Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

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  I am sorry to hear of the hon. Lady’s constituents. Veterans and servicemen and women are held very highly in our thoughts and regard. The delay that she describes is unacceptable; it is not the service that people deserve and resolving the matter is of the utmost urgency. There is a recovery plan under way and an interest-free loan is being made available by Departments to provide immediate financial support. The Cabinet Office is also using every opportunity to hold Capita to account and ensure that it delivers. It is about individual cases, so if the hon. Lady wishes to raise that individual case with me, I will see whether we can resolve that. However, there is the wider issue about how we can resolve this for everyone—I imagine there is a case in just about every constituency—so that everybody gets the justice that they deserve.

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

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  The hon. Gentleman may know of my appreciation of the importance of places of worship in communities, wherever they happen to be in our country. I do not know the details of the matter that he was talking about, but I was listening to what my hon. Friends were saying from the Benches behind me; I will look into this matter after these questions, but my understanding is that the SNP Government were given the money for this, as part of the biggest settlement ever for Scotland.

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

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  First, as I said in my earlier remarks, our thoughts are with the friends and families of the young people who tragically died, but also with others who are currently unwell. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance of the UKHSA. It is monitoring the situation and has launched a targeted vaccination programme, starting with students who are most at risk. They will be contacted directly. I encourage everyone affected to take preventive antibiotics or the vaccine if they are offered them. The Health Secretary is considering what steps can be taken to improve wider vaccination uptake, not just in respect of this matter, but across the population. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right in his comments about misinformation or disinformation. I urge everyone to share the public health information that is being disseminated online so that we can spread facts, rather than misinformation. It is an important matter, and I will draw his comments to the attention of the Health Secretary.

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

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  I thank the right hon. Lady for raising this question, because Members who write to Ministers do so with the reasonable expectation that they will receive a timely and substantive response from a Minister, and that is absolutely right. If she has a specific example to draw to my attention, I will raise that with the appropriate Department, and I will raise the wider issue with other Departments, too.

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

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  I will.

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

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  I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend: businesses like Cockney’s are a valuable part of England’s local and cultural heritage, and we must do all we can to support our traditional high street businesses. Although it might look as if mine is a double order, I confess that, in reality, it is not. The Government are committed to supporting high streets and permanently low tax rates for 750,000 retail and hospitality properties. These are matters of concern in other constituencies, too, and I encourage him to apply for a debate so that we can continue to enjoy pie and mash.

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

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  It is always good to hear from the ironman on the other side of the House, not least about musical theatre. He is right that I am a fan of musical theatre, so I will certainly join him in wishing all the participants in the Kelso musical theatre and Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society shows the best of luck. On a serious point, amateur dramatics groups across the country play a valuable role in bringing communities together and nurturing talent, and we thank each and every one of them.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend and neighbour for raising that issue; she is a very strong voice for her constituency. The Government are committed to improving access to community pharmacies, and this week we published the neighbourhood health framework, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister is made aware of my hon. Friend’s specific concerns, particularly on the request for an update by the end of this financial year.

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

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  First, may I say that my thoughts are with the friends and families of the young people who have died and others who are currently unwell as a result of the meningitis outbreak in Kent? I also place on record our tribute to Phil Woolas, who was a greatly respected and admired colleague and played a considerable role in modernising the Labour party. I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our condolences to his friends and family. Let me join the shadow Leader of the House in praise of President Zelensky and what he said earlier this week. A new defence pact has been agreed this week between the UK and Ukraine. By deepening our defence partnership, we are strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Putin’s ongoing attacks while ensuring that the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future. As the shadow Leader of the House said, we were honoured to listen to President Zelensky on Tuesday. I must thank you, Mr Speaker, for the role you played in organising the event, as well as in making clear the House’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. I will mention another couple of things, if I may, before I get to the comments made by the shadow Leader of the House. On Monday, the Modernisation Committee launched an inquiry into Backbench Business Committee and Petitions Committee debates as part of an ongoing inquiry on how time is used in this place. Both Committees play a vital role in bringing key issues of local, national and international importance to the House. Members will have received an online form seeking their views. I encourage all Members to engage with the inquiry. This morning, the response of the House administration to the Modernisation Committee’s report on accessibility in the House of Commons was published. I thank all who contributed to the inquiry and the House authorities for the progress they are making on addressing the important matters raised in the report. As I committed, the House will have the opportunity to consider the report in due course. Let me turn to the comments of the shadow Leader of the House. First, I thank him for the support he has given for what we have already done on the price of fuel oil. Let me reassure his Herefordshire constituents, and indeed the House, that the Government keep these matters in the forefront of our mind and under close scrutiny, and if necessary we will take further action. I agree with the shadow Leader of the House on one point: that we should be concerned about potential spikes in fuel prices during crises. I have to say, he made an admirable case for energy independence and the policy of the Government. The shadow Leader of the House talked about the North sea as a matter of concern. It is a matter of concern for the whole country, and particularly for constituencies in the region that I represent. I have to point out that the North sea is a mature oil and gas area, so some of the things he said have happened there are not surprising. It is mature and, in that sense, declining, but gas and energy from the North sea will be part of the energy transition in the UK for some decades to come. The big lesson that we learn from this crisis is that we have to get off the rollercoaster of oil and gas, which means getting off fossil fuels and on to home-grown clean power. He talked about the Government’s inaction, but we are bringing forward the next auction for renewables, extending solar and accelerating the warm homes plan roll-out. The shadow Leader of the House talked about the loss of jobs in the area. I have to point out that a 70% fall in jobs in the North sea came about during the time of the Government of which he was a supporter. In terms of turning it around, it would take a decade between starting to explore and extracting oil. Not a single barrel of extra oil extracted from the North sea today will reduce prices for consumers. If he will not take my word for it, let him take the words of the Conservative Energy Minister in 2022, who said that “more UK production wouldn’t reduce the global price of gas.” As the shadow Leader of the House said, you could not make it up. On the question of steel, there will be a statement later today about our steel strategy going forward. The idea that we do not value these national assets is, I am afraid, simply untrue. We have acted already on Scunthorpe, and we will be acting not just on steel, but on other matters of national importance, because they are in our national interest.

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

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  My hon. Friend raises an important topic. Let us put on record our thanks to Pete Wallroth, although, of course, we would all prefer him not to be in that situation. Everyone should get a personalised needs assessment and personal cancer plan that takes into account their wider need, including the impact of pregnancy, where that is relevant. In addition, the parental leave and pay review will explore how the system can better support working families. I strongly encourage my hon. Friend to apply for a debate in Westminster Hall on this very important issue.

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

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  My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for her constituency and on this very issue. The roadworks have been very disruptive for her constituents and there are serious questions, as she said, about how this has been managed by East Sussex county council. I will ensure that Ministers hear her concerns, and she may wish to raise them directly with Ministers at Transport questions next week. Just as importantly, by raising them then and here, I hope that her constituents get to hold the council to account.

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

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  These matters are often better decided locally because they depend on local circumstances, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to go into greater detail and hear from the relevant Minister, in case the existing rules are not being applied properly, I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate.

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

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  We are committed to building a strong pipeline of future zero emission bus orders. The publication of the 10-year pipeline is a key milestone in this work and will boost British manufacturing. As a starter, I encourage my hon. Friend to raise his concerns at upcoming Transport questions on 26 March, but I will also raise with Ministers the prospect of updating the House in a statement, should that be necessary.

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

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  I certainly will do as my hon. Friend asks. The Government are taking action on these matters, but I will also undertake to escalate this in the way that she suggests.

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

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  As my hon. Friend knows, we have announced the first road safety strategy in more than a decade, which includes a plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by about two thirds by 2035. We have launched consultations on measures to tackle the causes of road collisions. I encourage my hon. Friend to look to gain a Westminster Hall debate, in which he can talk about not just safety on the road, but police presence.

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

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  I will consider that request. The hon. Gentleman makes a point that others have made about DEFRA questions; given the circumstances in which we find ourselves, they ask whether we should look at how much time Departments get for questions. That can change over time. We should make sure that the length of departmental questions reflect the circumstances. There is also a balance to be struck when it comes to oral statements in the Chamber. There are important matters that this House has to debate, and how many oral statements are necessary is a bit of a moot question. There are ways that he can find out the answers that he wants, other than waiting for an oral statement from the Government; for example, he could ask for a Westminster Hall debate.

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

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  The Government are absolutely committed to cleaning up our waterways and protecting chalk streams. We have passed the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 and introduced the water White Paper, and the new water reform Bill will create the laws that we need to fundamentally change the system. I absolutely join my hon. Friend in calling on the Environment Agency and Thames Water to ensure that action is taken. I hope that they have heard his comments today. Should he seek a meeting with the relevant Minister to talk about these matters further, I will help him to facilitate it.

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

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  As my hon. Friend will know, we are working with telecom companies to reduce poor mobile signal, particularly in rural areas. We have announced the shared rural network deal, which aims to deliver 4G coverage to 95% of all UK landmass by the end of 2025. I am very sorry to hear of what is happening in his constituency. Should he seek a meeting with the relevant Minister to vent his frustrations, I will help him to arrange that.

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

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  I will. It is unacceptable that Nicola had to wait so long for the surgery that she needed, and I am sorry to hear of her family and friends’ tragic loss. We have committed to renewing the women’s health strategy to tackle inequalities and improve access to healthcare for women across England, and support groups such as Nicola’s provide an essential lifeline for women living with health issues. I encourage my hon. Friend and other Members to attend next week’s Westminster Hall debate on access to endometriosis services.

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

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  I need to be careful because I am travelling back to my constituency later today—or that is the plan—but I do join my hon. Friend in congratulating everyone who contributed to making City Day in Southend such a huge success. During these anniversaries, we are reminded of the important work that Sir David Amess did, and we remember him with respect and fondness. I wish all communities well in seeking to be the UK town of culture, including Leigh-on-Sea but also, I should say, North Shields in my own constituency.

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

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  As my hon. Friend points out, this is the second time this matter has been raised today, which underlines its importance. Should he seek a debate, I am sure that others would join him in raising these important matters. I will certainly look into the idea of a roundtable before the summit.

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

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  It seems longer, but we are 11 days into this particular crisis and, as I said, the Government have not been shy in bringing forward statements where necessary on particular aspects of it. I will raise the hon. Gentleman’s concerns with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers who, I am sure, are watching the situation very carefully. Should the need arise to update the House, I am sure that that is what they will do.

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

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  I certainly encourage Members to visit their local pubs, because they are an important part of local communities, but I also encourage them to be moderate in their actions, because we might save the pub, but we might not save our marriages.

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

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  Yes, I will. It is important that Members of Parliament raise matters such as these on behalf of their constituents. Remus and other companies should accept that responsibility and respond in an appropriate way.

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

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  I join my hon. Friend in sending our best wishes to the friends and family of Mr Stephen, and I thank him for raising this important anniversary. It is important that we remember such events, not least because it underlines the importance of community. I join my hon. Friend in recognising all public servants who have acted in the face of danger to protect us as we go about our daily life.