Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

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  I sincerely hope that the impact is not as the hon. Gentleman has led us to believe. If he wants confirmation about that, I will arrange for a Minister to explain the situation to him. It is absolutely right that mayors are given the choice of whether they introduce a tourist tax. It will be controversial in many ways—we understand that—but let us not forget that there are benefits in what that income can be used for. I join with him in his worry that, if it impacts negatively on scouts, that should be borne in mind because they do a fantastic job.

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

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  I understand the concerns the decision might cause locally. Should the hon. Gentleman seek an Adjournment debate, he can put his questions to the Minister directly.

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

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  The Government committed to cutting violence against women and girls in our VAWG strategy published last year. We recognise that a cross-Government approach is essential and are embedding this mission into every corner of public life, but I will raise my hon. Friend’s concerns with the relevant Minister.

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

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  May I first respond to your words, Mr Speaker, about the events of yesterday evening? I endorse everything that you have said about the need to respect staff—it is absolutely correct that you should say that and I absolutely endorse your remarks. I assure you and the House that not only have the Government heard your words, but they will be acted upon. May I also associate myself with the remarks that the shadow Leader of the House made about Dunblane? We remember that tragedy. On a personal level, one of the proudest moments in my career was when I voted for a ban on handguns, because that has made a difference to the safety of our communities. I will turn to the specific remarks made by the right hon. Gentleman in a moment, but the events unfolding in Iran are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with British citizens and our brave servicemen and servicewomen in the region. The security and safety of British citizens across the region is the Government’s top priority. The first Government-charted flight landed on Tuesday morning, with the second landing on Wednesday. We will continue to explore all options for helping our citizens to return home as swiftly and safely as possible. Drop-in sessions are being held for MPs with concerns. As I said last week, should Members face issues or be unable to get the support that they need for their constituents, I invite them to speak to my office and my officials—we will help in any way we can. This week, we have launched the social cohesion action plan, which sets out the steps that the Government are taking to improve social cohesion and protect what matters. We will invest in initiatives that create opportunities for connection across backgrounds, and we will expand the Pride in Place programme, which puts more communities at the heart of decision making in their own neighbourhoods. We will develop new tools and powers to safeguard organisations that spread extremism and hate, and that threaten public safety. It is correct to reflect that last Sunday was Covid-19 Day of Reflection—an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown by many during the pandemic. The Government remain committed to learning the lessons needed from the covid inquiry to protect and prepare us for the future. As a sign of that commitment, just last year the Government held the largest pandemic exercise in British history. Let me turn to the remarks of the shadow Leader of the House. I agree with his first point; it is incumbent on us in this House that parties work together in times of crisis, which we are facing. I also agree that a bipartisan approach—if we can get one—is the best approach. That is what we did in opposition, even though some of those decisions were very difficult, so I am disappointed in his remarks today. I am particularly disappointed in the leader of his party, the right hon. Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch), because she simply does not seem to acknowledge the importance and responsibility that come with her office. In terms of the story that the shadow Leader of the House has set out, let me say that we sent assets to the region at the beginning of the year, and HMS Dragon has been dispatched. As I just said, we hold the safety and security of British citizens and servicemen and servicewomen very highly indeed. On the wider issue that the shadow Leader of the House raises, I simply remind him that his Government left our defences in a shocking state, not least in the diminished surface fleet, with defence expenditure going down. Our task is to rebuild our defences, and we are committed to increasing spending to keep our servicemen and servicewomen safe. In terms of an inquiry, we are in the midst of an international crisis. If such an inquiry is necessary in the future, it should wait until we ensure that our citizens and our servicemen and servicewomen are safe.

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

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  I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend: flexible co-working spaces play a vital role in high street regeneration, which is a priority for this Government. I would be happy to help her to arrange a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss that should she wish. If she sought to secure a Westminster Hall debate on these matters, I am sure it would be popular.

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

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  I send my best wishes to Joff and congratulate him on the money that he has raised so far. We are investing in MND research across all areas, including causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, but I will assist my hon. Friend in getting the meeting he seeks.

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

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  Ministers are working hard on what is a sensitive Bill in many ways, and we will bring it forward in due course. If the hon. Lady seeks an update from the relevant Minister, I will get her one.

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

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  I commend my hon. Friend for being a fantastic champion for his constituency. The Government are giving constituents investment in the powers they need to deliver the change they want to see in their communities. I wish his constituency good luck, but I also wish other Members of the House good luck in their campaign to get Pride in Place funding and in ensuring that it is a success.

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

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  We inherited a system of student loans that was effectively broken for many people. We are trying to make changes to the system to make it fairer, and we will continue to look at ways to do that. My hon. Friend refers to the Treasury Committee, which is looking into the matter. Once the Committee has been given time to consider it, hopefully it will be brought to the Floor of the House and will lead to the debate that my hon. Friend seeks.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, and I absolutely endorse her remarks about more people being able to use and understand sign language, because it is a vital means of communication for many people. I hope that this week raises some much-needed awareness of the importance of British Sign Language, so I take this opportunity, along with the whole House, to wish everyone a happy Sign Language Week.

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

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter in the House—he is a strong advocate, not just for his constituency but for the west of the very beautiful county of Northumberland. The Government are investing £24 billion in maintaining and improving motorways and local roads across the country. I join him in urging councils, such as Northumberland county council, to act so that our constituents can reap the benefits of that funding. As for the tempting invitation that he sends me, I will certainly look at my diary.

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

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  This issue has been raised a number of times this morning and that demonstrates the strength of feeling. I encourage the hon. Lady to seek a debate on these matters to hear from the Minister, or if she wants a meeting with him to explain her concerns, I will help her to facilitate that.

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

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  I understand the right hon. Gentleman’s and his residents’ concerns. Should he want an update on what the Government can do to assist this situation, I will seek one for him. If he wants to explain it to the Minister directly, I will seek a meeting for him.

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

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  When the consultation has ended, I am sure there will be ample opportunity to raise the points that the hon. Lady has mentioned.

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

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  I pay tribute to the co-operative movement for the work it does in this regard. It is a very important part of the story of food production. Should my hon. Friend seek a debate on these matters, I am sure there are many Members across the House who would want to join in to discuss what is a very important subject.

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

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  The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise these matters, and I commend him on the way he has raised them today. It is an awful tragedy when these things happen, and I understand the family’s reluctance to accept that the law is strong enough. Should he seek a meeting with the relevant Minister, I will help him to facilitate it.

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

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  I join my hon. Friend in thanking all those involved in community radio, including Jeff, Paul and Emma at Erewash Sound. I know my hon. Friend was a keen musician in his youth, and that community radio stations such as those in his community are vital for local and grassroots music. I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on the topic, because I am sure others would wish to join in and celebrate what is happening in their areas.

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

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  I do agree with my hon. Friend. I would contrast the record of Reform-led North Northamptonshire council with what the Government are doing to support families through a whole range of actions. The actions of Reform-led councils are consistently brought to my attention in these sessions every week, and never in a positive light. I hope the council has heard my hon. Friend’s contribution—it is further evidence that Reform over-offers and underdelivers.

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

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  The hon. Gentleman rightly raises the investment that the Department of Health and Social Care intends to put into his local community, but he is right that it relates to more than just that Department because there are issues around transport. I will arrange a meeting for him with the relevant Minister, should he seek one, to see whether we can resolve this.

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

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  The right hon. Gentleman will know that the Government have produced England’s first ever men’s health strategy. We are not just reforming the way things are done; we are putting in the investment as well. On the specific issue he raises, which I agree is an extraordinarily important matter, I will seek an update from a Health Minister for him. Should he seek further detail after that, I will help him to arrange that, too.

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

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  I do not think we have been shy in bringing forward statements on matters that have arisen from the crisis in Iran, and we will continue to do so. The hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise concerns about heating oil and other matters. As she knows, the Energy Minister has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to make sure that consumers are treated fairly, and there is the option of an investigation into unfair practices, if that becomes necessary. The Government are very cognisant of energy prices in general, but also of the price of heating oil and fuel. We will keep that under close watch and, when appropriate, update the House on what we intend to do about it.

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

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  Unadopted roads and pavements can cause a range of issues for residents, and this Government are currently consulting on the issue of unadopted amenities. I am sure that Members will be updated when that work has concluded, but I will ensure that my hon. Friend’s comments are brought to the attention of Ministers.

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

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  My hon. Friend, as ever, raises an important issue. The Government are committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services, and the NHS has specialist centres for diagnosing and managing lung diseases that cause scarring, such as silicosis. I will ensure that the relevant Minister hears my hon. Friend’s concerns. If he wants a meeting with the Minister, I will help to facilitate that too. We should use the experience of people like my hon. Friend on these matters, because he brings a loud, strong voice to them.

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

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  My hon. Friend raises a very important matter, and the programme to which she refers has rightly caused concern among people and started a dialogue on these matters, which it is important that we have. The reality is that the previous Government should never have allowed the water sector to get into this state, because the public deserve better. As she says, our Water (Special Measures) Act will introduce tough enforcement measures, the most powerful in a decade. The water White Paper goes further, setting out clear powers for the new water regulator, and a new water reform Bill will create the laws that we need to fundamentally change the system. When that Bill is introduced, there will be plenty of time to debate this matter.

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

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  I agree on the need for candour and openness for residents, who are obviously concerned about the matter to which the hon. Lady refers. Should she wish to make her case to the relevant Minister, I will make sure that she has that opportunity.