Kevan spoke on the debate on the Queen’s Speech yesterday in the House of Commons. He said:
“I begin by thanking the electors of North Durham for returning me to the House, which is both a privilege and a humbling experience. Again, I give them the commitment that I gave when first elected in 2001: to do my utmost to represent them in this place…
“I was pleased that mental health was raised in the Gracious Speech. We have made great progress in the last few years in raising the effects of mental health, but if we are to turn the slogan “parity of esteem” into action, we need increased spending, and it needs to be ring-fenced. Clinical commissioning groups are cutting their spending, and last year’s King’s Fund report stated that just under half of CCGs were uncertain or concerned about whether they would be able to pass on increases in mental health funding. If we get that wrong, all the warm words in the world will not bring about what we need on the frontline…
“This parliamentary Session will be dominated by Brexit. If we get that wrong, it will affect all our constituencies. My constituents, and many others throughout this nation, want some hope. They need a change of direction in not only getting Brexit right but making sure we get investment and hope for future generations. I see nothing in this Gracious Speech that gives them that hope.”
You can read Kevan’s speech in full by visiting: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2017-06-21/debates/16CAF0D8-37D0-41D6-AE61-264FD03429CB/DebateOnTheAddress#contribution-FF244761-8CB6-4B77-92D2-BC343F0E0B0B
Or if you would like to watch Kevan’s speech it is available online at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0784ef19-a1bb-49c0-9039-279b4b1fa664 (Kevan’s speech starts at 20:05).