James Asser MP: speeches

Speeches

• 16 Jul 2026 · Aviation Sector · Hansard source

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  I recently visited the British Airline Pilots’ Association training facility and flight simulator with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. I confess, Mr Speaker, that the results were mixed: if you are flying on your holidays next week, you would not want to fly with either of us! But if I had wanted to fly, I would face training costs in excess of £100,000, with very few funding packages to provide support. That means that kids in my constituency can watch the planes take off at London City airport but stand very little chance of actually joining that industry. Does the Minister agree that we need accessible pathways to pilot training in order to drag the system into the 21st century and to remove it from a position where only a small minority with the financial means to do so can access the industry?

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

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  I am sorry to report to the House that last week, a 13-year-old boy lost his life in the Royal Victoria dock in my constituency, following a similar incident in the Thames in my constituency last year. The Royal Life Saving Society has reported evidence of an 80% increase in child deaths related to drowning over the last five years. This week, I joined the Port of London Authority in launching a water safety campaign ahead of the summer holidays. As my right hon. Friend will be aware, this has been an issue across the country this summer. Could we have a debate in Government time on what more we can do to improve water safety, particularly for our young people and children?