I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her tireless campaigning on this important matter. Across the last five financial years, we have spent more than £555 million on dementia research, including dementia diagnostics and trials of potential treatments. We are working to be at the front of transforming treatments and to be a world leader in dementia trial expertise. I will take back her comments to the relevant Minister and ensure that she gets an update, not just on what we are doing, but on our plans for the future.
The hon. Lady raises a very important point. I hope that Anglian Water has heard her comments and takes action, because these issues sound very serious indeed at any time of year, but particularly this time of year. We will have a debate on the clean water Bill. It will be about not just how the situation is fixed, but how we improve water services for the future.
My hon. Friend is a true champion for his constituency, and for community events and local organisations. Events such as Canal Quest and Bike for Good taster sessions are important for bringing communities together. If he is not able to catch your eye in the pre-recess Adjournment debate this afternoon, Mr Speaker, I encourage him to seek a Westminster Hall, when we return in September, on how major events can deliver even more for local communities.
We have been very clear that Royal Mail’s service is unacceptable, and we will continue to say that as long as it is unacceptable. The public expect a well-run postal service, with letters arriving on time across the country. The Royal Mail has already been fined by Ofcom three times, and Ofcom continues to monitor its performance. As the hon. Gentleman may well know, the Business and Trade Committee has called Royal Mail into Parliament to hold it to account. I hope that Royal Mail listens to what he says this morning and reflects on what Parliament has done so far, because it is time that it provided his constituents, and all our constituents, with the service that it ought to.
Madam Deputy Speaker, let me join you in saying happy birthday to my hon. Friend. I join her in thanking those providing important services and advice in our local communities. We recognise that summer can be a challenging time, not just because of the heat but because of increased costs. I wish her well with the event she is organising. We have introduced the Great British summer savings scheme to help people enjoy a day out for less. Families will be able to enjoy discounted attractions and meals out this summer.
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise the issue of the importance of parks. I am certain that Baysgarth and Bridge View parks are lovely places, and that their awards are well deserved. He talks about resources. Our flagship Pride in Place programme is giving up to £5.8 billion over 10 years to support 284 towns, and I hope we will be able to look at further ways to help. Pride in Place empowers local people to decide how best to look after their areas, and that includes deciding on what happens to their local parks.
I do agree. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that ignoring requests for meetings is simply unacceptable. I hope that Trinity Estates has heard his representations today and that it will engage with him in good faith to resolve this important matter for my hon. Friend, acting on behalf of his constituents, and for his constituents themselves.
I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to everybody involved, including the medical staff. I hope that this will be the great step forward for Cheltenham that he is talking about. I hope that the council has heard his remarks. Of course, to some extent planning takes a little time, but we should be getting on with the project, because acting and doing more to tackle cancer, which this Government are absolutely committed to doing, is of such importance to local people and communities.
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for her local community. I will ensure that the Minister overseeing the scheme hears what she has said, and we will get her an update on how she can access the scheme to ensure that the success in her constituency continues and grows.
Absolutely. I invite the hon. Lady to seek a debate when we return after the summer recess, so that she can make the case for her constituency and for this issue. It is vital that young people learn about where their food comes from. Last Friday, I was at Southridge primary school in my constituency, where outdoor education is transforming the lives of young people: not only are they growing their own food, while the importance of that is explained to them, but they have the opportunity to learn and to play. I thank her for raising this matter.
The DVLA has recruited more staff to the drivers medical casework team and its contact centre to deal with the sustained increase in the volume and complexity of applications, but I understand the frustration of my hon. Friend and his constituents—and of many people across the country, probably. I recommend that he seeks a Westminster Hall debate on this matter when we return in September so that he can make that case and hear from a Minister how the issue will be resolved.
I am sure that this causes distress not just to the family, but to the community supporting them. It is important that we get a fair system, but it is also important that we have an effective and efficient system that puts people at the centre. If the hon. Lady gives me details of the case, I will take it up with the Home Office and see if we can get the reassurance that she seeks.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this matter. The Government have been working hard to improve air quality, and we have provided £582 million to support local authorities. It is very disappointing to hear of the case in his constituency. I hope that the company, Simpson, as well as his local council and the Environment Agency have heard his words, and that they will take action to remedy this issue, because I can give them one guarantee: if they do not, my hon. Friend will continue to raise the issue until they do.
The new places of worship renewal fund is open for applications, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, it is an England-only fund administered by Historic England. It is for the Scottish Government to consider whether to set up new arrangements in Scotland, and it is disappointing, to say the least, that they have not done so. I am going to say this again, because it might be the last time that I say it: the Scottish Government have had the biggest settlement since devolution. It is important that they get on and spend it on behalf of constituents, who the settlement was put there for.
I do indeed, and I join my hon. Friend in praising Hardwicke Circus on their success. I agree that the success of any artist should not be determined by postcode. That is why this week we have brought forward our plan for music, detailing our ambition to provide people in every corner of the country with the opportunity to start and build a career in music.
The hon. Gentleman raises an important matter, behind which is the importance of prevention rather than trying to put things right after they have happened, which is far more costly. There should not be a postcode lottery in this area, or indeed in any other area. I invite the hon. Gentleman to apply for a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate, so that he can make his case and hear from the relevant Minister how we are going to put this right.
My message to the young people taking part in my hon. Friend’s summer school is to enjoy themselves—to enjoy what they might learn, but also to enjoy working together in what is a fantastic field. Taking part in public life is an honour and a privilege, and we should encourage everyone who aspires to public service to be able to follow that ambition.
The hon. Gentleman raises two important matters that are very close to my heart. The first is making sure that people can access dental services wherever they are. The second is coastal communities, which are very important indeed—as he knows, I represent one. Of course, it has been a challenging time for dental services, but the Government are determined to put that right; we are taking action and investing. The hon. Gentleman has referred to the recommendations of the Whitty report; let me go back to the Minister responsible and get the hon. Gentleman an update.
My hon. Friend raises a serious matter—care providers must employ fit and proper staff. I understand that the provider he mentions has been placed in special measures to ensure it makes significant improvements. The Care Quality Commission can use its enforcement powers to respond to inadequacies and ensure that action is taken. If it is appropriate in this situation, I hope the commission will use those powers.
The hon. Lady is assuming that there will be a new Chancellor. As of today, the Chancellor has delivered the highest growth in the G7; I see that the most recent numbers confirm that is happening. We have faced a very challenging situation—one that we inherited and that was made worse by aspects of the international situation—yet inflation has fallen. We have also seen interest rates fall after the dramatic rise following the Truss Budget. I therefore do not agree with the hon. Lady’s analysis. However, she raises an important point. We are looking at a new Administration—the continuation of a Labour Government, but a new Administration—and I would expect that any Secretary of State and the Prime Minister would want to come to this House to set out their view of what will happen going forward.
It is unacceptable that women face long waits for the health services they need. We published our renewed women’s health strategy to deliver women’s health priorities. We are committed to ensuring that women can access the services they need, whether that is through their own GP or through a women’s health hub. I encourage my hon. Friend, perhaps on our return, to apply either for a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate, because I think it would be a popular topic for Members from all parts of the House.
The next Prime Minister has made clear the importance that he attaches to reindustrialisation, particularly in communities that, for a number of reasons, have felt left behind. I am sure that there will be ample time when we return to debate some of these matters, but if my hon. Friend wants to get in quick, a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate might get him an update from the relevant Minister.
The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that a new Administration will want to look across some of the commitments that have been made to see whether they want to take them forward. The overseas visitor levy is welcomed by many, but it has caused some concern. I am confident that when we return after the recess he will have an opportunity either to take part in a debate on this matter or to seek such a debate, because we will be discussing it in the autumn.
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Gerry Borge and all the members of the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association for their work in honouring the memory of those affected by this tragedy. It is important that we remember and pay tribute to the more than 800 allied prisoners of war who lost their lives, as well as the extraordinary endurance of those who survived. We must remember that behind every statistic there are families who did not see their loved ones return.
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his kind invitation—as ever, I will need to check my diary. On a serious point, common ridings are an important tradition, bringing communities together, preserving local history and putting on a spectacular display for visitors. I join him in thanking all the volunteers who make such events a success and in encouraging people to go and see for themselves what happens.
My hon. Friend will know that the Government have been instrumental in bringing forward advanced industrial rights for working people; it is therefore sad to learn of what is taking place in her constituency. Should she seek a debate on our return, she could make that case. I hope that the dispute is over by then, but if she wants to hear from the relevant Minister about what further we can do, and perhaps what other measures are needed, she could apply for an Adjournment debate so that she might get that assurance.
The hon. Lady raises a really important matter and looks to the legislative route by which we might take for that. I pay tribute to everyone involved with young carers—they do a fantastic and often unrecognised job. If she wants a meeting with an Education Minister to talk about what might happen in the legislative process, I will help her to achieve that.
It is unacceptable that people face delays due to medical conditions. We recognise that such delays have knock-on consequences. As I said, the DVLA is working hard to reduce delays and has introduced a new casework system that will improve things significantly, but I will take up the matter with the relevant Minister. If, as they monitor progress, a statement is required on our return, I will certainly give that some thought.
It is very much at the forefront of the Government’s thinking that we want not only to clean up local communities, but to put in their hands the powers to do so. If the right hon. Lady seeks a Backbench Business debate or a Westminster Hall debate, I am sure that her concerns about nitrous oxide and other things will be echoed across the House, and she will find others who will want to join her for that debate.
My hon. Friend raises an important matter. I commend the McKellen pupils at St Philip Westbrook primary school for their thoughtfulness on these matters. We have been working hard to try to find a long-term solution, including through a national plan to end homelessness and the repeal of the outdated Vagrancy Act, but if my hon. Friend wants to hear directly from a Minister, either a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate would be an appropriate way forward.
I join the hon. Lady in congratulating everyone who won an award, and I also congratulate her on not only highlighting this matter but playing such an important role in her constituency in doing so—I pay tribute to her for that. The hon. Lady rightly says that small businesses are the heart of our local communities—that is a constant theme running through Government policy. Should she seek an Adjournment debate and a response from a Minister on what more we can do to support small businesses in her constituency, and indeed others, I am sure that would be appropriate.
My hon. Friend is a great champion for her fantastic constituency, and she highlights a theme of many of our sessions, which is that Reform offers a great deal in order to get elected and then delivers very little when elected. Perhaps because I am an optimist, I hope that South Tyneside council has heard what she has said and changes its mind. I also hope that the affected residents reflect on that and do everything they can for the campaign because, knowing my hon. Friend very well, I can guarantee that she is not going to give up on this.
As the hon. Lady suggests, the next Prime Minister was absolutely central to helping to deliver the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. It is crucial that we got that Bill through this place, and I hope it will see the statute book, but, as the hon. Lady has alluded to, that is just the first step. It is often about changing the culture in institutions. I know the next Prime Minister well, and he is not going to give up on this matter either.
The service provided by Capita has been, quite frankly, dreadful. Too many pension scheme members still face unacceptable delays after years of dedicated public service. After this matter was raised in the House on several occasions, the Minister for the Cabinet Office provided an update on the action we are taking. If my hon. Friend provides me with the details of individual cases, I will see whether we can raise them with the relevant Departments and get a resolution. I am sure the Cabinet Office will want to keep the matter under review and, when we return in September, not only update the House on the progress made but give assurances about the future.
I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to West Yorkshire fire and rescue service. I fear its services will be called on more in future as climate change has further effect. I will take away and raise with Ministers the hon. Gentleman’s particular points, but let me be clear: we have invested around £100 million for the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly 20 years, to combat the escalating threat of wildfires. We have also made available around £2 billion for fire and rescue authorities in England. It is obviously of concern to the hon. Gentleman’s local communities, though; let us see what more we can do.
My hon. Friend knows that the Government are committed to building 1.5 million new homes to fix our housing crisis and ensure that everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to live, but she is absolutely right that infrastructure needs to be built alongside those new homes. Our planning frameworks are clear that large-scale development should be sustainable and infrastructure-led. I encourage my hon. Friend to ask for either a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate when we return, so that she can hear directly from a Minister how the situation can be resolved.
First, I congratulate the hon. Gentleman—I am sure many of us envy him—on Stockton making the shortlist for town of culture, which is a great tribute to the work taking place there. The Government are of course committed to doing everything they can to address the crisis in the NHS, not least in respect of infrastructure. This Government are different from the last Government, in the sense that we are not just committed to bringing forward plans, albeit I understand the urgency; we are actually going to provide the money for those plans. That was the bit that was missing.
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for raising this matter, and send condolences to Phil Wright’s family following this tragic case. We are investing £3.6 million in suicide prevention as part of England’s first ever men’s health strategy. Both crisis and community mental health teams should be able to visit patients in their home, and it is sad to hear that that did not happen in this heartbreaking case. The NHS is improving, but I acknowledge that more needs to be done. I know that is of little comfort to my hon. Friend’s constituents. I will raise this issue with the relevant Minister and ask them to write to her about it.
These are concerning matters, and the hon. Gentleman is right to raise them. I suggest that he seek either a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate when we return, so that he can go into further detail on an issue that I am sure is causing distress to some of his constituents.