Alex Brewer
MP for North East Hampshire
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.
After years of neglect under the previous Conservative Government, GP surgeries are at breaking point and across North East Hampshire they are preparing now for huge bills to pay increased employer's national insurance contributions. Hart Health Partnership in Fleet estimates that this will cost it three nursing salaries and it has already reduced staff hours by 50 per week, with more cuts due in January. Can the Prime Minister please tell GPs in my constituency which patient services they should cut in order to pay the bills?
Context
GP surgeries in North East Hampshire are facing huge bills for increased employer's national insurance contributions, impacting patient services. Hart Health Partnership estimates the cost will be three nursing salaries and has already reduced staff hours.
Keir Starmer
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that the NHS was broken by the last Administration, and the Darzi report makes that absolutely clear. We are providing in the Budget £22 billion of additional funding this year for our NHS. That is a huge investment that is much welcomed and much needed across the NHS. We will work with GPs and consult the sector on the services they provide and the money they are entitled to in return.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not specify which patient services should be cut as requested.
Hang Their Heads In Shame
Work With Gps
Session: PMQs
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I am concerned about the impact of sewage discharges on our unique chalk streams. Despite calls for action from my hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sarah Green), the previous Government did nothing. Will the Prime Minister introduce special protection for our chalk stream rivers?
Context
Chalk streams are rare and unique, with two in North East Hampshire. Last year saw 14,000 hours of sewage discharges into these streams.
Keir Starmer
We are committed to protecting and restoring unique chalk streams. We have announced new powers, tougher penalties including fines and criminal charges against persistent law breakers. A water commission has also been launched.
Session: PMQs
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Jo Hamilton, my constituent and a former sub-postmistress, has long campaigned with Alan Bates for compensation following the Horizon Post Office scandal. Can the Prime Minister give an exact timeframe in which those who have been waiting more than a decade might finally be compensated?
Context
Jo Hamilton, a former sub-postmistress affected by the Horizon Post Office scandal, has been campaigning for compensation alongside Alan Bates.
Keir Starmer
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising this important issue. A commitment was made to properly compensate the victims of this scandal. Unfortunately, the Conservative Government, having made that commitment, regrettably did not allocate any money. Her constituents will be pleased to know that we have changed the approach. We have set out the compensation within the Budget—a transparent, accountable Budget—and we will make the payments as soon as we can.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not provide an exact timeframe for compensations.
Session: PMQs
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Most fire responders in North East Hampshire are volunteers. After an unprecedented summer of wildfires, including in my constituency, will the Minister meet me and fire volunteers to hear about the pressures on the fire service at first hand?
Context
North East Hampshire is experiencing unprecedented wildfires this summer, including in the MP's constituency. Volunteers form the majority of fire responders.
Dan Jarvis
I would be delighted to do so.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-10
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Last week, police and Trading Standards carried out co-ordinated visits, led by our local police officer, to retail premises on Fleet Road over suspected criminality, which is of increasing concern to me and my constituents. How is the Minister working cross-departmentally with the Home Office to keep our high streets safe and lawful?
Context
Police and Trading Standards carried out co-ordinated visits to retail premises on Fleet Road over suspected criminality, highlighting an issue affecting many town centres.
Jim McMahon
The hon. Member highlights an issue affecting many town centres and high streets, which is that, for far too long, organised criminal gangs have been acting in plain sight and getting away with it, but now they have a Government who are ready to take them on.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-07
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Following recent evidence of a long-term increase in colorectal cancers in the under-50s, the Scottish Government are calling on the National Screening Committee to extend eligibility for bio-screening kits. Australia has reduced its screening age to 45. Will the Secretary of State join the Scottish Government in urging the NSC to review the recommended age for starting screening?
Context
There is evidence of a long-term increase in colorectal cancers among those under-50. The Scottish Government are calling for extension of eligibility for bio-screening kits to 45 years old.
James Murray
The National Screening Committee plays a vital role in providing clinical and evidence-based advice on targeting screening programmes. Over recent months, the committee has made several recommendations, but the benefits of greater screening must be balanced with risks. The committee takes this responsibility seriously. I have made clear that it must continue to keep its advice up to date as new diagnostic and treatment methods become available.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-14
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What measures is the Minister taking to protect communities from inappropriate, speculative development when effective and expensive local plans that were working have been rendered effectively useless by new housing targets?
Context
Effective and expensive local plans have been rendered effectively useless by new housing targets.
Matthew Pennycook
If a local planning authority has an up-to-date local plan in place, it will be up to date and in place until it needs to be replaced. At that point, we expect the targets that flow from the new standard method to be adhered to.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given that Brexit has left a £90 billion hole in the UK’s tax revenues and that small business owners in my constituency of North East Hampshire are telling me that the last two Budgets have been “catastrophic” for them, why are the Government not pursuing a bespoke UK-EU customs union to cut red tape, boost economic growth and support British businesses?
Context
Brexit has left a £90 billion hole in UK tax revenues, and small businesses in North East Hampshire are struggling due to two consecutive Budgets deemed 'catastrophic'.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Darren Jones)
The Prime Minister was very clear in the House yesterday that we will be honouring our manifesto commitments on a single market and a customs union—we will not be rejoining those institutions. However, there is a great deal of work that can be done between the botched deal we inherited from the Conservatives—from their acrimonious relationship, when Britain and the European Union refused to talk to each other in the interests of either of them—and the new relationship that the Prime Minister has built with his counterparts in Europe to deliver for the people of the United Kingdom.
Session: EU Relations
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In North East Hampshire, small energy-intensive businesses such as hair salons are struggling, because they cannot reduce their consumption. What plans does the Minister have to support those kinds of small businesses?
Context
Small energy-intensive businesses like hair salons in North East Hampshire are struggling due to high energy prices.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Chris McDonald)
In response to earlier questions, I outlined the British industrial competitiveness scheme, which we announced in our industrial strategy. That will extend support to a wider range of businesses. We recognise the issues that businesses are facing with high energy prices, primarily as a consequence of the previous Government’s policies not to invest in renewable energy. We are changing that by investing in British home-grown renewable energy.
Session: Topical Questions
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What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the planned timetable for implementing the recommendations of the strategic defence review. Given that there is widespread agreement with the Liberal Democrats on improving military accommodation, will the Secretary of State support bringing all military housing in line with the decent homes standard as part of today’s Renters’ Rights Bill vote?
Context
The strategic defence review has made recommendations to improve accommodation for military personnel, an issue with widespread agreement including in the Liberal Democrats and other parties. RAF Odiham is celebrating its centenary this year.
The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
In the last year, we have taken huge steps to start to make good on decades of substandard housing for military personnel and their families. We have brought 36,000 military family homes back into public ownership so that we can plan exactly the sort of upgrade that the hon. Lady talks about.
Session: Strategic Defence Review Recommendations Timetable
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Almost 10% of people in my North East Hampshire constituency live in fuel poverty. I agree with the Minister that investing in renewable energy would help to tackle that, so how is she working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to empower local authorities to develop renewable energy generation locally—by following Europe’s lead in putting solar over car parks, for example—in order to make energy cheaper and more sustainable?
Context
Alex Brewer raised concerns about high fuel poverty rates in his constituency and the need for local authorities to develop renewable energy generation.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
The hon. Member is right: there is a big push to work with local and regional authorities to ensure not only that we generate renewables that can impact on bills, but that we upgrade homes. Through local energy action plans, local authorities are, for the first time, working with the National Energy System Operator and other systems operators to drive that. Local and regional authorities have a crucial role to play in upgrading millions of homes across the country.
Session: Household Energy Bills
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I welcome the Government’s investment in supporting veterans, but as my hon. Friend the Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) mentioned recently in the House, female veterans are about 10% less likely to be employed after service than male veterans. What specific steps are the Government taking to address that imbalance?
Context
Female veterans are about 10% less likely to be employed after service than male veterans. The question addresses the imbalance and seeks specific steps taken by the government.
The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)
I thank the hon. Member for that really important question. There are two pieces that I would highlight. The first is the armed forces career transition partnership, which helps individuals during the two years prior to their leaving the service, and for two years after, to find jobs. The second is Operation Ascend, which looks to partner career opportunities and businesses—of which we have engaged with over 400—with any veteran or individual leaving the armed forces, which has engaged with 3,000 individuals. Part of our veterans strategy will include that from a women’s perspective. We are doing everything we can, and over 86% of veterans who seek help go straight into employment within the first six months.
Session: Supporting Veterans
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I am concerned about the level of standing order charges which are making energy bills unaffordable, particularly for those on lower incomes. What steps are Ministers taking to address this?
Context
Standing order charges are making energy bills unaffordable, particularly for those on lower incomes.
Ed Miliband
The hon. Lady raises a really important point about the level of standing order charges, and this is something that Ofgem has consulted on. The complexity is that if we redistribute standing order charges, it can have significant adverse distributional effects, but Ofgem is seeking to have low standing order charges for some customers.
Session: Topical Questions
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A simple tape measure exists that could prevent hydrocephalus. The Secretary of State requested a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) review regarding the frequency of infant head measurements to detect hydrocephalus early. However, the charity Harry's HAT claims this review is unnecessary as evidence already supports regular measurement. Will the Minister meet me and the charity to discuss further?
Context
The MP cites the existence of a tape measure as an existing piece of technology that can prevent hydrocephalus. He mentions a request to NICE for a review on infant head measurements and highlights the stance of the charity Harry's HAT, which believes the evidence is already sufficient.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)
Acknowledging the work of Harry's HAT, the Minister is willing to ensure that the relevant Minister meets with the hon. Member to discuss the issue further.
Session: Preventive Healthcare New Technology
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Employer National Insurance Contributions: Small Businesses in Hampshire
02 September 2026
Responding: James Murray
Main Concerns
["Alex Brewer is concerned about the impact of the rise in national insurance contributions on small businesses in Hampshire. He mentions that small businesses face difficulties in retaining employees and operating sustainably due to the increased costs. Danny Chambers highlighted the challenges faced by Squeaky Clean, a business in Winchester that employs many young people, underlining the importance of addressing this issue urgently to support young people's opportunities. Alex Brewer is concerned about the impact of rising employer National Insurance contributions on small businesses in Hampshire. He highlights that almost 98% of businesses in Hampshire are small, and they are struggling with soaring energy costs, a business rates system in need of overhaul, and increased employer national insurance contributions. Small businesses cannot absorb these costs, which move onto workers through stagnant wages and higher prices, and onto local communities through weaker economies and hollowed-out high streets. Brewer cites a Bank of England decision-maker panel that revealed 46% of firms nationally have cut staff due to these changes, and 20% have paid lower wages than planned. He also mentions that 69% of businesses cite employer national insurance contributions as one of the top three cost threats to UK labour market competitiveness."]
Specific Asks
["Alex Brewer asks the Government to urgently review and address the issue of employer national insurance contributions to support small businesses and young people's opportunities in Hampshire. Brewer calls on the Government to focus on taxing those with the broadest shoulders, to overhaul the broken business rates system, to ensure that multinationals are paying their fair share, and to reverse the Conservatives' banking tax cuts. He urges the Government to provide certainty for small businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs."]
Transport (Scotland) Bill - Schedule 4 - Minor and Consequential amendments
10 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment seeks to make minor and consequential changes to the bill, ensuring consistency in the provisions. It includes technical adjustments to align with existing regulations and improve clarit...
Armed Forces Act 2026 - Amendments 2, 3, 4, 88, and 89
02 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Nusrat Ghani proposes several amendments to the Armed Forces Act 2026 aimed at ensuring continuity of support for children with special educational needs, adoption and fostering arrangements, NHS ...
Health and Social Care Bill
01 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, moved the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill. He emphasised the personal significance of the NHS in his life due to a ra...
International Women’s Day
12 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
It is an honour to open this International Women’s Day debate, which is being held in Government time for the first time since 2020. International Women’s Day was forged in the labour strikes of the e...
Backbench Business - Brain Tumour Survival RatesBackbench Business
09 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The House is urged to note the poor survival rates of brain tumours in the UK, which ranks 22nd out of 29 comparable countries. McDonagh highlights the lack of progress due to a system that prioritise...
Planning Reform 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...
Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025-11-13
13 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ambassador to the United States 2025-09-16
16 September 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves that the House has considered the appointment process and the circumstances leading to the dismissal of Lord Mandelson, arguing that it is a matter of utmost concern across all parties. He quest...
Pension Schemes Bill 2025-07-07
07 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
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...
Attendance
65.3%
64 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
48
49.0% of votes
No Votes
16
16.3% of votes
Abstentions
34
34.7% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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 AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
20
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
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
-18% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+312% above average
This MP:
20
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 (%)
-6% below average
This MP:
65.3
Average:
69.2
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 Alex Brewer's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.