Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Nusrat Ghani

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Last week, Billington Structures, one of the UK’s leading structural steelwork contractors, announced proposals to close its Yate site, with 81 jobs at risk. Businesses of all shapes and sizes are struggling due to the increase in national insurance contributions and rising energy costs. Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate in Government time on what needs to be included in the upcoming autumn Budget to avert further job losses?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. Before the Leader of the House responds, we only have 30 minutes to go, so questions must be short and answers even shorter.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady would not expect me to speculate about what is in the Budget, but there will be adequate time during the debate on it to address the concerns she raises.

--- Later in debate ---

[Monica Harding (Esher and Walton) (LD)]

Recent studies from Stanford university and others have shown a clear link between excessive phone use, addictive social media algorithms and deteriorating mental health outcomes for young people. Technology in this area is evolving at an extraordinary speed, meaning that legislation such as the Online Safety Act 2023 is not being implemented fast enough before new harms emerge. Our NHS is picking up the pieces. In my constituency, over 6,000 young people are waiting for a first contact with mental health services, and that takes eight months. Will the Leader of the House please find space in Government time for a debate on how we can protect young people by addressing the growing connection between digital addiction and mental health?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. That question was far too long.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Lady can seek either a Backbench Business or Adjournment debate, because I am sure her concerns are shared by other Members. That way, she can hear an answer to her point from the relevant Minister.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Nusrat Ghani

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Claire Young (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)]

Last week, I visited Christ the King school in Thornbury for the great school lunch, which raises awareness of the benefits of healthy and nutritious school meals. There is real concern that the funding for both school lunches and breakfast clubs is not enough to cover the cost of providing them, putting pressure on school budgets, particularly in constituencies such as mine where schools are among the lowest funded in the country. Will the Leader of the House agree to raise this issue with the Chancellor ahead of the autumn Budget, to ensure that underfunded schools are not left behind?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. Before the Leader of the House responds, let me say that many Members wish to contribute, so can I ask that questions are short and that the Leader of the House is on point as well?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

So far, 750 schools are offering free breakfast clubs, which puts, on average, £450 a year back into parents’ pockets, and we intend to extend free school meals too. I understand that areas believe this may not be enough, or that other areas are better off. I will draw that to the attention of the Chancellor, but so can the hon. Lady at Treasury questions.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Again, this issue is not unique to my hon. Friend’s constituency, and though he is a great advocate for his constituency, I am sure others have similar stories. He may seek a Backbench Business debate to raise these matters, because as far as I can remember, we have been discussing these things for quite a long time and we therefore do need to work out what further things can be done.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Apparently, we have a short question from Jim Shannon.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

Once again, I welcome the Leader of the House to his new role, which he is clearly enjoying very much. I wish him well.

On Wednesday past, I met a deputation from Chin state in Burma. I am deeply concerned about increased reports of junta military attacks on the majority Christian community in Chin state, including last week’s airstrike, which struck a church in Matupi township. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning this appalling attack and urge the Foreign Secretary to outline what action the Government will take in response to the escalating attacks against religious communities in Chin state in Myanmar?

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Pubs are at the heart of our communities and often serve as vital community assets, and we certainly do not want them to close. We are working with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council, to address the clear challenges faced. I urge my hon. Friend to raise his concerns at Business and Trade questions on 30 October.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. In order for me to get everybody in, the questions will have to be shorter. I call Warinder Juss to show us how it is done.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Penn cricket club in my constituency has been under an Environment Agency stop notice since July 2022, after soil was wrongly imported on to its grounds, and nothing much has happened since. Will the Leader of the House support my attempt to encourage the Environment Agency to complete its investigations so that my constituents can get their cricket club back?

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government expect local authorities to engage meaningfully with residents on planning. Planning law requires local planning authorities to notify neighbours regarding planning applications, either by site notice or letter, and to publish information about the application on a website. My hon. Friend may wish to seek a debate on those matters, not just to highlight the concerns of his constituents, for whom he is a great champion, but to see what the Minister’s response will be.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

For the final question, I call Brian Leishman.

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Ind)]

As an enthusiastic but error-prone goalkeeper, and having been a golf professional for 23 years, many will say that I have still to find a sport that I am any good at and they will be absolutely correct. Someone from my constituency who is excellent at sport is Ruby Henderson from Sauchie. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Ruby for winning a silver and bronze medal at last week’s taekwondo youth world championships in Croatia?