Business of the House

Pam Cox Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important point, and therefore amplifying it, so that it is heard by Members across this Chamber and anyone who happens to be listening. Roadworks have been raised with me many times in these sessions, and rightly so. We know how disruptive street works can be for local communities. That is why we are doubling fixed penalty notices in the new year for certain street work offences, and extending overrun charges to cover weekends and bank holidays. As roads get busier in the run-up to Christmas, I have no doubt but that many people will be frustrated, and we need to tackle this. He may wish to raise this matter next Thursday, or indeed in an Adjournment debate, because this issue applies in not just his constituency, but virtually all our constituencies.

[Pam Cox (Colchester) (Lab)]

The UK’s universities play a vital role in our communities and our economy, but many of them, including the one where I worked for many years, face severe financial challenges, resulting in course closures and redundancies. Would the Leader of the House allow a debate on the subject in Government time, so that we can address this really urgent issue?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend brings to the House great professional and personal knowledge of these matters, and we should listen to her very closely. I know a lot of universities feel under pressure at this time; the Government are absolutely aware of that. I invite her to seek a meeting with the relevant Minister to talk through some of these issues, and to see what further the Government can do to address them.