Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 10th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join the hon. Lady in her remarks about the bravery of those New York police officers who, 25 years ago, ran towards danger. To be clear, were something similarly terrible to happen in this country, that is what our police officers would do as well. I pay tribute to the hon. Lady in her previous role, as well as to her husband and colleagues. Our police officers are fantastic servants of our communities and, indeed, our nation.

The hon. Lady talked about political donations. We will have to see how the current crisis for Reform plays out. We have been considering the Representation of the People Bill in this place, but there will be an opportunity to look at some of those matters again in the other place. As this Government continue to get on with the job and look to make the long-term changes that are necessary to clean up our politics, there will be future opportunities for legislation.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

May I first congratulate Merv Johnson, who has been shortlisted for an award in recognition of the countless hours he gives to Outcasts cricket club, keeping its ground in fantastic condition throughout the season. Volunteers like Merv are the backbone of grassroots sport, but their dedication depends on clubs having somewhere to play. Will the Leader of the House set out how he will support clubs going forward?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Merv Johnson on his hard work at the Outcasts cricket club. This Government are committed to ensuring that everyone benefits from quality sport and physical activity opportunities in their local area. We are investing at least £400 million over the next four years to provide communities with the sports facilities they need, which includes £3 million for the England and Wales Cricket Board this financial year.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 25th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his work and the work of his Committee. I will endeavour to give the Committee as much advance notice as possible. I expect the Committee to be given Thursday 9 July to schedule business. I know how much the House welcomes the Sir David Amess debate, and I hope that I will be able to announce that in due course. However, he can expect it to take place at the time when people would expect it to take place.

The hon. Gentleman raises the important matter of heat and social housing. We are working very hard across Government and with devolved and local partners to respond to the severe heatwave. On Tuesday, the Cabinet Office held an official-level Cobra meeting to support co-ordination. As he rightly says, we do not know how long this weather will continue, but if it continues into the future, it is right that we look at resilience across the board and particularly where there are vulnerable people, including in social housing. I know that councils will want to do everything they can to mobilise support for those people. I will draw his question to the attention of Ministers and see whether an update to the House is due.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

“Can we have one, Dad?” That was the iconic slogan of Yorkshire Caravans back in the 1980s. I am sure the Leader of the House will not quite remember then, but will he join me in congratulating Yorkshire Caravans on achieving its 100th birthday, which is a huge milestone for a local business in Bawtry in my constituency?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, and of course I congratulate Yorkshire Caravans on 100 years in business. Businesses such as those are the cornerstones of the local economy, and its longevity only proves its worth and contribution. As my hon. Friend says, the product it manufactures produces lifetime memories for lots of people.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the hon. Gentleman, and indeed the whole Committee for its work. I note with particular pleasure that a debate is scheduled on access to banking services, an issue that has been raised in business questions many times. I cannot promise him more time at the moment, but I recognise that it is important to get confirmation of time as early as possible, and I will endeavour to do that.

We recognise the long-standing concerns of park home residents about things like commission fees. We have launched a call for evidence, and I encourage the hon. Gentleman’s constituents, and everyone else’s, to contribute to it. I remind the House that park home residents are entitled to free independent legal advice about their rights through the Government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

My hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster Central (Sally Jameson) and I have often spoken in the House about the appalling audiology service at Doncaster Royal infirmary. It has put an action plan in place, and the situation regarding first-time appointments has improved, but second and third appointments are just not happening, and people are waiting for hearing aid refits and repairs. Will the Leader of the House ask Ministers to set out how they will support trusts to expand capacity for follow-up audiology care, including through the use of high street provision, where that can be provided under the NHS?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We know that people are waiting too long for community health services, and we are committed to cutting waiting lists, including for audiology. We are providing capital investment to upgrade audiology facilities in NHS trusts and expand audiology testing capacity through community diagnostic centres. I have raised my hon. Friend’s concerns with Health Ministers, who I believe wrote to him on the matter earlier this week, but I will ensure that the Department hears his latest question.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all. He will know that the Foreign Secretary has had considerable engagement with the Saudia Arabian Government. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman gets a response to the issue he raises.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

My son has just started his second term at university. His cohort will be hearing the current debate and media coverage about student loan balances spiralling and many will be worried about what that means for their future. Further, sixth-form students at New College, John Leggott, North Lindsey and Doncaster College will all be worried about what that means for them. I never want any of my residents to feel that their ambition has been priced out of reach, so will the Leader of the House make time for a statement or debate on student loan interest rates and the impact of compounding interest on graduates, particularly those from more deprived backgrounds?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an important issue. We are making the tough but fair decisions needed to find a balance between value for money for taxpayers and for students and graduates. We are supporting graduates with the cost of living and protecting lower earners by lifting the threshold this year, but I understand the concerns of my hon. Friend and his constituents, because they will be shared by many of our own constituents. I encourage him to apply for a debate to raise those concerns and hear from Ministers directly.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to Councillor Sood for her invaluable work, not just for the local community, but in education. I will certainly take away his suggestion of an annual debate so we can mark the contribution of people like Councillor Sood. I will give it some thought.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

Last Thursday, my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster Central (Sally Jameson) raised the unacceptable waits for audiology services in Doncaster, with some people waiting years for basic hearing tests and hearing aid support. That goes for my constituents, too, who face long waits, repeat appointments and being left without working hearing aids. It is not right, it is not good enough, and I will not accept it any more. Will the Leader of the House ask Ministers to set out how they are supporting the local trust to speed up assessments and hearing aid provision to prevent people being left without the basics?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As I said in a previous answer, audiology is a vital part of healthcare. I will ensure that the relevant Minister is aware of my hon. Friend’s concerns and updates him on what plans the Government have to improve these services as fast as we possibly can.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

This has been a divisive matter almost from the off, including in this House. On occasions, we rose to the challenge of the debate, and sometimes we slipped a little below it. However, this House made its position on the Bill very clear, and off it went to the other place. The other place has a duty and responsibility to scrutinise such legislation, but there are conventions about the way it does that. I would urge it to do everything it can to respect the view of this House—the elected Chamber—on these matters. I have made it very clear that if the Bill returns to this place, perhaps amended, we may look at making available further time on Fridays, if necessary, so that it can make more progress, and we can get it across the line.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

I need to say that my lovely mum is a WASPI—Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign—woman. On Budget day, I met representatives from the WASPI campaign, following the Government’s recent announcement that they will once again review their decision not to compensate women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the state pension age. The WASPI campaign has been renewed, now that there is hope for justice and a fair outcome at long last. Will the Leader of the House confirm that the House will be kept fully informed of progress on the review, including through an oral statement once the Government have reached a decision, and that time will be made for full debate on any proposals brought forward?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I know this issue is of serious concern to many women. It has been raised on numerous occasions in the House, and we want to resolve the matter as soon as we can. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has committed to updating the House on any decision as soon as a conclusion is reached.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I gently challenge the hon. Lady, because the Government have not ignored warnings about the sector at all. In fact, there were measures in the Budget that are intended to help. There is one important day left, in the final week before the recess, to raise matters about the Budget when we discuss the Finance Bill, so she may wish to raise those issues then. The stages of the Finance Bill will then be debated, probably on the Floor of the House, and she may wish to try to get on to the Committee. However, I gently say to her that although some of the decisions taken in the Budget were difficult, their central intent is to bear down on the cost of living, and the hospitality sector will benefit from people having more money in their pockets.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

There is nothing more special and beautiful in life than seeing a child’s face light up when they get to see Santa, but not every family can afford to go to a grotto. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking all the amazing volunteer organisations, such as the Rotary clubs and the Lions clubs—I am a Doncaster Lion myself—whose members walk the streets, go to food banks and go to supermarkets to see the children and bring Christmas spirit to Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme and places across the country?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in thanking all the volunteers, particularly from the Rotary clubs and the Lions clubs, across the country for all their hard work. It is people like them who make the Christmas season so special. I wish him well in his Santa dash—I am sure he will make a dashing Santa.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Members who support Movember, not least because of the money that they raise for important causes. I am heartened that those issues get the awareness that they deserve. I congratulate him on what he is doing, and thank him for what was a very moving contribution to the debate on International Men’s Day.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

Niagara Falls was the venue for this year’s world kickboxing championships. Andy Crittenden’s martial arts centre put Rossington firmly on the global map, winning four bronze, one silver and five gold medals. Will the Leader of the House join me in celebrating Andy’s triumph and congratulating all the contestants who took part, and in thanking the coaches and volunteers up and down the country who bring children and young adults’ sporting dreams to life?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am pleased to hear about the success of the young martial arts athletes from Rossington, and I am grateful for the opportunity to thank Andy and all the sports coaches across our country who help to make achievements like this possible.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Absolutely. I join my hon. Friend in recognising our armed forces, and I thank both past and present servicemen and women for their valiant work in keeping us safe. As I look around the Chamber, I see hon. Members proudly wearing their poppies, so I know that that sentiment is shared by Members from across the House.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

Will the Leader of the House update us on the progress that is being made to finalise the transfer of the £2.3 billion reserve of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We are working with BCSSS trustees to consider those proposals. We are trying to get an agreement and an outcome that can be implemented later this year, and I will ensure that the House is kept updated on any decision.

Business of the House

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I can.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

Young adults in my constituency are still waiting more than five months for a driving test. It is just not fair. They cannot get to work; they cannot have apprenticeships. Will the Leader of the House join me in pushing the Department for Transport to do something about this very quickly?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I will. I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter, which has been highlighted by a number of Members. I have also raised it with the Department for Transport. The Government are accelerating a consultation into the abuse of the driving test booking system and the reasons that we do not have enough places. I will ensure that the Transport Secretary has heard his concerns directly.