Stephanie Peacock
MP for Barnsley South · Labour · United Kingdom
“It is a pleasure to conclude this debate. I am grateful to Members for their contributions and for the broad consensus that households facing fuel poverty and energy debt should receive support quickly, fairly and effectively. At its heart, this draft statutory instrument makes three targeted changes.”
“Secondly, the amendments, laid by the then Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 6 July, specify that Department under the existing fuel poverty objective, enabling the Government Department responsible for data policy to support work assisting people living in fuel poverty, including the national data library kickstarter p…”
“We have cut VAT on electricity bills, expanded the warm home discount to around 6 million households, and are delivering the warm homes plan and fuel poverty strategy to reduce bills, improve energy efficiency and help to lift up to 1 million households out of fuel poverty by 2030.”
“I know that the right hon. Gentleman was a little bit late in arriving, but I did say that the scheme is the responsibility of the relevant Department. These regulations provide the legal framework for the data sharing. I now turn to the third amendment, which concerns the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.”
“Member for North East Cambridgeshire asked me some questions about who is in scope and who will benefit from the scheme. Again, had he been listening to my contribution, he would have heard—I will repeat my comments—that the precise design of any scheme remains in development by the Government and Ofgem.”
“They provide the legal data-sharing basis that would allow an appropriately designed scheme to operate effectively. If such a scheme proceeds, it is estimated to reduce the administrative burdens involved in identifying eligible households and providing further support to families in need.”
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“The Government are fully committed to working with the sports sector to support our vital grassroots clubs. We work closely with Sports England, an arm’s length body, to engage with grassroots sports across the country and ensure that all sports are seen, heard and supported. Rather than duplicating existing forums, I welcome the creation of groups such as the national governing body coalition and look forward to working alongside it to effectively support the sector.”
“As a Government, we have stepped up in the games’ hour of need and not only made sure that Glasgow has what it needs to deliver a safe, sustainable and world-class event, but sought to maximise the opportunities that it presents to the UK. I would also like to reflect on the important points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) regarding racism in sport.”
“Operationally, teams at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Ofcom have worked closely with the organising company to ensure that the radio spectrum frequencies to be used at the games are available and overseen effectively, supporting the essential communications behind the scenes that enable these major sporting events to go ahead smoothly and safely. Alongside all that, my Department has directly provided a small amount of staffing to support the organising company, helping to ensure that the games are effectively integrating with the Departments and teams in Whitehall that they need to.”
“That was a key commitment that helped to unlock the original agreement for Glasgow to host the games. We have provided support in other ways, too. I am pleased that the Home Office has worked closely with event organisers to ensure that bespoke visa processes have been established for the games family, ensuring that the games will benefit from smooth and streamlined visa processes that are appropriately tailored to the needs of athletes and officials while maintaining effective border security and immigration controls.”
“That is why I am truly delighted that the UK Government stepped up and got behind Glasgow 2026. I am proud of the role we have played in making the commitments required to support the Glasgow project to go ahead and, by extension, helping to secure the future of the games. I pay tribute to Ian Reid and his team at Commonwealth Games Scotland, and I acknowledge the work of the Scottish Government and all partners involved, which has made Glasgow 2026 a possibility. The Government’s support spans a number of areas and was critical in ensuring that Glasgow 2026 became a reality. While the Glasgow 2026 model is predicated on private income, the UK Government were pleased to be able to help the games through a commitment of up to £2.3 million of contingent funding to support the safety and security of the event.”
“Some points were put to me about grassroots sport, which is a passion of mine and of this Government. We are investing £400 million over the coming years, including £8 million in Scotland this year and £3.4 million in sporting projects in Glasgow since 2024. Inactivity is a story of inequality, which this Government are committed to tackling. Major events such as the Commonwealth games play a hugely important role in that. When the Australian state of Victoria announced that it was pulling out of hosting the 2026 games in July 2023, the future of the event looked increasingly uncertain. We were at risk of losing a wonderful sporting occasion that brings nations together and provides an opportunity outside of the Olympics, Paralympics and respective sports’ world championships for athletics to shine on the world stage.”
“Ten world-class sports across four world-class venues, 3,000 athletes, 4,000 volunteers, the largest ever para sport programme at a games, a vibrant cultural festival and a city capitalising on the legacy of 2014—we are all looking forward to the show that Glasgow and Scotland will put on. More broadly, the games continue to be a key pathway for elite athletes, a wonderful event for spectators and a fantastic opportunity to bring together the Commonwealth family of nations in a positive and impactful way. As my hon. Friend the Member for West Dunbartonshire (Douglas McAllister) said, live sport inspires more people to get active than anything else. Glasgow 2026 is seeking to adopt a new approach to legacy and will bring benefits to communities and individuals across Glasgow and Scotland more broadly.”
“Member’s speech clearly illustrated how he wants these games to be as successful as possible, and I know that he is a huge supporter. He put a couple of specific questions to me, which I will answer as I progress through my speech. The games generate significant wider economic and social benefits. They bring communities together, galvanise volunteers and support local jobs and supply chains. Last week, we marked Volunteers’ Week, and I pay tribute to the volunteers who are the lifeblood of so much of our sport in the UK. They help to deliver grassroots sport up and down the country every single day, and when it comes to major sporting events, they are a vital and joyful part of the experience.”
“Members pointed out, the games bring world-class sport to our communities, delivering the special heart-stopping moments that only live sport can deliver. At the 2022 games, I had the great experience of attending the diving finals at the then new Sandwell Aquatics Centre and seeing our country take home medals. It was a particular delight to go to that event, as it was just down the road from where I grew up; I attended with Lord McConnell, who sits in the other place. The shadow Secretary of State was Sports Minister at that time, as he said, and he showed a commendable commitment to the games then. In his contribution today, he rightly pointed out that the 2026 games will be the first under His Majesty’s reign. The hon.”
“It has been wonderful to support the games personally as Sports Minister, whether through my regular meetings with Commonwealth games organising committee and the Scottish Government, or through the excellent baton relay at Buckingham Palace—my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow South West (Dr Ahmed) spoke powerfully about the importance of the baton, and it was a delight to spend some time with him in his constituency last summer—or through marking the games at Edinburgh Castle a few months ago. A little over a decade ago, Glasgow delivered a fantastic Commonwealth games and now the city has another chance to showcase itself to the world; many Members have spoken about that today. As we saw with Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022, and as many hon.”
“When I appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee just over a month ago, I was pleased to announce the Government’s intention to have a major events strategy. On that subject, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain), asked some specific questions about the Sporting Events Bill, which we have introduced in the other place. I believe that we will reach out to the hon. Lady about it, and I am very happy to meet her, and indeed, the hon. Member for Droitwich and Evesham (Nigel Huddleston), to address some of the specific points that she put to me about the Bill. This debate is especially well timed as I am due to travel to Glasgow tomorrow to meet the company organising the games and to hear at first hand how the planning and delivery are progressing.”
“She spoke about the 3,000 athletes who will take part and mentioned that Glasgow is the third city in history to host the games twice. She also referred to the pre-existing venues and the scale of the para games, as well as to the fact that we are a world leader in sport and that the first medal at Glasgow 2026 will be awarded in para sport. A number of Members rightly pointed out the range of community events. My hon. Friend and other Members made really important points about George Square. The hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) is a strong champion of his local area and Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North (Martin Rhodes), who is the chair of the all-party group for events, made some really important points about major events and their wider impact.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg, and I am really pleased to respond to this debate. I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow West (Patricia Ferguson) on securing today’s debate, and on all her hard work and representation. It is brilliant not only to set out what the Government are doing to support Glasgow 2026, but to celebrate the games and to look ahead to what will be a fantastic celebration of sport, the Commonwealth, Glasgow, Scotland and the UK. Before I go into some of those issues, I will respond to some points that hon. Members made, and I will address other points as I go through my speech. In opening the debate, my hon. Friend set the scene very powerfully.”
“Of course I join my hon. Friend in condemning the appalling violence, and my heart goes out to all those involved. We must stand against this across the House. Sport unites us all. It transcends boundaries, fosters camaraderie and instils the values of fairness, respect and perseverance. It is a mirror on our society, reflecting our strength and, at times, our challenges.”
“I look forward to a brilliant event and a bright future for the games movement. I thank and pay tribute to the athletes, coaches, volunteers, organisers and everyone else who makes it possible.”
“I am sure that the BBC will have heard the points made by the shadow Minister and others, which I will relay to the Media Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray). Ultimately, all sports rights holders and UK broadcasters are operationally and editorially independent of Government. Glasgow 2026 will be an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the unique power that live sport has to bring us together and will deliver a real impact. Once again, Glasgow and the nation are on the biggest stage, and the city’s MPs have demonstrated the power of their city today. I congratulate Phil Batty, George Black and all the organisers who are working tirelessly to ensure that Glasgow is a success that showcases the very best of sport and brings about a new era for the Commonwealth games.”
“I do agree, and I share my hon. Friend’s shock. I am shocked and appalled. The Government’s stance remains unequivocal: racism has absolutely no place in our society, and it has no place in our sport either. Let me turn to the issue of accessibility. I recognise and understand the disappointment that many will feel regarding Commonwealth Sport’s decision not to partner with a free-to-air broadcaster for live coverage of the games. TNT Sports has partnered with one of our public service broadcasters, Channel 5, to ensure that the highlights of the games will be available on free-to-air television. The deal provides the opportunity for a wider audience to enjoy moments that matter in the games, but I have heard the points made regarding the BBC.”
“I would not ordinarily intervene as the Minister, but I thought that it might be helpful to inform my hon. Friend and the House that I will chair the next meeting of the women’s sport taskforce, which aims to encourage and tackle some of the issues around women’s sport. Indeed, this Government have the ambition to double priority slots for women and girls.”
“The UK Government have consistently backed Glasgow 2026 as a positive outcome for the games movement and for the UK. The Government are engaging partners to explore trade and investment opportunities around the games in order to support the games and maximise the benefits for the whole UK.”
“My hon. Friend asks an excellent question. I have met regularly with the Scottish Government, the Scotland Office, the organising company and, of course, Commonwealth Sport, most recently in January this year. I also attended events in December and August last year. My Department is in regular contact with the organisers and all partners to support the games and ensure they build on Glasgow’s world-class reputation for hosting major events. He is absolutely right: there is a huge opportunity for not just sport but the economic legacy and the tourism industry.”
“The hon. Lady makes a really important point. We are obviously keen to make this a success, and I would be delighted to meet her to discuss it further.”
“The Government recognise that community spaces are hugely important, whether it be for social networks, community participation or civic pride. We debated community centres and small charities in Westminster Hall last month.”
“I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to his local charity—indeed, I am a patron of a dementia charity in Barnsley. I recognise the challenges faced by charities, which is why I hosted a number of them at No. 10 with a Treasury Minister. I would be delighted to speak to the hon. Gentleman about this matter.”
“The Government believe in the power of grassroots sport. We have committed £400 million over the next four years, and £85 million in this coming year. Of course, Sport England invests £250 million annually through Exchequer and lottery funding.”
“I was pleased to meet representatives of parkrun alongside my hon. Friend a few months ago to mark its 21st anniversary, and I pay tribute to the huge impact it has. Indeed, last year, I joined my hon. Friend for the relaunch of parkwalk, which is a great example of how inclusive parkrun is—of course, it would not be possible without all the volunteers. If I may, I would like to mention Oliver Smith from my constituency. I was pleased to run the Barnsley parkrun with my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis) alongside Oliver Smith, aged nine, who is running nine marathons in four months to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity following his dad’s diagnosis. I wish him luck in completing his challenge next weekend at the mini London marathon.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question—it was a pleasure to meet him on a different subject earlier this week. I met the all-party parliamentary group on boxing recently. I welcome the points he makes and agree with them, and I am keen to work with him to help deliver that goal.”
“As I referenced earlier, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will introduce a new community right to buy, giving communities the first opportunity to purchase an asset of community value when it is put up for sale by the owner. Of course, this is not an issue that we are going to fix overnight, but it is something that the Government are passionate about, as proven by the many colleagues across the House who have enjoyed—enjoyed? I am sure they have—and contributed to this important debate, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
“I was delighted to attend a roundtable on this topic, hosted by Amazon and chaired by the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Gordon Brown. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to him for all the work he has done on this issue. This important measure is set to significantly boost the supply of essential items to charities and will come into effect from 1 April this year. We recognise how important community spaces are for developing social networks, encouraging community participation and promoting civic pride. This Government are committed to giving community groups the ability to own and manage assets for the benefit of the wider community.”
“That council gives voluntary organisations, such as the brilliant ones that have been mentioned throughout this debate, a voice at the heart of Government, bringing together leaders from charities, social enterprises, philanthropy, faith organisations, community organisations and the youth sector. The Government also recognise the need to reduce the administrative burden on voluntary organisations. It was great to hear the Chancellor introduce a new VAT relief for charities in the Budget, which establishes that business donations of goods to charities for onward distribution or use in their services will not be subject to VAT. This is in addition to the VAT relief that charities already benefit from, which is estimated to be worth £1 billion for the sector each year.”
“At DCMS, we are pleased to pledge support for the Big Help Out this year, which is a national celebration to raise awareness of the impact that volunteering can have. This year, the Big Help Out will be delivered by the Eden Project in Cornwall, which I will be visiting tomorrow to celebrate its 25-year anniversary. I remember when it opened, which makes me feel a little bit old. The Government have already established our ambition to recognise the value of civil society through the civil society covenant, as a number of Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham, mentioned. The Prime Minister made it clear at the civil society summit in July 2025 that civil society has a home at the heart of Government, and we have established the Civil Society Council, chaired by Kate Lee.”
“Friend the Member for North Warwickshire and Bedworth (Rachel Taylor). That hub serves as an easy-to-access, supportive environment in which people from the community can achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as providing a space for them to connect with their neighbours. During my time there, it became obvious that that hub is a perfect example of how such a centre can become vital for meeting the needs of the community. It was also a delight to meet a range of charitable organisations at events hosted by the York Centre for Voluntary Services a few weeks ago. I heard about its city-wide volunteering strategy, a five-year plan co-created by charities and the council, making time for volunteering accessible to everyone.”
“As the Minister for Civil Society, as I have just mentioned, I have had the privilege of visiting some brilliant organisations across the country. They include the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, which shared with me the work it does to encourage people of all ages to get involved in volunteering in a variety of ways. I was particularly pleased to speak to the young volunteers and hear how their experience has helped them to form new social connections. I was also pleased to meet Ruff and Ruby—a King’s Award-winning youth charity carrying out important work in Stoke-on-Trent, with a new app that connects young people to resources, education, employment, volunteering and suicide prevention—and the brand new Bedworth physical activity hub, which I visited just last week with my hon.”
“Whether that is formal volunteering through established organisations or informally within local communities, it is clear that people across the country are willing to help each other out, giving up their time for the good of others, as the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) spoke so passionately about. He is absolutely right about the importance of working together. I was pleased to visit a voluntary group when I was in Northern Ireland—I think it was called the Ravine project—and I would be delighted to visit more such groups when I next visit Northern Ireland. Indeed, I am pleased to visit voluntary groups up and down the country, because this Government want to encourage volunteering. We want to get as many people as possible involved, so that positive change can continue to be delivered across communities by communities.”
“Whether it be birthday parties, weddings or something else entirely, some of the most treasured memories in people’s lives have taken place in these spaces. That is why the Government are pleased to recognise and celebrate the contribution that they make. I take the opportunity to offer thanks to all those brilliant volunteers who contribute to the running of community centres and get involved with voluntary work each day. The volunteers who keep these important services running are some of the most talented and driven in our society, and we know they need support. Over the past year, a huge 54% of adults—around 24.8 million people—volunteered at least once, with 33% of adults volunteering at least once a month.”
“The shadow Minister gave a very extensive list; I am not sure I will do as well as he did, but I will mention a few: Barnsley Samaritans, Age UK, the YMCA, and local groups such as the Barnsley Foodbank Partnership, the Future Arts Centre at the Barnsley Civic, and BIADS, of which I am proud to be a patron. There are many others across the borough of Barnsley. We also have access to community centres such as the Darfield community centre and the Birdwell community centre. Yesterday, I was delighted to visit the new Parkside one, which is coupled with a sports centre and a more than £4 million investment into Barnsley South. I know just how important these spaces and organisations are to local people. Community centres are often the site for important milestone events.”
“That is about championing collaborative commissioning models, which answers some of his points. The hon. Member for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe (David Chadwick) spoke about loneliness. Yesterday, DCMS was pleased to relaunch the tackling loneliness hub. I will send him some details on that. I was interested to hear the hon. Member for Frome and East Somerset (Anna Sabine), who shared some interesting examples; I would be pleased to discuss them further with her. I am sure that hon. Members across the House will agree that the work that voluntary organisations and community centres do every single day is incredibly valuable to those who access them. We do not take their work for granted. Indeed, in my Barnsley South constituency, we are lucky to have so many brilliant examples of community centres and voluntary organisations.”
“We also have the common ground award, which will invest up to £10,000 of capital funding into voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. He asked about tenancy issues, and particularly about local government guidance, all of which fall to MCHLG. My hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis) and others also asked about that, so I will write to Members and suggest to my counterpart that she meet with them. My hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme (Lee Pitcher) gave a very entertaining speech, which touched on a number of issues. He made some important points about community radio. When I was media Minister, I went to visit a number of community radio stations. He spoke about the local covenant partnership.”
“He gave what he said was not an extensive list—I would argue that it was a selective one—but I will touch on some of his points as I progress with my contribution. First, I will address some of the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham. Some of his questions and asks fall to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, but I will ensure that he gets answers. I will respond to some of his questions now, but for the more technical ones I will ensure that he speaks to the relevant Minister. My hon. Friend spoke about security of tenure. As a Government, we are introducing a new community right to buy, giving communities the first opportunity to purchase an asset of community value when put up for sale.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I thank everyone who contributed to this important debate. I begin by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Ben Coleman) for securing the debate. He is a great representative for the voluntary sector, having held many voluntary roles in the past and maintaining his role as a trustee for a local community centre in addition to his duties as the local MP. We have had some brilliant contributions today, highlighting just how important voluntary groups and centres are in the role they play up and down the country. I am not sure that the speech from the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Mr French), reflected the tone of the debate.”
“To do that, we understand that sustaining regional growth requires more visitors. We want to be passionate, and carnivals play an incredibly important role. I also want to recognise the huge impact that volunteers have in carnivals. A number of Members have made incredibly important points, so I will end by paying tribute to all Members and the vital role that carnivals play.”
“Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, matters because those traditions are the threads that weave us together. They provide a way to celebrate our incredible diversity, which can turn strangers into a community through shared song, craft and celebration. This debate is important because of the impact that carnival has on tourism and the visitor economy, not just on the arts. Our ambition is clear: we want to welcome 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. But we recognise that numbers alone are not the measure of success. We must ensure that those visitors stay longer and explore further, reaching beyond our major hubs and into the rural and coastal heartlands. That is something that we will acknowledge and celebrate next week in English Tourism Week.”
“The next generation of carnival artists are being cultivated and supported through Arts Council England investment in organisations such as Global Grooves in Tameside, which transforms the lives of young people by immersing them in the world of carnival. Through its dedicated future leaders programme at the Vale youth hub, it bridges the gap between community tradition and professional skills development, offering hands-on experiences in costume design, puppetry and dance. Government support helps to ensure that the vibrant heart of carnival continues. The organisations that I mentioned are amazing examples of how our national story moved from community practice to national policy in 2024, when the UK ratified UNESCO’s 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.”
“As part of a transformative £1.5 billion package over the course of this Parliament, the Government provided a 5% funding uplift to key national arts organisations. That means organisations, such as the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton and the St Pauls carnival in Bristol, are funded as part of the Arts Council’s national portfolio. The funding supports a broad ecosystem beyond the incredible shows. It supports creative workshops, master classes around events and, of course, the unforgettable original costume designs and live music. The Government’s arts everywhere ambition ensures that carnival is not merely a seasonal event, but a sophisticated year-round art form that supports places to thrive, generating millions of pounds in benefits and telling our nations’ stories.”
“Both Arts Council England and the national lottery project grants have supported vital initiatives around the carnival, including community workshops, school programmes and the development of key skills, such as costume making and set design. As an art form rich in cultural heritage and global influence, the Government continue to fund carnival arts right across the country via their grant-in-aid investment in Arts Council England. My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare raised a point about access to funding. It might be helpful if I write to all hon. Members in the debate about how carnival can bid for and access funding. I will make sure my Department writes to each hon. Member here after the debate.”
“He spoke about his constituency being “the home of carnival”. My hon. Friend the Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire (Rachel Hopkins) spoke about the history in her area, dating back to the 1400s. She also asked a question on this topic at Culture, Media and Sport questions—it was a popular subject. She spoke about the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton. It is the first dedicated facility for professional development, production and celebration of carnival culture. That is really important and it is the driving force behind the Luton International Carnival, which my hon. Friend spoke so passionately about. Every year, carnival draws thousands of visitors. It is not just a show; it supports the local economy and brings the community together. It is a unique form of living history.”
“The visit made it incredibly clear to me how vital the visitor economy is to the spirit and economy of the west country. I wish all those at the Weston-super-Mare carnival continued success and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for being the first in this place to speak about that carnival. He spoke passionately about the carnival ecosystem and how it inspires younger people. Indeed, it inspires those of all ages, as the shadow spokesperson rightly pointed out. It was good to hear from the shadow spokesperson, and I know he takes a keen interest in this subject. He asked a question at oral questions a few weeks ago and I am delighted that I will meet him soon to discuss the matter further. The Bridgwater carnival is part of the west country carnival circuit, and the magnificent seven procession travels from his constituency to Glastonbury.”
“We live in an increasingly cashless society, and we have seen a roughly 15% reduction in the use of cash since 2017. That is something the Government are aware of. The hon. Member also made a specific point about safety advisory groups. The Government issue best practice, which is co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, but it is a matter for local government. I will write to her about that specific point, as it might be useful. My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare rightly stated that my first visit as the Minister for Tourism was to his constituency, and I was delighted to visit. I had the pleasure of meeting local tourism and hospitality leaders, as well as the dedicated team at the Grand Pier. I thank him for his kind words and his warm welcome.”
“Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on her continued advocacy for carnivals, including the Glastonbury carnival, and for the roundtable she held in her constituency this month. She spoke about the passionate commitment of everyone who attended that and, indeed, she referenced the magnificent seven carnivals and their impact on things such as charity, tourism, culture, volunteering and the community. She made an important point about skills and volunteering, which I will touch on later. The hon. Member put points to me about costs, including material, fuel, tractors and insurance. I acknowledge that and the shadow spokesperson, the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Sir Ashley Fox) made that point as well. The hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton spoke about fundraising, membership fees and sponsorship, and increasing challenges.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) on securing this important debate and for the powerful way in which they have spoken about their constituencies and the distinctive long-standing cultural tradition of illuminated carnivals. All hon. Members who have contributed to this debate have spoken with such passion. I will address some of the direct points put to me before talking about how carnivals impact the arts and tourism. As we have heard, the west country carnival circuits are a spectacular annual celebration dating back to the 17th century. They represent far more than local custom; they bring in visitors and are a valuable source of income. I congratulate the hon.”
“I recognise that there is a need to support more civil society organisations to grow their income from public sector contracts. At present, civil society organisations secure just 4% of the total value of those contracts, a figure that has remained unchanged for the past 10 years. The national procurement policy statement published in February 2025 underlines the Government’s commitment to strengthening the UK economy by maximising opportunities for civil society organisations to access public contracts. That is a clear signal that the sector’s expertise and value will be recognised and supported throughout the public sector, highlighting our ambition to make it easier for civil society organisations of all sizes, and small and medium-sized enterprises, to deliver public contracts. I think that answers the point made by my hon.”