Martin Wrigley
MP for Newton Abbot
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.
During my meetings with guests who are in my constituency under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, they have told me that they are worried about their visas running out, even with the 18-month extension. They see reports of Ukrainians being refused asylum in the United Kingdom because it is said to be safe to return to Ukraine, even while Putin’s missiles explode in record numbers in Ukrainian cities. Some of their children are working through two or three-year education courses, and are frightened of having to leave. Will the Prime Minister meet them, and me, to hear about their plight and offer them some hope in this uncertain and dangerous world?
Context
The Liberal Democrat MP raises concerns about Ukrainian refugees who are worried about their visa status due to reported refusals of asylum despite ongoing conflict.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter. We are proud to have offered or extended sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians and their families throughout the operation of the visa scheme since the invasion in 2022. We do need to provide certainty and security for Ukrainians in the United Kingdom, and we will provide an additional 18 months’ permission to remain in the UK as well as continued rights to live, work and study here.
Assessment
The PM did not commit to a specific meeting or address all concerns raised by the questioner.
Provide Certainty And Security
Session: PMQs 2025-07-16
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The major GP practice groups in my constituency have written to me, detailing their precarious finances. They are considering their options as they plan for the year ahead, including redundancies, handing back their contracts or bankruptcy, and they have stopped recruiting GPs, resulting in fewer patient appointments. The Health Secretary has promised an increased funding allocation but has yet to say when we will know how much it will be. Will the Prime Minister release the funding information and meet me and the GPs to hear at first hand about the pressures they are facing?
Context
Major GP practice groups in Newton Abbot have warned of precarious finances, considering redundancies and bankruptcy. They have stopped recruiting GPs, resulting in fewer patient appointments.
Keir Starmer
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this. The Darzi report, which we commissioned, made it clear that the NHS was broken by the previous Government, and that is why we provided £22 billion of additional funding in the Budget this year to start the work of fixing our NHS. We do obviously value the vital work of GPs and, as he knows, we consult every year with the sector about the services they provide and the money they are entitled to in return, and we will set that out in the usual way.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not commit to releasing funding information or meeting the questioner and GPs.
Did Not Address Specific Ask
Session: PMQs 2024-12-04
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Roadworks in my constituency are causing traffic hell. The county council is powerless to cause utilities companies to cooperate and coordinate their work. What does the Secretary of State suggest I say to my residents?
Context
Residents in Newton Abbot are facing traffic hell due to roadworks on the A382.
Heidi Alexander
The Government have doubled fines for local authorities when works overrun. We recognise how disruptive these works are and take them seriously.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-02-12
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I am trying to get records from the Cabinet Office about a meeting between Peter Thiel of Palantir and Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 28 August 2019. There are conflicting data back regarding this. Is it in the public interest that management of information is outsourced to Palantir?
Context
The MP is seeking records about a meeting involving Peter Thiel, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings.
Chris Ward (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)
This issue has been addressed by a written question already put into the public domain.
Session: Government Insourcing 2026-01-22
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On 20 May, I met the Minister to speak about Access to Work claims that were being denied, changed or reduced, all contrary to the guidelines. The Minister assured me that it was a communications issue, that the guidelines had not changed and that officials were going to fix the problems by speaking to the local jobcentre. The problems were not fixed. Since then, both Dawlish Gardens Trust and the No Limits café in Newton Abbot have ceased to provide Access to Work services because the system just is not working and, they said, every claim was being rejected. That assessment has been mirrored by the Access to Work Collective. Who changed the guidelines, and why? Are they simply being ignored to save money at the cost of vulnerable adults? If the Minister would like more information, I am happy to meet him again.
Context
Local organisations have ceased providing Access to Work services due to numerous claim denials and reductions, despite following guidelines.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman again, but I assure him that the policy has not changed. In fact, just last week we published the spending figures on Access to Work, which went up by 17% in the last year and by 32% in the year before that. I do not know what happened in the particular case the hon. Gentleman referred to, but would be happy to look at it further.
Session: Access to Work Scheme 2025-10-27
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The Dawlish sea wall collapsed in 2014, causing a devastating loss to the south-west’s economy of about £1.2 billion. It was not the break in the sea wall that closed the railway for eight weeks; it was the collapse of the cliffs. Will the Minister prioritise the project to secure those cliffs, which is yet to be carried out, or will she meet me? Perhaps she could even visit Dawlish to see how important this fix is going to be.
Context
The Dawlish sea wall collapsed in 2014, causing an estimated loss of £1.2 billion to the south-west’s economy.
Lilian Greenwood
I know how important that rail line is to the people of the south-west, including the hon. Member’s constituents. We are working to determine which rail enhancement projects will be taken forward following the Chancellor’s spending review statement on 11 June. More information will be made available shortly, and I am sure that my colleague, the Rail Minister, will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-06-26
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My constituency is fortunate to have both Dawlish community transport and Newton Abbot community transport. They provide vital services for many people who would otherwise be isolated and lonely but, like many other volunteer groups, they are finding it hard to recruit. Recruiting drivers for their minibus services is a particularly challenging issue as anyone who took their driving test before 1997 automatically got a D1 minibus class licence, whereas younger drivers have had to take an additional new driving test with estimated costs between £800 and £1,800.
Context
The hon. Member is concerned about the difficulty of recruiting drivers for community transport services in his constituency, which affects the provision of vital services to isolated individuals.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)
Unfortunately, up to 30% of drivers who take the D1 test fail. When we are considering changes, it is important that safety is at the forefront of our thinking.
Session: Community Buses Category B Licence Holders 2025-03-27
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Learning from the successful Y2K prevention of systems failures, what progress has been made in considering post-quantum cryptography to prevent the so-called Y2Q—year to quantum—end of privacy? What support is being provided for the development of quantum computing in the UK after the recent announcement of the Willow chip?
Context
The question follows a previous inquiry about the Google Willow announcement and its impact on UK policy, highlighting concerns over post-quantum cryptography and privacy.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)
I am grateful for the hon. Member’s question. He will know full well that there are breakthroughs in quantum happening all the time. These breakthroughs are often happening because of the scientific endeavours in our country, of which we should be proud. On encryption, the Government have a set of policies to ensure that our systems and our country are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the quantum era, and those policies remain active as we speak. On investment in quantum, I was up in Glasgow not so long ago announcing £100 million for five quantum hubs. That is the kind of investment he can expect from this Government to keep our country at the cutting edge.
Session: Google Quantum Computing Chip 2025-02-12
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Complimenting my hon. Friend's initiative to restart council housing after 30 years, will the Secretary of State meet me and others to discuss how we can make it easier for other councils to construct more council homes?
Context
The leader of Teignbridge district council has restarted council house building for the first time in three decades.
Angela Rayner
I commend the hon. Gentleman's efforts in restarting council housing. We are keen for councils to contribute to council housing provision. The Housing Minister will be happy to meet with him and others to discuss potential strategies.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-01-20
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Will the Secretary of State assure us that the crucial rail resilience programme final phase will be funded so that Network Rail keeps the project alive, rather than halting it in its tracks?
Context
The storm in 2014 broke the Dawlish sea wall, collapsed cliffs and blocked the south-west main line for months.
Louise Haigh
As we look to settling Network Rail's control period 7, of course that will be a major consideration in the next funding settlement.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-21
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I have been shocked this week by all the major GP groups in my constituency detailing their financial situations. They are all close to the edge and are considering the options of bankruptcy, redundancies or handing in their contracts. What urgent respite can the Secretary of State give them?
Context
Major GP groups in the constituency are facing financial difficulties and considering drastic measures.
Wes Streeting
I am in no doubt about the state that general practice was left in by our Conservative predecessors. That is why, in making decisions about funding allocations for the year ahead, we are taking into account all the pressures that general practice is under, as we clean up the mess left by the Conservatives.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-19
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Small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency tell me that research and development funding has dried up since last December. What hope can the Minister offer to ensure that SMEs continue their vital innovation to keep the UK safe, and to help them turn their swords into ploughshares?
Context
Research and development funding for SMEs has dried up.
Maria Eagle
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of SMEs in improving our industrial base and bringing agility and new ideas to our defence industrial production. He can be assured that there will be SME involvement in our industrial strategy to the extent that it is possible. We intend to make sure that SMEs, not just the primes, get a better in at the MOD and are able to get the work.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-18
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Does the Secretary of State think it is fair and right for the DWP to start action on overpayments more than six years after they occurred?
Context
Citizens Advice reports that DWP starts action on overpayments more than six years after the event, longer than bank records retention.
Stephen Timms
The hon. Gentleman raises a valid concern about overpayment recovery; the Department aims to identify and notify issues sooner, but no specific stance was taken on the fairness of current practices.
Session: Topical Questions 2024-11-11
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Sustainable Drainage Systems
05 February 2026
Responding: Emma Hardy
Main Concerns
['Flooding is a significant issue in Devon; sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are often not maintained properly, leading to issues such as trees growing through them and water filling up critical areas. In Dawlish, for example, an estate has problems with its SuDS due to poor maintenance.']
Specific Asks
['Calls for a statutory obligation to maintain, inspect, and hand over sustainable drainage systems when building sites are completed. Also asks for legislation that would automatically address the problem of how SuDS are managed after completion.']
GP Funding: South-west England
25 June 2025
Responding: Stephen Kinnock
Main Concerns
['GPs receive £121.79 per patient annually, a figure practice managers describe as unfunded, unsustainable and unsafe. The Carr-Hill formula underrates deprivation and multimorbidity in the South West, leading to underfunding by up to 800 patients for some practices. Additionally, demand has increased post-pandemic while social care cuts have exacerbated the strain on GPs.']
Specific Asks
['Asks for additional funding to support current patient loads and prevent further staff reductions in GP practices across the South West.']
Railway Services: South-West
14 January 2025
Responding: Simon Lightwood
Main Concerns
['The south-west relies heavily on its mainline railway as an economic lifeline. The 2014 Dawlish storm incident caused a £35 million repair cost and an estimated £1.2 billion loss to the local economy, highlighting the critical nature of rail services in the region. Since then, while improvements have been made, including a new sea wall at Dawlish and rebuilt stations, the final phase of resilience work remains underfunded and at risk.']
Specific Asks
['I ask the Minister to reassure Network Rail that funding will be secured for the critical fifth phase of the Dawlish rail resilience programme. I also urge the Government to ensure HS2 developments do not further disrupt services in the south-west.']
Ministry of Defence: Palantir Contracts
10 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Sixth sitting) 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Clauses 156 to 162 will place a statutory ban on promoting tax avoidance arrangements that have no realistic prospect of success. The clauses also set out the civil and criminal penalties. The Opposit...
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Fifth sitting) 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Economic Secretary outlined the establishment of a new excise duty on vaping products, setting out the rate (£2.20 per 10 ml), defining what constitutes a vaping product, and establishing regulati...
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Fourth sitting) 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Amendment 42 proposes to exempt journeys by taxi and private hire vehicle in rural areas from the provisions of subsection (3A) of section 79. The clause changes VAT application for taxis and private ...
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Third sitting) 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is introducing a mechanism to recover winter fuel payments from pensioners with an income above £35,000. The measure aims to balance support for vulnerable pensioners while ensuring res...
Business of the House 2026-01-22
22 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Norman discussed various topics including the launch of a new autonomous robotics degree at his constituency's university, criticised the hon. Member for Clacton for attending Davos, raised concer...
Water White Paper 2026-01-21
21 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 ...
Arctic Security 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Disclosure and Barring Service 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The current DBS system is not fit for purpose as it allows thousands of roles involving unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults to be eligible but not required for enhanced checks, whi...
No Limits Community Café and Hub closure
03 November 2025
The petition concerns the closure of the No Limits Community Café and Hub in Newton Abbot, Devon, which was a vital community space for disabled and neurodivergent people, providing employment opportu...
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No Limits Community Café and Hub closure
11 September 2025
The petition addresses the closure of Newton Abbot’s No Limits Community Café and Hub, which was a vital inclusive space for disabled and neurodivergent individuals, providing community support, emplo...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
68.2%
15 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
9
40.9% of votes
No Votes
6
27.3% of votes
Abstentions
7
31.8% 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
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 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
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
46
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
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
+39% above average
This MP:
11
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+95% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1845% above average
This MP:
46
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 (%)
-10% below average
This MP:
68.2
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 Martin Wrigley's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.