Kirsteen Sullivan
MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow · Labour (Co-op) · United Kingdom
“Last week I was honoured to welcome the families of those who had been onboard the Lisbon Maru, a freighter that was sunk in 1942, claiming the lives of more than 800 allied prisoners of war. We came together with MPs from across this House and the Minister for Scotland, my hon.”
“I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Central (Abtisam Mohamed) not just on the power of her words, but on her extensive work, day in, day out, on this issue.”
“I am fortunate to know the Antonine Friendship Link, a humanitarian group in the Falkirk area that advocates for the human rights of Palestinians in Jayyous on the west bank, creating friendships and solidarity across communities and borders.”
“However, those decisions are not meaningfully upheld in practice, and obstacle after obstacle has been placed, often literally, in his way. His olive groves, his livelihood, and his community remain isolated.”
“I thank the Minister for his update and his collaborative approach to the co-production process, as well as the time he spent with me and colleagues earlier in the year to discuss the experiences of those living with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.”
“This year is the 500th anniversary of the battle of Linlithgow bridge, a pivotal moment in Scottish history, and part of a power struggle for the regency of King James V.”
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“12. What steps his Department is taking to encourage the adoption of the inclusive personal protective equipment standard BS 30417 in Government procurement contracts.”
“With the Government on a mission to build 1.5 million new homes and invest billions in upgrading critical infrastructure, fit-to-form PPE is more important than ever for the expanding workforce. The Government have an opportunity to embrace BS 30417 and use the state’s substantial purchasing power to increase employee safety through inclusive PPE for all. Will the Government commit to becoming an early adopter of the standard and lead industry by example?”
“Q12. Nine years and four months ago, Britain was basking in its success after the Rio Olympics, but each day, month and year since, women have lived with the chronic pain of undiagnosed endometriosis. According to Endometriosis UK’s new report, the UK’s average wait time for diagnosis has worsened since 2020, with women in Scotland waiting even longer, facing an average wait time of 10 years and two months. At the start of Endometriosis Action Month, will the Prime Minister commit to reducing diagnosis wait times and ending the lost decade for women living with endometriosis?”
“Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the valuable contribution that young people in Scotland have made to the democratic process, first in 2014, when they were able to vote in the independence referendum, and subsequently in Scottish local and parliamentary elections? Does he value their contribution?”
“Ahead of the centenary of women’s suffrage in 2028, I ask the Minister to reiterate that commitment today and to consider whether section 106 should be reflected in this Bill in the light of the commendable aim of strengthening our democracy.”
“As we heard, section 106 of the Equality Act is still to be commenced. I know that the Government are committed to commencing it. When commenced, section 106 will improve transparency, accountability and consistency in how parties collect and publish candidate diversity data. By bringing greater transparency, that section will allow nominations across parties to be analysed consistently and transparently, putting a spotlight on the selection of women candidates and highlighting any disparities. Commencement is supported by Centenary Action, 50:50 Parliament, the Electoral Reform Society and Elect Her to ensure that Chambers across the country better reflect the communities that we all serve.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak, even if it is briefly, in the debate. Young people have often felt left out of discussions and decisions about their future, and have felt that their voices do not matter, so I welcome the steps that the Bill will take to standardise the vote age across all elections. In Scotland, the age for voting in a general election has been out of step with the age for voting in Holyrood and council elections since 2016. While I welcome the steps towards increasing participation and accessibility, we must do more to expand representation. The last general election marked the first point in our history at which enough female MPs had ever been elected to fill the Chamber. There have been 695 female MPs since 1918; I am the 673rd. However, we have missed an opportunity.”
“The airspace modernisation strategy will rationalise flightpaths last redrawn in the 1950s to cut emissions and noise. However, the community in the historical village of Blackness, in my constituency, are concerned that the opposite will happen with the plans for Edinburgh airport airspace, and that their tranquil village will bear the brunt of the disruption. Will the Minister meet my constituents to discuss their concerns at the earliest opportunity?”
“Last week, my constituents Gillian Greenwell and Craig Turpie from Bathgate’s Turpie & Co visited Parliament and watched business questions from the Gallery. They were visiting London for the Guild of Property Professionals awards, where they won silver in the overall UK award and gold in the Scotland award. As estate agents, they described this place as a period property located in a well-connected, up-and-coming community with views of iconic landmarks. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the team at Turpie & Co, commend them for their contribution to the local economy and wish them well for the future?”
“As a Labour and Co-operative MP, I am absolutely delighted by the publication of the local power plan. I have seen that work in action through local energy projects such as Bo’ness scout group, which is reducing its bills with 40 solar panels and delivering funding support for young people. What steps will the Government take to increase accessibility and community capacity to deliver local power plans, and will the Secretary of State join me on a visit to Bo’ness scouts?”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Barker. As a Committee member, I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (Elaine Stewart) for this statement. My constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow has a proud industrial tradition, from mining and manufacturing to electronics. However, when companies closed and industries shut down, that had an absolutely devastating impact on local communities. Will my hon. Friend talk a bit more about the legacy of deindustrialisation for our young people—particularly in Scotland, where one in six young people are not in education, employment or training?”
“The yearly Linlithgow marches organised by the Deacons Court is a 16th-century tradition marking the boundaries of the ancient and royal burgh. The marches celebrate civic pride. There are floats, parades, and much merriment from early in the morning. Last year, the court celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special service in December, which was attended by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the Deacons Court, and perhaps join me for a glass and some merriment at this year’s marches?”
“Does the hon. Gentleman share my concern that kidnap is increasingly being used as a tool of war in areas of conflict, whether Ukraine, where thousands of children have been abducted and torn from their homes, or in Nigeria and Sudan? This is becoming more prevalent, and it is causing immense worry.”
“Our commitment to prevent British-made components from fuelling atrocities must be absolute and we must act with urgency, transparency and determination.”
“I believe that we have a human obligation to support the Sudanese people, but also to account for our long and complicated relations with Sudan. I was contacted by a constituent concerned that British-made military components could be diverted to the RSF. Given the RSF’s atrocities, I want the Government to resolve that any diversion of military components would be morally indefensible. I am grateful for the Minister’s recent response to my letter on that point. He confirmed that officials have reviewed over 2,000 licences, considering the allegations of diversion, and stated that there are no current licences for the reported equipment and none has been issued to the United Arab Emirates in recent years. I would be grateful if the Minister reiterated that reassurance, because vigilance is essential—we cannot stop.”
“Sexual violence, abductions and recruitment are used as routine weapons of war. They are not sporadic acts but a systematic campaign of terror against children. Forces in Sudan are using hunger and sexual violence as weapons to target entire ethnic communities. UNICEF and local non-governmental organisations have reported widespread sexual violence against women and girls, and against children as young as one year old—a baby. The children of Sudan will carry the physical and mental scars for the rest of their lives. As they rebuild and reconcile, they will need unprecedented support to overcome injuries, including the injuries of those who have lost limbs, and to overcome traumatic stress and the collapse of their entire world as they knew it.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stringer. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Sarah Smith) on securing this debate. I also pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Johanna Baxter) for her campaigning to return the stolen Ukrainian children. Worryingly, children are increasingly the deliberate targets of violence, including in the severe disaster unfolding in Sudan. The UN Secretary-General’s children and armed conflict mandate has documented a severe escalation in grave violations against children, most of all by the RSF. The RSF, which controls most of south-west Sudan, has nearly 1,200 attributed violations against children in the past year. Those violations kill and maim children every single day.”
“Now the goalposts are potentially being moved. Will the Minister commit to protecting those already on the five-year route to indefinite leave to remain from retrospective changes? For workers like Jill, settlement is not just a petition or debate; it is whether they can plan a future in the country for which they are helping to care, whether they will have to uproot their families and leave the homes where they have created connections and communities, whether they can speak up about unsafe conditions without fear and whether their financial and emotional sacrifices will ever lead to the security they were promised. Many on this route organised their lives around the existing five-year pathway.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. Although 116 people in my constituency have signed the petitions, the story of one constituent—I will call her Jill—stuck with me. It is a story of anxiety and uncertainty for Jill, who works in social care on a health and social care visa. She described the reality that many face: low pay, unsafe workloads and a fear that speaking up about conditions at work could put her visa at risk. She made the point that those pressures have been pushing people to breaking point across the country for years. She captured exactly why this issue matters. People like Jill moved here in good faith. They brought their families. They got jobs in health and social care roles, filling the critical gaps that we have in the workforce. They are contributing to society and dutifully paying their tax.”
“However, there is a fundamental issue of fairness when changes are applied to people who are already here, already contributing to local and national economies and our public services and already well along a pathway that was clearly set out to them. We should not and must not pull the rug from under them now.”
“In the interests of time, I will not. Those people budgeted for visa fees, planned family life and made long-term decisions on the understanding that after five years they could apply for settlement. Extending that to 10 years means five more years of uncertainty and thousands of pounds in additional costs. For families, it means children growing up with prolonged insecurity and uncertainty. For workers, it means remaining tied to temporary status for a decade, severely limiting their bargaining power at work. For our public services, it risks driving away exactly the people we can least afford to lose. I am not arguing that immigration policy can never change; I think most people here agree that it can and must change.”
“I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, and the repeated apology on behalf of the Government, but like many Labour Members and other Members across the House, I have long supported WASPI women. I commend the WASPI women in west Lothian and Falkirk for their perseverance over many years. I have spoken to several women who have experienced significant financial hardship and emotional and physical strain, and I share their undoubted disappointment today. Has he considered the impact of the decision on perceptions and, indeed, the efficacy, of the ombudsman, which recommended that compensation be paid?”
“I welcome the fantastic news that Edinburgh and south-east Scotland will receive £37.8 million from the new local growth fund, supporting infrastructure, business support and skills development. However, I consistently hear from businesses that they struggle to recruit people with the skill sets needed to grow their operations and fuel economic growth. Can the Chancellor set out how this investment will reach beyond the cities to tackle the acute skills shortages in my constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow?”
“Q5. Some 1.5 million women in the UK live with endometriosis, which is a painful and life-changing condition. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis, I met Jessica Smith and Endo Warriors West Lothian to discuss their campaign for a national endometriosis registry to capture and audit diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Will the Prime Minister join me in commending the work of Jessica, Endo Warriors West Lothian and Endometriosis UK, and will he meet me to discuss creating a registry to improve the lives of women living with endometriosis?”
“My hon. Friend is making an important point on firework control zones. They were sold as a bit of a silver bullet, but unfortunately I heard from fire chiefs and police officers during my time as a councillor that they had been given no additional resources or funding to enforce them. That is surely a must.”
“Ultimately, people in our communities and our neighbourhoods know exactly what is going on, and they are the ones who have to live with the consequences. Fireworks policies must be made with communities and not imposed on them, and councils in Scotland and other vital public services, such as Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, must be resourced and funded to deliver those policies. Communities such as Blackburn deserve nothing less.”
“The group worked because it was a genuine partnership, shaped and driven by the people who lived in the village—people who for years had felt terrorised by a small minority that was hell-bent on causing chaos and fear in the lead-up to 5 November. Although the problems have not been completely eradicated, there has been a vast improvement on the scenes of 2017 and 2018. The Blackburn bonfire night action group has received national recognition for its work, being praised in the Scottish Parliament for reducing antisocial behaviour during bonfire season. I commend everyone who has played a part in the initiative for their commitment and effort in addressing what has been a very complex issue.”
“Police and fire services co-ordinated their response with other services, including various council departments and members of the Blackburn community. That led to the establishment in 2019 of the Blackburn bonfire night action group. It worked throughout the year to provide diversionary activities for young people, and to co-ordinate police and fire planning and response alongside that of other services. Crucially, proactive community engagement increased reporting of criminal activity such as illegal sales of fireworks, the creation of dangerous bonfires, and incidents including fireworks being thrown at drivers, pets and so on. In subsequent years, Crimestoppers saw a major increase in reports from worried residents.”
“Emergency services came under attack, fireworks were routinely used as weapons, and residents were frightened in their own streets and their own homes. When I first became a councillor in 2017, I learned very quickly the depth of fear, frustration and anger within the community. At one memorable public meeting, anger at perceived inaction threatened to boil over into hostility. However, despite the fact that illegal firework sales were talked about widely and there were numerous incidents involving them, police and fire officers had not received any reports. There was a bit of a light-bulb moment as everybody realised that they had a part to play in making Blackburn a safer place around bonfire night. Instead of allowing frustration to fester, everyone came together.”
“It is a pleasure, Ms Jardine, to serve under your chairship today, and I thank the hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley (Robbie Moore) for presenting these petitions on behalf of the Petitions Committee. It is clear that there is a strength of feeling about fireworks, not only in this place but up and down the country—not least with the 345 of my constituents who have signed the petitions. As we have heard, fireworks can have absolutely devastating impacts on our neighbourhoods, leaving families afraid to go out, homes and drivers under attack, and animals in terror. For years Blackburn, in my constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow, was known to be a hotspot for dangerous bonfire night disorder.”
“In my contribution, I spoke about the contribution of people from Blackburn to changing what was going on in their community. Will the Minister reassure me that the Government will engage directly with communities, to hear from the very people whose lives are blighted by this antisocial behaviour?”
“After 19 years of an SNP Government, does the Secretary of State agree that yesterday’s budget reflects broken public services and decades of economic stagnation? For many families, that means there is just too much month at the end of the money.”
“There can be no question but that it is for the people of Venezuela to choose its future and for the international community to support democracy and uphold international law. While there is no denying the illegitimacy and brutality of Maduro’s regime, does the Foreign Secretary share my fears that such unilateral action sends the dangerous message to despots and tyrants throughout the world that might is right, and that it endangers peace and democracy throughout the world?”
“Late last year, I met constituents who run a community link with Jayyous in the west bank. Villagers there have described a daily life of hostility and obstruction by police, and intimidating and threatening intrusions by nearby settlers, despite repeated Israeli court rulings in favour of the villagers. Will the Minister advise the House how the UK’s recognition of the state of Palestine will translate into practical steps to protect communities like Jayyous and to advance peace, security and democratic governance?”
“Personal protective equipment is all too often based on outdated, non-specific measurements, which disproportionately impacts women, people with disabilities and those with religious requirements. It affects many workers, with asbestos masks that do not fit, a lack of female-fit fire boots, and gloves that are so loose that women are failing basic training drills. Given the Government’s ambitions for major housing, infrastructure and clean energy projects, will the Leader of the House make a statement on new British standard BS 30417 on inclusive PPE and its possible adoption across Government procurement contracts and public sector workplaces?”
“Invention and innovation, whether the steam engine or the spaceport, are at the heart of Scotland, so while we celebrate the innovators of our past, let us also acknowledge the pioneers who will shape our future.”
“Dedication to the innovating tradition of the area is also at the heart of many community groups. Invoking the best tradition of scouting and being prepared, the scouts in Bo’ness have installed solar panels on the roof of their hall, and they aim to become the first net zero Scout group in the UK. Local energy projects give people the benefits of new green energy directly into their back pockets. Climate action networks like the one in West Lothian and the many community development trusts are putting themselves in the driving seat. Finally, the spirit of St Andrew’s day is as poetic as it is practical. It draws together our history, but also our future. We can recognise it and honour it. Though it binds us together, we are not bound by it for the future.”
“Across my constituency, from the shale bings to the Pyramids business site, industry has constantly evolved from mining and weaving to the manufacturing of the non-lithium vanadium flow batteries of today. I see the Scotland of innovators at first hand whenever I go out and visit community groups and businesses in the constituency. As I have said, Bathgate is host to the only non-lithium vanadium UK-based battery manufacturer, and in the coming weeks the cap and floor scheme decided by Ofgem could create long-lasting industrial jobs in the heart of Scotland. From steam power to green power, my constituency has been a hub of engineering and energy for centuries, and where Sir James Young Simpson left off, Catalent Pharma Solutions continues with medical manufacturing in Bathgate today.”
“The estate is also home to the beautiful walled garden and orchard where His Majesty the King planted an apple tree in 2023 to celebrate 100 years of the estate becoming a public park. The experimental spirit does not stop with James Watt, however. Sir James Young Simpson experimented with spirits of his own, discovering and isolating the anaesthetic that we use in operations and medical procedures today. Thanks to his medical discovery, many millions of people the world over have been saved from suffering and life-threatening conditions. For that contribution, Sir James is also honoured with a memorial in Westminster Abbey, just across the road from here. Each of these pioneers is a reminder of what Scotland gives to the world, but what Scotland gives to us as Scots is a landscape that has fostered our people.”
“I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline and Dollar (Graeme Downie) on securing this debate and on his fantastic opening speech. The debate is an ideal opportunity to look at Scotland’s proud industrial heritage and contribution to the world. Although Scotland’s history and inventions are iconic the world over, the spirit of innovation and industry is very much alive in my constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow. The Kinneil estate in Bo’ness hosts Scottish history from across the centuries. As a UNESCO world heritage site, Kinneil has large parts of the Antonine wall running through it, alongside the labs of the esteemed James Watt. The ruined buildings in Kinneil are the labs where he tested his prototype steam engine.”
“Q10. In Blackburn in West Lothian, St Kentigern’s academy was part demolished due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, and it is being rebuilt at a cost of £35 million. West Lothian council found £20 million from its own stretched budget, but despite repeated pleas to the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, who called it a most deserving case, funding has not been delivered. Will the Prime Minister back my call for the Scottish Government to urgently fund the £15 million shortfall, and raise it with the First Minister in their next meeting?”
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to extend safeguards applied to pornography offline to pornography distributed online; and to legally require all pornography websites accessed from the UK to verify the age and permission of every individual featured on their platform — and give performers the right to withdraw their consent at any time to the continued publication of pornography in which they appear. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003138]”
“The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to extend safeguards applied to pornography offline to pornography distributed online; and to legally require all pornography websites accessed from the UK to verify the age and permission of every individual featured on their platform—and give performers the right to withdraw their consent at any time to the continued publication of pornography in which they appear. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow, Declares that pornography use is fuelling sexual violence; violence against women is prolific in mainstream pornography; and sexual coercion is inherent to the commercial production of pornography.”
“I present this petition on behalf of my constituents on day 8 of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism. Dangerous depictions of violence in offline pornography, such as in magazines, are rightly prohibited under UK law, yet no equivalent laws apply to online pornography, despite its scale and accessibility. The Internet Watch Foundation published over 290,000 reports, with 97% depicting violent child sexual abuse against girls.”
“Does the hon. Member accept that 75,000 jobs were lost from the oil and gas sector between 2016 and 2024, under the previous Conservative Government? Does he welcome the North sea jobs service, which this Government will bring in next year?”
“Many disabled drivers can only drive automatics, and many require larger cars to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids. I would therefore be grateful to the Minister for reassurance that any definition of “luxury car” will not just consider price, because doing so would limit the availability of larger vehicles, permanent adaptations and automatics. Some constituents are also concerned about the freezing of the tax thresholds beyond 2028, so I ask the Government to reconsider the extension if economic projections are consistently outperformed. Changing the country is not going to be easy, but this Labour Government are putting in the hard yards, through meaningful choices and a rejection of austerity and debt—building a country and an economy that works for everyone and leaves no one behind.”
“West Lothian council has just closed a public consultation on an additional £23 million in cuts over the next two years, on top of the £184 million cut since the SNP took power in 2007. That is £184 million cut from services in our towns and villages—services that our residents, including our most vulnerable citizens, rely on. There are no good choices. It is austerity on stilts, and it is wholly driven by the SNP Government. It is their political choice, and there are no excuses. This is a fair and balanced Budget, but I would like reassurance from Front Bench colleagues on a few points. Some constituents have flagged the Motability situation, especially in relation to the availability and affordability of automatic cars.”
“By bringing fairness back to pay, we rebuild financial resilience and protect more families from hardship. Thanks to the Budget, over 200,000 Scots will receive an above-inflation pay rise, including over 9,000 people across West Lothian and Falkirk. This puts more money in their pockets. The Government are also backing much needed investment in Scottish public services, with an extra £820 million taking the additional funding for the Scottish Government to over £10 billion since July 2024. That is the choice that this Government have made, yet Scots are not seeing the improvements that the funding should deliver, and councils are forced to find ever greater and more damaging cuts.”
“Prior to last Wednesday I wanted to see a Budget that tackled the cost of living crisis while delivering the investment that would allow people and businesses to prosper—not an easy task, but this Budget has delivered. With the removal of the two-child limit, in one policy change this Labour Government will directly benefit 1,700 children in my constituency. Scrapping the cap will be transformational to the life chances and outcomes of children across the country. People in my constituency welcome the £150 reduction in energy bills, with a £300 saving for those on the lowest incomes. That will ease pressure on household budgets. One of the biggest scandals of the 14 years of Tory government is the fact that so many people in work rely on welfare.”
“I thank my hon. Friend, and I thank the hon. Member for Reigate (Rebecca Paul) for securing the debate. At the beginning of her speech, my hon. Friend said that there were many vulnerable women in prisons, that over half of them had experienced domestic violence, and that many had experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse. That being the case, does she appreciate that having anyone other than biological females on the female estate risks re-traumatising already vulnerable women?”