MPs Hail Austen, Urge Community Audiology Reform

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall hosted two debates: one on Jane Austen’s cultural contribution marking the 250th anniversary of her birth, and another on community audiology. MPs celebrated Austen’s literary legacy, her strong links to Hampshire and Bath, and her continuing cultural and economic impact; the Government response highlighted adaptations, tourism and promoting reading. The audiology debate set out the scale and effects of hearing loss, variability in access and data gaps, and pressed for community-based, self‑referral models with stronger national oversight; Ministers supported wider self‑referral, expansion of community diagnostics, promised a workforce plan in spring 2026 and a response to the Kingdon review next year. Both motions were agreed without a division.

Detailed Summary

Backbench Business: Jane Austen — cultural contribution

What it was about: Luke Murphy (Basingstoke) led a debate marking Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, celebrating her legacy, connections to Hampshire and Bath, and wider cultural and economic impact. He argued for Austen’s literary importance—“Put simply, Austen reshaped the English novel” [ref: a456.1/7]—and asked what Government would do to celebrate her legacy and support female authors [ref: a458.1/4].

Who spoke and key points: Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) emphasised Chawton’s role and visitor numbers, noting Jane Austen’s House had “55,000 visitors, a third of whom were from overseas” this year [ref: a459.1/8], and that “The significance of Austen as a novelist can hardly be overstated” [ref: a459.1/4]. Members reflected on Austen’s social commentary and women’s agency—e.g., Katrina Murray cited, “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures” [ref: a462.1/3]—and Bath’s role (Wera Hobhouse), including concern that “only 5% of GCSE pupils studied a text authored by a women for GCSE literature in 2024” [ref: a463.0/8]. Wendy Chamberlain highlighted Austen’s literary innovation, quoting that she “did things with fiction…with characterisation, with dialogue…that had never been done before” [ref: a468.0/15]. Louie French stressed enduring moral themes: “It is not what we say or think that defines us, but what we do” [ref: a471.0/3]. Minister Chris Bryant referenced adaptations, tourism and Arts Council support [ref: a473.1/13], and urged reading: “Above all, I want us just to celebrate novels” [ref: a473.1/25].

Outcome and next steps: The motion was agreed to: “That this House has considered the cultural contribution of Jane Austen” [ref: a477.0/8]. No specific Government commitments beyond general support for reading and cultural tourism were stated (further actions not stated in the transcript).

Community audiology

What it was about: Danny Beales (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) opened a debate on hearing services, arguing hearing loss is widespread and consequential, and that services suit community delivery. “Hearing loss is a serious issue—it is not a mild inconvenience” [ref: a479.2/4]. He described audiology as a “‘Cinderella’ service…often overlooked, undervalued and underfunded” [ref: a479.2/17], noted that “NHS England recently decided to stop referral-to-treatment waiting time reporting for audiology services” [ref: a479.2/24], and called for a national commissioning framework, quality assurance, wider self-referral, workforce investment and equitable earwax removal: “Wax removal is a simple, basic procedure” [ref: a479.2/23].

Who spoke and key points: Sir Edward Leigh pointed to economic and workforce impacts, citing that “untreated hearing loss costs the UK economy around £30 billion per year” [ref: a484.3/1] and that “Nearly one in 10 clinical posts in audiology are currently vacant” [ref: a484.3/4]. Richard Foord highlighted transition problems and waits: “38% of people were waiting six weeks or more for audiology appointments” [ref: a486.0/7]. ENT surgeon Peter Prinsley advocated community, not‑for‑profit provision with robust follow‑up and cautioned, “We need to be cautious about the quality of community audiology provision” [ref: a489.1/3]. Danny Chambers linked hearing loss to dementia risk and delays, noting “with 40% of patients waiting more than six weeks” for initial assessment [ref: a491.1/4]. Luke Evans queried self‑referral and data, urging reinstatement of RTT reporting [ref: a492.2/11]. Minister Stephen Kinnock said, “We want more self-referral” [ref: a495.0/8], announced, “The workforce plan is coming in the spring of 2026” [ref: a495.0/11], pledged a response to the Kingdon review next year [ref: a497.1/1], and pointed to expanded community diagnostics with “136,000 tests in October—the highest number of audiology tests for a single month” [ref: a497.1/3].

Outcome and next steps: The motion was agreed to: “That this House has considered community audiology” [ref: a498.0/8]. The Government indicated next steps including promoting self‑referral and community diagnostics, publishing a workforce plan in spring 2026, and issuing a response to the Kingdon review next year.