Business of the House

Warinder Juss Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I completely agree that racism has no place in our communities or in public life. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to uphold the Nolan principles. There appear to be other issues coming to light with Reform councillors in Staffordshire council. I encourage them to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

[Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) (Lab)]

Last month was National Care Leavers’ Month. I had the pleasure of attending a question time event in my constituency, where I was interviewed by some incredible young people, including care leavers from across Wolverhampton. Will the Leader of the House first please join me in congratulating those young people on putting forward such excellent questions? Secondly, considering that care-experienced people are more than twice as likely to die prematurely, that they have a life expectancy of almost 20 years less than the national average, and that almost half have a diagnosed mental health condition, will the Leader of the House please agree to a debate in Government time to discuss making care experience a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010—a change that has already been adopted by almost 130 councils across the country?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Disadvantage faced by those who have grown up in care is one of the great social injustices of our time. The Equality Act already protects many care leavers under indirect discrimination provisions, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister is made aware of my hon. Friend’s comments and writes to him directly.