Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Miatta Fahnbulleh

Monday 13th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Ind)]

In my kind and inclusive city of York, those who are putting up flags and expressing support for them have been emboldened to perpetrate racism and intimidate communities. They have beaten people up and hung a death threat on our city wall. What further support can the Government give my local authority to enable it to get those flags down, given that even contractors are being intimidated?

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

The flag is something that we must reclaim, and reclaim proudly. We know that in some communities flags are being used to intimidate and divide, and we are working with local authorities throughout the country to ensure that they have the support that they need to make those judgment calls, but I return to the fact that the flag is ours, we need to reclaim it, and we need to stand up against those who want to divide our communities across the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Miatta Fahnbulleh

Tuesday 10th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

Yes.

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

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker.

The York Central development site at the heart of my constituency has been found to be a rich source of deep geothermal energy. Will the Minister meet me to look at how we can bring this on stream to heat the 2,500 homes and support the 12,500 jobs there will be on that site?

Geothermal Energy

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Miatta Fahnbulleh

Thursday 6th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

We know that there is a big opportunity for district heating, particularly in some of our urban centres. In the work that we are trying to do through the warm homes plan, we are thinking about where those opportunities are and making sure that we work with regional and local government to do some of the planning and the identification of those opportunities. That means that we can take a strategic approach, area by area and place by place.

[Rachael Maskell]

I am really grateful for all that the Minister is doing in this area. However, some of this work is quite time-sensitive; for instance, we have a major development in York, the first phase of which goes into planning in September. We very much want to work with Government to see what we can deliver in York Central. Would the Minister be prepared to work with us to see whether we can get this model working on some of those micro sites?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Miatta Fahnbulleh

Tuesday 8th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

We are having to clean up the mess that the Opposition left us. Yes, we have means-tested the winter fuel payment, but we have also been clear that we will do everything we can do to support vulnerable households. That is why we have extended the take-up of pension credit and the household support fund, and we are working flat out with energy suppliers to provide additional support to all vulnerable households this winter.

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

I thank the Minister for her work. Warm home prescriptions can target that support towards elderly people and those with underlying health conditions, saving our NHS as well as keeping people warm over the winter. The pilot has shown real benefit. Will she meet me to discuss that and other options to keep old people warm this winter?

[Miatta Fahnbulleh]

We want to work with anyone who will help us reach vulnerable households. I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to look at the full range of options available.