Business of the House

Debate between Chris Law and Alan Campbell

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in her analysis of the situation. This Government are committed to making our streets safer by delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing roles and introducing new respect orders to deter and drive down antisocial behaviour. As for what happens north of the border, I would remind the House that we have delivered Scotland’s largest settlement since devolution. I hope that the SNP has heard my hon. Friend’s contribution and will take action. I encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on these matters, so that she can set out the failure of the SNP Government in this regard in even more detail.

[Chris Law (Dundee Central) (SNP)]

In January, the UK Government announced that the listed places of worship grant scheme, which has allowed congregations to reclaim VAT on repairs to listed places of worship, would close at the end of March. While a replacement scheme was announced for England, I understand that the Scottish Government were not informed in advance of this change, leaving both the Scottish Government and places of worship in the lurch following this sudden, unexpected decision. [Hon. Members: “They were given the money!”] Can we have a statement from the UK Government, explaining this total disregard, and confirming that funding will be made available through the Barnett formula for a similar scheme in Scotland?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman may know of my appreciation of the importance of places of worship in communities, wherever they happen to be in our country. I do not know the details of the matter that he was talking about, but I was listening to what my hon. Friends were saying from the Benches behind me; I will look into this matter after these questions, but my understanding is that the SNP Government were given the money for this, as part of the biggest settlement ever for Scotland.

Business of the House

Debate between Chris Law and Alan Campbell

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is, as ever, a strong advocate for her constituency. I agree with her absolutely that banks have a responsibility in these matters, but there have been closures in many constituencies. I have to say, having been present at the opening of the banking hub in Whitley Bay in my constituency last Friday, that it is a great relief when banking hubs are brought forward—including with the co-operation of banks, by the way—to ensure that people have that face-to-face contact. The Government are committed to 350 banking hubs, and that is not an upper limit but the current target. As well as ensuring that Lloyds comes to its senses, perhaps my hon. Friend will push for a banking hub.

[Chris Law (Dundee Central) (SNP)]

Local newspapers and media outlets often break the most important stories for our constituents, but their ability to do so is increasingly at risk. In the last month alone, we have heard of a proposed restructure of Reach PLC that puts over 300 editorial jobs at risk, while STV has decided to close its Aberdeen office and axe its northern news offering, which includes coverage of my city of Dundee. May we have a debate on the future of local journalism and on job cuts in local media leaving communities without a trusted local voice?