Alison Hume MP: speeches

Speeches

• 11 Nov 2025 · Remembrance Day: Armed Forces · Hansard source

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  On Armistice Day, the country pauses to remember all those who died in the service of our country. For 88-year-old Gordon from Whitby, as for so many others who lost a family member, there is no need to pause, because he remembers every single day. Gordon’s older brother, Bob, who was 18, was killed towards the end of the second world war. Just before he died, Bob wrote a letter to Gordon. Gordon has carried that letter in his jacket pocket, close to his heart, ever since. Last week, I was honoured to meet Gordon at the “Save a Place at the Table” exhibition at Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby, where Bob’s letter had been incorporated into a beautifully embroidered place mat celebrating his life. The long table was set with individual placemats, all commemorating ordinary local people who served our country. Sitting around the table, enjoying tea and cake, were those who had shared their stories and the schoolchildren who were hearing them for the first time. That wonderful community party was the result of a living art project funded by the Arts Council to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day. As the generation who served in the second world war leave us, we must ensure not only that the yearly pause continues but that, every single day, we strive to better look after our veterans and serving personnel. I am proud that this Labour Government have put our veterans and armed forces at the heart of our policies. For each of the nearly 5,000 veterans living in Scarborough and Whitby, our renewal of the nation’s contract with them will be judged through the improved support we offer in healthcare, housing and employment. My constituency has a strong and proud military history. Sites such as RAF Fylingdales and GCHQ Scarborough play a crucial role in national security. This weekend, I saw the future of the armed forces at remembrance services, in the cadets who proudly bore standards, stood in line and marched alongside serving personnel and veterans. My constituent Gordon’s daily act of remembrance is keeping his brother’s letter close to his heart for nearly 80 years. In closing, I put on record my deepest gratitude to all those in Scarborough, Whitby and the villages who have served and continue to serve, and I finish by reflecting on how we might all turn an annual pause into a daily action.

• 4 Nov 2025 · Supporting High Streets · Hansard source

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  Coastal communities such as Scarborough, which have benefited from the safer streets initiative, have seen incidents of antisocial behaviour drop by 23% this year compared with the previous summer. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Labour Government, by tackling antisocial behaviour, are breathing new life into our high streets and restoring pride in our neighbourhoods?

• 4 Nov 2025 · Specialist treatment of stroke patients at Scarborough Hospital · Hansard source

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  I rise to present a petition on specialist treatment for stroke patients at Scarborough hospital. It declares that “Scarborough Hospital should once again provide specialist emergency assessment, investigation, treatment and care for patients who are potentially suffering from, or have suffered from, an acute stroke”. Currently, my constituents have to travel more than 40 miles on the traffic-choked A64 to be assessed and treated in York. Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby, Declares that Scarborough Hospital should once again provide specialist emergency assessment, investigation, treatment and care for patients who are potentially suffering from, or have suffered from, an acute stroke; and further declares that this is to avoid the need for patients to be transported, over 40 miles and often many more, to York Hospital from the East Coast region, and so that they do not undergo a lengthy and slow journey causing unnecessarily excessive clinical delays to their management out with current national guidelines, and so that their friends and relatives are able to readily visit them at a time of distress and need. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to ensure that Scarborough Hospital can again offer timely and accessible emergency care to acute stroke patients in Scarborough, Whitby, and the East Coast catchment area. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003127]

• 29 Oct 2025 · Independent Lifeboats: Government Support · Hansard source

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  In my glorious coastal constituency, we have the fantastic RNLI stations in Scarborough and Whitby, but we also have a brilliant independent lifeboat—the Runswick bay rescue boat. That is based in the scenic Runswick bay, popular for fishing, water sports and coastal walks. The volunteer crew play a critical role in saving lives and, as my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Helena Dollimore) mentioned, we have an increasing need for these boats. In just the last few weeks, they have rescued a mother and son blown out to sea from a paddleboard, and rescued two walkers and their dog cut off from the tide. There is no alternative lifeboat based at Runswick bay, and the rescue boat is facing serious financial challenges. Does the hon. Member agree that the Government have a role to play in securing its continued presence?

• 29 Oct 2025 · Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  It is brilliant that last month a total of £214 million was invested in communities across Wales as part of the Government’s pride in place scheme. In my patch, I was delighted that earlier this year Scarborough was awarded £20 million through the plan for neighbourhoods. These initiatives will give local people the power to decide how funding will transform our towns. Will the Secretary of State update the House on how funds such as these will boost local economic growth and restore pride in our communities?

• 29 Oct 2025 · Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  2. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing economic growth in Wales.

• 23 Oct 2025 · Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund · Hansard source

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  I warmly welcome the Government’s investment in a sustainable fishing and shellfish industry, which will create jobs and drive growth in coastal communities such as mine. Will the Minister provide a timeline for when stakeholders, such as the Whitby & District Fishing Industry Training School and the Whitby lobster hatchery, will be formally engaged in the process of developing and delivering this important fund?

• 23 Oct 2025 · Strengthening National Resilience · Hansard source

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  In August, authorities declared a major incident after a wildfire broke out in Langdale forest and spread dangerously close to RAF Fylingdales, the ballistic missile early warning base. Given the increasing threat that wildfires pose to our security, can the Minister confirm whether he will consider automatically activating a national resilience response in future incidents where critical military infrastructure is under threat?

• 23 Oct 2025 · Strengthening National Resilience · Hansard source

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  6. What recent progress his Department has made on strengthening national resilience.

• 21 Oct 2025 · Rape Gangs: National Statutory Inquiry · Hansard source

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  Thank you, Mr Speaker. Every survivor’s experience of abuse is unique. Does the Minister agree that taking the time to find the right chair will enable them to ensure that every story will be fully told?

• 21 Oct 2025 · Rape Gangs: National Statutory Inquiry · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister both for her statement and for the passion and rigour that she brings to her role. Even if sometimes she might say things that she has to apologise for, we greatly appreciate her dedication to the role.

• 16 Oct 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I recently had the pleasure of meeting the SBA Unity racing team from Scarborough University Technical College, which came third at the STEM Racing world finals in Singapore. The Scarborough team raised a whopping £30,000 to compete, while the teams from Germany and Australia that beat them had financial support from their Governments. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating students Jack, Mandy, Ryan, Billy and Joey on their outstanding achievement, flying the flag not just for Scarborough but for the UK?

• 13 Oct 2025 · Bovine Tuberculosis Control and Badger Culling · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stuart. I thank the 287 constituents in Scarborough and Whitby who signed the petition to call for an immediate end to badger culling. In my constituency, we are lucky to have dedicated groups of volunteers, such as the North Riding Badger Group, who are committed to the protection of badgers and their setts and habitats in the Scarborough and Whitby area. As we have heard, bovine tuberculosis is a horrible disease that has a devastating impact on cattle and farmers’ livelihoods. In the past decade, more than 230,000 badgers have been culled in efforts by the Government and farmers to control bTB. Crucially, efforts to eradicate bTB must also protect the welfare of badgers. I appreciate that the Government are working on a comprehensive new strategy to eradicate bTB, which will end the badger cull by the end of this Parliament, and I welcome Government efforts to explore alternative ways to combat bTB, such as by boosting cattle testing and developing a cattle vaccine against bTB, but can we really justify another four years of badger culling? The evidence for its impact on bTB is weak at best, and persisting with this approach not only damages public confidence, but stalls progress towards more ethical and effective alternatives. I will be grateful if my hon. Friend the Minister outlines what steps the Government are taking to accelerate the roll-out of vaccination programmes as a long-term and humane solution to bovine TB.

• 11 Sept 2025 · Regional Transport Inequality · Hansard source

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  No, I am afraid I have to carry on. Unless we equip our first Labour rural metro mayor in York and North Yorkshire with the economic firepower to deliver better buses and trains, we not only limit the opportunity for towns like Scarborough to contribute to economic growth, but risk failing to break down barriers to opportunity in coastal communities.

• 11 Sept 2025 · Regional Transport Inequality · Hansard source

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  To grow our economy, we need good connectivity. In coastal communities such as Scarborough and Whitby, we are struck in the slow lane. Scarborough, with its heritage, culture and captivating coastline, is a popular tourist destination, attracting 3.9 million visitors last year. The train from Scarborough to York is an essential transport link for visitors as well as commuters, but with only one service an hour, opportunity and growth are being choked off. We need a twice-hourly service. This proposal is backed by York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, local businesses, my constituents and Lord Blunkett, who listed the service increase as one of his rail priorities in his report, “Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail”, published this year. Scarborough’s wonderful Stephen Joseph theatre has supported calls for a twice-hourly service, stating that audience members leave performances early to catch their train. Rather like its latest production, “Noises Off”, this is a farce. We have businesses in Scarborough and nearby Seamer that are looking to attract more employees, but with such an irregular service, these opportunities are simply out of reach for many people. We have enough platforms and enough demand for a more regular rail service. The operator, TransPennine Express, says that one of the barriers to providing a twice-hourly service is a shortage of drivers. It insists that it must train its own drivers on its own routes. I would be grateful if the Minister could address the issue of train drivers in his closing remarks, and say whether he is exploring new ways to ensure that the local need for drivers is met. I welcome the news that York and North Yorkshire combined authority will receive £94 million in local transport grant capital funding over the next four years. However, the combined authority, which covers a huge geographical area, is not part of the transport for city regions, so its settlement is not nearly as large as that of most combined authorities.

• 11 Sept 2025 · Transport: Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  This week, I visited Schneider Electric’s brand-new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, which will create 200 new jobs. However, those opportunities are out of reach for so many of my constituents who rely on public transport. What is my right hon. Friend doing to ensure that poor transport in coastal communities like Scarborough and Whitby, which are untouched by city transport region funding, does not strangle economic growth?

• 11 Sept 2025 · Transport: Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  18. What steps she is taking to ensure that the transport system supports economic growth.

• 4 Sept 2025 · Moorland Protection · Hansard source

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  4. What steps his Department is taking to help protect moorland.

• 4 Sept 2025 · Moorland Protection · Hansard source

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  A devastating wildfire has been raging on the North York moors, between Scarborough and Whitby, covering about 10 square miles—it is a huge fire. I am sure that the Minister will want to join me in commending the incredible bravery of our firefighters, as well as the tireless service of farmers, water tanker drivers, gamekeepers, landowners and all the other volunteers. Will the Minister provide reassurance that he will look carefully at proposals to limit controlled burning and to change the prohibition of burning on peat over 40 cm deep to peat over 30 cm deep, in the light of this year’s record number of uncontrolled fires, including the one on Langdale moor?

• 4 Sept 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Firefighters tackling the huge blaze on the North York Moors faced incredibly difficult conditions, including exploding munitions from an old tank training base near RAF Fylingdales. Will the Leader of the House join me in commending the bravery and service of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and thank other fire services across the country who are supporting us through national resilience?

• 1 Sept 2025 · Middle East · Hansard source

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  I thank my right hon. Friend for his urgent work to evacuate and treat seriously injured and critically ill children from Gaza. New restrictions on aid are due to be implemented fully on 9 September. Aid organisations face being banned if they delegitimise the state of Israel or do not provide detailed information about Palestinian staff. Does he agree that women and girls have suffered the worst impacts of the war? Will he expand on how we can help to get more aid to them?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Independent Water Commission · Hansard source

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  For far too long families in Scarborough and Whitby have been paying the price of failure. Yorkshire Water was recently forced to pay out £40 million due to serious failings yet a few days later customers’ bills rose by almost a third. Will my right hon. Friend say a little more to reassure my constituents that a national social tariff is now on the cards for those on low incomes?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Rebuilding Schools · Hansard source

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  Springhead sixth form in Scarborough has been rated outstanding for the education and care it provides for students with complex special educational needs and disabilities. The staff are amazing, but the sixth form is housed in an old and unsuitable building. When I visited Springhead, I saw one student being tutored in a modified corridor due to overcrowding. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that pupils with special educational needs are educated in school buildings that can match those needs?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Rebuilding Schools · Hansard source

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  18. What steps she is taking to help rebuild schools.

• 16 Jul 2025 · Further Education Institutions · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Christopher, and I will be brief. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Anna Dixon) on securing this important debate and for her excellent speech. To improve living standards, we need to generate economic growth; to generate economic growth, businesses must have the skilled workforces they need to thrive. Further education institutions play a vital role in training the workforce we need for the jobs of the future. In my constituency of Scarborough and Whitby, we have some brilliant further education institutions that play a critical role in training young people with the skills they need, such as Scarborough university technical college. Just last week, Scarborough UTC hosted Jürgen Maier—the chief executive officer of publicly owned clean energy company GB Energy—on a visit to its new Mainprize suite. The suite, named after a local service vessel company, will link employers with students to support them in their studies by providing valuable real-world knowledge and expertise to prepare them for careers in the renewables sector. Offshore wind is a huge opportunity for Scarborough, and Scarborough UTC is a great example of how further education colleges can tap into opportunities to drive local economic growth, as well as provide career pathways. However, we need to ensure that young people in our most deprived communities have access to these new educational opportunities. Scarborough is the most deprived borough in North Yorkshire, and is rated in the lowest 30% of lower-tier local authorities in England, with three LSOAs—lower layer super output areas—within the most deprived 1% in the country. Further education colleges in my constituency need the support of this Government to ensure that disadvantaged students can access good careers, and I would be grateful if the Minister outlined how the Government plan to work with local authorities and further education institutions to support pathways for disadvantaged students into high-skilled work.