Neil O'Brien
MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Con
8 Jun 2017 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Churches across the country are doing amazing work tackling poverty, but they could be doing more. Many of my constituents will be surprised that the Church Commissioners have already spent £5 million on Project Spire when it is not within their charitable objectives, and that they plan to spend £100 million when the Charity Commission has not signed that off. Why are the Church Commissioners doing something that is not within their charitable objectives?
Context
The MP is concerned about the Church Commissioners spending £5 million on a project outside their charitable objectives without approval from the Charity Commission.
Marsha De Cordova
No decision has been taken on that. When the board of governors and the Church of Commissioners make that decision, they will follow the right processes to do so.
Session: Poverty 2025-07-03
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Having told this House in answer to an urgent question from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Munira Wilson) that the adoption and special guardianship support fund would continue, Ministers somehow did not manage to mention that the funding per child would be cut by 40%. They then slipped that out during recess. Meanwhile, Ministers will spend £90 million on advertising. Can they at least agree to publish the impact assessment on cutting what is available from this fund?
Context
The Government announced a cut to the adoption and special guardianship support fund by 40%, but did not disclose this information during their urgent question. The funding reduction will have significant impacts, including increased pressure on mental health services.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)
We will respond in due course to those issues.
Session: SEND Provision 2025-04-28
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Before the election, Labour promised to let businesses spend 50% of their apprenticeship levy money on non-apprenticeships, but now Ministers say the commitment is under review. Ministers are taking away the flexibility of businesses to spend their own money on level 7 apprenticeships—a big change to the principles of the levy. Will the Secretary of State confirm when the review of her own policy will conclude, and will she rule out doing to level 6 apprenticeships what she is doing to level 7 apprenticeships?
Context
Before the election, Labour promised to let businesses spend up to 50% of their apprenticeship levy money on non-apprenticeships. Now Ministers say this commitment is under review.
Bridget Phillipson
We remain committed to reforming the failing apprenticeship levy and turning it into a growth and skills levy with up to 50% flexibility for employers, driving new opportunities in growth areas across our country, alongside ensuring that we deliver many more apprenticeship starts for our young people. We inherited a situation where apprenticeship starts were falling at a time when we urgently need to invest in the skills of the next generation. We will work with business through Skills England to drive forward what is required for adult learners as well as young people.
Session: Skills Training 2024-12-09
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Because of the increase in national insurance, the Early Years Alliance is warning of a 20% increase in fees for early years parents, which affects nurseries and things like paid-for breakfast clubs. It says that the Budget will be a “recipe for total disaster”, with up to four in 10 early years providers closing unless drastic action is taken. As a first step towards averting that disaster, will the Secretary of State now agree to publish the Department's estimate of how much the national insurance increase will cost early years providers? If she will not publish it, why not?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the national insurance increase on early years providers.
Bridget Phillipson
I take the concerns of early years providers very seriously indeed, and we will set out in due course the funding rates and the approach that we are taking. The hon. Gentleman and the Conservative party are very keen to complain about and criticise the measures that we set out in the Budget, yet the Leader of the Opposition herself said that she would refuse to reverse them.
Session: Primary School Breakfast Clubs Impact 2024-12-09
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It is marvellous that we now have the electric lines energised up through Market Harborough to Wigston, and we are looking forward to our electric trains arriving next year. Even better, we have Spion Kop bridge staying open. Will the Rail Minister meet me to ensure that we avoid any risk that future electrification works lead to a further withdrawal of late and early services to Market Harborough? The last train back from London is already far too early, so we need to avoid the works having any further damaging impact.
Context
Electric lines have been energized up through Market Harborough to Wigston, with electric trains expected next year. The concern is the impact of future electrification works on late and early train services.
Lilian Greenwood
We are all concerned about the impact of works on services. I know that the Rail Minister is aware of that and would welcome the opportunity to visit, alongside Network Rail, to see the work being done to mitigate the impact on the hon. Gentleman's constituents as that work continues.
Session: Midland Main Line Electrification 2024-11-21
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What recent estimate has been made regarding when the electrification of the midland main line will be complete?
Context
The electrification of the Midland Main Line to Nottingham and Sheffield via Derby is in progress.
Lilian Greenwood
The electrification of the remainder of the route to Nottingham and Sheffield via Derby—the midland main line electrification programme—is in development, and currently it is planned to be completed by the early 2030s, subject to business case approvals and wider affordability considerations.
Session: Midland Main Line Electrification 2024-11-21
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Before the election, Labour said that Great British Energy would cut electricity bills by £300. After the election, the Labour Government voted against writing that into law and instead took away people's winter fuel payments and made their bills more expensive. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has now said that their policies are fundamentally raising prices for consumers to the tune of £120 per household, and we know from the NESO report that this will get worse.
Context
The question is about the impact of Great British Energy policies on electricity prices based on reports from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and NESO.
Michael Shanks
Question after question from the Conservatives shows that they do not recognise the part they played for 14 years in why we are paying higher bills than ever before. We are the only party with an ambitious plan to get us off the volatile fossil fuel markets.
Session: Great British Energy 2024-11-12
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What assessment was made beforehand of the impact that this cut would have? Will the Secretary of State reconsider it?
Context
The Department recently confirmed a decision to cancel support payments to combined cadet forces in state schools.
Janet Daby
We respect all young people in cadets or other armed forces areas. The hon. Gentleman raises this point, but after 14 years of previous Government's failure and a £22 billion black hole, there are difficult choices to be made.
Session: Skills and Employment 2024-11-04
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The hon. Gentleman asked about plans for developing Stretton Hall through the new homes accelerator programme. He mentioned documents from Harborough district council showing sites with up to 16,000 home capacities around Stretton Hall and questioned why only 4,000 homes were announced by the Government press release in August. The hon. Gentleman requested confirmation on which Minister visited the site before the announcement and asked for the publication of the methodology used to select the community and a list of sites that were considered but not selected.
Context
Documents from Harborough district council reveal that there are sites with a capacity of up to 16,000 homes around Stretton Hall. The Government's press release in August stated that approximately 4,000 homes would be developed on the site.
Matthew Pennycook
The hon. Gentleman inquired about the visitation to Stretton Hall before the announcement, and I have not had the chance to do so yet but intend to visit the site along with other new homes accelerator sites in the future. The Government believes that every area must contribute to meeting housing demand across England.
Session: New Homes Accelerator Programme Stretton Hall 2024-10-28
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The hon. Gentleman asked about plans for developing Stretton Hall through the new homes accelerator programme. He mentioned documents from Harborough district council showing sites with up to 16,000 home capacities around Stretton Hall and questioned why only 4,000 homes were announced by the Government press release in August. The hon. Gentleman requested confirmation on which Minister visited the site before the announcement and asked for the publication of the methodology used to select the community and a list of sites that were considered but not selected.
Context
Documents from Harborough district council reveal that there are sites with a capacity of up to 16,000 homes around Stretton Hall. The Government's press release in August stated that approximately 4,000 homes would be developed on the site.
Matthew Pennycook
The hon. Gentleman inquired about the visitation to Stretton Hall before the announcement, and I have not had the chance to do so yet but intend to visit the site along with other new homes accelerator sites in the future. The Government believes that every area must contribute to meeting housing demand across England.
Session: New Homes Accelerator Programme Stretton Hall 2024-10-28
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The footage of children caught in fighting is horrendous, as is the hostage situation. What steps are you taking to protect aid workers? And given your efforts aren't working, what's next?
Context
Footage shows children caught in fighting and hostages held. Efforts to get more aid in Gaza are not working.
Anneliese Dodds
We work with UN agencies for verified information and resumed support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. We have been in close contact with the WFP and others.
Session: Gaza Humanitarian Situation 2024-10-22
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When will the full economic costing information for achieving a fully decarbonised renewables-based grid by 2030 be published?
Context
The previous Secretary of State commissioned a Department to produce an economic cost analysis for getting to a fully decarbonised renewables-based grid by 2030. This information should be placed before the House.
Ed Miliband
Of course, that work is ongoing—in fact, I think the right hon. Lady the shadow Secretary of State has written me a letter about it—and we will be announcing our plans in due course.
Session: Zero Carbon Electricity System 2024-10-08
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Will the Secretary of State confirm that those guilty of manslaughter can get early release, and explain why?
Context
The Government have found prison places for those involved in recent disorder through early release policies. There are concerns about who qualifies for this.
Shabana Mahmood
The prison system inherited was on the brink of collapse. Early releases were necessary due to capacity issues, but important exclusions exist based on offence and sentence. The answer will not provide a running commentary on specific cases affected by SDS40 policy.
Session: Recent Disorder 2024-09-10
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Illegal Immigration — [Sir Mark Hendrick in the Chair]
10 September 2024
Responding: Angela Eagle
Main Concerns
['The number of people entering the UK illegally has surged since 2021, with over 125,000 individuals arriving by small boats alone. The asylum system is being overwhelmed, as many claimants are granted asylum or remain indefinitely despite having their claims denied. This undermines legal migration and security efforts, allowing dangerous individuals to enter the country.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks the government to publish data on illegal immigration costs, set clear deportation targets with timelines, resume talks for third-country agreements, commit to towing boats back to France, and address underlying reasons why people attempt illegal entry.']
Rural Mobile Connectivity
12 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the inadequate mobile signal coverage in rural England, particularly highlighting the frustrations and inconveniences faced by constituents due to poor connectivity. Helen Morgan...
Standards in Public Life
09 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Lord Mandelson 2026-02-04
04 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, that an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions to require the Government to lay before this House all papers relating to Lord ...
UK Ambassador to the US Appointment Process 2025-09-11
11 September 2025
Urgent Question
Led by this MP
Will the Minister confirm that Lord Mandelson was withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect due to new information revealed in emails showing a deeper relationship between him and Jeffrey Epstein ...
Afghanistan 2025-07-15
15 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Educational Attainment of Boys 2025-07-10
10 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Sam Rushworth highlights the underachievement of boys at every stage of education, citing statistics such as only 57% of boys meeting expected standards in reading, writing and maths by key stage 2 co...
Department for Education 2025-06-24
24 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Helen Hayes addressed the House on the Department for Education’s main estimate for 2025-26, focusing on several critical areas including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), childre...
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...
Business and the Economy 2025-05-21
21 May 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion regrets the rise in unemployment, especially affecting young people, and criticises the government for its policies that have led to business closures. It mentions over 200,000 businesses c...
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords] 2025-03-31
31 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate considers the transfer of functions from IfATE to the Secretary of State, which risks creating a governance vacuum. It highlights concerns about lack of parliamentary oversight, accountabil...
Attendance
90.9%
20 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
11
50.0% of votes
No Votes
9
40.9% of votes
Abstentions
2
9.1% 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
DID NOT VOTE
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
0
PMQs Asked
13
Ministerial Questions Asked
16
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
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
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+64% above average
This MP:
13
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-35% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+577% above average
This MP:
16
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 (%)
+20% above average
This MP:
90.9
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 Neil O'Brien's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.