Elaine Stewart
MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Last month’s data showed that NHS waiting lists in Wales fell for three months in a row. In England, the waiting lists have fallen for six months in a row. In Scotland, after nearly 20 years in charge, the SNP Government have left our NHS on its knees. Instead, remarkable acts of charity from rock legend Rod Stewart are helping people to get the care they need. Does the Prime Minister agree that Scotland needs a new direction so that my constituents in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock do not rely on charity for their healthcare?
Context
Waiting lists for NHS services have been falling in England and Wales but are increasing in Scotland. Rock legend Rod Stewart has stepped in to help people receive necessary care.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. The contrast, as she points out, is stark. In England and Wales, waiting lists are falling, with over 3 million extra appointments already delivered. In Scotland, the SNP Government have just introduced their fifth NHS recovery plan in just four years. They have had the biggest Budget settlement since devolution and nearly two decades in power. They still have no idea how to fix the NHS, and they have run out of excuses.
Session: PMQs 2025-05-07
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The Ayrshire growth deal, which was allocated £103 million of UK Government funds, has the potential to make a real difference to our economic prospects. Despite its clear potential, though, delivery on the ground remains far too slow in turning around real progress. What action can the UK Government take to drive momentum, sharpen the strategic direction of the deal and ensure that Ayrshire finally sees the benefits of this investment?
Context
The Ayrshire growth deal has the potential to make a real difference but delivery on the ground remains too slow.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
This Labour Government are investing more than £250 million in economic development and regeneration in Ayrshire, including but not limited to the Ayrshire growth deal. My hon. Friend is a great champion of Ayrshire, and I look forward to working with her and my good friend Anas Sarwar in the months and years ahead to deliver for the people of Ayrshire and those right across Scotland.
Session: Regional Funding 2026-01-27
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What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support regeneration in Scotland through the Pride in Place programme? Will the Minister give assurances on the timeline of the Pride in Place funding? It is crucial to get projects up and running as soon as possible. While it might be too early for her to wear a Santa hat, can she tell me whether successful local authorities can expect an early Christmas present?
Context
The Pride in Place programme is investing £500 million to revitalise communities across Scotland. The Scotland Office has completed evidence collection from MPs, MSPs, local authorities, and community groups for the selection of 14 new neighbourhoods.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Kirsty McNeill)
Through the Pride in Place programme, we are investing almost £500 million to revitalise communities across Scotland. As part of that, the Scotland Office has recently completed the collection of evidence from MPs, MSPs, local authorities and community groups to inform the selection of 14 new neighbourhoods that will each benefit from £20 million over 10 years. I can confirm to my hon. Friend that she will not have long to wait. It is in all our interests to get things coming down the chimney as soon as possible.
Session: Pride in Place Programme 2025-11-26
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While the NHS is on the road to recovery in England thanks to the investment of this Labour Government, there are 61,000 patients in NHS Ayrshire and Arran on a waiting list for treatment, almost 11,000 of them for over one year. Does the Minister agree that after record levels of funding for Scotland in the last Budget, people in my constituency should be asking the First Minister and his Government, “Where’s the money gone, John?”
Context
The question arises from the context of long waiting lists in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, where 61,000 patients are on a waiting list for treatment, almost 11,000 of them for over one year. The Labour Government has invested significantly in England's NHS.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. More patients are waiting a year for treatment in Ayrshire and Arran than in the entire south-west of England—that is shocking. Thanks to the investment the Chancellor has made, Scotland is receiving an extra £1.5 billion this year and £3.4 billion next year—the biggest funding increase since devolution. Labour is cutting waiting lists in England. Labour is cutting waiting lists in Wales. Why is the SNP failing where Labour is succeeding?
Session: NHS Waiting Lists 2025-11-25
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Last week, the Health Secretary shared his plans to improve the NHS by giving patients more control over their treatment. Patients in England are now able to book appointments and order their prescriptions on the NHS app. With the lack of an NHS app in Scotland being described as a “national embarrassment”, does the Minister agree with me that people living in Scotland are being left behind?
Context
The Health Secretary recently announced plans to improve the NHS by giving patients more control over their treatment through an app. In Scotland, there is no equivalent app.
Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Under this Labour Government, NHS waiting lists are falling and we have an ambitious plan for the future of the NHS. Under the SNP, Scotland has an analogue Government in a digital age, and Scotland’s patients are missing out. Scotland needs a new direction, which I hope it will take with Anas Sarwar’s Scottish Labour party next year.
Session: Plan for Change 2025-07-10
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Luxury knitwear products from Alex Begg, based in my Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock constituency, are a great example of quality Scottish exports, and it has a great reputation in leading fashion houses across the world. Like many businesses, Alex Begg is happy to see that good UK trade deals are back in fashion. Will the Minister join me in visiting Alex Begg in Ayr to hear about the importance of trade deals to local businesses with global ambitions?
Context
The MP highlighted Alex Begg as a luxury knitwear product manufacturer with global ambitions in her constituency.
The Minister for Trade Policy (Mr Alexander)
I pay tribute to the craftsmanship and global ambitions of Alex Begg in Ayr. My mother’s side of the family are all from Ayrshire, so it would be a personal pleasure to visit Ayrshire, as my hon. Friend suggests. I would suggest that we could visit Alex Begg during the summer recess, but then again, as Billy Connolly once observed: ‘There are two seasons in Scotland: June and winter.’
Session: Trade Agreements Programme 2025-06-12
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Does the Minister agree that this Labour Government’s plan for change has helped to deliver 1,500 more GPs to help stop the 8 am rush and that the Scottish Government should work with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to look at how the SNP-run health service in Scotland could learn from such action?
Context
The MP highlights the Labour Government's plan to deliver more GPs and asks for cooperation between the UK government and Scottish government in improving the SNP-run health service.
The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)
As the UK Government, we have delivered more than 2 million extra NHS appointments seven months early, as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out just a few moments ago. Yet we all know that, despite the brilliance of NHS staff, the NHS in Scotland is still on its knees. Today, from this Dispatch Box, I urge our colleagues in the Scottish Government to work with us and actually learn some lessons from our team in the Department of Health and Social Care who are already driving change across England.
Session: Co-operation with Devolved Governments 2025-04-24
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We are only partway there on the pension injustice for miners. The British Coal staff superannuation scheme has around 40,000 members who formerly worked in mining industries, including a number of my constituents. They include many women who were among the lowest paid in the coal industry—my own mum worked in the pit canteen. Can I assure my constituents enrolled in the BCSSS that transferring the £2.3 billion investment reserves to its members is a priority for this Government?
Context
The Minister previously discussed the impact of changes to the mineworkers' pension scheme, noting an average increase of 32% in monthly payments. The BCSSS is also under consideration.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
My hon. Friend is right to point out that there are about 40,000 people in this scheme. About 5,000 of them are women, unlike the mineworkers’ pension scheme, of which the vast majority of members are men. The two schemes are different and operate in a different way, because in 2015 the BCSSS had run two deficits and was at risk, so there had to be an intervention from Government. The two schemes operate differently and have to be looked at differently. The Government Actuary’s Department team is working its way through the mineworkers’ pension process, and we are now working with officials on this issue. I am meeting officials later today to talk about it more to see what we need to do. I stress that this is very complex—we are talking about billions of pounds-worth of assets—but we are absolutely receptive to calls from the trustees, and I will meet with them again soon.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme 2025-03-18
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In Scotland, we have seen almost two decades of wasteful spending while public services get worse. Does the Minister agree that good public services are essential to economic growth, and that Scottish taxpayers are not getting good value for money under the SNP Government?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the Scottish National Party's handling of public services and economic development over nearly two decades.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
On my recent visit to Scotland I heard just that. The people of Scotland deserve the same approach that the people of England are getting from this Government, who have stability and economic growth as their mission and who are getting a grip of public finances after years of failure. Quite frankly, we have given the Scottish Government the money, and they now need to get on with the job. If they cannot, they need to move out of the way.
Session: Economic Growth Scotland 2025-03-04
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The Ayrshire growth deal, worth over a quarter of a billion pounds, has the potential to stimulate growth and create jobs across the region, yet local delivery of the ambition is slow and stagnant. What message would the Minister send to spark action from the three Conservative-SNP run administrations in the region so that Ayrshire can realise its potential as a world-class business region?
Context
The Ayrshire growth deal is a multi-billion-pound initiative to stimulate economic development in the region but has faced delays. The MP seeks clarity on steps being taken to expedite its implementation.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris)
I am sorry to hear that. For our part, the UK Government are working closely with local partners and the Scottish Government to deliver the Ayrshire growth deal, which, as my hon. Friend says, is worth over a quarter of a billion pounds. As part of that, we are supporting a programme review so that, if any strategic changes are needed to ensure that the originally envisaged benefits are realised, they are made. On the message that she asks for, we need to move at pace, exactly as the Government have committed to do, so that the people of Ayrshire get what was promised.
Session: Local Growth Funding 2025-01-20
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What steps is his Department taking to help reduce NHS waiting times? Almost one in six Scots is stuck on an NHS waiting list. People are borrowing money and remortgaging their homes to go private, because they cannot bear the pain. With an SNP Government who have abandoned the principles of an NHS free at the point of entry, does my right hon. Friend agree that Scotland’s health service needs a new direction?
Context
The MP notes the high number of Scots on NHS waiting lists and individuals resorting to private healthcare due to long waits.
Wes Streeting
This Government are delivering on our commitment to cut NHS waiting lists and end the Tory backlog. We have taken immediate action with an additional £1.8 billion to support elective activity this year. That funding will support the delivery of our first step of 40,000 extra elective appointments a week. With investment must come reform, and the elective reform plan, published yesterday and announced by the Prime Minister, sets out how we will cut NHS waits to the 18-week standard, increase productivity, reform the system and improve patients’ choice and control over their healthcare. I strongly agree with my hon. Friend. As I said during the general election campaign—it was quoted regularly by the SNP—all roads lead to Westminster. Down that road from Westminster is a record increase in funding for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula.
Session: NHS Waiting Times 2025-01-07
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I recently visited South Ayrshire Women's Aid in my constituency as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Will the Minister join me in praising the hard work of Women's Aid in supporting women and girls who have suffered violence? Does she agree that we need more support for these organisations up and down the country, particularly in respect of reliable funding?
Context
The MP has visited South Ayrshire Women's Aid to raise awareness of the need for more support and reliable funding for such organisations.
Alex Davies-Jones
I wholeheartedly echo my hon. Friend's words about the vital work of organisations such as Women's Aid, who do such brilliant work in empowering women and children to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic abuse. This Government are committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade. That is why I have decided to protect violence against women and girls victims spending in the Ministry of Justice by maintaining the current funding levels for sexual violence and domestic abuse support for the next financial year.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls 2024-12-10
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What steps her Department is taking through the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and girls? I recently visited South Ayrshire Women's Aid in my constituency as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Will the Minister join me in praising the hard work of Women's Aid in supporting women and girls who have suffered violence?
Context
The Minister is being asked about the government's actions to help tackle violence against women and girls. The question follows a visit by the MP to South Ayrshire Women's Aid for 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Alex Davies-Jones
Last week, this Government introduced domestic abuse protection orders in selected areas. This will improve protection for victims of domestic abuse, including non-physical abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. We have also committed to fast-tracking rape cases through the courts in order to deliver swift justice for victims of this abhorrent offence. I wholeheartedly echo my hon. Friend's words about the vital work of organisations such as Women's Aid, who do such brilliant work in empowering women and children to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic abuse. This Government are committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade. That is why I have decided to protect violence against women and girls victims spending in the Ministry of Justice by maintaining the current funding levels for sexual violence and domestic abuse support for the next financial year.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls 2024-12-10
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Does the Secretary of State agree that community benefit funds from wind farms contribute to improving living standards for communities? Will he join me in praising the work of the nine community council groups in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock as a model of the fair distribution of funds to support local apprenticeships and improve living standards across the Cumnock and Doon Valley areas?
Context
The MP highlights the importance of community benefit funds derived from local wind farms for improving living standards.
Ian Murray
I congratulate not only the nine community councils in my hon. Friend's area on their initiative, but community councils up and down the country that do so much work on our behalf to ensure that the community benefit fund, derived from local wind farms, makes a tangible difference to local people.
Session: Living Standards 2024-12-04
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Have the new Government considered the fiscal cost to society of gambling, especially online gambling? Financial resources are limited and there is a black hole left by the Conservative Government.
Context
The question focuses on the financial impact of gambling, particularly online gambling.
Lisa Nandy
We are very aware of the issues raised. We would be pleased to discuss them with my hon. Friend, ensuring robust protections in place, particularly for online gambling.
Session: Gambling Harmful Effects 2024-10-17
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What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle the harmful effects of gambling. The Government are committed to reviewing all the available evidence and listening to first-hand constituency experience, such as that in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the harmful impact of gambling on communities.
Lisa Nandy
The Government are committed to reviewing all the available evidence and listening to first-hand constituency experience. We have a dedicated Minister for gambling, Baroness Twycross, who has met representatives across the industry and those affected by problem gambling to ensure robust policy in place.
Session: Gambling Harmful Effects 2024-10-17
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What updates are there on proposals to end the injustice of the mineworkers' pension scheme before it is too late?
Context
The MP highlights the need for justice regarding mineworkers' pensions, referencing past injustices that affected many communities.
Kirsty McNeill
Our manifesto committed to ending injustice by reviewing unfair surplus arrangements and transferring the investment reserve fund back to members. I would be delighted to write a further update for my hon. Friend representing coalfield seats in due course.
Session: Support for Working People 2024-09-04
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What steps does he plan to take to support working people in Scotland, given the need for a significant upgrade of workers' rights?
Context
The MP is concerned about the steps needed to support workers in Scotland following recent debates on worker's rights.
Kirsty McNeill
The UK Government will oversee the biggest upgrade of workers' rights in a generation, set out in a new deal for working people that will be written into law within 100 days. Over 75 reforms aim to raise living standards and up to 7,800 workers across Ayrshire stand to benefit.
Session: Support for Working People 2024-09-04
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Scottish Affairs Committee in 2024-25 and Industrial Transition
05 February 2026
Main Concerns
['The Committee has examined the dramatic change in Scotland’s industrial landscape over four decades, leading to major job losses and closures. The impact of poorly managed transitions includes high unemployment rates, poor health outcomes, and higher levels of economic inactivity in former coalfield areas.']
Specific Asks
['The report concludes that future transitions must be grounded in practical commitments to support workers, retain skills, and ensure no community bears the burden alone.']
Pension Schemes Bill 2025-12-03
03 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Proposes a new clause that allows expenditure for the Ombudsman for the Board of the Pension Protection Fund to be paid from money raised by the general levy payable by occupational pension schemes an...
Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan 80th Anniversary 2025-05-06
06 May 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Honoured to open the debate, Stephanie Peacock acknowledged the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8 and VJ Day on August 15. She praised Churchill's call for united strength and highlighted the sacrif...
Onshore Wind and Solar Generation 2025-04-02
02 April 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025 aims to support the deployment of onshore wind and solar in the UK by reintroducing onshore wind into the NSIP regime. ...
Coalfield Communities 2025-02-06
06 February 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Adam Jogee, the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme, opened the debate by highlighting the rich history and importance of coalfield communities in the United Kingdom. He cited specific examp...
LGBT Veterans: Etherton Review
12 December 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The report by Lord Etherton highlights a dark period in Britain's military history from 1967 to 2000 when LGBT personnel were banned, bullied, demoted or dismissed. The current Labour Government is co...
Ways and Means
05 November 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
This Budget marks a turning point after 14 years of Tory neglect, focusing on fixing the public finances and services. The Chancellor has delivered on Labour's manifesto promises: protecting payslips ...
St Helena: UK Immigration
21 October 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations
07 October 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
The Energy Bill - Clause on establishing Great British Energy (GBE)
05 September 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
This amendment establishes a new national, publicly owned energy generation company in the UK. Ed Miliband argues that this is essential to break from 14 years of failure under previous governments wh...
Attendance
63.6%
14 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
3
13.6% of votes
No Votes
11
50.0% of votes
Abstentions
8
36.4% 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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
1
PMQs Asked
17
Ministerial Questions Asked
9
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
22
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 649 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-48% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
+114% above average
This MP:
17
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-35% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+281% above average
This MP:
9
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 (%)
-16% below average
This MP:
63.6
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 Elaine Stewart's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.