Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 26th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly will try to do that. The hon. Lady is right to raise those concerns. Two things spring to mind: first, with the support of other colleagues who she says have similar concerns, she might seek an Adjournment debate so that they can express them directly to the Minister, or secondly, she gets the reply from the Minister that she is after. I will ensure that she does.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Last weekend, the Wolverhampton Wanderers player Tolu Arokodare was subjected to appalling racist abuse on his social media profiles and three other premier league players shared similar experiences. I wrote to the Minister for Online Safety, my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Kanishka Narayan), this week to request a meeting to discuss what can be done to stop this racist abuse of our black footballers so that the perpetrators are punished for their disgusting behaviour and social media companies take their share of responsibility. Will the Leader of the House please join me in condemning this horrible abuse and expressing full support and solidarity to Tolu? Will he also reach out to the Minister to ensure that the requested meeting is scheduled as soon as possible?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in condemning the abuse that he describes and offering our support for Tolu. Nobody—no football player and, indeed, not anybody involved in sport—should be put through that. The Government’s stance is unequivocal: we stand for unity, not division. Racism, sexism and any other form of discrimination has no place in our society, which is why we are working closely with the national governing bodies for sport to tackle racism and discrimination. I will ask that my hon. Friend gets the meeting that he seeks so that Ministers can hear his concerns fully and completely.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

First, I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House are with the two children stabbed in the horrific attack at Kingsbury high school in Brent. My heart—and I am sure the hearts of the whole House —goes out to those affected by this tragedy. I also send my condolences to those affected by the horrific attack in Tumbler Ridge in Canada. Again, the thoughts of the whole House will be with the people there as they mourn their family, friends and loved ones. We wish all those injured a speedy recovery.

I join the shadow Leader of the House in welcoming the Venerable Andrew Hillier, who has been appointed as the new Speaker’s chaplain. I, too, thank the outgoing chaplain, the Rev. Mark Birch, for the support that he provided to everyone across the community, whether they were people of faith or not.

I also want to mark National Apprenticeship Week. Apprenticeships give young people real experience, real prospects and a real route into good careers. The Government are committed to delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people, backed by the growth and skills levy.

As it is National Apprenticeship Week, it is appropriate to draw Members’ attention to the ambitions set out in the report on “Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster”, which was published last week, to support 1,000 apprenticeships and traineeships in addition to the thousands of full-time roles required to deliver the works. If they have not already done so, I encourage Members, whatever their view on the way forward for Parliament, to attend briefings by the R&R client team and to read the report in full.

Finally, before I turn to the remarks of the shadow Leader of the House, I wish all Members and you, Madam Deputy Speaker, an enjoyable recess. I hope that Members get some time to spend with their family and their constituents. They should also remember that it is pancake day, and I wish them well in that regard.

I very much join the shadow Leader of the House in congratulating Sam Stables and wishing him well. He is a keen farming campaigner. Knowing the shadow Leader of the House’s constituency, Sam will have needed his wellies, whatever their colour, given the amount of water that has fallen in the area. I understand that donations have come in from far and wide, including from the Prince of Wales. Let me say, in supporting Sam, that the Government are stepping up and playing our part. We are supporting farmers’ access to specialist mental health services by funding the farmer welfare grant and, more widely, doing all we can to invest in sustainable farming. I wish Sam all the very best indeed.

Let me turn to the shadow Leader of the House’s remarks on what has happened in the last couple of weeks—and let me do so without any deflection or fudge, as he said. First, Matthew Doyle has had the Labour Whip withdrawn. The Labour party has started an investigation, and it is right that that is allowed to take place. I will not enter into speculation about the Cabinet Secretary, but we read what we read.

On the wider issue of standards in public life, I agree absolutely with the shadow Leader of the House that there can be no prevarication on these matters. My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister made a statement to the House on Monday setting out the action that we are taking. Since entering government, we have delivered on our manifesto promises to strengthen the role of the independent adviser and set up the Ethics and Integrity Commission. We are also publishing Ministers’ interests, gifts and hospitality more frequently, and changing the process for relevant direct ministerial appointments, including politically appointed diplomatic roles. But we understand that we need to go further, and we are working with the newly established Ethics and Integrity Commission to ensure that we reach the highest possible standards in public life.

Let me leave the House with this remark, because it has been a difficult time for us all, not least for the Prime Minister himself. I regard the Prime Minister as a man of integrity and a man of public service. When someone stands up and says that they got it wrong and regret what has happened, we should take that at face value and redouble our efforts to ensure that, going forward, standards in public life are even higher.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

This week is Heart Unions Week, hence the badge on my lapel instead of the Wolves badge that I normally wear. Last Saturday, I was with the Wolverhampton, Bilston and District Trades Union Council handing out information about joining a trade union to passers-by in Wolverhampton city centre. Will the Leader of the House please join me in celebrating the vital work that our unions do in improving the lives of working people across the country, and the work that they did with the Government for us to deliver the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation through the landmark Employment Rights Act 2025? Does he agree that one of the best decisions our constituents can make is to join a trade union, for dignity and security in the workplace?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I certainly join my hon. Friend in recognising the vital role that trade unions play in improving lives of people across the country. The Government have worked very closely with trade unions and with businesses to deliver the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation through the landmark Employment Rights Act. The Act is a key pillar of the Government’s plan to make work pay, which will grow the economy, boost wages and reduce insecure work, and improve people’s lives.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an important issue. We are making the tough but fair decisions needed to find a balance between value for money for taxpayers and for students and graduates. We are supporting graduates with the cost of living and protecting lower earners by lifting the threshold this year, but I understand the concerns of my hon. Friend and his constituents, because they will be shared by many of our own constituents. I encourage him to apply for a debate to raise those concerns and hear from Ministers directly.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Last week, at a City of Wolverhampton council meeting in my constituency, when discussing the removal of face coverings under a public space protection order, a Reform councillor asked a hijab-wearing Labour cabinet member, Obaida Ahmed, whether the order extended to the removal of religious garments like burkas for the identification of criminals—comments that clearly shook Councillor Ahmed. Will the Leader of the House please join me in condemning such disgraceful and divisive questioning, and stand in solidarity with Councillor Ahmed and all those from whichever party who refuse to let prejudice and discrimination undermine efforts to make our communities safer?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and absolutely condemn the language that he describes. It is incumbent on all elected office holders to consider the language they use. I want to recognise the contribution of those who work tirelessly to ensure that prejudice and discrimination do not undermine efforts to make our communities more inclusive.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

For the past nine years, the church of St Chad and St Mark in my Wolverhampton West constituency has welcomed Iranian refugees into its congregation who have fled the persecution of the oppressive Iranian regime. Last week, we heard the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister speak about the total abhorrence of the killings, the violence and the repression to which protesters in Iran have recently been subjected. That has mainly been by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, who have also intimidated and harassed dissidents abroad. When will this Government proscribe and ban the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, as other countries have done already?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is right to raise this matter. As we have said before, we will not hesitate to use the most effective measures against the Iranian regime and the IRGC. We have already implemented 550 sanctions against Iranian-linked individuals and organisations, and we placed Iran on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme. The Foreign Secretary made a statement this week, and my hon. Friend may wish to attend Foreign Office questions next week to make his point directly to Ministers.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I completely agree that racism has no place in our communities or in public life. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to uphold the Nolan principles. There appear to be other issues coming to light with Reform councillors in Staffordshire council. I encourage them to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Last month was National Care Leavers’ Month. I had the pleasure of attending a question time event in my constituency, where I was interviewed by some incredible young people, including care leavers from across Wolverhampton. Will the Leader of the House first please join me in congratulating those young people on putting forward such excellent questions? Secondly, considering that care-experienced people are more than twice as likely to die prematurely, that they have a life expectancy of almost 20 years less than the national average, and that almost half have a diagnosed mental health condition, will the Leader of the House please agree to a debate in Government time to discuss making care experience a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010—a change that has already been adopted by almost 130 councils across the country?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Disadvantage faced by those who have grown up in care is one of the great social injustices of our time. The Equality Act already protects many care leavers under indirect discrimination provisions, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister is made aware of my hon. Friend’s comments and writes to him directly.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 20th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on being a champion—it has been a good week for awards for us both. Huntington’s is a terrible disease. The fantastic work by people across communities has kept this in the public eye, and the NICE guidelines are addressing this. The need for speed, I am sure, is in the minds of those who are involved. I will raise this matter with the Health Secretary.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Last weekend I attended the annual conference of Interfaith Wolverhampton in my constituency, which has done much to bring different faith communities together, including those of no faith, and to celebrate diversity, which is so needed at a time when we face division and hate crime. The Conservative Government withdrew all funding from the national Inter Faith Network charity, forcing it to shut down. Will the Leader of the House meet me and the relevant Minister to discuss restoration of the national Inter Faith Network, so that it can again provide support for interfaith organisations across the country?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Interfaith relations are vital for strong and cohesive communities. Last week was Inter Faith Week, which is a chance for communities to come together and celebrate different faiths and beliefs. I will ensure that Ministers hear my hon. Friend’s concerns and, of course, I am always happy to meet him.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I call my parliamentary chess partner, Warinder Juss, who lost to Kazakhstan by six points.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

I am very grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the national curry awards here in Parliament. Penn Tandoori, which is just down the road from where I live in my constituency, was named Wolverhampton restaurant of the year. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Penn Tandoori for its well-deserved win, and does he agree that it is crucial that the Government invest in and support our local hospitality businesses so that they can continue to grow and thrive?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I send my congratulations to Penn Tandoori on its win, and to restaurants across the country—including Shikara in Whitley Bay, which won the north-east award—on providing fantastic service to local communities. The Government are committed to supporting hospitality businesses to thrive, and to creating the right economy for them to do so.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are committed to providing more banking hubs, and indeed some have opened. The hon. Member could ask for a Backbench Business debate, because I am sure his concerns are shared by others, but let me gently say that the beautiful and historic town of Whitley Bay gets its banking hub on Friday.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Dementia is the leading cause of death in this country, and my constituents tell me of not only the mental decline but the physical conditions, poor mobility, infections and increased pain levels that sufferers experience. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is crucial to improve co-ordination between social care, community care and hospital services? Will he please consider asking the Department of Health and Social Care to treat dementia as a physical health condition so that sufferers and their families can receive the appropriate support they need?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I agree with my hon. Friend. We will deliver the first ever modern service framework for dementia to deliver improvements in quality of care. We are committed to tackling the issue he mentioned and I will ensure that the Health Secretary has heard his concerns.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. In order for me to get everybody in, the questions will have to be shorter. I call Warinder Juss to show us how it is done.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Penn cricket club in my constituency has been under an Environment Agency stop notice since July 2022, after soil was wrongly imported on to its grounds, and nothing much has happened since. Will the Leader of the House support my attempt to encourage the Environment Agency to complete its investigations so that my constituents can get their cricket club back?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sorry to hear of my hon. Friend’s concern. I understand that the Environment Agency area director for the west midlands, Mr Ian Jones, would be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend and his constituents to take this forward, but I will also ensure that Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are made aware of the situation.

Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 4th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I think we all remember when the previous Government gave the contract for our passport production to a French company in the post-Brexit era. We all found it rather strange at the time. This Government are committed to buying British and to British procurement, and we will bring forward legislation and other means of ensuring that that can better happen.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Over the summer recess, two older Sikh taxi drivers were attacked outside Wolverhampton train station, one of whom is a constituent of mine. Although I commend British Transport police for making arrests quickly, meeting me and acknowledging that the attacks were racially motivated, many people, including me, were shocked and horrified by the nature of the attacks, which have made the local community feel vulnerable, particularly in light of the far-right rhetoric that has recently been spreading. Will the Leader of the House arrange a meeting with the relevant Minister so that I can reassure my constituents that the Government treat hate crime with the utmost seriousness and will do all in their power to tackle racial prejudice and discrimination?

[Lucy Powell]

Absolutely, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising that awful case today. As he says, the Government take hate crime incredibly seriously. No one should ever be a victim of hatred because of their race or religion. We need to combat and stand up to rhetoric and campaigns that can make people feel insecure in their communities, and I look forward to working with him to that end.