Use the Autumn Budget to lower electricity prices
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by the MCS Foundation.
Dear Chancellor,
Subject: Use the Autumn Budget to lower electricity prices
The cost of living crisis is still hitting millions of households across Britain. Prices remain high, and the latest rise in the Energy Price Cap will only make things worse. The public wants to see action to reduce energy bills, which now ranks as the most worrying household expense amongst the population.
Britain has some of the highest electricity costs in Europe. A significant factor in keeping prices high is the social and environmental levies placed directly on households’ electricity bills. These levies make up 18% of a typical household’s electricity bill and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. Households reliant on direct electric heating, such as electric radiators and fan heaters, are more likely to be in fuel poverty – yet they pay a far higher proportion of their income funding social and environmental levies.
Research from The MCS Foundation shows that moving these levies off electricity prices could save households, including those on direct electric heating and those with heat pumps, up to £300 on their bills.
Reducing the cost of electricity has the dual benefit of tackling fuel poverty while providing a significant financial incentive for households to electrify - a necessity for tackling climate change and meeting our net-zero obligations.
Social and environmental levies were introduced to raise revenue to support those in fuel poverty and boost renewable energy. While these areas are still in critical need of funding, retaining levies on electricity is now running directly counter to these initial aims, by disincentivising the switch away from fossil fuel heating.
While we appreciate that there are political and economic challenges that must be overcome, we believe now is the time for bold action. We urge you to use the Autumn Budget to reduce bills and incentivise electrification. There’s no time to waste.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by the MCS Foundation.
Every Pair Tells a Story
3rd of November 2025
I was pleased to stand with families at Every Pair Tells a Story outside Norfolk County Hall this morning. Seeing those empty shoes lined up was infuriating, because each one represents a child who has been failed by a system that should protect and support them. We cannot allow these stories to continue. Norfolk and Suffolk's children deserve better, and I will keep pressing both the government and our County Councils to deliver the changes needed to ensure every child gets the support and school place they need.
Letter to the Prime Minister Ahead of COP30
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this letter along with Sian Berry MP, Carla Denyer MP and Dr Ellie Chowns MP.
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
31 October 2025
Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing ahead of COP30 to urge that you use the UK’s influence to ensure an ambitious outcome consistent with avoiding the most catastrophic climate impacts. This year’s COP summit is taking place at a pivotal moment in history - just past the mid-point in what’s a critical decade for climate and nature action.
The state of nature, biodiversity and ecosystems are deteriorating more rapidly than ever, and global temperatures continue to climb at a terrifyingly dangerous rate. The combined effect is devastating for the life support systems on which we all depend, and therefore also for our security, for our economic, social and political stability, and for everything from our food supplies to our health and wellbeing.
The UN Secretary General has called the fossil fuel companies the godfathers of climate chaos and the IPCC warn that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. Yet COP30 is taking place against a backdrop of continued financial support from governments for the fossil fuel industry – including an estimated £17.5 billion every year here in the UK.
At the same time, the poorest peoples of the world, with the least historic responsibility for climate emissions, continue to bear the brunt of climate breakdown. It is vital that the decisions made at COP30 do not further perpetuate climate injustice.
And with this year marking the start of a new round of Nationally Determined Contributions, COP30 is critical to closing the 1.5°C delivery gap and other gaps – as the UN Secretary General said in his remarks of 27th October 2025:
We need Nationally Determined Contributions that cut emissions much more deeply and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. At COP30 in Brazil, we must go further and faster to close the ambition gap. We need more ambition in adaptation, mitigation and climate financial justice.
We warmly welcome your attendance at COP30 and hope your leadership will include advocating for:
A Climate Damages Tax – a “polluters pay” tax on the extraction of fossil fuels in the world’s richest advanced economies.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – a framework to manage the global transition to safe, renewable & affordable energy for all.
Climate Justice – a climate finance package made up primarily of public funded grants funds, accompanied by debt cancellation measures, and that enables countries in the Global South to reduce their emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change and meet the costs associated with loss and damage.
A global Just Transition - negotiators must stop blocking progress towards a Belém Action Mechanism (BAM).
An action plan to end forest destruction by 2030 - voluntary initiatives have failed to halt and reverse deforestation or to stop forest degradation, and substantive, structural change is needed to ensure existing forest commitments are met in an efficient, just and equitable way.
The UK’s global leadership should also be matched with ambitious domestic action as evidence of leading by example.
So we also call on you to back national measures that are aligned with the priorities of a successful COP30, and signal to the rest of the world that the UK is prepared to do its fair share in closing the gap between what the climate science demands and current emissions projections. Specifically, we urge you to:
End handouts to fossil fuel companies - use the forthcoming Budget to stop tax reliefs, investment allowances and subsidies, and to close loopholes in the ban on UK overseas finance supporting fossil fuels.
Play fair on climate finance – this must not come at the expense of overseas development aid, must be new government money, must not increase debt burdens, and must reflect the UK’s historic responsibilities.
Back the Energy Jobs Bill - to invest in British jobs and a just transition for workers in the oil and gas sector.
Deliver climate justice at home – with policies that ensure the poorest in our communities do not bear the financial brunt of climate action.
Keep your promise on no new oil and gas – by rejecting Rosebank, Jackdaw, other new extraction proposals and all new use of tie-backs – and go even further by refusing development consent for oil and gas projects that have already been licensed.
Step up on climate adaptation – with a national climate resilience plan and a sixth Government mission on adaptation that reflects the CCC’s advice of 15th October 2025.
Whilst we recognise that the UK and the world are making significant strides towards a carbon free economy, this is still accompanied by plans to produce more than double the quantity of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with holding global temperature rises to 1.5C above preindustrial levels.
This collective failure is driving climate breakdown.
COP 30 is an opportunity to change course – to choose transformative action that tackles injustice and inequality alongside greenhouse gas emissions.
We trust you will recognise this decisive moment by ramping up your ambition still further, in order to help secure a liveable future for all.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this letter along with Sian Berry MP, Carla Denyer MP and Dr Ellie Chowns MP.
Gentoo penguins at Sea Life London
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by David Taylor MP.
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: Urgent review of the welfare of Gentoo penguins at SEA LIFE London Aquarium
We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, are writing to express our deep concern regarding the welfare of fifteen Gentoo penguins currently kept at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, a short walk from Parliament. In light of the growing public concern, we respectfully request that DEFRA conduct an independent review into whether the current conditions meet the highest standards of animal welfare and, if necessary, intervene to secure a more appropriate environment for these animals.
Recent reports have highlighted that the penguins are housed in a windowless basement enclosure, with no access to natural light or fresh air, and that the pool depth is around six to seven feet, which is far shallower than the environments Gentoo penguins experience in the wild. Concerns have been raised by respected conservationists, including Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, who argue that such an environment cannot adequately support the species’ natural behaviours.
As Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, we share a collective commitment to animal welfare. All political parties in this great nation value the protection of animals as a reflection of our shared compassion and sense of moral duty. The United Kingdom has a proud record in this area, from the Hunting Act 2004, which banned the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, to the ongoing work to strengthen welfare protections for both domestic and wild animals. The 2024 General Election manifesto commitments to phase out animal testing, ban the use of snares, end the import of hunting trophies, and strengthen protections for wildlife reflect the continued importance placed on these issues across Parliament.
In that spirit, we respectfully ask that DEFRA:
Commission an independent welfare assessment of the Gentoo penguin enclosure at SEA LIFE London, involving external veterinary and zoological specialists. Evaluate the facility’s compliance with both the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as well the likelihood of compliance with the revised zoo Standards entering into force in May 2027, with particular focus on light, air quality, pool depth, and enrichment.
Consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs. Publish the findings of this review to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in welfare standards.
We wish to make clear that this is not an adversarial request but a constructive one, recognising the Government’s strong record on animal welfare and DEFRA’s expertise in safeguarding species under human care. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that the United Kingdom continues to lead the world in setting and upholding exemplary welfare standards.
We would be grateful for your response outlining the Department’s intended course of action and the anticipated timeframe for review.
Kind Regards,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by David Taylor MP.
End Starvation as a Weapon of War
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Action Against Hunger UK.
The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
October 2025
Dear Secretary of State,
We are writing to urge the UK Government to ratify the 2019 Amendment to Article 8(2)(e)(xix) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which criminalises the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in non-international armed conflicts. As you take up this role, we hope you will seize the opportunity to strengthen the UK’s leadership in driving international accountability for such crimes.
The UK rightly supported the adoption of this amendment at the Assembly of States Parties in December 2019. However, the UK is yet to ratify it, and is therefore failing to implement its support to the ICC’s jurisdiction on this matter. At a time when starvation is being used as a method of warfare in so many conflict zones around the world - from the systematic denial of humanitarian aid to targeting food production and besieging populations - it is vital that the UK strengthens its commitment to ending these abhorrent practices.
The UK implemented the Rome Statute via the International Criminal Court Act 2001. The Act currently only criminalises starvation as a method of warfare in the context of international armed conflicts. Ratifying the 2019 amendment would send a vital signal of the UK’s intent to uphold international law and to support global accountability efforts to ensure this is illegal in non-international armed conflicts, such as civil wars.
Ratification would:
Reinforce the UK’s long-standing support for accountability and international justice
Further implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2417, which calls for action against the use of starvation in conflict
Bolster the rules-based international order and strengthen norms against impunity
Underscore the UK’s global leadership in protecting civilians, particularly the most vulnerable
Encourage other states to follow suit and build international consensus.
We note that 21 countries have already ratified this amendment, including Germany, New Zealand, the
Netherlands, and Spain. UK ratification would send a powerful message of resolve and leadership. Ratification
will require primary legislation to ensure national compliance. Ratification is a necessary and timely step in
aligning the UK’s legal framework with the UK Government’s stated values and international commitments.
We respectfully request that the Government bring forward legislation to enable the UK’s timely ratification.
We look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Action Against Hunger UK.
Why we urgently need more banking hubs in Suffolk
29th of October 2025
Recently spoke in a debate in Parliament about an issue affecting communities across Waveney Valley and beyond: the urgent need for more banking hubs in rural areas. Nationwide, an average of 53 bank branches have closed every month since 2015 and over 85% of banks across Waveney Valley have shut during that same period. This situation is not sustainable.
With advances in technology, banking has become easier for many people. But not everyone can, or wants to, bank online. Many people still prefer face-to-face contact, and many small businesses depend on handling cash safely. As you all know, getting reliable broadband and mobile signals in parts of the constituency can be hard at the best of times, so it is not realistic to expect everyone to "just use the app".
Access to banking should never depend on owning a smartphone or having a fast internet connection. That is why banking hubs are invaluable. They bring physical access that so many people rely on.
In Halesworth, the recent closure of the post office that was housed in Coopers has really affected access to banking. This will be made worse when Barclays, which has been operating a weekly pop-up at the library for some time, closes its service in December as well. Alongside our Green councillors I have been urging the post office to prioritise the search for potential alternative sites in Halesworth.
Meanwhile, Eye has been left with just one cash point, no banking facility and no post office. Green Councillor Lucy Elkin has been working with local business owners to try to bring a post office back to Eye. These losses show exactly why banking hubs are essential and why the Government must accelerate the rollout of the hubs. Like in Eye, Bungay has lost all banks and the Barclays banking service in the library has also closed.
I frequently hear from residents and business owners that managing everyday banking has become increasingly complex without a local branch. People are struggling to deposit cash, pay bills, or receive in-person advice. Small businesses that handle cash daily are finding it harder to bank their earnings safely. Older residents who do not use online banking are at an extra disadvantage as they must travel to the nearest town. For those without cars and with poor public transport links, the loss of local banking services is a serious barrier to independence.
That is why I have been calling for the Government to accelerate the rollout of banking hubs across the country, prioritising rural areas. A banking hub is a shared space where the post office and several high street banks work together to provide face-to-face services. Customers of different banks can visit on set days to withdraw or deposit cash, pay in cheques, or get advice from a representative of their own bank.
In Harleston, a banking hub has been operating in a temporary location for some time, making an enormous difference. It helps keep people coming into the town centre, supports local shops and cafés, and ensures that vital financial services remain accessible to everyone.
We need the long-term future for existing banking hubs to be secured, and we need more hubs across our region. Banking hubs are not just about convenience. They are about fairness and inclusion. They allow everyone, regardless of age, income, or digital ability, to manage their finances confidently.
It is deeply worrying to see banks withdraw entirely from communities, especially while many report record profits. Access to banking is not a luxury. It is an essential service that underpins local economies. When banks close, the impact is felt across the community. Small businesses lose cash services, older residents lose independence, and high streets lose footfall. A thriving market town needs essential services that keep it connected and alive.
I’ve been worried seeing banks leaving our community, especially as the high street banks are reporting record profits. Access to banking cannot be treated as a luxury for the future. It is an essential service, and when private banks cannot or will not provide it, the Government must ensure that communities are not left behind.
I will continue to raise this issue in Parliament and with both the Post Office and the Treasury. We cannot allow rural East Anglia to become a patchwork of communities without access to cash or local banking. Halesworth, Eye, Bungay and other rural towns deserve better, and I will keep fighting to make sure they get it.
Adrian is proud that he & his staff are Dementia Friends
14 October 2025
Local MP Adrian Ramsay is proud that he & his staff are Dementia Friends. Recently, the local branches of the Alzheimer's Society gave training to Adrian Ramsay MP and his team. After the training, Adrian said:
“I am proud to share that my constituency team and I are now all fully qualified Dementia Friends, thanks to the support of the Alzheimer’s Society. I cannot thank the Society enough for working with my team.
With one in three people born in the UK today expected to develop dementia in their lifetime, we all must understand more about the condition and how to support those affected. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are many types, and all have a profound impact on individuals and families.
As part of the Dementia Friends training, we learned five essential facts that everyone should know:
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
Dementia is not just about losing your memory
There is more to the person than the dementia
A little understanding makes a big difference
I encourage everyone to consider becoming a Dementia Friend. Small steps in understanding and kindness can help make our communities more supportive and inclusive for people living with dementia and their loved ones.”
Hana Richardson, Alzheimer’s Society Local Services Manager, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, reach those that might need our support and create a society of Dementia Friends within the local community in Norfolk and Waveney.
“Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK. The impact of dementia is devastating. It can often leave people feeling excluded and cut off from everyday life. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends is all about increasing people’s understanding of dementia and inspiring everyone to make a difference for people affected in their communities. It could be checking in on a friend who is caring for someone with dementia, being more patient in the shop queue or taking part in a fundraising event. Whatever you choose to do, a little understanding makes a big difference.
“At Alzheimer’s Society, we know the steps it will take to create a future where dementia no longer devastates lives. No one can beat dementia alone. It will take a society to beat it. Join us and become a Dementia Friend today, visit dementiafriends.org.uk”
Urgent Investment Needed to Power Industrial Decarbonisation and Secure UK Jobs
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by ADE the Association for Decentralised Energy.
Dear Chancellor,
Urgent Investment Needed to Power Industrial Decarbonisation and Secure UK Jobs
The UK’s 2050 target depends on decarbonising our industrial heartlands, but current policy is failing to address half the problem.
While significant focus is rightly placed on large industrial clusters, nearly 50% of our industrial emissions – and at least 1.4 million jobs in the manufacturing and utilities industrial sectors alone could be at risk – are based in dispersed sites outside these clusters. These are the distilleries in Scotland, the ceramics kilns in the Midlands, the food processors in East Anglia. They are the backbone of our regional economies and our national supply chains, yet they face a perfect storm of barriers.
Our electricity prices are the highest among IEA nations, with policy costs up to fourteen times more expensive and this contributes to making power more expensive than gas. This makes electrification – the primary route to decarbonisation for most of these sites – an economic non-starter. Compounded by crippling grid connection delays and a lack of tailored support, these businesses are being locked into high-carbon operations.
This is an active threat to our economic competitiveness and energy security. We are stalling investment and risking carbon leakage at a time when we should be spurring green growth in every part of the country.
The recent ADE: Demand report, "Decarbonising Dispersed Industries," provides a framework of this challenge, outlining five distinct archetypes of rural industry, each with unique needs but all united by this common policy blind spot.Therefore, I urge you to use the upcoming budget to allocate significant funding to address this imbalance. We need a mechanism that bridges the damaging price gap between electricity and gas, conditional on fuel switching, to make electrification the economically rational choice for British industry. This will unleash the investment we desperately need.
By providing this price signal, you can unlock billions in private investment, secure hundreds of thousands of jobs, and finally put dispersed industrial decarbonisation on the fast track
Let’s not leave half of our industrial economy behind. Let’s give them the tools to help us all reach net zero.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by ADE the Association for Decentralised Energy.
Supporting Parents of Seriously Sick Children
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Chris Hinchliff MP.
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: The Government’s Consultation On Support for Parents of Seriously Sick Children
We are writing in support of the It’s Never You campaign for Hugh’s Law, following the government’s announcement of a stand-alone consultation on supporting parents of seriously ill children.
The campaign for Hugh’s Law goes to the heart of what our welfare state must provide: a safety net people can rely on in moments of crisis. Too many parents, already facing the anguish of caring for a seriously ill child, also face the devastating reality that they cannot afford to be at their child’s bedside. Hugh’s Law would introduce an immediate, non-means tested benefit for parents of seriously ill children, offering immediate support that current benefits simply do not provide. Families must not fall through the cracks of the welfare system at what is, for many, the hardest period of their lives. There is support for families at certain stages of life, such as maternity and paternity leave. There is nothing bespoke for parents of seriously ill children, aside from the limited Neonatal Care Act, applying only in a child’s earliest days. Hugh’s Law is a natural extension of that Act. Our welfare state should
respond not to the timing of illness, but to the reality of need.
We welcome the consultation as a significant step forward that reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the campaign for Hugh’s Law. We would be grateful for clarification on the following points ahead of the consultation:
Will the consultation’s terms be co-produced with It’s Never You to ensure they reflect families’ real needs?
Will you confirm the timeframe for the consultation?
Will you announce an intention to legislate on Hugh’s Law in next year’s King’s Speech?
Can you outline a potential timeframe for implementation of any resulting legislation?
The government’s announcement marks significant progress. The upcoming King’s Speech provides
the ideal opportunity to build on this to deliver Hugh’s Law, ensuring the needs of families are fully
addressed.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Chris Hinchliff MP.
Ensure Audit Reform Is Not Delayed Further
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.
Sunday 7 September 2025
The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister,
We welcomed the Government’s commitment in last July’s King’s Speech to publish the draft Audit Reform and
Corporate Governance Bill, an important milestone following years of delay. However, we are very disappointed
that, despite this early promise, it has been announced that it has once again stalled and will not be published for
pre-legislative scrutiny during this session.
The case for reform is now more pressing than ever. Strengthening audit and corporate governance is essential
to laying the foundations for sustainable growth and long-term economic stability. Investors, the public, and other
stakeholders must be able to rely on accurate, transparent reporting from our largest companies, covering both
financial performance and other business-critical matters. This is fundamental to restoring trust and confidence in
UK markets.
We also need an audit regulator with real authority, one that can hold company directors and audit firms to
account when failures occur. Without this, the system remains exposed and vulnerable, as the regulator lacks the
legal powers it needs to do its job effectively.
It is deeply concerning that over seven years have passed since the collapse of Carillion, yet no legislation has
been brought forward, despite multiple independent reviews, a Government White Paper, and extensive public
consultation. In the meantime, we have witnessed further high-profile corporate failures linked to weaknesses in
audit and governance, including Patisserie Valerie, Bulb, Thomas Cook, Wilko, and ISG - making it clear that
market oversight remains far from adequate. When companies collapse due to audit and governance failings, the
consequences are devastating - impacting jobs, pensions, and smaller businesses across supply chains. This is
the polar opposite of economic growth.
In today’s increasingly volatile geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, a robust and effective audit and
corporate governance framework is not a nice-to-have but a business necessity. The Audit Reform and Corporate
Governance Bill enjoys strong cross-party support and represents a vital opportunity to legislate and regulate for
growth, resilience, and accountability.
As we have seen with other important Bills, where there is political will, there is a way. We urge the Government
to act now, bring forward this long-overdue legislation, and prioritise its passage through Parliament.
Yours faithfully,
• Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP, Hackney North
and Stoke Newington (The Mother of the
House) (Independent)
• Luke Akehurst MP, North Durham (Labour)
• Josh Babarinde MP, Eastbourne (Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for Justice &
Justice Committee)
• Paula Barker MP, Liverpool Wavertree
(Committee on Standards) (Labour)
• Lee Barron MP, Corby and East
Northamptonshire (Labour)
• Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (former
Leader of the Green Party)
• Siân Berry MP, Brighton Pavilion (Green)
• Clive Betts MP, Sheffield South East
(Public Accounts Committee) (Labour)
• Bob Blackman MP, Harrow East (Chair,
Backbench Business Committee)
(Conservative)
• Wendy Chamberlain MP, North East Fife
(Liberal Democrat Chief Whip)
• Ellie Chowns MP, North Herefordshire
(Environmental Audit Committee) (Green)
• Lord Clement-Jones CBE (Liberal
Democrat Lords Spokesperson for
Science, Innovation and Technology)
• Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, North
Cotswolds (Conservative)
• Daisy Cooper MP, St Albans (Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury
& Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats)
• Adam Dance MP, Yeovil (Liberal
Democrat)
• Steve Darling MP, Torbay (Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for Work and
Pensions & Work and Pensions
Committee)
• Ann Davies MP, Caerfyrddin (Welsh
Affairs Committee) (Plaid Cymru)
• Bobby Dean MP, Carshalton & Wallington
(Treasury Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Carla Denyer MP, Bristol Central
• The Rt Hon. the Lord Dholakia OBE DL
(Human Rights Joint Select Committee)
(Liberal Democrat)
• Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, Poole
(Independent)
• Sarah Dyke MP, Glastonbury and
Somerton (Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Sarah Edwards MP, Tamworth (Business
and Trade Committee) (Labour)
• Will Forster MP, Woking (Housing,
Communities and Local Government
Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Andrew George MP, West Cornwall & Isles
of Scilly (St Ives) (Health and Social Care
Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Mary Glindon MP, Newcastle upon Tyne
East and Wallsend (Administration
Committee) (Labour)
• Claire Hanna MP, Belfast South and Mid
Dow (Leader of the Social Democratic and
Labour Party)
• Baroness Harris of Richmond (Secondary
Legislation Scrutiny Committee) (Liberal
Democrat)
• Pippa Heylings MP, South Cambridgeshire
(Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for
Energy Security and Net Zero &
Environmental Audit Committee)
• Wera Hobhouse MP, Bath (Energy
Security and Net Zero Committee) (Liberal
Democrat)
• The Rt Hon. the Baroness Hodge of
Barking DBE (Labour)
• Christine Jardine MP, Edinburgh West
(Women and Equalities Committee)
(Liberal Democrat)
• Liz Jarvis MP, Eastleigh (Culture, Media
and Sport Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Kim Johnson MP, Liverpool Riverside
(Labour)
• Clive Jones MP, Wokingham (Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for Trade)
• Ben Lake MP, Ceredigion Preseli (Welsh
Affairs Committee) (Plaid Cymru)
• Graham Leadbitter MP, Moray West, Nairn
& Strathspey (SNP)
• Lord Leigh of Hurley (Conservative)
• Seamus Logan MP, Aberdeenshire North
and Moray East (SNP)
• Ben Maguire MP, North Cornwall (Home
Affairs Committee & Liberal Democrat
Shadow Attorney General)
• Helen Maguire MP, Epsom and Ewell
(Liberal Democrat)
• Rachael Maskell MP, York Central
(Independent)
• Brian Mathew MP, Melksham and Devizes
(International Development Committee)
(Liberal Democrat)
• Andy McDonald MP, Middlesbrough and
Thornaby East (Labour)
• John McDonnell MP, Hayes and
Harlington (Independent)
• Iqbal Mohamed MP, Dewsbury and Batley
(Independent)
• Layla Moran MP, Oxford West and
Abingdon (Chair, Health and Social Care
Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Tessa Munt MP, Wells and Mendip Hills
(Administration Committee) (Liberal
Democrat)
• Susan Murray MP, Mid Dunbartonshire
(Scottish Affairs Committee) (Liberal
Democrat)
• James Naish MP, Rushcliffe (International
Development Committee) (Labour)
• Sarah Olney MP, Richmond Park (Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for the Cabinet
Office & Public Accounts Committee)
• Manuela Perteghella MP, Stratford-on-
Avon (Education Committee) (Liberal
Democrat)
• Adrian Ramsay MP, Waveney Valley
(Green)
• Martin Rhodes MP, Glasgow North
(Environment Audit Committee) (Labour)
• Marie Rimmer MP, St Helens South and
Whiston (Labour)
• Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
(Secondary Legislation Scrutiny
Committee and former Leader of the
Social Democratic and Labour Party)
(Labour)
• Dr Roz Savage MP, South Cotswolds
(Petitions Committee) (Liberal Democrat)
• Jim Shannon MP, Strangford (DUP)
• Lord Sikka (Professor of Accounting at the
University of Sheffield, and Emeritus
Professor of Accounting at the University
of Essex) (Labour)
• Alex Sobel MP, Leeds Central and
Headingley (UK Trade Envoy to Ukraine
and Chair of the Net Zero APPG) (Labour)
• Ian Sollom MP, St Neots and Mid
Cambridgeshire (Liberal Democrat
Spokesperson for Universities and Skills)
• Baroness Uddin
• Martin Vickers MP, Brigg & Immingham
(Backbench Business Committee)
(Conservative)
• The Rt Hon. the Lord Wallace of Saltaire
(Liberal Democrat)
• Nadia Whittome MP, Nottingham East
(Environmental Audit Committee) (Labour)
• Steve Witherden MP, Montgomeryshire
and Glyndŵr (Welsh Affairs Committee)
(Labour)
Adrian Ramsay MP Welcomes Minister’s Commitment to Direct NHS Dentistry Funding Where It Is Most Needed
19th of August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has questioned the Minister of State for Care on whether the extra funding allocated to the Department will be reflected in increased funding for NHS dentistry. The question - asked last month before Parliament went into recess - secured a commitment to focusing more NHS dentistry funding in under-served areas like Waveney Valley.
Adrian Ramsay asked:
“Data published last week shows that despite the Government’s initial action, the proportion of dentists working in the NHS in Norfolk and Waveney continues to drop. I am pleased to hear about the Government’s work on the dental contract, but the Public Accounts Committee is clear that this will work only if it is backed by sustainable funding. I will give the Minister another chance to answer the question: will the Government ensure that the extra funding that has been put into the Department is actually reflected in extra funding for NHS dentistry?”
In response Stephen Kinnock MP the Minister of State for Care said
“One thing that I made clear to officials when I came into this post was that every penny that is allocated to NHS dentistry must be spent on NHS dentistry. We are in a crazy situation where demand for NHS dentistry is going through the roof, yet we have had underspends. That needs to stop. We will focus the spending on where it is most needed, including areas that are under-served, such as the hon. Gentleman’s constituency.”
Reacting to the reply Adrian Ramsay MP said
"I am glad that the Government has acknowledged the ridiculous situation where the demand for NHS dentistry is increasing while funding remains unspent and so many people just can’t get access to a dentist. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to ensuring that resources are directed to where they are most needed. In the upcoming parliamentary term, I will hold the Minister accountable to this commitment and will continue to advocate for improved access to NHS dentistry for people in East Anglia and across the country.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP statement on the Park Hotel, Diss
15th of August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, statement on the recent issues relating to the Park Hotel in Diss:
“In recent weeks I have been contacted by many constituents about the situation at the Park Hotel in Diss and I am keeping in close and frequent contact with residents, local groups, and the authorities. This is a sensitive situation and one where the right thing to do has been to focus on working behind the scenes with the Home Office, South Norfolk Council, local police, community groups and residents to seek clear, accurate information and to help ease tensions in our community. I continue to be concerned for the welfare of the asylum seeker families who have been in Diss for some time and have been welcomed into our community and I will continue to press for them to be treated fairly.“
“I have spoken directly with many constituents to hear their questions and to ensure they have the latest verified facts. Responses from the Home Office have at times been slow or unclear and we currently have a situation where it is unclear what the future plans for the hotel are. I will continue to press for timely communication so that we can avoid speculation and so South Norfolk Council and the many community groups who have been supporting the asylum seekers living in our community can continue to do so.“
“Although some local media coverage has not reflected the full picture, my focus remains on supporting our community and ensuring the wellbeing of all residents of Diss, both long term residents and people seeking sanctuary in our town. I have written to the Minister to call for a dedicated MP hotline to improve coordination between local authorities, elected representatives and the Home Office. Clear, open communication and co-ordination between all the authorities is essential to ensure the best outcomes for our community.”
The Government has finally acknowledged the NHS dentistry crisis. Now it must take action.
8th of August 2025
When I stood for election a little over a year ago, the one issue that came up time and time again was the near-complete collapse in access to NHS dental care locally. It was raised by parents who couldn’t get appointments for their children, and by people sometimes travelling hours just to be seen. I’ve even spoken to people in so much pain that they resorted to pulling out their teeth. This cannot be right.
I’ve long believed that dentistry is the forgotten sibling of the NHS. A vital service that has been chronically underfunded for decades.
From day one in Parliament, I made it a priority to press the Government on this issue. I’ve repeatedly raised it on the floor of the House, submitted questions, and met with the British Dental Association (BDA) and the campaign group Toothless in England multiple times to hear directly from those on the front lines. Their message has been consistent: the current system is broken.
Dentists are willing and able to help, but many are leaving NHS work because the contract model is unworkable, and the funding is not there. That is why I have sought to work with the BDA to secure a new workable contract - one that serves dentists, patients, and the NHS.
The Government’s response until now has been lacklustre to say the least. They have promised reforms that never materialised and continued to allocate funding that, infuriatingly, went unspent. In fact, despite the Government’s initial action and announcements and schemes that were supposed to fix things, the proportion of dentists working in the NHS in Norfolk and Waveney continues to drop.
I took the opportunity in Parliament last month to ask the Minister of State for Care whether the recently announced additional funding for the Department of Health and Social Care would lead to substantial investment in NHS dentistry. I asked a simple, direct question. Will the Government ensure that the extra funding that has been put into the Department is actually reflected in extra funding for NHS dentistry?
This time, the Minister gave a clear and welcome commitment. He said, and I quote, “Every penny that is allocated to NHS dentistry must be spent on NHS dentistry.” He also acknowledged how outrageous it is that we have seen underspending in dentistry budgets at a time of rising demand. Crucially, he recognised that areas like East Anglia, which have been underserved for years, must be prioritised.
As someone who has worked consistently on this issue, both inside and outside Parliament, I am pleased that the Government is finally starting to recognise the scale of the problem. But let’s be clear. Words are not enough. Promises mean little unless they are followed by action. What we need is for this Government to live up to its commitment to spend every penny allocated to NHS dentistry, and to follow through as soon as possible with the contract reforms so we can stop – and then reverse – the exodus of dentists from the NHS.
For people in Waveney Valley and across East Anglia, this needs to result in more NHS dentists on the ground. It needs to mean appointments that are available when needed. Patients must not be forced into private treatment or left waiting for months or longer for basic care.
There is also a broader question here about how we view dentistry as part of our health system. For too long, dental care has been treated as a separate or second-tier service. That must change. Oral health is not an optional extra, it’s a vital part of our overall health. Until the Government sees this, we are going to get nowhere in improving our overall wellbeing.
Untreated dental problems can lead to severe pain, serious infections, and, in some cases, leave people unable to eat. Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admission for children – a total scandal. The idea that this essential part of healthcare is now out of reach for so many people is not just unfair. It is a public health failure.
The Government may have come to its senses on NHS dentistry, but this must now be a turning point, not just a passing gesture. In the months ahead, I will continue to work with the BDA and Toothless in England to push for tangible action, not just words.
No one should be in pain because they cannot afford to see a dentist. No child should be denied basic healthcare because of where they live. It’s time the Government made good on its promise and delivered NHS dentistry that works for the people who need it most.
I will not let this issue drop. I will continue to fight for a system that works, for patients, for dentists, and communities like ours.
Adrian Ramsay MP Welcomes Swift Brick Pledge and Calls for Greener, Nature-Friendly Housing Standards
7th August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has welcomed Saffron Housing Trust’s new commitment to install swift bricks in all suitable new build homes on their future developments – calling the move “A great example of what should become the norm, not the exception.”
Saffron Housing announced that they have made this decision following representations from Adrian Ramsay on behalf of his constituents.
Speaking on the commitment Adrian Ramsay MP said
“With swifts now on the UK’s Red List, we urgently need to protect and restore their nesting sites. That is why I welcome Saffron Housing Trust's commitment to install swift bricks in all suitable new build homes on their future developments. Swift bricks are a simple, low-cost solution that offer real benefits to these birds and many other species.
“We need to make nature-friendly design and high environmental standards the norm in all new developments. We must build homes that are fit for the future – that means measures that are good for wildlife, and also measures that are good for people and reducing bills such as including renewable energy and high insulation standards as a matter of course. I commend Saffron Housing Trust for taking this step and I want to see all housing providers ensuring the highest environmental standards.”
Marie Baynham-Davies - A member of Halesworth Swifts and Suffolk Save Our Swifts who highlighted the issue with Adrian in a constituency surgery, said
“This is a real boost for swift populations which have declined by 66% since 1995. Insulation in modern developments means buildings provide no natural nest sites for birds. Swift bricks provide a safe cavity for swifts to nest in and cost less than a nest box but last the lifetime of the building. It is fantastic that Adrian Ramsay is supporting the use of Swift bricks, and we hope that Saffron Housing's decision to install them shows that putting bricks in new developments is an achievable target for all planners and developers.”
ENDS
For more information, visit https://www.actionforswifts.com and https://hannahbournetaylor.com/the-feather-speech-campaign-for-swifts/
Saffron Housing announcement https://www.linkedin.com/posts/saffron-housing-trust-limited_socialhousing-developments-environmental-activity-7358888552119615489-G4h2?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAACXkKVkBzhFvdiHzxiiRBBCGJvHQaqgifLM
ICJ advisory opinion on unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory
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Dear Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Attorney General
On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave a groundbreaking
judgement on the legal consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of
Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
This advisory opinion made crystal clear determinations that:
The Israeli presence in the OPT, including Gaza, is unlawful and its policies
and practices are incompatible with international law.
All Israeli settlements are illegal and must be withdrawn immediately
Israel owes full reparation for all damage of its illegal acts since 1967,
Other states are obliged to not provide any sort of aid or assistance that
maintains Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT, referring to Gaza, the West
Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Following this advisory opinion, the Foreign Office response was that it would
consider “carefully before responding. The UK respects the independence of the
ICJ... the UK is strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising
settler violence”.
The government promised to publish its formal response. One year on since the
advisory opinion was issued, it has yet to do so. Given that the ICJ referred to the
“unlawfulness” as an established fact, the UK has a legal duty to ensure that the
government and British entities take all necessary steps to ensure that we are not
complicit with this unlawful situation. This is particularly pertinent given the
seriousness of the situation, the continued and increasing Israeli violations of
international law, as well as the increase in illegal settlements. Between November
2023 – October 2024, Israel established 57 new settlements and outposts. However,
the UK needs to not just denounce the rise in settlements but the mere existence of
them, as regards the ICJ advisory opinion.
The failure of the government to publish its legal advice on the advisory opinion and
address the unlawful situation occurring in the OPT, as well its own obligations under
international law to avoid complicity, needs to be rectified.
Over the last year, since the opinion was issued, Israel has accelerated its violations
of international law including the Fourth Geneva Convention in the OPT.
We, the undersigned, urge the government immediately to publish its response to
the ICJ Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation and
take all the necessary measures to adhere to the obligation of 3 rd party states “not to
render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal
presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” as the Court stipulated.
Adrian Ramsay MP joined the local community in celebrating Pride in Bungay over the weekend.
22nd of July 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, proudly joined community members at this year’s Pride celebration in Bungay to show support for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
Adrian Ramsay MP said at the end of the event "Pride is a time to celebrate the progress we have made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and to uphold the idea that everyone deserves to live in safety, dignity, and with equal respect. I was pleased to support the residents of Bungay who are dedicated to ensuring we have an inclusive and welcoming community."
Adrian Ramsay MP statement on the Park hotel, Diss,
22nd of July 2025
What happened in Diss last night was wrong. Groups from outside our community came here to create fear and division. That is not who we are. Diss is a town rooted in compassion and decency. We have a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. People have a right to seek asylum in our country, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, as we would wish to be treated in times of crisis.
We have had an asylum hotel in Diss for two years without any issues. The families staying there have become part of the local community, with many of their children attending local schools. However, late last week we were informed that these families would be told to leave the hotel at short notice. I am frustrated by the lack of communication from the Home Office to the families and to me as constituency MP, and I have raised my concerns with the Minister.
We must reject division and focus on what unites us. I will keep raising questions with the Home Office and work with the town and district councils and local community groups to ensure everyone is treated with respect. Together, we will welcome new arrivals and show what I know Diss to be: a compassionate and inclusive town that helps everyone feel part of our community.
Banning Conversion Practices
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Dear Bridget,
We are writing to you about the delay to the Government’s plans to publish a draft Bill to ban conversion practices.
LGBTQ+ people have nothing to be ashamed of; their sexual orientations and gender identities are diverse, and it should be self-evident in 2025 that they do not need ‘fixing’ or ‘curing’.
And yet, as you know, conversion practices still take place in the UK today. A report by Galop in 2023 found that 1 in 5 (18 per cent) LGBT+ people in the UK have been subjected to someone trying to change, ‘cure’ or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A growing number of countries around the world have passed legislation to ban conversion practices, including New Zealand, Canada, Brazil and Germany. The UK used to be a global leader on human rights, but this year the UK dropped 6 places on ILGA-Europe’s rainbow map to an all-time low of 22 out of 49 countries. Urgent action is needed to restore our position on the world stage.
We were pleased to see a commitment to deliver a fully inclusive ban in the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and plans to publish a draft Bill included in last year’s King’s Speech. Several times at the despatch box, and in answer to our written questions, Ministers have reiterated that a draft Bill will be published before the end of this parliamentary session.
We are concerned that time is running out to deliver on this incredibly important commitment.
This comes at a time when many people in the LGBTQ+ community are worried about what the future holds for them. It’s now vital that the Government demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community by delivering on its manifesto commitments. That includes a ban on conversion practices which is fully inclusive, protects all LGBTQ+ people, and has no loopholes that would allow abuse to continue.
Every day without robust legislative protection is another day in which LGBTQ+ people remain vulnerable to abuse that has been internationally recognised as a violation of human rights.
We urge you to publish the draft Bill without delay.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by Stonewall.
Cross-party letter on phasing out animal experiments
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Lord Vallance
Minister of State for Science, Innovation & Technology
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
100 Parliament Street
London SW1A 2BQ
Dear Lord Vallance, Lord Hanson and Baroness Hayman,
We are writing to you as the Ministers responsible for producing the Government’s forthcoming strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods.
We support the Government’s commitment to phasing out animal experiments. As well as improving animal welfare, focusing on modern, human-specific methods will accelerate medical breakthroughs and unlock the economic opportunities presented by this growing global market. The non-animal alternatives testing market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 12% to reach $4.08 billion in 2029.
Around the world, policymakers are taking bold steps to support the transition to human-specific science. This includes the US FDA’s Roadmap that seeks to make animal testing ‘the exception rather than the norm’ over the next 3-5 years in preclinical safety testing, while the European Union has committed to a roadmap to phase out chemical testing on animals. If we are to keep pace, and position Britain as a global leader in human-specific life sciences, the forthcoming alternatives strategy must be bold and transformative.
As well as measures to increase funding and practical support to enable scientists to transition to non-animal methods, it should commit to:
Introduce Herbie’s Law to provide a clear timeline for the phase-out. Recommended by Animal Free Research UK, Herbie’s Law would set a goal of phasing out animal experiments in medical research over the next decade, working closely with the scientific community to support them with the transition.
As a first step, stop issuing licences for experiments using dogs and cats, as well as non-human primates. It is crucial that these are replaced with non-animal methods, not other species of animal, which would fail to address the scientific and ethical problems.
Institute a thorough overhaul of the licensing of animal experiments to ensure that basic legal requirements to use non-animal methods wherever possible are being properly enforced.
Including these measures will ensure that the strategy has real impact in driving the phase-out of animal experiments. As a nation of animal lovers, we must harness our long-established scientific excellence to lead the transition to future-focused, human- specific medical research, which will transform the lives of people around the world.
Yours sincerely,
Irene Campbell MP (Labour)
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Phasing Out Animal Experiments in Medical
Research
Parliamentarian signatures
The Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Independent)
The Lord Clement-Jones CBE (Liberal Democrat)
Neil Duncan-Jordan MP (Independent)
Louie French MP (Conservative)
Sammy Wilson MP (Democratic Unionist Party)
The Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party)
The Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party)
Sam Rushworth MP (Labour)
Lillian Jones MP (Labour)
Seamus Logan MP (Scottish National Party)
Ruth Jones MP (Labour)
Johanna Baxter MP (Labour)
Michael Wheeler MP (Labour)
Douglas McAllister MP (Labour)
The Lord Gascoigne (Conservative)
Ellie Chowns MP (Green Party)
Daniel Francis MP (Labour)
Maureen Burke MP (Labour)
Siân Berry MP (Green Party)
Sarah Champion MP (Labour)Dame Caroline Dinenage MP (Conservative)
The Rt Hon. the Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative)
Alex Mayer MP (Labour)
Gurinder Singh Josan MP (Labour)
Sorcha Eastwood MP (Alliance)
The Rt Hon. the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC. (Labour)
Brian Leishman MP (Independent)
Manuela Perteghella MP (Liberal Democrat)
Anna Gelderd MP (Labour)
Bob Blackman MP (Conservative)
Carla Denyer MP (Green Party)
Elaine Stewart MP (Labour)
Tony Vaughan MP (Labour)
The Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative)
Andrew Ranger MP (Labour)
Iqbal Mohamed MP (Independent)
Andrew George MP (Liberal Democrat)
Patricia Ferguson MP (Labour)
Kim Johnson MP (Labour)
Liz Jarvis MP (Liberal Democrat)
Mary Kelly Foy MP (Labour)
Peter Swallow MP (Labour)
Gregory Campbell MP (Democratic Unionist Party)
Kenneth Stevenson MP (Labour)
Matt Bishop MP (Labour)
Adrian Ramsay MP (Green)
Alex Sobel MP (Labour)
The Rt Hon. Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat)Alex Easton MP (Independent)
Lee Pitcher MP (Labour)
The Baroness Cass OBE FRCP FRCPCH (Crossbench)
The Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party)
Christine Jardine MP (Liberal Democrat)
The Earl of Courtown (Conservative)
Tan Dhesi MP (Labour)
Terry Jermy MP (Labour)
Celebrit y endorsement
Carol Royle
Dame Joanna Lumley
Diane Morgan
Alan Cumming
Deborah Meaden
Will Young
Kirsty Gallacher
Adrian Ramsay MP, calls on the Prime Minister to put climate resilience on a statutory footing
14 of July 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, calls on the Prime Minister to put climate resilience on a statutory footing, saying, "England is facing its driest start to a year in my lifetime. Extreme weather is becoming the norm, and we are nowhere near prepared to protect our citizens."
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales reacting to the Met Office’s State of the Climate Report, published today, which spells out how extreme weather events are increasing. The last three years have been among the top five warmest on record. Extremes are becoming the norm.
Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“Our climate is fuelling extreme weather, and that is having direct and urgent consequences in the here and now. The last three years have been among the top five warmest on record. Extremes are becoming the norm.
He continued ”We had the warmest spring on record, and we are in the middle of this summer’s third heatwave. The Government has not adequately prepared our infrastructure to protect our citizens."
”The Government must outline the steps they are taking to prepare for the increasing threat of extreme temperature. This is not just about this summer, it’s about how we adapt as the climate crisis continues to escalate.”
“We need to safeguard the public from this rising climate threat. That is why the Prime Minister must put climate resilience on a statutory footing, requiring local councils and major infrastructure providers to carry out climate risk assessments for all projects.”