Samantha Niblett MP: speeches

Speeches

• 2 Jul 2026 · Historical Forced Adoption · Hansard source

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  I thank the Prime Minister for this long awaited and long overdue heartfelt apology on behalf of the state. As the mother of an 18-year-old daughter, as each day takes me further from the day I gave birth to her, I hold on more fiercely to the precious memory of her entering this world. I cannot begin to imagine the pain inflicted on the mothers whose babies were ripped away from them. I imagine that they, too, have clear memories that never fade, but instead become even sharper as time goes by. I am in awe of their strength. I am so sorry that they experienced such pain. I thank the Prime Minister for making it clear that the shame sits with the Churches and charities, the healthcare system and the state, not with the survivors. I hope that today goes some way to help families that were torn apart to heal as best they can.

• 30 Jun 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T5. A constituent of mine in South Derbyshire, Sarah Page, is associate professor for social justice at University of Staffordshire, which I visited last week. She and her colleagues told me about their “From Harm to Hope” research. It highlights the unique challenges that women prisoners face, including being held far from family due to the limited number of women’s prisons. They also raised concerns that the national drug strategy is not sufficiently gender-sensitive, particularly in addressing the impact of child abuse and domestic abuse on women in the criminal justice system. Will my hon. Friend meet me, Sarah and her colleagues to ensure that these women-specific issues are properly reflected in our criminal justice system?

• 24 Jun 2026 · Farming: Financial Sustainability · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Turner. As I frantically go through the speech that I wrote before the statement today, I might end up saying a load of things that have been covered already, so I will snip it really short, mindful of the short amount of time that we have. I want to raise awareness of something I have already written to the Secretary of State about: the recent introduction of crippling electricity standing charges in the farming sector. I also want to put back on the agenda using the sustainable farming incentive to fund increased uptake of leguminous protein crops, and recognising the value of those crops as nitrogen-fixing tools in arable rotation. That would allow growers to optimise the efficient use of artificial fertiliser alongside strategically and environmentally beneficial crop production methods that also support domestic food production. I am mindful, as always, of the need to support our farmers—now more than ever. We need to show our farmers that we care by taking action to support and celebrate them. I very much look forward to reading in full this report in my hand. I could not be in the Chamber for the statement, but I look forward to watching that back and to listening to everybody else’s questions.

• 23 Jun 2026 · Puberty Blockers · Hansard source

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  Everyone should have the right of access to high-quality, evidence-based healthcare, whatever their age. At the heart of this debate are young people experiencing profound gender-related distress, and the families who support them. Too often they have found themselves caught in the middle of a political argument while facing long waits, uncertainty, and a lack of clear treatment options. Every young person deserves compassionate, evidence-based care, and that includes transgender young people and children with gender incongruence. The irony of the Opposition motion is that it would stop the very research that many Members have argued is necessary before decisions about treatment can be made. If we are serious about evidence-based medicine, we must also be serious about gathering evidence. The Pathways trial follows a recommendation made by Baroness Cass in her independent review, a recommendation that had enjoyed cross-party support when it was published. Since then the trial has undergone extensive scrutiny by researchers, ethics committees, independent reviewers and regulators. Following further modifications and additional safeguards, it has been approved by both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Health Research Authority. If Members believe that more evidence is needed, surely they should support a process that is designed to produce that evidence. Much has been said about risk, and of course risk must be taken seriously, but the answer to uncertainty cannot simply be to refuse to learn more. The answer is careful, closely monitored research with robust protections. Participants must have experienced gender incongruence for at least two years, must already be receiving NHS gender services, must have undergone psychosocial support, and must be assessed as being physically and mentally stable. Both the young people and their parents must consent, and every participant must be approved by clinicians and a national multidisciplinary team. This is not an uncontrolled experiment; it is a tightly regulated clinical trial operating under some of the highest standards of oversight that are available in modern medicine. The hon. Member for Reigate (Rebecca Paul) made a valid point about the need to ensure that children who realise that they are gay do not decide that they are transgender, and that we do not feel that we should push more gay people back into the closet, as they are feeling very much under threat at present. However, there is another risk that we must discuss, and that is inaction. For two years, puberty blockers have effectively been unavailable outside research settings. Young people and their families have been told repeatedly that more evidence is needed, and now, when a trial designed to generate that evidence is ready to proceed, some seek to stop it. What message does that send? Behind every statistic is a family. Parents of transgender children and children with gender incongruence often speak of the distress of watching their child struggle and feeling powerless to help. They see anxiety, fear and growing distress as their child experiences physical changes that can feel deeply uncomfortable and alienating. These families are not political talking points; they are looking for support, answers and hope. For many transgender young people, puberty itself can be a source of profound distress. We should not pretend that doing nothing is a neutral act, because delays, uncertainty and the absence of treatment options have consequences too. Puberty blockers have generally been understood as a reversible intervention intended to pause puberty and provide time for further assessment and support, and the purpose of this trial is to strengthen our understanding of both the benefits and the risks. If opponents argue that more evidence is needed, blocking the research that would provide that evidence is a contradiction that this House should reject. I also want to address something that often sits beneath debates such as this. If you come to this debate from the position that transgender people do not exist or that it is a fad, you are mistaken. Transgender people have always existed, and they deserve the same dignity, compassion and evidence-based healthcare as anyone else. If, as I believe we all do, we come to the debate motivated by concern for children’s safety and wellbeing, how can we say that we are protecting children while being comfortable with them living in fear of the changes that puberty may bring? How can we say that we are acting in their best interests when some young people are terrified of growing into an adult body that does not align with who they understand themselves to be, while parents watch helplessly from the sideline? If our goal is to truly safeguard children, we should support careful research, rigorous oversight and evidence-based medicine. We should seek answers, not prevent them. We should reduce uncertainty, not prolong it. That is why this trial should proceed.

• 1 Jun 2026 · Child Sexual Offender Data · Hansard source

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  No person of any colour, creed, religion or community, or in any position of power, should be allowed to get away with heinous crimes and using sex as a weapon. When the right hon. Member talks about there being nowhere to hide, does he stretch that out to anyone in a position of power, no matter who they are, not being allowed to get away with these things, and to nobody turning a blind eye to anybody using sex as a weapon?

• 21 May 2026 · Women’s Health and Wellbeing: Online Censorship · Hansard source

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  I apologise for running late, Mr Stringer; I had an emergency constituent issue. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes Central (Emily Darlington) not only for securing this vital debate on the censorship of women’s health and wellbeing content online, but for her ongoing campaigning on this issue. I was delighted to join her roundtable on the subject with Essity. We need strong voices in this place and, my word, I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s strong voice on this issue. We are here to talk about women’s health, so I will focus on that, but I want to make it clear that we are all fierce advocates for men’s health as well. It is clear that women’s health is being pushed to the edges of the internet by systems that fail to distinguish between pornography and public health. Posts about periods, endometriosis, fertility, pregnancy loss, pelvic pain and menopause—ordinary facts about ordinary bodies—are down-ranked, age-gated or quietly buried, while explicit content remains only a tap away. This is not a harmless quirk: it reflects design choices made by tech companies, often heavily influenced by men, the male lens and the male view of the world. As founder of Labour: Women in Tech, I have been campaigning for years to get more women into the industry and creating tech that is made to serve more people. More recently, I have launched a campaign for age-appropriate, inclusive and lifelong sex education with Cindy Gallop of MakeLoveNotPorn and the MakeLoveNotPorn Academy, a platform for creating the Google of sex education. Talking of tech, I know she is watching this debate live online—so hello, Cindy Gallop. We want to take the shame, guilt and embarrassment—all of which are perpetuated by shadow banning—out of talking about sex. My hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Lizzi Collinge) mentioned some embarrassing things that can happen in public, and she is a fierce advocate for giving parts of the body their proper anatomical names. I will focus on the huge role that sexual wellbeing plays in our health and happiness. We cannot rest on our laurels and assume that everyone had relationships and sex education in school. In fact, completing formal education at 16—RSE is not mandatory to 18—does not mean that the relationships and sex education provided to a student was adequate. A recent Youth Select Committee report found that relationships and sex education in UK schools is woefully lacking, particularly for LGBTQ young people. Like many adults, young people therefore turn to the internet and social media to fill the gaps. When the online classroom censors the syllabus, we fail people twice: first by not teaching them enough, and then by hiding the very information they seek. These failures play out across a lifetime. After cancer treatment, for example, a woman may experience significant changes, such as early menopause, pain, vaginal dryness and changes in desire. She may look for practical, compassionate advice, but find it flagged as “sexual content”. That delivers not support but silence. When it comes to pregnancy and the months after birth, evidence-based guidance on pelvic floor recovery or painful sex is frequently hidden behind warnings, while myths about “bouncing back” flow freely, leaving new mothers to stitch together care in the dark. Content on perimenopause and the menopause, an experience that will touch half the population, explaining brain fog, joint pain, dyspareunia—genital pain before, during or after sex—and the role of hormone replacement therapy is throttled by filters that bury the very help that women need. Censorship compounds existing inequalities. Disabled people receive very little support around having a healthy sex life. Even straightforward, evidence-based facts about masturbation helping some people to relieve menstrual cramps are too often treated as indecent rather than educational. On top of that, creators and clinicians feel compelled to contort language to avoid suppression, writing “seggs” instead of “sex”, or “b00bs” instead of “breasts”. This is not merely absurd; for some neurodivergent people, misspelled language is confusing and exclusionary, making essential health information harder to understand and access. We should also acknowledge the pressures on the very people trying to provide education. Some sex educators on mainstream platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram, feel forced to use coded or alternative language to get any reach at all. Milly Evans, who has nearly half a million followers on TikTok, told me she never knows what rules might be imposed from one day to the next. She has had her account suspended; had stretches where algorithms would allow her to reach only existing followers, therefore not expanding her reach; and had periods of outright shadow banning, meaning that no one saw what she posted. When educators must choose between clarity and visibility, the public loses. This is especially true for those who rely on free, accessible information. There is a gendered double standard that we must confront: women are penalised for posting clinically accurate information that men can share with far fewer consequences. Cindy Gallop’s “Fairness in the Feed” campaign on LinkedIn highlighted this starkly, with women who changed their profile gender to male seeing their posts reach further. When the same message travels differently depending on who says it, bias is no longer incidental: it is embedded in the system. Of course, LinkedIn denies it, but I say look at the actions, not the words. The knock-on effects are not only personal but are economic. Women’s health companies, start-ups, clinics, apps and retailers struggle to reach the very people they exist to serve because their content and advertising are throttled. Lucy Litwack is the owner and CEO of Coco de Mer, a company that helps women with desire and sexual pleasure, which are central to health and wellbeing. She said that she cannot even run promotions for her lingerie on Facebook because her company also happens to sell sex toys. That is not just a ban on the promotion of sex toys, which is questionable in itself—I do not see why that should be banned—but a blanket block on lingerie because of association. If responsible brands cannot speak to consenting adults about lawful products, innovation is chilled and growth is starved. The founders then walk into investor rooms and are told, “Sorry, your reach is too small and your traction is too thin.” The system is creating problems and then punishing those who try to solve them. Shadow banning is especially corrosive because it is deniable. There is no clear refusal, only diminishing visibility, fewer views and a creeping signal that plain speech about women’s bodies is unwelcome. The predictable result is self-censorship: creators soften terms, clinicians dilute clarity, charities tiptoe, and the space left in respect of accuracy is quickly filled by misinformation and predatory products. All that is why, alongside Cindy, I have launched a public consultation alongside our campaign for lifelong sex education. It is not a fixed blueprint but a genuine invitation for contributors to share their evidence and lived experience. We are asking people to tell us what is working well, what needs to change and where they would like the agenda to land. In the spirit of listening, I will outline some ideas that people might suggest we explore together. People might call for greater transparency from and due process for platforms, including through clear rules for sexual and reproductive health content. That would mean having explanations when posts are limited and timely, and human-reviewed appeals so that educational material is not swept up by blunt filters and biased enforcement. People might propose a mechanism to recognise verified educational and clinical content, thereby allowing NHS bodies, registered charities and qualified clinicians to label health education so that it is not misclassified as adult content, while still meeting robust safety standards. People might ask for independent scrutiny and measurement so that we can track the visibility of sexual health content for women and men, LGBTQ communities, neurodivergent people and disabled people. That would allow us to compare enforcement patterns across genders and communities, audit algorithms and training data for bias, test whether changes actually help people to find the information that they need, and help responsible women’s health companies and educators to reach them. People might also recommend partnerships that place trusted resources where people already are, such as GP surgeries, workplaces, community centres, schools and the large public platforms. That would make accurate guidance available at key life stages such as puberty, when making decisions about consent and contraception, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, illness and treatment, and the menopause transition. What I have outlined are not conclusions; they are suggestions. They are invitations to shape a programme that is built with the public, rather than being handed down to them. Yet whatever solutions emerge will succeed only if the channels that carry our information stop choking on the words that we need to use. Censorship by algorithm is still censorship, and when it hides women’s health, it harms half the country—quietly, cumulatively and needlessly. We should not accept an internet where it is easier to encounter pornography than to find clinically sound advice about pelvic pain, menopause, cancer recovery or accessible sexual wellbeing for disabled or neurodivergent people. We should not accept rules that police women’s language while allowing men to say the same things more frequently, nor a market that punishes health founders and educators for trying to solve the very problems that the system creates. The consultation is open and we want people to share what already works, identify the gaps and point us to changes that would make the greatest difference. Together, we can bring women’s health out of the algorithmic shadows and into the light.

• 19 May 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I am sure it has not missed anybody’s radar that I recently launched a campaign for lifelong sex education, and last week I met some parish councillors, one of whom works in the Probation Service. She thanked me for the campaign because of the amount of re-education they have to do, particularly for young men, on what is acceptable within sexual relationships. Will the Secretary of State, or a relevant Minister, meet me to talk about the importance of lifelong sex education in re-educating potential reoffenders?

• 28 Apr 2026 · Park Home Owners · Hansard source

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  A constituent of mine, Marion Webster, is a keen supporter of the Park Home Owners Justice Campaign. Like my hon. Friend’s constituents, she feels that it is incredibly unjust that, if she wants to sell her home, she has to give 10% away. That almost puts fleecehold and leasehold to shame by comparison. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is time for the Government to take action on the back of this debate, which I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (James Naish) for securing?

• 28 Apr 2026 · Park Home Owners · Hansard source

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  Will my hon. Friend give way?

• 27 Apr 2026 · Animal Testing · Hansard source

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  We are a nation of animal lovers—my very first Westminster Hall debate was on animal welfare—although, as a constituent pointed out to me, if we love animals so much, we should not need an animal welfare strategy. I welcome the Government’s animal welfare strategy and the move towards ending testing on animals, but does my hon. Friend agree that the fact that beagles are used because they are placid is utterly heartbreaking, and that any move to expedite the end of animal testing would be welcomed by many of our constituents?

• 16 Apr 2026 · Neuroscience and Digital Childhoods · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Chair of the Select Committee’s launch of a new inquiry on digital childhoods. Like her, I sit on the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee and was disturbed when I asked the big tech companies how much money they make from children. They said that they do not make much because they cannot make advertising revenue from them, so I asked whether it was altruistic—to which there was tumbleweed and then the admission: “Actually, no, it creates a user base”. I am paraphrasing, but even the use of the word “user” with reference to our children is deeply concerning. I welcome this inquiry. I believe plenty of evidence already demonstrates a direct link between being miserable and an increased use of online devices. I welcome the fact that we will hear from experts, and that we can be guided by their guidance. Does my hon. Friend agree that, given last year’s report and the evidence from this inquiry, in addition to the social media ban consultation that is going at the moment, the Government might not just listen and agree, but actually do something about it?

• 16 Apr 2026 · NHS Federated Data Platform · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Dame Siobhain. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue, because my constituents in South Derbyshire, like millions of NHS patients across the country, deserve honest answers about who holds their most private data, and why. The federated data platform is, in principle, exactly the kind of innovation that can help to transform our NHS: it could connect fragmented data across trusts, reduce discharge delays and cut cancer diagnosis times. Those are goals that every Member of this House can support. The question before us today is not whether we want a modern, data-driven NHS—we do—but whether Palantir is the right company to deliver that. The £330 million contract was awarded to Palantir to deliver the FDP, but its co-founder, Peter Thiel, has been openly hostile to the very idea of the NHS. Should a company of that character be trusted as a custodian of the intimate health records of tens of millions of British citizens? I do not dismiss the technology itself—the platform is genuinely impressive—but we cannot separate a company from its leadership. The Health Secretary himself has acknowledged that the “political views and…outlook” of Palantir’s founders and bosses are “well off to the right” of even the official Opposition—or the party that likes to think of itself as the official Opposition. When the co-founder of a company holds our NHS in open contempt, and when its chief executive is a prominent ally of an Administration that this House has repeatedly criticised, it is entirely reasonable to ask whether that company should occupy such a sensitive position at the heart of our public health infrastructure. This is not about ideology; it is scrutiny, which is precisely what this House is here to provide. We also know that when the contract was first published, 417 of its 586 pages were completely blanked out, and it took a legal challenge from the Good Law Project to force the release of a substantially redacted version. That is not the transparency that the public have the right to expect. If we want NHS staff and patients to embrace a digital future, that future cannot be built on a foundation that they do not trust.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Women’s Health Strategy · Hansard source

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  I thank the Ministers for this renewed women’s health strategy for England. Two of my constituents in particular—Evie Solomon, who founded HER Circle, and Shelly Lynn—will welcome the focus on medical misogyny, and they will be watching to make sure that we deliver. It was great to hear that there were influencers at the launch of the strategy yesterday. I met one of them, Milly Evans, who is a sex educator. Is there space in the women’s health strategy and the men’s health strategy for the provision of lifelong sex education, so that we have consistent, relevant and appropriate sex education for everyone who needs it? Frankly, women who have health issues still want a fulfilling and happy sex life.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I recently met an incredible woman, Rachel Liew, a constituent of mine who joins us today in the Gallery. Following the devastating loss of her five-year-old son Sam in 2021, she has channelled unimaginable grief into extraordinary action. Sam’s death was due to FIRES—febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome. That is a rare condition within NORSE—new onset refractory status epilepticus—which can suddenly strike previously healthy children and remains poorly understood. Through her charity, Sam’s Superheroes, Rachel supports families, raises awareness and funds vital research. Will the Leader of the House help to secure a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to discuss increasing funding, improving research co-ordination and strengthening clinical support for families facing this catastrophic condition?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source

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  One of the biggest concerns, particularly for my tenant farmers, is that when there is a change of land use for a solar farm, not only is the farmer unable to farm that land, but they do not have a farm—they are losing the farm. Does the hon. Lady agree?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source

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  South Derbyshire has two grid connections and gets a plethora of applications for solar and battery energy storage systems—it is the bane of my life. I am passionate about moving to renewables. I have just got an electric car, and it is helping me keep my energy costs down for the journeys that I need to make, particularly in the light of what is happening with Iran. I am grateful to the hon. Member for securing this debate on alternatives, but does he agree that it is not quite as straightforward as we think? We need to do this quite speedily. People assume that putting solar panels on industrial sites is easy, but we still need to be able to connect them to the grid, which is being upgraded in my neck of the woods. Does he agree that, much as we desperately want alternatives, there is not a sliver bullet to get us there?

• 14 Apr 2026 · NHS Waiting Lists · Hansard source

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  19. What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of people waiting for NHS treatment.

• 14 Apr 2026 · NHS Waiting Lists · Hansard source

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  Recently, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS foundation trust took part in the Q4 sprint, which involved out-patient appointments and surgical procedures. The work focused mainly on areas such as gynaecology, trauma and orthopaedics, general surgery, and ear, nose and throat, reflecting where that trust’s waiting lists are longest. We have seen a significant drop in the 18-week position, which apparently is a key marker of overall access to care. At the start of the sprint, around 56% of patients were being treated within 18 weeks; as of last week, that figure had increased to 60.2%. A lot of work has been done, so will the Secretary of State join me and the chief executive officer, Stephen Posey, in thanking the teams involved in helping to deliver that sprint? More importantly, what assurances can he give that this is not just a one-off? We have people in South Derbyshire and across the country who need consistently good and quick care.

• 25 Mar 2026 · Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Rycroft report, especially the focus it puts on the threat of social media upturning our democracy. It was astonishing in the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee yesterday that the representative from X repeatedly stated that X was not politically biased and appeared to decouple himself from Elon Musk and the platform itself. Elon Musk has incited hatred in this country and backed very right-wing candidates and parties on his platform. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the recommendations on foreign financial influence extend to any Member of this House receiving any income from X or any other social media platform?

• 17 Mar 2026 · Productivity and Economic Growth: East Midlands · Hansard source

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  I could not agree more. Reopening the Ivanhoe line would not only give us access to Burton, Coalville and eventually Leicester, but enable onward journeys to bigger cities including Birmingham and London. I support the case that my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (John Whitby) made for a direct line to Manchester, too. Through the work of Mayor Claire Ward, we have a real opportunity to unlock the potential of some of our region. South Derbyshire already has the ingredients for success: world-class manufacturers, innovative engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs and strong communities. What we now need is investment that matches that potential. Let this debate be a rallying cry that when we invest in South Derbyshire and the east midlands, we invest in one of the most dynamic and productive parts of the country, with communities ready to grow, ready to innovate and ready to help drive the region’s and the country’s future prosperity.

• 17 Mar 2026 · Productivity and Economic Growth: East Midlands · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. It is bitterly disappointing that Reform could not be bothered to field a single MP to come and stand up for the east midlands in this debate about productivity and economic growth in the region. People need to be careful what they vote for if they want people who will stand up for them. The east midlands is my home, and I am proud to say that there are Members of Parliament present who represent places that my family and friends live, which is wonderful. We have always been a region of makers, builders and innovators. Our communities were forged in the industrial revolution, and in South Derbyshire they were built on coal and clay. In fact, it is still possible to buy the iconic TG Green blue-and-white-striped Cornishware. I think almost every grandparent had one of the famous mixing bowls, which are brown on the outside and white on the inside. Across the constituency, we have businesses innovating, creating jobs and driving growth for the wider regional economy. At the heart of that is advanced manufacturing, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Burnaston remains one of the most significant automotive plants in the country, supporting more than 3,000 jobs and anchoring a wider supply chain across the region. South Derbyshire is also well placed to benefit from the opportunities created by the east midlands freeport, which aims to attract high-value industries and businesses that are focused on science, technology, engineering and maths. A strong skills pipeline will be essential to that success. We need our two new schools—New House Farm and Spencer academy—and I hope that my letter to the Department for Education, which contains data and evidence demonstrating why it must ensure backing for the schools, is taken heed of. We await a decision. I was delighted to attend the opening of the green skills academy of Burton and South Derbyshire college, which is driving sustainability in construction and retrofit and teaching people how to install heat pumps and solar panels. That brings me to the fact that we have more than our fair share of planning applications for battery energy storage systems and solar farms, which helps us make the case for the importance of having a local area energy plan. Our economy is driven not just by large global employers; small and medium-sized enterprises across South Derbyshire are also innovating and creating opportunity, and I am forever grateful to our farmers for feeding us. South Derbyshire contributes strongly to the region’s visitor economy too: National Trust’s Calke abbey attracts visitors from across the country and Mercia marina is the largest inland marina in Europe. Our district is one of the fastest growing in England, with significant house building and population growth but without the infrastructure to support it. I am supporting local councillor David Shepherd to try to secure a GP in Stenson Fields. Transport remains a connectivity challenge for us. Our largest town, Swadlincote, has not been served by a railway station for quite some time. The reopening of the Ivanhoe line, as championed by my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Amanda Hack), would reconnect our communities, support local businesses and help people access jobs and education.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Comedy has always been part of the fabric of British society, so I am delighted to be a patron of the newly launched CRAFT, the Comedy Representation and Artform Trust, which has been set up to give the comedy industry the formal recognition that it deserves, and to ensure fair funding and Government and industry support. Comedians range from national treasures and emerging talent to home-grown funny people in our communities, such as Steve Cook in my constituency of South Derbyshire, who runs “I love Swad” on Facebook with Pete Jacob and Dan Brass. Steve never fails to make me laugh. The council decided to turn a roundabout into an “interesting feature”, which he has called “Swadhenge”. Members will find it if they google it, and it features on Tripadvisor. Does the Leader of the House agree that comedy is an art form, not just a genre? Will he join me in thanking Lu Jackson—the founder of CRAFT—Steve Cook, and all those who support comedy in the UK?

• 12 Mar 2026 · Defending Democracy Taskforce · Hansard source

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  I welcome the statement, and I am particularly delighted to read the part that says, “Where the law fails to provide adequate protection, we will strengthen it.” As someone who had a case thrown out by the Crown Prosecution Service for being an MP, and who was told that I should just have thicker skin, that is welcome news—and I do have thick skin. Does the Minister share my concern that Members of this House are benefiting from engagement with platforms such as X and taking a significant income? They are essentially benefiting from angry engagement, and the money goes directly into their pockets.

• 12 Mar 2026 · International Women’s Day · Hansard source

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  It is my absolute pleasure to speak in this year’s debate to mark International Women’s Day. This important day gives us an opportunity not only to reflect on how far women have come—and, disappointingly, how far we have yet to go—but to recognise the women who continue to shape and strengthen our communities every single day. I want to use my time to celebrate some of the remarkable women across South Derbyshire who make a real difference. Making people feel seen in this place is my absolute favourite thing to do. First, Kalila Storey is my right-hand woman in the constituency. She runs my office, and I honestly do not know what I would do without her. I am sure that many of us across the House share that experience, with incredible women in their teams. I would like to give a shout-out to Lib Orme and correct a mistake I made in business questions this morning when I did not recognise her as being the founder of “I love Swad”, a Facebook page with almost 46,500 members—an incredible achievement. I also want to mention Lesley Aspey. I hope that she feels seen by me for the woman she is, both in the constituency as her MP and in this place—she will know why I have mentioned her name. In Melbourne, Sharon Brown is the driving force behind the wonderfully vibrant Melbourne festival of arts and architecture, which last year celebrated its 20th year. She also manages the Creative Melbourne gallery. Through her work, she has brought art, culture and creativity to the heart of her community, creating opportunities for artists and inspiring residents and visitors alike. Also using creativity as a force for good is Julie Batten, director of People Express. Julie has led the organisation since 1992, and under her leadership it has used the arts as a powerful tool for engagement, working with a diverse range of people across our community and enabling them to become writers, filmmakers and artists of their own stories. Her work helps ensure that creativity is truly accessible to everyone. Supporting local enterprise is Keelie Briggs, a marketing expert who provides networking opportunities for businesses across South Derbyshire, particularly in Swadlincote. She is a passionate champion of small businesses and organises the annual small business showcase, giving local entrepreneurs a platform to grow and succeed. Entrepreneurship is also embodied by Elaine Penhaul, the founder of Lemon and Lime Interiors, whose business has grown into a highly successful company supporting homeowners and property professionals alike. Supporting that growth with her is Katie Lavis, who started her own business and now works with Lemon and Lime as it continues to expand. Another fantastic local entrepreneur is Tracey Payne, who exemplifies the work, determination and creativity of women running small businesses in our community. Public service is another area where women across South Derbyshire make an enormous contribution. Angela Archer, chair of South Derbyshire district council, is a passionate advocate for children with special educational needs and disabilities. As a parent of SEND children herself, she co-founded the charity Shout to support families navigating the challenges that SEND can bring. Keddie Bailey quietly supports families of SEND children, demonstrating the compassion and commitment that empower families at times of significant challenge. In the voluntary sector, I want to recognise the work of Hollie Benton, chief executive of South Derbyshire Community Voluntary Support, and Petra Parker, who manages its food hub. Together they support local people to access food parcels and befriending services, and provide help to return home after a hospital stay, as well as a wide range of support, ensuring that no one in our community feels alone when they need help the most. Ingrid van der Weide, editor of the local publication SwadStyle, keeps residents informed about what is happening across Swadlincote and the surrounding area. She also leads the wonderful Swadlincote festival of words taking place this month, which celebrates literature, storytelling and creativity for all ages. Our cultural heritage is also being preserved thanks to Becca King, the museum manager at Sharpe’s pottery museum, who works tirelessly to ensure that our local history is accessible, engaging and celebrated. I also recognise Peggy Moore, whose dedication to remembrance in our community is truly extraordinary. Peggy has spent countless hours knitting poppies, creating a life-size knitted Tommy soldier and collecting donations for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal. Her dedication ensures that the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten. I also want to recognise Maria Hanson MBE, founder of the charity Me & Dee. Since founding the charity in 2006, Maria has dedicated herself to supporting families facing life-changing and life-limiting conditions. Her vision, compassion and determination have helped thousands of families across the UK, and this remarkable work has been recognised with the charity being awarded the King’s award for voluntary service. In my constituency, there are women whose leadership continues to inspire long after they have left public office. One such person is Edwina Currie, the first female MP for South Derbyshire. To this day, residents still speak fondly of her to me as a dedicated constituency MP who worked tirelessly on their behalf. I would like to give a special mention to Margaret Garner, an absolute gem in our community—Repton in particular. Margaret, now in her 80s, is an incredibly loyal and supportive friend, a volunteer for many activities in Repton, and swears like a trooper. She is the kind of person who lifts those around her, brings humour and honesty wherever she goes, and reminds us all of the strength and spirit that run through so many women in our communities. Of course, none of us would be here today without the women who came before us and fought to open the doors of democracy. One such woman from my constituency is Hannah Mitchell, a suffragette who lived in Newhall in the early 1900s. She was an activist and rebel, and one of the many women who challenged inequality and fought for women’s right to take part in public life. The women I have mentioned come from many different walks of life, from business, the arts, public service, charity work and community leadership. What unites them is their determination to make the places where they live better for others. There are, of course, so many incredible women across South Derbyshire. Giving a few shout-outs today inevitably means that I will have missed someone, but I hope this speech goes some way towards recognising the extraordinary contribution that women make across our communities every single day.

• 10 Mar 2026 · Technology Sovereignty · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I am grateful to be able to contribute to this important debate on tech sovereignty in the UK. There is something rather poignant about having this debate on the very day the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister has announced a consultation on plans to give people access to their Government data through a bespoke digital wallet built in-house. In many ways, that is the ultimate expression of tech sovereignty, but there is much more to do and we must do it now. For me, growing instability, geopolitically and globally, has shone a light on just how reliant we are on digital infrastructure—the systems that enable our communication, support our health service and help to keep our country safe. The Financial Times recently reported concerns about Iran targeting United States AI data centres, which is a way to undermine neighbouring economies and damage US interests. As AI becomes embedded across both the public and private sectors, we must recognise the risks posed by concentrated powers in the hands of a small number of overseas tech companies. At its most basic, sovereignty means the ability to make deliberate choices in our own interests, according to our shared values, so it is concerning that so many public sector contracts continue to go to overseas tech giants. In November ’22, Palantir was awarded a three-year Ministry of Defence contract worth £75.2 million, followed by, in December ’25, a further three-year contract worth £240.6 million, both without a formal competitive tender. I would love to see more of those major contracts going to home-grown innovators—companies based in the UK paying taxes here and helping to grow our economy. That is why I am really pleased to hear about the commitment to have a sovereign AI venture fund of £500 million to foster AI development. I would welcome seeing how much of that goes to female founders. The UK is by no means the little guy in this fight. Our start-up ecosystem is the third largest in the world. We have a real opportunity to grow. If we get this right, tech sovereignty can mean high-quality jobs across our regions, and it can ensure that we become the most trusted and safest country in the world for technology.