Jo Platt MP: speeches

Speeches

• 17 Jun 2026 · High Street Shops: Illicit Activity · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to speak under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen (Alex Ballinger) for securing this important debate. This is an issue that communities such as Leigh and Atherton face every single day. Quite frankly, my constituents have had enough. Illegal and exploitative businesses are undermining public safety, damaging our high streets and eroding community pride. Whether it is vape shops, barber shops or mini-marts, people are fed up with outlets appearing overnight, often acting as fronts for organised crime, and residents having no say. Meanwhile, as we have heard, legitimate businesses that follow the rules and contribute to the local economy are struggling to survive. I have been working alongside my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn) on a campaign to shut these dodgy shops down. That campaign now has support from over 50 Members—many of them are here today—and that shows just how widespread and serious the issue has become. Enforcement action such as Operation Machinize, which took place in Leigh and Atherton back in 2024 and led to numerous arrests, and the recent raids by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in London show what can be achieved. They also highlight a fundamental problem: the system does not stop these businesses opening in the first place, nor does it give the authorities the tools to keep them closed. I thank the Government because they have taken welcome steps and are listening. Those steps include new funding, a dedicated organised crime unit and stronger closure powers. I particularly welcome the extension of closure orders to up to 12 months, and I thank the Minister for working alongside us on that. However, we must be honest: this will not be enough on its own. Too often when one shop is shut, the same individuals reopen nearby within weeks. Residents see it and I see it. At the same time, the spread of these outlets continues, particularly in more deprived communities. Leigh and Atherton does not need any more of them. We need to go further. We need stronger enforcement powers and proper resourcing for trading standards and local authorities. Trading standards needs more teeth.

• 17 Jun 2026 · High Street Shops: Illicit Activity · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend, who is a huge champion of that cause and who did so much work on it before entering this House, and I echo his comments. We need joined-up action across Government and a commitment to maybe extend the funding beyond the initial three-year period. It cannot be a short-term fix. We need a court system that can deliver swift justice and we need tougher consequences, whether through escalating fines or a clear “three strikes and you’re out” approach so that repeat offenders cannot simply carry on. Finally, as was mentioned earlier, it is really important that landlords and managing agents are held to account. Greater due diligence is needed so that properties are not repeatedly let to those engaged in illicit activity. If we are serious about restoring trust in our high streets and in politics, we must deliver real change. That means backing legitimate businesses but also taking decisive action against those who are undermining our communities. If we want our high streets to thrive, they must be safe, lawful and fair. The Government have made a start, but we must go further and faster. I want to end by thanking the Government for the work they have done so far on the issue. They have truly listened to our communities’ concerns, and I look forward to working alongside them to continue to tackle this problem on our streets.

• 8 Jun 2026 · Illegal High Street Trading · Hansard source

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  7. What steps her Department is taking to help tackle illegal trading on high streets.

• 8 Jun 2026 · Illegal High Street Trading · Hansard source

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  We welcome the creation of the Government’s high street organised crime unit, and in particular its focus on strengthened partnership working between enforcement agencies. In Leigh and Atherton, communities can see that commitment, but they are asking when they will see action on dodgy shops operating in plain sight. Given the national campaign I have launched with colleagues, will the Minister set out when enforcement will begin locally, how partnerships will be delivered and how we will ensure that these criminal enterprises are shut down without delay?

• 23 Apr 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T2. Happy St George’s day, Mr Speaker. The covid-19 inquiry exposed how long covid was repeatedly dismissed, despite its lasting impact on nearly 2 million people, including me. Can the Minister reassure those living with long covid that the Government will fully act on the inquiry’s findings and explain what steps are being taken to ensure that long covid and post-viral illnesses shape future resilience and pandemic planning?

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

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  As Members will know, this week Parliament welcomed Prestur, the wonderful Icelandic horse showcasing the value of animal-assisted and community-based support for neurodivergent people. May I personally thank you for that, Mr Speaker? I am sure you agree that we have never seen so many fat smiles on MPs’ faces as we did with Prestur. The event had a serious purpose, which was to highlight the strength of neurodiversity and the difference that inclusive, non-clinical environments make to wellbeing, emotional regulation and connection. Does my right hon. Friend agree that such support helps embed neuro-inclusion in our communities? As we shift from hospital to community care, how can we best champion such initiatives so that all people can thrive?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Crime and Policing Bill · Hansard source

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  When people talk about feeling safe where they live, they are talking not about spreadsheets or crime statistics, but about whether they feel okay walking home at night, whether their local shops can open their doors without worrying about theft or abuse, and whether, when something does go wrong, the law actually backs them up. That is why the Crime and Policing Bill really matters. I am pleased to welcome the Bill, because it tackles the issues that my constituents raise time and again: antisocial behaviour, abuse of retail workers, the need for visible neighbourhood policing and stronger action on serious harm, including violence against women and girls. They make up one of the most significant packages on crime and policing in decades. This Bill is about restoring public confidence and making our streets safer. I will speak to Government amendment (a) in lieu of Lords amendment 333, relating to antisocial behaviour and closure powers. In Leigh and Atherton, as in many towns, so-called dodgy shops have become an all too familiar feature of struggling high streets. Illicit premises selling illegal goods, undercutting lawful businesses and operating in plain sight undermine confidence and damage communities, as we have already heard, but what is striking is not the lack of effort from enforcement bodies—far from it—but the limits of the current system. Again and again, action is taken, evidence is gathered and closure orders are secured, only for the same premises to reopen shortly afterwards under a new name. That revolving door problem makes lasting change incredibly difficult. As we have heard, local authorities, trading standards and police forces often spend months building cases and navigating court processes, yet the maximum closure period remains just three months. For those determined to break the law, that is simply not a sufficient deterrent. Legitimate businesses are left trying to compete fairly while criminals carry on. Communities see it happening and are rightly frustrated, while confidence in enforcement and in the fairness of the system starts to slip. This issue cannot be solved in isolation. If we are serious about restoring our high streets, we need a joined-up approach that stops illicit operators from taking root in the first place. The Government are moving in the right direction, with Pride in Place funding, strengthened trading standards, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the forthcoming high streets strategy all forming important pieces of the puzzle. Government amendment (a) in lieu of Lords amendment 333 is another: it gives the Secretary of State the power through regulations to amend the maximum duration of closure orders, with the flexibility to treat different types of premises differently. That pragmatic step will allow consultation and evidence-led change. However, that flexibility must not become hesitation. I would welcome clarity from the Government on the timeline for consultation, because enforcement that does not stick is not enforcement at all. Our high streets cannot afford that delay. Will the Minister confirm that the amendment sits within a wider ongoing programme of work bringing together enforcement, regulation and stronger powers where needed so that this is not the end of the conversation but the start of a robust approach? Our high streets deserve nothing less. With that reassurance, the amendment will be a necessary step in restoring credibility to enforcement and signalling that the Government are serious about bringing confidence, fairness and pride back to our high streets.

• 18 Mar 2026 · Social Enterprises and Community Ownership · Hansard source

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  That is exactly what this debate is about: hearing about initiatives that are thriving all over the country, bringing them together, and creating the support that those organisations need. I will definitely take that forward to see whether there is anything that we can do in our local area. Across the UK there are about 131,000 social enterprises—roughly one in every 42 businesses. Together, they contribute about 3.4% of GDP, employ more than 2.3 million people, and reinvest more than £1 billion each year in social and environmental causes. Community businesses alone number around 11,000, generating nearly £1 billion in income. Crucially, for every pound spent with a community business, about 56p stays in our local economies. Almost half operate in the most deprived communities—proof that this model thrives precisely where it is needed most. If we want inclusive, place-based growth, supporting social enterprises and community ownership must be part of our economic strategy. Too often the system simply is not designed for such organisations. Right now in my constituency the Pete Shelley memorial campaign, a brilliant group organising festivals that showcase incredible local artists, is working to become a social enterprise so that it can reinvest profits into helping young people access opportunities in the creative industries. But like many groups across the country, it faces real challenges in balancing its social impact with financial sustainability, navigating complex legal structures and accessing the patient capital that such models require. Without the right support, we risk losing extraordinary local potential. I want to recognise the progress that this Labour Government have already made. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill introduces a landmark community right to buy, giving local people the opportunity to protect and take ownership of the spaces that matter to them most. Programmes such as Pride in Place and wider investment in town regeneration are already helping communities begin to rebuild. If we want those models to move from the margins to the mainstream, we must match community ambition with political ambition. Communities need three things to make the model succeed: first, access to patient and flexible finance; secondly, procurement systems that value social impact, not simply the lowest price; and thirdly, proper business support so that local people with great ideas are not left to navigate the system alone. We should also continue strengthening organisations such as Locality, the Co-operative Development Unit, and Social Enterprise UK, whose expertise already helps communities turn ideas into thriving enterprises. I care deeply about this because I have seen the difference that it makes. During my time managing Leigh Spinners, I saw at first hand what happens when local people are given the space and power to shape their community’s future. I have seen with my own eyes the transformational power of national investment in community ownership. Thanks to the previous Government’s community ownership fund, places like Leigh Spinners Mill were able to step in, secure valuable spaces for working people, and turn the threat of loss into a hub of thriving businesses. When people have ownership, they have hope; when people have a stake, they have a voice. Ownership changes outcomes, and towns like mine have the talent, the ideas and the community spirit to thrive. The Government’s industrial strategy rightly talks about driving growth across the country, but too often that growth has yet to reach towns like mine, where the backbone of the economy is not large corporations but small, locally rooted businesses. That is where social enterprise and community ownership come in: keeping wealth local, creating jobs locally, and ensuring that growth is rooted in the places that need it most. The question for the Government is simple: will we back the communities that have always built their own futures? If we do, we will build not only businesses, but stronger, fairer and more resilient communities. That is the future our towns deserve.

• 18 Mar 2026 · Social Enterprises and Community Ownership · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is a great advocate for the co-operative movement, whose birthplace is in his constituency. I absolutely agree with him—there is more the Government can do to support co-operatives in all sectors. Today, the co-operative spirit is alive and well in my constituency. In towns like mine, such organisations are not simply community projects, but are becoming local economic anchors. Let me give the House a few examples. For Tyldesley is a community-led initiative that is revitalising the town through heritage restoration and community activities. In the same town, the Pelican Centre was one of the first swimming pools in the country to become community owned, and it is still thriving 14 years later. The Snug in Atherton, led by grassroots champion Rachael McEntee and supported by the Music Venue Trust, is helping to build a vibrant local cultural scene. Leigh Works is creating space for small businesses and digital innovation to flourish, while inspiring the next generation of local talent. In a speech about community ownership, I could not afford to leave out Leigh Spinners Mill. I declare an interest: I used to manage that facility. It was once a disused red-brick giant of our industrial past, and it is now a thriving centre of creativity and enterprise, providing space for community organisations and local businesses. These are not isolated stories; they are part of a growing national movement.

• 18 Mar 2026 · Social Enterprises and Community Ownership · Hansard source

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  I beg to move, That this House has considered social enterprises and community ownership. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. When people make speeches about post-industrial towns like mine, they often begin in the same way: by listing everything that we have lost. They talk about decline, deprivation, and the industries that disappeared during the wave of UK deindustrialisation. To be clear, many of those things are true and it is important to acknowledge that. However, that story often misses something just as important, because although the mills closed and the factories fell silent, the people of towns like Leigh and Atherton did what they have always done: they got on with it. They supported each other, they built new initiatives and they kept their communities going. What I see in my constituency is not a place defined only by what has been lost, but resilience, creativity, and an extraordinary sense of community, built from the ground up. The truth is that towns like mine have never lacked ideas, talent or determination, but we have often lacked the structures that allow communities to own and shape their local economies. That is exactly why social enterprise and community ownership matter: they give communities tools to shape the economies and the future that they have always been building themselves. At its heart, this debate is about ownership, because ownership determines who benefits from economic activity. When businesses are owned elsewhere, profits leave, but when businesses are owned locally, wealth stays, and it circulates through the local economy, supporting jobs, suppliers and services in the places where that wealth is created. A community-owned business or co-operative is owned and controlled by local people, who collectively make decisions and share the benefits. Those businesses exist to serve the needs of the community, rather than outside investors. Social enterprises operate in a simple way. As defined by Social Enterprise UK, they are businesses that trade “for a social or environmental purpose” and reinvest the majority of their profits into that mission. Both models give communities real power to shape their local economies and their future. The tradition is deeply rooted in the north. The modern co-operative movement began with the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers—a group of working people who showed that communities could come together to build businesses that served everyone.

• 18 Mar 2026 · Social Enterprises and Community Ownership · Hansard source

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  I spoke very broadly about the value of social enterprise and community ownership, but to hear individual stories from across the country just shows the power that they have and their effect on us. I thank the Minister for his response and commitment to the sector, and I look forward to working with him in the future. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered social enterprises and community ownership.

• 2 Mar 2026 · School SEND Provision · Hansard source

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  Families in Leigh and Atherton are exhausted from constantly fighting for the SEND support their children need, so I welcome the White Paper’s proposals, including individual support plans and more inclusion bases in schools, because inclusive education benefits everyone. These reforms must come with real oversight and resources. Can the Secretary of State reassure families that the battles for SEND support will end, and explain how local authorities and schools will be properly supported and held accountable?

• 2 Mar 2026 · School SEND Provision · Hansard source

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  22. What steps she is taking to improve SEND provision in schools.

• 29 Jan 2026 · Hospitality Sector · Hansard source

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  A lot of the hospitality small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency start out as market traders. As we know, our markets are a vital part of our identity and central to our local ecosystem, giving businesses the space to start, test and grow. Does the Minister agree that markets and hospitality are key to reviving our high streets, and will she meet me to discuss a national traders strategy to secure a strong pipeline for future success?

• 20 Jan 2026 · ADHD Diagnosis · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I rise to speak as chair of the APPG on ADHD. As someone from a neurodiverse—or, as we call it, neuro-spicy—household, I understand the difference that support can make and the consequences when it is missing. I want to address an elephant in the room, because there has been a lot of talk about the overdiagnosis of ADHD. I understand why that question is asked, but the evidence does not support it. The NHS ADHD taskforce has been clear that ADHD is “under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated”. Diagnosis rates are well below what the prevalence suggests, and some trusts are so overwhelmed that, as we have heard, they have paused new referrals, not because demand is inflated but because services cannot keep up. When ADHD goes undiagnosed, it does not disappear; it shows up elsewhere, including in health services through higher rates of co-existing conditions and crisis-driven care. Untreated ADHD costs more than £13,500 per affected person each year. Early diagnosis and treatment save money and reduce the burden on the NHS. ADHD shows up in our schools, and children with ADHD are more likely to be excluded, miss school or face bullying. Many have literacy challenges and other conditions that compound when support comes too late. It also shows up, as we have just heard, in the criminal justice system. One in four people in prison have ADHD, compared with one in 20 in the general population. Without support, people are more likely to develop risky coping strategies, including substance misuse. Diagnosis is not a magic bullet, but it is a starting point. It shifts people from blame to understanding, and it only works when followed by support across education, workplaces and public services. That brings me to the key issue: we still do not have a clear national picture of how long people are waiting for an NHS diagnosis, and I would like to put that to the Minister.

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

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  Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week I visited Howe Bridge leisure centre to meet sensei Billy Higgins and watch one of his much-loved karate sessions. There are too many accolades to list today, but as a founder, international champion and dedicated instructor, Billy has transformed young people’s confidence, resilience and sense of belonging. Will the Leader of the House acknowledge the significance of Billy’s work and celebrate people like Billy and their important contribution to our communities?

• 15 Jan 2026 · Digital ID · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for his announcement about the changes to digital ID. As a neighbouring MP, he will know that I recently held a public meeting in Leigh and Atherton, and there was overwhelming agreement that this should not be mandatory, so the decision will be welcomed by many. However, can he set out how the wider digitisation of public services will benefit my constituents, particularly in streamlining support for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities?

• 13 Jan 2026 · ADHD Services · Hansard source

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  I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party parliament group on ADHD. ADHD providers estimate that untreated ADHD could cost the economy £11.2 billion over the next decade, largely due to avoidable impacts on justice, employment, education and health. Will the Minister commit to ensure that people with ADHD receive the support they need to succeed, and will she work with the APPG to develop strategies that will help individuals to reach their full potential?

• 13 Jan 2026 · ADHD Services · Hansard source

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  10. What steps his Department is taking to improve ADHD services.

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

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  Like others, to mark Parliament Week I had the pleasure of visiting Leigh Church of England primary school and hearing directly from students about their campaign to support teaching assistants. It was inspiring to see young people championing those who support them, showing real democratic engagement and care for their community. Will the Leader of the House join me in celebrating their brilliant campaign? As they will be listening intently to him, will he advise on other ways in which they can campaign to get this important message across?

• 2 Dec 2025 · Budget Resolutions · Hansard source

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  The autumn Budget shapes the choices we make and the kind of society we want to build together. After 14 years of mismanagement, this Budget is about turning the page. It is about moving from uncertainty to opportunity, and about giving people the confidence that the Government are on their side. That is why I welcome the Chancellor’s autumn Budget. It marks the start of a series of measures that will make a real difference, such as helping with the cost of living, supporting our NHS and giving our communities the opportunities they need to reach their potential. From our proud coalfield communities involved in the BCSSS scheme, who will finally receive the justice they deserve, to the 2,840 families in Leigh and Atherton who will benefit from lifting the two-child benefit cap, this Budget demonstrates that the Government are listening to communities like mine. It shows that the voices of ordinary people and the concerns raised in towns like Leigh and Atherton are being heard. I want to give special thanks to William Hancock, a local mineworker who fought tirelessly to support his fellow workers in getting the justice they deserve. I was delighted when the Chancellor announced measures to tackle illicit activity on our high streets. For too long, fake shops and rogue traders have undermined confidence and damaged local pride. That ends now. Backed by £45 million over four years, the new crackdown will create a cross-Government taskforce, strengthen trading standards and give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect honest businesses. This is a direct response to the campaign I have led, alongside my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes (Melanie Onn), to shut down dodgy shops and restore pride to our high streets. We do need to go further, but this is a huge step forward. It is the start of the change that our communities have demanded for so long. This Budget is not the end; it is the beginning. Together we will rebuild trust, restore pride and create the kind of society that reflects the best of who we are. That is the future we promised, and that is the future we will deliver.

• 19 Nov 2025 · Myalgic Encephalomyelitis · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Mundell. I declare my interest as chair of both the all-party parliamentary group on myalgic encephalomyelitis and the all-party parliamentary group on long covid. I thank the hon. Member for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt) for bringing this important debate to the House; we work together on the APPG on ME. ME and related conditions such as long covid are among the most devastating illnesses of our time, yet they remain some of the most poorly understood and most neglected. Unless we confront this misunderstanding head on, we will never deliver the change that patients so desperately need. This issue is personal to me. In 2020, I contracted long covid. The infection was mild, but the aftermath was devastating, and it changed my life forever. With long covid, I developed ME, so I know the exhaustion, isolation and gaslighting that patients face. I cannot know for sure why I improved, but I believe that one reason was early recognition. I give a big shout-out to my friend Shelley Guest, who saw that my symptoms mirrored her own. She gave me books; she shouted at me, and told me to pace myself. I am forever grateful to her. That raises a critical question: if diagnosed and supported early enough, could ME’s symptoms be managed to the point of recovery or partial recovery? My journey is not over yet. That is why research and recognition are not optional; they are essential.

• 19 Nov 2025 · Myalgic Encephalomyelitis · Hansard source

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  I completely agree. As my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (James Naish) mentioned, there is confusion about what chronic fatigue is and what ME is; there needs to be differentiation and clarification on those conditions. We all understand chronic fatigue, but ME is different. It is not just tiredness; they are complex issues. Many of those who are severely affected cannot even sit upright. They are confined to darkened rooms, often tube-fed, cut off from the world and too often ignored by the very health system that is meant to protect them. Long covid has only added to that burden. Millions are affected, half of whom meet the criteria for ME. Next Tuesday, Parliament will host the first drop-in session of the Overlapping Illness Alliance, which will raise awareness of ME, long covid and related conditions, and I urge colleagues from across the House to attend. The Government’s ME delivery plan is a welcome step. NHS e-learning service specifications and small research grants are progress, but they are not enough, particularly for severe ME. The scale of the challenge demands ambition, accountability and strategic investment. We need specialised NHS services for ME, we need urgent support for children whose education is disrupted, and we need co-ordinated action across health, social care, education and employment. Research is central to progress. DecodeME has shown the brilliance of UK science, but funding remains far too limited. Germany has pledged €500 million to research with the aim of curing ME by the next decade. We need to be just as ambitious, but we must also confront the misinformation and bias on ME that has plagued us for decades. Patients are dying from nutritional failure because there is no commissioned service for severe ME. Some spend hundreds of pounds in hospital on private care without a proper pathway. Lives are at risk now and we cannot wait for long-term provision while patients suffer. That is why, alongside the APPG, I am calling for the commissioning of specialised NHS services for severe and very severe ME with expertise in nutritional failure, and I would welcome the chance to meet the Government to discuss immediate solutions that can save lives today. Will the Minister commit to improving data collection so that we can better understand risks and create the foundations for effective care? The Government have taken steps in the right direction, but more must be done. As chair of both APPGs, I will continue to work with the community and the Government to do that.

• 19 Nov 2025 · Myalgic Encephalomyelitis · Hansard source

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  I agree, and I recognise every single one of those issues. As chair of the APPG, I hear about the harrowing cases of what people are struggling with on the pathway to healthcare. It is simply not good enough.

• 18 Nov 2025 · Flood Risk and Flood Defence Infrastructure: North-west England · Hansard source

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  I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. As near neighbours, we share the same concerns. I do think that the Greater Manchester combined authority is leading on some really good work, pulling in all the agencies in order to work on the responsibilities of some of those partners, and we need to be part of that too. We need decisive action now. Every household must be made flood-proof, not through quick fixes but through sustainable solutions that stand the test of time. That means that local and national policies must embed resilience at their core. Local authorities and the Environment Agency should be held accountable and given the resources to deliver. Finally, I want to raise an issue that residents repeatedly bring to me. Many households find that insurance companies differ widely in the cover they offer for flood risk, leaving families vulnerable. What discussions has the Minister had with insurers and with the Build Back Better scheme to ensure fairness and consistency in cover for those affected? Our community has shown strength in the face of adversity; now it is time for leadership to match that strength with action. We must build a future where homes are protected, families feel secure and flooding is no longer a recurring nightmare for Leigh and Atherton residents.