Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Will Forster(2 days, 18 hours ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for his work campaigning on this issue. The safety of NHS staff is non-negotiable. There are clear legal duties on employers to ensure that healthcare workers handling hazardous medicinal products are properly protected at all times. I understand that the Health and Safety Executive is actively reviewing whether any further action or clearer guidance is needed, and I am sure that the Department will come forward with an update on that at some point.
Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)
The Royal Mail is failing my constituents. Letters are arriving late, and as a result hospital appointments are being missed. We have even had travel documents arriving on the day of departure. When I raised those concerns with Royal Mail directly, it took five months to send me a wholly inadequate reply, and it was not even lost in the post. Will the Government please ensure that a statement is made announcing real consequences for Royal Mail for it failing in its statutory duties?
Sir Alan Campbell
The hon. Gentleman raises an important matter. I know that Royal Mail listens closely to these sessions, and I hope that it has heard what he has said this morning. The Business and Trade Committee has previously called Royal Mail into Parliament over its performance, and I know that the Secretary of State takes these matters very seriously. I hope that Royal Mail is listening, and if the hon. Gentleman seeks a meeting with the relevant Minister to make his points, I will help him to arrange it.
Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Will Forster(1 week, 2 days ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I pay tribute to Newquay Orchard for the work that it does, which is about not just good outside spaces for people to use, but mental health and other matters. Hon. Members across the House have already raised the theme of volunteering today, so there is scope for someone to seek an Adjournment debate on volunteers and community organisations, including co-ops, so that Members can explore, with Ministers, what further action can be taken.
Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)
Many of my Woking constituents regularly commute to London by train, but they cannot rely on the service provided by South Western Railway. Delays are at the highest level since 2019, and there were 1,000 more cancellations in the second half of last year than there had ever been before. Do the Government admit that nationalisation has not gone to plan, and will the Leader of the House agree to have a debate in Government time to ensure that I can get the service that my constituents pay for?
Sir Alan Campbell
I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman in the terms in which he puts the question, because this is a policy that is evolving and is relatively new, and we expect that services and accountability will improve as we go further. As I pointed out in my opening remarks, eight out of 10 journeys will be taken on railways owned by the Government, and that is the right thing. He also has the Railways Bill and other opportunities to raise those concerns if he is able to do so.
Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Will Forster(3 weeks, 2 days ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend raises an important matter. I place on record our thanks to firefighters and fire service staff for all the work they do. He will know that the Government are committed to working with the fire sector to ensure that the funding system remains fair and responsive, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister hears his concerns.
Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)
Woking’s only brewery, Thurstons, is sadly closing down. The owner, John Mintram, said:
“It’s all getting too expensive…People are feeling the squeeze—you can’t sell £8 or £9 pints.”
Will the Government please apologise to the owners and customers of Thurstons for what they have done to the hospitality sector, and agree to a debate on ensuring that they properly support the brewing and pub sector in the future?
Business of the House
Debate between Alan Campbell and Will Forster(1 month, 4 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend raises a very concerning matter. We stand for unity, not division. Racism or any other form of discrimination has absolutely no place in our society. There is a real political choice at these local elections. Pride in Britain and our communities up and down the country stand united against those who would exploit division for their own ends. Where political parties are aware of this situation, they should have the courage to stand up to individuals and they should, even at this late stage in the process of local elections, distance themselves from them.
Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)
A wife of a civil servant in my constituency gave up work to look after her husband when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. She found herself in severe financial difficulties after significant delays in the processing of her husband’s civil service pension. He sadly died last year and she only started receiving support a couple of weeks ago. As this is not an isolated case, will the Leader of the House please guarantee a debate in Government time, so that MPs can scrutinise the mess that is civil service pensions?
Sir Alan Campbell
I am genuinely very sorry to hear of the constituency case the hon. Gentleman raises. If he will let me have details—I know it has been resolved to some extent—I will make the Minister aware of them. We are busy trying to get on and resolve the situation, but I am sure that when the time is appropriate we will want to return to this issue, debate what has happened and learn lessons from it.