Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

  More

  I join my hon. Friend in recognising the enthusiasm of students at St Mary’s primary school in Blackhill, which is the place where I was born. I am happy to hear about this example of one of over 250 schools benefiting from our £255 million scheme to deliver new rooftop solar power for public buildings. I encourage her to apply for an Adjournment debate on the matter.

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

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House and, yes, I do agree with him not only on the need to get around the table, but on the shameful approach taken by Reform on these matters. This Government’s Employment Rights Act represents the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. As he said, it will end exploitative zero-hours contracts, end unscrupulous fire and rehire practices, prevent the misuse of non-disclosure agreements, and strengthen statutory sick pay and the collective voice of workers.

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

  More

  As the hon. Gentleman undoubtedly knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. We have long opposed the persecution and marginalisation faced by minorities in Myanmar. Particularly concerning are the race and religion laws, which entrench prejudices against ethnic and religious minorities. I will ensure that the Foreign Secretary hears his concerns, not least in the light of what he says about elections, and responds to him.

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

  More

  Yes, I agree that it is time, and I encourage my hon. Friend to apply for an Adjournment debate so that she can raise these matters directly with the Minister.

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

  More

  The hon. Lady is of course free to apply for a debate, perhaps one in Westminster Hall or an Adjournment debate, in which she can raise these matters. Matters of housing and infrastructure are often raised with me. I gently say to her that what we are trying to do in updating the legislation is ensure that we are building the houses that the country needs. It is really important that we get on with building those houses. I will draw her remarks to the attention of the relevant Department.

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

  More

  My hon. Friend raises an important matter, and I know he takes these matters very seriously indeed. I cannot give him the answer he seeks, but I can request a meeting with Ministers so that they can explain to him what the plans are going forward or, if necessary, the concerns and difficulties that mean they cannot proceed in the way that my hon. Friend asks for. If he wants that meeting, I will arrange it.

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

  More

  I am delighted that the right hon. Gentleman welcomes the UK town of culture competition, and I encourage towns across the country to take part. We hope that it will be a huge success, and I imagine that we will want a debate on it at some point. He makes a very strong case for Stone. It would probably be remiss of me to make the case for North Shields, which celebrated its 800th anniversary last year very successfully, and which I understand will put forward its own bid, but of course, I would not mention that.

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

  More

  The hon. Gentleman will know that the Government are replacing a system that, quite frankly, we found was not legal, could not be enforced and therefore did not give protection to our brave servicemen and women. He will have ample time to continue this debate as the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill continues its progress. Whether his new hon. Friend the Member for Clacton can be bothered to be in the Chamber to take part remains to be seen.

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

  More

  My hon. Friend is right to celebrate a community approach to keeping our towns and cities clean, and the dedication of environmental volunteers in that, and to draw attention to the support that the Government are giving through the Pride in Place programme, not just in terms of resources but by putting the community in charge. I think the whole House will join me in congratulating Theo Rhead on his young litter picker award, because his commitment sets a bright example for us all to follow.

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

  More

  Of course, it is important that Ministers, and indeed Members of this House, are accurate in their comments. However, as the hon. Gentleman will have heard—not least from Members behind me—this matter is one of dispute, and his version of events is also disputed. I am sure that the Deputy Prime Minister will hear the hon. Gentleman’s remarks, but it is disappointing that, on such an important matter, he seeks to make a political point about polling and elections. I gently suggest that the Scottish Government should get on with the biggest settlement we have ever given to Scotland, and spend it better.

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

  More

  This Government have brought forward a young people’s strategy for the first time in more than a decade. A review is also being undertaken into how we can best tackle the difficult issue of bringing down youth unemployment. However, I will draw the matter to the attention of the relevant Secretary of State and see what plans we have to bring forward a debate, or perhaps a statement, so that my hon. Friend can make those points himself.

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

  More

  My hon. Friend raises a serious matter. For far too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline. The Government are investing in the future of our local communities, not least through the £5 billion Pride in Place programme, and we are giving local people the power to transform their communities. Should he seek a debate—or indeed use the 11 February debate on local government funding—to make his points, I am sure that he would find common cause with others across the House.

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

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend for his question—that sounds like an untenable situation for his constituents. The Government have launched the largest ever crackdown on poorly behaving water companies —we have already banned bonuses, secured record levels of investment and introduced tougher laws. However, he may wish to raise this matter directly with Ministers at Environment, Food and Rural Affairs questions this time next week.

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

  More

  I join my hon. Friend in encouraging her constituents to complete her survey. As has been said, local people are best placed to make local decisions and outline where improvements need to be made, so I pay tribute to her for ensuring that their voices are heard.

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

  More

  We utterly condemn any examples of underpayment or exploitation, and I put on the record that care workers do a fantastic job up and down our country. As for when we may get the opportunity to debate these matters, I will draw my hon. Friend’s remarks to the attention of the Secretary of State and will do everything I can to find an opportunity for her to raise these matters in a debate.

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

  More

  I read those reports, as I am sure did other Members of the House. The Government’s position has not changed, and this is not a Government Bill. However, the hon. Lady started off by talking about scrutiny in the House of Lords. They have every right to scrutinise, but I hope that they do so responsibly, because this House made clear its position on the Bill. I hope that progress can be made. When there is what looks like an impasse or a slowdown, people will be looking for a quick route around that—or any route around that, to be honest—but the Government’s position has not changed. Once the Lords have completed their scrutiny, we will if necessary find time in this place to debate those amendments, because the will of this House was very clear. I hope that we will, without having to go down the avenues that have been described, be able to resolve this matter.

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

  More

  The Government are absolutely committed to increasing spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April next year, and the Prime Minister has set out his ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament, but I take the hon. Gentleman’s point, because the world appears to be a less safe place. That means that we need to build better, deeper coalitions with our allies, but of course we must also play our part fully by increasing defence expenditure, and the Government are absolutely committed to doing that. I find the idea that the hon. Gentleman raised of a defence bond genuinely interesting. I will raise it with the Secretary of State, at least to get the hon. Gentleman a response. I happen to believe that we do not debate defence enough in this House. [ Interruption. ] Well, not compared with how it was some time ago. I will therefore see what prospect there is of bringing forward a defence debate in the near future, in which we talk not just about what is happening in the world, but about how we might best support our armed forces.

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

  More

  Once again, the hon. Gentleman raises the fact that Reform over-offers and underperforms. I will draw the attention of the relevant Department to his comments and concerns.

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

  More

  The previous Government should never have allowed the water sector to get into this state, with record levels of sewage and ageing water infrastructure. I understand very well how consumers will react to the news that their bills are going up yet again, and the Government are absolutely committed to improving the situation. As I said before, we are calling out water companies that are underperforming. I am not sure that we can promise to go as far as accepting a Liberal Democrat solution to these problems, but I am sure there will be ample opportunity to debate these matters going forward. Water is such an important consideration for our constituents, not least because it adds to the cost of living, which we are equally determined to tackle.

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

  More

  The business for the week commencing 2 February will include: Monday 2 February—Consideration of Lords amendments to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, followed by motions relating to the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill. Tuesday 3 February—Second Reading of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill. Wednesday 4 February—Opposition day (17th allotted day). Debate on a motion in the name of the official Opposition, subject to be announced. Thursday 5 February—General debate on road safety, followed by a general debate on obligation to assess the risk of genocide under international law in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Friday 6 February—The House will not be sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing 9 February includes: Monday 9 February—General debate on the UK-India free trade agreement, followed by a debate on a motion on increasing survival rates of brain tumours. The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Tuesday 10 February—Debate on motions to approve the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2026 and the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026, followed by a debate on motions to approve the draft Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 and the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran’s Relief) Regulations 2026. Wednesday 11 February—Motions relating to the police grant and local government finance reports. Thursday 12 February—General debate on LGBT+ History Month, followed by a debate on a motion on mobile connectivity in rural areas. The subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. The House of Commons will rise for the February recess at the conclusion of business on Thursday 12 February and return on Monday 23 February.

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

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. The Government’s growth mission is committed to securing good quality jobs for people in our local communities and, I have to say, nobody fights harder than him to bring jobs to his local community. I join him in encouraging his constituents to sign up for what sounds like a worthwhile jobs fair. I am sure the Secretary of State, who is sat next me, will have heard his remarks.

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

  More

  The Government are firmly committed to supporting disabled people’s ability and right to vote. I know that the team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regularly meet disability organisations to identify barriers, share good practice, develop products and promote awareness, but I will make sure that the Secretary of State has heard my hon. Friend’s contribution.

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

  More

  My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his local area. Initiatives such as Stafford Pride aim to honour and celebrate the LGBTQ community and are vital for our local communities. It is such a pity that Reform is seeking to pursue divisive policies, and I agree with my hon. Friend that Reform should get on and process the legitimate application for funding so that the community can get on and celebrate diversity.

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

  More

  The hon. Lady will be aware of the support that the Government have recently brought forward for pubs, and we keep under review what other support we can give the hospitality sector. Her concern about what more can be done will be shared not just by Members on the Opposition side but by those on this side too. Should she seek an Adjournment debate, she can air those concerns herself.

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

  More

  The hon. Gentleman raises a really important matter: the postcode lottery that can exist in cancer care. Of course, the Government do not want that to happen, which is why we are investing more across the NHS, but also through the NHS plan, to ensure that we iron out any differences that exist across the country. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the Health Secretary to see if and when he can bring forward a statement on these matters. Otherwise, we might be able to have the debate that the hon. Gentleman suggests.