Oral Answers to Questions

Kerry McCarthy Excerpts

Thursday 25th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dame Angela Eagle]

The overnight news of the earthquake in Venezuela, which has caused a lot of damage, is very concerning. I know that my colleagues in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stand ready, as do we, to help with any recovery that the people of Venezuela may need, particularly in terms of rescue at this stage.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

5. What steps his Department is taking to improve national resilience.

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Dame Angela Eagle)]

We are delivering our resilience action plan to strengthen national resilience, and we are building a system in which Government, business and society work together to anticipate and mitigate the risks facing our country.

[Kerry McCarthy]

I am sure that I am not the only one who feels that they are not designed to withstand the current heat—and neither are many of our public buildings and infrastructure. May I urge the Minister to make sure, while also talking to colleagues in other Departments, that we factor in climate resilience when we plan future infrastructure and funding for housing, schools and hospitals?

[Dame Angela Eagle]

The national risk register includes the effects of climate change. Although the Government are working internationally on mitigation, it is also important that adaptation takes centre stage when the kinds of investment decisions my hon. Friend mentions are made. I assure her that the Government are across that.