Emma Lewell MP: speeches

Speeches

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

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  Yesterday I was very sorry to be absent from the very powerful Adjournment debate led by my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Rebecca Long Bailey), who is seeking justice for our nuclear veterans after previously covered-up information has proved that there was radiation fallout. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House knows that this is the longest-running scandal in British history. May I plead with him that, in preparing for the new Session, he advocates for a one-year special inquiry to be included in the King’s Speech?

• 25 Mar 2026 · Proposed Visitor Levy · Hansard source

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  When I was looking through the guidance, it seemed to indicate that mayors will have to consult local authorities and local industry before they come to any decision, but there is no requirement to hold discussions with local MPs, who arguably know their constituencies far better than any mayor ever could. Could the Minister look at that for me, please?

• 25 Mar 2026 · Proposed Visitor Levy · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Efford. I thank the right hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for securing the debate. South Shields is a beautiful coastal town that really comes alive in the summer months. The overall borough of South Tyneside has nearly 6 million visitors each year, adding millions to our local economy. Sandhaven beach in South Shields is a Sunday Times beach of the year and the famous Great North Run has its finishing line on our Leas. When tourists visit us, they get the best hospitality that the UK has to offer, the cosiest of places to stay, and a welcome like no other. We are naturally a friendly bunch who love our little part of the north-east and are proud to call it our home. Given the context of rising energy costs, high business rates, employer national insurance contributions, minimum wage increases and high VAT, a tourist tax is the wrong tax at the wrong time. I understand that some of those issues are beyond the Government’s control. I know all too well that the decline in communities like mine, which suffered under the last Tory Government, will not be reversed overnight. I understand that national insurance contributions were necessary to fund key public services and I absolutely support the national minimum wage; its introduction under the previous Labour Government transformed my life. I have been vocal, however—and I continue to be, along with colleagues—about working with the Government on a business rates reduction across all hospitality and a VAT cut. As a sector, hospitality is being hit hardest by the accumulation of those costs. Despite those ongoing discussions, the new, unexpected development of a tourism tax has felt like a kick in the guts for me and my local businesses. It is one burden too many for us, and it will result in job losses and more boarded-up businesses in the centre of my town. That extra burden is very likely to tip hotels, B&Bs and small providers over the edge, and will be felt most acutely by low-income visitors. It feels as though the tax is simply a quick win to divert more money into regional coffers, but with drastic long-term consequences and adverse impacts locally. It feels like short-termism at its worst and does not feel very strategic. UKHospitality modelling estimates that the tax will lead to 33,000 job losses, just short of £2 million in lost tourism spending and a reduction in tax receipts to the Treasury of £688 million. Hospitality is the largest employer in South Shields. We also have high levels of unemployment, which is rising for those aged between 18 and 24. The tax seems at odds with the Government’s aims for growth, youth employment and reviving local economies such as mine. That is why it was never in our manifesto. Just last year, the Government were continuing to rule the tax out. I believe that the legislation that will enable the tax is currently going through the House of Lords in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. I implore my hon. Friend the Minister to revert to last year’s sensible position, because I have yet to meet a single business, trade body, operator or member of the wider public, especially in South Shields, who supports the proposal.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill · Hansard source

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  I will speak briefly to Lords amendment 17. Since 2016, I have used every single parliamentary lever possible to improve sibling contact for children in care, by trying to create parity in the legislation. Although the Children Act 1989 requires local authorities to allow a looked-after child reasonable contact with their parents, there is no such requirement for a looked-after child’s contact with their siblings or half-siblings. If siblings cannot be placed together, they should have the same rights to contact defined in primary legislation as they do with their parents. Many siblings who come from neglectful or abusive backgrounds often state that their only constant, positive and reassuring relationship is with their siblings. After all, they have a shared experience. No matter how horrific it is, it is something that only they truly know about.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Middle East: Defence · Hansard source

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  The Secretary of State is right that our armed forces are the very best of us. Australian and British media are reporting that HMS Anson has departed western Australia ahead of schedule. Can my right hon. Friend indicate whether HMS Anson will play a role in defending British interests in the region on her voyage home?

• 5 Mar 2026 · Local Museums · Hansard source

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  With a time limit of four minutes on Back-Bench speeches, I call Dr Kieran Mullan.

• 25 Feb 2026 · Student Loan Repayment Plans · Hansard source

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  Order.

• 25 Feb 2026 · Student Loan Repayment Plans · Hansard source

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  Order. As Members can see, this is a very popular debate, so there will be a two-minute limit on all Back-Bench contributions.

• 25 Feb 2026 · Student Loan Repayment Plans · Hansard source

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  Order. I am going to have to reduce the time limit to one and a half minutes.

• 11 Feb 2026 · Woodland Creation · Hansard source

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  If Back Benchers could keep their speeches to five minutes, that would be most helpful.

• 11 Feb 2026 · Supported Exempt Accommodation: Birmingham · Hansard source

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  I call Jim Shannon, on supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham.

• 4 Feb 2026 · Fast-Track Visas: Skilled US Citizens · Hansard source

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  I will call Christine Jardine to move the motion, and then call the Minister to respond. I remind other Members that they may make a speech only with prior permission from the Member in charge of the debate and the Minister. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention for 30-minute debates.

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

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  Order. To ensure that all Members wishing to speak do get to contribute, I am reducing the time limit to two and a half minutes.

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

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  Order. It is obvious that the Member does not want to give way.

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

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  We will need to keep Back-Bench contributions to three minutes. I call Ann Davies.

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

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  Order. I remind Members that when they say “you”, they are referring to me. It is the same convention as in the Chamber.

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

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  Order. It is up to the Member if he wishes to give way; he has made it clear that he does not wish to.

• 2 Feb 2026 · Indefinite Leave to Remain · Hansard source

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  The debate may now continue until 7.37 pm.

• 2 Feb 2026 · Indefinite Leave to Remain · Hansard source

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  Order. I remind Members that when they say “you”, the convention is the same as in the main Chamber: they are referring to me.

• 2 Feb 2026 · Indefinite Leave to Remain · Hansard source

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  Order. I call Patrick Hurley.

• 2 Feb 2026 · Indefinite Leave to Remain · Hansard source

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  Order. The sitting is suspended.

• 2 Feb 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Intensifying security competition in the Arctic necessitates enhanced co-operation with our regional allies. Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Government intend to invite Canada to join the Joint Expeditionary Force?

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

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  I am immediately imposing a four-minute time limit on Back-Bench speeches, so not every Member will get to speak. However, if Members keep their speeches shorter, more people will get in.

• 21 Jan 2026 · Dementia Support: Hampshire · Hansard source

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  I will call Liz Jarvis to move the motion. I will then call the Minister to respond. I remind other Members that they may make a speech only with prior permission from the Member in charge and the Minister. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up.

• 19 Jan 2026 · Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for his engagement so far on this issue. It will come as no surprise to him that we need a cut to VAT and the maximum 20p discount for business rates applied across hospitality, not just pubs, because nobody wants to drink in a pub surrounded by boarded-up cafés, restaurants and B&Bs. Can I urge the Government to act quickly and, as a gesture of their intent, withdraw the statutory instrument that enforces the much lower 5p business rate discount this April?