Business of the House

Lisa Smart Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in thanking the parliamentary education team for the work they do, not just during UK Parliament Week but throughout the year. It is important that schools like Leasowes can visit this place and see democracy at work. The educational travel subsidy, which is part of this matter and was raised by the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) last week, will be considered at the House of Commons Commission meeting on Monday.

[Lisa Smart (Hazel Grove) (LD)]

I am sure that the Leader of the House shares my alarm at the most recent stats from the Office for National Statistics showing that suicide rates are at their highest since the turn of the century, which bears out what I am hearing from my local mental health trust. Might he have a conversation with a Health Minister and encourage them to come to the Dispatch Box to update the House on the Government’s approach to suicide prevention and, in particular, what more can be done to support the work of those at the coalface, such as the wonderful Stockport Samaritans, as they undertake their lifesaving work?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am happy to thank not just Stockport Samaritans, but Samaritans across the country for the fantastic and very difficult work that they do. The question of suicide has been raised frequently in business questions, and it is certainly a key part of the Government’s recently announced men’s health strategy, because, if I am correct, suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50. I will draw the hon. Lady’s point to the attention of Health Ministers; should she seek a meeting with them further to explore this matter, we will see what we can do.