Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lorraine Beavers and Louise Haigh

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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lorraine Beavers and Louise Haigh

Thursday 21st November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his championing of his constituents’ ability to commute affordably and reliably. The Government provided Transport for London with £485 million of capital funding for 2025-26, which includes funding for the procurement of new trains and rolling stock.

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

19. What steps she is taking to improve rail connectivity.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Louise Haigh)]

For too long, poor performance and connectivity particularly across the north of England has been tolerated. That is why one of my top five transport priorities is improving performance on the railways and driving forward reform. The Budget confirmed significant investment in rail enhancements, such as the TransPennine route upgrade, and we are committed to improving connectivity in addition to our work improving our overall network.

[Lorraine Beavers]

I too send my condolences to John Prescott’s family.

The town of Fleetwood and Thornton in my constituency has suffered poor transport connections for many years. Will the Secretary of State update the House on the status of the funds to improve rail links across the country, and will the relevant Minister meet me to discuss ways to improve transport connections into and out of Thornton and Fleetwood?

[Louise Haigh]

My hon. Friend is a champion for her constituency. We confirmed significant investment in rail enhancements across the country in the Budget, but as we look to the second phase of the spending review we will be setting out the long-term infrastructure strategy. On Fleetwood in particular, I am sure the local transport Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Wakefield and Rothwell (Simon Lightwood), would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this particular transport need in her constituency.