Humanitarian Crisis and Cancer Plan Drive Commons Agenda

High-Level Summary

The Commons day began with a formal Humble Address seeking publication of the Cranston Inquiry report, before wide‑ranging DEFRA questions on farming, flooding and water regulation. The Solicitor General answered on grooming gangs, FGM, economic crime, jury trial reform and trafficking. Ministers then delivered major statements on Sudan and on a new National Cancer Plan, followed by a Business and Trade Committee statement on economic security. Backbench debates addressed road safety and the UK’s obligation to assess genocide risk in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the day concluded with an adjournment debate on NHS dentistry access and reform.

Detailed Summary

Business before Questions – Cranston Inquiry

The House agreed, without a division, to present a Humble Address requesting that the Government lay before the House the Cranston Inquiry report into the 23–24 November 2021 English Channel tragedy. The motion resolved that an Address be presented to direct “that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report, entitled The Cranston Inquiry… dated 5 February 2026”. No further debate or timetable was stated.

Oral Answers to Questions – Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Ministers outlined recent actions to support farming productivity and resilience. Emma Reynolds said the Government is working “to strengthen productivity, resilience and long-term food security” and listed recent allocations and programme extensions. On an EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, Angela Eagle said it aimed to remove barriers and the UK would not sign a deal “that is not in the UK’s interests”. Questions covered flood preparedness—condolences were offered and agencies praised, with assurances that weather risks were being monitored—and water infrastructure, where the White Paper proposes an integrated regulator and “MOT-style checks on pipes, pumps and other water infrastructure”. The Secretary of State added the Government is “moving away from the ‘fix on failure’ system” to one based on maintenance and resilience. On bills, Emma Hardy said, “People have every right to be frustrated about bill rises” and highlighted protections for vulnerable consumers. On executive pay, Emma Hardy said “we are therefore tightening transparency rules to shut down any attempt to dodge the bonus ban”. On veterinary reforms, Ministers said the consultation would modernise regulation, including “requiring vet practices to publish price lists for common treatments”. On domestic animal welfare, Angela Eagle said, “We are aware of the welfare issues around fireworks” and are reviewing evidence. In Topical Questions, Emma Reynolds said the water White Paper will “replace the one-size-fits-all approach with dedicated supervisory teams at every company,” citing United Utilities’ investment in Southport.

Oral Answers – Solicitor General

On grooming gangs, the Solicitor General reported a 25% rise in CPS child sexual abuse prosecutions over three years and pledged continued support for victims. She announced expansion of the victims’ right to review pilot, giving a second prosecutor’s review before certain cases are dropped. On FGM, she called it “an abhorrent practice”, noting multi‑agency pilots for protection orders and a ministerial roundtable in the spring. On economic crime, she cited strong conviction rates and the first prosecution for breach of financial sanctions. On court reform, she said “jury trials will remain the cornerstone of our justice system” while reforms aim to cut a backlog approaching 80,000; Sir Brian Leveson’s review suggested potential 20% time savings. She later said proposed judge‑only routes would affect “less than 2% of all criminal trial cases… and that includes offences such as rape” remaining with juries. She reiterated commitments on trafficking prosecutions, and on Palestine stated the UK’s commitment to international humanitarian law and that genocide determinations are for competent courts. No votes were taken.

Business of the House

Announcing forthcoming business, the Leader confirmed debates and Orders—including “Wednesday 11 February—Motions relating to the police grant and local government finance reports”—and that the House would rise on 12 February and return on 23 February. On the Mandelson/Epstein matter, the Leader said the Intelligence and Security Committee should receive requested material, stating, “I expect the ISC to get whatever it asks for, and in the form in which it asks for it”. He outlined steps taken: the Prime Minister has said Peter Mandelson should not remain in the Lords, legislation will be brought to remove the title, he will be removed from the Privy Council, and the matter has been referred to the Metropolitan Police. He noted extensive debate time had been facilitated during the week, and said the restoration and renewal costed proposals report would be published that afternoon. No divisions were called.

Statement – Sudan

The Foreign Secretary described the crisis as “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis” and detailed atrocities, famine risk and mass displacement. She announced a £20 million programme to support survivors of rape and sexual violence, cited UK humanitarian support—“we have committed £146 million to support over 800,000 people this year alone”—and set priorities: an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, accountability and a civilian-led transition. She said the UK would use its presidency of the UN Security Council to press for access and accountability and “ensure that the voices of Sudan’s women are heard”. The UK and Germany will co‑host a Berlin conference, and new sanctions target senior SAF/RSF figures and procurement networks. In questions, she emphasised working with Quad partners and the African Union, action against arms flows, and building civilian capacity. No vote was taken.

Statement – National Cancer Plan

The Public Health Minister launched the plan with an ambition to save “320,000 more lives by 2035”. Measures include genomics, AI, faster trials, liquid biopsies, and an NHS App prevention dashboard, alongside personalised cancer plans and named neighbourhood leads. There is a focus on rarer cancers and children and young people, including travel cost support: “we will fund those travel costs”. On delivery, she said a workforce plan covering cancer will be published in spring, and outlined investment in 28 new LINAC machines and AI‑assisted planning, plus streamlining for advanced radiotherapy. She also cited hospice investment and a forthcoming palliative care framework. Members pressed for clear milestones, workforce expansion, radiotherapy capacity and hospice support; the Minister referred to streamlined metrics, a federated data platform and sharing best practice. No decisions required a division.

Select Committee Statement – Economic Security

Publishing the Government’s response to its report, the Committee Chair said the UK “does not have an economic security regime that is fit for the future” and had proposed a blueprint to overhaul it. He welcomed progress on “clear principles” and tougher deterrents, but said measures fell short in areas such as threat forecasting, critical minerals and cyber standards. He criticised limited progress on foreign subsidies—“we simply do not think that there has been enough progress on controlling foreign subsidies”—and rejected the Government’s refusals to create central leadership, publish sovereign capabilities, update Managing Public Money for resilience, and create a cyber‑insurance backstop. He warned allies feared the UK was a weak link on economic security. No Government motion was before the House.

Backbench Business – Road Safety

Opening the debate, the mover linked personal tragedy to the need for systemic action, highlighting the ‘fatal five’ causes: “speeding, antisocial driving, mobile phone use, alcohol and drug use, and not wearing a seatbelt”. She welcomed the Government’s road safety strategy and consultation on measures including tougher penalties, a minimum learning period, a lower drink‑drive limit, and penalty points for seatbelts. She cited West Yorkshire’s ‘Vision Zero’ partnership and urged consideration of graduated driver licensing. Responding, the Roads Minister said the strategy aims to “reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured… by 65%” by 2035 and applies the ‘safe system’ with a new investigation branch. She confirmed updated speed guidance for councils, enforcement by police, consultation on a minimum learning period while protecting access to work and education, pilots on older driver eye tests, and drink/drug‑drive reforms. She will chair “a new road safety board” to monitor delivery, and said some measures need primary legislation while others can proceed by secondary legislation. The motion was agreed to without division.

Backbench Business – Occupied Palestinian Territories: Genocide Risk Assessment

The debate examined the UK’s obligations under the Genocide Convention to assess and act on a serious risk. The opening speech argued that the standard of “serious risk” triggers duties to prevent genocide before any court determination, and cited ministerial statements on siege tactics and humanitarian restrictions as evidence that the threshold had been met. Replying, the Minister said the Government had conducted an assessment “in accordance with our international legal obligations” and noted “the International Court of Justice has not yet made a finding of genocide”, affirming respect for the Court’s processes. The House resolved, without division, “That this House has considered the obligation to assess the risk of genocide…”.

Adjournment Debate – NHS Dentists

The Member for North Down highlighted severe access problems across the UK: long waits, practices not taking NHS patients, and some resorting to self‑treatment—“No MP can sleep easily in 2026 when British people are pulling out their own teeth at home”. He linked pressures to contract design, under‑funding, workforce burnout and inequality, and called for sustainable funding, contract reform prioritising prevention, and workforce measures. The Health Minister said the Government had inherited “a dental system in crisis,” citing an adult oral health survey and high levels of decay and gum disease. He outlined extra urgent access appointments weighted to high‑need areas, ‘golden hello’ recruitment incentives, and contract reforms from 1 April to embed urgent care and complexity‑based pathways. He pointed to expansion of the overseas registration exam capacity, water fluoridation, supervised toothbrushing and sugar reduction. No vote was taken.