Speeches by Macdonald.

“I welcome the frankness that the Government have brought to their assessment of the situation and the setting out of clear measures. As we have heard, criminal gangs are causing untold misery to people all around the world. Will the Home Secretary expand on the measures that we are taking with European neighbours in pa…”

“I welcome the Minister’s statement. This week the Select Committee heard compelling evidence, including about the important role of the Sudanese diaspora, and not only in the UK but in other countries. The Minister has rightly recognised the importance of listening to civil society organisations and working with them i…”

“This is a very important debate in which we have acknowledged the scale of the issue and the epidemic of violence that women face every single day. Because of time, I will just highlight three crucial points domestically and reflect briefly on the international situation. First, we have to invest in organisations on th…”

“Picking up on those points and moving on to the aid delivery and the UK’s package in particular, you have outlined some of the mechanisms where aid can be delivered and make the most impact, such as the Emergency Response Rooms. Will, building on your point, are there other mechanisms you would point to? We have talked…”

“Picking up on those points and moving on to the aid delivery and the UK’s package in particular, you have outlined some of the mechanisms where aid can be delivered and make the most impact, such as the Emergency Response Rooms. Will, building on your point, are there other mechanisms you would point to? We have talked…”

“Thank you. I have one final question for Alsanosi. Is there anything you want to add in terms of how the response could be scaled up to you? That would be helpful. In terms of all the people you are working with, what is their feeling at the moment? Obviously they are doing a lot to deliver lifesaving work, but are peo…”

“We heard just before that 700 lorries have come in today. Are you feeling that things might be improving with that kind of announcement, or not really?”

“That is an important point on diplomacy, which I know we will pick up on. Claire, can I get your reflections? My other question is how do you see—this might be one to follow-up later—the UK’s package of support and the programmes it is delivering compared with some of the other countries perhaps in the EU that are maki…”

“Innovation plays a key role in tackling hunger. Can the Minister expand on what efforts we are taking to tackle hunger and how we are supporting innovators such as Alora, based at Norwich Research Park, which is using revolutionary technology to create the world’s first ocean agriculture system?”

“Thank you. I have one final question for Alsanosi. Is there anything you want to add in terms of how the response could be scaled up to you? That would be helpful. In terms of all the people you are working with, what is their feeling at the moment? Obviously they are doing a lot to deliver lifesaving work, but are peo…”

“We heard just before that 700 lorries have come in today. Are you feeling that things might be improving with that kind of announcement, or not really?”

“That is an important point on diplomacy, which I know we will pick up on. Claire, can I get your reflections? My other question is how do you see—this might be one to follow-up later—the UK’s package of support and the programmes it is delivering compared with some of the other countries perhaps in the EU that are maki…”

“8. What steps her Department is taking to help prevent young people from becoming involved in violent crime.”

“I thank the Minister for meeting me recently. As she says, too many young people are being drawn into county lines, suffering exploitation and violence. This is a significant problem across the country, including in Norwich. Many organisations are working hard locally to improve the situation, such as the Joe Dix Found…”

“In summer 2023, I spoke to Rachel, who suffers from endometriosis. She was told that she might have to wait 18 months for urgent surgery. She is still waiting. In fact, she has had the menopause induced to help tackle her symptoms. Can the Minister tell me what the Government are doing to improve the diagnosis and trea…”

“On Friday I met members of the 17th Norwich scout group as part of UK Parliament Week, and they had lots of questions on transport. They are particular concerned about the reliability and availability of buses. Could the Secretary of State expand on how today’s announcement will support young people and how we can ensu…”

“When I spoke to the chief constable of Norfolk constabulary recently, he told me that if a suspect were arrested and charged today with a serious sexual offence such as rape, the Crown court trial could commence in the spring of 2026, which is more than a year away. That is totally unacceptable. What can the Minister d…”

“8. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle violence against women and girls.”

“Yes, thank you; it is very powerful testimony. You mentioned at the beginning that about 60% of the people you were seeing were women and children. Can you expand a little more on the effects on women and children—for example, presumably there would be pregnant women coming in—and the challenges you were seeing, partic…”

“Emina, we have been talking for a long time about famine looming and starvation looming large. There is still a high risk of famine. At what point is starvation deemed a weapon of war under international law? Do you think that is what is happening right now?”