Business of the House

Debate between Kirsteen Sullivan and Lucy Powell

Thursday 21st November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that question. The offences he talks about were actually introduced a couple of years ago under the previous Government—not by the current Government—by the right hon. Member for Croydon South (Chris Philp) who is now the shadow Home Secretary. The right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes) is absolutely right that we have to consider the balance between free speech alongside protecting people who suffer from the wrong end of abuse and misinformation and disinformation online which, as we saw over the summer, can cause real damage in our communities if left unchecked. That balance is one I am sure the police and others are grappling with on a daily basis.

[Kirsteen Sullivan (Bathgate and Linlithgow) (Lab/Co-op)]

I also offer my condolences to the family of Lord Prescott. He was a true inspiration and example to those of us from ordinary working-class backgrounds.

Following on from the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (Chris Murray), last week saw the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Bathgate, leaving the town with one remaining bank, the Bank of Scotland, which is due to close next June, along with the Bank of Scotland in Linlithgow. Across the UK, high streets and communities have been losing their bank branches. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on the steps being taken to ensure that communities and businesses are not being left behind?

Business of the House

Debate between Kirsteen Sullivan and Lucy Powell

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

The Environment Secretary will be here for questions in a couple of weeks’ time, and he comes to the House regularly. I have to say, I find that some of the questions this morning are scaremongering. We have made it clear that three quarters of the farming businesses that are entitled to the full relief will still get it after this Budget. We are talking about the top 25%, and there is not a cliff edge in any case. We are fully committed to farmers, the farming community and food security in this country—I certainly do not buy imported mangetout, as the hon. Gentleman may occasionally—and that is why the settlement announced yesterday provides £5 billion over two years for farming and land management, and why we have prioritised the farming recovery fund.

[Kirsteen Sullivan (Bathgate and Linlithgow) (Lab/Co-op)]

Recently, we welcomed Restart a Heart Day to raise awareness of lifesaving skills. That same week, five boys from my constituency, including two from Blackburn United community sports club, discovered someone in an emergency situation, put them in the recovery position, called an ambulance and retrieved a defibrillator. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the boys on their swift action and clear thinking, and will she allocate Government time to debate vital first aid training in local communities?

[Lucy Powell]

I also pay tribute to those boys, who rushed towards danger, rather than turning away from the moment they faced. My hon. Friend raises an important point about first aid training and the now extensive use of defibrillators, which really are lifesaving.

Business of the House

Debate between Kirsteen Sullivan and Lucy Powell

Thursday 24th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I thank the hon. Member for raising that issue, which is obviously important to his constituents. The Government make no apology for taking quick action to ensure that we have energy security, and the energy supply of the future. Our commitment to becoming a clean energy superpower by 2030 brings with it some difficult decisions and challenges. We are mindful of community concern when it comes to such decisions, but we will not let it stand in the way of ensuring energy security, lower bills and an energy supply for the people of this country.

[Kirsteen Sullivan (Bathgate and Linlithgow) (Lab/Co-op)]

Across the country, retailers on our high streets are increasingly worried about rising retail crime and antisocial behaviour. I recently met business owners in Bathgate to discuss their concerns and raise awareness of the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021, which was introduced after a long campaign by the Co-operative movement. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on when we can expect a Bill to make the assault of shop workers a specific offence in England and Wales?

[Lucy Powell]

Shoplifting continues to increase at unacceptable levels, and is causing huge issues for local shop workers and those running retail outlets. My hon. Friend is right to raise the issue. She will know that, under the previous Government, there was effectively immunity for those shoplifting, because there were no prosecutions for theft under £200. The Government are committed to bringing in a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. That will be in the forthcoming policing and crime Bill, which I hope will be introduced in the coming weeks or months.