Dawn Butler
MP for Brent East
Lab
5 May 2005 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Economically deprived high streets and poorer high streets are flooded with gambling shops. The “aim to permit” legislation prevents councils from saying no. My summer campaign on gambling reform has received loads of support, including from Gordon Brown, who says that if we tax the gambling industry, we will get £3 billion for our economy. Will the Prime Minister join campaigners and help me to end “aim to permit”, so that constituents such as his and mine can thrive?
Context
Local businesses in economically deprived areas are struggling with an overabundance of gambling shops. The 'aim to permit' legislation prevents councils from restricting these establishments, despite public support for reform.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. It is important that local authorities are given additional tools and powers to ensure vibrant high streets. We are looking at introducing cumulative impact assessments, like those already in place for alcohol licensing, and we will give councils stronger powers over the location and numbers of gambling outlets to help create safe, thriving high streets.
Session: PMQs 2025-09-03
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I watched in horror as 42,000 people were killed in Gaza, 11,000 of them children. People have been burned alive attached to drips, aid workers have been killed and now families are starving. I asked the Prime Minister last year that the world will not stand by and see the lack of humanitarian assistance. If the Israeli Government will not listen to our Prime Minister's words, what tangible, measurable actions will we take as the UK Government?
Context
Following the Hamas attacks of October 7, a humanitarian crisis has developed with over 42,000 people killed and 11,000 children among them. Aid workers have been killed, families are starving, and people burned alive attached to drips.
Angela Rayner
The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is dire. We need an immediate ceasefire, much more aid allowed to flow in and an immediate release of all the hostages. The Government have suspended UK export licences to Israel for items that might be used in the current conflict due to a clear risk they might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Assessment
Specific measurable actions if Israeli government does not heed PM's words were not addressed
Session: PMQs 2024-10-23
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October is Black History Month, and the theme this year is “Reclaiming Narratives”. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the event that you are putting on in your apartments with The Temptations, and the Prime Minister—[Laughter.] The Temptations tribute band. The Prime Minister will be having an event at No.10 this evening. Does he agree that it is important that we continue to have a debate on the Floor of the House in Government time on Black History Month?
Context
October is Black History Month with the theme of 'Reclaiming Narratives'. The PM will host an event at No.10 this evening.
Keir Starmer
I am not sure that something labelled “Temptations” is quite where I need to go at the moment—[Laughter.] But this is a really important initiative. It is important that it is being marked and I am very pleased to be hosting the event this evening, to which I think my hon. Friend is coming.
Assessment
Did not address whether debates on Black History Month should take place during Government time
Session: PMQs 2024-10-09
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I want to highlight one particular woman, Bishop Rose. In 2007, she was appointed chaplain to Her late Majesty the Queen, the first ever black female to hold that role. In 2010, she was the first ever black female appointed as chaplain—the 79th chaplain—to the Speaker of the House of Commons. Since 2019, Bishop Rose has been the Bishop of Dover and Britain's first ever black female bishop. Will my hon. Friend join me in honouring Bishop Rose?
Context
The question is prompted by the significant milestones in Bishop Rose's career, including her appointments as chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and Speaker of the House of Commons.
Marsha de Cordova
I take great pleasure in honouring the great Bishop Rose. The diocese of London marked the anniversary, and there have been several services marking it across the country, in which 180 women have gathered to share their experience of ministry over the past 30 years.
Session: Ordination of Women 30th Anniversary 2024-10-17
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Workplace Pay Gaps
07 January 2025
Responding: Seema Malhotra
Main Concerns
['There are multiple pay gaps including age, size, accent, gender, ethnicity and disability. The current rate of progress for closing these gaps is too slow; it will take another 40 years to fix the gender and ethnicity pay gap, even longer for the disability pay gap.']
Specific Asks
["The Government needs to ensure that companies not only report but also implement equality action plans to close pay gaps. There should be a right to know about colleagues' salaries to tackle unexplained pay differences."]
Ministry of Defence: Palantir Contracts
10 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Fish and Chip Sector 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
It is good to see so many right hon. and hon. Members in their plaice as we skate through the choppy waters that are the fish and chip sector. The chips are down for fish suppers. While the word “icon...
Holocaust Memorial Day 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket opened the debate by highlighting the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day, especially in the context of recent events in Gaza which have polarized c...
Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026-01-13
13 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...
High Street Gambling Reform 2026-01-08
08 January 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
Calls for reform of planning policy to prevent proliferation of betting shops and adult gaming centres in economically deprived areas. Emphasises the negative impact on local communities, citing insta...
Black History Month 2025-10-23
23 October 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East 2025-07-21
21 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Phone Theft 2025-07-03
03 July 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
Ms. Dawn Butler opened the debate highlighting a personal experience of mobile phone theft and emphasised the need for stricter measures against such crimes, including forcing manufacturers to impleme...
Women’s State Pension Age Financial Redress 2025-07-03
03 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Notes the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report on Women's State Pension Age, highlighting maladministration by DWP in communication about Pensions Act 1995 changes. Calls for interventi...
Attendance
95.5%
21 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
9
40.9% of votes
No Votes
12
54.5% of votes
Abstentions
1
4.5% 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
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
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
3
PMQs Asked
1
Ministerial Questions Asked
41
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
+55% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
-87% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-35% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1634% above average
This MP:
41
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 (%)
+26% above average
This MP:
95.5
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 Dawn Butler's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.