Issues - Hilary Benn - Member of Parliament for Leeds Central

Cut to the UK’s overseas aid budget

Watch Hilary’s question to the Foreign Secretary on this issue here. I am strongly opposed to the Government’s decision to cut the UK’s overseas aid budget by a third. I was International Development Secretary when the last Labour government committed to achieving the 0.7 percent target by 2013, and I…

Watch Hilary’s question to the Foreign Secretary on the proposed cut to the aid budget

The Ethiopia and Tigray crisis

I have been contacted by many constituents about the situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. I am deeply concerned by the ongoing hostilities between the Ethiopian military and Tigrayan forces. Reports of hundreds of causalities and tens of thousands of refugees are deeply worrying. The UN has reported that…

Gym closures

Many constituents have been in touch with me about the new Covid lockdown and gyms. I completely understand the concern and indeed anguish that the closure of gyms is causing many people for whom physical exercise is of great comfort and support, especially in current circumstances. I also know from…

Churches and places of worship during the new Covid lockdown

I have been contacted by many constituents who are concerned about the new Covid lockdown and places of worship. I completely understand the concern and anguish that the closure of churches and other places of worship is causing to many people for whom attending a service is of great comfort…

Free School Meals

I am very concerned about children in Leeds going hungry during the school holidays and that’s why I strongly supported Labour’s proposal in Parliament on 21st October to provide free school meals for this half term, Christmas and Easter. As my colleague Kate Green said, “It is the Government’s responsibility…

Refugee Family Reunion

I have been contacted by many constituents about the importance of protecting child refugee family reunion. We should be doing everything we can to help reunite those that have been separated after experiencing the trauma of war, persecution and conflict. I have repeatedly voted for amendments to Government Bills, aimed…

Leeds Night-time Economy

I have been contacted by many businesses and workers in the Leeds night-time economy. As the MP for the city centre, I am only too aware of the importance of pubs, restaurants and the night-time economy to Leeds and to the livelihoods of all those why rely on those businesses…

Agriculture Bill

Lots of constituents have contacted me about the protection of UK environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards and child health in future trade deals. I support the #SaveOurStandards campaign. While the UK Government’s Trade Bill and Agriculture Bill have been making their way through Parliament, I have supported amendments…

Coronavirus Act

A lot of constituents have been in touch with me about the renewal of the Coronavirus Act so I thought I would set out my views. There has been considerable criticism, which I share, of the Government’s approach to Parliamentary scrutiny of this emergency legislation. After pressure from MPs and…

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