Ashley Fox
MP for Bridgwater
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Weston Hospicecare faces an increased national insurance bill of £139,000 a year due to changes in employment taxes. The Prime Minister announced funding for capital expenditure and children's hospices but these measures do not help the hospice as it struggles under this tax burden. What additional support can he offer?
Context
Weston Hospicecare faces an increased national insurance bill of £139,000 annually due to changes in employment taxes. The Prime Minister announced funding for capital expenditure and children's hospices, but these measures do not address the current financial challenges faced by Weston Hospicecare.
The Prime Minister
We are putting in the support that we can for hospices, and the money we put aside at the Budget for the NHS is absolutely crucial in relation to that. The NHS was underfunded for 14 long years. We have now put in the funding that the NHS needs to do its work.
Session: PMQs 2025-10-22
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The Employment Rights Bill will grant union equality representatives the right to paid time off work. Will the Prime Minister grant special constables the right to take unpaid leave to perform their duties?
Context
Special constables, who play a vital role in community safety, do not have the right to take unpaid leave for their duties.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
We support existing schemes such as the employer-supported policing scheme. The number of special constables dropped under the last Government and we will ensure our special constables are supported.
Assessment
The response did not confirm or deny granting special constables the right to take unpaid leave for their duties.
Supporting Schemes Already In Place
Blaming Previous Government
Session: PMQs 2025-03-12
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Next year, the Government will spend more money on education in prisons, yet they will actually commission 25% less education by way of quantity of service. Why are they doing such a poor job of commissioning education on behalf of the taxpayer?
Context
Despite an increase in government spending on education in prisons, the quantity of service has been commissioned to be 25% less next year under retendered contracts.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, who asked this question last week as well. We are raising the quality of the provision of education, but he is right to identify some issues with the contracts that the last Conservative Government entered into, which we are having to look at and deal with. As I said to him last week, it is important that we look at alternatives to those contracts. As I have just said, that includes working with the third sector and looking at how we can get more private sector provision. It also includes, as he said last week, working with governors individually to ensure they have more autonomy and power to bring in educational facilities from local colleges and universities where it is possible and safe.
Session: Prisoner Rehabilitation Education and Training 2026-02-03
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When the Lord Chancellor made his statement on jury trials last week, he said that an impact assessment would be published with the legislation. Given how powerful a defender of jury trials he has been in the past, will he publish the evidence and the modelling that he has seen since coming to office that caused him to change his mind?
Context
The Lord Chancellor's statement last week about restricting the right to a jury trial and promise of an impact assessment.
David Lammy (The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Whenever a Government propose legislation, there must be an impact assessment—both an economic impact assessment and an equality impact assessment—and of course we will publish it in the usual way.
Session: Jury Trials Proposal Impact 2025-12-16
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Extending the freeze on income tax thresholds will cost working families £900 a year. It will also drag many pensioners into paying income tax for the first time. Why is the Minister hitting these low-income families to pay more for welfare?
Context
Extending the freeze on income tax and national insurance thresholds will cost working families £900 a year. It will also drag many pensioners into paying income tax for the first time.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)
I suggest the hon. Member asks his Front Benchers why 75% of the impact of people paying more tax at the lower end is the result of decisions made by the previous Government, who spent seven years freezing income tax thresholds. It is a bit rich for the Conservatives to talk about this Government doing it for three years when they did it for seven years.
Session: Income Tax and National Insurance Threshold Freeze 2025-12-09
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May we have a debate on how we can hold councils to account when they cancel Government-funded infrastructure projects without offering an alternative for local people?
Context
Liberal Democrats on Somerset council have cancelled the Cross Rifles roundabout upgrade in Bridgwater, leaving residents facing severe congestion.
Alan Campbell
Local infrastructure is important, particularly to rural communities. I will draw this case to the attention of the Department for Transport. There might be an opportunity for the hon. Gentleman to raise the issue during the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill proceedings.
Session: Business of the House 2025-11-13
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I welcome the Secretary of State to his place, and to his new responsibility for skills. The Government recently reduced the amount of funding for level 7 apprenticeships, so can he tell the House what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of this reduced funding on the number of nurses in training?
Context
The MP inquires about the potential negative effects of reduced funding for higher-level apprenticeships on nursing training.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
The apprenticeships and skills budget, like every other budget, demands choices. We are choosing to prioritise the level that we need in the economy, and the areas where the value is greatest. That does imply certain choices, and I am confident that the choices we have made will benefit the workforce as a whole, and future opportunities.
Session: Post-16 Education Skills Needed in the Economy 2025-10-27
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Does the Secretary of State accept that the reason that unemployment is higher today than the day she took office is the jobs tax, which increases employers’ costs by £25 billion? What hope does her trailblazer programme have when the Chancellor is working against her?
Context
The MP is questioning the Secretary of State on the impact of higher unemployment since she took office, citing a 'jobs tax' that increases employers’ costs by £25 billion. He seeks clarity on how this affects the effectiveness of the trailblazer programme.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
I fundamentally disagree with the hon. Gentleman’s premise. Economic inactivity is down by 400,000 because we are moving more people from being out of work and not looking for work to starting to have to look for work. Employment is up by 725,000. We have created 380,000 jobs. I know there is more we need to do. We are working very closely with employers. We are overhauling what we are doing. One of the things that employers say to us is, “We do not want to tell our story to thousands of different job centres.” We are putting in a single account manager and we are overhauling our support for employers. I would be happy to meet him and employers in his constituency to see what more we can do to support them, because we want to get Britain working and earning again.
Session: Employment Trailblazer Programme 2025-09-01
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Unemployment is now 115,000 higher than when Labour took office. The Chancellor’s new jobs tax and the Employment Rights Bill make hiring a new person more expensive. The family farms and family business taxes are reducing investment. Can the Minister therefore explain how he will reduce unemployment while the Chancellor is pursuing policies that increase it?
Context
The MP questions the impact of government policies on employment, particularly in relation to job losses and the cost of hiring.
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
I do not want to try the patience of the House but, as I have said, employment is up by 500,000 under this Government. [Interruption.] Conservative Members do not like to talk about that. The hon. Gentleman mentions what British business wants—what British business wants is a Government who are actually fixing the public finances and the public services that mean that when a member of staff gets sick, they do not sit on a waiting list for years, as they did under the previous Government. The Conservatives like to attack the Employment Rights Bill, but stopping good employers being undercut by bad is the pro-business thing to do.
Session: Unemployment Levels 2025-06-23
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During the last election campaign, the Secretary of State said he would cut energy bills by £300. Could he set out for families and small businesses in Bridgwater the timescale for fulfilling that promise?
Context
The Secretary of State promised to cut energy bills by £300.
Ed Miliband
We said we would cut energy bills by up to £300 by 2030, and that is our target.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-06-10
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How will the Minister monitor the implementation of the policy that girls will no longer be placed in young offenders institutions? How will he ensure the public are protected from the small number of violent girls who need to be detained?
Context
In March, the Government announced that girls will no longer be placed in young offenders institutions. There is a need to monitor this policy and ensure public safety.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)
Every week I get a report of the number of girls in our youth estate, so I am monitoring it. There are no girls in a YOI, and there have not been since the girl who was in a YOI moved out soon after we came into government.
Session: Female Offenders 2025-06-03
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The Government’s own impact assessment of their Employment Rights Bill says that it will increase the cost to businesses by £5 billion, which will be borne mostly by small businesses. Does the Minister share my concern that, when combined with the additional national insurance charges on employers, that will reduce the opportunities for young people in my constituency just as much as for young people in Kensington and Bayswater?
Context
The Government’s own impact assessment indicates that the Employment Rights Bill will increase costs for businesses by £5 billion, with small businesses bearing most of this burden. The additional national insurance charges are also noted.
The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)
I have said already in this session of questions that we have changed the DWP to serve employers much better, and that is an important shift. I understand that Conservative Members do not want people in this country to have greater rights at work, sick pay if they need it or secure hours if they are on an exploitative zero-hours contract. Unfortunately for them, last year the public voted for the opposite.
Session: Education, Employment and Training Kensington and Bayswater 2025-05-12
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Can the Minister outline Government plans to reform the funding of fire authorities? That is especially important in Somerset, where changes to employer national insurance contributions, the ending of the rural support grant, the removal of the services grant and the reduction of the pension grant will cost Devon and Somerset Fire Authority nearly £2 million a year, at a time of rising costs.
Context
The changes to employer national insurance contributions, ending of the rural support grant, removal of the services grant, and reduction of the pension grant will cost Devon and Somerset Fire Authority nearly £2 million a year.
Pat McFadden (The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster)
I do not want to interrupt the collegiate mood we have had this morning by pointing out that we had to take those decisions after the inheritance we received. I cannot speak for every local authority settlement around the country, but the local authority settlements announced after the Budget were on the whole better than they have been for many years. They will not make up for the past 14 years, but they are better settlements than many local authorities have seen for some time.
Session: Public Service Reform 2025-04-24
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What steps he is taking to ensure that UK military aid is adequate to meet Ukraine’s capability requirements?
Context
The UK is providing £4.5 billion in military support this year, the highest ever sum.
The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
As the Chief of the Defence Staff said over the weekend, no one should doubt that the work that the UK is leading with France to pull together a coalition of nations willing to step in and help ensure lasting peace in any negotiated settlement in Ukraine is critical and substantial. The UK is determined and will lead that effort.
Session: Military Aid to Ukraine 2025-03-24
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Children in Wales have the lowest PISA —programme for international student assessment— scores in the United Kingdom and are significantly below the OECD average. Does the Minister believe that that could be related to 26 years of Labour government in Wales?
Context
The question follows the Welsh Government's budget vote, where Conservative colleagues attempted to block funding. The context is that children in Wales have low PISA scores and are below OECD average.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)
I will take no lectures from the Conservatives. Their attacks ring hollow given the chronic underfunding of education and public services over the 14 years they were in power. Now, the UK and Welsh Governments are working together to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to succeed, by investing over £260 million extra in education and more than £260 million in local government, which sets school budgets in Wales.
Session: School Standards in Wales 2025-03-12
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Bridgwater’s 77 pubs overpay £500 million in business rates relative to turnover. Will the Chancellor commit to a British Beer and Pub Association’s call for a 20p cut in the small business multiplier and 15p off the standard multiplier, securing the future of British pubs?
Context
Pubs in Bridgwater, including Crossways Inn, are facing high business rates despite being at the heart of local communities.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray)
We have frozen the small business rates multiplier this year and will introduce lower multipliers for retail hospitality and leisure premises from April 2026. Additionally, pubs benefit from increased duty relief on draft products.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-03-04
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Does the Home Secretary agree that it would be easier for the police to tackle antisocial behaviour if they had more support for special constables? The number of special constables has fallen in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. Will she agree to consider amending the Employment Rights Act 1996 to bring special constables within section 50?
Context
The MP raised the issue of special constables and their role in supporting police forces, noting a decline in numbers since the pandemic.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)
I agree that special constables can play an important role. Their numbers have dropped by around two thirds over the past 14 years. I think that is damaging, and we want to increase their numbers. We are working with police forces on how best to achieve that so that they can play their part, both on the streets in neighbourhood teams and in supporting other specialist aspects of the police’s work.
Session: Antisocial Behaviour 2025-02-24
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The Bridgwater railway station has a bus stop that remains unusable since its construction due to road layout and safety issues. What additional support can the Government provide to ensure buses can stop at the station safely and improve connectivity in my constituency?
Context
Sir Ashley Fox raised the issue of an unusable bus stop at Bridgwater railway station due to road layout and safety issues, despite it being a relatively small fix.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that question. It does sound like it is a matter for his local council, but I am sure my officials would be very happy to work with Somerset Council to provide any advice and support it may need to work out how to provide a safer service in that area.
Session: Road Safety 2025-02-13
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Labour-controlled Bridgwater town council is increasing its council tax precept by 40%. That means that pensioners in my constituency are suffering from not only the loss of their winter fuel allowance, but an enormous tax rise. What advice does the Minister have for those of my constituents who do not qualify for pension credit, and who now face the loss of the winter fuel allowance from this Government and a huge tax rise from their Labour council?
Context
Labour-controlled Bridgwater town council increased its council tax precept by 40%, impacting pensioners in the constituency. Many do not qualify for pension credit.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Torsten Bell)
I encourage all pensioners to consider whether they are eligible for pension credit, but also to look for the wider support that can be provided via the household support fund and the warm homes discount. I say gently to the hon. Member that the driving up of council tax bills is a direct result of the destruction of local government finances by the Conservative party over 14 years.
Session: Winter Fuel Payment Pensioner Poverty 2025-02-03
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What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the autumn Budget 2024 on levels of debt interest spending?
Context
MP questioned the impact of recent policy decisions on economic confidence and borrowing costs.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
I do not think the borrowing costs in every major country in the world can be explained by the decisions made by this Government. As I said to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth last week, the hon. Gentleman has to get real. There have been global movements in financial markets that have affected the United Kingdom.
Session: Servicing Government Debt 2025-01-21
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Private developers in my constituency have obligations to build social homes under section 106, and they are ready to do so. However, the difficulty they face is that there is no social landlord available to take those units. When I raised this issue with the Deputy Prime Minister in October, she said that she was aware of the problem and was working to tackle it. Will the Minister update the House on the progress made?
Context
Private developers in the constituency have obligations to build social homes under section 106 agreements, but face difficulties due to lack of available social landlords. The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged this issue in October.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman heard my previous answer, but I have just made it clear that we acted on 12 December to establish a matching service. I would advise him to ask developers whether they have taken advantage of this service. We want to learn lessons from data coming out of it to see if further steps are needed. The new service should allow registered providers and developers trying to offload section 106 units to come together to reach agreements.
Session: Social Housing Providers Section 106 2025-01-20
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Will the Secretary of State reassure business owners that her Government have no plans to introduce a tourism tax?
Context
The constituency of Sir Ashley Fox includes Burnham-on-Sea, where tourism is an important industry.
The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism (Chris Bryant)
We have no plans to introduce additional taxes. I want to get 50 million international visitors coming to the UK, because our tourism industry is an important part of what we do well in this country. That is why I will be hosting the first visitor economy advisory council on Monday morning.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-01-16
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How does the Minister expect businesses in Northern Ireland to grow and invest in their communities given that they have to pay enormous tax increases imposed by the Chancellor?
Context
The questioner is concerned about the impact of high tax increases on businesses in Northern Ireland, questioning how they will be able to grow and invest.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)
Even after accounting for employer national insurance contribution impacts, the Office for Budget Responsibility expects real wages to rise by 3%. Raising the revenue to fill the £22 billion black hole required us to take difficult decisions, but they will result in improved public services, which is good for all people in Northern Ireland.
Session: Employer National Insurance Contributions Job Creation 2025-01-15
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What assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed increases in employers’ national insurance contributions on job creation in Northern Ireland?
Context
The question pertains to the impact of proposed increases in employers' national insurance contributions on job creation in Northern Ireland, raising concerns about business growth and investment.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)
There are many pressures on businesses that we are constantly assessing and talking to businesses about. The hon. Member is right to raise the subject of job creation in Northern Ireland; it is a priority for this Government. We are supporting businesses in many ways, including through Invest Northern Ireland’s fund for small businesses, and by directly supporting jobseekers through our funding for employment support schemes.
Session: Employer National Insurance Contributions Job Creation 2025-01-15
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The Government’s new policy of smashing the gangs has enabled them to close seven asylum hotels. Unfortunately they have had to open another 14. When will the number of asylum seekers in hotel accommodation be lower than when she took office?
Context
MP noted a net increase of six asylum hotels since the general election, despite closures scheduled for March.
The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)
Because of the size of the backlog we inherited from the Conservative party and an asylum system in chaos, with tens of thousands of people in limbo and very little processing happening, the problem cannot be solved overnight. However, by the end March there will be fewer hotels as nine more are scheduled to close.
Session: Asylum Hotels 2025-01-13
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In some villages in my constituency such as Cannington and Nether Stowey, fewer than 10% of households have access to gigabit broadband, and download speeds are among the slowest in the country. Will he advise how his Department will ensure that, under the new contract, Openreach fulfils its obligations and my constituents get that faster broadband?
Context
The MP noted villages in his constituency, such as Cannington and Nether Stowey, have less than 10% household access to gigabit broadband with extremely slow download speeds. These areas face significant barriers to the roll-out of faster internet.
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)
Only this week, we announced a £289 million contract that will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 131,000 difficult-to-reach premises across England and Wales. We are determined to make sure that in every part of the country, including in the hon. Member’s constituency, we reach all those places. I commend the hon. Member for his persistence; he is quite right about villages where there is no proper gigabit-capable internet available. I am determined to deal with that and happy to meet him.
Session: Gigabit Broadband Rural Areas 2025-01-08
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Can the Secretary of State confirm whether she will maintain strong sanctions against those who are capable of working but choose not to?
Context
The MP asks about maintaining sanctions against those capable of working but not doing so.
Liz Kendall
If you can work, you must work, and if you repeatedly refuse to, sanctions will remain, but I know from young people in my constituency that they are desperate to get the skills and opportunities that they need. Unlike the Conservative party, that is what our youth guarantee will deliver.
Session: “Get Britain Working” White Paper 2024-12-16
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The Government have raised national insurance charges on employers and introduced a family farm and a family business tax. The Employment Rights Bill will raise business costs by £5 billion, predominantly for small businesses. As a result of those changes, does the Secretary of State believe that SMEs will employer more or fewer people?
Context
The question is about the government's policies that affect employer national insurance contributions and potential impacts on small business staffing.
Jonathan Reynolds
I have absolutely no doubt that the Government's agenda is one for employment, business investment and growth. Some of the things that this country needs the most could only have been delivered by a change of Government. I simply do not believe that the Conservative party is capable of reforming the planning system or having a long-term industrial strategy, fixing our relationship with the European Union, and all the rest of it.
Session: Small and Medium-sized Businesses 2024-12-12
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Can she tell the House what data her Department holds on the nationality of prolific offenders, and what steps she will take to deport those who are non-British. The Government is working towards removing more foreign national offenders than in previous years.
Context
The question relates to the issue of foreign nationals who commit crimes and their deportation.
Shabana Mahmood
The hon. Member will know that we retain data on foreign national offenders, and this Government are on track to remove more foreign national offenders this year than in the previous year. I obviously want to make further progress on this issue, and I hope that there will be consensus across the House so that we remove those who commit crimes in this country and who have no right to be here.
Session: Prolific Offenders 2024-12-10
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My constituents have had to endure the Liberal Democrats presiding over the transition from two levels of council, which worked—they balanced their books—to a unitary council that is on the brink of bankruptcy. Can the Minister assure the House that no new council reforms will be forced on unwilling areas, and that local opinion will be at the forefront of his decision?
Context
Residents of Bridgwater have had to endure the transition from two levels of council to a unitary council that is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Jim McMahon
We are in constant dialogue with local councils on our twin-pronged approach. One prong is devolution and making sure that we push power out of this place and into local communities. The other is reorganisation in cases where councils recognise that it delivers more effective and efficient local government.
Session: Devolution Agreements Somerset 2024-12-02
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What discussions has the government had with local government representatives on potential future devolution agreements in Somerset?
Context
The Deputy Prime Minister invited places without a devolution agreement, including Somerset, to come forward with proposals for their area.
Jim McMahon
In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places without a devolution agreement, including Somerset, to come forward with proposals for their area, in order to gauge the approaches and forms being considered across the country. We welcome Somerset's support for this initiative, and look forward to hearing its views on the imminent White Paper on English devolution.
Session: Devolution Agreements Somerset 2024-12-02
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Does the Minister agree that the low number of police officers hinders the fight against violence against women? Will she work to increase officer numbers to 7,500?
Context
The number of police officers in Northern Ireland is below the recommended level.
Fleur Anderson
Police action is important but it is also about a whole-of-society change. Every organisation needs to get involved in tackling misogyny wherever we see it.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls 2024-11-27
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Given the issues with the Crown court backlog, will the Minister outline plans for continuing Nightingale court sittings and improving the number and quality of Crown court judges?
Context
The Crown court backlog is exacerbated by the combination of covid and strike action by barristers.
Heidi Alexander
We are operating 18 Nightingale courts across eight locations, continuing to recruit for the judiciary. We criticise the Conservatives for causing backlog issues through past actions.
Session: Crown Court Backlog 2024-11-05
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The hon. Member inquired about the Chancellor's plan to fulfill Labour's previous pledge of cutting energy bills by £300 and requested a specific timescale for implementation.
Context
During the last election, Labour promised to cut energy bills by £300. However, there is no clear timeline for this promise.
Rachel Reeves
We are committed to reducing people's energy bills by investing in home-grown energy and better insulating homes, but no specific timescale was provided beyond stating that more detail would come in the Budget.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-10-29
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What steps will the Deputy Prime Minister take to ensure that those units can be built to house local people?
Context
The MP mentioned private developers in Bridgwater ready to build social homes but facing difficulties due to lack of a social landlord.
Angela Rayner
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. I am aware of those concerns, and the Government will continue to work with house builders, local authorities and affordable housing providers to tackle the problem. We need to make sure that section 106 notices are adhered to and that when we have affordable and social housing on those sites, they are tenanted and people are in there.
Session: Social Housing Supply 2024-10-28
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Bridgwater has a mix of urban and rural areas where many constituents complain about non-existent signals from providers such as O2, Vodafone, and EE. Can you confirm that the Government intends to continue funding the shared rural network for better mobile coverage?
Context
Following up on initial concerns, the question focuses on ensuring that the Government continues to fund the shared rural network, which is crucial for improving mobile coverage in Bridgwater's rural areas.
Chris Bryant
Yes, we will continue to fund the shared rural network as it is essential for people's lives and businesses. The signal quality must be improved.
Session: Mobile Phone Reception Bridgwater 2024-10-16
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I am concerned about the current mobile phone reception in my constituency of Bridgwater. Despite statistics suggesting 97% coverage, many constituents face poor signal quality, particularly in rural areas such as Burnham-on-Sea where the O2 signal is non-existent, Pawlett with no Vodafone or EE signals, and Chedzoy lacking an EE signal.
Context
The question arises due to the concern over poor mobile signal coverage in the Bridgwater constituency, affecting both urban and rural areas. Constituents are facing issues with non-existent signals from major providers like O2, Vodafone, and EE.
Chris Bryant
The mobile signal seems functional here but is often poor in other parts of the country, which highlights its importance for people's daily lives, health, and business operations. The Government intends to continue funding the shared rural network to improve coverage.
Session: Mobile Phone Reception Bridgwater 2024-10-16
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What the Government's policy is on the proposed nuclear power plant at Wylfa. The last Government announced the biggest expansion in nuclear power for 70 years, including the commissioning of Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Does the Minister agree that a new nuclear power plant at Wylfa is vital to the UK's energy security, and can she give a timeline for its development?
Context
The proposed nuclear power plant at Wylfa is a matter of energy security and clean power generation, potentially providing thousands of skilled jobs. The previous government had announced the largest expansion in nuclear power for 70 years, including Hinkley Point C.
Nia Griffith
Nuclear energy can play an important role in helping to achieve energy security and clean power, while providing thousands of skilled jobs. Great British Nuclear has acquired the Wylfa site with a view to developing a new nuclear project. Decisions on the project and the technologies to be deployed at Wylfa will be made in due course. As a previously designated nuclear site that has hosted nuclear power, Wylfa is ideally placed either to be used for large-scale nuclear, or to be used for a series of small modular reactors. We will be setting out our plans for the site in due course.
Session: Nuclear Power Plant Wylfa 2024-09-11
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Will you consider exempting SMEs from any financial sanctions by the fair work agency, to avoid further burden on small businesses?
Context
The MP noted that SMEs now face thousands of pounds in fines for not upholding new employment reforms.
Gareth Thomas
We have consulted widely with the business community; our reforms received support and we will continue working with small businesses on plan details.
Session: High Street Businesses 2024-09-05
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Can she advise the House what other options she considered for making savings in the Department for Work and Pensions budget before deciding to make this cut?
Context
The issue is about potential savings from cutting winter fuel payments, as reported.
Rachel Reeves
The black hole we inherited was £22 billion. We announced in the statement on 29 July £5.5 billion of savings to reduce the size of that black hole, but the hon. Gentleman can see there is still work to be done and we will be setting out further measures in the Budget on 30 October to get a grip of the public finances.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-09-03
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Rural Broadband: Installation
27 January 2026
Responding: Kanishka Narayan
Main Concerns
["Broadband is now an essential part of daily life for families, businesses and communities. Survey results in Sir Ashley's constituency showed poor broadband quality in remote rural areas with scores as low as 1.5 out of 10 reported by some residents. This issue affects productivity and access to services for farmers and small business owners who are required to interact online."]
Specific Asks
['The Government must address the digital divide perpetuated by delays in broadband installation, especially affecting remote rural areas that are vital for food production and tourism.']
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
04 November 2025
Responding: Blair McDougall
Main Concerns
['The postal service is a vital part of communities, especially for elderly or vulnerable people in rural areas. Constituents reported that only one in three households received daily deliveries, with some experiencing no delivery at all for more than two weeks. In North Petherton and Cossington, constituents had to travel to the sorting office in Bridgwater to collect their post personally.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should work with Royal Mail to improve service quality and address staffing shortages. The Minister should liaise with his colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that every NHS organisation puts the NHS barcode on healthcare-related letters.']
Proposed Salt Marshes: Pawlett Hams
09 October 2024
Responding: Mary Creagh
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about EDF's plans to establish a salt marsh at Pawlett Hams in Somerset, which was highly unpopular with the local community. The proposal would flood 800 acres of beautiful Somerset countryside and turn it into a barren, species-poor salt marsh, endangering the land itself and its rare flora and fauna, including lapwings, redshanks, otters, water voles, water beetles, great crested newts, and yellow wagtails. Pawlett Hams is part of the Bridgwater bay site of special scientific interest and provides valuable grazing for local farmers that would be lost if the area was turned into a salt marsh."]
Specific Asks
['I ask the Government to consider whether there might be a better way of delivering environmental improvements than through the Environment Agency. I propose that any money saved from not installing an acoustic fish deterrent, which could be tens of millions of pounds, should be put at the disposal of the local community to fund genuine environmental improvements by democratically accountable bodies such as Somerset Council and the local town and parish councils.']
Local Government Finance
11 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to approve the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27, laying before the House on 9 February.
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Prison Capacity Annual Statement 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government are publishing the second annual statement on prison capacity, reflecting their determination to be open and honest about the state of the justice system. They inherited a prison system...
Police Reform White Paper 2026-01-26
26 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill 2026-01-21
21 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves amendments to exempt basic rate taxpayers in England, Wales and Scotland from the £2,000 cap. Criticises the bill for not enhancing pension savings and proposes new clauses requiring assessments...
Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister of Justice emphasised the importance of the Public Office Accountability Bill for ensuring transparency, accountability, and support for families affected by state failures. She highlight...
Business of the House 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP expressed concern over the lack of full costing in the strategic defence review, resulting in delays to the Defence Investment Plan. He highlighted issues faced by local businesses such as the ...
Digital ID 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the mandatory digital ID policy will continue as planned? The MP expresses concern about the policy's cost, effectiveness, and whether it is still necessary given its ev...
Offshore Wind 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026-01-12
12 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister opened the debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill, emphasising that the Labour Government's second Budget was a choice between austerity and decline or investment and renewal, opting for the ...
Attendance
95.5%
21 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
12
54.5% of votes
No Votes
9
40.9% of votes
Abstentions
1
4.5% of votes
03 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
27 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
2
PMQs Asked
38
Ministerial Questions Asked
68
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
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
+3% above average
This MP:
2
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+379% above average
This MP:
38
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+95% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2775% above average
This MP:
68
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 (%)
+26% above average
This MP:
95.5
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 Ashley Fox's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.