Business of the House

Jake Richards Excerpts

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating all those involved in Rugby’s recent Diwali celebrations. He is right to talk about the vital role of neighbourhood policing. We are taking forward our neighbourhood policing guarantee, because it is vital that people feel safe in their local community.

[Jake Richards (Rother Valley) (Lab)]

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Wales primary school in my constituency and meeting its year 6 class, who are making sure that their school is an eco-school. They are taking part in a number of initiatives in their community, such as litter picking and recycling, and they even told me off for not recycling sufficiently—I have taken steps to make up for that. Will the Leader of the House join me in praising the year 6 students at Wales primary school? Will there be time in the House to debate how we can encourage sustainability across our education sector?

[Lucy Powell]

As Members of Parliament, we can all agree that there is no better occasion than a good telling off by a year 6 class. He is right that COP29 starts in Baku very soon; the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will update the House on the progress of COP29 as soon as he can.

Business of the House

Jake Richards Excerpts

Thursday 12th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for once again raising the important issue of expression of freedom of religion or belief for all. I certainly will ask the Foreign Office to raise these issues about what is happening in the Philippines. He will know that the Government are committed to ensuring that there is freedom of religion and belief for all across the world.

[Jake Richards (Rother Valley) (Lab)]

There have been a number of tragic road traffic accidents in my constituency in Wickersley, Anston, Sitwell and Whiston. I am meeting South Yorkshire police to look at steps we can take to prevent these accidents from happening. Can we have a debate on how agencies, local authorities and the police can work together to tackle speeding and boy racers in my constituency and across the country?

[Lucy Powell]

May I first congratulate my hon. Friend on coming so high up in the private Members’ Bills ballot? I know that achievement will be the envy of many.

My hon. Friend raises an important matter about road traffic accidents and road safety. We will soon update the strategic framework for road safety, and I will ensure that is brought to the House as soon as it is ready.

Business of the House

Jake Richards Excerpts

Thursday 25th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I strongly disagree with the hon. Member’s question. Great British Energy is not only very popular, but very popular for a reason. It will transform our ability to produce clean energy, which is much needed in this country, so that we are no longer reliant on imported fossil fuels, which are subject to global energy spikes, as we have seen. We are leading a transformation to being a clean energy superpower by 2030, and Great British Energy is absolutely core to delivering that mission. He will be aware that there will be a debate on this issue tomorrow. We will have the Second Reading of the Bill when we return, when I am sure he will hear how wrong his conclusions on Great British Energy are.

[Jake Richards (Rother Valley) (Lab)]

In the past month, two men in my constituency have taken their own lives. Both had families, both were well known and respected figures in their communities, and both will be sorely missed. Will my right hon. Friend guarantee a debate on mental health services for men, and on how the NHS can work with local groups such as those in my community, Andy’s Man Club in Maltby, the Learning Community in Dinnington, and Better Together in Kiveton Park?

[Lucy Powell]

Sadly, men are three times more likely to die from suicide than women, and it is a great killer of young men in this country. That is why such a big chunk of the King’s Speech was about tackling mental health, including modernisation of the Mental Health Act 1983. We are bringing forward a cross-cutting mental health approach, which I am sure the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will update the House on shortly.