Vikki Slade
MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole
Lib Dem
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
When my young constituent Axel was given his EHCP a year ago, his primary school place was withdrawn with no replacement. He is at home with his mum who cannot work. Can the Deputy Prime Minister commit to somewhere for him in September?
Context
Axel, a young constituent, was given an education, health and care plan but his primary school place was withdrawn without replacement.
The Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner)
We are determined to fix the SEND system and support children before issues escalate. We are investing £3.4 billion this year, deploying specialist teams across early years and primary school settings, helping identify and respond to speech and language needs. Full plans on reforming SEND will be set out in autumn.
Assessment
Specific commitment for Axel was not made
Broad Statement About Reforms
Session: PMQs 2025-06-25
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Canford Magna in my constituency is proposed as a site for a new energy-from-waste incinerator, which will burn 260,000 tonnes of waste a year—more than the whole of Dorset’s use. I am concerned that as we reduce our levels of waste with the brilliant new plans to recycle more, we will end up having to feed the monster. The area already has 95% of the capacity, so does the Prime Minister agree that we should not allow new plants where we already have sufficient capacity or where carbon capture will not be included?
Context
Proposed incinerator in Canford Magna will burn more waste than the whole of Dorset's use annually.
The Prime Minister
I hope the hon. Lady will forgive me, but I do not know the details of the particular incinerator she speaks of and I am not across that. I will make sure, however, that she gets an answer to her question in written form as soon as possible.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not directly address the proposal for a new energy-from-waste incinerator.
Session: PMQs 2025-03-26
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What will the Minister do to help landlords such as the National Trust resolve this problem?
Context
A National Trust village cottage was sold as it could not meet minimum energy efficiency standards due to high costs.
Martin McCluskey
We are working closely with heritage organisations to tackle precisely that problem. The hon. Lady will see in the warm homes plan that there is specific advise about retrofitting historic buildings.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-02-10
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Will she please agree to meet us so that we can give those women visibility in holding men to account?
Context
The MP highlights the misuse of the child maintenance system to abuse women after leaving relationships, citing a specific constituent's case.
Jess Phillips
The hon. Lady's constituent's experience is not unfamiliar to any MP dealing with the Child Maintenance Agency. The Government have included child maintenance in the VAWG strategy, ensuring abuse through this system can no longer happen and are open to meetings with MPs to address such issues.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-02-09
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There is only one rebar mill in the UK—in Cardiff—and it can make enough to meet only a small portion of our needs, which means that we are reliant on imports. Even if we open a new facility, we will not have enough capacity for things like the rail projects and the 1.5 million new homes. The ending of the roll-over tariffs is leading to unused quotas. Companies such as Hy-Ten in my constituency cannot risk making an order when, by the time it arrives in this country, the quota has been used up and it cannot be imported. Will the Minister meet me to look at the impact of these changes on the ground before they strangle economic growth?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the limited capacity of UK’s only rebar mill in Cardiff to meet domestic needs, leading to reliance on imports. She highlights the potential impact of ending roll-over tariffs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Blair McDougall)
The hon. Lady is right to raise industry worries about the turbulent international trade environment. That is why it is so important that the Government are out in the world engaging—because businesses, including the one that she mentioned, need stability. I would be very happy to arrange that meeting with her.
Session: Modern Industrial Strategy 2026-01-29
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My constituent Becky relies on Access to Work, but her application was denied and it has taken eight months just to receive an acknowledgement of her complaint to the Independent Case Examiner. We cannot progress an ombudsman claim until that is dealt with. What is the Department for Work and Pensions doing to arrange for complaints to be dealt with more quickly so that people can get back into work?
Context
A constituent named Becky has been denied Access to Work support despite relying on it. It took eight months just to receive an acknowledgement of her complaint.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
I would be grateful if the hon. Lady would let me have a note on the hold-up with that particular complaint. There are delays with Access to Work, reflecting the big surge in demand for it, and that is why we have proposed reform. We have consulted on reform, and we will come back with our proposals quite soon.
Session: Access to Work People with Disabilities 2026-01-28
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Samee is a charity working in Dorset to support disabled young adults into self-employment. It has celebrated 10 years and supported 2,700 people, and it has what it tells me is the world’s only supported self-employed internship. Young people who have learning disabilities have great skills for self-employment. However, they cannot access the work because they cannot get a unique tax reference because they take more than 12 months to get to the relevant earnings levels. What is the Minister doing to help young people into self-employment so that they can fulfil their destiny?
Context
The Liberal Democrat MP highlighted Samee, a charity working to support disabled young adults into self-employment. She noted the charity's achievements over 10 years and mentioned a unique tax issue affecting young people with learning disabilities.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)
The hon. Member raises an important point. Can I begin by commending that charity in her constituency? There is an acknowledgment among the ministerial team that we need to look particularly at the support available for people looking to move into self-employment, and I would be happy to meet her to discuss the work of the charity further.
Session: Post-16 Education 2026-01-26
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The irony is that we already have a board of peace, and it is called the UN, but President Trump is undermining it at every step. Five days ago, a group of 22 UN experts deemed the ban on international NGOs to be part of a systematic assault on humanitarian operations... Twenty-one children have died of extreme cold in recent days, and 7,000 tents have been swept away due to the weather conditions. We need to do more directly, and if these NGOs cannot do it, what are the Government doing to get tents, shelter and heating into Gaza?
Context
A group of UN experts deemed the ban on international NGOs to be a systematic assault on humanitarian operations. This has led to 21 children dying due to extreme cold, with 7,000 tents swept away by weather conditions.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)
Let us be clear that nothing can replace the UN or its charter. The UN is the bedrock of multilateral co-operation and international law... I have also discussed with Tom Fletcher, of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, what more we can do to ensure that support gets into Gaza, which has to be a priority for phase 2 of the peace process.
Session: Gaza and the West Bank Humanitarian Situation 2026-01-20
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Given that standard NHS antenatal classes have not returned since the start of the pandemic leading to a lack of necessary information for informed choices, how will the Secretary of State ensure there is a universal offer for antenatal care covering all areas?
Context
Standard NHS antenatal classes have stopped since the covid pandemic, leaving women uninformed about making decisions regarding their childbirth.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
I will make certain that my Department and the NHS look into what has happened to provision in the hon. Lady’s area, and I will write to her about it. She is quite right about the need to ensure that parents are given high-quality information from the time of conception so that they can make informed decisions about everything from whether to breastfeed through to the steps that they can take in those formative first 1,001 days to secure the best possible outcomes.
Session: Maternity and Neonatal Care 2026-01-13
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My constituents welcome the £150 saving on energy bills, particularly as it is now snowing, but Andrew from Arrow Energy Solutions is worried. Some 35% of his heat pump and solar installations were through the energy company obligation. Although he says it needed reform, he is worried about what comes next. I welcome the forthcoming warm homes plan, but what can the Secretary of State say to Andrew and to H2ecO, another wonderful company, about the risk to jobs in that sector as we transition?
Context
Andrew from Arrow Energy Solutions is concerned about the reform of the energy company obligation, which contributed to a significant portion of his heat pump and solar installations. The forthcoming warm homes plan aims to address energy efficiency.
Ed Miliband
I want to briefly make one point. In the warm homes plan, which will come soon, we will be making £15 billion of public investment to help people cut their bills. The Conservatives can oppose that if they like, but I think it will be supported across the country, because they were an absolute failure on energy efficiency and all of that, and we are going to succeed.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-01-06
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I am disappointed to hear that the Minister is not looking at a common certificate of sponsorship. Has he made a decision, with his colleagues, on whether care workers will be considered in the same group as NHS workers in relation to the faster route? Otherwise, we are going to end up with a massive hole in our services, with social care yet again being the Cinderella service to the NHS.
Context
Concerns over the decision to end overseas recruitment for social care visas.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mike Tapp)
We must remember that hundreds of thousands came into the country to fill just tens of thousands of jobs, so this is the right approach here. There are no plans at this time, but the mechanism of delivery is currently at consultation, and that closes on 12 February.
Session: Care Companies Exploitation of Migrant Workers 2026-01-05
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Last week I met my constituent Kevin, the programme lead for TESTBED Dorset. He told me that although life sciences is one of the key sectors in the modern industrial strategy, none of the seven projects is in the south-west, and there is not a single reference to Dorset. The living science park will create a vast area for academic research based in our landscapes, supported by landowners, universities from Bournemouth, Bristol and Southampton, the National Trust and Natural England, focused on a “one health” approach. Will the Secretary of State meet me and those lead organisations to hear more about the programme and consider it for the future?
Context
The MP met her constituent Kevin, who leads a project called TESTBED Dorset. She noted that life sciences is one of the key sectors in the modern industrial strategy but highlighted the absence of projects in the south-west.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)
I also wish the hon. Lady a happy birthday. I am happy for either me or Patrick Vallance—the life sciences Minister in the other place—to meet her and her colleagues. Later today, UKRI will set out future funding for the eight areas of our industrial strategy, which it—and I—will want to ensure is spread fairly across the country. I am more than happy to discuss that with her further.
Session: Modern Industrial Strategy 2025-12-17
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When this Government came into office in July 2024, magistrates were dealing with cases that had a potential sentence of up to six months, but that has now gone up to 12 months and by next year it could be two years. There is already a backlog of 361,000 cases in the magistrates courts. In my meeting with the Law Society today, representatives expressed deep concerns about whether magistrates would be able to take on longer, more emotionally draining cases, and that some magistrates may decide that they are not comfortable about depriving people of their liberty for that long. What assessment has been done of the ability of magistrates to cope emotionally, and of the magistrates courts to cope with those increases?
Context
Magistrates are now dealing with cases that could lead to sentences of up to two years, leading to a backlog of 361,000 cases. The question addresses the emotional impact on magistrates and their ability to handle these cases.
The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)
I think the hon. Lady is referring to the sentencing powers and the proposal to increase them, rather than the wait time. The fact is that our magistrates court is an efficient jurisdiction, dealing with 1.3 million cases a year. The Magistrates Association and the Magistrates’ Leadership Executive have endorsed the Government’s plans, which are a vote of confidence in our magistrates’ ability to deal with the caseload, and cases of this nature, swiftly, robustly and fairly, but she is right that our magistrates deserve support in dealing with emotionally charged matters. We will ensure that that support and training is provided.
Session: Court Backlogs 2025-12-16
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Earlier this year, I attended an amazing event at the Dorset Museum called “In My Shoes” for care-experienced young people, who explained the importance of making care experience a protected characteristic, as we have done in many councils, including mine in Mid Dorset and North Poole. Will the Minister take the same step with Cabinet colleagues, and consider making care experience a protected characteristic?
Context
The MP attended an event at the Dorset Museum discussing care-experience as a protected characteristic in local councils. She asks if it can be extended nationally.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
The hon. Lady raises an important issue, and we are doing lots of work across Government to make sure we have better outcomes for care-experienced young people, who are sadly more likely than other young people to experience mental health difficulties or even end up in prison. I lead that work together with the Deputy Prime Minister to make sure that the voices of care leavers are heard. It is why, for example, with the introduction of new targeted maintenance grants and the wider reforms that we are bringing to the higher education system, we are working right across Government to make sure that all Departments are pulling together.
Session: “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity” Mission 2025-12-10
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I have been assisting several constituents who are deaf and need the support of British Sign Language interpreters and face-to-face appointments. There are only five BSL interpreters available to cover the whole of Dorset, and as a result people are waiting extremely long periods not only to get appointments but to get access to help them get to work. Can the Minister explain what is being done to provide more such services?
Context
The MP mentions constituents needing British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for appointments, highlighting the scarcity of such services in their area.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
I am sure that the hon. Lady will be interested in the recent report published by the BSL Advisory Board, which works with the Government specifically on BSL. I met members of the board last week. They produced a report recently on access to health and care support, specifically highlighting some of these issues. For example, how do BSL users make GP appointments? The other steps that I have outlined today will also be important for deaf and disabled people, and we will continue to work closely with BSL Advisory Board on these issues.
Session: Support into Work Health Conditions 2025-12-08
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What steps is her Department taking to make school classrooms more accessible to children with SEND? Over the last 16 months, I have visited most of my 42 schools—some more than once—so I have seen some really effective use of occupational therapy principles, such as removing sensory triggers and updating lighting and layouts. At Colehill first school, the staff have simplified and rectified the décor throughout the school, and are looking to invest in wooden and natural materials to create a calming environment. However, schools in Mid Dorset and North Poole receive over £2,000 per pupil per year less than those in other parts of the country, so there is little left for this sort of project. Given the focus on inclusion, what can the Minister offer in terms of smaller capital grants to fund this work?
Context
The MP noted that schools in her constituency receive over £2,000 per pupil less annually compared to other parts of the country. She cited effective use of occupational therapy principles in some local schools and highlighted a specific example at Colehill First School.
The Minister for School Standards (Georgia Gould)
I have seen the difference that fully accessible schools make for young people. Pupils have proudly shown me the sensory spaces that they use to self-regulate, and schools have helped create inclusion hubs, supporting young people to thrive. The Department has invested £740 million in high needs capital to support children and young people with SEND, including through adapting classrooms to improve accessibility. I thank the hon. Member for sharing those wonderful examples of best practice. That is the work we want to do to ensure that all our schools are inclusive, and there is obviously a lot to learn from her constituency. The Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven and Workington (Josh MacAlister), will bring forward an estate strategy, and we will continue to invest in specialist places within mainstream schools.
Session: SEND Classroom Accessibility 2025-12-01
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What protections exist for the residents who are having to pay for a public site managed by a private developer?
Context
Residents of Canford Paddock have been contacted about ongoing unregulated estate fees related to a suitable alternative natural greenspace near a site of special scientific interest, managed by a private developer.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
In my opening answer, I referenced the consultation we intend to launch soon relating to protections for residential freeholders from that type of charge, where it is unreasonable. Those provisions in the 2024 Act provide for greater transparency. They allow homeowners on freehold estates to take the estate manager to the first-tier tribunal if unreasonable rent charges are being levied.
Session: Estate Management Companies 2025-11-24
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What steps are being taken to provide adequate funding for the courts system, particularly addressing the shortage of legal advisers which would allow for the progression of 500 cases a year? The court staff explained that they cannot retain these advisers due to lack of funding.
Context
The MP visited Poole Magistrates Court and observed a shortage of legal advisers rather than magistrates or court space. She noted that additional funding for one extra legal adviser could progress 500 cases annually but retention is an issue.
The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)
Legal advisers are critical to the functioning of the magistrates court, and we are investing an additional £5.2 million in addressing retention challenges to retain these staff members who facilitate 500 cases annually.
Session: Courts System Funding 2025-11-11
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My constituent Hollie from Wimborne applied for a self-assessment refund of just £300 in April. When she chased it in June, she was told it had gone to a specialist tax team, with no reason and no time frame given. She complained in August, but it is now November, and she has heard nothing. While she may be owed only £300, this is happening around the country. Can the Minister tell me whether he thinks seven months is a reasonable time within which to receive a basic refund, and what the Department is doing to speed things up?
Context
The MP raises the case of a constituent who waited seven months for a refund, questioning if this is reasonable.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)
I thank the hon. Member for raising her constituent’s issue, and I would be happy for her to write to the Department about it. Even though it is not appropriate for me to get involved in an individual taxpayer’s affairs, I hope the Department can improve on that service. We have improved the response rates for both people making phone calls and people getting in touch via the post, but of course there is always more we can do.
Session: HMRC Customer Service 2025-11-04
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Several of my veteran constituents have contacted me about very long delays in payments under the armed forces compensation scheme. Mr Butler, who lives near Wareham, has two separate claims—one for hearing loss and another for an arm injury—and has been waiting two years for an outcome. As we look forward to Remembrance Sunday and reflect on the sacrifices made, what steps is the Department taking to ensure that we pay our debts to those who have served us more recently?
Context
Veteran constituents have experienced long delays in receiving payments under the armed forces compensation scheme.
Louise Sandher-Jones
I thank the hon. Member for raising the case of her constituent. If she writes to me with the details, I will look into exactly why it has taken that long.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-11-03
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Vikki Slade raised concerns about job cuts in the hospitality sector due to national insurance contributions. She asked if the Government will consult on a new lower rate of employer national insurance for workers earning £5,000 to £9,100, to support part-time employment and economic growth.
Context
Local MP Vikki Slade launched a “Pub of the Year” award to support local pubs. She noted that 54 pubs and two breweries support 1,600 jobs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
Kate Dearden acknowledged the importance of the hospitality sector, especially pubs, to local economies. She mentioned support through a £1.5 million hospitality support scheme and Pub is The Hub initiative with £440,000 funding recently announced.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-10-30
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What diplomatic actions is the Department taking to ensure an end to violence against Palestinians and to improve their rights while a two-state solution is negotiated?
Falconer
The initiatives that the hon. Member rightly highlights highlight the importance of rubble movement in Gaza, which is an enormous logistical challenge. We have contributed and will continue to contribute to efforts locally to ensure that those resident in the west bank can exercise their rights.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-10-28
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My constituent Seb told me how pleased he was when the Government extended the role of free childcare, but his nursery changed the rules so that the free hours can be taken only after 1 o'clock and have to be spread over four days a week. That means that the previously paid-for care is not now free, but costing £500 more than before. We know that this is happening across the country as nurseries struggle with the jobs tax and other excessive costs, so what are the Government going to do to help those families get what they are entitled to?
Context
A constituent of Vikki Slade reports that a nursery in their area is changing the rules on free hours to charge more for care, illustrating difficulties some families face despite government expansions.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)
I encourage the hon. Lady to write to me with the details of that case, because we are absolutely clear that in this rapid expansion of childcare—which half a million children have been able to access this September—those 30 hours should be available, and it should not be the case that extras are charged or anything else. I am happy to look at the specifics of the case.
Session: Childcare Affordability 2025-10-20
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Shortly before recess, I visited a small precision engineering firm that is involved in tooling in the defence industry. It shared the challenges it faces in looking at defence contracts and explained that there seems to be no priority for UK businesses, unlike in France where French businesses are prioritised. I am sure the Minister agrees that defence investment boosts growth across our constituencies. Will he meet me and the business to understand how we can boost British businesses in that sector?
Context
A precision engineering firm involved in tooling in the defence industry faced challenges in securing defence contracts, noting a lack of priority compared to French companies.
Luke Pollard (The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence)
To a Minister just promoted by the son of a toolmaker in the reshuffle, tooling is a very appropriate question. We are targeting more of the increased defence budget at British companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, with the development of the new defence SME hub, which will allow more SMEs to access the defence contracts we are providing as part of our growing renewal of our armed forces. I would be very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss her constituency business.
Session: Defence Industrial Base 2025-09-08
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I have raised multiple occasions a case of stalking in my constituency. Despite being arrested and charged continually, he keeps getting released on bail. The police are frustrated, and the resident is let down. What assurance can I provide her that the CPS takes seriously repeat offenders and their repeat offending when they finally come to court?
Context
Slade raised a stalking case in her constituency where the repeat offender keeps getting released on bail.
The Solicitor General
The hon. Member raises a very important point, and I acknowledge how damaging stalking can be to people’s lives, particularly when it comes to repeat offenders. We have set out new measures to tackle stalking, including statutory guidance to empower the police to release the identities of online stalkers and a review of the stalking legislation to ensure that it is fit for purpose.
Session: Support for Victims of Crime 2025-09-04
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Given the Secretary of State’s love of Dorset, I would love to invite him to Mid Dorset, where Goodens farm is doing some really innovative things on very small family farms, especially with manure. Mr Randall, who runs that farm, joined the sustainable farming incentive last year, which enabled him to start growing a new crop—herbal leys. Because climate change is making farming so tough, he is trying everything he can to keep his business going. The SFI allowed him to take that risk, but it is no longer available to him. As he put it, we need farm security if we want food security, so what steps is the Minister taking to look after farmers on our very smallest farms, who are critical to food production?
Context
Mr Randall, who runs Goodens farm in Mid Dorset, has used the sustainable farming incentive to start growing herbal leys but is now locked out of the scheme.
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)
There was a lot in that question. The hon. Lady is absolutely right that herbal leys have been very effective, and many people have seen the impact they have had during the dry weather. It is also interesting that these schemes are now available to much smaller enterprises than they ever were under the previous schemes. There is much that can be done, and we are redesigning the schemes to make them work towards achieving exactly the outcomes that the hon. Lady is seeking.
Session: Sustainable Farming Incentive 2025-09-04
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The Competition and Markets Authority recently found that major house builders were preventing and distorting competition, including by matching prices and incentives to buyers. That further damages public confidence in house buying, and will have pushed home ownership out of the reach of many people. House builders have agreed to pay £100 million towards affordable housing schemes, but what redress is available for homeowners who have been misled? How will the Government achieve oversight of that funding to ensure that builders are held accountable, the additional homes are delivered, and there are effective disincentives to stop this happening again?
Context
The MP drew attention to a Competition and Markets Authority report that found major house builders were preventing competition, leading to higher prices and fewer affordable homes. The CMA has extracted £100 million for social housing from seven builders.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
The hon. Lady draws the attention of the House to an incredibly important point. The Government are clear that the house building sector can thrive only when there is fair and open competition. Where that is found not to be the case, it is right that the CMA acts decisively, as it has done in this instance by extracting £100 million for social and affordable housing from the seven house builders investigated. We are taking action to fix our broken housing system, as I have said, by overhauling the planning system, addressing our dysfunctional land market, and ending our over-reliance on a speculative model of development that produces sub-optimal outcomes and constrains housing supply. If she has evidence of any individuals being directly affected in the purchase of their home, I would be very grateful if she could bring it to my attention.
Session: Housing Delivery 2025-07-14
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Hannah contacted me for the first time in August last year after numerous stalking incidents, online abuse and violent threats from a member of her family. He is still at large almost a year on, despite four arrests. The court date keeps being put back due to the backlogs. There have been further breaches of the bail conditions and a restraining order issued, but we have heard that a fourth trial will be delayed until 2026 at the earliest. What is the Lord Chancellor able to do to help victims who are already in the system, and who continue to be abused by a perpetrator?
Context
A constituent, Hannah, has faced multiple stalking incidents and online abuse from a family member. The perpetrator is still at large due to delays in the system.
Shabana Mahmood (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
I will happily look at the details of the case that the hon. Lady raises. Some of that relates to charging and what the police and others are doing, but I will ensure that she gets a full response from across Government on some of the specifics. Let me observe that we make a whole range of victim support available to victims as they navigate the criminal justice system, and we will continue to do so; I recommend that she recommends some of those mechanisms to her constituent.
Session: Crown Court Backlog 2025-07-08
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Representatives of a not-for-profit care company in my constituency feel that the Government are waging war on the care sector. I met residents and staff at a Sunday lunch at Magna care home, and the managers told me that they cannot recruit locally at all and that, because of the changes to social care visas, they are struggling to recruit internationally. I know the Government want to build our own workforce, but what are they planning to do to support organisations while we get the training in place, so that we do not see care homes going bust?
Context
The MP meets residents and staff at Magna care home, highlighting recruitment issues due to changes in social care visas.
Darren Jones
On behalf of the House, may I thank social care workers for the service they provide in all our constituencies? As a result of this Labour Government commitment’s to social workers and the social care system, we will have increased funding for social care by £4 billion by 2028-29 through the local government settlements, and we will bring forward a fair pay agreement to make sure that there is a fair deal for those people serving our constituents on the frontline.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-07-01
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My constituent Tirath is currently being pursued by the Child Maintenance Service for £20,000, despite having successfully appealed the claim in 2022. He is now at risk of losing his professional status as a pharmacist because of this process. Will the Minister encourage the CMS to investigate that case urgently or to meet with me to discuss it?
Context
Tirath, a constituent of Vikki Slade's, is facing a £20,000 claim from the Child Maintenance Service despite having appealed successfully in 2022. He now risks losing his professional status as a pharmacist due to this ongoing process.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)
I am very sorry to hear about the plight of the hon. Member’s constituent. If she would like a meeting with me, I am very happy to give her that, and I am also happy to look into the matter, as she suggests.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-06-23
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In the last couple of months, I have been speaking to lots of nursery providers across my constituency about these issues, and the thing that comes up again and again is small business rate relief. The Secretary of State’s Department has already replied saying that nurseries can claim the relief, but a nursery has to have fewer than 18 children to qualify, and the average number in my constituency is 75. Those nurseries are not eligible, and the national insurance and consumables changes are crippling them, so they are now considering not taking on Government-funded children. What should they do?
Context
Nurseries in Vikki Slade's constituency are struggling due to national insurance tax rises and changes in consumables. The Department of Education has already informed that nurseries can claim small business rate relief but only if they have fewer than 18 children, which is not the case for most nurseries with an average of 75 children.
The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)
I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), has been in touch with the hon. Lady recently to discuss this matter further, and I personally will happily look further into the case that she has raised. We are investing record sums in early years education and working with the sector to deliver the places that are needed.
Session: School-based Nurseries 2025-06-16
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Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service has suffered a real-terms funding cut, partly because the majority of firefighters are on call so the employer national insurance contributions were not sufficiently compensated. Will Ministers commit to reviewing the funding formula to fit the needs of communities, and to undertaking a local impact assessment on the effect of the funding cuts on public and firefighter safety?
Context
Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service has faced real-terms funding cuts, impacting public and firefighter safety.
Darren Jones
The Government have already increased NHS spending by £22.6 billion, police funding by £1.1 billion, and fire and rescue authority funding by £65.5 million. Further spending will be set out in the June spending review, but this is another example of a Labour Government delivering on the promise of change.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-05-20
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UNCLOS––the United Nations convention on the law of the sea—is an incredible international anti-piracy and anti-drug-running tool, but as the House of Lords discussed in 2022, it needs upgrading to include measures on modern slavery and human trafficking. What work are the Government doing on that in the international sphere?
Context
The House of Lords discussed the need for upgrading the United Nations convention on the law of the sea to include measures against modern slavery.
Luke Pollard
The UK promotes UNCLOS, freedom of navigation and the UNCLOS rules. I would be very happy to have a meeting with the hon. Lady, but a conversation with the Department for Transport, which owns that relationship, may also be beneficial.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-05-19
View All Questions -->
A constituent with fluctuating and debilitating conditions experienced an over two-hour PIP assessment that ignored explanations, did not inquire about post-assessment status, threatened termination when words were misconstrued, contrary to DWP guidance. Will the Secretary of State review how such conditions are handled in assessments?
Context
The hon. Member cites a constituent's experience with the PIP assessment process, where her conditions were deemed fluctuating but not properly accounted for during the assessment due to misinterpretation and disregard.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
Yes, I would like the hon. Lady to send in that information so we can look at it carefully.
Session: Personal Independence Payment Assessment Review 2025-05-12
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Over the past few months, Bournemouth University has had to take steps to suspend 15 of its courses due to financial pressures and rising operational costs. Most were arts and humanities courses, including English, photography, sociology and politics. What options exist for universities to access other sources of funding, and what assessment is being done to protect arts and humanities courses across our higher education sector?
Context
Bournemouth University has suspended 15 of its courses due to financial pressures and rising operational costs. Most of the affected courses are in arts and humanities, including English, photography, sociology and politics.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)
Higher education providers are autonomous and responsible for managing their own budgets. If they were at any risk, we would work with the Office for Students to ensure that students were protected. The Government reserve the right to intervene to protect the interests of students. The strategic priorities grant is also available to support teachers and students in higher education in more expensive subjects.
Session: Higher Education Funding 2025-04-28
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In the last few weeks, Dorset has been ravaged by wildfires, especially Upton heath and Canford heath in my local area, where more than 130 acres are gone. I was blown away by the work of the fire crews from Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Will the Minister thank the fire services for their combined work, but also acknowledge that there needs to be a review of funding for emergency services to ensure that they are consistently able to protect us in the face of climate change? I ask her for that assurance.
Context
The MP mentioned recent wildfires in Dorset, highlighting the efforts of local fire services.
Abena Oppong-Asare (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)
I thank the hon. Member for raising such an important matter. I want to put on record my thanks to the emergency services, which have been doing a lot of work on the ground, particularly through local resilience forums and her work as a local MP. As part of the resilience review, we are looking at the issues she has raised. We are also working collaboratively across Departments to make sure that the climate change matters she has raised are looked at, because they should be looked at not only by the Cabinet Office alone, but across all Departments.
Session: Emergency Preparedness 2025-04-24
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I have been contacted by many local businesses, including the Cross Keys pub in the Holt Heath nature reserve and the BEAR café in Wimborne. They are two different venues in two different locations, but both tell me that these are the most extreme trading conditions ever seen in hospitality. With national insurance, minimum wage and energy and food costs, will the Chancellor consider a reduction in VAT on hospitality sales to protect high streets and local producers and to save our communities?
Context
Local businesses in the hospitality sector are facing extreme trading conditions due to various costs.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray)
I am unclear, given the hon. Lady’s remarks, whether she is opposed to the increase in the national minimum wage, but she should know that we have extended support for businesses in business rates relief this year, which would have been ended entirely under the plans we inherited from the previous Government, and there will be permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure premises on the high street from April 2026.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-04-08
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It emerged today that a 17-year-old Palestinian boy who had been taken from the West Bank has died in Israeli detention, having been held for 6 months without charge. Israel has been striking inside the West Bank, and in doing so emboldening illegal settlers in their own violence. Given that Israel claims that it is targeting Hamas and not the people of Palestine itself, what specific actions is the Foreign Secretary taking to protect Palestinians in the West Bank from both settler violence and Israeli forces?
Context
A 17-year-old Palestinian boy died in Israeli detention after being held for six months without charge. There are concerns about Israeli operations targeting civilians, particularly with regard to settler violence.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)
We are clear that civilians must be protected and the destruction of civilian infrastructure minimised. We are in regular contact with President Abbas and Prime Minister Mustafa regarding the West Bank. I have heard legitimate concerns about security on the Israeli side, including the way Iran is equipping some terrorist groups with guns and ammunition.
Session: Israeli Military Presence West Bank 2025-04-01
View All Questions -->
My constituent Sarah left an abusive relationship but, after she applied for maintenance, her ex-partner denied parentage, putting the children through DNA tests; delayed matters; claimed special expenses; and then declared nil earnings, despite having just bought a house with a mortgage—all accepted with no investigation. He is now being asked to pay back his arrears of thousands of pounds at £1 per month. What is being done to review the burden of proof on income, to support parents and children who are being financially abused even after they have left relationships?
Context
The MP describes a case where a woman's ex-partner denied parentage, delayed matters, claimed special expenses, and declared nil earnings despite having bought a house with a mortgage.
Andrew Western
As the hon. Lady may know, the Department recently consulted on a range of proposals for future improvements to the child maintenance service, such as how we can protect people from financial abuse and better support victims of domestic abuse. I am obviously not familiar with the specifics of the case she references, but I would be more than happy to follow up if she writes to me about it.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-03-17
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What steps her Department is taking to help increase uptake of pension credit? The current take-up rate for pension credit has traditionally been between 60% and 65%. With an uplift, it could help around 400,000 people out of income poverty. Additionally, in Dorset, the number of over-65s has increased by about 20% over the past decade. People have mentioned that their biggest concern is the paperwork they need to complete for pension credit applications, which can contain up to 225 questions. Simplifying and combining these applications could make life easier for pensioners.
Context
The rate of take-up for pension credit has traditionally been between 60% and 65%. Vikki Slade highlighted that an uplift in this rate could help 400,000 people out of income poverty. She noted a 20% increase in the number of over-65s in Dorset over the past decade.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Torsten Bell)
This Government have been running the biggest ever pension credit take-up campaign. In the latest stage, we are now writing to all pensioners who make a new housing benefit claim and who appear to be entitled to pension credit, directly targeting them and encouraging them to apply. We are already doing a lot to simplify the process; it now takes 16 minutes on average to complete an online form, and 90% of people apply online or over the phone. However, I am interested in ideas about how we can go further.
Session: Pension Credit Uptake 2025-03-17
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The Government’s statistics on women in the criminal justice system show that women are more often prosecuted for much more minor offences and suffer from short prison sentences, which have huge social and emotional effects on their children and increase their likelihood of being taken into care. What steps is the Department taking to continue delivering the female offender strategy delivery plan for 2022 to 2025 and to reach beyond it, thinking about the negative impacts on the children of offenders?
Context
The MP highlighted statistics showing that women are often prosecuted for minor offences and suffer from short prison sentences, which have significant social and emotional effects on their children.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Shabana Mahmood)
The hon. Lady raises an important point. That is why I set up the Women’s Justice Board specifically to make recommendations—I believe that these are policy choices that are properly made by directly elected politicians. We will make progress on the situation of women in our prisons, particularly those who are mothers, because we know that the harm passes down generations, and we are determined to stop it.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-03-11
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What is the Government doing to progress the future homes standard so that the homes being built are not rejected by registered home providers, who say that the homes are not good enough for them and will have to be retrofitted?
Context
Families are placed in temporary, substandard housing with high costs to councils due to a shortage of affordable social housing.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
I understand the point the hon. Lady is making. I refer her to my previous answer. The Government intend to bring forward, through changes to building regulations, future standards that will increase the energy efficiency and carbon emission requirements on new build homes. That will give housing associations, in particular, that have got ahead of the changes and standards the comfort that they need to start adopting those units.
Session: Social Housing 2025-03-03
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Police Grant Report
11 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Policing Minister Sarah Jones moved to approve the Police Grant Report for England and Wales, emphasising a £1.3 billion increase in funding compared to the previous year, with £432 million coming...
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 ...
US Department of Justice Release of Files 2026-02-02
02 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
As I know right hon. and hon. Members across the House will agree, Jeffrey Epstein was a despicable criminal who committed disgusting crimes and destroyed the lives of countless women and girls. His v...
Prison Capacity Annual Statement 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government are publishing the second annual statement on prison capacity, reflecting their determination to be open and honest about the state of the justice system. They inherited a prison system...
Education Funding Distribution 2026-01-28
28 January 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the issue of the distribution of education funding, because it goes to the heart of what kind of education system we want. As Liberal Democrats, we want ever...
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Police Reform White Paper 2026-01-26
26 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Warm Homes Plan 2026-01-21
21 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Arctic Security 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Iran Protests 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the British Government’s response to the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protests? The UK is deeply concerned about reports of protesters being killed in cold blood and ...
Sale of Disposable Barbecues
09 December 2025
The petition highlights the growing threat of wildfires in Dorset and the UK, attributing many of these incidents to disposable barbecues. Petitioners call for a ban on the sale of disposable barbecue...
View Full Petition -->
Sale of Disposable Barbecues
24 November 2025
The petitioners are concerned about the increasing threat of wildfires in Dorset and across the UK, with disposable barbecues being identified as a primary cause. They request a ban on the sale of the...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
81.8%
18 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
11
50.0% of votes
No Votes
7
31.8% of votes
Abstentions
4
18.2% 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
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
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 AYE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
2
PMQs Asked
56
Ministerial Questions Asked
94
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
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
+605% above average
This MP:
56
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3875% above average
This MP:
94
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 (%)
+8% above average
This MP:
81.8
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 Vikki Slade's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.