Business of the House

Debate between Meg Hillier and Alan Campbell

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

I am sure that, like me and others, the Leader of the House will be pleased to learn that NHS waiting lists continue to drop. I am also sure he will agree that Homerton hospital, which has seen productivity on operations increase by more than 11% year on year, is a beacon of what can be done. I hope he will join me in congratulating Hackney council, which has facilitated the provision of two new general practices and 50,000 extra appointments, because we need to ensure people get decent primary care so that they stop going into hospital.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely applaud Hackney council for the work that it is doing. My hon. Friend identifies exactly the approach that needs to be taken, and that is the approach that the Government will take. Hospital trusts and local authorities need to work closely together, and I am delighted that in her part of the country we can demonstrate that that is the case.

Business of the House

Debate between Meg Hillier and Alan Campbell

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We are committed to increasing the number of police officers; the situation we were left at the time of the last election was a disgrace. We are committed to a neighbourhood policing guarantee, and are putting 13,000 more officers into neighbourhood policing roles, which is a 50% increase. As for choosing between police stations and bobbies on the beat, it is up to police and crime commissioners to make a choice about where their resources can best be deployed.

[Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

As you know, Mr Speaker, we had a good discussion at Transport questions about bus services. Many Members from across this House are passionate about that issue, because bus services are such an easy way for people to get around, and they make transport accessible, financially and otherwise. In London, bus ridership has dropped by 23%; there are a number of issues, but I am particularly concerned about the 38 bus route. Consultation is under way on curtailing that route, so that it only goes as far as Holborn in the Prime Minister’s constituency. That might be good for him, but we all want to go as far as Victoria and theatreland. A number of MPs from across the House are concerned about this. Is it not time for a debate in Government time about the great stuff that the Government are doing on buses, so that Transport Ministers can learn from MPs across the country, and so that we share best practice and learn from each other?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is a great champion for the part of London that she represents. She is absolutely right to raise concerns on behalf of her constituents about the No. 38 bus route. Those concerns will be shared by a number of colleagues, and I invite her to pursue an Adjournment debate to get reassurance, or certainly to inform Ministers about those concerns, and to see what can be done about the situation.