Business of the House

Debate between Victoria Collins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 29th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is right to celebrate a community approach to keeping our towns and cities clean, and the dedication of environmental volunteers in that, and to draw attention to the support that the Government are giving through the Pride in Place programme, not just in terms of resources but by putting the community in charge. I think the whole House will join me in congratulating Theo Rhead on his young litter picker award, because his commitment sets a bright example for us all to follow.

[Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)]

Redbourn village faces a potential 70% housing increase after this Government reclassified swathes of open land as grey belt, leaving villagers powerless against unplanned development, with legitimate infrastructure and environmental concerns compounded by being next to the M1 and 7 miles from Luton airport, which is expanding. The ministerial answer to my recent question about grey belt impact assessments referred me to yet another update of the national planning policy framework, which is under consultation. As councils cannot pause their planning timelines, may we have a debate in Government time on how Members can address live planning issues during this consultation limbo, before it is too late for our villages?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady is of course free to apply for a debate, perhaps one in Westminster Hall or an Adjournment debate, in which she can raise these matters. Matters of housing and infrastructure are often raised with me. I gently say to her that what we are trying to do in updating the legislation is ensure that we are building the houses that the country needs. It is really important that we get on with building those houses. I will draw her remarks to the attention of the relevant Department.

Business of the House

Debate between Victoria Collins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this question, which is timely, given that this is Road Safety Week, and I thank him for all the work he does on behalf of his constituents. Reform-led Lancashire county council comes up quite frequently. As I have said before, it appears that it has over-offered and is under-delivering. I find it astonishing that the leadership will not meet my hon. Friend, because whoever is leading in a local authority should be meeting with MPs. If they will not meet him, I am sure that a Transport Minister will do so.

[Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)]

Twelve-year-old Hollie Goodwin from Markyate last week won in her age category at the world trampoline, tumbling and DMT championships in Pamplona in Spain for British Gymnastics. Like the constituent of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade), Hollie’s family had to raise money for her to get there, because they will not get funding until she is 18. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Hollie and help me to secure a meeting with Ministers to see how we can support young people in sport, especially young girls and women?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I congratulate Hollie and, as I said before, everyone else involved in sporting success. Two Members from the same side of the Chamber have raised that interesting point, so that is perhaps the beginnings of a debate. I think Ministers will be available to meet the hon. Ladies so that they can raise these issues directly.

Business of the House

Debate between Victoria Collins and Alan Campbell

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

We are committed to making commonhold the default tenure for flats, and bringing the feudal leaseholder system to an end. I will ensure that the House is kept updated as we publish the consultation on banning leasehold for new flats and the draft commonhold and leasehold reform Bill later this year.

[Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)]

Coeliac disease impacts one in 100 people, yet ability to access gluten-free food on prescription is a postcode lottery. For Ted and his mother, who live in Redbourn, that means they miss out, and they have seen costs go up by 40%. Can we have time to talk about the postcode lottery for prescriptions, including for those with coeliac disease?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I advise the hon. Lady to seek an Adjournment or a Backbench Business debate on that. As a gluten-free person, I assure her that I appreciate the points that she raises.