Business of the House

Rachael Maskell Excerpts

Thursday 15th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Seebohm Rowntree launched his report, “Poverty: A Study of Town Life”, which was an encyclic understanding of the levels of poverty in York. Just last week, the University of York launched a similar report looking at the city, where poverty is still embedded in our communities. Could the Leader of the House say what the Government are doing to ensure that Departments come together to address poverty? Will they look at the work that the University of York is doing with me to bring our communities together, to ensure that people with lived experience lead that agenda?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I commend my hon. Friend for the work that she describes, because ending poverty is not just a noble aim; it is something for which this Government have great sympathy. We are taking action in this area through our child poverty strategy, which will lift half a million children out of poverty by 2030, but as she acknowledges, there are still lessons to be learned and further progress to be made. As I announced when I set out the future business, we have a Budget in a couple of weeks’ time, and there will be ample opportunity in the Budget debate for my hon. Friend to make her case.