Business of the House

Debate between Johanna Baxter and Alan Campbell

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

This is a concern across many constituencies. I am sorry to hear of what is happening in the hon. Lady’s constituency. I invite her to seek a debate, because many Members will share her concern, and she can then put those questions directly to Ministers.

[Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)]

One hundred and 10 years ago this month, Mary Barbour, who was born in Kilbarchan in my constituency, led the Glasgow rent strikes, standing up to improve housing conditions for working people. The legacy of that strike gave us the rent restrictions Act, a landmark safeguard that shielded tenants from exploitative profiteering right up until the wave of Thatcher-era deregulation. Will the Leader of the House join me in recognising Mary’s legacy and calling out the SNP Government in Holyrood for undermining it? Some 13 councils across Scotland have now been forced to declare a housing emergency and 10,000 children in Scotland are left stuck in homeless accommodation.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will join my hon. Friend in recognising the important legacy of Mary Barbour. I invite my hon. Friend to seek an Adjournment debate in which she could not only highlight the housing emergency she refers to in Scotland but put on record that Scotland has secured a record funding settlement this year, and therefore the Scottish Government should be held to account for that.

Business of the House

Debate between Johanna Baxter and Alan Campbell

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this important matter. The Government believe that the SEND system is broken; it does not work for children and their carers. As part of our plan for change, we are committed to creating a new system that truly supports every child and we will set out our approach in the forthcoming schools White Paper. I understand from my own constituency how people at the forefront of this find it hard to know why they have to wait. We have announced £1 billion in extra funding to help schools with the additional costs they face, including for SEND provision, and I encourage whichever authority has the power to spend that money to do so wisely and quickly.

[Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)]

Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the great town of Paisley in my constituency on being shortlisted for the Scotland Loves Local town of the year award? Will he go further and throw his full support behind Paisley’s nomination as the best local town in Scotland?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

There is a certain risk to that, but I will do it. I certainly join my hon. Friend in congratulating Paisley, and wish it the best of luck. She raises the important point about pride in communities and I am sure that her constituents are proud. I hope that that is recognised, and that she is a proud champion for Paisley.