Backbench Business Committee
Tuesday 30th June 2026
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16:15
Speaker 1
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Speaker 1
Leaving applications for bids, for debates both in Westminster Hall and in the. Order, order. Welcome to the meeting of the Backbench Business Committee, where we will be retained by. The first application is from our veteran season ticket holder, Jim Shannon, for a debate on mandatory. Safeguarded 24 by seven helipads at major trauma centres. This is for a Westminster Hall general debate. Jim, please present.
16:15
Speaker 2
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Speaker 2
Chairman and honourable members. Can I thank you very much for giving me the chance to request a debate on this issue. I understand that this this particular issue hasn't been debated before, but it seems that while every one of us knows the importance of the air ambulance, I can point to occasions in my constituency of Strangford, where the air ambulance saved lives and sometimes, unfortunately, uh, there may be just too late to save lives because the the injuries were, were were so extreme. But I can point to the lives that they've saved.
Um, now. And when you pick them up in, say, Grey Cup in the Ards Peninsula, Portaferry, uh, and they take them to the, to the Ulster Hospital in my constituency or to the Royal Victoria. Not everyone has a helipad, but I think there may be um and some hospitals and an intermission to have one, but this debate is to be to do with the mandatory safeguarding of major trauma centres. Helipad. So that's the reason two, three quick reasons or two quick reasons why.
Um there's currently no national NHS policy or directive requiring major trauma centres, especially hospitals or any NHS hospital, to provide safeguarded 24 over seven on on site helipad access. Secondly, the issue is particularly timely. Recent major incidents have once again demonstrated the vital role that air ambulances play particularly timely. And thirdly, the Appg, the all party parliamentary group report also recommends strengthening uh hospital helipad provision as part of the UK's preparedness site. Helipad access. Some do it, some don't.
This is to make sure it all happens. Secondly, the issue is particularly timely. Recent major incidents have once again demonstrated the vital role that air ambulances play in the UK's emergency response. And thirdly, the Appg, the all party parliamentary group report also recommends strengthening hospital helipad provision as part of the UK's preparedness and resilience for major incidents. Uh. Excuse me. Uh, we have, uh, a membership. Uh, those who applied for Labour three Lib Dem, two conservative, and, uh, a number of independent Ulster Unionist reform and myself.
I believe, Mr. Chairman, there's a widespread request for this. I think the this is one of the I mean, I, I. Always request people for debates. This happens regularly. I'm on their shoulders. Uh, have you got a minute. And then we tell them what we're about. And this one. Absolutely no bother at all getting someone to sign. And the cross section of support would indicate to me, uh, that they, there's awareness across all political parties and individuals in this chamber to ensure that this debate is held.
Hopefully it can be the the motivation for government to ensure that helipads become a must do and not a maybe. Thanks very much.
Um, now. And when you pick them up in, say, Grey Cup in the Ards Peninsula, Portaferry, uh, and they take them to the, to the Ulster Hospital in my constituency or to the Royal Victoria. Not everyone has a helipad, but I think there may be um and some hospitals and an intermission to have one, but this debate is to be to do with the mandatory safeguarding of major trauma centres. Helipad. So that's the reason two, three quick reasons or two quick reasons why.
Um there's currently no national NHS policy or directive requiring major trauma centres, especially hospitals or any NHS hospital, to provide safeguarded 24 over seven on on site helipad access. Secondly, the issue is particularly timely. Recent major incidents have once again demonstrated the vital role that air ambulances play particularly timely. And thirdly, the Appg, the all party parliamentary group report also recommends strengthening uh hospital helipad provision as part of the UK's preparedness site. Helipad access. Some do it, some don't.
This is to make sure it all happens. Secondly, the issue is particularly timely. Recent major incidents have once again demonstrated the vital role that air ambulances play in the UK's emergency response. And thirdly, the Appg, the all party parliamentary group report also recommends strengthening hospital helipad provision as part of the UK's preparedness and resilience for major incidents. Uh. Excuse me. Uh, we have, uh, a membership. Uh, those who applied for Labour three Lib Dem, two conservative, and, uh, a number of independent Ulster Unionist reform and myself.
I believe, Mr. Chairman, there's a widespread request for this. I think the this is one of the I mean, I, I. Always request people for debates. This happens regularly. I'm on their shoulders. Uh, have you got a minute. And then we tell them what we're about. And this one. Absolutely no bother at all getting someone to sign. And the cross section of support would indicate to me, uh, that they, there's awareness across all political parties and individuals in this chamber to ensure that this debate is held.
Hopefully it can be the the motivation for government to ensure that helipads become a must do and not a maybe. Thanks very much.
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Speaker 4
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Speaker 4
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And honourable members of the committee. This is this is the first time that I've been in front of you to ask, uh, for a debate. You will see from the application form that there's a cross-party interest in this. There are, if I'm a rapid count for conservative members, two Liberal Democrats and the remainder Labour that have asked to speak. But I'm sure there will be representatives of minor parties that would be interested in this as as as well.
It's not a partisan issue. The reason why we've asked for it is that suicide related callouts to fire and rescue services have tripled in the last decade. There isn't a consistent, mandatory high quality suicide prevention training across all fire and rescue services in England. Each service is responsible for their own training. The government's running a consultation on creating a new College of Fire and Rescue to have more standardised training. We welcome this and a debate will help make the case for why suicide prevention should be mandatory and consistent across England.
For firefighters, um surveys have shown that attending traumatic incidents like suicides has an impact on firefighters mental health and hence retention in the service, and puts them at themselves at risk of suicide. Training has got to go hand in hand with workplace wellbeing support. Um, the government has introduced this training for new police officers in January as part of the policing reform White Paper. So it's anomalous that it doesn't exist for firefighters, as they're often the first attenders. Uh, at these kind of incidents.
And, um, we've both had, uh, people from the fire service has asked for it, but also people from suicide prevention charities, uh, the Samaritans have got evidence that show that training works to increase confidence in making a life saving intervention and recognising someone in a suicidal crisis situation.
It's not a partisan issue. The reason why we've asked for it is that suicide related callouts to fire and rescue services have tripled in the last decade. There isn't a consistent, mandatory high quality suicide prevention training across all fire and rescue services in England. Each service is responsible for their own training. The government's running a consultation on creating a new College of Fire and Rescue to have more standardised training. We welcome this and a debate will help make the case for why suicide prevention should be mandatory and consistent across England.
For firefighters, um surveys have shown that attending traumatic incidents like suicides has an impact on firefighters mental health and hence retention in the service, and puts them at themselves at risk of suicide. Training has got to go hand in hand with workplace wellbeing support. Um, the government has introduced this training for new police officers in January as part of the policing reform White Paper. So it's anomalous that it doesn't exist for firefighters, as they're often the first attenders. Uh, at these kind of incidents.
And, um, we've both had, uh, people from the fire service has asked for it, but also people from suicide prevention charities, uh, the Samaritans have got evidence that show that training works to increase confidence in making a life saving intervention and recognising someone in a suicidal crisis situation.
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Speaker 8
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Speaker 8
Thank you, chair and honourable members on the committee. Uh, before I begin, I just want to declare my interest as chair of the Appg for Hospitality and Tourism. Uh, this debate seeks to examine the rate of VAT applied to the UK hospitality sector and the potential impact such a policy change could have on local economies. Employment, tourism and high streets across the United Kingdom. Um, we know the significance of the hospitality sector, especially in coastal towns. The sector supports thousands of jobs, brings in millions of pounds in revenue and helps regenerate communities across the country.
We hear from businesses every day that the sector is under huge pressure, and the debate would provide members from across the House the opportunity to consider the evidence for and against a reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, an important and timely discussion against the backdrop of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme that's been recently introduced by the government. Um, there is support for this debate from 22 members from across five different parties, which to me highlights the appetite for this discussion, an issue that we must address to protect local economies and national growth.
Ministers regularly face questions about the need for support for the sector, and increasingly, we're seeing MPs raise specific questions regarding VAT. So I believe this is a timely application for a debate on the issue.
We hear from businesses every day that the sector is under huge pressure, and the debate would provide members from across the House the opportunity to consider the evidence for and against a reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, an important and timely discussion against the backdrop of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme that's been recently introduced by the government. Um, there is support for this debate from 22 members from across five different parties, which to me highlights the appetite for this discussion, an issue that we must address to protect local economies and national growth.
Ministers regularly face questions about the need for support for the sector, and increasingly, we're seeing MPs raise specific questions regarding VAT. So I believe this is a timely application for a debate on the issue.
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Speaker 8
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Speaker 8
Um I think that yes, I think that is an option. What I am cautious of is a number who have signed this debate have raised some concerns about a a Westminster Hall debate with the town because of the distance of their constituencies. But are keen to have this debate, as you know, in a timely fashion. So if that was the only option, then yes, but obviously we believe with the backing of five different parties and so many colleagues across all benches, that there is an appetite for a chamber debate or a, you know, a substantial debate in Westminster Hall on a Tuesday.