human rights defenders
I believe the UK should lead the world in promoting human rights and they should be at the heart of our foreign policy.
In my role as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe, which upholds and champions the importance of human rights and democracy, I have spoken on this issue.
HRDs champion and fight for the human rights of others, challenging oppression and injustice. It is therefore reprehensible that HRDs and their families continue to be mistreated, arrested, disappeared or killed for standing up for the rights of others.
As the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs has noted, women human rights defenders, in particular, continue to face systematic discrimination, marginalisation and repression.
I hope the UK’s diplomatic network will continue to find practical ways to support HRDs and considers groups who may face additional risks, such as those defending the rights of women.
Such actions could include attending trials, raising cases privately with the host government, making public statements, and lobbying for safe and open space for civil society and HRDs to operate.
I believe the UK Government should also urge respect for human rights in bilateral discussions with other governments and lead international efforts through the UN and other bodies to ensure human rights are protected and upheld around the world.
I can assure you that I will continue to press the Government to support human rights and those who defend them globally.
the netting of hedgerows
I understand concerns have been raised that hedgerows, bushes and trees are being covered with netting to prevent birds from nesting. I am aware that a parliamentary petition with more than 200,000 signatures is calling to make the netting of hedgerows a criminal offence. The petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament and the Government is due to publish a response shortly.
Labour has asked the Government what plans it has to strengthen regulations to prevent developers and landowners from putting netting on hedgerows. The Government responded saying that wild birds are protected by law and therefore any development project must consider the impact on local wildlife and take precautionary action to protect their habitats.
The Government has also recently consulted on plans to make biodiversity net gain compulsory for developments when granting planning permission. It will also review the link between biodiversity and economic growth.
Hedgerows have an important role to play in enhancing biodiversity. Research has found that the UK has lost significantly more nature over the long term than the global average, with 56% of species, including birds, having declined between 1970 and 2013.
It is concerning that the budget for Natural England, the body responsible for biodiversity, has more than halved over the past decade. Moreover, the UK is on track to meet only five of the 20 Aichi biodiversity targets.
There is an urgent need for effective action to end the catastrophic decline in species that we are seeing. One of the Opposition’s key priorities for environmental action is reversing the decline of biodiversity and protecting natural habitats.
the persecution of Christians globally
The persecution of Christians is entirely unacceptable. All people should be able to practice and profess their religious faith free from persecution, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
It is deeply concerning that persecution of Christians has risen across the world in the last year, according to the 2019 World Watch List report by Open Doors. Indeed, nearly a quarter of a billion Christians now face persecution and I was shocked to learn that over 4,300 Christians were killed for their faith in 2018.
I know the Foreign Secretary has launched an independent review of how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports persecuted Christians. I have asked questions on this matter directly to the Secretary of State and you can view a record of this and my other contributions on the Parliament.UK website. This review will be an important piece of work and it is a good opportunity to reflect on the action currently being taken and to consider what more can be done. I hope the review and the Government will look closely at the suggestions that have been made in response to it.
I believe the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, should be at the heart of UK foreign policy. We must do everything in our power to ensure that people of faith around the world have the freedom to pursue their beliefs without fear of harassment or victimisation. This should include using all diplomatic means available, including bilateral relations and multilateral forums such as the UN, to ensure that international law is adhered to where there are humanitarian issues and breaches of human rights.
I look forward to the outcome of this review later this year.
bowel cancer awareness and diagnosis
I sympathise profoundly with anyone who is affected by bowel cancer and I pay tribute to Bowel Cancer UK for the vital work it does in funding research, championing improved outcomes and providing information and support to patients and their families.
As you know, April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. It provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of symptoms, as well as the services and support available to sufferers and their families.
Early diagnosis is critical to improving cancer survival and investment in local screening programmes can make a real difference. Evidence from Beating Bowel Cancer shows that, when diagnosis is made early, bowel cancer can be cured in over 90% of cases.
The NHS long-term plan identifies cancer as a clinical priority and aims to boost survival by speeding up diagnosis. It includes a welcome ambition to diagnose three-quarters of all cancers at stages one or two by 2028, a specific commitment to lower the starting age for bowel cancer screening, from 60 to 50, and a modernisation of the screening programme to detect more cancers earlier.
While the aspirations for improving cancer diagnosis are welcome, I remain concerned that Ministers have delayed setting out a workforce plan. There are more than 100,000 vacancies across the NHS and Cancer Research UK has found one in 10 diagnostic posts are unfilled. I am also disappointed that the Government has repeatedly missed the national cancer waiting time target. Nine years of cuts, privatisation and the most significant financial squeeze in its history have pushed our health service to the brink and it is patients who are paying the price.
I believe the Government must guarantee and uphold the standards of service enshrined in the NHS constitution. I will press Ministers to improve treatment and support for patients and ensure that raising awareness of bowel cancer is a key priority.
autism awareness
More needs to be done to raise awareness and improve understanding of autism both in our constituency and across the country.
As you know, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Autism Act 2009, passed under the last Labour Government. This placed requirements on Ministers to publish an autism strategy and provided statutory guidance for local authorities and local health bodies on supporting the needs of people with autism. The strategy focused on increasing awareness and understanding of autism; developing a clear pathway for diagnosis and personalised needs assessments; and helping autistic people into work.
Securing an early diagnosis is fundamental to ensuring that people with autism, and their families, can access the right support. I am concerned that too many people wait too long for a diagnosis. National targets set out a maximum three-month period between referral and a first diagnostic appointment. Yet research from the National Autistic Society (NAS) has found that people are waiting years for an autism diagnosis. Indeed, a survey by Public Health England found that in one local authority waiting times stood at 125 weeks.
I pay tribute to the NAS and all involved in the campaign to end delays in diagnosis and I am pleased that, from April 2018, NHS England started collecting data on autism diagnosis waiting times for the first time. I hope this will allow the Government to identify gaps in treatment and support and act on these findings. I also want to pay tribute to the many local groups and charities across St Helens North who are working hard to support people living with Autism and their families, groups such as Little Smarties and Inspire to Aspire.
In December 2018, Ministers launched a review of services and support for autistic children and adults. This will inform a new joint adults and children autism strategy to be published towards the end of this year. The Government said it will collect evidence from autistic people, their families, carers and professionals on how to improve services and support. A related consultation has been published by the Departments for Education and of Health and Social Care, which will run until 16 May 2019. I will follow its outcome closely.
I have consistently campaigned on the issues facing people diagnosed with autism across St Helens having met with parents to discuss the needs of children with autism in the constituency and backed Saints launch of a replica shirt for Rugby League’s Magic Weekend which carried the logo of St Helens Autism Support.
There are some great organisations in St Helens such as St Helens Autism Support which make a massive difference in the area by helping raise awareness of the condition and aiding people, particularly children, with all levels of autism.
In the meantime, I will press the Government to do more to promote awareness and improve understanding of autism. I am committed to making our country autism-friendly and ensure that autistic people can access the services and support they need.
the recent Asthma UK report
I am concerned by the findings of Asthma UK’s report that many people are struggling to afford their prescriptions and some people are not collecting their medication because of the cost. Skipping medication can have a severe impact on the health of people living with asthma. I agree that nobody should be forced to neglect their health and put themselves at risk of a life-threatening asthma attack because they cannot afford prescriptions.
Asthma is unlike other conditions in that it varies over time and seasonal triggers can make it difficult for patients to predict how much medication they will need throughout the year. I sympathise profoundly with anyone who is affected.
Prescription charges in England have risen by 25% since 2010. I believe this is a reflection of the Government’s financial mismanagement of the NHS. At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, the Government should be doing much more to help people with the cost of healthcare.
I recognise that there is strong support for making prescriptions free for people with asthma, as demonstrated by a recent petition which received more than 57,000 signatures. While there is a broad system of exemptions from prescription charges, including for those on low incomes and for people with some long-term medical conditions, asthma is not included on the medical exemption list. I understand the disappointment that will be felt by many that the Government has no plans to extend free prescriptions to people with asthma.
The list of medical exemptions was agreed in 1968 and the only addition to the list since then has been the treatment of cancer in 2009. I believe the exemption list is outdated and I support a review into which long-term health conditions should be exempt from NHS prescription charges. I will press the Government at every opportunity to undertake this review and ensure that Ministers listen and respond to the concerns raised by people living with asthma.
the retirement of four long-serving Labour councillors in St Helens borough
This election marks the retirement of four long-serving Labour councillors in St Helens borough; Keith Deakin, Keith Roberts, Sandra Dyer, and Mayor Pat Ireland. I thank them for their outstanding public service and commitment to our communities in Parr, Earlestown, Newton and Thatto Heath.
Keith Deakin has fantastically represented the people of Earlestown for over 30 years. Keith Roberts served for more than 20 years representing St Helens at a regional level – most notably fighting for the retention of bus services. Sandra, a great representative of Newton ward, is also stepping back. As will our Mayor, Pat Ireland, who has excelled in her position with much warmth and laughter.
They have all played a crucial part in improving our borough – protecting services and improving the lives of those they represent. Their work on behalf of residents will be missed.
20 years since the introduction of the minimum wage
April marks 20 years since the introduction of the minimum wage. This ground-breaking advance for workers’ rights is one of many examples of the impact that Labour in government has.
There is still much to do to make the job market fair. There are many people with insecure contracts and with wages that don’t support their and their families’ basic needs.
The prevalence of in-work poverty is unacceptable. Many hard-working people don’t earn enough to support their families to live. 54% of low paid workers are regularly missing meals so that they can pay the bills. The Tories have created a perfect storm of low pay, insecurity and working poverty.
Only a Labour Government will ensure a fair deal for working people.
inquiry needed into the blacklisting scandal
I am shocked and appalled by the results of an internal police investigation, the Creedon report, which revealed the illegal treatment of construction workers by the major British building firms and the police.
The names of construction workers were kept on a blacklist that led to them being refused work or fired from employment. Workers were blacklisted for activities such as joining a trade union, campaigning for safe conditions and even asking for clean toilets.
We need an inquiry into the blacklisting scandal which destroyed lives, families and reputations for decades, and we demand justice for those affected.
my votes tonight
Last week I voted against the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, which would be bad for workers, families, businesses and the community in St Helens and across the country.
Tonight, I will vote in favour of a series of Brexit options to try and resolve this national crisis. None of them are ideal. But to try and solve this mess MPs need to compromise and show leadership.
*I will vote to for two motions that would mean Britain leaves the European Union, with a customs union or under what’s become known as the Norway+ model.
*I will also vote for a motion that would allow the public to have a final say on that or any other deal that Parliament reaches. And I will vote for a motion that puts measures in place to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
In this time of national crisis, it’s not enough for MPs to just say no to the things you’re against, or only say yes to the things you ideally want. And so, I hope that Parliament can come together tonight and agree on a way forward that can start to bring the country together again.