Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Thangam Debbonaire Excerpts
Thursday 13th September 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I agree with my hon. Friend that the work that charities do to tackle loneliness is vital. I have some great charities in my own constituency and am very happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Future Choices on its 10th anniversary. The Government recently published a civil society strategy that sets out how Government can work with charities and others to support a thriving civil society. The Prime Minister specifically recognised loneliness as an important issue when she welcomed the report of the Jo Cox commission on loneliness in January this year. The first Government strategy on tackling loneliness in England will be published later this year.

Thangam Debbonaire Portrait Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab)
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At the UN General Assembly later this month, the global compact on refugees will hopefully be agreed. I know that the Government wish to promote themselves as friends to refugees—I have heard that answer before—but may we have a debate in Government time, after the House returns from conference recess, on how we will implement the global compact on refugees?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The hon. Lady will be aware that this is an important issue for the Government. We have International Development questions on the Wednesday of the first week back after recess; I encourage her to take up the matter directly with Ministers.