Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
Matt Vickers Excerpts(1 week, 4 days ago)
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Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
I start by joining the many other hon. Members who have paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe. She was a remarkable, inspiring and passionate woman, and I was honoured to welcome her to Stockton on numerous occasions. My thoughts go out to her friends and family.
One issue that is raised with me week after week is the growing scourge of off-road bikes and e-bikes. Whether it is in Bishopsgarth or Elm Tree, Ingleby Barwick or Thornaby, residents across Stockton West are fed up with feral, balaclava-clad thugs using these bikes to intimidate communities, tear through parks and footpaths, and make neighbourhoods feel unsafe. Families cannot enjoy parks, older residents feel intimidated and children cannot play safely. This is not simply anti-social behaviour —it is dangerous criminality.
I put forward amendments to legislation that would have made it easier for officers to seize vehicles, ensured that non-roadworthy bikes seized from persistent offenders were not returned and explored greater accountability around the sale of off-road bikes in the first place. Those amendments were not accepted, but the problem has not gone away; if anything, it is getting worse. I urge Ministers to look again at the issue and bring forward a comprehensive package of measures that equips police with the powers they need, tackles the supply of these machines and sends a clear message that those who use off-road bikes and e-bikes to terrorise our communities will face real consequences.
Another issue that I hear about almost every day is over-development. Across Yarm, Eaglescliffe, Middleton St George and Hartburn, residents increasingly feel that their communities are being asked to shoulder an unfair level of development without the infrastructure to support it. People understand that homes are needed and that young people want somewhere to live, but what they cannot understand is why developments continue to be approved without the roads, school places, GP capacity, drainage and local services keeping pace. Time and again, I hear from residents who feel their voices are ignored.
Development should happen with communities, not to them. The Government’s increasing housing targets risk placing more pressure on these communities. Planning should improve places, not simply gobble up the greenbelt to maximise housing numbers. I hope Ministers will continue to look at ways to strengthen the role of infra- structure in planning decisions and ensure that local communities have a meaningful voice before developments are approved.
Finally, I pay tribute to Richard Pengelly from Strangers Bar who retires today after 37 years. Richard has not just poured pints—he has poured patience, good humour and the occasional reality check for MPs of every party. The place will not be the same without him. I wish him a long and well-earned retirement, and I look forward to reading his memoirs.
Stockton West is an amazing place, with amazing people. I am proud to call it home and I am proud to represent them.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(1 week, 4 days ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend knows that the Government are committed to building 1.5 million new homes to fix our housing crisis and ensure that everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to live, but she is absolutely right that infrastructure needs to be built alongside those new homes. Our planning frameworks are clear that large-scale development should be sustainable and infrastructure-led. I encourage my hon. Friend to ask for either a Westminster Hall debate or an Adjournment debate when we return, so that she can hear directly from a Minister how the situation can be resolved.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Over recent years, the people of Stockton have seen investment in the local health service, with a new diagnostic centre, a new mental health hub and new state-of-the-art robotics. But North Tees hospital is reaching the end of its life. The outstanding staff who work there deserve a first-class place to work, but instead of a new hospital, all they have had from this Government is 600 job losses. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on the urgent need for a new North Tees hospital?
Sir Alan Campbell
First, I congratulate the hon. Gentleman—I am sure many of us envy him—on Stockton making the shortlist for town of culture, which is a great tribute to the work taking place there. The Government are of course committed to doing everything they can to address the crisis in the NHS, not least in respect of infrastructure. This Government are different from the last Government, in the sense that we are not just committed to bringing forward plans, albeit I understand the urgency; we are actually going to provide the money for those plans. That was the bit that was missing.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(3 months, 1 week ago)
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Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Yesterday, we learned that 600 jobs could be lost across the North Tees and South Tees NHS trusts, including nurses and clinical staff. This is devastating news for hard-working NHS staff and for residents worried about local services. Will the Leader of the House allow a debate on these job losses, and will he join me in urging the NHS to ensure that the staff affected are properly supported?
Sir Alan Campbell
Where there are job losses, if they are inevitable, it is important that staff are supported. This is a local matter, and I am sure that if the hon. Gentleman seeks an Adjournment debate, he will get a response directly from a Minister.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(7 months, 1 week ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and join her in recognising the fantastic support that the Premier League has provided to Ingles FC. I pay tribute to the volunteers—football clubs depend very much on the work of volunteers. The commitment is also from the Government to support clubs to improve environmental sustainability and reduce energy costs through Sport England’s movement fund. It is good to see that the resources are being wisely spent.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
The on-demand bus service, Tees Flex, is a vital lifeline for rural communities across Teesside, but Labour leaders have just voted to scrap it, leaving villages such as Sadberge and Bishopton without any buses, and cutting off elderly and vulnerable residents from being able to do their shopping, get to hospital appointments, or visit family and friends. Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning this terrible decision, and will he grant a debate on the importance of bus services to rural communities?
Sir Alan Campbell
I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman on the importance of bus services—particularly in rural communities, where they are essential. I invite him to apply for an Adjournment or a Backbench Business debate, so he can raise these matters affecting his constituency. He might find common cause with others, particularly in rural areas.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(8 months, 1 week ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
My hon. Friend is right to champion our creative industries. As well he knows, we have a proud record in this country. Many iconic films are filmed here, including in our region and in my beautiful constituency. As he alludes to, there will be four days of debate on the Budget, which should be ample time for him to raise those thoughts.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Stockon’s Labour council has made the decision to close 11 play parks, taking away precious facilities from children in Long Newton, Ingleby Barwick and Bishopsgarth, despite charging among the highest council tax in the country and spending £300,000 on an opening party—yes, £300,000 on a party —for its urban park. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on the benefits of play parks and the need for councils to spend taxpayers’ money with respect?
Sir Alan Campbell
Of course it is important that local authorities spend the money they have wisely, but for 14 years they were starved of the resources they need and we are determined to put that right. The hon. Gentleman is a loud voice in his constituency, and I am sure that if he were to seek an Adjournment debate, he could amplify it even further.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(9 months ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
Yes, I will. I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter, which has been highlighted by a number of Members. I have also raised it with the Department for Transport. The Government are accelerating a consultation into the abuse of the driving test booking system and the reasons that we do not have enough places. I will ensure that the Transport Secretary has heard his concerns directly.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Banking hubs give residents and businesses much-needed access to cash and banking services, and can drive up town centre footfall to support local businesses. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on the importance of banking hubs, and does he agree that the beautiful, historic and incredible town of Yarm would be the perfect location for such a hub?
Sir Alan Campbell
The Government are committed to providing more banking hubs, and indeed some have opened. The hon. Member could ask for a Backbench Business debate, because I am sure his concerns are shared by others, but let me gently say that the beautiful and historic town of Whitley Bay gets its banking hub on Friday.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(1 year, 1 month ago)
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Lucy Powell
I absolutely join my hon. Friend in wishing the Bamber Bridge community all the best with their barbecue this weekend, and their celebration of the stand that people took against racism all those years ago.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Last week, I was heartbroken to hear of the loss of Norma Burton, one half of the much-loved social media duo Jess and Norma. Norma captured the hearts of millions with her warmth and humour, and her amazing bond with her granddaughter, Jess. Can we have a debate on the vital role that grandparents play in educating the next generation, and will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to Norma, who was a remarkable and inspiring woman?
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(1 year, 1 month ago)
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Lucy Powell
We are absolutely committed to ratifying that treaty and agreement. The Environment Secretary is at the summit this weekend to discuss the leading role that this country is taking to protect our oceans for generations to come. We will introduce a Bill to ratify that treaty and will do so in time for when we need to do so next year. I assure my hon. Friend that the House will be updated shortly on the matter.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Yarm is being battered by Stockton’s Labour council’s rush to build far too many houses far too fast in all the wrong places. It is placing unbearable pressure on our roads, schools and GP surgery. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate on how we tackle such irresponsible over- development?
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(1 year, 6 months ago)
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Lucy Powell
Heritage railways such as Bo’ness and Kinneil often get mentioned in these sessions, and I join my hon. Friend in thanking them for the brilliant work they do and thanking the volunteers they rely on for makings sure that heritage railways, which are so valued, continue to flourish.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West) (Con)
Small retailers, restaurants and pubs add huge vibrancy, colour and character to the Great British high street, but the Budget posed an existential crisis to many of them, with the increases to national insurance and the slashing of small business rates relief. Will the right hon. Lady grant a debate on how we can better protect the future of the Great British high street and the many jobs it provides?
Lucy Powell
As the Member of Parliament with the highest number of pubs in their constituency, I strongly echo the hon. Member’s support for the hospitality sector and the vital role it plays in keeping our high streets, town centres and city centres vibrant, with all the employment, joy and everything else that they bring. It has been a tough few years for the hospitality sector—we all recognise that. We had to take some difficult decisions in the Budget to make sure that our health service and education service would not face cuts. In the long run, our hospitality sector will benefit from all the investment we are putting in to make sure it has a healthy and highly skilled workforce.
Business of the House
Matt Vickers Excerpts(2 years, 5 months ago)
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Penny Mordaunt
I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman was simply making a suggestion to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, or whether he was offering to purchase you a glass of whisky—I hope the latter.
Labour is focused on Teesside—the last few months have been the first time for that, really. For many, many years, when Labour had the opportunity to directly help that part of the country, they ignored it, so the people of Teesside—fed up with Labour inaction—put their trust in Mayor Houchen. He has a plan and he is delivering: he saved the airport; he secured the first and largest freeport, which has already secured billions of pounds of inward investment; the Teesworks site has already been made ready for redevelopment and investment, ahead of schedule and ahead of budget; £650 million of investment is securing thousands of green jobs; the SeAH factory is being built using British steel, which makes me very proud; and the world’s first carbon capture, utilisation and storage facility has secured billions of additional funding into the area.
Mayor Houchen has managed to secure £200 million to invest in local rail, and he has a new bypass on the way; he has increased the employment rate by 3% above the national average; and he has future business rates revenues, which are projected to be about £1.4 billion to date. He gets on and delivers. Labour ought to be taking notes, rather than smearing him and the hard-working people of Teesside who are making this plan happen. That tells me that Labour has learned absolutely nothing; it has not changed and shows every sign of taking the people of Teesside for granted.
Matt Vickers (Stockton South) (Con)
Happy birthday, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Taxi drivers are essential key workers who get youngsters to school and the elderly to health services and support our night-time economy. But I have spoken to taxi drivers in Stockton South, and they say that they are increasingly victims of assault and fare dodgers, and they feel that no one has their back. Will my right hon. Friend grant me a debate on how we can better protect taxi drivers and ensure that those responsible feel the full force of the law?
Penny Mordaunt
I thank my hon. Friend for drawing our attention to the issue. Given the statistics that I cited earlier, he will know that crime is falling. In particular, violent crime against individuals is down substantially—by 52%—and, of course, we have more police officers than ever before. I am sure that the Home Secretary will want to hear about my hon. Friend’s particular concerns; I will certainly make sure that he has heard them, but my hon. Friend can also raise them with him directly in questions on 26 February. I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for the taxi drivers in his part of the world.