Torsten Bell
MP for Swansea West
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Back in the 1990s, the Conservatives claimed that the minimum wage would cost 1 million jobs. Instead, low earners have seen the fastest pay rises year after year, with no effect on employment—[Interruption.] They opposed it. Today, and on their watch, 1 million workers are on zero-hours contracts and more than 1 million people have no sick pay whatsoever, facing risks that nobody in this House would bear.
Context
In the 1990s, Conservatives claimed that introducing a minimum wage would cost one million jobs. Instead, low earners have seen significant pay rises each year without an adverse effect on employment.
Keir Starmer
Economic growth is our No. 1 mission, and that is why we forged a new, positive relationship with business, but too many people are insecure at work, and that holds them back and holds our economy back.
Assessment
The specific claims about the impact of minimum wage policies were not addressed directly.
Economic Growth Is Our No. 1 Mission
Session: PMQs 2024-09-11
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I am surprised: why are the parties on the Opposition Benches voting against it?
Context
The question arises from confusion regarding parties opposing the Welsh Government's budget despite its funding for NHS improvements.
Jo Stevens
I think their stance on the Welsh Government Budget says it all. They are more bothered about scoring cheap political points than they are about delivering services and investment for Wales.
Session: NHS Waiting Lists 2024-12-11
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The government has announced a significant increase in the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance. What plans does the Department have to communicate this important policy change effectively?
Context
3,400 carers in Swansea West will benefit from an upcoming increase to the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance. Awareness of this change is historically low.
Stephen Timms
All current claimants will receive an annual uprating letter detailing the new limit. Additionally, 60,000 new unpaid carers will become eligible for the allowance from April 7th next year.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-11
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How will the taskforce ensure that lessons, including on the role of housing costs in driving up relative poverty and the necessity of growth to drive down absolute poverty, will be learnt from previous attempts to drive down child poverty?
Context
Previous attempts to reduce child poverty have faced challenges, particularly with housing costs and the necessity of job creation.
Liz Kendall
My hon. Friend makes a very important point about learning the lessons from the last time we were in government and lifted more than 600,000 children out of poverty, and looking at similarities and differences, not least that there are more children growing up in poverty in households, whether in the private rented sector or in social housing, and that there are more children growing up poor in a household where somebody works.
Session: Child Poverty Taskforce 2024-10-07
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What steps she is taking to progress the work of the child poverty taskforce.
Context
The child poverty taskforce is a new initiative aiming to address the issue of child poverty in the UK. Previous attempts at reducing child poverty have been made, but challenges remain.
Liz Kendall
Tackling child poverty is a top priority for the new Government, and a personal priority for me. Children cannot fulfil their potential without food in their belly or a decent roof over their head, and we cannot fulfil our potential as a country when the talents of so many are left behind.
Session: Child Poverty Taskforce 2024-10-07
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Welsh universities are central to economic growth in many of our communities. Swansea University has already seen 200 voluntary redundancies, and more are happening across Wales. How will the two Governments work together to nurture these crucial institutions?
Context
Welsh universities are facing difficulties due to redundancies and the economic situation, affecting their ability to contribute to local communities.
Nia Griffith
Welsh universities, including Swansea University, have a huge contribution to make to economic growth. The Secretary of State and I met with Professor Paul Boyle last week to discuss the challenges facing Welsh institutions and ways of supporting higher education in Wales. Colleagues at all levels are working closely together to safeguard those universities' potential amid difficult economic circumstances.
Session: Economic Growth 2024-09-11
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill 2026-01-21
21 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves amendments to exempt basic rate taxpayers in England, Wales and Scotland from the £2,000 cap. Criticises the bill for not enhancing pension savings and proposes new clauses requiring assessments...
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Minister moved that the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill be read a Second time. He argued for reforming pension salary sacrifice due to its growing cost, whi...
Pension Schemes Bill 2025-12-03
03 December 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
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...
Budget Resolutions 2025-11-27
27 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Chancellor is destroying the economy by putting up taxes, which has led to increased unemployment, diminished living standards, higher inflation and lost fiscal headroom. Labour's economic policy,...
Pension Schemes Bill 2025-07-07
07 July 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Bill aims to deliver fundamental reforms to the pensions landscape, building on a broad consensus across the House. It focuses on higher returns for pension savers, responds to specific responsibi...
Winter Fuel Payment 2025-06-09
09 June 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Government is extending eligibility for winter fuel payments to a wider range of pensioners in England and Wales. All pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 will benefit from support, as will all t...
Business and the Economy 2025-05-21
21 May 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion regrets the rise in unemployment, especially affecting young people, and criticises the government for its policies that have led to business closures. It mentions over 200,000 businesses c...
Winter Fuel Payment 2025-03-19
19 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Calls on the Government to publish data on pensioners who missed out on Winter Fuel Payment, impact of changes on levels of pensioner poverty and hospital admissions, plans for ensuring Pension Credit...
Public Finances Borrowing Costs 2025-01-09
09 January 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Chancellor confirm that the growing pressure of borrowing costs on the public finances is a cause for concern, given recent high levels and the impact on mortgage costs and lending across the...
Finance Bill (No. 2) - New Clause 7 - Review of effects of sections 50 and 51 on housing market
11 December 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
72.7%
16 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
7
31.8% of votes
No Votes
9
40.9% of votes
Abstentions
6
27.3% 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
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
5
Ministerial Questions Asked
19
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
-37% below average
This MP:
5
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+703% above average
This MP:
19
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 (%)
-4% below average
This MP:
72.7
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 Torsten Bell's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.