Nick Smith
MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Lab
6 May 2010 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Given the recent extreme weather events causing significant damage in Cwmtillery, will the Prime Minister continue prioritising coal tip maintenance funding to keep communities safe?
Context
Extreme weather events caused a landslip in Cwmtillery last weekend, leading to slurry and boulders on streets. The Chancellor committed £25 million for coal tip maintenance.
Keir Starmer
Yes, we have committed £25 million for coal tip maintenance. I will ensure that hon. Members get support in raising issues about their constituents.
Assessment
Specific commitment to continue prioritising funding was not explicitly stated
Session: PMQs 2024-11-27
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Under the last Conservative Government we had soaring energy costs and the highest industrial energy bills in Europe. Now, under Labour, manufacturers, including those in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, have seen costly levies taken out. Will the Minister please outline what else the Government can do to bring energy bills down further for UK industry?
Context
The question follows the government's announcement to increase discount on electricity network charges for electricity-intensive businesses. Previous Conservative government faced criticism over soaring industrial energy costs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
I thank my hon. Friend for championing the businesses in his constituency. One such business, GS Yuasa Battery Manufacturing in Gwent, is receiving support from the supercharger, exempting it from several renewables levies and electricity network usage costs. This is all part of the Government’s clean energy superpower mission, which will cut costs, boost energy security and accelerate grid connections.
Session: Industrial Energy Costs 2026-01-29
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What steps he is taking to help support employers to keep people healthy at work. In The Times at the weekend, Alan Milburn emphasised the importance of boosting young people’s life chances. Will the Secretary of State outline how data from the pilot will strengthen delivery to keep people healthy at work?
Context
The question follows the launch of the 'Keep Britain Working' review, where Sir Charlie Mayfield made recommendations including a vanguard scheme involving over 100 employers. Nick Smith's constituency has a trailblazer pilot.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
I opened the Neath opportunity hub in south Wales in October, and I announced further funding of £10 million for the trailblazer covering that area. Alan Milburn is doing important work in reporting on the whole issue of young people in activity and work. The thing that unites these efforts is the belief that work is good for you, and that we do not want to see young people graduating from education into a life on benefits. That work brings together current activity and the future changes that we will need to make.
Session: Employee Health 2026-01-26
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There has been a tendency to offshore much cyber-support, but we are producing excellent cyber-security talent at Ebbw Vale college to protect our digital infrastructure. Will the Minister please outline what is being done to develop our home-grown workforce and security resilience to help reduce the risks from cyber-attacks in future?
Context
The context is the increasing offshoring of cyber-support roles and the production of skilled cyber-security professionals at Ebbw Vale college. There is a focus on developing home-grown workforce to reduce risks from cyber-attacks.
Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)
Skills are the foundation of the UK’s cyber-security, and the Government are investing £187 million in the TechFirst programme. That initiative will bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities, and aims to reach 1 million students by 2026 and provide a thousand annual scholarships. Those skills projects will help bridge the gap in our cyber-resilience.
Session: Cyber-crime 2026-01-22
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The Government’s action on ticket reselling is the first substantive effort to tackle those who leech off the music sector. Previously, as one loophole closed, another would often open. There have been warnings that ticket reselling could continue through social media and messaging apps. How will the Government monitor that to protect fans so that they can see the artists who bring joy into all our lives?
Context
The Government announced plans to illegalize reselling live events tickets for profit, but there are concerns about potential loopholes through social media platforms.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that, and appreciate his work on and commitment to this matter. Our approach will require all platforms that facilitate the resale of tickets—including social media platforms—to ensure that the price cap is adhered to on their sites. If platforms fail to uphold the cap, our enforcers will be able to issue tough penalties of up to 10% of global turnover. We believe that this will act as a strong deterrent. We will carefully monitor the impact of the measures once they have been implemented, and we will not hesitate to take further action to protect fans if required.
Session: Secondary Ticketing 2025-12-11
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Will he provide an update on plans for changing the surplus sharing arrangements for both the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme?
Context
The MP references the Minister's announcement at the Budget regarding pension schemes for mining communities.
Torsten Bell
My hon. Friend has been a powerful campaigner for those surpluses to be shared with the members of those pension schemes. He knows that we made an announcement at the Budget to ensure that the British Coal staff superannuation scheme surplus is shared with its members, and I know that the trustees are bringing forward their proposals on the sharing of future surpluses.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-12-09
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Can the Minister say more about how the Government are reflecting the experiences of victims when tackling grooming gangs in Wales?
Context
The hon. Member asked for details on how the Government are ensuring that victims’ voices are heard when tackling grooming gangs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)
Absolutely, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising this critical matter. We are putting victims’ voices at the heart of the inquiry, because their voices must be heard, and we are accepting Baroness Casey’s recommendations in full, including the introduction of mandatory reporting, the creation of a new child protection authority and the ending of the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.[Official Report, 18 December 2025; Vol. 777, c. 13WC.] (Correction) I will say this once again: we are ensuring that victims’ voices are at the heart of the inquiry, because they have been forgotten for far too long.
Session: Grooming Gangs 2025-12-03
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Will the Minister meet me and the new Parkrun chief executive to discuss future collaborations?
Ashley Dalton
We are learning from Parkrun's success in encouraging physical activity, as it saves the NHS around £10.5 billion annually.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-07-22
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What steps her Department is taking to tackle the antisocial use of off-road bikes. Gwent police are tackling dangerous, illegal off-road bikes, but a related problem is electric bikes which are sometimes chipped to go faster and have become a new danger. The bikes can be switched up from being a means to get from A to B into being a real menace.
Context
Concern about the antisocial use of off-road bikes in communities, including electric bikes that can be modified for high speeds.
The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
Our Crime and Policing Bill, which Opposition Members voted against on Third Reading, is giving the police greater powers to clamp down on off-road bikes and other nuisance vehicles that cause chaos in our communities. Once the changes come into force, officers will no longer be required to issue a warning before they seize a bike that is being used antisocially. On 28 May, we published a consultation to explore changes to the circumstances in which the police can seize and destroy these vehicles, and we will not hesitate to go further if needed. Yes, I am very happy to look into that issue and to meet my hon. Friend to discuss it. He may want to know that the 60 additional officers that are going to be available in his police force area by the end of this year will help to tackle some of the antisocial behaviour involving e-bikes and other vehicles.
Session: Off-road Bikes 2025-07-07
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I thank the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for his answer. Last weekend I attended the anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster in 1960, in which 45 men and boys died. I met Mervyn Frampton, whose brother Keith was killed in that tragedy. Mervyn is 90 now, and we talked about when he and his butties powered our country and were members of the British Coal staff pension scheme. Will my right hon. Friend please be mindful of those who risked their lives for us, and who are still owed pension fair play?
Context
Last weekend, Nick Smith attended the anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster in 1960 where 45 men and boys died. He met Mervyn Frampton, whose brother Keith was killed in that tragedy.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and I extend the thoughts of the House to his constituents and the communities that he represents. He will know that I have always kept the service and sacrifices of the mining communities in my mind, both in opposition when campaigning for changes to the mineworkers’ pension scheme, which this Government implemented at the last Budget, and now in considering proposals from the BCSSS. I will be looking at those issues in more detail over the summer, and I hope to say more in the autumn.
Session: British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme 2025-07-01
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General Dynamics already provides good jobs in south Wales. As a former member of the Public Accounts Committee, I welcome plans to cut delivery times for the new communications and weapons systems of the future. Does the Minister agree, however, that we need to overcome public scepticism about defence kits taking too long to get to the frontline?
Context
The MP references the previous government's record on slow delivery times for major defence projects, highlighting a need to improve efficiency in order to boost national security.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)
I do agree with my hon. Friend, because under the previous Government the average time to contract was six years, and only two out of the 49 major projects they oversaw were on time and on budget. Our procurement reforms will speed up and improve delivery to the frontline, and thus boost our defence and security.
Session: Defence Sector Jobs 2025-05-19
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I thank the Minister for her answer and for her hard work to increase payments to mineworkers and their families across the country. After digging for coal for many years, 1,600 miners and their families have received an uplift of nearly £30 a week in my constituency of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney. However, progress is still needed on the staff superannuation scheme. The trustees of that scheme confirmed to me that the average age of pension members is 76, so with time marching on, will the Minister outline the next steps to help members of the staff scheme?
Context
The Minister previously discussed the impact of changes to the mineworkers' pension scheme, noting an average increase of 32% in monthly payments. The British Coal staff superannuation scheme is also under consideration.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I thank my hon. Friend for his remarks; he is right to talk about the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. The initial focus of our work was on the mineworkers’ pension scheme, which was in our manifesto. We had to work at pace on that commitment, and we are working with the Government Actuary’s Department on how the surplus-sharing arrangement will work going forward. That big piece of work is under way, but my hon. Friend is right to point to the tens of thousands of people who are in the BCSSS. I too have met the trustees, and we are working as fast as we can through the issues associated with that scheme. The two schemes are different—they operate in different ways—but the Government are the guarantor for both of them, and I will reconvene trustees to continue discussions with them and take this matter forward.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme 2025-03-18
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This is an important issue for south Wales families. My uncle Jacky was a deputy at Cwm Marine pit and my uncle Georgie was a deputy at Oakdale. Sadly, they have now passed, but they were members of the British Coal pension scheme. Many of their mining friends will be in their 80s and 90s, and their pensions deserve uplifting, so will the Minister please commit to making good progress here? Time is running out for the men and women who fired our industrial past.
Context
The MP emphasizes the importance of uplifting former miners' pensions in south Wales, referencing his family's mining history.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that question on an issue that I know is deeply important to him, his constituents and his family, and on which he has worked for many years. The Government are actively considering proposals from the scheme’s trustees, and we will set out the next steps in due course. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry in the Department for Business and Trade will be working on the detail, and I will be meeting her shortly to consider the options.
Session: Former Mineworkers’ Pensions 2025-01-21
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In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 1,600 miners received the biggest number of increased payments from the mineworkers' pension scheme in Wales. All of my uncles on my mum's side were miners. Dessie Winter will benefit from the MPS changes, but Georgie and Jackie paid into the National Coal Board staff pension scheme. Since 1994, the Government have received £3.1 billion from the BCSSS. Will the Secretary of State say if he will look again at the staff side's surplus payments to benefit our pensioners?
Context
The MP highlighted that in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 1,600 miners received increased payments from the mineworkers' pension scheme. He mentioned his family history involving miners who were pit supervisors.
Ed Miliband
My hon. Friend makes his point with customary eloquence. I know that there were people who waited for injustice to be remedied but sadly died before it happened. He refers to part of the issue raised by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee about 50:50 surplus sharing; my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is looking at that.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Living Standards 2024-12-17
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The college in Ebbw Vale offers a brilliant cyber security course. Given that the national cyber-security chief says there is a widening gap between UK's defences and the threats posed by hostile nations, what is being done to scale up the workforce to defend our crucial infrastructure?
Context
Concern over a widening gap between UK's cyber-defences and the threats posed by hostile nations, highlighting an Ebbw Vale college's role in training young people for jobs in this sector.
Pat McFadden
I congratulate the college in Ebbw Vale on its brilliant cyber-security course. We are determined to work not only with education but also with business and critical national infrastructure to ensure we are well protected against threats, making security a priority for the Government.
Session: Cyber-security 2024-12-05
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What recent progress has been made on strengthening cyber-security?
Context
The question follows a speech to the NATO cyber-defence conference where the government outlined plans for strengthening UK's cyber-resilience.
Pat McFadden
We are working to strengthen the UK's cyber-resilience with a new Bill announced in the King's Speech that will help strengthen the UK's cyber-defences and work with industry. This is an ongoing effort to ensure we have the strongest cyber-defences possible.
Session: Cyber-security 2024-12-05
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The Minister knows that improved connectivity is important to the economy of our south Wales valleys communities. Will he look into this so my constituents in Trefil and across Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney know when their broadband service will improve?
Context
There is a need for improved connectivity in the south Wales valleys to support economic growth. However, getting definitive information on Project Gigabit's progress has been difficult.
Chris Bryant
I am happy to arrange the same kind of meeting with my hon. Friend as I offered to the hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury (Aphra Brandreth). He is right that there are very significant problems in south Wales valleys communities, and we need to put those right.
Session: Project Gigabit Chester South and Eddisbury 2024-10-16
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I was reading the Treasury's “Fixing the foundations” document, and I understand that because of the need to restore control over public spending, the Government have had to cancel the restoring your railway programme. However, I note that individual projects will be reconsidered in the Transport Secretary's review. Will the Minister please look at the development of the Abertillery spur on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line, as he considers good-value investment and connectivity in our railways infrastructure?
Context
The MP is concerned about the development of the Abertillery spur on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line.
Simon Lightwood
The Government are reviewing a number of infrastructure projects in the light of the terrible financial situation that we find ourselves in, following the terrible damage inflicted on this country by the Opposition.
Session: City Regions Connectivity 2024-10-10
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Has the Secretary of State had the opportunity yet to work out why there was an underspend of over £100 million in the agricultural budget last year? May I support your thanks to Terry Wiggins, Mr Speaker?
Context
The previous Government underspent the agricultural budget by £130 million in the previous financial year.
Steve Reed
My hon. Friend raises an important point. Opposition Members are asking me today about budget decisions that they know cannot be announced before the Budget, when presumably they are aware—because the statement has been laid—that they underspent the previous budget to the tune of £130 million.
Session: Funding for Farming 2024-09-12
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In advance of the statement, what can she say about jobs and investment in this crucial sector?
Context
Welsh tidal, solar and offshore wind projects have secured contracts in the Government's main scheme for supporting low-carbon electricity generation.
Jo Stevens
Seven Welsh tidal, solar and offshore wind projects were successful in securing contracts. These will support the Government's mission to deliver clean power by 2030 while creating high-quality green jobs and attracting private investment.
Session: Clean Energy Projects 2024-09-11
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Sudan 2026-02-05
05 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
New Palace Yard Project 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The cost of £62 million for the New Palace Yard project is eye-watering. Most constituents find it outrageous as staff have to queue for long times when leaving Parliament at the end of the day. The o...
British Manufacturers 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member raised concerns about the procurement practices of the House regarding British-made goods, particularly highlighting a ceramic commemorative tankard sold in gift shops that was marked ...
Restoration and Renewal Member Consultation 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Business of the House 2026-01-08
08 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s practice of making significant policy announcements when Parliament is not sitting. He cited several examples of U-turns on policies related to i...
Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is declaring violence against women and girls as a national emergency. The strategy aims to halve these crimes within a decade through prevention, bearing down on perpetrators, and supp...
Ukraine 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business of the House 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Expressed condolences for the Bondi Beach attack, criticised the Labour Government's failure to meet its promises, highlighted issues like rising taxes, cost of living crisis, NHS waiting lists, socia...
Separation Centres Terrorist Offenders 2025-11-20
20 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the Government will always put national security first and maintain the effectiveness of separation centres despite recent legal challenges? The urgent concern is the ru...
Ukraine Forcible Removal of Children 2025-11-20
20 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the UK is resolute in supporting Ukraine and its defence, particularly regarding reports of territorial concessions being considered? What are the government's views on ...
Attendance
100.0%
22 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
9
40.9% of votes
No Votes
13
59.1% of votes
Abstentions
0
0.0% of votes
03 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
1
PMQs Asked
19
Ministerial Questions Asked
26
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
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
-48% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+139% above average
This MP:
19
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+999% above average
This MP:
26
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 (%)
+32% above average
This MP:
100.0
Average:
75.6
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Nick Smith's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.