Biography
Lord Blunkett made six debate speeches across various legislative matters in 2024-2026, though only one directly addressed a health and social care topic tracked by this monitor. He spoke on the Rare Cancers Bill in January 2026, drawing on personal experience with friends diagnosed with cancer to emphasise the emotional significance of the legislation. His other contributions focused on sentencing reform, lifelong learning, early infant support, and parliamentary procedure rather than the specified health portfolio areas.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“…two of my most long-standing and closest friends, a married couple, both of whom were diagnosed with different cancers in the autumn and are now supporting and caring for themselves, and, secondly, by the timely intervention from the noble Lord, Lord O’Shaughnessy, and reminder of the very powerful final speech of my…”
Record by topic
- Mental health481st of 8806.0
- Cancer503rd of 6222.0
- Dementia211th of 2512.0
- Learning disability & autism756th of 8992.0
What they’ve said
“…The main issue I have picked out concerns those people who have been in prison for so long that their mental health has inevitably deteriorated. As the noble and learned Lord said, psychiatrists have accepted that now, in a way that was not recognised in 2003—we should have done that, and they should have done that, bu…”
Sentencing Bill · 2025-12-03 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…We need lifelong learning to keep us alert and alive and to stave off dementia. I have had a long-standing commitment in the area of dementia, so I know from every possible experience just what a difference it can make if people remain alert and alive at the end of their main working period and throughout their retirem…”
Lifelong Learning · 2025-02-06 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…We can find a way forward if we want to. Mental health provision needs to be stepped up. Mention has been made of Thomas White and I have been in long-standing contact with his family. We can ensure that, in that sifting exercise, we get people on to the right trajectory to be quickly moved out of prison.”
Imprisonment for Public Protection (Re-sentencing) Bill [HL] · 2024-11-15 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…o spell out the real challenges and pressures that exist on a new family and the dangers of underestimating the mental health problems. By such immediate access to advice, we can add to the multiplicity of commitments that would be available at local level if we managed to develop the services that this Bill would allo…”
Support for Infants and Parents etc (Information) Bill [HL] · 2024-09-06 · Read on Hansard ↗
“My Lords, the right reverend Prelate has demonstrated how sermons should really be delivered—in under five minutes. I offer a very warm welcome to my noble friend and congratulate him on his maiden speech.”
King’s Speech · 2024-07-24 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.