Irene Campbell MP: speeches 2026

Speeches

• 15 Apr 2026 · Pride in Place: Regeneration · Hansard source

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  I am pleased to say that after a huge amount of hard work was put into a Pride in Place application, investment has been successfully allocated to the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston in my constituency. Does the Minister agree that the £20 million of UK Government Pride in Place funding will provide great opportunities for community projects that can improve our town centres and regenerate our shorefront areas?

• 15 Apr 2026 · Pride in Place: Regeneration · Hansard source

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  2. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues through the Pride in Place programme to support regeneration in Scotland.

• 10 Mar 2026 · Fur: Import and Sale · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Jardine. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Newport West and Islwyn (Ruth Jones) for the excellent work that she has done and continues to do on this important campaign. I fully support her Fur (Import and Sale) Bill. I am pleased to say that my constituents have highlighted this debate and asked me to attend. I would have attended anyway, as she knows. I shall keep this brief, as many points have already been raised. I will focus on fashion. More than 1,600 companies are registered as fur-free on Fur Free Retailer, including leading British designers such as Stella McCartney who pioneer innovative faux fur alternatives. We have already heard how easily faux fur can be produced and used. In 2023, the British Fashion Council introduced a ban on real fur at London Fashion Week, which has continued. Those moves are very welcome. Farming for fur is inhumane. The fur trade is intense, and the animals are kept in barren wire cages with no ability to act out their natural behaviours. Most cages are only 1 square metre larger than the animals themselves. An investigation by animal welfare charities found that animals experience horrific physical and mental suffering, including self-mutilation and cannibalism. A Labour Government introduced legislation in 2000 and implemented a fur farming ban here in 2002, making the UK the first country in the world to take that step. Some 21 other countries have now ended fur production, and I hope more will follow. Fortunately, the fur industry is declining and far fewer people are wearing real fur. Years ago, people would even wear dead foxes around their shoulders, although I have no idea why anyone wanted to. A fur ban is a necessary step towards ending this cruel and unnecessary practice. A UK ban on fur import and sales would send a hugely important global message to those countries that are still engaged in cruel and dangerous fur farming, thereby protecting public health and animal welfare, which should surely be more important than fur for fashion, as we have many alternatives. I very much welcome this debate and look forward to the Minister’s response.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for making that important point. Yes, I agree. The survey also found that 73% of GPs report that patient safety is being compromised by their workload pressures, and 58% said that they do not have enough time during appointments to adequately assess and treat patients. It is concerning to hear that a high number of GPs do not have time for professional development and quality development. While the number of patients GPs are expected to see rises, the pressure is higher and patient satisfaction is poorer. Another important point to note is that the NICE guidelines are from 2015. They could be reviewed to recommend that type 1 diabetes be tested for much earlier, and that an infant need not have all the listed symptoms in the guidelines before testing, as the four Ts on their own are not very sensitive at picking up type 1 diabetes. NICE guidelines could prioritise earlier testing of glucose, making checks immediate and not postponed.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that point. Yes, I agree. That sounds like a very good way to take this forward. The petition and the surrounding conversation can serve as a call for change, not only for young children and infants but for all undiagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes who are at risk of their condition leading to dangerous complications. In the words of the petitioner, “Lyla was bright, full of life, and had her whole future ahead of her. But in a matter of days, everything changed. She became unwell, and like so many parents, we trusted the system to protect her. That trust was misplaced. By the time her condition was recognised, it was too late.” I look forward to other hon. Members’ contributions and to the Minister’s response.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for her response. The petition and the surrounding debate focus on a very important and sensitive area: the importance of timely diagnosis. I thank Mr John Story again for his tireless campaigning on Lyla’s law and for taking the time to meet me to tell his story. I hope, as he does, that no parent ever again has to go through what he and his wife Emma have gone through. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson), who has supported the petitioners in her capacity as the local MP and will be attending tomorrow’s meeting with the Secretary of State. I also thank the Royal College of General Practitioners; Dr Rachel Besser, a consultant at the University of Oxford who is leading the T1 early research programme and undertaking work on screening for childhood type 1 diabetes; and Dr Parth Narendran, who leads the ELSA study at the University of Birmingham. Each of those experts kindly took the time to meet me and answer questions on this multifaceted clinical topic. Finally, as ever, I thank the staff of the Petitions Committee for all their help in organising this debate and the related meetings. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 728677 relating to type 1 diabetes testing for infants.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I agree with the points that my hon. Friend raises. The research and emerging information from the ELSA study should be considered as soon as possible. In Diabetes UK’s campaign, the four Ts stand for “toilet”, “thirsty”, “tired” and “thinner”. Recognising those symptoms is key to the campaign. In preparation for this debate, I met representatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners, who advised me that after hearing Lyla’s story, they urgently reviewed their curriculum and made sure that their continuing professional development resources adequately covered type 1 diabetes symptoms in children and followed NICE guidelines. They also said that they are working with NHS England colleagues on the availability and use of point-of-care capillary blood testing for type 1 diabetes. That is a rapid finger-prick glucose test.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I agree with what my hon. Friend says. As I say, I am looking forward to hearing the Minister’s response on how we can make progress. As we have heard, DKA is a life-threatening complication of diabetes, which is caused by extreme insulin deficiency. We urgently need to change and reduce the rates of DKA. One issue is that it is difficult to know exactly how many children have been missed, discharged and reassured after presenting with these symptoms who will then return for later diagnosis. As well as young children, adolescents have high rates of presenting with DKA, which can be compounded by factors such as deprivation and ethnicity. That must also be taken into consideration.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 728677 relating to type 1 diabetes testing for infants. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I thank the petitioner, Mr John Story, for starting the petition and telling us the devastating story of what happened to his daughter Lyla, who tragically died when the warning signs of type 1 diabetes were missed. I also congratulate him on gathering over 120,000 signatures from across the United Kingdom on a topic that I know is incredibly important to him and many others: in my North Ayrshire and Arran constituency, there were 204 signatures. The petition, which is called “Funding so all infants are offered Type 1 Diabetes Testing in routine care”, states: “Fund mandatory offer of testing for Type 1 Diabetes in babies, toddlers, and young children as a routine part of medical assessments at the point of care.” The petitioner met me to further explain the intent of the petition, which includes legislating so that National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines 18 and 17 ensure that type 1 diabetes testing is carried out when any symptoms appear, and including information on type 1 diabetes in the red book for babies. His campaign for Lyla’s law also asks for public awareness campaigns, to help parents to recognise the signs of type 1 diabetes, and for increased accountability in primary care. The aims of the proposed law include the introduction of a “test, don’t guess” framework to guarantee timely access to care and resources and stop children reaching the point of life-threatening DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis. The red book for babies is a personal child health record of information such as weight, height, vaccinations and necessary medicines. There is also a newborn blood spot test offered by the NHS, which tests for 10 rare conditions but not for type 1 diabetes. NICE provides guidelines and quality standards for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and general practitioners are expected to follow the advice in those guidelines. However, it is important to note that they are not legally binding—a point that the petition addresses. Guideline 18 provides guidelines on type 1 and type 2 diabetes for the diagnosis, treatment and care of children and young people, while guideline 17 provides the guidelines for adults. Guideline 18 states that clinicians should be aware of the signs of type 1 diabetes, and that children and young people who are suspected to have it should be referred immediately to confirm the diagnosis and provide any necessary emergency care. The petitioner’s ask is to ensure that every parent, health visitor and doctor understands that excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and fatigue are not just a bug or a virus; they could be type 1 diabetes. There is currently no national screening programme for type 1 diabetes. However, it is important to highlight an ongoing diabetes screening study called ELSA: early surveillance of autoimmune diabetes. While preparing for the debate, I met Professor Parth Narendran, a professor of diabetes medicine and consultant at the University of Birmingham, who leads the ELSA study. A University of Birmingham article states: “Currently, over a quarter of children aren’t diagnosed with type 1 diabetes until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially fatal condition that requires urgent hospital treatment.” The hope of the study is that screening children for antibodies could reduce those emergency diagnoses. After a similar pilot programme in Lombardy, Italy became the first country in the world to mandate national screening for type 1 diabetes in children. The Government response to the petition addresses screening by saying: “The UK National Screening Committee advises the NHS on screening programmes and, in 2019 concluded that more research and evidence for the benefits of screening for autoimmune type 1 diabetes was required.” On the ELSA study, the response advises that “NHS England is working closely with researchers…to ensure that emerging evidence is considered in the development of future national guidance” on type 1 diabetes screening programmes. It also refers to NHS England’s close work with Diabetes UK, which is leading a “four Ts” campaign to raise awareness of the signs of type 1 diabetes.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point. Again, I refer to the Minister’s response. This is a very important issue, and it is crucial that we get it right. There can be barriers to diagnosis if there is the appearance of another illness, such as a cold or tonsillitis, that can make diabetes more difficult to recognise. Young children are often unable to fully express themselves in relation to symptoms, which can be problematic. There must be more awareness of that possibility. Tragically, as we have heard today, some cases can be missed. The RCGP said that a GP may not ever see another child in their practice with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, and that it is a rare occurrence. Time pressures were also commented on. The appointment length is inadequate to deal with potentially more complex issues. As GPs look for the most common diseases in the first instance, they might not think that a glucose test is necessary. It is important to highlight the fact that GPs have the broadest medical specialty. However, the recent RCGP survey found that 64% of members say they do not have enough time to undertake training or continuing professional development alongside their practice work. In addition, the average GP cares for more than 2,300 patients, which is 16% more patients than in 2015, and in deprived communities that figure is significantly higher.

• 9 Mar 2026 · Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for raising that important point. I look forward to the Minister’s response. The rapid finger-prick glucose test is readily available and can be administered quite easily.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Sudan: Humanitarian Situation · Hansard source

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  We know that conflict can dis-proportionately affect women and children and exacerbate gender-based violence. We cannot let this crisis in Sudan be ignored. There has been an alarming rise in gender-based violence and sexual abuse against women and girls. Can the Foreign Secretary tell me what further steps her Department is taking to tackle this horrific abuse against women and girls in Sudan at this time of conflict?

• 3 Mar 2026 · Sudan: Humanitarian Situation · Hansard source

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  12. What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

• 25 Feb 2026 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  Q11. In 2024, 2.64 million animals were used in medical experiments in the UK. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research, I think it is important to note that an estimated 92% of drugs fail in human clinical trials, even though they have passed pre-clinical tests, including animal tests. Innovative non-animal research methods are increasingly available and provide viable alternatives. I very much welcome our “Replacing animals in science” strategy, but for this to be meaningful, a robust implementation timeline must be set. I ask the Prime Minister to consider leading the way by introducing an immediate ban on the use of dogs in these often-horrific experiments.

• 10 Feb 2026 · Small Modular Nuclear Reactors: Jobs · Hansard source

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  An SMR and new nuclear at Hunterston power station would make a huge difference to my constituency, given that nearly 650 people are already employed in highly skilled and well-paid jobs in the civil nuclear sector there. I was concerned to read a BBC article about a Scottish nuclear worker who relocated from Hunterston to Hinkley because there is no new nuclear in Scotland. Does the Secretary of State agree that we are losing talent and investment because of the SNP’s continuous opposition to nuclear?

• 10 Feb 2026 · Small Modular Nuclear Reactors: Jobs · Hansard source

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  6. What estimate he has made of the potential impact of the construction of small modular reactors on the number of clean energy jobs.

• 3 Feb 2026 · Animals in Science Regulation Unit: Annual Report 2024 · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I thank the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East (Seamus Logan) for securing this important debate and setting out the arguments so well. I declare my interest as chair of the APPG on phasing out animal experiments in medical research. As some Members may already know, I have been a vegan since 1993, and this is a topic that I feel very passionate about. I have spoken on this issue several times and it does not get any easier. In a previous debate on testing on dogs, I quoted a debate from 1927, in which it was said: “Experiments on dogs may now be discontinued. All that can be found out by physiological experiments for application to human beings has long since been discovered, and repetitions are unnecessary and cruel.” —[ Official Report , 29 April 1927; Vol. 205, c. 1237.] It is sad to think that we are still debating this topic almost 100 years later. As a Scottish MP, I was particularly concerned to see that in 2024 over 200,000 experiments were carried out on animals in Scotland. That was an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. However, it compares to Wales, which had a 16.7% decrease in experiments from 2023. Although I welcome the decreases, they must definitely be much quicker. As we have heard today, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit report from 2024, showed that 189 animals experienced adverse welfare outcomes; 54 of those cases were due to failure to provide adequate care, and nine were due to failure to provide food and water, sometimes for up to five days. Those cases of non-compliance are particularly concerning, and we also need to look at how well standards are being enforced in testing facilities—as we have heard already today. Given that almost 70% of cases were self-reported, this just is not good enough. We must look at another way of doing this. I was glad to see the Government’s strategy on replacing animals in science come out last November. In particular, I welcome the £75 million of funding for new testing methods and the establishment of a UK centre for the validation of alternative methods. However, I was disappointed to see missed opportunities around, for example, the forced swim test and the LD50 test. It is vital that timelines are introduced to enable a true phasing out of animals in medical research. I am looking forward to hearing the Minister’s response.

• 28 Jan 2026 · Animal Testing · Hansard source

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  I should have said this earlier, but I am chair of the all-party parliamentary group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research. Does my hon. Friend agree that the evidence is there, and that we can move much more quickly towards a place where animals are no longer needed in research?

• 28 Jan 2026 · Animal Testing · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for giving way. The strategy is of course hugely welcome, but there are no timelines associated with much of the strategy. For it to work effectively and get us to where we need to be, we need timelines. Is there any indication of when timelines are likely to be made clear to us?

• 28 Jan 2026 · Animal Testing · Hansard source

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  Reports have shown animals accidentally crushed in a compacter, a primate dying after being trapped in a cage unnoticed, animals falling out of a vehicle and being lost, and many dying of thirst or hunger or drowning in flooded cages. Does my hon. Friend agree that those cases of non-compliance are unacceptable, that more must be done to avoid them happening in future and that the people who allow them to happen must face the consequences?

• 28 Jan 2026 · Children in Poverty · Hansard source

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  10. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce inequalities experienced by children in poverty.

• 28 Jan 2026 · Children in Poverty · Hansard source

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  In my constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran, healthy life expectancy is currently 52.5 years for women and 52.6 years for men. That is, shockingly, the lowest in Scotland and provides clear evidence of increasing health inequalities compared with other parts of Scotland. Years ago, the Glasgow effect was often cited when looking at life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, but I fear that we now also have a North Ayrshire effect. Does the Minister agree that this is no way for people to start their lives and that the Scottish Government must do more to address these inequalities, given that they have had the biggest financial settlement in the history of devolution?

• 26 Jan 2026 · Animal Rescue Centres · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered e-petition 718660 relating to the licensing and regulation of animal rescue centres. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I thank the petitioner Paul Watkinson and his colleague Niki Roe for their hard work in gathering almost 110,000 signatures for this petition, which is a fantastic achievement. The petition, which is entitled “Introduce Licensing and Regulation for Dog and Cat Rescues to Protect Welfare”, states: “Many UK animal rescues operate without clear legal oversight, creating opportunities for unethical practices. Some rescues have been linked to supporting irresponsible breeding, neglecting animals, or misusing public donations. Without enforceable standards, there is a risk that animals suffer in poor conditions, and public trust is undermined. We call on the Government to introduce mandatory licensing and regular inspections to ensure rescues operate transparently and uphold high welfare standards. Regulation is essential to prevent cruelty, improve accountability, and ensure all rescued animals receive proper care. By introducing clear legal requirements, the Government can safeguard animal welfare, protect public confidence in rescues, and prevent organizations from operating irresponsibly.” However, it is important to acknowledge that most animal rescues do great work. Many activities associated with animals must already be licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, including selling pets, providing boarding for cats and dogs, hiring out horses, dog breeding and keeping or training animals for exhibition. It is clearly not unusual for animal activities to be licensed, so the petitioner and many others believe that rescue and rehoming centres should be the next step. In England, there is currently no statutory code for rescue centres; there are only voluntary frameworks. They include the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals code of practice for animal welfare establishments and the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes standards, to which the Government’s response refers. However, Scotland has already introduced a licensing system for dog and cat rescues under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. Similarly, Wales has had a code of practice for animal welfare establishments since 2020. Its consultation on licensing animal welfare establishments found that 82% of respondents were in favour of licensing; the Welsh Government announced in June 2025 that they would prioritise taking forth the proposals of the consultation. England now has a great opportunity to join the rest of Great Britain and catch up with licensing these organisations. There are many establishments that are not meeting standards but have good intentions. Well-meaning individuals can find themselves out of their depth and have no structure or training to know what is best. Once organisations are known to be local rescues, they can be inundated with animals left on their doorstep. A lack of knowledge and training is putting animals at risk, along with staff exhausted by malpractice and people who choose to adopt from the rescue. It is important for the law to draw a distinction between being a cat lady and being an unofficial rescue that is overcrowded with animals. Unfortunately, there are also cases of people running rescue homes with financial and malicious motivations. The worst scenarios include very dangerous practices, including rogue traders masquerading to the public as something they are not. Nobody wants to close small organisations, so it is important that smaller dog and cat rescues be supported through a transition and that cats and dogs be moved to other rescues where it is completely necessary. Rescuers should have the opportunity to move through legislation and structure and be supported with grants, for example from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes. Work is already going on between small organisations and the bigger charities: larger groups can advise and support the smaller organisations. That would continue as we transitioned to a licensing model. Under the current laws, anyone can set up a rescue. I think we would all agree that is not acceptable. The fact that there are no standards or training can lead to the illegal import of animals, the outbreak of disease and poor hygiene standards. Without regulation, those dangerous practices will only continue. Nor have we any data on how widespread they may be, as without legislation there is no formal tracking of dog and cat rescue homes across the country. We know that the current system is not working, as we know of many sorry cases in which it has failed. When I met staff from the Blue Cross, they told me about the many animals that they had found being kept in inappropriate circumstances for long periods. For example, one dog had lived in a blank kennel for eight years with no kind of enrichment. The rescue thought that the dog was simply sedate, but really he had just given up on life. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is not sufficient: it keeps an animal alive, with a safe environment, diet and housing, but it does not address the specific issues that arise in rescue shelters, such as the spread of disease. Dog and cat rescues should ensure that pets are safe and suitable to go back into the public domain, and that they have a good quality of life over long periods. The Animal Welfare Act states that local authorities “may prosecute proceedings for any offence under this Act”, But that relies on individuals whistleblowing on offending organisations. That can allow suffering to carry on far too long. There are already many examples on which legislation could be based—Scotland’s legislation, the Welsh code of practice, the RSPCA standards and the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes standards. The foundations are already there. The sector is aligned on the need for action, as I am sure the upcoming consultation will show.

• 26 Jan 2026 · Animal Rescue Centres · Hansard source

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  I agree that that would be a good step forward. It is also important to strike an appropriate balance when setting regulations. If regulations are too exacting, people may begin to shop rather than adopt, possibly importing from abroad. Another common issue is that dog and cat homes often end up taking in other species—so-called exotic pets or wild animals, for example—that they may not be qualified to take in. In future, it may be worth looking at regulating all forms of animal rescue centre to prevent the abuse of all species. The enforcement of any future animal welfare legislation is key, because otherwise new licensing will not be effective. It is important that the local authorities that will inspect the organisations be upskilled and capable of dealing with new, rigorous systems. Although the petition closed in October 2025, the Government responded in July 2025, advising that all animal rescue organisations have to meet existing protections under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and that individuals contact the local authority if an organisation is not meeting them. Their response also advised that members of the public can check whether a rescue centre is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, which has standards for rehoming, neutering and training, among many other matters. It is important to consider that the Government’s new animal welfare strategy, which was launched in December 2025, addresses the topic of dog and cat rescues. I am happy to see the actions outlined in the strategy, including the commitment to launch a consultation on licensing rescue and rehoming organisations and developing the evidence base on welfare issues. Rescue animals are some of the most vulnerable animals. It is important that as lawmakers we do our best to fully protect them. Being a registered rescue should not be voluntary, and the Government are right to take steps to address the issue. It is important that when we set goals such as these, we have a clear road map. I look forward to the Minister’s response and am keen to hear the timelines associated with the consultation.

• 26 Jan 2026 · Animal Rescue Centres · Hansard source

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  I very much welcome the Minister’s response. This has been an important and informative debate. The animal welfare strategy is a big step forward in the right direction, and I am proud to be part of a Labour Government who are taking steps to correct some of the gaps in our animal welfare legislation. We have a massive opportunity to create change and I am looking forward to the consultation that is coming soon from the Government, as we have just heard. I once again thank the petitioner, Paul Watkinson, and his colleague Niki Roe, as well as the groups that I met in preparation for this debate. I also thank, as ever, the staff of the Petitions Committee for all their hard work in organising these debates. As a final point, I should probably have mentioned that I am the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for dog advisory welfare. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 718660 relating to the licensing and regulation of animal rescue centres.