Alan Strickland
MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Will the Prime Minister send best wishes to Hudson’s family and ensure they meet with a Health Minister to discuss better access to face-to-face NHS appointments for children under five?
Context
Hudson's parents lost their two-year-old son after a misdiagnosis over the phone. An online petition has gained 80,000 signatures.
The Prime Minister
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that tragic case and I am sure that I speak for the whole House in saying that we send our sympathies and thoughts to Hudson’s parents, Shannon and Tyler. I will make sure that they get the meeting that he has asked for.
Session: PMQs
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I am concerned about the economic impact on businesses and communities due to Durham County Council slashing funding for Durham Pride and cancelling the Lumiere festival. Does the Prime Minister agree that if Reform cannot manage one county council, it is unfit to run Scotland, Wales or our United Kingdom?
Context
Durham Pride and Lumiere festival have been affected by budget cuts under Reform. These events attract thousands of visitors annually, contributing significantly to the local economy.
The Prime Minister
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out what voters in Durham can see: what people get if they vote Reform is total chaos and broken promises. Councils have a vital role in our communities. It is not just Durham where Reform is doing this; I think four councillors in Kent have just been suspended for bringing the party into disrepute, which is quite something for a party whose Welsh leader accepts Russian bribes to spread Putin’s propaganda.
Session: PMQs
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May I thank the Prime Minister for the leadership that he has shown in securing the half-a-billion-pound deal to secure the future of the Hitachi rail factory in my constituency? Does he agree that what we also need is a long-term plan for our proud high-tech rail manufacturing to drag it out of the mire that it was left in by the Tories?
Context
The Hitachi rail factory in the questioner's constituency was secured with a half-a-billion-pound deal. The workforce feared job losses due to gaps between contracts.
Keir Starmer
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The workforce were extremely anxious about the situation, because they knew that if their colleagues were laid off, it would be bad for their colleagues and their community. I said then that I would do everything I could to ensure that we filled that gap, and I am very pleased that just the other week we were able to say that we have and that there is a contract.
Assessment
Did not provide specifics on long-term plan or address Tory criticism fully
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Having worked with the Defence Secretary to save the semiconductor plant in Newton Aycliffe in my constituency, I was proud the other week to meet Sam and Evan, two new apprentices who owe their opportunities directly to Government investment—but we want to go further. Can Ministers confirm that the MOD will continue to push hard to expand the number of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities, so that world-class factory delivers for local growth, as well as delivering sovereign supply for our nation?
Luke Pollard
Absolutely. Octric does a superb job in keeping our country safe, securing an essential supply of gear for our military. Since Octric came into MOD ownership, it has already recruited 33 additional staff, and we continue to support the company as it seeks to grow and build, in support of our national security.
Session: Topical Questions
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How will Ministers from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology work together to champion our innovative space industry?
Context
There is a growing space cluster in the region with Filtronic as a satellite communications business.
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)
We are seeking to renew our space strategy, because the one we inherited was out of date and ineffective. We aim to support our industry further, including meeting with colleagues to discuss space opportunities.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is crucial that the Government have the powers to crack down on polluting companies, but the Environment Agency’s budget was cut by half by the previous Conservative Government. What will this Government do to make it quicker and easier to fine the companies polluting our rivers with raw sewage?
Context
The MP highlighted the need for the government to have robust powers to penalize companies polluting water bodies, noting that the previous Conservative Government had significantly cut the Environment Agency's budget.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Under this Labour Government, there is nowhere to hide for polluting water companies. We have overseen record fines on water companies and are introducing automatic penalties—like speeding tickets—to ensure that those companies are held to account for every level of offence.
Session: Water Sector Reform
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To stop the small boats, it is crucial that the Labour Government provide global leadership to smash the criminal gangs. Can the Solicitor General set out the work that we are doing with other countries to secure our borders and end this appalling trade in human life?
Context
The questioner seeks to address the issue of small boats crossing to the UK by advocating for global leadership in tackling this problem.
The Solicitor General (Lucy Rigby)
My hon. Friend rightly highlights this Government’s global leadership on these issues, which is part of our plan to fix the borders crisis left to us by the last Government. We have agreed a landmark deal with France, and we have increased co-operation with Germany and other countries. We have removed 35,000 people with no right to be here, and increased the removal of failed asylum seekers by 30%. We are giving Border Security Command counter-terrorist-style powers through our borders Bill.
Session: People Smuggling
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What more will Ministers be doing to really drive down waiting lists in my community and across the country?
Context
The Labour Government had funded additional evening and weekend appointments to bring forward operation dates for some residents.
Wes Streeting (The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
As my hon. Friend says, we have brought NHS waiting lists down five months in a row, including during the peak winter pressures. We have delivered the 2 million more appointments we promised seven months early, and we published our elective reform plan at the beginning of the new year with the Prime Minister, which sets out the combination of measures, the investment and the reform that will ensure that we deliver the shorter waiting times and the faster access to treatment that my hon. Friend’s constituents and people right across the country deserve.
Session: Topical Questions
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I have recently met a number of families who are members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. While I know they will welcome the Minister’s earlier comments, as has been said, many are in their 70s and 80s, and they are keen for answers. Could the Minister expand on her earlier comments to say more about the next steps and when my constituents might get a sense of the timeline and progress going forward?
Context
The Minister previously made comments regarding the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme trustees meeting with the Chancellor.
Sarah Jones
I thank my hon. Friend for his concern for his constituents. As I said, I am very receptive to calls from BCSSS trustees. I wrote to the Chancellor, who sent back a positive response, and we are now taking the next steps in this process. I will be reconvening trustees to meet and talk about it again.
Session: Topical Questions
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I strongly welcome the inclusion of defence in the draft industrial strategy and was pleased yesterday to host a roundtable in Sedgefield with the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry. Many of the innovative small and medium-sized enterprises that we talked to spoke of the struggles that they have with red tape, bureaucracy and contracting with Departments across Whitehall. How will Ministers grab the opportunity of the industrial strategy to remove this red tape, which too often can thwart SME growth?
Context
The MP hosted a roundtable discussion with the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, where SMEs expressed concerns about red tape and bureaucracy when contracting with Government Departments.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I am really pleased my hon. Friend held that roundtable. It is quite a turning point to have an industrial strategy with defence as one of the sectors; building new relationships across Departments with colleagues who work in defence is a really powerful and important thing to do. He speaks to a wider problem face by a lot of industry when it comes to dealing with Government agencies and Departments. We are working hard to make these things easier, because growth is our priority and we have to break down those barriers.
Session: Industrial Strategy
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The North East Technology Park in Sedgefield is home to many innovative defence businesses, producing satellite technology and biological and radiation detection equipment used by our allies across the world. Those businesses proudly contract directly with the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, NASA, the American Defense Department and other allied Governments, but too often they struggle with MOD procurement rules, which exclude SMEs. Will the Minister meet me and NETPark businesses to discuss how to remove the red tape that hits small businesses in my constituency and across the country that are designing and producing innovative defence supplies?
Context
The North East Technology Park in Sedgefield hosts innovative defence businesses that contract directly with international agencies but face challenges with MOD procurement rules. The park's SMEs struggle due to exclusionary regulations.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)
First, I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend and his North East Technology Park businesses as soon as possible. The Government recognise that SMEs face particular challenges, which I want to address. Through the defence industrial strategy we will reduce barriers to entry and foster a more diverse community of suppliers, including non-traditional SMEs and those that are developing future technologies. We will also send a clear market signal about our preference to grow onshore production capability.
Session: Defence Industrial Strategy SMEs
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Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Newton Aycliffe youth football club on being runner-up in FA club of the year in Durham, and will she join me in congratulating all the parents, volunteers and young people involved in grassroots sports?
Lisa Nandy
I thank my hon. Friend for being such an outstanding champion of his community, and I extend my warmest congratulations to Newton Aycliffe. He is right to highlight the invaluable contribution that families make to the success of young people. They often pitch in as volunteers and coaches, and take children and young people to matches come rain or shine—I imagine that in his neck of the woods, like mine, it is more often rain than shine. I am really glad that they have such a good champion.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Foreign Secretary for his leadership in tackling and sanctioning those aiding and abetting the illegal invasion of Ukraine, but what more can we do to tackle the wider issues of corruption and kleptocracy that define Putin's cronies?
Context
The issue of corruption and kleptocracy among Putin's cronies is raised in the context of tackling Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
David Lammy
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He served in Haringey before taking up his place in this House and we have been good friends over many years. He is right to raise this issue. We said that illicit finance would be a priority, and it will be. I hope to make further announcements on the back of the sanctions announcements that I made this week.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for Defence for his decisive action to safeguard the Octric semiconductor factory in Newton Aycliffe in my constituency, protecting jobs and, crucially, the sovereign supply of this vital defence component. Will my right hon. Friend meet with me to discuss how we can expand the jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities at this fantastic high-tech facility?
Maria Eagle
The MOD will continue to invest in the company's people to ensure that the facility has a sustainable future. Octric's leadership team is currently finalising its future resource plan, which will cover the need for new high-tech roles such as engineers and scientists to ensure that the facility is best placed to develop new technology and meet defence needs. I am more than happy to meet my hon. Friend about that.
Session: Topical Questions
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In 14 years of Tory government, police numbers were decimated across our country, including in my constituency. Durham constabulary lost 408 officers, a third of its strength. What steps will the Government take to put police officers back on our streets?
Context
Durham constabulary lost 408 officers, a third of its strength. The question is about putting police officers back on the streets.
Diana R. Johnson
As has been said a number of times this afternoon, the neighbourhood policing guarantee means 13,000 police officers, PCSOs and specials back on our streets to keep us all safe, after the reduction in police officer numbers of, I think, over 20,000 by the Conservative party.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Stockton and Darlington Railway: 200th Anniversary Festival
10 September 2025
Responding: Stephanie Peacock
Main Concerns
['The debate celebrates a pivotal moment in history: the first steam-powered passenger train which marked the birth of public rail travel. The event had a profound impact on social, cultural, and industrial heritage around the world. It was crucial for innovation and invention that shaped modern railway systems.']
Specific Asks
['No specific asks from the lead MP but rather to celebrate the rich history and legacy of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.']
Armed Forces Recruitment: North-east England
25 June 2025
Responding: Luke Pollard
Main Concerns
['There has been a significant drop in the number of recruits joining the regular forces, falling by 40% in the north-east region over the last four years. This is despite a welcome 19% increase in recent times. Additionally, bureaucratic barriers and delays have hampered recruitment efforts.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks for faster and more flexible military recruitment to attract highly skilled applicants and ensure that new entrants can join quickly without facing unnecessary delays or hurdles.']
Defence Procurement: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
28 January 2025
Responding: Maria Eagle
Main Concerns
["Procurement is not usually a topic that gets pulses racing, but the threats posed to the UK and our allies certainly should. Technology has been rapidly altering the nature of warfare at an unprecedented pace, as seen in Ukraine with drone technology rewriting the rules of modern conflict. Central to responding to these challenges is using the defence industrial strategy to unleash British industry's inventiveness, ingenuity, and creativity."]
Specific Asks
['We need to change how we think about defence procurement, adopting a proactive entrepreneurial approach that encourages innovative SMEs to contribute new ideas and technologies to tackle future military challenges.']
Building Homes and Renewing Communities
03 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Reserve Forces and Cadets Act - Schedule 6
22 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to enhance support for reserve forces and cadet organisations, recognising their significant contribution to community resilience and ...
Security Service Bill - Clause 1 (Designation of a body)
17 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment seeks to introduce new section 33A into the National Security Act 2023, enabling the Home Secretary to designate bodies involved in foreign power threat activity. This is essential given...
Steel Industry Nationalisation Bill - New Clause 8: Contingent liabilities
08 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment aims to narrow the definition of a steel undertaking so that it must predominantly involve the manufacture or processing of steel. It seeks to prevent unnecessary nationalisation by ensu...
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
11 March 2026
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...
Ukraine 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Electoral Resilience 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill 2025-12-15
15 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Industry and Exports Bill builds on the Industrial Development Act 1982 and the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 to provide financial support through grants and loans. It aims to increase...
Ajax Armoured Vehicle 2025-12-08
08 December 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the latest developments concerning Ajax and other Army vehicles, particularly in light of the reported noise and vibration symptoms experienced by soldiers during Exercise Ti...
Attendance
93.6%
88 of 94 votes
Aye Votes
30
31.9% of votes
No Votes
58
61.7% of votes
Abstentions
6
6.4% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
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: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
12
Ministerial Questions Asked
18
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
94
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-10% below average
This MP:
12
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+270% above average
This MP:
18
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+36% above average
This MP:
93.6
Average:
68.8
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 Alan Strickland's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.