Commons Chamber

Monday 23rd June 2025

(began 2 weeks, 2 days ago)

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None Portrait Q6. What steps she is taking to support people on Universal Credit into work. (904739)
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Question number six. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. With permission I will answer this question together with question
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None Portrait Topical questions: Work and Pensions
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Topical questions.
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Middle East update
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We now come onto the first statement on the Middle East, I called the Foreign Secretary. David
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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With permission, I will make a statement on the Israel Iran statement on the Israel Iran conflict. Since I last updated the House, the United States have struck House, the United States have struck three Iranians sites, defence Secretary has said their action was Secretary has said their action was intentionally limited. Britain was not involved in these strikes, just not involved in these strikes, just as Britain was not involved in Israel's operations. But Britain has Israel's operations.

But Britain has long had concerns about Iran nuclear long had concerns about Iran nuclear program. Iran can never have a nuclear-weapons. The United States nuclear-weapons. The United States has now taken action to remediate has now taken action to remediate that threat. A nuclear armed Iran would endanger the immediate region and threaten the global community. and threaten the global community. and threaten the global community. This is a perilous moment, strikes between Israel and Iran have now lasted for 10 days, continuing overnight, I know that the whole House will have in their thoughts many civilians impacted by the fighting.

I can confirm today that this includes one British national, injured in Israel. We have reached out to offer consular support. Iran has consistently failed to reassure the world it is not pursuing a nuclear weapon. The House will recall Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling out perpetrating serial deception over the years. After exposure of the nuclear site. Today, they enrich uranium stockpile is 40 times JCPOA limit. Iran is enriching at 60%, typically, a commercial nuclear reactor like Sizewell, operate with Uranium reached between three and five%.

Iran lacks any civilian justification for this level of nuclear activity but the International Atomic Energy Agency has declared Iran in breach of the nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Mr Speaker, as we respond to this fast-moving situation, our first priority remains the welfare of petition nationals in Iran and Israel and our staff on the ground, are crisis teams in London and the region have been working around the clock, Israel has put restrictions on the Essbase since Friday, 13 June. The British embassy in Tel Aviv and British Consulate in Jerusalem, all of our diplomats remain in place supporting British nationals and we have bolstered the embassy in Tel Aviv with a rapid deployment team from the UK.

We have been working closely with the Israeli authorities to prepare flights to evacuate British nationals and their dependents. Yesterday, we launched a booking portal for British nationals, today, as soon as is possible to enter Essbase. I can confirm to the House that a Royal effort has flown into Tel Aviv, they have taken 63 British nationals and their dependents to Cyprus. From there they will be brought home. Further flights will follow in the coming days, if security lives.

We will prioritise those with greatest need and contact those allocated directly. We will send updates on future flight to all British nationals registered with the Foreign Office, and I encourage British nationals in Israel and the occupied territories to register their presence so they can receive our updates. These nationals should follow instructions from the Israeli authorities, international crossings to Jordan are open and commercial flights continue from both of those countries. Consultees are on hand to assist British nationals who have crossed the border, in Iran, Essbase remains closed and there has been a near total internet shutdown.

Due to the security situation, we took the precautionary step last Friday of temporarily withdrawing the staff from Iran, the embassy is operating remotely, though our ability to support British nationals in Iran is extremely limited. The House will know, the Foreign Office has advised against travel to Iran since 2019. Those seeking to cross the land borders can contact the FCDO for assistance. British nationals in the wider region should closely follow wider region should closely follow our advice.

Following a US security alert for their nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we now recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. Alongside our consular teams, Mr Speaker, our diplomats are fully engaged with trying to end this crisis, we can and must find a negotiating solution, the window has narrowed but the risk of further escalation is so great and the costs are considerable for Britain and will in the region that this is the government priority.

We do not yet know precisely how far the US strikes have set back Iran nuclear program, but there remains the need for a diplomatic solution. Strikes cannot destroy the knowledge that Iran has acquired over several decades. Nor any regime ambition to deploy that knowledge to build a nuclear weapon. That is why we have been working intensively with the new US administration to reach a new agreement with Iran. Iran and president Trump's envoy held five rounds of negotiations, Britain joined France and Germany in seven rounds of engagement with Iran as well.

Even after the Israeli strikes, I travelled to Washington and Geneva last week, meeting, in the White House with Secretary Rubio. And then, sitting opposite the Iranians Foreign Minister, several hours of talks, pushing for Iran to accept the diplomatic offering. And directly after the US strikes, we have been at the heart of a collective drive, with partners, to get back to negotiations. My right honourable friend, the Prime Minister has spoken to president Trump. I have spoken to Marco Rubio and the Israeli Foreign Minister, we have both been in touch with European and police departments.

This is why I spoke again to Minister about yesterday as well. My message was clear, take the offering, dial this thing down and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately. The alternative is an even more destructive and far- reaching conflict which could have unpredictable consequences. Mr Speaker, the situation presents a serious risk to British interest for the region. Having moved in additional interests -- asset on a precautionary basis, detection is at its highest levels.

We are in no doubt, we are prepared to defend our personnel, our assets, and those of our allies and partners, we are closely monitoring how energy markets are responding to the conflict and we have been extremely clear with the Iranians. Any action to block the streets would be a monumental act of economic self- harm. Making a diplomatic solution even harder. Mr Speaker, we are also maintaining sharp focus on other conflict in the region, first and foremost, the catastrophic plight of Gazans and the ongoing ordeal for the hostages and their loved ones, all faring that this war is forgotten.

Today, I met someone who was held in chains by Iranians backed terrorists. Released from Hamas captivity only to discover they had murdered his family. Last week, Israeli defence for's recover the bodies of two hostages. As well as that, and is really an British as that, and is really an British Which Hamas has been cruelly keeping from their loved ones. The Palestinian civilians, half a million facing starvation, over 400 reportedly killed in recent weeks trying to access food while hospitals in Gaza have had to stop services vital for child birth and emergency services.

This is appalling. It is unacceptable and it must finally end. The Israeli Government must release restrictions. Hamas must release all hostages and an immediate ceasefire has never been more urgent. The consequences for the current situation are hard to predict. History can offer us no guide after events unprecedented in the region. The government has sought to react quickly to the twists and turns whilst maintaining focus on where British interests lie. And a lasting end to around nuclear program, a deescalation of tensions, and security for our people across the region.

We will continue to

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persevere diplomacy. I commend this statement to the house. Shadow Secretary of State. Thank you Mr Speaker. Two weeks
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Priti Patel Portrait Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)
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Thank you Mr Speaker. Two weeks ago, the IAEA produced a report that ago, the IAEA produced a report that was damning on the Iranian regime. Iran was not cooperating, reaching its obligations, and had over 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%. Far beyond any level needed for civilian nuclear code. And enough to create nine nuclear devices. The nuclear facilities are buried deep underground to hide their program. All this from a despotic authoritarian regime that depresses and tortures its own people.

It is committed to the annihilation of email, the world's only Jewish state. And is responsible for much of the suffering in the region through its sponsorship of terrorist proxies. It is supporting Putin in his illegal war against Ukraine and is involved in plots and activities to undermine our national security here at home on a daily basis. It is for these reasons and many more that the Iranian regime must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons. That is why we stand with those working to stop them.

As his Majesty's opposition, the House will know that we will always put the defence and security of our country first. That is why we will work constructively with the government to secure the protection of British people and our national interest. We will support the government without doing the right thing but also question challenge and press ministers to go further and we think more needs to be done to safeguard our interests. It is in that spirit of constructive scrutiny, and the national interest, I put these points to the Foreign Secretary.

Firstly, British nationals and dual nationals continue to be stranded in Israel and the Middle East due to airspace closures. I've written the Foreign Secretary about this, and note the progress with today's flights. I want to thank the foreign office for the work they have been doing with many families who I have been in touch with us well, who have been able to get on that flight today. Can the Foreign Secretary tell us how many British nationals may need to be repatriated? What resources are being deployed to support those efforts? Is there enough capacity to match the numbers needed to leave? Why does it seem that the US and other European countries were ahead of us in the operational planning to bring back their citizens? The Foreign Secretary has mentioned the US Embassy advice, now he is given advice to British nationals in Qatar today.

Will there be any further notifications for other nationals in GCC states? On Iran nuclear program, the Foreign Secretary on the radio this morning could not say how effective the nuclear strikes were. I understand that will take time to get information. If more strikes are planned to further degrade around nuclear capacities, will the government consider supporting this? The government has not taken a clear position on the actions of the US and Israel. But we have seen reports of the apparent legal advice from the Attorney General cautioning against UK involvement.

Whilst I appreciate that the Foreign Secretary cannot comment on any legal advice, does the government have a position on the lawfulness of these strikes and is he welcome the ends as well as the means to achieve this? Does he share my cynicism about Iran's attempt to cloak itself and the UN Charter? The same UN Charter it has undermined with its brutality for decades. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm if the US will be permitted to take action from Diego Garcia should future strikes on Iran be needed or actions to defend Israel? Or does the government think there are legal barriers? Third, with heightened tensions in the region, can the Foreign Secretary give an update on what further steps are being undertaken to safeguard reduced military assets in the region? And our partners from any unwise military action taken by the Iranian regime? I say this considering the reports that we heard about over the weekend with the arrests of the suspected Iranian spy plot in Cyprus.

Are we now stepping up efforts to protect bases? Fourth, what steps are being taken across government and without police Counter-Terrorism and Security Act is to assess the domestic threat levels? The Foreign Secretary cannot go to operational details, can you give assurances of the robust action and disruptions to any potential being underway? He mentioned and rightly so the issue of Gaza, and the fact that we absolutely must work together in terms of ensuring that humanitarian aid gets to people desperately in need of aid.

Can the Foreign Secretary update us on what steps he has been taking to engage with Israel to get more aid into Gaza? Does he agree that Iran must be weakened to end their ability to sponsor Hamas and other terrorists

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in the region? I am very grateful to the tone
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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I am very grateful to the tone and the co-operative context in which the honourable Lady has made which the honourable Lady has made her remarks, and quite rightly she has a number of questions which I will attempt to answer. Let me begin by saying fundamentally, we are in agreement that Iran and the regime in Iran can never have a nuclear- weapons. All of our efforts are designed to ensure that is the case. The whole House will understand that this is not just about Iran, the region, and global security.

It is because we have to remain steadfast in our commitment to not see nuclear put. If Iran got nuclear-weapons, clearly there would be others in the region that would seek to follow. So it is a sober commitment. It really begins 80 years ago that we must see to completion in relation of their ambitions. She asks about British nationals in Israel. There are just over 4000 British nationals that have registered their interests following our appeal last week. We would estimate that somewhere would estimate that somewhere between 15% to 25% of them, this is following the pattern in previous crises in Israel, and the region, take up the offer of British assistance to leave.

She knows, the airspace has been closed, and so that offer up until this point is about getting them to the border. I am very pleased that the flight has landed and taken off. We hope to work with the Israeli Government on further flights in the area. My understanding is that there has been a military plane that the Americans have put on for their citizens from Israel. She will understand the uniqueness of the relationship the United States has with America that facilitated that opening.

And I'm very pleased that we have been able to garner that same agreement today. With these really government. This is an ongoing and fast moving situation she has heard what I advised British nationals in Qatar today. Of course we will keep this under close review and there may be further updates over the course of the next few days. It was important that I was in Washington DC sitting with the US administration. In that meeting with Marco Rubio last week, it was very clear to me that all options were on the table.

An President Trump had those options in front of him. Of course discussed with them in detail the trip I would be making alongside my French and German and European High Representative in Geneva. They were keen and hopeful that that might be successful. It was not successful. But we continue to press the Iranians to take the off ramp get into those negotiations with the United States and with the E3 to ensure that they are in compliance.

She asks about the legal advice. That must rightly be a matter for the US government in relation to their action. I am pleased that she mentioned the Ministerial Code. She will know that section two, 13 of the Ministerial Code prevents those of us in government discussing legal advice so that government can operate in the appropriate way. But I would say to her, this was not our action. We have been clear that we were not involved.

She asks whether we had a request from the US government, we did not get such a request, but we were notified before the action took place. She asks about state threats. It is right to say that we have thwarted 20 such state threats since 2022 in this country. She will know, including the highest tier that we put Iran in full national interference will stop she will know that we take the threat very seriously from Iran. We are reviewing and will come forward with legislation in the coming months in relation to that gaps that was found in how we deal with state

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threats. Chair of the select committee.
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Calum Miller Portrait Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)
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in the condemnation of an Iranian regime poses an existential threat to Israel, and has terrorised its own people as surely as citizens from other countries around the world including the UK. That is why we support the consensus in this house that Iran can never be allowed to have nuclear. Yet it is not clear that military action by Israel and the US can provide long-term block on Iran nuclear ambitions which we need. Following this weekend's strike, it is reported that Iran will work at pace to develop weapons with what remains of their enriched uranium supplies.

This should give pause to those on the Conservative and reform act benches who have breathlessly echoed resident trumps line that the strikes have been an unrivalled success. Instead of bringing security, Trump and Netanyahu's unilateral actions have increased uncertainty and the risk of a full-scale regional war. Their belief that might is right, further erodes the rule-based international order and undermine the prospects of containing Iran. And other rogue states in the long-term. This is not in the U.K.'s interest. That is why Liberal Democrats have called consistently for the application of robust diplomacy supported by IAEA monitoring and international law, as the only sustainable way to permanently limit Iran is nuclear ambitions.

Our immediate priority must be to ensure the safety and supporter British nationals in the region, learning the lessons of unacceptable delays on previous occasions. I asked the Foreign Secretary, why has it taken over a week since the start of strikes to begin repatriating Britons from Israel? What more is being done to support those in the wider region you want to leave? The government has also remained silent on the legality of this conflict. Will the Foreign Secretary now commits to publishing the attorney general's advice on whether any UK involvement in this conflict would constitute a breach of international law? Will you confirm that this House will be given a vote before any decision for given a vote before any decision for
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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I am grateful to my honourable friend. Can I reassure her I spoke to the Israeli foreign minister yesterday. I spoke to him briefly again this morning and he reassured me that the targets, that the military targets, the nuclear facility, remains their objective Mr Speaker, thank you. Away from the headlines, as the Foreign Secretary said, hundreds of Gazans have been losing their lives. Let's be clear about what is happening, as tens of thousands of people daily walk miles to beg for food from American mercenaries, they been shot at mercenaries, they been shot at random in the street.

I think we random in the street. I think we have moved beyond in this House asking the Foreign Secretary to lift a finger beyond mouthing the words to do anything about this, but I have a wider question. Does he envision the UK will play any sort of part in there being some sort of consequence in the future for these outright murders? outright murders? Can I say to the right honourable gentlemen, I know the strength of feeling he has on these issues and the consistency with which he has pressed these issues from the back ventures.

-- Back Benches. Can I assure him that in the White House last week we did not just ask us the situation right discuss the situation in Israel and Iran, we discussed the situation in Gaza and the chances of a ceasefire. The prospects of that ceasefire are currently with Hamas, deep in their system and in the tunnels. But I remain hopeful that we will get a breakthrough in the coming days and weeks. And that the suffering we are

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seeing is alleviated. I am aiming for 5 o'clock, so if we can speed up the questions and

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answers that would be very helpful. When there was US offensive action against Iran five years ago,
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Tottenham, Labour)
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of the Ministerial Code. Thank you very much. With his 25 years of Parliamentary service, the Foreign Secretary will no doubt remember when Tony Blair told us remember when Tony Blair told us Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and where -- were a grave threat to international security. And then of course we followed America into an illegal war in the Middle East. If the Prime Minister were to go down that same road then he will be wrong also. Is it not overdue the government follow an independent and as Robin Cook, memorably said an ethical foreign policy.

One created here and not in Washington, DC?

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The honourable gentleman allows me to put on record what a privilege me to put on record what a privilege it has been to serve and work as Foreign Secretary alongside a Prime Foreign Secretary alongside a Prime Minister of such tremendous principle and legal learning. That principle and legal learning. That entirely understands his obligations and entirely understands what the and entirely understands what the government looks like and entirely understands and is steadfast in his belief in the international rules based order.



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Thank you. Thank you to the Foreign Secretary for the gravity with which he is employing the with which he is employing the importance of this. The Foreign Secretary told me he had huge confidence in our ability to defend confidence in our ability to defend our Middle Eastern assets from Iranian strikes. Within two days, to strategic assets were vandalised by strategic assets were vandalised by a couple of civilians on an e- scooter with RAF -- at an RAF base. Does the Foreign Secretary recognise Does the Foreign Secretary recognise the UK must not follow Trump into Netanyahu's war with Iran when force protection is inadequately resourced

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at home? I am very grateful to the honourable gentleman for his honourable gentleman for his service. In the RAF and can I refer him to a statement the Armed Services Minister will shortly be making in the House about the making in the House about the
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
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We now come to the statement for the business, trade Secretary of State. With your permission, I wish to
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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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With your permission, I wish to make a statement on how this Labour Government is backing British business and British workers with the launch of the UK's modern Industrial Strategy. At the outset, I would like to thank Dane Claire Barclay and all the members of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council for all their outstanding work and that of my officials in preparing the launch of this strategy today. In an uncertain world, stability, clarity and consistency are needed now more than ever.

The challenges we face require nothing less than a government on the pitch, clearing the way for private enterprise and doing so in the best interests of working people. That is what this pro-business, pro-working government is going to deliver. Today I launch a strategy to make written the best place in the world to start and grow a business. -- Make Britain. Based on a fundamentally new economic approach from what we have had in the past, I break from the decline, the dinner, the disinterest that defined the last Conservative government.

This strategy speaks to the strength and breadth of our economy, holding strong industrial foundations, powering technologies or supporting our world leading services sector to innovate and thrive. It brings together every bit of government to drive investment, improving the total business environment by drawing on every government department expertise. It is a plan to rebuild Britain through new jobs, new industries and new investment. I plan to launch thousands of new careers in engineering, life sciences and professional services and more.

A plan where Britain's future is designed and built in Britain. I accept, until this government came to power, British business was treated to a merry-go-round of policy changes, only matched by the shuffling of successive business secretaries. We are now providing the stability that is at such a premium across the world. Make UK have long called for, " A funded and joined up long-term vision" As a matter of urgency or stability and investment and I could not have put it better myself.

For the moment we took office, we said we would pursue this new economic approach. Where industrial policy would be something done with business and not to business. And we are fulfilling that commitment today. I would like to place on record my thanks also to the thousands of businesses who have engaged in this process. That had design this strategy with us. And this is not a document that will be printed and then forgotten. We will put the Industrial Strategy Council and the Industrial Strategy on a statutory footing to hardwire these changes for the long-term.

This government has brought stability and openness and a progrowth agenda. As I have told this House previously, working people must feel the benefits of economic growth. We must go further and faster if we want to achieve the kind of economic growth the public should expect and see in the public services and feel in their pay packets. Business has provided a wealth of testimony and evidence to the areas they see as holding them back and there are no surprises to that list.

It starts with energy. Because we have highest industrial electricity prices in the developed world at present book -- present. They went up 50% in real terms under the previous government. Skills, because when you have vacancies when one in eight young people and net immigration at one million when we took office, something has gone bad or wrong. And place, because too much of the country has been held back by crumbling infrastructure and a lack of investment and by the North-South divide. And that ends now.

We will make the bold choices to ensure every region and every nation can play to their strengths. And finally, access to finance. Because without access to capital we will always have a ceiling on ambition. Today we have smashed through these barriers. Let me take each of these Starting with energy, today we announced we wereslashelectricity costs between 20 and 25% do a new British industrial competitiveness scheme. This will bring our prices more closely in line with Europe and it will be a game changer.

We will also put in place the reforms we need for businesses to get much faster connections to the grid that they need. This means companies and sectors like carmaking chemicals, who will see their electricity costs. The scheme could benefit over 7,000 businesses with high electricity in an industrial strategy foundation energies and high-growth man of action sectors, which collectively employ over 300,000 skilled workers. We will launch an expanded version of the supercharger scheme. So some of our largest companies in electricity intensive sectors, including investment in the future, such as the new steelworks electric arc furnace at Port Talbot and the factory in Somerset, who will see their network charging exemptions rise from 60% to 90%, cutting their electricity bills and making them more competitive than a European I understand this was something the previous government promised but failed to deliver.

This will all be done I can confirm without adding a penny onto consumer bills onto the bills of any other business. Secondly we are shaking up the skills system and prioritising digital engineering and defence skills. So British workers can secure a good, secure jobs in tomorrow's economy. Our industrial strategy sectors are already on track to create 1.1 million new good, well paying jobs with the help of this industrial strategy and we want those opportunities to benefit all of our constituents. That is why we are investing over £275 million.

In our engineering skills package and the skills mission fund. To deliver training and new Texan -- technical excellent colleges as part of our wider ambition. Through our global talent reforms and other global Task Force we are ensuring UK businesses can recruit the best of the best from here and abroad. On the issue of place, on the canonic geography of the UK, which means a great deal to me and many of my colleagues who listened to grand plans to level up and turned into a new extra plots and empty promises, this strategy is unashamedly ambitious but choosers back with clusters of high-growth sectors and the developed governments, the mayors and local leaders to boost growth.

To make it easier to get money to places to turn investment into spades into the ground and cranes in the sky. Two industrial strategy that will bring together our existing network of Freeports and investment zones. And we will also for the first time include a new program which identifies investable sites will fast-track development, similar to an initiative taken in France. Our infrastructure must match our ambition. We will strengthen connections between city regions and clusters through the Oxford to Cambridge North corridor, the growth corridor across our northern city regions.

The Edinburgh Glasgow Central bent and for rail enhancements in Wales. Finally we will unlock billions of pounds of business finance with the National Wealth Fund supporting other growth Wealth Fund supporting other growth sectors and expanding growth and capital for scale ups and start-ups. Addressing the key stage in scale we know is the most challenging. This growth Capita will capitalise £12 billion of capital across the aid and growth driving sectors and deliver around £30 billion of additional GBA to the UK economy.

These measures alongside other transformative sector plans are how we realise the untapped potential in key parts of our economy. For instance, by 2035 we aim to double as this investment in advanced manufacturing. Increasing the volume of vehicles produced in the UK to 1.3 billion, while creating the first European market for self driving vehicles. We are turbocharging our clean and mission with investment in offshore wind and Small Modular Reactors, in carbon capture and green hydrogen and gigafactory ports and green steel.

We will make our United Kingdom one of the top three places in the world for creating and scaling digital technology business. That means training one million young people in tech skills and expanding our AI research resources by at least 2030 -- by 20 fold by 2030. We will increase investment in a World Cup leading creative industries, cementing our position as one of the great creative exporters in the world. For our life sciences sector and our ambition is the UK will be by 2030 the leading life sciences economy in Europe by 2035 the third most important life sciences economy globally.

After the US and China. At the same time we plan to double business investment in professional and business services to £61 billion. Ensuring the continued growth in a powerhouse industry that accounts for millions of jobs in the UK. The vast majority of them outside of London. We have already announced the largest increase in defence spending since the Cold War and we will use this to transform the UK into a defence industrial stupor power by 2035. Leaving -- leading European exports and capital investment in defence cut in half with the US.

We are at the heart of business investment and stability, we will harness opportunities as markets digitise and adopt new technologies and ensure the whole economy feels the benefits of increased investment. This industrial strategy also ensures places and sectors can take full advantage of the U.K.'s position as one of the trade. We have long been and will remain a champion of free trade. Which is why under this government we have deliver trade agreements with our biggest trading partner in the world, with the biggest economy in the world and with the fastest growing economy in the world.

Making the UK the best connected market in the world. Through this industrial strategy we will reaffirm our commitment to free, fair resilient trade. While shielding businesses from supply changes disruption and market changes disruption and market distorted practices. We were leveraging our relationship with Europe, the US, China, the golf and beyond to businesses can make the UK their base to connect with global markets. It will work, hand in glove with the trade strategy my department will publish later this week. To help British companies continue markets, to export more and to grow.

In conclusion this is a watershed moment. The two long governments have been the source of problems of British business. And not a path to solutions. That has resulted in parts of the country like where I and many others here grew up where we watched yards and factories closed along with the door to opportunity. We were losing the past that we had with no bridge to the future. That also ends now. Because our Plan for Change is backing this country's greatest assets and industries to put more money into people's pockets, to raise living standards and to release a decade of national brilliance.

I welcome the U.K.'s comments that today is one of the most important days of British industry in a generation. We are creating prosperous, proud and outward facing that self-reliant independent and highly skilled nation. A plan like a country where opportunity instils wealth where it is spread fairly and every person and every person and business will have the chance to flourish and that is what our Modern Industrial Strategy will deliver. Our future in our hands built in Britain. That is what this strategy will achieve and I commend this statement to the House.



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I know the Secretary of State is very diligent with letting his official knows the opening statement official knows the opening statement is to go beyond 10 minutes they should let the Speaker's Office know because the speech, the statement because the speech, the statement went a little bit longer. I will allow the opposition and the Liberal
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Andrew Griffith Portrait Andrew Griffith MP (Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)
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Democrats an extra one minute each. I come to the shadow Secretary of State.

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Thank you very much. I thank the Secretary of State for advanced sight of his statement. It is always sight of his statement. It is always a good day when we can talk about our wonderful and innovative British businesses. It is sad to say this businesses. It is sad to say this strategy has taken the best part of 12 months to appear. That is how 12 months to appear. That is how long British industry has had to wait for this cut and paste wait for this cut and paste industrial strategy.

158 pages, mostly copied and pasted from mostly copied and pasted from previous sector strategies and the Science and Technology Framework Science and Technology Framework which do nothing to alleviate the pain and turmoil that Labour have pain and turmoil that Labour have already inflicted. In that 12 months we have seen Labour have crashed the economy, unemployment$$JOIN... They laugh! Unemployment up in everyone laugh! Unemployment up in everyone of the nine months of this government hiring down and government hiring down and investment down.

I understand the document is printed on 40% recycled document is printed on 40% recycled paper, very much like its contents. Yet there is no respite for business Yet there is no respite for business from the decisions that have been taken. The Secretary of State talks about restoring stability. There may well be what was written for him but he like me, listens to businesses and he cannot possibly believe that. The government hikes taxes by £40 billion where they promised not to and guilt rates are higher today than they were after the mini- budget.

They figured the fiscal rules and are now running out of headroom all well setting up All in the shadow of the last governance PFI. More red tape unemployment, the proposal set out in this document are simply insufficient and at a time and businesses need far greater measures to defend them from the minefield Labour have left out. There are many elements of the strategy we do welcome. I am pleased the government has continued work of former Chancellor and I which we undertook on access to capital.

It is good to see an emphasis on trade and international cooperation. Particularly with reference to the documents focused on Japan and Saudi Arabia. I am glad the government has instrumented -- implemented the reforms to turn the NHS into a global platform for data research. It is encouraging given way to autonomous cars but curious there is no mention of opportunity of driverless trains. I am disappointed the life sciences and engineering biology received minor mentions. There is a minor mention of skills reform but no real addition to our labour market.

An almost the absence for references to small businesses which cover the majority of businesses and the majority of employment in this country -- count for the majority of businesses and the majority of employment in this country. The big area today is energy. We welcome the Prime Minister's epiphany this weekend as he announced he would/ green levies on a Slater number of businesses. -- Certain number of businesses. The industrial strategy still talks about accelerating to net zero at a time when British business needs the opposite.

This is simply mad. Rather than addressing the root causes of high energy costs sitting next to the Business Secretary, this government seems intent on adding to the web of complexity of taxes and levies and subsidies. There is nothing in this Madam Deputy Speaker, about reopening the North Sea, the energy reserves that lie under our own secure feet. It even confounds the problem by imposing further self-harm through a carbon board mechanism -- border adjustment mechanism by tariffs that will cost businesses in this country and consumers dearly.

How can anyone outside of this postcode running a business believe Labour intend to cut the regulatory burden when they have set up a new quango at a rate of one every two weeks. Including in the business Secretary's own department. How can anyone outside of Whitehall looking at the regulations take seriously the commitments in this document when his own department are guiding through this House 300 pages of trade union written implement law which will force employment -- force employers to cut hiring and jobs.

I will conclude with a number of questions. If the Secretary of State cannot answer today perhaps you would be so kind to write with a reply. The small business strategy was promised for the spring. A summer Solstice is now behind us. Can he tell the millions of businesses when that is coming? There are a number of live situations which you will be aware of. The bioethanol plant insulting chemical plant in whole ,'s agenda moving its position breeding program to France and the equivocation over the support of the stake in the vital satellite business.

Does he agree with me it is actions not words that count and will he impress that upon his Treasury colleagues? And finally today strategy does talk about reducing the number of regulators, that is wholly welcome. As we need a marked coal in the number of regulators and their scope and size. Will the Secretary of State commit to publishing an annual statement showing the progress his government are making and will he start today by agreeing not to create any medium ones?

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Fuelled with optimism my, even

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Fuelled with optimism my, even the Conservative frontbench cannot bring that optimism down today. I do think it is, having been in opposition myself some time, to go out and say this document is all out and say this document is all rubbish and I welcome most of it is quite an exciting take on responding in these moments. I know 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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Conservative party, I think they have managed to oppose almost everything this government has done in the first year including in my department, the product standards bill which the previous government was planning to Brill -- planning to bring had remained in office. And the negotiations they could not get over the line. I welcome the small bits of positive news in his messaging. I would say everyone should support us, everyone across the House. Because it has been based on the things and it will not be secret honourable member to spend time in their constituency Fridays and weekends, they will be told about skills and energy and access to finance and the need for local areas to have the access they need.

To address the needs in their local economies. I hope you will also recognise in good spirit many of the things that need to be addressed are problems that room during the Conservative government. -- Grew during the Conservative government. Energy bills becoming so competitive as a result of actions and decisions by the Conservatives. We are fixing that problem to make the difference. Skills, one in eight young people need when net immigration is at one million. That is not success currently that is needing to be addressed.

We need to address the failures around funding of course just like engineering that there are such obvious need for our sector. Finance, one of the long-standing problems we are all familiar with. He asked the number of questions. I'm more than happy to answer them. First of all on small businesses. If you read more of the detail when he has time he will see in the creative industries and their defence sectors SMEs play a vital role in the sector plans. The second thing I would say to anyone looking towards the story and message, to businesses who are not in the sectors covered by the strategy, they will benefit from people having good jobs, high incomes whether that is hospitality, retail or leisure.

Of course they have a direct benefit from the strategy. Finally of course the small business plan he asked about will come out next month in July. That deals with things like payment, business support, access to the kind of tools we need on the High Street, rental auctions and so forth. He attacked net zero. It is a mistake. There will be turning back some billions and billions of pounds of investment. Why would we do that? With all of the benefits that could bring, particularly a country that is not so reliant on volatile foreign gas prices? I think that is an obvious thing we would not want to turn our backs on.

He seemed to announce a new conservative position opposing seamounts. That is a busy about carbon leakage and A-level playing field. The previous Conservative government was very strong advocate of that. I am surprised. On the bioethanol industry, the two plants affected, were in a challenging position before the US trade deal. It is not itself the cause of that bill losing money and of course if I intervene I have to have a rooted profitability but that is the basis of those conversations. Precision breeding is something we are committed to and for businesses moving to France where they find more restrictive environment because of the regulations over there.

I would recommend that. There are some specific issues I would be happy to talk about and finally oil regulations we have a ready taken decisive action with the instance the CMA and strategic steel has been warmly welcomed by business. People are vastly more of that and that is exactly what we intend to bring. Let me say because I know this is so important frontbench colleagues and across the House, I am more than happy to go for a briefing to any frontbench spokesperson or colleagues across the House because there are so -- there is so much in this document that will make a difference in detail with Schering.

I would be more than happy to share that with them. Let's get behind that with them. Let's get behind

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Can I congratulate my right honourable friend in what is the biggest remaking of the relationship biggest remaking of the relationship between public and private sector for a generation. The business community in this country is going to be stronger and better further measures he has announced today. The
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Sarah Olney Portrait Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)
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Conservative government damaging decision to scrap our country's industrial plan. We therefore welcome the re-establishment of the Industrial Strategy and the fact that it focuses on many of the sectors that we prioritised in government, including life sciences, professional services and clean energy. On energy, measures to bring down some of the highest industrial prices in the world will be welcome news for our manufacturers and energy intensive firms. But we cannot forget that businesses across our entire economy struggle with high energy prices, not least our hospitality businesses and our SMEs.

What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that small businesses across sectors have access to better energy deals? And will he look to bring forward the industrial competitiveness scheme from its current two-year horizon? On skills, while today's announcement comes as a welcome funding boost, it stops well short of a fundamental reform that we need to see. So I ask the Secretary of State if he will accelerate the reform of apprenticeships and empower Skills England to act as a properly independent body with employers at its heart? One key omission is our world leading agri- food industry, which has been relegated from a priority sector and our plans, to receiving a handful of mentions in the entire White Paper and I hope the Secretary of State will admit that our farmers and rural communities deserve far better.

If the Government is truly serious about backing British business and going for growth, will they show more ambition on trade with Europe and look to negotiate a new UK-EU customs union, which could rocket boosters under UK plc and extra time that you are kindly granted me, can I ask the Secretary of State about access to finance, particularly about addressing inequalities? I have been a chairman for the APPG are black and minority ethnic business owners and I've seen from myself the data that shows how much difficult it is for those businesses to access finance and no similar data exist for women entrepreneurs and to address those inequalities would add a great deal to growth and can I finally ask when

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will we see more details about the National Wealth Fund? I warmly welcome the honourable

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I warmly welcome the honourable ladies support, I thought that section of the Liberal Democrat manifesto was very well written, for whoever was responsible for that, whoever was responsible for that, but we can get behind, very much the but we can get behind, very much the case. She was right to say the support this approach. I have talked
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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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to nearly every one of my living predecessors, not all of them, but some of the 12 done this kind of work and made a difference across the political divide and made a difference. There are some new things in the sectors we pitch, creative industries, absolutely brilliant economic soft power and cultural strength of this country, great to see them included around that. I know in terms of the timescale for energy policy changes, I know people will recognise the burden this represents, once the action quickly, I want to see as quickly as possible.

I can make the changes to the supercharger scheme more quickly because it is an existing scheme, the intensity threshold were already in place. The industrial competitive scheme, I think we will need legislation to implement that and it will take the time, depending how cooperative colleagues are across the House. I welcome what she said on skills. Skills is always going to be the number one thing any business raises with the Department. The fundamental watches talking that I recognise acacias making, since the pension levy was introduced employer investment on skills has gone down, that is not what any of us wanted to see.

We will are Skills England and the industrial strategy Council to work more closely on this issue, what do businesses need to put more investment in themselves. Ask them to report by the Budget this year, to see if we can take forward a more comprehensive set of changes will stop the Department for Education owns this part of the policy but it is a cross government strategy, as it should be. She mentions agri- food, it is a subsection of advanced Manufacturing and is included. The only item of disagreement as she asked on trade and I would say this Government is managing the pressures of international trade better than any other country in the world.

The customs union she is proposing would mean we could not have the trade deals with India, which is Peart- Harris down, salmon and Scottish whiskey and automotive deals. We could not have the agreement with the US that has saved tens of thousands of jobs, so I cannot agree with her on that point. I think we should have closer trade with Europe, the US and the rest of the world. On access to finance, I thoroughly agree and appreciate that point. This is a core business and economic issue for the UK.

It is not a minor issue. The level of finance going to female and entrepreneurs is not sufficient. We have already some of those significant campaigns... I stand ready to do more and recognise stand ready to do more and recognise

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acacias making. -- Recognise the case she is making. I welcome this incredibly positive Industrial Strategy, which will help us to harness Britain's potential. In the strategy, it rightly recognises that Stoke-on- Trent has been at the heart of ceramics industry. Is. Therefore can I ask the Secretary of State to outline what the Industrial Strategy
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Graham Leadbitter Portrait Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)
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You cannot please everyone can I am depressed listening to that question. He is categorically wrong. Look at what we are proposing to clean any and what that means for Scotland. Look at the new supercomputer in Edinburgh and what that means for tech and digital. that means for tech and digital. Look the creative industries and the opportunities there. Look at net zero and opportunities for investment in Scotland whilst cutting the energy bills. I will say cutting the energy bills. I will say on the independence question, whatever anyone else things about independence and of course there are parts of this as you would expect parts of this as you would expect respect the devolution settlements and skills are something that can always be addressed, is money that has gone to the Scottish Government, that is nature of the national industrial strategy that respects the devolved settlement.

On the devolved settlement. On independence it would be ruinous for the economy. You would shed Scotland's renewable potential from a customer base in England that I believe in the time of the independence referendum yes we wanted the UK energy market anyway. wanted the UK energy market anyway. There are things he was -- if he was being honest and candid he would being honest and candid he would recognise they come from the massive strengths of the union, come what may. This is a strategy that speaks to building on those opportunities to building on those opportunities for every bit of the United Kingdom, Scotland especially in Scotland's economy could be described by the eight high potential industrial strategy sectors in this document.

Let's have a bit of optimism for Scotland. Scotland.
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Johanna Baxter Portrait Johanna Baxter MP (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)
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As the Scotland that is fantastic to hear that optimism and pride for the future. Of course she is right to say there are huge advantages for constituents in Scotland in this. The kind that commits funding on a long-term basis on R&D, that cuts industrial energy prices, that does the kind of things across the the kind of things across the bottom. There is so much that is part of this. On each of those sectors to breakdown I could be here sectors to breakdown I could be here for hours, Madam Deputy Speaker.

You would probably get upset with me if would probably get upset with me if you read out each of the measures that are a part of this. They said that question earlier, of course we are doing a national industrial are doing a national industrial strategy and when set -- when doing so you have to respect the devolved so you have to respect the devolved settlement and there are so -- some settlement and there are so -- some areas I do not have control over as the United Kingdom Secretary of State.

We will work in partnership where we can. There are things I where we can. There are things I would like from the Scottish Government. Think of Scottish pedigree in terms of nuclear power, all of that investment in IT all of that investment in IT Scotland because of the policies of the Scottish Government. I have my frustrations and I want to do where frustrations and I want to do where we are able to do so, to produce the best outcome for Scotland.
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Charlie Maynard Portrait Charlie Maynard MP (Witney, Liberal Democrat)
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I understand the point the honourable gentleman is making. This was the question then faced a nation at the time of the referendum. If you leave the single market then of course there will be economic consequences of that, particularly when you have free movement of people and what that produces in terms of the GDP figures. It does not mean this is a decision the country took. I would say let's look country took. I would say let's look to the future and not the past.

We can have this argued forever. You can have a situation where the kind can have a situation where the kind of uncertainty that was created by never fundamentally coming to a settlement of Brexit would actually in itself become as big a problem as in itself become as big a problem as the kind of impact of leaving the single market that he talks about. Of course if we were in a customs Of course if we were in a customs union without part of the EU, Canidae seven economy subcontract Canidae seven economy subcontract that area McCann a sub economy...

I do not think that is reasonable. I appreciate the liberal position is almost certainly to come back into almost certainly to come back into the European Union and there is consistency there but that would mean for instance denying the benefits of the India trade deal. A reduction in agriculture and whiskey and cars, no services access to and cars, no services access to India, and this has saved so far, tens of thousands of jobs.
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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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Worryingly only nine% of secondary vocational learners are currently studying engineering, Manufacturing and construction compared to the OECD average of 32%. I warmly welcome this industrial strategy confirms £100 million of investment to support engineering skills in England. Could he outline how this funding will help meet how this funding will help meet skills shortages and deliver growth across the country including in across the country including in Four agreed in case she made, I can Four agreed in case she made, I can put funding from my department, internet, specifically around internet, specifically around engineering, the shortages are so acute and the opportunities are so great, he's a great job, great careers, great lives.

It is about more funding to put the courses on, more funding to put the courses on, flexibility and the kinds of courses, more capacity, and of courses, more capacity, and of course, making that available in all parts of the country. You could not get a better pedigree than in Derby, get a better pedigree than in Derby, that is a great success story for this country. this country. I welcome the compounds of and business friendly strategy, the investment in Britain, British people and British businesses.

Home to the world class defence and innovative cluster, it has strengthened maritime, space, drones and assets like kinetics, Airbus, Royal Navy base, and others. I could continue the list with so many more businesses in my city but time will not allow. Can my right honourable not allow. Can my right honourable friend say hello invest 2035 can walk alongside future organisation walk alongside future organisation to unlock growth, and jobs. to unlock growth, and jobs.
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: UK Base Protection update
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the Minister. Thank you, members of the House will be aware of the news breaking
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Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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will be aware of the news breaking in Qatar of reports of explosions at 1935 local time. This is a fast changing situation, and we are monitoring it closely. Members will understand that I will not be able to give details at this stage. But the UK government utterly condemns any escalation, we have put forth protection measures at its highest level to safeguard our personal in the region, we have robust measures in place to protect our Armed Forces personnel and their safety is our top priority.

That is why we have been calling for deescalation and I'm sure you will understand I will be trying to keep this statement short, to return to the department to be fully briefed. But there are a number of development I wish to update the House about in the meantime. Earlier today, the Foreign Secretary made a statement updating the House on the military action undertaken by the United States who conducted airstrikes against three Iranian cliff facilities. No British forces were involved in these US strikes but the UK and US share an ambition that Iran can never be allowed to develop nuclear-weapons.

And has taken action to alleviate that threat. America is the closest defence and security ally, the damages will continue to work in lockstep every day. As the Foreign Secretary said, this is a critical moment for the Middle East. It follows a period of escalating conflict in an already volatile region. Yesterday my right honourable friend the prime minister urged Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis. I echo that call. There is no route for Iranian military retaliation that brings this crisis to an end.

The only off ramp for Iran is to get serious and to return to diplomacy. The MoD's number one priority has been the protection of our people and our bases in the region. Working alongside the chief of defence staff, ministers have directed commanders to take all necessary measures to protect our service men and women. Forced protection now is at its highest state across all deployed units in the Middle East. The additional RAF Typhoon jets announced by the Prime Minister have now arrived in the region to reinforce our posture, deter threats, and reassure our partners.

I want to be clear, we will not rule out sending further capabilities if they are required. We will take all steps necessary to We will take all steps necessary to protect our people and assets. As we recognised in the Strategic Defence Review, we must always put our people at the heart of our defence plans. That is why we have acted swiftly to bolster our defences and ensure our forces are supported and protected. I want to thank all our outstanding personnel who have worked tirelessly in the past few days often with little sleep to support the U.K.'s response, both at home and abroad.

And further to media reporting of the weekend, I can confirm that we are in contact with the authorities in Cyprus regarding the arrest of a British man. I am limited what I say due to the ongoing police investigation but I can tell the house that rules are not breached. We are continually monitoring this fast changing situation and stand ready to respond to any threats. I now want to turn to the protection of our bases at home. The illegal entry and criminal vandalism by the group Palestine Action at RAF Brize Norton last week was disgraceful.

I can confirm RAF planes were damaged by play paint but there was no further damage to infrastructure or assets. Has there been any impact on planned operations from Brize Norton. Not only was this epically stupid but it was also a direct attack on our national security. Our personnel stationed at RAF Brize Norton so for total dedication and professionalism. They worked tirelessly to support our armed forces deployed across the world. To deliver military assistance to Ukraine, and they have been formally recognised for their contribution in flying humanitarian aid into Gaza.

So this action does nothing to further the path to peace. It does nothing to further the Palestinian cause. It does nothing to further any cause. Everyone across the House is united in condemning it. This must never happen again. I have spoken with the chief of defence staff and the chief of the air staff about this incident earlier today. Enhanced security measures across the whole of Defence have been put in place on Friday including on aircraft and airfield operating services, RF patrols have increased physical security has been improved, and the suspected point of entry.

And the Defence Secretary has ordered that the full security review is conducted at pace. Not only at Brize Norton but across the defence estate. Counterterrorism policing, Southeast, and Thames Valley Police are leading the investigation to establish the exact circumstances into the events, and to identify those responsible. We will continue to work with the police and pursue this unacceptable act of vandalism. This is subject to a live counterterrorism investigation, so I hope the House will understand that I cannot provide any further details at this time.

This is more than just disruption. The actions of Palestine Action have increased in frequency and severity of its methods become more aggressive and its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence. Its activities meet the threshold set out in the statutory test established under the terrorism act 2000. That is why the Home Secretary is today announcing that she intends to proscribe Palestine Action. The instability in the Middle East and that continued war in Ukraine shows why this week's NATO leaders summit in The Hague matters.

We are living in a more dangerous and unpredictable world. This summit is a moment when NATO allies will pledge to step up on defence, to boost defence spending boosts our collective security. President Trump and the NATO chief Mark Rutte are right. The current NATO spending pledge of at least 2% of GDP on defence as a relic of an old era. We are in a new era of threat which demands a new era for defence and defence spending. That is why the government announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending to the end of the Cold War.

It is why this week at NATO we will discuss a new higher spending targets with our allies. The United Kingdom is up for that discussion. We will make written safer, secure at home, and strong abroad. I commend this statement to the House.
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James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge MP (South Suffolk, Conservative)
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Thank you and I'm grateful to the Minister for advanced sight of the statement and I entirely understand it is the fast moving situation in relation to Capita. I'm grateful for the limited update can provide. We join him in condemning any escalation. Look forward to further updates in due course. On Brize Norton, let me say what the Minister was unable to, the attack on RAF Brize Norton was not vandalism. This was sabotage. Undertaken with no regard to the consequences for a royal air force and our ability to defend our nation.

As a result, there must be consequences for those responsible. Can the Minister explain how on earth the saboteurs were able not only to break through the perimeter fence but cover a considerable distance to reach the precious airfield tarmac inflicts damage to our airfreight, and get out of the base without being intercepted? What steps has he taken to ensure rapid reinforcement of perimeter and internal fencing, not just on the specific point incursion at Brize Norton as he describes, but throughout the base and at all other UK bases? What is he doing to ensure sufficient military policing personnel are in place to enforce security that they have access to effective countermeasure technologies? On the drone threat which is relevant, he knows how quickly military technology is moving.

In December I asked him about protection of UK bases in a written question whether he would accelerate testing and direct to energy levels, and he said this work was in development. What progress has he made in the six months since? Protection of our bases is not just a priority for the UK mainland. Given the confirmation of reports that a man allegedly linked with Iran has been arrested on suspicion of espionage and terrorism offences, can confirm that all measures being taken to reinforce UK bases will be replicated with the same urgency throughout our overseas base including one in particular.

Regarding the impact of the attack on the RAF, can you confirm what the financial cost will be? In particular, can he explain the immediate operational impact on the RAF? He says there has been no impact on planned operations from Brize Norton, but he will know this could still mean that task lines will be unintentionally reallocated to cover for the damaged aircraft. How long will the two aircraft in question be out of action? What is the wider operational impact? Turning to the perpetrators, what progress has been made on catching those responsible and has been any arrests? Does he agree that one way to defend our bases to deter future incursion by ensuring that the full force of the law is felt by the individual saboteurs in question.

Will he ensure everything is done to work with the CPS to ensure there is an appropriately robust response delivered to the offenders, noting for example that section 1 of the aviation and maritime act 1990 provides an offence of action that can endanger the safe operation of aircraft carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. And that the National Security Act covers a penalty of up to life in prison. On the review this is welcome but it needs to report urgently.

Can you confirm who will lead it now quickly will report? The important issue of personnel, with the review consider where responsibility for security RAF bases is divided between the RAF Regiment, and PGS, and private contractors? Can I join the mistaken condemning without reservation Palestine Action and their role was totally unacceptable. We welcome the steps taken to proscribe the organisation. I also welcome the Minister's commitment to strengthen enforce protection more widely Middle East including through deployment of RAF typhoons and in light of the breaking news in Qatar.

To conclude, the Minister is entirely right at this time that the MoD's priority must be the protection of our people and bases in the region. But in his opening remarks about the air strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities, and indeed throughout his multiple questioning on today's media round, he was totally unclear whether the government supports or opposes those US airstrikes. The Minister was asked seven times on LBC whether the government supports or opposes US military action. He failed to answer ones.

He is now in front of Parliament. These are matters of the most importance to the security of our nation. He is the Minister for the Armed Forces being asked about the action of the Armed Forces of our closest military ally. I conclude with a straight question, does he support the US bombing of Iranian facilities, yes

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or no? Minister of State Luke Pollard.
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Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Minister of State Luke Pollard. Thank yous that is bigger. Can I thank the honourable gentleman for thank the honourable gentleman for the toner which he has asked his question to the support Armed Forces personnel. Important at this time that this House sends united message that we will protect our people wherever they are in the world. Especially those serving to keep us safe and their allies save the Middle East. In relation to his questions, I agree with him, I expect strong consequences for those responsible for the damage to our RAF Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton.

The investigation is proceeding. There are a number of investigations underway. The one commissioned by the Defence Secretary to look into what has happened at Brize Norton, to learn the lessons. I can already reports that improvements at the point of entry have been made at Brize Norton. But also to look at what lessons can be applied across the UK military estates in the UK and overseas. I know that he, like I, have a strong interest in drones. He is right to pursue the questions around how we have counter UAF activities.

He will also know that collective defined contribution asked the question to me a couple of months ago, published a Strategic Defence Review, we outlined how we are looking to expand and roll out faster the deployment of the Dragon Fire directed energy weapon system. It will feature in a funded program on four of the Royal Navy destroyers was not that will be a test bed for this technology, and we believe it has the application including against drones elsewhere across defence estate. I can confirm that, in relation to the RAF voyageurs, the activities of the RAF were not affected because we were able to move assets to backfill those roles.

That is one of the key parts of having an agile air force that we are able to do that. Investigation into those aircraft on the damage that was conducted by the people who penetrated the security is ongoing. I will report when that is firmed up. In relation to counterterrorism policing, it is right that we give counter-terrorism police the space to conduct the investigation into the incident at Brize Norton. He will appreciate why I won't be able to provide a running commentary on that.

When it comes to the Department of RAF typhoons in the region, we currently have around 40 typhoons and the Prime Minister has made it very clear that should further resources be required, we will not hesitate in rolling further resources forward. In relation to the position on the US strikes, UK did not participate in them. The UK and the US have a shared ambition that they should not be a nuclear that they should not be a nuclear
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Calum Miller Portrait Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)
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Thank you, I also thank the Minister for advanced site of the statement and I understand the update we have received on developments in Qatar. I want to begin by expressing my thanks to all of those brave and committed personnel who served in the defence of our nation. They deserve not only our thanks and praise but the knowledge that, as they keep us safe, the government is investing to keep them safe through adequate protection. Of course, I welcome the commitment to the protection of our forces and assets, it is the first duty of government however this reflects our fears following Saturday, this might turn into a full-scale conflict.

What risk does he assess the is against US allies in the region? Will the Minister confirmed that UK jet will only be used to protect UK assets and personnel and can he tell the House what steps have been taken to signal to Iran that the operations are limited to this protective operation so it is clear we are not been drawn into the offensive operations launched by Israel and the US? The Minister said, in his update, that it had not been breached but Kenny confirmed that none of the other bases in Cyprus were breached over the weekend? Returning to the statement, in last month view, the authors explicitly highlighted the need to bolster the security of our Air Force.

Not even 20 days later, we have witnessed an egregious breach of security at Brize Norton in the damage of planes, this was a brazen and illegal act of vandalism and raises alarming questions. The Minister described the Home Secretary decision today to proscribe Palestine action, can he describe the understanding of the To judge this has crossed the threshold? Returning to force protection, I welcome the response to these questions, what initial assessment can the government provide on how this breach was able to account? When does the government believe the planes can return to service and is the Minister satisfied that he can sustain the immediate improvements he described to assure the physical integrity of military bases across the country, military bases across the country,
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Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Can I thank him for his support and words in support of our personnel, Armed Forces Week is an opportunity Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for us to thank all of those men and women who serve, to celebrate their service and make the case that a service and make the case that a strong Armed Forces is not only good to secure our security, it is good as an engine for growth and something that we can all take pride in and I look forward to attending the event in Plymouth, as I'm sure members will be doing in their members will be doing in their constituencies.

In response to his questions, the Foreign Secretary was questions, the Foreign Secretary was clear in his negotiations, with the clear in his negotiations, with the Iranians Foreign Minister in Geneva, about the purpose of the UK military assets in the region, and also about assets in the region, and also about the importance of deescalation and the importance of Iran returning to the importance of Iran returning to the negotiating table, getting serious, negotiating in good faith and reaching a diplomatic conclusion to this crisis, there is not a military retaliation often option military retaliation often option that delivers a solution, we have that delivers a solution, we have made it clear to Iran, as have our allies and partners and we will continue to do so, in relation to the questions on prescription, I encourage him$$JOIN...

I direct him to the written ministerial statement tabled by the Home Secretary today, a number of those concerns are answered there. It is now past the threshold in which action was necessary and that is why she intends to take that decision. In relation to the breach at Brize Norton, he asked about the review, on page 115, it notes REF rides Norton should be a high priority for investment and improvement, a statement that we adopted in full when we adopted the defence review and recommendations, and with the investigation concluding in full, we will be able to give further details of improvements we wish to make, elsewhere around the defence status well.
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Andrew Murrison Portrait Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)
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My constituents will not see this as an act of vandalism, they will see it as come the damage and sabotage and terrorism. The Minister, who I respect, does himself no good by trying to downplay the seriousness. There are 2,900 Ministry of Defense policeman in this country, they have, in recent years, largely being employed in investigating low-level fraud within the Ministry of Defense and military establishments across this country, with a large completion make -- note completion rate.

Does he agree, they would be better employed looking after critical infrastructure and military bases, including in my constituency, right up and down the land, will he consider ensuring that warranted officers are able to do a job of work that cannot be done by regional

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forces and I am confident they would welcome the challenge. I thank the right honourable

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I thank the right honourable members who I have a lot of time for. At no point have I sought to downplay the activities of Palestine downplay the activities of Palestine action, indeed, today the government action, indeed, today the government has taken the step of proscribing Palestine Action, because their activities are a threat to national activities are a threat to national security, it is for that reason that Home Secretary has taken the decision that she has, in relation to the military bases near his constituency, the military bases in the constituency I represent, the review of security arrangements review of security arrangements covers all military bases and the Chief of Defence Staff and others within the Ministry of Defence, we are looking carefully at what are looking carefully at what lessons can be learned, what improvements can be put in place and improvements can be put in place and noting the conclusions of the review, we need to invest more in this area, how can we implement the this area, how can we implement the findings of the SDR as quickly as we can? In relation to the point about policing, I would be happy to discuss them further, he is an
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Samantha Niblett Portrait Samantha Niblett MP (South Derbyshire, Labour)
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expert in this area. As I am partaking in the Armed Forces Parliamentary scheme this year, with the RAF, I have had the pleasure and privilege of visiting many RAF bases across this last year and I'm in all of those who put their lives on the line to defend us. The events of last week were not only a breach of our defences, they were a massive demonstration of disrespect for the serving personnel who will have been delivering aid to people in Gaza, does the Minister agree with me that we should be thanking them for their service and it is the right thing to do, to

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proscribe that group? I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for that question, she is right, the disrespect shown to our forces and their personal, the threat to our their personal, the threat to our national security posed by breaching the security of a military base and the security of a military base and approaching military assets is something we take incredibly seriously. Certainly, the British seriously. Certainly, the British public wants to know that the full force of the law is being used to locate and ring those responsible locate and ring those responsible for justice and I can confirm the investigation is ongoing and the Home Secretary has taken today to Home Secretary has taken today to proscribe the group, I think that is proscribe the group, I think that is consistent with the severity and seriousness of their activities.
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Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
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Last not least Jim Shannon. Can I thank the Minister for his statement today and for his commitment which we can see clearly. Just to describe about Armed Forces Day in my constituency, 60,000 people came to mark and respect those who serve in uniform, whether it be in the army, the Air Force, or the Royal Navy. They are part of our community, and they showed solidarity with them when it came to courage and dedication.

I met the lady who will take over at the barracks in Lisburn at the end of this year. A clear indication of the commitment of those women who can do the job equally as well as anyone else. I make that comment I ask this question, the actions of those criminals that Brize Norton may cost up to £30 million in damage and also security measures will have to take place. The true cost of this is not just measured in money but it is the anger that right-thinking people have towards those pro-Palestine activists who attack our military to make their political point.

They are a threat to those of us who live in this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This terrorism cannot be accepted. It reminds so many of us of the dark days gone by. How will the list acknowledge the righteous anger of the good people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? What steps will the Minister take to ensure there is not to repeat of these incidents with British personnel here and abroad? Some of whom are my Strangford constituents, and some of whom asked stationed in military base is not just in the UK

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but... Can I thank the honourable
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John Healey Portrait Rt Hon John Healey MP, The Secretary of State for Defence (Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, Labour)
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order, the situation in the Middle East is developing with further East is developing with further reports from Qatar, and I will be reports from Qatar, and I will be brief further. I white accountability to the House is important. On 12 June, the shadow important. On 12 June, the shadow defence secretary tabled a written question about the defence Command Paper 2023. Pursuing the exchange we had had on a point of order before the Strategic Defence Review statement that I made to the house statement that I made to the house on 2 June.

As we prepare to publish our SDR, it became clear that there our SDR, it became clear that there was no established department procedures for sharing major defence publications with the opposition publications with the opposition front bench, ahead of publication. I asked defence officials before 2 asked defence officials before 2 June and since the shadow defence June and since the shadow defence secretary's question, but they have still been unable to find any still been unable to find any departmental record of a copy of DCP 23 being shared with me a shadow defence secretary.

However, having defence secretary. However, having now checked my opposition staff records from July 2023, I can confirm that an embargoed copy of DCP 23 was dropped off in my office along with the conventional check against delivery advanced copy of the Defence Secretary's statement. We took a similar approach with the SDR. The shadow defence secretary received a hand delivered embargoed copy of the SDR with my draft statement around 90 minutes before the statement began. However, unlike 2023, he also offered a shadow defence secretary and advanced ministerial briefing on the SDR which he declined.

So I welcome the chance today to correct the record from my point of order on 2 June. The House will also wish to know that I have now established a formal procedure for sharing defence strategies in advance of publication with the opposition, with the Select Committee, and with other key parliamentarians. Something that I have also discussed with Mr Speaker.
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James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge MP (South Suffolk, Conservative)
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I am very grateful to the Secretary of State and for advanced notice that he would be giving a notice that he would be giving a point of order, although not the exact detail. This is extremely important because while there is no set process, there is a Ministerial Code which clearly states that commercially sensitive information should not be given out to the media prior to being given to Parliament. To reiterate, on that day yes, we were given a hard copy of the SDR 90 minutes before the statement.

But I was already in here for the UQs arising from that situation was unable to read it. Officials would have no we would have been in the chamber. At 8 AM that morning, senior people from the biggest defence companies and the land received a hard copy of that statement, the SDR, and the key thing is, when we had the point of order, I said to the Secretary of State, this was unacceptable, and he justified that procedure on the fact that the time when I was a minister, " We had no advanced copy.

" Justification was something that was not the case I said that the immediate response to him. Three weeks later, I am glad he has corrected the record. What I would say this, we have war in Ukraine, we have instability in the Middle East. It should be consensus on matters of national security. Should not have gameplaying on the most important Strategic Defence Review for many years. I hope we can now draw a line under this but to enable that I do hope he will say to his Special Advisors and his officials that they will be as transparent as possible in all remaining an outstanding issues pursuing questions we await on this matter and in relation to freedom of information.
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None Portrait General debate: Pride Month
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on pride month. I will allow the
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Chris Bryant Portrait Chris Bryant MP, The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Rhondda and Ogmore, Labour)
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The things you don't know... I should start by declaring an interest in this pride debate, the daily mail once referred to me as an ex-gay and thicker. I am an ex- vicar, I am a practising homosexual. One day I will be quite good at it. People ask me, why on earth do you need a pride month? Do you really need a history month? What is the point of Marches and flags, hasn't the world changed? Haven't you already got same-sex marriage and adoption and laws that protect people? What more do you want? That's what I hear all the time, even from well-meaning liberal souls.

We have always needed pride. We needed it when people assumed that a short haircut meant you were a lesbian. Or in this meant that you were gay. We needed it when people laughed and forced people to hide their sexuality. We needed it when people said we should be harassed, arrested and locked up for loving who we wanted. We needed when the police wore rubber gloves to arrest us, in case we gave them AIDS. We needed it when we were called queer and are spanned it at school, we needed it when we were sneered at, spat at and beaten up and we need it now, when kids are still lead, families still throw children out of families still throw children out of the home, many are so worn down by abuse they take their own lives, so many are terrified of coming out, they live lives of loneliness, people are abused for wanting to transition, our cousins in Hungary are denied the right to demonstrate, the state police in many countries deliberately in a trap homosexuals.

Trans people are treated as less than human, homosexuality is still illegal in 63 countries, including 38 that apply those rules to women and more than half of the Commonwealth, we still need pride.

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Sorry to interrupt such a magnificent speech from my magnificent speech from my honourable friend. Does my honourable friend agreed that the honourable friend agreed that the first Pride March, in London, was in 1972 and there are many people I 1972 and there are many people I met, on that first March, who thought they would never need to march again and they still need to march again and they still need to march now. My honourable friend feel sorry that they have said no political parties are allowed to political parties are allowed to march because of how the LGBT march because of how the LGBT community has been treated.

I will still be marching, I much with groups, but does my honourable friend agree, this is a sad state of

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affairs. We should be proud of the fact that politics has changed the law in this country and political parties this country and political parties were essential to that, of course, I pay tribute to everybody in my party who, for many generations come 44 quality, but it is true, in the Conservative party, as well, people had to be breathing than they did in had to be breathing than they did in the Labour movement and many other political parties I think it is an entirely retrograde step to ban people from political parties taking part in pride marches.



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In contrast, I fully support these decisions being made by the these decisions being made by the major private organisations, telling us, as political parties we are not us, as political parties we are not welcome. Is the Minister not sad at welcome. Is the Minister not sad at the absolute state of political policy and discourse around trans

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rights, which has led to this? I will come onto some of the problems we have in a few moments, problems we have in a few moments, honesty, when I was first elected as a member of Parliament, there were many laws in this country... Dramatically and drastically affected the rights of LGBTQ people in this country, it is because a party political is... Political party political is... Political parties that we change the law, we should not discard the democratic process, it is essential to being process, it is essential to being able to secure our rights.

Sir Roger, we need to remember, we, in Roger, we need to remember, we, in this country, used to hang men for having sex together. We used to having sex together. We used to imprisonment for meeting or send each other a love note. This is a each other a love note. This is a serious business, but we also need to celebrate. I remember one Pride March I went on, we shouted all the way " We are here, we are queer, and we have not gone shopping" We chanted it all the way down Oxford Street.

We have to celebrate because not every LGBT story is a tragedy, I wish the film and in television industry learned, we are normal. A terrible word really, but we are phenomenally normal, we bleed when you cut us, we laugh when you tickle us, and we can defy every stereotype. Not all gaming like musicals. I don't understand this, but I have met a few! Frankly, apparently, not all lesbians enjoy tennis or smoke cigars and, yes, we can laugh at ourselves.

I do not

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know what is going on behind me... I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for giving way, I would like to put it giving way, I would like to put it on record, I have never enjoyed a cigar, I would dispute the fact that

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most lesbians do not enjoy tennis. I am not sure whether it is

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I am not sure whether it is tennis or tennis players, a bit like rugby and rugby players. Indeed, we rugby and rugby players. Indeed, we can laugh at ourselves, it is important that we can do so, a member of the House of Lords member of the House of Lords recently told a colleague, the other recently told a colleague, the other day, that I was too much... That was not meant to be funny, actually, I not meant to be funny, actually, I replied, what, as in that song " replied, what, as in that song " $$CAPITALISEMatch, much to man?" People ask me, why do we need to come out? Let me explain, the rest come out? Let me explain, the rest of the world will always assume that most of us are straight, most of us are straight, heterosexual, it is a complex process when we learn that we are not.

Unless you are very famous, you have to come out time and time again, every time somebody presumes that you are heterosexual. Of course, we need to celebrate what LGBT people have given us, George Michael, Alec Guinness, Wilfred Owen, Oscar Wilde, Radclyffe Hall, Virginia Woolf, Jess Glenn and Alex Scott, Nicola Adams, and I would add, Daniel Evans, H from steps and Callum stop. Coming out... I don't know why I keep addressing this to

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matters... I think the Minister has been here long enough, actually, he is correct, matters have to be directed through the chair.

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through the chair. I thought there was a reason. Sir Roger, coming out matters for our personal pride and collective pride. So that every boy and girl, growing up, does not internalise hatred, schooling and shame, as used to be the place, but learns opportunity. Every family can take pride in their child, or sister or cousin or aunt. From the first brick throwing and From the first brick throwing and stone what to this month's matches, pride is rooted in resistance, the refusal to be silenced, sidelined or refusal to be silenced, sidelined or shamed, it is about visibility in the face of erasure.

Talking of erasure, it is about a little erasure, it is about a little respect. Sir Roger, there is one final reason we need to celebrate final reason we need to celebrate pride, the safest place in the 20th century for gaming was Germany in century for gaming was Germany in 1930. Many danced together and loved one another with impunity. Within one decade, the Nazis were carting them off. When the war was over, that was shockingly, nobody wanted to memorialise them. We were in raised from history.

Our hard-won freedoms are never won in a pure opportunity, we need to secure them again and again, progress is never inevitable. It must be defended and delivered to you for generations. Today we speak against the backdrop of heightened tension, in the last decade, we have seen the consensus around LGBT rights begin to fray, we have seen public debate croak toxic and trans people in particular subjected to fear, this information and ridicule. Pastas in the United States are calling for the death penalty for homosexuals, Jonathan Shelley said we should hate pride not celebrate it.

Donny Ramiro, also a pastor, said, on the shooting of LGBT people in the pulse nightclub in 2016, they were all perfect, those who were killed. And they are the scum of the earth and the earth is a little bit better now. That is what we are facing today. That is why this government will not tolerate a rollback of rights nor a division that pits one group against another, we are delivering a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. These so-called therapies are nothing less than abuse, they do not work, because lasting harm and their existence is a stain on society.

Draft legislation will be published in this session, informed by engagement and guided by the need to protect not punish, prevent harm and not criminalise care. We are working with the Home Office to equalise all hyped crime stands and I pay tribute to my honourable friend who raised this issue last week, no one should face abuse, violence or discrimination because of healing are or who they love. Across this country, LGBT people, especially trans people, are being targeted with growing intensity.

Too many cases, the law does not offer equal protection, that is not justice. We are improving access to facilities services as of November, same-sex couples are not subject to additional screening for IVF and NICE is reviewing guidelines to help ensure more equitable access to NHS treatment regardless of sexuality. This government recognises that building a family is a human aspiration, not anyone's privilege. We are strengthening healthcare services for trans people, launching a review of gender identities services to ensure they meet modern standards.

That includes reducing times, expanding service capacity and improving mental health support throughout the journey. We are investing in housing solutions for young LGBT+ people at risk of homelessness. Far too many full through the cracks in mainstream services, we will establish Task Force on this, chaired by the Deputy Minister, to coordinate efforts across all departments. Sir Roger, our commitment to dignity and equality does not end at our own borders, 63 countries criminalise same-sex activity and 13 the death penalty can be applied.

At least 49 countries actively target trans Many of these are shamefully a direct legacy of British colonial direct legacy of British colonial Royal, legacies that we imposed and continue to harm people. We cannot undo the past but we must take responsibly for the future. UK is a proud member of the equal rights coalition where we have invested money to support global LGBT rights. A diplomatic missions work every day behind the scenes to support local advocates challenge regressive laws and offer hope to those facing persecution.

If there were any members of Reform here today I would point out that sometimes means putting up a pride flag. We are seeing a backlash as your woman before Brighton said earlier. We are also seeing breakthroughs will stop this year Thailand became the first Southeast Asian Games to legalise same-sex marriage. In other countries same-sex acts were decriminalised. In India they are reviewing the blood donation policies. There is light in the tunnel. I also want to address the recent Supreme Court ruling because I know this matters to a large number of people in this country.

This was a significant legal judgement and one that has understandably prompted discussion and in some cases fear. Let me be absolutely clear, the rights and protections for trans people under the Equality Act remain very firmly in place. The protected characteristic of gender reassignment still applies. Termination harassment or victimisation of trans people is unlawful and will remain so under this government. The ruling has offered clarity for service providers particularly those offering single sex spaces. We respect the court's decision.

We reject any attempts to weaponised this ruling, to roll back the hard- won dignity and inclusion of trans people. This is not and must never become a zero-sum debate. You can protect single sex spaces based on clear lawful criteria, whilst also protecting the fundamental rights and dignity of trans people stop let us not forget, they are amongst the most marginalised and misunderstood in our society.

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I thank him for giving way. I welcome the tone in which he welcome the tone in which he approaches that very important point. I want to ask him to touch a little on the proposed guidance from the EHRC which he will know is going under consultation at the moment. One section which is really concerning, is around disclosures, and requiring trans people to and requiring trans people to disclose their identity. To me, this seems nothing short than outing of seems nothing short than outing of trans people.

Will he provide any reassurance that we will not see a reassurance that we will not see a situation in this country where trans people may end up being

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compelled to out themselves? It is important. The Gender Recognition Act plays down very clearly the privacy responsibilities clearly the privacy responsibilities of other government departments. I think he makes a very good point. think he makes a very good point. When we were doing the Data Bill, one of my anxieties was, we seem to be getting to a place of people are be getting to a place of people are going to have to present their passport or some kind of document to prove whether they were able to have access to a single sex space.

I honestly think that the rights of both these groups can be respected fully. Surely must be the kind of

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society that is able to achieve that. He is right pointing out where

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He is right pointing out where progress has been made nationally and internationally. But when he was and internationally. But when he was going through those points nationally, he did miss that one. nationally, he did miss that one. And that is men and women serving in our Armed Forces. I'm particularly mindful of that given on that date mindful of that given on that date is Armed Forces Day. And sadly because one of the chief advocates for LGBT people in the armed forces, Lord Etherton, sadly died in May.

He paid tribute to Terence Etherton? And also comment on his 2023 report into that shameful way in which gay into that shameful way in which gay people were treated in the armed forces?

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I'm grateful that he raised this point and it is good that it is a point across the whole house. There point across the whole house. There was a time when large numbers of people in this house would have thought having gay men or lesbians thought having gay men or lesbians or trans people in the armed forces was anathema. I am so glad we have was anathema. I am so glad we have changed because if you look up at the shields on the wall there, which are two men's opponents were killed in the Second World War, at least five if not six of them were gay men who gave their lives in defence of the country.

Bravery is available to people regardless of their sexuality or their identity. And he is absently rights to refer to Terence. His report was slick central part of changing the landscape of the country and make it your compensation was available to individuals affected. So Roger, we should also acknowledge that a fundamental truth that trans people have always been at the forefront of have always been at the forefront of our movement. Trans people and gender non-conforming people have led protests, shape policy, and built community, often with little recognition or safety in return.

Stonewall, section 28 protests, in the founding of support processes and HIV charities that pushed us forward, trans people were there and they led and we owed them a debt of gratitude. To treat them as a threat to the very movement they help build is wrong. We will not forget their role and we will not leave them behind. Trans people deserves safety, dignity, and the same freedom to live their lives as anyone else, and under this government they will have it.

29th of August 29th of August to 24 was the 80th birthday of someone who lived with their lover and was the model for EM Forster's novel which was only published after Ian Forster's death. He was a brave campaigner at the time when it was impossible to be brave. Men were still being imprisoned with hard labour for homosexuality in 1924 when he came to his 80th birthday. It was a phenomenal act of bravery when every single member of the Labour cabinet, it was a Labour government in 1924, signed a letter to him wishing him a happy birthday.

That should be the hallmark of our politics today, we are not yet the country we could be but in all we do, in our hospitals and our schools, and our laws in their language, and our foreign policy and public services, this government will uphold one principle. A little respect for all. Let that be the legacy of this House. I finished.

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Durable as you have the opportunity to interrelate. Question is that this House has considered
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Stuart Andrew Portrait Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP (Daventry, Conservative)
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Pride Month. Opposition frontbench. Thank you so Roger. It is a real

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Thank you so Roger. It is a real pleasure to follow the honourable gentleman and to speak in this important debate. I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone in this House, across my constituency, and everyone across the country a very happy Pride the country a very happy Pride Month. I would also want to say that I think the Ottawa gentlemen, the minister, is absolutely right to say minister, is absolutely right to say that Pride is still needed. I have seen significant changes over my seen significant changes over my lifetime.

Things I never thought would be possible when I was growing up as a young gay man in Anglesey. up as a young gay man in Anglesey. But he is right to say that these But he is right to say that these are important issues that we should continue to discuss because whilst on the whole I have been privileged on the whole I have been privileged to have a life where I have been accepted pretty much everywhere I have lived, I have had those have lived, I have had those difficult occasions that I have spoken about before, not least being badly beaten up and my father coming to my rescue and being beaten up too to my rescue and being beaten up too trying to protect his son.

Those are the things that we need to remember. the things that we need to remember. We also need to remember people who I had about in Manchester a few years ago, who had been kicked out years ago, who had been kicked out of his home because his parents could not accept his sexuality. His life took a nosedive and sadly he ended up selling himself full sex to survive, and was eventually murdered by someone who he was trying to get some money.

These are the disgusting consequences that may happen if we don't remind ourselves of the journey that we have been on as a country. Things are pretty good for me, most of the time, as people don't care that I am a gay man. They are more interested in, because I'm are more interested in, because I'm butch like you. Most people don't really comment on the fact that I live with a man, they are more interested in the fact that he works for Marks & Spencer and we get 20% off.

But that's him. But it is important that we have those because there are people around the world, there are still people in communities in this country who cannot come out. There are people in communities in our country who live a different life to the one that they want to, there are people she rightly says around the world who will be put to death if they just love the person they really want to love. That is why Pride Month is important and that is why its theme of activism and social change which emphasises a reflection on the contributions of LGBT individuals and communities have done, in creating a better world for us all.

We are lucky in this country that we have a host of people in our history who have been at the forefront of fighting for equality. Yes, there are those famous people as honourable Member mentioned, people like Dame Kelly Holmes, Tom Daley, set in McAllen to name a few, but there are so many inspiring LGBT people from right across the decades that the honourable member has mentioned. I would like to mention Scotland's first female doctor, Sophie Blake, who fought for so many women to be able to train as doctors, and founded medical schools up in Scotland.

And where she eventually met her life partner, she lived with until her death in 1912. Or Patrick Trevor Roper, who was one of only three witnesses that could be convinced to appear before the Wolfenden committee. His evidence helped to start the journey to decriminalisation. These people in my view are incredibly brave. Given that this year we have commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE day, I think we should also remember one of my personal heroes, doctor and my personal heroes, doctor and ensuring.

-- Dr Alan Turing. Cracks the Nazis Enigma code, given the number of settings. He played a crucial role in cracking the intercepted messages that enabled allies to defeat the enemy in the Atlantic and in other engagements. We literally owe him so much. But his treatment later, prosecuted for being gay, is a shame that I know we all find abhorrent. And government rightly apologised and he was later posthumously pardoned. In my view, he is a true hero of our nation.

And of course we have a champions in this place too. People like Chris Smith who bravely became the first openly gay MP for sub Edwina Currie who led the debate on changing the age of consent and other honourable and right honourable members, too many today. I want to name 10 two from outside as I know everyone will do their pitches. People like our former colleague who was on that first gay pride march in 1972. He recalls to me that he was spat at by the police.

That is how bad it was. People like Mike Freer who campaigned so hard on issues like prep and of course our former colleague Elliott Coburn. I would like to take this opportunity to say happy birthday to LGBT+ conservatives, would celebrate their 50th birthday this year, making them one of the oldest LGBT affiliated groups for a political party in the world, which is the title they share with LGBT Labour. I wish them a very happy birthday as well. In 1975, LGBT conservatives were established by Professor Peter Walker Campbell.

I am that old but I've seen LGBT conservatives go through several guises. Known over the 30 years when I first joined them, back then they were known as Tory campaign for homosexual equality. I pay tribute to the work that has been done over those 50 years. Little did those founders and that first-generation of our LGBT Conservatives and Labour though that they were merely years ahead from the global HIV epidemic. Around the world hundreds of thousands of people would lose their lives including people here in the UK, gay and bisexual men lived in fear and many felt powerless and hopeless.

If we fast forward to 2025, we find ourselves in a truly different world. I want to thank all those who made that change possible. I recognise that those contributions have come from parties across this chamber and I thank them all for it. I'm proud of our record as a party over the last 14 years, for the lives of LGBT people. Not least the rolling out of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV in England, and funding the first-ever HIV testing week, and also in 2013, perhaps one of the most memorable debates for me and my time in this House, introducing same-sex couples in marriage in England and Wales.

One of the proudest moments of my time here. We introduced the legalisation of self testing of kits for HIV. And a host of other things for HIV. And a host of other things And I also want to remark on the comments of my honourable friend no longer hear about people in the Armed Forces and pay tribute to Lord Etherton. When I was the equalities minister had the privilege of meeting him several times as he went through that report.

He did not just get evidence from thousands of people. He personally read every single Testament because he wanted to know those stories inside out, thank goodness he did that, and I pay tribute to him for the work that he has done. But thinking about all these achievements and those of our former MPs and other inspirational figures, I do want to comment that I find it appalling and deeply disappointing that some prides across the country have banned our political parties from this year's parades.

Actually Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and others not allowed to attend and like the Minister, I would also remind the organisation, the organisers that it was these groups and so many MPs in this House that brought about the changes that we enjoy today. And as Jo Cox said, there is more that unites us than divides us. Then causing this divide is a retrograde step and I pay tribute to the likes of Meredith and others who have taken up this fight, and I call on them to think again, especially as them to think again, especially as to parties celebrate their 50th birthday in terms of LGBT issues.

I want to finish because I'm aware that many colleagues want to contribute, but there are a couple of questions like the Minister please to give us a month as an update on the HIV program because I think the thing that really touched me was people across this House wanting to embark on that ambition having no new infections of HIV in this country by 2030. But of course really have one polymer left and we want to get that done. So could the mystically set out whether governments are up to on this and what plans they have to ensure that we reach that ambitious target? And also can make sure that the government is working with our devolved regions to make sure this isn't just the England, that actually Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, this is a UK approach to eradicating it.

Because we can end new HIV cases without a vaccine or cure, and wouldn't it be great for the UK to be the first place to end new HIV cases? And we want the government to succeed on this issue. Building on a lot of the work we did in office, and working with great organisations like the Terence Higgins trust. So let's make that ambition for all of us, and remember why we have pride in the first place, and then let's make

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this Pride count. With an immediate three limit

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time limit with the exception of the frontbenchers, Katie White. Thank you. And thank you to my honourable friend for having this honourable friend for having this very important debate and for creating this opportunity and doing it in such a poignant and yet joyful way. I'm honoured to be sharing the chamber with both of my predecessors, and I think it shows that this is an area where we do entirely have more in common. From entirely have more in common. From boxing champion and sporting legend Nicola Adams took 11 playwright and
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Katie White Portrait Katie White MP (Leeds North West, Labour)
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Nicola Adams took 11 playwright and Alan Bennett and award-winning composer Angela Morley, Leeds has produced countless trailblazers who are part of the LGBTQ plus community. In true Yorkshire fashion we don't do things by halves. Leeds -based one of the biggest LGBTQ plus communities in the UK from the bookish type, an independent bookshop to the Leeds queer film Festival. In our city centre can represent by my honourable friend for Leeds Central. Leeds has so much to offer thanks to our vibrant community, and in my constituency of Leeds North West, many local businesses are celebrating and showing their support the vibrant rainbow flags and pride themed window displays like the creative courtyard in horse first.

There are so much to celebrate that there is still work to be done. The community as we discussed it already, and I'm sure more will come, still face discrimination and last year, sadly 10,000 hate crimes were reported in West Yorkshire. I am proud that we are leading the charge committed to strengthening our hate crimes legislation and to everyone is free to live and express themselves without fear.

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Michael Liberal Democrat spokesperson. Thank you. Happy pride month to

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Thank you. Happy pride month to you, the whole House, my North Cornwall constituents and indeed the Cornwall constituents and indeed the whole country. Pride month is a whole country. Pride month is a celebration but it's also a protest and a call to action. A reminder that the hardfought rights we won must be defended and that the injustices still enjoyed by many injustices still enjoyed by many must be tackled. Both here and
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Ben Maguire Portrait Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)
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must be tackled. Both here and abroad. We've already heard around 64 countries still criminalise LGBTQ plus citizens. As a Liberal Democrat, I'm extremely proud to belong to a party that has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ plus equality the decades. My right honourable friend for Kingston & Surbiton moved the amendment which repealed the appalling section 28 in 2003. And the Liberal Democrats introduced same-sex marriage while in government, which enabled me and thousands of others to get married on the same basis as everyone else.

But today we face a new wave of hostility, aimed particularly at scenes in the trans community which I will come back to later in my speech. First I want to focus on one group which is often overlooked, LGBTQ plus veterans. I've been supporting campaigners fighting for recognition, justice and dignity. Those who were dismissed from our Armed Forces simply for being who they are. One of them, Adrian lives in my North Cornwall constituency. He was forced out of the Intelligence Corps in 1996 because of his sexuality, and he suffered horrific physical and sexual abuse.

The trauma of that experience still lives with him and thousands of others. Severe PTSD and a lifetime of silence without the recognition of the huge sacrifices that they gave for this country. Adrian and others campaigned relentlessly and finally in December the government launched the LGBT veterans Financial Recognition Scheme, finally offering some redress to those who were dismissed under the band. Some if not most of these veterans also face the most horrific cases of rape, abuse and other forms of unforgivable violence and coercion.

I fought hard alongside Adrian to ensure that no veteran was left behind regardless of rank or the circumstances of their dismissal. And after direct engagement with the Ministry of Defence, I was assured that officers forced to resign will be treated equally to those administratively discharged. But the progress in reviewing cases has been abysmally slow. Around 1,300 applications for the scheme, just 24 have been paid out. And the snail pace, it will take up to 17 years for all of those brave veterans to finally receive their compensation and their closure.

This is a national scandal. While other military compensation schemes quite rightly award up to six and £50,000, the LGBTQ plus better veteran compensation scheme is To just 10% of that. We are currently asking ourselves of the country how can you attract more recruits to our Armed Forces? But we don't treat our veterans with the dignity and respect that they so deserve. On this Armed Forces week I urge the government to take action immediately to speed up these payments.

Today, two thirds of LGBTQ plus people in the UK still report experiencing abuse or violence because of their sexuality or identity. Trans people in particular face constant attacks. Just a few weeks ago, I witnessed a file incident with abuse held at a trans person walking down the High Street in my North Cornwall constituency. In 2023, a Home Office report found that comments by politicians and the media over the previous year could have led to a huge spike in such offences.

This brings shame on this House and our entire country.

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I think in for giving way. He is making an incredibly powerful and important point. And one of the words we haven't yet used in this words we haven't yet used in this debate is ally ship. One of the debate is ally ship. One of the challenges right now is that too often it. The shoulders of our LGBTQ plus sisters and brothers to fight plus sisters and brothers to fight these fights because actually those of us who would consider ourselves allies maybe haven't been as vocal allies maybe haven't been as vocal as we've needed to be.

That all of us pledge allies alike to join the us pledge allies alike to join the fight to make sure we live in a country where everybody can be who

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they want to be without fear. I thank the honourable lady for that intervention, really warmly that intervention, really warmly welcome her offer of being an ally, and I agree it's important to the and I agree it's important to the LGBTQ plus community to have that alliance. So thank you for that intervention. As well as intervention. As well as politicians, public figures desperate for attention and desperate for attention and relevance like JK Rowling and others have poisoned the public discourse with attacks on our trans community.

All under the false dichotomy that you cannot be a true feminist and protect women's rights without protect women's rights without attacking and abusing the trans community. A phony culture which has left trans people fearful just to be themselves. The tone of this debate has just been so un-British, much more like the US where everything is dealt with in extreme absolutes, black and white, right and wrong, no compromise, no respect or compassion one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. It's horrible to see how hate has been recognised for political gain.

I know how it feels to think of yourself as broken. To feel like society will never accept you. Ashamed to admit to friends and family who you really are and that things just might be better if you didn't exist at all. Surely in 2025 we could do so much better and make sure trans people are seen and valued for who they truly are. And so to finish I would urge the Minister to provide this House with an update on what steps she is taking to reassure the trans community they will continue to receive protections and safe spaces following the EHRC guidance.

Which has left many trans people confused and anxious. When four this Government van conversion therapy in full? We've heard from the Minister again but no specific timetable has been given the base sexuality and gender. After almost... I'd like the Minister to give way fees got the timetable to...

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I dunno if he's giving way to me, yes, it said it would be in this session of Parliament, that a

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session of Parliament, that a particular timeline. That's rather vague considering we have rather many years hopefully

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left of this Parliament. The Session of Parliament, not

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this Parliament. And what steps, moving on then, that's answered my question. Excellent. What steps the government Excellent. What steps the government is taking to reduce the time that LGBTQ's veterans are having to wait for their financial redress applications, so look forward to hearing an update from that later hearing an update from that later on. And finally, what action the government is taking to address disproportionate rates of mental ill-health and homelessness among ill-health and homelessness among the LGBTQ plus community? The Minister earlier did reference a Minister earlier did reference a review which I believe is to be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, but we really do need to Minister, but we really do need to see urgent action now.

Let's celebrate pride month while remembering the five LGBTQ plus remembering the five LGBTQ plus right is far from over. The Liberal Democrats will continue to lead it, Democrats will continue to lead it, and we won't stop until everyone is free to live as their true selves without fear and without apology.

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Picking up from the honourable member for North Cornwall has been saying about delays in the process saying about delays in the process of payments to those dismissed from the Armed Forces, this experience of delay is one that my constituent Paul has raised with me, and I Paul has raised with me, and I thankful for giving me permission to discuss his story today. Paul loved music from an early age, and at the age of 15 he auditioned to join the army as a bandsman and passed with flying colours.

Later that year
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Martin Rhodes Portrait Martin Rhodes MP (Glasgow North, Labour)
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a necessarily complex and stressful for him as he had to hide his true for him as he had to hide his true Rehearsing for the Edinburgh Tattoo he was taken aside by the military he was taken aside by the military police and was arrested in front of the entire band and the other bands on parade. He was taken to Edinburgh Castle where the special investigation branch interrogated him for hours. He did not know what to do. He denied everything. He was then imprisoned for a week.

During then imprisoned for a week. During that time he was humiliated, he was called grading names, he was hosed called grading names, he was hosed down instead of being allowed to wash. And made to do push-ups, Corporal pushed on his back so hard Corporal pushed on his back so hard with his drill bits natural boots blood seeped through his best. His blood seeped through his best. His meals were sat! At. He was meals were sat! At. He was repeatedly asked intrusive, questions about his sexuality during his time in jail he was allowed one phone call which he used to call his mother.

Who told him to admit he was gay. Under the sustained pressure from the interrogation with the advice of his mother he did admit he was gay and was dismissed from the was gay and was dismissed from the army. In 2017. In a mental breakdown and his therapist believed his army experience and flashbacks contributed to that breakdown. He has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his army experiences. We owe it to Paul and all of the other LGBT+ veterans that applications from financial applications -- applications for financial payments are processed as quickly and smoothly as possible.

My constituents and many other veterans are waiting for justice. I urge colleagues across the House to give their support for the vital campaign on this issue. In Armed Forces week Those who service was cut short because of the dismissal for sexuality. I finally call on the government to redouble its efforts on this historic injustice with a timely and considerate manner as

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possible. Thank you. Thank you. I am proud to speak in

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Thank you. I am proud to speak in today's debate in Pride Month. It is the first time I do so. I am also the first-rate man to join as part the first-rate man to join as part of the LGBT Conservatives in this involved a special resolution to improve my membership, hopefully this will be the first and last constitutional one I am response constitutional one I am response before my political career. Today I want to speak about Pride and my incredible pride that almost 10 incredible pride that almost 10 years ago in the coalition government they passed legislation to legalise same-sex manage -- to legalise same-sex manage -- marriage.

Today thousands of people are living in same sex marriages with happiness, challenges and life enriching complexity that this involves. I am proud of this because the Conservative party is the party the Conservative party is the party of family. It is the party of rights and duties under freedoms and responsibilities. The freedom to love whoever you choose and the love whoever you choose and the freedom to honour that love by making a lifelong commitment to another person. With the response villages of mutual care, support and homebuilding that entails.

Children enjoy the best outcomes when they are in stable living homes and while marriage is not with a guaranteed stability, it is a good indicator and support of it. Data from the UK Home Office shows cohabiting parents with 3.4 times more likely to split up during anyone -- any one period then married parents across the group. The benefits of making a commitment raising a family and not just for the children of those families, taking on family responsibilities give people meaning and purpose making them more productive as they work to put people they have taken responsibility for ahead of themselves.

In saying this I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to the single parents and cohabiting couples who are same-sex and heterosexual. You do a heroic job everyday for their families and quite frankly as a married parent myself I really do not know how single parents manage it. I really do pay tribute to them. All parents should be acknowledged and appreciated for the daily act of care and sacrifice they make. For their children and our future. Just because mother -- just because other models can and do work we should not stop striving to support institutional marriage as a pillar of our society.

Society benefits from families who can be supported to thrive and citizens who contribute not only to their family lives but to their communities. To finish I am pleased and proud to champion the rights of same sex marriages and have brought it into law. Our laws and policy should incentivise commitment to family life for all couples, regardless of sexuality. Because of decisions in this place I am proud so many people can marry the person they love today.
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Tristan Osborne Portrait Tristan Osborne MP (Chatham and Aylesford, Labour)
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Thank you very much. Can I welcome the statement from the Minister and indeed I know -- I had no idea he was a practising vicar or that he liked musicals so now I have finally found out. Indeed I am also proud to rise today to contribute to this important and timely debate on Pride Month. I associate myself at the comments made by the shadow opposition Minister and also others from across different parties in this House. To reflect on and celebrate the contribution of LGBT+ people throughout our history.

The community is rich and contributes to every part of our society from the science natural sciences to the arts and fashion of course, to technology, media and yes often politics too. We uphold the principle that a truly fair and open society is one where everyone regardless of who they are who they love can thrive. That openness for creativity, innovation and justice is part of our country. It is the very fabric of our country and in celebration of some of the key talent within it.

Every June we come together to celebrate Pride Month and this has not come in a world which without challenges and remembrance for those who come before us. We have come a long way but there is a long way still to go. Especially as local councils in some areas of banning flags, pride is being denied to be supported across the country and many representatives, sadly who are not here are opposing equal marriages and coming out with sometimes questionable remarks. I believe all of us better when we celebrate each other's successes.

I want to give special recognition to my local Midway pride who have been a force for good in our local community and to which who have supported local businesses through their activities and in securing thousands of people to visit Rochester Castle. I also want to contribute to the celebrate -- and celebrate the fact local councils can do so much to improve our vibrant spaces. That includes our local council. Pride did begin as a protest and that spirit still matters.

I completely agree with colleagues today we need to continue to challenge whatever government be that my own Labour government or indeed a government from across the aisle. On whether we will get those trends like trans practices banned. I am really welcoming the statement today and it is happening over the course of this Parliament. Let's recommit as lawmakers and neighbours, allies not just in words neighbours, allies not just in words but in policy. In investment and in principle to building a country where every person feels seen, safe and supported.

A country where love is never criminalised, identity is never raised and no-one is ever made to feel ashamed about who they are. Happy Pride Midway, happy Pride Parliament.

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Thank you. I will be brief given the time that has been set. I must the time that has been set. I must first say I was slightly disappointed there were not more musical numbers and funds from the musical numbers and funds from the Minister in his speech at the start, I am sure we will get more later. I am really proud to represent my
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Tom Gordon Portrait Tom Gordon MP (Harrogate and Knaresborough, Liberal Democrat)
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area. Knaresborough High Street at the moment is adorned with flags celebrating Pride and I know our celebrating Pride and I know our town is a terribly tolerant place. We had a candidate standing in local elections who made really quite grim and disgusting tweets. I am really pleased our town rejected that at the ballot box. Harrogate is a place that used to have a Pride parade but when the pandemic came that all

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stopped and I hope myself and Harrogate pride organisation can get that up and running in due course. I will give way. I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for

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I thank my honourable friend for giving way. During the election we had a hosting is one of the questions was about the upcoming questions was about the upcoming Pride and unfortunately I was amazed even in this day and age there was a unanimous support for a show of Pride. My first act as an MP was to go to the inaugural chauffeur pride and coming up in a couple of weeks and coming up in a couple of weeks we are going to have a second one

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we are going to have a second one which to show the importance of Pride showing inclusion for everybody. My honourable friend makes an

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My honourable friend makes an excellent point. I am amazed in this day and age there are still places where we dispute whether or not we should fly flags or have Pride celebrations. That is not British in my view. I want to mention quickly my view. I want to mention quickly and briefly in the days following the Supreme Court ruling I had a the Supreme Court ruling I had a trans individual come into my office and she impressed upon me the situation for her in our fundamentally -- have now fundamentally changed, she was worried about her rights and being challenged in toilets and this challenged in toilets and this should in a new area of uncertainty that trans people.

I want to put on record my support the trans community and I numbers across this community and I numbers across this House have all done that too. We are all responsible and I do think it is incumbent upon us all to stand for the whole LGBT+ community. Was disappointed political parties were banned from attending Pride celebrations in many cities this year but I do understand why they have come to that conclusion. I think it is incumbent on all political party to do better and if we are honest all parties have issues in it comes to LGBT rights and we should all try to make sure we do much better.

Coming out is not a one-off event as the Minister said. I was fortunate enough that when I was in school I never got bullied. My friend James might have punched anyone if they had taken issue with it. We are not in favour of that know. But it does help to have the rugby boys on your side. There was one comment that was made after I actually did come out in the last year of high school and I remember someone chuntering from the back of the classroom, Tom is gay.

To which I turned around and went yes. And? And that was the end of it. And even in the next mining town where I am originally from, people there are much more tolerant than you perhaps would expect. There is still a disproportionate number of people, LGBT people impacted by hate crime and that worries me in light of the hostilities especially the rhetoric online. The abuse I have received has been when I have spoken of the trans constituents and I am sure that is an experience many across this House of experience also back.

It is a damning reflection of how people seem to Whip up eight and divide people when we should be looking to come together. The final thing I wanted to do was just to plug that constituency came to speak to me, the trans woman. It is the charity called nutshell and they offer talking therapies and counselling. Not the trans people themselves but for the families of trans people. Who often can come to particular frustrations with finding out one of their loved ones as trans.

It is a really holistic approach. And it is something I have not heard of and I are really interested in what they do. I think that came up in my Maiden speech when I mentioned Eurovision I will continue our campaign to make sure we get Eurovision back in Harrogate and I am sure the Minister will join me in that campaign.

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Thank you. It is a privilege to

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Thank you. It is a privilege to speak in this debate and I rise with personal pride as Macclesfield's first openly gay Member of first openly gay Member of Parliament. And with real pride as
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Tim Roca Portrait Tim Roca MP (Macclesfield, Labour)
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Parliament. And with real pride as how far Michael -- as have Macclesfield and the country has come. I grew up in the Macclesfield constituency and if you told me we would have our own Pride in Macclesfield I would never have believed you. People lining the streets in celebration and solidarity, it is a wonderful thing to see. I know members across the House of the same experience in their area because it is joyful and defiant but it is as the Minister and others have said, it is political.

It is a protest as much as it is a party. It is a refusal to accept anyone should be ashamed of who they are. That matters because as members have said or will say I am sure, of the last year we have seen a shocking rising homophobic and transphobic a crimes. That is why I was proud to support my colleague, to make those crimes, those hate crimes aggravated offences, treated with the seriousness they deserve. Hate has no place on our streets, in our schools or in our politics.

We have seen that even in Macclesfield. We have seen nasty and cowardly attempts to intimidate and divide. Just as quickly as they went up, they were taken down. By neighbours, volunteers, by people who simply refused to let that kind of poison define the community. Then came messages of love, solidarity and inclusion and that is the Macclesfield I know and I am incredibly proud to represent. We cannot ignore the wider context the UK has dropped dramatically in the RGA Europe rankings for LGA plus -- LGBT+ rights.

We are not of the standard we once were and the recent Supreme Court decision has created confusion and concern among the trans community. People are looking for places they can rely on and wondering whether the protection they had can still apply and that feeds fear. This is fear no-one should have to live with because of who they are. We should all redouble our efforts to uphold equality in law and in life and I welcome the statement earlier about trans conversion practices and the band coming soon.

Because progress is not permanent. It is something which has to be protected and nurtured and renewed. The same is true with the quality and when we stop fighting for it, we risk losing it. These can be difficult times but I am an optimist. I remain hopeful as I have seen the resilience of our community. I have seen it in Macclesfield with the rainbow flags flying from shop windows. I know people across this House will stand with the LGBT+ community. To say loudly and clearly nobody should be made to feel afraid, ashamed are excluded because of who they are or
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Kirsty Blackman Portrait Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)
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Happy part of the silence. The world is a pretty scary place, and as the Minister said, LGBT people are normal just like the rest of us, and are similarly feeling scared about... And not least scared about the wake of the Supreme Court decision and the impact it's having on trans people. The Minister said our hard-won freedoms are never won in perpetuity, and it's the case that trans people's... Their lives, and the government needs to do something about that.

There is no way that the EHRC guidance whatever people keep using, the word clarity, it requires trans people to out themselves on the basis of gender themselves on the basis of gender reassignment. But trans women, I don't think that's the way should be. And all able to say to my trans constituents and people across the United Kingdom, we need to get this sorted. We need to keep fighting for this. And in terms of the decision taken by a huge number of people, there is no entitlement for take part in Pride.

For all we have done great things, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, five years ago, in relation to LGBT veterans, for example... It does not mean that we example... It does not mean that we For a lack of action and seen the increase in hate crimes we are seeing. It's absolutely right that pride organisation should be able to use their voice to do more in order to protect community. And if this is the way they choose to use their voice, absolutely go for it.

25 years ago,... The pride parade... That we need to improve lives, and That we need to improve lives, and they have the right to be pretty scared right now.
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Tom Hayes Portrait Tom Hayes MP (Bournemouth East, Labour)
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Aqua Tom Hayes.

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Thank you. We raise a toast to nothing less than life. We also nothing less than life. We also recommit to liberation. The liberation of lesbian, gay, liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people, and there's a particular quotation there's a particular quotation alike, which this, " Queerness is about the rejection of... I think right now we should be insisting on right now we should be insisting on that New World harder than ever. And when pride is about liberation, it's not about the liberation of LGBT plus people, it's about the liberation of all.

Because although liberation of all. Because although Pride is primarily of I and for the people who dance to the same rainbow, is also about liberation rainbow, is also about liberation from prejudice. When LGBT plus from prejudice. When LGBT plus people are safe, society is safe. My life as a gay man was enhanced by life as a gay man was enhanced by the last Labour government, sweeping away the 1980s and early 90s, the away the 1980s and early 90s, the discriminatory regulation which fostered a hostile environment LGBT plus people, but this progress has plus people, but this progress has stalled.

It is calling for the introduction of equal marriage feels introduction of equal marriage feels a very long time ago. Right now in this place, we must pass the laws that the LGBT plus people are demanding and that they need so that nobody is punished for being who they are or harmed for loving who they love. Because we know the harms of an action, we know the harms of a slowness to act. If people are not physically attacked or verbally insulted, and they will be, younger people may grow up with the feeling that they are unworthy of love.

They may grow up with the expectation never to love or to trust it when it appears. They may grow up without the ability to form relationships. In December, 1980s pop music says it best. When I look back upon my life, it's always with a sense of shame. I've always been the one to blame. The everything I long to do, no matter when or where or who, has one matter when or where or who, has one thing in common too.

It's a sin." It speak so beautifully about the shame the LGBT plus people are made to feel, and I commend the government for taking significant steps to support LGBT plus veterans. I commend them too fair announcing they will make hate crimes and aggravated offence. I was proud to sponsor the amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill put forward by my honourable friend for North Warwickshire and Bedworth. I'm pleased too to hear the Minister speak about the progress of our government in permitting our manifesto commitments to bring forward a truly trans-inclusive conversion therapy barn and to modernise the signify and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to any process, and so with a few seconds I have left, I will close with this, that this Pride Month be the spur that drives us on, not in another decade but in the rest of this decade.

Not in another Parliament but in what I hope will be the first moments of a

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new progressive Parliament. (SPEAKING IN WELSH) I'd like to

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(SPEAKING IN WELSH) I'd like to start by wishing happy Pride Month to the numbers of the LGBTQ plus to the numbers of the LGBTQ plus community this month and beyond. Pride Month is of course a time for celebration, a time to reflect on celebration, a time to reflect on the vital contributions of members of the LGBTQ plus community to our society. At the time to renew our
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Llinos Medi Portrait Llinos Medi MP (Ynys Môn, Plaid Cymru)
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society. At the time to renew our conviction to everyone that everyone deserves to love and live freely and openly without the threat of bigotry. But this Pride Month is also a time of deep unease for many members of the community in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling on sex gender in the Equality Act. And the ensuing interim guidance published by the EHRC. Many trans people are living in fear about what the future holds. The words of trailblazing Welsh Jan Morris feels particularly pertinent today.

She found faith in 1953 as the sole report on successful British Everest expedition and became a public historian and travel writer. In her groundbreaking 1974 autobiography, she wrote, " I never did think that my own conundrum was a matter either of science or of social convention. That what was important was the liberty of the soul to live as we wished to live, to love however we wanted to above. And to know ourselves however peculiar, disconcerting or unclassifiable at one with the gods and angels." It is of course in this place where many of the decisions, landmark decisions of allowing people to love and live freely were put in place.

To create a new society that is fair and more inclusive for all, and one of my constituents is also an LGBTQ plus veteran. Discharged from the military due to sexuality prior to 2,000 where the ban on open service of LGBTQ plus people was lifted. The late Lord Etherton reported on the recommendation in 2023 to provide redress for the injustice. Shockingly of over 1,000 applications made, only 24 payments have been made. As of 21 May this year. I would urge this Government to do all they can to expedite this process and to formally apologise for this historic role.

-- Wrong. To conclude, this month we rightly reflect on the huge strides forward we have made in our society. A more open and inclusive place for the LGBTQ plus community. But as the injustice facing the trans community and the LGBT plus veterans demonstrates, we must redouble our efforts to build the society where everyone is able to live as they wish to live. Let's all recommit ourselves to the work together.

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David Burton-Sampson. Thank you. And I do draw members
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David Burton-Sampson Portrait David Burton-Sampson MP (Southend West and Leigh, Labour)
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Thank you. And I do draw members to my declarations of interest. Now the pride movement for many of us the pride movement for many of us know started with the riots in 19 six to nine, the Stonewall riots. But for some, nowadays they seem pride as a party forced into certainly didn't start their way, and for many of us it's still a process -- protest and will continue to beat until we generally don't need Pride anymore. My Pride journey started as a bystander until I was a counsel in 2019 and someone decided to post literature all around the town of Basildon, telling the LGBTQ community to repent.

So instead of getting angry, within two weeks we organised Basildon mini Pride and showed that we were here and we were here to stay. And it turned into a full on pride which now are still going strong with a program of events as part of the Pride everyday program, and I'm proud to be chair of trustees of the Pride and thank all members who are part of the and

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the volunteers who contribute to the work of that Pride. Can I celebrate my wonderful colleague for his role in founding colleague for his role in founding Basildon Pride? Will he join me in Basildon Pride? Will he join me in congratulating York Pride and just how it celebrates the 14 LGBTQ plus we have in York? Does the will he we have in York? Does the will he join in condemning any abuse, harassment or intimidation at any Pride event simply because a few someone is, who they love, or what

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they believe. Absolutely I celebrate your Pride and I thank the organisers of your Pride? For what they contribute? And Pride? For what they contribute? And absolute discrimination at and absolute discrimination at and outside of Pride events, we should stand up against it. It's unacceptable. I've got to also unacceptable. I've got to also mention my team at Southend Pride mention my team at Southend Pride which came into being the year before Basildon Pride. They too put on an annual festival and events throughout the year, including a winter Pride event.

Now I try to winter Pride event. Now I try to work closely with Southend Pride and I recommit today my dedication to supporting them and the LGBTQ plus community and Southend and Leigh- on-Sea. And I think the whole team on-Sea. And I think the whole team for the dedication, Kath, Sam, Lewis, Yvonne, Amber and everyone else involved. We do have to face some uncomfortable truths. Prides are folding and cancelling this year around the country. Many of them are struggling to get the funding they usually had from big events like Liverpool Pride to other prides such as Plymouth and Southampton first -- the DTI attitudes changing are not helping first and the attitudes that Pride is not needed because it's all sorted is also not helping.

I can tell you now, Pride is needed more than ever. I personally know I'm not equal, I cannot comfortably walk along the street holding my partners hand or give my partner a kiss because best case, I will get stairs. Worst case I will get verbal or physical abuse. And that's a fact of how it is today. So I'm pleased that my honourable friend the North Warwickshire and Bedworth at, Bedworth has brought forward the moves to turn LGBT hate crime into an aggravated offence.

We've heard all about the Supreme Court ruling and the impact it's had on trans people. Trans people need our other ship more than ever. The new guidance that truly supports the fact that they too are covered by the protections of the Equality Act 2010. I've been working very closely over recent years with an organisation called translucent, and their CEO Steph is up there in the gallery today. And they are a great organisation who are positively advocating for the trans community, and they are trying to take the heat out of this debate and make sure that trans people are looked after and respected.

So to finish, I will continue to stand as a trans ally, I dunno many of my colleagues on these benches will too. I encourage those to cross the movement to keep engaging with us and challenging us but don't shut us out. Challenge us and we are here to help. You have our commitment that we will make sure that trans people and the LGBTQ plus community are going to be treated as equals within this community. Thank you.

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Thank you very much. And as a straight man, I cannot speak with personal experience about the personal experience about the prejudice LGBTQ plus people have been the victim of, nor have I been a coalminer and experience the a coalminer and experience the feeling of having the source of my
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Brian Leishman Portrait Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Labour)
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feeling of having the source of my However in this Pride Month I wish to share a collaboration that emphasises the importance of fellowship. Something this House does not not know about. That of class solidarity. This is between the London based lesbians and gays support the miners and the mining community of the do less valley in South Wales during the miners try give 1984. Coalminers of the LG SM inspired to combined gay-rights activism of the Labour movement after returning like attending a talk by a striking miner.

This brought collection buckets to the London Lesbian and Gay pride March in June 84 to support the miners and their families who were affected by the financial hardship caused by the strike. The group was subsequently set up to officially declare the members of the gay rights movement support of the striking miners because the LG SM strongly believed solidarity between the working classes was essential. All of which would be suppressed of the Thatcher government succeeded in creating the National Union of Mineworkers.

It did, the mineworkers and the LG SM shared experiences and common ground. Both were vilified by right-wing media, police brutality and the government of the day. Attitudes towards the gay communities soon began to change within the mining community. LG SM visited South Wales with the mining communities reciprocating the solidarity and friendship shown to them by the LG SM.

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I just want to correct one of the things in the film Pride. Which is sort of the film he is referring to. Which is that it is portrayed the Which is that it is portrayed the South Wales valley community mining South Wales valley community mining community, I represent an area around there was openly hostile to the lesbians and gays and bisexuals who came down to support their cause. It is far from true. It was almost unanimous support from them.



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almost unanimous support from them. Thank you. Thank you for the correction and for suddenly dropping correction and for suddenly dropping in my mispronunciation of South in my mispronunciation of South Wales. By the end of the strike, the Wales. By the end of the strike, the LG SM raised over £20,000 and is the Welsh mining communities had made Welsh mining communities had made the Londoners feel so welcome, the LG SM organised a return visit the fundraising called pits and pivots held at an electric ballroom in held at an electric ballroom in Camden.

-- At the electric ballroom in Camden. South Wales miners and their families marched alongside the LG SM at a pride march the following LG SM at a pride march the following year. At the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. This ally ship was much needed. On 11 February At the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. This ally ship was much needed. On 11 February 1987, LG SM found that Mark Ashton died of an AIDS -related illness and his funeral was attended by many of the miners he had supported through the LG SM.

In the wider context, the group supported and showed the community supported throughout the strike and during the Labour Party conference in the trade union conference. In addition to this the hateful Section 28 that was passed in 1980 by the Conservative government. Altogether the collaboration of those within the gay rights movement and the labour movement highlights the shared struggle and solidarity across communities that are bounded by oppressions and class interests. Our labour movement must therefore show unwavering support for those within the LGBTQIA+ community, many of whom will march this summer to demand equality and protest against the rise of homophobia and transphobia.

Because Madam Deputy Speaker, as the gays, lesbians and the miners showed a 1980s, two very different communities can come under attack from prejudice and form an unlikely alliance and fight for what is right in the face of persecution then understanding, kindness and respect and solidarity happens. Those emotions always win. emotions always win.

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Thank you. In 1986 I went to my first ever Pride. I know that is first ever Pride. I know that is hard to believe, 40 years ago. I remember being struck by how much of a celebration and protest it was. I a celebration and protest it was. I remember how important it was to be visible. I felt proud of who I was the first time. And I hope people
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Rachel Taylor Portrait Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Labour)
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the first time. And I hope people feel that this year when they attend their first pride event. I could not have predicted what was to happen just two years later. In 1988 Section 28 was enacted. That year I attended Pride alongside many angry and distraught friends. I remember Section 28 vividly. It was more than a law. It was an attack on the right of the people like me to live openly. It stigmatised lesbians, gays and bisexual people. It pushed us out of public life.

I got into politics to fight that and everything are represented. 1988 pride was a protest. It was a reminder LGBT people have always and will always exist. And we deserve to live our lives publicly and with dignity. My friends and I walked down the streets of London and made sure we were hurt like heard. We refuse to be silent. This government has placed band conversion therapy -- pledged band conversion therapy and have fulfilled their manifesto commitment, I made the case aggravated offences would be treated the same for all people regardless of what kind of hate it was, all he should be treated the same.

I am proud to see our government reaffirmed this would be the case. Britain is a country that will not tolerate hate or hatred -- all hatred is equal and all of those who commit vile acts of hatred face the same grave consequences. Today I am concerned with the progress made by previous Labour governments has been eroded. We are seeing rising transphobia everywhere and I for one will not stand for it. Pride flags are being taken down and only last year an advertisement for my local Pride on social media was met with the response, gas the lot of them.

It is a reminder to all of us this Pride Month we must stand together with trans people and reject transphobia with the same anger and passion were rejected homophobia all those years ago. I will continue to stand proudly with all members of the LGBT community and our allies this Pride Month as we celebrate and

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protect. In the words of the organisation

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In the words of the organisation Stonewall, Pride Month 2025 stands Stonewall, Pride Month 2025 stands as a powerful theme of activism and social change reminder of how far the LGBTQI+ community has come and how much work still needs to be how much work still needs to be done. I would like to thank Stonewall, amongst others for their vital work that I have relied upon in understanding the challenges and in understanding the challenges and the issues facing the LGBT+ community. Rainbow migration community.

Rainbow migration particularly support LGBT+ people through the asylum system and it is pivotal to a number of constituents who fled their country because they who fled their country because they identify as LGBT. And in the UK where they can feel their true where they can feel their true selves. An ask of rainbow migration is to ask the Home Office Ministers to remove blanket inadmissible visions the so-called safe state, visions the so-called safe state, Albanian, Georgia and India. For example a former service user had example a former service user had the following lift experience from a safe state.

They fled homophobic safe state. They fled homophobic pain execution and -- persecution and was feared being sent back to Georgia rather than fearing his own life in fear rather than facing persecution back in Georgia. If people know you are homophobic then they will try to attack you and beat you. No-one was physically attacked by family members, forced to stay in hospital for people with mental health issues and had an exorcism performed on him at church. Thankfully he was granted refugee status.

Due to the risk of harm. He is himself deeply concerned of George's safe designation. He has said that. Georgia cannot be considered a safe country. They do not know what is going on in Georgia. The LGBT people are living there, they cannot understand. The television operator was killed in the last pride parade that took place. He will say it is a safe country after that. If you are gay you are treated the hospital or exorcism. How can we prescribe this country as safe here.

In 1997 under the last Labour government the first positive recognition of same-sex relationships in the UK laws introduced the unmarried partners concession. It made it possible for same-sex couples to make that occasion for a partner who was a British citizen to remain in the UK if they had lived together for four years. This paved the way for greater relationship hours for same-sex couples and for the same -- for the first time they were recognised positively in British law. Being an ally I have made a reflection of lasting social change though I agree with the trust that we need asylum legislation that treats LGBT people with dignity.

Unfortunately the current legal framework for dealing with the quantity of discrimination creeping under culture wars such as the Equality Act and Human Rights Act desire to protect those who are marginalised and vulnerable in society and those who are seeking safety from social exclusion. This guidance has caused widespread fear amongst the trans community. At a time of rising discrimination we need to reassert the value of quality and not create a set of contest rights to dehumanise the most marginalised.

Can do this in a very powerful way by signing a ratified protocol 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights which creates a general prohibition dissemination where the U.K.'s anyone of nine countries in the Council of Europe that is not signed protocol 12 everyone in the UK would

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benefit from access to the general provision of discrimination including LGBTQIA+ people. Thank you. Thank you. I will start with the

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Thank you. I will start with the answer to the question that is so often asked. First under the breath and then in those dark corners of the internet and now the unfortunate the internet and now the unfortunate mainstream in some places. Why do we have Pride? Why do we need Pride? This is the question asked and the answer is because party many people answer is because party many people even in 2025 and Britain I believe one of the greatest place in the
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Oliver Ryan Portrait Oliver Ryan MP (Burnley, Independent)
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one of the greatest place in the world to be LGBT, being yourself and being who you are feels like a trial and a struggle. It is not good enough. Too many LGBT people are attacked because of their sexuality. They have to constantly check themselves in our free country. They are not behaving to gay fashion or to avoid exciting anyone giving too much away for their own safety or even through fears of being covered. Because LGBT people often homeless or experienced mental-health issues or suffer from drug or alcohol abuse or poverty as a result of their sexuality.

It looks like a parade and party on the street but Pride is about acknowledging that struggle, the struggle for respect, for equality and to breathe as freely as everyone else. The history of Riders with a reminder -- of Pride is or is a reminder for those who enjoyed not only harassment but in this country the criminalisation, the orchestration, the shaming, the ostracise a petition, the bullying, the names, those who enjoyed the punching and the spitting. I was spat at once in Manchester's Canal Street.

Those who were killed or who were not cared for during the AIDS epidemic left to die and considered diseased or crazed. It is on those brave shoulders that openly gay LGBT people like me in 2025 stand on. I will say now, transgender people deserve our respect and support and I believe in LGBT with the T. Sure we have come a long way, some places let people marry within love and lots more folks understand the beautiful umbrella that exists within our community but the truth is it is not the same everywhere and it can change fast as the Minister said.

There are still many countries where being who you are can land you in jail or can be condemned to death and even here in the election last year the Conservative candidate and I, both of us had our sexuality paraded and commented on and weaponised by other candidates in the election. As if it were a slight on our character. And I said to my now constituents in that election, I am who I am, dislike me for my politics, my opinions but do not disengage because of who I love.

And by the way as much as I am going door-to-door I am not wrong to convert anyone. Although we are a very broad church. I am quite proud that in all of the communities in my constituency that respect and tolerance found more of a home I have to say than hate. As there Member of Parliament my constituents in Burnley padding on brownfield, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender from all creeds and castes I am here to represent them

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all. I know he has worked very hard on the issue of compensation for the the issue of compensation for the LGBT veterans and the disgraced way they were treated the British state which was raised at various points which was raised at various points of this evening. I wonder whether he would comment more on that and Lord

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Etherton's landmark report? I absolutely will. One of the

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I absolutely will. One of the first experiences I had of being in this House was to be approached by a constituent of mine, Stephen who I had not met during the election campaign. And who has now received his compensation. Being a member of the Armed Forces. In that period he was treated quite disgracefully forced Lord Etherton during that time. We had an Adjournment Debate in here and it was much longer story in here and it was much longer story and I came in right at the end of it has so many MPs do.

I was quite proud of the work you put into representing those men and women and representing those men and women and who have been so harshly let down. This month, I have got no time$$JOIN... This month as the time$$JOIN... This month as the Chancellor is to be with our people. The people who accept us and welcome us into care. I will say wearing a us into care. I will say wearing a lanyard is not a political statement

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lanyard is not a political statement it is a statement of respect. Raising a rainbow flag on your building is a political statement. I will. I thank my honourable friend for giving way. And I just want to say how proud I am he is here in this chamber. As an LGBT MP. Would he share my car -- share my pride in everyone here taking part in this bay this evening? Four absolutely. I am so proud of my honourable friend and everyone else who has contrary to today whether LGBT+ and I stand here is an openly gay man but applies who have talked about films and pride and things they have seen.

It is important for us all to be here and to recognise pride. I thank them for that. Putting a flag on your building is a political statement -- is not a political statement, it is a sign of respect. Saying you are an ally or do not care either way but you support people to live how they want to live is not a political statement, it is a statement of respect and respect is what we should be about in this Life is more the black-and-white commence filled with wonderful colours, and something powerful about saying this is me and I'm proud of it.

The joy pushes back against shame and silence we face now and over the years. As long as anyone finds the need to hide who they are, this month will be needed. Happy Pride Month to people here and in my constituency.
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Samantha Niblett Portrait Samantha Niblett MP (South Derbyshire, Labour)
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Thank you. I hadn't intended to say what I'm about to say for the bit I was about to say, but inspired by the ministers comment that coming out matters, I thought I would use this very public forum to say I am a bisexual woman. Some people know. Some people don't know. But I don't wear it like a badge. No more than I would expect a hetero person to say I'm attracted to men or women, or whatever gender you are.

The reason I feel compelled to mention it before I get onto the good bits, and please don't intervenor me, the recent publicly to say this now is because I held back on showing my support for the LGBTQ plus community on my Facebook page fear of retribution ahead of the local elections where a certain party got into power at Derbyshire County Council, and actually what they did after they did trying to appease that kind of support didn't win any votes. I doubled down on what I believe in and who I am, and I'm remember doing the post in support on the day against trans failure and homophobia.

And basically my comment said you are, if you dare put up a comment that is negative in the comments or anything alluding to such as what is a woman, you will be blocked from my page because there is fully on the rights of history and the wrong side of history. And

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you are wrong. I will give way. Can I congratulate her for taking this opportunity to say what she this opportunity to say what she said? It's not easy to say something like that in a chamber like this. like that in a chamber like this. Having done something similar myself, not that long ago, I absolutely respect her and join her absolutely respect her and join her in celebrating Pride Month.

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in celebrating Pride Month. I thank the honourable member for her intervention and for giving an extra minute. I like to talk about my community but the one main thing I hope from me saying what I've just said and being openly bisexual, although my daughter knows, she so straight, it's a disappointing, is straight, it's a disappointing, is that if there are girls and women in South Derbyshire and across the country that think God it's OK to love a woman, to kiss a woman, to be intimate with a woman, and actually OK, she said it so actually it's OK that I do, then good.

Take that comfort, and if you want to talk to me about it, please feel free to me about it, please feel free to me about it, please feel free to reach out. Now I will talk about my constituency, so it's an honour to rise today during this important debate on pride, not just as a Member of Parliament for South Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire but as someone who has seen first-hand the power of community when it uses inclusion over exclusion and love over fear. Just this past Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a truly fantastic pride event at the eclectic club.

-- Collective. It's a brilliant community space that fosters creativity, belonging and support people of all ages. The Pride solution they hosted was testament to everything that makes our community proud, diversity, resilience, and joy. I want to pay particular tribute to Mikey who leads the hub with passion, care and unwavering dedication. His work does not go unnoticed. He and all those who supported the event created a

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self welcoming space. I just wanted to intervene to say the point she's making about her constituents, the breakfast club is constituents, the breakfast club is filled by people who do their bit, go above and beyond and wondered if go above and beyond and wondered if you would join me and congratulating people in my constituency who do exactly the same?

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exactly the same? I thank the honourable member for his intervention and I absolutely do give thanks to people in his constituency who do the same. So back to Mikey in my constituency, back to Mikey in my constituency, his work does not go unnoticed. He and all those who supported this and all those who supported this event created a self welcome space LGBTQ plus people in South Derbyshire to be visible, to be celebrated and perhaps most celebrated and perhaps most importantly, to be themselves.

But it's the colour and celebration we must also recognise a deeper concern, particularly amongst our concern, particularly amongst our transgender constituents. I've heard directly from individuals who are directly from individuals who are frightened about the tone of national conversation surrounding their rights, their safety, dignity. These are not abstract issues. These These are not abstract issues. These are people in our towns and villages. They are our neighbours, friends, family members who deserve friends, family members who deserve the same rights, respect and

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freedoms as anyone else. I thank my honourable friend for giving way, and I totally agree with what you are saying. Normal people in our communities, that she agree that it's really important that we that it's really important that we are allies to these people? We stand with them?

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with them? I complete the agree that it's important, Allah ship is important, and is a proud mum to a very and is a proud mum to a very disappointingly straight daughter, she is a Boolean ally, and I think the next generation hopefully will continue to be exactly that to continue to be exactly that to create the atmosphere we need to create the atmosphere we need to stand side-by-side. I believe the message is clear in Derbyshire, we want inclusion, not exclusion for want inclusion, not exclusion for that we want a society where being yourself is not a political act but yourself is not a political act but a human one.

Pride is not about celebration commits about commitment. A commitment to equality, justice and standing up for those whose voices have too often been marginalised. Let us often been marginalised. Let us remember Pride began as a protest. A reminder that the freedoms we now reminder that the freedoms we now celebrate the hard-won and we must be protected, not rollback. And in be protected, not rollback. And in the face of the rising hostility of misinformation, wins has a duty to lead with compassion and courage. So lead with compassion and courage.

So the LGBTQ plus community in South Derbyshire, we see you, here you and

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we stand with you. Is an honour to rise today in celebration of Pride Month and to celebration of Pride Month and to listen to all my on a book colleagues, to recognise the outstanding contributions of outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations in Portsmouth North who work tirelessly to support LGBTQ plus committee and worked hard to make sure we had a UK Pride this year. From the dedicated Pride this year. From the dedicated people at Pompey pride whose vibrant events and year-round advocacy, inclusivity and visibility to the incredible support provided by the Portsmouth LGBT plus community forum Portsmouth LGBT plus community forum to translucent my honourable friend from south-west only has already praised, and to EU trust which offer
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Amanda Martin Portrait Amanda Martin MP (Portsmouth North, Labour)
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praised, and to EU trust which offer specialist help to the LGBT people facing homelessness or domestic abuse, and the fantastic fighting for pride, a military charity leading a campaign. Our city should stand proud of our LGBT community as I stand in this place a proud ally of them. Schools and institutions like the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth College proud to continue to foster inclusivity with local businesses and trade unions and the city council demonstrating leadership by championing equality in the workplace.

Pride is not just a celebration commits a commitment to dignity, respect and human rights. And one in a sometimes hostile world we must continue to push for all. I'm proud of the actions of this government and other governments both historically and currently. Be that the changes to the equal age of consent, the repeal of section 28, civil partnership act, a commitment to banning conversion therapy, a commitment to strengthening hate crime, and a commitment to implementing Lord Etherton's report. I was the one to thank the Minister and the shadow Minister for their combined and positive words in speaking up on behalf of our trans community.

Who are at this moment in time feeling very fragile and facing a very difficult world. Today, I commend and want to thank all in Portsmouth North who through their actions want to make our city of Portsmouth more open compassion an equally beautiful place for all to live. When we think about pride and the need to still have pride in 2020 in the UK, we must remember, love should not be a limitation. It should be our greatest freedom because in embracing who we are, we help the world become more authentic and more compassionate.

And the world where this is not always possible, we must all continue to stand together, speak up and stand out until we are all the truly free to love who we want.

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Shadow Minister. Thank you. And I'd like to thank
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Mims Davies Portrait Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)
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Thank you. And I'd like to thank the many members for their swift and heartfelt contributions, which I heartfelt contributions, which I think everybody has contributed brilliantly to. I would like to also wish everyone a very happy Pride wish everyone a very happy Pride Month. My constituents. The ethos of the Conservatives is exactly about meaningful change and putting the individual at the centre of policy- making, and as the Conservative Party that is about freedom of who you are, and we are here to campaign for you and to support you for a better future for you and everyone, and as we heard this evening, it's about respect, love and care for all that matters.

I have quoted this before, and it stuck with me, the words from my former colleague Elliot Colburn and my honourable friend in the previous debate when he said LGBT people have always existed. We did not pop out of the ground in the 1960s and 70s and start marching through the streets of London and other cities. He and Jed's wedding is back in my diary, and they've still got a lot more to do to get over what was a great engagement rate.

So it's absolutely welcome as we've heard tonight that changes are happening across the globe, in Thailand, in India, and it was right that we have righting the wrongs of our service personnel as we've heard this evening just so vital. And I would be in East Grinstead our Armed Forces Day event on Saturday with constituents, thinking of those who have told me and shared their experiences in the forces, like some of those bravely retold this evening in the chamber.

Abhorrent and terrible experiences, and I agree with the honourable lady across the fighting for pride group whether fantastic contribution they made. And now we've heard about family coming in all shapes and sizes and how important that is. And of course it was in 2022 that the Conservative government removed rightly the barrister IVF for lesbian couples, and its absolute vital that was highlighted by my honourable friend from Runnymede & Weybridge. And talked about the importance of family life for all couples and vital to recognise that all parents and families come in different shapes and forms, including single parents.

So always love to highlight that we can do this job as a single parent. How the honourable member for Chatham and Aylesford talked about the importance of local pride campaigns, and that was echoed all across the chamber. I couldn't keep up. It was York, Basildon, Southend, and winter Pride event, far too many clothes at that event it sounds like. But I did very much enjoy having a geography lesson of where to go. It was also important I think this evening to reflect on politicians, and what we do and how we've made a difference, and a reminder from the Minister of state opposite that there is always more to do.

We should take nothing for granted. When it comes to...

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I think of for giving way. We've had a really light-hearted and really lovely debate in most parts. really lovely debate in most parts. really lovely debate in most parts. I just wondered, would you agree with me that leaders of political parties with their words have power, and which you push for her party and in particular just to make sure that in particular just to make sure that when it comes to LGBT rights, that we consider the humanity we are talking about and don't whip up

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hatred? Well I think you saw from our

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Well I think you saw from our Frontbench speaking tonight, a young man from Anglesey, he spoke very much about the challenges that he had living in isolation, indeed had living in isolation, indeed rural areas as we heard from the honourable lady from an S1. So it's honourable lady from an S1. So it's right that we should put safety and dignity and freedom to live your life at the heart of everything we do, and he's right we are all do, and he's right we are all leaders in our own ways.

And that's why am proud that we as conservatives set the ambitious and conservatives set the ambitious and right goal of ending all the HIV right goal of ending all the HIV cases by 2030, and my honourable friend put the challenge to this Parliament. And perhaps of the honourable gentleman's party hadn't been quite so successful at the general election, we would have even

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more of my gay lesbian colleagues left my benchers to keep championing exactly as he says. It's unfortunate that there are

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It's unfortunate that there are not more of her party here this evening as part of this debate. And evening as part of this debate. And that speaks volumes for whilst I welcome her warm words and the warm words of her colleagues in the words of her colleagues in the opening remarks, those words will sound hollow up and down this country unless they start challenging their leader to do what's right for LGBT people up and

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what's right for LGBT people up and I think this goes for all

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I think this goes for all parties, MPs diaries have different challenges and commitments. I'm challenges and commitments. I'm delighted my honourable friend from Daventry made it. He was stuck on a train for most of this evening. I am delighted he arrived as a whole. I delighted he arrived as a whole. I do also want to point out the question my honourable friend from Daventry raised, that we do not want Wales and Scotland or Northern Ireland fall behind when it comes to Ireland fall behind when it comes to that striving for no new cases of HIV by 2030 in all parts of the HIV by 2030 in all parts of the United Kingdom.

I am delighted to be DJing at the LGBT Tories event at the Conservative party conference. As we have heard the conferences come alive apparently and the Deputy Speaker earlier pointed out he had recently been to a Labour one, maybe he will be coming to my DJ night. I will be following the guest turn for my honourable friend for Rutland and Stamford. And hoping that some of my colleagues will be there. I want to pay tribute to Luke Robert Black NBE who got his MBE in December 2024 for his work with LGBT Conservatives as we heard tonight.

50 years on from both Labour and Conservatives

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starting that really important route. Thank you. I thank shadow Minister for giving way. It has been Minister for giving way. It has been quite a nice cross party feeling to the debate night. It has been very the debate night. It has been very encouraging. There has also been some mention of trailblazers and I realise this is probably a little bit embarrassing for our Frontbench bit embarrassing for our Frontbench but the Minister of State to open but the Minister of State to open but the Minister of State to open this, -- you opened this has been through quite a lot and has written quite a lot about the role of LGBT people in public life and Parliament people in public life and Parliament and his own role as a Minister and an MP.

Will she join me in praising him as one of those trailblazers in this place?

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this place? I am always happy to praise him. The last time we had a chat he called me a very rude woman so I called me a very rude woman so I have got some making up to do. I hope he is pleased about that. Let me turn and it is very important to have trailblazers. As we have heard have trailblazers. As we have heard being an ally is absolutely vital. It was going to mention the honourable member for Burnley showcasing just how important and showcasing just how important and how much that matters.

My former colleague, I must mention her, colleague, I must mention her, Maria, now CBE, her passion and commitment to the HIV treatment and focus on tackling stigma around HIV and mental health was really really important and gives me the opportunity to speak to the honourable lady for South Derbyshire, speaking up about her being bisexual, and being openly bisexual. I'm so proud in this. This will help others who watch this back. About being out and being who they are.

I too have daughters who are not as diverse as I was hoping for but we live in hope. It is me who is the challenge, not them. I do think this is exactly tonight why we need this Pride Month. We absolutely need to make it count. We need to put the humour, the humanity and reflect all the contributions as we have heard both historically and importantly now the LGBT+ importantly now the LGBT+ individuals and communities do in terms of creating a better world and we as politicians in this House can continue to be part of this story.

And help all LGBT people to thrive. Not just in their sexuality but in every part of their life. Their community, their career and every way they want their life to look like. I want to thank everyone for their contributions tonight and hope we can work together actively, positively across the chamber to continue to make positive changes for LGBT people. Of course we reflect on pride and its theme and vision and social change that we always continue to challenge stigma including views of my own party and prejudice to be clear all political party here for you.

No matter who you are, where you live, who you love, you should never feel unsafe or worried about who you should be. We will always work together to strive for dignity, inclusion, compassion and after all of us love. -- Love is love.
21:50
Nia Griffith Portrait Dame Nia Griffith MP (Llanelli, Labour)
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Thank you. I hope the House will forgive me if I have not got time to mention everybody in detail because we have had such a wide-ranging debate with so many people taking part. I think I would like first of all to thank members from across the House for their heartfelt and thoughtful contributions but particularly of course to my honourable friend from South Derbyshire coming out in the chamber in such a way about her own sexuality which is very emotional for all of us.

I think the tone was very much one of celebration, perhaps people even feeling in their hometowns they were respected to have had the celebration they have now. And well of course as celebrating political achievements, we know the 50th anniversary of the Conservative and Labour LGBT societies, the progress has been made but it really is a tone that we have to renew our efforts and we cannot, cannot, cannot be complacent and we must not let any backsliding happen. Pride Month is a time not only the celebration but for reflection and today we have heard the stories of struggle, progress and of hope.

This debate has reminded us LGBT+ equality is not a single milestone to be passed but an ongoing commitment and one that must be renewed and reinforced by each generation and it is underscored by the principle that is guiding this government from day one. Every person, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity deserves dignity, safety and respect and I will now address some of the serious issues with people who have raised them. The member for Daventry asked in particular about the HIV prevention program.

I can tell him if he were here one remembers in the House that only last week I was actually at the Terrence Higgins Trust and what would have been the 80th birthday of Terrence Higgins. I do congratulate them on their excellent work of getting in the HIV prevention program in England where we are funding them to some 4.5 million to do the excellent work they do. We are in the process of producing an Action Plan. That will be published this year.

Of course we will do absolutely, we will stick to our commitment and try to reduce any transmissions of HIV by 2030. I have also met those who were working across Wales including in rural areas. So hopefully we will be making considerable progress. A number of colleagues also mentioned veterans. As they will know this government acknowledges the hurt caused by historic LGBT persons serving in the Armed Forces. We launched the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme of the two budget of 75 million, 50% higher than previously agreed amount.

The scheme... We really do know and recognise the need to work through the applications we have received quickly. We understanding the timeliness in delivering this scheme and we are working closely with stakeholders and applicants can receive up -- updates from the website .com. -- Of.com. I would like to acknowledge the deep concern and anxiety many people are feeling following the ruling in the Supreme Court and its case of trans people. I never many this has raised serious questions about safety and belonging.

I want you to know that The impact this is having on people of the trans community, their families and allies. The right to protection the trans people and the Equality Act remain firmly in place and other protected characteristics of gender reassignment still applies. The harassment and victimisation of trans people is unlawful and will remain so. The independence Equality and Human Rights Commission Britain's equality watchdog is currently consulting on its draft updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. To reflect the judgement provide guidance for service providers and employers.

We expect the HRC to seek and listen to a wide range of views through the consultation which closes on 13 June. I would -- on 30 June. I would encourage those to submit a response. This will create a final draft and the government will then consider the HRC's final draft and we will review that guidance carefully. Ensuring both the legal like the legality of the Court and our values ensure safety and respect for all. And it will be subject to full parliamentary scrutiny.

I would like to pay particular tribute to my honourable friend, the member for North Warwickshire and Bedworth for determined campaigning on bringing in measures to tackle LGBT+ hate crime. This government is absolutely committed to tackling awful -- all forms of hate, and we will deliver on our manifesto commitment to equalise all existing strands of hate crime to make them aggravated offences. In the guidance and policing Bill like the crime and policing Bill as it progresses through the other place that will ensure crime meperidine protection for LGBT+ and disabled people.

Indeed I will.

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Could I take the time to pay tribute to the Minister for her tribute to the Minister for her unwavering support throughout what unwavering support throughout what has been a very difficult year so far for LGBT people and the trailblazing work that she and the trailblazing work that she and the honourable gentleman sitting next to her have done for our community. I

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her have done for our community. I thank you for those -- I thank her for those very kind comments and I would like to pay tribute to all numbers who have tribute to all numbers who have taken part today. On this side of the House we have for Portsmouth North, lead Southwest, Glasgow North, Chatham and Aylesford, Macclesfield, Bournemouth East Southend West, Grangemouth North, my Southend West, Grangemouth North, my honourable friend who has just broken down, Leeds Central and broken down, Leeds Central and Headingley.

In answer to his response on asylum seekers. The Home response on asylum seekers. The Home Office does look a case-by-case process. And tries to deal process. And tries to deal sensitively with each case. Burnley is in as I mentioned earlier South Derbyshire and on the opposition Derbyshire and on the opposition side we have had speakers from the Front Benchers of Eastleigh including the member speaking for the Lib Dems. Plus of course the members, the Conservative member of Runnymede and Weybridge and LibDem member for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The SNP member for Aberdeen North, Plaid Cymru member Furniss Maughan -- form Furniss Maughan. I do not hope I have missed anyone out. As this debate draws to a close let us return to the spirit Pride has arisen bodies, not only visibility but solidarity. Not only protest but progress. Not only celebration but courage. Let us remember the rights we decide might defend today and those who stood up often at great personal risk so others might live freely.

Let us recommit to building a society where no-one is made to feel invisible, and safer alone because of who they are, who they love how they live their truth. This government will continue to stand with LGBT+ people here in the UK and around the world and we will continue to deliver on the promises we have made. And above all we will continue to defend the values that uplift us all, dignity

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and respect for all. The question is this House has

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The question is this House has considered Pride Month. As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye". Of the contrary, "No". The ayes have it. The ayes have it.

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it. The ayes have it. I beg to move this has to now adjourn. The question is this House do now
21:59
None Portrait Adjournment: Access to GPs
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adjourn.

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Thank you. Across the UK the

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Thank you. Across the UK the ability to access GPs and maintain face-to-face appointments is a pressing issue. Affecting not just pressing issue. Affecting not just my constituency of North Down but constituencies nationwide. Across constituencies nationwide. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland considerable inequalities in GP services exist. Evidence indicates Northern Ireland Evidence indicates Northern Ireland receives the lowest and best the GP services amongst the four regions of services amongst the four regions of the UK. I acknowledge we live in an area that has seen high-tech advancements and rapid changes in advancements and rapid changes in healthcare delivery.

I am intrigued by the ascription of Artificial Intelligence to enhance our healthcare system. However omits these innovations to access to GP services remain as crucial as ever. services remain as crucial as ever. Access to GP services is a cornerstone of the NHS, providing a cornerstone of the NHS, providing a fundamental element that outlaws -- allows the health service to operate allows the health service to operate effectively. However during the same period 70% of GP appointment in

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period 70% of GP appointment in England were conducted face-to-face whereas only 45% were in Northern Ireland. Order, order.

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I beg to move this House do now adjourn.

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The question is this House do now adjourn. Thank you. Although the figure in Northern Ireland has reasonably increased to 57%, the disparity increased to 57%, the disparity remains worrying. I am confident remains worrying. I am confident every MP aspires to see good access to GP services throughout the UK. And to preserve the essential into And to preserve the essential into reactions within GP care of our system that are vital to the health and well-being of our nation. They are often the first point of contact and their role is vital.

I commend and their role is vital. I commend there, hence efforts in tackling illnesses, managing chronic diseases illnesses, managing chronic diseases and providing preventative care amongst other crucial responsibilities. As the MP for responsibilities. As the MP for North Down I share the concerns of many regarding the growing demand for GP healthcare services and their for GP healthcare services and their access and ability of these

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access and ability of these And I commend the honourable gentleman? He's my neighbour and friend and has served innocently before we came here, and it's a real pleasure to see him getting his pleasure to see him getting his first adjournment debates was the understand probably the first of many no doubt. Edible members right to say, does he not agree that some GP surgeries, trust has diminished due to the lack of face-to-face contact? And perhaps discussions over the phone must sue some constituents, but for others the lack of face-to-face interaction sometimes can meet a Mr sentence.

Can only be seen face-to-face. And as the object not agree that the GP surgeries are struggling due to the lack of support throughout the UK surgeries must be given help and more assistance? And therefore more

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access to their patients? Thank you to the honourable member for his intervention. Totally member for his intervention. Totally agree with everything. People certainly across Northern Ireland have been unable to see their GP is much as other parts of the UK, much as other parts of the UK, leading to big frustrations for his constituents and my constituents. constituents and my constituents. And the lack of support for GPs with And the lack of support for GPs with a lack of funding is adding to the frustration that has been felt right

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across-the-board. I know this is a debate about GP access across the United Kingdom. access across the United Kingdom. One issue in Northern Ireland is GPs ability to access indemnity insurance brokers in GB there rose insurance brokers in GB there rose scheme. Maybe they work with the Department of Northern Ireland and lower our GPs to access the lower our GPs to access the indemnity assurance insurance at the

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national level? Yes, I agree with the member and thank you for your intervention. Maybe that's a point domestic take on board that we can look at the GP surgeries. One of the significant challenges across the UK is the shortness of GPs, which inevitably leads to longer waiting times and unfortunately sometimes compromises unfortunately sometimes compromises quality of care. quality of care.
22:04
Alex Easton Portrait Alex Easton MP (North Down, Independent)
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On that point, 4,000 residents in a new housing development in my constituency were promised a GP, and they had binding section 160 agreements in place, the construction money is there for the GP surgery but the NHS has not provided the operational funding required for GPs, since my honourable friend agree that the NHS should be providing the operational funding for new GP services on housing to elements, and in fact undermines entire case the government for new housing developers if instructed -- if infrastructure is not provided?

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Thank the honourable member his intervention, and agree there is no point in building houses every day and the infrastructure and that includes health and GPs. While I welcome the initiatives aimed at welcome the initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining GPs, it's concerning that in Northern Ireland we have recruited only 121 GPs when we have recruited only 121 GPs when we need 161. Merely to restore the we need 161. Merely to restore the levels we had in 2014. The growing population in the UK coupled with population in the UK coupled with increasingly complex health needs is exerting significant pressure on existing resources.

In Northern Ireland to learn the population has risen by 70,000 over a decade, while 38 GP practices have closed, 38 GP practices have closed, reduction of 11%. It seems clear as the population grows funding should the population grows funding should increase. We must also recognise that since April 2023, there has that since April 2023, there has been 17 GP contract handbags resulting in a decrease of 12 GP practices. Leaving us with a total of 305.

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I thank him. The honourable member agree that the disparity he has mentioned is actually something has mentioned is actually something that we need to address across the United Kingdom? The inequality that we have in GP funding allocations, we have in GP funding allocations, for example in Wolverhampton despite having some of the most deprived areas with the higher demand, the funding Wolverhampton receives is on average 10% less than more affluent areas, which means that the ratio of GPs to patients is less, which increases the appointment times to get an appointment with the GP.

And furthermore, does he also agreed that the experiences for example when I speak to my constituents in Wolverhampton West, they give me different accounts of experiences they've had in levels of service they receive from their GP, depending on the surgery they use, and therefore we need to be looking at and achieving greater consistency

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in access to GP services. I think the honourable member.

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I think the honourable member. Totally agree with everything you Totally agree with everything you say. Certain areas right across the UK where there are inequalities and people getting access to their GPs. people getting access to their GPs. And it needs to be A-level playing And it needs to be A-level playing field right across the board. Our evidence indicates every 1 pound invested in GP services yields £14 invested in GP services yields £14 return for the local economy. Let me revisit the crucial role of face- revisit the crucial role of face- to-face appointments.

In an increasingly digital world, it's pertinent how important in-person pertinent how important in-person consultations truly are. While the question is valid, what remains crucial is that face-to-face interactions allow GPs to deliver interactions allow GPs to deliver holistic care that surpasses what is achievable in the virtual achievable in the virtual environment. Face-to-face appointments facilitated through physical examinations, which are physical examinations, which are indispensable for acute diagnosis and treatment planning. While the advances in telemedicine are advances in telemedicine are certainly welcome, physical examinations remain essential for certain symptoms and conditions in- person consultations are key to effective communication, enabling GPs to observe non-verbal cues and facial expressions that are crucial in understanding patients needs.

Such interactions foster empathy and understanding, greatly enhancing personalised care. This trust encourages patients to be more honest and forthcoming, directly contributing to improved healthcare outcomes. The many vulnerable groups such as the elderly or individuals living with perinatal health, face- to-face appointments serve as a lifeline first they offer reassurance and a sense of connection, helping to combat isolation and ensure comprehensive care. In 2022 there were 9.7 million GP consultations in Northern Ireland. As we emerged from the COVID pandemic in 2023, this number increased to 10.1 million GP consultations in Northern Ireland.

However we must face the reality that one third of GP practices need to support the practice improvement crisis response team, and triple that with private GP services we risk creating a two-tier system that risks exacerbating health inequalities. We must have a GP service and health service that is accessible to all, not just a service reserved for those who can't afford it. We need to work on our GP service and develop effective retention strategies. I direct your attention to the 70 recommendations made by the Royal College practice in Northern Ireland and their workforce for the future, which has thorough consideration following decisive action.

Other considerations such as the pharmacy first program deserve detailed consideration for this practice enabled across the UK shown to effectively serve deprived communities and has real potential to alleviate the workload on our GPs, therefore we challenge this is not a matter of choosing one over the other funnier balance were digital and face-to-face services complement each other in delivering optimal healthcare. In conclusion, patients are becoming increasingly frustrated not being able to speak or get to see their GPs. GPs are becoming increasingly frustrated at the ever-increasing workload which has a knock-on effect with many people having to go to their nearest A&E unit which have some very long waiting times, and that adds more pressure to the health system.

I must emphasise and underline that access to GP services and face-to- face appointments are vital to maintain a robust health system across the UK. As I finish, allow me to pose a question informed by the Royal College general practitioners in Northern Ireland. Is it not true that Northern Ireland has the lowest proportion of its healthcare budget allocated to GP services compared to the rest of the UK? Can anyone point to anywhere that spends less? And would you agree with me that Northern Ireland deserves better?

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Thank you. Minister Stephen Kinnock.
22:11
Stephen Kinnock Portrait Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) (Aberafan Maesteg, Labour)
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Minister Stephen Kinnock. Thank you. I'd like to start by

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Thank you. I'd like to start by thanking the honourable four raising thanking the honourable four raising GP access, which is an issue of vital importance for semi constituents. I'd like to congratulate him on securing his first Westminster Hall... Adjournment debates, sorry. It's been quite a long day. And I do thank honourable members for their forbearance. When you ask people what their top priority for the NHS is, the chances are they will say it is to fix general practice.

Because GPs are the front door to our National Health Service. They are the first port of call for millions of people, and they provide a vital service by delivering care in communities right across our country. Of course health is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and decisions about GP services there rightly sit with the Northern Ireland Executive. And that is storming -- at Stormont. Nevertheless the government is committed to becoming an active partner in helping to deliver better public health service outcomes in the UK while respecting the devolution settlement, and delight in my honourable friend the midst of Putney essay with me on the front bench this evening showing how important the teamwork between the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive is.

Ultimately the underlying challenges of same, with access, capacity or workforce pressures, we recognise these issues across the UK. Our manifesto pledge to reset our relationship with the devolved administrations, to put country before party and to work with them on issues from trade, tackling child poverty, to a whole range of issues around the economy and growth that affect all of us. So I welcome this chance to heal the honourable gentleman's perspective and to exchange ideas across the floor of the chamber. Access to timely GP appointments is at the heart of the strong and responsive

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healthcare system. I thank him. Just on that point

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I thank him. Just on that point I'd like to raise an issue of a resident who lives in my resident who lives in my constituency. She needs to give blood every three months for a long-term condition she has but can never get an appointment in Bramall never get an appointment in Bramall where she lives, and instead has to travel 3 miles to shore heat. This travel 3 miles to shore heat. This happens every time every three months, so that the Minister agree this shouldn't be happening in our country? And that access to GPs

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country? And that access to GPs should not only be easier but should be accessible to all of our residents? I agree absolutely with the

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I agree absolutely with the points he is making, and very surely will publish our 10 Year Plan for will publish our 10 Year Plan for the NHS. And as I say a little bit later in my speech, a big part of that is about this shift to a neighbourhood health service, really neighbourhood health service, really shifting from hospital to community shifting from hospital to community so that the front door of the NHS is fixed, and that is of course mean access is a vitally important part of that.



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of that. On that point, big issue in my constituency as I have constituents who are on the point of qualifying as GPs. They do not have jobs as GPs as GPs. They do not have jobs as GPs to go to. So what is the government plan to do as part of its 10 year plan to fix the issue of having people qualifying as GPs they don't have jobs to go to?

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I'm sure he will welcome the fact that we secured a record £889 million increase to the GP contract. That's the first step in terms of digging us out of the very deep hole digging us out of the very deep hole the previous governments (us. When I look across my portfolio, you name it, whether it's GPs, mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, it's a car crash right across the piece. I was frankly shocked by what I saw when I first went into the department back in July.

So we are beginning to get in July. So we are beginning to get things back on an even keel, but he's right that if you don't... We don't actually have a shortage of don't actually have a shortage of people coming through GP training. But we are not getting supply and demand matching up. And that has to demand matching up. And that has to change. Joy will also welcome the fact we secured £82 million of additional funding through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme leading to the recruitment of Scheme leading to the recruitment of an additional 1,700 GPs.

The challenges are more about getting GPs in the places where they are most needed, and that's something we most needed, and that's something we need to work on. I think other colleagues talked about this geographical imbalance. We do need geographical imbalance. We do need to look at the formula for the way in which funding is allocated across the country. And that I think is an important part of the access issue

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I thank the Minister for giving

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I thank the Minister for giving way. I have been working with LibDem Councillor to tackle some of the issues Knaresborough are facing. I issues Knaresborough are facing. I recently finished it -- visited the GP surgeries where they said they GP surgeries where they said they have the stuff they want to get in place but they do not have the place but they do not have the consulting rooms. The problem they face is from the Infrastructure Levy and other sources of funding that will not come until further down the line so they are in a situation line so they are in a situation where they cannot take on more staff because the consulting rooms cannot be built and there is not the funding there.

The Minister agree funding there. The Minister agree with me need to make sure we are getting funding into these GP services so we can see the services people deserve and need?

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people deserve and need? I thank him for the intervention. He is right one of the challenges we have as -- is where you are developing new centres of housing, developing new centres of housing, you are not getting the social infrastructure wrapping around it. infrastructure wrapping around it. You need to use things like section 106 and CILEX you mentioned. That is not all is working. The development not all is working. The development is not a was coming forward with real concrete commitment. Then the ICBs do not commission because they are not sure the infrastructure is are not sure the infrastructure is going to be there and you end up with a chicken and egg situation.

We are working closely with colleagues around how we break through some of that and how we put much stronger, attach stronger strings to the deals that are being done. We also have the £102 million capital infrastructure scheme for primary care. But I think can go some way fundamentally it is about getting these commitments from developers.

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Much more clearly and strongly. I thank the Minister for his response. It is readily helpful in response. It is readily helpful in this debate. And I think of GP access I think of two things. First of all I think of the villages of the island I lived most of my life and where I represent and also the best way of contacting a GP there is by phone because of the very nature. One thing they have done which has been credibly helpful with the been credibly helpful with the biggest nucleus of the people, that is to go down at 8 o'clock a hopper state and join the queue and get your point in there and then.

It is your point in there and then. It is another way of doing it. Another way of accessing your GP. There is of accessing your GP. There is nothing as frustrating as being on the phone from 8 o'clock to 8:30 and cannot get an appointment. At least

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cannot get an appointment. At least if you can see a Doctor you can definitely get one. I thank him for that. I think we have to have a mixture of access channels. Telephone is very important, being able to turn up in important, being able to turn up in person is very important but we do also need to shift more to online booking and I am really pleased as booking and I am really pleased as part of the new contract we have with GPs based on the 889 million, it actually came with a lot of strings attached around reform.

One of this is every GP surgery in England at least must have online booking facilities by the first -- by 1 October. I hope that will improve access and make more space in the reception process for people who cannot use the internet. I think that is, you have got to make sure we have that balance right. That is why as I mentioned in October 24 we took decisive action. We invested £82 million into the additional roles reimbursement scheme.

A targeted move to strengthen our frontline services and ease the pressure on practices across the country this funding has directly supported the recruitment of over 1,700 GPs across England. These GPs are now in place helping to increase appointment availability and most importantly improving care for thousands of patients who have been struggling to get the help they need when they need them. We have also seen a rise in the number of GPs employed directly on practices over the past 12 months. A positive sign that general practices stabilising and beginning to rebuild capacity on the ground.

Together these develop into making it easier for patients

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to access care and for practices to deliver them. Another point the member for

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Another point the member for North Down made is about those contracts that are being handed back to the department. We have people to the department. We have people who want to be GPs but found in the department who want to run practices department who want to run practices of finding them to find harder as well. Would there be a training scheme or course that comes forward scheme or course that comes forward for that side of general practice where the training needs to be reinforced as well about the side of reinforced as well about the side of running a practice? There are those who want to be GPs and medics but there are also those who need some there are also those who need some skill in running them as well.



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skill in running them as well. You speaks with great knowledge and expertise in this area so I am very appreciative and pleased to issue in this debate today this evening. Like he is here in this debate today this evening. He is debate today this evening. He is right there is a skills mix. Many GPs do actually really enjoyed going GPs do actually really enjoyed going into more of the management and leadership role at partnership leadership role at partnership level.

He raises a really interesting and important point about the training of that. I think my impression is a lot of them who go into managing a practice having just sort of learned on the job really. And gone through the process in an ad hoc way. You raises a really interesting point and perhaps that is something for further discussion with the Royal College. Around the training side of things. But it is something about learning to run a business. Could it be something you look at in terms of universities and MBAs or whatever it might be in terms of business administration being a really important part of the equation.

I also wanted to say a word about bureaucracy. Too much red tape is holding GPs back. So on 4 October, the Secretary of State launched red tape challenge the clear goal to identify and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens, freeing up GPs to see more patients and focus on delivering high quality care. Improving access is not only about cutting bureaucracy. It is also about transforming how care is delivered. Which is why we have committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service. A model of care that will bring a range of services together.

Break Down Barriers to Opportunity silos between services and streamline services. It means patients will see people sooner in the right -- they will see the right person soon in the right setting. It will ensure patients can go online to request an appointment at any time during core opening hours. This is not just about adding a digital option, it is about transforming how general practice works for the modern world. By making online access standard we are giving patients more control and greater flexibility for how they engage with their GP.

It means no longer having to call it a day sharp or wait in a phone queue, especially those juggling work, childcare or other responsibilities. For those who do prefer to call or come in person, this change helps them too. By enabling more people to use an online route we reduce pressure on phone lines and reception desks and in shorter waits and faster services in shorter waits and faster services everyone. We are also taking steps to improve access for those who need it most by improving continuity of care.

Including those with complex conditions. You benefit significant from seeing the same practitioner over time. Continuity does not improve patient experience, it improves outcomes. And patients see a familiar clinician, issues are identified earlier, carries more personalised and time is not lost, repeating history or explain symptoms. Our manifesto pledges to bring back the family Doctor and that is what we will do. The issue of physical infrastructure was also raised by honourable members. A new £102 million primary care utilisation and modernisation fund will create additional clinical space with over 1,000 GP practices across England.

This investment will deliver more employment --

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appointments and improve patient care. In my North Cornwall constituency

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In my North Cornwall constituency Stratton surgery has long been Stratton surgery has long been trying to get access to two rooms which could be used for clinical which could be used for clinical space at the top floor, the third floor of its surgery. The ICB seemed to be dragging its feet as these to be dragging its feet as these rooms were previously used by calls ICB for maternity services. There are no longer in use. Can I ask the Minister first help in working with Minister first help in working with the ICB to get Stratton surgery access to those very much needed

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clinical spaces. I thank him for that intervention and absolutely. If you would like to perhaps write to me with that issue perhaps write to me with that issue I would be more than happy to look into that. I am always keen to help honourable members together ICBs to honourable members together ICBs to move in the right -- to get their ICBs to move in the right direction. We have also directly provided £61 million to help expand the multidisciplinary team approach multidisciplinary team approach across Northern Ireland.

Which will help stabilise primary care, focus on prevention and management of conditions across hospital settings and better utilise the skills of the and better utilise the skills of the community and voluntary sector. It will provide additional funding by 28/29 to bring back the family Doctor through supporting the training of thousands more GPs, delivering millions more appointments of the SR period and will to further on the 1,700 additional GPs that have already been recruited. With these improvements we are making a difference to patient satisfaction.

The latest health Insight survey shows a sustained improvement in satisfaction 72.5% of patients who contacted their GP practice in the past 28 days reporting a good overall experience. Up from 67.4% in July 2024. This government is delivering concrete results because we believe everyone deserves access to high quality care closer to home. I am delighted GPC England voted in favour of this year's GP contract in March. This is the first time the contract has been accepted in four years.

This agreement resets our relationship and provide the turning point. A shared commitment to work together on behalf of patients and practitioners alike. The changes to the contract will streamline targets for GPs, incentivise improved continuity of care, make progress towards our health mission, but crucially require practices to make it possible for patients to go online to request an appointment throughout the duration of core opening hours. These changes are backed by an extra £889 million representing more than seven% cash growth in overall contract investment.

In closing, I would like to say the NHS belongs to the people. Those are not just my words, they are in the NHS Constitution. Everything this government has done since the election have been geared towards saving the NHS, giving it back to the people and getting it back on its feet. We are putting power back into the hands of patients where it rightly belongs. Because this is their health service. And it must work for them. Ensuring every patient has access to care they need.

It is not just a

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government. I thank the Minister for giving

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I thank the Minister for giving way and indulging me in this. I wonder if before he finally closes he would share and congratulate the many fantastic GPs in my area of many fantastic GPs in my area of Harrogate and Knaresborough and across the country. It is not an across the country. It is not an easy job, we hear the flak they get from patients day in, day out when they are working to tighten timeframes and I think some fantastic GPs in my areas who were elected as LibDem town Councillor, I wonder if he would share those thanks to those doctors and the thanks to those doctors and the entire collective of GPs across our

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country. I thank him for the intervention and I will certainly congratulate the GPs. I probably will not the GPs. I probably will not congratulate the GP on being an LibDem town Councillor. He is right, LibDem town Councillor. He is right, GPs are the backbone. They are the beating heart of our NHS. They are the front door and we have got to the front door and we have got to fix that frontal and it is currently very much creaking on its hinges. This government is absolutely This government is absolutely committed to fixing it and moving on from the fix our NHS, tobacco and from the fix our NHS, tobacco and

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its feet and get fit for the future. -- Get it back on its feet and get it fit for the future. The question is this House do now adjourn. As many as are of that opinion, say, "Aye". Of the contrary, "No". The ayes have it.
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