Chris Bloore MP: speeches

Speeches

• 20 Nov 2025 · International Men’s Day · Hansard source

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  I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Josh Newbury) on securing this debate. He is a man I deeply admire, and the bravery he has shown in retelling the story of what happened to him is extraordinary. I am proud to be his colleague, and this House is unquestionably better for him being here. Cannock Chase holds a special place in my own heart: it is where I spent many hours with my grandad. A former police officer, he would often take me walking across the Chase. He was the first person I ever spoke to about politics as he picked me up from school and fed me every day to support my parents. He was a kind man—a proud one-nation Tory—who taught me that far more unites us than divides us and that in public life we are not enemies, but simply people with different viewpoints on how best to solve the challenges before us. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life, and I know I am lucky to have had such a strong male role model in my formative years. I miss him every day. Today’s debate gives us an important opportunity to reflect on the issues affecting men and boys, and on the contributions they make across our society. This is not about pitting one group against another; it is about acknowledging that if we want a fairer and healthier society, we must be honest about where help is needed. The figures on men’s health and wellbeing remain concerning. Men continue to account for the majority of suicides. They are less likely to seek support early, and too often feel compelled to deal with difficulty silently. The old idea that emotional openness undermines masculinity has lingered for far too long. It has cost lives and prevented countless men from getting the help they need. In that context, I am proud that this Government have launched their men’s health strategy, which sets out a clear 10-year vision for improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys in England. The strategy recognises that reality, and begins the work of addressing it through earlier intervention, better support and a more honest understanding of the specific challenges that men face. I thank the Secretary of State and the ministerial team for their hard work. I am also proud of my hon. Friend the Member for York Outer (Mr Charters) for his bravery in speaking openly about his own mental health challenges this week. Far too many men still feel that it is a weakness to demonstrate their humanity by opening up about their struggles. His honesty helps normalise these conversations, and can help save lives. In Westminster Hall today, we have debated the role of carers—carers such as my dad, who is right now sitting next to my mom in her hospital bed. Hundreds of thousands of men like my dad support their families every day, quietly and with dedication. We can see the pressures faced by boys growing up in Britain today, who are navigating a world shaped by online influencers—some positive, but many harmful. It is men such as my hon. Friends the Members for York Outer and for Cannock Chase, and my dad and grandad, whom I admire and look up to. As a father myself, I want my son to see their examples, and not the false prophets he might see on TikTok, as the true representation of what it is to be a man. Boys need strong, positive role models and reassurance that there is more than one way to be a man. Today is a moment to celebrate the positive contributions made by men and boys, and by the fathers, grandfathers, carers, teachers, mentors and volunteers who shape our communities—men such as Carl Dickens at Wallop boxing club, who supports young men; Pete Martin, who fights knife crime; Gethin Farnes, who supports veterans; and so many more in Redditch. Supporting men and boys strengthens society as a whole. When men feel able to seek help, relationships improve. Today would have been the 100th birthday of my political hero, Bobby Kennedy. One of my favourite quotes of his is: “There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were, and ask, ‘Why not?’” I am proud that this House is united in its insistence on changing things for the better, and in supporting men and boys to live healthier, fuller and more meaningful lives. I will finish with a “knock, knock” joke, if that is permissible. Knock, knock!

• 19 Nov 2025 · Northwich Railway Station: Accessibility · Hansard source

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  The Minister is making a compelling case for why the Government are so insistent on making all stations accessible to ensure that everybody has access to public transport. In my home town of Redditch in Worcestershire, the plan for a newly redeveloped station has been cancelled by the local Reform-led council, just when this Government have pledged hundreds of millions of pounds to improve cross-city lines via the midlands rail hub. The plan was to bring the station up to compliant standards for accessibility. Does he share my frustration, and will he urge the county council to think again about the redevelopment plan?

• 17 Nov 2025 · Parkinson’s Disease · Hansard source

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  Will my hon. Friend give way?

• 17 Nov 2025 · Parkinson’s Disease · Hansard source

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  As the son of someone suffering from Parkinson’s—both my uncles have Parkinson’s and my grandad sadly died of Parkinson’s complications—I was struck by the fluctuating nature of the condition. Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the best parts of the Parkinson’s passport is that people will not have to go through reassessment, when we know that this degenerative condition will only get worse for many people?

• 17 Nov 2025 · Police Officers: Redditch · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for that answer, and for the extra £39 million given to West Mercia police. But residents in Redditch have told me clearly that they want to be able to walk into their local police station and speak to an officer face to face. Does the Minister agree with me, and the many hundreds of constituents who have already signed my petition, that the new police station in Redditch should reinstate a public-facing front desk?

• 17 Nov 2025 · Police Officers: Redditch · Hansard source

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  11. What steps she is taking to improve public access to police officers in Redditch constituency.

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

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  Hot on the heels of Redditch Scare Fest put on by the excellent Redditch borough council, we are swapping masks and pumpkins for Christmas jumpers as Gareth Gates, “Pop Idol” runner-up and west end star, joins us to switch on the Christmas lights on 29 November. If the Leader of the House cannot join us himself, will he encourage Redditch residents to put the date in their diaries and join us?

• 28 Oct 2025 · Support for Disabled Veterans · Hansard source

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  I congratulate the hon. Member on holding such an important debate. A veteran in my Redditch constituency lives with severe PTSD and finds everyday noise—banging, shouting and even children playing—deeply debilitating. He would greatly benefit from a service dog, but his accommodation is too small and is without a secure garden. Does she agree that veterans and their families deserve access to housing that properly meets their physical and mental health needs, including space for vital assistance animals, and that they should not be asked to settle for second best?

• 28 Oct 2025 · Lasting Power of Attorney · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for his dedicated work on this subject. Does he agree that, given that over 6 million people in the UK hold lasting power of attorney agreements, mandatory safeguarding procedures for all Government staff who handle LPAs, alongside clear guidance for banks, is essential to protect vulnerable people and communities such as mine in Redditch?

• 28 Oct 2025 · World Stroke Day · Hansard source

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  I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend. The work of those organisations—the listening, guidance and encouragement—is often what helps people to take the first steps back towards confidence, independence and hope. They are a vital part of our community and I am deeply grateful for their dedication. The Government’s 10-year health plan is an opportunity to do better: to shift our focus from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention. We know that nine in 10 strokes are linked to preventable risk factors such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Prevention saves lives, but it must be matched by proper rehabilitation and support for those already living with stroke, because one in four stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years. As we mark this World Stroke Day, I pay tribute to the Stroke Association, to our incredible NHS staff and, above all, to all survivors and carers, who show every day what courage and recovery looks like. With the right help, life after stroke is not just possible; it can be full of purpose, love and dignity.

• 28 Oct 2025 · World Stroke Day · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) for securing this important debate and for sharing her personal story and those of her constituents. That is exactly why this is such an important issue for us to speak about. Stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, in any family. Stroke is the leading cause of complex adult disability in the UK, yet too often it remains underfunded, understaffed and under-prioritised. Recovery does not end when someone leaves hospital—for many, that is just the beginning. Relearning to walk, to speak, to eat or simply to live independently again takes extraordinary strength and proper support. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy can transform lives, but right now only 17% of community services have access to all three. In Redditch, there are around 2,000 stroke survivors. I thank everyone who has contacted me, from Redditch to the Lenches, from Harvington to Wychbold, to share their stories and experiences. This issue cuts across every age, every background and every family. I have spoken to people in their 30s and 40s whose lives were turned upside down overnight. Stroke affects not only individuals, but their loved ones, their workplaces and their communities. I thank the organisers of the Redditch stroke support group for everything they do to help local stroke survivors and their families.

• 27 Oct 2025 · Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend has articulately laid out the reasons to reform the current system. Does he agree that the best way to do that would be for the Government to deliver the new deal for working people in full, including reforming parental leave? Families deserve fair pay and a real choice to care for their children, without financial strain.

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

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  I have met representatives from local businesses in the Jaguar Land Rover supply chain, and there can be no doubt that this Government’s £1.5 billion guarantee to support JLR has safeguarded thousands of jobs across the west midlands. Given the increasing cyber-threats facing UK industry, will the Leader of the House commit to scheduling a debate in Government time on strengthening cyber-resilience across manufacturing and other critical sectors?

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

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  I pay tribute to Redditch policing team, who do a fantastic job of keeping our community safe. However, residents are frustrated that our newly redeveloped police and fire station has no front counter; instead, residents must travel 20 miles to speak to an officer face to face, which simply is not good enough. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on how we can ensure that all communities have visible and accessible policing support?

• 13 Oct 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I thank the Secretary of State for taking the decision to invest £20 million through the Pride in Place scheme in my constituency. For 14 years, two communities—Woodrow and Greenlands —have been forgotten, while inequalities in health, jobs and skills have risen. Does the Minister agree that the right people to decide where that £20 million will go are those who know their communities best?

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

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  I recently met Vicki Quarton from Touchstones child bereavement services in Cookhill in my constituency and heard about the incredible work that she and her team are doing to support young people who have lost a loved one—often a parent. Will the Leader of the House consider a debate in Government time on how we can ensure that local groups such as Touchstones get the support they need to continue to help children affected by loss, especially when so many fall victim to violence against women and girls?

• 4 Sept 2025 · Early Education and Childcare · Hansard source

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  Over the summer, thanks to this Labour Government, empty classrooms and underutilised spaces have been turned into high-quality, school-based nursery provision at Matchborough first school in Redditch in my constituency. Does the Minister agree that this Government’s focus on the early years can and will make the biggest difference to children’s lives in my constituency?

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for her contribution. I will come on to hypos, as we call them, in a minute, but she is right that reassurance and education are so important.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for a very articulate summary of where we are. We cannot risk losing these athletes from the system—or even risk losing the people who want to play sport at a grassroots level, just to keep fit and keep up friendships. The stories that I have told today expose a systemic failure: many coaches, schools, and sporting bodies are ill-equipped to support people with diabetes, creating unnecessary barriers to participation and enjoyment. Of 184 national governing bodies in sport, only 20 mention diabetes on their websites or in policy documents, and just four have specific policies to support people with diabetes. That is simply not good enough, especially as chronic health conditions become more common. We need national sports bodies to show leadership, and to work with healthcare professionals and organisations such as Breakthrough T1D and Diabetes UK on training coaches and volunteers and on providing clear, accessible policies.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for his contribution. I know he is a champion for reducing health inequalities in his constituency. I completely agree with him, and I hope that will be part of what we do on this. In conclusion, the unpredictability of diabetes is a real obstacle to physical activity, but ignorance and stigma should never be. People with diabetes deserve to feel safe and confident participating in sport and exercise, and coaches, teachers and volunteers must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support them. The status quo simply is not working, and I hope that the Minister, after today’s discussion, will be willing to meet me, community leaders and stakeholders, so that we can work together and plan how to deal with this. Together, we can put in place a clear pathway to ensure that everyone, regardless of their health condition, can participate in sport, and that as a nation, we can reap the rewards of improved health outcomes.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend and neighbour for his contribution. He is absolutely right. It is incredible how sport can be used to reach people and inform them about health conditions in a way that many other areas of our public policy cannot. The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection against discrimination but a gulf remains between policy and lived experience. People with diabetes—often a hidden disability, as my hon. Friend said—face ongoing discrimination and a lack of adjustments in schools, workplaces, leisure centres and community settings. Diabetes is a major public health crisis with far-reaching consequences. Physical activity can prevent complications, improve quality of life and reduce the burden on our NHS, where diabetes prescriptions account for 15% of total medication costs. Health inequality is stark. People from the most deprived areas are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and are less likely to have access to green space and safe affordable places to be active. We need targeted support for these communities to close this gap.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  It is a real privilege to speak on the vital topic of diabetes and sport. I thank Chris Bright and the Diabetes Football Community, Breakthrough T1D UK and Diabetes UK for their invaluable support and work. I am so grateful to the many people who have contacted me with their stories, which have been both uplifting and heartbreaking. The fact that we are debating this issue in the Chamber is a huge moment for those who have championed it for a very long time. I hope it marks the start of a national conversation about unlocking the potential of young athletes with diabetes, reassuring their families, and supporting the incredible volunteers and coaches who make grassroots sport such an asset. Diabetes affects 12 million people in the UK. That means that one in five adults are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes. It is not only a serious condition in itself but a gateway to other devastating health problems. Each week in this country, diabetes contributes to more than 980 strokes, 184 amputations, 680 heart attacks and 3,000 cases of heart failure. It accounts for almost 30% of cardiovascular disease deaths. This is a public health challenge on an immense scale. The good news is that physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat those outcomes. Exercise improves how effectively the body uses insulin, whether naturally produced or injected, and helps to keep blood glucose levels within the target range.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Diabetes in Sport · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member is absolutely right to raise that point. Today I want to talk about the issue of stigma connected with diabetes and sport, particularly type 1 diabetes, and some of the inappropriate stereotypes that put people off taking part in sport, which then impacts their health. Exercise can reduce the amount of insulin needed, help maintain a healthy weight, improve blood pressure and cholesterol, and support mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. There is no single best form of exercise for everyone with diabetes; what matters is moving in ways that people enjoy and can sustain, whether that is playing football, dancing or simply going for a walk. I want to tell the House about Chris Bright, who is in the Public Gallery. I met Chris playing futsal, a fast-paced, small-sided football game that uses a heavier ball and which started becoming popular in leisure centres about a decade ago. For those unfamiliar, futsal is a sport loved by many football fanatics; indeed, hon. Members might know Max Kilman, currently at West Ham, who played futsal as a young man and represented England. Chris and I lived close to each other in Redditch and often travelled to games together. He was not only a special talent but someone who worked incredibly hard, took great care of himself and always strived to be better. Our team was successful—a modern-day Crazy Gang of players of many nationalities—but none of us knew the extra challenges Chris faced managing his diabetes alongside training. One day, on driving him home from a game, I was shocked when I noticed that he was injecting himself because his levels were not where they needed to be. Looking back, I cannot believe how underprepared we were, as a club or even as his teammates, to support him. Chris is an unrelenting personality. That is why he went on to play international futsal for Wales. More than that, Chris has been a pioneer in the diabetes community, setting up the Diabetes Football Community in Worcestershire. The group runs football teams for all ages and genders, holds family days and provides peer support, making sport accessible and welcoming for people with diabetes. Chris’s work is exactly the kind of grassroots leadership we need to replicate across the country, but these personal efforts cannot replace systemic change. That is why I want to share some stories from parents whose children with diabetes have faced exclusion, misunderstanding and stigma when they have tried to take part in sport. Parent One told me their 10-year-old child was virtually forced out of their football team because the manager said he could not cope with the child’s condition, even though the parent attended every match and training session and never asked for special treatment. They moved their child to another team where the manager also had type 1 diabetes, which helped. Parent Two described being actively discouraged from sending their son to a swimming lesson. They offered to monitor and treat him as needed, train a staff member and comply with safeguarding checks, but were told no parents were allowed in and their offers were refused. They only found another swim class after contacting Swim England directly. Parent Three shared their experiences with karate. After diagnosis, they were initially welcomed because the sensei’s stepson also had type 1 diabetes, but after a hypo incident treated on the sidelines, they were asked to leave the dojo for “eating and not keeping still,” which was deeply upsetting and led them to stop going to classes. Another parent spoke of their child not being selected for a school cricket tournament because the sports lead did not want the “hassle” of caring for him, even though children with no interest in cricket were picked. Another child was sidelined from hockey matches after a coach showed clear misunderstanding and frustration about managing a hypo incident. The child eventually switched to football where the support was better. Even at elite level, a young player in a premier league performance squad experienced exclusion from games after a hypo, despite family reassurance that he was fit to play. The coach never checked in and the player did not get a single minute in an important match, leaving him deeply upset. He ultimately left the club despite the apologies and offers of training for coaches—all because of stigma about something that affects millions of people in this country.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional Report · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for his statement, which is the right response to a very thorough report that yet again details the significant size of the scandal we are trying to undo. He mentioned the level of increased payments that these measures will lead to, and I think he mentioned a figure of £1 billion. Will additional resources be given to deliver the recommendations, in addition to extra payments?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Independent Water Commission · Hansard source

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  Residents of my constituency often ask me how we got to a situation in which water company CEOs can oversee record levels of sewage spillage, let our infrastructure crumble and charge hard-pressed customers even more, yet enjoy extortionate bonuses. Does the Secretary of State agree that if this is to be the moment when we turn the page on 14 years of failure, we must never again abandon bill-paying water customers like the previous Government did?