Business of the House

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I know that my hon. Friend is a staunch supporter of local pubs in his constituency—and has a remarkable knowledge of them. As he knows, the Budget included £4.3 billion of support over three years to help pubs, but we recognise that pubs are still worried, which is why the Chancellor is actively considering a pubs support package to ensure that the right support is in place. As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth (Dr Evans), I expect that that will be announced in the coming days.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I thank the Leader of the House for all his answers. I would like to turn the House’s attention to Mexico, where there have been recent reports of persecution and intimidation of Christians. There have been some 376 incidents of assault or abduction of Christians in Mexico in the last couple of years. That is quite worrying. The reports raise concerns about the protection of freedom of religion or belief. Will he please ask the Foreign Secretary to set out what representations the Government have made to the Mexican authorities regarding those reports and what steps have been taken to support freedom of religion or belief in Mexico?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Our embassy in Mexico monitors the human rights situation very closely, and we continue to engage regularly on human rights matters, including the rights of religious minorities and related issues, with the Mexican authorities. As the hon. Gentleman knows, because we have had exchanges on this matter on a number of occasions, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and I will ensure that the Foreign Secretary hears of his concern.