Campaign Responses

The House of Commons discussed the Remaining Stages of the Trade Bill on Monday. From there it goes onto the Lords for more scrutiny.

More than 50 amendments were tabled of which one was “New Clause 17”, tabled by the Green MP Caroline Lucas.

I’ve seen a number of misleading or altogether false statements about yesterday’s Trade Bill vote and I think it’s important to clear things up:

Firstly, please let me be clear that the Government has not withdrawn funding for free school meals in the holidays – Free meals are not usually provided out of term time.

The government have put in place strict social distancing, including the closure of schools for everyone except vulnerable children and the children of critical workers, to slow the spread of the virus so the NHS would not be overwhelmed, and lives could be saved.

Like you, I cherish our National Health Service and its guiding principles: that it is universal and free at the point of need. The Government has been repeatedly clear that our NHS will never be on the table in any trade agreements, a position I fully support.

The UK is working with the international community to ensure Iran receives the humanitarian support it needs during this global pandemic.

I recognise the real difficulties facing the road haulage sector during the covid-19 crisis.  I also understand that the sector has a vital role to play in the national effort to combat the spread of the disease.

I fully appreciate constituents' concerns and the seriousness of the situation for the whole UK travel industry, which I recognise is facing real difficulty in light of the coronavirus outbreak.  I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to raise these

I completely understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is, and I appreciate the strength of feelings about this issue.  Abortion care is an essential part of care for women, and I can assure you that safeguarding measures remain in place.

I appreciate the concerns that some people have raised at this difficult time regarding motor neurone disease (MND) not having been included on the list of conditions which identify someone as ‘extremely vulnerable’ to Covid-19.

I have received a number of e-mails about the difficulties the dentistry sector is experiencing during the coronavirus pandemic in relation to obtaining PPE.

I appreciate the points raised by constituents wanting to see a ban on school uniform.  However, it is for the school's governing body to decide whether there should be a school uniform in place.

I completely understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is, and I appreciate the strength of feelings about this issue. Abortion care is an essential part of care for women, and I can assure concerned constituents that safeguarding measures remain in place during the coronavirus outbreak.

I appreciate the concerns that constituents have raised about the supply of personal protective equipment to people working in health and social care.

Whilst I understand the initial concerns of some people regarding these measures, I am afraid that I believe these are the result of highly misleading articles in national newspapers. I want to be clear that MPs are not receiving any extra money for working at home.

In 2015, the Challenge on Dementia 2020 was launched, which sets out the vision for dementia care, support, awareness and research to be transformed by 2020.  I fully support the ambition to ensure England offers the world’s best dementia care.

I share your concerns and I agree that poor air quality is the greatest environmental risk to our health and even though our air is now cleaner than at any point since the industrial revolution, there is more work to be done if we are to protect the health of our nation. 

Thank you for contacting me about deforestation, food, and the Environment Bill and I appreciate the concerns you have raised. 

I appreciate your concerns and I appreciate that this can be very painful and debilitating condition. 

I fully recognise the importance of tackling online harms, including harmful content to children on the internet.

I share the concern of constituents about protections for people renting during the outbreak of Covid-19. The guarantee of a home gives a peace of mind that is needed during this time.

Antibiotic resistance is the biggest threat to modern medicine, and we must act now to help keep antibiotics effective for future generations 

I understand your strong feelings on this issue, and I thank you for your clear commitment to the welfare of wildlife across our country.  

First and foremost, I believe animals are sentient beings who can fell pain and suffering and would like to reassure you that strong action is being taken to reduce their risk of harm.   

I truly believe that as sentient beings who can experience fear and pain, all animals should be treated with thought and care.

I share your concerns and I agree that poor air quality is the greatest environmental risk to our health and even though our air is now cleaner than at any point since the industrial revolution, there is more work to be done if we are to protect the health of our nation. 

I share your concerns about the railways, and I shall be campaigning hard to ensure that my constituency is better served by rail providers.  For far too long, millions of rail passengers in the north of England have not had the rail services they deserve and, consequently, have had to put up wit