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11,997 spoken contributions under 12 words (interjections such as “Will the hon. Member give way?”) are hidden. Show them

1. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   We have heard about this issue, which is serious, on many occasions. The Government are doing all they can to get dental hubs out there, so that people can get access to dental care. However, as the hon. Lady is aware, the question is wider than that; it is about reforming the dentistry contract. I will make sure that the relevant Minister has heard what she has said, and I will get her an update on what is intended, including for her area. If she wants a meeting with the Minister, I will arrange that, too.

   Hansard source
2. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   Yes, I do. My hon. Friend is right to praise the innovative work of the Horizon Group. We are committed to supporting innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises, including through the £7.4 billion for UK Research and Innovation to support innovative company growth. There are a number of days’ debate on the Budget, and I encourage my hon. Friend to make these remarks—should he catch your eye, Mr Speaker—in that debate.

   Hansard source
3. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   The Budget announced £100 million for local authorities to provide further support to the households in greatest need. We are giving local leaders greater control over locally generated revenue. We are delivering £78 billion in a multi-year finance settlement, and a £5.6 billion boost for local services over the next three years. I understand that local authorities that are adversely affected will have concerns, and the hon. Lady is right to raise them. We have a local government statement after this; she might find a way of getting that point into the statement.

   Hansard source
4. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   I absolutely join my hon. Friend in congratulating the hard work of everyone involved in the reopening of the Alfred East gallery. We are committed to funding the arts; 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are benefiting from the Arts Everywhere fund, which will ensure that galleries like the Alfred East are around for years to come.

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5. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   We have introduced criminal liability for water bosses who cover up or hide sewage spills—indeed, they could face up to two years behind bars. The hon. Gentleman speaks powerfully; I understand the effect that this issue has in areas like his. I hope that the water company has heard what he said. Should he seek an Adjournment debate or a Westminster Hall debate on the subject, I am sure that he could go even further in setting out this issue, which he clearly feels strongly about.

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6. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   Yes, I do. I join my hon. Friend in congratulating everyone involved in making the “What do you see when you look at me?” book on receiving their prestigious award. Projects like this play a vital role in preserving local stories, bridging generational divides and strengthening community spirit. I want to say well done to everybody concerned.

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7. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   As ever, the hon. Gentleman raises a serious matter. He is right to point out that it is often women and children who suffer most when international labour rights are undermined. The UK continues to work with the ILO to implement and uphold employment rights across the world. I will raise his concern with Ministers, but the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee, the hon. Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman), is still in his place, so if the hon. Gentleman seeks a debate on the issue, I am sure that the Committee will want to give his suggestion consideration.

   Hansard source
8. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   My hon. Friend has been a distinguished campaigner on this issue, and I pay tribute to her for that. I also pay tribute to the work of the Child Brain Injury Trust. We are taking steps, through the road safety strategy, to make our roads safer for everyone. These matters have been raised consistently with me in business questions, and I encourage my hon. Friend perhaps to join others in seeking a Backbench Business debate on these matters. I think it would be particularly well attended.

   Hansard source
9. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

   Business of the House

   I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and her constituent for their local initiative, and I will make sure that the relevant Department has heard her question today. I encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate, so that the matter can be discussed further, because I am sure that other Members might want to join in on that.

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10. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    I thank my hon. Friend for this question; she is assiduous in campaigning on this matter. She makes a powerful case about the financial burden that tolls place on residents and businesses who need to get to work and access essential services. I will make sure that the Transport Secretary is made aware of her representations on the Floor of the House today. We will see whether we can arrange a meeting for her.

    Hansard source
11. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    I understand that the current water supply agreement between Bristol Water and the Canal & River Trust is due to be renewed in 2028 and that there are ongoing conversations regarding dredging and managing silt in Gloucester dock. I will make sure the relevant Minister hears my hon. Friend’s concerns, but he may want to take it further and seek an Adjournment debate.

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12. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a doughty campaigner for her constituents. What she says about parking in the run-up to Christmas will resonate around the country. As she rightly points out, we have given Hastings council record funding, and I suggest that the council listens to what she has said and spends it on her constituents’ priorities.

    Hansard source
13. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    My hon. Friend is right to raise that concerning issue today, and the fact that it goes back to 2003 adds greater urgency to it. We recognise the significant concern that unresolved payment issues can cause for providers, so I am happy to try to facilitate a meeting between him and the relevant Minister, so that he can raise the case further.

    Hansard source
14. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this matter, which will resonate with Members across the House. It is often raised with me at this time of year, and I commend him for the work he is doing in his local community. The Government are looking at the matter that he raises. The consultation on reforming fireworks and pyrotechnic legislation received a very high number of responses, not surprisingly. The Government are currently considering the evidence and will respond in due course. At that point, I am sure there will be ample opportunity to discuss this matter further.

    Hansard source
15. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    My hon. Friend is right to list all the individuals and organisations who played an important part in clearing up after the storms. I pay tribute to them and, indeed, everybody across the country for everything they have done, including local radio, National Grid and farmers, who in many cases are crucial to the <span id="461" class="column-number" data-column-number="461"></span>work that happens. The Government understand the challenges of a changing climate and the importance of resilience. We will be bringing forward in the future an opportunity to debate these matters further, but again, because this is about ensuring that organisations have the resources they need, we have three days of Budget debate left if my hon. Friend wishes to raise it.

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16. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sir Alan Campbell

    Business of the House

    I am sure the whole House will join me in thanking the Muster Point and the Chicksands and Henlow military wives choir for their invaluable work in supporting veteran communities. I join my hon. Friend in encouraging hon. Members to get behind and listen to the Christmas single “We’re Still Here” to ensure that it gets the notice and credit it deserves.

    Hansard source
17. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Public Transport: Nuisance Behaviour

    Last week, the Government launched the “Share the carriage, not the noise” campaign with rail operators across the country, reminding rail passengers to use headphones or potentially face fines of up to £1,000. The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local authorities new powers to crack down on nuisance behaviour on buses, including listening to loud music, littering, vaping and antisocial behaviour. Our new guidance will help authorities put these powers into practice and make journeys safer and more comfortable for passengers.

    Hansard source
18. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Public Transport: Nuisance Behaviour

    Absolutely. Our “Share the journey, not the noise” campaign has started a national conversation about the standards we should all expect on trains and reminded those few who fall short that there are fines in place. We expect that most passengers will comply with requests to watch videos on silent or use headphones, but there are clear routes for escalation if they do not, up to and including prosecution. Local authorities can now introduce bus byelaws covering excessive noise, with fixed on-the-spot penalties of up to £100.

    Hansard source
19. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Public Transport: Nuisance Behaviour

    Antisocial behaviour on buses is tackled through wider crime and policing laws, and transport safety officers—of which the Department has funded trials—will also be used. This is about giving local transport authorities the powers to enforce these byelaws, which obviously came about with Liberal Democrats working on the Bus Services Bill Committee. We have been tackling nuisance behaviour on public transport for a long time—it is an ongoing priority. We invested £2.5 million in the transport safety officer pilots, and have taken targeted action against nuisance behaviour and published guidance so that others can adopt best practice. Of course, the Bus Services Act gives every local authority the power to introduce those byelaws.

    Hansard source
20. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Topical Questions

    I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in welcoming that new coach service to her constituency. This Government are supporting operators by extending the 5p fuel duty cut until next July. I will of course check my diary, but I encourage all hon. Members to get on and book their seat; there are nine castles and some fantastic countryside to visit.

    Hansard source
21. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Topical Questions

    I fully recognise my hon. Friend’s concerns. Taxis and private hire vehicles are regulated through an outdated and fragmented framework, and this Government intend to bring forward a draft Bill to address that. My officials are also working hard to commence the powers from the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 that will let enforcement officers suspend any licence used in their area if there are immediate safety concerns.

    Hansard source
22. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Simon Lightwood

    Topical Questions

    The Government recognise the vital role that community transport plays in connecting people with communities, enabling access to employment, education and essential services such as healthcare. I am happy to meet the hon. Lady.

    Hansard source
23. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Samantha Niblett

    Business of the House

    In South Derbyshire, an initiative developed by my constituent Dan Motley, my team and me has been taken forward by South Derbyshire district council. It encourages businesses to publish clear accessibility information. This helps disabled people, their families and friends to make informed choices about venues to visit, while recognising the economic value of the purple pound. Ahead of Purple Tuesday on 3 November next week, which celebrates the purple pound, will the Leader of the House consider a debate on introducing mandatory accessibility information standards for businesses, to ensure that disabled consumers can access clear, consistent information. and to give more businesses the confidence and guidance to become accessible and inclusive?

    Hansard source
24. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sam Carling

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have worked collaboratively throughout the whole local government reorganisation process, even when they have disagreed. I have long advocated for our region to have three unitary councils, not just two, and I hope the Government will agree, but there are of course questions about where boundaries should lie. What avenues will be available, or are available, for councils to submit modifications to proposals if consensus can be built on improvements?

    Hansard source
25. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sam Carling

    Budget Resolutions

    I thank my constituency neighbour for giving way. In the context of the criticism of tax changes for banks, how does he respond to the chief executive of Barclays describing changes along the lines of ones that we have made as “bearable”?

    Hansard source
26. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sam Carling

    Budget Resolutions

    High energy costs are one of the biggest issues facing both my constituents and the small businesses that our economy needs to thrive, so I am delighted that the Chancellor announced that gas standing charges—which we all know are not fair—will be removed. That comes on top of cost-of-living policies already announced by the Prime Minister, such as removing VAT from electricity—a measure that the Chancellor has now extended—on top of a direct £100 household energy payment eligible for band A to D households. On top of the £150 taken off energy bills at the last Budget, these things add up.<span id="523" class="column-number" data-column-number="523"></span> Focusing on energy costs is the progressive thing to do. The poorest 10% of households pay the greatest share of their money on energy, at over 12%. The measures provide support for those most in need: the families, and particularly the children, in poverty in North West Cambridgeshire and across the country. Indeed, the whole Budget reflects progressive principles: 80% of households—all bar the top 20%—will have more money in their pockets from this Budget; the ninth decile breaks about even; and it is only the top 10% that are being asked to pay that little bit more—and it really is only a little more, at 0.1% of their income. That is very much the Labour way. All the support that we are providing must of course be paid for, and a key part of that will come from delivering growth. And we are delivering growth. Our economy was the joint fastest growing in the G7 in the first half of this year. That comes alongside the news that the IMF forecasts that we are set to deliver a bigger reduction in borrowing over the next few years than any other G20 country. We are one of only two G7 countries to cut our deficit this year, despite all the global headwinds that we face. In many ways, I feel sorry for the Conservatives, because they have the very difficult job of reading a Red Book full of good news and trying to make it sound bad—<em>[</em><em>Interruption.</em><em>]</em> I welcome the discussion in the Budget about lowering business costs, both through business rates relief and freezes. We have heard a lot of criticism that there is nothing in the Budget for hospitality, but about 50% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in the east of England will not be paying any business rates at all. The reforms to regulations will be saving businesses up to £5.6 billion a year if we hit our target. I encourage the Government to ensure that that also applies to our life sciences sector. I have spoken previously in this Chamber about options for reforming clinical trial regulation such that we save business and the NHS time and money and attract more investment—not necessarily by cutting regulation, but by streamlining it and reducing duplicated effort. An awful lot of different regulators look after clinical trials at the moment, and I think there is a lot of potential to streamline some of that down, save a lot of money and bring more investment into that area. I will turn briefly to another area I would have liked to see more work on, and something I hope the Government might consider taking forward in the spending review, which is gift aid and the tax exemptions given to charities. There is very little scrutiny over that expenditure, which is sizeable, with more than £5 billion of reliefs for charities in the tax year to April 2026. Of course, the vast majority of charities spend that money well and on good causes, and that is to be commended. However, due to fundamental problems in the law, it is far too easy for organisations that provide very little or no benefit to the public—in some cases, they may even cause active harm—to obtain charity status and, in so doing, claim public money through gift aid and tax exemptions. That fact damages the whole sector and those within it who do such good work. In July 2025, <em>The Guardian</em> reported that the Kasner Charitable Trust transferred £5.7 million to support an illegal settlement in the occupied west bank. In theory, therefore, the UK taxpayer could have funded an illegal <span id="524" class="column-number" data-column-number="524"></span>settlement by over £1 million in gift aid through that transaction alone. The fact that that was permissible under our current system clearly shows that major reform is needed, including to Treasury rules, and that significant amounts of taxpayer money could be saved, because that is not an isolated example. There are many similar organisations—taxpayer-funded charities—that are preaching horrendous misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hatred. This is a monumental waste of our constituents’ money, which we could be redirecting both towards our public services and to tackle violence against women and girls at the same time. I know that that is a priority for this Government; they are showing it in the measures in this Budget, such as the £15 million announced to create a misogyny prevention fund, which will have a real impact. However, such measures are hugely undermined when the taxpayer is also subsidising major organisations like this. Earlier this week, there was a report of a mosque in which preachers were advising husbands that they could hit their wives. Just yesterday, I became aware of a church with awful posts on its website that deny the existence of marital rape, alongside all sorts of other horrendous misogyny. That church had an income of £5 million, £1 million of which could be taxpayer funding. That has to stop, and I implore Treasury Ministers to consider what options they have to ensure that it does.

    Hansard source
27. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Sam Carling

    Budget Resolutions

    On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. It has just come to my attention that the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois) made a particularly nasty age-related comment during my speech. I wanted to see, first, if that was in order and secondly, if he might like to say that so that his young constituents can hear what he thinks of them.

    Hansard source
28. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Ruth Cadbury

    Topical Questions

    First, may I associate myself with the condolences expressed by the Transport Secretary and others about the terrible tragedy in Spain yesterday? There are many bottlenecks on the national rail system that are holding back rail freight growth. I welcome the Government’s announcement of the interim rail freight growth target of 40% by 2040, but without a clear and deliverable strategy, the Government risk falling behind on the expansion of rail freight, which is such an important sector for us all. When will we see a rail freight growth strategy, or will we have to wait for the overall rail enhancement strategy?

    Hansard source
29. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Ruth Cadbury

    Budget Resolutions

    This Budget gives my constituents and people up and down the country much-needed breathing space and fresh hope for our long-term future. It tackles the big issues facing our country, from the cost of living pressures facing all our constituents to the need to bring growth back to our economy. The Chancellor was honest about the impact that the war in Iran has had on our economy, energy prices and supply chains. I remind the House that we Labour Members opposed that war, but the Conservatives supported it. I will address the impacts of the Budget, first on my constituency, and then from my perspective as Transport Committee Chair. I am pleased that the Budget delivers for house building, and will mean more council and social housing, as too many families in Hounslow, Brentford and Isleworth live in temporary housing. There is also the new Your First Home scheme, which <span id="498" class="column-number" data-column-number="498"></span>will support many who are earning, but do not have a deposit to get on the housing ladder. The Treasury listened, and raised the sale price cap for the scheme in London. I am grateful. Over the past year, I have met businesses across my constituency, from restaurants such as Sam’s Waterside and coffee shops such as Ballucci in Isleworth and Hounslow to small specialist manufacturers Ormiston Wire and Newmont Engineering. Their common message has been that costs, particularly energy and business rates, are too high. I am therefore pleased that the Chancellor has committed to taking more businesses out of paying business rates—900 each in the Hounslow and Richmond boroughs—and frozen business rates for many more. I know that to support businesses, we need to get more money into people’s pockets. Increasing the national living wage and the minimum wage, addressing energy bills, keeping commitments on tax and introducing the new pension tax allowance, among many other measures in the Budget, are all much welcomed by my constituents. I also welcome London now having the fiscal devolution that our city has long deserved, bringing it more into line with other world cities. It allows the mayor to kick-start projects across the capital, one of which is the West London Orbital, a much-needed rail line linking Hounslow to Hendon via Old Oak Common, opening up development and employment opportunities across a swathe of west to north London. As Chair of the Transport Committee, I will mention several transport-related elements in the Budget that I welcome: the Government’s work to bring international rail services to Stratford, which will increase rail connectivity and choice; the work to address the costs for electric vehicle drivers using public charging points; and the decisions on fuel duty, which not only benefit car drivers but save a light goods vehicle driver £472 on average, and the average heavy goods vehicle driver nearly £4,000 per year. Given the impact that fuel prices are having on the critical logistics sector, we all end up benefiting from those changes. Rail infrastructure costs far more to build per kilometre in the UK than in any equivalent economy; I refer to my Committee’s February ’26 report, “Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust”. I welcome the announcement of the review of rail infrastructure costs, and the publication of the more extensive infrastructure pipeline. The review’s terms of reference responded to many of the issues discussed in our inquiry, including investment certainty, with clarity about at what point costs are fully understood and when funding will be committed. That drives efficiency, safeguards workforces and enables skills planning. Investment certainty is certainly needed if we are to allay the concerns of the rail supply chain and its investors. Although the Government review is restricted to rail, its scope is otherwise very similar to the scope of the Competition and Markets Authority’s review of road and rail procurement, so I want to know from the Government how the two will relate to each other. Strangely, in their response to our report, the Government denied that there was such a thing as boom and bust in investment; I hope that the review will be more open-minded on that front. I am glad that the Chancellor has heard the pleas of the owners of airports and private rail infrastructure, such as St Pancras and High Speed 1, who are concerned <span id="499" class="column-number" data-column-number="499"></span>about the exceptional and unpredictable rateable value increases. I hope that a rational and predictable system can replace the current mess, which is holding back long-term investment in our rail and aviation infrastructure. I welcome the work that the Treasury is doing to enable the Prime Minister’s drive for devolution and partnership with local leaders. Northern Powerhouse Rail and a whole host of local transport projects will deliver local growth across Britain. Finally, the Chancellor is also backing British bus manufacturers, with a new look at bus procurement, which is very welcome indeed. I conclude by thanking the Chancellor for tackling the big issues that face our economy, and for a Budget that delivers both for constituents and for the whole economy.

    Hansard source
30. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Rosie Wrighting

    Business of the House

    Last weekend, the Alfred East art gallery in Kettering reopened after being shut for six years. I have such fond memories of visiting it as a child, so I am so pleased that the next generation of young people in Kettering will be able to experience the same. Would the Leader of the House join me in thanking Billie, Adam and all the gallery team in Kettering for making this possible, and in encouraging everyone in Kettering and the surrounding areas to visit the gallery? It is free and a brilliant cultural experience.

    Hansard source
31. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Richard Baker

    Budget Resolutions

    I hold the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East (Seamus Logan)—he is no longer in his place—in high regard, but I thought it was very telling that he would not take any interventions. The Scottish National party is desperate to paint the gloomiest possible picture of this Budget, but its argument does not hold. The reality is that the Budget is full of measures that will be very widely welcomed, in Scotland and by my constituents. Measures such as scrapping the standing charges for gas and extending the freeze on fuel duty will be extremely welcome to my constituents in Glenrothes and Mid Fife. I am delighted that the Budget also means that pensioners will see their state pension rise by nearly £500 a year, and that the Government have acted to ensure that pensioners receiving only that income will not have to pay income tax on it.<span id="517" class="column-number" data-column-number="517"></span> I make the case again to Ministers for the nearly 850 retired miners in my constituency who are members of the mineworkers’ pension scheme. I hope that Ministers will act swiftly to ensure that all the funds in the scheme go to retired miners. However, we must also remember the context for every pensioner in my constituency—the action taken to increase their pension, and the action on rising energy prices, which, as we approach another cold Scottish winter, have been a subject of deep concern to my constituents. The £100 energy payment being introduced for households in council tax bands A to D is particularly welcome. Thank goodness the SNP has actually seen sense on one thing, and is ensuring that this policy from the Government will be implemented in Scotland. In my constituency, nine out of 10 households will benefit. That is vital relief from the rising energy prices that we face because of global economic challenges. That is the real, practical support for families that the Prime Minister promised, and that this Budget delivers. The Budget not only provides breathing space in tough times; it also sets out investment that brings huge opportunities for the future of our communities in Glenrothes and Mid Fife, with the prospect of skilled work and good jobs for our young people. Along with the Defence Secretary, who gave an excellent speech at the start of this debate, the Chancellor has committed the funding for the defence investment plan. His contract decision that the new dry docks for Faslane will be built not in a foreign shipyard but here in the UK is a wonderful opportunity for the Methil yard in my constituency, which was saved from closure by this Government. If the new dry docks are built by the skilled workforce at Methil, that will secure the long-term future of the yard and drive its recruitment even higher. Methil is a community with a proud industrial history but high levels of social deprivation; this is a wonderful opportunity for reindustrialisation in our part of Scotland. It is not only in defence that there is such potential to grow our local economy. We have thriving renewable energy businesses, and the decision to proceed with the Jackdaw project has been widely welcomed in the Scottish energy sector, because it will provide employment in an industry whose workforce will be vital if we are to succeed in making the transition to renewables, and to sustain skills and employment in our energy sector. The £18 million pledged to the University of Edinburgh to boost our national capacity to design and test our own semiconductor chips is a decision that will be warmly welcomed across the Forth in Fife, where industry-leading companies such as Clas-SiC Wafer Fab and Semefab are based. Their highly expert staff export their products right across the globe. That is another example of how we are taking advantage of the revolution in artificial intelligence to ensure security, and to realise economic benefits for many of our high-tech, high-skilled industries in Scotland. This is a Budget for breathing space, a Budget to protect our economic stability and a Budget for investment in the future of our communities. I commend the Chancellor for recognising not only the challenges that we face as a country, and offering families respite from them, but the many opportunities that we have to strengthen growth in our economy in the future.<span id="518" class="column-number" data-column-number="518"></span>

    Hansard source
32. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Rachel Blake

    Social Housing Bill (Fourth sitting)

    During this debate, there have been accusations of ideological stances from both parties, particularly on the right to buy. To bring us back to a practical question, does the hon. Member not recognise that new clause 26 would be a duplicative measure, adding to data that is already collected? Does he not agree that up to three additional sales would be necessary just to replace one home, particularly in London, which he and I represent different parts of?

    Hansard source
33. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Rachel Blake

    Social Housing Bill (Fourth sitting)

    It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Western. I oppose the new clause. It fits every criterion of a piece of divisive rhetoric by focusing on an issue that has a relatively small impact within the broader picture. It seeks to amplify fear because it is based on an inadequate assessment of what is actually the issue here: the overall supply of genuinely affordable homes. There have been a number of—I hope—mistakes, or some misspeaking, in the Opposition’s remarks on what a taxpayer is. I am sure that in any closing or future remarks, Opposition Members will acknowledge that people with indefinite leave to remain do pay tax and therefore should be considered taxpayers. They have implied that it is only taxpayers who pay for council homes and social homes; it is also those people who pay rent. I believe they might want to correct those remarks. I want to ask the Opposition a few practical questions. First, what would they propose happens to the very small number of families with British children where the lead tenant, for whatever reason, is not a British <span id="169" class="column-number" data-column-number="169"></span>citizen? Would they really see those British children denied the opportunity to live in a safe, secure, warm and well-designed home? Why on earth are they bringing this proposal forward without acknowledging the role of people with settled status? Finally, one question that has not been asked: have the Opposition speakers spoken to their colleagues about the approach to the common travel arrangement that they have brought up today?

    Hansard source
34. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Peter Swallow

    Topical Questions

    This month, there has been a series of serious road accidents in Bracknell, Warfield and Crowthorne in my constituency. In one incident, a young man, Shayan, very tragically lost his life at the scene. Will the roads Minister meet me to discuss these incidents, and listen to Shayan’s family’s plea for more action on road safety?

    Hansard source
35. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Paul Davies

    Business of the House

    Last week, I visited the Horizon Group in my constituency, which has developed HERO—a solar-powered safety warning device made for remote environments. The product provides essential safety messaging about unmanned crossings and access points in some regions of the Network Rail network. Innovations like this keep people safe. Does the Leader of the House, like me, welcome the Chancellor’s statement yesterday on the importance of supporting innovation by British industry?

    Hansard source
36. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Oliver Ryan

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I welcome today’s statement, the new transitional funding and the Minister’s work on this issue so far. My understanding is that <span id="479" class="column-number" data-column-number="479"></span>Lancashire’s case for reorganisation is stronger and more robust than it was just a few months ago, if a little delayed. Can the Minister confirm today that this new window of engagement is an opportunity for Lancashire to remake its case for our future—we have had the very welcome announcement of a new mayor—and an opportunity for me to keep lobbying him for a smaller east Lancs unitary, and perhaps new electoral boundaries, rather than the existing county divisions?

    Hansard source
37. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Noah Law

    Regional Airports: Short-haul Destinations

    Earlier this year, we saw an issue with Cornwall council being unable to secure any eligible bids for its public service obligation service from Newquay airport. Since then, the council has been scrabbling around trying to secure new commercial routes, which is very welcome and much needed. What consideration has the Minister given to more flexible PSO arrangements that might allow airports such as Newquay to bid in with a more commercial outlook on how we get that support?

    Hansard source
38. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Nick Smith

    Business of the House

    We had huge wildfires in the Welsh valleys last summer, so I welcome last week’s summit, which announced the UK’s first permanent military firefighting capability. When I met firefighters after the summer, I heard anecdotal reports that some fires were being started deliberately. Could we please have a ministerial update on further next steps after the summit? We need many more preventive ideas to address this dreadful issue.

    Hansard source
39. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Nesil Caliskan

    Social Housing Bill (Fourth sitting)

    My hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has put the points I was going to make very eloquently, but I want <span id="167" class="column-number" data-column-number="167"></span>to take the opportunity to say, as the Member of Parliament for Barking, that a high proportion of my constituents are from different heritage backgrounds. The truth is that constituents who have secured indefinite leave to remain have lived in this country for a number of years and have made a significant contribution to our society, not least through the taxes that they have paid as they have worked here legally. The very argument that we should be fairer in our approach to allocating social housing is reflected in our system, which allows those who have paid their taxes and secured indefinite leave to remain to then access social housing when in need. Those who have no recourse to public funds cannot access the social housing in the first place. I appreciate the argument that we must have a fair approach to allocating resources. I accept that, and my constituents in Barking also want a fair approach, but what is fair about not recognising that many people cannot afford to apply to become a British citizen but do have indefinite leave to remain and have contributed by paying their taxes, so they should be able to access the same rights as everybody else? This is a divisive and unnecessary new clause. I do not think that it speaks to the spirit of the debate we have heard so far. It will do nothing to contribute to the additional social homes that we need in this country.

    Hansard source
40. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Labour·Nesil Caliskan

    Social Housing Bill (Fourth sitting)

    That is an interesting question. I would happily have a conversation about welfare and where we draw the line, but the Bill is about social housing. It feels very unfair to draw the line in a way that fails to recognise that once a person has indefinite leave to remain, they have contributed through taxes, through being here a long time and through having legal status. I do not accept that the new clause does anything other than cause division. I do not think that it makes a positive contribution to the net increase of social houses that we desperately need. There are better ways to improve a piece of legislation without creating division and hostility, which my constituency of Barking feels the brunt of when debates like this happen. I urge Members to reject the new clause and recognise that while there is a lot to do to provide additional social housing, targeting groups of my constituents—who would be disadvantaged by this new clause—is not the best way to go about improving the pressures on social housing in this country.

    Hansard source