Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
Judith Cummins Excerpts(1 week, 4 days ago)
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Several hon. Members rose—
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
Members will have seen that we are a bit pressed for time, so after this speech I will be reducing the time limit to three minutes.
Mr Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) (Lab)
I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to speak in the Sir David Amess debate. Sir David’s life was defined by public service, including the 24 years he spent representing the constituency of Southend West. Indeed, it was in Sir David’s memory that Southend was granted city status in 2022.
That passion for our stretch of south-east Essex coastline is something I share, and something that makes sense when we consider what it has to offer. From Wallasea Island and Shoebury east beach to Southend pier and the Kursaal, there is plenty to shout about along our shores. Yet although the coast is crucial to Southend East and Rochford’s character, it also poses its own unique set of challenges. Bordered by water on three sides, we are physically isolated, an obstacle compounded by a single century-old link road and our location at the end of the railway line. I regularly hear from local residents, business owners and farmers about the impact that regular cases of standstill traffic has on their daily life and work. The cost of that, however, is felt most acutely by our young people. Teenagers in coastal areas like ours suffer worse adult health than their inland counterparts, achieve below-average GCSE results in maths and English, and go on to earn lower wages.
There is, however, good reason to be hopeful. Southend is one of the country’s fastest-growing seaside resorts, with more than 7 million visitors choosing the city for their seaside day trips each year. That is unsurprising when you consider the regeneration efforts of recent years, which I have been proud to play a part in. It is a particular pleasure to see the steps being taken to return our iconic Kursaal to public use.
Coastal communities are also beginning to feel the benefit of the turning economic tides generated by this Labour Government. The promise of local government reorganisation and devolution is also set to pave the way for greater community control of spending. In Southend and Rochford district, we know what the solutions to our problems are. We know how to unlock the huge potential for growth that exists along our coast, and in our towns and in our rural areas.We recognise the impact that a new link road would offer, and the opportunities that would be created by improved access to high-tech skills training. That is why I am proud to be reigniting the mission to secure a new link road into south-east Essex, and why I am working to attract new industries and investment into our area.
As I believe Sir David Amess understood, the success of south-east Essex is defined by our spirit of hard work and self-improvement. If our communities are given the tools to succeed, I have no doubt that we can achieve incredible things.
Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD)
I want to raise a concern on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran). I understand that a number of MPs were not invited to a call this morning outlining the impact of local government reorganisation. I hope that the Leader of the House agrees that that was unacceptable.
Today I wish to celebrate the life of Sir David Amess. Following the untimely death of the former MP Ann Widdecombe, it is appropriate to use this debate to talk about Sir David and how he conducted himself in Parliament. I did not know him personally, but I felt that I did through the television. I remember his result being announced in the early hours after the 1983 general election and seeing him many times on TV in the years that followed.
Sir David was renowned for his tireless campaigning on issues ranging from animal welfare to tackling fuel poverty. He was also a passionate advocate for children with learning disabilities. He championed women with endometriosis by launching an all-party parliamentary group. He spent years campaigning for Southend to be granted city status, which was achieved in 2022.
Sir David’s commitment to public service earned admiration from colleagues across the House. Following his death, the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, described Sir David as,
“one of the nicest, kindest and most gentle individuals ever to grace these Benches… our politics needs people like Sir David: dedicated, passionate, firm in his beliefs but never anything less than respectful for those who thought differently.” —[Official Report, 18 October 2021; Vol. 701, c. 554.]
The then Leader of the Opposition, the right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Keir Starmer), echoed those sentiments, urging us to
“use the memory of Sir David’s life…to recommit ourselves in standing for the things that he stood for…for decency in our disagreements, for kindness in our hearts, for our great democracy”. —[Official Report, 18 October 2021; Vol. 701, c. 556.]
That message is as important today as it was then.
In an increasingly divisive political climate, we must remember that disagreements should never come at the expense of respect. Over recent years, particularly during the Brexit debate, political discourse has become more hostile. The populist politics of misleading narratives have often deepened division, rather than encouraged understanding. Social media has also transformed political debate; while it has created opportunities for engagement, it has also enabled anonymous abuse, threats against public representatives, and the rapid spread of misinformation. Such behaviour fuels hostility and weakens trust in our democratic institutions.
There is perhaps no greater symbol of that than the murder of Jo Cox in 2016. Her killer brought political violence into sharp focus and demonstrated how extremist ideologies can erupt in an increasingly toxic atmosphere. Tragically, Sir David Amess also became a victim of political violence. In 2021, he was murdered while holding a constituency surgery, doing something he had done so many times: helping his constituents—something he was well known for and that many Members do on a regular basis. Sir David’s killer targeted him because of his parliamentary record. This tragedy reminds us that extremism can take many forms, but its goal is always the same: to intimate, divide and undermine our democracy.
We must do everything we can to ensure that what happened to Jo Cox and Sir David Amess never happens again, and that elected representatives at every level can serve their communities safely and without fear. We should also remember that the members of staff and volunteers who support MPs also share the risk that public service can bring. I think of Andrew Pennington, who was killed in 2000 defending the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham at a constituency surgery.
We need more people in Parliament who conduct themselves as Sir David Amess did. The greatest tribute that we can pay to Sir David is to uphold the values he embodied: kindness, respect, public service and a belief that political differences should never diminish our common humanity. It is sad that these values no longer appear to be held by all political parties.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(2 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Several hon. Members rose—
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
Order. I am aiming to finish business questions around 12.15 pm, so perhaps we could have very short questions and answers.
Charlie Dewhirst (Bridlington and The Wolds) (Con)
Without wishing to disappoint colleagues who have excellent local agricultural shows, the Driffield show is the biggest and best one-day show in the country, and this month it will celebrate its 150th edition. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking all those involved in the Driffield Agricultural Society, both now and in the past, and may we have a debate in Government time on food security and the importance of the rural economy?
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(1 month ago)
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Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)
My constituent Dean Collier chairs Priddy folk festival, a local volunteer-run community event that for 34 years has brought really good music to the village and raised money for the village facilities. For 20 years, campers and festival-goers used metered water in a tap on the village green. Bristol Water remove that meter last year so the organisers can no longer use the tap. The mains pipe to the village has a standpipe point in a perfect location, but Bristol Water has outsourced its supply standpipes to a company called Aquam, which refuses to fit a standpipe if people are going to drink the water.
We have a mains pipe full of potable water, a water company happy for it to be used, a subcontractor that will not allow a metered standpipe, and 5,000 thirsty folk music fans coming in a fortnight’s time. Can the Leader of the House ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urgently to knock some heads together so that we can get a supply of drinking water at community events, and ask her what steps she can take to ensure that where there is a potable mains supply and an approved standpipe connection—
Sir Alan Campbell
I hope that the water suppliers and all their contractors have listened to what the hon. Lady has said and that they act on it. I know there are considerations about the safety and quality of water, but I am sure it is not beyond the wit of them, if they put their heads together, to make this happen. If she lets me know how the matter progresses, then should the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs need to get involved—I am not sure what its powers are in this regard—we will see what further action can be taken. I encourage the water companies to sign up to sorting this out.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(2 months ago)
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Several hon. Members rose—
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
Order. Before the next question, Members should be aware that I am aiming to finish business questions at about 12.15 pm, so it is unlikely that I will get everybody in, even if the questions are very short.
Rebecca Paul (Reigate) (Con)
Would the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Jenny Rayner MBE? She has managed to raise an amazing £2 million for a new wellbeing centre locally to support young people with mental health issues and get them the support they need before a crisis is reached. We in Reigate, Redhill, Banstead and our villages are so proud of what she has achieved in raising this money and supporting our young people, so would he join me in congratulating her?
Several hon. Members rose—
Laurence Turner (Birmingham Northfield) (Lab)
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In Birmingham Northfield and across the country, there are many reports of inappropriate houses in multiple occupation that prove actually to be poor-quality supported exempt accommodation. At its best, SEA can provide a valuable service, but at its worst it can be a byword for neglect, antisocial behaviour, exploitation and serious organised crime. Please can parliamentary time be found to discuss the need to bring forward proper regulation and end the unacceptable blight on the lives of many of our constituents?
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for raising again a matter that has been raised with me on a number of occasions. Local authorities have planning powers to limit the proliferation of HMOs, but we keep regulations under review. I will consider his request for time for a debate, but I will also ensure that the relevant Minister hears his comments and gives him an update urgently.
Madam Deputy Speaker
That concludes business questions. I have a list of Members who were unsuccessful in catching my eye today, but may I ask Members to reflect on the length of their questions? With such long questions, it is really difficult to get everybody in.
Select Committee Statements
Judith Cummins Excerpts(2 months, 4 weeks ago)
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The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Alan Campbell)
I beg to move,
That Standing Order No. 22D (Select committee statements) be amended in paragraph (3), by leaving out “5 sitting days” and inserting “10 sitting days”.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
Motion 18—Backbench Business Committee—
That, from the start of the next Session, the following changes be made to Public Business Standing Orders:
(1) Standing Order No. 122D (Election of Chair of Backbench Business Committee) shall be amended by:
(i) leaving out sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) and inserting:
(a) The election of the chair of the Backbench Business Committee shall take place at the start of the Parliament on the day of the ballots for election of select committee chairs under Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs).
(b) Nominations of candidates shall be in writing and shall be received by the Clerk of the House by 5.00 pm on the day before the ballot, and the Speaker shall have power to vary these timings.
(ii) leaving out sub-paragraph (1)(g) and inserting:
(g) Arrangements for the election shall follow those set out in paragraphs (9) to (14) of Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) as if those paragraphs applied to chairs elected under this order.
(2) Standing Order No. 152J (Backbench Business Committee) shall be amended:
(i) by adding after paragraph (2):
( ) Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated to the committee shall continue to be a member of it for the remainder of the Parliament.
(ii) by leaving out in paragraph (3) “remainder of the Session” and inserting “remainder of the Parliament”.
Motion 19—Consequential amendments arising from the Backbench Business Committee motion—
(1) Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business) shall be amended by leaving out in paragraph (6) “paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 152J” and inserting “paragraph (10) of Standing Order No. 152J”; and
(2) Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates) shall be amended by leaving out in paragraph (1) “paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 152J” and inserting “paragraph (10) of Standing Order No. 152J”.
Motion 20—Backbench Business Committee: Election of Chair and nomination of members in the 2026-27 Session—
That at the beginning of the next Session:
(i) the election of the chair of the Backbench Business Committee shall take place on a day and at times to be determined by the Speaker, in accordance with paragraphs (1)(b) to (1)(g) of Standing Order No. 122D, and such a day may be fewer than 10 days after the State Opening of Parliament; and
(ii) the Committee of Selection shall table a motion relating to the membership of the Backbench Business Committee after the election of the chair has taken place.
Motion 21—Select Committee chair elections—
That this House notes the Procedure Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2024–26 (HC 535), and endorses paragraphs 109-111 and 114-115 of that Report and the following Rules for Select Committee Chair elections:
Select committee chairs are central figures in carrying out the House’s scrutiny function and are vitally important roles in our parliamentary democracy, with significant responsibilities and weight both within and outside the House. Members of Parliament and the public have the right to expect that the elections for these posts will be conducted fairly and in a way that safeguards and enhances the reputation of the House.
Members seeking to stand in elections held under Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) or No. 122D (Election of Chair of Backbench Business Committee) should follow the requirements set down in these Rules. To demonstrate their commitment to the Rules, they should signify that they have read and will abide by these Rules as part of their supporting statement when submitting their nomination form. Members engaging in campaigning activity before officially submitting their nomination should equally ensure that they act within these Rules.
By standing for election as a candidate for a select committee chair position, all candidates agree to the following restrictions on their campaigning activities:
1. The production and distribution of any printed campaign material, other than the booklet of candidate statements produced by the House Administration, is prohibited.
2. The use of mass electronic communications, such as mass emails, calendar invitations or messages, or unsolicited addition to groups on any messaging platform, for campaigning purposes, is prohibited.
3. Respect for colleagues’ protected time for constituency activities and private life is paramount. Any campaign activity outside the working week (Monday to Friday) and reasonable business hours (8am to 8pm) is prohibited, including any campaign activity when the House is in recess.
4. Campaigning activities in the immediate vicinity of the polling place on the day of the election are prohibited.
Candidates and prospective candidates can expect the electorate to take a dim view of any breach of the provisions of these Rules and of the damage done to the reputation of the House by any such breach.
Sir Alan Campbell
I have brought forward a number of motions today to facilitate implementation of recent recommendations of the Backbench Business Committee and the Procedure Committee. I thank both Committees for their recent reports on these matters, and I will briefly speak about the motions. Members should note that the explanatory notes are also available in the Vote Office.
First, I will deal with Select Committee statements. Currently, a Select Committee statement must be made within five sitting days of publication of the report or announcement of the inquiry. The Backbench Business Committee recommended in its 15th anniversary report that Select Committee statements under Standing Order No. 22D should instead be allowed to take place 10 sitting days after publication of the report or announcement of an inquiry. Select Committee statements have increased in popularity in recent years, and the Government agreed with the Committee in its recommendation. The motion therefore asks the House to amend the Standing Order to enact that change.
Let me now turn to the motions relating to the operation of the Backbench Business Committee. Both that Committee, in its 15th anniversary report, and the Procedure Committee, in its report on elections in the House of Commons, proposed that the members and Chair of the Backbench Business Committee should be elected in line with those of all other elected Select Committees, namely for the whole Parliament rather than for each Session. While the Backbench Business Committee does have unique powers in scheduling business on the Floor of the House, the Government recognise that its operation is well established, and that its reappointment at the beginning of each Session can cause delays in the scheduling of Backbench Business. The Government have therefore accepted that recommendation, and the relevant motions contain proposals to make the change ahead of the next Session, with a few consequential changes.
The Government propose, as far as is possible, alignment of nomination periods and ballot timings for the Backbench Business Committee with those of other Select Committee Chairs. No other arrangements relating to the election of the Backbench Business Committee Chair—for example, signature requirements for candidates or parties eligible to stand for the position—have been amended. However, as the current Chair and members have been appointed only on a sessional basis, the Committee is still required to be re-elected at the beginning of the next Session to allow the Chair and members to be appointed for the remainder of this Parliament. As ever, the Government will endeavour to ensure that the Committee can be re-established in good time in the new parliamentary Session. A further motion has been tabled that sets out the arrangements for the election of the Chair and the appointment of Committee members at the beginning of the next Session to ensure clarity in the arrangements for setting up the Committee in the transition Session.
The final motion relates to the election of Select Committee Chairs, and follows the recent report from the Procedure Committee. Its inquiry recommended that rules be adopted for Select Committee Chair elections to limit campaigning activity and the time during which campaigning can take place. Paragraphs 109 to 111 and 114 to 115 of the Committee’s report explain how the rules should be adhered to. The Government accept the Committee’s recommendation, and the motion asks the House to endorse the rules.
I thank the Backbench Business Committee and the Procedure Committee for their consideration of these matters and look forward to continuing to work with them across a number of areas, both as Leader of the House of Commons and as Chair of the Modernisation Committee. I hope that Members will support the motions, and I commend them to the House.
Joy Morrissey (Beaconsfield) (Con)
I echo the words of the Leader of the House, and thank the Backbench Business Committee and the Procedure Committee for contributing to these motions, which are broadly very sensible.
Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to follow a former member of the Procedure Committee. I thank the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Joy Morrissey) for all that she did in contributing to the work of the Committee, which came to the clear and consensual view that the elections of Select Committee Chairs at the beginning of this Session somewhat resembled a silly season with excessive campaigning. Newer Members of Parliament who may not even have expected to be in the House found it very overwhelming. We were able to take that information and put together a sensible set of rules creating a level playing field for all candidates, while respecting the right of Members to open their office doors without falling over a pile of leaflets, which was one of the problems that were fed back to the Committee last time.
I hope that we will be able to make the change in the arrangements for the election of the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee to align it with the election of other Select Committee Chairs, thus showing that it is a Select Committee just like other Select Committees. I thank the Leader of the House for accepting the Committee’s findings in full, and I look forward to supporting them.
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank all Members for their contribution to today’s debate. I thank the shadow Minister for her kind words; I agree that the changes are eminently sensible.
The Chair of the Procedure Committee does a fantastic job. We work closely with her Committee and the Modernisation Committee. I thank her and all Procedure Committee members for their important work. I welcome the changes to campaigning. I think that Members will be relieved to know that, once we are into the campaigning season, there will be limits to what campaigning can be done. I thank the Procedure Committee Chair for that; it is eminently sensible.
The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee asked why different rules applied to his Committee, and suggested that it might have been because of the awkward squad on his side of the House. I could not possibly comment on that, but I remember those days. Given the good job that he does, things now are less awkward and more respected. I said to him that I would bring forward these motions, and I have. As for his final remarks, it is better late than never, I suppose.
I thank the hon. Gentleman and his Committee for their important work; again, it works closely with the Modernisation Committee. We will take forward a piece of work on how we spend our time in this Chamber. We can learn lessons from people such as the hon. Gentleman and the experience that he brings.
To finish, I want to clear that in the changes that we make, including to Backbench Business Committee time and petitions, I want to be seen as a champion of the rights of Back Benchers. It is really important that they should have the opportunity to have their voices heard. Long may that continue. I hope that Members will support the motions today, and I commend them to the House.
Question put and agreed to.
Backbench Business Committee
Ordered,
That, from the start of the next Session, the following changes be made to Public Business Standing Orders:
(1) Standing Order No. 122D (Election of Chair of Backbench Business Committee) shall be amended by:
(i) leaving out sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) and inserting:
(a) The election of the chair of the Backbench Business Committee shall take place at the start of the Parliament on the day of the ballots for election of select committee chairs under Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs).
(b) Nominations of candidates shall be in writing and shall be received by the Clerk of the House by 5.00 pm on the day before the ballot, and the Speaker shall have power to vary these timings.
(ii) leaving out sub-paragraph (1)(g) and inserting:
(g) Arrangements for the election shall follow those set out in paragraphs (9) to (14) of Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) as if those paragraphs applied to chairs elected under this order.
(2) Standing Order No. 152J (Backbench Business Committee) shall be amended:
(i) by adding after paragraph (2):
( ) Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated to the committee shall continue to be a member of it for the remainder of the Parliament.
(ii) by leaving out in paragraph (3) “remainder of the Session” and inserting “remainder of the Parliament”.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Consequential Amendments arising from the Backbench Business Committee Motion
Ordered,
(1) Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business) shall be amended by leaving out in paragraph (6) “paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 152J” and inserting “paragraph (10) of Standing Order No. 152J”; and
(2) Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates) shall be amended by leaving out in paragraph (1) “paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 152J” and inserting “paragraph (10) of Standing Order No. 152J”.—(Sir Alan Campbell.)
Backbench Business Committee: Election of Chair and Nomination of Members in the 2026-27 Session
Ordered,
That at the beginning of the next Session:
(i) the election of the chair of the Backbench Business Committee shall take place on a day and at times to be determined by the Speaker, in accordance with paragraphs (1)(b) to (1)(g) of Standing Order No. 122D, and such a day may be fewer than 10 days after the State Opening of Parliament; and
(ii) the Committee of Selection shall table a motion relating to the membership of the Backbench Business Committee after the election of the chair has taken place.—(Sir Alan Campbell.)
Select Committee Chair Elections
Ordered,
That this House notes the Procedure Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2024–26 (HC 535), and endorses paragraphs 109-111 and 114-115 of that Report and the following Rules for Select Committee Chair elections:
Select committee chairs are central figures in carrying out the House’s scrutiny function and are vitally important roles in our parliamentary democracy, with significant responsibilities and weight both within and outside the House. Members of Parliament and the public have the right to expect that the elections for these posts will be conducted fairly and in a way that safeguards and enhances the reputation of the House.
Members seeking to stand in elections held under Standing Order No. 122B (Election of select committee chairs) or No. 122D (Election of Chair of Backbench Business Committee) should follow the requirements set down in these Rules. To demonstrate their commitment to the Rules, they should signify that they have read and will abide by these Rules as part of their supporting statement when submitting their nomination form. Members engaging in campaigning activity before officially submitting their nomination should equally ensure that they act within these Rules.
By standing for election as a candidate for a select committee chair position, all candidates agree to the following restrictions on their campaigning activities:
1. The production and distribution of any printed campaign material, other than the booklet of candidate statements produced by the House Administration, is prohibited.
2. The use of mass electronic communications, such as mass emails, calendar invitations or messages, or unsolicited addition to groups on any messaging platform, for campaigning purposes, is prohibited.
3. Respect for colleagues’ protected time for constituency activities and private life is paramount. Any campaign activity outside the working week (Monday to Friday) and reasonable business hours (8am to 8pm) is prohibited, including any campaign activity when the House is in recess.
4. Campaigning activities in the immediate vicinity of the polling place on the day of the election are prohibited.
Candidates and prospective candidates can expect the electorate to take a dim view of any breach of the provisions of these Rules and of the damage done to the reputation of the House by any such breach.—(Sir Alan Campbell.)
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
The House will now suspend pending the arrival of Lords messages. I will cause the Division bells to ring five minutes before the sitting resumes.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(3 months ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I certainly join my hon. Friend in welcoming the new owners of Harlow Town. I am sure that is welcome news to supporters, because local football clubs are of such importance to our local communities, and I wish them all the best for the new season. May I also wish my hon. Friend all the best for Sunday, when he will be running the London marathon, raising funds for a local hospice?
With the House’s indulgence, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I correct the record? In answer to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Ben Maguire), I said that we have already rolled out 700,000 emergency dental appointments. What I should have said is that we have started rolling out 700,000 emergency dental appointments. The work began this month. I want to ensure that when I misspeak, I put the record right at the earliest opportunity.
Modernisation Committee Report: Access to the House of Commons
Judith Cummins Excerpts(3 months, 1 week ago)
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Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
I call the shadow Leader of the House to speak, with the leave of the House.
Dame Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West) (Lab)
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Tuesday evening, in the midst of a succession of votes, the technology supporting the world’s oldest continuous Parliament failed. I thank the Clerks and support staff for their speedy response and the quick transition to the old paper system, and the Whips for the effective communication. The Microsoft technology that runs our electronic voting system did not communicate effectively and displayed the message, “Cannot connect to essential module” or something similar. Despite successive reboots and the window of doom, that was all we could get out of it.
Madam Deputy Speaker, can we expect a report on the reasons for the failure, whether Microsoft provided speedy and appropriate support, how resilient the technology is and whether other providers are available? The failure was time consuming for Members, but more importantly it reduced confidence in the democratic process.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
I thank the hon. Member for notice of her point of order. The issue that caused the fault on the pass reader voting system on Tuesday was quickly identified by the Parliamentary Digital Service later that evening and rectified. PDS and other House officials are now looking at the lessons learned from the incident and what additional resilience measures can be put in place to support the voting system. I put on record my thanks to all House officials involved for quickly facilitating the paper Division system on Tuesday so that proceedings could continue with minimal delay.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(4 months, 1 week ago)
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Bob Blackman
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I just want to make sure that the record is corrected. Before I mentioned Peterborough temple, I sent an email out of courtesy to the office of the hon. Member for Peterborough (Andrew Pakes) this morning to inform him that I was intending to raise it. I was also extremely cautious to talk only about things that are in the public domain, because there is an ongoing court case and I did not want to refer to any further details.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order, which is now on the record.
Jesse Norman
Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would be grateful if you could clarify that the House’s position is, and has always been, that we expect Members to show courtesy by informing other Members if they intend to mention them, not their constituency, and that in the normal course of business, Members of this House may always refer to places without any intention of discourtesy towards the Members of Parliament who represents them.
Madam Deputy Speaker
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. In exchanges during business questions and other proceedings in the Chamber, to which I think he refers, the context in which a question is asked is important. Where a question relates directly to a matter in another Member’s constituency, I encourage Members to show courtesy and let the Member know.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(4 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Alex Mayer (Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard) (Lab)
Young coach drivers are severely limited in the distances they are allowed to drive. Trying to get to London from your constituency, Madam Deputy Speaker, they would only make it as far as Sheffield. The Government have recently closed a consultation on this issue. Could the Leader of the House let us know when we will get a response? It seems very strange that people of the same age are able to drive a 44-tonne lorry, but not a coach for any considerable distance.
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this important matter to the House. He is right to highlight the action that the Government are taking on potholes; we are providing a record £7.3 billion boost for councils over the next four years. I do hope that the Reform-led council in Warwickshire hears my hon. Friend’s contribution today and takes action; otherwise, it will be a further example of Reform over-offering and under-delivering.
Royal Assent
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that His Majesty has signified his Royal Assent to the following Acts:
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026
Rare Cancers Act 2026
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act 2026.
Business of the House
Judith Cummins Excerpts(5 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Susan Murray (Mid Dunbartonshire) (LD)
On 11 September last year, I stood in this House to request time for a debate on the Nolan principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. In the light of the serious concern arising from the release of the Epstein files, the links to the retired Lord Mandelson and the current Government’s knowledge of those links, I am once again here to ask the Leader of the House to grant time for such a debate. This is necessary not only to restore public trust, but to make clear the standards of conduct that every Member should adhere to.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
Order. I advise Members that questions need to be short because time is short.
Sir Alan Campbell
The issue the hon. Lady raises and has raised before is precisely why there is an investigation and an inquiry. There are various facets to that, but when the investigation is complete, I am sure the House will be given adequate time to discuss the outcome. It is precisely at that point that the principles she refers to will be central to the discussion.
Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Reform)
Last week I visited Gina and Vincenzo, the owners of a fantastic local Italian restaurant in Hornchurch, whose much-loved business is struggling under the weight of extortionate business rates. They used to pay £2,200 a year, but are now having to pay around £6,800; however, according to the calculator on the Government website, they will have to pay an astonishing £19,000 in business rates in the future. The Leader of the House must know that pubs and restaurants across the UK are being ruined because of the Government’s anti-business policies, so will he at least make time for a debate on business rates reform? Can he really blame the owners of Umberto’s for banning Labour MPs from their premises?
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
Order. The message about short questions does not seem to have got through. Can Members please shorten their questions, because we do not have much time?
Sir Alan Campbell
I gently remind the hon. Gentleman that when he sat on the Conservative Benches rather than with Reform, 7,000 pubs were closed. This Government are committed to supporting pubs, which is why we have announced 15% off their new business rates bills. That does not underestimate the challenge that some still face. It is important that they get support from Government, and that is precisely what they are getting.
Several hon. Members rose—
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
For the final question, I call Linsey Farnsworth.
Linsey Farnsworth (Amber Valley) (Lab)
I am glad to end business questions on a joyful note. Just before Christmas, I launched Amber Valley’s business awards, and encouraged people to nominate their favourite local businesses and to shop locally. After hundreds of nominations, the winners are now in: Basilia and 47 Degrees Coffee in Langley Mill; By HeatherMay and Amber’s Beauty in Ripley; and Beth’s Groom Hut in Waingroves. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the winners, and will he update the House on the support given to small businesses and high streets?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is a doughty advocate for the businesses in her constituency. I will absolutely join her in congratulating those winners, whose awards are, I am sure, well deserved. We are committed to small businesses through our small business plan, which will help to save them time and money, and open up new opportunities. Out there in all our constituencies, businesses need our support. I am sure that they can go on to even better things.
Madam Deputy Speaker
That concludes business questions. We have made a note of those Members who were not called today.