Business of the House

Debate between Judith Cummins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[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.

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[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.

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[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.

Business of the House

Debate between Judith Cummins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely applaud Hackney council for the work that it is doing. My hon. Friend identifies exactly the approach that needs to be taken, and that is the approach that the Government will take. Hospital trusts and local authorities need to work closely together, and I am delighted that in her part of the country we can demonstrate that that is the case.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

My right hon. Friend raises a very important issue. She is a strong campaigner on these matters and I welcome her contribution. We tabled amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill as a first step, but, as she acknowledges, we are also committed to delivering robust national minimum standards so that passengers can travel with confidence. She would not expect me to comment on what might or might not happen in the second Session, but we continue to consider future legislative options on these matters, because there is further work to be done.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee.

Business of the House

Debate between Judith Cummins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises a very important matter and a very worrying issue. I will raise that with Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care as a starting point and encourage them to meet my hon. Friend, so that he can expand on the issue he raises.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

That concludes business questions. I will give the Front Benchers a few moments to swap over.

Business of the House

Debate between Judith Cummins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

That is without doubt an appalling tragedy, and my thoughts are with Michael’s family. It is important that we address reoffending—that is critical to public safety. On Tuesday we have the Second Reading of the Sentencing Bill. It aims to reduce offending, which has a devastating effect on victims. I encourage my hon. Friend to consider speaking in that debate.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

As a Durham lad, I concur with my hon. Friend. It is a question not just of venues in Durham, but of venues across the country. The Government and, in particular, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are cognisant of that. We will be doing everything that we can to support them. Such issues affect a lot of constituencies. Therefore, should she choose to seek a Backbench Business debate or even an Adjournment debate, I am sure that she would receive support from across the House.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee.

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[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter and for raising Karen’s case. As he points out, others were less fortunate than Karen. However, these are remarkably distressing and life-changing situations. Such abhorrent practices should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with those affected. We take these matters extremely seriously and continue to engage with those impacted to provide support. We are also improving access to adoption records, including by asking adoption agencies to preserve records for at least 100 years, and I will ensure that the Education Secretary hears about my hon. Friend’s concerns.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

That concludes business questions. I thank the Leader of the House for his time.