Andrew Percy
MP for Brigg and Goole
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Pro-Palestinian activists were invited to another school in the north-west of England to educate pupils on the history of Palestine, and displayed slides to those students that denied the existence of the state of Israel. This is completely unacceptable. Will the Prime Minister look at what is going on in our schools and hold an independent review of how we can do more in our curriculum to educate about the perils of antisemitism?
Context
An issue of antisemitic views among young students in schools is being raised.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for raising what is a deeply concerning issue. As I have said before, there is no place for antisemitism or the glorification of terrorism in Britain, especially not in our classrooms. That is why we welcomed the recent report from Lord Mann, the Government's independent adviser on antisemitism.
Assessment
Specific review
Not Committing To A New Review
Session: PMQs
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Ahead of next year's Budget, may I ask the Prime Minister to ease rules around spending flood defence money on maintenance?
Context
Brigg and Goole is one of the most flood-prone areas, with £5.4 billion in flood defence money available.
Rishi Sunak
I am happy to consider my hon. Friend's request about easing rules for flood defence funding, given the investment made by the Government.
Assessment
The specific ask about easing rules was not directly answered but mentioned as a consideration
Session: PMQs
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May I begin, as chair of the all-party group on surrogacy, by thanking the Government, and the Home Secretary in particular for her work in bringing Ukrainian surrogates to safety here? Sadly, in my role as chair of the all-party group against antisemitism, the news is not so positive. We have recently heard from Jewish students who are suffering record antisemitic attacks on university campuses, including allegations of their work being marked down by their own professors. This is completely outrageous, and one would expect the National Union of Students to be on their side, but instead of helping the students it has been inviting somebody who is engaged in antisemitic conspiracy theories—a rapper—to a conference. Will the Prime Minister do everything in his power to ensure that campuses are a safe place for British Jewish students?
Context
Jewish students on university campuses are experiencing record levels of antisemitic attacks, including allegations of being marked down by professors.
Boris Johnson
Our universities have, for far too long, been tolerant of casual or indeed systematic antisemitism. I hope that everybody understands the need for change—for rapid and irreversible change—but it is also important that we have an antisemitism taskforce devoted to rooting out antisemitism in education at all levels.
Assessment
Specific actions or timelines not provided
Calls For Change Without Specifying Concrete Steps
Session: PMQs
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With the Humber being a vital trading estuary and key sites like Hull and Grimsby involved, may I encourage you to look closely at the Humber free port bid as it contains important regions?
Context
The Humber estuary is the biggest trading estuary in the UK, containing Hull's port and Scunthorpe steelworks.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He has mounted an excellent campaign and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will say more about that shortly.
Assessment
Did not provide specific actions or commitments beyond general encouragement
Session: PMQs
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Here in East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and the Humber, we have some of the highest flood risk in the country, and we are still waiting for the report on the flooding of the River Aire at East Cowick and Snaith, just up the road from me here, which took place 10 months ago. I welcome the doubling of flood defence funding, which is most welcome in an area such as mine, but we often come up against the challenges of bureaucracy and sometimes Treasury funding rules. So may I ask the Prime Minister to look at what more can be done to reduce the red tape in bringing schemes forward? Although I appreciate the need for national agencies, will he also look at what we can do to utilise lead local flood councils or drainage boards by providing them with direct cash, as well as the Environment Agency, to bring forward projects that will protect homes and people?
Context
East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, and the Humber area has some of the highest flood risks. The report on the River Aire flooding at East Cowick and Snaith took place 10 months ago.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point about the need to improve flood defences, which is why we are investing £2.6 billion in 1,000 flood defences in England in the next six years. The Humber estuary, the area he represents so well, is one of four areas that will benefit from trials on long-term ways of making all our country more resistant to flooding.
Assessment
Did not address the specific ask about reducing red tape in bringing forward schemes
We Are Investing £2.6 Billion In 1,000 Flood Defences
Session: PMQs
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I am aware that there are obviously no perfect options at the moment, but may I raise with the Prime Minister the issue of pubs and bars that will be affected by the tier 2 restrictions? Many, such as Yorkshire Ales in Snaith in my constituency, have invested considerable amounts of money in being covid-secure, and are now to be denied access to their valuable pre-Christmas trade. Will the Prime Minister look again at those tier 2 restrictions, and if not, look at what other financial support can be offered to those bars and pubs that cannot provide a substantial food offering during this period?
Context
Many pubs and bars have invested heavily in becoming covid-secure but are now facing restrictions that limit their ability to operate during the Christmas season.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is completely right about the need to support local business, particularly in the hospitality sector. He should know that, in addition to the £3,000 grant for businesses that are forced to close, we have another grant of £2,100 a month for businesses that are in the hospitality and accommodation sector. That is on top of the support that we have given via furlough, obviously, and via business rates and the cuts in VAT, which were intended to support the hospitality sector as well.
Assessment
null
Session: PMQs
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The F-35 programme has given capability to our Air Force and Navy, providing jobs and technological advancement. Could the Minister give an assurance that any review of our relationship with Israel will not jeopardise this programme?
Context
Concern over potential impact of a review of UK-Israel relations on the F-35 programme which provides significant technological advancement for the UK defence industry.
Leo Docherty
I can give absolute assurance that no review will jeopardise the F-35 project, which delivers devastatingly effective power for us and our allies and provides 20,000 UK jobs.
Session: UK-Israel Military Co-operation Agreement
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Does the Secretary of State agree that denying such atrocities risks fuelling further antisemitism in the UK?
Context
Some deny the severity of atrocities following the Palestinian terror attack on 7 October.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend is right; the events were horrific and unique. Some voices, including media ones, have questioned these facts appropriately. This risks fuelling antisemitism.
Session: Antisemitism
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What recent assessment has the government made of antisemitism trends? Since 7 October, there have been 1,500 reported antisemitic incidents, a record high for this period. The Community Security Trust reports these figures.
Context
The question follows an increase in antisemitic incidents since October.
Michael Gove
Tragically, we have seen a significant increase in antisemitism since 7 October with 1,500 incidents reported between 7 October and 22 November.
Session: Antisemitism
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It is now over a decade since I worked with the new Conservative North Lincolnshire Council to introduce the Imagination Library free book gifting scheme for all under-fives. Now, with nine out of 10 local children signed up and nearly 1 million books delivered in that period, our year 1 phonics screening shows that children who receive the free books are doing better at school than their peers who do not. Will the Secretary of State, or any Minister, engage with my local council to look at the benefits of the scheme more widely?
Context
The Imagination Library free book gifting scheme has been running in North Lincolnshire for over a decade, with nine out of ten local children signed up and nearly one million books delivered. Recent data shows that participating children perform better on phonics screening tests than their peers who do not participate.
Nadhim Zahawi
Indeed, the Secretary of State will engage with my hon. Friend on his passion for this subject. He knows we are investing £17 million in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme to improve language skills in reception-age children who most need that help.
Session: Topical Questions
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Canada is a key partner. This morning I met the Speaker of Alberta who emphasised the potential for Alberta to help the UK through its present energy crisis. What is the Foreign Secretary doing to further deepen our relationship with Canada?
Context
The question arises from a meeting with the Speaker of Alberta, who highlighted potential for energy support.
Elizabeth Truss
Canada is a fellow member of G7, NATO, and Commonwealth. We speak regularly to my Canadian counterpart about how we can bolster our energy security through areas like nuclear co-operation.
Session: Topical Questions
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We received very little from 13 years of Labour Government in the north of England. Since then, we have seen reductions in Humber bridge tolls, support for Siemens wind turbine and train factories, and significant funding through town deals. Although we missed out on levelling-up funds initially, will you assure me that you will look closely at our bids for future rounds?
Context
The questioner recalls past underinvestment by Labour in the north of England, highlighting recent developments such as reduced Humber bridge tolls, support for Siemens factories, and receipt of significant funding through town deals. He mentions missing out on levelling-up funds previously but seeks assurances about future bids.
Neil O'Brien
I will look very closely at them. I hope through exciting talks and Hull and East Riding devolution deal we can pick up more opportunities in the area.
Session: Economic Growth
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May I ask the Secretary of State how the shared rural network will finally get us the improvements in mobile phone coverage we desperately need in north Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire?
Context
There is a need for improvements in mobile phone coverage across these regions.
Matt Warman
The shared rural network will eliminate partial notspots across huge swathes of the country, particularly in Yorkshire and the Humber; it will take the region from 95% to 99% coverage from at least one operator, and from 81% to 90% coverage from all four operators.
Session: Topical Questions
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Councillor Anne Handley, other members of the town deal board and I have submitted what we feel is a very strong bid for Goole, which will include multimillion-pound regeneration of the town centre and a leisure centre, and bring gigabit-fast broadband to old Goole. We are keen to get on and get the projects delivered. Can the Secretary of State provide any details of when Goole will know exactly how much it is getting from the Government in response to our bid?
Context
Councillor Anne Handley, other members of the town deal board, and Andrew Percy have submitted a bid for Goole which includes regeneration projects such as a town centre redevelopment and gigabit-fast broadband.
Robert Jenrick
I was pleased to receive Goole's town investment plan in January. It includes ambitious plans to diversify, to repurpose the town centre and to revitalise Goole's economy. My officials are conducting their assessment in the usual way and I look forward to making an announcement in due course, which, if it is a positive one, will build on the excellent news we had at the Budget of a freeport in the Humber, bringing jobs and regeneration to the whole region.
Session: Topical Questions
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What more can the Government do to push the mobile phone companies to make sure that we get the service we are paying for up here?
Context
Communities such as Broughton are still waiting for mobile phone operators to deliver promised decent service.
Oliver Dowden
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend about the need for speed. As he will know, the shared rural network will see the Government and industry jointly investing over £1 billion to increase 4G coverage throughout the UK. On 5G, over 200 towns and cities already have 5G, and our ambition is for the vast majority to have it by 2027.
Session: Topical Questions
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Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Council submitted their bid for East Yorkshire devolution some months ago. That included a request for full allocation for the Goole town deal bid, but I digress. Can the Minister tell me where we are with regard to opening up negotiations with Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to get East Yorkshire devolution moving forwards?
Context
The question concerns the status of East Yorkshire devolution negotiations and Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Council's proposal.
Luke Hall
We have a clear commitment to give more power to local communities, providing opportunity across the country. We want to build on the more than 50% of the north now covered by our devolution deals, with a new deal in West Yorkshire signed in Parliament just last month. We welcomed the devolution proposal from Hull and East Yorkshire, and my Department will respond shortly, with a view to further formal engagement with councils following the local government elections.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for answering my question before I asked it. In light of recent threats from Iran, what further actions will be taken by the UK government alongside our allies and NATO?
Context
In recent weeks, Iran has been testing long-range missiles and drones, threatening to crush its enemies.
Ben Wallace
The IRGC and its activities in the region are destabilising. The United Kingdom is investing, along with its allies and NATO, in keeping places such as Iraq stable and secure. We ask the IRGC and the Iranian Government to desist from that activity.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am concerned about the Department's qualitative whole force inclusivity report and its submission to the Defence Committee's inquiry into women in the armed forces. Given the significance of this issue, why was it important to place this copy in the House of Commons Library for a wider readership?
Context
The Secretary of State for Defence has been tasked with submitting a report to the Defence Committee on women in the armed forces.
Ben Wallace
Today, I am placing a copy of the Department's qualitative whole force inclusivity report in the House of Commons Library. It will form part of the evidence the Ministry of Defence is submitting to the Defence Committee's inquiry into women in the armed forces. The report helps to underline the scale of the task we must address.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am actually in Goole, Mr Speaker. With the upcoming health and disability Green Paper and the national strategy for disabled people, it is vital that those with real lived experiences are able to shape Government policy in this area. Can the Minister assure me that that will be the case?
Context
With upcoming health and disability Green Paper and national strategy for disabled people, it is crucial that those with lived experiences shape policy.
Justin Tomlinson
I thank my hon. Friend, who is a champion of real lived experience through his casework and his speeches in Parliament. I can reassure him that both the DWP health and disability Green Paper and the national strategy for disabled people will be shaped by those with real lived experiences. I know that, as a proactive Member of Parliament, he will be happy to host his own stakeholder engagement event with his local advocacy groups.
Session: Topical Questions
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All that water from the Calder finds its way into my constituency via the River Aire, leading to another nervous wait as flood alerts are issued. Will the Secretary of State comment on the adequacy of flood defence funding rules for communities repeatedly facing flooding issues?
Context
The River Aire, which passes through Andrew Percy's constituency, receives water from the Calder. The area frequently faces flooding issues with recent flood alerts and warnings issued.
George Eustice
My hon. Friend's constituency is in a unique area with a unique geography, and it faces frequent flooding. We will issue a consultation on changes to the flooding formula soon, placing greater weight on frequently flooded communities.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the five GP vaccination centres serving my constituency in Brigg, Goole, Owston Ferry, Scunthorpe and Barton. As we move from phase 1 into phase 2, can the Secretary of State bear in mind shop workers who have had to work throughout this pandemic without any protection and deal with hundreds of people every day? Can we make sure that they are prioritised?
Context
The MP thanked the government for setting up five GP vaccination centres in his constituency.
Matthew Hancock
Yes, I want to thank shop workers in essential shops who have had to be there for all of us even in these difficult times when the virus is widely spread. We will look very carefully at those professions that will need to be prioritised in phase 2 of the prioritisation programme. We will also look at teachers, police and others but we will look at shop workers and make those decisions based on data.
Session: Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out
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Partly in response to large queues and hours-long waits for tests in Canada, Health Canada has followed the US Food and Drug Administration in approving rapid testing, such as the ID NOW test, which can give a result in 15 minutes. Can the Secretary of State update us on where we are with the roll-out of rapid testing?
Context
There have been reports in Canada and the US about the roll-out of rapid testing.
Matthew Hancock
We are making good progress in validating the tests and in doing what needs to be done to be able to use them effectively. I have seen some of these reports from around the world, and I talk regularly to my opposite numbers about how we can get this sort of next-generation testing going.
Session: Topical Questions
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Once people are behind bars, the public should be protected from further criminal activity by those in prisons, but too often, criminality continues. What use are we making of measures such as body scanners to ensure that criminals are not able to continue their behaviour behind bars?
Context
Concerns about criminal activity continuing behind bars.
Robert Buckland
My hon. Friend raises a very important point. Last year, the Government announced a £100 million boost to investment in the installation of body scanners in many of our prisons, and particularly category B local prisons with a high number of receptions and visitors. It protects not only prisoners from abuse, but staff, and it makes prisons, I believe, safer places in which to work and gives greater confidence to the wider public that we are doing everything we can to make our prisons as safe as possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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Following the significant growth of bilateral trade with Canada under CETA, can we not seek to go further in negotiations for something more comprehensive beyond merely rolling over existing agreements?
Context
Bilateral trade between the UK and Canada is worth £20 billion a year, growing exponentially after CETA's implementation. Bilateral trade with New Zealand stands at £3 billion annually.
Elizabeth Truss (Secretary of State for International Trade)
I know my hon. Friend is committed to Canada, having served as trade envoy. As part of our programme to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which covers advanced chapters such as data and digital, we are aiming higher than what the EU has agreed.
Session: UK-Canada Free Trade Agreement
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Asks if there has been any diversion of funds channelled through UN bodies such as WHO and UNICEF to proscribed terrorist organisations like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, amid an investigation suggesting links between funded groups and these entities.
Context
Inquires about steps taken to ensure UK funding is used for intended purposes in the Palestinian region.
The Minister for Europe and Americas James Cleverly
States the UK provided £840,000 to WHO and UNICEF for covid-19 response; maintains robust measures to prevent aid diversion and commits to supporting Palestinian people while striving towards peace in the region.
Session: Palestinian Authority Funding
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What assurances can the Chancellor give regarding capital funding to upgrade hospitals in Goole, Scunthorpe and Grimsby?
Context
Andrew Percy seeks assurance on capital funding for hospitals in his region.
Sajid Javid (The Chancellor of the Exchequer)
A comprehensive spending review later this year will include a multi-year capital settlement with priority for NHS capital needs, including hospital upgrades.
Session: Frontline Health Services
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
National Grid Proposals: North East Lincolnshire
23 May 2024
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP expressed concerns over National Grid’s plans for the Grimsby to Walpole route, which could blight attractive traditional villages in North East Lincolnshire with pylons. He highlighted the env...
Holocaust Memorial (Centre) Bill - New Clause 1
22 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
20 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine
20 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Andrew Mitchell opens the debate by condemning Putin's invasion and supporting Britain’s actions to back Ukraine, including a pledge of £3 billion in military aid per year until 2030. He details t...
War in Gaza
07 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
UK Armed Forces in Middle East
29 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
19 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Gibraltar: UK-EU Negotiations
11 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Antisemitism in the UK
19 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
6
PMQs Asked
20
Ministerial Questions Asked
72
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
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
+63% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+46% above average
This MP:
20
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1387% above average
This MP:
72
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Andrew Percy's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.