Jennifer Craft
MP for Thurrock
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Two years ago, Thurrock Council was led into effective bankruptcy by the then Conservative Administration, in no small part due to an investment of hundreds of millions of pounds in a solar farm scheme run by a conman. Given the Prime Minister's commitment to integrity in public life, will he support my call, and those of my constituents, for a public inquiry, so that those responsible can finally be held to account?
Context
Two years ago, Thurrock Council faced effective bankruptcy due to a solar farm scheme run by a conman. A public inquiry has been called for to hold those responsible accountable.
Keir Starmer
I thank my hon. Friend for her question, because years of underfunding have left councils facing huge budget pressures—[Interruption.] Opposition Members yawn; they do not know the impact that it has on working people up and down the country, who rely on public services. What has happened in Thurrock is shocking. We are committed to resetting the relationship, and helping those under intervention to recover and reform. Fourteen years is a long time of destroying local services, and it is clear that it will take time to fix them. We will get councils back on their feet by providing multi-year funding settlements, but ultimately we have to grow our economy. I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition did not welcome the £63 billion of investment that we were able to announce on Monday.
Assessment
Support for public inquiry into Thurrock Council bankruptcy
Criticizing Previous Government
Shifting Focus To Economy
Session: PMQs 2024-10-16
View Full Session -->
This morning I had the pleasure of visiting South Essex college, which offers a wide range of post-16 skills-based courses from theatre and music production through to digital skills. What role does the Secretary of State see the further education sector playing in delivering the Government's skills agenda?
Context
South Essex college offers a significant variety of post-16 skills-based courses.
Bridget Phillipson
Our further education colleges have a crucial role to play, which is why they will be a central part of what we take forward through Skills England.
Session: Skills Training 2024-12-09
View All Questions -->
I am concerned about the steps being taken to reform skills training. The previous Government left behind a skills system that was fragmented and failing, with falling numbers of apprenticeships for young people and adults unable to find the necessary training courses they need.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the fragmented and failing skills system left by the previous government.
Bridget Phillipson
We are turning the page by establishing Skills England to unify the fragmented landscape, and bringing forward a plan for post-16 education and skills which will deliver the education and training pathways that our economy, employers and learners need.
Session: Skills Training 2024-12-09
View All Questions -->
The Treasury consistently insists that only 500 farms a year will be impacted by the family farm tax. However, the Central Association for Agricultural Valuers calculates that the real number will be five times higher and will include many farms in my Gordon and Buchan constituency. Who is right: the Treasury or the experts?
Context
Concern over the number of farms impacted by the family farm tax, with a calculation from experts suggesting five times more than the Treasury's estimate.
Rachel Reeves
We have published the detail of how that money is raised, but the numbers from His Majesty's Revenue and Customs are very clear: only a quarter of estates will pay any additional tax. At the moment, the vast majority of agricultural property relief is enjoyed by a very small number of very large and very expensive estates.
Session: Management of Public Finances 2024-12-03
View All Questions -->
What steps she is taking to help ensure the sound management of public finances. My constituents expect the Government to treat taxpayer money with the utmost respect. However, during the pandemic the Conservatives handed out contracts to their friends and donors and failed to prevent fraud, using the crisis as a cover for their greed. Does the Chancellor agree with me that that money belongs to the taxpayer?
Context
Concern over government spending and fraud during the pandemic.
Rachel Reeves
My hon. Friend's constituents in Thurrock are right to be angry about the waste and corruption that happened under the previous Government. That money belongs to the British people and in our public services, not in the pockets of fraudsters taking advantage of a national emergency. Tom Hayhoe will leave no stone unturned in investigating the carnival of fraud that the previous Government presided over, including in PPE contracts.
Session: Management of Public Finances 2024-12-03
View All Questions -->
What steps are being taken to resolve issues with the Dartford Crossing's new charging system?
Context
The MP is concerned about recent failings in the Dartford Crossing's new charging system, including errors in billing and incorrect charges.
Louise Haigh
National Highways is working to clear up errors quickly and provide better support for customers. The Minister for the future of roads has been holding National Highways to account, ensuring incorrect penalty charge notices are reduced.
Session: Transport Infrastructure 2024-11-21
View All Questions -->
Many early years providers struggle to meet the needs of children with SEND. Lack of funds, lack of training and lack of specialist staff often mean that those that do provide a good or excellent service quickly become over-subscribed. What steps is the Department taking to reassure parents and carers of children with SEND that those children will have access to the childcare or early years provision in their areas that meets their needs?
Context
Early years providers struggle to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Stephen Morgan
We are helping members of the workforce to develop the skills and confidence that will enable them to work effectively with children with SEND, and reviewing early years funding arrangements to ensure that they meet the needs of those children. I should be happy to meet my hon. Friend or visit her constituency to understand the issues that her local providers are facing.
Session: Childcare Accessibility 2024-11-04
View All Questions -->
What steps she is taking to make childcare more accessible?
Context
MP concerned about lack of accessible childcare in her constituency.
Stephen Morgan
Ensuring that parents have access to affordable and high-quality childcare is a priority for this Government. We will focus on greater opportunities for every family to access early education, and on greater opportunities for children to thrive and develop. As an initial step, we have announced the bidding round for the first 300 school-based nurseries from next September.
Session: Childcare Accessibility 2024-11-04
View All Questions -->
At best, the proposed lower Thames crossing offers only a short-term mitigation to the problem of congestion at the Dartford crossing. Given that, what steps will the Secretary of State take to consider the potential for investment in cross-river public transport?
Context
The proposed lower Thames crossing offers short-term mitigation but has detrimental environmental and quality-of-life impacts. Concerns about investment in cross-river public transport including the KenEx tram scheme.
Lilian Greenwood
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and completely understand the concerns that she raises about congestion in the area. The outlined business case submitted by KenEx, to which she refers, was unfortunately unable to progress further after its submission in 2022.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-10-10
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Disability History Month
12 December 2024
Responding: Stephen Timms
Main Concerns
['Ms. Craft expressed concern about the persistent disability employment gap of around 30%, noting that over one million disabled people want to work but face poor employer attitudes and insufficient support programmes. She highlighted the discrimination faced by disabled individuals, with three out of four reporting negative attitudes in recent years. Disabled children are deprived of life chances due to a broken special educational needs system. The disability pay gap stands at 17%, equating to over £1,000 less per month for households compared to non-disabled households. Ms. Craft also pointed out that two-thirds of disabled people fear disclosing their disability during job applications.']
Specific Asks
["Ms. Craft asked the Minister to review the Equality Act to ensure it is fit for the modern labour market and address employer obligations. She inquired about the continuation of engaging with disabled individuals, campaigners, and charities in driving reform and details on departmental disability leads' roles. Additionally, she requested assurances that disabled people will not lose financial benefits if they need social security payments again after trying employment."]
Home-to-School Transport: Children with SEND
03 December 2024
Responding: Catherine McKinnell
Main Concerns
["Disabled children enter the education system with significant challenges due to underfunding and understaffing over 14 years, leaving a broken special educational needs and disabilities system. Parents struggle to secure their child's entitlements at every step of the way, impacting life chances compared to other children. The current statutory framework for home-to-school transport excludes disabled children from accessing education before age five and after age 16, despite local authorities' discretion in providing transport for early years settings being often met with flat refusal or unsuitable arrangements."]
Specific Asks
['The system should ensure that disabled children and their families are not penalised due to financial burdens faced by councils. The Government must work towards better inclusion of disabled children in mainstream education, while addressing the immediate needs of transport and support for these children.']
Winter Preparedness
18 December 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Planning Committees: Reform
09 December 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
“Get Britain Working” White Paper
26 November 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ways and Means
05 November 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
This Budget marks a turning point after 14 years of Tory neglect, focusing on fixing the public finances and services. The Chancellor has delivered on Labour's manifesto promises: protecting payslips ...
Access to Primary Healthcare
16 October 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The NHS is in a state of crisis due to years of neglect by the previous government, leading to long waits for GP appointments and dental care. The number of fully qualified GPs has decreased, and urge...
VAT: Independent Schools
08 October 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government has decided to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on independent school fees, a move that many critics believe undermines educational provision and parental choice. This policy is particularl...
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 - Clause 2: Future provision of services
03 September 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Amendment 18 proposes to require the Secretary of State to report on the impact of prohibiting franchise extensions and new franchises under section 25A. The amendment aims to ensure that Parliament i...
Attendance
100.0%
22 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
9
40.9% of votes
No Votes
13
59.1% of votes
Abstentions
0
0.0% of votes
03 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
1
PMQs Asked
8
Ministerial Questions Asked
7
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
22
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 649 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-48% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+1% above average
This MP:
8
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+30% above average
This MP:
2
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+196% above average
This MP:
7
Average:
2.4
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
5.1
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.2
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+32% above average
This MP:
100.0
Average:
75.6
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Jennifer Craft's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.