Below is my speech in a debate on school funding in Westminster Hall yesterday.

Air Quality

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Two Government decisions in the past week will have a dramatic impact on air quality. One was the decision to support a watering down of the tests that the Secretary of State has just referred to in Brussels. The other was the decision to announce half a billion pounds of taxpayer subsidy to a generation of diesel generators to plug the energy gap. Was she consulted on either of those?

Elizabeth Truss: On the right hon. Gentleman’s first point, this is the first time at a European level that we have agreed that the lab tests do not reflect the reality of what vehicles are emitting, and we have put in place a process to get to real-world conditions. This country has been pushing for that for some time and last week we succeeded in getting a path to achieving it. That is major progress, which will help us to deliver our air quality commitments.

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): What impact will the delay and cost overruns affecting the electrification of the Great Western main line have on the investment that the Minister has just mentioned?

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Is not the real reason the Government have withdrawn the hunting amendment that they would have lost the vote with or without the votes of the SNP, given the very large number of Conservative MPs, including the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) and two of my near neighbours the hon. Members for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) and for Torbay (Kevin Foster), who do not want to reintroduce cruelty? Given the huge public interest in this issue, when will the Leader of the House bring the matter back before the House?

Chris Grayling: There are different opinions on both sides of the House. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it appropriate for this matter to be decided in a mature way by English and Welsh MPs who would be affected by the change, and not by Members of Parliament whose constituents would be unaffected by the change and are saying that they will vote against the law as it currently applies in Scotland?

My question in the House of Commons yesterday.

My questions in the House of Commons from throughout June are below.

Many thanks and congratulations to all who've worked so hard to save jobs at Exeter Pluss factory, which supports people with disabilities into employment. Read more about the latest update here.

On Monday I asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about FIFA.

Below is my speech in yesterday's House of Commons debate on health.

Tonight I have announced to my local Party that I am joining the contest for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party. Labour can and must win the next election and I believe I can help us achieve that.