Business of the House

Paul Waugh Excerpts

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Local sport plays such an important part in our local communities, and the many volunteers who get involved literally change people’s lives for the better. The hon. Member is right to pay tribute to those involved and to draw to our attention the fact that many of them have quite rightly received an award. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the relevant Minister and see what more we can do, but the Government are ambitious in this regard.

[Paul Waugh (Rochdale) (Lab/Co-op)]

Every year since 2021, the residents of Wrenbury Drive in Rochdale have turned their street into a spectacular display of Christmas lights—a real winter wonderland—all in aid of our brilliant local hospice, Springhill hospice. This year, they have raised more than £6,000, as families of all backgrounds came to marvel at what is really Rochdale’s own Blackpool illuminations. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Maria Brierley and all other Rochdalians who make this such a fantastic event in our Christmas calendar?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in thanking Maria Brierley and everyone involved in making Rochdale’s Christmas celebrations a success and in raising a significant and very welcome amount for charity. I also thank him for raising this matter. He is such a diligent and hard-working MP, who always has the interests of his constituents at the forefront of his mind, and I thank him for that.