Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

  More

  My hon. Friend again raises these matters, which have been raised consistently in the past few weeks by Members across the House. I hope that the Royal Mail, which listens to these matters, has heard what he has said. My right hon. Friend the Business Secretary has discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the chief executive, and the fact that it needs to do more to meet service delivery targets. Ofcom has fined Royal Mail three times on its service levels, and it is investigating Royal Mail’s compliance with its service quality obligations. My hon. Friend is right that it does not matter where someone lives; they deserve a good postal delivery system. Ofcom needs to continue to hold Royal Mail to account.

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

  More

  I understand, and to a large extent share, the frustration of my hon. Friend and many Members across the House, because the position of this House on the Bill was made very clear. The Government’s position has not changed: it is not a Government Bill, and the Lords have every right to scrutinise. But I again ask them to do so responsibly, because this House made its position very clear. I hope that progress can be made. Once that has happened, I will find time in this place, if necessary, to debate those amendments, because the will of the House was very clear. Perhaps after that has been decided and the Bill has been dealt with—whatever the outcome—we need to reflect on some of the procedures that get us into this situation.

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

  More

  That important matter has been raised with me previously. The previous Government should never have allowed the water sector to get into this state, because my hon. Friend’s constituents and all of our constituents deserve better. The water White Paper sets out our major reform plan, which secured £104 billion of investment to rebuild crumbling pipes and sewage works nationwide. I will ensure that Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers hear my hon. Friend’s concerns.

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

  More

  I am grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the actions the Government are taking to support small businesses and high streets, because they are a very important part of local communities. Local authorities have a crucial role in shaping the trading environment for small businesses, and I hope her local authority has heard her concerns about the parking issues and everything else. We want local authorities to work in partnership with businesses, not in tension with them. I am grateful to her for raising this example, which I hope her local authority has heard, and I will raise these matters with the relevant Minister.

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

  More

  I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct in his analysis of how funding is allocated. Certainly in my local case, the allocation is not actually to the poorest neighbourhoods; it is to neighbourhoods that are poor, and are left behind on certain indices. It is a different way of calculating than might previously have been used. The hon. Gentleman is right, though, to point out that the Government are putting more investment in through Pride in Place. We will continue to do so, but this is not only about the investment that goes in; it is about putting local people in charge, because it is not just that some communities look like they have been left behind, but that people feel that they have been left behind. The Government obviously wish to see this scheme rolled out further, so I hope that he is more successful in future. I will do everything I can to ensure that we get an opportunity to debate these matters, because we have a good record and a good story to tell, and he will be able to make his concerns known then.

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

  More

  First, I thank the hon. Gentleman for his work and the work of the Backbench Business Committee, and for his update. His first question was about the statement on the Procedure Committee report requiring a motion. The answer is yes—I will bring such a motion forward, even though the circumstances are slightly unusual. The hon. Gentleman’s second question was about the cancellation of a debate. Sometimes it is difficult to ensure that a Minister is available. There are lots of draws on Ministers’ time, not least statements or whatever, but my strong view is that such debates are a priority for Ministers, and they should be present for them. I am very sorry to hear of the circumstances, and I agree with the hon. Gentleman and others that what has happened is not acceptable. I cannot do anything about these situations if I am not fully aware of them. If any Member finds that there is any doubt about whether a Minister will be present for their debate, they should come and see me, so that I can ensure that an appropriate Minister is available—as the hon. Gentleman pointed out, in some circumstances it could be a Whip; they are also Ministers—and debates can go ahead. I apologise for that, and we will do everything we can to make things better in future. As the hon. Gentleman said, fly-tipping is completely unacceptable and a blight on our communities. We are giving councils new powers—for example, to crush the vehicles of suspected fly-tippers—and we are bringing in prison sentences of up to five years for those transporting waste illegally. I am a firm believer that a law should act as a warning, and if it is ignored, action should be taken, so I am pleased if that has happened. As for a possible statement in future, I will draw the hon. Gentleman’s concerns to the attention of Ministers, or he may wish to apply for a debate on these matters—he is uniquely placed to ensure that he gets one.

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

  More

  I do indeed congratulate those involved in the education hub and thank them for all the work they do. I also thank the wider community across the hon. Lady’s fantastic constituency, who have been so welcoming to Ukrainian families, for all they do and wish them well in the future.

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

  More

  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to champion the Linlithgow marches. Such events play an important part in bringing people together and promoting pride in local communities. I wish this year’s march well, and thank my hon. Friend for inviting me to attend. I would love to join, if my schedule allows.

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

  More

  The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: the delays are unacceptable. It is not the service that people deserve, and resolving these matters is a matter of urgency. I understand that there was a debate on these matters yesterday, but I am sure there will be applications and questions as we go forward. The Cabinet Office is working hard to resolve the situation, and has put in place an expert recovery team to work with Capita and make sure things are in place to address such concerns. This issue is of concern not just to his constituents, but to other Members’ constituents too.

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

  More

  There will be a statement later on the national cancer plan, where the hon. Gentleman may wish to raise his concerns directly with the Minister. It is an ambitious plan, and it is absolutely necessary, and the Government are committed to making sure that Parliament is kept abreast of these matters as we go on. I would certainly bear that in mind.

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

  More

  The right hon. Lady could ask for a debate in which she could raise the issue of whether or not an inquiry is appropriate and get a response from the relevant Minister. If she wishes to draw attention about this issue directly to the Minister, I will arrange for a meeting.

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

  More

  The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise this terrible case. Simply because the perpetrator is no longer here does not mean that the suffering gets any better for the people who have been affected. I am sure the Metropolitan police will have heard the right hon. Gentleman’s comments this morning, but I will raise the matter with the Home Secretary to see whether further progress can be made.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  Yes, I will.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  I thank the hon. Gentleman for his update, and for our very productive meeting earlier this week. He rarely leaves us in such suspense in his updates, and I look forward to finding out what that Select Committee statement is about. Our intention is certainly not to upset the Welsh; that has been the job of his party over the years. The hon. Gentleman raises the important matter of policing, as he often does as a constituency MP. The 2026-27 final police funding settlement is up to £21 billion for the policing of the system in England and Wales. The Metropolitan police and City of London police will receive funding of up to £4.1 billion—an increase of £184.1 million. The hon. Gentleman raises an issue of concern relating to marches. I will ensure that the Minister who introduces the police debate on 11 February is aware of his concerns, but he may wish to attend to make those points directly to the Minister.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  The Government have already proscribed and sanctioned 550 organisations and individuals around the IRGC. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we keep these matters under constant review. I am not sure I would characterise the Government’s position on the IRGC quite as definitively as he has, but we keep these matters under consideration. If, as we do that, we find that the legislation falls short, we will come back with changes to it.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  If my hon. Friend gives me the details of the case, I will ensure that the relevant Department gets that information and hopefully can act in the way he suggests.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  The Government did announce important steps forward, but I am not across the specifics that the hon. Lady refers to, so if she wants to meet with a Minister to explore what more can be done, I will arrange that.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to champion the work of Greener Littleover and organisations like it. The work done by volunteer-led initiatives is admirable, and it represents the very best of our communities. I hope that everyone in the House will join me in praising Greener Littleover’s commitment to protecting, enhancing and celebrating local green spaces.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  Alongside partners in the emergency services, local authorities and utility companies, we co-ordinated agencies, so that they could prepare for and respond to the storm, and our hearts go out to those who have been severely affected. As far as the Bellwin scheme is concerned, I will draw the hon. Gentleman’s remarks to the attention of the Minister.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Rev. Jim Bennett. His work at both Greenwich and Bexley community hospice and St Augustine’s church has greatly contributed to his community. In paying tribute to Rev. Jim Bennett, let us pay tribute to all the churches and churchmen and women across our country, who play such an important part in our local communities. I wish Rev. Jim Bennett a very long and happy retirement.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  I join the hon. Lady in paying tribute to everyone involved in dealing with what is a traumatic situation. As I said, we do have a need to build houses, but we need to build them in the right place and build them safely, so I will draw her remarks to the attention of the relevant Minister.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  The hon. Lady is right to raise the concerns of her constituents; where they have been affected, I am sorry to hear that. She has raised these matters before, and should she wish to meet with a Minister and outline the experience of her constituents to see what further can be done, I will arrange that.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  First of all, through you, Madam Deputy Speaker, may we send our best wishes to Mr Speaker and wish him a speedy recovery from his recent injury? As the shadow Leader of the House said, Tuesday was Holocaust Memorial Day. During Cabinet we heard from Mala Tribich, who shared her testimony. She actually sat in the Cabinet Room, which is the first time a Holocaust survivor has done that. Yesterday I had the honour of joining Annick Lever in speaking at an event in the Cabinet Office. Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us that societies who do not learn from the mistakes of the past run the risk of repeating them. We must stand together against hatred, prejudice and intolerance wherever it occurs. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is “Bridging Generations”. The theme is a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance belongs not only to survivors but to us all. I echo the sentiments of the shadow Leader of the House in paying tribute to those who have died. I want to add a tribute to Sir Christopher Jenkins, the former first parliamentary counsel in the Cabinet Office, who died recently. Sir Christopher was renowned for his mastery in drafting legislation and worked on many important pieces, including the Summer Time Act 1972 and the first devolution Bills for Scotland and Wales. He will also be remembered for pioneering explanatory notes, which clearly explain the purpose of the Bill. I am sure that the whole House will join me in passing on our condolences to his friends and family. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”] That gives me an opportunity to reflect on the work of those in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. They work tremendously hard behind the scenes supporting Ministers in bringing forward legislation. I want to take this moment to pass on my thanks to them for all their hard work. Speaking of legislation and Government action, this week the Government published the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which will deliver on our manifesto commitment to reform the commonhold model, making it easier for existing leaseholders to convert to commonhold and banning the use of leasehold for most new flats. It will significantly improve the current system for over 5 million existing property owners, ensuring a better deal for future generations of homeowners in England and Wales. We also published a police reform White Paper, which the shadow Leader of the House referred to, announcing the largest reforms to policing since the police service was founded around 200 years ago. The reforms will create a police service that is more rooted in local communities and remove the barrier that prevents police from focusing on what really matters to our constituents. Let me turn to the specific points raised by the shadow Leader of the House. He referred to the cost of what he calls U-turns. I notice that he did not welcome in his remarks the changes that we made to farmers’ inheritance tax and, indeed, the help that we brought forward for pubs. He cannot have it both ways. He talks about the cost of borrowing. It is, of course, important that that cost, and indeed borrowing, is brought down so that money is spent on better things, including public services. I gently ask him, however: who ran up the borrowing in the first place? Why is the cost of borrowing so high in this country? The answer is that it is because of the Truss Budget, which crashed and trashed the economy. Breast cancer drugs, which the right hon. Gentleman raised, are a very important matter. I accept that there is concern, but this Government are determined to do more to address not just breast cancer but other cancers. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the Secretary of State. Finally, the right hon. Gentleman mentions police numbers, but forgets that the number of police officers fell by 22,000 under the Government he supported. When they did recruit officers, they put them into offices—they were not on the frontline. The Home Secretary has been absolutely clear that we need to get more officers on to the frontline and we are determined to do that. The right hon. Gentleman wants me to spell out our ambitions for that, but he will need to wait slightly longer. I have just announced the business, which includes a debate on police funding on 11 February, when we will not only be able to spell out our plans for increasing the number of police officers, but be happy to compare our record against that of his Government.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  This is a difficult situation for children, and indeed families and teachers, in Lichfield and the west midlands in general, so I will help to secure the meeting my hon. Friend asks for.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

  More

  I think most people would condemn the words that my hon. Friend set out. He raises a really important matter, because every parent should be able to trust that their daughter, or indeed their son, is safe in school. Too often, toxic ideas take hold early and go unchallenged. Our violence against women and girls strategy, published in December, seeks to ensure that girls will be better protected from violence and, crucially, that young boys will be steered away from harmful misogynistic influences. I will raise my hon. Friend’s concerns with the Secretary of State.