Jim Shannon MP: speeches

Speeches

• 26 Feb 2025 · Online Safety Act: Implementation · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stringer. I congratulate the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Sir Jeremy Wright) on introducing the debate. I thank him for all that he has done over the years. We all recognise that. His deep interest in the subject matter was illustrated by the way he set the scene with lots of effect—not that anybody else did not, but he did it exceptionally well. The Office for National Statistics revealed that 83% of 12 to 15-year-olds now own a smartphone with full internet access. They use them for school, and parents use them to keep an eye on their children through location services. There is a world of good that can be done with a phone; however, we are all aware that there is also a world of harm. When I was a boy, the bullies’ power left them when we left the school gates; now, their reach is vastly extended, and children’s mental health is the price to be paid. I have spoken on many occasions in the House on this issue and on the Act, and I believe that we absolutely need a new, safe online world for our children. Cyber-bullying, grooming and online exploitation are real. As I highlighted in November, in the last debate on this topic, the Police Service of Northern Ireland revealed that in 2023, crimes involving children being contacted online by sexual predators rose by nearly a third in Northern Ireland. That is a very worrying figure. The scale of this issue is astronomical. I think of how vulnerable and precious our children are, and my heart aches at the number of children whose innocence has been taken from them at an early age. The joy of childhood comes from the magic of innocence, and anyone who takes that, whether by touch or online, is guilty of a crime. The entire purpose of the Act is to protect children, and we must see its full implementation. More than three quarters of people saw self-harm content online for the first time at the age of 14 or younger, and individuals with a history of self-harm report being 10 years old or younger when they first viewed such content. Without very strict controls, children of any age can view things that simply are not appropriate for their wee minds. I am a great believer that it is parents’ job to do all they can to provide for their child: the love, safety, food, and clothing. That is harder than ever to do in a world that parents cannot access. I speak as a grandparent who does not have the ability to do the things that others can do. I know that there is this unlimited world of access to unknown things. I am thankful that back home, the Minister of Education, my colleague Paul Givan, is attempting to send the message that online access needs to be curtailed, by investing in a pilot scheme for pouches that children put their phones into while in school. That prevents online access, and it means less distraction too. More than that, it ensures that children begin to learn that their phone does not need to be at their fingertips or at their ear. In fact, perhaps we adults need to remember that as well. Let us be honest: at Prime Minister’s questions, when we look across the Chamber, what will we all be doing? Probably looking at our phones. We should not be doing that; we should be concentrating on the Chamber. The most important thing is the message being sent to children—hopefully it is something that they can take into their working lives, too—that they can switch these things off and learn to reconnect with the real world in front of them. I congratulate the Northern Ireland Minister for doing that. I commend the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam for the continued and solid work that he has put into this legislation. Children throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be safer and happier for it. I often feel we have one job as a parent: to protect our children and their future. This legislation will hopefully play a part in helping parents to protect the most treasured part of their life, and I will always support that.

• 25 Feb 2025 · Groceries Code Adjudicator · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Gentleman for bringing this debate forward. He is absolutely right to refer to the importance of the Groceries Code Adjudicator. In my constituency of Strangford, we are blessed to have many local suppliers and farmers, which have created jobs and opportunity. They supply to large shops and supermarkets, and are very much an integral part of the community. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that more needs to be done to ensure fair treatment, and to ensure that local suppliers can take advantage of fair payment and commission terms? We need fair play—and we need fair prices for the products we produce.

• 25 Feb 2025 · Affordable Rural Housing · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Lady. This is a massive subject for my constituents, as it is for hers. For those who have lived in the countryside, who were born in the countryside and whose grannies, granddads and great grannies all live in the countryside, when it comes to affordable houses they have a real problem. Does she agree that perhaps we need legislation to ensure that those who are born in the countryside can stay in the countryside, in housing that is affordable for them?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Defence and Security · Hansard source

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  It is always a surprise not to be called last, Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement. It has encouraged everyone in this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and we thank him for that. As for an increase in defence spending from 2.5% to 3%, let me gently remind the House that during the cold war it was 7%—so we have a bit to go yet to catch up, but there we are. The new defence and security agreement with Norway is to be welcomed, but I am a great believer in ensuring, while we build new rooms in a house for new family members, that existing family members are comfortable at home with us. What discussions has the Prime Minister had with our closest ally, the United States of America, about aligning our defence strategies and solidifying the network of information-sharing?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Thameslink Train Services · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Thameslink Train Services · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Gentleman for the work he has done for disabled people who use trains regularly. That should be happening everywhere in this great United Kingdom. Does he agree that disabled people—those who are in wheelchairs, and those who have mobility or vision issues—deserve the same quality of service no matter where they are in this United Kingdom?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Doncaster Sheffield Airport · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Gentleman for bringing the debate forward. I spoke to him beforehand, so he knows what I am going to say. Does he agree that Government funding for local industry means that a rising tide lifts all ships and that the support for the airport will have a great add-on benefit to the local economy? Does he further agree that support for all our airports through the reduction of air passenger duty for flights within the UK would greatly increase the economic benefits to airports and the constituencies around them, as well as bringing tourism benefits?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Maternity Services · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I commend the hon. Member for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller) for setting the scene so well. I thank her for sharing her personal stories; nothing sets out an issue better than a personal story. I am my party’s health spokesperson, but it is always good to give a local perspective too. I look forward to the responses from the Minister and Opposition spokespersons—the trio here today seem to be in all the debates on this subject, and I thank them for their contributions. Our maternity services in Northern Ireland are crucial and, arguably, among the most consistent services offered by the NHS. Although all our services are important, everyone must be born and must be given the best start in life, and it is through our wonderful NHS maternity services that we are able to succeed. My constituency resides within the South Eastern health and social care trust, which offers both midwifery-led and consultant-led care, with a fantastic focus on personalised support for mothers through their pregnancy and after labour. The trust also provides antenatal clinics, home visits and care options for expecting mothers. Back home in Northern Ireland, in October 2024, an independent review concluded that a co-ordinated system-wide change is needed to radically improve maternity care. There are problems with maternity care not just here on the mainland, but with us back home. The Minister does not have a responsibility for that, but she has an interest in all things pertinent to Northern Ireland. Whatever the subject matter, and whenever I ask her for help, as I always do, she always responds in a positive fashion, and I appreciate that. There are clear inequalities in services across Northern Ireland. It is no secret that the health service has witnessed extreme difficulties over the last couple of decades. More must be done to support staff and to ensure safe and quality care, so that women and families feel supported through their journeys during pregnancy and labour. One of my constituents gave birth to her first baby just last week, and I want to record what she said, because I think that that is important. Her experience was made by the incredible student midwives who supported her and held her hand the entire way. When my three boys were born—that was not yesterday—I was there with my wife. She held my hand, and the blood circulation in my hand got less and less as my dear, loving wife’s pain increased. I say that because we have to give some credit to the student midwives who are there for what they do. The Department of Health and Social Care has increased the number of commissioned pre-registration nursing and midwifery university places from 680 in 2013 to 1,335 in 2023. Those are good figures, but unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the number of places returned to the baseline of 1,025 in 2023-24. So there was an increase sometime back, but the numbers have levelled out again. Thousands of people across Northern Ireland apply to study nursing and midwifery each year. The number of midwifery training places is extremely limited, and demand often exceeds the number of available spots. The Royal College of Midwives has noticed a downward trend in midwifery applicants and has stated that that is a concern, expressing apprehension about the significant drop in the number of applicants. For the record, has the Minister had an opportunity—she probably has—to get the opinion of the Royal College of Midwives on where we are and how we could help? We must look at why this is happening. It could be said that, because midwifery is a challenging field to get into, many do not see the point in applying directly for it. Again, what are the Minister’s thoughts on how we improve things? Additionally, some have stated that it is easier to progress in a career by going in at entry level, as opposed to starting university after school and trying to get a job after. There must be ambitious reform of these services to ensure that we can support expectant mothers and give them memorable and positive experiences. We often hear of horror stories, and we must allow for the best start in life for babies and families. To conclude, we have some of the best staff in our maternity wards, and their work and dedication must be recognised. They are hammered day and daily in their jobs, due to budgetary constraints and the inability to get the support they need. I look to the Minister and the Government to give a commitment to our NHS—and, more importantly, to those who work in it—that more will be done to properly fund our wonderful maternity services across the whole of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to give families and parents the best possible start to their children’s lives. I request that the Minister have discussions with the relevant Minister in Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt, on what we are doing back home, so that we can work better together.

• 25 Feb 2025 · SEND Education Support · Hansard source

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  Everybody brings a personal story to this place, and the hon. Lady has brought a very personal story. It is obvious to all of us here that the hon. Lady is a compassionate MP and understands the issues for her constituents, and she has portrayed that very well. She is assiduous and honest, and we thank her for that.

• 25 Feb 2025 · SEND Education Support · Hansard source

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  First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Jenny Riddell-Carpenter) on so passionately describing the issues for her constituents—but these are replicated for all of us. I will give some statistics from Northern Ireland to add to the support that I give to the hon. Lady and others. There are some 11,000 children in special education—an increase of 70% in the past 10 years—and 8% of those children have special educational needs. I do not know how many meetings I have attended with parents who are worried about their children. It has become an incredibly important issue. It is a mammoth take for the Minister here—it is good to see her in her place and I wish her well—as it is a mammoth take for those back home as well. I honestly believe that every child is a precious gift from God, born with a unique personality and a purpose to fulfil—each is valued, is important and matters. That is why I support the Minister in coming forward. I want to put it on the record that the Education Department in Northern Ireland, which I represent, has committed to a vision where, “Every child and young person is happy, learning and succeeding.” That aspiration is no different for our children who face additional challenges to accessing learning. Reform is urgent and essential to deliver that vision, ensure inclusion, and improve outcomes for learners who require additional support. The SEN reform agenda is an ambitious framework for change and takes a whole-system approach to tackling the issues underpinning current challenges in the system. What do we need? We need two things: first, early diagnosis for those who have educational issues, and secondly, plenty of staff members who can take on the issues and can respond quickly. My request to the Minister is—I know she probably does this without me asking her—will she discuss with our Education Minister back home to see how best we can deliver this for all of those in this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? That was a five-minute speech done in two minutes.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Ukraine · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s strong words, commitment, strength and fortitude. I will always welcome the end to war, but I am unable to forget the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war by Russian armed forces during the fight for and occupation of the city of Bucha three days after the invasion started. To remind the House, girls as young as eight and women as old as 80 were raped; three Baptist church pastors were murdered; and nine children under the age of 18 were murdered. They were all put into a basement, had petrol poured over them and were burned alive. I and the people I represent want any deal to include the accountability of those who committed those dreadful, dreadful war crimes, and so many others that are still unknown.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Hostile State Threats · Hansard source

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  When considering hostile state threats, we cannot ignore terrorist groups from both the right and the left in this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who work with some of those states. What is being done to ensure that paramilitary groups across the United Kingdom are taken on, and that the hostile states they represent on the basis of their own motivations can be addressed directly?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Plant Oxford Site · Hansard source

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  The Minister has a real interest in the matters for which she has ministerial responsibility; I want to put on the record my thanks to her. When we have had meetings on other issues relating to Northern Ireland, she has been anxious to help and support me, and I appreciate that. The decision not to go ahead with the EV production is disappointing to say the least, but it perhaps indicates a wider issue that we face in the manufacturing industry due to rising costs. What can the Minister do to help companies attract more investment through lower energy costs, and what can the Government do to ensure that British jobs are not sent to China, and to ensure that firms that choose to relocate jobs understand that no future help will be forthcoming?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Crown Estate Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  That is the thrust of where I am coming from. I am not against the idea of green energy, but I want to ensure the sustainability of the fishing sector over the years. It has been sustainable and still provides jobs in Kilkeel and Ardglass, and I want it to continue to do so. That would be my concern as well. The fishermen in my area are well aware of the limitations brought about by Crown holdings on the coastline, and concerns have been expressed to me regarding the partnership announced by the Government for the Crown Estate and Great British Energy—the very issue that the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim refers to—to bring forward new offshore wind developments. I wholeheartedly welcome renewable energy and attempts to harness the reliable energy of our vast seas and loughs, but only inasmuch as they do not stop the fishing sector from operating and being successful. That must always be the key consideration. If we were to lose one of our primary sectors in fishing and to gain wind turbines and green energy, that would be something that the Government would have to consider sensibly. Similarly, the regeneration and development department in my local Ards and North Down council has highlighted the additional red tape that comes from leasing or altering existing leases to the Crown Estate. That being said, the council is also thankful for the open doors and accessibility when needed. However, it has been seen that there is a willingness to consider the national needs when requests are made for alterations, and that is appreciated. When we look at the national needs, we want to ensure that they do not take away from the local needs of those in Strangford, in Ards and North Down and in the fishing fleets and those who own land and farms around the Irish sea and Strangford lough. During 2023-24, the Crown Estate generated a net revenue profit of £1.1 billion. Over the past decade, it has returned £4.1 billion of net revenue profit to the Treasury. We must ensure that the Crown Estate is being run at ultimate capacity and is bringing money into our coffers, but also that it has a socially conscious operating model and that it is being used to do good for everyone, including the fishing sector in my constituency. I was very much inspired, as we probably all were, by the Prince of Wales’s scheme on homelessness, and by the fact that he is using his personal estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, to build 24 homes to help tackle homelessness. The construction of the first homes in Nansledan, Newquay, is due to be complete in autumn 2025. That good work should inspire us all to ensure that a Crown Estate operated by a team appointed by the Prime Minister attempts where it can to make such an impact for the common good.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Crown Estate Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Of course, a key issue for all of us in the United Kingdom, and certainly for us in Northern Ireland, is the fishing sector. Any net zero development, such as a wind farm—wind farms have been proposed for my constituency in the past—could have a direct impact on the fishing sector there. Does the hon. Gentleman share my concern that the fishing sector could be impacted by measures that take away the opportunity to fish in the seas around this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to the detriment of those in the sector, and their families?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Crown Estate Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to contribute to the debate; I will follow on from what the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) seeks. I want to make a specific request, which I did when I intervened on the hon. Member for Mid and South Pembrokeshire (Henry Tufnell). My issues with the provisions primarily relate to the fishing sector and the impact on fishing fleets around the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but particularly in Strangford for Portavogie, and Ardglass and Kilkeel in South Down. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on an issue that affects Crown Estates in the entirety of the United Kingdom. As the Library briefing outlines, the Crown Estate focuses on activities that align with wider national needs, including energy security and sustainable economic growth. It manages the seabed and much of the coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a “fundamental role in the sustainable development of this national asset, including the UK’s world-leading offshore wind sector.” I am not against wind turbines and the green energy they produce, but I am concerned about the impact on the fishing sector. I want to state my concerns and express my support for the fishing fleets at Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel, where fishing is an important economic sector, providing jobs and investment. That has been happening for hundreds of years, and I want to see that tradition maintained. I hope that when the Minister sums up, he will reassure fishing communities that any development will not be to the detriment of the fishing sector.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Crown Estate Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  I seek assurance that the ambitious net zero targets will not detrimentally affect the fishing sector. I remember some years ago there was talk of a wind farm just off the coast of Kilkeel, and the fishermen were concerned that it would be in one of their prime fishing sectors, where scallops were plentiful. If that continued, the fishing sector could lose out because the Government decided to push for net zero. I sought reassurance that Northern Ireland MPs would be able to contact the Northern Ireland commissioner directly, but I ask specifically for a wider assurance about the fishing sector in Northern Ireland—for Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel.

• 24 Feb 2025 · Bank Closures: Rural Areas · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman is very kind. I commend him on bringing forward this debate. He is right to highlight elderly people. Social isolation is an issue for many people, not just those who are elderly or vulnerable, and it is worsened by the loss of basic banking. The hon. Gentleman told me before the debate that he has lost 14 banks. I have lost 11 banks in my constituency in Northern Ireland, which means that going to the bank becomes an all-day job, taking buses and making connections. Does he agree that there is a moral obligation on banks to ensure that they look after their customers? Indeed, if the banks do not do it under a moral obligation, does he think it is time for the Minister to make legislation to make it a legal obligation?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Bank Closures: Rural Areas · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Bank Closures: Rural Areas · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member for North Dorset referred to 14 banks closing, and I referred to 11 closing. When it comes to the criteria for agreeing where those bank hubs will be, will the Minister reassure me that those constituents who have lost the most banks will be those who get more banking hubs when the opportunity comes through?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Breakfast Clubs: Early Adopters · Hansard source

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  I welcome very much the Secretary of State’s commitment to the scheme. I know it is an England scheme, but we have a similar scheme in Northern Ireland. Every one of us as MPs has attended Kellogg’s events in the House, and we understand the commitment that Kellogg’s can make. Has the Secretary of State considered whether other companies could do similar to what Kellogg’s does in relation to schools? For instance, bakeries and those who make jam or marmalade could do something. Indeed, we know that the superstores dump their food out or dispose of it within 24 hours. That is good food going to waste. There might be better ways. Perhaps she can help us to achieve that.

• 13 Feb 2025 · Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention · Hansard source

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  I would have asked to intervene, but the Minister had sat down. First, I thank all Members for coming along. The hon. Member for Dudley (Sonia Kumar) set the scene incredibly well with her knowledge and experience through her work—I think the Minister also referred to real-world experience. I thank her for her contribution; she is certainly establishing a name for herself in the Chamber. There is no better way of illustrating a point than by telling a personal story, as the hon. Member for Ilford South (Jas Athwal) did. It reminds me of one of my constituents who came to see me one day; he is a man I know very well, although he is in a different political party. I asked him how he was and he said, “Jim, I went to see my doctor; I thought I was okay, but before he finished the tests on me, he gave me a bit of paper. I said, ‘What’s that for?’ and he said, ‘You have to go hospital right now.’” He went and had a quadruple bypass—he thought he was perfectly healthy, and did not know that he was not. I thank the hon. Member for Ilford South for sharing his story earlier. The hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Alison Bennett) very clearly underlined the differential—that someone in Kensington and Chelsea can live for 20 years longer than someone in Blackpool. That has got to be wrong; we have to address those issues. She also mentioned the issue of obesity in children, and said that better food and school meals would improve public health and help to deliver more resilient people. The shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth (Dr Evans), referred to genetic testing and to the cascading of those tests right down through families, which is one of the things that I asked for. He referred to the 10-year plan, of which the long-term condition of CVD needs to be a part. The aims of the Government seem to indicate that there will be a wish to do those things in relation to CVD, and we very much hope that the Minister can do them. I thank the Minister for arriving—look, things happen in life. Sometimes I am late as well, which is probably my fault on most occasions and I take the blame. On this occasion, I asked the Minister for three things, and I will repeat them now. Is the Minister willing to meet me and representatives from the Lp(a) taskforce to discuss the essential steps that need to be taken now to ensure that the UK is in the best possible position to integrate Lp(a) testing? Will he commit to engaging with key system partners such as NICE, NHS England and the devolved Administrations to address relevant policy barriers that could hold back progress? I am ever mindful that the Lp(a) taskforce has already integrated the four nations of the United Kingdom in what it is doing. I always try to be positive—you know the person I am, Mr Mundell. My objective is not to catch anybody out; I only want positivity and a solution-based approach to what I am asking for. My last question was: will the Minister explore the scope to develop a dedicated national strategy for cardiovascular disease? Those are my three requests, which I put forward genuinely, sincerely, honestly and kindly. I ask the Minister to let us all know his response and his policy, because I think that other Members, from all parties, would also like to know.

• 13 Feb 2025 · Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention · Hansard source

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  I apologise, but at the end of my speech I asked for three things. I asked whether there would be a willingness to meet me and representatives from the Lp(a) taskforce to discuss the essential steps that are needed, and that—

• 13 Feb 2025 · Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention · Hansard source

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  I am not quite sure what happened today, but I thank everyone—the Minister, all the hon. Members who made a contribution and the Backbench Business Committee for making this possible. We look forward to the delivery that the Government have indicated for the years ahead, on which all the nations of this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can work together.

• 13 Feb 2025 · Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention · Hansard source

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  I will not test your patience by speaking till 4.30 pm, Mr Mundell—I would test everybody’s patience if I were to do that—but could I sum up, if that is okay?