Westminster Hall debateWestminster HallTuesday, 2 June 202609:30

Future of community pharmacies

Backbench debate (separate chamber, no votes)

Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton and Minehead) is leading a Westminster Hall debate on the future of community pharmacies. The debate will examine the viability and role of community pharmacy services, likely touching on funding pressures, staffing, and access to medicines in local areas. This is an exploratory debate rather than a legislative proposal, allowing MPs to air concerns and call for government action on pharmacy sustainability.

Community pharmacies are under acute financial and operational strain, with hundreds closing in recent years. The debate matters because pharmacies are often the first port of call for healthcare advice in deprived and rural communities, and their collapse threatens access to medicines and reduces pressure on NHS GP services. The outcome could shape government policy on pharmacy funding and regulation.

Health & NHS Economy & Jobs (General)Local Government

MPs most likely to speak

Dr Caroline JohnsonConservative and Unionist Party

Sleaford and North Hykeham

Shadow Health and Social Care — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, economy-jobs, local-government (393 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: questioning, health: opposed, health: supportive (30pts)Voting record

Chris BryantLabour Party

Rhondda and Ogmore

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, economy-jobs, local-government (337 times, 40pts); Known positions: technology: supportive, economy-jobs: supportive, economy-jobs: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Karin SmythLabour Party

Bristol South

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, economy-jobs, local-government (223 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: supportive, health: neutral, health: opposed (30pts)Voting record

Stephen KinnockLabour Party

Aberafan Maesteg

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, economy-jobs, local-government (225 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: supportive, health: neutral, health: opposed (30pts)Voting record

David SimmondsConservative and Unionist Party

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

Shadow Levelling Up — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, economy-jobs, local-government (321 times, 40pts); Known positions: local-government: questioning, local-government: opposed, local-government: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Future of community pharmacies

MPs most likely to speak

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