in the UK this year?

[Lucy Powell]

I can absolutely encourage everyone to go to Blackpool, have fish and chips on the promenade, and perhaps go on the Big One, which I am too scared to go on. I look forward to joining my hon. Friend there soon.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the Leader of the House for her responses this morning.