Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important case, and share his horror at this horrific attack—our thoughts remain with Harshita’s friends and family, and I understand the strength of feeling about this case. As my hon. Friend points out, there is an ongoing investigation, but I understand that the Home Office will be writing to him soon to address his concerns. Should he want a further meeting with Home Office representatives, I am sure they would be happy to arrange it.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises a very important point indeed, which I know is a concern to many of our constituents. The homelessness code of guidance sets out the framework that local authorities must follow in carrying out their homelessness duties. It is not always possible, but the Secretary of State recommends that authorities give careful consideration to those who rely on pets for companionship when making provision for them. I will ensure that Ministers have heard my hon. Friend’s concerns; if they have further proposals to bring forward, I am sure that they will do so.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to praise charities such as Babyzone, which deliver a truly positive impact on local communities. Improving outcomes for pupils in deprived areas is an essential part of this Government’s wider mission to ensure that every child, whatever their background, can succeed. I certainly encourage her to apply for a debate on these matters so that Ministers can not just praise the success of organisations such as Babyzone, but outline plans about what further measures we intend to take.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is a strong defender of the interests of her constituents, and I listen very carefully to her concerns. The Government are committed to improving maternity across the country. That is why we have set up a national maternity and neonatal taskforce, and we are very keen to get on with it. If she wishes to apply for an Adjournment debate, she could hear directly from a Minister about how her specific constituency concerns might be addressed, and if she wishes to seek a meeting with Ministers to make her case, I will help her to arrange one.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  In short: yes, I do. Our thoughts should be with the victims of these appalling crimes. The perpetrators in grooming gangs and sexual abuse cases must face the full force of the law, whoever they are and wherever they come from—let me be absolutely clear about that. If the individual we are talking about breaches the very strict conditions that have been placed upon him, he will be locked up again immediately—I hope he pays heed to that—but I also know that the Government are exploring every option in this case.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly send my best wishes to Leo for a full recovery. I recall the hon. Gentleman raising Leo’s remarkable story, and I am delighted to hear the news. I also wish him all the very best in relation to the award. There are some remarkable young people, and I hope that Leo is recognised as one of them.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As ever, the hon. Gentleman raises a serious matter. I saw those reports, and what is happening is appalling. The UK stands firmly against these attacks, and at this difficult time we stand firmly with the people and Government of Nigeria and with the families of the children who have been abducted. We continue to work closely with the Government of Nigeria, including through our ongoing security and defence partnership. I will raise the hon. Gentleman’s concerns with the Foreign Office.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am sure Leith is a perfectly lovely town and a fine contender for town of culture; however, my hon. Friend invites me down a route I simply cannot take, because North Shields, a town in my constituency, has also put in a very strong bid—as has Chorley, Mr Speaker—and I do have to return to my constituency, so I have to be careful. None the less, I wish all the towns, including Leith, the very best in their attempts to be crowned the first town of culture. It is a great scheme and, win or lose, a great way to highlight the importance of our towns and the communities who live in them. I will ask the relevant Minister to update the House on the process as soon as possible.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The right hon. Gentleman may indeed include that, and I will take this up with the Minister, because I know that his frustrations are shared by many Members of the House. If he lets me have that information, I will get on with it.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I join my hon. Friend in congratulating everyone involved with the opening of Cafe Victoria. I know the trials and tribulations of coastal communities, and the important role that cafés and hospitality play. If she wants to make the case directly to a Minister and get that update, I will help her to achieve that.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  It does sound slightly odd, and I share the hon. Lady’s concern. If she provides me with the details, I will take them away and get the Department to look at them to see how the council has interpreted the rules and whether this is the reality, but I hope that the council has heard her remarks.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As ever, my hon. Friend is a champion for the rights of his constituents, and I pay tribute to him for that. We are committed to ensuring that streets and transport networks are accessible for everyone, including disabled people. However, the overall responsibility for the management of pavements, crossings and street furniture lies with the local highway authority. I hope that it has heard his powerful representation on behalf of his constituents.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating the Isle of Man on Tynwald Day, and wish its people every success going forward. On the issue of frozen state pensions, I cannot respond in any detail now, because it is a pretty complex area and I may well get it wrong. However, I will raise the hon. Gentleman’s concerns with the relevant Ministers, and see whether we can get an update on where we are and what proposals there might be in future. If the hon. Gentleman seeks a debate about this issue—because not just his constituents will be affected, although he takes a particular interest in overseas territories—he may well get an opportunity to put his concerns directly to the relevant Minister.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving an update on what the Committee is planning, and I thank the Committee for its work. We were able to provide more time in response to the Chairman’s request last time, and it is good to see that coastal communities are getting a hearing. I am pleased to confirm, as I did in my statement, that the Sir David Amess debate is taking place, and I echo the hon. Gentleman’s words that it is a good opportunity for colleagues to raise any concern. I will give early notice, where I can, of plans for when we return in September. The hon. Gentleman has been an assiduous campaigner on police pensions. The 1987 police pension scheme is now closed and has been superseded by the 2015 scheme, and there are no plans for further improvements to the benefits accrued under it. However, I will make sure that Ministers have heard his concerns; should he wish to raise them with Ministers personally, I will help him to arrange a meeting.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Let me wish the Keighley Cougars well in their endeavours. Also, I hope that Bradford council has heard the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, that it can get on, and that he gets the positive response that he seeks. If that is not forthcoming, perhaps he would seek an Adjournment debate on the issue, in order to hear directly from the Minister, who I am sure will confirm the importance that this Government give to local sport.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly join my hon. Friend in celebrating the remarkable achievement of Sarah Dodd and the Friends of Hexham Priory school, who raised more than £28,000, particularly since it was during a heatwave. I would be happy to raise my hon. Friend’s request for a meeting with the Department for Education so that he can discuss how respite services for families of children with complex needs can be improved, but he will have noticed that the Secretary of State for Education is on the Front Bench and will have heard his remarks.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Let me draw that to the attention of the relevant Minister. This Government set great store by buses and the environment, but we are encouraging councils and businesses to buy British wherever they can. I will raise that matter directly with the Minister, and we will see whether we can get the update that the right hon. Gentleman is looking for.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am concerned to hear of a business closing, particularly one that has been around for such a long time and which has served a community. I am genuinely sorry to hear that. Small businesses are at the heart of our local communities and economies, and the Government are committed to supporting them in every way that we can, which is why our small business plan will save businesses time and money, boost access to finance and create new opportunities—but I do understand that for some businesses, there is an alternative scenario. We are also supporting a large number of businesses through a £4.3 billion business rates package. I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point about national insurance, but the change was made so that we could invest in our public services. He cannot have it both ways; Liberal Democrats constantly talk about the need for more spending on all sorts of things, and yet, when it comes to a difficult decision about voting for the money, they vote the wrong way.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  This Government are absolutely committed to giving every child the best start in life, and I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Ward Jackson primary school on being named one of the top 10 schools in the world for overcoming adversity. I am sure that this achievement would not have been possible without the support of the brilliant staff, the pupils’ hard work and the dedication of the families.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly send everyone my best wishes and I agree with my hon. Friend that Formula 1 and motorsports generally bring a huge advantage to our economy, whether that is through the highly skilled engineers, researchers and developers or the success of British drivers including Sir Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris. We have a great deal to celebrate, and I hope there is more to celebrate in the future. I hope that all fans enjoy the race this weekend, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising the matter today.

• 2 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Football at every level, from Sunday league to the world cup, plays an important part in local communities across the United Kingdom. I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Craigmark Burntonians on their success. I recommend, particularly in the light of what is unfolding at the world cup, that she apply for a debate on the importance of football. I am sure it would be well attended.

• 25 Jun 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the right hon. Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse Norman) back to his place, and I wish him a happy birthday for earlier this week. I join him in sending our condolences to the people of Venezuela and those caught in the earthquake. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. As the Prime Minister said yesterday, our thoughts are also with those injured in the rail collision last Friday, and the friends and family of the driver who lost his life, and I send my deepest sympathies at this dreadful time. As the shadow Leader of the House said, our thoughts are also with those injured in the horrific anti-Muslim attack in Edinburgh, and we send our thanks and appreciation to all the emergency services who responded to both incidents with bravery and professionalism in very difficult circumstances. I echo the right hon. Gentleman’s words about the importance of Armed Forces Week—we will mark Armed Forces Day this weekend. Events are taking place across the country to celebrate the work of our armed forces, and show our support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community. I also thank you, Mr Speaker, for the events that you put on in Parliament this week. Members across the House will be pleased to know that the Great British summer of saving has started. Families across the UK can take advantage of lower prices on children’s days out, meals and travel. We are cutting VAT to reduce the cost of children’s restaurant meals, children’s tickets for theatres and cinema, and all tickets for attractions such as soft play, amusement parks and museums. In August, children aged between five and 15 will be able to travel on local bus services in England for free, keeping the cost down further. Before I turn to the right hon. Gentleman’s specific remarks, let me say that I very much welcome the three new Members to the House this week. I wish them all well, irrespective of whichever party they serve. It has in many ways been a momentous week following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday. He will leave office with a record of stabilising the economy, driving down waiting lists in the NHS, lifting half a million children out of poverty, as well as a proud record on the international stage and defending our national interest. Standing for election and representing our community and country is the essence of politics. We would do well to remember that, regardless of party affiliation, at the heart of this are human beings for whom toxic political discourse only makes the job harder, and it can take a toll on them and their families. I hope we all bear that in mind, and recognise that the onus is on all of us to moderate political discourse, and ensure that it does not cross the line into abuse or intimidation. Reflecting on that, and on Prime Minister’s questions yesterday, made me even more grateful for the tone of the shadow Leader of the House. During these sessions, despite our party political differences, we share good-natured exchanges, for which I thank him. It is a habit of an old Chief Whip, or an old habit of a Chief Whip, that while exchanges are taking place in Prime Minister’s questions, I tend to watch the faces of Conservative Members, including the right hon. Gentleman. I think I am safe in saying that staring at the ground, or looking at a phone, is one way of demonstrating that he is not very happy with the tone that has been set by the leader of that party. On Peter Murrell, as the Prime Minister made clear, the SNP should step up to the mark and address the matter, as should the necessary appropriate authorities where that work needs to be done. Similarly, I expect that the leader of Reform will be held to account, and that his account of what the £5 million was all about will be tested, as I suspect that it does not really hold water. As the Prime Minister said, the defence investment plan will be published before the NATO summit, and I would expect that a statement will be made to the House once it is published. I reassure the House that the Prime Minister, and any future Labour Prime Minister, will be absolutely committed to the defence of our country, and to finding the money to pay for it. The right hon. Gentleman raised the serious matter of the Lucy Letby case, which I know is a concern for both Government and Opposition Members. It is important that the decision was sound and safe, so I will raise it with ministerial colleagues. Should he wish to express his concern directly to ministerial colleagues, I will arrange that for him too.

• 25 Jun 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Nobody in this House campaigns harder on behalf of the industry than my hon. Friend, and I thank him for that. The Government have allocated more than £73 million in additional funding to deliver almost 500 zero emission buses across England. The mandate is a devolved matter, but we are working with the devolved Governments to ensure that meaningful engagement takes place ahead of the review. I will raise his concerns with the relevant Minister to see whether there is any further update that we can share with him.

• 25 Jun 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I regret to say that I think the right hon. Gentleman is mixing me up with someone else if he thinks I have footballing skills, but I will plough on regardless. Let me be very clear: it is important that we protect our playing fields. We do need houses—homes—so that people can live fulfilling lives, but we also need to protect playing fields wherever we possibly can, and the Government are committed to that. If he wants reassurance on this matter, I can arrange a meeting with the relevant Minister, or he could seek an Adjournment debate in which to make his case.

• 25 Jun 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking Pedalling to Pubs and offering it our congratulations; that is an incredible amount of money, and I congratulate every individual who has been involved in raising it. Local pubs are very important indeed, which is why the Government are trying to do everything we can to support them, but I certainly think Pedalling to Pubs deserves our congratulations.