Speeches by Swallow.

“Thames Water has spent thousands of hours dumping sewage into the River Blackwater in Sandhurst and the Cut in Bracknell. Under this Government, it has been hit by the largest fine ever and its bonuses have been blocked, but now it seems to think that it should be allowed to get away with giving its bosses bonuses—that…”

“It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Sir Edward. SEND comes up in every surgery I hold, every time I knock on doors and at every coffee morning, as it will for hon. Members on both sides of the House. I hear heartbreaking stories of parents fighting to get the support their children need. Families in Bracknel…”

“I am proud that Bracknell Forest is involved in the Afghan resettlement programme, and is offering transitional support to the brave Afghans who risked their life to support our troops. Any such scheme depends on public trust, so it is concerning to hear that under the Conservative Government, we instead had secrecy, s…”

“The Climate Change Committee says that the UK should be proud of its approach to consistent and sustained decarbonisation, but there is much more to do. This week, Bracknell Forest Community Climate Action is hosting a summit to discuss what can be done locally to address climate change and support nature. Does the Min…”

“Will the hon. Member give way?”

“I would like to clear up what this Prime Minister and Government have done. They have expanded eligibility for free school meals to include more than 3,000 children in Bracknell Forest; expanded Best Start family hubs, which is something the previous Government never funded in Bracknell Forest; expanded the warm home s…”

“16. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Climate Change Committee’s report entitled “Progress in reducing emissions”, published on 25 June 2025.”

“21. What steps she is taking to reform the leasehold system.”

“Through the Government’s landmark Renters’ Rights Bill, we are doing much to address the inequities of the rental sector for constituents in Bracknell and across the country—for instance, we are extending the right to request a pet. Now the Government are turning our attention to reforming leasehold. My right hon. Frie…”

“My hon. Friend the Member for Bolton North East (Kirith Entwistle) mentioned what happened with Bolton Wanderers. Fans of Reading FC across Berkshire, including in Bracknell, experienced something similar when they were able to support the club to be saved from an unfit owner. Does the Secretary of State agree that it …”

“When Heathrow airport sets out its growth plans, a key component of them will be the plans for improved access by public transport. Will the Secretary of State urge it to look at the southern rail link, which should run through my constituency specifically, of course? It could have huge benefits across the south-east a…”

“T8. The nationally recognised BRAVE—Building Resilience and Valuing Emotions—programme supported adult survivors of domestic abuse in Berkshire, but after our Conservative police and crime commissioner cut its funding by 25%, the scheme was left unviable. Does the Minister share my deep disappointment about this cut?”

“The previous Conservative Government did not give a penny to Bracknell Forest council to deliver early years support through family hubs. Can the Secretary of State confirm that she will end that injustice? Bracknell families need that support too—for SEND and speech and language, as well as health support. It is so de…”

“The cost of this deal is equivalent to a quarter of 1% of our defence budget, and that is in the context of a Government who have made the highest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war. When the Minister speaks to our international friends and allies, what is their message about the work that we are…”

“Dr Stephenson, can we draw out from your answer to that question that you would like to see the EHRC doing more thematic inquiries into specific issues?”

“Thank you, Dr Stephenson; you have opened up the window to my follow-up, which is to ask you specifically about not the EHRC but the ECHR. I get those two confused every day. You are aware that the Lord Chancellor recently spoke in front of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg about the ECHR. To quote her, “The Eur…”

“If you come in and we get the final code of practice before you take up your position as chair, but you find that there are significant issues when it is being implemented or you feel that the process was not handled in a fair way—such as in listening to both sides, as you set out—would you feel empowered to take a sec…”

“There is a specific point here; this is where the question of Article 8 and trans people’s privacy came up in the Women and Equalities Select Committee briefing. My question is about the draft guidance and the proposed changes to Chapter 2, which set out the circumstances in which it would, according to the draft code …”

“I think you touched on this in a previous answer, Dr Stephenson, but it is important that we set it out. Again, you will be aware that it is a question that many of those watching have concerns about. You will be aware that both of our committees have received hundreds of letters and emails from transgender people and …”

“Thank you so much, Dr Stephenson. I want to ask you a specific question that I know that many of those watching will want to know the answer to, given your responses on wanting to see a broader range of commissioners. I ask this with the caveat that I am really aware that it is a reductive view to suggest that, just be…”