Kirsteen Sullivan MP: speeches

Speeches

• 30 Jan 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Kinneil Estate, which is home to a UNESCO world heritage landmark and where James Watt tested his steam engine prototype, attracts thousands of visitors to Bo’ness. Kinneil Museum, which is operated by Falkirk council and supported by the fantastic Friends of Kinneil, provides space to learn about local history dating back to Roman times. It is, however, threatened with closure, which risks damaging local tourism and the preservation of local heritage. Will the Leader of the House allocate Government time to debate the importance of local heritage centres?

• 30 Jan 2025 · Women’s Health Strategy · Hansard source

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  I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Luton North (Sarah Owen) for her work in raising the serious health inequalities that women across the UK face every single day. Does the Minister agree that we need more expertise in women’s health issues in primary care settings to ensure early diagnosis and that women get the treatment they need at the earliest point?

• 22 Jan 2025 · Promoting Scotland Internationally · Hansard source

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  Tech companies such as Calnex in my constituency export around the world, including to the US and south-east Asia. On his recent visit to south-east Asia in November, what representations did the Secretary of State make to promote Brand Scotland, specifically in the tech sector, and will he join me on a visit to Calnex to hear about the vital work that it does to support digital infrastructure?

• 22 Jan 2025 · Promoting Scotland Internationally · Hansard source

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  3. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help promote Scotland internationally.

• 20 Jan 2025 · Obesity: Food and Diet · Hansard source

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  I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Dr Opher) on securing what has been a powerful and impactful debate. It has reflected the personal experiences and relationship that people have with food, which can be complex. My interest in this subject started as a councillor in West Lothian, when I became acutely aware of the growing financial pressures that have left people really struggling to put food on the table. My experiences with constituents experiencing hardship led me to champion the Co-operative party’s “Food Justice” campaign and initiate the set-up of the West Lothian Food Network. The network, which consists of local third sector and community groups, has evolved over the years. Initially set up just days before lockdown, it ended up providing emergency food support to those in financial hardship and experiencing social isolation during the pandemic. Today, the network is a 21-member organisation that addresses inequalities and supports those on low incomes, from rural areas and from disadvantaged groups who are at risk of poor health outcomes because of food insecurity. I put on the record my thanks to all the staff and volunteers from those organisations that have played a part in the network over the years, including West Lothian food bank. I also thank the team at Bo’ness Storehouse, which supports my constituents in that area. With the increasing obesity gap between the most and least deprived, health inequalities are also on the rise. The reality in Scotland is startling. As we have already heard, two thirds of all adults are overweight, and a third of children start primary school at risk of being overweight. One in six Scots is on a waiting list, and there is no doubt that many will be there due to obesity and diet-related health complaints, with many more on long-term medication for conditions such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes. The damage of unhealthy food does not fall evenly across the country. The vast majority of billboards for junk food advertising are targeted towards the most income-deprived communities, and fast-food outlets make up a significantly higher proportion of local food options. Again, that is something I heard time and again as a councillor. Many communities were crying out for fresh fruit and veg shops, but all they saw were more fast-food outlets opening. It has become worryingly common that communities that have the least do not have access to choice when it comes to where they shop. We have heard about food deserts. Limited transportation options further compound the problem. If someone does not drive and they live in an area that is ill-served by bus or train routes, the foods that are more likely to be on offer to them will be highly processed with less nutritional value, higher in salt, fat and sugar, and often more expensive. The underlying pressures on time, local infrastructure and earnings impact on the freedom to choose and the ability to lead healthier lives. I am very grateful for organisations such as the Whitburn Community Development Trust and the West Lothian Foodbank, which have community gardens and take the produce from the gardens and put them directly into their pantries to support people to access nutritious, healthy food. But if you live in an area where there is no such group or community garden, and if you are struggling financially to put food on the table and you have no way to make it to a lower-cost supermarket that does have healthier options, can we really say that you have a choice? Adults on low incomes are more than twice as likely to have diets that are high in sugar, saturated fats and salts, and low in fibre, fruit, vegetables and fish. We know that a weaker diet from a young age is detrimental to long-term development and health. That impact can be seen in our hospitals, where, as we heard, tooth decay is the most common reason for the admission of children. Lack of access to local dentists is an issue I raised at Prime Minister’s questions last week. In Scotland, we have the shameful statistic that one in four children are starting school with tooth decay. The cost is personal and societal. The human cost of obesity can be measured in increasingly impaired mobility, slower recovery from illness and earlier physical decline. Last year, Diabetes UK reported that in Scotland the number of cases of people under 40 living with type 2 diabetes rose by almost a third between 2016 and 2022. In 2023, Frontier Economics estimated that the total economic impact of obesity in the UK is £98 billion, including costs to the NHS and social care, lost productivity, workforce inactivity and welfare payments. Diabetes care alone accounts for nearly 10% of the NHS budget. The scale of the pressure demands urgency in how we respond. The impact on the economy can be measured in lost productivity, but most importantly it reflects a really worrying trend: the shrinking working population, greater social isolation and the rise in the number of people with complex health needs. Policy often talks of the last mile, the final few yards, to get support over the line and accessible to those who need it most. In my view, that must be the first and most essential mile. There are national changes that we can make and that we have made. I welcome the Government’s new restrictions on advertising to children, with the new watershed restriction and online advert ban as a strong first step to reduce exposure. We have to do more to make food accessible, cheaper and more available in communities where they have the least. The uprating of the sugar levy will force businesses to further innovate their products, lower the sugar content and find taste without relying on unhealthy additives. The revenue raised, as we have heard, could be used to address the gap in accessibility to healthier food at community level, particularly in those areas with the greatest challenges. I look forward to that constructive conversation continuing across the House. Doing nothing is not an option if we are to have a healthy workforce in future, reduce health inequalities facing those with the least, and leave our children a legacy of living longer, healthier and more active lives.

• 17 Jan 2025 · Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill · Hansard source

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  Does my hon. Friend agree that education in schools is absolutely central to making sure that Chambers across the country start to look like the communities they represent and to achieving 50:50?

• 17 Jan 2025 · Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill · Hansard source

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  Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that people have a number of ways to access the democratic process, and that no one should be locked out of exercising their democratic right purely through a point of process?

• 17 Jan 2025 · Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill · Hansard source

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  I congratulate and thank my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith (Tracy Gilbert) for bringing forward the Bill, and for working constructively with parliamentarians in other places. I am not sure what I can add to this full, thorough, enjoyable and important debate, but I will cover two points: the inconsistency in current arrangements, and the effect on those most likely to need a proxy vote. As my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Patrick Hurley) said, many of us in this place will fondly remember the first time we went to vote. For me, as for my hon. Friend, it was at the 1997 general election that I first felt the buzz of putting an x in the box and exercising my democratic right. However, for an increasing number of our fellow citizens, that is not what democracy means to them. As we have heard, participation in democracy is falling around the UK. Turnout at local elections is consistently disappointing low, whether they are part of the cycle of regular elections or by-elections. There is much to be done to correct that trend, re-enthuse people about our democracy and rebuild the bonds of trust that have been tested over the past few years, and a vital part of our strategy must be around greater consistency and access to voting. It is bizarre to me, and, I assume, many hon. Members in the Chamber today, that a simple and quick way of registering online a request for a proxy vote is not available at every election. As my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith said, the difference between general election registration and devolved or local election registration is unnecessary and inconvenient. It causes huge confusion among voters and, I assume, elected Members too; we rushed to find out the rules for the previous election whenever we were presented with questions on the doorsteps. One of the greatest strengths of our democracy is the speed and expertise with which our elections are arranged. However, real life is rarely so easy to plan. Proxy voting is an important and flexible arrangement that enables hundreds of thousands of citizens to exercise their right to vote. I add my thanks to the returning officers, electoral teams and police, who are essential to safeguarding the democratic process in our communities. The process of registering a proxy vote ought to be consistent for voters, so that registering for a proxy vote in the July 2024 general election is no different from registering for one in the Holyrood elections in May 2026 or the Scottish local elections in May 2027. If we are keen to increase democratic participation, as I believe all hon. Members present are, we must ensure consistent and comprehensive registration processes. We value our elections, but when we fail to digitise or make registration for proxy votes more accessible, we create unnecessary differences that confuse voters and act as a barrier to participation. To put it simply, the law in Scotland for one election should match the law in Scotland for all elections. The people who rely on proxy voting the most are young people, students and those with disabilities. The young are part of a digital generation whose university applications and rental contracts are digital, but they cannot arrange a proxy vote for a local or devolved election digitally. However, young people increasingly live further from home in temporary accommodation for study before returning to their family homes. However, young people increasingly live further from home in temporary accommodation for study before returning to their family homes. Students from my constituency who are temporarily living away and who registered online for a proxy or postal vote in the general election cannot do the same for the upcoming Scottish elections. I want to add my full support for my hon. Friend, and I thank everyone, certainly on the Government Benches and hopefully in the Opposition too, for their support in making it easier for everyone to access our democratic processes.

• 17 Jan 2025 · New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill · Hansard source

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  This point has been made a few times, but it is almost as if there is a tension between protecting our natural environment and making progress on renewable energy sources. It is not a choice between the two; one is central to the other. As a former councillor, I know that it is vital that community voices are heard in this. If there is one thing that upsets local communities, it is when they are not involved in conversations on matters that directly impact them and the areas they live in. Does my hon. Friend agree?

• 16 Jan 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  In March last year, Members discussed the need for improved personal protective equipment for women, an issue brought forward during the pandemic. Arco Professional Safety Services, which has a safety training centre in my constituency, recognised the need and told me during a recent visit that it is trialling women’s sizes as standard. Will the Leader of the House allocate Government time to debate legislating for the mandatory provision of women-specific and inclusive PPE?

• 16 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

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  4. What assessment the Commissioners have made of the effectiveness of the listed places of worship grant scheme.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

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  The construction of St Michael’s church in Linlithgow began in 1424, and it is a significant centre of worship in the newly formed parish of Linlithgow and Avon Valley. As a category A listed site, it has benefited greatly from the listed places of worship grant scheme over the years. Can my hon. Friend advise what engagement the commissioners have had with representatives of Churches in Scotland on the importance and effectiveness of the scheme?

• 15 Jan 2025 · Endometriosis: Women in the Workplace · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for securing this critical debate. With an average of eight-plus years for a diagnosis, does she agree that employers must build a more supportive and flexible approach that embeds policies to help women, such the endo-friendly employers scheme? Will she join me in thanking campaigners such as the Endo Warriors West Lothian for their tireless awareness-raising efforts?

• 15 Jan 2025 · Endometriosis: Women in the Workplace · Hansard source

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  Will my hon. Friend give way?

• 15 Jan 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  Q7. Dental deserts mean that routine dental check-ups and treatment are often unavailable in local communities. In my constituency, we have had a dedicated space for a dental practice in the Blackburn partnership centre since 2018, but NHS Lothian has been unable to secure a dental practice. What steps will the Prime Minister take to work with devolved Governments to improve access to local NHS dentists across the UK?

• 9 Jan 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The Museum of Scottish Railways in my constituency, at the site of the Bo’ness and Kinneil railway and operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, is Scotland’s largest railway museum. It is playing a key part in the celebrations marking 200 years of modern railways, in recognition of its importance in preserving heritage and attracting over 60,000 visitors every year. Will the Leader of the House grant time for a debate on supporting and celebrating heritage railways?

• 9 Jan 2025 · Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Jeremy. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich North (Alice Macdonald) on securing this critical and timely debate, and also everyone who has contributed. It has been incredibly moving to hear the very personal accounts of what people have viewed and witnessed. Hon. Members have spoken powerfully about the brutal rape of women in Ukraine and the abomination of the kidnap of children. We heard from my hon. Friend about the attempts by the Taliban to extinguish any and all joy from the life of Afghan women—in fact, to extinguish the women full stop. As we have heard, in war zones across the globe the existing inequalities that women and girls face on a daily basis in peacetime are magnified. They are making them more vulnerable to violence, exploitation, displacement and insecurity. That vulnerability is not inevitable; it is the result of deep-seated gender inequalities that shape societies. It is our responsibility to challenge and dismantle these structures, especially in times of crisis. Conflict amplifies the risks that women and girls endure. We know from organisations such as ActionAid and Plan International that wars lead to surges in intimate partner violence, limited access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, and heightened caregiving burdens for women due to conscription and displacement. Again, these impacts are structural, not incidental, and they exacerbate inequalities that persist long after conflict ends. Despite bearing the brunt of these hardships, women are often excluded from the processes that shape their futures. From humanitarian relief efforts to peacebuilding negotiations, women’s voices are ignored, expertise undervalued, and leadership opportunities denied. That marginalisation is not only unjust but counterproductive. There are women-led local organisations that possess invaluable insights into the needs of their communities and are best positioned to deliver targeted and effective solutions, yet they are underfunded and under-represented in international efforts. These organisations ensure that humanitarian responses address the specific needs of women and girls, providing lifesaving supplies and essential services such as mental health support, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and psychosocial aids. By centring women’s leadership, we can not only address immediate needs, but catalyse long-term equitable change. We have heard some stark examples of the gendered impact of conflict on specific areas. As my hon. Friend the Member for Washington and Gateshead South (Mrs Hodgson) mentioned, rape was used as a tool of terrorism on October 7. That was compounded by so many people who knew better ignoring and downplaying those atrocities, adding yet another injustice to the women who suffered. In Gaza, nearly 50 mothers and their children are killed every single day according to UN Women. Displaced Palestinian women are facing extreme emotional tolls, increased risk of gender-based violence and lack of access to essential healthcare. I have three children. I cannot imagine waking up every morning with the same horrors unfolding every single day, unable to protect my children, give them shelter, water or food, and take care of their basic health needs. They have to play this out every single day and night. [Mr Clive Betts in the Chair ] As my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow West (Patricia Ferguson) mentioned, the World Health Organisation reports that 183 women give birth daily in Gaza, with many undergoing caesareans without any anaesthesia due to restrictions in medical supplies. This place has also heard testimony from medical professionals volunteering in Gaza, who are operating under the most horrific conditions without the most basic medical supplies they need. We also heard about women in Myanmar who are facing brutal oppression, including sexual violence and intimate partner violence. The military targets women activists and peacebuilders, economic instability and food insecurity have led to a rise in early marriages, and the displacement of nearly 3 million people has left women and girls at heightened risk of abuse. Despite those challenges, women are systematically excluded from political and peace negotiation spaces. Talking about those injustices and brutalities, and hearing about the horrors that are taking place all over the world, can really lead us to a place of despair, but we must have hope. We are not just bystanders watching; we have a part to play. The UK must take bold and consistent action to address those injustices. As a signatory to the grand bargain 2.0, the UK has committed to directing 25% of humanitarian funding to local actors, including women’s rights organisations, yet in 2021, only 0.2% of UK humanitarian funding went to those groups. That is not acceptable. We must consider ringfencing funds for women’s rights organisations within our humanitarian spending. A lot of what I wanted to say has been covered, but I will say that, in addressing those challenges, we need a coherent approach to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and humanitarian aid. All UK-funded programmes must incorporate gender analysis and centre the voices of women and girls at every single stage, from policy design to implementation and evaluation. It is not only a moral imperative but a strategic one. As hon. Members have said, evidence shows that when women are involved in peacebuilding, agreements are more durable, communities are more resilient and outcomes are more equitable. The UK Government must continue to be vocal and definitive in their support for international law and their condemnation of all violation and abuses, particularly those against women and children. All of us across the House are incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to serve our constituents, but our collective power, influence and voice stretches far beyond these isles. None of us knows how long we will serve in this place, but each of us must make our time here count. We have to lead with integrity, compassion and determination to support, protect and amplify women’s voices and their rights here and across the world.

• 8 Jan 2025 · Scotland: Transport Links · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Lewell-Buck. I thank the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont) for securing this important debate, not least because it provides an opportunity for me to talk about the challenges facing my constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow. Although this debate is focused on transport links between Scotland and the rest of the UK, it would be remiss to ignore the challenges facing smaller rural communities—and, yes, we do have them in the central belt—that rely on local transport links for people to make their way to Edinburgh or Glasgow for onward travel to elsewhere in the UK. A prime example of the challenges is Winchburgh, one of the fastest growing villages in Scotland, which will soon be a town. However, the residents cannot even get a train to Edinburgh, never mind across the border to England. Many families moved there in the full expectation of regular and reliable transport, but there has been no such ambition from the Scottish Government. Since 2012, there has been a question over how a station will be funded, after Transport Scotland prevented West Lothian council from making delivery of the station a condition of planning consent. Changes have already been made on the main line Glasgow-Edinburgh timetable for a stop in Winchburgh, so the train could stop there—but there is no station to stop at. That means people have to take almost an hour on the bus or they jump into their cars to get there. Although there has been recent progress, it has been far too slow. Scottish Government Ministers must prioritise that station and ensure its delivery. I take my hat off to the villagers who have campaigned tirelessly for years to keep this issue in the public spotlight. It must be a thorn in their sides to watch the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop—their constituency MSP—open stations and train lines across the country while they continue to fight for a station in Winchburgh. Now we hear of another challenge facing railway users: ScotRail’s plans to reduce ticket office hours at 54 stations, including Linlithgow. The proposals raise serious concerns, particularly around safety and accessibility for passengers. Many women have expressed a preference for well-staffed stations, where they feel safer. The reduction in hours, particularly in the evening, risks exacerbating safety concerns. In addition, the proposed cuts undermine efforts to ensure accessibility for disabled passengers, many of whom rely on assistance provided by station staff. On top of that, there are rising rail fares, with a recent hike of 8.7%. That continues to make public transport less accessible and affordable for many. While railways face all those challenges, local communities are further impacted by significant reductions in bus services—of 44% since the SNP took over in 2007. Buses are often treated as the poor relation to trains when it comes to investment from the Scottish Government, but they are a vital way to keep local communities connected, linking people to train services and airports. This lack of joined-up, strategic thinking by the Scottish Government is having a significant impact. This is all set against the backdrop of the climate crisis, where we aim for people to make a shift from their cars to public transport. That cannot happen if the infrastructure and services are not there for them to make that choice in the first place. We must look at other parts of the UK where things are working well, like the Bee Network in Manchester. Let us work together and use best practice to ensure that the whole UK can remain connected in an affordable and flexible way.

• 6 Jan 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T6. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the historic contributions of women in wartime are recognised? I am thinking particularly of those who worked in munitions factories, including the Linlithgow munitionettes.

• 6 Jan 2025 · Support for Veterans · Hansard source

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  23. What steps he is taking to improve support for veterans.

• 6 Jan 2025 · Support for Veterans · Hansard source

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  As a former councillor, I know that many veterans can find themselves at a disadvantage when trying to access services, including social housing. Veterans face housing challenges not only in Bathgate and Linlithgow, but across the country. With many Scottish councils and indeed the Scottish Government having declared a housing emergency, will the Minister advise the House what engagement he has had with the Scottish Government to ensure that the housing needs of veterans are prioritised?

• 16 Dec 2024 · Israel and Palestine · Hansard source

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  With medics working in intolerable conditions, witnessing unimaginable horrors and without the very basics to treat civilian casualties, does my hon. Friend agree that safe and secure routes to allow medical aid into Gaza must be prioritised immediately, without delay?

• 3 Dec 2024 · Pimping Websites and Paying for Sex · Hansard source

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  I rise on the ninth day of the United Nations’ 16 days of activism against gender-based violence to present a petition on behalf of residents of the United Kingdom on commercial sexual exploitation. The minority of men who pay for sex are fuelling a brutal sex trafficking trade, aided by pimping websites that operate with impunity. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to outlaw pimping websites and paying for sex, and provide support, not sanctions, to victims of sexual exploitation. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [ The petition of residents of the United Kingdom, Declares that demand from the minority of men who pay for sex is driving the prostitution and sex trafficking trade, and this sexual exploitation is being facilitated by pimping websites that operate with impunity. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to outlaw pimping websites and paying for sex, and provide support, not sanctions, to victims of sexual exploitation. And the petitioners remain, etc. ] [P003025]

• 2 Dec 2024 · Bangladesh: Attacks on Hindu Community · Hansard source

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  Some of my constituents from the growing Indian community in Winchburgh are increasingly concerned about the accounts of horrific acts of violence towards the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Does the Minister agree that violence against Hindus, or any other religious minorities, is entirely unacceptable? What reassurance can she provide to my constituents that the UK Government are supporting all efforts to protect the freedom of religion and belief?

• 21 Nov 2024 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I also offer my condolences to the family of Lord Prescott. He was a true inspiration and example to those of us from ordinary working-class backgrounds. Following on from the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (Chris Murray), last week saw the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Bathgate, leaving the town with one remaining bank, the Bank of Scotland, which is due to close next June, along with the Bank of Scotland in Linlithgow. Across the UK, high streets and communities have been losing their bank branches. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on the steps being taken to ensure that communities and businesses are not being left behind?