Emma Lewell
MP for South Shields
Lab
2 May 2013 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
My lovely grandad John Henry Richardson passed away in 1998 from work-related asbestos exposure. Today, in South Shields, we have one of the highest death rates from this silent killer in the United Kingdom. Will the Prime Minister look at introducing a national digital register so that we know where the asbestos is, and commit to a phased removal of it from public buildings?
Context
The MP discusses a high death rate from asbestos exposure in South Shields and requests for action on the national digital register of asbestos locations.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I am sure that I speak for the whole House when I say that I am very sorry to hear what happened to my hon. Friend’s grandfather. These are just awful cases, and the deaths are terrible. I have no doubt that he was a wonderful man, and he would have been very proud to have seen her in her place today. I will ensure that she gets a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Assessment
The PM did not directly commit to introducing a national digital register or phased removal of asbestos from public buildings.
Will Arrange A Meeting
Session: PMQs 2025-03-05
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Will the Prime Minister consider supporting a special tribunal with statutory powers on this 70-year-long scandal?
Context
Jack Taylor and other nuclear veterans have been denied access to their medical records and compensation for decades. The Prime Minister has said these national heroes deserve full accountability and justice.
Keir Starmer
Nearly 5,000 have received their nuclear test medals and the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the war pension scheme. A meeting on this issue will be arranged for my hon. Friend with the relevant Minister.
Assessment
Supporting a special tribunal with statutory powers
5,000 Have Received Their Nuclear Test Medals
Right To Apply For No-Fault Compensation
Session: PMQs 2024-07-24
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Allies rightly agreed that up to 1.5% of GDP would go towards civil preparedness and resilience measures, but public support for our current commitments—let alone for mobilisation in a crisis—does not meet Government assumptions. Will my right hon. Friend say how he plans to address that, so that we fully meet our article 3 obligations?
Context
MP inquires about the UK's public support for civil preparedness and resilience measures, questioning whether it meets the Government’s assumptions.
The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
I will. My hon. Friend, who serves on the Defence Committee and did in the previous Parliament, will remember that total spending on defence in the last year of the last Government was just under £54 billion. She will know that this year and next year, it is set to be over £65 billion. She will see the increase in defence spending, she will recognise the importance of making that commitment, and she will recognise the value of the strategic defence review in setting the vision for transforming our forces, so that they are more ready to warfight, and better able to deter.
Session: NATO Defence Expenditure Target 2025-12-15
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After a long campaign from myself and constituents, South Tyneside council has eventually agreed to curtail any new houses in multiple occupation, but we remain saturated with them. My right hon. Friend knows that they are no substitute for good social housing, so does he have any plans to strengthen the licensing regime, to close down badly managed HMOs and to deliver better housing?
Context
The constituency of South Shields has a high saturation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), which are seen as inadequate substitutes for good social housing. Emma Lewell's petition has already prompted the local council to limit new HMO developments.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Steve Reed)
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her petition, which the Department will respond to in the usual way. Planning authorities have the power to limit the number of HMOs within their locality, and they may withdraw a permitted development right in a specific area using an article 4 direction, but we are keeping this policy under review. I am aware of the concerns that her constituents have expressed to her, and those that others have expressed to their own MPs.
Session: Social and Affordable Housing South Shields 2025-11-24
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The Motability scheme provides a lifeline to people with disabilities, allowing them to get to health appointments, study, maintain employment and so much more. Cuts to the scheme risk increased health needs and increased unemployment, which are likely to cost much more than any short-term savings. Does my right hon. Friend agree that before any proposed cuts are implemented, it is vital to carry out a proper impact assessment?
Context
The MP raised concerns about proposed cuts to the Motability scheme, which provides a lifeline to people with disabilities, enabling them to access health appointments and maintain employment.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no changes to the eligibility conditions for the mobility component of the personal independence payment, or indeed other aspects of PIP, until the conclusion of the review, which I will be leading and co-producing with disabled people. That is expected to report in autumn next year.
Session: Employment People with Health Conditions 2025-10-27
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My constituents are sick of being ignored when it comes to vital bus routes being withdrawn. More than 600 of them recently signed a petition after the unexpected and rapid withdrawal of the well used No. 17. Giving more powers to local councils does not always equate to communities having more of a say. Can the Minister please explain what checks and balances are in place to ensure that, as we devolve powers, residents really are listened to?
Context
Residents of South Shields signed a petition against the withdrawal of the No. 17 bus route, highlighting concerns about local influence over bus services.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)
I know the bus services in South Shields very well indeed, having been born there, and I know intimately from conversations with my family the struggles that my hon. Friend’s constituents are having with bus services. Our landmark Bus Services (No. 2) Bill will allow local leaders to take back control of bus services, and I am sure that Kim McGuinness, the Mayor of the North East, will be able to do just that.
Session: Bus Services 2025-09-11
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For too long, charities, faith groups and churches such as my own, St Bede’s, have been supporting people struggling to get by. Does my hon. Friend agree that our child poverty taskforce needs to seriously consider scrapping the awful two-child benefit cap, because relying on charity to lift children out of poverty is simply unsustainable?
Context
The MP is concerned about the reliance on charities and faith groups to address child poverty, particularly due to the two-child benefit cap.
Marsha De Cordova
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Everyone has a responsibility to tackle child poverty, and we should all commend and thank the Church for the role it has played in this space. I know that the Bishop of Derby hosted Baroness Sherlock, the child poverty unit and colleagues for a roundtable, where many issues were discussed.
Session: Poverty 2025-07-03
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South Shields will be the 15th most negatively impacted constituency if the Government’s proposed welfare changes go ahead, yet there are no in-person consultation events in the north-east at all. Can my right hon. Friend please rectify that?
Context
The question stems from the concern that South Shields, one of the most negatively impacted constituencies by proposed welfare changes, has no in-person consultations planned.
Liz Kendall (The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
I will absolutely take that away to look at it.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-05-12
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I echo the Secretary of State’s initial comments. South Shields has a long-standing problem with sewage being dumped in the sea at Whitburn. Just this week, Little Haven beach was handed a brown flag, and myself and local campaigners are completely fed up. The Environment Agency, Ofwat, Northumbrian Water, the council and the last Government all completely ignored our concerns. We have already requested a meeting with the Water Minister, and I hope she will confirm today that the meeting will happen very soon.
Context
South Shields has faced significant water pollution issues, including sewage being dumped in the sea at Whitburn. Little Haven beach recently received a brown flag indicating poor water quality.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)
I congratulate my hon. Friend on her tireless work to represent the concerns of people in South Shields about those terrible problems with water pollution. Of course, my hon. Friend voted for the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which has given the regulator many more powers, including the power to ban undeserved multimillion-pound bonuses. I am sure she will be interested to read, as will I, the findings from the Independent Water Commission led by Sir Jon Cunliffe when they come forward in a few weeks’ time.
Session: Water Sector Reform Consultation 2025-05-08
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In South Shields, not only is our public transport expensive, we have to suffer constant metro delays, tunnel closures and replacement bus breakdowns. This Christmas, our roads were completely cut off. Will my right hon. Friend please meet me to discuss these long-standing ongoing issues?
Context
The question is prompted by ongoing issues with public transport and infrastructure in South Shields.
The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend. I have already met a number of Members of Parliament in the Gateshead area about some of the recent problems with the flyover, and met the Mayor for the region.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-01-09
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Churches Together South Tyneside does amazing work through its Happy at Home hub, providing a range of services to the lonely and the isolated. Will my hon. Friend expand a little more on the Church's wider pastoral duties towards those in the greatest need?
Context
Churches Together South Tyneside provides a range of services to lonely and isolated individuals through its Happy at Home hub.
Marsha de Cordova
Churches together groups do a fantastic job tackling isolation and loneliness. There are projects supporting parishes with physical accessibility of their buildings, including church halls and other facilities. The LPW grant scheme helps deliver adaptation of historic churches at pace.
Session: People Housebound due to Disability Church Support 2024-11-28
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What steps the Church is taking to support people that are housebound due to a disability?
Context
The Church's initiatives aimed at supporting people who are housebound due to a disability.
Marsha de Cordova
The Church has started a project to support local parishes to adapt their buildings for accessibility, including standardising signage, training church leaders and staff, and offering a grant scheme for adaptations. The Church also continues to develop worship and educational resources available nationally to people who are housebound and their carers.
Session: People Housebound due to Disability Church Support 2024-11-28
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Will he revisit recommendations to move murder, manslaughter, and rape cases from service to civilian courts?
Context
The question stems from concerns about the handling of serious crimes like rape within military jurisdiction.
Luke Pollard
The Government committed during opposition that murder, manslaughter, and rape cases would be tried in civilian courts. The Armed Forces Bill will provide an opportunity to implement this change.
Session: Independent Armed Forces Commissioner 2024-11-18
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Will my hon. Friend, alongside the Education Secretary, urgently look at the proposal by Feeding Britain for auto-enrolment to free school meals as part of the single application process for families claiming UC?
Context
The MP highlights Feeding Britain's proposal for auto-enrolling children from Universal Credit claimant families in the free school meal programme.
Alison McGovern
My hon. Friend has never looked away from those facing poverty, ensuring proper measurement of household food insecurity. I will take Feeding Britain's input into the child poverty taskforce and hope to meet them to discuss how we can progress this.
Session: Child Poverty 2024-11-11 (2)
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What steps are being taken with Cabinet colleagues to reduce levels of child poverty? The previous Government presided over shameful levels of child poverty, including nearly 500,000 children who are eligible for free school meals but missing out. Will my hon. Friend urgently look at the proposal by Feeding Britain for auto-enrolment to free school meals as part of the single application process for families claiming UC?
Context
The MP notes the previous government's record on high levels of child poverty, including nearly 500,000 children eligible for free school meals but not receiving them.
Alison McGovern
Through breakfast clubs and fair payment rates, efforts are being made to reduce child poverty. The ministerial taskforce will publish the child poverty strategy by spring 2025 using all available levers across government. I have listened to Feeding Britain's proposal and am considering it as an input into the child poverty taskforce.
Session: Child Poverty 2024-11-11 (2)
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Will the duty of candour in the Hillsborough law apply to the 70-year-long nuclear test veterans scandal?
Nick Thomas-Symonds
I thank my hon. Friend for that question; she is a long-standing champion for justice for victims of the infected blood scandal and, indeed, the nuclear test veterans that she mentioned. We are looking to introduce a broad duty of candour—a general duty of candour. I should also point out that criminal sanctions will be really important to punish the most egregious breaches, and I am pleased to confirm today, as the Prime Minister announced in September, that the Bill we will bring forward will include criminal sanctions.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-10-24
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Will the review focus on the sovereign defence industrial base, ensuring that regions such as the north-east are pivotal in this regard?
Context
The previous government left the armed forces underfunded.
John Healey
The experts conducting the review will have an ongoing focus on the sovereign defence industrial base, reinforcing the UK's security and economy. The previous government left a depleted state in the armed forces, with billion-pound black holes in defence plans and low service morale.
Session: Strategic Defence Review 2024-10-14
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Can she assure me that the better buses Bill will make provision to fully include local voices?
Context
Previous Government's decision to axe over 1,000 bus routes without considering local communities.
Louise Haigh
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has put her finger on exactly the problem with the system across the country at the moment. For too long, we have allowed private operators to pick and choose whatever routes and services they want, with no say whatsoever for local people or local leaders. The better buses Bill is at the heart of our bus service reforms, and it will give local people a proper say on the routes and services that they absolutely depend on.
Session: Local Bus Services 2024-10-10
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What steps is she taking to help improve local bus services?
Context
Local communities have suffered from a reduction in bus routes and services due to neglect.
Louise Haigh
The state of the country's bus services is too often unacceptably poor after more than a decade of neglect and decline. In September we moved fast and announced transformative new measures to make it quicker and easier for every local authority in England to have London-style control over its bus services.
Session: Local Bus Services 2024-10-10
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Asbestos Removal: Non-domestic Buildings
18 June 2025
Responding: Sir Stephen Timms
Main Concerns
['The UK has one of the highest levels of deaths caused by asbestos exposure, with over 5,000 people dying each year. In South Shields, people are dying from asbestos at a higher rate than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Asbestos-related deaths continue to occur due to its presence in buildings and workplaces.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should act now on asbestos removal from non-domestic buildings and consider implementing a central asbestos register and mandatory census for building owners to declare asbestos presence or suspicion of it.']
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...
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...
End-of-life Ministry 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is still being debated in the other place. If passed unamended, chaplains may be required to provide assisted dying services despite their conscientious ob...
Sentencing Bill 2025-10-21
21 October 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Proposes amendment to clause 1, page 1, line 14, by replacing 'not more' with 'less', changing the presumption for a suspended sentence order to apply to sentences of less than 12 months instead. This...
Free School Meals 2025-06-05
05 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government aims to expand free school meal eligibility for children whose families receive universal credit, lifting up to 100,000 children out of poverty. This move is part of a wider child pover...
Strategic Defence Review 2025-06-02
02 June 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine 2025-03-03
03 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Called on the House to show courage in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, announced a significant increase in defence spending for the first time since the cold war. Emphasised economic securit...
Developing AI Capacity and Expertise in UK Defence 2025-01-13
13 January 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
The report highlights the need for the Ministry of Defence to align its rhetoric with reality regarding artificial intelligence. It emphasises the importance of becoming 'AI-native' rather than merely...
Business of the House 2025-01-09
09 January 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government's first six months in office have been catastrophic, with damaging effects on the economy. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research warns that the UK economy did not grow ...
Harland & Wolff
19 December 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation
08 January 2026
The petition highlights the detrimental impact of uncontrolled growth in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) within South Shields, including overcrowding, crime, anti-social behaviour, parking pressu...
View Full Petition -->
Regulation of houses in multiple occupation
03 November 2025
The petition addresses the uncontrolled growth of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in South Shields, which is causing overcrowding, antisocial behaviour, crime, parking pressures, and the erosion ...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
72.7%
16 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
5
22.7% of votes
No Votes
11
50.0% of votes
Abstentions
6
27.3% 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
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
2
PMQs Asked
17
Ministerial Questions Asked
13
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
2
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
+114% above average
This MP:
17
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-35% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+450% above average
This MP:
13
Average:
2.4
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
5.1
Petitions Presented
-11% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.2
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-4% below average
This MP:
72.7
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 Emma Lewell's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.