Christmas Adjournment

Wera Hobhouse Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

This last debate of the year is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate some of the most valued aspects of our constituencies. I can mention only a few because of the time limit.

VOICES has been delivering independent, trauma-informed domestic abuse services in Bath for more than a decade, and it currently supports more than 200 women, with many more on the waiting list. VOICES is working hard to improve survivors’ experience with the courts. Earlier this month, I met Baroness Levitt to discuss the survivor-led guide to family court proceedings, which VOICES co-produced. We explored how the Government can work with VOICES, so that there is wider access to the trauma-informed guide, which helps survivors to navigate what is often an intimidating and retraumatising court process. I pay tribute to VOICES and the very hard work it is doing.

Looking back, many of the brightest moments of 2025 had a musical focus. Most recently, of course, carol concerts across the length and breadth of the city highlighted the joyful unity that communal singing can bring. November brought Mozartfest and lively am-dram Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and May brought the Bath festival and Party in the City. None of our cultural activities is free from deep financial worries; public money has all but dried up, and events can survive only thanks to the hard work of the volunteers who run the organisations.

Bath is home to a vibrant community of independent shops, including our independent bookshops, such as Mr B’s, Persephone Books, Topping, Bath Old Books, the Oldfield Park Bookshop and the iconic Skoobs—we have a wonderful choice. Many of those cherished local businesses face serious challenges, as rising costs and limited Government support continue to threaten their future. Mr B’s bookshop will soon see its business rates rise by more than 70%, largely because of a steep increase in its rateable value. Rateable value often bears little resemblance to the reality of what businesses pay in rent. Many independent shops have long-standing relationships with their landlords that are built on trust, loyalty and stability. In some cases, landlords deliberately keep their rents fair and manageable because they value reliable long-term tenants, but none of that is recognised by the valuation system, and the casualties are our independent shops.

The Government presented their business rates reforms in the Budget as a fairer deal for the high street, but in reality, the average pub will see its business rates increase by 76% in the next three years. I implore the Government to think again and support our local businesses.

For many of us, the festive period means time away from work, spent with our closest friends and family, but let us not forget the many extraordinary and dedicated workers in the NHS, the emergency services, social care, retail and hospitality, energy, transport and so many other sectors who work over Christmas. I thank them. I also want to say a very big thank you to all the staff who have supported us through the year. Merry Christmas to you all.