Commons Chamber

Thursday 20th March 2025

(began 3 months ago)

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Lucy Rigby Portrait Lucy Rigby KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Northampton North, Labour)
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The honourable member is actually right to suggest that the root causes of the backlog are a direct result of conservative choices and indeed in action. The previous government closed over 260 court buildings. In one year alone the Tories closed 84 magistrates courts. This clearly led to this very considerable courts backlog. I'm pleased to say that the Lord Chancellor is taking action it comes Chancellor is taking action it comes to that backlog. She is funding 108,000 sitting days in the Crown Courts and increasing magistrates courts sentencing powers so we can deal with the courts backlog.

 Question number four.

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New technology has the potential

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New technology has the potential to bring transformative benefits to the Google justice system, as indeed it does to public services more broadly. This government recognises broadly. This government recognises that technology has the potential to radically enhance the way that public services are delivered to the public services are delivered to the benefit of all of us and indeed to the benefit of the public purse as well. For example the SFO is trialling technology to improve the speed and quality of its disclosure work.

The results have been very work. The results have been very promising for is identified relevant documents 40% more quickly than traditional methods. I'm pleased to say it will be rolled out in the coming months. coming months.
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Helen Grant Portrait Helen Grant MP (Maidstone and Malling, Conservative)
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The independent review of the Southport attacks condemns CPS and police's near silence following the attacks. It establishes silence as a catalyst for media disinformation and public distrust and its states, "Silence in the face of horrific events of major public interest is no longer an option." Does the Solicitor-General accept that government secrecy, it fuelled conspiracy theories and it will need faith in the system? Are the independent reviewer simply wrong?

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You will not be surprised to hear that I reject the allegation of that I reject the allegation of government secrecy. When it comes to Southport, there were some of the Southport, there were some of the most harrowing murders in our history and it was absolutely right history and it was absolutely right that due process was followed and it led to a successful conviction and it was vital that justice was done it was vital that justice was done in those cases.

The Shadow Solicitor-General will know that there are issues around contempt which are being looked at by the Law which are being looked at by the Law Commission who have agreed to a request from the Home Secretary to speed up the review and it's vitally important we get the results as soon as possible.

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The independent review warned

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The independent review warned that government silence risked far more prejudice to any trial than transparency. Indeed, the truth, as is often said, can be the best disinfectant. Will the Solicitor- General agree to greater transparency around major events in transparency around major events in the future and to accept the recommendations of Jonathan Hall on the provision of information to the public to ensure this never happens again?
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None Portrait Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House
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Thank Thank you Thank you very Thank you very much, Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Will the leader give us the
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Jesse Norman Portrait Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)
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Thank you very much indeed. I hope you and the House will excuse me if I start on a personal note. Almost exactly 24 hours ago my father-in-law died at the age of 91. He was an extraordinary man who flew Sea Fires and Furies during the Second World War and the created Polly Pocket, a life which provided joy to people around the world. He rebuilt the Runtimes, not just as a performing arts centre but a place for young people to find their way from whatever background into jobs.

I mentioned this now because there are values which have got a wider consideration, values of positivity and creativity at the other that the secret to success in the toy business was to have a mental age of seven and an eye for detail incredible energy but also amazing resilience and turning up at the finishing line. Even in his 80s, he was building and creating a new was building and creating a new enterprise to develop flatpack trucks, if you can imagine what a thing, that could be sold around the world at low cost and in countries, supporting businesses and people.

I think the whole House will perhaps agree with me that we need these values in this time of difficulty and stagnation and we need these values of creativity, ambition, drive, respect for others, and, above all, of capability, not just focus on the head, but on the hand and the heart as well. It is something I feel strongly about in terms of this new university in Hereford and a technical engineering College, precisely to bring those types of different aspects of the human personality together in terms of better jobs and possibilities.

I also think it raises a question for us as the House and Parliament which is to encourage us all to ask the right questions and to support long-term solutions, even when those questions and solutions may not be once we are ideological are politically drawn to. We are in a world now where I think we all know welfare costs are rising higher than anyone would have wanted and so the service effectiveness is perhaps not as good as we would like and productivity in the NHS is not quite what we would all want, for whatever reason that might be, over a long period of time and we need a rapid Those are crucial questions for us as a House that we will have to develop and discuss in the next few years.

I want to ask the leader whether we and other members in this chamber whether we can't expand our thinking about these issues. And perhaps try to push for more scope for cooperation between the parties on these long-term issues. For more consultation and debate of key legislation before it is brought to this house. And more ways to develop a closer engagement, personal engagement between members so we can build respect and cooperation across the house for the longer term. One of my father's maxims was that the secret to success is take a large bite and then chew it.

I think we could do that more as a house and as a country.

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I want to put on the record my condolences. I know the member and I
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Lucy Powell Portrait Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )
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shared some time together in the Department and he was are top gentlemen to work with and his father would have been very proud.

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Can I thank the shadow leader for

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Can I thank the shadow leader for that tribute to his father, who I didn't know but just in the short time that he has spoken about him time that he has spoken about him today, he sounds like a wonderful father to have. Someone who invented father to have. Someone who invented children's toys but also sounds like somebody of great wisdom gave him somebody of great wisdom gave him great advice. I'm sure we can all in this house lived by those values of positivity, creativity, and positivity, creativity, and resilience that he so fondly shared with us.

I give him and all his family my very best wishes and I'm sure the best wishes of this house sure the best wishes of this house as he comes to the coming days. I also want to congratulate Newcastle United, I wouldn't normally, but they did win their first silverware in 17 years. And it is great to see that the Tour de France will in 2027 starts in Edinburgh and make its way through England and Wales too. Before I come on to review the questions that he raised, can I also, I'm sure the whole house, as international events yet again dominate, I'm sure we all looked with horror at the evolving situation in Gaza in particular.

With aid withheld and the killing continuing, and as the Foreign Secretary is about to set out to the house shortly, we want to see an urgent resumption of the ceasefire and the long-term peace talks being secured and continuing. In the spirit of his contribution this morning, can I absolutely put on record my thanks to him for the cross-party working that he and I do across this house, not just through the Modernisation Committee but on that House of Commons Commission chaired by Mr Speaker and many other boards that we have two sitting for many hours indeed.

He makes a really important point. It is one of the reasons that I wanted to establish that Modernisation Committee because I could have come in to this position as Leader of the House and just laid down motions which I do on many days, laid down motions to change the rules of the house. I take very seriously my role as leader, and as leader I represent the whole house, I want to bring the whole house together. I want to hear from the smaller parties as well as cross-party.

I do believe that we work at our best in this place we do work together cross-party on the select committees, on issues that unite us. I know many of those issues get raised in Business Questions many times with me regularly. Can I join with him in saying that I think we can definitely do more to tackle the big issues this country faces, whether it is our defence and security, whether it is welfare reform that is needed, whether it is the jobs of the future.

We can all work, or social care indeed which may get raised with me today, and long may that continue and we should strive to do more.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. I add to my condolences to the
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Marie Goldman Portrait Marie Goldman MP (Chelmsford, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrats Spokesperson. and that of my party to that shadow leader on the passing of his father who sounds like he was an amazing man who will be missed not just by the shadow leader by many across the country. Yesterday in response to a question about welfare reforms from the Mother of the House, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of getting people into work. He said " I think that one in eight young people not being an educational training is immoral.

" I could not agree more about the importance of education or training but I would gently suggest that some of the government policies are fighting against this. Anglia Ruskin University has a campus right in the heart of my constituency. It is relatively new medical school and doing fantastic work teaching the doctors and medical professionals of the future. Members of the workforce that we desperately need an NHS. And it is doing it in new ways was when I visited it a few weeks ago I met with three of the 25 apprentices taking part in the only Medical Doctor apprenticeship of its kind in the country.

This apprenticeship is aimed at getting young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds into medicine. It is structured in such an innovative way that these apprentices will remain in their local area to complete their foundation training. This means they will have a familiar local support system around them as they progress. It is an excellent program and is what we need to recruit, train, and retain young medical professionals. But this is a level 7 apprenticeship, and the government is scrapping them.

So as this is clearly a moral issue for the Prime Minister, will the Leader of the House ask the government to think again and provide hope that brilliant programs such as this can continue?
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Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)
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Backbench Business share. did not amount whether we would be receiving Thursday third of April as a date. If we are given that state we will have a statement from the housing communities local government Select Committee about children in temporary accommodation followed by debate on the about of digital platforms on UK democracy and a further debate on access to sport and PE in schools. If we are offered the Tuesday, the last day before the recess, we will have a debate on the recess, we will have a debate on the A posthumous ward.

In addition, on Tuesday there will be a debate on retrospective work in the construction industry for on Thursday a debate on prevention of drugs deaths, and a debate on the first anniversary of the report on mesh which has been raised many times. On Tuesday the first there will be a debate on eating disorder awareness, and on Thursday the third a debate on waste incinerators followed by a debate on government support for Thames Water. Tuesday, 8 April, a debate on persecution of Christians just before the Easter recess.

In addition it would be much appreciated if we could be advised of the dates for the debates in May. I have sent a letter, unfortunately house business seems to completely disrupt our meetings we are due to have, and potentially supplying opportunities for debates when government business is likely to finish early. Last week I hosted a meeting of Rotary International in this place, on the eradication of polio across the world. We heard from Dr Mohammed Jeff Ari in Oman, another doctor from Pakistan, and a further doctor from Pakistan as well as a doctor from Nigeria.

We have invested millions of pounds in trying to eradicate polio across the world. Unfortunately the new international development minister was not able to attend because it was at short notice was to we understand that. We also know of course there are is a reduction in overseas aid I make no comment on that. What we do want to see is a statement from the international development minister on which programs are going to be preserved and which will be cancelled. At the moment there are only two countries in the world, off Afghanistan and Pakistan, where polio is still rife.

If we were to cut those programs, the risk is that polio will rear its head again across the world 's top and all the money we have invested

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would be wasted. Could we have a statement next week on this important subject? You are the last person I should
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Conflict in Gaza
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conflict in Gaza. With permission, I will make a statement about the conflict in Gaza. In January, I outlined to the Gaza. In January, I outlined to the House the deal agreed between Israel and Hamas. It was a moment of huge and Hamas. It was a moment of huge hope and relief in the weeks that followed. Hostages cruelly detained by Hamas were reunited with their families, and aid blocked by Israel families, and aid blocked by Israel finally flooded into Gaza.

A path out of this horrendous conflict appeared open. It is therefore a matter of deep regret to update the House today on a breakdown of the ceasefire and yet more bloodshed in Gaza. On the night of 18 March, Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza, a number of Hamas figures were reportedly killed. But it has been reported over 400 Palestinians were killed in missile strikes and killed in missile strikes and artillery barrage is. The majority were women and children.

This appears to have been the deadliest single day for Palestinian since the war began. This is an appalling loss of life. We mourn the loss of every civilian. Yesterday morning, a UN compound in Gaza was hit. I can confirm to the House that a British nationals was amongst the wounded. Our priority is supporting them and their family at this time. Gaza has been the most dangerous place in the world to be an aid worker. And I share the outrage of the UN Secretary-General at this incident.

The government calls for a transparent investigation and for those responsible to be held to account. The UK is now working closely with partners such as France and Germany, to send a clear message. We strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities. We urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no one's interest. Hamas must release all of the hostages and negotiations all of the hostages and negotiations must resume. Diplomacy is the only way to achieve security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The House will know that the ceasefire in Gaza had lasted for almost 2 months, the results of dogged efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. The deal reached in January saw the deal reached in January saw the For 13 hostages and the bodies of eight further victims of Hamas returned to their loved ones. And we remember the joy of seeing the reunions with friends and family. And the desperately needed aid that could flow back into Gaza, food, medicine.

Tense. The severely injured could cross the border for treatment, Palestinians begun to return to their homes and consider how to rebuild their lives. In the first days of the ceasefire, the UK moved swiftly to invest in the piece, we released £17 million in For aid. We were bringing our total support this year for Palestinians across the region to £129 million. We accelerated work on the puppy to reconstruction, -- pathway to reconstruction. We worked to support negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and the return of every hostage.

And back an extension to phase 1 of the current deal. But negotiations have been a gridlock for several weeks, Hamas has been resisting calls for release of further hostages in return for a longer truce. Israeli forces did not return from the Philadelphia corridor as agreed. And the Israeli government announced it was blocking all further aid deliveries until Hamas agreed to its terms. For weeks, supplies of basic goods and electricity have been blocked. Leaving over half a million civilians once again cut off from clean drinking and sparking a 200 percent surge in the price of some basic foodstuffs.

As I told the House on Monday, this is appalling and unacceptable. Ultimately, these are matters for the courts, not governments to determine. But it is difficult to see how denying humanitarian assistance to a civilian population can be compatible with international humanitarian law. Though it is important to say I could have been clearer in the House on Monday, our position remains that Israel's actions in Gaza are a clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law. The consequences of the ceasefire's breakdown are catastrophic.

For the family and friends of the remaining 59 friends of the remaining 59 hostages, the agony goes on. Hamas's kidnapping of these people, the treatment of them in captivity, the cruel theatre of their release, depriving them of food and basic rights, these are acts of despicable cruelty. Hamas must release them now. Palestinian civilians who have already endured so much, now must be a rerun and a return to days of a rerun and a return to days of Civilians have been issued with orders.

Only 4% of the United Nations is funded, not even enough to get through to the end of this month. Health centres have had to close, even as the devastating Gazan health service has to treat another surge of those wounded in strikes. Hamas can have no role in Gaza's future at a collapsed ceasefire will not bring hostages home to their families. An endless conflict will not bring long-term security to Israel, and a deepening war will only set back the cause of regional normalisation and risk further instability.

Shortly after the threats to shipping in the Red Sea. Since the renewed out rate of hostilities, I have spoken to secretary Rubio. I will shortly secretary Rubio. I will shortly speak to my Israeli counterpart. We and our partners need to persuade the parties that this cannot be resolved by military means. We want Israel and Hamas to re-engage. We continue to condemn them for their refusal to release the hostages and their ongoing threat to Israel, but we are also resonant in calling on them to abide by international law and to lift the restrictions and demand civilians.

Many months ago, only weeks into office, I concluded that there was a clear risk of Israel breaching humanitarian law in Israel breaching humanitarian law in Gaza. This risk first set out that the government suspended relevant export licences for use in Gaza. The actions of last week only reinforce that conclusion. In the days and weeks ahead, we will redouble our efforts to restore a ceasefire, but we will also consider to work with our partners on reconstruction arrangements.

Those issues are not going away. There remains no military solution to this conflict. A two state solution remains the only path to adjust and lasting peace, that this despatch boxes in January, it is a glimmer of light in darkness. It feels like the darkness has returned. The British light said the fighting left her heartbroken, crushed and disappointed. I am sure that she speaks for the whole house. But we must preserve hope for the sake of the remaining hostages and their loved ones, for the people of Gaza, for the future of two people that have suffered so much for so long, we will keep striving for a path to peace.

I commend the statement to the house.
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Priti Patel Portrait Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)
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I thank him for the statement. We all more the loss of lives in this appalling conflict. The death of the UN aid worker, the injury to a British national is tragic and our sympathies and thoughts are with our family. Can the secretary provide an up date on the region to ascertain the facts around what happens and has been updated by the government of Israel on their investigation? The onward transition at the end of phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement was all was going to be challenging.

This is a difficult fragile moment for the Middle East, but several basic truths remain unchanged including the urgency to return to their loved ones, the 59 hostages captured by Hamas terrorists during the atrocities of October 7. This is vital for achieving an end to this conflict. The brave families of those held hostage remain firmly in our thoughts and we should be very clear that the onus is squarely on Hamas. Hamas could agree to releases hostages now and avert any escalation. This is the moment for the UK government to show leadership with the international community to exert maximum pressure on Hamas to release these pressure.

We should all fully understand who we are dealing with here. A brutal Iranians backed terrorist organisation that seeks the destruction of the world's only Jewish state which chooses its own defenceless people as human shields and which has ruthlessly eradicated fundamental freedoms in Gaza. Anyone who has read the shocking report commissioned by the all-party parliamentary group for Israel on October 7 will see the details of the real-life consequences of Hamas complete with a total disdain for the human dignity and the utter disregard for human life.

This will anti-Semitism and murderous intentions. Brutality, murder, rape and torture. Hamas bears responsibility. Is that still the prime ministers position? It is abundantly clear that Iranians backed Hamas can have no role in the future of Gaza and we have raised this many times in the house, so what exactly is the British what exactly is the British government doing to bear down on Hamas, work with partners to put an end to this brutal regime? What assessment has made the capabilities of Hamas and the ongoing threat that terrorists host in the region? Does the government support the US proposal for securing hostages? What is his vision of the next steps? Does he believe phase 2 of the ceasefire remains within reach or receipt considering alternative solutions? There is too much at stake for Britain to be a bystander.

We must be a proactive player with involvement. The Foreign Secretary mentioned his talks to France and Germany, what discussions are having with Egypt and other regional partners? We need Israel to continue seeing the UK as a trusted partner. The strengths of the relationship with Israel matters for wider influence in the Middle East. We undermine our relationship with Israel. We also lose influence across the Middle East. Callous comments do not help, including remarks on Monday which has been rebuked by the prime minister, so will he apologise to the house and to Israel? Follow secretary should be on securing the least of the remaining hostages in this house should be united in that.

Those hostages have been held since the atrocities of October 7 which is important and sustainable to end this conflict. Hamas has no respect for international law, human life or human rights, so does the Foreign Secretary agree that we must be unequivocal that there is no difference between Hamas and Israel and we must have no poorly judged decisions on arms exports designed to prepare eight backbenchers. On the question of aid to Gaza, which perhaps the backbenchers would like to take seriously, I have said from this despatch boxes that we expect details about the government's practical response on the ground.

How is the government working to unblock the situation and what is happening to British aid that is already in the region or en route? What discussions has he had with counterparts in recent days in his assessment of the reports of Hamas stockpiling aid and the impact this has on distribution to those in need? Has he held discussions with the Red Cross on their work on hostage release and aid delivery? Can we be doing more to secure work here, and more broadly, as the report makes crystal-clear, we cannot ignore the regime in Teheran which has its fingerprints over so much of this inhumane suffering and bloodshed that we see today.

We need action, so what options are on the table to tackling Teheran and the flow of weapons? What hard power options as he considering in respect to this? I did not receive answers on Monday on this house on that. I asked the Foreign Secretary whether Britain is in step with the US but

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he did not answer that, so now is the time for him to provide clarity and clear answers. I am grateful to the honourable
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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I am grateful to the honourable lady and let me just make clear on the charity worker who was injured that, of course, our ambassador in the foreign office was in touch with his family, and as she would expect, we have made recommendations, and I will be speaking to the Israeli Foreign Minister in the coming hours. She talks about Hamas and I have said this despatch boxes that the seeds of those young men in balaclavas with Kalashnikovs parading hostages are obscene and I condemn them.

I said in January that we would continue to stand with hostage families and we will. There are still dozens of families waiting, hoping, praying that their loved ones can return, but I tell her to that she will have seen overnight that there are many of those families saying that this is those families saying that this is not the way to bring them home. They fear that, as a consequence of this resumed action, their loved ones will perish. And so I thought the tone of some of her remarks did not sit with what I see coming out of Israel at this site.

No one, no one could not be absolutely touched and affected by the malnourished hostages paraded around in the sick propaganda exercise. We all condemn Hamas but when she asked what we are doing, what the last government is doing, we are supporting the authority with reform because there has to be an alternative to Hamas and the alternative is the Palestinian authority. We have to give people hope and prospects that isn't about terrorism, and that is about supporting this and all the efforts and that is what we have been doing.

There was to be work in the area, and there was to be a conference, a gathering in each chipped this weekend. It has been postponed and we have to attend that gathering to work with our Arab partners, and put on record our support with Qatar. She knows that we don't talk to Hamas but we do work with those partners who can. She asked me about future operations in the Red Sea and she knows very well that I would never talk on operational issues in the red Sea.

She asked their was any moral equivalent between Hamas and the Israeli government. Of course there is no moral equivalent with the Israeli government. No one has ever suggested that that is the case. And she asked me quite rightly about the role of Iran, and she is right about the maligned effect in the region, and we will act to ensure that we do not get the capability that they are seeking to ensure, and that is what I discussed with the Secretary of State Rubio and counterparts.

State Rubio and counterparts.
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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I am grateful to the lady, I know she has been to the region recently with those issues, and let me say to her that the US envoy is flying into the area as we speak. And I hold out hope that we can still get to a hope that we can still get to a ceasefire once more that gets us to the plan which is the end of the Passover period, and I can't give up She says we have to have more than words, she notes that the business of diplomacy is words, conversations, using our influence to bring this about.

That is why we are working with United States, our partners -- Arab partners. And other partners, including the European Union, at this time. And I will do everything we can to get us back to Thank the Minister for advanced light of the statement. Israel resuming the military campaign in Gaza is heartbreaking, for Palestinians, remaining hostages, their families and the world. For two months, the fragile ceasefire gave space for the release of hostages, and until early March, vital aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.

The writing now threatens hostages and Palestinians. Any ceasefire must be secured as soon as possible. What discussions has the Foreign Secretary had with the Israeli government on rapidly recommitting to a ceasefire? Even before the resumption of military operations, the Israeli government cut aid routes into Gaza and the supply of electricity. This was illegal and wrong, contravening Israeli supplications under international law. -- Subjugation is. It was stated that Israel's actions were a break of international law.

What will he do to ensure there are consequences to breaking international? Hamas must unconditionally release the remaining hostages, the treatment of him in captivity have been -- whom in captivity have been despicable. There are also reports of an injured British bomb disposal worker. The plans for the reconstruction of Gaza plans a pragmatic proposal for rebuilding the strip, particularly compared to the reckless proposals by Trump, who shared his reckless intention to remove Palestinians intention to remove Palestinians from Gaza.

As conflict returns to Gaza, we need to give Palestinians hope and show we support their right to statehood. Does the Foreign Secretary agree we must now move to officially recognise the state of Palestine as part of a two state solution that offers dignity and security to Palestinians and Israelis?

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Am grateful to the honourable lady. Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, can I assure her I have spoken to secretary Rubio, I have spoken to the representative and we spoken to the representative and we are closely coordinating. I met with the emergency relief coordinator, the emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, in New York last Friday, we were discussing the issues in Gaza. And I expect to issues in Gaza. And I expect to speak to my counterpart and Palestinian Minister shortly.

We are working with our partners. She will have seen there was a closed meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, which we made strong representations at. These issues were discussed, in the communique that flowed from the G7 meeting last week in Canada. As I have now said on 10 occasions since September, Israel's actions in Gaza are a clear risk, or at a clear risk, of breaching international humanitarian law. The government has been clear all along that we are not an international court.

We could not make a judgement as to whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law. But I made a decision in September, based on whether there was a clear risk. For that reason, we have suspended those sales to Gaza and they will continue to be suspended. Let me tell her also that in relation to the British hostages,... In relation to the British charity Minister worker who has been wounded -- British charity worker, we are in contact with his family and I intend to keep the House updated.
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Ruth Cadbury Portrait Ruth Cadbury MP (Brentford and Isleworth, Labour)
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Thank you to the Backbench Business Committee for allocating time for me to make a statement to the House to mark the publication of the Transport Committee's first report of this Parliament. Our report is called access denied, rights versus reality in disabled people's access to transport. It people's access to transport. It brings to conclusion work on the predecessor committee which I sat under for a while in the last Parliament. The report says the evidence we received from disabled people about their experiences of receiving -- using transport networks in this country.

Experiences which are of no surprise to most honourable members in this House, whose constituents tell us of experiences of rail stations that remain inaccessible, taxi services refusing carriage because of assistance dogs, and being left high and dry at airports or trains when they have booked passenger assistance that does not arrive on time. No mode of transport is free from problems, despite most having notionally accessible facilities and policies. These failures affect people with all kinds of disabilities and access needs.

The needs of wheelchair users and site loss might seem obvious but we have heard from people with health conditions you need easy access to toilets, and those with autism who describe how overcrowded or predictable transport affects them. Perhaps most shocking of all, 60 percent of disabled people who responded to the survey said that every or almost every journey was beset with problems. More than one third of them said that more than once a week they decided not to make a journey because they knew it would be too complicated, too unsafe, or that things were likely to go wrong.

That is simply an unacceptable infringement and pupils human rights to go to work, access education and healthcare and family, to participate in society and just to have fun. Transport is not an end in itself. It is supposed to be an enabler. But far too often, it is disabling people. Around one in seven of the UK population have a disability. One respondent to our survey told us there is an assumption that disabled peoples time is less valuable stop that it is OK to make as wait for a rail worker to turn up with a ramp.

I have been late to important meetings because of this and it makes me feel like a second-class citizen. I barely go to see my mum friends at home because the transport is so bad for wheelchair users that I do not know how I would do it. It has affected friendships, relationships and working life. It is embarrassing. I just want to be able to use public transport like everyone else. In theory we have laws to promote accessibility and equality but they are clearly not working.

There is a raft of equality legislation and specific regulations about transport that, if implemented consistently, or to guarantee access and freedom from discrimination. From the Equality Act, Public Sector Equality Duty, to the minutiae of vehicle regulations. We have the framework. In 2018, the government adopted an inclusive transport strategy that aims to achieve equal access for disabled people using the transport system with assistance if physical infrastructure remains a barrier, by 2030. Ministers in the last government told the committee they thought progress towards that goal was on track.

The reality seems to be completely at odds with the rights. And with those policy aspirations. Our report aims to set out why that is and what should be done about it. We set out examples of accessibility being de- prioritise, often because it is seen as too impractical or costly to achieve it. Plans for implementing step free access on the rail network, for example, the set by halting progress and many are waiting for the update on access.

Free projects for local stations. We argue a certain level of failure seems to be deemed acceptable by transport providers, such as when providing passenger assistance services. We describe how accessibility is not taken into account early enough in the process of policy development, such as when there were proposals to close railway ticket offices wholesale made it to consultation. The public said no but they should not have had to. We discussed the role of sufficient staff, well trained in how to support the travel needs of people with different needs.

A change of mindset throughout the system from the top down is urgently needed. Failure should be rare, not commonplace. Access to transport must be recognised as a human rights, not a matter of customer service. Concrete plans and real resources need to be put behind a new, inclusive transport strategy, one that sets out a realistic pathway to achieving that goal of equal access. The routine, everyday nature of access failures, stood out in our inquiry. But it is hard to actually hold anyone to account for these failures.

Seeking redress or even just reporting them to the responsible body is a huge, exhausting and often thankless burden. In theory, individuals can take legal action under the Equality Act, but this is costly, risky and time consuming. So, few cases are brought. When cases are successful, lasting, systemic change does not happen. More heavy lifting needs to be done by regulators and enforcement bodies. They currently enforcement bodies. They currently have neither the mandate nor resources... At a low enough threshold.

Only long-standing organ nationwide failures tend to be pursued, even then, when informal measures have been exhausted. This means individual disabled people often lose count of the number of occasions that they have been failed. Regulators can usually count on the fingers of one or two hands the normal of -- number of formal enforcement actions that have been taken. They have to be consequences for failure. We ask ministers to move towards a more robust, active enforcement regime. We asked government to consider whether a single body with expertise in an responsibility for accessibility across transport modes would be a more effective model.

I recommend unified service to receive and triage accessibility complaints to ensure they reach the right operator or facility to follow them up. And we ask for a review of the legal framework to replace the patchwork that has grown up ad hoc over time. Users find it difficult to know what they are entitled to. Operators find it difficult to know what they have to provide. And changes in technology and travel trends leave gaps in the law. We invite the government to consider whether a framework based on more explicit standards will be more effective.

And the framework's design and outcome must include disabled people outcome must include disabled people at every stage. In conclusion, not -- I not only want to thank the predecessor committee for taking the evidence on which the report is based, and the committee staff who have worked hard on the inquiry and report, but to thank those who gave evidence, especially about the own experience of travelling as a disabled person and the expert analysis of what is going wrong. I would particularly like to thank Claire and Alan, a champion for disabled rights on transport he sadly passed away last year.

Alan and Claire took me through London at the start of the inquiry and Claire open my eyes to the issues that affect people with autism when travelling, as well as Allen to the issues that affect those with restricted mobility. The words of disabled people, quoted throughout our report, or a call to action that we expect government to heed. Our committee will hold the government to account for doing so and bringing reality in line with rights. I commend our report to the House and we look forward to receiving a considered response from the government in due course.

government in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty Portrait Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)
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I beg to move that this House consider They've Chrome and Young People. I would like to thank all of those who have supported my application for a debate on this topic. I believe some issues are more important than the Punch and Judy vaudeville that characterises much of our debate and I believe we must respond robustly because this transcends party politics and party lines. I called for this to bid for several years, since long before becoming an MP myself.

I welcome the pledge of the government to halve incidences of nitrate over the next decade. The previous government was unable to do that. I am sceptical this government will fare better than the last. For all the hype and than the last. For all the hype and find, this is repeatedly false by the wayside until it is thrust back into the spotlight with the tragic death of another child. Put simply, I do not believe any governments have shown the right approach to tackle this with the resources, approach, focus required.

There are no easy solutions. The most recent data shows 19,900 the offences for courses and conviction for juveniles aged up to 17 years old. A community sentence was the most common sentence given to them with 61% of all knife and offensive weapons offences. Over the past decade, there was the biggest decrease with a 25% decrease from March 2014 to 6.1 months in March, 2024. Around 7% of youth offenders were committing of youth offenders were committing their first offence.

57 people aged under 25 were murdered with a knife or sharp object in the 12 months until March, 2024. 17 of them were under 16. In 2023, just 6.5% of offensive weapon offences resulted in immediate custody. A 93% chance of not going to prison, why should anyone carrying a knife be concerned? Prior to Huntington, I lived in London for a decade and in Haringey there was the second highest knife crime rate in London. It is difficult what it is like to -- difficult to explain what it is like to live in such an area and it is normalised to the point of merely being an inconvenience at the murder of a child does not make national news and five children being charged with murder does not make the national news as was the case with the murder of a taxi driver in 2021.

The the desensitisation as part of the problem. Half of the perpetrators were also. I remember the murder of a 16-year-old who was stabbed multiple times after resisting his mobile phone being stolen in the recreation ground. I saw the aftermath in the park shortly afterwards and I remember handwritten posters on trees around the park asking if anyone could come from a written permission. I remember the murder of a 17-year-old who was fatally stabbed near the train station in another fight over a mobile phone and the 17-year-old boy had dozens of photographs on his own for imposing with large lives.

He stated, "I just wanted my first little juice on my blade. The whole little juice on my blade. The whole 15 went in to him and." All five charges were dropped. I remember the murder of a 17-year-old who was stabbed in the neck twice outside his home outside the stadium. His murderer was a 16-year-old boy on bail having only nine months before. The 40 needle by in a dispute over a later and had a knife buried in his chest.

That boy survived. There are dozens more. On Tuesday, 70 needle by was stabbed in Forest Gate, East London. On Monday afternoon, 50 needle by was stabbed in broad daylight. On Saturday, I 15-year-old was stabbed in McDonald's with 240 needle is arrested. Last Friday in Oxford, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed. Last week in Yorkshire, a 15-year-old boy was found guilty of the attempted murder of a 14-year- old girl with a camping trip. The court heard he had been offered £20 court heard he had been offered £20 by France to attack.

These are not isolated incidents. The act of revenge attacks dramatic for the victims and those involved and are often little more than a passing We are all aware of the role social media plays and how algorithms can lead to dangerous influence on young users. The children and young people there was this small, often limited their school, their friends are people they know in the neighbourhood. With access to social media changes was to the board remains small but the issue is amplified and blown out of all proportion.

In their 21 paper, Policy Exchange rate that the frequency with which young people frequented with gangs shifts their priorities and increases the chances they will react violently. It reinforces the need to carry weapons for protection. In the intervening period since the paper was written, the ripple effects to children not associated with any gangs where they exist in an online world waited easy to be seduced by the belief that carrying a knife is an normal part of everyday life, and the threat of being attacked is ever present and carrying a knife is important for self defence.

Police have altered what they show about weapons as this contributes to the process of desensitisation and makes the local people feel the area is unsafe. We need look no further than social media platforms we used was the Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok. I used YouTube every day but scratch the surface and you can find content outlining who will start and localised gang supremacy. These highlight those involved saying who burst someone, who bused the case and who therefore remains dangerous and that large.

It illustrates that those involved can often enjoy a degree of impunity.

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I thank him for making such an

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I thank him for making such an impassioned speech. He has outlined some of the roles of the social media companies. Does he agree that media companies. Does he agree that the same rigour that we use to catch some of the perpetrators who have committed some of these crimes committed some of these crimes should be applied to the social media giant who refuse in some cases to take down a really explicit and to take down a really explicit and graphic images on their websites saying it does not breach their content?

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content? I would agree with the honourable member. It is a very valid point, social media puppies themselves know full well the content is there and their ability to moderate it could easily be greater. These are billion-dollar companies and that if they wanted to take the stuff down they could. It is about willpower and part of our response ability in this house to make sure it happens going forward. Fear of being stabbed or killed far outweighs any fear of the police.

You only need to watch one of these videos to see how endless immersion into this world can negatively impact your judgement. When I asked the Justice Minister such videos could be produced as evidence to prosecute the government new law on possession I did not receive an answer. I would ask the policing minister she could

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address that point in his summing up. I'm grateful to my honourable

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I'm grateful to my honourable Friend for giving way. And I Reichelt him in securing this important topic and making a very important topic and making a very empowered speech on this. He is talking about the danger of social media influencing often boys and young men. The key aspects is their role in society and the lack of clear role models. Would he join me clear role models. Would he join me in paying tribute to the former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate who in his Richard Dimbleby lecture this week, Dimbleby lecture this week, articulated that the importance of role models and for boys and young men to get involved in active sports, so that they then become normalised in that setting and not

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to be drawn into this dreadfully violent world. I think invoice intervention. I

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I think invoice intervention. I would agree, something I will mention later on in terms of interventions that have taken place interventions that have taken place with regards to getting people to a more embracing atmosphere. But the more embracing atmosphere. But the issue is very valid and sadly my speech is already long and I would speech is already long and I would love to have covered that as well. I think it is a huge aspect of the reason we see young men being drawn reason we see young men being drawn into this type of violent world.

Videos are inextricably linked to drill music will stop it is also medium by which various groups are able to talk to others. The complex for others are blurred. The media other does not know does not care for some inner-city black youths are expendable and interchangeable. Overrepresented in statistics as both victim and perpetrator, soft bigotry and their expectations make black culture right for exportation as a cheap way to appear edgy irrespective of the impact. The media, large corporations, if the BBC play their part in this.

Leaning into this and giving it validation. The most detrimental aspects of urban black culture and the celebration of violence is the most toxic increase and how we have put this to the mainstream. Someone went to prison three times as a teenager and amongst them for heroin and cocaine. In June 2019 he was arrested for possession of a knife. Whilst on bail he completed his UK tour, least his album which reached number five in the UK charts, appeared on the storms his album, played Glastonbury and was used in advertising campaign alongside Anthony Joshua for JD Sports and fronted an advertising campaign for Adidas.

The same Adidas who ran their knife crime awareness campaign just a couple of miles down the road shortly afterwards. And happens to run advertising campaigns with a wrapper on bail for possession of an eye. The hypocrisy of Adidas is off the scale. Less than a month after launching this promo, he was sentenced to six months for possession of a knife and went to prison for 1/4 time. He was released in April and six months later his singles number two in the charts and he is having praised lavished on him by 'The Times'.

How does this convince anyone that there is any penalty whatsoever for carrying a knife? Anything, it is good for someone like him. In September 2019 Guardian newspaper published a piece about a dual wrapper who hail from Tottenham. They said the drill trio tried to move the genre beyond the violence which has been demonised as interviews with two of the three casually mentioned that the third of the 17 year old is not around today. Several months later it subsequently transpired that SJ was not around today because he was on remand.

This is one of five young men four of whom are teenagers which received sentences of 20 years plus after they arrived at Wood Green high Street on Friday night armed with machetes and a shotgun. They hit a packed Nando's restaurant. He was eventually cornered and was shot and brutally hacked to death. His part in the murder and was sentenced to 21 years will I render this because it happened 300 m from my home. I challenge the author of the piece as to why it is appropriate to write the puff piece about someone on remand for murder.

He said it was an editorial decision by the Guardian newspaper. Lastly he was sentenced to five years in prison and with intent to cause fear of violence. The violence which has been

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demonised. I'm grateful. I congratulate him

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I'm grateful. I congratulate him on bringing to this house this on bringing to this house this horrific catalogue of embarrassing incidents. Embarrassing to members of the South and previous of the South and previous administrations because we have been asleep on the job. Would he agree asleep on the job. Would he agree with me that if the legal authorities were able to stamp down authorities were able to stamp down on the riots in Southport so effectively last summer by taking tough measures, that that is exactly what is called for now.

And talk about reducing the incidence of this by half over 10 years is totally inadequate. What needs to be done is immediate action to make an example of this type of crime and to deter

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others from participating. I would agree with my honourable friend. One of the issues that we have is the law does not act as a deterrent to many of these people. deterrent to many of these people. They are far more scared of the immediate surroundings and the danger posed to them in their everyday life they are being everyday life they are being arrested by a police officer knowing full well they are unlikely to go prison unless they have done prison unless they have done something as heinous as some of the acts I have described.

The author of the piece I described recently appeared before the youth select committee in his new role as director of public affairs and communications. He explained how Drill was an outlet for those involved to express the trauma they have express. At first health expenses are key, key part of fuelling the lives of vulnerable people becoming involved. There is a broader question here about immigration where those from countries with trauma and war. The Youth Endowment Fund does important work on their talk is often cited as the key resource.

Last week I spoke to Sharon Ward, Serious Violence Duty in my constituency. The Serious Violence Duty was introduced by the previous covenant in January 2023 and requires local agencies to share data and information help identify the root causes of serious violence occurring locally. I spoke to her about this in depth. She said they use a multiagency public health approach addressing the underlying risk factors and increasing the likelihood that individuals will become a victim. The most horrible period for children and young people is from 3 PM to 6 PM as well as later in the evening from 10 PM.

With diversion key to reducing this. She said it was a slippery slope where participation is linked to those who progress to more violent crime for I'm sure the subject of cuts under the last government will be raised. I've discussed this in this speech will stop but the part played by youth workers and reaching the children and young people who are vulnerable is well documented. Cambridge and Peterborough currently has 41 interventions officers on duty this ranges from mental building and design to help those honourable.

But rifle is not the children from certain background. There are children from all backgrounds who are vulnerable to exportation from gangs. Children who are being groomed and don't realise that being groomed. Then they are on the hook, and they owe at best a favour or at worst a

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debt. I thank my honourable friend and I congratulate him on bringing such an important debate. On the point an important debate. On the point about children, he has made this point a number of times, does he agree with me that educating our children, our girls and our boys, about the importance of respecting themselves and each other is a very themselves and each other is a very important part of tackling not just knife crime but all crime? And on knife crime but all crime? And on that point, I think it is a matter for all government to do much more in terms of prevention and early intervention.

Does he agree with those two points?

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I wholeheartedly agree. The issue of the general atmosphere in which children are currently finding themselves seems to be one where there is a constant need for there is a constant need for validation, and to twist themselves validation, and to twist themselves into something they are not. My honest belief is that social media has played a huge part in that. I think it is something that comes across as being a facile and easy answer to give but that is one that when you delve into it is far more complex and damaging and I think we are prepared to give credit to.

It can be any child that falls into criminality in this way. We could Sharon explained how parents have to be part of those discussions, alert to the warning signs. It is vital that schemes continue to be funded though I would ask the government to ensure such funding is approved well ahead of time rather than in a few weeks of its end the uncertainty often generates. I welcome the government's decision to ban zombie knives believe any steps taken towards reducing the chance the fatal stabbing is a move in the right direction.

But we must not pat ourselves on the back and say this is all that is required. I was critical of the last government attempts to ban be nice as I am of this one was the intent but the weight has announced it as if it is the solution rather than a tiny piece of the overall problem. Zombie knives For just 3.6% of fatal stabbing, the same is a lot now. Screwdrivers are more commonly used weapon. By far the most common is a kitchen knife.

52.6% of fatal stabbing of the type of knife you're having a kitchen and have all probably used this morning or last night. Yes zombie knives should be banned but given its use in a small minority of fatal stabbing it is not the panacea to is presented as full stops there be proposals to change kitchen knives to those with a round rather than pointed tip as outlined in research by Sir Graham Farrell and championed by Idris Elba. I would be interested to hear the Minister consideration has been given to this idea.

We cannot pretend that kitchen knives won't continue to be easily available to anybody intention of using one.

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During this to a close. I thank the honourable gentleman

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I thank the honourable gentleman for giving way. He is making an important and passionate speech will important and passionate speech will stop my area is not an area that has been historically synonymous with knife crime. We want to keep it that way. Despite that, the possession of weapons in Fife increased by 50% in the last year. Figures like that the last year. Figures like that along with very concerning recent footage on social media of a young footage on social media of a young man brandishing a knife shortly before he was attacked, together all of this to me acts as a warning sign that we need to act now to prevent worst of elements from happening.



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I absolutely agree with that. The areas that have not traditionally been plagued with this type of been plagued with this type of violence are seeing it and it is not just large cities and areas we traditionally associate with this but it is slowly moving to the but it is slowly moving to the suburbs and something that must be nipped in the bud now. I nipped in the bud now. I wholeheartedly agree. During this to wholeheartedly agree.

During this to a close, there is the key question, why are children now prepared to murder other children. A child has been stabbed and the properties are not found on a nearly weekly basis. In my previous career as an army officer I instructed new soldiers in phase 1 training and I know how long it takes to train this mindset into a teenager. How are some children developing this mindset on their own? Fear is a huge driver of carrying and they.

The report on this issue because it's the thoughts of 10,000 young people. Shockingly, it shows even children as young as 10-11 are considering carrying a knife. Those numbers are very low but it shows the idea of carrying a knife is within the scope of children who have only just stopped believing in Father Christmas. Is it solely out of fear? These are fights over perceived fights and children believe not only that they have to carry a knife that taking a late is a reasonable and rational response to these situations.

There is an argument for therapy as one potential route to dealing with this. I have gone on for long enough and want to give others the opportunity to speak but I hope to hear many more contributions through the course of the debate and I open

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it to others to contribute. The question is as on the order paper. I called Paul Forster. paper. I called Paul Forster.

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paper. I called Paul Forster. I commend my honourable friend, the member for Huntington, for the member for Huntington, for bringing this important debate into the House. This is a national emergency and a huge threat to society and young people and I wish to associate myself with many things
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Paul Foster Portrait Mr Paul Foster MP (South Ribble, Labour)
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to associate myself with many things that were said and I totally agree that we have got to stop it. I'm not interested in politics but in all of us working together and resolving this issue. We have got to deal with it. I will give a voice to victims and families. I think it is important to remember that behind every stabbing there is a victim and behind every victim is a family. I wish to mention two in particular. One of my constituents has been to see me a few times and her son was stabbed over 120 times in Lancashire a few years ago.

His name was Alex. The individual who murdered him was 18. The platform was used to lure him to his death. Many are let down by the justice system. This family did not receive enough support out of the event. The justice system is piecemeal around the country and must be improved for victims and families. Secondly, one child survived the Southport attack. She was stabbed over 30 times. Her and her family live in my constituency. I will not reference her name or that of her parents but I asked if they wish to have their voices heard in this chamber today and I commend them because they have asked me to read out the following statement, "We welcome offer laws on the purchase of knives and wider measures to solve knife crime.

We recognise that knife crime crosses many areas of society and tackling it is complex. To reduce me for crime and violence perpetrated by young men and boys against women and girls we must look at the motivation, narratives, and environments they are immersed in. This is hard work which requires sustained and which must come from sustained and which must come from us. They go on. The work to reduce knife crime must go on before young people by NA.

It is sensible to make it harder to purchase nice. These are tangible solutions which would provide quick reassurance and results but if a young person is looking for a knife then we are too late and they are on the path to causing harm. We must support parents, caregivers, school leavers better, not only in identifying and supporting young people who may be at risk to themselves and others and we can all agree that these pathways require overhauls and the enquiry in Southport will serve this purpose and also establishing fundamentals of healthy relationships and friendships for girls and boys and making sure they are equal.

Young people must be exposed to counter messaging from what they might consume online and the work required is fast, complex, but the long-term reduction in knife crime will only be seen if we go back to the start and raise children better. The context of violence towards women and girls, the current topics are important and the Netflix show has important and the Netflix show has opened up the conversation. There is a terrifying impact that people like Andrew Tate and others have had on vulnerable boys." I commend that child's parents for having the courage to write that and the concern that they have clearly that this will happen again and I will urge all members of the House to work together for the victims, families, and let's deal with this

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once and for all. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
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Helen Hayes Portrait Helen Hayes MP (Dulwich and West Norwood, Labour)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the Member for Huntington prosecuting the debate and join him in paying tribute to Ciaran Farquharson whose work took place in my constituency and I thank the honourable member for making a moving statement on behalf of his constituents and I grew up near Southport and it moves me deeply to hear about the appalling violence in both of those communities. I rise to speak in this debate on knife crime with great sadness because just after 5 PM today, a young man lost his life in Coldharbour Lane in my constituency and I visited the scene this morning and stood as friends and officers undertook work.

I spoke with people going about their day who were confronted with the shocking aftermath and I thought about the family whose David begin with a knock on the door from police officers with the devastating news that their loved one would not be coming home ever. It is hard to think of anything but despair in these circumstances. I no members across the House will wish to join me in expressing our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life.

We do not know his identity but there will be people who love him. I want to pre-tribute to emergency services who attended the scene this morning. When his name is released, it will join the names of those who lost their lives to serious violence in my constituency since I was first elected to this place in 2015. They are due to Gail, Kyle Parnell, Glenton Spence, Dennis Patterson, Chino Johnson, Randall Scott. Each one was loved by their family and friends and each one has left the community traumatised by their loss and the circumstances of it.

When an knife or gun crime is reported in the media, we see names in the headlines for a few short hours and may be again if the case comes to trial but we never hear about the ongoing trauma left behind to the local community and the sense of loss felt by the immediate family and everyone who watched them grow up and saw them out and about on a daily basis and their children went to school with their children and they recognised them and knew them.

The sense of fear among parents who fear the next time that it might be the child who is the victim and the mental health consequences of living with loss, fear, anxiety. The qualities of knife crime are complex and we need a public health approach to it, understanding the pathology and, like a disease, taking steps to prevent it taking hold and treating the causes and the symptoms. I introduced the Private Members' Bill in the last Parliament to stop the availability of the most horrific weapons on the streets and I consultants in the emergency department at King's College Hospital and it is greatly horrific injuries inflicted by Machetes and zombie knives.

They spoke about the impact on survivability of many injuries compared with wounds from domestic knives and compared them with weapons of war on the street. Nobody needs a machete or a zombie knife for any legitimate purpose but these weapons are readily available to purchase online for as little as £10. I welcome the action the government has taken since July purpose but these weapons are readily available to purchase online for as little as £10. I welcome the action the government has taken since July 2 further restrict the sale.

I would like to see further action on knives, particularly with its verification required to purchase knives with pointed blades. I would like to see further action reaching to tackle those who exploit and groom young people into serious violence such as the drug dealers, serious organised criminals who are not spoken about enough in this debate. In my constituency, in part because of the tragedies we have experience, we have seen some inspiring responses from community organisations working together with public services.

The offending of youth workers in hospital emergency departments was pioneered by constituency and provided options for our young people who have been injured or seen their friends injured so they can access support and keep themselves safe and I welcome that the government is rolling out the intervention in parts of the country. I'm grateful to the violence reduction unit and Ecosystem Coldharbour is a coalition of grassroots organisations working with young people and families in Brixton. They have been working for three years and have delivered some really impressive results, building trust and confidence of young people and families to access welfare support and providing mentoring and training opportunities and letting the community response when tragedies have occurred and delivering trauma support to families and communities.

Our communities feel empowered by this work and it is particularly inspirational to see the work of the group of mothers who have all lost a child to serious violence, working together under the banner, Serpent of Life You Need to prevent further deaths. I am also impressed with the work of young widows and IP particular tribute to an extraordinary young man she's been working with McDonald's in Brixton to embed a youth service in the restaurant and taking support and positive opportunities to young people where they are and the benefits for the staff who have often felt unsafe and overwhelmed in the work.

I pay tribute to the work of Sergeant Nigel Pearce from South-Central who has a different approach community policing based on trusting and listening to the community and responding to their needs and experiences. If we had more officers working in this way across the Metropolitan police, trust and confidence in policing would be much higher than it currently is. The partnership in my constituency is called Ecosystem because of the belief of the organisations of which it is comprised that all of the solutions to serious violence are in the community.

The community needs help and resources to find them and that is what we have right through the Violence Reduction Unit and my plea to the Minister if the funding office vital work be prioritised will be can keep on working on the scourge of violence. I invite the Minister to visit my constituency because I believe we have much good practice to offer for the development of the national program. The debate today is about young people and knife crime. In order to tackle the scourge of knife crime, we must properly understand the nature of the problem and who is affected.

Of the victims who have been murdered in my constituency since 2015, only two were under the age of 18. The majority were young men in their 20s, a court who grew up at a time when funding for youth services was being stripped away and are often unable to access employment, often due to minor criminal convictions that often have poor mental health and are accessing deeply damaging online content and for whom society can seem like it has little to offer. There is currently no protocol or good practice for tackling serious violence in this cohort and the only part of the system obliged to try to help ease the criminal justice system, if the person in question has committed a crime.

Social services have no formal role or responsibility and mental health services are not designed with this core heart and mind, despite the fact that they are often traumatised by the experiences we have witnessed in communities and seeing their in communities and seeing their If we want to end the cycle of violence and amenities we must turn our attention to this group. They are siblings and cousins and parents of the next generation. The key to prevention must lie in helping them to turn their lives around, and making support services more visible in our communities, making it easier to ask for help and that services are designed with their needs in mind.

Properly resourcing effective rehabilitation. I welcome the government's focus on halving knife crime. My communities have suffered far too much from this devastating effects. And we continue to suffer today. I urge her to work with us, to devise services and interventions based on the experience in our communities. We utterly reject this violence and we just want to see it stop.

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Before I call the first speaker, I wanted to try and get everyone in.

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I wanted to try and get everyone in. If people could please stick to around four minutes. Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate on knife crime. Knife crime continues to devastate
14:18
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Portrait Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill, Labour)
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Knife crime continues to devastate committees across the country for I that member for Huntington for securing this debate. Very few people can say they are not deeply concerned about the rising numbers of knife crime to clearly children and people. As you have heard from my honourable Friend and constituency neighbour, in the early hours of this morning a young man was stabbed and killed in Brixton, a town centre which we share along with the member for Vauxhall. Our thoughts go to his family at this time.

It is a tragedy, and will sadly it is a tragedy that we hear far too often. The latest figures show there were over 50,000 knife - related offences in England and Wales last year, and around one in five knife positions involved young people under the age of 18. 2023/24 2023/24/53 records of homicides using a sharp instrument where the victim was aged between 13 and 19. Although the statistics are alarming we have to remember they are just numbers. Young lives are being lost, and families will be left grieving and a community scarred.

I know many members would like to point to the need for more policing, increased stop and search and harsher sentencing restrictions on who can buy a knife and solutions. Successive governments occluding this one introduced measures along these lines to tackle the surge in knife crime. I won't stand here and argue that we don't need to review how we are policing this issue. But when it comes to increased policing measures like stop and search, I believe these need to be thoroughly thought through and must be intelligence led.

But increasing sentencing is not the only solution. I would very much argue it is not a solution that can work on its own. Youth crime and knife crime are a wider societal issue that requires a holistic approach. If tougher sentencing and more stop and search powers was all it took me would have solved this crisis a long time ago. We cannot take reactive steps alone. We have to take preventative ones. I know members opposite don't particularly enjoy when we point out their record in government but we can't let this debate go without mentioning the impact of the past 14 years.

This is not a political point just a factual one. Over the 14 years of the last government, we sought systematic dismantling of the very support systems that had helped keep young people away from crime. Research from the YMCA showed that youth services have been cut by 73% since 2010 with over 750 youth centres and youth workers falling to centres and youth workers falling to one third. The result of this has been fewer spaces, fewer mentors, as your positive role models for young people.

A recent Unison report revealed that in England 1036 council run youth centres were closed between 2010 and 2023. Only 480 remained open in April 2023. Funding for sure start children's centres would provide earlier intervention and family support has been decimated. Funding for community support officers who play a vital role in building trust between police and young people has been drastically reduced. School budget cuts have squeezed the support of mental health provisions and behavioural interventions have increased exclusions overall. The link between school exclusions and serious violence is mono.

Excluded children often fall down the cracks. Many empty units where gangs recruit viable young people. Others dissipate entirely making them more susceptible to criminal activity. These cuts have consequences. When young people lack support, opportunity, or hope, they become vulnerable to criminal expectations. Gangs will step in where the state has stepped back. It is no coincidence that as the services have disappeared, knife crime has written. Members opposite cannot ignore the direct correlation between austerity and serious youth violence. But equally members on this side of the house cannot ignore the direct correlation between austerity and serious youth violence.

If we maintain these cuts or extend them even further, that is the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. As a starting point, to tackle youth violence and knife crime, I would strongly urge the government to reverse these cuts and invest in the services. I would urge the government to look at how local councils are tackling this issue. I would like to point to my own counsel. Lambeth Made Safer was launched in 2021 and takes a public health approach to violence focusing on prevention, early intervention, and community led solutions.

It prioritises targeted outreach, family support, and investment in community initiatives. It is obviously woefully under resourced that this is the kind of initiative community approach that should be rolled out nationwide. There is no solution to this crisis that is simple but we can begin to address it by ensuring young people have the wraparound services that we know

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prevent them from being involved in all the victim of crime. We will now start with a formal four minute time limit. Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. Can I thank the member from Can I thank the member from Huntington, for securing this absolutely important debate. Knife crime continues to cast a dark shadow over our communities, claiming young lives, shattering
14:23
Paulette Hamilton Portrait Paulette Hamilton MP (Birmingham Erdington, Labour)
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claiming young lives, shattering families, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Last year Birmingham 10 people were stabbed every week. A statistic that is both alarming and unacceptable. Within my constituency, the B23 postcode is particularly affected. In 2023 the highest recorded number of knife crime in the entire city. But behind the statistics are real families, real pain. When a knife crime tears through families, it destroys lives and devastated entire communities. Just weeks ago, this crisis struck my family.

Turning our world upside down. My nephew, a kindhearted wonderful young man, was brutally attacked in an act of senseless life islands. His crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. While his wounds are healing, it will take months for him to fully recover. The emotional trauma inflicted on him and in our family, however, is immeasurable. This is a pain no family should ever have to endure. Yet it is a pain that far too many are forced to bear.

Knife crime thrives in the shadows of neglect. 14 years of austerity under the last government gutted our communities, stripping away 70% of the support systems that once guided and protected young people. In Erdington, the closure of the youth centre in 2014 marks the end of the last council run youth service in my constituency. These cuts have left a void that too often is filled by despair and violence. I am glad that this government has recognised the problem of knife crime and included provisions to address knife crime in the police and bill.

But we can and we must do more. I have always said that prevention is better than cure. And while the police play a vital role in tackling crime, a sustainable solution requires a preventative community lead and partnership driven approach. In Birmingham, we have inspiring examples of organisations who I have worked with for many years who are working relentlessly to tackle knife crime amongst young children and people. Similarly the YMCA in Erdington is unwavering in its dedication to our young people.

On my recent visit, I celebrated with them the purchase of 83 flats ensuring young people have safe spaces to live, and access to support they need. These initiatives show us the way forward. We must create greater aspirations and opportunities for young people. Offering them a future beyond a life of crime. This requires long-term investment in our communities, and in our youth services. And in the organisations that are already making a difference. Saying that, we can West go even further upstream to supporting families and the deprivation in communities like mine.

The young man I mentioned earlier, my nephew, did not deserve what happens to him. Nobody does. Yet too many families are still left to feel this pain. And too many young people are still becoming victims. We can no longer afford to be complacent. Every moment of inaction puts another young life at risk. We must come together across the house and within our communities, to break the cycle of violence.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. Can I thank the of Huntington for you for this important debate and
14:27
Harpreet Uppal Portrait Harpreet Uppal MP (Huddersfield, Labour)
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you for this important debate and his moving speech was the also mentioned the member for Erdington, I'm sorry for what has happened your family for knife crime's devastating communities across the country, as organised criminal gangs bring children and young people into county line networks and organised criminality. Too many communities have seen children cruelly exploited, and sadly we have seen the devastating consequences of knife crime in my constituency. In Huddersfield, a 15 year old and a 17 year old sadly lost their lives to knife crime in recent years.

They were young lives cruelly taken too soon. Too many parents dealing with consequences that no parent should have to face. These broken and too many children and young people and young people left with facial scars. The Home Secretary's announcement of a law along with the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, the young futures partnership and young future hopes are all welcome and important steps forward. By introducing stricter regulations on online knife sales and developing extensive understanding of the root causes of knife crime, we are making it harder for young people to access these weapons in the first place.

An encouraging single pathways. These measures are welcome but alone they will not be enough. Other honourable members have raised the matter of social media companies, the use of Spotify by gang members and so- called influences. And unfortunately algorithms are driving this divisive behaviour. This can't be seen in isolation with what is happening on the ground. The council covering my constituency in Huddersfield has seen a 70% decrease in funding for the youth services since 2010. We know that the loss of youth services has been linked to a 14% rise in youth crime within six years of closures.

We must invest in youth services community outreach and early intervention. Despite the difficult financial outlook, there are many credible organisations working within my constituency to support young people, and I just want to mention a few of them. Positive Steps, Central Stars Youth Club, Yorkshire community development, and others. The deputy mayor of West Yorkshire has also introduced an A&E Navigator community program, as other members have mentioned, which helps to identify and signpost young people to the right support networks at the earliest opportunity.

These organisations deliver amenity services which are outstanding. They offer young people experiences and opportunities and environments which will allow them to thrive. However despite the best efforts, the financial constraints they face have resulted in many of them having to reduce the services they offer. They continue to have to fight for small pots of funding for top this is not sustainable long-term. The evidence is clear, when youth services are cut, people suffer. Can the minister provide details of when the young futures homes will be introduced and I'm keen that Huddersfield and other towns like us are early adopters? We must also give communities the tools to tackle this from the ground up.

It is usually local people and local communities who understand the issues the best. Many times they can find themselves fighting against system rather than being supported by it. No parent should ever have to bury their child. The community should ever live in fear. I look forward to working with members from across the house and alongside this government to ensure we stamp out government to ensure we stamp out

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I thank the honourable member for Huntingdon for bringing this important debate the House and I commend calling for the powerful commend calling for the powerful speeches we have heard. It is clear that there is undeniable consensus that there is undeniable consensus across the House to get this right but that is not enough. There is a national crisis that has devastated families, shuttered futures, families, shuttered futures, continues to cause damage. 50,000 is continues to cause damage. 50,000 is the number of knife -related offences reported for 2022-23.

In one year, 50,000 lives affected and 50,000 incidents of fear and injury and for some tragedy. In my constituency before several instances recently including the stabbing of a 17-year-old boy in the town centre. Members across the House will be familiar with visiting local schools and their communities and many will agree students are often the most tough crowd and never
14:33
Naushabah Khan Portrait Naushabah Khan MP (Gillingham and Rainham, Labour)
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shy of asking the tough questions. The issue of safety process. They asked me why they should feel afraid asked me why they should feel afraid to walk through the high street in the evening, why communities do not feel safe, and why more is not being feel safe, and why more is not being done to protect them. It troubles me that is a stark contrast to my own that is a stark contrast to my own experience growing up in the same community and area and I wish to community and area and I wish to community and area and I wish to Inevitable.

Some is the result of neglect. The previous government left behind a legacy of cuts and indifference at times to young people, dismantling the systems designed to keep them safe with £1 million trip from youth services and 4500 youth workers lost. The evidence is clear, every 1 pound invested in youth work prevents greater cost than the lane. If we view knife crime correctly, we must realise principles of upstream prevention have been more pertinent. The truth is that by the time a young person picks up a note, we have failed.

That is why the Coalition on Knife Crime is a significant step and allows us to get to the root cause and not just the symptom of knife crime. I welcome the commitment of the Home Secretary to bringing back neighbourhood policing which will work to restore the trust and presence which was dismantled. Communities like me and are desperate for offices you will build relationships, prevent crime before it happens and reassure those who have lost faith. We cannot arrest our way out of the crisis.

We must invest in young people, not only to steer them away from crime but offer them a future. Like many others, I have binge watched the compelling drama 'Adolescence'...

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Will my honourable friend give way?

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way? When we think about violence

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When we think about violence against women and girls and the role of role models for young men, does she agree we must focus on she agree we must focus on protecting young women and helping them deal with challenges that they face to have space within

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communities. I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for the intervention and I agree that there is absolutely the need to make sure we are supporting young men and we are in part starting that journey by tackling some of the toxic and quite concerning material that we find online and also ensuring that the social media companies are doing the right thing to manage that content, which I do not believe they are. It is a culture that we have to tackle head on and one that seeks to legitimise and glorify misogyny and gang violence and exploit vulnerability.

We must prevent young people being dragged into the cycle of harm before they realise what is happening. This is our opportunity and responsibility to break the cycle, working across parties, rebuilding what has been lost, and assuring communities that never again should the generation believe that carrying a knife is the only

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protection, option, and future. I paid tribute to the honourable

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I paid tribute to the honourable member for Huntingdon for securing this important debate and has powerful speech and the devastating powerful speech and the devastating impact of knife crime is thought that the heart of my constituency. The most heartbreaking thing that The most heartbreaking thing that you do as an MP is speak to a parent who has heard that their precious who has heard that their precious son or daughter has been taken away by knife crime. No parent should by knife crime.

No parent should have to bury their child. When you are sat there trying to comfort a family going through something all horrific, you look over their shoulder and see the picture of the smiling face and the young life innocently lost. This is something you should never have to get used to and I never do but we all have to do it as members of Parliament. My honourable friend from Clapham and Brixton Hill highlighted some of the statistics but we must remember when we talk about them, as awful as they are in their own right, every single one of those figures, someone love them - are friends, family, auntie, brother, grandparent, mother,
14:38
Florence Eshalomi Portrait Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Labour )
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sister, who are now devastated by losing someone who had early started losing someone who had early started their life. I want to touch on the wider impact of knife crime in communities and an area which I think sometimes do not focus on enough. On the London assembly I offered a report entitled 'Gang- offered a report entitled 'Gang- Associated Girls'. We looked at the impact of knife crime and other impact of knife crime and other crime on young girls and women.

They may not be viewed as immediate victims but the long-term trauma that they go through because, when these incidents happen, it is the same young women and girls who are first on the scene and the same women and girls who have the community to grieve and they are organising the funerals and when the glare of the media has gone and it is out of the news cycle, they are going back to lay flowers at the cemetery and remembering key anniversaries and that just because they are not present at the hospital with the knife crime, it is about internal trouble for them.

We must not forget there are voices in this debate on knife crime. That is why I think we need a holistic approach when we look at this and address it because the whole community must come together to break this vicious cycle of knife crime that we are saying and break the chain of trauma that has impacted so many young people, robbing them of a future. It saddens me that a few weeks ago there was a tragic shooting in my constituency.

In the line of sight from the playground to the primary school was the blue line saying, "Police, do not draw." It impacts on children and so it is vital to work across party to addresses. This is about young children dying on the streets up and down the country. I'm pleased to see the commitment to the program which will champion the vital youth workers and, if I'm being honest, many of them have not been paid properly and many have lost your job seeking youth centres close.

We must continue to talk about this in another government will continue to work with us to make sure we address the vicious cycle robbing so many young people

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of their lives. Can I also congratulate all of those who have worked to secure this those who have worked to secure this important debate on knife crime, which has been a deeply vexing issue in society for decades. We are at the point where further action is the point where further action is required to save lives as we have heard in many powerful contributions from members across the chamber. I from members across the chamber. I was pleased to see in the briefing was pleased to see in the briefing for the debate that the professor from the Royal College Of Psychiatrists in Scotland has brought his expertise study on knife crime reduction in Scotland showed
14:41
Richard Baker Portrait Richard Baker MP (Glenrothes and Mid Fife, Labour)
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the strategy of targeting young men carrying knives in public that the carrying knives in public that the 61% reduction and weapon charges and 61% reduction and weapon charges and a drop in homicides between 2025- 16. These approaches show that restricting immediate access to nice restricting immediate access to nice reduces offences and saves space and as other members have pointed out as other members have pointed out there must be complemented by there must be complemented by preventative attempts focusing on knives and focus on awareness as well.

At the time the work was initiated, there was huge concern in Scotland around the levels of knife crime. In 2010-11, someone was caught with a knife every 19 minutes. In 2009, the Scottish parliament had a summit on May came following a report from John Muir of Greenock whose son was murdered in 2007 with a knife. It was a privilege to work alongside John in his campaign in my role as shadow his campaign in my role as shadow justice secretary.

They were tougher penalties but it also focused on a need to focus on the trauma that often follows the decision to carry and me. He went into schools to take the powerful personal message to young people and that had an impact at that time but in Scotland, sadly, the indications are that we have a worrying trend on knife crime in the wrong direction and the crime statistics in Scotland for that in 2023-24, there were nearly 11,000 offences and an 11% increase on the previous year and there's been an increase in homicides as well and communities particularly concerned by social media posts of violent attacks in the community and the young person brandishing a knife was attacked and seals were slashed.

Further action must be taken to address these instances or more young people could be injured and lose their lives. We must ensure local police have resources to deal local police have resources to deal with this and we must have the right legislation in place and I welcome the measures, particularly after Southport, which we had about earlier in this debate. We are once more at the point in communities across the UK where for the -- further measures are required.

People who have been devastated by these claims had been given a voice across the chamber and powerfully by the member from Birmingham in terms of her personal experience and I'm confident these voices have been heard and that the parliament will act and do more to protect young people from knife crime.

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Norfolk, as a rule, is safe is generally lower average rates of crime. For many children who have up crime. For many children who have up there, as I did, Filip Polasek chartered but this is not the case for every young person and be face increasing challenges with the intertwining of knife crime and
14:44
Alice Macdonald Portrait Alice Macdonald MP (Norwich North, Labour )
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intertwining of knife crime and nighttime activity in the area and I want to focus on this element. Since being a member of Parliament I have met Emma and Phil whose 18-year-old son was tragically killed in my constituency in 2022. Three young men were found guilty of his murder and his parents talked about how they felt he was exploited by drug dealers and became trapped in a vicious cycle. His mother has said, "I do not think we have tackled the root causes of why people are carrying and using knives, particularly in Norfolk.

Unfortunately, we have but it is under the sand. We know that with a lot of incidents, people will not go to the police due to fear of repercussions. By the Minister knows, the phrase can dealings knows, the phrase can dealings refers to mobile phone links used for order of drugs has been strongly linked to that is no pain. I met with the Minister to discuss the issue and I welcome her engagement. It's a focus of work for police in Norfolk.

The County Lane team has reportedly investigated more than 200 phone lines with 213 charges and more than 570 years in prison sentences. That is welcome because these people running the lines criminally exploit young people. It is vital they are set to justice. Child exploitation is a stand-alone offence in the Crime and Policing Bill the parents have called for a register for all of those convicted of child exploitation and I wonder of child exploitation and I wonder Their story underlines why the covenant commitment to tackling knife crime is so important.

I want to thank the member for securing the debate. To tackle county lines are knife crime amongst young people we must focus on prevention, intervention, education, and tackling the root causes. I welcome the recently launched Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime and indeed Emma and Phil are members of that group. It is a welcome collaboration because it is only through listening to the voices of those on the ground we can find solution to the issues. I recently held a youth engagement forum with committee groups and young people across Norwich North.

The overall message as we have heard today was the importance of multiple organisations collaborating on early intervention measures to prevent young people from going down dangerous paths and to give them opportunities. I agree strongly with the message about public health approach, and as a councillor in London, I saw that first hand. In my constituency, organisations and the Norfolk YMCA and others all do fantastic work and I want to pay tribute to them. The most important thing we must listen to young people.

People at the roundtable raised a range of issues we have covered today including the need for more youth friendly spaces. The lack of opportunities for young people and the need to tackle Online Harms Bill's I particularly want to welcome the new young futures program. It is only by taking a holistic approach to combating knife crime that we will begin to pull it out at its roots. It is clear that collaboration with young people is key for top Youth Endowment Fund has highlighted many solutions when it comes to reducing violent crime.

With this government we have the political will, we have consensus across both sides of the house and must work together to tackle knife crime because none of us can sit back while precious lives are being lost in young people's lives are being destroyed.
14:48
Bayo Alaba Portrait Mr Bayo Alaba MP (Southend East and Rochford, Labour)
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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. I also thank the member for securing this vitally important debate. Knife crime amongst children and people is one of the most devastating incidents to occur in our constituencies. Last summer in my constituency there were multiple incidents of machetes and machete attacks on our beaches. It was very troubling and I have set about meeting with families and businesses affected. I am also currently in the process of commissioning in terms of single we can do and finding out the things that we don't know through the eyes and voices of our young people.

Honourable members here may know, Essex is within the top 10 counties for reported knife crime. As parents friends and family members of young people, I'm sure we all understand the sheer horror you feel when you hear incidents involving lives. Every single offence is one too many. That is a young man, was attacked as a young boy by a knife many times and was lucky to survive. It broke my mums heart knowing that she could not protect me every time left the house.

It is one of the reasons why, I have not shared this story publicly, it is one the reasons I spent the last 20 years mentoring and supporting young people because I see how hard it is and traversing neighbourhoods. Sometimes you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Knife crime brutalises. Nine people and childhood friends have also lost their lives through knife crime, drug crime. It is particularly tough having this debate today. And having sat around and been sat in the living room as honourable members mentioned, talking to families that have lost a young person is a scenario and setting that nobody ever really wants to go through.

The pain that you see and you feel emanating from the parents and the family because of the loss of that young person is something that you just can't describe. I wholeheartedly welcome our Labour government's commitment to halve violent knife crime in a decade. We have not wasted any time to deliver on this commitment. Introducing stricter online regulations to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of young people. This includes new offences in possessing a knife or an offensive weapons with intent, increasing the maximum penalty for manufacturing, selling, hiring, or illegal lending of prohibited weapons.

It creates new offences of Child Q were to, and what is often associated with county lines. It is also essential that we ban machetes and also make kitchen knives safer and have a strategy of prevention. and have a strategy of prevention. Young people in my constituency face a unique set of challenges. Compensation today is not just about Compensation today is not just about urban communities. It is also about validation, self-esteem, boredom, role models, or the absence of them.

And these are huge contributing factors in what we see playing out with the violence that our young people inflict on each other. We have higher levels of health inequality and often feel the brunt of lack of transport connectivity. The changes that the government proposes cannot come quickly enough.

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Thank you. Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituents across Luton South and South Bedfordshire who have sadly come together to stand against knife crime on too many occasions in recent years. There were consistent failures by the previous
14:53
Rachel Hopkins Portrait Rachel Hopkins MP (Luton South and South Bedfordshire, Labour)
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failures by the previous Conservative government to toughen up legislation around dangerous weapons, as well as a failure to ensure funding for our police forces. As we have heard from many members across the house, and I totally agree, sustained cutbacks on youth services all combined to allow a knife crime epidemic to take hold in our towns and cities. Knife crime destroys lives, devastates families and leaves lasting trauma on communities. Behind every Suga one of the statistics as a person whose life remains ever changed, or sadly needlessly lost.

In Luton we are all-too-familiar the devastation knife crime courses. If I may reflect on the shocking murder of Ajay. In 2018 when he was just 18 because from darkness must come light. As Ajay's mum, Roseanne Taylor, she is that light and I was honour to centre with an award, she used the loss of her son to raise awareness and her ongoing work with young people in Knife Crime Prevention Orders to the award was named after the Knife Angel sculpture, an amazing statue of over 8 m tall.

Created from over 100,000 surrendered knives which was based at Luton town centre last year as part of its ongoing tour. It is a powerful symbol for discussions about knife crime and violence with the aim to educate and raise awareness particularly of young people. As the Knife Angel left our town, we mark the event with a ritual in St Marys Church, a candlelit walk of remembrance and a closing ceremony in St George's Square. Remember all those lost to knife crime and committed to eliminating this violence by inspiring positive choices.

Lots of brilliant organisations are working to make this happen. While also dealing with the reality of what continues to take place. The "Just dropping close quote campaign in Bedford encourages young people to take a right path by going knife free. When man Metals are working to try and avoid loss of life after a stabbing. And the Luton Dunstable and surrounding area, the community forum youth group rated a safe card with help from the group's youth coordinator which shares vital information about what to do when helping the victim of a stabbing full stop sadly was created following the death of a young friend.

Unlike the Conservatives, our Labour government has been ambitious in our mission to get knives off our streets and ensure people across our towns and communities are safe from violent. With our commitment to halve knife crime across a decade. Our Labour government has already banned ownership of zombie-style knives and machetes. Measures in our flagship Crime and Policing Bill will go further to crack down on knife announced, to ensure it can continue its excellent work to keep the community safe. Taken together, these measures will directly improve support for children and your people.

Sadly they are often most at risk when it comes to being perpetrators also victims of knife

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crime. Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. May I thank the member for Huntington for securing this important debate. Knife crime amongst children and young people is a national emergency that should a national emergency that should shame us all. With 3000 knife crime
14:56
Natasha Irons Portrait Natasha Irons MP (Croydon East, Labour)
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shame us all. With 3000 knife crime offences reported in the year ending March 2024 involving children, this crisis cannot be ignored. Each one of those numbers represent a young person caught in violence, someone's son or daughter, someone who deserved better. In Croydon where we have some of the highest rates of knife violence in London, and where too many young people have lost their lives, we know the impact of knife crime only too well. In Croydon, a 15-year-old who was described by those who loved her as vibrant, bright, and loving, was taken from her family on her way to school and acts of violence that is beyond compression.

Too many young lives are being taken too soon. Too many communities living in fear of the next tragedy. And too many families are being left with unimaginable grief. I welcome this government's commitment to halving knife crime over the next 10 years and the urgency to is taking. Going after the cruel gangs were grooming our children into crime, introducing Roland's law to crack down on online sale of knives, and finally to bring the ban on zombie knives into action.

It is not enough to be tough on knife crime. We must be just as tough on its complex causes. So I welcome this government's plan to roll out young futures program. As is often said, it takes a village to raise a child. And with universal youth services seeing a 73% cut in funding since 2010, and young people often stuck on waiting lists for years, where is that village today? What can they point to that demonstrates this country is willing to invest in them, to back them, to support them? I urge government to move fast in prioritising the well- being of our children.

As was also said, if a child is not embraced by the village, it will bring it down. In Croydon and in partnership with the Mayor of London, organisations are working tirelessly to provide support for young people and to rebuild that village around them. Working in Croydon University Hospital, the groundbreaking projects which is supporting young people in schools communities and at home. Croydon drop-off offers free and will help support or the Croydon youth consortium which is driving elaborate between local youth charities.

Croydon is leading the way in giving young people a stake in the community. However, due to impending budget cuts, Croydon, London's youngest borough, is on the verge of losing its youth engagement team. This team provides a critical link between the council, the voluntary sector, and the vulnerable young people across the borough. They provide outreach for our youth hubs in hard to reach areas. Put simply, Croydon's youth engagement team saves lives. As it builds its young futures program and looks to great national youth strategy, I urge the government to ensure it works with, not against, grassroots organisations that know their communities best.

It provides long- term funding in local areas, and that it looks at increasing the statutory protections for local youth services so they are given the priority they deserve. Knife crime amongst children and young people is devastating but not inevitable. Now is the time to invest in prevention as well as enforcement. Now is the time to listen to those working in the front lines of this crisis was now is the time to give our young people the support they need because our communities, our families, and our communities, our families, and our communities, our families, and
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Andy Slaughter Portrait Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick, Labour)
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This is a very timely debate. I congratulate the members of the task force last week and there were some very compelling speeches and we have heard some emotional speeches today and I think the issue of the empathy between members of all sides and victims of knife crime and their families. I've met constituents over the years who have had their lives irrevocably changed by knife crime due to the murder of a loved one or a serious injury.

She is with children, and also adult children who have lost elderly parents after they were stabbed to death. The pain that family members live with after such horrendous events is terrible. I have spoken to the House on several occasions but I want to talk about harm reduction today. Of all the times when we know what the weapon is, two thirds of the names used to kill people are kitchen knives. This should not be surprising. Many murders are committed on the spur of the moment.

Kitchen knives are the weapons most readily to hand. They are much in the media this week after the new Netflix drama, 'Adolescence', which is a comment on the challenges young people face growing up and shows how household item can cause devastation and change people's lows forever. Youth groups and skills have been calling for the government to do something tangible to stop this from happening and allow children to have a childhood. Prominent voices such as Idris Elba and Steven Graham have described it as a silent pandemic in the country.

The government wants to make change and must do it quickly. The previous government did not go far enough. The new measures go further but more can be done and there is a campaign to phase out kitchen knives with pointy tips and replace them with kitchen knives with rounded tips. It is well documented pointed knives can be used to savour arteries and these injuries are more likely to be fatal. Rounded knives are less likely to cause injury and most of us really use the pointed end when cooking.

There are some measures that limit purchasing of new lows but there are millions in drawers around the country and the Safer Knives Group of which I am a member has suggested a pilot scheme to switch kitchen knives into those with a round tip. There must be an alternative and they must create a price difference. Making knives stay for is one -- making knives safer as one step. Also, education and support following the example set by the Scottish government would be a long-term solution and there is also the need for more collection of data on the issue.

Information, policy changes, legislation and expert advice are important but this might lead to a change of behaviour so communities stop killing each other with knives. This has to be a natural priority and I know the Minister agrees and it is all about doing the work.
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Luke Taylor Portrait Luke Taylor MP (Sutton and Cheam, Liberal Democrat)
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Very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. The epidemic of knife crime has been an epidemic of knife crime has been an issue addressed many times in this place but never in the debate specifically targeting the impact on children and young people. I commend the gallant member for Huntington the gallant member for Huntington for securing the debate. In Britain, we face a hard truth - young people we face a hard truth - young people are increasingly involved in violent are increasingly involved in violent crime and is becoming more entrenched.

Figures show across the country 614 young people under 24 country 614 young people under 24 have been killed by knife crime in the last 10 years with 17 of them 16 or younger. Children are being exposed to the tragic normalisation of stabbings. We have sleepwalked into a scenario in which many young people feel it is safer and easier to carry LA to defend themselves. Threats of punishment are unsurprisingly failing to deter violent behaviour. Knife crime should be treated as the societal disease it is and we cannot afford to just treat symptoms any more.

To truly tackle Mottram the government must address the deep-seated issues that drive young people to this in the first place. We must stop now crime before it starts and use a public health approach that addresses fear, trauma, lack of opportunity, social inclusion, the root causes. This approach has many tenants. It begins with education. When young people carry knives, it is often fear, not a desire to harm others. A study by the Ben Kinsella Trust shows one in three people do not feel safe in their own communities and two thirds report anxiety over knife crime in their anxiety over knife crime in their areas.

The teenage brain is wired differently than adults and the tendency towards risky behaviour is more common. Studies show in many cases Crema crows in the heat of the moment when an altercation could have been resolved without serious injury of a weapon had not been present and this is why we must address the issue before the night is pulled from the pocket and escalates beyond control. Education can play a principal part in challenging misconceptions that carrying a knife makes you safer. It is about teaching the real consequences of the weapon and how it destroys lives and affects families and perpetrates fear among communities.



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I thank the honourable gentleman for giving way and it is an excellent speech that we all agree excellent speech that we all agree with across the House. I've spoken with the police department in Harlow with the police department in Harlow about this issue across Harlow and Essex and they do work with schools. Would he agree it's taught in Would he agree it's taught in schools fully engage on these issues and do not see it as stigma and are

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more engaged. I completely agree and I will

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I completely agree and I will command to the section later apart I spoke to the organisers of the Chris Donovan Trust in my constituency who talked about the challenges talking about knife crime because the perception that they will talk about it was a problem in itself and that is frustrating to hear and we need honest and open conversations with young people in schools and teachers must be equipped to educate the next generation to break the cycle of violence.

Even if a child is not at risk of creating a Amb offence, the educational program serves a critical role and they can teach children about the consequences of knife crime before they would consider carrying a weapon. It is vital. We must reach young people and when the war for hearts and minds before the harbingers of toxic mindsets can start the offensive. I urge the government to consider mountains re- lessons on the -- mandatory lessons on the consequences of weapon possession and adjust the consequences in recognition of the great work of groups like the Chris Donovan Trust in my constituency.

We teach about the dangers of smoking and alcohol from an early age so why are we not having discussions about carrying knives. Intervention can occur before thoughts of crime arise. Deaths can be prevented. To fully realise that nourishing, community- focused aspect of an approach, we must invest in youth services and community programs that engage in people. Winning the war for hearts and minds means providing opportunities to build skills, pursue education, find alternative to gang culture and criminal activity.

We have seen a dramatic decline in funding for youth services in recent years, as has been mentioned many times. Cuts totalling £1.1 billion since 2010 and this has left many young people without the support that they need and investing in youth services is about providing young people with alternatives to violence can break the cycle of crime and shifting the culture of violence and empowering communities to work together to prevent crime before it escalates and he targeted early help an integrated support team in my constituency does exactly this kind of, offering opportunity to young people who are not often afforded the luxury of such attention elsewhere in their lives but these programs rely heavily on grants from the Ministry of Justice and violence reduction services and the grants are often uncertain, approve of the last minutes, and only allocated for two years which prevents proper forward planning.

We must do better than that and consistently get serious funding to these initiatives in a timely manner and I echo the calls from the Member for Dulwich and West Mortgage for funding the schemes. We must make this a statutory duty and every part of the country must have scheme for young people up to 25 providing better opportunities for young people and less strain on police resources. Let's be honest, the resources are strained beyond breaking point in the many places and early intervention is not enough to implement this approach.

Visible community policing starts with actual police numbers in London boroughs and to tackle knife crime, it's important to see bodies on the beat in London and an active and engaged presence creates safety and security. We must get back to meaningful community policing and returning police to a positive arm of the state in people's close. Building trust between young people and police is crucial. This trust communicates that there is no need to criminalise prevention because young people must know the police are there to keep them safe.

When a 17-year-old was stabbed to death outside Starting Out station in December 2023, he was minutes away from a police station. If we cannot expect visible police presence close to police stations, what do we expect? This is a criticism of successive governments and mayors who consistently failed to give police the resources to do the job. In London, too many are abstracted away from the communities they are supposed to serve to help gaps. I was concerned to learn of the budgeting decisions of city which have led to dedicated police officers in schools in London to be removed and the officers will no longer be stationed in schools as part of the Safer Schools Officers Program.

There are plans for officers to work closely with Jews but it produces consistent direct contact between officers and young people and the context is crucial to building relationships with young people to foster trust. There should be plenty of positive interactions and experiences with police throughout formative years and this can be achieved through school assemblies and classroom workshops. Young people must understand police are there to keep people off the streets and are not the enemy and we must focus on extreme deterrents such as facial recognition and stop and search only in extreme focus and it is surprising that they do not with community focus.

The hallmark of the public health approach, meaningful, that has the investment of money and political capital as it brings together all the groups in the communities. I increase a coalition of care, Brixton silo walls between projects and builds a team across society committed to do what it takes to rescue young people and so on behalf of the experts, professionals, parents, young people, I implore the government to build the team, create the coalition of care, and put this into light.



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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. First and foremost, I pay my
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Harriet Cross Portrait Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)
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First and foremost, I pay my respects to all of those and the families of those mentioned today who have lost lives due to knife crime. Too many families and communities have been and are being torn apart by Leitrim and I welcome the constructive, compassionate, collaborative approach that members across the House I've taken today. This matter is too important and the impact it ever sitting for anything but assured focus on reducing this most violent of crime. We cannot allow ourselves to be back here in a few years with more names, more stories, no meaningful progress.

No family, friends, or skill should have to lose a loved one tonight but that is the precise reality being faced far too often. As others have done, I put on record my gratitude and admiration to the courageous police officers across the country who work tirelessly and fearlessly to help keep us and communities safe and I thank my honourable and gallant friend, the member for Huntingdon, for securing this vitally important debate and in particular the emphasis on knife crime among young people.

We all recognise the problems and impacts of knife crime on the whole but the nuances that affect young people are integral in developing an understanding this problem. It will develop in the future and it is important. As he and other members have raised, the world occupied by young people today is multilayered, a hybrid of online and off-line, where boundaries merge, converge and persist, and the reality of consequences of actions are often overlooked until it is too late. Young people are being exposed to things at a younger age than ever before and the impact of normalising and desensitising crime and violence While the number of hospital admissions from knife crime has declined from its peak, the figures remain far too high.

We know the impact knife crime has on young people we must work to get knives out of the hands of perpetrators. Thanks to research by the Youth Endowment Fund we have a relatively clear picture of knife crime rates amongst young people. A small but by no means insignificant number of young people carry offensive weapons. In the last two is 5% of those aged 13 to 17 year old surveyed admitted to carrying offensive weapons. 47% of which were nigh. This illustrates that while only a minority of those involved in serious offences are knife carriers, their impact on their communities is significant.

And of course this is a nationwide figure. It can be significant higher in parts of the country many of which we have heard today where knife crime is especially prevalent. Over the past decade, a number of steps have been taken to reduce knife crime. Violence against the person has decreased significantly since 2010 but knife crime remained stubbornly and far too high. This suggests a significant targeted action is needed. And amongst young people. Much-needed measures were put forward by the last government and diplomatic by the current one, to close loopholes and introduce restrictions on zombie knives.

In addition, I welcome in the Crime and Policing Bill that replicates some of the Criminal Justice Bill, and places more stringent rules on knife possession and expands police powers. Three key measures outlined in the bill being the creation of an offence of possessing a bladed item with intent to harm. The increase in the maximum penalty of selling weapons to under 18. And the power to seize, retain, and destroy invaded articles have all rightly been included. Increasing the penalty for those selling knives to under 18 is clearly a step forward in enforcing stricter laws and protecting young people.

Ensuring there are penalties for a range of weapons being used by young people is vital. As the police have highlighted, individuals using social networks specifically to advertise a range of weapons to under 18. Regarding the online sale of knives, the review provided a detailed assessment. And since the measures in this assessment will largely be introduced as amendments to the bill, it would be useful to hear from the Minister what impact she believes they will have on knife sales.

And does she expect a significant reduction in the accessibility for those who currently acquire weapons through online means. However while considering online sales we must not be naive. Data shows a significant number of weapons held by young people are kitchen knives, and is also noted by the member for Huntington, which, by their definition, are widely accessible. As members across the house have highlighted today, engagement, prevention, and police interventions are crucial tools. Not only in preventing individuals from committing crimes but also in protecting young people who, far too often, are victims of offences committed by their peers.

Stop and search saves lives and must play a role in addressing and preventing incidents of knife crime. Allowing the disruption of crime and removing weapons from the street. Police must have the necessary powers to prevent crime because far too many lives are being violently cut short. Research published by the Oxford Journal of policing found the potential of an over 50% reduction in attempted murders through stop and search will stop knowing that please can stop and search a powerful deterrent.

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Also important... I thank the Shadow Minister for the comments and quotes she is the comments and quotes she is referencing. And yes, the police have a vital role to play. Does she agree that our youth workers working agree that our youth workers working up and down the country with honourable young people are also a honourable young people are also a key defence and stopping some of these young people? Because the young people who are caught up in a vicious cycle of crime trust those youth workers in some instances more than they trust the police.



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than they trust the police. I thank the honourable lady for her comments, and I know she is so engaged and invested in this issue. Youth workers, teachers, anyone who a child trusts is important in addressing this issue and ensuring that society has the powers we need to address knife crime. Any action that helps reduce knife crime is actually should be looking at. As well as stop and search it is important we drive to get weapons off the streets to emerging technologies.

Example devices that allow detection at a distance and in crowded streets. Allowing officers to more precisely identify and remove lives from would-be perpetrators. Alongside enforcement, prevention, early intervention requires attention, so the Conservatives did make advances in this government. Three 2019 2024, Violence Reduction Units were funded in areas of England and Wales where there was a prevalence of violent crime. According to Home Office evidence, this has led to significantly significant reduction in hospital admissions for violence. Since funding began many admissions to hospital have been prevented.

Also we must ensure that police have the ability to be in the right place at the right time. We have heard from members across the house today and often it is in being in the wrong place at the wrong time which leads to injury through knife crime. This is particularly crucial for young people who congregate in hotspot areas will stop sauntering up police forces have the resources to increase patrols and presence in such areas plays a key role in both the prevention and response.

I acknowledge that the government has placed significant emphasis on the delivery of young future hubs, to identify young people most at risk of being drawn into crime. While we all recognise the benefits of providing support to young people, the effectiveness of these hubs will depend on the implementation. Resources must be distributed effectively to ensure young people receive the support they need. Particularly given the range of activities the government intends these hubs to carry out alongside the reduction in knife crime. Therefore I'd ask the Minister how these hubs will be structured and what work will take place outside the physical spaces to ensure effective engagement and early intervention.

We have also seen Police and Crime Commissioners using their independence to explore programs which can intervene earlier. For instance, the Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber is Operation Deter youth ensures that youth services may contact you under 18 is arrested for weapon and violent offences within 90 minutes of notification of the rest. Followed by a house visit between 48-hour is. While I'm not asking the Minister to be prescriptive, she ensure that police forces have a government backing to trial innovative techniques such as knife scanning, and new preventive techniques to help save young lives? And fundamentally, what are her plans to change the mindset that has developed that has enabled children to stab and murder other children? Reducing knife crime among young people is a critical task for this and any government.

When we hear the names that we have heard today of some of the too many young lives that have been lost to knife crime, we are reminded that these are not just statistics but stating event that bring untold anguish to families. We must do everything

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possible to bring down the numbers. Thank you Madame Deputy Speaker. Let me start by thanking the honourable and gallant Friend gentleman for Huntington. This
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Diana Johnson Portrait Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham, Labour)
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gentleman for Huntington. This debate on an issue that matters enormously to us all. His opening speech was, as ever, eloquent, thought-provoking, and challenging, and it ranged widely. Including the role of social media and referred specifically to drill rapper's music influencing children and people. I did want to refer him to the important work of Project Alpha based on the Met, and also the role that the Online Safety Act will now have as the provisions come into force on the role of Ofcom.

There have been many insightful and heartfelt speeches this afternoon. And I'm grateful to every member who has spoken, in particular I think my honourable friend for South Ribble who spoke on behalf of the victims families, particularly I'm sure the whole house would want to thank the parents of the child from that horrific Southport attack. And what they had to say full stop my honourable friend for Dulwich and West Norwood, Clapham and Brixton Hill, Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, they all spoke with such knowledge, and have done a huge amount in their local areas to tackle knife crime.

And of course my honourable friend from Birmingham Erdington, who spoke in a very personal way about the attack on her nephew, and how that had affected him and her family. Again, I hope the whole house will want to wish her nephew were recovering from that attack. My honourable friend from Glenrothes and Mid Fife who gave the Scottish perspective, always really useful to hear what is happening in other parts of the United Kingdom. And my honourable friend for Southend East and Rochford who smokefree personally about all the victims of knife crime.

I also want to refer to my honourable friend for Hammersmith and Chiswick who has been talking at length to me about this whole issue of harm reduction and the issue of rounded kitchen knives. I want to reassure him that nothing is off the table when it comes to tackling the scourge of knife crime and saving young lives, and the Home Office is considering a proposal brought to us on rounded kitchen knives. Before I go on to deal with many of the issues that were raised this afternoon, I do just want to make an opening comment which is what I detected as being the prevailing message of the debate this afternoon.

Because I think the matter what side of the house that we sit on, whatever party we belong to, and whatever constituency we represent, we can all agree that knife crime causes enormous harm in our communities. It is disruptive, and all too often deadly. Too often, those affected are teenagers and young people with the rest of their lives ahead of them. We all know that when someone carries a knife or dangerous weapon, the potential for bloodshed is always only ever seconds away.

And each fatal stabbing triggers a trail of devastation. First and foremost of course there is the victim, deprived of his or her future. Then there is the victim's family, left to come to terms with the most unimaginable loss. And there is also an impact on the wider community when these incidents occur. So while we discuss policies and legislation and initiatives, we must always keep the individuals and the families affected at the forefront of our minds. On that note, I want to take the opportunity to say that my thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have suffered as a result of knife crime.

I also want to thank all of that police and our emergency service workers who have to deal with knife crime in our communities. Turning to the approach that this government is taking...

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I appreciate my honourable friend giving way. Will she join with me in giving way. Will she join with me in recognising the great work done by recognising the great work done by PCSOs Nikki, Demi, Gavin, and others in my constituency, to prevent knife in my constituency, to prevent knife crime? And the Rod Squad in Bedford encouraging young people to put down

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encouraging young people to put down knives and take up fishing rods and enjoy the peace of the water instead. I am grateful for my honourable

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I am grateful for my honourable friend for telling the house all about the excellent work that is going on in her constituency, and particularly the role of the PCSOs. I know that time is short this afternoon, and there were a lot of questions raised with me for top so if I don't get the chance to answer all the questions I will write to honourable members specifically. The house will know that under the safer streets mission led by the Home Secretary, we are driving a whole of government approach to halving violence against women and girls, halving knife crime and restoring confidence in policing and the justice system.

As part of that, the planned for change sets out our key reforms to strengthen neighbourhood policing, tackle antisocial behaviour, and improve confidence in law enforcement. On offensive weapons, for any effective response to this issue, we must of course include action to get dangerous knives and weapons out of circulation and off our streets. And we have already demonstrated our commitment to putting in place stronger controls in the months since the general election. We have intimated the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes on 24 September.

It is now illegal to sell or own these weapons. We also committed in our manifesto to ban ninja swords, and we have consulted on the legal description, and are progressing our plans to bring forward an effective ban later this year. As to online sales which a number of honourable members referred to, we were clear that stronger checks are needed to be in place to prevent under 18-year-olds from being able to purchase knives online. Which is why last October at the Home Secretary commissioned command that Stephen Clayman is the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for knife crime to carry out the copperhead for full review into the online sale and delivery of lives.

That review was published on 19 February. We are taking immediate action on the number of key recommendations in the report, and have announced Roland's law. After someone who was fatally stabbed in June 2023. And the dedicated campaigning by his mum. So the law will comprise a range of measures which will include requiring online retailers to report any bulk or suspicious looking purchase of knives to the police. And introduce a new offence of possessing offensive weapons with intent for violence.

The Home Secretary has also announced the government intends to strengthen age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the all online sellers of knives at the As the chair of the housing of local government raised, we will be bringing forward amendments to the Crown placing bell to enable measures for online companies that fail to take action against illegal knife and offensive weapons content. I want to refer to the coalition to tackling knife crime.

This was setup by the Prime Minister in September 2024 which brings together campaign groups, families of those who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted and community leaders united in their mission to save lives, and I think it is important that we have the lived experience of young people for the coalition, working with member organisations to ensure that they have a platform to hear those young voices to share their views, ideas and solutions to making Britain a safer place for the next generation.

The young futures and prevention partnerships has been referred to throughout the debate through many of my friends including Luton South, Bedfordshire and Huddersfield. What we know is that too many children and young people today are facing poorer life outcomes including becoming involved in knife crime because they have not been effectively identified and supported early on. This can because to my limited life opportunities or they are particularly vulnerable, and to address these issues, we have committed to the future programme to establish young futures prevention partnership to intervene early on and ensure that this cohort is identified and offered support in a more systematic way.

Young futures helps or bring together the underlying needs of young people making them more accessible to those that need them, and these will promote young people's development and prevent them getting drawn into crime. They will identify young people who are vulnerable to being drawn into crime and violence and divert them for an evidence-based support in a more systematic way. The county lines and child exploitation was referred to by a number of honourable friends.

County lines is the model of drug supply and a harmful form of exploitation. We will tackle exploitative gangs and break the criminal groups behind trade, we know that knives pay huge part in that. I can see that you are wanting me to conclude. There is so much more to say, but in conclusion, I just want to congratulate the gentlemen for securing this debate. We have to get a grip of what is a national crisis. The public want change and we are determined to deliver it.
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Steff Aquarone Portrait Steff Aquarone MP (North Norfolk, Liberal Democrat)
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enough. There are number of traditional divides which people traditional divides which people break our country down into. break our country down into. However, the divide between coastal and inland communities is often overlooked yet this divide has overlooked yet this divide has wide-ranging impact and leads to a unique situation for these areas. In unique situation for these areas. In unique situation for these areas. In fact, we may share more income than we do in Norwich. What coastal communities across the country often feel is that despite the country, economically, the system is not working.

Our health and economic outcomes are poorer than our inland neighbours. Our environment is battling climate change, coastal inclusion and sewage dumping scandals, the government doesn't think we have the form of a dedicated coastal community. I want to turn to the coastal communities. In 2021, Chris Whitty posted a landmark debate to seaside towns and coastal communities. What he uncovered was shocking. We have higher rates of disease, cardiovascular disease are higher, and those diagnosed with these diseases have more outcomes and suffer with them for longer.

Data shows that residents in the whole live more than 25% of their lives in poor health. There is a greater reliance on health services and shorter lives overall. These statistics are commendable but coastal health inequality need to receive more direct government attention and are particularly shocking. I want to take members on a brief tour to outline this point for them. Great Yarmouth is to the east and Portland to the south. These areas are very nearby and shared some amenities with the A 47.

However, a baby born in Great Yarmouth has a life expectancy of four years shorter. Both babies have been Norfolk residents, both may even grow up sitting in adjacent seats at the football ground, but the challenges we face in coastal towns and communities mean there is a disparity in health, well-being, and even in how long they would live. Communities so nearby, so similar, this cannot be seen as an acceptable status quo. Our coastal communities deserve to live longer, better, healthier lives than they do now.

North Norfolk faces its own challenges. We have poor transport links. The centre has been closed down for now, removing a vital asset which allow people to recover outside of hospitals and there are their families. The hospitals provide more services closer to our communities, preventing them from having to travel to Norfolk for vital healthcare. Coastal communities show very more of these challenges with each other than the inland neighbours. It was clear to him that action needed to be taken.

We all listen to him when he was on our TV screens during the pandemic, and I hope we can take him more seriously now. There are also economic drivers. We were contributing £17 billion in tourism before the pandemic and supports hundred thousands of jobs across the country. The hospitality industry plays host to hoteliers, chip shop owners and many more is. Visit the Blakely hotel enjoying lobster and crab are rocky bottoms, a place at the hell house in Happisburgh, or desert, they are all excellent ideas for anyone taking a trip to our part of the world and Torres have been doing this for centuries.

Jane Austen talked about Cromer in my constituency in Emma. She described it as the best of all see bathing places, although I would have to say

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the whole of North Norfolk qualifies for that level of praise. I would like to thank my friend for giving way. My constituency of for giving way. My constituency of Edgeworth could not be further from Edgeworth could not be further from the sea. However, I have spent many happy holidays in Cromer and Sheringham and I am so delighted that he has been returned to this house as the representative for house as the representative for those wonderful communities. Could those wonderful communities.

Could he tell me how wonderful Cromer, Sheringham and the North Norfolk coast is and I would have to say that I would prefer to swim in the sea and Sheringham than in Cromer. Does he agree with me?

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Absolutely no comment on the latter but I welcome her contribution and I will very momentarily move on to this, but her momentarily move on to this, but her presence here serves to remind us all that it is not just MPs who represent coastal communities and represent coastal communities and have a stake in their prosperity and I thank her for her words. In more I thank her for her words. In more recent times, we have a 2024p if the year in Cromer and the excellent North cottage run by Andrea and North cottage run by Andrea and Jerry who recently awarded an award.

Cromer also plays host to a Banksy artwork dated in his 21 tour of the East Coast. The artwork highlights the key of hermit crabs looking at empty shells, one of our greatest challenges. Second homes in the wider housing crisis. In North Norfolk, we have been plagued by huge levels of second homes and empty homes put outside the City of London, we have the highest level of homes that are infrequently used or empty. These properties are carving the core out of many small communities, and into many cases, contribute very little.

Our poorest are sitting on waiting list while the rich to reach our villages just like a Jane Austen hero, leaving them to suffer for the rest of the year. 40% of the town is second homes and holiday lets, and in some parts of that town, only one in 10 homes are somebody's main residence. I am delighted that after years of lobbying, we can lobby council tax increases are no second homes. This will bring £1.7 million of additional council, allowing them to provide homelessness services, but

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North Norfolk. I would like to thank the

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I would like to thank the gentleman for giving way. I would like to refer to the fact that Jane Austen also mentions Ramsgate in Austen also mentions Ramsgate in pride and prejudice but certainly less salubrious ways that you might less salubrious ways that you might refer to Cromer. Ramsgate shares the concerns that you have pointed out concerns that you have pointed out in terms of holiday lets. Would he support mine and many colleagues support mine and many colleagues concerns about the need for not just a registration scheme but also a licensing scheme for short-term holiday lets in order for local authorities to be able to control and shape their own economies.



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It is not ideological. We have to be pragmatic in these things, but be pragmatic in these things, but holiday lets can bring in welcome tourism to North Norfolk, but there is also a safety issue regarding is also a safety issue regarding regulation which I am very sympathetic to, but I would be interested in talking about the shared interest of this matter at another time.

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another time. I congratulate him on securing this debate affects so many around this debate affects so many around the country. On the point of the lets, in Seaview Street, there has been a noticeable uptick on-air B&B is. That street has got a unique identity, and these B&Bs are taking away from the impact of local businesses there, the tourist trade, because the NBN is are using the shop faades. To see think there should be more done to reduce the air B&Bs and protect the identities

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from these shopping streets? I do think more should be done,

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I do think more should be done, purely because it is a classic example of unintended consequences of what was designed for people to of what was designed for people to let out spare rooms and is now a mainstream booking platform but the fact that registration moves slower fact that registration moves slower than life. I would be glad to share than life. I would be glad to share In Cornwall, around 14,000 homes are In Cornwall, around 14,000 homes are sitting empty while there are also in the midst of a critical housing

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crisis. Is he surprised to hear that in

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Is he surprised to hear that in Cornwall, locally, Reform are campaigning against second homes, campaigning against second homes, yet Reform nationally voted against

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taxes on second homes? I think him for his contribution. I'm a little surprised. I'm not too familiar with Reform's tax policies, but I'm not sure whether that's me or most of us. I hope I've done a favour to my unborn neighbour by raising some of the challenges in his constituency, and am sure he would be most supportive of whatever is in their best interests. I know this is an issue which Cornish Liberal Democrats and my honourable friends from Saint Ives and North Cornwall are fighting hard on, to their great credit as are many people in this House.

Our economies do however face struggles. From 2,000 92,018, half of coastal towns are declining employment compared to inland communities. By the nature of our tourist driven economy, we've got significant seasonal variation as well. And many of small local businesses are deeply concerned after years of feeling left behind that increases to national insurance can squeeze them even further. And for some this might be the final straw. But our economies are also changing to meet the new opportunities of the future.

Coastal Communities Fund been at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. They are the key part of the manor factoring process for wind turbines or hosting the sites where the cables for the energy make landfall. In Bacton, there are amazing opportunities for carbon capture and storage and hydrogen generation as we undergo a dream transition there. Our coaster can have so much economic potential waiting to be unlocked and I hope the government can support and enable them to flourish in the years to come.

One of the most special things about our Coastal Communities Fund is the environment that they possess. Visitors to Salthouse marshes in my constituency might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the migratory snow bunting moving north to Holcomb and over the border live some of the ever decreasing natterjack toads. These are precious unique and environmentally important landscapes and areas, but they are facing significant challenges too. Anyone who lives in a coastal community will have been furious at the shameful sewage scandal which has been unfolding for years.

Precious beaches being tainted by the dumping of raw sewage by water companies is a national disgrace and shows no regard to the importance of the coast to the wildlife and residence. I'm delighted by the work was unlikely to secure blue flag beaches for much of the area but there is still so much to do, and I'm pleased that the lobbying...

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He talks about the environmental challenges of our Coastal Communities Fund one of which is Communities Fund one of which is that many of them are faced with hundreds of miles and thousands of pylons moving electricity from one place to another. Does he agree with me and actually we need to find a way to put these cables underground way to put these cables underground

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to protect our beautiful coastal? I'm pleased to associate myself with the sentiment behind his remarks because I think it was remarks because I think it was actually the energy minister in the coalition who scoped out the possibility of an offshore wind rain for East Anglia and a better solution of 20 buried cables underground so I welcome his intervention. Our coaster communities are also on the front line in facing down the effects of climate change. I've spoken many times in Parliament about the coastal erosion we face in North Norfolk.

I'm afraid I make no apologies for sounding like a broken record but as a result of man-made climate change, North Norfolk's coastline villages like Happisburgh, training and over strand are rapidly being plagued by the North Sea. We are not alone in this fight. Communities on the North Sea coast are facing similar worries and new modelling also shows this concern is widespread than previous lethal with areas of the south-west now affected by erosion too. My constituents look at projects that the Thames Barrier will be taking bold steps in building the structure to protect communities from the effects of live -- rising sea levels and extreme weather events and wonder what the government would deliver the same level of attention to them.

We won't allow our communities to be written off. It must fight climate change and mitigate its impact which we are already facing. Now a fantastic book by Madeline Ponting, the seaside, England's love affair charts the story of our seaside towns over the past several decades. It's the story of decline which must be reversed but also of hope and resilience. I can absolutely see the balance she describes. The fragility of life clinging to the cliffs but also the social strength and raw beauty and the economic opportunity.

Supporting our local coastal economies doesn't have to be billions in investment. It needs advocacy and action at the top table and the right support from government to help people help themselves. She gave the lecture in 2023 and I want to quote a very salient point which he made." Seaside towns don't fit into the public debate about the north-south does divide nominal has the decline ever dominated the national narrative in the way that cities did in the '80s for public policy or even the former industrial towns for seaside towns be left to struggle with their own decline." Of cover just some of the key pillars of the challenges our Coastal Communities Fund as well as their resilience and the opportunity we have is a whole country to support them.

What frustrates me greatly is that despite these wide-ranging and various challenges, the responsibilities for supporting them are fragmented & owed across government. I'm honestly delighted to see the mist in his post today to respond to the debate. His remit contains however only the communities aspect of our Coastal Communities Fund. We've got unique health challenges, economic challenges and opportunities in major environmental importance. And coaster can are too important to be bit parts of different portfolios. We actually need to take a holistic approach to supporting them, understanding how these factors interact with each other.

We need to be able to see and understand the impact of economic outcomes on health and well-being. How our environment challenges but also our renewable energy opportunities can go hand in hand to support one another. That's why I've been calling for the creation of a minister for Coastal Communities Fund to give us a specific representative, speaking of our areas and government. This is a call with cross-party support in the previous Parliament, MPs from across this House supported it. I hope that the wide range of members present today we show the government that a similar consensus still exists and getting a seat at the table and making the needs and opportunities of coaster can heard and acted upon.

I will draw out my remarks to a conclusion because I'm very keen and excited to hear the contributions from all numbers here present and hear about what makes their own communities so special, but I hope that everyone can think about how Coastal Communities Fund have impacted their lives, whether they were a summer holiday destination, a weekend getaway, a university town or the place they've called home for generations. Think about why they matter to you. Think about what they've given to us all, not just an economic contribution but in memories and experiences.

The memories from holidays of families with loved ones laughter and smiles of building sand castles on our beaches as a child or with children of your own. The timeless enjoyment of windswept fish and chips warming us as we watch the waves crash against the shore line. The way the constable captured in their artworks, swimming, surfing committees and seal spotting. Remember what Coastal Communities Fund given to us. And today they can come together and make sure we

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define and let them create many more memories for generations to come. The question is as on the order

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The question is as on the order paper. And members will have noticed there are a lot of people on they wanted to speak so I will try and get as many people in as I can. And I'm imposing an immediate three-

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minute time limit. For nearly 4 decades, our seaside

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For nearly 4 decades, our seaside towns have shaped the outcome of elections. Yet despite the significance? We have been overlooked, struggling with deprivation, economic decline and crumbling infrastructure. This crisis is particular evident in my constituency of Blackpool North and Fleetwood. My constituency bears the
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Lorraine Beavers Portrait Lorraine Beavers MP (Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Labour)
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scars of deindustrialisation and decline of the fishing industry. Income deprivation is rampant and job opportunities are limited. job opportunities are limited. Health inequalities are stark and our infrastructure is in disrepair. Coastal residents on average earn Coastal residents on average earn Coastal residents on average earn £2800 less than those inland and crime and antisocial behaviour is 12% higher. Our health crisis is also dire with residents 15% more likely to suffer an early likely to suffer an early preventable death.

Cancer mortality rates are 9% higher on the coast and lower rates of respiratory disease three times the national average. Our coastal properties are also 1/3 cheaper, leading to more houses of multiple occupation and poor living conditions. These challenges are not abstract numbers. They are realities of struggling families. Young people seeking opportunities that don't exist and communities suffering from the deadly impact of dirty business and historical contamination. Labour is working to reverse this with its ambitious plans to grow the economy and our commitment to fixing the NHS.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood was founded on ambition. Our forefathers envisaged thriving model seaside towns combining prosperity, tourism and industry. Yet today, sadly they are a shadow of that vision. It's time to restore the ambition with real investment and leadership. The governments move towards regulatory reform is essential. But our communities are impatient. They have been let down for too long and we need to seek a tangible delivery now. To truly deliver, we need a minister for Coastal Communities Fund Coastal Communities Fund's unique challenges that require a dedicated voice in government.

A minister who understands our specific needs and ensures that they are addressed through coordinated strategic approach to investment and regeneration. While top-down reforms provide essential structural change, they must be matched by bottom-up solutions shaped by local knowledge and intelligence, and a minister could help us seize private sector investment from the clean energy transition. This could enable growth transition. This could enable growth now. Revitalising our docs, improving transport links and create long-term sustainable employment. Coastal Communities Fund have been part of this countries success for generations.

It's time we give them the investment and leadership they deserve. Or risk losing them forever.

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Thank you. As a native of the Coastal Communities Fund ever, I am Coastal Communities Fund ever, I am well-versed in the challenges that living there presents. However, I also believe that we must highlight the opportunities they present too. It's all too easy to depict coastal towns, cities and communities as rundown and tired. Places where rundown and tired. Places where people had to retire already have work six months of the year when the tourists roll in. Whilst there is
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Rebecca Smith Portrait Rebecca Smith MP (South West Devon, Conservative)
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tourists roll in. Whilst there is undoubtedly a lot of truth in this, there is also a huge amount of value and celebrate about our Coastal Communities Fund because if there weren't, why would people flock from right across the country and indeed the world to visit? My constituency of South West Devon has Significant suburbs and swathes of coastal South hams and Dartmoor. So intense of the challenges that coaster community in my constituency faces, they are much like those elsewhere. The challenge of housing for local people, transport connectivity.



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I think are very much. She's been

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I think are very much. She's been giving what I'm sure will be an exquisite speech but she hits the nail on the head when he talks about transport connectivity because transport connectivity because that's one of the great problems that unites all our coastal communities will stop it's very difficult to get anywhere in a community like mine. It's 80 miles community like mine. It's 80 miles to the nearest hospital. Perhaps rather than any minister looking at coaster community, what we need is the existing transport minister is

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the existing transport minister is to put the foot down. He makes a very valuable point, and although my constituency is a long way from his, we have long way from his, we have significant problems too. We honour peninsular. If a train stop, we can't really get in and out, so I deeply understand the need for a focus on transport. We also have the health and education inequalities that have been mentioned and the threats from the new governance attack on businesses with increased national employers insurance impact and not just businesses but our local hospice Saint Luke's, vital community pharmacies like tabs as well as changes to business and agricultural property relief which also threaten the future of long- standing family businesses.

Remarkably one of the biggest opportunities for South West Devon is the continuing growth of the marine autonomy hub at tangible wharf income stock. Over 300 years of history as a shipyard and naval base, 20 years ago it was sold by the MoD and bought by yacht havens group whoever the last 12 years have invested in that and is attracting more marine-based businesses with a specific focus on marine autonomy, developing autonomous vessels for the future of scientific survey and defence and humanitarian work at sea.

This develop and highlight some of the unique opportunities we have in a coastal of South West Devon and Plymouth. With the easiest and quickest access from land to deepwater in the country, my constituency is perfectly placed for businesses looking to do sea trials underwater, a niche but essential opportunity for our local coastal. Last Friday Tallis delivered the first end-to-end autonomous maritime mine hunting system to the Royal Navy from my constituency. The project has been part of the joint armament cooperation organisation and its also served the French Navy as well as the Royal Navy.

However I believe it's also vital do not fall into the track of looking at Coastal Communities Fund solid through the lens of built-up areas, towns and cities. The Coastal Communities Fund constituency of a wide range of identifying factors and as the governments local government reorganisation work progresses with councils across the country looking at how they best serve their own interests, it's important that they also look at the interests of those they are seeking to absorb. Edging a unit unitary authority in Plymouth and Devon County Council, the future will look different for much of my constituency But taking in the rural character of constituencies like mine is essential and whilst the population of towns and cities like Plymouth may significant our number the population of the rural parts, it is essential that they play real value on both the population size It doesn't always mean that they are in those built-up towns and cities.

Local government reorganisation has to be in the best benefit of everyone, so to conclude, the previous government recognises the challenge faced and invest significant money to help them close the gap with coastal communities, so we must be proud of the coastal communities which are such a key part of our national identity as an island nation and I'm committed to finding the balance between pursuing opportunities while tackling what we

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face. It is a privilege to focus far
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Tom Rutland Portrait Tom Rutland MP (East Worthing and Shoreham, Labour)
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It is a privilege to focus far stretch of the stunning coast where the sea meets the shore of our beautiful collection of towns and beautiful collection of towns and villages before giving way to the ref taking South Down's, but too often, they are treated as afterthoughts. Too many are now struggling to deal with low wages, climate change and housing prices that are forcing families out of their own neighbourhoods. There is hope on the horizon and the tide is coming back in because this new government is committed to steadying the ship, setting sail towards a brighter future.

The housing crisis in our coastal areas is one that cannot wait. The costs of housing have made it nearly impossible for many of our young people and working families to find affordable homes. House prices have ridden a 20% but wages haven't kept pace. The median house price is now 380,000, almost 100,000 higher than the national average at our weekly wages lower than across the country. The new homes this government will build cannot come close enough, ensuring that families are not priced out of their communities and people's children don't have to move away to get on in life.

This was a huge factor because I met a couple in their 80s his children were still unable to afford a home of their own. These were just average first- time labour voters. This Will met 60 years ago at the Conservative dance party. But this government is not only making it easier to own a home of your own. We are supporting the 70% of households in the private rented sector with Renters Reform Bill by banning rent bidding wars and driving up standards.

I am glad to be apart of members bringing an end to the expectation of residents at the hands of poor managing agents who take them provide with excessive charges and poor service. We are addressing the issue of Climate Change Committee to building a climate resilient future by investing flood defences, and I will investing flood defences, and I will make the case to get a fair share but we are also acting on the causes of climate change, aiming to achieve 95% clean power by 2030 and I'm proud to support the ramping windfarm just beyond our shoreline which will produce enough electricity to power the whole of Sussex if completed.

We need to see investment in our communities, not just for residents to revise economy and get the opportunity to show off the seaside towns. Time is short and I can't talk about too many of them, but our peers which suffered last year and of course, hopefully restoring the Worthing glider. The time for change is now. The community is doing so much over the years, and it's time we give back in the fourth coastal community strategy so this government can deliver real change for our neighbours.
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Seamus Logan Portrait Seamus Logan MP (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Scottish National Party)
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I think the honourable member for Norfolk for introducing this debate and for excellent speech. My constituency is a coastal community. There are bustling ports and local produce. We have the busiest ports in Europe with a huge fish market. It is a fantastic port town and my hope is to develop a 300 million masterplan which have torched a reality more than a thousand new jobs. A remarkable harbour with unique products locally. It hopes that boat festival with tremendous events and music.

There are many more with a large marine industry. Golfing is a popular leisure pursuit in the constituency with so many world-class golf courses found right across it. Looking across Scotland, there are over 2000 active Scottish fishing vessels, three quarters of them primarily in inshore waters. The fleet is diverse and includes trawlers and divers, and 2019, there were an estimated 14,092 people directly employed in the sector, many in remote communities.

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Fishing is far more than an industry but part of our identity in coastal communities. Does the honourable member agree with me that a sustainable inshore fishing industry is vital to our economic growth?

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growth? I completely agree, yes.

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I completely agree, yes. To have a sustainable thing, you have to have access to Labour. In have to have access to Labour. In this constituency, it will doubtless be crying out for Labour to come in be crying out for Labour to come in from foreign countries. We are not able to do that because of the way

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that visas work. I do believe the prime minister

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I do believe the prime minister himself agreed with the on this issue of labour shortages very recently. 95% of commercial fishing recently. 95% of commercial fishing jobs are home to less than 1/3 of

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the total population. With the member agree with me

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With the member agree with me that what we desperately need is a proper fully thought out fishing

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proper fully thought out fishing strategy to support this vital industry of our communities? I think that is a reasonable point, and I thank them before his intervention, but some of these matters are involved and it might be difficult to have a UK wide strategy. Scottish exports provided 1 billion on account of 60% total Scottish food exports, 63% of total UK fish and seafood exports. Scotland sees around the shores may have a 60% of the U.K.'s total waters. But fisheries need confidence to operate.

Recent decision to cut the night watch services ill thought out and illiterate. This is despite the development plan for the harbour that was accepted by the harbour subcommittee only last December in which it highlighted the supports of 11.2 million into the economy. There are many things I could complain about, depopulation, unemployment, access to healthcare, transport infrastructure but let us look hopefully to the future. Continued growth of renewable energy sector will be in essential feature of clean energy systems and potential key drivers of economic growth for many of these communities, not least in my constituency, and I want to talk about pylons.

None of the pylons coming ashore in my constituency will see any development for at least 10 to 15 miles of the shoreline, abundance of energy resources creates opportunities to meet domestic needs to exploit new technologies and carbon capture, wave power, hydrogen production and to export carbon energy to others in these islands and to Europe. These developments in great hope to many struggling communities in Scotland. Not least

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my own. I would also like to thank the member for North Norfolk for member for North Norfolk for securing this debate. I think it is very timely and overdue, and I am really glad to hear from everyone really glad to hear from everyone here that coastal communities around this, the places they represent, this, the places they represent, many of which I visited on caravan many of which I visited on caravan trips around the country when I was young, to the tourism industry will be very pleased about this debate.

be very pleased about this debate. But I'm also very grateful to these challenges and inequalities that many of our communities face. The report by Chris Whitty was really important for me for fleshing out what some of the unique challenges that many coastal communities share in terms of inequalities in access to health but also health outcomes, employment outcomes, difficulties, the list goes on. I think that is what is so important. Not only is this the interface between the land and the sea, they are also the interface between the greatest challenges that we face as a country.

I think every member will be able to give examples from their
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Kevin McKenna Portrait Kevin McKenna MP (Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Labour)
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own constituency where there are high levels of inequality, social high levels of inequality, social deprivation, of challenge against a backdrop of beautiful stunning landscapes, access to nature, places landscapes, access to nature, places that people want to live where many people, not just holidays and people, not just holidays and caravans, but also want to visit on a day trip or want to retire to, and a day trip or want to retire to, and it seems such a terrible shame that somehow, we have got ourselves locked into a system the places that should be among the most desirable in this country are the places that faced some of the biggest and most entrenched challenges.

Some of those are just intrinsic to being by the water, the damage to buildings and maintenance cost on housing and infrastructure. It is higher at the coast, and that is not really accommodating for a lot of our public spending and what infrastructure we have and how we support people to maintain houses, but if we go to social housing, it is very damaged and degraded. Largely because of the impact of the sea, as well as with the financial challenges the rest of the country face.

And my constituency does have some unique features. It is a rural community. It is to industrial towns in my constituency. It has a nature reserve and wildlife but it also has big industry, big power stations, massive paper mills, real opportunities and it is these opportunities that we can build on. The reason I have got twin towers in my constituency is because of the access to water, and yet we are not taking advantage of that in transport terms, so I very much endorse the call for the coastal communities, but even more so, it is a coastal strategy.

The one thing I would like to see this government commit to as a crosscutting coastal strategy that addresses all of these

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needs. It is a pleasure to follow the honourable gentleman for sitting and honourable gentleman for sitting and Sheffield. I don't need to repeat everything he says because it all everything he says because it all applies to my own constituency which applies to my own constituency which is very much a coastal constituency, is very much a coastal constituency, and they are all places of varying and they are all places of varying economic prosperity, but particularly Harwich because it is so typical of what has happened to very prosperous Victorian port towns where the rows of glorious terrorists would be worth millions of they were near London, but they are dead set territory for some of the most unfortunate in our society who find themselves getting off the train and looking for somewhere to
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Bernard Jenkin Portrait Sir Bernard Jenkin MP (Harwich and North Essex, Conservative)
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stay. Having said that, as the gentleman said, as the honourable gentleman said, as the honourable member for North Norfolk said and I thank him for getting his debate and thank him for getting his debate and it is much too short a time for this very important debate, but these very important debate, but these places are full of potential. It is absolutely unique as a historic absolutely unique as a historic town. It is where the Mayflower sailed from in 1520, the captain of sailed from in 1520, the captain of the Mayflower lived in Harwich and his house is now a museum, and when you say to the Americans do you realise that you originally came from Harwich, their eyes open and they think it is all about Plymouth.

When you tell them, instead of some fake Victorian steps, that you can see the real house of the captain the Mayflower, they are amazed and it is an important Napoleonic fort. It grew from a wonderful mediaeval naval base to being a very important naval base during the first and Second World War is. The entire German fleet was scuppered, gathered in the estuary of Harwich. And it is full of potential. We have got the offshore wind industry, wonderful manufacturing businesses, wonderful This place is full of potential, but I do worry without being championed by our own Hendry District Council which has done such a marvellous job, which is being lined up for abolition, that we won't get the same support, and I think if the Minister in his windup can assure us that these Coastal Communities Fund get the same support they've enjoyed from the district councils as they've always enjoyed from the new local government set up, I have my doubts I'm afraid.

I'm most grateful

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if he can address that. In many ways, my constituency of Southport is a typical coaster Southport is a typical coaster community. And like many coastal community. And like many coastal towns Id seen better days. It's coping with challenges that don't necessarily impact inland areas to the same extent. Now part of that
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Patrick Hurley Portrait Patrick Hurley MP (Southport, Labour)
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the same extent. Now part of that negative change is due to the nature of the town's economy. But a big part of it is due to its geography. It's a seaside town. And what made many of our seaside towns successful originally, the sense that they were a trip away from the big city that you could travel 4 miles during the countryside to get them now militate against us. So whilst it once might have been appealing to families from Manchester say, to take a packed lunch to the seaside, and enjoy the scenic trade route through Lancashire, it's no good for our commuters to still be stuck on that scenic route, trundling across the North West get to work and back every day.

What was once our strength has now become our weakness. Austerity has hit us hard too. The former government removed in excess of £200 million a year from the local area. The multiplier effect of that has had an impact on private businesses in the town because when so many of your customers see that their wages aren't keeping up with prices, their small businesses fail and we seen a lot of that in Southport in the last decade. Austerity manifests itself in different ways and different areas.

And in my town, austerity has manifested itself most prominently in the closure of the town seaside peer. Due to a botched repair job 25 years ago, there were now structural problems estimated to cost over £10 million to fix. The piers in local authority ownership, and thanks to the devious government, the local authority just hasn't got the money to bring about the necessary repairs. Because of this, I've been campaigning on innovative ways to ensure that peers across the country are safeguarded for the next generation.

Now this Labour government is supported by more coastal Labour MPs than at any point in our country's history. As is evidenced by the overwhelmingly empty benches opposite. The common issues faced by coastal towns is felt keenly by my colleagues on the side of the House. And it is with that in mind that I'm pleased the government is willing to commit to support our coastal, and I too wish to put on record my wish to see the creation of a specific minister the Coastal Communities Fund the issues are so specific to the coast, so common to each other and so important to our residents that government will gain greatly from a dedicated minister, making sure that our towns and areas are heard in this place.

I've outlined some of the challenges our towns face and am sure that if government steps up and meets those challenges, they will be given the chance to implement the

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decade of national renewal that we know the country needs. With an immediate two-minute time limit, Sian Berry.

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limit, Sian Berry. Thank you. Well, I am very pleased to speak in this debate and thank you to the Member for North thank you to the Member for North Norfolk for calling it. Brighton was called by a House of Lords report on called by a House of Lords report on the future of coastal 2019 probably the U.K.'s most successful seaside community, and we are. And I'm very pleased the council has recently set up a new seaside developer board, chaired to continue to discuss how we can make our seafront better to support and grow our city's wonderful reputation heritage, music, the arts, shopping, amusements, community action, diversity, nature and well-being.

As others have spoken about, there are currently no government funding schemes, specifically for coastal areas, and no ministerial focus, and would echo everybody's comments on that in this House that we need in our Coastal Communities Fund because for the specific challenges we face because in Brighton too, austerity and Brexit have bitten our communities, our people have big problems with housing costs, holiday lights, employment, health transport and health inequality.

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I thank her. Would you agree with me that Brexit is something that has done immense harm to places like done immense harm to places like Brighton and other coastal?
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Siân Berry Portrait Siân Berry MP (Brighton Pavilion, Green Party)
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I couldn't agree more. The amount of different sectors of the economy of different sectors of the economy within Brighton and Hove who have remarked to me on the impact of Brexit is absolutely huge. Not least the cultural industries. I must also echo others and talk a little bit about the regularly appalling state of our see, water which is a genuine threat to our success. The what company has been found guilty of lying, and we have sewage overflows on a regular basis.

I've met constituents who have been very sick after swimming in the waters and the anyway to get this under control is public ownership. Me and my green colleagues will continue to push for that in this Parliament. I want to shout out Lucy Davis who is the brilliant and enthusiastic new director of Brighton Dome. When I met her recently, she told me about the excellent collaboration happening between cultural institutions and along the Sussex coast, the catalyst will support creativity and culture for young people from Bognor Regis to Bexhill and the exact kind of cooperative work that needs to be happening.

There is no single solution to the challenges which impact our Coastal Communities Fund that we need ambition, vision and dedicated minister and a proper package of strategic initiatives and funding. And we as MPs can help. Working together and with local leaders to build on the ideas, to build up new initiatives that we all agree our communities need because of their very special natures, and to work together to put on the pressure to

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make this happen. For too long Coastal Communities Fund black will have been left behind, despite our stunning coastline, our proud heritage and increased resilience for people, Westminster Hall has neglected us Westminster Hall has neglected us for far too long. Now the New Labour government in place, we have the
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Chris Webb Portrait Chris Webb MP (Blackpool South, Labour)
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government in place, we have the opportunity to turn the tide, to ensure the black for under the Coastal Communities Fund finally get their support they deserve. Nearly one in two children in Blackpool are living in poverty, and recently submitted the report to the child poverty task force waste and the experiences of parents and those working with children in Blackpool. Almost 90% of those surveyed said they had financial strain and was damaging children's enjoyment of childhood. This is unacceptable, and we must change it. Grapples economies one relied on associated job roles that have been historically seasonal, insecure and low paid.

Local efforts have done much to create a year round economy, the government must support them. This means targeted investment in the sectors that can provide long- term careers. It means helping businesses to grow and expanding skills training to prepare our workforce for the future. With the right support we can unlock Blackpool's full potential.

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Thank you. Does he agree with me that Northwest towns have got the that Northwest towns have got the best opportunity for a new government for a generation to turn the tide and years of Tory decline and ensure that the best days lie

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ahead? Accurately agree with my

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Accurately agree with my honourable friend. And his constituency of Southport, I have many happy memories where my family many happy memories where my family would go from Blackpool to Southport to the Pontin's were my dad would do is go the long way round the motorway so we would think we were further away. This doesn't mean turning your back on tourism hospitality but investing in it. But implement in the rise in employer national insurance contributions A challenge to them. If we are serious about growing our economy, supporting working people, we must give the sector the support it desperately needs.

A 12.5% VAT reduction hospitality and tourism would boost turnover, creating nearly 300,000 jobs over the next decade and delivering billions in tax revenue. This is the kind of bold ambitious action we need in places like Blackpool to thrive. The two long places like Blackpool have been left behind, but with the right plan and determination to see it through, we can change that. My constituents demand a voice and so on also calling to appoint a dedicated minister for coastal communities. The last Labour government rebuilt our cities.

This New Labour government now has the opportunity to rebuild our forgotten coastal towns. We must deliver a cross government strategy, dedicated in improving health, well-being and prosperity of Coastal Communities Fund that the Chief Medical Officer rightly said the strong targeted long-term action can lift our coastal towns and create a fairer healthier and more prosperous future for all. My constituents deserve

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nothing less. First of all, I would like to congratulate the Member for North Norfolk in securing this extremely important debate. We desperately need a minister for coastal as has been outlined by some outstanding speeches so far this afternoon. The speeches so far this afternoon. The fact that my Torbay constituency is the premier result for the United the premier result for the United Kingdom is of great pleasure to me. We have six blue flag beaches across We have six blue flag beaches across the bay.

However, Once upon a time Torquay was the turn of the 20th century the wealthiest town in the country. Sadly, Torbay is now one of the most deprived communities, and actually the most deprived community in the west of England. A wicked issue that faces us is pollution
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Steve Darling Portrait Steve Darling MP (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)
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analyses. Whilst we have those lovely blue flag beaches, from time lovely blue flag beaches, from time to time because our sewage system gets overwhelmed, particularly with climate change, and the propensity of heavy water at times in the of heavy water at times in the summer, it does get overwhelmed. And summer, it does get overwhelmed. And so therefore it is a great sadness that locals have to look on the surface again sewage app as to when surface again sewage app as to when it's safe to swim in our actual it's safe to swim in our actual seas.

I would also like to highlight the wicked issues that we have with our NHS and our challenges with our NHS, with our crumbling hospital, but the biggest wicked issue we poor...

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Will he agree with me that the challenges facing hospitals isn't just about their state or the accessibility thereof but of the affordability of housing for NHS workers?

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workers? You are spot on. Whilst we do,

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You are spot on. Whilst we do, whether from North Norfolk or North Devon or Torbay, we do have challenges around our NHS. It is the challenge of the lack of affordable housing. Where we have seen this actually put on steroids by the pandemic where we saw House prices pandemic where we saw House prices rise and rents rise and people fleeing from metropolitan areas to live in coastal. So let us not leave coastal on the edge. Just geographically.

But make sure they are not left on the edge economic either. By making sure we have the coastal minister that we all are calling for this afternoon.

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I declare an interest as chair of the coastal Parliamentary Labour Party and co-chair of the Coastal Communities Fund all-party parliamentary group with my honourable friend the Member for
16:28
Polly Billington Portrait Ms Polly Billington MP (East Thanet, Labour)
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honourable friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby. I am aware that we are in danger of violently agreeing with each other, so I will not repeat much of what has been said. Needless to say much of it applies also to East Thanet. Whatever cover is the potential for coastal community's have to drive economic growth across the country. Our people, our heritage and our environment. Take the government's mission to build 1.5 million homes, East Kent College is working with House builders and construction companies such as WW Martin, offering apprenticeships to develop the next generation of workers.

If we tap into this potential, there's a demand for non-graduate jobs in a community. There is no reason why this can be the workers from Coastal Communities Alliance build those 1.5 million homes across the country and refurbish our shoddy draughty and damp housing stock. It's important we build on people's identity and heritage to develop Brazilian Coastal Communities Fund and East Thanet we've tapped into our artistic heritage with Dickens and Turner. And of course our natural environment is not just a nice to have.

It is an integral economic asset. But we can't talk about increasing opportunity without first providing security for people. How can you look to the horizon when you are having to watch where you step? This is a mission driven government with five missions to transform the country. These will be much more

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successfully delivered... Yes. Agree with me that a strong

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Agree with me that a strong enabling state bringing forward those five missions and investing in a progressive industrial strategy a progressive industrial strategy can help coastal towns thrive in the next decade?

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Indeed, this needs a place-based approach with our active state. If approach with our active state. If you want economic growth that really reaches all parts of the country, investing Coastal Communities Fund if you want public services that if you want public services that really improve the experience of people who are most alienated because of state failures, investing Coastal Communities Fund if you want to create an a farm in the works for nature and people, invest in coastal communities. I'm not just speaking about financial investment.

But an investment in government time, energy and focus. Because when colleagues and I on these pages are trying to work out which department will be answering this debate, we literally didn't know. And while I was delighted to see the Minister in his place here today, the issues raised in this House today spanning all departments, health, transport, environment, education and the Home Office, Treasury and many others. I would civilly note if there is not one minister who fits the portfolio, there should be one.

I minister for coastal community's who can focus on regenerating our towns and growing regenerating our towns and growing In the 90s, cities were not the places they are today but the Labour government had a relentless focus on improving them and the regeneration we have seen as a testament to what can be delivered. Coastal towns are

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in the same. Order. Members will be aware that

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Order. Members will be aware that I will call the Frontbench which I will call the Frontbench which mean that not all will get in. They might think that when doing

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interventions. Thank you to the member for securing this debate. It is an honour to be here today amongst MPs representing coastal communities. I representing coastal communities. I was born on Green Street in East London and growing up, I spent a lot of time going to Southend. A lot of East End estate. They still do. But tourism has changed. Consumer habits have altered and industries and coastal communities are typically centred around agriculture, hospitality which are all low-paying sectors.

According to the independent position, there are 17 neighbourhoods identified and a lack of social infrastructure that has had a knock-on effect of life expectancy, education outcomes and job opportunities. Where you live should not impact your future. Heritage buildings like the freight house and South Church Hall and more. Residents have a passion and a determination to create a sustainable future for Rochford and I believe so too, but we need a coastal community strategy which differentiates communities from our inland partners and seeks to address the challenges we face.

The long- term change, we must diversify industry say hospitality, heritage, tourism can thrive alongside finance, tech, and industry. Thank you.
16:33
Jayne Kirkham Portrait Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )
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Our coastal communities are likely to have higher deprivation. They are often creative hubs. Call attracts many artists and musicians and Falmouth has the University. People come from all across the country to see our coastline but I am worried about the management plan which proposes a link in Cornwall's. The porter Falmouth is still very significant. We have plans to regenerate the port to service offshore wind and reinstate the railway. Wages are lower than the national average.

Hospitality businesses struggle with low margins. The lower business rates that come in next year after the business rate expires will help a great deal as long as it is part of the full rate after COVID. Skill shortages are significant, but also in other shortages. 27 households on the social housing waiting list. Our second homes are almost 5% of the stock and I welcome the renters but we have the registration licence in scheme. Good holiday companies are actually calling for it to come in with those inspection measures and close the business roles.

I also support the call for a broad government strategy on coastal communities. Every policy affects us communities. Every policy affects us

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in different ways than it does. I want to talk about the car

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I want to talk about the car cleaning industry. Forgive me if cleaning industry. Forgive me if this sounds but industries like killing are important to all of us killing are important to all of us in coastal communities to preserve our heritage, boost tourism, increase prosperity and employment. increase prosperity and employment. It has been synonymous with cocaine for a thousand years. The industry is a vital part with the old tools, cautious providing reminder of its maritime past and a huge boost to our tourism sector.

The North Thames fishery, one of the oldest in Europe is the implements like seasonal operations and total cash leisure was to ensure sustainability of cockle stocks. In 2019, it was given the council sustainability award. The perfect example of fifth- generation firm of cockle is and fishmongers. People don't eat much shellfish, especially the younger generation. And this is not a trade that we want to dry out, and I support initiatives like seafood in schools and fishing heroes.

The economic benefits to the local
16:37
16:37
16:39
Edward Morello Portrait Edward Morello MP (West Dorset, Liberal Democrat)
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I would like to congratulate my honourable friend for securing this debate although I'm sure I'm not the only one pining for the beach. Great British is an island history. It is central to cultural identity and our economy. Yet time and again, they have been overlooked by governments in London. From investment and infrastructure to the devastating impact of water pollution and the great systems, coastal communities face unique challenges that require targeted solutions. It is time for investment and funding as we plan for the future.

My constituency is home to the famous Jurassic Coast, and like many coastal communities, tourism is an industry for the area. But tourism also places strains on public services and emergency response teams. We also experience a full to increase during peak systems. Despite this, coastal areas are chronically underfunded. The formula fails to account for morality and the seasonal fluctuations that we experience. We face a higher service delivery cost, yet the government's decision to re-purpose the £100 million rural service delivery grant and renew need and demand basis has removed a crucial life and for councils trying to provide transport emergency services and social care in remote areas, and that is unacceptable.

One of the greatest threats to the economy is the ongoing sewage crisis. The figures are staggering. In 22 alone, there were 320,000 sewage spills recorded across England. As a result, England is ranked among the lowest for water quality in Europe while water companies paid out 1.4 billion in dividends in 2022 and 51 million in executive enumeration between 2020 and 21. All while failing to invest in critical infrastructure to prevent these bills. It is nothing short of a national scandal.

This is why the Democrats are calling for clean water to increase funding for water regulators, to hold polluters accountable, and a minister for coastal communities to oversee regulation on sewage bills and coastal protections. I must raise the issue of business rates. Small businesses are vital for coastal communities yet the broken business rates system is holding them back. The government's plans from 75% to just 40% will have a devastating blow for many small coastal businesses still struggling to recover from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

This is important because tourism numbers are still down one third for pre- 2019 levels. The UK tourism sector directly employs over 3 million people and has experienced job insecurity and hiring rates since that time. The tourism sector need support, not shortsighted tax hikes. As other members of outlined, coastal communities are also facing a housing crisis, which is why the devil about our calling for a surcharge on second homes and housing shortage areas. New planning restrictions on homes and short-term holiday lets to prioritise needs and requirements for all holiday let owners to pay council tax, ending loopholes that help them avoid paying anything at all.

These measures will help protect the character of our towns, and make sure they are not just seasonal destinations. Post-Brexit policies destinations. Post-Brexit policies have let struggles. The fishing industry is in turmoil, and as we approach the transition period in 2026, uncertainty grows. Too many fish are being exported abroad before being reimported leading to higher costs, increased emissions and lost job opportunities. The Lib Dems are calling for renegotiation of trade agreements to protect British fishermen, greater investment to create job opportunities and boost local economies and a £1 billion boost to the Environmental Land Management Schemes to support sustainable and nature friendly farming.

Healthcare remains a postcode lottery in rural communities. In west Dorset, only 14 NHS dental practices serve a population of 101,000 leaving many without access to care. People living in coastal communities across the country face stark inequalities. Reports like the one by Sir Chris Whitty consistently shows that rural communities experience poorer health outcomes driven by deprivation, limited access to healthcare, and work shortages. These are not inevitable but are the result of neglect. The Lib Dems are calling for a strategic small surgeries fund and a dental rescue package to fix the broken NHS dental contact and guarantee urgent dental care for all.

I'm afraid I won't because I am very keen for my honourable friend to round up. Inclusion is a pressing issue. Many residents lack reliable broadband and Mobil connectivity impacting everything from emergency response times to economic opportunities. The government must commit to full fibre broadband and reliable coverage for all coastal and rural communities. Rural communities have long been overlooked. As the honourable men for Blackpool and others have eloquently outlined, it is time for dedicated Minister for coastal communities to ensure that we are heard in every decision.

We deserve clean waters, secure jobs and infrastructure that meets our needs. It is time for bold action if we are to secure the future of our coastal communities for generations to come.
16:45
Paul Holmes Portrait Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
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It is a pleasure to wind up this debate on behalf of the opposition and I would like, on the importance of coastal communities, of which my own constituency is a proud member. These communities are rich in history and natural beauty but also communities that face challenges. While these are home to thriving tourism and local businesses, they continue to struggle with economic inequality, pressures and environmental concerns. It is our duty to make sure they receive the attention that they deserve, and in that spirit, can I congratulate the member for North Norfolk in securing this debate.

His speech Kelly shows that he is committed to his constituency and cares for the Many have touched on their Coastal Communities Fund for the modern under the settlement stemming today, and I hope honourable members will permit me to add homage to my coastal community, scrambling the river from which it gets its name from the communities which lie in this strip of the Hampshire coast as venerable as they are beautiful. Snaking down from charming Cambridge past Swanwick all the way down to Hillhead into the solar past scenic marinas and yacht clubs and many wonderful pop switch as the weather warms up, as I'm sure all members across this House will be and as the sun comes out I will be pleased to visit more often.

It's a hard life and being the MP but someone has to live it. But it's not all about blue skies and calm waters all of the time. As members have said, there are challenges facing coastal can and we cannot ignore their impacts. And like my constituency, coastal towns and villages struggle with restricted accessibility from poor transport links and increasing environmental risks, higher than average unemployment compound by seasonal job instability, disparities in housing in, low educational attainment and upward mobility of skilled workers causing a brain drain further exacerbating all of these issues.

Part of these problems stem from the fact that there is currently no national strategy for coastal areas. Coastal towns are usually low population areas and often conflated with rural areas which obscures the unique challenges. And as we touched on, coastal communities are already rattling the economic inequality and yet this government continues to burden them with further. Average annual pay in coastal towns is £4700 lower than the rest of Great Britain. And the national growth rates are much lower despite the historical industrial and commercial strains they have exhibited in the past.

Now they face tax increases, declining support the High Street and rising employment costs, which Grateful to consider fostering growth we are seeing policies that stifle local businesses and weaken our high streets. If electric some other governments like employees national insurance contributions to 15%, we can see the fallout that these poor economic choices deliver. Businesses I've spoken to including pubs and restaurants in my constituency who rely on seasonal tourism which are already struggling with high costs, are now having to make difficult decisions about laying off staff, not taking on more staff, and in extreme circumstances closing venues.

This is the exact opposite of what our local businesses need. And the government says its first priority is on delivering growth. Yet the policies they have enacted are going to bring out more economic uncertainty, financial and labour market instability in these Coastal Communities Fund and the government's recent housing algorithm changes too we are also seeing dramatic increases in housing targets in coastal communities. In Coastal Communities Fund near Hamble Valley we are seeing targets rise up to hundred and 5%.

Cornwall, Dorset and North Yorkshire are being tasked with delivering thousands of new homes can get infrastructure and public services are not keeping pace. Many of our coastal communities depend on a strong and sustainable fishing industry. The last government worked hard to strip EU imposed quotas that constrain our fishing fleets, however this government continues pursuit of closer alignment with the European Union raises serious concerns about access to UK waters post 2026. The last government made significant... Haven't got time. The last government made significant investment in our Coastal Communities Fund through the Coastal Communities Fund, £229 million was invested in 369 projects, creating over 7,000 jobs and bringing more than 3 million visitors to our coastal areas.

Further, the future high streets fund town deals and levelling up fund and the UK shared prosperity fund provided much-needed support to local economies. These initiatives renew town centres, creating thousands of opportunities but today we see no commitment to continuing these funds. The current government has orally announced there will be no new funding for the town's fund, which I think is a betrayal of the commitments made to our Coastal Communities Fund Coastal Communities Alliance part of our national identity. And yet they continue to be overlooked by this government.

Instead of supporting local businesses they raise taxes. Instead of investing in our high streets they cut funding. Instead of protecting our fishing industry they seek closer ties with the EU that threaten our independence. It's time for this Government to change course. We must ensure fair housing policies, sustained economic investment, a strong and independent fishing industry and robust flood defences. Our coastal deserve better, and I urge this House to take action to protect their future. take action to protect their future.
16:51
Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
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I thank the honourable member for North Norfolk for securing this debate and for the way in which she has led it. As he said in his opening it was his first and an excellent one and I admire both the poise but also the clarity with which he spoke for this first backbench business. I know clearly there are more examples to come, but he was struck I think to top the topic because the official record or read like a love letter to our nations Coastal Communities Fund one I think we can all see ourselves in either because the honourable and right honourable members represent coastal communities offer people like myself who do not who spent our childhoods at Southport, Blackpool, Skegness and around the country and those treasured memories.

And he set out again I think very clearly the opportunities for our Coastal Communities Fund be they tourism, energy, natural beauty, but also the profound challenges and this was echoed in the contributions of a number of colleagues such as slower economic growth, high levels of deprivation and we are challenges in healthcare. The honourable gentleman says that he felt the system doesn't work and I share a lot of that. And have got some suggestions for how the system might change. He also commended China to take it personally, was very clear that it was rather a dedicated minister rather than reset responding to this debate.

And I will address that directly shortly but I just want to cover a number of contributions that colleagues made. Firstly to start with, contributions from my honourable friend for East Worthing and Shoreham and them over Torbay and my honourable friend the member East Thanet with regards to housing and that integral challenge with housing in Coastal Communities Fund top too little building for too long for this government will change that. 1.5 million homes in this Parliament, and I would say to colleagues and anybody listening who is passionate about their coastal, the way to make sure that's done the right way that respect local heritage, local demand, that respects those areas of natural beauty is to be involved in the local plan process.

That's how to set the blueprint for excellent of set the blueprint for excellent of element in their community. It will bring jobs as welcome opportunity for all year-round jobs, great careers and skills. Of course in that conversation housing is the important point that a number of my colleagues, especially my honourable friend have raised with regard to second homes and short-term debts. This is something that she and I have spoken a lot on over the years and also my honourable friend the Member for Campbell and Redruth, so this government reintroducing a short-term let registration scheme to protect the spirit of our communities, notwithstanding the importance that short-term lets can have to the economy.

We are abolishing the furnished holiday lets tax regime to remove the tax incentives that the shot and that owners have over long-term landlords, and from this April councils can opt to charge council tax premium of up to 100% on second homes but we recognise there may be more will be need to be done and we are very keen to have that conversation with colleagues, and we are considering what additional powers we could give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets.

And holiday homes. Colleagues also perhaps unsurprisingly my honourable friend the member first Sittingbourne & Sheppey make important points around healthcare too and I would really trumpet our government's 10 year health plan to reform the NHS as one of the particular Coastal Communities Fund benefit from because those three big shifts, of course my honourable friend the chemist next to me too, but those three big shifts, the move from hospital to community, from analogue to digital and sickness to prevention, there is a lot in that the Coastal Communities Fund and I would encourage colleagues to lean into that.

My only friend the Member for south-westerly draws me on cockles. Whatever say it sounds like Osborne is the real backbone of his community but facing some real hurdles. I'd be very keen to meet with them have the chance to have that conversation in full. My honourable friend is from Blackpool, I think this perhaps points to an example for some partnership with central government local government and local communities, so I would point to significant money, £19 coming from this government for Housing and redevelopment in Blackall -- Blackall.

£14 for the Effie College as well and the new Civil Service upcoming. We believe Blackpool's best days are in front of them and am very keen to work with him in that regard. And similarly I would save my honourable friend for South West Devon, she talked about the very strong opportunities in private sector foot of element. I would of course add to that the £49 for Devonport and we have the excellent all the Freeport and can work together to draw that investment in, and I and colleagues are very keen to do that.

And the subject Freeport takes me to the Essex coast to my honourable friend the honourable gentleman member for Harwich and North Essex, and he wanted to hear from this despatch box a commitment to his community first and I can give him that commitment. Our renewed commitment from what we inherited from the previous government with regard to the reporting shows the potential we believe in this community. Clearly there are changes to local government coming. Also the possibilities around evolution are outstanding as well but I know and I will talk to this a little bit when I respond to the important point of dedicated minister, that I believe there are the skills, knowledge and experience in this community to shape for the better and build the days ahead and our communities to give the power and tools to do so and I'm very happy to recommit that

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today. I just would like to ask my

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I just would like to ask my honourable friend to confirm that this government understands a clear this government understands a clear distinction between the challenges in rural communities from those in coastal ones because I noticed that coastal ones because I noticed that the Liberal Democrat spokesman used the word coastal and rural almost completely interchangeably, and we completely interchangeably, and we know that levels of deprivation in Coastal Communities Fund significant different with different challenges from those in rural communities. I

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from those in rural communities. I like to have that confirmation from the government. That's an important point for the rural communities can be coastal and vice versa, but not always. And those challenges manifest very differently. The challenges particularly around being a community at the end of the line can make some very significant profound challenges, and we absolutely accept that. So turning to the point the honourable member made around dedicated minister, I will say to him I think under the colleagues have raised this as well but I think you're selling himself short.

Because the reality is it isn't about a minister in government pulling the lever for North Norfolk, Hamble Valley or anywhere else transform their community. That is an inside job, and the promise from this government is a shift of power and resource from this place to their communities to change it. We've made a down payment with a plan for neighbourhoods covering Peterhead for example. I hear some of the frustrations the honourable member said. This is a way to rebalance with power and resource.

For those people to change their community. And of the 75 in Clancy neighbourhoods, 25 a coastal meaning £5 million commitment to my honourable friend from South and Rochford talks about the Commissioner neighbourhoods and I think you will see a lot of that reflected on what we've done but we want to move away to the gently opposition spokesperson I say from the broken begging bowl culture of levelling up funds where communities were pitted against each other to more long-term sustained funding based on the need of that community and that is what they will see.

But the money is one point that the power is the real thing for me, and that underpins our Plan for Change, the shift of power from this place to local communities. We are seeing that through devolution. Of course five elected mayors or the ribs in coastal areas, two more to come, Holly needs lot Yorkshire, greater Lincolnshire in May, and that gives those communities power over transport, planning, energy, and more coming down the line for top six more areas including five Coastal Communities Fund in the devolution priority program, putting that together that is a shift of money and power from this place to coastal to take on the challenges they've had in the past and in partnership with central government, build very exciting features, be they tourism or climate or addressing the housing crisis.

That's what this government offers. That's what the future offers, about.
16:59
Steff Aquarone Portrait Steff Aquarone MP (North Norfolk, Liberal Democrat)
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I'm immensely grateful to members from across the House for their contributions and for echoing my call. I wanted to call a couple of points that were exceptionally noteworthy. The members for Torbay and also South West Devon speaking of the pride and opportunity not just the challenges. The Member for South was speaking about the challenge of being asset custodians of peers and other such things and of East Thanet and Scarborough & Whitby delighted to hear about the opportunities for skills developed and young people.

Time does strange things in Coastal Communities Fund and I want to leave one final image of the impression I was getting when listening to colleagues speak, which is of the volunteer lifeboat crews of the North Norfolk coastal to and

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how much they do is to support and protect all of us in this country. The question is as on the order

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The question is as on the order paper. As many as are of that opinion say, "Aye." Of the contrary, opinion say, "Aye." Of the contrary, "No." I think the ayes have it, the "No." I think the ayes have it, the The question is that this house do now adjourn.

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now adjourn. It is a pleasure to hold this adjournment debates on face-to-face appointments with GPs. I want to ask honourable members, all of those listening and watching, just imagine going back to October 2023. Imagine you have abdominal pain and some blood loss. You seek a GP appointment and you are given a telephone appointment and given a diagnosis of endometriosis and prescribe some painkillers. This diagnosis sadly tends out to be an incorrect one.

You then move forwards, still in pain, to mid December to mid December 2023 and receive a letter with a gynaecological appointment at the end of January 2024. But you are still in deep pain. It intensifies. Your husband rushes you to the urgent treatment centre at the Pilgrim Hospital. Where a doctor
17:02
Richard Tice Portrait Richard Tice MP (Boston and Skegness, Reform UK)
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sees you and reaffirms the diagnosis sees you and reaffirms the diagnosis of endometriosis and says as you are being looked after by a GP, there is nothing more I should do. Over the nothing more I should do. Over the subsequent weeks, the pain subsequent weeks, the pain intensifies even more so at the end of 2023, you are rushed to A&E and it is just before New Year, you are it is just before New Year, you are told to come back for tests.

On told to come back for tests. On January 2, 2024, and those tests reveal some problems and some lesions around the liver. You are put on a two-week cancer pathway with more tests, scans, and an endoscopy. On the second, you are given the news that sadly the cancer has spread to such a degree that there is nothing more that can be done. Just three days later, you pass away. It is impossible to imagine or to understand this.

This is the sad story of Laura Bartlett, aged 43, the mother of three young daughters, summer sky, Bonnie may. And her husband Michael Barlow is here in the gallery today. With some friends. And it was his campaign after the tragic loss to have more face-to-face appointments and to be a right for patients who feel they need a face-to-face appointment and it is worth looking at the context of what is going on in our healthcare system with face-to-face appointments.

You rollback about 80% of all GP appointments which were face-to-face. If you come forward now, that statistic is just over 64%. You then say how do we compare to other nations? You look at European nations and there's is on average 84, 85%, so we are some 20% fewer face-to-face appointments than some of our international peers, and I would have thought it must be commonsense that the ability for experienced highly skilled professional GP to look at patients in the eye, to physically assess them face-to-face must given the greatest chance of the diagnosis.



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It is a massive issue in my

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It is a massive issue in my constituency, and probably, you are inundated with constituents after inundated with constituents after the same thing. More often than not, elderly people, they hold on until elderly people, they hold on until 9:05, and by the way, you are too late. I have been on the phone since late. I have been on the phone since 830 I have been on the phone since 834 an appointment. The system isn't 834 an appointment. The system isn't working.

I understand that there are changes coming, and we need to know what they are, and would it improve the system that something needs to

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be addressed immediately. The honourable member makes an excellent point, and the issue about telephone appointments, there is a telephone appointments, there is a place for them. When researching place for them. When researching this topic, of the gap between 64, this topic, of the gap between 64, 65%, telephone appointments 65%, telephone appointments represent some 25%, and zoom represent some 25%, and zoom appointments were just 5%. Surely doctors, GPs would be better if they could see the face, the pain that might be etched on a patient's face.

I was astonished by that. You then look at the broader context of what is happening to our population and the number of GPs and the pressures on GPs. Is that the reason why the percentage of face-to-face appointments have colour so significantly? If you look back at 2015 to the present day in England, we are over 6 1/2 million more people. Interestingly, the number of GP appointments has increased in that same period with a similar percentage give or take 17% from just over 300 million appointments to 360 million appointments, and in fairness and due credit, there is a recent increase month on month in GP appointments which is to be commended.

But it seems nevertheless strange that the number of full-time fully qualified GPs has barely moved in that 10 year period. It is true that there are more trainee doctors, trainee GPs in the system, but in terms of fully qualified full-time GPs, the number has basically stayed static over that 10 year period, meaning per GP, the number of patients that you have on your books has increased significantly from over 1900 GP to over 2300 patients per GP.

So we can understand the increase in pressure on those GPs, with people's health needs. They feel the need to see as many people as possible, so you can see the temptation that telephone appointments or zoom appointments

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may help. Does he agree with me that there

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Does he agree with me that there is a place for telephone appointments where GPs can give guidance, support, and referrals, but any diagnosis should be done face-to-face?

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face-to-face? I thank my friend for this intervention, and it comes back to basic concept of common sense because it must be easier for GP to make the correct diagnosis when seeing someone face-to-face. We all make mistakes, but if medical professionals are under pressure, if they are tired and make mistakes, it can have devastating life changing consequences. We would never know whether Laura, if she had had the correct diagnosis in October whether Laura, if she had had the correct diagnosis in October 2023, the difference that may make, but what we must know is that it must be right to give all patients the best opportunity, and the secretary of hearing the chamber, he is absolutely determined to make reforms across the healthcare system.

He started with changes to the relationship between abolishing NHS England and the Department itself, and what else can be done? Almost 50% of those retiring are citing the increased pressure bureaucracy of administration, and surely we want our trained GPs in front of patients. We don't want their time being absorbed with unnecessary burdens and paperwork, and if that is driving our GPs away from the noble profession, of curing people or helping people, I do hope that the Health Secretary and the Minister will drive these changes and processes because when I was recently with people in my constituency of Boston and Skegness, I was doing more research into this and was astonished by what I found.

I had some examples were bureaucracy is clogging the system up, so for GP refers a patient to a consultant in hospital and the consultant says yes, you need this, I need to refer the patient to another speciality just down the corridor, you can't do it direct. The consultant has to write back to the GP and the GP has to refer back to the different consultant down the corridor. I would have thought that lacks common sense. If the consultant wants to prescribe some medication, they are prescribe some medication, they are unable to do that direct.

If the consultant wants to request some bloods, on many occasions, that would have to be referred back to the GP by letter, by email, for the GP to request bloods. This is leading to delay, and more work for the GP that we all surely want seeing more patients face-to-face. And then you get at the situation that are clogging up the system. For example, GDPR. Well-intentioned. When I went to a pharmacy a few weeks back and the pharmacist says we have got the same software system as the GP surgery in the same building right next door, but because we have got different modules and because GDPR doesn't let the modules talk to each other, it leads to increased delays and a lack of productivity, and therefore, the patients have a lower quality service.

The pharmacy are saying we could do so much more, we could relieve the GPs of some of the work they are doing, so that they could see the patient face-to-face, and when I am in a care home a week later in Boston, again, with carers and experts in the room, we talk to the issues and say there are processes and procedures that we can do that we are not allowed to do. And therefore, GP has to do them, all we had to request an ambulance from the hospital, clogging up corridors.

That we could do those procedures. It seems to me this great concept of common sense is not allowed to be applied. And therefore, I am thinking that we can do so much better than this. And then there is the issue of referrals. When a GP is making referrals, very often, that referral gets assessed as to whether it is a correct referral by a non-clinician. Again, forgive me. I would have thought that we should be able to trust highly trained, highly skilled professional GPs and back their judgement on the frontline.

If they think somebody can be referred to a consultant, surely that doesn't need doublechecking or trouble checking. Again, this is delaying good patient care, and that is causing more blockages for the GP. More admin, more paperwork. Then there is our work with the concept of the Care Quality Commission. I hear about the processes, the box ticking, the patient panels, and all of this is just more admin, more time, more resources consumed outside of the core function of face-to-face treatment, and it seems to me therefore that this is not a party political issue.

It is an issue of driving continuous improvement in our healthcare system of the Department as it moves forward to look forward it all of the processes, how we reduce the blockages, how we remove any of the unnecessary paperwork, burdens, improve the technology, the use of AI which is so recent is a huge opportunity for healthcare, for technology in healthcare, for GPs to be able to doublecheck or triple check their own diagnoses. These are great opportunities, but the most fundamental of all is surely that we give our GPs every support, every easy process, the right technological systems behind-the- scenes in the back office so that, with their skills, with their experience, they can face all of us when we are unwell, when we think we need some treatment.

That is when they can use their experience, their wisdom and their knowledge to get If it's a tribute to Laura, her legacy, the ability to ease these processes, to make life easier for GPs so that patients have the right to see a GP face-to-face, and that GPs want to stay in the profession because actually they know face-to- face they are achieving a great and noble cause and good.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you. And I'd like to thank the honourable gentleman the Member for Boston & Skegness for raising GP for Boston & Skegness for raising GP access, which is such a vital matter access, which is such a vital matter to so many of our constituents. But I wanted to start by paying tribute to Laura Barlow's family and friends to Laura Barlow's family and friends and loved ones. And to her husband Michael who I know is in the gallery Michael who I know is in the gallery today.

It's a terrible tragedy that Laura's cancer wasn't caught Laura's cancer wasn't caught earlier, and I agree absolutely with the honourable gentleman that the very significant number of people
17:18
Stephen Kinnock Portrait Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) (Aberafan Maesteg, Labour)
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that have signed the petition show a real strength of feeling on this real strength of feeling on this heartbreaking case. When you ask heartbreaking case. When you ask people what their top priority for the NHS is, the chances are they will say six general practice. Because GPs are the front door to our National Health Service. They are the first port of call for are the first port of call for millions of people, and they perform a vital service by delivering care in communities across our country.

So let me be crystal clear from this despatch box, GPs must provide face-to-face appointments. Alongside remote consultations. Online services must always be provided in addition to rather than as a replacement for in-person consultations. Patients have a right to request a face-to-face appointment and practices must make every effort to meet their preference unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary, such as in cases where the patient test positive for an infectious disease. There are clear benefits to attending an appointment in person.

GPs pick up cues from body language. They foster a more personal relationship with their patients, and this is important if we are to bring back the family doctor. Last year, GPs delivered 380 million appointments throughout England. Two thirds of those were in person and I can tell the honourable gentleman that the figure for his integrated care board and Lincolnshire are in line with the national average at 65%. It's possible that in some practices, defaulting to remote appointments was a temporary and necessary measure during the pandemic, but in some cases, that may have become a habit that has been difficult to shake.

Let's be clear, that's not the fault of GPs per se. It's the fault of the last government who left them underfunded, understaffed and in crisis. Which is why we are doing everything we can to remedy the downward spiral that GP services have found themselves in after 14 years of Tory neglect and failure. So I was absolutely delighted that the GPC England voted in favour of this years GP contract last month. This is the first time that the contract has been accepted in four years.

Four long years. The reformed contract that has been agreed between the government and GPC will improve services for patients, make progress towards our health mission, and crucially will require practices to make it possible for patients to go online to request a face-to-face appointment throughout the duration of core opening hours. This will free up time for patients who prefer to call or visit in person. These changes are backed up by an extra £889 million, representing more than 7% cash growth in overall contract investment, bringing total spend on the GP contract to £13.2 billion this financial year.

This is the largest uplift GP funding in a generation. And it means that we are beginning to reverse a decade of a dwindling share of NHS resources going to general practice. But it's not just about resource or just about funding. We are bulldozing bureaucracy for GPs. So that they spend less time pushing paper and more time seeing patients like Laura. We are training thousands more GPs, modernising the booking system, ending the ATM scramble and bringing back the family doctor.

These measures should make it possible for GPs to guarantee a face-to-face appointment for all who want one. This government is committed to shifting the focus of our NHS from hospital to community. We will shift towards a neighbourhood health service. We will improve continuity of care for those who would benefit from seeing the same clinician regularly, which is associated with better health outcomes and fewer A&E attendances. And we will drive the shift from analogue to digital by ensuring that all practices are employing the full functionality of GP connect.

Turning now to cancer, this government is determined to tackle the biggest killers, and my right honourable friend the Health Secretary has announced that a national cancer plan for England will be published later this year. The plan will put patients at its heart, and will cover the entirety of the cancer patient pathway from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to improve the experience and outcomes for people with cancer.

Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next 10 years. The plan will spell out how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, speed up diagnosis and treatment and ensure patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. We will bring this countries survival rates back up to the best in the world. Our NHS belongs to the people. Those are not just my words. They are in the NHS constitution. 14 years of Tory failure left NHS broken but not beaten.

And everything this government has done since the election has been geared towards saving the NHS and giving it back to the people. We are putting power back in patient hands because it is there health service and it must work for them. Last week the Prime Minister announced the reforms that will shift power away from the centre. Because patient choices at the heart of this government's commitment to build an NHS that is fit for the future. And all patients should be offered face-to-face appointments when it is in their

**** Possible New Speaker ****

best interests. Thank you. The question is that this House do now adjourn. As many as are of that opinion say, "Aye." Of the that opinion say, "Aye." Of the contrary, "No." The ayes have it.
This debate has concluded
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