Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

In answer to the hon. Gentleman’s last question, unfortunately my answer is no; I will not be doing that. For a moment I thought that the pantomime season had come early, but I encourage him not to give up his day job.

The hon. Gentleman raised the matter of statements, which arises from time to time. I am afraid that I previously made the point I am going to make now. The Government are often in a lose-lose situation: if we do not come to the House with statements, Members demand to know what we are going to do, but if we do bring forward statements, including written ministerial statements, we are criticised for there being too many. There is nothing new in this; as we break for any recess, there is often a flurry of statements and written ministerial statements so that the House gets to know what it needs to know before we break.

I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that we will be returning in the new year to give Members the opportunity to debate some of the issues that have been the subject of statements, particularly written ministerial statements, this week. Getting information out to them in a timely fashion is therefore important, but it is also crucial for local authorities and police forces.

We understand the challenges facing local authorities as a result of higher demand and the cost of providing critical services, which is why we are addressing the question of fair funding and bringing in the first multi-year settlement in 10 years. It is important that local authorities and Members of Parliament get the earliest sight of that, which is why we have done what we have done. I will take up the point that the hon. Gentleman raises; I suspect he knows the answer, but it is important that all Members get to hear these figures at the earliest opportunity.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

I took the opportunity a little earlier to wish you a merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. May I echo your thanks to all the House staff for everything they do all year round to guide us and keep us safe?

I recently visited St James Carlisle Guides and Brownies. I was reminded then, as I was by the recent death of my 100-year-old aunt, who was a Guide leader and county commissioner for many years, of the important and invaluable support that volunteer Guide leaders give to young women and girls. Next year marks 70 years of the Queen’s Guide award. Will the Leader of the House consider how we might best celebrate and thank generations of Guide leaders?

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this case with me. If he gives the details of the case afterwards, I will certainly raise it with Ministers. Although a holding reply may be sensible at the time, it cannot go on forever, and he needs to get a substantive reply.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

Tomorrow marks the 10-year anniversary of Storm Desmond and the flooding of the city of Carlisle that forced thousands of my constituents from their homes. As we remember the horror of 2015, we also celebrate the incredible people of Carlisle who came together to support their friends and neighbours at that time. One group, in particular, went on to form the North Cumbria Search and Rescue team, whose work continues to be funded entirely by donations to this day. I invite the Leader of the House to thank North Cumbria Search and Rescue for its continued work to keep communities across north Cumbria safe.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this important anniversary. I remember those terrible events very well. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to the fantastic people across the communities of Carlisle and the way they responded to the challenges of the flooding. I join my hon. Friend in celebrating the extraordinary work of North Cumbria Search and Rescue and all those who run those vital services, and not just in her area but across the UK.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As the hon. Lady says, this is an issue not just in Chichester, but across the country. She will know that we are looking at a range of measures—on planning, leasehold reform and everything else—to ensure that we do not get the terrible cases that we did in the past of people who move to estates being held to ransom.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

I am sure that Members from across the House will want to thank volunteers and members of the Royal British Legion for their exemplary work in recent weeks. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking Keith Richardson, and members of the Carlisle and Stanwix branch of the Royal British Legion, for organising an inspiring number of events in my Carlisle constituency, including, frankly, with respect to the Royal Albert Hall, the best festival of remembrance?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in thanking Keith Richardson and everyone involved in the Royal British Legion in her proud and beautiful city. The work that they do is important for the local community, and it is replicated by so many people across this country.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady will know why the Government have made some decisions on the question of overseas aid, given the situation that we inherited. However, I understand her concerns, which will be echoed in constituencies across the country.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

Today marks the start of the Carlisle beer and cider festival, a fantastic celebration of local independent brewers, including those just over the border in Scotland, who now benefit from the guest beer agreement, making it easier for them to get their product into local pubs. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the organisers of the festival and will he arrange for a Business Minister to make a statement on the outcome of the Government’s market access review of the barriers faced by small brewers?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I congratulate the organisers of the festival. Carlisle has a very proud history of brewing and I know that my hon. Friend is a strong advocate for the success of much-loved local breweries. We are currently assessing the beer market to identify any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs, and I will make sure that the relevant Minister hears her words.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

In terms of my demeanour, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will just say gently to the hon. Gentleman that appearances can be deceptive. He is, as ever, a fierce champion of freedom of religion or belief, and he raises a very serious matter. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. I will make sure that the Foreign Secretary hears his concerns and that he gets a reply, but I also encourage the hon. Gentleman to raise his question at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 28 October. He is no stranger to questions, I am sure.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Teresa Mulholland, who earlier this week was named Cumbrian woman of the year? Teresa is director of Carlisle United’s community sports trust and was recognised for her leadership, empathy, courage and determination to help others. In congratulating Teresa, will the Leader of the House take the opportunity to put on the record our thanks to all community sports trusts across the UK, which do so much for our local communities?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend not only in congratulating Teresa on her well-deserved award, but in acknowledging the importance of Carlisle United football club and other football clubs for the work they do across communities. Those qualities of leadership and selflessness are ones that I am sure MPs across the House will recognise in volunteers in their own constituencies. One of the aspects of business questions, I am already aware, is to share our appreciation and admiration every week for volunteers and their dedication to their communities.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Julie Minns

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will draw these issues to the attention of the relevant Department, but we are investing £500 million this year to deliver Project Gigabit and the shared rural network, to drive the roll-out of digital infrastructure in parts of the UK that are currently underserved. That will improve full nationwide connectivity by 2030, with more than £2.3 billion of contracts signed to connect over 1 million homes in some of Britain’s most remote locations.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

I welcome the new Leader of the House to his place and thank him for all the help and support he gave those of us who were newly elected to this place 12 months ago in his previous role.

Last Friday, Cumbria’s first community county flag was unveiled at a special service at Carlisle cathedral. Cumbria county flag is the result of a county-wide competition and public vote, won by Cumbrian artist Ben Walker and presented to the lord lieutenant by the 1st Wetheral Brownies. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Mr Walker on his excellent design and thank Cumbria’s lord lieutenant for organising such a fantastic initiative that celebrates community cohesion and pride?