Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that important issue. I will certainly pick up the issue of police response with Home Office colleagues. The Government are committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which aims to prevent the theft and resale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting. The National Police Chiefs’ Council wildlife and rural crime strategy provides a framework through which policing and its partners can work together, to tackle the most prevalent threats and emerging issues that predominantly affect rural communities.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Chair of the Justice Committee.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

The issue of support for victims is particularly fresh in my mind, as I visited one of the CPS’s rape and serious sexual offences units in the west midlands just a few weeks ago. I heard at first hand about the important work that victim liaison officers in the CPS are doing to support victims through their experience of the criminal justice system—on which I have pressed the CPS. It is ensuring that its communications with victims are of the highest possible standard—that letters have empathy and are the best that they possibly can be. I will continue to monitor that closely.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

I thank the hon. Member for raising a—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Can I just say to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) that the question was being answered, and as a senior Member, he should know better than walking in at that point?

[The Solicitor General]

I thank the hon. Member for Woking (Mr Forster) for raising an extremely serious and tragic case. It is important that it has been raised in the House. I will certainly look at those recommendations closely and ensure that he gets a meeting with me or the relevant Minister.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Solicitor General.

Alleged Spying Case: Role of Attorney General’s Office

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Jenrick, when you get a UQ, you get your time, and I want you to be heard in silence, quite rightly, because this is an important issue that affects this House—but I do not need barracking from the Opposition Benches. I want you to help me. If you wish to catch my eye in the future, this is not the best way to do so.

[The Solicitor General]

The charges in this case were brought under the Official Secrets Act 1911—outdated legislation, drawn up even before the dawn of world war one. As I said, the Attorney General, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, the deputy National Security Adviser, the Cabinet Secretary and the Director of Public Prosecutions will all appear before the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy next week, and the Government have committed to fully engaging with Committees across both Houses as this issue is rightly scrutinised.

Along with proper parliamentary scrutiny, another core tenet of our democracy is a prosecution service free of political interference. That is something that we on this side of the House will always defend.

[The Solicitor General]

I agree with my hon. Friend’s position. I remind the House that the test in this case applied to how China was viewed under the previous Government, not this one.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 10th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am not quite sure whether it is relevant, but please answer if you are happy to, Minister.

[Ellie Reeves]

It is in the common understanding, and we want a deeper relationship with our partners in the EU on this issue.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 24th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office has been negotiating with the EU in the country’s national interest. We have been clear that there will be no return to the customs union or single market, but the reset in our relations with the EU is an important one.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Minister.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister without Portfolio (Ellie Reeves)]

I am pleased to hear about the seven new free breakfast clubs in Carlisle, and I am delighted that Brent Knoll school in my constituency also has a new free breakfast club. With our plan for change, we will give children the best start in life, breaking down barriers to opportunity and putting money back in parents’ pockets by saving them up to £450 with the roll-out of free breakfast clubs.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 6th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

I am delighted to hear about the falling waiting lists in my hon. Friend�s constituency. Waiting lists are indeed falling. Last month we announced that we had met our first step pledge to deliver 2 million additional NHS appointments seven months early. We are determined to keep up the pace of delivering our plan for change, for which the public voted.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Secretary of State.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 5th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Minister without Portfolio (Ellie Reeves)]

It is shameful that child poverty increased by 700,000 under the last Government. Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government’s mission. The child poverty taskforce, which I sit on, will publish its strategy in the spring. Increasing the number of parents who are working, and their earnings and hours, plays a crucial role and that is why our plans to get Britain working and the Employment Rights Bill are important in tackling the scourge of child poverty.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 24th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. As the Leader of the House has said:

“This new Parliament offers a chance to turn the page after the sorry and sordid record of the last.”—[Official Report, 25 July 2024; Vol. 752, c. 857.]

That is why we will be issuing a new robust ministerial code. As we promised in our manifesto, the House has established a Modernisation Committee, which will be tasked with driving up standards and addressing the culture of the House. That sits alongside the work the Cabinet Office is doing to improve standards and confidence in politics.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Minister.

Reporting Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Monday 14th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

My hon. Friend is right to point out the VIP lanes for covid contracts. The fact is that Conservative Members had the opportunity to take a stand when Owen Paterson broke the rules, and they voted instead to rip up those very rules.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Sarah Olney.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 25th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Minister without Portfolio (Ellie Reeves)]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I made a statement on the CrowdStrike IT outage in this House on Monday. There will be a lessons-learned process as a result of that, and also a Bill going before Parliament to ensure that we are resilient in relation to our cyber-security. That will strengthen our defences and ensure that more digital services than ever are protected.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Cat Eccles for the final question.