Amanda Martin MP: speeches

Speeches

• 21 Apr 2026 · English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill · Hansard source

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  It is a privilege to speak tonight in support of two specific areas of the Bill that will directly affect my constituents in Portsmouth North. First, I welcome the strengthening of gambling impact assessments. That links directly to the work that my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn) and I have already been doing on our “Back Our High Streets—Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign, which has been calling for stronger powers for councils and trading standards to protect our local high streets from rogue, harmful businesses. As I have said throughout the campaign, it is not just about tax-dodging businesses, dodgy vape shops and cowboy barbers; it is also about making sure that our high streets are not overwhelmed by the uses that damage community wellbeing and push out legitimate local traders. That absolutely includes gambling premises. In North End, one small part of my constituency, five betting shops and arcades are concentrated within a very small area. North End has a proud local high street, but it faces challenges, because the community is already dealing with significant economic and social pressures, alongside a high street that has been neglected for years. This concentration of gambling premises in one community is not an accident, and it is not acceptable. This kind of clustering can deepen financial hardship, contribute to addiction and poor mental health and undermine the health of the high street. That is why Lords amendment 80 matters. It gives local authorities stronger powers to assess whether additional gambling premises are genuinely consistent with the needs of the area and licensing objectives. That is exactly the kind of tool I have been pushing for and that local councils need if we are serious about backing our high streets and restoring confidence. That is what the Pride in Place strategy should look like in practice—not just warm words on a page, but real powers to shape better high streets. Secondly, I will highlight the amendments on taxi and private vehicle licensing. I wholeheartedly welcome Lords amendments 43 to 79. The gap in enforcement powers that exists when a vehicle is licensed in one authority but operates in another is real and a long-standing concern for my residents. Like colleagues from all parts of the House, I have concerns about the number of vehicles operating that are licensed outside Portsmouth. Mainly, they are licensed in Wolverhampton. To be clear, I realise that Wolverhampton carries out robust checks and I understand why many drivers choose to license there—in particular because of the cost of living and because it is significantly quicker—but authorities have too often found themselves powerless to act swiftly when a driver poses a risk to public safety, simply because the licence has been issued elsewhere. These amendments close that gap. Residents have also highlighted concerns where local standards differ. For example, in Portsmouth, licensed taxis are expected to meet local safety requirements, such as having dash cams and vehicle CCTV, while those licensed elsewhere do not. Can the Minister comment on the options for having a national framework for the licensing of vehicles? That common-sense reform would put the safety of all passengers and drivers first. These are practical, common-sense initiatives, but we need to make sure that our councils deliver on them.

• 20 Apr 2026 · Crime and Policing Bill · Hansard source

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  I am very proud of my city and proud to be a resident, but my constituents tell me at my coffee mornings, at “Pint with your MP” events, at surgeries and on the doorsteps that they find it very difficult to feel pride when antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles and electric scooters blight their everyday lives, the places where they live, the parks in which their kids play, and the high streets that they use. We should all feel and be able to feel pride in the place we live, so I am proud that this Labour Government are taking that very seriously not just with initiatives such as the Pride in Place funding, of which I was very fortunate for Paulsgrove to receive £20 million, and the impact funding, of which we have £1.5 million coming to my city, but with legislation and with action. I therefore welcome the opportunity to speak in the final stages of this Bill, because it has genuinely significant consequences for communities such as mine in Portsmouth, but I want to start by thanking my neighbourhood police teams for the work they do and for allowing me to be involved when I go out on the beat with them on night shifts and day shifts. I would like to highlight some of the amendments to the Bill that will have the greatest impact on my constituents. On fixed penalty notices and the fining for profit question—Lords amendments 2D and 2E—I understand why the other place has continued to press on this, and the underlying concern is legitimate. However, if residents in Portsmouth believe that authorised bodies are issuing fixed penalty notices to generate revenue rather than from a desire to deter antisocial behaviour, public trust and enforcement will collapse entirely. So I am glad that the Government have tabled amendments (a) and (b) in lieu, and I would like the Minister to confirm that they will directly address the issue of proportionality and ensure that no institutional financial incentive can distort enforcement decisions. On fly-tipping, which other Members have talked about—Lords amendment 11—I simply note that this blights communities across Portsmouth. Only on Friday night, while I was out knocking on doors in Stamshaw, I saw evidence of this across the whole ward. So the Government’s offer of four amendments in lieu represents a substantive package in response to the Lords’ concerns. As we have heard, local authorities do have the powers they need, but I think there is a need for clarity and confidence to ensure the use of vehicle seizure powers. That will do two things: it will stop this crime in Portsmouth; and it will put beyond doubt whose responsibility it is, giving the local authority no excuse but to enforce the powers it has. To remove any doubt about this responsibility, I hope that the Minister will confirm that the statutory guidance accompanying these provisions will be issued promptly after Royal Assent, so councils can act without delay. I am glad the Government are agreeing to the amendments about pornographic content depicting adults role-playing as under-16s. I said on Second Reading that this Bill needed to go further on child protection, and these amendments do exactly that. Content that mimics child sexual abuse, even when the individuals depicted are adults, normalises a deeply harmful behaviour, and it is abhorrent. This Bill has been long in the making, as has been felt by residents across my city, and the remaining points of disagreement are very narrow. I hope that the other place will now accept the Government’s position, so that this landmark legislation can receive Royal Assent swiftly, and start delivering for my constituents and for communities right across the country. Further delays are felt every day and, indeed, every night on our streets and our coastlines, and in our parks and our housing estates. As someone elected to make my community a safer and cleaner place to live, I know this is what democracy is about and what democracy should do.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Small Churches · Hansard source

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  10. What steps the Church of England has taken to support small churches.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Small Churches · Hansard source

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  St Nicholas, Hilsea, in Portsmouth is not a rural church; is a low-income parish in a city. It is trying to replace a much-loved community hub that had to be demolished in 2020, but it faces a shortfall of £20,000 because of rising construction costs. What steps is the Second Church Estates Commissioner taking to ensure that small parishes in deprived areas with no other community facilities available are not left unable to fulfil promises made to the local community?

• 15 Apr 2026 · Pension Schemes Bill · Hansard source

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  Will the Minister give way?

• 18 Mar 2026 · Social Enterprises and Community Ownership · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh and Atherton (Jo Platt) for securing this important debate. Ownership matters. It shapes who makes decisions, who benefits and, ultimately, whether growth is felt in our communities or extracted from them. For too long, ownership has been weighted away from local people, and toward distant shareholders and absentee investors. That is why social enterprise, co-operatives and community-owned businesses are vital. They keep wealth circulating locally, reinvest profits into services and jobs, and give people a real stake and pride in the places they live in. We often talk about growth, but growth alone is not enough. It does not translate into stronger communities, a sense of belonging, better living standards or greater economic fairness. Social enterprises show us that there is more than one way to do business, and that there is one where success can be shared. An example from my community that brings that to life is the once-disused bank on Cosham high street that has been transformed into the vibrant Community Kettle. That small but remarkable community-interest company is run by a diverse team, many of whom have faced personal challenges, including disabilities and medical retirement. Together, they have created something powerful. They have turned an empty space into a thriving community asset, hosting a regular “chatter caff” to tackle loneliness, quiz nights, bingo, craft sessions and educational historical talks. The Community Kettle is a lifeline for many people in the local area and, crucially, it is rooted in the community it serves. The value that it creates does not leave; it stays in the local area. However, its journey highlights barriers that many social enterprises face. My office has supported it with casework, and with the help of Labour councillors it was eventually able to secure a grant that has helped it to continue its work—but it should not have had to fight so hard. If we are serious about unlocking the potential of social enterprises, we must address the structural challenges they face, whether that is access to finance, clearer business and strategic support, or ensuring that the public properly recognise and promote these models. If we want truly resilient local economies, we must consider this issue. Can the Minister set out what further steps his Department and all Government Departments can take to ensure that social enterprises and community-owned businesses are not just supported, but actively prioritised as part of a growth strategy?

• 16 Mar 2026 · Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill · Hansard source

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  The fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017 was a catastrophe that exposed systematic failures in regulation, in oversight and in the value placed on the lives of people in social housing. Seventy-two people died and hundreds more lost their homes, community and sense of safety. Families are still living with that loss every single day. Tragically, nothing we can do in this place can bring back those 54 adults and 18 children. As the Secretary of State noted in his speech, there is still so much to do to find truth and justice, and to ensure that it never happens again. We owe it to the families, the bereaved, the survivors and those who fought so hard for justice to ensure that what happened on that dreadful night is never, ever forgotten, and that those responsible are held to account. This Bill is about the memorial and the foundation that will properly fund the community-led work on this memorial. Its narrowness ensures that it is the community who will choose the best way to do this. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington and Bayswater (Joe Powell) for his words, his work and his leadership for truth and justice. I associate myself with his statement that we cannot stop until we have accountability, justice and action for change. I represent Portsmouth North, a constituency in a working-class city that knows about close-knit communities, resilience in the face of loss and the importance of remembrance. When I was a teacher, before I came to this House, I spent years helping young people to understand not just what happened in the past, but why it matters that we remember. The archive, exhibition and memorial site will serve that purpose for generations to come. We must be able to look at what happened at Grenfell and understand why the safety of every person in every home in every tower block matters. That is a responsibility that falls on all of us. I pay tribute to the survivors, the bereaved families and the community groups who have campaigned with such dignity, determination and immense courage. They asked only to be safe in their homes, and they were let down horrifically by a chain of failures across government, regulators and industry. We should be clear about one of the lessons—and, indeed, the title—that comes out of the work of journalist Peter Apps. In his brilliant book, Apps noted how, for years before the fire, experts, campaigners and residents raised warnings about dangerous materials and weak fire safety rules in high-rise buildings. Yet in the atmosphere of deregulation, with the political drive to cut red tape, these warnings, and indeed these people, were repeatedly delayed, dismissed and ignored. Apps shockingly recounts how, when pressure was put on officials to strengthen fire safety guidance, one response was chilling in its bluntness: “Show me the bodies”. The unimaginable tragedy of Grenfell is that the bodies did come. Seventy-two lives were lost in a disaster that was not inevitable, but the result of choices made over many years to weaken oversight and treat safety regulations as a burden rather than a protection. Cutting red tape may have an attractive ring as a political soundbite, but red tape can also be the crucial regulation that keeps us safe in our homes, our cars, our workplaces and our public realm. With that tragic lesson at the front of our minds, it is right that our attention turns to a memorial. The least we can do is to stand with the Grenfell survivors and campaigners, support their vision and together pass this legislation without delay, so that we remember them not only today and in debates in this place, but into the future.

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

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  I associate myself with the words of the Leader of the House in support for the armed forces, particularly HMS Dragon, which left Portsmouth’s shores. Residents in Cosham, Paulsgrove, Hilsea and Drayton and Farlington have faced years of dangerous antisocial behaviour along Portsdown Hill. Following what seems to be delays from the Hampshire police and crime commissioner’s office and potentially the council, the average speed cameras promised to the community are still only at tendering stage, and they will not be installed under after the summer. Understandably, my constituents do not want to face another summer of disruptions and unsafe driving. What further steps can I take to expediate action and ensure that these communities finally see the enforcement measures that they were promised?

• 12 Mar 2026 · Defending Democracy Taskforce · Hansard source

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  Much of the intimidation that candidates now face is not on the doorstep, but from anonymous or fake online accounts. Having experienced that myself, I welcome the work of this Government, the police, the defending democracy taskforce, and the offices of Mr Speaker and the Deputy Speakers. What action is being taken to stop online anonymity being used as a shield for harassment and intimidation in our democracy, and how will candidates in Portsmouth’s May election receive advice, support, protection and the enforcement they need to stand safely for public office?

• 12 Mar 2026 · International Women’s Day · Hansard source

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  I thank all those who have contributed to this and other debates this week, including my hon. Friends the Members for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Dr Tidball) and for Warrington North (Charlotte Nichols), who this week have shown true bravery and should be an inspiration to us all. I also welcome the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton (Hannah Spencer) to her place and thank her for her passionate speech. I want to thank and celebrate the amazing women who have played, and still play, a part in my life, including friends, family and my fabulous staff. They are truly inspirational in the love, support and grounding that they give me, and I hope that they know that I would not be here and I could not do this job without them. This International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate the women of Portsmouth—my city—which, this year, is celebrating a truly special milestone of 100 years as a city: 100 years of community resilience and remarkable women getting on with the job and making our city the place it is. Traditionally, Portsmouth has been a city that celebrates its people’s achievements but, dominated by its naval dockyard, its history has often been a masculine one. But the women have always been there. As the hon. Member for Aberdeen North (Kirsty Blackman) said, we would certainly notice if they were not. Teachers, doctors, nurses, city councillors, factory and shop workers, small business owners, faith leaders and volunteers are all pioneering equal rights at work and are all quietly cracking on and holding their families and their communities together. They did not, and often still do not, get the recognition that they deserved. Members may notice that I often wear a necklace that says “Pompey Belle”. When I was teaching, a group of girlfriends in the National Union of Teachers and I began wearing them, partly in tribute to the women who, during the first and second world wars, kept my city’s heart beating while the men served abroad. But it is also a quiet reminder that we never face things alone, and that together we can achieve so much more. Whenever I put on this necklace, I feel like I am carrying the support of those women with me: women who are kind, intelligent and determined and who get things done. These necklaces are also made by Hip Hip Hooray, a brilliant woman-owned local business—local creativity celebrating our women. To mark our city’s century, I am proud to be joining forces with others, including my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), to launch the “100 Pompey Belles”—a campaign to truly recognise the unsung, amazing heroines of our city. The “100 Pompey Belles” are the women who show up every single day; the women who do not seek the spotlight but, without whom, Portsmouth simply would not function. These women are in all parts of my city and of all ages and of all backgrounds, and I am privileged to meet so many of them in this role as the Portsmouth North Member of Parliament. I am so often very humbled, and many times reduced to tears, by all the pride, strength, openness, trust and resilience that they demonstrate day after day, night after night, week after week. With this year’s theme of “Give to Gain” I want to recognise the absolute queens in my city, because my city really does gain from them. Nominations will open soon, and I would love to see as many local women as possible get involved. I would love their friends, families, colleagues and neighbours to put their names forward, because we know that, too often, they will not do it themselves. We want to celebrate them and all that they do, from breaking barriers in science to running food banks, teaching and coaching our children, caring for our most vulnerable, running our small and large businesses and simply holding our communities together. Portsmouth women have always been extraordinary, and they have always been proud. To every Pompey Belle in this House and beyond: thank you for being you, and for all you do for others and for our city.

• 10 Mar 2026 · Courts and Tribunals Bill · Hansard source

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  Has the hon. Member, since writing his speech, seen the updated information available about the percentage reduction in our courts?

• 4 Mar 2026 · Ministry of Defence · Hansard source

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  It is a privilege to speak in this debate on defence. In Portsmouth North, defence is not abstract; it is jobs, apprenticeships, families and an essential part of my city’s future. My constituency is home to the Royal Navy, and I welcome the Government’s record investment in defence, which is the largest sustained investment since the cold war. That investment is not just in the hard stuff, but in families, personnel, housing, and all the necessary things for our armed services personnel. We need to see leadership, and we have shown that in our support for Ukraine. This year’s £4.5 billion in military aid, including advanced air defence systems and lightweight multi-role missiles, shows that the UK stands firm against aggression. The war in Ukraine has taught us that warfare is changing fast, with drones, autonomous systems and uncrewed capabilities reshaping the battlefield. Agility and innovation is key, which is why the £4 billion investment in autonomous and high-tech systems matters. Along with my small and medium-sized enterprises, I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Alex Baker) about the need for us to be involved in the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, and to bring in long-term support and investment, opportunities and British jobs. We are also watching escalating tensions in the middle east with concern. Recent developments highlight the importance of maintaining a credible forward presence, and I would be grateful if the Minister could provide further information on the deployment of HMS Dragon in her current role—I would be happy to take an intervention on that point or at the end. In Portsmouth North this investment is real. The UK defence sector supports thousands of jobs, many connected to the Royal Navy. Defence growth deals and the £250 million fund have given us a chance to enhance local expertise, strengthen supply chains, and attract private investment into maritime technologies. SMEs are key. Many in my constituency struggle to cut through the red tape and infiltrate the MOD. The defence office for small business growth and the SME commercial pathway are vital, but they must take into account the nuances of working with the defence sector. Skills are also crucial, and the £182 million defence skills package and the defence technical excellence colleges are really important. Today I was proud to launch, at the Space-Comm Expo here in London, a partnership between Airbus and the Solent growth partnership, to create the UK’s first ever space and defence apprenticeship matching programme, and to provide local jobs and opportunities for young people. However, we must be candid: the previous Government left procurement over-committed and underfunded, but this Government understand that growth must go hand in hand with security. I echo the calls for a national conversation about the ever-changing world in which we live and what extended defence spending might mean for our public services and our priorities, because to be war-ready is not just the task of Government and our armed forces, but a task for the whole country. To conclude, I thank all who work in and with our British armed forces.

• 4 Mar 2026 · Department for Business and Trade · Hansard source

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  I will speak up for the small businesses and hard-working tradespeople in Portsmouth North and across the country —the backbone of our economy—and set out what the Government have already achieved and what more they must do. Let me start with what this Labour Government have delivered. We passed the Employment Rights Act 2025, which is an historic alliance between workers and businesses, and gives 18 million employees the right to work that they deserve—I am proud of that. Strong workers’ rights and a strong economy are not in conflict; they go hand in hand, because businesses that treat their workers well are businesses that thrive. We have enacted our modern industrial strategy, which has already driven £70 billion worth of investment across Britain and can lead into the world. We have signed trade deals with India, South Korea and the EU, opening up markets for British businesses to export into, raising productivity and creating decent jobs. Griffon Marine, a Portsmouth-based business that makes hovercraft, is a prime example of a local company that has been able to grow thanks to our trading relationship with Japan. That is what trade deals mean in practice, not for multinationals but for proud and ambitious small businesses on the south coast. We have made a start on backing our pubs and high streets, but, frankly, there is much more to do. We have introduced a new licensing policy framework to slash outdated red tape, which has held back our venues for far too long. We have protected pavement pints, fast-tracked permissions for al fresco dining, and given more permission for street parties and licensing hours. Developers will now be required to sound-proof new buildings near existing pubs and venues, protecting those much loved community spaces from noise complaints. The Pride in Place impact fund programme by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has given 340 communities, including Paulsgrove in Portsmouth, the money and powers to restore rundown pubs, push back on unwanted betting shops and vape stores, and bring life back to our high streets by spending on things that make people feel proud about where they live. My hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan) and I are determined to use some of the Pride in Place impact funding to give our local businesses opportunities to scale up. That is about trust and pride in our neighbourhoods and local businesses, and I welcome it. The Government have set out the small business strategy, a serious and comprehensive plan to end the scourge of late payments that crippled cash flow, and to provide small businesses with the skilled workers that they need. I was glad to see that the very first page of the strategy acknowledges the issue of tool theft, on which I have been campaigning since my election. I know the devastating impact that such theft has on self-employed tradespeople. A tool is stolen every 12 minutes in the United Kingdom. Last year alone, tool theft cost self-employed tradespeople £193 million. When we factor in loss of work, reputational damage, damage to vans and the high suicide rates in that profession, the true cost is far higher. I am glad that the small business strategy recognises that, and I hope the Minister will work with me on future plans to campaign to support our tradies. I welcome the extra £4 billion that we have invested through the British Business Bank. It does important work, but I want to ask the Minister specifically about what we can do to help our defence colleagues. Access to finance in the defence sector is difficult, and in an ever-changing world, the need for agility extends opportunities for our small businesses. Will the Minister look seriously at joining the defence, security and resilience bank, because we could raise capital on global markets, guarantee loans, crowd in private finance, and provide the kind of multi-year, low-cost funding that protects production lines and supply chains? It is desperately needed. I ask the Government to look seriously at the proposal because it would give our small and medium-sized businesses the financial firepower to take on defence contracts and apprenticeships, and to scale up and deliver. There are many positive points, but I agree with my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North (Liam Byrne) who introduced the debate. Small businesses told me that we must look at energy costs, at business rates, at crime from theft to fraud, and at the workforce now and in the future. I am extremely proud of businesses in Portsmouth, from Portsmouth Aviation, which is helping Ukraine, to Bubble CiTea, a global company with a CEO who is a Pompey lad and has chosen to keep it there.

• 4 Mar 2026 · NATO and the High Arctic · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen (Alex Ballinger) for securing this debate and also for his service. I have not served myself, unlike the hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East (David Reed), who is speaking for the Opposition, but I have been to Norway. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate, because last month I spent five days in the High North with the armed forces parliamentary scheme, visiting British Marines, sailors and soldiers training in northern Norway. From my arrival in Tromsø to field exercises in the Mauken training area and aviation operations at Bardufoss, I saw at first hand what Arctic readiness really means. It is impossible to witness that work and not conclude that the High North is central to Britain’s security in some of the harshest conditions imaginable—sub-zero temperatures, deep snow, limited daylight. Our personnel demonstrated extraordinary mobility, reconnaissance capability and survival skills. They operated seamlessly alongside Norwegian and other NATO allies with professionalism, pride and determination. They understand that what they are doing matters not just to the alliance, but to the safety and prosperity of the people back home. The High North is not a remote periphery. It is strategically vital. Maritime routes are opening; energy infrastructure is concentrated there; and critical undersea data cables that power our digital economy run through those waters. That is without the impact of climate change, which we have heard about. As competition intensifies, allied readiness in the Arctic is not optional—it is essential. The Government have recognised the realities, as has the First Sea Lord. As vice-chair of the APPG for the armed forces, representing the Navy, and as the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, it would be remiss of me not to mention our two aircraft carriers, His Majesty’s ships Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales. HMS Queen Elizabeth deployed to the High North in autumn 2021, as part of the UK carrier strike group 21 deployment. During that period, the ship operated in the north Atlantic and near the Arctic circle, including in exercises with Norway and our NATO allies. She returned to northern waters again in 2023 for further NATO and joint exercises, focusing on cold-weather and Arctic operations. I am proud to say that when she returned in 2023, my son was serving on that ship. In 2022, His Majesty’s ship Prince of Wales also deployed on a major NATO maritime deployment in the north Atlantic, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ship operated again in northern waters early in 2024, taking part in NATO’s large-scale exercise in Norway and the surrounding Arctic region. We have committed to her returning there in the near future. All the evidence is that we, as a Government and as the armed forces, as the First Sea Lord has said, are taking our national security very seriously. Our national security policy positions the United Kingdom at the forefront of efforts to make NATO stronger, fairer and more effective, and commits us to strengthening our armed forces and protecting our national security in the face of growing threats from state actors. Those commitments are not abstract, because they underpin the Government’s defence investment pledge, agreed with NATO allies, to raise defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, reinforcing our broader national resilience and collective deterrence. The UK’s preparations for Exercise Cold Response demonstrate our commitment to NATO and our collective defence. They send a clear signal that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Norway and our allies, and that we are prepared to operate and, if necessary, defend in the most demanding of environments. Since taking office, this Government have doubled down on our strategic posture in the High North, including with plans to double the number of UK troops deployed to Norway over the next three years to strengthen security in the Arctic and the High North. Readiness, however, is not only about kit and capability; it is about people. I not only observed exercises, but spoke at length with those deployed about welfare, sustainment and the realities of repeated operations far from home. They spoke candidly about separation from their families, the physical and mental demands of Arctic conditions, and the importance of clear political direction and sustained investment—as well as about the kit. If we are serious about Arctic readiness, we must ensure that our defence policy reflects operational reality and not assumptions, and that our people at home and abroad get what they need. That means listening carefully to those who deliver the missions, ensuring that equipment is fit for purpose, guaranteeing that logistic chains are resilient, and recognising that deterrence begins long before a crisis emerges. It also means that we must champion the alliances that make our security possible. Labour’s manifesto reaffirmed our absolute commitment to NATO, and to ensuring that Britain plays its full part in collective defence. While I was in the High North, our Norwegian partners spoke about their genuine respect for the capability and reliability of our British forces. Their trust has been built over decades of partnership and a real shared endeavour. In the High North our forces are prepared and professional, and they are proving that Britain remains a serious and dependable ally. Our responsibility is to match that commitment with our own, to provide the strategic clarity, resources and long-term vision that Arctic readiness demands. I echo the three questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and add one of my own: a request from service personnel. In terms of our troops on the ground, how can we ensure that what are often seen as soft materials—their gloves, jackets, uniforms, boots, body armour and backpacks—are the best they can be? How can we ensure that they are listened to when it comes to the real things used by real people?

• 3 Mar 2026 · Spring Forecast · Hansard source

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  In Portsmouth North, we inherited a new reality from the previous Government. People felt that new reality in the form of a closed shipyard, stretched households and Tory food banks that kept popping up everywhere. People were struggling with higher mortgages, high street shops and pubs were closing, and there were cuts to education, SEND and apprenticeships. I know that many are desperate for rapid change, but I hope they can see from our statement today that we are on the right track, with retail sales and wages rising, six interest rate cuts, defence investment backing jobs in my city, and a renewed focus on SEND, education and apprenticeships. Does the Chancellor agree that in coastal communities like Portsmouth, stability and long-term investment, not cuts, are how we build household confidence, put more money in people’s pockets and secure a future for my residents?

• 2 Mar 2026 · Middle East · Hansard source

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  I thank the Prime Minister for his calm and measured approach and for his reassurance today. As the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North and the mum of a serving personnel member currently deployed overseas, my first thought is always for the men and women we ask to stand in harm’s way. The Iranian regime’s reckless attacks are not abstract; they are direct threats to British service personnel and British citizens in the region. Will the Prime Minister, first, confirm that every measure is being taken to protect constituents on the ground? Secondly, will he assure the House that when we pursue de-escalation and democracy, operational decisions will be grounded firmly in one overriding principle: the safety of our British servicemen and women?

• 26 Feb 2026 · Gibraltar Treaty · Hansard source

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  As the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North and the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Gibraltar, I welcome this statement and place on record my strong support for the ratification of the treaty. This agreement represents a practical, well balanced and forward-looking settlement for Gibraltar, the United Kingdom and our European partners. Crucially, the deal has the clear backing of the Government and the people of Gibraltar, and that point should carry significant weight across this House. We should be guided not by abstract political positioning, but by the lived reality of the community whose prosperity and security are directly affected. The treaty protects United Kingdom’s red lines. Sovereignty remains unchanged and was never in question. British jurisdiction is respected and Gibraltar—

• 26 Feb 2026 · Gibraltar Treaty · Hansard source

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  rose—

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

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  My constituents in Portsmouth have raised concerns about significant mark-ups on third party funeral services and lack of transparency in pricing. At a time of extreme grief, families should not have to worry about excessive costs or unclear pricing. In 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority recommended statutory regulation and price control in the industry. Will the Leader of the House allocate time for a debate on strengthening regulation of the funeral industry to ensure fair, transparent pricing and proper protection for families during what can be an extremely traumatic time?

• 23 Feb 2026 · Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill · Hansard source

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  I want to speak in favour of the Bill, and against amendment 1, as it is an attempt to gut the Bill and defeat its purpose entirely. There are moments in politics when the questions before us are not complicated, but simple, and when they are about dignity, compassion and the kind of country that we choose to be. I will start with an important aspect of the Bill. Forcing women to disclose and prove rape in order to feed their child was one of the most cruel and indefensible features ever embedded in our welfare system. Scrapping that clause restores something fundamental: humanity. There have been, and there are, constituents in Portsmouth carrying trauma quietly, while still working, parenting and trying to hold their family together. They have needed and still need support, not interrogation. No mother should ever have to relive the worst moments of their life just to put food on the table. This requirement should never have been introduced in the first place, and it needs to go. Alongside this injustice sits another harmful narrative: the suggestion that families affected by the two-child limit are somehow avoiding responsibility, and that just knocking out kids is a case of being lazy and going after money. The facts simply do not support this claim. Around 59% of affected households are already in work. They are nurses, teaching assistants, shopworkers, cleaners, carers—I could go on. In Portsmouth North, I meet parents finishing night shifts or juggling childcare, and parents who through tragedy, such as accidents, redundancy, relationship breakdown, illness or the death of a partner, find themselves in situations they did not start out in when planning their families. Many of them work additional jobs and still skip meals so their children do not have to eat less, only to be told that support stops because of an arbitrary rule. This is not fairness; it is hardship being locked in. As the Child Poverty Action Group and many others make clear, child poverty damages health, education and long-term opportunities. These are not statistics; they are Portsmouth children with dreams, talents and futures that are—in my and this Government’s opinion—worth investing in. Removing the rape clause and ending the two-child limit says something powerful: dignity matters, work should be respected, and no child should be punished for the circumstances or the place in their family that they are born into. As the Opposition mentioned the economic impact of the policy, I want to look at the economic picture. Inflation is falling, and the Bank of England expects inflation to get to the target quicker than expected. There have been six interest rate cuts since the election, which is the fastest rate of cuts in 17 years, taking an average of £1,400 off new mortgages. All that has happened without austerity and without making the most vulnerable in our society pay. In Portsmouth, the average mortgage has seen a reduction of £1,750, and £62 million has been provided for local services, such as roads, libraries and reviving high streets. That also includes 15,711 young people benefiting from youth investment. The national debt was cut last week, and we have the largest Budget surplus since records began—without austerity. Thanks to the choices we have made and Bills like this, the economic plan is the correct one, without putting our country’s and my city’s children into poverty. As my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Rebecca Long Bailey) noted, meeting the cost of tackling poverty at source, rather than paying 10 times more to support children in poverty throughout their lives, is not just morally but economically correct. This is not just good social policy; it is the mark of a decent society and something I am proud to stand up for. I ask the Minister in his summing up to tell me more about the work the Government will do to monitor the impact of the changes and how they will work across Government in a joined-up, consistent way to improve outcomes for young people and families, such as on workers’ rights, renters’ rights, breakfast clubs, free nursery hours, the skills agenda for apprenticeships and trainee partnerships, and the youth guarantee to name a few.

• 4 Feb 2026 · Civil Service Pension Scheme: Administration · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Fleetwood (Lorraine Beavers) for securing this important debate on a crisis affecting thousands of public servants who find themselves without the pension they have earned and, in some cases, without any income at all. These people have paid into a scheme throughout their careers with the reasonable expectation that when they retire they will get their money—it is their deferred salary. Instead, we have witnessed from MyCSP and Capita nothing short of a shambles. The previous Government awarded Capita a seven-year contract worth £239 million to administer the scheme, even though the warning signs were there. Where are Conservative Members today to answer and apologise? It is shameful. The result has been chaos. I want to highlight the human impact and share the experiences of some of my constituents who are bearing the brunt of the failure. One, a former Ministry of Defence employee, was medically retired on 11 December. His lump sum and monthly payments were due to start on the 12th, but he has received nothing. Another constituent retired from the Office for National Statistics on 27 November after giving four months’ notice. He was told his lump sum would be paid within one week, but he has received nothing. A constituent who has worked for HMRC for 26 years is due to retire but cannot get a pension quote from Capita, so she cannot plan her retirement or make informed decisions. A constituent who retired from HMRC on 30 December is waiting for a lump sum of £94,000. Capita has confirmed receipt of his documents, but he has received nothing. Finally, I want to mention a constituent who worked in naval fleet support for 38 years. He decided in June 2025 to retire. Since then, the communication has been abysmal and he has received not a single penny of his pension. Those are not isolated cases. These delays are causing genuine hardship. People are unable to pay their bills, depleting their savings and borrowing from family members, and some are borrowing from other sources, which is costing them even more. The stress that this situation is causing is horrendous. I acknowledge that the Government have appointed an expert recovery team led by Angela MacDonald and I welcome the hardship loans plan. However, that does not address the fact that a flawed procurement process selected a contractor that was not ready to go live. I am calling for transparency—Capita must publish detailed performance data—and accountability. The Cabinet Office must make full use of its contractual rights. If Capita fails to meet recovery plan milestones, there must be serious consideration of whether it should continue to hold the contract. Finally, there should be compensation for those who have suffered financial hardship because of Capita. This crisis raises fundamental questions about how we contract out the administration of critical public services.

• 2 Feb 2026 · China and Japan · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent engagement in Tokyo and the strengthening of our relations with Japan as a key economic and strategic partner. Will he explain how small and medium-sized enterprises in Portsmouth, particularly those in maritime and defence such as Griffon Marine, alongside the creative industries, will benefit from deeper UK-Japan co-operation? My 18-year-old son Archie Cole is a professional wrestler, currently competing on Tokyo TV in “Magic Monday”, so I know at first hand how international engagement can open doors for individuals and Portsmouth’s local businesses alike.

• 28 Jan 2026 · Youth Unemployment · Hansard source

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  Does the hon. Member agree that, under the Conservatives, career advice in schools was absolutely decimated and hollowed out, pushing young people to the margins? On top of that, does she agree that young people are unable to do the gold-standard apprenticeships that my dad and my brother did, as those apprenticeships were neglected by the Conservatives, in favour of more academic routes?

• 27 Jan 2026 · Digital Exploitation of Women and Girls · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Sir Mark Hendrick) for securing this important debate. I speak today as the MP for Portsmouth North, but also as a former teacher, a mum of three young men and a victim of this crime. In Portsmouth, our residents live much of their lives online for work, study, information, and socialising, but the reality for many users is worrying. In 2023-24, of the cyber-crimes reported in Portsmouth, 34% were online bullying or harassment, 30% malicious messaging, 10% stalking and 8% sexual offences. Disgustingly, that number includes 60 cases involving images of children. Most of the victims were women under the age of 45, and their perpetrators were known to them, yet only 13% reported these crimes, leaving too many to suffer in silence or to be told that their complaint did not meet the threshold. The digital revolution has brought opportunity, but it has also brought new and relentless forms of abuse. UN Women warns that AI deepfakes, grooming and image-based abuse are escalating. The recent use of AI to generate non-consensual sexual images, as my hon. Friend the Member for Preston noted in opening this debate, shows how quickly technology can be weaponised, and how tech giants are complicit. Let me be clear: this is not about blaming girls or young women, or boys and young men. It is about responsibility, consent and respect. It must be clear that technology does not remove consent, and anonymity does not remove accountability. Women and girls should never have to navigate fear, shame or harassment just to live their lives. I welcome the strengthening of the law and the introduction of the long-awaited VAWG strategy. I am proud to be part of a Government who have presented it and will deliver it, but we all know that laws alone are not enough, because technology moves quickly. We need stronger enforcement, safeguarding at the source, and education for young people and their parents about respect and consent online as well as offline. There must be joined-up Government working, taking young people, their parents and whole communities with us, so that we can change the landscape and the culture, ensure that young women and girls in Portsmouth and across the country are safe online, and give victims the confidence they need to come forward.

• 27 Jan 2026 · Women’s Safety: Walking, Wheeling, Cycling and Running · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Jess Asato) for considering such an important topic. I am an avid runner, having taken part in the Great South Run and a 4.5 km MyWay to raise awareness of male suicide. I am pleased that I will also be running with On the Tools 7K and hope to be one of the women MPs running the London marathon this year. It is a brilliant form of exercise for mental health and wellbeing because it gets people outside and clears the mind, but clearing the mind is difficult when worried about safety. Women and girls should feel safe when exercising in public, yet for so many that is not the reality. When I leave the house, I say jokingly to my kids, “If I’m not back in 45 minutes, send the police.” But that is not a joke. Studies have found that 70% of women have experienced an intimidating incident when running. A rise in social media and online abuse and videoing is making that worse. Constituents have contacted me out of concern for the safety of women and young girls who run and jog in Portsmouth. They talked of their 15-year-old daughter, who loves going on runs. Despite doing what she felt were all the right things, such as going out only in daylight hours, she had been catcalled and verbally harassed on multiple occasions. The parents were not only distressed for their daughter but worried about her reaction. She was taken aback at first but then insisted on shaking it off, believing that reporting it would just be a waste of police time. Like her parents, I feel that she should not have to put up with that. She is not alone. Others have reported aggressive behaviour, bunching around them as they are running, stepping out in front of them, throwing things and saying, “Why don’t you just smile at me, you grumpy cow?” We do not want our girls to experience that brazen misogynistic behaviour any longer. It is upsetting but not surprising that women and girls have to deal with such harassment, with the added mental load of worrying about their safety, from such a young age. If we socialise our young girls simply to brush off such abuse, we are harming society as a whole. As we know, low-level harassment of women can be a gateway to more serious crimes. We need to take this persistent and common harassment more seriously. We do not want women and girls to feel that they are unable to participate on the grounds of their gender. Although I welcome the Government’s strategy to build a safe society for women and girls, using a whole-society approach, and the VAWG strategy’s prioritising of prevention by getting to root causes, such as the normalisation of women and girls’ feeling unsafe while walking, wheeling, cycling and running, it is vital to tackle this by working across Government Departments. We must join up the Home Office, the Department for Transport, MHCLG, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and many others, so that our young women and girls feel safe when they are outside exercising.