Tracy Gilbert
MP for Edinburgh North and Leith
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Is not the fundamental problem that the DVSA is a state-controlled monolith without any competition? Would it be wise to privatise the DVSA and allow young people to access driving tests more quickly?
Context
The MP questioned whether the fundamental problem is that the DVSA is a state-controlled monolith without competition, suggesting privatisation could enable faster access to driving tests.
Lilian Greenwood
This Government are working closely with the DVSA to provide necessary tests. Record numbers of tests were conducted in December, but more needs to be done. We are addressing the issue and making progress.
Session: Driving Test Waiting Times 2026-02-12
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What steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for driving tests? A number of my constituents have been in touch to share their experience of being unable to book test appointments. These delays have an impact on training, education, and employment opportunities. Will her Department outline specific steps to reduce the backlog at test centres in Scotland?
Context
The MP noted constituents' concerns about long wait times for booking test appointments, impacting training, education, and employment opportunities.
Lilian Greenwood
The Government's top priority is reducing car practical driving test waiting times while upholding road safety standards. We announced booking system changes in November 2025, limiting learner drivers to two test changes and introducing geographical restrictions. Additionally, we are utilising military driving examiners and have the highest number of full-time equivalent driving examiners since 2021. Continued recruitment and overtime schemes will benefit learners across Great Britain.
Session: Driving Test Waiting Times 2026-02-12
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I and a number of colleagues have concerns about the upcoming PATHWAYS trial. The Secretary of State has powers to use existing medical records for research purposes. Will he therefore consider using those powers to increase the evidence base and prevent the PATHWAYS trial from proceeding?
Context
The upcoming PATHWAYS trial has raised concerns among some stakeholders. The questioner asks whether the Secretary of State would consider using his powers to increase evidence by conducting a retrospective data linkage study.
Karin Smyth
I thank my hon. Friend for her constructive approach to this difficult issue. She is right to challenge; we must have open and transparent debate. To be very clear—and to refer to my previous answer—the Secretary of State will use that power. We will have a retrospective data linkage study to identify the associations informing patient experience and outcomes, through the analysis of available digital information in health records and other nationally held databases. It will not establish causation but will be an important contribution to the evidence base.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-01-13
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While the Leader of the Opposition is rubbishing contracts for difference and calling for them to be scrapped, the Government are getting on with the job of increasing renewable energy, generating energy security and delivering jobs across the country. Will the Minister reaffirm his support for contracts for difference, and will he seek to work with industry to provide long-term clarity by setting out a timescale for the future auction rounds?
Context
The Leader of the Opposition is opposing contracts for difference, while the Government are expanding renewable energy projects.
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: allocation round 6 delivered a record number of renewables projects, and the jobs and investments that go with them will deliver jobs in constituencies throughout the country, including hers. We have reformed the scheme to ensure that allocation round 7 is a success, at a good price for consumers, and also that it delivers not only value for money but the clarity and investment for renewables projects that are essential to our energy security and to future investment.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-10-14
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Has the Foreign Secretary ordered a review of the UK’s relationship with the Israeli Government over the last 13 months? If not, why not?
Context
Concerns were raised about the reliability and trustworthiness of the Israeli Government, particularly in light of recent sanctions.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)
I set out the detail of the sanctions to which my hon. Friend refers, and the Foreign Secretary has announced a review of some of the elements of our bilateral co-operation with Israel, including a number of steps in relation to free trade agreements and so on.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-09-02
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As is the case for my hon. Friends the Members for Livingston (Gregor Poynton) and for Gloucester (Alex McIntyre), a number of my constituents are affected by the two-child cap, with the latest statistics showing that 330 households in my constituency are impacted. I absolutely agree with a number of charities that removing the cap alone is not a silver bullet to tackle child poverty, but it will make a difference. Can my right hon. Friend confirm whether the child poverty taskforce is considering the removal of the two-child cap?
Context
The impact of the two-child cap on families in Edinburgh North and Leith.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. I can absolutely confirm that the child poverty strategy will be looking at all the levers we need to tackle this really important issue, including in relation to social security. She is impatient for change for her constituents, as am I. We have already put in place a fair repayment rate for universal credit, we are increasing the standard allowance for universal credit for the first time in its history, and we are rolling out free school meals, but I will of course take her representations forward and ensure that they are heard by the taskforce.
Session: Child Poverty 2025-06-23
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UK flour millers, including ADM in my constituency, are already contributing to our food security. However, there are fears in the industry that trade deals could curtail that progress. Will the Minister outline the steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the welcome trade deals struck by the Government do not undermine our food security?
Context
There are fears in the UK flour milling industry that recent trade deals could undermine food security.
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)
The UK flour sector is really important. I very much welcome the work that that sector does for us. It is right to raise the point about trade deals. We are determined to make sure that we do nothing to undermine a very successful sector that helps keep food security at high levels in this country.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-06-19
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Support for the industry starts at home by attracting investment, including at the Port of Leith distillery in my constituency, which is producing single malt Scotch whisky, attracting tourists and showcasing the best of Scottish hospitality. My right hon. Friend will be aware of the industry’s concerns about the watering down of the definition of single malt, which will have an impact on investment and growth. Will he therefore work with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that no change is made to the definition of single malt that would undermine the Scottish success story and investment in the Scottish whisky industry?
Context
Concerns have been raised about potential changes to the definition of single malt Scotch whisky which could impact investment and growth in the Scottish whisky industry.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
Scotch whisky is a proud British brand and export, and this Government will always support the industry. I have checked with Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I can confirm that we will not be watering down the definition of single malt whisky.
Session: Economic Growth Scotland 2025-03-04
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Does the Minister agree that we must urgently update our anti-pimping laws to make it a criminal offence to enable or profit from the prostitution of another person online or offline?
Context
Posting a prostitution ad in a phone box is illegal, yet the same advert can be posted online without restriction. Websites profit from prostitution and make it easy for pimps to exploit women.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jess Phillips)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important point. The Government are clear that online platforms are a significant enabler of sexual exploitation, and must be responsible and held accountable for the content of their sites, including taking proactive steps to prevent their sites being used by criminals. We are implementing the Online Safety Act 2023, which sets out priority offences, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-02-24
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My constituents have raised concerns about the reliability of services on the east coast main line. A constituent has received delay repay compensation for five out of six journeys he took over a two-month period. I welcome the correspondence I have had with the Rail Minister on the action that the Department for Transport is taking with rail partners, including through the east coast digital programme. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the first trains utilising new digital signalling technology will be on the tracks by the end of the year? When does she expect passengers to feel the full benefit of this welcome upgrade?
Context
A constituent received delay repay compensation for five out of six journeys over a two-month period, raising concerns about service reliability.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)
The east coast digital programme is delivering digital signalling on 100 miles of the east coast main line. The technology will deliver an inherent improvement to service reliability and uplift performance and capacity across the line, including for my hon. Friend’s constituents. The first trains are forecast to start running under digital signalling from early 2026. The number of services running under digital signalling will increase until the full programme is expected to be complete in the early 2030s.
Session: East Coast Main Line 2025-02-13
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It is essential that the Government’s industrial strategy creates manufacturing jobs across the country, including in my constituency. The RenewableUK offshore wind industrial growth plan shows the UK can be a global technology leader in advanced turbine tech, foundations, electrical systems and cables. Will my hon. Friend commit to using our industrial strategy to ensure there is growth in these areas to put British manufacturing at the heart of the clean energy transition?
Context
The MP emphasizes the importance of creating manufacturing jobs through the Government's industrial strategy, referencing a report by RenewableUK on offshore wind technology.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I thank my hon. Friend for her question, for her defence of her constituency and for her ambitions, which we share. I believe the report she refers to came out before this Labour Government came to power. With our new policies and the new drive and ambition from our Secretaries of State for Business and Trade and for Energy Security and Net Zero, we are powering forward with our renewable agenda, and we will make sure that all of our growth driving sectors speak to my hon. Friend’s area and everyone’s area of the country and drive growth across the board.
Session: Industrial Strategy 2025-01-30
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My right hon. Friend will share my concern about the increasing number of women being given death sentences by the Iranian authorities. What urgent representations will he make to the Iranian Government to overturn those death sentences and ensure that women receive a fair trial?
Context
There is growing concern over the increasing number of women being given death sentences by Iranian authorities.
Hamish Falconer
I can assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's ambassador to Iran will continue to raise this appalling issue directly with Iranian officials in Tehran. Furthermore, the UK was instrumental in the adoption of the Iran human rights resolution at the UN Third Committee last week. The resolution calls on Iran to establish a moratorium on executions and to end reprisals against women human rights defenders.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-26
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Previous Labour Governments have tackled not only poverty but its root causes. Can my right hon. Friend outline how the child poverty taskforce will identify and tackle the root causes of poverty in my constituency and across the UK, to ensure a permanent end to child poverty?
Context
The MP seeks to understand how the child poverty taskforce will address root causes of poverty in Edinburgh North and Leith.
Liz Kendall
I am sure that, like me, my hon. Friend thinks that it is unacceptable that an estimated one in six children in her constituency is growing up poor. We have taken immediate action to help the poorest families in Scotland through our fair repayment rate, which will benefit 110,000 households in Scotland. We are tackling the root causes of poverty with our reforms to make work pay, tackle exploitative zero-hours contracts and create more good-quality jobs in every part of the country.
Session: Child Poverty 2024-11-11
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What recent estimate she has made of the level of child poverty in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency?
Context
The question follows a request for an estimate of child poverty levels in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency.
Liz Kendall
Some 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty—700,000 more than in 2010. That is why the work of our cross-Government child poverty taskforce is so urgent, and why we will use all levers available to increase family incomes, reduce family costs and give every child the best start in life.
Session: Child Poverty 2024-11-11
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Does my hon. Friend agree that securing a Westminster Hall debate highlights the SNP Government's treatment of the Scottish creative sector? What will the UK Government do to secure the future of the industry, supporting thousands of writers, artists, and performers?
Context
Since being elected, a Labour MP secured a debate on the culture and economic contribution of the Edinburgh festivals. The MP questions the SNP Government's treatment of the arts and seeks UK Government support.
Martin McCluskey
We welcome debates on these issues. The UK Government have supported creative industries in Edinburgh with £8.6 million for the festivals, £2 million for the King's Theatre, and £5 million across Scotland for the Burrell Collection. Millions more are committed through growth deals.
Session: Arts Funding Scotland 2024-10-30
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Will the Secretary of State apologize to pensioners worried about heating bills this winter? Why are many people in his party and others sounding alarms about job losses due to his ideological approach?
Context
The Secretary of State has promised to cut bills by £300 by 2030 but is now not repeating this pledge. He also increased energy costs for millions of pensioners.
Ed Miliband
The last Government left a £22 billion black hole, and I have to say that she has a brass neck. She backed the right hon. Member for North West Essex who suggested means-testing winter fuel payments. The people who should be apologising are those from her party.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-10-08
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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Given the recent announcement that GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen with satellite offices elsewhere, can he outline the role of these satellite offices? Will he consider Leith as the location for the Edinburgh site?
Context
The government has announced various measures on renewables, energy standards for renters, and carbon capture deals.
Ed Miliband
As well as our measures on onshore wind, solar and renewables, this Government have begun legislating for Great British Energy and setting out our plan for proper standards for private and social renters to take 1 million families out of fuel poverty. My hon. Friend is right about the announcement on Aberdeen as the headquarters of Great British Energy and the importance of satellite offices. I know from my visit to her constituency of the huge potential of her area on these issues, and we want to drive jobs throughout the supply chain through Great British Energy.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-10-08
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I welcome the Government's changing approach to the devastating conflict in Gaza and the fact that the review was ordered soon after the Foreign Secretary's appointment. Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that, if the review were to conclude that Israel was breaching international law, all actions including halting arms sales would be considered as part of the Government's proportional response?
Context
The question follows the initial review of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian laws, specifically asking about potential actions if a breach is found.
David Lammy
Criterion 2C of our strategic export licensing criteria is a clear risk of breach of international humanitarian law. Careful assessments have to be made. There is a then a legal process to enable us to reach a conclusion. Of course, with all sobriety and integrity, I intend to do that and I will update the House as soon as I can.
Session: Israel Compliance with International Law 2024-07-30
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What is his planned timescale for completing his review of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law?
Context
The question arises from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where there are concerns about Israel's adherence to international humanitarian laws.
David Lammy
As soon as I came into office, I commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of war in Gaza. We are obliged to look at that advice under criterion 2C for items exported. That is an ongoing process. I pledge to update the House as soon as I can on this very serious matter.
Session: Israel Compliance with International Law 2024-07-30
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How will my right hon. Friend work with the devolved nations to ensure that we meet those targets?
Context
The member is concerned about the need for collaboration across UK regions to address violence against women effectively.
Yvette Cooper
My hon. Friend raises an important point. The mission needs be right across the UK. We must address this issue in all corners of our country, work in partnership, and learn from what has and has not worked in keeping women safe. We will continue to do that.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls 2024-07-29
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What steps her Department plans to take to tackle violence against women and girls?
Context
Violence against women and girls is a significant issue in the UK, with numerous incidents reported each year.
Yvette Cooper
For far too long, violence against women and girls has been treated as an inevitability, rather than the national emergency that it is. Our mission is for the whole country to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. That has to start with drastically improving the policing and criminal justice response.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls 2024-07-29
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: Demand
10 June 2025
Responding: Jess Phillips
Main Concerns
["There are approximately 28,000 reviews on one sex buyers website. Research shows that the most misogynistic reviews were used to control women's behaviour, publicly punishing resistance while rewarding compliance with sexual demands."]
Specific Asks
["Calls for UK-wide legislation similar to Northern Ireland's Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act (2015) making profiting from prostitution of others illegal."]
Offshore Wind 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is declaring violence against women and girls as a national emergency. The strategy aims to halve these crimes within a decade through prevention, bearing down on perpetrators, and supp...
Business of the House 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Expressed condolences for the Bondi Beach attack, criticised the Labour Government's failure to meet its promises, highlighted issues like rising taxes, cost of living crisis, NHS waiting lists, socia...
INEOS Chemicals Grangemouth 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
ExxonMobil Mossmorran 2025-11-18
18 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Employment Rights Bill 2025-11-05
05 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade outlined the Government's commitment to ending exploitative employment practices, supporting fair employers, and enhancing job securit...
Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report 2025-07-21
21 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office provided an initial response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s additional report published on July 9th. He highlighted progress in compensation ...
Middle East 2025-07-21
21 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
State of Climate and Nature 2025-07-14
14 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Electricity Market Review 2025-07-10
10 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Pornography and violence against women
08 December 2025
The petition addresses the concern that pornography is fuelling sexual violence against women and girls, with mainstream pornography often involving sexual coercion in its commercial production.
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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
0
PMQs Asked
21
Ministerial Questions Asked
25
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
1
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
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+165% above average
This MP:
21
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-35% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+957% above average
This MP:
25
Average:
2.4
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
5.1
Petitions Presented
-55% below average
This MP:
1
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 Tracy Gilbert's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.