Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important matter. We are committed to improving the system for 11 million private renters. I am pleased that we are abolishing section 21 no-fault evictions, but as other hon. Members have said previously, there are concerns about what less scrupulous landlords may do in that period. I will raise the matter with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, because I know that he is very much aware of MPs’ concerns.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

The conversation continues in the nuclear industry about whether Wylfa should have been reserved for gigawatt-scale nuclear, leaving Oldbury for small modular reactors. The US ambassador has spoken publicly in The Daily Telegraph about his discussions with the Government regarding Wylfa’s capacity for gigawatt-scale nuclear. I have tabled written questions on these representations, yet the Government will not acknowledge that those specific conversations even took place. What avenues can the Leader of the House recommend so that we can compel the Government to provide a proper answer?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady is right to raise concerns because it is right that MPs get the information that they need on behalf of their constituents. I will take this up with the relevant Minister and seek to get the answers that she wants.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 5th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will certainly join my hon. Friend in congratulating Wentworth primary school and wishing all the staff and students, both past and present, a happy birthday. As he says, there have been some notable alumni over the last 75 years, and I am sure that will continue in the next 75 years.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

My constituents regularly complain about private parking companies. Recent examples include a firm passing a case to debt collectors after the constituent provided evidence that they were ill and another issuing a charge when the driver had paid but the machine failed. Following last September’s consultation on raising standards in the private parking industry, will the Leader of the House confirm when the Government will bring forward a new code of practice and compliance framework to protect drivers from exploitative parking operators?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I cannot confirm when, but I know that this issue is uppermost in the minds of Ministers, because it is a problem in many communities, and I will take it up with the relevant Department and get the hon. Lady an answer.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

That is easy for you to say, Madam Deputy Speaker. As I said before, volunteers are the golden thread that runs through our communities and we celebrate them and great Gaelic traditions.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

When the Government announced the local authority bus grant allocations, the use of the money was subject to conditions, particularly around social need, and the criteria were “to follow”. In the absence of those, the West of England combined authority has extended contracts only until July, leaving my Thornbury and Yate constituents fearing what will happen then. Can the Leader of the House ask his Department for Transport colleagues to publish the criteria as soon as possible, or to come to the House to explain the delay?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I can.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is not the first Member to raise this important matter. I understand that Capita has recognised the scale of the issue and is recruiting additional staff to deal with it. Like my hon. Friend, I urge Capita to get on with it. I know that this will bring little comfort to Mary and many others, but I hope that there can be progress. Should my hon. Friend seek a meeting with a Minister to discuss these matters, I will arrange it for him.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

When I make inquiries on behalf of constituents about delays at the Child Maintenance Service, I, too, often face a long wait—a wait for a response—despite chasing. The longest delay is currently four months and 20 days. Will the Leader of the House allow a debate in Government time on this issue, so the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions can hear about the harm this is doing?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady raises a concern that is felt by Members across the House. I will ensure the Secretary of State is aware of her concerns and, if necessary, brings forward an update on our plans for improvement.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We are committed to protecting our national heritage, and have provided £50 million in the last year to protect our heritage buildings. I will ensure that my hon. Friend’s concerns are heard by Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, because the Government are committed to developing ways of supporting our high streets, particularly in coastal areas.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

In a letter to me from 2 October, a Work and Pensions Minister stated that the Department was undertaking a review of the child maintenance calculation, and that it would be published “late this year”. Given that it is almost December, could the Leader of the House confirm whether that is still the timeline, and if it is, when the proposals will be published?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Department has made clear what it proposes to do, and I am sure that it will bring forward the review at the earliest opportunity—if appropriate, before the end of the year.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am pleased to recognise the incredible contribution of East Ayrshire’s young carers, and young carers across the country, whose vital contribution sometimes goes unseen. I wish Eloise skating success with her musical theatre challenge.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Many of my constituents will be disappointed that small modular reactors will be going to Wylfa, not Oldbury, and disappointed too by the Government’s shambolic handling of the announcement. The news was leaked on Tuesday. The promised calls to me—first from the Minister, then from No. 10—failed to materialise yesterday, and the announcement was in the media this morning. There was no opportunity for this House to question Ministers. My constituents deserve to know more about the future of Oldbury, so will the Leader of the House allow a debate in Government time on this process, in which a degree of contempt has been shown to my constituents?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

If the hon. Lady writes to me, I will look into what has happened in this situation and get an explanation. As she points out, her constituents have a right to know what will happen, and in a timely and organised fashion.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sure that is a distressing situation for Brian, and I know that my hon. Friend has already reached out to the Department for Work and Pensions about this case. I will ensure that he gets a ministerial response, in the hope that this issue can be resolved.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Constituents in Pilning are outraged that a stadium-sized warehouse is being built next to the village under a 1957 consent, which means that modern conditions are avoided. Another warehouse is planned that is twice the size. Will the Leader of the House enable a debate in Government time on tackling outdated interim development order consents that lack modern conditions?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady will know that we are seeking to change planning law, and if there is a debate on these matters, I am sure that she will want to raise that point. If that is not appropriate, she might want to secure an Adjournment debate or a Backbench Business debate to raise the concerns of her constituents.

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend and constituency neighbour is an excellent advocate for her constituency, and I thank her for raising this issue. As we have already heard, it is of concern not just to our constituents but to Members across the House. Councils and the police have powers to protect the public from misuse and harm, but it is up to this House to make the case as to whether those powers represent the full extent needed. I would ask my hon. Friend to apply for a debate so that those issues can be explored—perhaps in Backbench Business time.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Last week, Billington Structures, one of the UK’s leading structural steelwork contractors, announced proposals to close its Yate site, with 81 jobs at risk. Businesses of all shapes and sizes are struggling due to the increase in national insurance contributions and rising energy costs. Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate in Government time on what needs to be included in the upcoming autumn Budget to avert further job losses?

Business of the House

Debate between Claire Young and Alan Campbell

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I want to send my congratulations to all those graduating from Forth Valley College, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. He is a great advocate for his constituency. This Government have delivered the biggest Budget settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution, and he will know that education and skills policy is devolved. However, I hope that Ministers in the Scottish Government have heard his concern, and I hope they give as much attention and priority to the matter of colleges in their work as the Government here are determined to do.

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Last week, I visited Christ the King school in Thornbury for the great school lunch, which raises awareness of the benefits of healthy and nutritious school meals. There is real concern that the funding for both school lunches and breakfast clubs is not enough to cover the cost of providing them, putting pressure on school budgets, particularly in constituencies such as mine where schools are among the lowest funded in the country. Will the Leader of the House agree to raise this issue with the Chancellor ahead of the autumn Budget, to ensure that underfunded schools are not left behind?