Speeches by Morton.

“19. What steps she is taking through the criminal justice system to facilitate the removal of foreign national offenders from the UK.”

“Some 12% of the prison population in England and Wales are foreign national offenders, so what specific action is the Justice Secretary taking to remove FNOs from our prisons and return them to their countries, including through the use of the prisoner transfer agreements that were put in place by the previous Governme…”

“Thank you. That is fine.”

“Perfect. My sheets were printed off, so perhaps there is a new version.”

“You have a really good range of colleagues signed up to this, but for the Chamber we would normally be looking for a few more from the Government Benches. I could count only three.”

“RYR goes way beyond the south-west!”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Liverpool West Derby (Ian Byrne) for introducing the debate. We all agree that children’s hospices do absolutely amazing work, including Acorns in Walsall, which is a lifeline to families in my constituency. Much of its wo…”

“If funding for children’s hospices is to go through ICBs—I hope the Minister will take account of the sector’s view—what assurance can he give us that it will actually go to the children’s hospices? I fear that if we are not careful, we will pit one healthcare sector or charitable sector against another, and that would…”

“Recent events at the West Midlands Fire Authority, regarding failures of governance, leadership, financial discrepancies and staff grievances, highlight deep-rooted and troubling problems, and I am afraid there are too many unanswered questions. Will the Government ensure that there will be an independent and transpare…”

“The last Conservative Government ringfenced funding to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the delivery of a train station in Aldridge. Can the Secretary of State confirm that that is proceeding as planned and will be delivered by 2027, or has she signed away our ringfenced funding in favour of a wider Transport f…”

“T8. Across Aldridge-Brownhills, we have some fabulous girls’ football teams and the excellent Walsall Wood ladies football club at Oak Park active living centre, no doubt inspired by the Lionesses. The last Government committed funding to support women’s and girls’ football. Can the Minister confirm that that funding w…”

“18. What estimate she has made of the number of pensioners in poverty who will not be entitled to the winter fuel payment in winter 2024-25.”

“We saw a previous Labour Government sell off this country’s gold. We now have a Labour Government who are surrendering our sovereignty and giving away our territory. Has the Foreign Secretary had any specific discussions with the Chagossian people as part of the negotiations?”

“I remain deeply concerned about the pensioners in my constituency who will not be entitled to the winter fuel payment this winter—we are now into October. Given that we now know that just 14% of pensioners in absolute poverty receive pension credit, how can the Minister justify her Government’s claim that they are focu…”

“My hon. Friend makes an important point. It comes back to how this is about political choice, and I am here to stand up for my pensioners in my constituency. I also point out that it was the Conservative party in government that drove up pension credit applications by 73% in just 12 months. It is important that we do n…”

“Madam Deputy Speaker, “The winter fuel payment gave me peace of mind that I would be able to heat my home and stay warm during the winter”— not my words, but those of a constituent, and they are typical of the many comments I have received in my inbox and those I have heard when I have been out and about across my cons…”

“I will continue because I am conscious that others want to get the chance to speak. There is no time for older people on low incomes to set aside money—if they have it—to help them get through the winter. Being at home in the cold increases the risk of raised blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks and hypothermia. I did…”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend. I think he would acknowledge that Sutton Coldfield police station covers more than Sutton Coldfield. It also covers communities in my constituency, particularly in the Streetly area. The Labour police and crime commissioner’s closure programme has been going on for far too lo…”

“rose—”