Business of the House

Debate between Cat Smith and Alan Campbell

Thursday 29th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

It is extraordinarily tempting. I congratulate everybody involved in the refurbishment of the pub; pubs are at the heart of our local communities. I cannot guarantee that I will be there to celebrate with the hon. Gentleman, but I am sure that he will find many local residents who will be very pleased that it has happened. Perhaps when he is there sharing a pint with them he can talk about the support for hospitality that was in yesterday’s Budget.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

Mr Speaker, I believe that, as I did, you visited the Parkinson’s UK drop-in for MPs yesterday, where it was highlighted that across the country we have a postcode lottery on access to blue badges for people who are suffering from Parkinson’s. May we have a debate in Government time about this postcode lottery, because access to blue badges is a real enabler for people with disabilities to get out and go to work, education, appointments and so on?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises important concerns. I understand that she successfully lobbied her local council not to go ahead with a proposal to scrap free blue badge parking in council car parks. If that is the case, I pay tribute to her and local campaigners for their hard work. Regarding her concerns about people with Parkinson’s having issues accessing blue badges, I will ensure she gets a response from the relevant Minister to address her points directly. Should she wish to follow that up with a meeting, I will help her to arrange that.

Business of the House

Debate between Cat Smith and Alan Campbell

Thursday 5th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that mental health campaigning is vital to saving lives, and she is a tireless and assiduous campaigner. I congratulate her on her work; we must thank her for it. Organisations such as Samaritans do incredible work to support the most vulnerable, and to educate the public about how to help. I encourage my hon. Friend to apply for an Adjournment debate, so that she and others can raise their concerns and get a better idea of what will happen going forward.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

Lancashire county council’s consultation on the closure of care homes and adult day centres is now closed, and the decision lies with the Reform-led council. Adult day centres in my constituency, such as Vale View, are at a real risk of closure. May I ask for a debate in Government time about the value that day care centres offer both the users and the families who support them?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for her campaigning on these matters. I am absolutely at one with her in recognising the importance of day centres, which are a vital part of the provisions to support disabled children and their families. I join her in urging the Reform-led council to take its responsibilities seriously and to pay attention to the issues that have been raised here today. Once again, we are hearing of Reform-led councils that over-promise and under-deliver.