STOURBRIDGE MP Cat Eccles has delivered her maiden speech in the House of Commons.

The Labour MP, who was elected in the July General Election, spoke during the Fixing the NHS & Public Services portion of the Budget Debate on Tuesday November 5.

She paid tribute to her predecessors in the role - Suzanne Webb, Margot James, Lynda Waltho and Debra Shipley, pointing out that Stourbridge has a long history of electing female MPs, and spotlighting Ms Webb and Ms James for their support for the Justice4Ryan campaign, which she pledged to continue to support.

Lynda Waltho and Debra Shipley were also thanked for their invaluable support during the recent campaign.

Cat also highlighted Stourbridge’s history, its glassmaking heritage, its sporting and musical talent and its industrial history including the creation of the Stourbridge Lion in Wollaston, the Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill, Hingley’s in Netherton and the manufacturing of nails, anvils, crucibles and firebricks in Lye.

Regarding the NHS, Cat said: “The impact of austerity on the NHS is what first politicised me.

“We saw procurement taken away from clinical staff, vacancies frozen, pay frozen, senior staff forced to reapply for their roles, older staff encouraged to take voluntary redundancy, and many more layers of middle management introduced removing a lot of day-to-day decision making from clinicians.

“During the pandemic I was working on the frontline in emergency maternity theatres.

“The early days of lockdown were chaotic with official advice changing by the day.

“We were given items that weren’t fit for purpose, face shields that fell off our faces and out of date masks.

“Sadly, we lost some colleagues along the way – including neonatologist Dr Vishna Rasiah and midwife Safaa Alam.

“I hope the contribution of ODPs during the pandemic will be recognised – so many stepped up and fulfilled roles in ITU, on wards and in emergency departments.

“A true demonstration of the skill and flexibility of our profession.

“I’m pleased that this government will appoint a Covid corruption commissioner to fully investigate fraud, errors and underperforming contracts during the pandemic and ensure this country is fully prepared in the future and it is also an honour to be in this place as the Covid Inquiry is published so I can speak up for all the NHS staff whose voices were not heard.”

Cat spoke of her love for Stourbridge’s community spirit and how the Covid Support Group, which she helped found, had more than 100 volunteers, helped over 200 shielding residents during the pandemic and raised more than £8,000 for the Black Country Foodbank.

Cat finished her speech with a pledge of support for war-torn Ukraine and she added: “As we see global conflicts heightening I hope for peace everywhere and that this government along with world leaders can influence change to keep everyone safe – and I look forward to working with all colleagues in this House to bring about much-needed change not just for Stourbridge but for our country and the wider world.”