Maureen Burke MP: speeches 2025

Speeches

• 24 Nov 2025 · Pride in Place Funding: Glasgow North East · Hansard source

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  My survey of Glasgow North East constituents shows that there is real excitement about the possibility of Pride in Place funding coming their way. From parks and shopfronts to local connectivity, I have been inundated with incredible ideas to transform our corner of Glasgow. Will the Minister commit to giving my constituency bid her full consideration, and will she visit Glasgow North East to see the difference that the investment could make?

• 24 Nov 2025 · Pride in Place Funding: Glasgow North East · Hansard source

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  5. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on Glasgow North East constituency.

• 4 Nov 2025 · Scotch Whisky Industry · Hansard source

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  7. What fiscal steps she is taking to help support the Scotch whisky industry.

• 4 Nov 2025 · Scotch Whisky Industry · Hansard source

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  Scotch whisky is one of Scotland’s greatest products, with high demand at home and across the globe, but many are worried about the challenges facing the industry. The Scotch Whisky Association is calling for a multi-year freeze on excise duty for spirits to relieve some of those pressures and to back the wider hospitality sector. Will the Minister join me, GMB Scotland and others by committing to freeze spirits duty in the Budget later this month?

• 22 Oct 2025 · Energy Prices · Hansard source

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  It is estimated that more than 70,000 households in Glasgow live in fuel poverty. The UK Government’s extension to the warm home discount will mean that many of those families receive money off their energy bills. Can the Secretary of State outline how people can access that support?

• 22 Oct 2025 · Devolution in Scotland · Hansard source

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  I do recognise the achievements of the Labour Government. [ Interruption. ] Can I carry on, please? When the SNP Government took power in 2007, they promised to eradicate child poverty, but child poverty rates are just as bad today as they were then. The inequality gap has widened in other areas, too. The gap in positive outcomes for school leavers from the most and the least deprived areas has grown. This is driven by a failure in our schools, where the attainment gap between the richest and the poorest pupils has also widened. A record 10,000 children, too many of whom are from my city of Glasgow, are trapped without a permanent home and are growing up in temporary accommodation as Scotland’s housing crisis deepens. One in six Scots are waiting on an NHS waiting list, with at least 100,000 waiting for over a year for treatment—disgusting! Compare that with how this Labour Government are bringing down waiting times in England. Against a backdrop of failure, next year’s Scottish Parliament elections are crucial to Scotland’s future. The year 2026 represents a chance to ensure that the next chapter of devolution is defined by delivery.

• 22 Oct 2025 · Devolution in Scotland · Hansard source

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  I welcome this debate and thank the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Jamie Stone) for securing it. I am acutely aware that this debate is not just an opportunity for reflection on the past, but a chance to look forward. Over the past two decades, the Scottish Parliament has grown, matured and become a symbol of Scottish life. Its importance and impact on the people of Scotland is just as relevant as the day-to-day activities in this place, and perhaps even more so. When it comes to policy on education, housing and the NHS—what people might consider bread-and-butter issues—decisions are now made in Edinburgh. When the Labour Government passed the Scotland Act 1998, it was an opportunity for us to tailor policy and solutions to Scotland, recognising its distinct identity and character, and bringing power closer to the people as part of our Union of nations. Devolution is one of my party’s greatest achievements, and I am pleased that this Government are working to renew the settlement. The success of devolution can be judged on two tests. The first is a technical test of its structure and principles. Devolution renews the UK constitution, rejecting an old, centralised model of politics that was and is unfit for a modern United Kingdom. On that first test, devolution has been an overwhelming success, but power for power’s sake is not enough. The second test is very simple: what has devolution delivered? The past 25 years must be judged on whether people in constituencies like mine feel that a positive and material difference has been made to their lives. There are many success stories from the last 25 years—stories that are an argument in favour of power being shared and spread out across the UK. We were the first UK nation to ban indoor smoking and the first country in the world to legislate for the right to access free period products, as already mentioned. But although there are successes, those holding devolved power have not always used it for good. I was a councillor in Glasgow before I took up my place in this House, and I witnessed how, year on year, the Scottish Government would centralise power and cut funding for local authorities. In this respect, resources were pulled up, not pushed down. To be clear, the outcome of the second test of delivery is not a failure of devolution, but a failure of the SNP in power.

• 22 Oct 2025 · Devolution in Scotland · Hansard source

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  I will carry on, if the hon. Member does not mind, as I have nearly finished. As I said at the start, the success of devolution can be judged on two tests. The first is about its structure and principles. I am pleased to say that devolution is now woven into the fabric of our nation, an achievement of which my party is very proud. However, on the second test—how devolved power has been exercised—I have concerns. That is why I am convinced that the only way to protect and enhance devolved power is for that power to be exercised by a Scottish Labour Government of vision and drive. The promise of devolution is the promise of a better Scotland, and I hope the people will vote for that next May.

• 16 Oct 2025 · Ada Lovelace Day · Hansard source

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  Will my hon. Friend join me in recognising the essential work of student-led groups such as the Women+ in Engineering group at the University of Strathclyde in my constituency? Its members champion and support each other in overcoming the considerable barriers to entry that still remain in the science, technology and engineering industries.

• 15 Sept 2025 · Employment Rights Bill · Hansard source

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  This Bill will make work fairer for thousands in my constituency. However, my constituents are worried that Conservative Members seek to water down this legislation. Can the Secretary of State confirm that the Government will resist their attempts and are committed to introducing the Bill in full?

• 11 Sept 2025 · Male Chick Culling · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this animal cruelty to the attention of the House. Considering the advances that have been made in determining the sex of chicks before they hatch, does she agree that there is absolutely no excuse for commercial egg producers to be routinely culling animals on such a massive scale?

• 4 Sept 2025 · Future of Terrestrial Television · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I would like to thank the right hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell) for the opportunity to speak today about a matter of growing concern: the potential future switch-off of digital television broadcasting and what it means for millions of our citizens. In an era of rapid change, it is easy to focus on innovation and overlook the basic systems that still serve as lifelines for many. Traditional scheduled TV is one of those systems. It is not flashy or new, but for a significant portion of our population it is essential. Digital broadcasting represents a lifeline of connectivity and inclusion, particularly for older and poorer individuals. These are often the people who do not have access to the latest smart devices or high-speed internet, or who may not feel comfortable navigating streaming platforms, apps or digital menus. For many older people, especially those living alone, the television is not just entertainment; it is a companion. It is a reliable, familiar voice in the room, a source of news, information and even reassurance. It gives them access to the world outside their four walls, and that connection is something we should never take for granted. Data from the regulator predicts that up to 5% of the population may still be reliant on linear digital television into the 2030s, and I am certain that those people are likely to be the oldest and poorest in their communities. They may not be well represented in debates about media policy or digital inclusion, but they are in the millions, and they matter. Many of those people live on limited incomes and cannot afford the devices, subscriptions and connectivity required for digital-only media. If we allow linear broadcasting to be switched off entirely in the 2030s, we risk creating a digital divide. We risk isolating those already most vulnerable to loneliness. We risk cutting people off from national news, emergency broadcasts, cultural programming and the simple companionship of shared live viewing experiences. I understand the pressures from mobile operators to release parts of the digital spectrum that are currently reserved for TV broadcasting. To them, I say that digital transformation should never come at the cost of social inclusion. We must ensure that progress is inclusive, that innovation serves everyone and that we do not leave behind those who built the very society we now take for granted. We must also consider the potential cost to consumers of such a switch-off. Many households will already be keenly aware of how the costs of multiple online streaming subscriptions can mount up. Our technology must change with the times, but we must ensure that no household is left behind in this process, and that changes to these vital services do not lead to a fragmented system of individual subscriptions to access each and every national broadcaster. I call on the Government and broadcasters to resist pressure from mobile operators and the cost savings that an early switch-off might provide to broadcasters. For the time being, we must maintain linear digital broadcasting to ensure that nobody is left behind in the technological revolution we are all living through.

• 3 Sept 2025 · Duty of Candour for Public Authorities and Legal Representation for Bereaved Families · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool West Derby (Ian Byrne) for securing this timely and important debate. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on grief support and the impact of death on society, I approach this issue through the lens of what bereavement means for families, communities and society as a whole. The Hillsborough disaster, Grenfell and the infected blood scandal all exposed what happens when the bereaved are met with defensiveness instead of candour and support. The proposed Hillsborough law is therefore about much more than legal mechanics; it is about whether families can begin to process grief, secure in the knowledge that they have been told the truth and given a fair voice in the proceedings. An inquest conducted in a spirit of candour can provide a form of closure. It cannot bring back loved ones, but it can help to answer the haunting questions of what happened and why—questions that, if left unresolved, prolong grief and deepen trauma. No legislation can make amends for the terrible treatment that the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster endured at the hands of our public authorities, but a duty of candour can seek to ensure that such treatment is never repeated. If we truly want a culture of candour, we must see it not only as an obligation to tell the truth, but as a duty to work alongside the bereaved to give them closure where possible and to signpost them to the help they need. That is the legacy that the Hillsborough families have called for. It is the least that a compassionate state should provide.

• 16 Jul 2025 · Credit Unions · Hansard source

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  It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch (Katrina Murray) for securing this important debate. I am delighted to join colleagues to speak about the essential and valuable role that credit unions play for many of my constituents in Glasgow North East. Across Britain, non-profit credit unions provide financial services to their members, but they are much more than just financial institutions; they are community pillars. Historically associated with increasing access to banking facilities and supporting those who are excluded from other financial institutions, credit unions continue to adopt a community-first approach to the services they provide. Multiple credit unions are accessed by my constituents, including New Easterhouse, Ruchill and Carntyne credit unions. All those unions have shown time and again how valuable they are. They provide affordable loans and savings options to families and individuals who might otherwise face challenges in accessing mainstream banking. They help individuals gain confidence in managing their money, building savings and accessing credit, often on much fairer terms than banks. However, this is not just about money; credit unions are about dignity, empowerment and opportunity. One thing they are known for is loans. For many, they are a safe, ethical and affordable alternative to high-interest payday lenders and loan sharks. I know from stories that constituents have shared with me how those types of loans prey on poorer members of society and trap vulnerable people in a cycle of debt. Credit unions, on the other hand, operate on a simple but powerful principle: they are owned by and exist for their members. In the case of loans, that results in annual percentage rates being capped at fairer rates compared with the alternative. More generally, it means that every pound saved or borrowed stays within the community, helping people manage their money and improve their lives. It is unsurprising that the number of credit union members has grown in the last decade. With that said, the sector is still much smaller than in countries such as Ireland, the USA and Canada. That presents an exciting opportunity for it to grow. It is by listening to voices in the sector that we can understand what can and should be done to support growth efforts. I am supportive of the Association of British Credit Unions’ call to expand the common bond requirement so that more people can be served by a credit union. I am also interested to hear the Minister’s thoughts on the potential benefits of legislating for auto-enrolment payroll savings, which could be a great source of empowerment for people. Credit unions are a force for good in our society. We should work with them to unlock financial opportunities for our constituents. Ultimately, supporting credit unions is about supporting people. I hope that together we can ensure that the credit unions in Glasgow North East and across the UK continue to be a beacon of hope and fairness for all our communities.

• 16 Jul 2025 · Adults at risk due to gambling addiction · Hansard source

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  I rise to present this petition on behalf of the family of Marc Spalding. Like too many families, their lives have been devastated as a consequence of the harm caused by gambling addiction. I am incredibly moved that through their pain, Marc’s mother and sister are advocating for others who may be experiencing a similar situation. Currently, families are not empowered to raise concerns with the appropriate authorities on behalf of a loved one struggling with a gambling addiction. This lack of agency often leaves them feeling helpless. This petition, in addition to one that received 3,280 signatures, calls for legislative reform to strengthen the rights of family members in these circumstances. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure NHS and local authority advocacy services allow for families to advocate for their ‘at risk’ adult members and improve GP training in the area of gambling addiction utilising the proposed gambling operator levy. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of the family of Marc Spalding, Declares that legislation should be strengthened to allow family members to advocate for ‘at risk’ adults who pose a risk to their own health and safety through gambling addition with GPs and local authorities where existing advocacy services do not currently apply; furthermore the training for GPs and other agencies around identifying the signs of gambling addiction and understanding the appropriate referral routes should be enhanced using the proposed gambling operator levy. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure NHS and local authority advocacy services allow for families to advocate for their ‘at risk’ adult members and improve GP training in the area of gambling addiction utilising the proposed gambling operator levy. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003096]

• 20 Jun 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · Hansard source

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  This House has heard many personal stories over the course of the Bill. Seeing a loved one die a long, protracted death is not an experience that I would wish on anybody, but once it has happened to you, the memory never fades. There are many important technical, legal and medical aspects of the Bill that are essential to ensure that it operates in the safest way possible, but supporting the principle of personal agency over a dignified death comes from the heart and from the personal experiences of each and every one of us. I am aware that the Scottish Parliament has its own legislation in progress on this very difficult issue, but I wish to share my own story with the House to help in the decision that it must take. My brother David was 52 years old when he arrived at work one day and the manager on the shop floor told him that he looked pale. He had worked a tough, physical job for 30 years and was a strong, full-of-life man. His manager was so concerned at David’s pallor that he took him straight to the hospital. After two weeks in hospital, he was given the devastating diagnosis of an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer. Over the next 18 months, David tried everything he could to stay alive. However, after an unsuccessful operation to try and remove the cancer, and taking part in trials for new drugs, he slowly began to lose mobility. The last few months of his life were lived at home in a hospital bed. The strength and resilience of his wife, Jackie, to take care of him day in, day out remains an inspiration to me. As David’s health declined, his painkillers were increased further and further. His painkillers became so strong that he could no longer speak, and we did not know if he could hear us. His body became skeletal and his speech gradually disappeared. In one of the last times when he still was able to speak, he called out to me from his bed and told me that if there was a pill that he could take to end his life, he would very much like to take it. David would suffer in silent pain for a further three weeks. He could never have known that I would ever have the opportunity to stand in this place and ask colleagues to make sure that others do not go through what he went through. I have done right by my brother by speaking here today. What David needed was a humane, safe and trusting process available to him at home that would give him agency over his last weeks and months. That is what this Bill offers. That is the choice that this House is finally today in a position to give to those suffering from a terminal illness, and I commend the Bill to the House.

• 19 Jun 2025 · Social Mobility: Careers Education · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger) for securing the debate. The topic of the debate is very close to my heart. I went straight from school, aged 15, to working in a factory. There was never any suggestion that I could do something different; it was just, “Go out and get a job.” There was no encouragement to look further afield, and there were no resources to find and develop an interest in an alternative career path or vocation. As a 15-year-old girl, I would have benefited so much from careers education in my school. At the age of 40, I went back to school, so to speak, taking a six-month course in IT at John Wheatley College in Glasgow. Not only did that transform my CV and career opportunities, but it transformed my confidence. I discovered that it was not too late to try something new. In that sense, it was the most important piece of career education I ever received. I ended up waiting 25 years until I could consider another career option, to start a different life with a brighter future. That underlines the importance of careers education at an early age to change lives for the better. It also shows that high-quality careers education can be instrumental in transforming opportunities at every stage of life. Responsibility for careers education in schools and colleges in Glasgow North East falls to the Scottish Government, so I will keep my remarks brief, but one area where we can see clear failure in careers education in Scotland is the housing sector. Data from the Chartered Institute of Building shows that three quarters of Scottish children have a positive view of a career in construction, but we are not seeing that translate into more of our young people beginning careers in bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing or any of the associated trades in the building industry. That points to a clear issue at the careers education stage, where the enthusiasm and interests of our young people in this and many other sectors are not being adequately harnessed. They are well-paying jobs offering children a route out of poverty, which should be signposted through good careers advice. The failure is part of a much wider and very concerning decline in the quality of schooling in Scotland. Our schools are the driver of social mobility, and yet last year, nearly 24,000 young people—42% of pupils—left school without a single higher or equivalent. That shameful failure in our schools is holding back Scotland and our young people, especially in my constituency.

• 16 Jun 2025 · Animal Experiments: Medical Research · Hansard source

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  I recently met researchers at Glasgow University who are working to develop animal-free research methods. They told me that one challenge they face is a lack of dedicated funding. Does my hon. Friend agree that if we are to transition to more humane testing, the Government must consider making more research funding available?

• 12 Jun 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Glasgow City football club in my constituency recently won 2-0 against Hearts, securing the team a place in the UEFA women’s champions league. I was delighted to be at that game cheering the team on. It is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work of the team on and off the pitch, spearheaded by club co-founder and chief executive Laura Montgomery. Will the Leader of the House join me in wishing Glasgow City the best of luck for their European campaign, and will she consider a debate in Government time on the importance of supporting grassroots women’s football?

• 12 Jun 2025 · Covid: Fifth Anniversary · Hansard source

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  Does my hon. Friend share my concern for the children in all our constituencies who, after losing nearly two years of face-to-face schooling, are still suffering set-backs in their learning and their social skills? Will he join me in calling on the Government to channel investment into those who were at school during those years of disruption, to ensure that there is not a lost generation in this country?

• 11 Jun 2025 · Child Poverty and No Recourse to Public Funds · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Hallam (Olivia Blake) for securing today’s debate. It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. For any child in modern Britain to grow up in poverty is inexcusable. We must consider the impact that the no recourse to public funds regime has on child poverty across the UK. According to stats from Action for Children, 7,772 children in Glasgow North East are growing up in poverty. That translates to 11 children in every class of 30 growing up in families that cannot afford the basics: heating, food, clothes and even personal hygiene products. That is a matter of national shame, and I think we all feel the same about that. Of those children, some will be living with no recourse to public funds. As the NRPF partnership points out, the sheer number is unpredictable because the data is not available—we simply do not know. However, we do know that NRPF conditions will bring any child closer to, or further into, a life of deprivation and poverty. Like other colleagues, I hope the Government will consider redesignating child benefit so that it falls outside the NRPF policy. I, too, hope that the upcoming child poverty strategy will include detailed consideration of the conditions in which refugee and asylum-seeking children live. We must ensure that the children of families fleeing persecution, who often wait many months for a decision on their asylum application due to the backlog created by the previous Government, do not fall through the net of basic support on which any child living in the UK should be able to rely. Our aim, as a Government, must be to root out poverty everywhere and in every family.

• 7 May 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  Q14. As a result of a relationship breakdown, my constituent Martin and his three children ended up homeless. They have gone from living in a hotel to temporary accommodation. Martin feels abandoned because Glasgow city council has not been in contact for months. The months of uncertainty have disrupted all their lives, but Martin is especially worried about the impact on his children’s education. Like any father, he wants stability for his family, but the lack of social housing means they are stuck in complete limbo. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that every child, no matter where they live, deserves a safe home and access to a good education, and that in every part of the UK we need to build more social housing in order to end homelessness?

• 6 May 2025 · Poverty: Glasgow North East · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered poverty in Glasgow North East constituency. It is a privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Butler. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this most serious of subjects. I rise to speak not only as a Member of Parliament for Glasgow North East, but as someone who knows what poverty looks like up close. I grew up in Easterhouse, one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow. I left school at the age of 15 when both my parents were diagnosed with tuberculosis. I joined my siblings to help provide for our family, doing what we had to do to survive, like so many in our communities still do today. It is that experience that drives me now, recognising that behind every stat about poverty, there are people—families, children and friends—facing impossible choices. Fighting for them is the sole reason I am an MP. The idea for this debate was born a number of months ago, when I discovered data from Health Equals, which revealed that my constituency of Glasgow North East has the lowest life expectancy of any UK parliamentary constituency. The truth is that although those figures are shocking, they are sadly not surprising. In Glasgow North East, wages are lower, and the percentage of people with a disability is higher, than the Scottish and UK averages. Deaths from preventable health conditions such as coronary heart disease are higher than compared with Scotland as a whole. Tragically, nearly 38% of children in my constituency live in poverty. As Health Equals tells us, deep inequality between the poorest and the richest cuts lives short. In the UK, one of the richest countries in the world, people are dying because they are poor. When we think about poverty, we need to think of it in context. Glasgow North East having the UK’s lowest life expectancy does not happen by accident, and can be changed only through progressive Government action. For too many years, people in my constituency have operated under a system that has allowed inequality to fester. Opportunities and wealth have been unevenly distributed, and public services have failed people time and again. The last Labour Government made the eradication of poverty a national mission. Families the length and breadth of the UK felt the benefit of that determination, but after a decade of Tory austerity and nearly two decades of SNP neglect in Scotland, that progress has been reversed and the living conditions of far too many are reminiscent of days we thought had been consigned to history. The Britain that this Labour Government inherited was broken. It was a Britain whose leadership had tolerated the intolerable as more people slid into destitution. That cannot be fixed overnight, but it cannot be allowed to continue either. The Trussell Trust tells us that 3.1 million food parcels were handed out across the UK between 2023 and 2024—262,000 in Scotland and 5,846 in Glasgow North East. Sadly, tonight 10,000 children in Scotland will go to sleep in temporary accommodation—a number that has risen every single year in the past decade, bar a slight decrease during the pandemic—and one in six Scots will continue their agonising wait for NHS treatment. This is a wealthy country, but its people are poor. The real lived experiences of people should always be at the centre of debates such as this one, because I believe that they make the most powerful case for change. In the Stobhill area of my constituency, there is a Marie Curie hospice. I am in absolute awe of the work done by Marie Curie to treat people in the final stages of their life with compassion and dignity. However, the staff working at the hospice will openly say that far too many of the people who come through their doors should have more time to live. That is not a hopeful attempt to comfort grieving families, although I am sure it does that too. Rather, it is a reflection of the direct effects that poverty has on people’s living standards. Funded by UK Research and Innovation, Marie Curie and the University of Glasgow conducted a research project that was titled, “Dying in the Margins”. This research showed that one in four working-age people with a terminal illness in Scotland dies in poverty. That challenges the idea that terminal illness is an equaliser of social classes, recognising instead that it actually worsens inequality. In addition, there is a 24-year gap in healthy life expectancy between the most deprived communities and the least deprived communities. When faced with a diagnosis of a terminal illness, poorer people are forced into making difficult choices or find themselves suffering hardship because of the associated costs. It is, as one participant in the research noted, a “double burden”. Let us take, for example, Max. He is a 65-year-old gentleman who really wanted to spend his last days in his community and—importantly—with his dog, Lily. On one occasion, despite being in serious pain, Max even fled the hospice to be reunited with Lily, but his home was unsuitable for someone in his condition. He lived in a fourth-floor flat and could not climb into his bath. Sadly, the housing association failed to carry out adaptations to his home and so, in the final days of his life, Max was forced back into the hospice. He died, with his wish of dying in the comfort of his own home and with his beloved companion Lily by his side unrealised. We cannot change Max’s experience, but we can take action to ensure that we treat people who are in similar situations with greater respect and dignity. Poverty can strike at any point, suddenly disrupting lives. That is what happened to my constituent Martin. He was a working homeowner who, because of a relationship breakdown, found himself homeless with three children, one of whom has additional support needs. Martin had to leave his job to care for his children during this traumatic period. Glasgow city council placed the family in a hotel, where Martin and his three children had to pack up and move rooms each night. Although Martin tried to keep his children in a routine and in school during this time, their school attendance suffered and their situation has obviously affected their education. Martin remains in temporary accommodation that is unsuitable for his family. He has been trying to find permanent accommodation since November, but the social housing stock is just not available. Martin wants to work and provide for his family, but he is not receiving the housing support he needs to get him to that point. In short, poverty has put his family’s lives on hold. That is why, when I think of poverty, I think of it as theft. It steals potential and robs opportunity. It denies the world of the brilliance, warmth and talent of so many who may never be seen or heard. Our duty, surely, is to do all we can to make better the lives of people we may never know or ever meet. I am encouraged by the work already being undertaken by the Government to do just that. The Government are legislating to ensure that work can be a genuine route out of poverty, as well as the realisation of a stable and enjoyable life. Our Employment Rights Bill delivers fairer working conditions, stronger rights and improved pay for millions. These are the steps that show our values: that work should offer dignity and security, not trap people in in-work poverty. More recently, the “Pathways to Work” paper outlines additional steps through reforms to the welfare system. I welcome, for example, the scrapping of the work capability assessment, which many charities described as dehumanising and distressing. I also welcome the commitment to reduce assessments for people with longer term health conditions. It would be remiss of me, however, not to acknowledge concerns about other aspects of the proposals, and I hope to hear answers from the Minister today. Can the Government ensure that people receiving end-of-life care will not lose access to their benefits as a result of the plans? Can the Minister set out how new employment support programmes will be delivered in a way that is supportive and empowering, rather than patronising and disparaging? Can the Minister confirm that the Government recognise that for some people work simply is not possible, and that they should continue to receive financial support and assistance? I ask those questions because I recognise that our welfare system is failing people. I support the efforts to fix it, but reform cannot mean regression. Let us also remember that so much of the responsibility for welfare provision lies with the Scottish Government. They hold powers, so they must bear responsibility. My constituents are waiting too long for support, with the majority of adult disability payment applications taking four months to process. In 2023, shockingly, 116 people died while waiting for the outcome of their application. I will hold the UK Government to account, but I expect the Scottish Government to do more than posture on this issue, which I am afraid has been the extent of their contribution so far. When my time as an MP ends, I want to be judged on the following questions. Did I make life better for the people in my community who had the least? Was I part of a Government who worked tirelessly to root out the causes of poverty and low life expectancy? Are people living better lives now than they were under the previous Government? We can be the Parliament that ends the era of excuses, and we can be the country that declares poverty not inevitable but unacceptable.

• 6 May 2025 · Poverty: Glasgow North East · Hansard source

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  I will have to talk quickly. I thank the Minister for her speech. I put on the record that the Springburn jobcentre is doing an amazing job at getting people into work; I was blown away by what they are doing, and wanted to state that here today. I thank all Members for their contributions; it has been a very good debate. We are here because we care for our constituents. On a more personal note, I have to say that people are, and will be, dying sooner than they should. My sister died in her 30s, leaving her 10-year-old girl behind. My brother died in his early 50s with pancreatic cancer. My mum died of a heart attack. I know what it is to lose people, and it is all because of where they lived and what shaped their life. Was it their fate being where they were—where we were brought up? There is lots more that I wanted to say, but I obviously do not have time. This has been a great debate. I am here for my constituents, and for the loss that I felt that I do not want anybody else to feel going forward. I thank the Minister for being here and I thank everybody for their contributions. Thank you, Ms Butler, for giving me this opportunity. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered poverty in Glasgow North East constituency.

• 27 Mar 2025 · Promoting Active Travel · Hansard source

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  Earlier this week, I was delighted to welcome St Paul’s Youth Forum from my constituency to Parliament. It does amazing work to provide opportunities to young people, no matter their background. One example of its work is the On Bikes scheme, which helps young people stay active by offering repairs and bike loans. Will the Minister join me in celebrating the fantastic work of St Paul’s Youth Forum, and will he consider visiting to see its community work in action?