Claire Hazelgrove MP: speeches

Speeches

• 11 Sept 2026 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · Hansard source

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  Today I am going to share the most personal of stories publicly for the first time, and I ask for the kindness of colleagues in not intervening so that I can. Last October, my mum, Ruth Hazelgrove, chose to bring her late-stage terminal illness to an end, on her terms, at home, with dignity and with a strength that I can only try to imagine. Mum had just turned 61. She had endured significant health challenges for almost half her life. When mum was 32, she was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, polycythaemia vera. Thankfully, she was able to see us grow up and meet her grandchildren. Mum loved life and laughter, and our family will remember her this way. In early 2024, mum was told that her condition had taken a significant turn. That autumn, while we debated the initial version of this Bill, her pain was excruciating. She had access to good palliative care, but what we learned the hardest of ways is that not all pain can be palliated. I will never forget seeing her writhing and screaming in pain, at points for weeks. None of us will. I know of no deity that would want that. Eventually, some medication helped her leave hospital, but it then became less effective over time. For mum, it was not a choice of life or death; it was a question of what kind of death she would have. She was clear that she did not want a painful or undignified death. She wanted peace. For us, it will always be a tremendous personal sadness that the current law meant that she could not tell us her plan, and we could not say goodbye to her—but more importantly than that, that she could not say goodbye at the end of her life, or be surrounded by her loved ones, which is what she would have wanted for her death. Instead, the harmful status quo meant that mum died alone, with photos of us around her. This was 11 months ago either today or tomorrow—we will never know whether she died late one evening or early the next morning, or whether we are ever marking the anniversary on the right day. This is the status quo. This needs to change. That is why our vote today and our work on this issue is so important now. People with terminal illnesses, and those who will be diagnosed with them soon, matter greatly. If we were again to leave this issue to another Parliament, it would be too late for other people with terminal illnesses who want this provision, but instead face the same impossible bind as my mum; they would continue to face it well into the 2030s, at best. An excruciating death or dying alone is simply not an acceptable bind for a human being. To allow choice does not impose an outcome, but to continue to restrict it does. In part of mum’s last note to us, which is why I am speaking today, she wrote, “I wish the Assisted Dying Bill would have come into force in my lifetime…Maybe there will be hope for others in the future.” Ultimately, is it not what Parliament is for to provide safeguards and freedom? I believe that we are here not to dictate how people live their lives and their deaths, but to enable safe individual choice. Today’s vote is on whether we should continue to work on this, or not at all. I ask right hon. and hon. Members to ask themselves if they feel that this impact of the status quo is right, is just. My hope, and I know my mum’s hope, is that her story can help us choose to end this harmful status quo and see terminally ill adults finally have true choice over their lives and their deaths.

• 8 Sept 2026 · Business Rates: Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  My first job was as a pot washer and waitress in a pub at the age of 14. Today, pubs help me to bring fellow residents together for my pub politics events across the constituency. I know how much our pubs mean to us locally, and I warmly welcome further support for them. Will the Minister set out how that support will help to give pubs and the wider sector the certainty they need so that they and the great jobs they provide are here for generations to come?

• 8 Sept 2026 · Business Rates: Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  3. What discussions he has had with representatives of pubs on the potential impact of business rates relief on the hospitality sector.

• 16 Jul 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The summer is a great time for families to create lasting memories, but it can also be an expensive time. Locally, I am hosting a free community advice drop-in event, bringing together local advice organisations. Fellow residents can come by to find out more about support that they may be entitled to around energy and water costs, debt advice and more. Will the Leader of the House join me in encouraging anyone who may need support across the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency to come by, and in thanking everybody involved in providing local support?

• 18 Jun 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I am so proud to back Filton’s bid to become the UK town of culture 2028. From our vibrant community to our vast heritage, including as the British home of Concorde, we have so much to offer the whole country. Will the Minister agree to meet me to hear more about this bid and what makes Filton so special?

• 15 Jun 2026 · Defence Investment Plan · Hansard source

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  As the Minister will know from his many welcome visits to my constituency, my community is proudly home to MOD Abbey Wood, the centre of Defence Equipment and Support, and many brilliant defence companies of a wide range of sizes. Will he please tell us how he expects the defence investment plan to support important businesses like those?

• 15 Jun 2026 · NHS Dentistry · Hansard source

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  I was interested to hear about the hon. Member’s local survey. Ahead of the general election, around 65% of respondents to my survey in Filton and Bradley Stoke reported that the reason why they do not have an NHS dentist is that theirs went private. Does he agree that it would be helpful if the Minister could provide an update on the incentives for keeping more dentists in the NHS?

• 3 Jun 2026 · Small Towns: Transport Links · Hansard source

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  Does my hon. Friend agree that small towns and large villages share similar challenges? I think of Winterbourne in my community, where people are still unsure whether they will have a regular, reliable bus service once the M4 overbridge reopens soon.

• 2 Jun 2026 · Children: Development of Essential Skills · Hansard source

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  As the former vice-chair of the APPG on financial education for young people, I really welcome the Government’s work on that issue, including the commitment to introduce it more firmly in the national curriculum for all ages. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be helpful were the Minister, in her summing up, to provide us with an update on the work to get that ready for young people in the years to come?

• 2 Jun 2026 · Milburn Review: Interim Report · Hansard source

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  I welcome Alan Milburn’s interim report, which is nothing short of totemic. Given the work that he will now do to develop recommendations, will it be in scope to consider how to support not only those currently impacted, but those most at risk of leaving education, employment or training, as identified according to the risk factors in this helpful interim report?

• 2 Jun 2026 · Community Pharmacies · Hansard source

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  As a fellow south-west MP, will the hon. Lady welcome the fact that the Minister came to the Concord pharmacy in Little Stoke in my constituency just last week to make the welcome announcement about £340 million more to boost our vital community pharmacies? Does she agree that when the Minister winds up, it would be helpful for him to share how he finds these visits valuable in forming his work in the Department and showing him more about the support that pharmacies need?

• 21 May 2026 · Middle East: Economic Response · Hansard source

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  People across the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency work hard, and being able to enjoy time together as a family this summer is important for everyone. I know that the Chancellor’s announcements on summer savings for families—including on popular attractions—and on free bus travel for children will be warmly welcomed at home. Could she please set out how the decisions that she has taken to stabilise the economy have made it possible for the Government to fund this?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Knife Crime · Hansard source

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  A family and my whole community have been left reeling, following the fatal stabbing of Jamie Collins, a 21-year-old student at the University of the West of England, last week in Filton. Jamie has been named by police today, following the arrest of another young man. I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House are with Jamie’s loved ones, as are my thoughts, at this unimaginably difficult time. I have listened to the Minister’s statement with interest. How will the new knife crime plan seek to reduce youth knife crime specifically, so that fewer families have to face the impossible, and so that we can ensure that young people have the safe and bright future that they deserve?

• 2 Mar 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T6. I thank the Schools Minister for meeting my constituent Christine Lote to discuss her campaign to see the school admissions code broadened, following her own stage 4 cancer not being factored into her daughter’s primary school allocation, which has seen her placed further from home. Christine cannot walk her daughter to school any more, and her daughter cannot access the specialist bereavement support at the more local school. Will the Minister please confirm whether this change can be considered as part of the admissions code consultation, and whether information about this issue can be shared with other local authorities to inform their policies and help prevent this for other families?

• 24 Feb 2026 · Gaza Healthcare System · Hansard source

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  Like me, many residents across the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency have been horrified to see the scale of human suffering on the ground in Gaza. It is right that our Government have been doing what they can to bring children who are in urgent medical need to the UK for treatment. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that our Government continue to do all they can to help vulnerable children in Gaza?

• 23 Feb 2026 · Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving · Hansard source

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  I declare an interest: I am a member of the APPG on SEND and have close family members with special educational needs. I welcome the focus on expanding and improving SEND support. Many of the themes in the proposals, from inclusion to tailored support, were raised by fellow residents of Filton and Bradley Stoke at my “Coffee with Claire” event, from which I shared feedback with Ministers—that is great to see. Will the Secretary of State set out how the views of carers and others have shaped and will continue to shape the proposals?

• 21 Jan 2026 · Animal Welfare Strategy for England · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate. Animal welfare is a cause very close to my heart and to those of so many across my constituency. Will she join me in paying tribute to the local campaigners who have helped to keep these issues at the heart of the agenda, even while the Conservative Government was very slow to act?

• 12 Jan 2026 · Call for General Election · Hansard source

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  Hear, hear.

• 18 Dec 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Merry Christmas to all, Mr Speaker. Over the Christmas break, many of us across the constituency will enjoy getting out for a good walk in nature. I am particularly pleased that our Labour Government have confirmed that the first new national forest for 30 years, the Western forest, will be planted across our region, making it even easier for more people to do that in future. Will the Minister please set out how the early stages of the programme are progressing, and share more about the plans for this new forest and the benefits it will bring for local people?

• 12 Nov 2025 · Typhoon Fighter Sovereign Capability · Hansard source

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  On the workforce, will the hon. Member commend and welcome the great contribution of others across the country, such as those at Rolls-Royce in Filton in my constituency? Similarly, generations of people work there together, and it is wonderful to see. They have played a big part in helping us to secure the recent deal and will also play a key role in engine production and maintenance.

• 4 Nov 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I welcome our Government’s recent Typhoon deal with Türkiye, which will see the brilliant team at Rolls-Royce in Filton play a key role in engine production and maintenance. Will the Chancellor join me in congratulating them, our local small and medium-sized enterprises and others, and set out how integral she sees defence as an engine for growth?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Those working in our schools in South Gloucestershire do a brilliant job, but they receive the lowest funding per pupil in all of England via a funding formula inherited from the previous Government. Does the Minister have plans to review the formula as part of the impactful wider work to ensure that every child receives the education they need to thrive, no matter where they live?

• 21 Jul 2025 · Independent Water Commission · Hansard source

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  Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas could not be more important. Having served on the Water (Special Measures) Bill Committee, I was glad that our Government have moved so quickly to begin that vital work. I welcome the further measures announced today. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that he will bring in the next changes as quickly as possible?

• 2 Jul 2025 · West Bank: Forced Displacement · Hansard source

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  I completely agree that what we are seeing on the ground in the west bank and in Gaza is horrendous. Does my hon. Friend agree that with the ultimate goal in mind of a lasting peace via a two-state solution, it is crucial that Palestinians are able to return to and rebuild their homes and lives? Does he also agree that to secure that future, there must not be any attempt to annex land in Gaza?

• 24 Jun 2025 · Care Settings: Right to Maintain Contact · Hansard source

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  One of my constituents, Tracy, came to speak with me at one of my first surgeries. Her mum, Doreen, was one of the individuals my hon. Friend is talking about; she was in a care home during the covid pandemic and was cut off from a lot of contact, and she suffered as a result. Would my hon. Friend agree that it is important those stories are heard as the next steps on this issue are considered?