Alan Campbell MP: speeches

Speeches

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises an important question, and I thank her for her work in advocating on this important matter. We are implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to strengthen protections over charges and services, and we will publish the draft leasehold and commonhold reform Bill as soon as possible. These concerns are shared by many colleagues from across the House, so I am sure that she would find support if she sought an Adjournment debate on the subject, or even a Backbench Business debate. When we bring forward further measures, she will have time to amplify the concerns that she has raised.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to the importance of rugby clubs in our communities; they do a fantastic job. Driffield rugby club’s centenary is absolutely fantastic news. He will see that I am not desperately keen to take up his offer. Should I join the parliamentary team, I would be in danger of dangerous tackles not only from the other side, but probably from our side.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I certainly join the shadow Leader of the House in sending our thoughts to the people of Iran and the region at this very difficult time. I also send our congratulations to Lord Forsyth, who was announced as the new Lord Speaker earlier this week, and I pay tribute to Lord McFall, the outgoing Lord Speaker, for his service and commitment. I am glad to welcome the shadow Leader of the House back to his place. Last week he was on a shadow Cabinet awayday. I thought that he might want to give us a read-out on that and whether a place was set at the top table for the Leader of the Opposition’s new adviser, Nadhim Zahawi, who shortly afterwards had his own awayday when he defected to Reform. I understand from breaking news that things have got worse for the Leader of the Opposition, who has just sacked her rival and shadow Justice Secretary amid rumours that he was about to join Reform too. We watch developments with interest. The shadow Leader of the House raised the issue of defence. As a member of the Defence Committee who takes a keen interest in these matters, he will know how difficult these decisions are, but the Government are committed to increasing defence expenditure and to taking whatever decisions are necessary to defend our country. As far as briefings are concerned, he raises an important matter about access to the information that the official Opposition require. He knows that I am a strong advocate of the role of the official Opposition—I spent quite a long time in opposition myself. It is important that the Opposition get access and I will take back to No. 10 and others his request and ensure that that happens. The right hon. Gentleman is perfectly entitled to raise the issue of pubs, and there are some fantastic pubs in his constituency and that part of the country. I would gently remind him that 7,000 pubs closed under the Conservatives, and in the Budget we put in £4.3 billion of support over three years to help pubs deal with the transition from the support that they previously received. On top of that, other measures that we have taken include easing licensing to help pubs offer drinks more flexibly, maintaining our cut to draught alcohol duty and capping corporation tax. We do recognise that pubs are still worried and many of them are in a difficult situation, and that is why the Chancellor has commissioned work examining a pub support package. That is not just words, as the shadow Leader of the House suggested: it is action. In terms of joined-up policy across Government, of course the Government are joining up our approach, especially on the economy. The House may have noticed this morning that performance statistics show that waiting lists are down by 312,000, and more people are being treated within 18 weeks. November saw the second biggest monthly drop in waiting lists in 15 years. The Government also announced this week that we will deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, a multibillion pound investment that will create a turn-up-and-go railway across the northern growth corridor of Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and York. We have also launched the first ever town of culture competition, which will boost local pride and celebrate the unique stories of our towns, not just in urban areas but in rural areas. Today is national pothole day—although the Leader of the Opposition may think it is national dig-yourself-into-a-hole day—and the Government have provided a record £7.3 billion of funding for local roads, announced in the Budget, allowing councils to get on and fix our roads. That demonstrates that this Government are getting on with the job.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As the hon. Gentleman knows, the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. I thank him for raising these important matters, as he invariably does. We condemn all acts of violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities in Bangladesh, and have repeatedly raised the importance of protecting minorities in that country. I will ensure that the Foreign Secretary hears the hon. Gentleman’s concerns and looks at what further steps may be taken.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I hope that FirstPort hears what the hon. Gentleman has said, but my understanding, which I hope is correct, is that Ministers have brought in FirstPort to discuss these matters and get its game in order. If he wishes to seek a meeting with a Minister, I will try to facilitate that.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman is right to raise these matters, which are of huge concern. I pay tribute to him and to the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for doing so consistently and continually. I cannot promise him a debate in Government time, but should he seek an Adjournment debate, or indeed a Backbench Business debate, I am sure he will find support across the House.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My right hon. Friend raises a very important issue. She is a strong campaigner on these matters and I welcome her contribution. We tabled amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill as a first step, but, as she acknowledges, we are also committed to delivering robust national minimum standards so that passengers can travel with confidence. She would not expect me to comment on what might or might not happen in the second Session, but we continue to consider future legislative options on these matters, because there is further work to be done.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising the situation at Darley Abbey. The disruption to local businesses and the wider community is of great concern. I will make sure that the relevant Minister has heard her remarks, and if she seeks a meeting with a Minister, I will seek to facilitate that.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am not able to offer more time. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that there is quite a queue for time for any private Members’ Bills that we need to take forward. We have had the 13 sitting Fridays, and we are not in a situation to provide more Government time. I am reliably informed that what he claims is the case is not necessarily true. I am also informed that it is Labour councillors across London who have risen to this challenge, and that the decision is not going ahead. I am sorry if that is not an accurate account, but it is the latest account that I have. If that is the case, it is good news for the hon. Gentleman, who has also put forward a petition on these matters. I am sure that gives him ample opportunity to claim credit for this, if what I have said is the correct analysis.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises an important matter. I can assure her that the Government are listening on these matters. We are introducing new, permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, and we are also introducing a hospitality support scheme. As I said in a previous answer, the Chancellor has commissioned work to examine a specific pub support package.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter not just on behalf of her constituency but for her region, championing the concerns of councils as well as of her constituents. The Government are making good on a long-overdue promise to update the way in which we fund local authorities. I can give her my assurance that Ministers are working very hard indeed to ensure that—within the limits of what we can do—councils get the resources that they require. I will ensure that the relevant Minister is made aware of her concerns.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank the right hon. Gentleman for bringing this matter to the House. I know he is a strong advocate on this issue, and I recall him raising it before the recess. I will raise his concerns with the responsible Minister and his reasonable request to see what further progress can be made, to give some certainty. It goes back to what the shadow Leader of the House said; it is about literally joining things up—that is crucial, so I will draw this to the attention of the Minister.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend raises concerns that I am sure are felt by Members across the House. I will raise her concerns with the Secretary of State, but I also point out that Work and Pensions questions are later this month.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As we have said many times before, the SEND system is broken. It does not work for children or their parents. Our schools White Paper will deliver the reform that children desperately need and deserve. As that progresses, I am sure there will be many opportunities to debate these matters. On my hon. Friend’s constituency concern, an improvement notice was issued to Worcestershire county council in 2024, and the Department for Education continues to monitor progress. If he would like an update, he can make his case directly to the Minister at Education questions next Monday.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise these matters. I have heard similar rumours as a constituency MP. The reliable delivery of post, particularly for urgent health information, is essential, and constituents are absolutely right to expect a well-run postal service. I know that Royal Mail pays close attention to issues raised at business questions, but I will ensure that the Minister responsible is made aware of my hon. Friend’s concerns.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for all her work on the incredibly serious issue of suicide prevention and for championing the fantastic work of Samaritans and the Brew Monday campaign. The Government are fully committed to delivering the suicide prevention strategy for England. We have listened to what she and others have said on these matters and are investing a significant £3.6 million specifically in suicide prevention, with a particular focus on middle-aged men.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for bringing to the House’s attention the truly inspiring work of Billy Higgins at the Howe Bridge leisure centre. I whole- heartedly agree that this kind of work deserves to be celebrated. I think she used the words “life-changing”, and she is absolutely correct. She has played her part by raising this matter today. We thank people not just across our own communities, but across the country for their dedication to such important matters.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Ensuring fairness in supply chains is key for UK dairy farmers, and the Government recognise that. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 improve fairness and transparency, and require dairy contracts to include clear terms on pricing termination and prohibiting unilateral changes. Through our new deal for farmers, we are supporting growth and making the supply chain fairer. My colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will have heard the hon. Lady’s remarks. If she writes to me, I will ensure that she gets the meeting that she seeks.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for making such a powerful case for the restoration of that flight link. These links are vital for family travel, when there are bereavements, and for business, and I am sure that the airline has today heard from my hon. Friend about the strength of feeling about this subject in the Bangladeshi community in Rochdale and across the region. I certainly hope that it is listening to what he has said.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Gentleman for not just his work, but that of his Committee and for his ever-thorough updates. On times and future business, I have heard very much what he said. I understand that some of these matters can be time sensitive. I will do everything I can to give him the early warning he asks for, but I also make him the offer, in the times that we do meet, that perhaps we could look at other opportunities for some of these topics to be discussed, outside of Backbench Business. The hon. Gentleman raises Bangladesh. We actively engage with the humanitarian situation and support the interim Government on peaceful and credible elections. We have a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, and we continue to stress that to the interim Government of Bangladesh. We condemn all acts of violence, whether they are religious or ethnic-based, and welcome the commitments of the head of the interim Government to the safety of minorities, including where arrests are made. But I will draw the hon. Gentleman’s comments to the attention of the Foreign Secretary and, of course, I am sure that the Department will want to bring forward a statement when it is appropriate.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I am sorry to hear about the issues that my hon. Friend raises, and I hope that Places for People has heard her comments and raises its game. No resident should be left waiting a long time for repairs to their home, and I think this matter in general would be a popular topic for a Westminster Hall debate, should she wish to apply for one.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman is right to say that planning is a devolved matter. I remind the House—it would not be business questions without my doing so—that we have provided the Scottish Government with more than £50 billion a year, which is the biggest funding settlement since devolution began. I would be happy to facilitate the meeting that he requests.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this point on behalf of hospitality in his constituency. I gave a fuller answer on this matter previously. The Government are actively looking at how best we can help pubs and, more widely, at what further support we can provide.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  As the hon. Gentleman implied, it is really important that the Government have brought forward a road safety strategy, which is the first in over a decade. We have an ambition to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by almost two thirds by 2035. As he knows, there are a number of measures in that strategy. I will consider his request for a debate on these matters, because road safety has been raised by many hon. Members in business questions over the last few weeks and months.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend and I have discussed this matter at length. We intend to publish a report from the client board. Once that has been fully considered by both Houses, I stick to my commitment that MPs will have a final say on the subject. My view is that renewal and restoration presents a great opportunity to do something on a huge scale that will give a big boost to the economy. It is not just about London, but about all parts of the country. A lot of the stone used to build this place comes from Yorkshire, the steelwork comes from Sheffield and, as he pointed out, many of the tiles come from his part of the country. Should the House decide to take these matters forward, I would expect that people in every part of the country would feel the benefit. After all, this House belongs to them.