Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(4 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
The sector is important to our country’s prosperity, and the Government are absolutely determined to do everything we can on that, including getting investment into post-16 education and, indeed, employment more widely. I am more than happy to join the hon. Member in congratulating all the young people in her constituency who have undertaken examinations. I wish them well for when the results come out. I pay tribute to them and the staff, and also to their sometimes long-suffering parents.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
SPARK is York’s frontline incubator for the next generation of food, drink and creative businesses; it supports young entrepreneurs to establish their businesses with strong values and good practice. It has identified that VAT is the problem, and it is calling for the Government to support a 10% cut in VAT to enable its hospitality businesses to flourish. Can we have a statement from the Treasury on the impact of that, and on how we will enable community interest companies, such as SPARK, to support start-ups, so that they thrive?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend raises an important matter, and is a stout defender of the interests of her constituents. We recognise the contribution that hospitality businesses make to jobs, growth and local communities across the UK, but His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs estimates—this follows on from an earlier question—that reducing VAT in the way she mentions would cost around £11 billion a year. To put that in context, it is roughly equivalent to the total expenditure on the Royal Navy. We are, however, committed to supporting the sector through targeted measures, such as our £4.3 billion business rates package and the Great British summer savings scheme.
Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(1 month ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that choirs and local events can do so much to support and bring together our local communities, including by helping with mental health and combating loneliness. Volunteers who help to organise events, such as the members of the Fulford community choir, provide an invaluable service to their local community, and my hon. Friend is absolutely right to recognise them.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
Heat-related mortality has taken 10,000 lives in England over the last five years and exacerbated the risk of ill health, from asthma to stroke. With climate degradation, things are only going to get worse. What steps are the Government taking to address this issue and ensure that there are proper facilities in workplaces, homes and communities, to future-proof our society against extreme heat?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is right to raise that. We know that extreme weather events are getting more common and that these issues will not go away. We are working across Government to respond to severe heatwaves and mobilise support, particularly for the most vulnerable, who are of course at greatest risk of harm. As my hon. Friend will know, the Government are taking action to combat climate change, and I will make sure that the points she raises are shared with the relevant Minister.
Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(2 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I join the right hon. Gentleman in his remarks about Scott Hastings. Rugby is not my sport, but I recognise very much the contribution that Scott Hastings made. We send our condolences to his friends and family.
The right hon. Gentleman raises an important matter on the outbreak of Ebola, which the UK Government take very seriously indeed. Through the NHS, we have safe procedures in place in any such case of it coming to the UK, and specialist centres where people can be looked after. He asks what we are doing to help other countries. The Government are reacting quickly; the Foreign Secretary has announced a further £20 million to help contain the Ebola outbreak.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
The levels of congestion on Wigginton Road are unacceptable. Residents’ air quality is affected, people are late for their hospital appointments and our whole city is snarled up because the hospital does not have a sufficient transport plan. Will the Leader of the House impress on the Secretaries of State for Health and Transport the need for hospital transport plans, and can we have a debate in Government time on hospital-induced congestion?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to be concerned about traffic and congestion in her constituency. Responsibility for managing traffic on local roads, including those near hospitals, rests with local authorities. However, she is right that it is about not just local authorities but ensuring that everyone who has a role to play actually plays that role. I will raise the matter with the relevant Secretaries of State, as she asks.
Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(3 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to recognise the vital contribution of British Sikhs in our communities, which has been raised regularly in these sessions. They are such an important part of the diversity and strength of our communities. I think this would be a great topic for a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate; there are Sikh communities across our country, and I am sure that other Members would also like to praise the work being done in communities in their patch.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
Academics in York, a human rights city, drew my attention to the Government consultation, “Family Returns: Reforming Asylum Support and Enforcing Family Returns”, which seeks to extend the use of constraints, including physical restraint, to children. This is extremely chilling. The consultation is ongoing but closes soon. Will the Leader of the House speak to the Home Secretary about withdrawing these extreme measures, as academics have highlighted how physical restraint traumatises children?
Sir Alan Campbell
As my hon. Friend says, the Home Office is consulting on people’s views of changes more widely. I can reassure her that no decision has been made and that children’s welfare and safeguarding duties remain central to this process, as does our compliance with our domestic and international obligations. Any concerns raised by hon. Members will be considered in the consultation, but I will also ensure that the Home Secretary hears my hon. Friend’s concerns.
Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(8 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I will ensure that the hon. Lady gets the update that she seeks.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
When the last Government allowed the sale of Royal Mail to billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s company, they maintained a golden share, which I now ask Government to use. Services are less frequent, outsourced workers are handling parcels and postal workers feel devalued, with their traditional Christmas stamps downgraded to second class. Will the Leader of the House ask the Business Secretary to make a statement on Royal Mail, a service that should be renationalised, and ensure that our postal workers get their first-class stamps because they are simply first class?
Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the work of our postal workers and I join her in paying tribute to the dedication that they show particularly at this time of the year, but also throughout the year. I understand the disappointment that workers will feel at that decision and I will ensure that Ministers hear her concerns.
Business of the House
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alan Campbell(9 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I read stories, as the hon. Lady does, about what might or might not happen. As she would expect me to say, she will have to wait until the Budget to see whether those stories are accurate. She could secure a debate before the Budget, because I know this is a concern for a number of Members across the House.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Ind)
York is a kind and welcoming city. Following the recent wave of intimidation, racism and violence perpetrated by a few which has rocked our city, I have launched the York Unity campaign with the hashtag, #ourthreewords, to ask people across York to provide three values that define our city. Mine are inclusion, community and caring. What support can the Leader of the House bring to our campaign, and may we have a debate on inclusion in our cities and communities?
Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is a great advocate for that fine historic city, but also for the cause she speaks of today. She is often a voice of calm in these matters, and I thank her for that and for raising the matter today. I know that there are concerns across the House, so perhaps she could look to secure an Adjournment debate or a Backbench Business debate to see if there are shared views and experiences across the House.