Alistair Strathern
MP for Hitchin
Lab
19 Oct 2023 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Gareth Southgate's documentary last month spotlighted some of the heartbreaking ways that we are failing too many young men growing up in Britain today, but it was heartening to see the inspiring work that Hitchin youth worker Dan Gaze was able to carry out with young men in my community who had found themselves in hard times. Both Dan and the boys at Hitchin boys' school who were interviewed as part of the documentary were an absolute credit to my town, but how can we make sure that we are encouraging more men into teaching and youth work roles, so that every young man growing up in Britain today can benefit from positive role models across their community?
Context
Gareth Southgate's documentary highlighted the struggles faced by young men in Britain. The work of Dan Gaze, a youth worker from Hitchin, was showcased as an example of positive influence.
Keir Starmer
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to inspiring community members like Dan, who truly represent the best of Britain. Having an inspiring role model is vital for young men. That is why we are investing £500 million in our national youth strategy, which includes launching 50 new Young Futures hubs, creating more mentoring and youth worker opportunities.
Session: PMQs
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Young people and their families are being let down by poor SEN provision. Will the Prime Minister assure my constituents that we will not shy away from whole-system reform to ensure every young person has support?
Context
Young people and families in the constituency contact his office frequently about poor SEN provision. The Budget announced additional funding for SEN.
Keir Starmer
We will look at needed reforms alongside investment and finally fix the problem inherited from the previous Government.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister meet some fantastic kinship carers in Mid Bedfordshire to talk through how we can progress the strategy to make it go further and faster?
Context
Residents in Mid Bedfordshire are looking for support from the Prime Minister to progress a strategy to help kinship carers.
Rishi Sunak
I pay tribute to all kinship carers for their incredible work. I would be happy to review the plans mentioned and make sure Ministers have a look at them too.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not commit to meeting with kinship carers or discuss why Bedfordshire might be suitable as a pilot area.
I Pay Tribute
Session: PMQs
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New towns should be an opportunity to better manage development pressures, not add to them. I thank the Housing Minister for hearing our campaign to ensure that any attempted new town counts towards my local authority's housing targets, not in addition to them. How can we now ensure that proposals are considered at pace so that, if approved, they can count towards our local housing plan and the local planning process as quickly as possible?
Context
The Housing Minister has heard the campaign to ensure that any attempted new town counts towards the local authority's housing targets, not in addition to them.
Matthew Pennycook
We will bring forward final decisions in short order, responding to the consultation that we undertook earlier this year, and those proposed seven new town sites.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-07
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New towns such as Tempsford should offer an opportunity to ease development pressures, not add to them, so I thank the Minister for listening to my representations, and ensuring that if Tempsford comes forward, it will be included in Central Bedfordshire council's housing target, rather than being in addition to it. Across Central Beds, lots of developments have come forward without the right infrastructure. As we explore the vehicles required to bring forward new towns such as Tempsford, how can we ensure that we do everything possible to get infrastructure right from the outset?
Context
The MP is concerned that developments in Central Bedfordshire have come forward without the right infrastructure. He thanks the Minister for ensuring Tempsford will be included in housing targets.
Matthew Pennycook
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his constructive engagement on the new towns programme, and on Tempsford in particular. It helped to inform our approach, including to the decision that new town proposals will contribute to meeting the identified housing need of relevant authorities in all instances.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Anti-Slavery Commissioner recently called out the targeted online grooming of young men by county lines gangs. That is far from being an isolated case of such targeting. Young men growing up in Britain today are all too often targeted by those in the worst corners of the internet—from those in the manosphere to predatory gambling companies to get-rich-quick schemes. However, while Ofcom rightly has guidance for platforms about how to better protect women and girls from the specific harms that they can be exposed to, no such parallel guidance exists for young men and boys growing up in Britain. We are all worse off as a result. We recently convened over 60 MPs to write to Ofcom to urge it to put that right. Will the Deputy Prime Minister join us today in calling on Ofcom to step up? It is in its gift to do so. Let us get this done.
Context
Ofcom does not have guidance on protecting young men from online harms, unlike the current guidelines for women and girls. This issue was highlighted by the Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
David Lammy
It is an excellent question. My hon. Friend is quite right; there are many concerns about the online space and what it means for men and boys in a modern society, and there is an important role for Ofcom. I encourage him to write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and I will take a close interest. I hope that he gets a meeting with a Minister.
Session: Criminal Justice System Support for Men and Boys
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What further steps can be taken to improve reliability after pushing the operator, Ministers, and officials for crucial investment in back-up signalling capacity?
Context
Residents in Hitchin and Arlesey face unreliable rail services.
Heidi Alexander
Major works are under way: renewing electrification, installing axle counters, improving drainage. Driver numbers have risen by 50 since July 2024. We will continue to press Govia Thameslink Railway to strengthen performance and cut cancellations.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am really proud to represent so many service families, but many of those I have been working with are at the sharp end of failures in the SEND system. Regular moves between postings can exacerbate long waits for assessments and leave them particularly exposed to the postcode lottery in SEND provision. As we drive forward long-overdue reforms in this space, how can we make sure that we are centring the experiences of service families so that we can finally do right by those who do so much for all of us?
Context
Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, highlights the challenges faced by service families due to regular moves between postings, exacerbating long waits for assessments and leaving them particularly exposed to the postcode lottery in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.
Bridget Phillipson
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why, as I set out, we are making changes to ensure that there are smoother transitions for service children—for example, by making both education, health and care plans and individual support plans digital—but there is still more that we need to do. All of us across this House have a responsibility to ensure that those who serve our country receive the best possible education and care for their children. I would be very happy to discuss this further with my hon. Friend or any other Members who have a local constituency concern in this area.
Session: Service Children
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GB Energy invested in clean technology at Bedford Road health centre last week. Investments are seen at Lister and Bedford hospitals serving my constituency. Solar is good for the NHS and planet; how can we get solar on more public sector rooftops across the country? Examples in Hitchin show potential for further action.
Context
The question is about the benefits of solar technology for NHS facilities, with examples given from Hitchin. The speaker mentions investments seen at Lister hospital and Bedford hospital.
Katie White
I applaud my hon. Friend's ambition and championing of low-carbon transition opportunities. Today's local power plan offers real opportunity, involves local communities, making best use of benefits from the transition. Look forward to working with him further.
Session: Decarbonisation Schemes GP Access
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Visiting UK service personnel overseas at a NATO airbase, I was appalled to learn that many had been penalised by their home insurers by virtue of being posted abroad. Does the Minister agree that, if insurers are going to sign up to the armed forces covenant, they need to make sure that they are living up to every single part of its important principles?
Context
Some home insurers have penalised UK service personnel posted abroad, despite the armed forces covenant which aims to prevent such disadvantages.
The Minister for Veterans and People (Louise Sandher-Jones)
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. I know that more than 14,000 private organisations have signed the armed forces covenant, and one of its core principles is that service personnel should face no disadvantage compared with other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. I am glad that some insurance companies have taken steps to address this issue, and I urge all businesses to ensure that their policies fully support the armed forces community and reflect their commitment to the covenant.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am delighted that we are investing in more rooftop solar. GB Energy supports the deployment of rooftop solar on schools and hospitals in my constituency, and the Government are taking up my proposal that it be a requirement to have it on all new housing, but how can we make sure that we are not missing out on the opportunity to use other rooftops, from those on car parks to those on commercial warehouses?
Context
GB Energy supports the installation of rooftop solar on schools, hospitals, and new housing. The Government have also proposed requiring new homes to be equipped with solar panels.
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We need a mix of technologies to achieve our clean power targets, and rooftops are an obvious place to use. I think there is broad consensus about how much we can use rooftops, even from those who disagree with other measures. GBE has invested to bring down bills for public institutions, including schools and hospitals, but we want to see much more solar on car parks and warehouses—everywhere we can possibly have it.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the Government’s commitment to tackling misogyny but am disgusted by reports of users on social media platforms like X being able to create sexualised images, including of children, through an AI tool named Grok. What conversations are Ministers having across Government to ensure that we clamp down on this vile practice?
Context
The MP references recent reports of users of the social media platform X creating sexualised images using AI tools, which are harmful to women.
The Minister for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones)
We take the issue seriously. The Home Secretary launched a violence against women and girls strategy, and we are working across Government with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to address this issue.
Session: Hate Crime
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How can we ensure that as part of our reforms we create more opportunities for those spaces at the heart of every young child’s education?
Context
Some subsets of young men have regressive attitudes to sex, relationships and women.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Olivia Bailey)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for all the work that he does on this important topic. I agree with him wholeheartedly, and I very much hope and expect that our work with schools to ensure that healthy relationships are taught in them will mean that young men get the exact space that he is asking for.
Session: Sexual Consent and Relationships Education
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I welcome the Government’s commitment to a strategy for palliative care, which is as overdue as it is important, but it will mean nothing for hospices that are not able to last out until it comes into effect. Garden House Hospice in my constituency is facing a crucial funding shortfall, and although the capital funding from the Government that came through earlier this year is incredibly welcome, it is still just short of filling the cash-flow gap it needs to fill to secure its operations. Would the Minister meet me to see what further work the integrated care board may be able to do to protect this vital hospice serving my constituents?
Context
Garden House Hospice in Alistair Strathern's constituency is facing a crucial funding shortfall despite receiving capital funding from the Government. The financial support received earlier this year has not been enough to cover the cash-flow gap needed to secure operations.
The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)
I am very pleased that the measures we have taken have provided financial support. I absolutely recognise the challenging financial position, and I would of course be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that further.
Session: Palliative Care Strategy
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Solar energy is an important part of securing clean, cheaper energy for our country, but one way to reduce its pressure on land use is to ensure that we are making better use of rooftops. It is fantastic that after my campaigning, we are going to be much tougher in requiring new homes to come with solar panels, but all too often car parks and commercial properties are still not making full use of the technology. How can we do far more to make use of those rooftops too, in order to generate the clean, cheap power that we all need?
Context
The question addresses the issue of using rooftops for solar panel installations to reduce land use pressure.
The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There is a broad consensus across the House that if we can put solar on rooftops, that space can be utilised to generate clean power. We are ambitious and excited about the opportunity to put solar panels on as many rooftops as possible. We consulted recently on whether car parks should have solar panels on them. We are looking through the responses to that consultation and will say more in due course, but wherever possible, if we can generate clean, cheap power by utilising rooftops for solar, we want to do it.
Session: Large-scale Solar Farms
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Last week I had the privilege of visiting Hitchin boys’ school to listen to pupils across the year groups debating how we could do more to protect them from online harm. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the pupils on having such a fantastic discussion, and could we have a debate here about what more the Government can do to protect young people right across the country?
Context
Pupils at Hitchin boys’ school had a debate on the risks they face online, raising concerns about online safety.
Alan Campbell
I absolutely join my hon. Friend in congratulating the pupils of Hitchin boys’ school, who were discussing a topic of huge importance. The Online Safety Act 2023 provides stronger protection for children, and we have launched a study into the effects of smartphone and social media use on children.
Session: Business of the House
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Like the National Farmers Union, I welcome the protections for the agriculture budget in the recent spending review, including crucial funding for sustainable farming. On visits to farmers in my constituency, the difference this is making is clear: it is investing in our countryside and supporting nature-based farming. However, far too many farmers on small and medium-sized farms tell me that the scheme is far too difficult for them to access at the moment. Those are exactly the farmers who are also likely to be locked out of private nature-based financing options, so how can we work with those farmers to reform the scheme and ensure that more of those small and medium-sized farms can benefit from this crucial funding?
Context
The National Farmers Union and farmers in Alistair Strathern's constituency have welcomed the protections for the agriculture budget but are concerned about small and medium-sized farms' access to the sustainable farming incentive.
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Daniel Zeichner)
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I commend him on his interest and insight. He is absolutely right, and we are learning from past SFI iterations and from what we are hearing from farmers to improve the SFI for all farmers and to ensure we can give better guidance and that everyone can have a share of the pie. We are also looking into a new local advice and collaboration offer, as well as considering how we can get the best environmental outcomes from the money we are spending.
Session: Sustainable Farming Incentive
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I share many of my constituents’ despair and anger about the intolerable suffering in Gaza. Last year, I had the privilege of meeting one of my constituents, Becky, to hear about her heartbreaking experience of delivering medical aid in Palestine. Devastatingly, a year on, the situation is much worse, with Gaza now the child amputee capital of the world and thousands more families pushed to starvation. There have been some welcome moves from the Government in recent months, but clearly not enough has yet been done—nothing can be until the suffering has stopped. What further urgent action can we take to finally secure access to the aid that Gaza desperately needs, and end this intolerable suffering?
Context
The situation in Gaza has worsened since last year, with more than 20,000 Palestinian children hospitalised for acute malnutrition. There have been some welcome moves from the Government but clearly not enough.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)
I thank my hon. Friend and his constituent, Becky. Over the recess, I met doctors who have served in Gaza. Hearing their first-hand accounts of the injuries that children are suffering there was truly horrifying. We continue to press the Israeli Government. They must act urgently to lift restrictions, open up aid flows and enable the UN and international non-governmental organisations to carry out their lifesaving work without obstruction.
Session: Gaza Humanitarian Aid
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How can the co-location of new energy-intensive industry sectors with renewable sectors help reduce curtailment costs? What conversations have Ministers had about optimally locating data centres?
Context
Curtailment costs and optimal location of data centres are seen as ways to reduce energy bills for energy-intensive industries.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
Collaboration across Government, including the AI Council and Department for Business and Trade, is ensuring co-ordination to support businesses on the ground in optimally locating data centres.
Session: Industrial Electricity Prices
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From speaking with former teaching colleagues and local school leaders, I know that the impact that powerful school policies to restrict the use of smartphones and keep them out of schools can have is really clear. Fantastic work has been done on that, including by Hitchin boys’ school in my constituency, but sadly not all schools are meeting this high standard in ensuring that they have robust and well-enforced policies. How can we ensure that we are spreading this good practice to every school across the country? Would the Minister love to visit Hitchin boys’ school in my seat so that he can see at first hand the fantastic work it is doing?
Context
MP highlights successful implementation of smartphone bans in certain schools and asks how to spread good practice.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)
I think that shows that schools actually have the power to do this. It is worth saying that everyone, including parents, schools and providers, is responsible for ensuring that children are aware of the importance of internet safety. We encourage schools to consult and to build on that support with parents to develop a policy that works in the context and that keeps children and young people safe.
Session: Smartphones in Schools
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Having long campaigned on the need for much tougher regulations for solar panels on new homes, I was delighted to hear the Government announce last Friday that we will bring forward requirements to do exactly that. That will not just boost EPC ratings, but save new homeowners thousands of pounds in bills, all while reducing energy usage. How can we ensure that we move at speed so that as many of the new homes we build over the course of this Parliament as possible will benefit from our ambition here?
Context
The MP welcomed the government's announcement regarding mandatory solar panels on new homes and asked about ensuring speedy implementation of this requirement.
Matthew Pennycook
My hon. Friend has been a champion of ensuring that we get more solar panels on to new build homes and other types of building. As I said in answer to a previous question, we want to move at pace to put future standards in place. We are looking at this autumn, and that will ensure more of the new homes coming forward meet those more ambitious standards. It will mean, as he is aware, that the vast majority of new build homes have solar panels on them as standard.
Session: New Homes Minimum EPC Rating
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We have fantastic film and TV sectors in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and I am determined to make sure that more of our young people can access them. I recently had the pleasure of joining North Herts college to open its fantastic new Purwell Studios, meaning that young people in my constituency can access state-of-the-art training facilities in their area. How is the Minister working with the Department for Education to make sure that more young people can access the fantastic career opportunities that the film sector offers?
Context
The opening of Purwell Studios at North Herts college provides young people in the constituency with access to state-of-the-art training facilities for film production.
The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism (Chris Bryant)
I am glad somebody is celebrating the film industry. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we need to make sure that kids from every single constituency in this land can think of the possibility of working in the film industry. I am delighted that since we introduced our two new tax reliefs in last autumn’s Budget, we have already seen a large number of people making applications to the British Film Institute, and I am absolutely certain that that will mean that the British film and television sectors in the UK will be very lively for many years to come.
Session: UK Film Production
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How can we ensure that they are not overlooked as part of the plan’s development?
Context
The Government’s commitment to a national cancer plan includes addressing the unique challenges faced by brain tumour patients.
Ashley Dalton (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
I commend my hon. Friend’s constituent for her work with the Brain Tumour Charity, and I wish Lily well with her treatment. The Government have launched the brain tumour research consortium, which will support efforts to speed up the diagnosis of tumours and aid the recovery of patients, and the national cancer plan will ensure that we include brain tumour patients.
Session: Topical Questions
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From the rise of Andrew Tate to the re-emergence of Tommy Robinson, lots of young people I speak to are concerned about the extremism and conspiracy theories that they are encountering online. Last month, an important report from Public First and the Pears Foundation highlighted the need to do more to empower schools and teachers to tackle those things in the classroom. How will we use the curriculum review to make the most of this moment to empower young people to feel safer in online spaces?
Context
Concerns about extremism and conspiracy theories online among young people have been highlighted by a report from Public First and the Pears Foundation.
The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)
My hon. Friend raises an important point. We already provide guidance and resources to help and support teachers to recognise some of those challenges, to intervene swiftly where necessary, and not to tolerate a culture that excuses harm and the experiences of women. Schools must be places where all young people can thrive and be ready for work and life. We will ensure that the curriculum and assessment review reflects that.
Session: Curriculum and Assessment Review
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Local authority resources are a big driver of some challenges in the SEND system, but it is clear to anyone working in it that a systemic under-prioritisation of children’s health by local NHS trusts is a contributing factor. Young people right across my constituency waiting for assessment and lacking support are paying the price. As part of our 10-year plan to reform the NHS, how will we ensure that children’s health is front and centre again, with much more support for people with additional needs?
Context
Local authority resources are a big driver of some challenges in the SEND system, but it is clear to anyone working in it that a systemic under-prioritisation of children’s health by local NHS trusts is a contributing factor. Young people right across my constituency waiting for assessment and lacking support are paying the price.
The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)
I am working very closely with colleagues in the DFE on how we mainstream SEND provision more effectively, get more rapid education, health and care plans and autism diagnoses, and on a whole range of issues that require strong cross-party work. I would be happy to brief my hon. Friend on that separately.
Session: Special Educational Needs Assessments
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Six times in the past 12 months, Hitchin has had to endure repeated fires in industrial estates often triggered by lithium-ion batteries. It is clear that we need much tougher regulations to ensure the safety of those sites and, given the inherent risk that their businesses now pose, consideration of whether a time-limited licensing scheme would better enable local authorities to ensure that their location remains appropriate with evolving land use. Will the Minister meet me to ensure that we can make progress on this important issue?
Context
In the past year, Hitchin has experienced six fires in industrial estates linked to lithium-ion batteries during metal recycling. These incidents pose significant safety risks.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)
I am always happy to meet my hon. Friend. Battery-related fires risk lives, livelihoods and the environment. The Environment Agency is currently reviewing approximately 2,000 metal recycling permits. The Hitchin shredder site is midway through its review, and a revised permit will be issued shortly. The Environment Agency has also produced new regulatory guidance on metal shredding and will consult on guidance for waste batteries in the spring.
Session: Metal Recycling Regulation
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What discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of levels of maternity and paternity pay? The Government’s upcoming review of parental leave entitlement is really important given the current state of paternity leave in the UK. Will the Minister meet me and campaigners from the Dad Shift to ensure we are making the most of this opportunity to get people back into work?
Context
The UK currently has among the worst paternity leave in Europe, according to recent research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This research highlighted the economic growth benefits of greater paternity leave entitlements as well as its benefits for workforce involvement.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)
The Government keep the rates of benefits, state pensions, and statutory pay under regular review. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced to Parliament on 30 October that parental pay will increase in line with the consumer prices index at a rate of 1.7% from April 2025. We value the vital role fathers and partners play in caring for children and supporting their partners, recognising that parental leave and pay entitlements are key to this ability. My hon. Friend is correct about the planned parental leave review being led by colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade, and I will write to them on his behalf suggesting a meeting.
Session: Maternity and Paternity Pay
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The tragic reality for many women who suffer domestic abuse and then have to go through family court proceedings on top of it is that the presumption of parental contact provides another opportunity for perpetrators of domestic abuse to prolong it. The Government are rightly reviewing this. Will Ministers ensure that we make the most of this opportunity to better protect women who suffer domestic abuse through the family court system?
Context
The presumption of parental contact during family court proceedings for women suffering domestic abuse raises concerns about prolonging abuse.
Sarah Sackman (The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice)
My hon. Friend is right to make that point. Our family courts should never become sites of retraumatisation for victims of domestic abuse. We are reviewing the presumption, and when we are ready, we will publish the findings and our policy response to that review.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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Right across the towns and villages I represent, people have seen, as the rural policing presence has declined, predictable increases in shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, farm break-ins and fly-tipping. We cannot allow that to be tolerated. What steps will the Minister take to ensure that my local police have the resources and powers they need to take those crimes seriously?
Context
The question addresses the decline in rural policing presence leading to increased incidents of shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, farm break-ins, and fly-tipping. Alistair Strathern demands action to ensure local police have adequate resources and powers.
Diana Johnson
The neighbourhood policing guarantee applies not just to towns and cities, of course, but to rural communities, so we will see a far greater police presence out and about in those communities. The Home Office is currently working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council on a rural and wildlife crime strategy, to crack down on some of the crime and disorder that has worsened in recent years.
Session: Rural Crime
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I welcome this Government’s focus on making sure everyone can see a GP when they need one. The crisis in GP provision nationally has been exacerbated by the failure under the last Government to ensure that primary care investment kept pace with housing growth. With such a low share of integrated care board capital funding allocated to primary care, how can we make sure GP capacity expands at the same time as local growth?
Context
The previous government's failure to ensure that primary care investment kept pace with housing growth has exacerbated the crisis in GP provision. The last Government allocated a low share of integrated care board capital funding to primary care.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
We must make sure that additional housing—which is desperately needed—is accompanied by health and care services. The Deputy Prime Minister and I are working together to achieve just that, thanks to the decisions taken by the Chancellor in the Budget, we are able to invest in the health and care services this country needs.
Session: Access to Primary Care
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Recent damning statistics highlighted that just 2% of parents made use of shared parental leave in the past year, with uptake skewed towards the highest earners. Given the importance of breaking down barriers to equal parenting for employment, will the Minister ensure that he works with the Department for Business and Trade as part of the upcoming review to ensure that enhanced parental leave is considered, including strengthening paternity leave entitlements?
Context
Recent statistics show that only 2% of parents used shared parental leave in the past year, with higher earners more likely to take advantage.
Andrew Western
My hon. Friend is correct to highlight not just the importance and benefits of shared parental leave, but the disparity between those who make use of it. I will maintain dialogue with the Department for Business and Trade as we go through that review.
Session: Parental Leave Pay and Allowances
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Does the Minister agree that it is important for us all, especially men, to play our part in stopping violence against women and girls? How is she working with Northern Ireland Executive on this?
Context
This year's White Ribbon Day theme is, “It starts with men”. Men have a role in stamping out violence against women and girls.
Fleur Anderson
I met with Tahnee McCorry from White Ribbon Northern Ireland who works with men in football, GAA teams and prisons. We all have a role in changing our society.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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In Holwell, my constituency, families depend heavily on buses for day-to-day needs and children's education. However, the lack of reliable service is increasingly making it hard for them to count on regular schedules. What new powers and funding will be given to transport authorities to help ensure punctuality?
Context
Rural communities in towns and villages often rely on buses for daily activities, including children's travel to school. The reliability and punctuality of these services are critical.
Mike Kane
The £955 million investment aims at giving local communities the necessary tools to hold operators accountable for bus service punctuality, ensuring young people reach their educational institutions on time.
Session: Local Bus Services Travel to School
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How will the Department work with local authorities to make the most of the notice given and ensure the funding goes as far as possible?
Context
The Government provided over £1 billion for the household support fund, extending it through next year. The question focuses on how to make best use of this funding.
Andrew Western
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As a former local authority leader, I know that above all else, certainty will allow councils to design and deliver sustainable plans for local welfare assistance. The Government's commitment to funding the HSF until March 2026 offers that certainty and time to plan with greater confidence. To that end, we will confirm individual allocations for the forthcoming one-year extension to the HSF as soon as possible, and ahead of the scheme beginning on 1 April.
Session: Household Support Fund Extension
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It is clear that one of the drivers of pensioner poverty is the sheer number of pensioners eligible for pension credit who have been left not claiming it for successive years by the previous Government. I welcome the Secretary of State's zeal for making sure that we put that right, but how can we as Members from across the House work with her Department to make sure that there are no unnecessary barriers for those who are eligible and in need of pension credit to claiming it this winter?
Context
The question addresses the issue of pensioners not claiming their entitled benefits due to lack of awareness or barriers set by previous governments.
Liz Kendall
I would urge all hon. Members in this House to work with their local councils, as I am doing, to make sure that those on housing benefit and other pensioners know what they are entitled to, and to make sure that their councils know that the household support fund—the £421 million we have set aside this year, despite all the problems we face—is also available to those pensioners just above the pension credit level.
Session: Winter Fuel Payment
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What will your Government do differently to support high street businesses such as Rose's café in Shefford and Jamie's Shoe Repairs, which have been struggling due to economic policies?
Context
The MP praised his town's special high street businesses but noted their financial strain and criticized the previous government.
Gareth Thomas
We set out a five-point plan in opposition including a fairer business rates system and tackling retail crime, for which Treasury colleagues are working hard.
Session: High Street Businesses
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What steps is your Department taking to help support high street businesses facing financial difficulties due to late payments, retail crime, and unfair business rates?
Context
The MP highlighted the decline of high street businesses in his constituency and criticised the previous government's economic policies.
Gareth Thomas
We are working with businesses to breathe new life into high streets by stamping out late payments, tackling retail crime, and seeking to create a fairer business rates system.
Session: High Street Businesses
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Does the Foreign Secretary share my concern about the US Republican party falling into isolationism, and what can we do to ensure our American allies understand that turning away from NATO could postpone a conflict?
Context
The MP expressed concern over the US Republican party's potential shift towards isolationism.
David Lammy
Recognising different opinions within US political parties, I was pleased by recent actions, such as Donald Trump speaking to President Zelensky and providing $61 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Session: NATO
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I welcome Britain's renewed commitment to NATO but with the previous Government failing to deliver 2.5% of GDP spending, will the Secretary of State commit to working with Ministers after the defence review to ensure a timeline to deliver this as soon as possible?
Context
The MP discussed community commemorations for allied troops and highlighted the importance of NATO under Labour.
David Lammy
We have undertaken a strategic defence review and will set out at an appropriate fiscal event in coming months a timetable to get to 2.5% of GDP on defence spending.
Session: NATO
View All Questions -->
In my Westminster Hall debate last year, the Minister for Defence Procurement announced plans to close the Chicksands base in my constituency. I am yet to hear more from the Minister, but my constituents are becoming deeply concerned. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the issue further and what more we can do in the meantime to address the shocking state of accommodation on the base?
Context
The MP is concerned about the potential closure of Chicksands base in his constituency and has yet to receive further details from the Minister.
James Cartlidge
I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
While it is welcome that Ministers are finally investing in childcare, the scheme just is not working, with local providers telling me it falls far short of what they need to meet demand, exacerbated by the especially low rate paid in central Bedfordshire. Will Ministers change course to make sure that central Bedfordshire families can finally access the childcare they need?
Context
The childcare scheme is not meeting local demands, with low rates paid in central Bedfordshire causing further issues.
David Johnston
Again, the first stage of this roll-out has gone incredibly well, with more than 200,000 children now benefiting. Labour MPs should spend less time criticising our roll-out and more in asking their Front Bench what their plan is, because it is supposed to be like the creation of the NHS.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
How can we address the issue of forced restarts of EHCP processes when families move locations frequently?
Context
Forces families face challenges in securing EHCP assessments due to frequent relocations.
Gillian Keegan
We are always looking to improve the system and have an improvement plan in place. We will take away the hon. Gentleman's specific point about people who move around from place to place, but the most important thing is that we have increased the budget.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
View All Questions -->
Across Bedfordshire, we suffer from patient to GP ratios that are well in excess of the national average; high housing growth is simply not matched by GP capacity. What more can we do to ensure that areas with high housing growth have the GP capacity that residents deserve?
Context
The questioner highlights issues with GP ratios and housing growth in Bedfordshire, stressing the need for better GP capacity.
Andrea Leadsom
The hon. Gentleman raises a really important point. He may be aware that the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB received £36 million for its operational capital budget in 2023-24, with over £118 million for this spending review period. That operational capital is core funding provided to ICBs for delivering primary care, among other things. In addition, he will be aware that ICBs are able to provide input to planning permissions to ensure that primary care is delivered where there are new housing developments.
Session: Primary Care Patient Access
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Educational Outcomes: Disadvantaged Boys and Young Men
03 February 2026
Responding: Olivia Bailey
Main Concerns
['The Centre for Social Justice highlighted that boys constitute the entirety of the gap to Government’s target of readiness for school. At GCSE level, men achieve on average half a grade lower than their female counterparts, while at A-level, men will often achieve a grade and a half lower on average. Boys’ Impact found that only 30% of boys on average seem to be making a good level of progress compared with 88% of girls not eligible for free school meals.']
Specific Asks
['The hon Member asks the Government to set out its own plan and strategy to treat this priority with the urgency it deserves, particularly exploring where socioeconomic factors along with gender are holding back young men and boys across education.']
Unadopted Estates and Roads
24 June 2025
Responding: Alex Norris
Main Concerns
['The issue of unadopted estates and roads affects many families across the UK, with up to 80% of new homes going unadopted. Residents are facing issues such as lack of transparency from management companies, soaring bills, and difficulties in accessing services like kerbside bin collection due to unadopted roads.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP calls for clearer guidelines on timescales and standards for the adoption of roads by local authorities, ensuring residents have certainty about what they are paying for and to whom.']
Kinship Carers
13 November 2024
Responding: Janet Daby
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the challenges faced by kinship carers, who deliver better outcomes than many other parts of the care sector but are often underserved. One in eight kinship carers worry they might not be able to continue their caring responsibilities, and young people in kinship care could face different levels of support based on their statutory context.']
Specific Asks
["I urge the Government to bring forward the £44 million needed for pilots as quickly as possible. I also ask for further consideration of measures to widen access to therapeutic support for kinship carers and to voice the need for kinship care leave as part of workers' rights expansion."]
SEND Provision: Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire
04 September 2024
Responding: Catherine McKinnell
Main Concerns
["The system for special educational needs and disability provision in Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire is failing young people, with long wait times for assessments, school placements, and necessary support. Parents are forced to fight the appeals process and often incur significant financial costs, while teachers struggle to meet students' needs without adequate resources. The hon. Member highlighted personal stories of families and children affected by these issues, such as James who was out of school for years waiting for a place and Alice whose mental health deteriorated due to lack of support."]
Specific Asks
["The Government is urged to improve the funding formula to match local needs better, especially in rural areas. The Minister should also address workforce shortages by creating a national strategy with consideration for near-London authorities' challenges. Furthermore, there is a need to reform the appeals system and ensure mediation is used exhaustively before cases reach this stage."]
Kinship Care Strategy
06 March 2024
Responding: David Johnston
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the challenges faced by kinship carers, including financial barriers and lack of consistent local authority support. He mentions specific cases such as Karen and Angela who face difficulties in providing care for their young family members at crucial times. The MP also notes that over a third of local authorities do not have policies in place to support kinship care as required by legislation.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks the government to introduce statutory pay and leave on par with adoption, commit to pilots that can be rolled out quickly without delay, and consider primary legislation for formal legal definitions. He urges for urgent action to ensure young people receive support now rather than years down the line.']
Aviation Bill - Clause 1
09 September 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill aims to restore the Government's power to regulate civil aviation, bolster passenger rights, modernise airspace, and improve safety. It addresses recent disruptions and seeks to ensure robust...
Opposition Day
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Climate Change
24 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to approve the draft Carbon Budget Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 June.
New Developments: Unadopted Roads and Public Amenities
13 May 2026
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
Alistair Strathern highlighted the growing issue of unadopted housing estates, where developers and local authorities fail to ensure adequate measures for road adoption on new-build estates. This affe...
Opposition Day
24 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
19 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate highlights the inextricable link between climate change action and public priorities such as living standards, economic growth, and public services. The speaker emphasises that the UK is fa...
GP Contract
16 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Heating Oil Support
16 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Offshore Wind 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
82.7%
81 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
30
30.6% of votes
No Votes
51
52.0% of votes
Abstentions
17
17.3% 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
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
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 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
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 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
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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 NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
3
PMQs Asked
61
Ministerial Questions Asked
64
House of Commons Debates Involved
5
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+355% above average
This MP:
61
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+99% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1217% above average
This MP:
64
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 (%)
+19% above average
This MP:
82.7
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 Alistair Strathern's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.