Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As I said previously, the Minister for Energy has asked the CMA to make sure that consumers are being treated fairly, with the option of investigation into unfair practices should they occur. We will not tolerate companies profiteering from this conflict. Should it be necessary, I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Energy Secretary will set out to the House what further action the Government intend to take.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman is absolutely committed to defending freedom of religion and belief for all, and so are this Government. It is our firm belief that every Nigerian should be able to practise their faith or belief in safety, free from fear and persecution. I commend the hon. Gentleman’s dedication in consistently raising these matters in this Chamber. I will share his concern with the Foreign Office after this session.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Yes, I will arrange that meeting.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman asks why there was not a statement on Monday regarding the launch of the strategy. Monday was particularly busy—there were important statements—and the fact that there was not an oral statement on the strategy is not a reflection on the importance of fraud. However, I will bear in mind what he has said. I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman has pointed out that the Government launched their fraud strategy this week. As he says, fraud is distressing and disruptive, and has long-term effects on victims. I am not as pessimistic as he is about our strategy; it sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen protection and support for victims; £250 million is being invested over the next three years for that fight. However, I note his request for a statement and an update, and I will bring it to the attention of the relevant Minister.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The reality is that when the Conservative party was in government, it hollowed out our high streets. We are giving unprecedented new powers to local communities to seize boarded-up shops and revitalise neglected high streets, but I will share my hon. Friend’s concerns with Ministers. Should he seek a meeting, I will facilitate one, or if he wants to hear directly from Ministers in a debate, I encourage him to apply for one.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman, and indeed the whole Committee for its work. I note with particular pleasure that a debate is scheduled on access to banking services, an issue that has been raised in business questions many times. I cannot promise him more time at the moment, but I recognise that it is important to get confirmation of time as early as possible, and I will endeavour to do that. We recognise the long-standing concerns of park home residents about things like commission fees. We have launched a call for evidence, and I encourage the hon. Gentleman’s constituents, and everyone else’s, to contribute to it. I remind the House that park home residents are entitled to free independent legal advice about their rights through the Government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The business for the week commencing 16 March will include: Monday 16 March—Consideration of an allocation of time motion, followed by all stages of the Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill. Tuesday 17 March—Consideration of an allocation of time motion, followed by all stages of the Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill. Wednesday 18 March—Opposition day (19th allotted day). Debate on a motion in the name of the official Opposition—subject to be announced. Thursday 19 March—General debate on progress in tackling climate change, followed by a debate on a motion on online harms. The subjects of these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Friday 20 March—The House will not be sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing 23 March includes: Monday 23 March—Consideration of Lords amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, followed by consideration of Lords amendments to the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The Government understand the strength of feeling about this issue, which is why we accepted all but one of the independent review’s recommendations and at the Budget made the decision to write off £5,000 from the liabilities of everyone affected by the loan charge. I will ensure that Ministers have heard my hon. Friend’s concerns today.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am delighted to hear about the fundraising success of Rochdale’s Bangladeshi Arts and Sports Association football club. I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the whole team and everyone associated with them, including the sponsors who made it possible.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I do not know the answer to the hon. Lady’s question, except to say that if she seeks a meeting with a Minister, I will help her to facilitate one.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises an important matter, and I hope that Thirteen has heard his words today. The Government expect social housing landlords to manage their stock efficiently and to ensure that vacant properties are made available wherever possible. These are obviously concerning matters, and I will make sure that the relevant Minister is made aware of them.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The Government are committed to publishing the plan and we will do so at the first opportunity. We are facing a similar situation to the one that the right hon. Gentleman describes at the end of the 1930s, when defences were run down and the decision had to be made to start to rebuild them. That is why the work at the end of the 1930s had to happen. Of course, we hope that what happened later will not happen now—that is evident—but we are trying to rebuild our defences. We are working on the plan, and we will publish it as soon as we can.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  That issue was raised earlier this week by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame Siobhain McDonagh). I understand the concern. It is important that the Government are changing the law in this regard, and the hon. Gentleman is right to call out people who are acting unfairly in the run-up to that change. It is much more important that we protect the people involved, rather than seek to play party politics.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I can offer the right hon. Gentleman a meeting with Ministers, if that is what he seeks, and will certainly draw to their attention the point that he raises.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the vital contribution of tourism to our national economy. Like him, I am lucky enough to have a constituency that is a popular tourist destination and has a large number of attractions, and I would encourage people to visit. Grime’s Graves is an extraordinary site. I am pleased to hear that he will visit a historical place in his constituency in English Tourism Week, and I encourage other Members to do the same. I think this would be an interesting topic for a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate, should he wish to seek one.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I will certainly arrange a meeting for the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in the region. As he says, this is a question not just of energy and the businesses themselves, but of accessibility through good transport, so I will certainly help him to arrange that meeting.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I cannot confirm when, but I know that this issue is uppermost in the minds of Ministers, because it is a problem in many communities, and I will take it up with the relevant Department and get the hon. Lady an answer.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I invite the hon. Lady to seek an Adjournment debate because, as she has pointed out, these are often multifaceted problems. Should she be able to secure that, she will be able to set out her case in more detail.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises some important issues. The Government recognise that the bus and coach sector has had issues recruiting and retaining bus drivers in recent years. As she says, we are considering next steps. I will make sure that she gets an update once this process has been completed.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly join my hon. Friend and, I am sure, the rest of the House in wishing all our constituents a happy Holi. Festivals such as Holi bring our communities together—something that is more important than ever.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is a strong advocate for his constituents, and I pay tribute to him for that. As he will know, healthcare is a devolved matter, but we do acknowledge that trans people have historically not been able to access the support they need. We are committed to ensuring that the NHS is there for everyone, providing equal access to healthcare for everyone.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising the important work of our armed forces. I absolutely join her in wishing all the very best to Stanley and all those involved in the “March in March” fundraiser, and I thank them. We are committed to supporting our brave veterans, and I thank all service personnel, past and present, for their service, as well as everyone involved with the cadets. We are putting greater emphasis on cadets, who do such an important job across our communities.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I join my hon. Friend in thanking councillors across the country and in recognising their important contribution, whichever party they represent. They are an important part of our local democracy. I also join her in sending our condolences to the family and friends of her local councillor. She is right to raise this matter, and as we approach the local elections, should she seek an Adjournment debate, I am sure she could give even greater voice to the importance of councillors in our local democracy.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important and timely matter ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday. Too many women are still subject to a system that does not listen to their experience and does not understand their needs. Our renewed women’s health strategy will set out our longer-term vision, so that every woman gets the healthcare she deserves. My hon. Friend may wish to raise these matters with Ministers during the debate on International Women’s Day next week.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises a worrying matter, and I thank him for mentioning the important work of Collingwood Learning. Early education about alcohol is already compulsory, and the updated relationships, sex and health education guidance provides additional content on the risks associated with alcohol consumption. I encourage him to apply for an Adjournment debate on this matter, not just because it is important, but because others across the House will share his concerns.