Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Egan and Yvette Cooper

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

The story of what happened to little Finlay is devastating, and what his family have been through is unimaginable. I reiterate the apology that I have made to Finlay’s family; this happened in the summer of 2024, but it is still devastating that it should have happened, and that he should have been treated in a corridor in that way. As the hon. Member knows, since earlier this year, we have been measuring corridor care for the first time, because we have to end corridor care—it is not fair on patients. I am introducing new assessments of corridor care involving children, because that has to be the urgent priority. No child should be treated in a corridor.

[Damien Egan (Bristol North East) (Lab)]

T6. The steps towards expanding access to NHS dental treatment that the Minister outlined earlier are very welcome, but too many of my constituents still report that they cannot see an NHS dentist when they need one. Can the Minister therefore tell us what specific steps are being taken to improve dental services across the Bristol region?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Egan and Yvette Cooper

Monday 21st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. There are many different threats to our border security, which is why we have set up the border security command to draw together the work of different agencies, including on dangerous drug smuggling and organised crime, bringing together Border Force, the National Crime Agency, the intelligence and security agencies and local police forces. The border security command’s first priority will be to deal with the dangerous boat crossings that are undermining security and putting lives at risk, but as part of its work it will be dealing with the wider threats to our borders as well.

[Damien Egan]

I thank the Home Secretary for her answer about the criminal gangs. People in Bristol North East also ask me about deterrence. What reassurance can I give them that this action is being backed up with measures to stop illegal working by people who do not have a right to work here?

[Yvette Cooper]

My hon. Friend makes an important point about how employers have exploited illegal migration. As a result, we set up a major programme through the summer, including raids, pursuing illegal working in different places across the country. We have also substantially increased our work on returns, including redeploying 1,000 additional staff to work on returns and enforcement, to make sure the rules are being properly respected and enforced. That has led to an increase of more than 20% in enforced returns this summer.