David Burton-Sampson MP: speeches

Speeches

• 3 Mar 2026 · Spring Forecast · Hansard source

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  The Liz Truss Budget in September 2022 affected many homeowners, with mortgage rates shooting up and the average two-year fixed rate exceeding 6%. When I was working in the mortgage industry, I saw the impact of that on working people’s finances. That is still being felt, but does the Chancellor agree that it is because of the actions of this Labour Government in restoring economic stability that we have seen six interest rate cuts since the general election—a welcome relief for many? The Opposition parties, by contrast, have no credible plan, and would return this country to the devastating days of Liz Truss.

• 12 Jan 2026 · Higher Education: Government Support · Hansard source

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  I agree with my hon. Friend’s analysis. We have been left in this situation by the last Government, and this Government have the job of getting our universities back on to a good footing. I hope that they will do all they can to address her concerns. I have grave concerns about the impact that the closure will have on the skills pipeline and much-needed jobs in south Essex, in particular for future generations. If the facility is no longer in existence, how will we attract people to train in these vital subjects? Will the Minister give me an assurance that promotion of, and attraction to, vital skills courses elsewhere in Essex for young people in my constituency and the wider south Essex area will be considered, as well as ease of access, now that the Southend campus will no longer be there? The challenges that students in the middle of a course face are obvious and too numerous to expand on here; they range from the expense of commuting to the campus in Colchester, to being forced to abandon caring duties for their families. The future of this cohort is fundamentally at risk, and we are fighting hard to make sure that no one is forced to drop out. My hon. Friend the Member for Southend East and Rochford and I have heard terrible stories about students already quitting mid-course, despite being in deep debt. This must not happen. Can the Minister give me assurances that the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care will do all they can to ensure that no one is forced to abandon their course because of this closure? My hon. Friend has outlined the work that the Government are doing to bolster higher education after 14 years of Tory neglect. I am delighted to see that the Government will reintroduce targeted means-tested maintenance grants by the end of this Parliament for disadvantaged students on priority courses. These grants will provide financial support that does not need to be repaid, helping to remove barriers to opportunity and making sure that no one is left behind. I want to see opportunities retained locally for my constituents in Southend West and Leigh, so that even if the university campus is no longer with us, the crucible of the ideas that were forged there for so many futures is not lost.

• 22 Jul 2025 · Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment · Hansard source

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  It is not lost on me that I have huge shoes to fill in this place, as I stand here representing the constituency that was Sir David Amess’s. I send my thoughts to his wife Lady Julia and all the family, and I hope that we can find a way to give them the answers that they need. This is my second year of contributing to the Sir David Amess summer Adjournment debate, and the last year has gone so quickly, but the passage of time has not eroded the memory of Sir David Amess. Many Members on both sides of the House, and many people in my constituency, will never forget him. He is very much missed. In my constituency, Tony Martin, who runs the Chalkwell lifeguards station, set up a temporary memorial to Sir David, with lots of pictures from his life and his time in Parliament. It was a fantastic temporary display, and I am delighted that over the last couple of months I have been able to work with Lady Julia and some of Sir David’s team to put in place a permanent display on the wall of the lifeguards station. I thank everybody who has been involved in that project. Of course, one of Sir David’s legacies is that his death led to Southend becoming a city. Every city needs a cathedral, and I have been trying to get one, but it is proving difficult, because Chelmsford has one and there can only be one per diocese. However, I am working with the Bishop of Bradwell to see what we can do about giving special recognition to the historic St Mary’s church, where Sir David had his Southend funeral. I hope that we can get this over the line and that I will get the support of the Church Commissioners in making it happen. I want quickly to recognise the charity Trust Links, based in my constituency, which turned 25 years old a couple of week ago. Its chief executive officer Matt King and its founder Cheryl Higgins have done absolutely fantastic work in transforming a derelict plot of land in Westcliff into an outstanding project, which tackles loneliness and social isolation through a range of different activities. The staff there work on mental health as well—it is a true example of what the Government want to do in moving from hospital to the community. We have been struck by two tragedies in Southend over the last couple of weeks. I want to recognise the death of seven-year-old Leonna Ruka, who was killed by a falling tree in Chalkwell park on 28 June. I send my sympathy to her family. On Sunday 13 July, we had the plane crash at Southend airport; again, I send my thoughts to the families of the four people who were killed. I sincerely thank the emergency services, Southend-on-Sea city council and its leader Councillor Daniel Cowan, the airport staff and the airport’s CEO, Jude Winstanley, for everything they have done on both of these tragedies over the last couple of weeks. Most importantly, I thank the amazing Southend community, who have come out, laid flowers and paid tributes to the family. It has been absolutely heartbreaking to see what has happened over the last couple of weeks. This is the end of my first year as an MP, and it has been an absolute privilege and honour to serve the people of Southend West and Leigh. We have achieved a lot, and there is plenty more to come. I am looking forward to it, and I wish all Members in this House a very happy and pleasant summer recess.