James Asser

James Asser

Labour — West Ham and Beckton

Speaking in the House of Commons on 17 March 2026

Debate

Meningitis Outbreak

Contribution

I join other hon. Members in sending my condolences to the families of the students who have died. As my right hon. Friend will be aware, I was once upon a time the National Union of Students officer responsible for national health campaigning, and a meningitis outbreak on campus was always one of our great anxieties. We used to run awareness campaigns that, as we know from feedback at the time, enabled students to be aware of the symptoms and get urgent medical treatment. Although this is a localised outbreak, there will obviously be anxiety among parents and students across the country. Would the Department work with the national meningitis charities, the National Union of Students and university authorities to run a national awareness campaign, so that the symptoms he has outlined are fully understood, and students are aware of them and can understand what to do if they spot them?

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