Business of the House

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

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.

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. Shorter questions, please. I call Torcuil Crichton.

[Torcuil Crichton (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)]

A return flight from my Western Isles/Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency to Glasgow can cost £600 return. That is enough to make Donald Trump think twice about coming to his mother’s home island. There is an air discount scheme, but what we really need is a public service obligation, with Government support for those vital social and economic flights. Will the Leader of the House lean on the Department for Transport to get together with the Scottish Government, Loganair and the local authority to make those flights more affordable for islanders and for the President of the United States?