Business of the House

Debate between Lucy Powell and Kevin McKenna

Thursday 3rd July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I am really looking forward to coming to my hon. Friend’s constituency tomorrow to speak at the Co-op Congress. I am not sure whether the attraction is me or Steve Coogan—I am pretty sure it is Steve Coogan. I join my hon. Friend in thanking co-operatives for their work, including the one in the west bank and Gaza that he describes. It just shows that when we come together and work in a mutual way, we can really tackle some of the big problems that the world faces.

[Kevin McKenna (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Lab)]

Given the welcome news in today’s new 10-year plan for health that the NHS app will be upgraded and be central to the way that patients take control of their own healthcare, can the Leader of the House please advise me how I can best use parliamentary time to challenge the scourge of mobile notspots in my constituency, particularly in villages like Iwade?

[Lucy Powell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: if we want to have a digital NHS and digital services that people can access, we need to make sure that we have the infrastructure, the broadband and the mobile data capability to match our ambition. There are lots of opportunities for him to raise this issue in the House, but I will ensure that a Minister takes up his cause after today.

Business of the House

Debate between Lucy Powell and Kevin McKenna

Thursday 13th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I absolutely will—I am sorry to hear that Ofgem has not got back to the hon. Gentleman, and I will raise the matter with Ministers. As I am sure he appreciates, new infrastructure means difficult decisions in many of our communities, but we are determined to achieve the energy security and lower bills that we need. However, I will ensure that he gets a response.

[Kevin McKenna (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Lab)]

Children and young people on the Isle of Sheppey face massive barriers to opportunity compared with those in more affluent parts of Kent. Last week, many families on the Isle of Sheppey were devastated to learn that children are to be sent many miles away to the mainland—several hours by public transport—for their secondary school places. I have spoken to parents, headteachers and local councillors about this, and although the issues are clearly complicated, the root of the problem is that many people at Kent county council do not understand the challenges that my constituents on Sheppey face. Will the Leader of the House advise me on how best I can raise the issue with Ministers in the House, and may we have a debate about the allocation system for secondary schools, particularly how it relates to areas of extreme need and deprivation?

[Lucy Powell]

I am sorry to hear that my hon. Friend’s local council seems to be so out of touch with the needs of families in his constituency. He will know that planning for secondary and other school places is a matter for local authorities; they do get funding to provide extra spaces where they are needed, but they have to do that in advance and be in touch with their local communities. However, I am sure that my hon. Friend will be able to raise those issues next week during the debate on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.