Royal British Legion

Debate between Sarah Dyke and Al Pinkerton

Tuesday 1st April 2025 Westminster Hall

[Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (LD)]

It is a privilege to speak under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. I congratulate the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth (Dr Evans) on securing this important debate.

In my constituency, the local Royal British Legion branches of Camberley, Chobham, Normandy, Pirbright and Windlesham have long played a critical role in supporting our community, which has a deep-rooted historical connection to our armed forces. I have personally had the privilege of visiting local RBL branches and taking part in some wonderful events they have organised, including remembrance services, members’ receptions and poppy appeal concerts. I pay particular tribute to some of the people who make all that work possible: Rhona and Michael McCauliffe, Mike Sheard, Tim Beck, Pat Tedder, Patrick Mathé, and Peter Welford are just a handful of the dedicated individuals across the branches in my constituency who have made a remarkable difference to people’s lives.

The Royal British Legion’s legacy is defined not just by events and by charity efforts but by the lives it transforms. One of my constituents, whom I will refer to as Tim—that is not his real name—served multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as undertaking numerous overseas training exercises with the British Army. Much of his service was spent in Germany, where he supported personnel and their families. Like so many who served, Tim’s challenges did not end when he left the military. He was physically injured during his service in Iraq and was later diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

Thanks to the Royal British Legion, Tim did not have to face those physical or mental challenges alone. Through the personnel recovery centre in Sennelager in Germany and the Battle Back Centre in Shropshire, both sponsored by the Royal British Legion, Tim was given the support he needed to start rebuilding his life. Today Tim is a key member of the recently reestablished Camberley branch of the Royal British Legion, paying forward the help that he once received. He is one of many millions whose lives have been changed and saved by the RBL.

[Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)]

My hon. Friend is making a strong speech. I am proud to represent Glastonbury and Somerton, where RNAS Yeovilton is based. The constituency is home to many veterans and serving personnel, with 11% of households being home to at least one veteran. We have many charities that support our veterans, like RBL Martock, which was formed in 1921, and we also have Service Dogs UK and organisations such as Got Your Six, all of which work to support our veterans. Does my hon. Friend agree that there should be closer collaboration between the Government and the charities that support our veterans, to ensure that no veteran is left behind?

[Dr Pinkerton]

My hon. Friend makes a powerful case for more closely co-ordinating the different organisations and establishing connections with the Government. Everybody would benefit as a consequence.

The RBL’s work extends far beyond the bespoke care and support that it provides to wounded servicemen and women. As we have heard, its advocacy work supports an extraordinary number of military families and ensures that their needs—from access to GP services to supporting children with special educational needs—are properly met. The RBL has a proud history and legacy spanning 104 years, and it is as relevant today as it was in 1921. With the tragic spectre of war and conflict on the horizon again, I hope it has a long and prosperous future.

High Street Businesses

Debate between Sarah Dyke and Al Pinkerton

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Westminster Hall

[Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (LD)]

I would thank you for calling me, Sir Desmond, but you have given me a real challenge. Nevertheless, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I thank the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers) for securing this important debate.

We all know that for generations, high streets have been at the heart of our communities—providing spaces for our local businesses to thrive, for social connections to flourish and for economic growth to be driven from the grassroots, yet across the United Kingdom, high streets are in decline. Businesses are closing at an alarming rate, there is crime and antisocial behaviour, depressing footfall, and outdated business rate systems stifling local enterprise.

In my constituency of Surrey Heath, we have numerous high streets across market towns and villages, all of which are interconnected to a larger ecosystem. Camberley, our historic market town, has struggled to grow over the past five years. Despite being just 28 miles from central London, the town centre is suffering from increased vacancy rates, crime, antisocial behaviour and public infrastructure that persistently fails to meet the needs and expectations of local businesses and residents.

Our high streets should be hubs of activity, but they have been undermined by the long-term absence of Government support and mounting economic pressures. One of the greatest challenges that I hear about from local businesses is related to the broken business rates system. In 2025-26, for example, despite paying business rates in excess of £30 million, businesses in Surrey Heath will see just £900,000 of their contributions re-invested into their local community, which is just 3% of the business rates raised. The vast majority of revenue raised through business rates is spirited away from the place of generation and collection by central Government.

Of course, that is not in any way unique to Surrey Heath. It is a national problem that discourages investment in our high street while allowing online retailers and large multinationals to operate under a significantly lighter tax burden. The Lib Dems have long argued that the business rate system is outdated, unfair and penalises bricks and mortar businesses, which are vital to our communities,

[Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)]

My hon Friend is making a fantastic speech. He will know the importance of pubs to our high streets, particularly in rural areas, to drive footfall and support our rural economies. I spoke to a tenant of a pub in Castle Cary who is trying to develop a community space for social and cultural cohesion, at a time when the town is growing quite significantly. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government’s proposed changes to business rates for properties with rateable values above £500,000 are potentially ruinous for many pubs on our high streets and in our rural villages?

[Dr Pinkerton]

I agree with that assessment. I have pubs in my patch that say exactly the same things to me. They are not in the same kind of more rurally sensitive communities that my hon. Friend refers to, but I fundamentally agree with her analysis. That is not a situation that is unique to Surrey Heath or to my hon Friend’s patch at all. I hope that the Government will commit to fundamental reform of that particular tax structure. Another issue that I am seeing in Surrey Heath is the growth of shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. It deters customers, it suppresses footfall and it makes it more difficult for businesses to operate and thrive.

In Camberley, our main market town, that is causing significant losses to businesses, and business owners tell me that they are tempted to move away from our community altogether because of the challenges they face. Police have issued dispersal orders across many market towns across this country, but I would like to ask the Secretary of State explicitly what assessment he has made as to the effectiveness of those particular measures. There should be far greater police visibility in our town centres to deter crime and to give businesses the encouragement and support that they need to thrive.

In conclusion, and because I only have a few seconds left, will the Minister say whether the Government have considered reforming business rates to ensure local communities retain more of the revenue generated by local high street businesses—as these communities expect to happen already? Also, what support is in place for high street businesses facing closure due to crime and antisocial behaviour?