Toby Perkins
MP for Chesterfield
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks. The Prime Minister's commitment to 1.5 million more homes will require 48,000 new entrants to the construction industry every year. In Chesterfield we are doing our bit: our construction skills hub brought 70 new entrants into the construction sector. We saw a welcome increase in numbers across the country last year, but we need a step change and we need numbers to double. What steps is the Prime Minister taking to get more people to commit to construction industry careers and get those numbers up where we need them to be to deliver on his housing ambitions?
Context
The MP noted the Prime Minister's commitment to build 1.5 million new homes, requiring an increase in construction workforce.
Keir Starmer
My hon. Friend is right: the task of rebuilding our country is a huge opportunity to give young people a brilliant career. We are backing apprentices with a record £3 billion budget, and we are making sure that companies that bid for major contracts commit to high-quality apprenticeships here in the United Kingdom. We are creating 13,000 new opportunities for young people as plumbers, engineers and bricklayers, securing their future and rebuilding this country.
Assessment
Did not specify steps taken or to be taken by the Prime Minister directly addressing the questioner's concern about increasing workforce numbers in construction sector.
Session: PMQs 2026-02-11
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The Prime Minister has rightly made house building and economic growth key priorities for the Government. By giving the go-ahead today to the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route, he will help us to deliver 1,500 houses and 7,200 jobs on land that was previously coalmining and brownfield industrial land. It is not just a road; it is a growth project. Will the Prime Minister keep the good news coming and tell us that he will support the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route?
Context
Mr Perkins is advocating for the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route, which includes building 1,500 houses and creating 5,700 jobs on land previously used for coal mining and industrial purposes.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank my hon. Friend for that question; I know that he is working on this scheme. As he knows, land investigation works are currently taking place to help establish the final costs. The Roads Minister is looking closely at the scheme, alongside about 40 others. We will prioritise schemes that deliver faster journeys and allow new homes and jobs.
Assessment
Did not confirm direct support for Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route but indicated it was under review.
Under Review
Session: PMQs 2026-01-07
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The Defence Secretary is absolutely right to spell out the strength of our commitment but there is increasing concern about the extent to which China is propping up both the economic and military capabilities of Mr Putin and his barbaric regime, so can the Secretary of State tell me what his latest assessment is of China’s contribution to Putin’s war machine and what steps we are taking to ensure the international community remains united?
Context
Mr Perkins is concerned about the growing influence of China in supporting Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.
The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
My hon. Friend is right to raise this, and as a nation and a Government the UK will not hesitate to act against those supplying and funding Putin’s war economy. We have sanctioned a range of organisations that operate in third countries over economic and military support for Russia, including 50 Chinese companies. We will continue to work across other nations with other nations and to bolster the support for Ukraine and the principles of the UN charter.
Session: Ukraine 2026-02-02
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It is clear that the number of people with conditions making them eligible for personal independence payment support has expanded far beyond what was initially intended. Many disabled constituents desperately need this support. What reassurance can my right hon. Friend give us that, after his review, we will have a system considering individuals rather than using a check-box approach?
Context
The number of people eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) support has expanded beyond initial intentions, and there are concerns about the check-box approach that has led to disrepute in the PIP regime.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
The steering group appointed is made up overwhelmingly of disabled people, many currently claiming Personal Independence Payment or having done so in the past. The review is co-produced with transparency and openness; monthly letters will be published to show progress and determination.
Session: Personal Independence Payment Review 2026-01-26
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Britain has a proud track record of providing refuge for people fleeing persecution and war, but when tens of thousands of people are travelling across many safe countries to get here, it is clear that the criminal gangs’ sales pitch—that Britain is an easy place to find illegal work—is working. Can my hon. Friend tell me how digital ID will help us smash those criminal gangs and tackle the scourge of illegal work?
Context
Progress on a digital identity scheme to combat illegal work and support refugees.
Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)
Around the world and across Europe, countries use digital checks to evaluate whether someone has a legal right to work, but we do not. While we have brilliant digital verification tools, millions of checks use unreliable paper-based systems based on passports, birth certificates and other forms of evidence. This leaves too much room for fraud and, crucially, creates the perception that our country has weaker regimes for combating illegal working. Digitising checks will enable digital auditing of employers and more enforcement, bringing our illegal working regime in line with international peers and helping to deliver on one of our top priorities: reducing illegal migration.
Session: Digital ID Scheme 2025-12-04
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Following last week’s Budget, will the Foreign Secretary confirm that Britain remains committed to providing £11.6 billion over five years to 2026 for international climate finance and will include inflation increases?
Context
The MP expressed concern about the commitment to international climate finance in light of recent budget changes and weather-related crises.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)
We will continue to take action on international climate finance and provide support for dealing with these issues. The details for future financial issues were obviously set out as part of the Budget.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-12-02
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What steps her Department is taking to ensure that it meets its target of two thirds of young people participating in higher-level learning. The construction skills hub in Staveley in my constituency is a great example of the value of apprenticeships, and this year 68 young people came straight out of school and started a new construction apprenticeship.
Context
The construction skills hub in Staveley has seen success with young people starting construction apprenticeships.
The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)
My hon. Friend is right, and I know he has championed this cause for many years to ensure there are strong vocational and technical routes, including into areas such as construction. Around 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available each year, thanks to our £140 million investment, but that investment comes with reform, such as new foundation apprenticeships to equip young people with the skills they need, and construction technical excellence colleges in every region, working together with business, to ensure that we are training the plasterers, the electricians and the bricklayers of the future.
Session: Higher-level Learning Target 2025-10-20
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One of the most important things we can do to support the health of the elderly is to ensure that they can get to see their local doctor. It is great to hear the Health Secretary talk about the improved access to appointments—we are seeing that in Chesterfield—but he is also right to say that it is the first step back up the mountain. The Government inherited a real crisis in GP access and the situation is particularly difficult in more deprived areas. Will my hon. Friend tell me what more we will do to ensure that people are able to see a GP, and in particular that practices that serve the most deprived communities can get access to the extra GPs they need?
Context
The Government inherited a crisis in GP access, especially in deprived areas. The Health Secretary acknowledged improved access but noted it was only the first step.
The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)
My hon. Friend will know that when we came into Government we inherited the absurd situation where the additional roles reimbursement scheme was weighed down by red tape and it was not actually possible to recruit GPs. We changed that. We invested an extra £82 million and as a result we have well over 1,000 more GPs on the frontline, but that is just the beginning. We have contract reform and £889 million of additional investment in general practice, and we are moving forward with an online booking system, which will be obligatory by 1 October. We have much more work to do—for example, around the interface with pharmacy; we are working hard on that. There is a lot more to do, but my hon. Friend is right that the first step up the mountain has been taken.
Session: Health of the Elderly 2025-06-17
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My hon. Friend the Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State deserve great credit for attracting the large investment that they have secured, but once they have finished the lap of honour, they will be aware that this is the first step up the mountain. The Minister is right that the Government have inherited flood defences that are in an appalling state, and the latest estimate shows that as many as 6 million houses are at risk of flooding. I call on her to get on with the flood improvements that we demand in Chesterfield. First, will she tell us more about how she will ensure the money will be spent wisely? Secondly, how will she ensure that the Treasury understands that this is not a one-year commitment, but something that we will need for the rest of this term in office?
Context
The Minister has attracted significant investment for flood defences, but the state of flood defences is critical.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and may I congratulate him on his recent engagement? He is right to point out the importance of money being spent wisely now to save money in the future. There are a couple of interesting factors: every £1 we spend on maintenance of flood defences saves £13 in damage prevention, and every £1 we spend on new defences saves £5 in damage prevention. Those are important statistics that I use frequently in negotiations about future spending reviews with Treasury officials.
Session: Flood Preparedness Projects 2025-02-06
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Does my hon. Friend agree that with greater stability under this Labour Government, there are opportunities for community energy coming forward as part of the recovery of our whole energy infrastructure?
Context
The questioner argues for the stability of the current government's approach to the energy market compared to the previous one.
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is right that stability is key, but so too is this Government's commitment to invest in community energy. We have committed to upwards of 8 GW of energy from community sources over the course of this Parliament up to 2030.
Session: Community Energy Projects 2024-12-17
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I thank the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice (Emma Hardy), for coming back to me about the River Hipper scheme, which is of huge importance in my constituency. May I invite her to come to Chesterfield to meet people affected by the flood and see the Holymoorside scheme?
Context
The River Hipper scheme is of huge importance to Chesterfield. Toby Perkins thanks Emma Hardy for coming back about the matter.
Emma Hardy
It is always a pleasure to work with my hon. Friend, and I know how passionately he campaigned for his community during the last floods.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-14
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What is being done to make additional grid connections affordable and accessible for green businesses like Summer Berry Company?
Context
A local business in the constituency has invested heavily to become carbon neutral but faces additional costs for grid connections.
Kerry McCarthy
The Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is involved with that issue. We have set up the energy superpower mission board, headed by Chris Stark. I had a conversation with him about grid capacity and connections in the right places.
Session: Climate Change International Leadership 2024-11-12
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There was about a £350 million underspend in the farm budget under the previous Government. In opposition, they said that any underspend should be rolled over into future years. Is that still their position in government, and how will they do it?
Context
The previous Government left a significant underspend in the farm budget, amounting to £350 million.
Mary Creagh
We are looking at everything as part of the spending review and decisions will be announced in due course.
Session: Environmental Land Management Schemes 2024-09-12
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Palliative Care: North Derbyshire
17 December 2025
Responding: Stephen Kinnock
Main Concerns
['In late June, a fundraiser for Ashgate hospice raised over £385,000. In October, the announcement was made that Ashgate would be making as many as 52 posts redundant and closing 60% of its in-patient beds. The community has expressed deep concern about these changes.']
Specific Asks
['The Government needs to provide greater clarity on funding levels for hospices and ensure that services like those provided by Ashgate continue uninterrupted.']
Flood Defences: Chesterfield
24 June 2025
Responding: Emma Hardy
Main Concerns
['Flooding is a critical issue for constituents in Chesterfield and across the UK, with over 6 million people living in flood-risk areas. The economic cost of flooding can be enormous; the 2015-2016 winter floods cost £1.6 billion to the national economy. Climate change is projected to increase the risk and costs associated with flooding.']
Specific Asks
['The government should invest more in flood defence maintenance and construction, particularly for areas at high risk such as Tapton Terrace in Chesterfield, where the Environment Agency has deemed it cheaper to buy homes than protect them.']
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill 2026-02-02
02 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The BBNJ Bill has returned for consideration of Lords amendments, which are designed to support effective implementation across the UK while respecting devolution. The bill will strengthen global prot...
Warm Homes Plan 2026-01-21
21 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business Rates Retail, Hospitality and Leisure 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the planned changes to business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will not result in crippling rises? Given the significant negative impact these cha...
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill 2026-01-06
06 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Planning Reform 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
COP30 2025-11-25
25 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025-11-13
13 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Heathrow National Airports Review 2025-10-22
22 October 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill 2025-10-16
16 October 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The BBNJ Bill will implement obligations in the United Nations BBNJ agreement, marking a significant step towards ratification. The Minister acknowledges contributions from Members and stakeholders, i...
Security Update Official Secrets Act Case 2025-10-13
13 October 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
95.5%
21 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
8
36.4% of votes
No Votes
13
59.1% of votes
Abstentions
1
4.5% 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
DID NOT VOTE
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
2
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
40
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
22
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 649 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+3% above average
This MP:
2
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+39% above average
This MP:
11
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+30% above average
This MP:
2
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1591% above average
This MP:
40
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 Toby Perkins's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.