Alison Hume
MP for Scarborough and Whitby
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does the Prime Minister agree that Mission Coastal has potential to deliver transformational impact for young people in deprived coastal communities like London Challenge did, as only Labour can provide such bold interventions?
Context
36% of pupils in Scarborough and Whitby achieve grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSEs, highlighting a need for targeted intervention.
Keir Starmer
Mission Coastal will break the link between background and success by offering mentoring, career support, and enrichment opportunities to disadvantaged children.
Assessment
No specific commitment on implementation timeline or additional funding was provided
Session: PMQs
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Proposed changes to personal independence payments mean that people who require various levels of support due to lifelong conditions such as learning disabilities will not meet the new eligibility criteria. However, the Green Paper introduces a group of people with lifelong conditions who will not be subject to reassessment. Can the Prime Minister confirm that people with a learning disability—a lifelong condition that will not change—will be included in the group of claimants who will not be subjected to repeated reassessments?
Context
The MP is concerned about proposed changes to personal independence payments that may affect people with lifelong conditions such as learning disabilities.
The Prime Minister
I thank my hon. Friend for her question; I know this issue means a lot to her. We are clear on the principles for reform: protecting those with the most severe disabilities, who will never be able to work, as she refers to, and making sure that people with the most severe disabilities and health conditions will never again face the prospect of being constantly reassessed. We are making sure that extra financial support is based on the impact of a health condition or disability, not the capacity to work.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not confirm specific protections for people with learning disabilities but highlighted general principles and protections for severe disabilities.
Highlighting General Principles
Session: PMQs
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Given that a significant number of Members of this place are, regardless of class, women of a certain age, does the Prime Minister agree that when a woman of a certain age—or indeed any woman, of any age and from any background—says that they have experienced sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour, they should be listened to and supported and the perpetrator dealt with?
Context
A significant number of Members in the House are women who have faced issues related to age, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour.
Keir Starmer
I certainly agree with that, and I think everybody across the House would. My hon. Friend is right, because one of the greatest barriers that women face when coming forward to report unacceptable behaviour in the workplace is having confidence that they will be taken seriously. That requires all of us to put in place mechanisms and arrangements to make that possible. Everybody should be treated with dignity and respect, and I am proud of the fact that our Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protections from sexual harassment at work.
Session: PMQs
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Whitby InterActive has provided vital services for 26 years but is now set to close due to a funding shortfall. Does the Prime Minister agree that urgent action on SEND provision is needed and that charities like InterActive deserve support?
Context
Whitby InterActive, which provides inclusive play schemes and holiday activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is facing closure due to a funding shortfall. The charity has been active for 26 years.
Keir Starmer
Children with special educational needs have been failed for too long. We must raise standards to ensure every child can succeed in education, fixing the foundations so they achieve their potential.
Assessment
Specific support for charities like InterActive
We Will Fix The Foundations
Session: PMQs
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Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, it is important that we recognise the heightened risk of suicide among autistic women and girls, who are too often overlooked and diagnosed too late. Autistic people are three times more likely to attempt, or die by, suicide than non-autistic people. Will the Secretary of State set out what action the Government are taking to reduce suicide among women and girls with autism?
Context
Autistic women and girls are at a heightened risk of suicide compared to non-autistic people.
Bridget Phillipson
My hon. Friend raises an extremely important point ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day. One life lost to suicide is one life too many, and all of us across this House have a responsibility to make sure people know that there is always support available, there is always someone to talk to, and there is always help there. My hon. Friend has raised the issue of neurodiversity and autism, and I would be happy to discuss that further with her as we bring forward an updated suicide prevention plan.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-09
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The scampi catching sector in Northern Ireland is currently reliant on foreign seasonal workers. To stay afloat, the sector needs about 66 visas to be valid for just seven months of the year. Will the Minister consider extending the seasonal worker visa route to the nephrops industry to give the catching sector the certainty it needs and protect processing jobs at Whitby Seafoods in my constituency?
Context
The scampi catching sector in Northern Ireland relies heavily on foreign seasonal workers, requiring approximately 66 visas per year. The question asks if the Minister will extend the seasonal worker visa route to support this industry.
Mike Tapp
I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. I work closely with DEFRA and many sectors in agriculture to ensure they can operate if they need access to foreign workers. We are looking to reduce the need for that, but I am happy to meet afterwards to talk more about the specific issue of scampi.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-13
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Jobs at Whitby Seafoods remain at risk due to new visa rules affecting 70% of Kilkeel crews. A small number of bespoke seasonal visas could save the scampi industry. Will he redouble efforts with colleagues for a solution and protect jobs in Northern Ireland and Whitby?
Context
The MP notes the severe financial impact of restricted skilled worker visas on jobs at Whitby Seafoods, a major supplier of scampi.
Matthew Patrick
We have written to the Home Secretary about these issues, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will be making her case very powerfully as well. We want our fishing industry to thrive, and we want people here to benefit from those good jobs.
Session: Seasonal Scampi Fishers 2026-07-08
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What discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on introducing bespoke fishing visas for seasonal scampi fishers in Northern Ireland? The issue affects jobs at Whitby Seafoods, a major supplier. About 70% of crews catching scampi are foreign workers who will no longer qualify under new visa rules from year-end. Will he redouble efforts to work with colleagues to secure a solution and protect those jobs?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of new visa rules on the scampi industry, particularly noting that 70% of crews operating out of Kilkeel are foreign workers who will no longer qualify under the new rules.
Matthew Patrick
We have written to the Home Secretary about these issues. It is our duty to work with businesses across the UK to ensure they are ready for immigration changes. We want our fishing industry to thrive, and people here to benefit from good jobs.
Session: Seasonal Scampi Fishers 2026-07-08
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Does the Minister agree with me and with Refuge that linking domestic violence to football allows perpetrators to avoid accountability for their horrific actions?
Context
The MP criticizes a previous statement linking domestic abuse to football results as misleading.
Catherine Atkinson
I completely agree. Domestic abuse is caused by perpetrators making a choice to abuse women, and suggesting otherwise allows abusers to deflect responsibility and avoid accountability.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle violence against women and girls?
Context
The question arises from concerns over the increasing violence against women and girls, prompting a request for specific actions being taken by the government.
Catherine Atkinson
We have made the landmark commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, providing domestic abuse specialists in 999 call centres, specialist rape and sexual offence investigation units, and £16 million for programmes in schools on healthy relationships and tackling harmful behaviour.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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St Martin's primary school in Scarborough is establishing a brand new targeted mainstream provision centre. Does my hon. Friend agree that this will provide more TMP places for children with unmet needs?
Context
A new targeted mainstream provision centre is being established in Scarborough.
Georgia Gould
Absolutely. We are investing £3.7 billion into creating 60,000 new specialist places, and I have heard from families how life-changing it is to have that provision in their community.
Session: SEND Improvement
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In my constituency, Whitby is being hollowed out by short-term lets. Bordered by the sea and a national park, house building cannot solve the problem of a lack of affordable housing for residents. We must also release more existing homes for families in the town. Will the Minister commit to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament? Registration schemes, while welcome, will not be robust enough to tackle the problem.
Context
The issue pertains to the impact of short-term lets on affordable housing in Scarborough and Whitby, particularly affecting Whitby which is being hollowed out by these rentals.
Matthew Pennycook
To be clear, there is no credible solution to the housing crisis that does not involve significantly boosting housing supply, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right to argue that the distribution of homes in any given area has a significant bearing on housing availability and affordability. As she knows, the Government have already made changes to the tax system to reorientate the housing markets away from second-home owners and investors and towards local people looking for homes to live in. While I cannot commit to future legislation, I assure her that we continue to consider how best to ensure that local planning authorities have the full set of tools they need to manage challenges of the kind described by my hon. Friend.
Session: Short-term Lets Licensing
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In my constituency, Whitby is being hollowed out by short-term lets. Bordered by the sea and a national park, house building cannot solve the problem of a lack of affordable housing for residents. We must also release more existing homes for families in the town. Will the Minister commit to legislating on licensing for short-term lets at the earliest opportunity in this Parliament? Registration schemes, while welcome, will not be robust enough to tackle the problem.
Context
The issue pertains to the impact of short-term lets on affordable housing in Scarborough and Whitby, particularly affecting Whitby which is being hollowed out by these rentals.
Matthew Pennycook
To be clear, there is no credible solution to the housing crisis that does not involve significantly boosting housing supply, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right to argue that the distribution of homes in any given area has a significant bearing on housing availability and affordability. As she knows, the Government have already made changes to the tax system to reorientate the housing markets away from second-home owners and investors and towards local people looking for homes to live in. While I cannot commit to future legislation, I assure her that we continue to consider how best to ensure that local planning authorities have the full set of tools they need to manage challenges of the kind described by my hon. Friend.
Session: Short-term Lets Licensing
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What steps will the Government take to address employer concerns about hiring autistic individuals and incentivise them to recruit such workers? This includes addressing the fear factor among employers and providing support to overcome these barriers.
Context
The MP highlighted a concern that employers are hesitant to hire autistic employees due to fears of making mistakes, affecting recruitment.
Stephen Timms
We funded ACAS to deliver masterclasses on recruiting neurodivergent people to 1,800 SME representatives this year and set up an online support with employer health and disability service. We are considering what more we can do.
Session: Autism Employment
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What steps are being taken to support autistic people into work? I recently chaired an employment roundtable where individuals highlighted that a significant barrier is employer fear of making mistakes when recruiting or supporting autistic employees, leading some employers to opt out. How will the Government address this fear factor and incentivise recruitment?
Context
The MP is concerned about the challenges faced by individuals with autism in finding employment.
Stephen Timms
The supported employment programme Connect to Work will be open throughout England and Wales by summer, including a specialist pathway for neurodivergent people. We funded ACAS to deliver masterclasses on recruiting neurodivergent people to 1,800 SME representatives this year and set up an online support with employer health and disability service.
Session: Autism Employment
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In Scarborough, British electric bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis employs more than 700 people and is vital to our local economy. Tax-funded bus procurement should support UK industry, rather than fund international competitors. However, with the social value requirement in public procurement set at only 10% and price still weighted at 70%, social value has little to no real impact. Will the Minister look at increasing the social value requirement in public procurement to support our great British businesses like Alexander Dennis?
Context
The social value requirement in public procurement is currently set at only 10%, which is seen as insufficient to support UK industry.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chris Ward)
My hon. Friend raises a really important issue that affects her constituency. As I said earlier, we need to do more to support great British businesses like Alexander Dennis. In the consultation, we are looking at reforming social value. I think it needs to go further; there should be meaningful social value that really helps local communities.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister confirm that this Government are backing British-built buses over Chinese imports, and can he confirm that the changes to public procurement processes will be implemented in time for taxpayers’ money to be spent on buying British buses?
Context
Alexander Dennis is a British manufacturer of electric buses.
Dorking and Horley
We have a proud history of manufacturing in this country, including in my hon. Friend’s constituency, and we will capitalise on that history as we drive our future growth. The UK is a leader in bus manufacturing, and the Government are committed to supporting the sector, including through the Department for Transport’s UK bus manufacturing expert panel.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is brilliant that last month a total of £214 million was invested in communities across Wales as part of the Government’s pride in place scheme. In my patch, I was delighted that earlier this year Scarborough was awarded £20 million through the plan for neighbourhoods. These initiatives will give local people the power to decide how funding will transform our towns. Will the Secretary of State update the House on how funds such as these will boost local economic growth and restore pride in our communities?
Context
The question follows discussions on the government's initiatives to increase economic growth in Wales.
The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)
Through the pride in place initiative, we are putting power and resources directly into the hands of local communities, from Conwy to Carmarthenshire, giving them the ability to decide the priorities that matter most and the funding to pay for visible and lasting change. In Wales, 14 communities will benefit from £20 million of investment, alongside a further £34.5 million benefiting every single local authority across Wales. Together, the investments will help revitalise high streets and improve public spaces and community facilities, which is a central part of our mission to boost the economy and break down barriers to opportunity.
Session: Economic Growth
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Following the Langdale moor fire where a wildfire threatened RAF Fylingdales, given the increasing threat that wildfires pose to our security, can the Minister confirm whether he will consider automatically activating a national resilience response in future incidents where critical military infrastructure is under threat?
Context
A major incident was declared in August after a wildfire broke out near RAF Fylingdales, a critical military infrastructure site.
Dan Jarvis (The Minister of State, Cabinet Office)
I am pleased that the emergency services and local community responded bravely. The risk is well known to local responders who can call on central Government for support. The national resilience wildfire adviser assesses additional capabilities needed for future incidents.
Session: Strengthening National Resilience
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I am sure that the Minister will want to join me in commending the incredible bravery of our firefighters, as well as the tireless service of farmers, water tanker drivers, gamekeepers, landowners and all the other volunteers. Will the Minister provide reassurance that he will look carefully at proposals to limit controlled burning and to change the prohibition of burning on peat over 40 cm deep to peat over 30 cm deep, in the light of this year’s record number of uncontrolled fires, including the one on Langdale moor?
Context
A devastating wildfire has been raging on the North York moors, covering about 10 square miles. The question concerns proposals to limit controlled burning and change prohibitions of burning on peat over 40 cm deep.
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)
I thank my hon. Friend for her powerful contribution. I join her in expressing sympathy for all those who have been affected and I thank all those involved in fighting those fires. This is a cross-governmental issue. Wildfire and fire and rescue services are the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, but my hon. Friend will be aware that we have been consulting on ending locational burning to improve moorland resilience to wildfire. We know that restoring peatlands with diverse plant species prevents the over-dominance of heather and molinia, which dry out peat and increase the risk of fire.
Session: Moorland Protection
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Springhead sixth form in Scarborough has been rated outstanding for the education and care it provides for students with complex special educational needs and disabilities. However, the staff are amazing but the sixth form is housed in an old and unsuitable building where one student was tutored in a modified corridor due to overcrowding. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that pupils with special educational needs are educated in school buildings that can match those needs?
Context
Springhead sixth form in Scarborough is rated outstanding but faces significant physical infrastructure challenges, including housing students in an unsuitable building due to overcrowding. The school provides education for students with complex special educational needs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)
We have increased funding to improve the condition of schools to £2.1 billion for 2025-26, which includes more than £7 million for North Yorkshire to invest in its maintained schools, including Springhead. Additionally, North Yorkshire has been allocated £6.8 million for 2025-26 to provide suitable and accessible school places for pupils with SEND who require alternative provision.
Session: Rebuilding Schools
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What steps is the Minister taking to develop a coastal strategy to ensure that new developments for coastal villages like Cayton are delivered alongside infrastructure?
Context
The MP highlighted the need for appropriate infrastructure in Cayton, a village potentially home to 2,500 new homes through government housing targets.
Alex Norris
The Government take a similar interest in coastal communities. As Local Growth Minister, I work closely with coastal authorities and have a significant eye on coastal communities. We want to strengthen the system of developer contributions to make sure that the new developments provide that infrastructure, with further details to come. The changes in the national planning policy framework, mentioned by the Minister for Housing and Planning, will support increased provision and modernisation of infrastructure. With regards to the south of Cayton, the new homes accelerator is supporting the delivery of 2,500 homes.
Session: Topical Questions
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My constituent Molly is trapped in the house where she was violently attacked in front of her children. She is confined to living upstairs, because going into the room downstairs triggers her post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the perpetrator of this abuse rightfully being in prison and having a restraining order of five years, Molly’s landlord has told her that they cannot take him off the lease, so she cannot move. Can the Minister confirm that the Government are taking steps to ensure that victims of domestic abuse, like Molly, can move on with their lives?
Context
The Renters’ Rights Bill allows individuals to end joint tenancies, supporting domestic abuse victims to leave their abuser if they share a home. A constituent named Molly is trapped in the house where she was violently attacked and cannot move due to her landlord's refusal to take her abuser off the lease.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jess Phillips)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising Molly’s case—our hearts go out to her and her children for the trauma they are living with. Her case raises many issues, including the need for early intervention in domestic abuse cases, the need to improve therapeutic support for victims and, as my hon. Friend has said, the desperate need for reform of the rules around property rights in cases of economic and domestic abuse, so that women are not trapped. I cannot give my hon. Friend immediate answers on all those issues today, but I can promise that they will all be included in our upcoming strategy on violence against women and girls.
Session: Domestic Abuse Joint Tenancies
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Scarborough Athletic football club is proudly 100% fan owned. Recently, the home ground that it rents from North Yorkshire council was declared unfit to play on due to botched astroturf installation. The club faces significant financial losses now that they need to play matches at another ground. Will the Minister meet me to discuss what support is available to secure the future of this beloved club, which is at the heart of our community?
Context
The home ground of Scarborough Athletic football club, which is 100% fan-owned, has been declared unfit to play on due to issues with the astroturf installation. The club is facing significant financial losses.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)
I thank my hon. Friend for her work championing such an amazing local club, and we are pleased to support her in that endeavour. I encourage her to explore the support available via the premier league stadium fund delivered by the Football Foundation. The Government are pleased to be supporting grassroots clubs with £98 million of funding for the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme through the next financial year, which will build new facilities and upgrade facilities. If she wants to get in touch with me directly, we will work together to ensure that benefits Scarborough, like every other part of the country.
Session: Topical Questions
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British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis announced yesterday that it is consolidating its operations in the UK to its Scarborough facility, placing 400 jobs in Falkirk at risk. The company is warning about competitive imbalance, the increasing market share of Chinese bus manufacturers and an absence of incentives for British-built vehicles. How are the Government planning to support British bus manufacturers as part of our industrial strategy?
Context
Alexander Dennis announced consolidating its operations in Scarborough, placing 400 jobs at risk in Falkirk. The company warns about competitive imbalance with Chinese bus manufacturers.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
This is a challenging and difficult time for the workers and their families at Alexander Dennis, as well as for the local area. As Members would expect, I have engaged extensively with ADL’s senior executives alongside the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Department for Transport and the First Minister of Scotland to discuss what we can do to support. We wrote jointly to the company, offering to support it in any way we can. There are many issues that we tried to talk through with its representatives.
Session: Industrial Strategy
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Does the Minister acknowledge the importance of independent training providers in our plans to build 1.5 million new homes, and will he meet me to discuss how ITPs, which deliver the specialist skills that the construction industry is asking for, are included in our plans to train 60,000 new construction workers?
Context
The construction skills village in Scarborough is an innovative real-world training environment for the specialist trades needed to build homes.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
The Government are investing significant amounts of money to train more construction workers. We appreciate fully the importance of independent training providers in training the workforce needed to deliver more homes across England. I suggest that my hon. Friend and I find time to meet Baroness Smith from the Department for Education to discuss matters relating to ITPs, including the CSV in her constituency.
Session: Construction Sector Specialist Apprentices
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In December, the Defence Committee found that two-thirds of service family homes need extensive refurbishment or rebuilding to meet modern standards. We know that poor-quality housing impacts children’s ability to learn and to attend school, as well as their physical health. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the 3,500 children from service families who attend school in North Yorkshire live in adequate accommodation?
Context
The Defence Committee found in December that two thirds of service family homes need extensive refurbishment or rebuilding to meet modern standards. Poor-quality housing impacts children's ability to learn, attend school, and affects their physical health.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)
I agree with my hon. Friend’s analysis of the impact of poor housing. We have regained control of 2,793 of the 3,221 service family accommodation units in Yorkshire and Humber previously owned by Annington, after a landmark deal earlier this year. As well as saving taxpayers rent that can be recycled into improvements, that enables us to plan a once-in-a-generation improvement of service family homes. The detailed plans will be set out in the defence housing strategy later this year.
Session: Armed Forces Housing
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North Yorkshire is the largest rural county in the country. Behind the beauty of the villages and hamlets in my constituency of Scarborough and Whitby lies an ugly truth: on average, victims in rural areas are subject to domestic abuse for 25% longer than those in urban areas and are half as likely to report it. Can the Minister reassure the House that more funding to tackle rural domestic violence is part of the Government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls?
Context
In North Yorkshire, victims of domestic abuse in rural areas face particular barriers such as longer duration of abuse before reporting it.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jess Phillips)
The strategy to halve violence against women and girls is for every single part of our country. The Government recognise that victims in rural and remote areas face particular barriers in fleeing abuse and accessing support. We are already driving forward a range of activities that will support rural victims. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 will require local commissioners to develop joint needs assessments for victims of domestic abuse, to identify gaps in support.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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I would like to highlight the richly deserved King's award for voluntary service that has been given to the 60 volunteers at Newby and Scalby library in Scarborough. The library's services are innovative, including a summer reading challenge for children, an IT buddy service and a garden growing produce. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Newby and Scalby library on its award, and on the enormous contribution that it makes to our community in Scarborough?
Context
The library in Newby and Scalby, Scarborough has received a King's award for voluntary service. The library offers innovative services such as a summer reading challenge for children, an IT buddy programme, and a garden that produces food.
Lisa Nandy
I am very happy to congratulate Newby and Scalby library. I thank my hon. Friend for drawing attention to the enormous work that libraries do in helping to promote children's literacy in this country, which could not be more important.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that we, as a society, have a duty of care to carers and can he say more about the progress made on tackling carer's allowance overpayments?
Context
Carers often face deep debt due to repaying overpaid allowances after unintentionally breaching the qualifying rules. There is a need for societal support in addressing this issue.
Stephen Timms
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I agree that we need to support carers properly. We want to get to the bottom of what has gone wrong with these overpayments and why so many people have been caught out. We have piloted a text message service involving 3,500 claimants, which will inform them when HMRC informs DWP of breaches in the earnings limit. This is currently under review.
Session: Carer’s Allowance Overpayments
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Last week, “Emmerdale” aired an upsetting episode dealing with the domestic abuse suffered by Belle Dingle. The storyline has shown just how difficult it can be for someone to leave an abusive relationship, not least because of the psychological control exercised by abusers. Some victims also need somewhere to go for safety. According to the latest available figures, Scarborough has the highest rate of reported domestic abuse in North Yorkshire, but there is still no refuge for victims in the town. Will my hon. Friend work with me, colleagues across Government and stakeholders to find the funding to ensure that a refuge finally opens in Scarborough?
Context
The MP references a TV drama about the challenges faced by those suffering from domestic abuse. She highlights that Scarborough has the highest rate of reported domestic abuse in North Yorkshire but lacks a refuge.
Alex Davies-Jones
As an avid “Emmerdale” fan, I saw that harrowing episode. It goes to show the importance of TV drama in raising awareness of these vital issues. The Government are committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade. The Ministry of Justice is working with Departments across Whitehall, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to support local authorities to meet their statutory duties, including refuges for all victims of domestic abuse who need them.
Session: Rape and Sexual Violence Victim Support
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I welcome the steps that my right hon. Friend is taking to reduce violence against women and girls. Women's refuges and other dispersed accommodation play a vital part in helping women and their children to escape domestic abuse. Scarborough has the highest domestic abuse rate in North Yorkshire, but we do not have a single refuge in the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby. Planning permission for a women's refuge at Danes Dyke was granted in 2022, but progress has stalled due to rising business costs. Will the Home Secretary please advise on how the shortfall in funds referenced by North Yorkshire council, Beyond Housing and Homes England can be dealt with, so that this vital service can be built?
Context
Refuges play a vital role in helping women escape domestic abuse, but funding is an issue. Scarborough has the highest domestic abuse rate in North Yorkshire without a single refuge.
Yvette Cooper
My hon. Friend is right to point out the important work done by refuges, as well as all kinds of voluntary sector groups who do immensely important work supporting victims and providing specialist advice. We have to recognise that funding for local council services has been hit; that is one of the issues that will be covered by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in her statement in due course. We want to see work done in every community across the country as part of this mission, so that we get the best impact from every pound there is for supporting women and girls who face violence and abuse.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Science Facilities and Laboratories
01 September 2026
Responding: Kate Dearden
Main Concerns
["Alison Hume is concerned about the Science and Technology Facilities Council's prioritisation review, which proposes cutting Boulby underground laboratory's operating budget by 40%, potentially leading to redundancies and limiting future expansion. She mentioned that Boulby is competing with other underground laboratories worldwide to host the XLZD dark matter experiment, worth $1 billion. The review also proposed sweeping cuts across fundamental physics, nuclear physics, and astronomy, with cuts of £162 million in cumulative savings by 2030, threatening the closure of facilities like Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and Jodrell Bank. She cited Professor Jeff Forshaw's concerns that these cuts are 'annihilating' a field of research that inspires young people into physics."]
Specific Asks
["Hume asks the Minister to explain the Government's assessment of Boulby's unique strategic position, the projected economic impact of the Boulby lab's expansion, and to explicitly restate the Government's support for the XLZD project. She also seeks details on how the relative value of investment in fundamental physics was assessed compared to other areas of research and development, and requests the publication of the evidence that underpins the decisions."]
Child Contact Arrangements
10 June 2026
Responding: Catherine Atkinson
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the high prevalence of domestic abuse allegations in family court cases, with estimates suggesting up to 62% of private law cases under the Children Act 1989 involve claims of abuse. Unregulated experts often play a significant role and their decisions can be detrimental to mothers and children, particularly when counter-allegations of parental alienation are made without proper scrutiny. In one case, a mother was disbelieved after alleging domestic abuse and had her children removed from her care despite evidence of abuse.']
Specific Asks
["I urge the Government to introduce a statutory presumption in the Courts and Tribunals Bill that prioritises the voice of the child and ensures allegations of abuse are given more weight than counter-claims of parental alienation. This would prevent harm and ensure children's voices carry the evidential weight they deserve."]
Small-scale Fracking Ban
10 December 2025
Responding: Michael Shanks
Main Concerns
["Europa Oil & Gas applied to explore for gas at Burniston, proposing a 38-metre-high drilling rig and 'proppant squeeze', which is essentially small-scale fracking. The petition against the plans has over 10,000 signatories calling for a Government ban on such activities. Seismologists warn of seismic risks regardless of fluid volume thresholds set in current legislation."]
Specific Asks
['The lead MP calls for a national ban on all types of fracking to protect landscapes and environment, as well as the need for local communities to have final say over such operations.']
Education and Skills Reform
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Summer Health and Resilience
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Building Homes and Renewing Communities
03 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Timms Review: Interim Report
09 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
08 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr Carmichael highlighted the concern regarding the management of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, specifically noting proposed changes to payments for coastguard rescue officers that could impact ...
Backbench Business
15 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to express concern over the state of NHS dentistry, noting that nearly 14 million people in England could not access dental care. Highlights issues such as lack of availability for children in S...
Middle East: Economic Response
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Criticises the Government's energy policy, particularly the ban on new oil and gas licences. Emphasises the negative impact of these policies on Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland, and UK economic s...
Finance (No. 2) Bill 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Exchequer Secretary outlined the key aspects of the Budget delivered on 26 November, highlighting no return to austerity and a focus on reducing cost-of-living pressures. The Minister emphasised s...
Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-12-15
15 December 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the violence against women and girls strategy will be published this Thursday, despite it being delayed three times this year? What steps are being taken to ensure the s...
Specialist treatment of stroke patients at Scarborough Hospital
15 December 2025
The petitioners are concerned about the lack of specialist emergency stroke care at Scarborough Hospital, requiring patients to travel up to 40 miles to York Hospital, which they argue results in unne...
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Specialist treatment of stroke patients at Scarborough Hospital
04 November 2025
The petition calls for Scarborough Hospital to resume providing specialist emergency assessment, investigation, treatment, and care for stroke patients, as currently, residents must travel over 40 mil...
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Proposed 24-hour Adult Gaming Centre: Whitby
31 March 2025
Residents of Whitby are concerned about a planning application for a 24-hour adult gaming centre at Baxtergate, which they believe could lead to noise and anti-social behaviour issues.
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Proposed 24-hour adult gaming centre in Whitby
11 March 2025
The petition addresses residents' concerns about a planning application for a 24-hour adult gaming centre in Whitby, which is proposed to be located on the site of a soon-to-be-closed Halifax bank bra...
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Attendance
84.7%
83 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
32
32.7% of votes
No Votes
51
52.0% of votes
Abstentions
15
15.3% 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 NO
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
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
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
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
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 NO
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
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
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 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
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 NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
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: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
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: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
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 NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
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: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
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
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 AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
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
4
PMQs Asked
28
Ministerial Questions Asked
46
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
4
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
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+109% above average
This MP:
28
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+847% above average
This MP:
46
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
+63% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+22% above average
This MP:
84.7
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 Alison Hume's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.