Westminster Hall Presses for Resilience and Fairness Across Britain

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held five debates on coastal deprivation, support for rugby in schools, preparedness for extreme heat, overseas expenses rates for travelling employees, and support for pig farmers. MPs from coastal and rural areas detailed isolation, high transport costs, funding formulas, and health inequalities, while others raised school sport access, climate adaptation, and cost‑of‑living pressures on travelling staff. Ministers set out existing programmes and plans, including Pride in Place allocations, a reweighted local government settlement, a planned transport poverty tool, development of school sport partnerships, and a review of HMRC benchmark subsistence rates. On pig farming, the Minister pointed to fair dealing regulations, biosecurity measures and forthcoming engagement with the National Pig Association. Most debates concluded with the House considering the matter; the extreme heat debate lapsed on time.

Detailed Summary

Coastal Communities: Isolation and Hidden Deprivation

Richard Quigley (Isle of Wight West) opened by highlighting high ferry costs, dispersed deprivation and poorer health outcomes on the Isle of Wight, saying, “the cost of a return car ferry rose to over £500, due to dynamic pricing” and citing research on an “island premium… estimating an added cost of £380 per resident every year”. Members from across the UK raised rural transport gaps, youth access to education, ageing populations, masked deprivation and calls for better connectivity and fairer funding.

Minister Nesil Caliskan outlined current support and future plans. She said Pride in Place has “£6 billion… allocated for long-term investment,” with “50 coastal communities… collectively [benefitting] from more than £1 billion”. She noted a funding settlement so that “by 2028-29, the top 10% of most deprived areas will receive 45% more funding per head”, announced development of “a new transport poverty tool”, and referred to housing measures including abolishing the furnished holiday lets tax regime. The debate concluded with, “Resolved, That this House has considered isolation and hidden deprivation in coastal communities.”.

Rugby in Schools

Edward Morello (West Dorset) argued that rugby supports attainment and social development and needs stronger school–club pathways and facilities. He warned that “over the last 24 years, 174 amateur clubs have disappeared” but said the sport delivers major social value: “During the 2023-24 season alone, rugby generated over £2.03 billion in value”. He urged better access in state schools, inclusive non‑contact formats and investment in facilities and coaching.

Replying for the Government, Josh MacAlister backed inclusive formats such as tag/T1 rugby and stressed equal access for girls. He said the new PE partnership approach is “designed around bringing their expertise in to support schools,” reducing burdens on teachers. The motion was agreed to: “Question put and agreed to.”.

Extreme Heat: Preparedness

Adrian Ramsay (Waveney Valley) said recent heatwaves exposed systemic risks to health, infrastructure, food, and water security, calling for cross‑Government leadership: “Britain needs a heat resilience strategy that is led from the Cabinet Office”. He cited “around 2,700 heat-related deaths” in May–June and described extreme heat as a “silent killer”. He referenced estimated productivity losses of “at least £2.36 billion” in the June 2026 heatwave and annual adaptation needs of “around £11 billion”.

Minister Angela Eagle set out mitigation and adaptation actions, stating that “The Government have put clean energy and climate action at the heart of their agenda… [to] reduce emissions by at least 81% by 2035”. On adaptation planning, she said Government are “building our resilience for a minimum of 2% of warming by 2050” and referred to strengthening cross‑Government work under the Climate Change Act. The debate timed out: “Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).”.

Employees Travelling Outside the UK: Expenses Rate

Peter Lamb (Crawley) called for HMRC’s overseas subsistence benchmark rates to be updated, noting obsolete guidance and inflation erosion; he pointed out that rates for Zagreb are “listed in Croatian kuna”. He relayed staff experiences that current allowances fall short, including that “the allowance provided does not cover even the most basic meals”.

Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson confirmed action: “we will review both the OSRs and the benchmark scale rates”, consider options “to simplify the OSRs” into bands after consultation, and aim to “conclude in time for the Budget”. The motion was agreed to: “Question put and agreed to.”.

Support for Pig Farmers

Harriet Cross (Gordon and Buchan) outlined a sustained downturn driven by oversupply, EU price pressures, processing constraints and rising costs. She said the standard pig price fell “from about 208p per kilo in August 2025 to 178p per kilo now”, with some independents receiving “just 130p to 140p per kilo”. She highlighted biosecurity risks, particularly African swine fever, and urged urgent Ministerial engagement with the National Pig Association.

Minister Stephen Morgan said he is “meeting with the National Pig Association tomorrow”, explained that the Agriculture Act section 21 intervention “is not currently met” as conditions differ from 2021, and pointed to enforcement of Fair Dealing Obligations by “the agricultural supply chain adjudicator”. On biosecurity, he said personal imports of EU pork are prohibited and over “£14 million” has been provided to the Dover Port Health Authority since 2022. The debate concluded: “Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for pig farmers.”.