Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

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  My hon. Friend is a champion for the rights of his constituents, and I pay tribute to him. I recognise the concern that he has raised. Everyone, including trans people, should have the right to access the services and facilities that they need in a respectful way that protects dignity and privacy. Trans people continue to be protected under the Equality Act 2010, which we on the Labour Benches are particularly proud of. I will write to Ministers on his behalf and see whether we can arrange the meeting that he seeks.

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

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  I reassure my hon. Friend that this Government have increased the amount spent on defence by a record amount since the end of cold war, and we are determined to ensure that we have proper funding for defence. I hear what she says about the role played by companies across our constituencies. Since we came into office, 1,400 major contracts have been agreed, 86% of which are with British businesses, so colleagues across the House, including my hon. Friend, should be reassured that this Government’s intention is to ensure that British businesses benefit from that spending and, crucially, that our armed forces have the means that they need to defend our country in these very difficult times.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, and of course I congratulate Yorkshire Caravans on 100 years in business. Businesses such as those are the cornerstones of the local economy, and its longevity only proves its worth and contribution. As my hon. Friend says, the product it manufactures produces lifetime memories for lots of people.

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

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  I welcome the hon. Gentleman back to his place. I hope that all has been well following the addition of baby Lyla to his family. I wish them all well. The hon. Gentleman raises an important point: every woman deserves safe, compassionate care, and it is devastating when that is not the case. The work of Donna Ockenden and Baroness Amos made clear the systematic, sustained and recurring failures in maternity and neonatal care, which are entirely unacceptable. The national maternity and neonatal taskforce, chaired by the Health Secretary, will take the recommendations from the Ockenden report, as well as those from Baroness Amos’s national review, and ensure that it produces a comprehensive action plan by the end of this year. I cannot give him a specific date, but we are proceeding at pace. In relation to the public inquiry, the Health Secretary made clear yesterday that no options are off the table. We are making progress on maternity care, and there are over 2,000 more midwives, but we accept that much more needs to be done. I am delighted that my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh) has been the Government’s first maternity adviser.

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

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  My hon. Friend is right to raise this matter during Armed Forces Week. Reservists are an integral part of the effectiveness of our armed forces. They bring experience from defence, strengthen resilience and provide specialist skills that cannot be generated or sustained in regular forces alone. I encourage him to seek a Westminster Hall or Adjournment debate, so that he can make his strong case in greater detail.

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

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  I understand the concern of the hon. Lady and her constituents about this matter, and I will seek to arrange the meeting she asks for.

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

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  My hon. Friend knows that bus transport in particular is a key priority of this Government —buses are so important to towns and villages—and we are making real progress on it. He will also know that this is not a clear either/or matter. If he wants a debate to weigh up the best use of those resources, I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall or Adjournment debate so that he and others can make the case for the best possible public transport in their areas.

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

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  I announced in the business statement that there will be a debate on these issues next week, when I hope the hon. Lady will be able to make her case. Let me reassure her that the Government are absolutely committed to taking action on this matter, and I am sure that, whoever is Prime Minister, that commitment will be maintained.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this issue to the attention of the House. He is right to recognise the incredible work done by our staff in Westminster and across the UK, and I know that there are a range of views on this topic. I also note that your conference did a great deal of work on this in the last Parliament, Mr Speaker. Should my hon. Friend wish to have a meeting with the relevant House officials to discuss how this matter might be taken forward, and whether there is a consensus, I will help him to arrange it.

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

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  As my hon. Friend says, I am very keen for this issue to be tackled. I hope to return to my constituency this weekend, and if the weather is fine, I am sure that the police—I am meeting them tomorrow—will, through Operation Coastwatch, rise to the challenges posed by young people, predominantly, coming to the coast. I welcome them, but I do hope they will behave when they get there. We have passed the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which will tackle some of these behaviours. We will introduce respect orders, with named local antisocial behaviour leads, and we are also providing the police with the powers that they need to address these incidents. We must have the powers, but we must also have investment in more police officers. We should also encourage chief constables to recognise, as many of them do, that at times of great demand, they need to deploy officers in a certain way, and coastal towns have a particular claim.

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

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  I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in praise of Armed Forces Day and give the events in Romford our best wishes. It is important that the community can celebrate our armed forces. I imagine that the hon. Gentleman’s area, like mine, has been a recruiting area in the past. I am not going to join him, however, in celebrating the 10th anniversary of leaving the EU. I am tempted to ask the hon. Gentleman: how is that going, then? I am not going to condemn schools for making decisions. They must do what is right in the circumstances. I understand the concerns, because I remember the impact the covid years had on education, but the safety of children, staff and other workers is important. As I said earlier, there was a Cobra meeting earlier this week, and the Government are looking to see what further advice or action is needed. If anything further needs to happen, the Government will take that action.

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

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  The hon. Gentleman, as ever, raises an important matter. We strongly condemn the persecution of Baha’i communities in many countries around the world. Our special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, my hon. Friend the Member for North Northumberland (David Smith), has met with the Baha’i international community UN representative to discuss the persecution that the Baha’i face, and regularly engages with the community. I will raise the hon. Gentleman’s specific concerns with the Foreign Office and ensure that he gets a reply on what further action the Government can take.

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

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  I will endeavour to find a way through this so that what the Prime Minister committed to can happen.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House. I hope we all agree that cleanliness and the upkeep of the parliamentary estate are absolutely vital, because they allow us to continue to do our jobs. The policy that he mentions is in the purview of the House authorities, and if my hon. Friend should wish to make his case to the appropriate House official, I will help him in that process.

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

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  The business for the week commencing 29 June will include: Monday 29 June—Estimates day, first allotted day. There will be debates on estimates relating to the Cabinet Office, in so far as it relates to security and resilience; the Northern Ireland Office; and the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, in so far as it relates to criminal justice. Tuesday 30 June—Estimates day, second allotted day. There will be debates on estimates relating to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in so far as it relates to sport and youth services; the Department of Health and Social Care, in so far as it relates to pharmaceutical procurement; and the Department for Work and Pensions, in so far as it relates to spending priorities and performance. At 7 pm the House will be asked to agree all outstanding estimates. Wednesday 1 July—Proceedings on the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill, followed by consideration of a Business of the House motion and all stages of the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill. Thursday 2 July—Debate on a motion relating to the National Audit Office, followed by a debate on a motion on commonhold and leasehold reform and the regulation of property managing agents. The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee, followed by a general debate on access to further education. The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Friday 3 July—The House will not be sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing 6 July includes: Monday 6 July—If necessary, consideration of Lords amendments, followed by a motion to approve the draft Environmental Permitting (Waste Controlling or Transporting) and Relevant Functions of Primary Authorities (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026, followed by a motion to approve the draft Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026, followed by a motion to approve the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2026.

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

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  The work and dedication to their community of individuals like Wendy, Val and the residents of Bradeley village are an inspiration to us all, and I am pleased that my hon. Friend brought that story to us. I join him in thanking them for everything they do; indeed, I thank community volunteers right across our country because, as I have described them before, they are the golden thread that tie our communities together.

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

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  I hope that the water suppliers and all their contractors have listened to what the hon. Lady has said and that they act on it. I know there are considerations about the safety and quality of water, but I am sure it is not beyond the wit of them, if they put their heads together, to make this happen. If she lets me know how the matter progresses, then should the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs need to get involved—I am not sure what its powers are in this regard—we will see what further action can be taken. I encourage the water companies to sign up to sorting this out.

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

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  That matter was raised earlier, and I understand Members’ concerns. Let me take this away and see if we can get the assurance that the right hon. Gentleman and others are seeking.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. He is right that our new private parking code of practice will raise standards across the private parking industry to ensure that drivers are treated fairly. Stricter regulation of private parking companies will curb aggressive fines and debt recovery tactics. I am sure that the House will be updated when the code of practice is published, and I hope that will be at the earliest opportunity.

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

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  My hon. Friend raises an important matter. Road safety for children is vital. The work that lollipop people do for our young people is paramount. I hope that those at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council hear my hon. Friend’s contribution and take his concerns seriously. I pay tribute to Martin, Stella, Georgia and the many lollipop people across our communities for their work. I hope that this can be resolved properly.

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

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  My hon. Friend is right to point to the importance of towns and communities, such as Rossendale and Darwen. They have a vital role to play in Britain’s economic future, as do our rural and urban areas. The Government’s industrial strategy is focused on driving investment and creating well-paid jobs in every part of the country. Our efforts have helped to secure £360 billion in private investment to date, which will support over 120,000 jobs. I encourage my hon. Friend to apply for a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate, so that he can put his concerns about the importance of towns directly to a Minister.

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

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  I am sure that this matter is of real concern to my hon. Friend’s constituents, and she knows the Government’s position on fire and rehire. She will know that we are committed to funding SEND properly, but if there are instances where that is having a real detrimental effect on an area, I can arrange for a meeting with the relevant Minister for her.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for this well-timed question during Armed Forces Week. I join her in congratulating Donna Louise Armstrong on her years of service to her local community and on her very well deserved British Empire Medal for services to our veterans community. Her friends and family should be very proud of her.

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

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  The Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that the Met police have the resources they need, and have increased funding by £446 million since coming to office. Court proceedings relating to Operation Manor are ongoing, and critical elements are still to be considered before any asset is realised. Ministers will consider how any residual funds are distributed, including reflecting on the role of the Metropolitan police service.

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

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  I understand my hon. Friend’s concerns. I acknowledge the important work of outreach in educating the public about what Parliament does and why it matters. This is, of course, a matter for the House. I know that some Members have raised it directly with the House authorities via oral and written questions, and I am sure that the House authorities have heard her concerns as they weigh up this matter.