Rachel Hopkins MP: speeches 2025

Speeches

• 18 Dec 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  In Luton, the brilliant NOAH charity—New Opportunities and Horizons—is working to support those who are homeless or rough-sleeping, with food, meals, laundry and shower facilities 365 days a year. It will be a lifeline for many over the festive period, so will the Leader of the House join me in thanking all at NOAH, and indeed the volunteers and charities everywhere supporting those who are homeless and in need, particularly over the Christmas period?

• 18 Dec 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Last week I visited Ball Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of sustainable aluminium packaging, at its head office in my constituency. What steps is the Department taking to improve recycling of prime aluminium in the form of cans in the UK, to help support jobs in the UK’s circular economy?

• 18 Dec 2025 · Christmas Adjournment · Hansard source

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  It is always a privilege to represent my home town as an MP, so I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on some highlights from 2025. As ever, I was lucky enough to attend some wonderful local events across Luton South and South Bedfordshire, celebrating our local communities and the mix of diverse and vibrant cultures in our area. As I do every year, I celebrated St Patrick’s day with the Luton Irish Forum, which had its 26th annual festival and parade—and of course the after-party, which was great craic. I was also glad to join the 1Eid festival and Desi Fest Luton in Wardown Park, as well as the Luton Turkish association’s annual TurkFest in Stockwood Park. At Luton town hall, we marked Ghana’s 68th Independence Day and our annual Windrush Day. I was delighted to join the Luton Sri Lankan Welfare Association for its Tamil new year and Vesak celebrations in High Town. I visited the Guru Nanak gurdwara and the Shri Guru Ravidass sangat to mark important religious events, I attended the Holy Ghost Catholic church’s diamond jubilee anniversary, and I was warmly welcomed at my local mandir on Crescent Road for its Diwali and new year celebrations. And all that is before we get to the villages in south Bedfordshire! I was glad to attend Kensworth and Studham’s village fairs, celebrate St George’s day fun at the Heathfield centre in Caddington, join Appledown dog rescue and kennels for its dog show and fête in Eaton Bray, and go to the fabulous Greek festival at St Charalambos church in East Hyde. These events are a beautiful and perfect representation of everything that Luton South and South Bedfordshire is about: coming together, regardless of religion, culture or background, to celebrate and uplift each other. But this year, unfortunately, we have seen a devastating increase in overt antisemitism, racism and Islamophobia. That is why it is more important than ever that people in my constituency stand united and make it clear that we are one town of many voices and one constituency of many cultures, and that our diverse communities only make us stronger and more compassionate. I appreciate Luton council’s work to make it clear that there is no place for hate in our town. I also pay tribute to the work of our local faith and civic organisations, including Luton Council of Faiths, to drive that message forward. Looking ahead, next year will mark 150 years of Luton as a borough, reminding us more than ever of the importance of local democracy and civic participation. As part of UK Parliament Week, I was delighted to visit the 5th Stopsley Guides, St Margaret’s Catholic primary school and Foxdell primary school to answer many questions about my role as their MP. I enjoyed meeting River Bank primary and Totternhoe Church of England academy on their visit to Parliament. I wish the whole House, all the staff and, of course, my fabulous team a very merry Christmas and all the best for next year.

• 18 Dec 2025 · Christmas Adjournment · Hansard source

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  Hear, hear!

• 17 Dec 2025 · Local Government Finance · Hansard source

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  May I warmly welcome the announcement today of the linking between local government funding and deprivation and need? That marks an end to the cuts and austerity brought in under the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition Government. Will the Minister outline how that will benefit the children and young people in my constituency and in Luton, who bore the brunt of Tory austerity?

• 10 Dec 2025 · “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity” Mission · Hansard source

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  Last week, I met the 93% Club to hear more about its vital work to address the impact of social class on young people’s career and life chances. I welcome our Labour Government’s steps to widen opportunities for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, such as the match funding for criminal barrister pupillages. What other action is this Labour Government taking to level the playing field, so that young people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and across the country, can access opportunities, regardless of their background?

• 10 Dec 2025 · “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity” Mission · Hansard source

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  2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality as part of the Government mission entitled “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity”.

• 10 Dec 2025 · Conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer · Hansard source

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  The Minister makes a point about the previous disastrous mini-Budget of September 2023. The shadow Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride), said at that time, “I welcome much in this statement. There is a great deal that will help millions of families and businesses up and down the country.” —[ Official Report , 23 September 2022; Vol. 719, c. 942.] Does the Minister agree that the reason the right hon. Member focused on process is that his judgment on policy is so poor?

• 3 Dec 2025 · Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor · Hansard source

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  I will happily give way to my hon. and young Friend.

• 3 Dec 2025 · Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for making a brilliant point about the contribution that further education colleges make to the agenda for skills, apprenticeships and ultimately good jobs for our young people. The delivery of East West Rail, improving connectivity with Oxford and Cambridge as world-class education and innovation hubs, will be vital in providing more opportunities for young people in my constituency for study, apprenticeships and jobs that previously would have been out of reach.

• 3 Dec 2025 · Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor · Hansard source

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  I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner) on securing this important debate. I welcome the Labour Government’s commitment to the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. After years of underfunding and neglect from the previous Conservative Government in constituencies such as mine, this investment will reap significant economic benefits for my constituency and the wider region, with the proposals forecast to contribute £78 billion to our economy by 2035. I also welcome the further £500 million investment package recently committed by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to deliver growth in the Oxford to Cambridge corridor and cement its status as a global innovation hub. Working people in my constituency will benefit from access to thousands of new jobs, improved regional connectivity and more opportunities. As has been mentioned, Luton is located at the heart of the golden triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge. My hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge and others have noted that the publicly owned London Luton airport is a key entity in ensuring economic growth in our region, contributing £1.8 billion to the UK economy each year and £830 million annually to Luton. The airport also has the most densely populated catchment area of any UK airport. It serves London, the midlands and the east of England, and is one of the best connected airports by rail and road. Its prime location will help to support the delivery of other regional projects, including the East West Rail line. It is one of the most significant transport projects and of course links into the proposals for the Universal UK theme park near Bedford in the constituency of the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Blake Stephenson), with Luton airport acting as a key driving factor in Universal’s decision to invest in Bedfordshire. There are also significant redevelopment and regeneration projects under way in Luton. The football club’s new stadium at Power Court, which will be based in the heart of our town centre, includes plans for a 25,000-capacity stadium, as well as an adjacent hotel, music venue and housing development. Work on the Stage development at the old Bute Street car park will also soon be under way; it will be a major mixed-use destination with nearly 300 flats alongside commercial units, a multi-purpose food and events venue and new public garden square. The delivery of the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor will be key in widening the reach and impact of redevelopment projects in Luton, drawing more footfall to our town as a hub for sporting and leisure events and contributing further to economic growth there. Crucially, Luton is a thriving and young town—in fact, the third youngest in the UK—

• 3 Dec 2025 · Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor · Hansard source

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  But was it “Look East (West)” or “Look East (East)”?

• 2 Dec 2025 · Criminal Court Reform · Hansard source

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  I welcome the news that the Government will match-fund criminal barrister pupillages, and I agree that there should be a focus on opening up a career at the criminal Bar to even more young people from across society and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. What additional plans does the Lord Chancellor have to make law a more accessible sector for young people from all backgrounds?

• 26 Nov 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  For years and years, rail fares have gone up and up, but that is set to change next year. Can the Prime Minister confirm that commuters in my constituency will see a saving of around £400 on their annual season ticket as a result of this Government freezing rail fares? Can he confirm that it is only possible because we have a Labour Government?

• 26 Nov 2025 · Engagements · Hansard source

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  Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 26 November.

• 24 Nov 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T6. This follows on from previous questions about the fair funding review. Luton has seen local services decimated, due to years of Conservative decisions, which stripped consideration of deprivation and need from the funding formula. Under a fairer funding system, Luton is set to gain. What can we expect to see from the formula in places like Luton, which suffered so badly under the Conservative Government?

• 24 Nov 2025 · Pride in Place Funding: Luton South and South Bedfordshire · Hansard source

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  I really welcome the £1.5 million Pride in Place impact funding awarded to Luton, and I have launched a survey with my hon. Friend the Member for Luton North (Sarah Owen) to find out what people want to see improved in our town. Does the Minister agree that local people’s voices must be at the heart of shaping the changes they want to see, and that this Labour Government are putting power and investment back in their hands?

• 24 Nov 2025 · Pride in Place Funding: Luton South and South Bedfordshire · Hansard source

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  7. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on the Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituency.

• 20 Nov 2025 · Ukraine: Forcible Removal of Children · Hansard source

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  Russia is enduring significant financial pressure as a result of its illegal war in Ukraine. Does the Minister share my view that we must impose maximum economic pressure on Russia in order to force Putin to the negotiating table?

• 13 Nov 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am pleased that so many nominations are rolling in for my fifth annual Luton South and South Bedfordshire small business awards. There are two weeks to go—keep nominating. Many of our small businesses are in the retail sector, and retail businesses make up 4.5% of our economy, but too many retail workers face terrible threats and abuse in the workplace. Will the Leader of the House join me in supporting the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers’ Respect for Shop Workers Week this week and its “Freedom from Fear” campaign to ensure that all retail workers feel safe at work?

• 13 Nov 2025 · Serious Fraud Office: Economic Crime · Hansard source

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  1. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Serious Fraud Office’s work in tackling serious economic crime.

• 13 Nov 2025 · Serious Fraud Office: Economic Crime · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Serious Fraud Office’s first use of an unexplained wealth order to return more than £1 million that had been stolen from the public. How will the Solicitor General support efforts to expand the use of unexplained wealth orders to target those criminals who have defrauded innocent victims?

• 13 Nov 2025 · Police Reform · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Minister’s announcement that she will abolish police and crime commissioners, which is the right move. That said, may I place on the record my thanks to John Tizard, our Bedfordshire PCC? He has always worked constructively with me, and I know he will continue to work constructively until 2028. May I press the Minister on the steps being taken to ensure a smooth transition from PCCs to mayor-led or council-led oversight, particularly in areas such as Luton South and South Bedfordshire, where we do not have elected mayors?

• 11 Nov 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T7. Meaningful activity and access to education in prison are key to supporting those leaving prison with the skills and tools they need to move away from crime. However, the University and College Union reports that recent changes to the education contract have triggered notable job losses. Will the Secretary of State provide an update on how the Government are supporting the prison education system to help reduce reoffending?

• 4 Nov 2025 · Houses in Multiple Occupation: Planning Consent · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for securing this important debate on HMOs. Concerns around access to safe, good-quality and genuinely affordable housing have consistently been raised with me throughout my time representing my constituency. It is the No. 1 casework issue in my inbox. As a consequence of rising demand for affordable housing, alongside a cost of living crisis and regulatory changes, it is more profitable for landlords to operate houses in multiple occupation, and we have seen a year-on-year increase of HMOs in many regions across the country. As we have heard from many other Members today, HMOs present difficult issues for tenants and wider communities if they are not properly licensed or managed. For some tenants, that may mean substandard housing facilities, without adequate access to toilet, bathroom or cooking facilities, or appropriate fire safety precautions. There is also the wider community impact: parking shortages, increasing levels of rubbish due to poor waste disposal and, sadly, the demise of family homes, just when the demand for good-quality family homes is rising. Many of these issues go under the radar of local authorities if they are not reported, although many authorities recognise these issues and have taken action under article 4 directions, which relate to the removal of permitted development rights for HMOs and require planning permission to be sought. These can be targeted, but they are often challenged by landlords. Can the Minister provide an update on how the Government might be able to support councils to invoke article 4 directions despite challenges, so that they can effectively monitor and manage the number of HMOs in their areas? Is there any further update on how to tackle unlicensed HMOs, ensuring that tenants are not being taken advantage of?