Commons Chamber

Thursday 1st May 2025

(began 5 months ago)

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None Portrait Q2. What steps his Department is taking to negotiate trade agreements with the UK's main trading partners. (903877)
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Well, I had thought that one of the first interventions from the frontbench would be £1 billion investment from IKEA into the UK.
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Jonathan Reynolds Portrait Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )
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It is good to head at the trade negotiations that began when we were in government are progressing well with India, and there must now be an opportunity to reopen talks with Canada so that they can buy more wonderful cheese from the UK, but with the tariff clock ticking, I am sure that the Secretary of State recognises that the US deal is surely the most urgent with many UK jobs at risk, and yet we heard recently from the Chancellor when she was in the states that have bigger priority as discussions with the EU where we already have zero hours, so does the Secretary of State share the Chancellor's priorities or does he think that the

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She's right, we wanted the previous governance to do the India FTA and were willing to support them fully to do that. They were not able fully to do that. They were not able to get that over that line. With Canada, issues of agriculture which Canada, issues of agriculture which are similar to the US and that can be more challenging to negotiate. The entirety of this government has been clear, it is not about seeking been clear, it is not about seeking to pick between one market and another, both are fundamental.

Chancellor's comment specifically Chancellor's comment specifically related to the fact that it is simply true that our UK-EU to is a much later quantum than UK-US trade. But in all of these negotiations we have to do not not focus on what can be done quickly what can be done right and national interest. There's no point doing an agreement that does not deliver on our agreements does not deliver on our agreements no matter who the agreement is with. We welcome any support from the other side of the work we are trying to do.

I think it is easier politically for this government to do some of the trade agreements that do some of the trade agreements that are available to the UK but maybe were not politically available to the Conservative party. We will continue to do that work and we will continue to do that work and we will get support across the house for it. Thank you Mr Speaker. Yesterday I asked the Prime Minister whether Parliament will get a final vote on any trade deal negotiated with the United States.

The Prime Minister stated that it would go through the known process. This process does not include a vote for the ratification of any trade steels. Can the minister please make it explicitly clear with a yes or no answer, will MPs get a final vote on the deal with the United States? The Prime Minister's answer yesterday implied that we would not. that we would not.
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None Portrait Q4. What steps he is taking to include the chemicals sector within the industrial strategy. (903879)
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Mr Speaker, I'm slightly worried
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Gareth Thomas Portrait Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Harrow West, Labour )
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In my constituency, residents are losing their only pub which is being turned into holiday lets, despite the objections of local residents. the objections of local residents. The Scottish Government planning department has stepped in and made what many people think is a what many people think is a shortsighted decision. Does the Minister agree with me that local pubs and village pubs, like pubs and village pubs, like libraries and Trinity centres, are vital to local well-being and vital to local well-being and cohesion? And we should do all we can to ensure that villages keep their pubs and help them thrive as their pubs and help them thrive as key part of our local economies and social infrastructure?

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I'm grateful to honourable Friend for his question. I completely agree with him about the significance of with him about the significance of pubs across the UK but particularly in rural communities such as the in rural communities such as the ones that he represents. It is one of the reasons why we are in the final throes of agreeing extra final throes of agreeing extra funding for that great organisation, funding for that great organisation, Pub and Hub which helps pubs to adapt to change in rural needs and adapt to change in rural needs and let them continue to be that social hubs they are in rural areas.

I hope the Minister will have heard his comments and will recognise the need to follow the UK government's line and instigate significant business rates reform. They certainly need to look at the provisions on business look at the provisions on business rates relief which is not as generous in Scotland thanks to their decisions as they are here in the UK.
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None Portrait Q7. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of his trade negotiations with the US on the farming sector. (903883)
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I did wonder whether that shadow Secretary of State might finally use this set of questions to take the
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Jonathan Reynolds Portrait Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour )
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rights of the Secretary of State to reply to the response of his consultation on how we should respond to American tariffs. We have had widespread consensus that there should not be brutality tariffs and we approach this right, but we have also had real concerns in the automotive industry, and crucially their supply chains, so can the Secretary of State reassure the house that he is readying support packages across government to ensure that our automotive sector does not run into serious trouble if we cannot get a deal with America soon.



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As he knows, I welcome communication from the Select communication from the Select Committee and the role they play in all of these important matters. He all of these important matters. He is also right to say that the business community in the UK strongly backs the levelheaded approach to these difficult issues. When it comes to the automotive sector, it is one of our major sector, it is one of our major priorities. It is a sector that is the most exposed because of the brilliant success that we have with brilliant success that we have with automotive exports to the US, and it remains an absolute priority to us in any negotiation to secure what we need, which is the continuation of access to markets which is complimentary to the US in a way that meets the ambitions of US consumers, and frankly, I don't see any argument for making their relationship more difficult by the long-term imposition of tariffs so we are closely engaged with a number of meetings this week with senior automotive leaders and we will continue to keep that working.

When we took office, years of Conservative neglect had left us on the brink, but while others were willing to let the heart of British industry go cold, we were not. I welcome the recent conversion of colleagues opposite to an active industrial policy but make no mistake, while others may talk tough, only Labour can act. With the future of British Steel, we took immediate action, and I can report to the house thanks to our intervention that we secure the rules materials to keep Scunthorpe's
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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Right, Right, we Right, we now Right, we now come Right, we now come to Right, we now come to the Right, we now come to the Urgent

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Question. To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. If he Energy Security and Net Zero. If he will make a statement to reducing energy prices for energy intensive

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industries. Can I firstly relate my thoughts to the workers and the honourable to the workers and the honourable members for who I know this is a worrying time, and can I thank my honourable friend for raising this honourable friend for raising this issue. He is a tireless champion for workers and businesses in his constituency, and we haven't will continue to talk regularly about these issues and the importance of the ceramics industry in particular in his area.

The government recognises the challenges high energy prices posed for UK businesses. We know the ceramic sector is affected as my honourable friend has raised several times in Parliament. The government is working closely with ceramics UK and Stoke MPs to work out how he can help the sector. For energy intensive industries, our clean power target is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Clean homegrown energy is the best way to protect and boost independence. We are also bringing energy costs for UK industry closer in line with other major economies through the British energy supercharger.

This exempts firms including some but not all of the ceramic sector from certain costs linked to renewable policies, particularly those exposed to the high cost of electricity. UK businesses using less fossil fuels of industrial demand by 2040, so we are developing options to enable them to do that. And we are already taking action. When my friend raised this important issue in the Westminster Hall debates, I noted that we are looking at how we can look at speculative programs and prioritise others, and just last month, we unlocked £40 million of month, we unlocked £40 million of private investment in year so that projects will no longer hold up connections for the grid.

We
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Gareth Snell Portrait Gareth Snell MP (Stoke-on-Trent Central, Labour )
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recognise that we need to support recognise that we need to support industries such as ceramics that are so essential to our UK economy and missions. For example, to build missions. For example, to build homes and the products that this is already investing in. Following already investing in. Following years of instability, this is implementing a modern industrial implementing a modern industrial strategy which will drive growth and the creation of good high quality jobs and communities across the UK. jobs and communities across the UK.

I look forward to working with my honourable friend and we are meeting next Wednesday, and I hope to be able to progress things further at

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this stage. 80 thank the Minister for

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80 thank the Minister for engagement on this because she has been very genuinely and authentically trying to move authentically trying to move forward, but when I met with the forward, but when I met with the Minister six months ago, I warned that there were other factors who are going to change, and I stand are going to change, and I stand here today following the closure of Moorcroft yesterday and there are other factories today in Stoke-on- Trent who were working on short-term as a way of reducing the cost and meeting ever increasing energy bills.

I thank the Minister for outlines that she has made, but she will know that most of the things she has raised today are things that we have talked about previously that do not apply to the ceramic sector and great swathes of the industrial sector as a whole. The scheme doesn't work for ceramic sectors. Ceramic companies and having to subsidise other energy intensive companies because they are not part of the supercharger scheme. We cannot see an exception to that. We have asked about free-trade allowances and found that the sum available for ceramics but that does not go far enough to meet the demands that we have today.

We are constantly being promised by the last government as well as this one jam tomorrow. Jam is no good if you're dead and the ceramic sector is on life support. We are at a point where good manufacturing jobs done by proud people are falling done by proud people are falling done by proud people are falling The energy intensive industries in this country are pivotal to manufacturing. If we see them fall away, then manufacturing in this country will follow way, so I asked the Minister three simple questions.
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Andrew Bowie Portrait Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
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working on every single one and we are going to meet to talk about are going to meet to talk about these things. We have to rule out these things. We have to rule out whole swathes of policy, but I can whole swathes of policy, but I can assure him that we will not put customer ceramics industry. We are customer ceramics industry. We are looking at doing more, and we will come back and I completely understand his point about the

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timing and the need to act quickly. Grangemouth, the Luton Vauxhall plans, and now Moorcroft pottery. Every single week, we hear of more job losses in energy intensive industries. More British companies laying off workers because of the toxic combination of high energy costs and this Chancellor's devastating job tax. We have the highest industrial electricity prices in the developed world. Just this week, we were told that carbon taxes and high energy costs are killing off manufacturing in the UK.

This government has been warned by members on the side of the house, by the GMB, by Unite the union, and this week, they were warned by none other than Tony Blair. And what was their response? For advisers to pick up the phone and bake him to row back on what he has said. They asked him to row back on what we all know to be true, what everyone knows to be true, that an increasing number of their own backbenchers need to be true.

The current approach to net zero is doomed to fail, and voters are being asked to make financial sacrifices when they know the impact on global emissions is minimal because that is at the heart of this madness. They know it won't make a difference to global emissions. We will not use any less oil and gas or chemicals. We were just imported from abroad at greater cost to our economy and the climate with British job losses added to the bargain job losses added to the bargain because they are led by ideological ideas and a Prime Minister too weak to rein them in.

We will continue
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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Stoke will be paying the price. Energy isn't a silo. Our industries will not survive otherwise. British will not survive otherwise. British manufacturers cannot remain manufacturers cannot remain competitors, so can I ask Minister what we should do to prevent more British jobs being lost in energy intensive industries in this intensive industries in this country. Will she listen to the head of Unite who says that working-class people are losing their jobs and that this government has no plan to replace them? Will they end their ideological mad plan to shut down the Northsea and what will it take for backbenchers on that house to wake up and realise that this psychological approach is crippling

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this country. Thank you. The party opposite is

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Thank you. The party opposite is sort of hiding behind this newfound scepticism of net zero to hide their complete failure to support and grow our foundation and manufacturing our foundation and manufacturing industries on their watch. On their watch, we lost 70,000 jobs in the watch, we lost 70,000 jobs in the Northsea. On their watch, we lost Northsea. On their watch, we lost 1250 jobs in the ceramics sector. On their watch, chemicals manufacturing fell by 30%. Steel, on their watch, we only produced 30% of the steel that we use in this country.

That is shameful. The Conservative party record on this is shameful. This government has a different approach. We are developing the industrial strategy which will support those foundational industries. We are looking to make sure we can reach net zero by 2030 to provide the economic security and the energy security that we need. The last cost of living crisis was caused because of our reliance on the global gas prices, and as he occasionally says in some meetings when he flips and flops between his position on net zero.

We will support manufacturing, we are developing our industrial strategy that will be published in a few weeks and we are all with the government providing more support through the energy supercharger, so we will act by the previous

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government failed to do. My honourable friend is an

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My honourable friend is an enormous champion of the industry and is right to bring this question to the house today. But this issue to the house today. But this issue is wider than simply the ceramics sector. Energy prices are the sector. Energy prices are the singer's big factor. Nissan has told singer's big factor. Nissan has told us that prices are the highest of any Nissan plant in the world. We have recommended to the government have recommended to the government that they bring energy prices in line with our European competitors.

Can the Minister tell us today that

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she shares that ambition? I thank my right honourable friend the chair of the Select friend the chair of the Select Committee for his question. Of Committee for his question. Of course this is a huge issue for prices doubling, and we have higher
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Sarah Jones Portrait Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Croydon West, Labour)
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I have many million companies that provide critical industries ins the automotive sector. These businesses are struggling because the last government left us with a dependence on foreign gas imports. Last month I brought forward a Bill which seeks to address the challenge. Can the minister said that have clean power 2030 action plan will make industrial costs cheaper and help to drive growth in the Manufacturing industry?

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I thank her for the question and championing her constituency. I still have to visit and know I will do that because she has many exciting things for me to see. The Climate Change Committee has said Climate Change Committee has said 61% of industry will need to be electrified we have to make sure we electrified we have to make sure we do that. You're looking at this in the spending review, as I'm sure she would expect, as to how we can would expect, as to how we can support industry to make that change to electrify, and how we can help with some of those capital costs which will lead to lower costs in the long term.

That is what we are looking at through the Spending Review.

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Thank you Mr Speaker. Why is it better according to the government to import gas from Norway instead of to import gas from Norway instead of developing our own North Sea gas fuels?

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fuels? The North Sea fields is a
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Paul Holmes Portrait Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
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will not be sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing 12 May will include, Monday 12th of May will include, Monday 12th of May, remaining stages of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. Tuesday 13th of May, Bill. Tuesday 13th of May, Opposition Day. Debate on a motion in the name of the Official in the name of the Official Opposition subject to be announced. Wednesday 14th May, consideration of Lords message on the Great British Energy Bill followed by, if necessary, consideration of Lords Amendments.

Thursday 15th of May, Amendments. Thursday 15th of May, general debate on the solar farms followed by a general debate on long-term funding of youth services. The subjects of these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. Friday 16th May, Private Members' Bills.

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Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm delighted to see the leader has given a general debate on VE Day. It is likely important that we remember the sacrifice in each and every one of our communities has made. And the liberties one for each of us and we will never forget them. If I may I will never forget them. If I may I also want to pay tribute to the parliament's security and policing teams. On Monday evening, a friend and I on the terrace saw a man and I on the terrace saw a man entered the water outside from Westminster Bridge.

We ran to report it to a police officer took us very seriously and immediately reported this in. Five minutes later emergency services located the person and evacuated them. I thank the emergency services and the police officer whose name I did not get for acting in a timely way. We wish the affected person well as he was taken to hospital. I'm grateful to the Leader of the House for setting out the forthcoming business was the know she will be looking forward to the FA Cup final on 17 May.

I know she will be cheering on Manchester city for victory against Crystal Palace almost as loudly as she heckles opposition politicians here. I look forward to my teams meeting Southampton FC against her team later on that month although from a record I'm not sure it will go well. On the subject of own goals, I'm sure men's on both sides the house will be looking on with some confusion at the chaos in the government's ranks following the former prime ministers Tony Blair's suggestion that the government's plan to phase out fossil fuels in the short-term are doomed to fail.

That election winning machine with many on that side of the house groaning at the mention of his name, has spoken sense. It can be frustrating when former leaders weigh in on debate contributes to the parties they once led. Leave me, I know how the Leader of the House and the energy 60 feel. We have had more than our fair share. She and the government know that the former prime list has a point. We know that the government is dreading the local elections today.

As the first real test of their performance in the nine months since they took power. What will we see? An ideological kamikaze dive towards net zero carbon emissions that tonight will deliver gains of net zero seeds. I would like to pay tribute to those candidates from all parties who are taking the steps to put their heads above the parapet and you are willing to charge into the little fray. Without them, our democracy would wither. Of course I want to wish those standing as Conservative candidate all the best hope the House will understand why I have done it.

As voters go to the polls, they will be asking themselves, what sort of counsel they want to represent them and provide vital public services? Do they want the high tax highly bureaucratic debtladen local authorities of labour or do they want efficient effective and accountable local guardians that they have under the Conservatives? Let us not forget Conservative councils deliver better You don't have to look further than Labour-controlled Birmingham where beanbags are piled up on the street. That is to say that nothing of the rats who represent terrible health risk but terrorise the neighbours that they infest.

They won't be jumping for many sinking ships but the government passed photos certainly are. And certainly, why is their ship sinking? The only need to look over there who is to blame. After nine months of Labour government, the promises change has ended up in the overflowing bins of the councils they control. I would not argue that there had been some changes. The prime minister has changed his donor funded seats many time while the pensioners that they have made poorer by their clothes from the charity shops this government is taxing to the health.

And talking of donors, the Labour donor is now becoming the football regulator. What a bargain for half £1 million. But most importantly, it is not the changes that the government have made but the fact that the public has changed their minds about Labour and how can we blame them? As the OBR have halved their estimate for growth this year, and with the governments campaign against the elderly, farmers, the self employed, small business owners, it is no wonder that the government is so unpopular.

They have run out of people to target. But there is a saying that actions have consequences. I would last to ask the leader of she can schedule a debate on the woeful actions of the Chancellor. Growth at a low all-time low, tax at an all-time high, business and charities alarmed at how they will keep going, so can we have a debate on this mission for growth and how it is going. I suspect the answer will be no. I also want to raise one final topic with her which I have touched on previously.

That is the long timeframes and poor quality
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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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responses to written correspondence and written questions from people in this house. As I'm sure everyone this house. As I'm sure everyone will agree, it is vital that we as parliamentarians are able to make representations to the government and receive responses to our queries in a timely manner with a reply which takes a full account of the which takes a full account of the questions made. Too many times, members have to raise a lack of response times to their constituency enquiries. The number written questions are down I have to say the quality of responses are deteriorating.

I do hope the leader deteriorating. I do hope the leader will take this up with their colleagues. So, as we go away for our bank holiday, can I risk the leader of the and all members of restful bank holiday and a chance to take time with loved ones because we will return on Tuesday where we will continue to hold this government to account and we will do that for the people of this great country.

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Thank you very much. Can I join him as well in thanking the police him as well in thanking the police and security services of the house for the work that they do day in, day out, particularly in the case day out, particularly in the case that he raises, and can I also take this opportunity to thank the King this opportunity to thank the King for all the work that he is doing for those living with cancer. His openness about his own condition openness about his own condition really does bring huge comfort to those living with theirs.

Can I also take this opportunity to welcome take this opportunity to welcome news on the mineral agreement and the wider partnership. Our support in support of this whole house remains unwaveringly with those in Ukraine and that will continue going forward. And Canadian him in thanking all candidates standing in the local elections today and for wishing man city a success in the forthcoming FA Cup final, and against Southampton. It is really good to see the shadow minister in his elevated place today for breaching the heady heights of business questions this morning.

Sure he will agree that this is the pinnacle of his career so far, and as you can see, she has really joining the crowds as well. That is no reflection on him. But his journey here has been one of really dogeared and determined pursuit. He was a councillor when he was very young at the age of 20. He has been a special adviser who stood first in a number of seats, and in his relatively short Parliamentary career, he has been the MP for two different constituencies.

But in all seriousness, I have a good deal of time for the honourable gentleman. He is a formidable representative. It might be a bit of a low bar but he is well above it. And he really is a rising star of the party, and he is a very popular member of this house. He raises with me the very important matter to me of timely and full responses to written Parliamentary Questions and correspondence, something that I take seriously and will continue as I always do to raise it with cabinet ministers collectively and individually when they short.

He does raise the issue of net-zero and given his glittering career, I'm sorry that he felt the need to read out from the latest web crib sheets on net-zero, because I think the blinkered vision that his party opposite has shown on the issue of the opportunity of net-zero in the transition that we need to make is why they did so little in their time in opposition because let's look at what is actually happening. The Northsea basin is diminishing.

It is a finite resource and that is why we see the workforce and the Northsea fall by 1/3 over the last 10 years. There is a global race going on for the new technologies of the future and we are now in that global race as his party failed to do for many years, and we are making sure that the Northsea has the opportunities of the future, and there are great opportunities of the future. That is why we announced £22 billion for carbon capture.

That will be critical for the future of the Northsea and why we are doing re- industrial future with things like hydrogen, nuclear and other energies. He talks about the former leader of the Labour Party but he might want to also look at what some of his own former leaders have said in recent years, and Theresa May spoke some very wise words last autumn, just at the time that his own party was having on pass about net-zero saying that when the sceptics say the green transition will cripple business, we say they could not be more wrong.

When the critics say transitioning to renewables cost you much, we say it is wrong to see it as a cost. It is an enormous investment opportunity. She was right. And if she wants to talk about the local elections, I'm sure we can have statistics about that, but if you are in a Labour council, your bill is £300 lower on average, and that is the one thing that people should be thinking about today of all days. I don't want to be too harsh on the honourable gentleman because he is someone that I am fond of, but having said that, we are now six months on from the Leader of the Opposition taking up her position.

And today an overnight will be her first major elect test, and I wonder how they think it is all going over there because they have been veering from one side of the road to the other. Just taking about any position possible. Even on Monday, they voted against their own regulator bill. They actually wrote regulator bill. They actually wrote it. And the airport mortified sports secretary who previously called it an excellent spell had to put up the best acts in a long time of speaking against it from the despatch boxes, and her leadership is being driven
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Marie Goldman Portrait Marie Goldman MP (Chelmsford, Liberal Democrat)
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Am delighted to hear about the bagpipe musicians from his constituency going to New York. That sounds like a really fantastic visit and I thank him for raising that here today. I absolute you will join

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him in congratulating them on their endeavours. I have a beautiful four year old

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I have a beautiful four year old black Labrador called shadow and one of my favourite things to do to get some exercise and clear my head is to take her on long walks. With the weather so gorgeous yesterday weather so gorgeous yesterday morning, I headed to Hylands Park, 574 acre country park that straddles 574 acre country park that straddles two constituencies including mine which is run and maintained by the which is run and maintained by the council staff with the help of a small army of volunteer.

Early in the morning, the only people who usually see a dog walker so there was nothing unusual about hearing dogs barking in the distance as I meander through the woods. But it turns out that this was no ordinary morning and the dogs were barking because their owner Rebecca had been knocked over in a canine encounter that had left her with an obviously dislocated knee. Another regular door Walker stayed with Rebecca, distracting having the pain we waited for the ambulance crew to arrive.

I would like to state for the record today just how brilliant the paramedics and hazardous response team were in helping Rebecca. It was truly a privilege to
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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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observe close-up and first-hand as they put vital skills and training they put vital skills and training in place, keeping calm, administering pain relief and eventually popping Rebecca's knee eventually popping Rebecca's knee back into place. So will the leader back into place. So will the leader of the join me in acknowledging and thanking the wonderful people working on the frontline of the East of England ambulance service and all of England ambulance service and all ambulance services across the United Kingdom as well as all the staff that supports them right away and that supports them right away and the trainee paramedics who supported us in our hour of need, and we never

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know just when that hours coming. I thank her for paying tribute to all of those paramedics, the ambulance service and those on the ambulance service and those on the frontline who come to our rescue at these moments of need. She zaps a right to raise and pay testament to right to raise and pay testament to them today in this house. As you them today in this house. As you will know, my husband is an A&E doctor, and I just think they have a different mindset, people who work different mindset, people who work on the frontline in that way because he often describes dislocated shoulders, knees, as his favourite shoulders, knees, as his favourite task to perform as an A&E consultant and I'm sure the rest of us couldn't
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Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)
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Absolutely, I will join her in supporting and welcoming the football regulator bill. She's absolutely right, communities like absolutely right, communities like hers and many are communities across this house strongly support the football regulator bill which will put fans right at the heart of the national game. Which is why were so surprised that the party opposite having pushed and led on these having pushed and led on these issues have set their faith against this important bill. It is shocking

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and shameful. I wish to join her in wishing Lapp to Luton town. Chair the backbench committee.

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Chair the backbench committee. Quite Thank you Mr Speaker. In addition to the business that leader addition to the business that leader has announced on Thursday the 22nd, there will be a debate on access to NHS dentistry which I know is a very popular subject for colleagues. Westminster Hall next week on Tuesday there will be a debate on parking regulation and of course that starts later because we are on late hours. On Thursday the eighth there will be a debate on cold damp homes followed by a debate on potential merits of government support for small outcomes.

On 13 May LB debate on the impact of churches and religious buildings. On Thursday Thursday, 15 May, a debate on funding for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. Followed by a debate on the right to maintain contact in care settings. On Thursday, 20 May, there will be a debate on pensions for people living overseas. We are running on more than five applications a week which are adding to our waiting list. By my calculations, we will get opportunities on a Tuesday and Thursday and Westminster Hall.

Those applying now will get a debate sometime before 17 November. Can I urge colleagues who are thinking of debate to get the requests in early particularly if they are time sensitive because we can grant them. And any extra time leader allocates to the backbenches will be welcomed. She can give an update on when Estimates Day debates are expected, that will help us considerably in framing those debates. Today is a glorious day, 1 May, it is a day which commemorates 1 May 1960 when
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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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back the mayor in East Birmingham to build the East Birmingham tram? build the East Birmingham tram? Under the last government, Under the last government, Birmingham lost £1 billion in support, was that the capital of Britain's unemployment and the Britain's unemployment and the capital of child poverty. the residents of East Birmingham have to residents of East Birmingham have to get new jobs, and that is why this scheme would be good if the

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scheme would be good if the ministers could show how they could be supported? Can I join him in welcoming the brilliant work of the mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker. He will know that the importance of national transport infrastructure to great cities like Birmingham but also making sure that we have local transport infrastructure like trams and the tram level we have in Greater Manchester is a fine example of that. Unless we can ensure that of that.

Unless we can ensure that local people can access those great job opportunities in the future by having that good local transport having that good local transport links, we should be endeavouring to links, we should be endeavouring to do these things. I join him in wanting to see trams in Birmingham, wanting to see trams in Birmingham, it will make a great topic for a debate. Thank you Mr Speaker. At the London Marathon last weekend, my constituent, Angus, broke not one but two MacWorld records coming the youngest and fastest man with an intellectual disability to complete the marathon raising £11,000 for the Special Olympics in doing so.

The Leader of the House join me in congratulating Angus on his incredible achievement and commit to a debate in government time on the future of disability sport in the UK?

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I'm absolutely delighted to join him in congratulating Angus on him in congratulating Angus on breaking two records, a remarkable achievement, and raising so much money for disability sports, but
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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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like many towns across this House represented by honourable members, represented by honourable members, is proliferated by a disproportionate amount of barbershops, vape shops, fishmongers and outlets that appear devoid of and outlets that appear devoid of any customer. In my area we only have one trading standards officer, which is not enough. Because which is not enough. Because something is very wrong with our high streets and my constituents are concerned and want action to deal with it. Will the Leader of the House allow a debate to discuss how we can tackle this growing epidemic of rogue traders and sham businesses which blight our communities and, instead, inspire people back to shop local again?

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First of all, can I join him in thanking Mr Speaker for hosting this thanking Mr Speaker for hosting this St. George's reception last week. I am sorry that that debate that he and the Member for Newcastle-under- Lyme have asked for could not be on Lyme have asked for could not be on St. George's day, as near to St George's Day as he might have liked. George's Day as he might have liked. We have had to put in some important government business last Thursday, government business last Thursday, in part because it was a shorter week, three day week.

-- the Thursday was more like the Wednesday rather than a traditional Thursday. I'm glad to see they have the debate now scheduled and I wish them well with that. He raises an important matter of the future of our high streets and many of the issues he
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Graeme Downie Portrait Graeme Downie MP (Dunfermline and Dollar, Labour)
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Remember has got his point on the record. I can ensure we -- cannot ensure we have the visitors visiting his constituency, no doubt the whole House is invited to the member's constituency, no doubt on the same day which will do him well. We now go to Backbench Business. The backbench debate on Parkinson's awareness month.

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Can I first extend my gratitude to the Backbench Business Committee for granting me this debate today. I for granting me this debate today. I would also like to thank members for attending today's debate, particularly with elections across particularly with elections across some parts of the country. I know the pull of the doorsteps for politicians is strong, as can be the politicians is strong, as can be the power of persuasion from party bosses. I would like to thank those bosses.

I would like to thank those included in the debate today. Can I thank the current and former chairs of the APPG on park homes, the member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend and Baroness Gale from the other place. I find it surprising and shocking there has never been a full debate in this chamber on the issue of Parkinson's. I hope to lend my voice to the approximately 225 people in my constituency and the community of 153,000 people across the UK who are facing life with Parkinson's, along with their loved ones and the dedicated professionals who support them.

Yesterday concluded Parkinson's awareness month. But we must commit to doing much more than simply raising awareness. We must act. Awareness is not progress and people with Parkinson's can no longer afford to wait. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Mainly due to people living longer lives and being diagnosed in their later years. Sometimes people do not die from Parkinson's but the condition is life limiting, complex and relentless. It does not escalate by postcode, profession, political affiliation or any other characteristic.

It strips away not only physical ability, but voice, independence and identity. It affects not only those diagnosed but their loved ones in profound and lasting ways. There is no cure. There is no treatment to slow or halt progress. There is no respite. And yet there is hope. There is a path to change and today I want to call on the government and this has on what that -- walk that path with urgency and compassion that the Parkinson's community deserves. When I was preparing for today I was given a copy of a poem, a jump too far.

A Parkinson's campaigner who was diagnosed in 2002. I think it speaks important words. 'I wish you could jump into my shoes for just an hour or so to know how I feel, for then you would know, the truth as far as it goes. I wish you could jump into my shoes when my face freezes, you cannot understand when I talk, I know it is not easy. To hear me called a miserable cow, how I wish I could talk as they are doing now.

I wish I could jump into my shoes when I cannot move across the floor. How I admire your movements, so easy and so free. I just wish they could also be me. I wish you could jump into my shoes when I cannot walk down the street and get stairs from the people that I meet. I wish you could jump into my shoes when I cannot do anything at all and reluctantly have to watch my husband do it all. I wish you could jump into my shoes to see a future I do not want to see.

With no cure in sight and I know there never will be. You hear about cancer, there are adverts all around, but awareness of PD, there is not a sound. If you could jump into my shoes, you would see how frightening PD can be.'

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You must be congratulated in bringing forward this important bringing forward this important debate. The charity Parkinson's UK organises voluntary support groups around the country, Doncaster, around the country, Doncaster, Gainsborough, brake and Scunthorpe. Gainsborough, brake and Scunthorpe. I wonder if he thinks the local authority should do more to authority should do more to encourage people to volunteer? Voluntary action across the country is quite uneven. That might be one step forward.

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step forward. I thank him for his intervention. He has anticipated a point I will make later on but I could not agree more about the requirement and need for volunteer support and increasing the awareness of the volunteer support at a point of diagnosis is a point I will make later on in my remarks. Thank you very much for that intervention. I did find the poem so moving because it reflects what I heard in Pahang today and what I suspect colleagues in the chamber here as well from my constituents living with Parkinson's.

I have been touched by the willingness and openness of these constituents, supported by Parkinson's UK to share their experiences and stories. They do so in the hope the voices combined will be greater than the sum of their parts. That together they can improve their journey for those following in their footsteps. The reality of living with Parkinson's can be harsh. While categorised as a movement disorder, it can affect movement, speech, swallowing, cognition, cause hallucinations, depression and pain. For many the condition fluctuates unpredictably throughout the day.

What might seem like a good morning can spiral deeply into a challenging afternoon. Too many people wait too long for a diagnosis. I want to draw the House's attention to their movers and shakers, a group of people with Parkinson's his outstanding contribution has been a beacon of support for those with Parkinson's. Some are in the gallery today and will be familiar to many in this House, including Julia, Rory, Mark and Nicholas. I thank them for being here today.

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I'm grateful to my honourable friend. He is making a really powerful speech about this really complex condition. He mentioned the complex condition. He mentioned the BBC technology correspondent, Rory. BBC technology correspondent, Rory. And Sophie from Romania, famous dog lover. I agree with him, the movers lover. I agree with him, the movers and shakers podcast, which were the best podcast of the year award, has shown the ability and warmth about the ups and downs, a lot of downs, the ups and downs, a lot of downs, of this very sad condition that is growing.

Can I agree with him that the attendance today is not reflective of the importance of this debate, it is electoral events outside of this House. The 153,000 sufferers in this country, would assure. Would he agree with me that when Rory lobbies, it is usually to encourage more research into this terrible condition that afflicts so many deserves government funding. I would hope that the Minister from the Treasury benches is listening also on that one.

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If Rory has told her a bit about that already, she is getting at the that already, she is getting at the repeat. On world Parkinson's day, the group brought together hundreds of people with Parkinson's to Old of people with Parkinson's to Old Palace Yard and this I in one voice. A reworked version of I Will survive. Their demands have the parking charter adopted. I will spare the House my singing voice. Their charter is a bold five-point plan backed by the three major Parkinson's charities in the UK.

This is not a wish list, it is a roadmap to dignity and I would like to outline these five demands. Speedy specialist, people referred with a possible Parkinson's diagnosis due to see a specialist in eight weeks. And a Parkinson's diagnosis should be accompanied by immediate, clear and accessible information. A Parkinson's passport, tool to communicate patient's needs across all healthcare touch points. And conference of care. Every person with Parkinson's should have access to multidisciplinary team of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists.

And the quest for a cure, a determined commitment to

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These are basic standards of decency. If I may start with two demands, diagnosis and information. Neurology services currently only see about half of patients within 18 weeks and the waiting lists now weeks and the waiting lists now exceed 200,000. The situation in Scotland and Wales follows a similar Scotland and Wales follows a similar pattern. In my constituency, five has a weight for a first appointment has a weight for a first appointment With 90% of people seen within 87 weeks.

In contrast in Forth Valley, also in my constituency, 90% of people are seen in nine weeks. There are 1836 people waiting for an appointment in five and 403 in Forth Valley. It cannot be acceptable but the postcode dictates quality of care. I heard from someone as part of the preparation for today The onset of Parkinson's disease, aged just 47. Just a few years older than myself. He said when his GP identified symptoms, he was referred I would underline the word urgently.

With the expectation from his GP that urgent means within days. When he did not hear from the hospital five days later he called and checked they got the referral. He

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was told the person at the top of the waiting list had been waiting 39 weeks so far. 39 weeks so far for an urgent appointment. Will my honourable friend give way?

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way? Would my honourable friend agree

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Would my honourable friend agree with me that waiting for a diagnosis when it does eventually come has a when it does eventually come has a massive impact not just on the individual concerned but also their individual concerned but also their wider family? And that any action on

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wider family? And that any action on this should actually be holistic and family based? I thank my honourable friend for her intervention. That was my response when I heard that story. I can imagine what it must be like for someone and their loved ones to sit there with a suggested diagnosis of something so serious and having to wait nine months before seeing a specialist even for the first time. To me this is the clash between bureaucracy and humanity. We can and must push for better.

The UK currently ranks 44th in European nations out of 45 in terms of neurologists per capita. It is not a workforce or bureaucratic issue but And a life altering injustice. Parkinson's is a condition that can progress rapidly. Delays mean lost time, lost function and lost hope. But it does not end with diagnosis. For many that is when the sense of abandonment begins. Nearly 25% of people diagnosed report they were not given adequate information about their condition and a similar number as referred to by the honourable gentleman early on were not told about the support available through Parkinson's UK, helplines, Karen fighters and groups offering support and crucial services that can help people to adapt, cope and find community.

Imagine receiving a life altering diagnosis, being sent home without a clear path, no specialist nurse, no appointment, no physiotherapist, no speech therapist. Just a prescription and a sense of knowing your life is fundamentally changing. That is not care. It is neglect. Again there is care. It is neglect. Again there is hope. The charter calls for a Parkinson's passport and it is possible the foundations already exist in the pioneered connect programs. This allows clinicians to refer people directly to a full network of support Parkinson's UK offers from specialist nursing, peer support groups, helplines and tailored advice.

It is low-cost, high-impact and crucially, scalable. I asked the Minister when she responds later, will she meet with Parkinson's UK to explore how the connect system can be scaled up in the country? This is what the system needs, solutions empowering people and alleviating pressure on the NHS The full strand of the charter is comprehensive care. People with Parkinson's shouldn't be lost in a bureaucratic labyrinth while their condition gets worse. Governments across the UK could deliver a diagnostic pathway to guarantee access to a specialist within 18 weeks of referral.

Not occasionally, not when convenient but every time. This is a manageable goal and it is in line with existing guidelines and I urge the Minister to consider the long-term workforce plan which must deliver the neurological professionals and specialist nurses this country needs. Let us remember delaying diagnosis and care leads to irreversible deterioration. The cost is not only human. It is financial. Parkinson's cost UK an estimated £3 billion per year. Much of it is avoidable through better care and early intervention. I spoke with a clinician who was emphatic that people with Parkinson's need to be able to access specialist services easily.

Those services need to be able to recognise when they administer drugs which may be administer drugs which may be helpful and patients must be able to access it easily and equally. Compared to European counterparts, the view of the clinician is we do not use advanced therapies as much as we should. Despite there being no lack of ambition in Scotland, we are lagging behind on interventions such as deep brain stimulation which can impact upon quality-of-life. There is scope and hope to grow the provision for deep brain stimulation but we need urgent action, attention and focus to make it a reality.

We cannot talk about comprehensive care without acknowledging the dedicated and wildly overstretched workforce. Health professionals do heroic work but they are overstretched. Today we are 100 full-time equivalent nurses short of what is needed. Only 44% of people with Parkinson's get access to occupational therapists. 62% physiotherapist. Just 40% to speech and language therapists. Despite the fact that it affects speech and swallowing so acutely. We must do better. The NHS must invest in multidisciplinary workforces enabling people with Parkinson's to Investing Investing in Investing in the Investing in the workforce Investing in the workforce is Investing in the workforce is not just the humane thing to do.

It is the economically smart thing to do. We need to make sure that we spend smarter. In Scotland it has been 14 years since the Christie commission talked about the urgency of reform for public services to make progress on preventative spend to improve outcomes. That commission was started by a different political party but it was the right thing to do and findings were welcomed across the political spectrum. Despite the working consensus here we are 14 years later still making the same arguments for change. I hope the Minister will confirm the forthcoming 10 year plan will make a similar commitment on preventative spending but with more outlines on how to deliver change in funding priorities, unlike the promises we have seen elsewhere.

I will move on About About Personal About Personal Independence About Personal Independence Payment and the cost of living with Parkinson's. Our support systems are failing people with Parkinson's. The average person with Parkinson's incurs extra costs of £7500 per year and when lost income is factored in, that rises to more than £22,000 per year. The IP is intended what set costs yet payments are 10% more likely to be incorrectly assessed than those with other conditions. We do know the status quo assessment and award is not fit for purpose and reforms are necessary and campaigners welcomed some of the moves in the recent Green Paper published by the government.

But government proposals to tighten eligibility, requiring a minimum score in one daily living category would miss the big picture for people with Parkinson's and could deny support to many who are This This benefit This benefit to This benefit to underpin This benefit to underpin quality This benefit to underpin quality of life. As part of that necessary reform, I urge the Minister to work with colleagues in the department to consider submissions from organisations including Parkinson's UK, and pursue the reforms of this broken system.

A Labour model of welfare support should start from a position of considering the individual and have a system embracing the principles of dignity, fairness and respect. Let me close on a note of hope from the pit demand, the quest for a cure. We stand on the brink of transformative discovery. We have scientists, momentum and we need funding now. The UK is leading the way in innovative research. Clinical trials By University College London and supported by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and Parkinson's UK and it is a global first.

A multistage trial fast tracking promising treatments. The government has invested £4.6 million, leveraging an additional 3.8 million of overseas funding and a £16 million system but I urge the government to go further. A national registry model such as schemes in the US could connect to clinical trials more effectively and better data means better, faster and more inclusive research. We will not get a cure without people being involved in trials and they are willing. As one participant put it to me, you are not doing it for you.

You are doing it for future generations. The £20 billion pledge is welcome but it affects more than 150,000 people and it cannot remain under prioritise. I asked the Minister, will she commit to discussing how targeted investment can turn hope into reality? Finally, let me return to the voices that brought us here. The charter is not a wish list. It is a manifesto for dignity. It offers a clear path forward. Speedier diagnosis. Empowering patients. Coordinated care. Comprehensive support and a determination that we will find a cure.

These are not For dignity and survival. We owe it to those living with Parkinson's now and those who will be diagnosed tomorrow to act decisively. This is the moment when we can turn awareness into action and pledges into progress. One final thing, I would like to thank in particular my Parliamentary office for bringing this issue to my attention and for conducting much research around this and making me aware and educating me and I hope others as well about the importance of tackling Parkinson's effectively and in a coordinated manner and allowing me to hear some incredible stories which I referred to today.

I look forward to hearing the contributions from all sides of

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the House and to the Minister's response. The question is as on the order paper. Thank you. Can I thank the honourable member for Dunfermline honourable member for Dunfermline for bringing this debate and also the Backbench Business Committee for the Backbench Business Committee for allowing it and the eloquent way in which he addressed the issue? I do not think there is a single thing I could have disagreed with. At the
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Saqib Bhatti Portrait Saqib Bhatti MP (Meriden and Solihull East, Conservative)
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risk of repeating some of what he said, I will try to cast my way through why I am standing here today. I have to be honest. I was of the opinion, because I have seen stories on Michael J Fox and Mohammed Ali Abdallah Parkinson's that actually there has been a lot of progress made in terms of dealing with this disease. It was only recently when I was invited to meet recently when I was invited to meet somebody in my constituency where I had this, and we all go through this as members of this house, these moments of clarity, I suppose.

Understanding actually there is a big gap. There were about 30 people, carers and people suffering from Parkinson's who eloquently spoke about their conditions, very bravely. The reality was that it gave me a moment to reflect on the fact that there is a big gap. This is a timely debate on a day when many of us will certainly have drawers on our time given the local elections. It is a privilege to speak about this. Parkinson's is a hugely debilitating disease. While there is a disproportionate amount of people who get diagnosed in later years, as we saw in the case of Michael J Fox, there is no age minimum threshold.

In fact he was diagnosed at the age of 29. It can lead to sensory issues. Voice changes. Facial masking. Of course movement issues. It really does result in a significant life altering incident. Which affects not just individuals but people around them. I was astounded and astonished to see the lack of care and support that there is for a number of reasons. I will speak today about the charter, actually which has some very reasonable and legitimate requests.

Which I will certainly support. I have worked with the government on supporting them in their endeavours on this. There are about 153,000 people who suffer from Parkinson's. We have a significant number in Solihull. I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Lindsay who After leaving hospital with a diagnosis, Jane did not know anything about the disease and she said to me, I am not sure where this will all lead me. There was a significant lack of support, lack of information and Jane had been in the teaching profession for almost 40 years, spent 17 years as a head teacher and she decided she was going to do something about it.

With going to do something about it. With the help of local GP, Sally Frank, she set up the Walsall common Parkinson's Cafe in 2022. The date will not be lost on people, the height of COVID at that point. She found being in touch with other sufferers of Parkinson's has been a lifeline. She knew people who also walked in the same shoes, share the same experiences, share the same concerns. There were only six members of this group initially but it has expanded to nearly 30.

The group meet regularly, where they get the facilities for free. I commend the church before offering that , Sally and friends have raised a tremendous amount of money, having coffee nights, quizzes, croquet games and I have raised over £230,000. Valuable money that has been raised. Only four out of the 30 had the support of Parkinson's first. Which shows the need for specialist care that is required. The chair of the Solihull branch, Martin, of Parkinson's UK, said this is a great opportunity for us to reach more people affected by the condition in the Solihull area with more information, support and he specifically gave thanks to people of Solihull village who were able to hold this in such a marvellous location at the heart of the Turning to the charter and Turning to the charter and some Turning to the charter and some of the issues, the honourable member also raised the issue of the workforce.

Clearly this is a very acute issue. I demonstrated it in terms of the four of 30 people who have access to a relevant nurse. I welcome the Minister's reflections on where the 10 year plan and NHS Workforce Plan, which we instigated in government, how that will help in terms of giving more support for those sufferers of Parkinson's? Which was also raised that I will come to know, is there is significant lack of data. I try to get figures in terms of how many people suffer from Parkinson's in my constituency from the House of Commons library and we were told, we were given list of the neurological waiting lists, but the numbers of Parkinson's sufferers who are drawn out of that was not reported or published anywhere.

I think that is a fundamental issue I would encourage the government to look at and should be addressed in the very first instance. 55 percent of those who were waiting for neurological referrals were waiting over 18 weeks. Clearly a significant number of people having to wait for a very long time. If you are like Jane, who have very little information, you are effectively left to your own devices to figure out the next step. I'm also supportive of the Parkinson's passport, what the charter calls for, not least instant access for a Blue Badge scheme for free prescriptions, but it seems to me more of a logistical operation need where if a doctor is able to assess someone and say they have Parkinson's, that sets that individual down that neurological pathway which would allow for this stuff to happen really quickly and It should be one of those things they should not have to worry about.

We know how debilitating the diseases, it is deteriorating, there is no cure, that individual is set down that path and we should be looking to see how we alleviate some of the concerns. The honourable member mentioned PIP payments as well. One of the things raised with me was the fact, the issue of reassessment and having to go through that again. If those reassessments are there to see how the individual has deteriorated and what further support needs to be given, that is a different conversation to whether they should have to go through the really rigourous PIP reassessment to see if they are entitled to that.

I think that is really stressful for them in an already stressful situation. Anything that can be done about that I will be greatly supportive of. PIP -- help to maintain a level of wellness. While there has been talk around PIP and encouraging people, we know these people are only going to deteriorate and what support can be given in that instance as well. The real question is about R&D around this. I know the government has committed £20 billion into research and funding.

I would be interested to know what their thinking is around supporting the treatment of Parkinson's. The honourable member mentions, I share his call for more funding in this field. The bit I did not realise is a lot of the treatments were developed over 50 or 60 years ago and there has been very little progress in that way. I would be very supportive of any increased funding. My remarks are limited in that because I think the honourable member went through the issues really comprehensively and I thank him for that.

The Parkinson's charter is really a manifesto for dignity. Across this House, when we do this job, we are probably all across this House agreeing that we are here to help the most vulnerable. Changes to help give those individuals dignity, I am certainly supportive of that.

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Can I begin by thanking my honourable friend for securing this
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Chris Kane Portrait Chris Kane MP (Stirling and Strathallan, Labour)
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almost one in six people with Parkinson's are under 65 and one in three Across Scotland, almost one in six people with Parkinson's are six people with Parkinson's are under 65 and one in 3/80. A reminder that this condition helps dash that this condition helps dash that this condition helps dash affects people of all ages. In 2012, John co-founded the young Parkinson's group. In 2014, John and his wife opened a small fundraising shop and over the last decade that shop has grown to a well known charity business in Stirling city centre, raising thousands for Parkinson's UK and Parkinson's research.

It is called something old, something new. I would encourage anyone visiting Stirling to drop by and see the brilliant work. Parkinson's is a condition that does not just affect the body, it affects a person's confidence and ability to stay connected. While treatment is crucial, having the right support networks in place matters just as much. Parkinson's UK supports over 45 million groups across Scotland and works with more than 300 volunteers. These groups provide everything from exercise and dance classes to singing and art sessions, helping people stay active and part of a community that understands what they are going through.

We have seen this community spirit in action. The local gym has boxing sessions specifically for people with Parkinson's. With support from the Grants program. These sessions are all about building strength and mobility in a building strength and mobility in a safe and supported way, no one is getting knocked out and no one is Tyson Fury. The benefits are real and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For those who prefer football, the Stirling Albion foundation launched a walking football session for people with Parkinson's, on Tuesday mornings, the sessions promote movement, -- coordination and connection.

And a lot of laughter also. I want to thank the team not just for this initiative but their wider work initiative but their wider work across the community. I also want to wish them a happy 80th birthday in 2025. These activities are all examples of where communities are stepping up to support those living with Parkinson's. It's uplifting to see such creativity and compassion at a local level and I know this is being replicated in communities right across the United Kingdom. I right across the United Kingdom.

I want to mention a remarkable local figure. This month marks the anniversary of Parkinson's nurses who specialist knowledge makes a difference to families and those with Parkinson's. Kate is a specialist nurse who has worked in the field since 1996. She is a founding member of the Association for nurse specialists. Last month for nurse specialists. Last month In recognition of the incredible work she has done over three decades. She is exactly the kind of specialist nurse we need more of.

That is why investment matters for Parkinson's treatment and the NHS in general. The Labour government committed almost £26 billion to the NHS in a recent budget and that is already starting to make a difference. Since election, additional 3 million appointments with waiting this falling by nearly 50,000. That is helping people get back to work, back to their lives back to health. In Scotland, one in six Scots is waiting for care and over 100,000 have waited over a year. These are not just numbers, they are our neighbours, friends, constituents.

Left in limbo by a system that needs urgent attention. NHS staff across Scotland are doing their best but they are being let down by lack of strategic leadership and long-term planning, by the poorly performing SNP Scottish poorly performing SNP Scottish government. While the challenges are real, so is the determination of communities across the country to meet up. I want to pay tribute to Parkinson's UK for the incredible work they do, not just supporting people and raising awareness but campaigning for better services and leading research into a cure.

I want to thank those working behind the scenes, the researchers striving for breakthroughs, nurses delivering expert care and the many volunteers who bring energy, kindness and hope to the communities every day. Can I recognise the thousands of individuals who raise money by undertaking personal challenges all around the country. Internationally, my constituent has recently returned from an eight day trek across Costa Rica which raised more than £3000 for Parkinson's UK. Argus is may be a tough diagnosis but thanks to people like John, and, K, Kim and others and the team are Parkinson's UK and all of the staff in the NHS, no one has to face it alone.

Together we can build a future where everyone affected by Parkinson's feels supported, empowered and heard.
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Seamus Logan Portrait Seamus Logan MP (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Scottish National Party)
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I would like to thank the honourable member for Dunfermline and Dollar for securing this important debate. I agreed with everything that he said in his excellent speech. Except for one small thing. Given the importance of the topic, I was shocked to find that the last time Parkinson's had been debated was in 2017. My research may be wrong on that point but that is what I was led to believe. I hope the discussion today is of such a calibre that it will make up for the long time since we had that debate.

All of my remarks today are entirely in the spirit of cross-party cooperation on this issue. I have no intention to make any cheap party political points,

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either in relation to the UK or I had a career in health and social care more than 30 years, 17 as a commissioner, was a regional as a commissioner, was a regional director. I have to say it is to my director. I have to say it is to my shame that Parkinson's rarely got a look in when we looked at physical disability. Of course it did but not to the extent it should have done. I to the extent it should have done.

I would like to pay tribute to those living with Parkinson's and their families. This condition affects, as families. This condition affects, as has been said, around 153,000 in the UK and at least 257 in my constituency. I also paid tribute to the volunteers who do tireless work and have been referred to, supporting people living with Parkinson's. Parkinson's UK do incredible work to support people across the UK and in my constituency. They run support That Tasha Birch has done amazing work, particularly for me today but I know that you might consider extending the work of those support groups to the western part of my constituency.

These groups are a vital in delivering support to the community. Just knowing that you have a support network nearby people going through the same thing. Staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. It makes such an incredible difference to people going through what can be the hardest time of their life. Research has been mentioned. It is right research funding goes to areas like cancer, diabetes and motor neurone disease. But Parkinson's is sadly the poor cousin when it comes to research. The Member for Dunfermline has already pointed out that it is the fastest growing degenerative condition in the world.

And yet sadly Parkinson's UK tell me that there is no treatment. To stop or slow down the condition. Only to deal with the symptoms. That is something we must address as a something we must address as a parliament as we go forward. I want to focus minds about how the benefits system treats people living with Parkinson's. Many members in this place have already raised concerns about changes to eligibility announced by the government in March. It goes without saying these changes will have a severe, negative impact potentially on those living with Parkinson's.

It can be contrasted with the disability payment introduced by the Scottish Government, replacing Personal Independence Payments. People with Parkinson's and those involved in the application process have reported that the assessment is much more accurate and compassionate than PIP. Importantly the application uses paper-based evidence as opposed to an in-person assessment. Which has issues of face-to-face assessments stemming not from assessors or criteria being able to capture the reality of a condition that fluctuates as heavily as Parkinson's. I'm sure the Minister is paying attention to me here.

But I am aware that when the Work Capability Assessment was dropped from Universal Credit assessment, the Westminster government did not communicate that to the Scottish Government. I am hopeful that going forward there will be a better level of communication in that regard. In March 2023, the work and pensions committee, reporting on health assessments and benefits, recorded that when the Scottish Government published its plan to valuation -- plan evaluation, they should learn from the result and consider what changes if any should be made to benefits assessments.

I would be keen to hear the thoughts of the Minister about this in closing remarks. Finally I make the point that the principles embedded in the welfare system should be a matter of principle for all MPs. We need to prioritise systems that treat people with the dignity and respect they deserve. There is an opportunity to learn from the Scottish Government approach to disability benefits and I urge that you pay government to consider replicating that approach in Scotland to delivering better outcomes to those living with Parkinson's.



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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Firstly can I thank my honourable friend the Member for Dunfermline for securing this very important debate in the chamber today? I thank debate in the chamber today? I thank invoice eloquent speech. No words I would disagree with. Parkinson's as he described as the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Around 150,000 people live with the condition in the UK. In April we marched world Parkinson's day and marched world Parkinson's day and awareness month and as part of an awareness month and as part of an event in parliament, I had the opportunity to hear directly from people affected.

I am grateful to Angie from Parkinson's UK for taking the time to share her experience and discuss how to improve care and support for people living with support for people living with Parkinson's. It is for people like Angie that I wanted to contribute to the debate today. For me, as I know will be the case for other honourable members, it is personal. Through the experiences of friends and loved ones I have seen first- hand the impact of a Parkinson's diagnosis. I would like to briefly share some stories today.

First, the mother of one of my closest friends was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018. A person for whom it would be no exaggeration to describe as one of the warmest, kindest, most generous people you could meet. The kind of mother who makes you feel like part of the family and always insist you stay for dinner. She also has benefited from the Movers and Shakers group and with the support
12:37
Josh Dean Portrait Josh Dean MP (Hertford and Stortford, Labour)
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of Parkinson's UK, she and some friends, all working age people diagnosed, have set up the well- diagnosed, have set up the well- being directory. Working with the NHS and other organisations, their work make sure Hertfordshire work make sure Hertfordshire residents diagnosed with Parkinson's can quickly, easily get information and access local support to manage their condition. Residents can their condition. Residents can access the directory by visiting online and I take the opportunity to thank the group inspirational work helping others with their diagnosis.

helping others with their diagnosis. I also want to talk about Andy. When I first met Andy, he was introduced to me as the husband of my local Labour Party's long-standing or perhaps long-suffering election agent. I was about 19 at the time, standing in a local council election in what used to be true blue Hertfordshire that I was destined to lose. Little did I know just how important Andy and Brenda would be to me by the time I was elected here in July last year.

In so many ways, I would not be standing here as the member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford were it not for Andy and Brenda. When I was preparing for this debate, I reflected on the fact I could not actually pin down when or how Andy had told me about his Parkinson's diagnosis. That is a testament to his innate ability to turn topics others may find difficult to discuss into everyday conversation. I learned much about myself through simple conversation, travelling from visit to visit with him during the general election.

It is also a testament to his willingness to speak openly about his Parkinson's, breaking down the stigma for others, knowing it does not define him and it can make it easier for others to talk about their own condition. Today Andy is not just a mental but a friend and it is a privilege to put his name in the debate today. -- A supporter. I pay tribute to Julie Walker, writing a regular column in our local newspaper for the past seven years to help people better understand life with Parkinson's.

Diagnosed aged 44, every year, she does something to mark Parkinson's Awareness Month in the hope of a cure will be found and there will be no need for another. Julie this year compiled all the poems she has written into a book with the proceeds going to Parkinson's UK and cure Parkinson's. -- Cure Parkinson's. I urge everybody to support her work. I also support the work being done in our community to support those living with Parkinson's. I was pleased to read this week that a group is partnering with Parkinson's UK for the fourth year running to provide residents with free fitness memberships.

It means patients in our community can access gym facilities, swimming pools and exercise classes in Hertford and Bishop's Stortford alongside up to 3 of their carers. I would encourage any residents living with Parkinson's to take advantage of this support. I welcome the work this Labour government is undertaking to deliver the 10 year plan for England which will radically reform how people with long-term conditions like Parkinson's are treated on the NHS. With hundreds of thousands of patients in England still on a waiting list for neurology services, almost 50% waiting 18 weeks to start treatment, I welcome how the electoral reform will deliver more neurology appointments every year.

Nobody should lay awake at night worried their condition is worsening or they will not see a specialist. By providing extra appointments and operations in the evenings and at weekends I know this government will clear the backlog for appointments. But we can go further. I do have some policy questions I would like to raise which I would be grateful First, as other honourable members said today, a number of residents have written to me calling on the government to implement the five steps set out in the Charter.

Set up eloquently by my honourable friend the Member for Dunfermline. Speedy specialists, information, a Parkinson's passport, comprehensive care and a quest for a cure. Incredibly important. I would like to touch on the point about the passport. A number of residents have written to me and raised the importance of free prescriptions which they are entitled to in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but not England. A number of residents have raised this with me. Supported by major charities, delivery of the charter would help deliver timely diagnosis, comprehensive care and dignity for all those living with Parkinson's.

I know the Minister takes these matters seriously and will have read the charter in detail. I would be grateful if you could share what considerations she has given to it in her response. When I spoke to Andy ahead of the day, he highlighted how almost everybody he has met with a diagnosis recognises in hindsight the signs of their condition were present years before diagnosis. Can I ask if the Minister has considered potential benefits of a national education system programs to identify the early signs of to identify the early signs of Parkinson's? I know honourable members across this House have their own experiences or will have known somebody with Parkinson's disease.

We have heard many moving speeches today and I am sure that we will hear more. The unity in the House today to support people living with Parkinson's and to find a cure is commendable and I am grateful to have contributed to this debate

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today. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the honourable gentleman for Dunfermline for leading this debate Dunfermline for leading this debate with such a detailed and emphatic way and I thank my staff in my office for access to the most up- to-date information. There are some to-date information. There are some things I did not know about and we things I did not know about and we thank him for that. That is helpful. It is good to consider these issues going forward.

Parkinson's is a devastating condition which impacts thousands across the United Kingdom. I'm very pleased to be here today to
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Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
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support those people first of all and to speak about an issue which is a big issue for my constituents in a big issue for my constituents in Strangford, where more people are moving to live there and by and large people of a certain large people of a certain generation. And their susceptibility generation. And their susceptibility to Parkinson's is part of that, so to Parkinson's is part of that, so complex needs come into it and I want to speak on the issue of PIP.

want to speak on the issue of PIP. It is a big issue for my staff and myself and one staff member does nothing else over the time and it is important for me to represent my constituents and the health spokespeople close to my heart. We all know someone, be it a family member, a friend, somebody we know and representing that is half the battle of achieving change. The figures have been outlined on the scope of this issue. Across our country. Forgive my own noble perspective.

Across Northern Ireland, some 4,000 people have been diagnosed. In the majority of those cases, impacting people aged 70-89. In my constituency we have around 229 people suffering with Parkinson's. Those recognised impacts include tremors, instability, stiffness and often people with Parkinson's will just feel freezing cold nearly all the time, even when it is warm for the rest of us. So not just non-motor systems but fatigue and cognitive changes. I was pleased to attend the Parliamentary drop in earlier this month where I was grateful for myself and others to be able to discuss the PIP payments and how this will affect people with Parkinson's.

I have also submitted numerous questions on this matter to highlight the scope of the issue. I have heard from many constituents in relation to this as well. Family members concerned for their family member who has the disease. Parkinson's UK has revealed people incur on average extra costs of some £7500 per year and furthermore with the loss of earnings factored in, it can rise to some £22,000. So Personal Independent Payment is a crucial payment to help with the additional cost when it comes and it is not an incentive to not work.

I get quite annoyed when I hear people saying that. People want to work but sometimes your disability restricts your ability to do that. It is not means tested. It is not related to employment status. Changes have been discussed in that people would only be eligible if they score four or more points in one category which with so many people with a wide range of issues stemming from their illness, it will directly impact them and I have real concerns about the proposals and I am looking forward to making changes.

People with Parkinson's are on average 10% more likely to be inaccurately assessed for payments and we have reverted that beforehand. Compared to payments with other conditions which I think is shocking. Whenever the person has Parkinson's and you see an assessment coming through, the person who marks and looks at that application needs to understand that we went into this in my office and our appeals. That is not a criticism. I say that because it tells me there is something wrong with how the applications are looked at.

There is clearly a system with security provisions and it has been overlooked and I urge the Minister to look at this in conjunction with I'll try to make my comments constructive. It is not meant to be anything other than constructive. I am a strong supporter of investing in research. They stepped Queen's University is a herb that connects healthcare professionals and the community. More funding should be available like this which would make a pivotal mark on brain health research.

There is so much work to be done. If we are able to work together, we can do more to cure diseases such as Parkinson's. To conclude, for Parkinson's awareness month, let's do all we can to support and progress better opportunity for people. I urge the Minister to look at the surrounding benefits and Social Security and I look forward to working closely alongside colleagues on all sides of the chamber and ministers to lobby for more change for better treatment for people with Parkinson's. Thank you.
12:48
Jas Athwal Portrait Jas Athwal MP (Ilford South, Labour)
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Can I start by thanking my honourable friend, the member for Dunfermline and Dollar, for securing this vitally important debate and speaking so eloquently and highlighting the work, the shortcomings we still have to overcome and members all sides of the chamber for speaking movingly and powerfully, making the point that we have to do more. Every hour, to people's lives are forever changed by the Parkinson's diagnosis. Some 18,000 men and women every year receiving a diagnosis that casts a shadow over their future.

One of those people is my constituent, Jack. The husband, a father Merson, a brother. He shared with me when he received his diagnosis, he said he broke down right outside the hospital. This is a strong personality with strong physical attributes, a black belt. For someone who grew up in the East End, tough as nails. But Parkinson's broke him down that day. Parkinson's awareness month provides a precious opportunity to raise awareness about these personal battles, to discuss how we can support constituents with the disease and spotlight the resilience of those with Parkinson's.

And today I would like to share the story. Although the initial diagnosis was overwhelming, he told me how his faith anchored he told me how his faith anchored him and gave him the courage to turn his challenge into a mission of a Sikh principle of selfless service. In 2022 he raised 15,000 for Parkinson's UK. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Two months later he trekked in Nepal. Recently he travelled to Uganda to support those with Parkinson's. Abroad, he has achieved great feats and at home in Ilford he has achieved something even greater.

In Ilford, he has built a community for those living with Parkinson's. Having taught martial arts fourth five years prior, he launched the dopamine Warriors boxing club, a free boxing class designed for those with Parkinson's. Exercise, like boxing, has been proven to slow down the progression of Parkinson's. Nearly 50 attendees coming to his class across East London, his classes are a lifeline. Attendees come from all walks of life, different backgrounds and ethnicities. These classes have become a space without stigma.

A place where tremors does not set people apart. And a space where people can connect with one another. One particular story that particularly moved me, he mentioned In their class in a wheelchair as a result of his symptoms. By the end of his first session, the gentleman left the class on his own two feet. Them, do -- the, ardently in the class gave him the encouragement he needed to stand on his own two feet. I'm glad part of the Labour government's 10 year plan for the NHS is shifting care into the community.

In his own corner of the world, he is making that vision into reality. His classes demonstrate that whilst we may not have a cure for Parkinson's yet, we do have the ability to improve people's lives now. By building spaces like the boxing club to provide people with a sense of belonging, community and encouragement. We know it to him and every other person battling this disease to match their courage with our action. By fighting for our NHS, investing in our community care and by ensuring that regardless of a cure, no one faces Parkinson's alone.

Thank you.
12:53
Kirsteen Sullivan Portrait Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Bathgate and Linlithgow, Labour )
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I would like to thank my honourable friend the Member for Dunfermline and Dollar, for securing this debate today which has been incredibly powerful and impactful. I would also like to thank the honourable member for Ilford South for sharing that incredibly powerful and emotional story of his constituent cosmic journey. I'm sure that is something that will remain with many of us today. I would like to thank constituents who wrote to me today and share their personal stories.

It is not often easy to reach out to someone you do not know and have never met before and share those painful aspects of your life. Like my honourable friend, I was shocked and surprised to hear that Parkinson's has never been fully debated in this chamber. In 2017 it debated in this chamber. In 2017 it was an adjournment debate on Young onset Parkinson's. But we are writing that record today. Across the UK there are 153,000 people living with Parkinson's and over 13,000 in Scotland.

For those living with the condition, it often comes with a complex condition, affecting speech, mobility, sleep and 30 percent of those living with Parkinson's also have dementia, which greatly impacts their care needs. Yet far too many go without any information about support services available after their diagnosis. Those with Parkinson's and their caregivers experience a complex care journey which is all too often isolating from society. We have already heard today about the significant and harrowing impact that will have on mental health.

The experience of Parkinson's disease is heartbreaking for us to hear today but even more difficult for those who how to deal with it and live with it day in and day out. When I think of Parkinson's I recall think of Parkinson's I recall someone I once knew many years ago and his road to diagnosis was long. He was a young man, a bowler at the heart of his club, on the green and in the clubhouse. But it became very clear that something was very wrong as he started to stumble and struggle to walk.

That often led to Hoechst whispers of concern as to what could possibly be wrong in someone so young. Unaware of what was causing the changes to his body, impacting his mobility and coordination. As a result, the participation in the support he loves and the community he loved, he was showing early signs of the condition where symptoms can easily be misattributed to other illnesses. It turned out he had young onset Parkinson's which impacts more than 20 of those living with the condition.

I saw first-hand how a lack of awareness of Parkinson's symptoms and young onset Parkinson's can cause anxiety, confusion, distress and can result in delay in seeking help. I think this highlights how important it is to have well funded and comprehensive medical and community support for those living with Parkinson's. But unfortunately these stories are not unique. From constituents emailing with the worries and personal stories from friends and family, we each know how devastating this disease can be.

Across Scotland, the situation is dire. Waiting times for diagnosis are deeply distressing over half the Parkinson's patients in the Borders, Ayrshire and Arran, experience weight of over 48 weeks. My constituency covered by Forth My constituency covered by Forth Valley NHS border and Lothian, NHS weights can be more than 20 weeks before 1/4 of patients. These reflect delay diagnosis and leave many people struggling alone and without help. The symptoms can be frightening and do demand dedicated support.

It is imperative that the Scottish Government gets a shift on to start to tackle those wait times and bring clarity to people at a and bring clarity to people at a time of great uncertainty. And deliver the support that they need. Because it goes beyond the physical. I do welcome this government's investment to bring down waiting list to speed up diagnosis times, but we cannot rest on our laurels because there is too much work that needs to be done.

By investing in research, improving healthcare access and fostering a supportive community, we can offer hope and improve quality of life for many. As MPs, MSPs and local representatives, it is our duty to ensure that those living with Parkinson's disease and their families have access to the best possible care and. And we have to recognise there have been key milestones achieved by campaigners, research scientists to alleviate pain and isolation caused by this condition. But we must continue to raise awareness about Parkinson's to reduce the stigma and ensure that those affected feel heard, understood and supported.

The public awareness in recent years is so important to those facing years ahead with this disease. They must know they are not alone and where they can access help. I would like to share my gratitude to work of Parkinson's UK, it has been invaluable. We have heard so much about that fantastic work across the country today. But I would also like to recognise their advocacy of Billy Connelly. His bravery and honesty in talking about his diagnosis and his life with Parkinson's is filled with his characteristic ability to approach even the darkest of subjects with humour.

He has cut through that can often be difficult for some of those politicians to achieve. And has sparked a much- achieve. And has sparked a much-

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My thanks to the honourable member for Dunfermline for the event member for Dunfermline for the event that he organised. I was privileged that he organised. I was privileged to meet Dave Clark, a former TV sports presenter, who is also an sports presenter, who is also an incredibly fierce advocate and successful fundraiser for successful fundraiser for Parkinson's UK. He took the time to speak to me about the speak to me about the unpredictability of his condition and how it can change on a daily basis.

I think we need to take these personal testimonies into account when we are considering any changes to the welfare system. And indeed his experience really reinforces the point we have already heard today. Finally, I am glad this debate could take place here today in this chamber, as the centre of our democracy. This House is where support for those living with Parkinson's must be allowed.
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Patricia Ferguson Portrait Patricia Ferguson MP (Glasgow West, Labour)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can I begin by congratulating my colleague, the honourable member for Dunfermline for securing this important debate at the end of Parkinson's Awareness Month? I would like to begin by paying tribute to an old friend and former colleague, an SNP member of this House briefly in the 1970s, and a member of the Scottish parliament, and as an independent from 1999 until her death in 2014. Anybody who knows all new Margot would remember she was a force of nature.

Anything she did was done with her typical determination, wit and humour. I would credit Margot with my limited understanding of Parkinson's and its variability. Because Margot, for all the time she was in the Scottish parliament had Parkinson's. But it did not stop her from being one of the most effective communicators and advocates for her constituency. In my own constituency of Glasgow West, some 222 people are believed to be living with Parkinson's as we speak. I want to thank those who care for them.

Professionals, family members and volunteers. For their hard work and commitment. As we have heard today, there is no cure for Parkinson's. Current treatment can only manage some symptoms. It can be a frightening disease. Excuse me. One that can lead to depression and despair. In Scotland alone, there are approximately 13 new diagnosis cases every week. In 2024, part of Parkinson's UK in Scotland produced an excellent report called "Scotland In the report it highlighted the many challenges people with Parkinson's currently face and the problems that will arise if the challenge of the increased number of people diagnosed is not addressed.

Their report drew on experience and robust data and makes for some very important points. They highlight that investing in professional staff who can offer the kind of specialist treatment people with Parkinson's need would be an important step need would be an important step forward. Existing staff are already stretched and if action is not taken soon, they will be pushed to breaking point. Ensuring that people get the appropriate medication when needed, whether they are in hospital, or at home, is also vital.

Crucially the mental health impacts of Parkinson's need addressing. Including Parkinson's dementia which can be a frightening aspect for patients and families. A recent request revealed that since the year 2020, less than £500,000 was spent by the Scottish Government on research into Parkinson's. By my calculations, that is something like two pounds per head for people suffering from the disease -- four suffering from the disease -- four The effort to find a cure will have to inevitably be a global exercise and one that this government I am sure will want to play a large part in.

But I think everyone has to get their act together, including the Scottish Government and they have to up their game because at the end of the day, we want to find a preventative approach to Parkinson's. But a cure on the way would be helpful as well. Parkinson's Scotland rightly called its report "Scotland can't wait" and they are right. The people diagnosed every week cannot wait. The 222 people in Glasgow waste cannot wait either. It is time for governments on both side of the border to -- Glasgow West cannot wait.

It is time Glasgow West cannot wait. It is time for the government on both sides of the border to act and do better for people with Parkinson's, or their families and the staff supporting families and the staff supporting them. Parkinson's UK have shown the way. It is now time we followed it.
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Alison Bennett Portrait Alison Bennett MP (Mid Sussex, Liberal Democrat)
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I come to the front benches now.

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Liberal Democrat spokesperson. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would like to begin by thanking the honourable member for Dunfermline for bringing this debate Dunfermline for bringing this debate today. Which is so important. I would like to thank all members who would like to thank all members who contributed. I think we have all made excellent contributions that were thoughtful and moving. Right were thoughtful and moving. Right now in the UK, around 153,000 people are living with Parkinson's and that are living with Parkinson's and that number is set to increase by the year 2030 up to 172,000.

Richard from Burgess Hill in my constituency of Mid Sussex is one of those many thousands. I count Richard as a friend and he is somebody I greatly admire for his courage and tenacity. I was lucky enough to speak to him recently and get a brief insight into some of his life with Parkinson's. He told me that something he has noticed since his diagnosis is increased anxiety. He says he now gets anxious about everyday things in a way he never used to.

He also told me the part of his experience he has found most depressing has been knowing that it is "a one-way street" where his condition can only be managed by using ever increased levels of medication. From even a short conversation with Richard, it is clear how complex experiences can be. But it is also clear to me that we need to do better as many honourable members said. We do have solutions already but we just need Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

It is progressive. It fluctuates and it affects everything. Movement, swallowing, sleep, speech and mental health. There are more than 40 symptoms and each person's experience is unique. 50% of people living with it like Richard experience anxiety or depression. Up experience anxiety or depression. Up to 60% can develop psychosis. They are also six times more likely to develop dementia. Parkinson's UK has identified some of the major failures in care today and they include long waiting for specialist as honourable members noted. A lack of access to expert multidisciplinary teams.

People not getting their medication on time in hospital. Limited mental health and dementia support. And a postcode lottery when it comes to advanced treatments like deep brain stimulation. These failings have consequences. Unplanned hospital stays. Severe complications. Worsening mental health. Parkinson's costs the UK and incredible £3 billion a year. In England alone, unplanned hospital admissions cost £277 million. Not only is this a health crisis but one with really significant economic impact. I add my Liberal Democrat colleagues believe the system must change urgently and the government must act.

First, we have to fix the basics. To do this we need to review the medicines supply chain. People with Parkinson's must get medication on time. We need to expand the capacity of the system, reversing the 40% workforce cut and reduce the time for treatment to reach patients. Second, we need to put care and support front and centre. We can do this by giving people with Parkinson's access to a named GP who knows their story and condition. And by making mental health a priority, not an afterthought.

That means regular health checkups. Easy access to services and walk in hubs and restoring the mental health and dementia care targets this government has abandoned. This government must step up and support carers. Behind every person with Parkinson's is often somebody else. Somebody who cares for them. Somebody who is quietly exhausted. We must provide respite and make sure that carers get access to paid leave. We need to fix the broken social care system once and for all. It is time for those cross-party talks.

No more delays. As I have said before, we will clear our diaries to get those cross-party talks happening. This issue is simply too important for diary clashes. I wonder if the Minister could give us any clarity and a date on those vital talks today. Finally, we have got to help people live and work with dignity. I add my Liberal Democrat colleagues are campaigning for a new right to flexible work. Better accessibility standards for public spaces. A stronger blue badge framework.

The incorporation of the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities into UK law. The closing of the disability employment gap. Which we can do if we implement a dedicated strategy for disabled workers. Simplified application process. And introduce Adjustment Passport. Workplace support then follows the person even if their job changes. This is a health issue. An economic issue and a social justice issue. It is about, as others have said, human dignity. We owe it to people living with Parkinson's that we must do better.

Parkinson's that we must do better. Not some day but now. Let's build a future where those with Parkinson's like Richard get the proper help and support that they deserve. Thank

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you. Shadow Minister.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a pleasure to write and speak on behalf of his Majesty's opposition on this most important
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Gregory Stafford Portrait Gregory Stafford MP (Farnham and Bordon, Conservative)
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opposition on this most important debate. I commend the honourable member for Dunfermline for securing it and of course his heartfelt speech. I was particularly moved by the recitation of the poems and the highlighting of the podcaster. I thank all honourable members for their heartfelt contributions on behalf of their constituents and those across the country living with Parkinson's. And some of the inspiring stories we have heard such as that raised by the honourable member for Ilford South and raised by the honourable member for Stirling and Strathallan.

I do know today that because of other events going on in the country, we had a relatively Scottish flavour to our debate today. But Parkinson's Awareness Month is a UK wide month and it is a time to focus national attention on an issue that affects more than 150,000 people in the UK. A number that continues rising. This disease impacts individuals, families, carers and communities. It challenges body and spirit. Demanding a comprehensive response from all sections of society. We often only learn about Parkinson's from friends, families and colleagues as highlighted powerfully by the honourable member for Glasgow West.

For me this is a very personal issue. A close family member was initially diagnosed and treated for Parkinson's. More recently that diagnosis was revised to progressive policy, a rarer and more aggressive condition. This journey from uncertainty to diagnosis and living with a progressive neurological condition has profoundly impacted my family. I have seen first-hand the critical importance of early diagnosis, specialist care, emotional support, and above all hope. Since becoming an MP I have spoken to many constituents across my constituency about people affected by Parkinson's and been inspired by their bravery and strength in responding to the cruel difficulties life has thrown at them.

There is no cure as we have said. That is one of the many challenges people and loved ones face on diagnosis. But thanks to advances in research and medicine, there are improving treatments to help manage and relieve symptoms. As a result many people can have a normal or nearly normal life expectancy. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and medication can help relieve symptoms and enable people to keep living independently at home longer. In my constituency, people with Parkinson's benefited from free membership of local leisure centres, helping them stay active and manage symptoms.

But there is more to do, research, diagnosis, treatment and hopefully a Earlier this month, ahead of world Parkinson's day, I met with Parkinson's UK and individuals affected by the condition. I heard powerful accounts from volunteers about the daily challenges they face, mobility issues, speech issues and the emotional toll on themselves and their families. I commend Parkinson's UK for their tireless work, providing support and advocacy at every stage of the Parkinson's journey. Help is available via the website and helpline and I encourage everyone to reach out.

There are many who do not know what support is out there and this must change. I want to praise local charities and volunteers across my constituency and the country. I have experience working in healthcare and during my time with the NHS getting it right programme, I was involved with the reports, highlighting significant variations in neurology services across England, particularly in managing things like Parkinson's disease. It included timely access to neurology services, the time pathways, the expansion of the neurological workforce, including advanced practitioners, and much better data, as mentioned.

These recommendations are essential to reducing disparities and improving outcomes. Can the Minister today commit to addressing these three priorities in more detail beyond just general references to cutting waiting this and updating the workforce plan? Medical research in the UK is funded by public and private sectors. As well as charities and non-governmental organisations. In 2022, nearly £250 million were spent on neurological research, including Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative conditions. Across 1873 individual projects. Parkinson's UK and cure Parkinson's alone contributed £2.6 million.

Under the previous Conservative government we invest in more than £79 million on research into Parkinson's disease between 2019 and 2024. In the year 2022/23, the National Institute for Health and Care Research enabled 114 studies related to Parkinson's through its infrastructure. And we rolled out a new treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease through the NHS starting in February 24, offering new routes for patients who were no longer responding to oral medications. What research funding will be maintained or increased? What new treatment options are being supported or explored? We also may progress in workforce planning, recruited record numbers of doctors and nurses and producing the first long-term workforce plan.

The plan recognise the need for more specialist nurses and clinicians in areas like neurology. The new government committed to updating the plan, will they retain the same level of detail and the focus on specialist roles needed for Parkinson's care? I want to raise concerns from constituents regarding recent shortages of medications, which have distressing consequences for people trying to manage their condition. The government acknowledged the supply constraints but what action is being taken to restore and secure access to these medications.

We have heard concerns about the potential impact of current's proposed pharmaceutical tariffs. What assessment has been made of the risks this could pose to access and affordability of Parkinson's treatments. Turning to the Labour government's record to date, I believe Parkinson's has yet to be identified as a strategic priority. What level of funding is being allocated to Parkinson's research this year? How does this compare to recent years? There are also wider concerns about the implications of tax and benefit changes in the budget, as the honourable member full-strength raised, including the national raised, including the national insurance rise.

Many people with Parkinson's rely on social care services which are not exempt from these national insurance rises. Has any assessment be made of extra costs this will place on Local Authorities, charities and self funders. Charities like Parkinson's UK do extraordinary work but they are also affected by rising costs. How are charities engaging with the sector to understand what is reducing research and investment. We know neurology waiting times are know neurology waiting times are among the longest in the NHS, whether be a plan to address the specifically? Will there be a long- term strategy for neurological conditions, including Parkinson's, with clear plans for service integration between the NHS and social care.

A multidisciplinary, multiagency approach is vital for people with Parkinson's to live full, independent lives. What guarantees can the Minister offer that recent restructuring in NHS England will not worse access to Parkinson's services, delay initiatives or harm continuity of care. With cuts to integrated care boards, can the Minister reassure people with Parkinson's and their families that they will not be disadvantaged? The House is united in wanting to improve treatment, support and outcomes for people with Parkinson's. We hope the government will listen carefully to today's contributions and respond with clear commitments that include action on workforce, waiting times, integration, support for carers and access to research and in.

Parkinson's is a relentless condition that robs individuals of independence and dignity. With research, investment, compassionate care and community support, we can care and community support, we can The Conservative party stands ready to work constructively with the government and members from all parties to ensure progress is not only continued but accelerated. Let us match awareness with action, only with action comes hope.
13:23
Ashley Dalton Portrait Ashley Dalton MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care (West Lancashire, Labour)
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I call the Minister.

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I'm grateful to my honourable friend, the member for Dunfermline friend, the member for Dunfermline and Dollar, for raising this important issue and I congratulate him for leading the first substantive debate for Parkinson's substantive debate for Parkinson's in the House. I would like to thank in the House. I would like to thank all of the Back-Bench Members for their insightful contributions, raising various issues. Aberdeenshire, Strangford, Ilford Aberdeenshire, Strangford, Ilford South, and many more. While they always various issues, I think it is fair to say that everybody that has spoken today, including the Front Bench contributions, have raised the importance of the voluntary and community sector and shared some powerful and important stories from their constituents.

April was Parkinson's awareness month and I want to pay tribute to fantastic charities that make it a success. Parkinson's UK, kill Parkinson's and the brain charity, to name a few. I was moved to see how many people had contributed to the knit it blew campaign, over 500 beautiful knitted tulips. I want to pay tribute to the movers and shakers these podcast is doing a fantastic job in raising awareness and advocating for better care and treatment for those living with Parkinson's.

Awareness campaigns really do deliver results. Just look at the get it on time campaign which has led to over 100 NHS organisations pledging to improve the delivery of time critical medication, something that has been raised a number of times in this debate. Backed by resources and training materials commissioned by training materials commissioned by NHS England. And now the charter, galvanising public and professional awareness about the needs of the Parkinson's community to ensure timely diagnosis, comprehensive care and dignity for all people with Parkinson's.

We recognise the challenges of living with Parkinson's and hear the calls from the Parkinson's community for more research, shorter waiting times for neurology appointments and more Parkinson's nurses and multidisciplinary teams to deliver Parkinson's care. The Parkinson's UK website has given a voice to many patients living across the country, and I echo the comments made by Andrew in the West Midlands that our Parkinson's nurses are worth their weight in gold. Neurology is particularly challenging and we do need more neurologists and specialist nurses.

Nationally there are initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for Parkinson's patients. NHS's England getting it right first time neurology program supports improvements to Parkinson's care by promoting data driven approaches, sharing best practices and fair access to services. It focuses on improving patient experiences, shining a spotlight on disparities in care and calling for well integrated processes, for example integrated processes, for example people getting their Meds on time. The NHS Constitution sets out that patients should start consultant led treatment within eight weeks from referral.

NHSE published an elective reform plan in January setting out steps towards meeting this target by the end of this Parliament. We've already achieved our pledge to deliver an additional 2 million elective appointments between July and new member 2024 -- November 2024 compared to 2023 in the same period. Ahead of schedule. The first step to delivering our commitment that 92 percent of patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant led treatment. By March 2029. The Department for Work and Pensions offers personal independent payments to individuals with health conditions or disabilities, however there is currently no automatic entitlement to PIP in relation to any specific health condition except in cases of people nearing end of life.

The government recently brought forward a Green Paper on the health and disability payment system and the help we offer. Entitled pathways to work. We look at how to improve the conditions for people with health conditions and disabilities. Including reducing the need for people with severe disabilities to undergo PIP assessments. -- Repeat assessments. I will raise those issues in my meeting. The primary focus of the Department for Transport's blue bad scheme is to help those with the greatest mobility needs.

It is not condition specific. The blue badge eligibility criteria in England were extended in 2019 to include more people with nonphysical disabilities to ensure people with the greatest needs, whatever their disability or condition, have access to a badge. There are several automatic qualifying criteria for a Blue Badge scheme in such as being in receipt of certain benefits. People who do not or not my thing -- automatically get the benefits... No changes to entitlement for free prescriptions, but 89 percent of description items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are a wide range of exemptions in place.

People with Parkinson's who are over six years old are entitled to free prescriptions. For those who do need to pay, cost can be cut by purchasing a prepayment certificate. The NHS low income scheme can provide help with health costs on an income -related basis. My honourable friend from Dunfermline and Dollar asked to meet with several stakeholder organisations. I'm happy to meet with them to discuss the charter. I understand it is being piloted with six healthcare teams in England and Scotland with more planned in 2025 and will be pleased to discuss how those pilots provide comprehensive support to people with Parkinson's, how they are progressing and the next steps.

NHS England's neuroscience, transformation programme is improving Parkinson's care by focusing on faster diagnoses, better coordinated care and improved access It is contributing from shifting NHS from hospital to community and analogue to digital through the pathway. This provides support and care for individuals in their own home, integrating remote monitoring through wrist worn sensors, symptom management advice, and access to healthcare professionals. Empowering patients to manage their condition at home meaning they can improve the quality-of-life, and crucially maintain their dignity.

And independence. Last November, we established the neuro forum, UK wide government led forum focusing on services and support for people affected with neurological affected with neurological conditions. It is the first of its kind and brings together the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, devolved government and health services, and no illogical alliances across the UK to help address care and drive improvements in neurological health across the nations. The formal focus on practical things, a better understanding helping to address understanding helping to address workforce challenges.

We want to provide better care for people living with one or more of the over 600 neurological conditions including Parkinson's, sharing innovative solutions in terms of new therapies and making sure that parents voices are heard. Research has been touched upon by many speakers today. It is advancing our understanding of Parkinson's as we develop new treatments, technologies and management strategies. Today these are helping people to live well with Parkinson's. Tomorrow, it could deliver a cure. The government is strongly committed to supporting research into Parkinson's disease.

We continue to encourage research through targeted funding, infrastructure support, policy initiatives as we collaborate with partnerships. For example, the research Institute is partnering with partners UK to establish our research centre dedicated to better understanding the causes of Parkinson and finding new treatments and research. The centre, supported by five of the biomedical research centres have discovered that I scans can detect Parkinson's disease up to 7 years before symptoms may appear, enabling people to receive treatment and make any appropriate lifestyle changes earlier.

And I would like to reassure the house that changes in the structure of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care seek to eliminate duplication and improve efficiencies in order to ensure that work on Parkinson's continues to develop. Research is crucial for discovering new drugs and it underpins the entire drug discovery and development process. We have a groundbreaking new treatment for Parkinson's, particularly for patients with advanced disease and severe motor fluctuations. It's revolutionary because it provides continuous infusion of medication via a small pump, providing more consistent control.

The NHS rolled this out in February last year and improves motor function, significantly improving the quality-of-life for those with advanced Parkinson's. And I will briefly remind colleagues that the NHS in England is legally required to make funding available for treatment recommended by technology appraisal guidance published by the National in for care excellence. We all want to see people with Parkinson's live as well as possible for as long as possible. That is why it is not good enough that we still see inequalities in access to Parkinson services today.

Neurology services have been facing real challenges, especially in the workforce, delays to treatment and care and the lack of information support for patients. Through the forthcoming 10 year health plan, we will improve care for people with long-term conditions like Parkinson's. And in response to the Parkinson's. And in response to the member from Solihull East, I can say that the plan will drive our ambition towards a greater use of technology and data in the NHS. Essential core part of the plan will be the workforce and how we ensure that we train NHS needs to make it more accessible, proactive, and tailored for patients.

The refreshed NHS workforce plan will setup the numbers of doctors, nurses and other professionals that will be needed in five and 15 years time, and reflect that our NHS is caring for patients with increasingly complex needs. But we are already making progress on the workforce to support those with Parkinson's, including over 900 full-time equivalent consultants. But is more than 2023. There are specialised neurology patients. We have full-time equivalent speech and language therapists employed in NHS trusts.

That is an increase of over 300 compared to last year. There are over 17,900 full-time equivalent occupational therapists, and increase of over 600 compared to last year, and as of January 25, there are almost 25,300 full-time equivalent physiotherapists. Over 900 more competitor last year. We have a record increase of carers allowance. I don't have an update on care talks, but I will say that the Minister will hear this in the debate today. To conclude, I would like to extend my thoughts for all members have spoken today.

I look forward to working with them all to make sure the people living with Parkinson's are living with the dignity they deserve. I began by talking about Parkinson's awareness talking about Parkinson's awareness month. A number of them felt uncomfortable sharing with their uncomfortable sharing with their close friends and family. This past month has been about smashing the stigma, and I know that this debate will play its part in that as well.
13:38
13:39
Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
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The question is is on the order paper. The eyes have it. I will let the Frontbench quickly swap over for We now come to the backbench debate on prisoners of conscious and I called Jim Shannon to move.

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I beg to move that this house is

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I beg to move that this house is considered a prisoner of conflict and there are many people who would like to be here today but like to be here today but unfortunately were unable due to other commitments and we know what they are and what is happening in they are and what is happening in relation to that, the day we gather in this esteemed house to address issue at the moment with the issue at the moment with the reflecting principles that define humanity and collect our moral obligations has been an honour for me over the past 12 years to be involved in many debates and the topic today, prisoners of conscious.

This is close to my heart and close to many others who are here today and many others who are unable to attend. We speak not for ourselves but for the voiceless. I take seriously the tenets of my faith. Open your mouth to all those who are destitute. Open your mouth and judge righteously to defend the rights of the poor and the needy. I know that these ideals are held by so many in this chamber, regardless of their religious persuasion, and it causes us to uphold shared values and support and assist those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Those prisoners are not criminals. They are doctors, teachers, artists. They are writers, pastors, and they are all people of faith. The so-called crime is to believe openly, to speak honestly. Business of conscious are in prison not just for crime committed but for their beliefs. Their expression of thought, their commitment to their values. These individuals are testament to the human spirit against tyranny. It is important to remember that they are members of global families and deserve advocacy and support.

As we turn our attention to articles 18 and 19 of the universal declaration, a pivotal document that has led the foundation of our understanding of foundation of our understanding of human rights worldwide. Particle 18 six that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, consciousness and religion. This includes freedom to change their religion or their belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others in public or in private, to manifest their religion or belief in preaching, practice and observance.

Those words should be very clear what the article means, freedom to express yourself in relation to your religious belief. The Minister always speaks very well in these matters, and we look forward to her response. I don't think any of us will? We are asking for today. We also have a shadow minister in his place as well, and others who will contribute these rates of teaching practice and observance, they are not optional. They are universal. Yet in 2025, we stand at a global crisis of conscience around the world.

Thousands tortured for professing their faith already holding their actions. This is not hypothetical. This is happening everyday all day for many people. According to the United States commission on International religious Freedom, as of 2024, 72 questions are either imprisoned or missing and for the world's communist countries. 52 questions are currently imprisoned in China, in Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam with another 20 missing. In North Korea alone, 80,000 220,000 individuals, many of whom are question are detained in prisons.

Article 18 enshrines the fundamental right of individuals to hold their beliefs whether they be spiritual, political, philosophical and to express these beliefs freely and openly.

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He is making a very powerful case and always speaks with such passion and conviction, but would he agree that one of the worst examples as the Armenian prisoners of war detained by Azerbaijan. These are people who have not broken any people who have not broken any criminal code but they are public servants held for political purposes with no clear legal redress or with no clear legal redress or access, or even clear grounds as to why they are being held. Would you not agree that international law should dictate here and not just have an internal politic where they have an internal politic where they are marking their own homework, and also my constituent and the Minister can be assured that I will be

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writing after this debate. I thank her for intervention. The

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I thank her for intervention. The has been an Armenian genocide if we go back even further. The gentleman has outlined the case but those prisoners of conscious, of conflict in Armenia, and I know the Minister has taken those on board. Thank you has taken those on board. Thank you

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has taken those on board. Thank you As we all know that thousands find themselves in prison across the globe not because they have violated laws because they have dared to articulate beliefs that challenge partial interest or popular narratives. They stand firm in their convictions at great personal cost. Any person who takes a stand on something that they believe in fundamentally and strongly. It is unacceptable that in the 21st- century, they can be persecuted. From China to Armenia, and other countries, they face this simply for exercising their rights.

These are not isolated incidents. They reflect unfortunately systematic problems with religion or belief, particularly under communist regimes. It was warned in 1983 that hatred of God is the principal driving force under communist policy. Militant atheism is not incidental it is essential to Communist control. Let it also clear, persecution is not limited just to Christians alone. It is Muslims, Hindus, Jews, shears, sunnies, and many other religions who face oppression across the globe. Freedom of regional belief as a human right, not a privilege one faithful nation.

It is something we all have individual. As chair of the APPG for freedom and religious belief, it is my belief that we must take a stand against this injustice which is what we ask for this debate today. We must remind those in power that the voices of dissent, the freedom of thought and consciousness of religion represents not just an individual right but it is the foundation of a democratic society. And today we bring it to the attention of all those across the world what is happening.

Let us affirm our commitment to liberty by remembering the ongoing struggles faced by business of conscience around the world. Maybe we encourage our constituents. My constituents encouraged me every day to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. To advocacy and action, this is enshrined in article 18, and to promote the benefits that freedom of religious belief brings. Alongside article 18 we must consider Article 19 which states that everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek and impart information and ideas through the media and regardless of frontiers.

Opinion and expression of the bedrock of any vibrant society. Any society that wishes to do well and wishes to take its people with it in unison. Enabling a society to grow, to thrive. When we suppress dissent we undermine progress itself. There are thousands of prisoners. How can we respond to these innumerable violations of human rights? How can we begin to make a difference? This story is relevant everyone in the chamber. I often think the example of someone on the beach with a starfish and it was said that we can't save them all.

And some of that we can say this one. We need to advocate loudly and clearly for the courses of this to be dismantled through sustained dysplastic pressure through international cooperation and the strengthening of legal and institutional protections for freedom of religion or belief. It is our response I believe to challenge the environments, be they legal, be they political, be they legal, be they political, be they ideological, that allow such injustice to persist. Ensure no individual is imprisoned for living according to their conscience.

I call on the government to prioritise the issue of freedom of religious belief and entering into diplomatic dialogue. I know our minister does that full stop I believe our government does that. I think the purposes of this debate that we receive that reassurance that we can think of many countries with systematic abuse, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea. We must sanction them for religious persecution. And we must fund and support civil society groups working to secure prisoner releases.

Let us stand united in our unwavering commitment to uphold the principles enshrined in the freedom to change their religion or belief, and freedom is their choice. To give a voice to the voiceless, the hope for the hopeless, those who probably will never see this debate they need to be assured that we are speaking for them. And the hundreds of thousands held in this awful state. Would like to mention prisoners of conscience was the let the record show we have not forgotten.

I want to name them. Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist, and a media tycoon in Hong Kong. Imprisoned for his advocacy for freedom of the press. Saha Gaddafi, detained for participating in peaceful protest and advocating for women's right. And a Nigerian gospel sentenced to death for allegedly blasphemous direction. And we get woman detained in China for practising her further. And an Iranian Christian person in prison for her religious beliefs. And a Christian leader arrested for her belief.

A multicar Christian from Vietnam prison for his faith. And a member of the community Iran imprisoned for her religious beliefs. A Vietnamese human rights lawyer and religious freedom advocate prison for his activism. A Pakistani Christian teenager abducted and forced into a marriage, and now seeking asylum. A Nigerian humanist sentenced to 24 years in prison for blasphemy. His faith, his right to have his views is as right to have his views is as important as the rest.

Yemeni Christian in prison for his faith. An Iranian Christian convert sentenced to 10 years of prison, and a Nigerian person abducted by boko haram for their faith. I've looked at the issue of a Chinese dissident, leader of the overseas China democracy movement and a permanent resident of the United States. He was kidnapped while travelling to Vietnam in 2002, sentenced to life imprisonment for his activism after a trial which lasted half a day.

It was closed to the public and he was denied the right to do process. He has been held in solitary confinement through 23 years, in prison so far, and physical and mental health have been affected. The United Nations working group have declared that his detaining is arbitrary and in contravention of articles 9, 10, and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And congressional resolution 326 in the 108th United States Congress. They resolved that he is being arbitrarily detained in the People's Republic of China in violation of international law.

It is quite clear that he should be released. He has been imprisoned for three years. The international case is clear. And efforts to seek the release of him safe and immediate and unconditional return to the United States, from the People's Republic of China. And we can't do it all. We must keep this hope alive. As Luke Iv, 18 reminded us we must give liberty to those oppressed. Let us proclaim liberty and not forget the daily plight of prisoners of conscience alongside faith groups, international allies, NGOs and people worldwide.

This is not just our fight, the U.K.'s fight, this is the world's fight. It is humanity's fight for every one of those people. The House is aware that I am a Special Envoy of the special meeting scheduled. I believe we can do more. I think of the persecuted Church of Christ and those who are persecuted simply because of their faith across the world. We cannot save them all but we can do more to save some. So I look to government to stand up and stand alongside and send this message that the treatment of human rights for those who are a minority, will impact upon our trade deals, upon our government aid programs, upon all aspects of international law.

This is about one thing alone. It is about freedom. Freedom to express yourself, and the way that we do in this country and have that right. It matters to a prisoner of conscience. It matters to the family and it matters to politicians. It matters to this house. I hope the Minister and government will take the opportunity today to show that it also matters to them. Thank you.

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The question is as on the Order Paper. Sir Desmond Swayne. Thank you. It is an enormous

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Thank you. It is an enormous privilege to follow my honourable privilege to follow my honourable friend who is a tremendous advocate for those who are voiceless. Can I for those who are voiceless. Can I begin by reiterating the point of the questions he has raised, and asked the minister to address in her asked the minister to address in her winding up the question of what winding up the question of what action has followed the telephone call between the prime minister and resident CC, on the question of pursuing the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah.

And also is there any kind of plan for securing the release of Jimmy Lai? Madam Deputy Speaker, we have had many prisoners of conscience of our own. Random off the top of my head, Thomas more, Dr
13:58
Desmond Swayne Portrait Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West, Conservative)
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Barnes, Latimer and Ridley, Barnes, Latimer and Ridley, Archbishop Lord, even John Bunyan in Bedford jail. Every parliaments that have the will to do so could have campaigned for their release, and campaigned for their release, and history might have been significant and different. The problem for us now is that the prisoners of conscience are well beyond our conscience are well beyond our jurisdiction. And so when we raise cases with ministers often enough, we have no leverage whatsoever with the jurisdictions that have imprisoned them.

We can no longer simply deploy the Royal Navy, as we might have done in the past. And indeed as we did when we deployed it to eradicate the scandal of the international slave trade. Even in those jurisdictions where we do have alliances, and shared national interest, and good diplomatic relations, often enough, governments have bigger fish to fry with respect to regional security and stability, and the international trade. And so when we raise cases with ministers, we are told that all these were raised at the highest level.

As indeed I did when I was a minister raised at the highest level. But not much action followed. Are we wasting our breath? Are we wasting the time of the House? This is not a counsel of despair. It is essential that we continue to do, as my honourable friend has done, and persevere. We have to try and lift the odd starfish, as he says. Even at the very least, we will have sent a powerful message to those prisoners, their relatives and friends, that they are not forgotten.

But we do campaign for them, and indeed that we pray for them. We are reminded in chapter 12 of the Acts of the Apostles that Saint Peter, guarded by four squads and change between two soldiers, is struck by an angel. In chapter 16, they sprung at an earthquake and ended up evangelising Until these miraculous days return however, we are confined to continuing to raise matters with continuing to raise matters with ministers.

I raised the case of Ali Menai, a young man in Iran, been in prison for the last year, sentenced for having attended a church service in somebody's home. He also has a severe heart condition, is denied medical treatment in prison and has been subject to beatings including blows to his chest. It is not atypical for Christians in Iran to be sentenced for crimes against state security, to have long sentences, to have prolonged interrogation, sexual harassment, beatings, and to be denied if it is that other prisoners have access to.

that other prisoners have access to. So I see young Ali as an archetype for all those prisoners of conscious that my honourable friend mentioned, be they imprisoned for advocating human rights, for their insistence on freedom of expression, or because of their adherence to a minority faith, whether they be imprisoned in Hong Kong, in North Korea, in Afghanistan, in Turkey, in Egypt, in Venezuela or wheresoever. I share a belief with my honourable friend that there will be a day of liberation when the prisoners will be freed, but that day of rapture will also be a day of Rath and judgement for their oppressors.

We all ought to shrink from that judgement because we share in the guilt of their tormentors. Through guilt of their tormentors. Through our inaction and by our silence. our inaction and by our silence.
14:03
James MacCleary Portrait James MacCleary MP (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
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First, can I thank the member for bringing this important debate in the chamber. I think we would all agree that the number of people able to make it today is all about democratic processes happening across the country right now. We stand firmly in solidarity with those imprisoned for their political views around the world. We believe in free speech and the freedom to organise our fundamental democratic rights, and those in prison for their causes have the right to challenge government policies.

The free practice of religion should be a universal right for all people everywhere. It is vital that we shine a light on religious persecution wherever we find it and commit to opposing it with unwavering resolve. Many religious people globally face extreme forms of oppression including threats to their lives. We are deeply concerned by the lack of global action to safeguard religious freedoms, and uphold human rights. This must change. Liberal Democrats have a proud history and are strong defenders of freedom of religion and belief.

It is not just political positions but core beliefs. Human rights and the rule of law stand the very heart of what it means to be a Lib Dem. In our 2024 Manifesto, we committed to defend human rights for all including those persecuted for their religion or belief. We call for the appointment of an ambassador level for belief and increased funding for humanitarian aid and asylum support for those fleeing religious persecution. We firmly believe that liberalism has a vital role to play in securing peace, promoting democracy and defending human rights across the world.

The UK must work with allies as a champion for the freedom of belief. Today, certain countries have high numbers of prisoners of conflict often tied to political regimes, religious repression authoritarian governments. In China, the policies have led to mass detention in re- education camps where they face torture and forced indoctrination. House church Christians face harassment, arrest and imprisonment for practising their faith outside of state control. The deliberate persecution of the weaker population means a standard under the sanctions and anti-money-laundering act meets a certain standard for imposing sanctions in 2018.

We call on the government to urgently issue its UK China audit to set out a clear approach that includes work to shine a spotlight on Beijing's human a spotlight on Beijing's human rights. Russia has seen a crackdown on position figures, journalists and minority religious groups. Jehovah's Witnesses have been labelled an extremist organisation. Leading to numerous arrests.

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I am grateful to the honourable member for giving way. When in power there are balances of opportunity there are balances of opportunity and risk, one of the important points was that often, ministers points was that often, ministers have bigger fish to fry when dealing with international relations. From with international relations. From his perspective, what is the right balance between standing up for human rights abuses and maintaining and developing relations with emerging powers, such as China.

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It is a really important question for British foreign policy. It is for British foreign policy. It is not just China but we also look at a not just China but we also look at a country like Turkey where we are seeing clear oppression of political position, but obviously, taking place in key role in defence in place in key role in defence in Europe and the future of European security in relation to Russia, so obviously, we can rectify that. It obviously, we can rectify that.

It is not for me to tell them how to get the balance right, but any government needs to have a set of principles that says this is the standard we are setting and we apply to everybody, and possibly, we might come to different conclusions, but you are absolutely right, and I do not underestimate the compromises that have to be made with ministers. There are those who sit in this room as part of this intervention. Talking of Russia, activists have been persecuted.

A clear example was the late member who died in prison on politically motivated charges. The honourable member for Strangford mentioned the person who published the book in the 1970s which was so dangerous to the regime that they suppressed it completely and banned in Russia, a great example of how freedom of expression can play an important role in bringing down entire regimes however secure they may seem at the time.

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I should declare my interest as a trustee of the index on censorship, but thinking specifically about regimes like Russia and the regimes like Russia and the importance of allowing journalists and activists and others to achieve and activists and others to achieve a level of their freedom of expression, what would he have to say about the support given for people and those sorts of situations.

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It is important and there is very little freedom of expression at all within the country, and we don't see within the country, and we don't see very much and I think it was a great example of Vladimir Putin completing his suppression of political opposition. I think it is fundamentally important for our government in supporting voices for democracy and freedom across the democracy and freedom across the whole world, and that is particularly important right now we particularly important right now we face this challenge where they are interfering in the internal processes of other countries and it becomes incumbent on leading democracies like ours to help promote freedom of expression and the ability of journalists to do their jobs which is particularly important to that.

So, we have a moral duty to stand up for those who moral duty to stand up for those who risk everything for democratic freedom, a journalist who was recently arrested in Georgia, one of those countries that is a good example of Russian interference. The member for New Forest West is right to mention the man who is imprisoned in Egypt has well. They must never be selected or silenced. The regime has a strict regime and enforces its religious laws through measures.

Faith members are persecuted on charges of apostasy and heresy. Questions converting from Islam are considered criminals. Recent death shows the regimes continued brutality. According to the US commission, there are 1342 individuals assessed as in prison for their religion or belief, the highest numbers found in Russia, China, and Iran. The government must do more work with partners to secure the protection of religious rights and robustly challenged states to ensure all people are safe to worship and express their political beliefs.

This must include states upholding the declaration of human rights which guarantees the right of freedom fought and religion. We call for specific actions. First, using the sanctions to stand up against human rights abuses. Second, banning imports from particular areas. Third, enshrining law right for British nationals who have been detained abroad to access UK consumer services. Fourth, developing, hence of strategy for promoting the decriminalisation of homosexuality and advancing LGBT rights globally, and finally, rights globally, and finally, stronger engagement with the United Nations and the Commonwealth to promote religious freedom worldwide.

We call for long-term comprehensive global strategies to protect freedom of expression, political and religious rights and to create a world where no one is in prison for peacefully expressing their beliefs. We oppose any form of totalitarian rule that seeks to imprison individuals for their beliefs. We continue to urge the government to promote and protect these values. Our commitment is clear.

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There is a dichotomy here that

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There is a dichotomy here that the Liberal Democrats progressed they are against authoritarian rule they are against authoritarian rule and yet for us to project power and yet for us to project power internationally, even if it is soft power, there is a risk that we are involving ourselves in the democratic or the sovereign decisions of independent countries. Does he accept that there is a bit Does he accept that there is a bit of attention there we seek to impose our values on other cultures and countries? C think the right balance

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lies in that issue? There are whole books on

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There are whole books on liberalism on this topic. The situation with United States at the situation with United States at the moment brings this into sharp focus, and today, we have had many and today, we have had many countries around the world speaking about how America has intervened and they have said how is that consistent when they complain about consistent when they complain about us doing it. It is the level that they go to. I can't really answer the question right now.

I can have a separate discussion, but that is what we were touching on, and that is something that all of us in this chamber interested in foreign have to think about, where that line is, and of course, famously, the Americans refer to the Mogadishu line is the line they crossed in Somalia where they felt they got too involved, so it is a physical thing, but I thank you for the intervention. So just to finish up, our commitment is clear, to protect, defend, checked human rights around the world, we will not rest until every person can express their belief without fear of persecution.

Thank you.

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Thank you. May I firstly begin by extending my thanks to the extending my thanks to the honourable gentleman for Strangford for securing this important debate
14:14
Andrew Rosindell Portrait Andrew Rosindell MP (Romford, Conservative)
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for securing this important debate this afternoon. He is a tireless defender of human rights, and his dedication to the cause of those who are persecuted for their beliefs, wherever they may be, is courageous, admirable, and much needed, and I thank him for it. I would also like to thank the Backbench Business Committee for enabling this discussion to take place this afternoon. It is a vital debate that we should be having. It is a shame there are not more honourable members here to take part in these discussions, but this country has long been a sanctuary for the oppressed.

And this chamber is a voice for the voiceless, and a champion of liberty. From the days of William Wilberforce to the establishment of a special and for freedom of religion and belief, this House of Commons has stood up for the fundamental freedoms of speech, conscious and belief. And long may conscious and belief. And long may So today I wish to speak for those who cannot speak freely themselves. Those who languish in prison cells not for any crime but simply for having the courage to believe differently.

To respectfully challenge authority, or to follow their conscience in the face of tyranny. Today we have had a short debate, but a very meaningful one, with some excellent contributions from colleagues on all sides of the house. The honourable Member for Stanford who spoke passionately as he always does, told us about the importance of defending those who profess their faith. And upholding their convictions. And also the importance of standing up for freedom. It is something that has always inspired me in politics, the love of freedom.

I grew up in the 1980s when we had a Prime Minister who defended freedom around the world, Margaret Thatcher stood up against totalitarianism and communism across the world and particularly in those days against the Soviet Union. And it is our belief on this side of the house in freedom and liberty, that I believe drives us. Love of country is part of that, being a nation that always stood up for the liberties and freedoms of the people of these islands.

She has left her place Madam Deputy Speaker, but I have great admiration for the member for a link act. I work closely with her on the issue of Armenia. And we recall the Armenian genocide, 110 years ago. She referred to her constituent, who I also know very well, we worked together on upholding the freedom of the people of Armenia. It has been referred to about the prisoners that are kept in Azerbaijan jail. And how they also need to have their freedom, and immediate needs to live as an independent for democracy without fear.

And the people must be allowed to express their views freely. I attended a wreathlaying at the Cenotaph only last week with the honourable Member and others cross- party in support of our friends from Armenia. A Christian country that simply wants to be democratic and independent and not be threatened by an aggressive neighbour. No one in this house could ever compete with the passion and the belief and the deeply held views of the right honourable Member for New Forest West. He sits behind me now and someone I have admired ever since I entered this house in 2001.

He speaks with enormous passion. And he understands that this country is a Christian country. And our laws and our traditions and customs are founded on those Christian traditions. If we discard them, we discard everything we have in this country. It does not mean we don't respect other religions but our Christian heritage is fundamental. It is our Christian heritage that leaves Britain to be the champion of freedom, free speech, freedom of religion and democracy around the world, which we have been, far longer than most other countries in the world today.

He reminded us quite rightly of how our own Royal Navy eroded the slave trade. It is often forgotten it is Britain that led the way but he rightly reminded us of that today. And I thank him for everything he does to stand up for the rights of the oppressed and particularly those religious minorities that define the right, are denied the right to express religion freely. The honourable Member spoke about the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the importance of the China order which we are waiting on.

And the moral duty to stand up for those who have lost their freedom. Britain has a proud record office. I think that transcends party politics. I'm sure in this House it will do today. And he mentioned those who are persecuted and that is another very important point. Superb interventions from my honourable friend the member for broads in Fakenham who has left his place. He spoke about the balance and dealing with nations around the world. We want trade and cooperation with nations rather well.

Economically we want to work with other nations, but we need to think about human rights. We need to balance those things. And he talked about imposing our values on other countries which is always a balance. We can't impose British values in every country. Different traditions and religions, but nevertheless we should never be silence we see injustice. I know that certainly on this side of the house, and I'm sure on the government side is well, standing up for injustice wherever it may be in the world is something that we all stand for is people that believe in freedom and democracy.

I would like to rightly focus on those that members have mentioned today who are detained, detained in prisons wrongly for their religion or belief. What practical steps is His Majesty's government taking to monitor, identify, and support such individuals? The Minister will need to tell us very clearly, he has lots of time to answer these questions, what resources are being allocated by the FCDO to monitor prisoners of conscience globally? And how is this information being used in the U.K.'s broader human rights strategy? As a member of the article 18 alliance, will the Minister tell us if the UK actively propose names for international advocacy? And, as we have already heard, these statistics are deeply alarming.

According to the US commission on International, more than 1300 individuals are currently imprisoned for their beliefs in just 28 countries. That includes 532 people in communist China. 327 people in Russia. And 87 people in Iran. And others have mentioned other countries where there are similar issues that need to be addressed. Vietnam and North Korea were mentioned. The member for Ealing Acton mentioned Azerbaijan and Armenia. The member for New Forest West mentioned Venezuela. I was an observer at a Venezuelan election some years ago.

It wasn't very democratic I have to say I think it has got a lot worse. That is a country we should absolutely be highlighting as one that needs radical democratic change. He also mentioned Egypt and Turkey. There are many others we can think of today. The point being, Britain must lead the way. We are the nation that always stands up for the rights and freedoms of peoples, and we must do so today with vigour. And without compromise. Will the Minister confirm whether the government has raised specific cases with these governments and others? If so, will she tell us which ones she has been speaking to in recent days? I'm aware Madam Deputy Speaker that this debate is centred on matters of faith.

However, I come along with the member for Stamford, want to take the opportunity to raise the case of the Apple news found at Jimmy Lai. We need to see him released. An end to his politically motivated trial, and the repeal of the Draconian national security law in Hong Kong. It is one matter to speak in this place regarding individuals further afield you have little to no connection with these islands. But it is another when the matter involves a British nationals.

So, what developments have there been so far? We talk a lot about this but we see very little action. It seems to be becoming more economically aligned to China, the UK government. I think this is an error. Will Jimmy Lai's case be front and centre in our engagement with Beijing? And has the Minister specifically called for Jimmy Lai's release with her Chinese counterpart?, And the tireless efforts of the honourable member of Strangford for their laudable initiative in launching the scheme that enables members of this house to advocate for individual prisoners of conscience.

This initiative represents a meaningful compassionate step towards amplifying the voices of those who have been unjustly denied, detained, for exercising their fundamental rights. In light of this important work, I must ask the Minister whether the FCDO is actively supporting this endeavour by assessing members, assisting members in establishing contact with relevant embassies here in the United Kingdom? As well as engaging with international, legal, and diplomatic mechanisms to strengthen advocacy on behalf of these individuals? I am pleased that the government heeded the call on this side of the house in renewing the last government's position, in having a Special Envoy for freedom of belief and religion.

However, Can the minister outline exactly what the Special Envoy is doing to advance the cause of individual prisoners of conscience? And has the envoy engaged directly with foreign governments or institutions to press for their release? Does the government intend to enshrine the post in law? Just as my good friends, the former member for competent, Fiona Bruce, passionately campaigned for when she served in this house only up until last year. May I also say that Britain has long used both aid and diplomacy to promote our values abroad.

In this context, may I ask the Minister whether the allocation of UK aids to recipient countries is ever made conditional upon demonstrable progress in safeguarding freedom of religion, and belief? Specifically, is consideration given to the treatment of individuals who are imprisoned solely on account of their religious convictions? And is Ayah financial assistance ever leveraged to encourage reform and accountability in such cases? Those in prison today for their beliefs, be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, list, or any other religion or members of minority or non- religious communities deserve more than just our concern.

They deserve our advocacy. Our voice and our unwavering defence. Our foreign policy must reflect not only our national interests but a projection of how we treat our own people. We must never shy away from calling out the wickedness and unjust imprisoned, or from defending the rights to freedom of conscience. As the great John Stuart Mill, once a member of this house, so wisely says, bad men need nothing more to compass their ends than that good men should look on and do nothing.

We look forward to this government

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doing something. Minister. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. It is a real pleasure to serve under It is a real pleasure to serve under your chair ship and also to respond to members in what has been a fascinating debate. I am very fascinating debate. I am very grateful to the honourable Member for securing the debate, and for the contribution of other honourable contribution of other honourable members. I will try and respond to all the points race. The government stands in solidarity with those in stands in solidarity with those in prison solely based on their religious or other beliefs.

We call on governments to ensure that rights to freedom of religion or belief is protected and promoted for all everywhere. Because societies which respect and uphold human rights including freedom of religion or belief are generally stronger, more stable, and prosperous. As many in the chamber have so eloquently articulated, the scale of freedom of religion or belief increases with violations globally is of grave concern. Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

However, the reality faced by many including the community in
14:30
Catherine West Portrait Catherine West MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Hornsey and Friern Barnet, Labour)
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Yemen and Iran, the harassment and arbitrary detention of church arbitrary detention of church members in Nicaragua, and non- Muslims caught up in Sudan's civil war, far removed from this. The war, far removed from this. The persecution harassment discrimination and arbitrary detention are sadly part of daily detention are sadly part of daily life for many. The member for Ealing life for many. The member for Ealing Central and Acton and the spokesperson for his Majesty's opposition have both mentioned Armenians in the current issue of Armenians in detention following the Armenians in detention following the Anette has had a few mentions because she is an ardent believer, and she is the constituent of the member for Ealing and actin.

So of course, that is why we are working hard to highlight and address the scale and severity of these violations. Including lobbying for the release of prisoners of conflict. I will set out some examples. A pastor from Cuba was in prison for participating in peaceful protests in Cuba. The Foreign Secretary wrote to him in December last year to express solidarity and called upon the Cuban authorities for his release. And we were delighted to hear that he was released in January. And as the member for New Forest West said, we mustn't have the counsel of despair.

We occasionally get good news on these cases. A Nigerian atheist and president of the humanist Society was sentenced to 24 years for his belief. We regularly lobbied the Nigerian government including letters to the state governor and calls for his release to ministers and we were pleased to hear that he was also freed in January. There are many other examples, and I will try to set out what we are doing to support them. The UK is determined to champion freedom of religion belief on the international stage, and members have mentioned in the debate that our human rights approach is being refreshed by the Minister for human rights in the other place, and he will come to Parliament in the usual way to lay that out when it is completed.

And I was very pleased to meet my honourable friend for Northumberland to discuss his role as the UK special and freedom of religion and belief. Specifically on the question of the bill proposing that we make While we recognise the benefits of the role, we do not believe that the value is enhanced by making the position statutory, so we shall continue with the last government's approach and the excellent Fiona Bruce to maintain the role as an office within the foreign office, but having a strong sense of

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challenge. I welcome the tone with which

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I welcome the tone with which this is being conducted, but will she also state very clearly that she she also state very clearly that she won't make something else statutory which is to reintroduce a blasphemy law into the United Kingdom. The law into the United Kingdom. The abolition of the blasphemy laws in the 1980s and 90s meant that people could express whatever belief they happen to hold in a completely free way. It ended a level of oppression way. It ended a level of oppression that had been possible.

Will she make it absolutely clear that this government will, in no way, supported blasphemy law, will not allow police to introduce one through the back door by criminalising acts that would otherwise be freedom of expression. Or she make it clear that his man government stands for the freedom of religion and nonbelief, and not just the freedom of belief, which means the freedom to change your religion, or to criticise any religion. Which agree with that?

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Of course I believe that freedom of religion or the right to have no belief at all is critical and paramount, and I know that paramount, and I know that organisations like the one on censorship is also very robust in this regard, but it is crucial that this regard, but it is crucial that we do have the right to have freedom of expression, and certainly on the of expression, and certainly on the finer port, if he would like to write to me, I would be very happy to write back to him in a language to write back to him in a language that he would prefer.



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I thank the Minister. I was pleased by her answer to my right pleased by her answer to my right honourable friend. If we are talking about freedom of expression internationally, we do have to be internationally, we do have to be incredibly careful about freedom of expression in our own country, and while government ministers do often say that they oppose blasphemy laws, say that they oppose blasphemy laws, use of section 4 of the public order act used to prosecute people for act used to prosecute people for acts of protest including damaging the Koran.

Is this not in reality the development of a backdoor blasphemy law?

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We uphold freedoms and on the specific point he would like me to voluntary trap on, he can write to voluntary trap on, he can write to me so I get exactly the right language and I would be pleased to language and I would be pleased to do that. I want to pursue my point on the importance of it not being a on the importance of it not being a counsel of despair, and a couple of members this afternoon have mentioned the country of Vietnam.

While there are a number of While there are a number of concerns, the context of discussions by matters of bilateral interest, I was very pleased to read that there has been an 83% acceptance rate under the universal periodic review recommendations, and I hope that Vietnam will be able to develop a master plan for time bound actions to follow-up on the universal periodic review recommendations, and we offer the expertise that we have at the foreign office and stand ready to share our experience as we go on this journey together.

The UK is determined for the priorities of North Northumberland as he meets with each of the ministers to layout his concerns, and with his background from the society, I am sure there will be more debates in the future to continue to challenge ministers on these important matters. Just to give some further examples, last week, the envoy for the Middle East and North Africa met with the prisoner of conflict. They had about the experience and discussed ways in which the government can support this individual and these sorts of cases.

I also wanted to highlight the vital work of human rights defenders in addressing freedom of violations including arrests and arbitrate attention. As the Foreign Secretary said in his human rights speech last year, human rights defenders around the world risk their lives for human rights for all through protesting, documenting human rights abuses, supporting political prisoners and standing up for democracy and justice. Without human rights defenders, we would not know the huge scale, and I just think of the tragic story this week of the journalist whose body was returned without organs to her family following detention in Russia, and I know that would be of interest for this week.

The UK is pleased to support flexible funds like Lifeline which is providing grants to civil society organisations under threat in over 30 countries since July 2024. Turning now to our bilateral engagements, the government does not shy away from challenging countries who are not meeting obligations. We continue to highlight concerns both publicly and in private. The central part of our work in Pakistan the Middle East and North Africa visited Pakistan in November last year and was able to advocate for freedom of religion of belief.

High commission officials including the council regularly meet with representatives for the seat communities and follow the same approach with the Nigerian government, including the periodic review last year. We are investing £38 million through the resilience program in Nigeria to help address the root causes of conflict in the middle belt and beyond. This builds the capacity of the country's security forces to tackle violence against also billion communities including those of different religious backgrounds and beliefs. Finally, in Syria, very much in the news this week, we have made clear that the government must ensure that protection of all civilians set out a clear path to transitional justice to make progress towards a political transition and we will judge them by their actions.

The shadow minister asked how conditional our support was in order to push for human rights, and I can guarantee that in the discussions about sanctions in recent months, we were able to discuss in that context our vision for all of the different groups within Syria. Moving on now to our multilateral work, we regularly participate in dialogues for freedom of religion or belief. In March, a special and was in Geneva on the intersection between freedom of religion or belief and torture.

We participated in the interactive dialogue and we frequently raised freedom of belief during the periodical review process, for example, in our statements on return, Nicaragua last November. In the case of Nicaragua, we noted our increasing alarm at the deteriorating human rights situation, including harassment of members of the church and the closure of organisations affiliated with it. And finally, we continue to work closely to provide a valuable platform for us to discuss and consider freedom of religion or belief and related issues.

Many members have mentioned article 18, and that is why article 18 has called me out of the alliance. And of course, the coalition of 43 countries, and I know that the member was involved in this member was involved in this alliance. The UK is an active member of it as well and works to combat discrimination and persecution based on freedom of religion or belief. That includes highlighting specific cases of prisoners of conscience and cosponsoring statements and campaigning for their release. Just one, a chair statement on prisoners of conscience was linked to these campaigns.

We have also worked closely on statements that condemn violations of freedom of religion or belief and promote literal respect between different religions or belief groups. In November last year, we joined an important statement which condemned anti- Muslim hatred and urged countries to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief. Just before I conclude, there were a couple of points which I didn't cover in my speech. The member for Loos talked about China and I wanted to reassure him that we raise our concern at the highest level and a number of people have mentioned one of the most high-profile cases, and just this week, I met Sebastian Lyle and discussed regularly with Sebastian Constituencies MPU sits on our benches.

Our staff in Hong Kong attend the court regularly to watch every element of the procedure, and we are working very hard to keep that at the highest level, whether it is the prime minister, the president, the Foreign Secretary, the minister, myself, when I can as well at ministerial levels. And you also asked about the China audit, and I can confirm that we will be ringing forward the China audit soon, and in the process of that, I have been regarding the session.

He'll be well aware there is ongoing concern for the situation and I want to reassure him and others watching this debate that this is definitely a subject that we have looked at, and the impact it has on our day- to-day lives around business practices here in the UK and wanted to reassure him on that. Ruefully on Iran, we know that Christians in Iran are persecuted, whether it is the ethnic Armenian Christians who face political economic and social barriers who are entitled to freedom is as a protected minority formally, but of course, are unable to practice their religion, and they are banned from preaching to other Iranians.

Other converts are considered apostates and face lengthy prison sentences. Christians often face propaganda charges as a result of their religious activity. The UK is one of the core groups for the resolution led by Canada which always includes questions. We are looking forward to the next UN 3C resolution which shall be tabled in November 2025. We have had a very good debate. Thank you for your patience. To conclude, this government remains committed on this issue. No one should suffer for their beliefs and we will continue to promote and protect freedom of

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Can I thank all members for their

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Can I thank all members for their participation in the debate, and recognising prisoners of conscience and the importance of faith freedom and the importance of faith freedom or religion and belief. The persecution of religious minorities and human rights are married and human rights are married together, and people with persecution of religion lose their persecution of religion lose their human rights. Today this House has been a voice for the voiceless and been a voice for the voiceless and hope for those with no hope.

The Shadow Minister referred to never saying when we hear an injustice. The member for new Forest referred to it not being a counsel of despair. The honourable Member and I share religious belief, and he is right to say that. I remind the house of the story of William Wilberforce. When he spoke in this house, which he often did against house, which he often did against slavery, but he said remember it only takes a few to make a change.

He never saw the complete abolition of slavery in his time, but his actions made a difference. So thank

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you to all those who made a difference today. The question is as on the Order Paper. As many are of that opinion say, "Aye". And of the contrary, "No". The ayes have it. The ayes have it.

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have it. I beg to move that this house to now. The question is that this house to now adjourn. Tom Tugendhat.
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Tom Tugendhat Portrait Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)
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lucky me. Hadlow College is Kent's only land-based rural College. It is only land-based rural College. It is unique in our county, and for the offering provides. It's huge range offering provides. It's huge range of courses are designed to provide the skills needed to maintain Kent's place as that garden of England. place as that garden of England. Having campaigned for fantastic Conservative councillors earlier today the beautiful sunshine, I can today the beautiful sunshine, I can assure you it remains a wonderful garden.

It is also a regional powerhouse. An important part of the local Tyne Bridge community. Speak to any of our key rural businesses and they will tell you have the skills offered at Hadlow College help maintain our agricultural capacity in Kent. For these reasons, we should always be salivating what Hadlow College does in the local area. There was a period when we couldn't, and in 2019 it became the first Further Education institution in the country to enter educational administration. During this debate I will explore how the process effects had low and the community today.

I asked the Minister to consider how the process could be improved. Before I do I want to pay tribute to all staff and students who are at the college, and all the linked institutions during this challenging time. The major courses kept running, most of which were unaffected. I want to name a few for sub Graham Morley, the first interim principal in 2019, Lindsay, Jim more be the Tyne Bridge site and out David Pleat and Chris Symons from the North Kent College.

Not forgetting Paul Boxall and his team at the rural community school to whom I shall refer later. The reality is they have a much harder job because of the processes college went through 2019. May 2019, Hadlow College became the first Further Education facility in the country to undertake educational administration. This followed updates to the statutory college insolvency regime in January 2019 which affected Further Education, forgive me, which affected Further Education sixth form college. It meant Hadlow College kept the doors open.

It was not just Hadlow College which needed to be rescued. It included had low rural community school, West Kent College in Tonbridge, Ashford College, princess Christians farm, animal management sites in Canterbury and a further site in Greenwich. The question is simple, how did so many further education institutions and up insolvent? The expansion happened quickly. In the years preceding 2019, was not just the acquisition of further sides, the subsequent investment too. After had low colleges interests started, another college spent £1.2 billion changing plans for a visitor centre and lost £4 million, collapsed sale.

It became very clear very quickly that the college had been reckless with its finances. This expansion was getting further away from its core purpose to provide land-based education in West Kent. Following the ESFA investigation I wrote to the then minister for state pension ships and skilled at the Department for Education. On 10 May /2019. I for Education. On 10 May /2019. I shall read back from the letter. " I would be concerned if further investment is made here in the light of the financial situation, should courses be cut students left unable to gain the qualifications.

As good put simply, money was being used for peripheral projects which did not exist was being transferred out of students education. This point, I was to touch on the concept of the Hadlow Group. I have a copy of a letter I received on 1 October 2018 from the so-called Hadlow Group informing me of a proposal to merge a number of colleges. The interest of time I shall not go into the background which starts with the background which starts with the collapse of K College nearly 15 years ago.

I may want to point out that Hadlow College was seeking to merge colleges at the time. As the ESFA, administrators and department to recognise, the Hadlow Group had no legal structure. It was essentially a marketing term to provide credibility to the ever expanding portfolio of sites. It does give us an indication as to where this started to go wrong. The years leading up to 2019, I have the local MP met many times with the college, and often I was asked to help secure difficult about the money for them.

December 2016 I was informed of two immediate funding issues, repayment of £888,000 from the 2014/15 financial year arising from the acquisition of the K College. And money that was needed at the West Kent colleges later. I asked the Department of the funding on the basis it was being used to support Further Education in West Kent. We now know that Hadlow College at the time applied for £20 from the SFA transactions unit. This application failed. The SFA demanded its funding be returned.

Had low college consequently asked for what was essentially a government bailout. I accrue this history for the Minister's benefit and for the benefit of the House to understand how complex the situation was but also to make clear what was happening. Money must be requested on a huge scale supposedly for Further Education. That is not where it was going. As the subsequent investigations are found, there was financial mismanagement on a scale never seen before which led to Hadlow College entering educational administration.

There must be some accountability for those who made those decisions. It is therefore disappointing to many that those responsible for the expenditure, primarily the principal and finance director at the time, have not seen investigations conducted in the public domain. We learnt in November 2023 that Paul Hannon, then principal, we find children £50,000 if he ever works in education again. We also note from administrators reports that the deal was made between the deputy principal, Mark Lumsden Taylor. When he agreed to pay a four figure sum as a result of an agreement.

I find this part of the process extremely unsatisfactory. Tens of millions of pounds of public money has been poured into the education administration process because of the reckless actions of these two senior leaders of Hadlow College at the time. I do not think that the confidentiality agreement as appropriate given the scale and profile this issue has. I would urge the Department to bring forward amendments to future legislation which increased the level of transparency and accountability in these matters.

This he was one within the community because sadly the offer at Hadlow College has deteriorated since the educational administration process. The Hadlow College shop is no more, the tea rooms close. This landholding has decreased, all of which enabled Hadlow College to be a suitable provider prior to the reckless expansion plans pursued in the last decade. All now gone because of the need to pay back for failed business ventures. Put simply, what has happened here is a gamble with students education in order to expand the core purpose of Hadlow College.

I want to build on this point further I would appreciate answers from the Minister as to how we can strengthen the educational administration process to future proof education planned in the future. Why do I focus on land? Because that is what Hadlow College is fundamentally about. It is a land-based college. It needs land to train the next generation of rural entrepreneurs. The more land it has the more it can contribute to the rural economy. The same applies for the Hadlow Group community school.

In 2022 and number of areas were marketed for sale by Knight Frank. The proceeds to be used to pay back creditors. I understand this rationale from a financial perspective but this isn't an administration process. It was called educational administration. The education provision had successfully continued throughout this turmoil. There is broad agreement from all those now responsible for delivering Further Education at Hadlow, that the sale of land has impacted the student offer. It is regrettable. I would like to ask the Minister how we might label to start the education process to ensure that land sale is not the default, especially for land-based educational establishments with the specialism.

From the perspective of North Kent College, having just overtaken Hadlow College, the speed of this process meant they could not accurately make arguments to safeguard some land earmarked for sale. This is meant repurchasing its provision onto a smaller footprint. It has a big impact on the village, Dita having to re-purpose now means a much desired footpath and cycleway between Tonbridge and Hadlow is unlikely to be delivered. The impact is more severe for Hadlow Community School. I'm concerned the approach the Department is taking towards its governance.

Hadlow Rural captivity School has done well to survive this process will stop was designed for land-based specialism in the education administration process has rightly safeguarded that. Separation of the school of the college was inevitable but not necessarily detrimental to either. The loss of land in Hadlow effect them both. I prefer the Minister to my letter of 10th of April 2025 to the Secretary of State. The Department is now articulating based on a letter to the school from the Department dated 3 April 2025, that the plots of land could be used for educational provision, are sold.

Frankly it is this letter that motivated me to apply for this debate today. The reasons given for this are interesting. It is claimed in this letter that ministers are determined that capital investment options do not offer good value for money. This is the same department which has rightly invested tens of millions of pounds securing the future education in Hadlow, both of the school and the college was not education provision needs to be appropriate in a competitive market. Tonbridge has some of the highest performing secondary schools and further education facilities in the country.

Many people move to our community for our schools. Hadlow Rural captivity School is an important part of this network and one that has specialism. The Department needs to support this first and foremost. I was disappointed to see a passing reference at the end of the same letter to the school engaging with North Kent College in a long-term solution. May I have relied Minister of the long-term solution was found when separation occurs, and I would encourage them is that you speak to officials, that can remind her of considerable correspondence we had back in 2023 to secure the appropriate lease for the school to access the colleges land.

Bringing this back to the issue, Hadlow Rural Community School must thrive. To do so it must have land available to retain its land-based specialism. It can do this under the current government model. Not as part of the North Kent College delivery of services at Hadlow College. This works best for both parties, otherwise we run the risk of repeating all the governance failures that contributed to the administration in the first post. The murky government processes, expansion without justification, and frankly outrageous scrutiny of public finances by the two individuals I named must be avoided.

This is where I want to end. Educational administration is an extreme difficult process. It is expensive and since the incorporations act 1992, I doubt whether they have been many other transactions where two interconnecting colleges are broken up, one split into two parts and then being transferred to three colleges. Today many parts of the complex Further Education web in
15:01
Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Lewisham East, Labour)
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Kent are thriving. I want a huge tribute to those further education colleges who give sewing colleges who give sewing opportunities to so many. I said at opportunities to so many. I said at the start staff and students must take pride in what they achieved. But is now the responsibility of the Department to safeguard this under Department to safeguard this under the current government's bill. I will continue to be happy to work will continue to be happy to work with the Nissan officials to achieve this so we do not allow any historic actions the kind that I have listed actions the kind that I have listed

**** Possible New Speaker ****

I thank the member for securing this important debate, and I wish to this important debate, and I wish to pay tribute to all the staff and students at colleges mentioned in students at colleges mentioned in this debate this afternoon. In fact, I wish to extend this to all I wish to extend this to all colleges and schools across Kent. I hear very clearly the points that have been made by the right honourable friend for Tonbridge and honourable friend for Tonbridge and I will address to attempt the point.

Further education colleges are a vital part of the education system in this country and it is important we continue to support them and provide all the necessary tools to assist with ensuring they have good financial sustainability. This includes the ability to respond to financial distress and its worst- case, insolvency. Land-based provision is an important part of the further education system with strong links to the government's mission to kickstart economic growth to support Britain's ecology and to make it a clean energy superpower.

Hadlow College, part of the college group is the only land-based college in Kent which has its own code machine farm, horticultural production, fisheries, fishery lakes, machinery and its curriculum includes courses in agriculture, engineering, animal management, forestry and horticulture, as well as some non-land-based courses. Hadlow College is an important place within the system. Hadlow College has one main campus in Hadlow and has been placed in administration with another college in West Kent and Ashford College.

A general further education college with campuses in Ashford and Tonbridge. Historically, info brew 2019, the colleges faced challenges resulting in the request to a department for exceptional financial support. Colleges faced significant pressure which was a key factor to pace Hadlow College into administration. Combined the colleges 100 million prior to educational administrators being appointed. Hadlow College was placed into education administration in May 2019 followed by West Kent and Ashford College in August 2019. Following the appointment of administration, they stabilise the financial position of the college whilst a solution to ensure learners protected.

Without the college needing to remain administrations were sought, we also hired an interim principal to run the colleges with stakeholder advisory board during this period. What followed was an intense period of options. This included inviting interested parties and they found they were making reasonable progress in regard to performances. This resulted in the recommendation that North Kent College should require the Hadlow College is provision and its respective decisions. This was supported by funding and was completed in August 2020.

And at this point, I would also like to say that the protection of learners whilst achieved, and I will go on to explain this further. Alongside the Hadlow College administration, the education ministry to the West Kent and Ashford College also ran an option to review in conjunction with the further education Commissioner and invited interested parties to take on the provision. This resulted in the recommendation that can College should require the position and its respective facilities at the Ashford site.

The transaction was supported with funding for the department that was completed in March 2020. Combined with the transaction at Hadlow College, together with the smaller, similar sites between both colleges, more than 5000 learners were protected through the education administration process. An investigation into mismanagement at the college was undertaken by the education administrators, and then joint liquidators. This is a statutory leaf investigation which applies to not only education ministry but also to other insolvency processes. The outcomes of those investigations are detailed in the joint liquidation process reports which are publicly available at company house.

They reap settlement from the individuals The college takes a bit as a patient of public funds extremely seriously. And we will continue to support robust action where there are concerns around the safeguarding of taxpayers money. Moving to Hadlow rural community school, as the right honourable member points out, there have been in plications of the educational administration of the college for the co-location of Hadlow rural communities school. Hadlow rural communities school was originally established by Hadlow College with a land-based specialism.

The two organisations had government links, and there was an extensive land-based facility to deliver its offer. During the process of the ministration, separate governance arrangements for the school were established, and departments worked with the school to ensure these arrangements were robust. The price to Hadlow rural community school of accessing the colleges facilities rose to the extent that it was no longer sustainable within the schools budget. And the school has requested the Department support it to develop its own land-based facilities.

I appreciate the school has undertaken extensive work on proposals to the Department over a number of years to inform the official assessments, and I would like to pay tribute to the Head Teacher, his team, and the Hadlow rural community school trust board for all the work that has gone into this. And the passion that they have shown in wanting to ensure the very best of their pupils. However, this is a complex case, and it is critical that any support department may provide offers value for taxpayers money.

It is of course important that the school has clarity so it can move forward with certainty and drive. To be clear, ministers value the schools land- based specialism and we appreciate the challenges this situation has caused for the school, and we remain open to considering ways to support the school to ensure it can deliver high quality and land-based curriculum. The recent decision the member refers to is not only related to land but to potentially significant capital investment to deliver on that land.

Particularly with high quality specialist facilities at the neighbouring College. And in the context of constrained public finances, ministers always decided this did not offer good value for money. Given those communities, rather than replicating such specialist facilities next door, it is worth exploring whether an agreement can be reached between the college and the school on shared use of college facilities. We understand there will be complexities to this unless it will be important for the school for any solutions to offer security for the long-term.

Should the two organisations agree to negotiate. And we have offered support to try to help broker that. At the moment, this seems very likely. To be clear, we understand the schools desire for independence and the department has no intention of forcing the school to change its governments arrangements. We remain open to delivering proposals from the school and the school has recently suggested a new option which suggested a new option which officials have agreed to consider. The liquidations of both Hadlow and West Kent and Ashford colleges remain open whilst the liquidators realised noneducational assets.

Again, the details of those are in a joint liquidators process reports available at company house. But in summary, they relate to parts of land. The liquidator strategy to reclaim the land involves planning applications for its conclusion in the local plan which would, if successful, enhance its value. The department has priority of security for all of the remaining land assets, and any realisation is directly offset the cost of the educational administration process and are effectively returning to the Department and the taxpayer.

Those assets which were not surplus and were required by North Kent College or East Kent College were transferred to those respective colleges as part of the transactions to take on the learner and provision of Hadlow College and West Kent and Ashford College and achieve the objectives of the education administration to protect those learners. I understand the right honourable member has requested a meeting and I understand that this is in process, and I would like to assure him that we will continue to work with the joint liquidators to ensure the best possible outcome for taxpayers.

We will also ensure to work with nought Kent College to ensure the land-based and further education provision continues to succeed for the benefit of the learners and for the right honourable members constituency.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

The question is that this house do now adjourn. The eyes have it.
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None Portrait Q8. What steps his Department is taking to help increase exports to the EU. (903887)
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None Portrait Q9. What steps he is taking to help support high street businesses. (903890)
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None Portrait Q11. What steps his Department is taking to support businesses in rural areas. (903897)
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None Portrait Q12. What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on tariffs. (903898)
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None Portrait Topical questions: Business and Trade
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This debate has concluded
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