Rail Ticket Offices

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Thursday 6th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) (Con)]

First, I absolutely understand and respect what my hon. Friend and next-door neighbour is looking to achieve through these innovations, but he will not be surprised that I have already had a deluge of concerned constituents get in touch who are feeling that they are being designed out and are set to be disenfranchised. This follows hard on the change to car parking at the station, which now requires a specific app.

I have already had assurance from Southern that there will be assistance for passengers at Eastbourne from the first train to the last train. Under the proposed changes, there are longer ticket assistance hours than ticket office hours, so at face value this may represent an improvement and an extension of support. However, I can only imagine the complex and quite convoluted conversations at ticket machines that will have to take place about journey planning, and the long line of other passengers waiting to access a service with which they are super-fluent. The consultation is for 21 days, which is a very short period of time. I intend to make a significant contribution to that on behalf of the very many people who will not know how or will not feel empowered to do so. Will the Minister encourage operators to accept that?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Can I just say that it might be worth putting in for an Adjournment debate? The question must be shorter.

Point of Order

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Wednesday 22nd February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I ask whether it is still the convention, and the courtesy one might expect from a fellow parliamentarian, for them to contact a Member in advance if they are minded to mention their constituency in a question? I refer to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Richard Foord), who is no longer in his place; he talked about Eastbourne District General Hospital, and in fact repeated gossip and hearsay from social media that has already been successfully challenged by the hospital trust. The trust has powered from being in special measures and requiring improvement to being outstanding and good. It is working incredibly hard to deliver what has been described as once-in-a-generation funding. [Interruption.] His comments are most unfair.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. When I stand up, it is important that Members sit down. [Interruption.] Do not worry.

First, that is not a point of order. People can mention issues in other constituencies, such as those involving hospitals, because they usually cover a much greater geographical area than one constituency; they would not have to inform the Member. I do hope that the hon. Lady has informed the Member she named that she was about to raise this point of order. [Interruption.] No, there is nobody here. If we are going to play by the rules, we should all get the rules right before making a point of order. She has certainly put on record her concerns and views, but for the future, not telling the Member concerned is certainly not the way to do it.

Bill Presented

Tyre Manufacture (Toxic Chemicals) Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Mr Barry Sheerman, supported by Rachael Maskell, Christine Jardine, Geraint Davies and Caroline Lucas, presented a Bill to set limits on the use of toxic chemicals in the manufacture of tyres; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 250).

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Monday 9th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell]

With zero VAT on new build, demolition and greenfield development would seem to be the smart choice for developers, while empty buildings such as the former Debenhams in Eastbourne town centre, which would carry 20% VAT for renovation, are overlooked and year on year move towards dilapidation. Has any assessment been made of the number of new homes that could be delivered should different VAT regimes be levelled up? And, as there has been a great deal of negative campaigning—[Interruption.] I will come to that point next time.

[Mr Speaker]

One question.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Thursday 22nd July 2021 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell]

It has been nearly a year since people in churches could lift their voices in song, and this Sunday there will be joy. But for some church leaders, some concern seems to remain, despite the very well established and known physical and mental benefits associated with singing. Does my hon. Friend agree that those benefits should be very much in the hearts and minds of decision makers as they look at how to progress this summer?

[Mr Speaker]

Let us see if Andrew Selous can sing his answer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Monday 21st June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell [V]]

Early feedback from my local school leaders suggests that tutoring is going to make a real difference, but there is some small concern that it can come with an opportunity cost in the school day, potentially affecting pupils’ experience of a broad and balanced curriculum, especially the creative arts and sports. Is that therefore an important consideration in the debate about having a longer school day, especially if tutoring could prove to be the longer-term strategy that we need to address the pre-pandemic attainment gap?

[Mr Speaker]

Secretary of State, will you please pick up the first part of the question?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Caroline Ansell

Wednesday 6th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell [V]]

Education is of course a key driver of social mobility—people would expect me to say no less, as a teacher myself. Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking all the teachers and headteachers in Eastbourne, who are doing such a tremendous job looking after and educating the children of our key workers, particularly at Shinewater Primary School? Will she also outline what work the Equalities Office is doing with the Department for Education to ensure that those disadvantaged pupils in our schools do not suffer as a result of these very necessary school closures?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Minister, can you pick out a question from that? We cannot continue like that; we have to get through the questions.