Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Keir Starmer and Wendy Chamberlain

Wednesday 11th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend for campaigning for his constituents who are obviously concerned about this matter. As I understand it, National Highways has concluded that the best option for all users—pedestrians and cyclists—is a new crossing. I thank him for raising the points, and I am happy for Ministers to continue discussing the options with him.

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

Q2. This afternoon, the Mandelson papers, or the first tranche of them, will be released, bringing to light for the first time UK institutional knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein and those associated with him. But here in the UK, we have our own Epstein in Mohamed al-Fayed and the institutions that supported his crimes. As co-chair of the all-party group for the survivors of al-Fayed and Harrods along with the hon. Member for Lichfield (Dave Robertson), we welcome the actions of the Metropolitan police in recent days, but we continue to call on them to describe those crimes as what they were, which was trafficking. Does the Prime Minister recognise that characterisation and will he meet the all-party group and survivors to hear their asks?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank the hon. Member for raising that really important issue. I discussed it with my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Dave Robertson) last night, particularly the approach of the all-party group. I thank her for her important work on this issue. I am very happy to meet the APPG and the victims; it is very important to do so. She will know that there is an ongoing police investigation, but that does not mean that we cannot have the meeting and listen to those who need to be listened to.

UK-EU Summit

Debate between Keir Starmer and Wendy Chamberlain

Tuesday 20th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The scheme does provide great opportunity, and we will make sure that all those interested are able to help us in the design of it.

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

I want to re-emphasise the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade). A constituent of mine runs an agricultural consultancy. This requires travel to the EU, which is especially frequent during seasonal peaks, and he has been hampered by the rolling 90-day rule. The issue is that EU citizens can come to the UK for 180 days in 365. We are asking for an equalisation of that scheme. Is the Prime Minister going to look at that?

[The Prime Minister]

We are looking at a range of issues. I completely understand the point the hon. Lady makes and the frustration that the situation causes for her constituents and for people across the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Keir Starmer and Wendy Chamberlain

Wednesday 9th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is a proud Cornish MP. He is absolutely right that economic growth must be spread across the country; it cannot simply be focused in the south-east and London. He will no doubt have seen today the floating offshore wind taskforce report, which sets out that the UK’s industry can support tens of thousands of jobs, including huge job opportunities in the south-west. I will ensure that a meeting is arranged for him with the appropriate Minister.

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

Today is PANS PANDAS Awareness Day, which is about a paediatric condition affecting potentially thousands of children across the UK. I first raised the condition in the Chamber 18 months ago, when I heard about its devastating impact from a constituent. Does the Prime Minister agree that it should not be for a charity to fund the pathway analysis and research needed to ensure that people and children get the support they need? Will he help facilitate a meeting for me with the charity and the Department of Health and Social Care?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank the hon. Lady for raising this important issue and reminding the House of the impact that it has. I can certainly arrange that meeting so that we can take it further forward.