Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wes Streeting and Andrew Cooper

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

I can wholeheartedly give that commitment to the right hon. Member. This is a principle, but also a conviction that is held across the entire NATO alliance. Putin should be in no doubt that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of NATO territory. Let me place on record again that when I was in Washington last week, the United States, through the Secretary of War, thanked us for our leadership in Ukraine. It has not been an easy week for US-Ukraine relations—I would not pretend otherwise—but I think that we should recognise the support that the United States provides, and will continue to provide, for Ukraine. This country will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

[Andrew Cooper (Mid Cheshire) (Lab)]

My hon. Friend is aware of the unique case involving my constituent Rachel Gallagher, a former MOD civil servant who was released from her role under civil service nationality rules. While I accept that my constituent was not legally employable, I simply cannot accept that, after a decade of dedicated service, her accrued pension contributions have been declared void. Will the Minister meet me, so that we can ensure that an equitable resolution is found, and my constituent receives the full pension contributions that she earned in service to this country?

NHS 10-Year Plan

Debate between Wes Streeting and Andrew Cooper

Thursday 3rd July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Cooper (Mid Cheshire) (Lab)]

I add my congratulations to my right hon. Friend, his team and NHS staff, who have put this plan together so that the NHS does not just survive but thrives. Last weekend, I met a family in Winsford who, that morning, had received a bill of £180,000 for their mother’s care. The daughter said to me, “Andrew, I don’t know how I can possibly pay this.” The previous Government failed to get a grip on the issue. The plans that the Secretary of State has set out to increase carer’s allowance and the disabled facilities grant will make a big difference, as will the introduction of fair pay agreements across the adult social care sector. Can he confirm that he will do everything he can to accelerate and implement the outcome of Baroness Casey’s cross-party commission, so that the issue is resolved once and for all?

[Wes Streeting]

I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance. It is precisely because of examples of the sort that he has shared with the House that we have to get this right, so that we relieve families of such catastrophic care costs. Just as the NHS replaced fear with high-quality care for all, we have to alleviate the fear of families who require care, because the situation that he describes blights too many families across our country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wes Streeting and Andrew Cooper

Tuesday 25th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

I am well aware of the challenges at Stepping Hill hospital and the need for support and investment in services in Stockport, not least thanks to the representations of my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu Mishra). We are looking carefully at this situation and are committed to working with leaders locally to try to improve the quality of and access to services to give local people what they deserve.

[Andrew Cooper (Mid Cheshire) (Lab)]

A new state-of-the-art surgical centre is set to open at the Victoria infirmary in Northwich in the next few weeks. The new facility will be a centre of excellence and a regional hub for outstanding cataract care, and it is an excellent example of how we can reduce pressure on our major hospitals, while making the best use of facilities in the heart of our communities. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the Mid Cheshire hospitals trust on completing this project? Can I invite him to join me on a visit to the centre in the coming months?

[Wes Streeting]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the local trust on the work it is doing and the impact it is having, and I would be delighted to pay a visit as soon as my diary allows.