Jim Shannon

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The complete record

4,536 held · 4,503 searchable for Jim Shannon. The searchable lines are below in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 10.

This is not an official version of UK Parliament proceedings. It reproduces the published record and links to it; the official version is the one UK Parliament publishes.

1. “Unfortunately, not one was successful and he did not get one reply—that was even more discouraging. If someone writes you a letter, you might not agree with them, but for goodness’s sake, you should write back and tell them that. It was disappointing, but then a part-time job came up. It was only four hours—this was when he was just 18, 19 or 20—and he said, “What should I do?” I said, “You take the job, mate, and I tell you what: make sure you are 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes later.” He did, and then the job was eight hours, then 16 hours, then 24 hours, then 36 hours and then 40 hours. Then he became the deputy manager of the shop, then the manager and then the manager of another shop. Those are the things that give our young people encouragement.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

2. “As elected representatives, we always encourage our constituents—especially our young people—to apply for jobs, but some young people say to me, “I’ve made application after application, and I haven’t even had a letter of response from the employers,” so many of them despair. I am really encouraged by the Prime Minister’s commitment to try to help young people. He is saying the right things, but the right words mean something only when they become the reality. He said that young people today face “an economic catastrophe and a moral failure”, and he and the Government have indicated that that must be righted. I will tell a quick story about my youngest son. He is a young man now, married with two children, but I remember that when he first applied for a job he made something like 70 applications.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

3. “I can see that progress in Belfast with Harland & Wolff: the Government are handing out contracts to ensure that Harland & Wolff can recruit in Belfast again—not like it did when there were 25,000-odd workers, but 1,000 or 2,000—and establish itself at the forefront of modern shipbuilding. That is good news for Northern Ireland, for the shipyard in Belfast and for my constituents in Strangford, who are only 15 or 20 minutes away from possible employment. I want to make a plea, if I can. Today, too many young people across the United Kingdom feel, as the men who took part in the Jarrow crusade did, that their efforts are being ignored.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

4. “When the Jarrow men were marching some 90 years ago, men in Belfast were doing something similar—maybe not as far as 300 miles, but they were out protesting in support of the Jarrow men. Both communities have experienced the consequences of industrial decline, striking or taking action over job losses and increasing poverty. Poverty was as rife in Jarrow as it was in Belfast and in other parts of the United Kingdom. However, we must never be tempted to write off shipbuilding and engineering as industries of the past. With the recent investment in defence, there is an opportunity to rebuild industry in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and support job creation. In his response to our requests, the Minister will undoubtedly tell us about the progress that the Government are making.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

5. “They were perhaps the first people to see the NHS and the welfare system introduced, as it was later by the Labour Government. Those were the key social issues that they were chasing way back then. They may have felt dejected some 90 years ago, but the Jarrow crusaders can claim that their walk introduced some of those social reforms. It introduced the issues to which the hon. Member for Jarrow and Gateshead East referred: better housing, the right to better working conditions and the right to secure work. Shipbuilding is an industry that Northern Ireland shares with the north-east of England, and both have experienced the consequences of industrial decline.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

6. “It endorses that campaign of many years ago. That has offered a sense a closure for many whose ancestors have passed on, as the difficulties that their families faced have finally been formally acknowledged. The determination of those formidable men who marched almost 300 miles to make their case for employment was admirable. We must remember that they did not take the train, a vehicle or a horse and carriage; they walked 300 miles, because they believed in the campaign. As someone who loves history, I love the idea that people thought so much of the campaign that they did that. Although they probably returned from London feeling dejected because they had not achieved their goal, I want to make a point about what they did achieve. They achieved the establishment of some social reforms. They achieved the right to have work.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

7. “I will mention this later in my speech, but the shipworkers at Harland & Wolff in Northern Ireland were of a similar mind and made a similar protest to that of the men from Jarrow. I am pleased to see the Minister in his place; I have absolutely no doubt that we will get an encouraging response to our requests. I am also pleased to see the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill (Peter Fortune), and the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Sarah Olney). It is incredibly encouraging to hear that, 90 years after the Jarrow crusade, the men’s descendants were invited to Downing Street. That is a real privilege. It is an acknowledgment of the significance of their work—those 200 men marching some 300 miles—that they were recognised centrally in Government by our Prime Minister.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

8. “It is always a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse. I thank the hon. Member for Jarrow and Gateshead East (Kate Osborne) for setting the scene incredibly well. It is no secret that I love history, but I love the history of social politics as well, and this story is a great example of that key issue. The nature of my life, and I suspect the life of most of us here, is to look out for those who are less well off. Our job, and my privilege and honour as the MP for Strangford, is to chase the bread-and-butter issues. Having read this story over the years, I am pleased that the hon. Lady has brought it forward. It is not just a significant historical moment for her constituency; it holds immense importance for workers across this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

9. “I commend the Minister for his comprehensive and helpful response to the things that we have asked. He is outlining the programme, strategy and focus here in the mainland, which I certainly encourage. There are lots of good things in the Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that we could all learn from. I know the Minister has been to Harland & Wolff in Belfast. He was keen to go; I remember him telling me he was going there. Has he had a chance to discuss strategies so that we can maybe develop them ourselves and try to work more consistently across all the nations to improve opportunities for young people, wherever they may be?”

   House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

   Check this claim →

10. “I thank the Leader of the House very much for that answer. In February, the General Synod voted in favour of further mental health training materials for Church schools and children’s groups. Providing young people with spiritual and emotional support can make a huge difference as they prepare to leave education and enter work. In my own constituency, Christian organisations such as Young Life provide weekly clubs for young people across the Ards peninsular, offering mentorship and opportunities to develop their confidence and leadership skills. What steps will the Church Commissioners take to ensure that mental health support is central to the Church’s work in equipping young people with the skills they need to transition from education to work?”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

11. “I welcome the Government’s response and the support for Saudi Arabia. I understand that the operation is intended to provide defensive support only. I am reminded of the Red sea crisis from 2023 to 2025, when defensive action to protect UK shipping from Houthi attacks escalated into offensive strikes against Houthi targets. What assessment have the Government made of the risk that British forces may be directly targeted, causing further escalation and drawing the UK into a wider regional conflict?”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

12. “Russian atrocities against Ukraine are numerous and have been catalogued in this House. What is less well known is the persecution that continues without any respite. Will the Leader of the House ask the Foreign Secretary to make a statement on Russia’s continued persecution of Christian communities in Ukraine and the representations that the Government are making to urge the Russian authorities to end the intimidation and detention of religious leaders, to protect places of worship and to uphold freedom of religion or belief?”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

13. “She has a big pair of shoes to fill, but I have absolutely no doubt that she will serve this Parliament with the highest distinction. She will always have the full support and prayers of those on the DUP Bench as she takes up her historic duties.”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

14. “Whenever a Back Bencher has needed guidance on a complex amendment or advice on a point of order, Tom has always been there with a steady hand and an open door. His presence at the Table will be deeply missed, and we wish him nothing but the very best, good health and happiness in his well-deserved retirement. May God’s blessing be upon him and his family in the days that lie ahead. At the same time, it is a tremendous pleasure to welcome Eve Samson as our next Clerk of the House. Making history as the first woman to hold that prestigious office is a magnificent milestone. Having known Eve through her exceptional work over many years, not least her invaluable guidance on various Select Committees, I know that she brings a wealth of experience, sharp intellect and a deep respect for the traditions of this House, which we all respect.”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

15. “I rise to pay a heartfelt and honest tribute to our outgoing Clerk, Tom Goldsmith, as he prepares to leave this House at the end of the month. On behalf of myself, the Democratic Unionist party and the wonderful people of Strangford, I express our deepest gratitude for his 30 years of impeccable, dedicated service to this Parliament. Tom has been a steadfast pillar of wisdom, guiding the Chamber with unmatched procedural expertise, absolute integrity and, perhaps most importantly for those of us who test the boundaries of time, the blessing of profound patience and kindness. His piano expertise is to be applauded, whereas my apex in that regard is “Chopsticks”, which falls far short of Tom’s talent.”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

16. “I commend the hon. Lady for all that she does. I have no doubt that she will speak about her faith, which has been the strength of her character and personality. That is something I recognised when I came to this House and got to know her. I commend her for her leadership in taking on those challenges, as I commend all the other MPs. In our communities back home in my Strangford constituency, a number of people are from different countries across the world. They add to the culture and character of our constituency, and they work and do their bit. This debate gives us all a chance to say thank you, so I say thank you to the hon. Lady and to all my constituents in Strangford, who welcome people with ability and talent to come and work, live and thrive in this country.”

    House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

17. “Research into major trauma cases highlights the potential for devastating head injuries and damage to internal organs, yet reports suggest that less than 6% of e-scooter riders in Northern Ireland wear a helmet; in England that figure is estimated to be below 2%. Again, the threshold for a long-lasting injury—”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

18. “In my Strangford constituency, I regularly see e-scooters practically flying past the window along the footpath in front of my office, with pedestrians jumping aside to avoid being injured in a collision. Across the UK, 59 deaths involving e-scooters have been reported, 10 of which involved people under 18. We cannot wait for another child or older person to be hit and suffer life-altering injuries or worse. We must do everything we can to prevent a 60th death. I welcome the Minister to his place; it is good to see him back in harness again, so to speak. Pedestrians are not the only ones at risk; riders are vulnerable to serious injury.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

19. “It is a real pleasure to speak under your chairship, Mr Stringer. I thank the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) for securing the debate. I want to give a Northern Ireland perspective. A senior doctor in the Belfast trust has aptly described the number of children being injured by e-scooters as an “epidemic”. It is an epidemic, not just in Northern Ireland but across the United Kingdom. More than 120 children within the Belfast trust area have been treated for injuries sustained in accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters in the past 24 months. A similar picture is emerging in England, where a study estimates that nearly 500 children have been injured in e-scooter accidents since 2019. Sadly, those figures do not surprise me.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

20. “I call on the Minister to take stronger action to regulate e-scooter use and to consider more appropriate age restrictions and a mandatory helmet requirement. E-scooters may seem like a more convenient mode of transport for many, but they are a danger to the general public.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

21. “No, I am on a two and a half minute time limit, so it would not be fair to everybody else. This is a serious issue that demands immediate attention. I commend the Police Service of Northern Ireland for the work it has done and continues to do in raising awareness that it is currently illegal to use e-scooters on public roads and footpaths. The Ards police in my constituency have seized several e-scooters—some 20 that were being driven illegally have been seized so far, to give hon. Members an idea of the problems that we have in our territory. However, it is clear further legislation is needed to address the scale of this issue. Can the Minister give us an idea of any legislative changes being considered and what engagement there will be with the Assembly and the PSNI?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

22. “While we all look for legislative change, there has to be something within the system for the purchase of e-bikes to ensure that young people do not injure themselves. The Belfast health trust has had more than 100 people who have been injured, and it is young people driving them. Is it not important to have some sort of regulation and guidance for those people who perhaps do not want to break the law but end up doing so and injuring themselves?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

23. “I commend the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate, which is not specific to one corner of the mainland; as an example, our South Eastern health and social care trust has to find savings of £50.7 million. Does he acknowledge that the capital and resource crises across our United Kingdom are interconnected and that patient safety should always be paramount? Ensuring the availability of the resources it needs to keep patients safe should be the NHS’s priority at all times.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

24. “Royal Mail cannot keep cutting corners, reducing delivery days and abandoning its universal service obligation while senior executives line their pockets. We need accountability for a service that is currently failing the sick, the vulnerable and the elderly.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

25. “What can be done to ensure that the guys who work there are able to see modern, suitable workplaces? This is not just about missing birthday cards and delayed bank statements; it is about people not getting hospital appointments. My constituents are missing long-awaited cancer screenings, urgent surgical consultations and vital diagnostic scans. If they have been on a waiting list for six months, that could mean they wait for two years—it just does not work. This is a timely point to discuss what is important. I have engaged with the former Northern Ireland Health Minister to ensure the use of barcoded envelopes for urgent medical mail, which has helped us in Northern Ireland, but it does not go the whole way.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

26. “I met a guy just before Christmas who had worked for the Royal Mail for 20 years. I asked him how he was getting on, and he said, “Jim, I’m leaving next week.” I asked where he was going, and he was going up the road to Kiltonga, for better wages at Lakeland Dairies. Royal Mail has to address staff retention by ensuring the right pay. When I speak to local staff in Strangford, they consistently tell me that they believe passionately in their public duty but that they are being asked to fight a losing battle with one hand tied behind their back. Without targeted funding to build or upgrade a dedicated sorting office in our area, our local posties will continue to drown under the backlog. Minister, what discussions have taken place with the owners of Royal Mail about its antiquated sorting centres and technology?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

27. “Letters are piling up in sorting depots, with vital documents vanishing into a black hole. The public have completely lost faith in a service on which they have relied for generations. I want to be entirely clear about where the blame lies. It does not lie with the hard-working, dedicated local postmen and postwomen who are working themselves to the bone. They work long hours and walk miles under immense pressure, bearing the brunt of public anger on the doorsteps. It is not their fault; they are being completely let down by senior management, a failed operating model and a chronic lack of investment. Since I was a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have always visited the Royal Mail depot in Newtownards at Christmas time. Staff retention is incredibly important.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

28. “It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. I thank the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sorcha Eastwood) for setting the scene on a subject that is incredibly important to us all. As well as both being Northern Ireland MPs, we share a frustration with the Royal Mail. I cannot do technology—that is just a fact of life, as I am very old-school—but I write letters regularly. Nothing impresses, helps or encourages a constituent as much as a hand-written letter sent to their house in a yellow envelope from the House of Commons. They appreciate that, which is why I do it. The business of the rest of my office is done by email. Day after day, my office is inundated with phone calls and emails from people who go for weeks without seeing a postal delivery worker.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

29. “On the point about health-related letters, when I met the former Health Minister in Northern Ireland, he gave us an undertaking about franked envelopes as a way forward. If Royal Mail did its job correctly, it would receive the franked letters and expedite them through the system. That seems to be working in my constituency, because, by and large, the postal workers do that very effectively. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that Royal Mail and others responsible need to focus as a priority on delivering letters that are obviously medical letters, because they are franked, on time?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

30. “I thank the Minister for her comprehensive response. I appreciate it; each of us in the Chamber does. One massive issue in my constituency of Strangford is staff retention. There comes a certain age, as the years creep up, when the weather goes against you. Some of those who joined early and have done maybe 20 or 30 years come to a stage where they can no longer do it. One of the major reasons why they are not able to do it, apart from the weather factor, is that they are able to get a better wage up the road. To retain staff, wages need to reflect rising inflation and the fact that staff have to travel to work. What discussions has the Minister had with the chief executive to ensure that wages improve, which will naturally help to retain staff?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

31. “When the rule of law is compromised by political intervention, local community police officers pay the price on the doorstep. The Government must recognise the damage that political interference causes to community relations, fully back the independence of local policing, and finally deliver the fair and sustainable funding that our police service needs to keep every single community safe. Community policing? I am behind it all the way.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

32. “Superintendent McDowell has achieved those successes despite facing a crippling multimillion-pound black hole in the budget. The Police Service of Northern Ireland needs funding and resources to put boots on the ground, maintain its fleet and preserve neighbourhood teams. More than a cheque book, however, the PSNI needs a Government who understand the fragility of policing by consent. I know that the Minister often goes to Northern Ireland and has direct contact with the Chief Constable and the Justice Minister. Some of the lessons we have learned in Northern Ireland would be helpful to the rest of the country, because our police manage complex issues every day. I finish with this, because I am conscious that others wish to speak.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

33. “When that foundation is stripped away, the consequences for society are severe. Sometimes, political decisions are taken that affect community policing, which has been an issue in Northern Ireland. I will not go into detail, as it would not be appropriate for this debate, but it has an effect upon community policing. I think of our superb local commander, Superintendent Johnston McDowell. For years, Superintendent McDowell and his team have been at pains to engage with the community, showing visible leadership and keeping our streets safe. They have done incredible work in managing complex local tensions and taking drugs off our streets with absolute professionalism. They are at the forefront of community policing. They are the people who work with the community.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

34. “It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. A big thank you to the hon. Member for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller) for setting the scene incredibly well. There is no issue more critical to the peace, stability and everyday safety of our citizens in Northern Ireland than the strength and integrity of our community policing. I have always been a believer in community policing. I supported it when I first became a councillor in 1985 and as an MLA, and I support it now as an MP. True policing is not done from behind the high walls of a fortified station or from the windows of armoured vehicles. It is done on the streets and on the doorsteps through the painstaking, day-by-day work of building trust with local communities. When community policing thrives, our neighbourhoods thrive.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

35. “I thank the Secretary of State for that reply. Beyond the Battlefield in my constituency delivers care for those soldiers and veterans who fall under the radar and are not picked up by the charities—those who have PTSD, have had family breakdowns or have been in prison. What can be done to ensure that Beyond the Battlefield, which looks after the veterans who others forget about, has the necessary funding to allow it to do more and to help more people?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

36. “I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome the decision to approve the consent for Jackdaw gas production, which will secure energy supplies for homes and businesses across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at a time when global conflict is putting pressure on energy prices. In a reply to another hon. Member, the Minister referred to the renewables sector benefits that will be used for all the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Will the Minister specifically outline the benefits that will come to Northern Ireland and help it to reduce its energy costs?”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

37. “We are now 200 years on from that time, and legislation is coming forward for Church appointments. Given what the House is trying to achieve through this Bill, we must reflect the changes in today’s society and its cultural and religious make-up. The fact is that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has changed greatly. That being the case, what the House is trying to achieve today is to be welcomed.”

    House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

38. “In the last few days, the Government have indicated plans, so perhaps the Minister could tell us more about what is happening. It is the very definition of unsustainable and the quality of products will undoubtedly be affected.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

39. “That is in addition to an estimated 101,000 workers expected to leave manufacturing priority occupations, bringing the total demand to around 148,000 workers. That is a lot of people to train and prepare for work. Part of that is because the manufacturing sector has a largely ageing workforce when compared with the wider working population. A report in 2026 found that some 50% of engineering and manufacturing small to medium-sized enterprises experienced skills gaps and/or shortages. That comes despite Government support efforts, as nearly three quarters of businesses surveyed felt support to address skills shortages were lacking. That is largely unsurprising; there has been no increase in funding for engineering apprenticeships since 2020.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

40. “It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Christopher. I give special thanks to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight West (Richard Quigley) for securing this debate and setting the scene incredibly well, as he often does. I wish him well in the work that he does for his constituents; I can honestly say that they are fortunate to have him as their MP. Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the United Kingdom, but it might be in jeopardy of crumbling as young people are not entering the sector in sufficient numbers as against workers leaving the industry. What is the background to the debate? I always give a Northern Ireland perspective and make asks of the Minister; hopefully that adds to the debate and where we are. Employment in the advanced manufacturing sector is set to rise, with projected growth of 13% between 2025 and 2035.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

41. “The Minister is listening intently and I am sure he will be able to respond to the hon. Gentleman and encourage him and all of us, as that is the purpose of us being here. I will speak about Northern Ireland now. The issue is not unique to Northern Ireland, however skills shortages will be felt particularly acutely there. Northern Ireland boasts of major manufacturers, such as Spirit AeroSystems, Wrightbus, Harland & Wolff and Thales. Thales is one of the defence sector companies that my right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson) and I visit at least once every year. I primarily go because the majority of workers at Thales come from my Strangford constituency. It has also been encouraging that Thales sets a target for apprenticeships every year and is always oversubscribed.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

42. “By widening the talent pool, the Government can help secure the future of manufacturing in Northern Ireland and indeed across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and beyond, protecting skilled manufacturing businesses. That is the purpose of Government, and that is the purpose of the hon. Member for Strangford. Let us see what we can do together.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

43. “The United Kingdom’s manufacturing and engineering skills gap is estimated to cost businesses more than £5 billion each year. Now is the time to act. It can take three to four years for apprentices to actually learn the skills and add to the companies they are employed with. I am mindful that some 12 other Members wish to speak. Failing to act now will leave the next generation without the technical skills that employers need. Action must include improving women’s access to manufacturing careers. I am blessed and pleased that, with Harland and Wolff and Spirit, young ladies are getting the opportunity to gain engineering skills—and are taking it—but we could do more to encourage young women in particular to get into manufacturing careers and to create more opportunities for young people to gain practical industrial skills.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

44. “Manufacturing accounts for approximately 11% of employment in Northern Ireland, making it a vital contributor to the regional economy. Northern Ireland’s employment is currently the third lowest in the United Kingdom, standing just shy of 900,000. Further strengthening and investing in our manufacturing skills could help expand employment opportunities. I welcome the Minister to her place and look forward to her response. What discussions has she had with the relevant Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure that we can enjoy the policy and strategy happening here? I join other Members and those who speak after me in calling on the Government to take urgent action to address the skills shortages across the manufacturing sector.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

45. “I do. On the work that Thales does with students, it pays their student fees and gives them an incredible wage. Some of the young boys I know from Comber—they are young men now—who have taken the apprenticeships are working incredibly hard across the world in the Thales corporation. There is a network of small engineering firms to supply specialist services. Many of these skilled suppliers operate in and around my constituency of Strangford, making the local economy particularly vulnerable to manufacturing skills shortages. Harland & Wolff is looking for 500 new workers. It has recruited some 500 already and is hoping to recruit another 500, so there is demand in Northern Ireland for skilled workers. It also offers apprenticeships.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

46. “To give the hon. Gentleman encouragement, we see the incredible potential for this in Northern Ireland, where a £100 million joint venture on Islandmagee is set to build a massive 150 MW storage facility capable of powering 36,000 homes. Does the hon. Member agree the Government must aggressively support those multi-day storage systems right across the United Kingdom, working hand in hand with devolved nations to modernise our grid infrastructure?”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

47. “By way of example, I mention Zaun in Wolverhampton, but there are many other companies across the United Kingdom that rely on Heathrow’s connectivity, including Durham-based Coltraco Ultrasonics. For us in Northern Ireland, it is really important that we have the connectivity. Heathrow has stated: “this is not a choice between the economy and the environment; it will deliver for both.” If it can show that expansion can do that, that is something that must be considered. Heathrow has also said there was a 7.5% carbon reduction in air emissions last year compared with 2019. That is factual evidence. There has also been a 60% reduction to the noise footprint since the early 1990s. Again, I would say that that shows that there has been a commitment in relation to that.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

48. “That is the reason why I am speaking in this debate as an MP for Northern Ireland: I want to put forward the case for how the third runway will benefit us in Northern Ireland. Whenever it comes to the Government here doing something centrally, it has to be for everybody’s advantage across this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The £33 billion of private investment into Britain supports jobs, exports, manufacturing and economic growth at no cost to the taxpayer, so it is advantageous. The benefits begin well before the first flight, and the wider economic prize goes beyond conventional transport modelling. Heathrow’s expansion builds on an existing 1,100-business UK supply chain, creating opportunities for companies in every region of the country.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

49. “Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to growth: it connects people and businesses from all parts of the country, including Belfast, to global opportunities, and it serves as the UK’s only hub airport. The challenge is that Heathrow is operating at 99% capacity and has been for decades, which is why the third runway is imperative for the growth of this country. Indeed, it is bursting to grow. Heathrow continues to perform strongly, but passenger growth is now trailing the European average. Passenger growth at Heathrow is 1.9%, whereas the European average is 4.6%. Heathrow’s expansion is expected to add some £17 billion annually to the UK economy, and 60% of the economic benefits will occur outside London and the south-east.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →

50. “It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John. I thank the hon. Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson) for setting the scene. She and I are good friends. I spoke to her before the debate; we have a difference of opinion on this issue, and I will outline the reasons why. I respect everybody else’s point of view, and I hope that others will respect mine. The proposed expansion of Heathrow airport is expected to support some 108,000 jobs across the United Kingdom, making it a significant source of economic growth. The third runway would increase capacity, provide for more affordable travel and increase the reliability of flights. Across the UK, airports are recognising the need to plan ahead. I want to give some figures, ever mindful of how much I respect the opinion of the hon. Lady and other Members.”

    House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗

    Check this claim →