Oral Answers to Questions

Lorraine Beavers Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh]

I know that the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar regards himself as the Tories’ resident historian. In fact, he once published a paper titled “Profile of a Doomed Elite”. I am sure that the House will be as surprised as I was to learn that it was not a study of the prospects of the current shadow Cabinet.

As a student of history, the hon. Gentleman will be well aware that few Governments have delivered the scale and speed of change that this Administration have in our first 100 days; we are cutting business rates for 70,000 businesses, cutting tax for entrepreneurs, cutting VAT from electricity bills to helping 20 million households with energy bills, scrapping standing charges, capping bus fares, investing in our high streets, extending parental pay and tackling rough sleeping. He does not seem impressed. Perhaps that is because the only Government who had more of an impact in a shorter space of time was the one he served under: the one led by Liz Truss.

[Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

Q2. I hope that the whole House will join me in congratulating Fleetwood Town on thrashing Arsenal last week. It was great news for the town and bad news for the Prime Minister, as Everton have been drawn to fight the mighty Cod Army in the quarter final. On a more serious matter, some of my constituents are living with the threat of contaminated land, fearing for their health and watching their homes lose value. Will the First Secretary of State work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to ensure that soil testing is completed as soon as possible, so that my residents get the answers they so badly need?

[Louise Haigh]

I am very happy to congratulate Fleetwood Town with my hon. Friend. As a Barnsley fan, we live for those David versus Goliath moments.

We published the UK’s first ever plan to better protect people and our environment from forever chemicals earlier this year. Just this week, the UK Health and Security Agency launched its first study into the levels of forever chemicals in the population. As we continue to build the evidence, we will consider the case for any appropriate measures, including national standards to manage the risks and protect communities. The Environment Agency is supporting a thorough investigation into the Thornton-Cleveleys site and I will make sure that the DEFRA Minister of State keeps my hon. Friend updated.