Strengthening Community Resilience

Markus Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I completely agree with the hon. Lady.

[Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab)]

Echoing concerns raised by Members across the House, I ask the Minister to imagine an elderly constituent living alone in an isolated Lake district valley where copper phonelines have been replaced with fibre; a storm takes out the power to their router in the night, and by the time that they wake, the modest battery back-up has failed, as has the mobile mast. Does the Minister share my concerns that they would have no way to raise an alarm in an emergency, and agree that we need a new technological solution to protect the elderly?

[Dan Jarvis]

I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s concern, but I would again take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of the priority services register.