Speeches by Easton.

“The ability to access GPs and maintain face-to-face appointments is a pressing issue that affects not just my constituency of North Down but constituencies across the UK. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, considerable inequalities exist in access to GP services. Evidence indicates that Northern Irel…”

“Although the figure in Northern Ireland has recently increased to 57%, the disparity remains worrying. I am confident that every MP aspires to see good access to GP services throughout the UK and to preserve the essential interactions within GP care that are vital to the health and wellbeing of our nation. GPs are ofte…”

“I totally agree with everything the hon. Member says. There are areas across the UK where there are inequalities in people’s access to GPs, and there needs to be a level playing field across the board. We must consider value for money. Evidence indicates that every £1 invested in GP services yields a £14 return for the…”

“I totally agree. There is no point in building new houses if we are not going to put in the infrastructure, including health infrastructure and GPs. While I welcome initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining GPs, it is concerning that in Northern Ireland we have recruited only 121 GPs when we need 161 merely to rest…”

“I agree, and perhaps the Minister will take that point on board in looking at how we can improve our GP services. One of the significant challenges across the UK is the shortage of GPs, which inevitably leads to longer waiting times and, unfortunately, sometimes to a compromised quality of care.”

“Q3. There are significant concerns regarding the potential job losses at Spirit AeroSystems that stem from the deal with Airbus. Will the Prime Minister intervene to bring all the main players—the unions, the Business Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland—around the table to ensure that these jobs a…”

“I thank the hon. Member for securing this debate on a really big issue in Northern Ireland, where the waiting list for assessment is five years for children and eight years for adults. We have the added complication—I do not know whether this is the same in the rest of the UK—that schools will not accept a private diag…”

“Will the Minister set up a meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to consider creating a trade fair focusing on trade between Northern Ireland businesses and Scottish businesses? That would create networks, would possibly create jobs, and would be great for the economy in both Northern Ireland and Sco…”

“6. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on improving economic co-operation between Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

“Does the Minister agree that probation services in North Down and across the UK often exceed their duties, providing extensive support to individuals in need? Furthermore, does he agree that it is essential to allocate resources for substance abuse treatment, so that young offenders have access to personalised services…”

“Does the hon. Member agree that Britain already has very liberal abortion laws? It is double the 12-week average in any member of the European Union. Polling by Savanta ComRes, a highly respected polling company, has shown that 70% of women support a reduction in the abortion time limit, and 91% want an explicit ban on…”

“Economic growth has been severely damaged as a result of the Northern Ireland protocol and the Windsor framework. The new EU arrangement will enable animals and food to travel unfettered between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Why was manufacturing not included in that arrangement, and when will the customs pr…”

“Does the hon. Member agree that part of the issue is the use of antibiotics, to which UTIs are becoming immune? The medical profession cannot keep up with treatments, and there is a case for better education of the general public in terms of sanitisation. I know it is possible to get UTIs in different ways, but it woul…”

“I join in the condemnation from across the political spectrum in this House and from the Minister of the comments from this group, which are abhorrent, evil and twisted. Does the Minister agree that any local government authorities—I think especially of Belfast city council—that are allowing groups such as these to use…”

“Does the Minister agree that counselling services are crucial in supporting female offenders as they address trauma, addiction and mental health challenges? Furthermore, will she join me in commending the charity uHub in my constituency for its exceptional counselling services for young women?”

“Can the Secretary of State give safeguards for the benefits of the UK industrial strategy, such as economic growth, innovation, and research and development, against the adverse effects of the Windsor framework?”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. We gather today to recognise an organisation that exemplifies the values of service, sacrifice and solidarity—principles that are timeless yet often overlooked in our fast-paced world. The Royal British Legion stands as a testimony to those principles, and …”

“Thank you for your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. Does the hon. Member agree that the sixfold burden on horticultural trade, encompassing regulatory divergence, sanitary and phytosanitary checks, certification requirements, increased costs and paperwork, is imposing an untenable strain on businesses across Northern Ireland?”

“Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the significance of the origins of St Patrick, a British saint born in Roman Britain, possibly near the end of the 4th century, combined with his lasting contributions to religion, culture and history across the United Kingdom, underscore the value of recognising a UK national holiday…”

“I, too, thank the hon. Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister) for bringing forward this Bill. Indeed, I felt it was so important that I was up at 4 o’clock this morning to fly from Northern Ireland to get here to support it. Our most precious responsibility is the safeguarding of our children, who are t…”