Harpreet Uppal MP: speeches

Speeches

• 30 Jun 2025 · Welfare Reform · Hansard source

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  Having met disabled constituents over the last few months, I have no doubt that the initial proposals caused anxiety, so I do welcome the changes for existing claimants and the Timms review. However, can I urge the Secretary of State to look at the sequencing to make sure that the review happens before we assess new claimants? I have one final point about the assessors themselves. There is no doubt but that the involvement of private companies such as Capita and Maximus has caused problems, as has having assessors who do not understand health conditions. Can we make sure that we look at that properly?

• 16 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

• 3 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Sadly, some of my constituents have experienced a double blow, not only from having defective cavity wall insulation installed, but from being pursued for adverse legal costs by firms such as SSB Law. Ministers have previously confirmed that the Solicitors Regulation Authority has opened an investigation. Will the Minister provide an update on that investigation and meet me to discuss how those affected can get redress?

• 18 Mar 2025 · COP29 · Hansard source

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  8. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the COP29 agreement.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Hospices · Hansard source

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  20. What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of long-term funding for hospices.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  I will take both interventions, but then I need to make a bit of progress before I take interventions from other Members.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. We must make sure that young people play a part in the programmes that are delivered for them. While 22 young futures hubs are being piloted through the shared outcomes fund, they are only funded for one year. To recover from years of Conservative neglect, youth services need sustainable, long-term funding.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  I agree with my hon. Friend that we need more investment in youth services, and I am sure the Minister has heard the point about statutory provision. I know from recent meetings with incredible organisations working in this space that the young futures hubs pilot is hugely welcomed, and they would appreciate confirmation from the Minister of the timeline for delivery of the hubs. In addition, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award team are calling for a universal enrichment guarantee that offers 80 hours of enrichment activity per year, giving all young people regular access to positive activities. I hope the Minister will look into that new policy from the Duke of Edinburgh’s award team. The benefits of investing in youth services are clear. As the Labour party manifesto said, “nothing says more about the state of a nation than the wellbeing of its children.”

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered access to universal and targeted youth provision. It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan, and a pleasure to open this important debate on access to universal and targeted youth provision. It is fantastic to see so many Members here—I should have gone for a 90-minute debate after all! I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight the vital role that youth services play in supporting young people across the country and delivering on the Government’s mission to reduce barriers to opportunity. I know that many colleagues share my deep commitment to ensuring that every young person in our constituencies has the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Members from across the House recognise that youth services are not a luxury, but an essential part of our communities.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member is absolutely right that faith organisations and voluntary organisations play a huge part in the youth services that we deliver. Trained youth workers create trusted relationships, offering safe spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop a sense of identity and, importantly, feel supported. Youth provision is also about giving young people the tools to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. I want to recognise the steps that the Government have taken in this area. Initiatives such as the national youth strategy for England and the young futures hubs aim to bring together targeted support for young people, and they reflect a growing understanding of the importance of youth services. However, we must also be honest about the challenges we face.

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  I do agree. I will now take the intervention from the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire).

• 11 Feb 2025 · Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support · Hansard source

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  I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and I hope we can work together on that issue in the future.

• 6 Feb 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T3. Too many communities, including in Huddersfield, are forced to deal with persistent fly-tipping and littering in their streets and neighbourhoods, and residents are understandably fed up with it. What support are the Government providing to local areas to ensure that they have the resources they need to prevent and tackle persistent fly-tipping?

• 16 Jan 2025 · Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse · Hansard source

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  I welcome the statement from the Home Secretary. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Natalie Fleet), who is not in her place, for sharing her story—I know it is very difficult to do—and for her continued work to support victims. It is really important that we finally act for victims and survivors, and I welcome that the Home Secretary will be acting on the inquiry’s recommendations. I urge her to make public the monitoring of the progress of those actions and to return to the House to provide regular updates on those actions.

• 6 Jan 2025 · Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse · Hansard source

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  The horrific cases of CSE and rape across the country have exposed deep failures in the safeguarding of vulnerable children and, as Members have said, there were unfortunately too many times when they were not treated as children by the agencies that should have supported them. I welcome the steps that the Home Secretary has set out, but will she ensure that there is long-term funding to support survivors in rebuilding their lives, that their voices will lead on reform and that we support local charities such as the Kirklees rape and sexual abuse centre and the Pennine domestic abuse partnership in my constituency, which do fantastic work but have to fight for funding every year?

• 13 Nov 2024 · Violence against Women and Girls · Hansard source

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  9. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle violence against women and girls.

• 13 Nov 2024 · Violence against Women and Girls · Hansard source

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  I recently joined a Reclaim the Night march in Greenhead park in my constituency. The first of these marches took place in Leeds in the 1970s, and they are still important, because a woman is killed every three days in the UK. What actions are we taking to prioritise reducing the level of violence against women and girls, and also to create safer environments at night?

• 22 Oct 2024 · Renters' Rights Bill (Second sitting) · Hansard source

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  My question has been answered already.

• 10 Sept 2024 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Former clients of the law firm SSB Law were unexpectedly pursued for adverse legal costs following the installation of defective cavity wall insulation. I understand that the Solicitors Regulatory Authority has opened an investigation. Will the Secretary of State review the situation urgently, including establishing a cross-Government working group on the matter?