Speeches by Joseph.

“Thank you, Minister, for your time. The role of local authorities is crucial. Do you accept that local authorities will not be able to deliver the measures needed to meet the CB7 target without appropriate powers and resources, including ringfenced funding?”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered water supply in Kent. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair this afternoon, Mr Twigg. I am grateful to colleagues for coming to the debate, but it is disappointing that we are having to have it at all, after the fourth incident—and the third major one—disrupting the supp…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered water supply in Kent. It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair this afternoon, Mr Twigg. I am grateful to colleagues for coming to the debate, but it is disappointing that we are having to have it at all, after the fourth incident—and the third major one—disrupting the supp…”

“I absolutely agree. There are many farmers in my constituency, and I have heard about the challenges they face when there are water shortages and they do not know when the water will come back—even the uncertainty is difficult for them. For businesses, loss of trade is not simply a temporary inconvenience; it can have …”

“Sitting adjourned.”

“I thank the Minister for all her work, and all my colleagues, who are united on this issue. I thank the local authorities that reached out to raise their concerns, including the leader of Ashford borough council, who is here to raise his concerns with us all. Many issues and impacts can be measured, but, as the shadow …”

“I absolutely agree. There are many farmers in my constituency, and I have heard about the challenges they face when there are water shortages and they do not know when the water will come back—even the uncertainty is difficult for them. For businesses, loss of trade is not simply a temporary inconvenience; it can have …”

“The Northern Ireland defence sector already makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting well-paid, highly skilled jobs right across the region, with at least 900 jobs directly supported. Does the Minister agree that, as well as benefiting national security, this new investment will benefit the wid…”

“Like many of my constituents, I have lost all faith in South East Water after its repeated failures to deliver adequate standards for customers in my constituency and across Kent. The latest incident left around 4,000 of my constituents having to cope for days with no water entirely, an intermittent supply or low water…”

“My final question is to Professor Sutton. Can you explain the difference between adverse and extreme heat? At what temperature do these health conditions get worse?”

“We need to raise awareness among the public not just two days before a heatwave but throughout the year. When you change your windows or your curtains that awareness needs to be there. We, as a community, have to be prepared for that heatwave, not raising awareness two days before it. I do not think that any of you hav…”

“We heard that in 2022, there were about 3,000 deaths related to heat. What is the data saying? Are those numbers on the rise, especially in the UK and Europe? We also have parts of the world where the temperature is even higher and humidity is high—all of these problems exist. What is the difference? They are managing …”

“Professor Howard Boyd, do you want to come in?”

“If I can stay focused on the health side, we heard from the previous panel, and from some of your comments, that the elderly population is more vulnerable. Is it just the elderly population that is vulnerable to extreme heat and, if so, why?”

“4. What assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of the defence growth deal on Northern Ireland.”

“It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mrs Barker. Emergency preparedness in east Kent is essential because the area contains major strategic entry points to the UK, including the port of Dover and the channel tunnel. Those vital gateways for trade and travel handle a significant proportion of the nation’s freight a…”

“We have already seen the difference that a Labour Government can make in improving our NHS. That is the result of the difficult choice that this Labour Government made to prioritise investment in the NHS and our other public services, but I know from my 22 years working in our health service that investment on its own …”

“Kent Fire and Rescue Service will shortly launch a consultation on its modernisation as a result of a shortfall in funding. As a former public sector worker, I recognise the importance of reforming our emergency services to ensure that they remain effective and efficient. It is equally vital that services respond to th…”

“My question follows on from the previous one, and you have already touched on it somewhat. We have received several submissions of written evidence from various local authorities, and almost all of them stated that they feel that local authorities do not have the resources or power, including money and clear direction …”

“It is a pleasure to be called to speak in the debate. I had the privilege of making my maiden speech during the last King’s Speech debate. Since then, I am proud to have supported 50 pieces of legislation that are helping to build a better Britain, deliver positive change for working people and, crucially, giving my co…”