Business of the House

Debate between Pam Cox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 16th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady is assuming that there will be a new Chancellor. As of today, the Chancellor has delivered the highest growth in the G7; I see that the most recent numbers confirm that is happening. We have faced a very challenging situation—one that we inherited and that was made worse by aspects of the international situation—yet inflation has fallen. We have also seen interest rates fall after the dramatic rise following the Truss Budget. I therefore do not agree with the hon. Lady’s analysis. However, she raises an important point. We are looking at a new Administration—the continuation of a Labour Government, but a new Administration—and I would expect that any Secretary of State and the Prime Minister would want to come to this House to set out their view of what will happen going forward.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

Endometriosis makes life a misery for many women and girls. Far too many are left waiting for diagnosis and treatment, and often they are left without clear communication on their treatment paths. Colchester hospital is the only specialist centre for endometriosis in our county, but waiting times are long. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on improving local services for this debilitating condition?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

It is unacceptable that women face long waits for the health services they need. We published our renewed women’s health strategy to deliver women’s health priorities. We are committed to ensuring that women can access the services they need, whether that is through their own GP or through a women’s health hub. I encourage my hon. Friend, perhaps on our return, to apply either for a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate, because I think it would be a popular topic for Members from all parts of the House.

Business of the House

Debate between Pam Cox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 25th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in praise of Armed Forces Day and give the events in Romford our best wishes. It is important that the community can celebrate our armed forces. I imagine that the hon. Gentleman’s area, like mine, has been a recruiting area in the past. I am not going to join him, however, in celebrating the 10th anniversary of leaving the EU. I am tempted to ask the hon. Gentleman: how is that going, then?

I am not going to condemn schools for making decisions. They must do what is right in the circumstances. I understand the concerns, because I remember the impact the covid years had on education, but the safety of children, staff and other workers is important. As I said earlier, there was a Cobra meeting earlier this week, and the Government are looking to see what further advice or action is needed. If anything further needs to happen, the Government will take that action.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

Young people in Colchester will benefit from their new youth hub, which is one of 14 set up across Essex. Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on the early impact of those youth hubs, and the youth guarantee that so brilliantly underpins them?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is a champion for the youth guarantee, and I pay tribute to her for all the work she does to support young people. Over the next three years, we are expanding the youth hub network to over 360 locations across Great Britain, ensuring that every young person can access opportunities and comprehensive support in their local area. To celebrate that, I encourage my hon. Friend to look for a debate in Westminster Hall or an Adjournment debate to see what more we can do to support our young people.

Business of the House

Debate between Pam Cox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely agree, and I am sorry to hear of that case. Our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill will end the feudal leasehold system, and we are committed to strengthening protections for leaseholders. The measures we have brought forward are not the final steps that we intend to take on the regulation of managing agents; we will set out further details in due course.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

Colchester community champion Peter Dutch is campaigning to install bleed kits in schools to help tackle the scourge of knife crime. This week’s terrible incident at Kingsbury school underlines the absolute importance of that. Will the Leader of the House support my call for a debate about installing bleed kits in schools as part of our mission to keep our young people safe?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing to the House such an important topic, and Peter Dutch for his campaigning. As she points out, first aid does indeed save lives, and I will make sure that the Education Secretary has heard her contribution. Should my hon. Friend seek a debate, perhaps in Westminster Hall, I am sure her concerns would be echoed by all Members.

Business of the House

Debate between Pam Cox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important point, and therefore amplifying it, so that it is heard by Members across this Chamber and anyone who happens to be listening. Roadworks have been raised with me many times in these sessions, and rightly so. We know how disruptive street works can be for local communities. That is why we are doubling fixed penalty notices in the new year for certain street work offences, and extending overrun charges to cover weekends and bank holidays. As roads get busier in the run-up to Christmas, I have no doubt but that many people will be frustrated, and we need to tackle this. He may wish to raise this matter next Thursday, or indeed in an Adjournment debate, because this issue applies in not just his constituency, but virtually all our constituencies.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

The UK’s universities play a vital role in our communities and our economy, but many of them, including the one where I worked for many years, face severe financial challenges, resulting in course closures and redundancies. Would the Leader of the House allow a debate on the subject in Government time, so that we can address this really urgent issue?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend brings to the House great professional and personal knowledge of these matters, and we should listen to her very closely. I know a lot of universities feel under pressure at this time; the Government are absolutely aware of that. I invite her to seek a meeting with the relevant Minister to talk through some of these issues, and to see what further the Government can do to address them.

Business of the House

Debate between Pam Cox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Reading is transformative, and every child should have access to a library space. That is why we have committed to providing £10 million to guarantee a library in all primary schools by the end of this Parliament. I invite my hon. Friend to seek a debate on how that investment can best be used.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

Last week, the Care Quality Commission published a shocking report on Colchester hospital that found the safety of aspects of medical and emergency care there to be inadequate. Will the Leader of the House provide time for a debate on ensuring that the record levels of investment in our NHS is reaching frontline staff and patients?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We are investing record money, but unfortunately stories like this do emerge and are extraordinarily distressing. I understand that my hon. Friend is meeting a number of stakeholders regarding this report. I invite her to make this point at Health questions next Tuesday, and to perhaps also apply for an Adjournment debate, which I am sure would be well attended.