Andy Carter
MP for Warrington South
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Every month in my constituency, the Labour-run Warrington Borough Council spends nearly £4.5 million on interest payments to cover its £1.8 billion debt. It has used borrowing to spend on an energy company that went bust, offices in Birmingham and Manchester, and even a business park that it purchased through an offshore company, presumably to avoid paying tax. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is time to send in the inspectors? Warrington Borough Council has gone too far in its money-making schemes. Local councils should be focusing on delivering great services, and the way to achieve that is by voting Conservative on 2 May.
Context
The council spends nearly £4.5 million monthly on interest payments due to a debt of over £1.8 billion, resulting from poor financial decisions like purchasing an energy company that went bankrupt.
Rishi Sunak
This year, the Government announced a further £600 million in extra funding for local councils—a real-terms increase, as has been the case in every single year of this Parliament. But we all know what happens when Labour is in charge—whether it is racking up debt in Warrington, as my hon. Friend said, increasing council tax by 21% in Labour-run Birmingham, slashing services in Nottingham, or, as I have just said, higher crime on average in each Labour police and crime commissioner area. It is crystal clear that, whenever Labour is in charge, it is working people who pay the price.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not address the mismanagement at Warrington Borough Council but instead criticized other Labour-run councils for similar issues.
Criticized Opposition
Session: PMQs
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I commend the PM's work to find a peaceful settlement in the Middle East. The decision to provide £12 billion for east-west high-speed rail lines is welcome. Will he ensure Warrington benefits fully from this upgrade?
Context
The Prime Minister announced £12 billion for east-west high-speed rail lines between Manchester and Liverpool, focusing on great northern towns as well as cities.
Rishi Sunak
We will invest £12 billion in better connecting Manchester and Liverpool for Northern Powerhouse Rail as previously planned. This includes high-speed lines which would provide better rail connections for northern towns like Warrington.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister update on how many more officers have been recruited since he became PM, including numbers specifically for Cheshire?
Context
There has been an almost 50% increase in arrests for domestic abuse in Cheshire thanks to sustained police officer recruitment.
Boris Johnson
13,576 police officers have been recruited nationally, with 200 additional officers in Cheshire.
Session: PMQs
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Does the Prime Minister agree that listening to local communities and protecting our precious green belt must be at the heart of planning policy? Will he meet me to see how local residents can have their voices heard?
Context
The Planning Inspectorate approved a massive logistics hub plan for south Warrington, despite over 1,000 letters of objection and the development being contrary to national planning policies. The question seeks clarification on how the government will uphold local community voices and protect the green belt.
Boris Johnson
Local residents could have no more powerful voice than that of my hon. Friend. The House will have heard him loud and clear. I know that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will have heard him loud and clear and will make sure that he gets the relevant meeting.
Assessment
Did not commit to specific actions beyond acknowledging the importance of local voices and promising a meeting.
Session: PMQs
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The Government's commitment to £25 million for a new electric bus fleet in Warrington will have a transformational effect on public transport across Warrington. Does the Prime Minister agree that the right way to spend that £25 million is by buying British-made buses, supporting highly skilled manufacturing jobs right across the United Kingdom?
Context
The Government has committed £25 million for a new electric bus fleet in Warrington to improve public transport.
Boris Johnson
Warrington has secured £20 million for new zero-emission buses. We want to see more domestic production; 80% of buses in Britain's urban areas are already produced domestically.
Session: PMQs
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As Warrington grows, its mostly Victorian hospital needs more beds. Will the Deputy Prime Minister speak to the Health Secretary about backing our bid for a new hospital in Warrington?
Context
Warrington's hospital is struggling with a growing population and lacks sufficient beds.
Dominic Raab
Warrington and Halton hospitals have submitted an expression of interest. Decisions will be made by spring 2022, but cannot comment on specific applications.
Assessment
Did not commit to speaking with Health Secretary directly
Decision Timeline
Cannot Comment On Specifics
Session: PMQs
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Does the Prime Minister agree that, besides backing electric vehicle production in the north-west, there is an opportunity to shift towards low-carbon hydrogen by supporting projects such as HyNet North West which will secure thousands of green jobs while reducing emissions?
Context
The MP visited Penketh South Community Primary School to discuss cleaner energy generation with year 6 children. The HyNet North West project aims to secure thousands of green jobs in the north-west by 2030 and reduce emissions significantly.
Boris Johnson
Yes, I believe that the north-west will be a world leader in hydrogen technology. The HyNet project is an excellent example. We have already put £45 million into supporting the HyNet project.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Government's intention be to recruit more doctors and train more nurses for increased appointments?
Context
Chapelford Medical Centre opened, improving GP access in Warrington.
Boris Johnson
We are delivering 6,000 more GPs and also pledging to deliver 40 new hospitals and train 50,000 more nurses.
Session: PMQs
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Cromwell Athletic, who play at Mary Ann Meadows in my constituency, have had to cancel almost 70% of their grass pitch games this season because conditions have made the ground simply unplayable. The pitch improvement programme shows that we need around eight 3G pitches in Warrington to cope with demand. Could my right hon. Friend set out what support is available to clubs with significant junior membership? I invite her back to Warrington to see some of the teams who are struggling to access 3G pitches, to talk about how we can help them.
Context
The MP highlights a local team's struggle to access playable grounds and requests support from the government.
Lucy Frazer
Through our investment via the Football Foundation in England, we are actively supporting teams such as Cromwell Athletic up and down the country to get new artificial grass pitches. We funded the goalposts at Barrow Hall Primary School and put in a new artificial grass pitch at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School. It was a pleasure to visit my hon. Friend's constituency, and I would be happy to meet him to discuss this issue further.
Session: Sports Facilities Funding
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What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme in funding new sports facilities?
Context
The MP inquires about the effectiveness of a government programme aimed at funding new sports facilities.
Lucy Frazer
Between 2021 and 2025, the Government have committed more than £325 million to grassroots sports sites across the whole of the UK. That is part of our commitment to ensure every community has the facilities it needs. So far, almost 2,400 sites have been supported, creating more opportunities for people of all backgrounds across the country to get active.
Session: Sports Facilities Funding
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The questioner endorsed the Lord Chancellor's comments on magistrates working hard to clear backlogs but noted concerns about the single justice procedure. He asked if it could be clarified that magistrates can already use discretion to refer cases back to open court, ensuring fairness for vulnerable individuals.
Context
Concerns have been raised about the single justice procedure (SJP) in magistrates courts, particularly around vulnerable individuals who may need additional attention.
Alex Chalk
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and his colleagues for the exceptional work they do to ensure that justice is done. On fairness, it is non-negotiable in every court, whether via SJP or open court. Some points about transparency have been raised by the Chair of the Justice Committee, and we ought to consider recalibrating to promote transparency.
Session: Crown Court Backlog
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What assessment has the Minister made of the BBC's proposals to launch four new national music radio stations and to relaunch an existing station? To my mind, those proposals are a direct imitation of commercial broadcasters' innovation, and the time and resource that the BBC is investing could be better spent in reversing the cuts to BBC local radio—a source of distinctive public service content that is not available anywhere else on the same medium.
Context
MP Andy Carter is concerned about the BBC's proposals to launch four new national music radio stations and relaunch an existing station, which he sees as imitating commercial broadcasters' innovations.
Julia Lopez
I would like to pay tribute to Steve Wright, another stalwart of BBC radio. I have spoken to the director general about the launch of new radio services, and he is very aware of the strength of feeling in this House about the proposals for local radio. The mid-term review says that the BBC should engage much more closely with the market ahead of the launch of any new stations.
Session: Topical Questions
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Local taxpayers expect high levels of governance when councillors use public money for business ventures that carry risk. Does the Minister agree that Warrington Borough Council's reduction of opposition councillors on the audit committee is contrary to good governance, especially given its £1.8 billion debt?
Context
Warrington Borough Council, a Labour-run council, has reduced opposition councillor numbers on its audit committee. This raises concerns about governance and transparency in decision-making regarding commercial investments.
Simon Hoare
I recognise the concerns about Warrington's debt and point out that important scrutiny roles held by opposition parties lead to better decision-making.
Session: Topical Questions
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There are four hotels in my constituency housing asylum seekers. Will you provide an update on hotel closures? What steps are being taken to speed up claim processing while residents wait in these accommodations?
Context
Four hotels in Warrington are currently housing asylum seekers, raising concerns about the cost and the need for faster processing of claims.
James Cleverly
We are moving away from using hotels as asylum accommodation to reduce costs. Recruitment levels will be maintained, and processes improved to continue speeding up claim processing.
Session: Asylum Application Backlog
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Given Ofcom's comments on revisiting regulations regarding local radio, does the Minister agree that the mid-term review presents an opportunity to examine how the BBC serves older audiences through local radio?
Context
Ofcom is reconsidering its regulation proposals for local radio due to the BBC's changes in local radio provision.
Lucy Frazer
The mid-term review offers an important opportunity to examine various issues, including competition, complaints and impartiality. The results will be published shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is now 10 weeks since the bins were emptied in Warrington. A national pay dispute has spilled over into a local disagreement. Does the Minister agree that it is now urgent that Labour-run Warrington Borough Council gets round the table with the unions and finds an urgent agreement, before the situation turns into a health emergency?
Context
A national pay dispute has spilled over into a local disagreement in Warrington, leading to unresolved bin collection issues.
Michael Gove
Absolutely. Again and again, we find that Labour-run local authorities, despite their much-vaunted relationship with trade unions, are incapable of resolving these disputes. Whether in Birmingham or Warrington, Labour must do better, otherwise working people suffer.
Session: Topical Questions
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One of the primary reasons for adjournment and relisting in magistrates courts is a lack of trained probation officers to carry out pre-sentence stand-down reports. Could the Minister outline what steps he is taking to address this so that courts can get through caseloads more speedily?
Context
There is a lack of trained probation officers leading to delays in magistrates courts due to adjournments and relisting.
Alex Chalk
We are working closely with the probation service to ensure resource allocation for stand-down reports, providing information about offenders' relationships, previous convictions, mental health issues, and other factors so that courts can tailor appropriate disposals for punishment and rehabilitation.
Session: Topical Questions
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What impact does the Minister think the passage of the Online Safety Act 2023 into law will have on children and families in Warrington South and across the country?
Context
The new law aims to protect children from harmful online content.
Saqib Bhatti
As a father, this issue concerns me greatly. The Online Safety Act is the most powerful child protection law in a generation. All in-scope companies will need to take robust steps to protect children from illegal content and activity on their services. Those safety measures will need to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content and activity, such as bullying and content that promotes eating disorders and self-harm.
Session: Topical Questions
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Over the summer, dozens of Traveller caravans have been illegally pitched in my Warrington South constituency, impacting playing fields in Appleton Thorn, Bewsey and Dallam, and costing thousands to clear up. Warrington's Labour council has avoided bringing forward proposals, despite having money in its budget. Does the Minister agree that local authorities need to play their full part so that the police can be effective in using the legislation passed by this House?
Context
Dozens of Traveller caravans have been illegally pitched in Warrington South, impacting local playing fields and costing thousands to clear up. Despite budget funds, the Labour council has not brought forward proposals.
Chris Philp
Yes, I do agree; local councils should be robust in using the powers this House granted them, as should the police in terms of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The police do have strong powers under the amended Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and I urge police forces up and down the country to use those powers.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps is the Home Secretary taking to bolster action against fraud and online scams?
Context
The question is about bolstering action against fraud and online scams.
Suella Braverman
My hon. Friend has been an indefatigable champion for his community, and I very much enjoyed joining him at his local police station to meet his excellent chief constable, Mark Roberts, with the PCC. Cheshire is an example of common-sense policing and protecting the public. With those arrest rates and a focus on domestic abuse, on which Cheshire constabulary has achieved some excellence, it deserves all the praise that it gets. When it comes to tackling online scams and online fraud, which are a feature of modern-day crime fighting, earlier this year, with the Prime Minister, I announced our fraud strategy. One hundred million pounds from the 2021 spending review has gone towards tackling fraud. A portion of that will fund a new national fraud squad of 400 specialist fraud officers across policing and the National Crime Agency, who will investigate the most harmful fraudsters targeting the UK public.
Session: Crime Reduction
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Will the Minister update my constituents on the progress being made towards opening a new free school in Warrington, to provide better and more appropriate education for young people with autism and other special educational needs?
Context
There is a need to open a new free school in Warrington to provide better and more appropriate education for young people with autism and other special educational needs.
Claire Coutinho
We recently changed the location of the Warrington free school from the Bruche Primary School to a better suited site at Padgate, with the agreement of the local authority and the trust. We are now working with all parties to begin design preparation work and the school is on track to open in September 2025.
Session: Topical Questions
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Further to the Minister's comments about the progress made in magistrates courts, will he update the House on the decision to pause the additional sentencing powers? Does he agree that restoring those powers could free up about 1,700 extra Crown court sitting days each year?
Context
The Minister previously mentioned progress in magistrates courts. Additional sentencing powers granted to magistrates were paused.
Mike Freer
The change in sentencing powers was no reflection on the magistrates. The Department continues to keep the sentencing powers under review, and issues raised with his local bench are being progressed through the Department.
Session: Topical Questions
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St Rocco's Hospice in Warrington provides invaluable palliative and end-of-life care for families. However, the charities that run hospices around the UK are finding it incredibly difficult to raise funds. Will the Minister give us an assurance that she is working very closely with the sector to ensure that those services continue to be provided?
Context
St Rocco's Hospice in Warrington faces difficulties raising funds. This affects the provision of palliative and end-of-life care.
Helen Whately
My hon Friend makes a really important point about the very important work that hospices do in our communities, and I fully support hospices as a sector. The funding for hospices generally comes through the NHS and the local integrated care boards that commission the services they provide, as well as, of course, from their own fundraising efforts. I am speaking to NHS England about the support it provides to hospices, because I am very keen to make sure that they get the support that they need.
Session: Topical Questions
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What Government support is available for industrial manufacturers like Novelis to reduce their emissions? The plant in Warrington South aims to transition its furnaces to hydrogen.
Context
A major aluminium can recycling plant in Warrington South is transitioning to hydrogen and participating in the HyNet carbon capture programme.
Andrew Bowie
The Government offer the £170 million industrial decarbonisation challenge, £350 million industrial energy transformation fund, £26 million industrial hydrogen accelerator and £55 million industrial fuel switching competition to support such transitions.
Session: Hydrogen Sector North-west England
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What steps his Department is taking to support the development of the hydrogen sector in the north-west. The Government are supporting hydrogen projects around the country, including HyNet North West.
Context
The north-west is exploring hydrogen projects and initiatives.
Andrew Bowie
The Government are supporting hydrogen projects with £240 million net zero hydrogen fund and through hydrogen production business model. HyNet North West is included in track 1 cluster.
Session: Hydrogen Sector North-west England
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At Park Road Community Primary School, I observed phonics in action and noted that 80% of children with dyslexia are not diagnosed until they leave school. Too many end up in alternative provision due to behavioural issues caused by a lack of understanding of their learning style. Does my right hon. Friend agree that early screening can help these children develop skills suited to their needs?
Context
The question is prompted by a visit to Park Road Community Primary School in Warrington, where studies have shown that 80% of children with dyslexia do not have the condition identified before leaving school.
Nick Gibb
My hon. Friend is correct. Early identification of special educational needs, including dyslexia, is crucial for improving outcomes. Measures such as phonics screening checks and statutory assessments at key stages 1 and 2 are in place to help teachers identify these needs.
Session: Reading Standards
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What steps her Department is taking to improve reading standards since the introduction of the phonics screening check in 2012? The proportion reaching the expected standard has increased from 58% to 82% in 2019 before the pandemic, and England has risen from joint 10th to joint eighth in the international survey of nine-year-olds' reading ability.
Context
The question arises from the need to improve reading abilities among six-year-olds, following the introduction of the phonics screening check in 2012.
Nick Gibb
Since 2012, the proportion reaching the expected standard in the phonics screening check has increased from 58% to 82%, and England's ranking in international reading ability surveys for nine-year-olds improved from joint 10th to eighth. £40 million has been invested in the English Hubs programme to spread best practice in teaching reading.
Session: Reading Standards
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Around 12 months ago, the Minister set out a plan to recruit a further 4,000 magistrates. Can he give us an update on how that is progressing? What steps is he taking to retain the most experienced presiding justices?
Context
Around a year ago, the Minister set out a plan to recruit an additional 4,000 magistrates.
Mike Freer
There are a couple of things we are doing to achieve our target of 1,000 additional judicial vacancies this year, which is on track.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps are the Government taking to support charity and voluntary organisations with increased energy costs?
Context
Voluntary groups, including Scouts and Guides, in Warrington South have seen their energy costs increase by five times over the past year.
Jeremy Hunt
This winter, the Energy Business Relief Scheme is providing £18 billion of support for businesses and charities. Further details will be announced early in the new year about ongoing support after April.
Session: Energy Costs Fiscal Support 2022-12-20 (2)
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What recent fiscal steps has his Department taken to support families with the cost of energy bills?
Context
No specific event or statistic was mentioned, but the question is about recent fiscal steps taken by the Department to help families.
Jeremy Hunt
We have reaffirmed our commitment to help hard-pressed families this winter with support for energy bills. We have introduced a range of measures, including capping energy bills at £3,000 this year and £2,500 next year.
Session: Energy Costs Fiscal Support 2022-12-20 (2)
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I am grateful for the Minister's response. Over the last 20 years, Warrington has had among the highest level of new houses built in the north-west of England, but our healthcare infrastructure has not kept pace. We desperately need a new hospital. Our accident and emergency is at breaking point, we do not have enough beds and there is nowhere for those visiting to park their cars. In 2021, my NHS trust submitted a bid to the Department of Health and Social Care for a new hospital. Will he update us on where we are with that process?
Context
Warrington has had among the highest levels of new houses built over the past two decades, but healthcare infrastructure has not kept pace. In 2021, a bid was submitted for a new hospital.
Will Quince
I thank my hon. Friend, who has been a long-standing advocate for a new general hospital for Warrington. The expression of interest from the trust has been received. We are currently in the process of reviewing expressions of interest for the eight new hospitals and aim to announce a final decision by the end of the year.
Session: Hospital Bed Capacity
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Warrington is at least 90 beds short in terms of step-down care. A local hospital has too many long-term patients who simply cannot be discharged because there is nowhere for them to go. I am told there is capital funding available. We have two local NHS trusts, a local authority and the integrated care board, which is no longer in Warrington but now in Liverpool, but no action is being taken. Will the Minister come to Warrington to meet local NHS leaders and me, so we can secure access for patients who are spending too long in acute hospital care?
Context
Warrington faces a severe shortage of beds for step-down care, affecting local hospital operations due to lack of social care availability. The integrated care board's relocation complicates coordination.
Helen Whately
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about patients spending too long in acute care in his own hospital. We know this is affecting other people around the country. I am very happy to meet him and I would very much like to visit his hospital and speak to his NHS, the local authority and other stakeholders to ensure we can improve the situation.
Session: Moving Patients into Social Care
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What steps he is taking to help move patients who no longer need acute care from hospitals into social care settings?
Context
The question arises due to the increasing number of delayed discharges and shortage of social care, particularly impacting patient flow in hospitals.
Helen Whately
When a patient no longer needs acute hospital care, they are usually better off outside hospital and that frees up their bed for somebody else. Delayed discharges are nothing new, but they have been getting worse in part because of the shortage of social care. That is why the Government have announced £500 million to speed up discharges from hospital into social care this winter.
Session: Moving Patients into Social Care
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What steps are being taken to ensure UK radio listeners can find British broadcasters on smart speakers managed by global tech firms?
Context
UK radio listeners need to find British broadcasters like the BBC and commercial radio, especially as access is controlled by global tech companies.
Michelle Donelan
The media Bill announced in May 2022 aims to address this issue, but parliamentary time must allow for its introduction.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the team at Penketh High School on its ever improving standards? Ofsted recently improved its rating of the school, there was the sports gold award last week, and year 9 student Leon Stretton has signed for Warrington Wolves—a huge success in the town. However, the school's problem is the poor state of its estate. Will my right hon. Friend look carefully at its recent application to improve the standard of the SEND building?
Context
The Penketh High School has received positive recognition for its academic and sports achievements, but the school estate is in poor condition. The SEND building improvement application has been submitted.
Robin Walker
I very much welcome the success of the school that my hon. Friend has highlighted and will be happy to meet him to discuss the issues further.
Session: Topical Questions
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Families living near HMP Thorn Cross in my constituency have again raised with me concerns about absconds from this open prison. I am very grateful that the Minister took the time to visit the prison recently. Could she give us an update on what steps the Government are taking to reduce absconds from open prisons?
Victoria Atkins
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this, and I know the concerns his community have. As he rightly says, I visited Thorn Cross to see for myself and to ask the governor what can be done to improve the abscond rate. This is an open prison, so it is right that the assessments of risk for each prisoner entering Thorn Cross must be as full as possible to understand whether they have ties that may cause them to abscond from an open prison. What I have done is commission a further look into the assessments that are conducted nationally to ensure that the team at Thorn Cross are able to manage the people who are staying there as well as possible for the local community.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Gulf states are an important trading zone for businesses based in Warrington South, particularly given the excellent links through Manchester Airport to the Gulf. What progress is my hon. Friend making in developing trade and investment links between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council?
Context
The Gulf Co-operation Council nations form a significant trading partner for the UK with total trade standing at over £31 billion.
Ranil Jayawardena
The six GCC nations form together one of our largest trading partners, with total trade standing at over £31 billion in the four quarters to September last year. In January, we completed a public consultation in support of a trade deal with the GCC that gets the best deal for British businesses and consumers. We aim to start those negotiations with others later this year.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the work that my hon. Friend the Minister has been doing to recruit more magistrates and the changes to the retirement age to enable senior magistrates to sit for longer. Will he tell us about the plans to introduce powers to keep more cases in the magistrates court and when he expects those powers to come into effect?
James Cartlidge
My hon. Friend is, of course, a serving magistrate and speaks with great authority on these matters. As he knows, the Judicial Review and Courts Bill, which contains key parts of those powers, has not yet received Royal Assent. On my hon. Friend's other point, I can confirm that the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill recently received Royal Assent. The Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 raises the statutory mandatory retirement age to 75. As my hon. Friend says, that is an important measure to ensure that we maximise the number of people in our judicial labour force.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his answer. Does he agree that growth deals are an excellent example of the UK Government and the Scottish Government working together to extend opportunities and deliver jobs right across Scotland?
Context
The MP acknowledges the positive impact of growth deals and asks for agreement on their collaborative nature.
Iain Stewart
I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that growth deals show what can be achieved when Scotland's two Governments work together. That is what people want. They are just one part of the UK Government's hugely ambitious levelling-up agenda, which last year saw the announcement of more than £191 million in investment projects in Scotland, supported by the levelling-up fund, the community renewal fund and the community ownership fund. In February, the levelling-up White Paper saw further good news for Scotland with the Glasgow innovation accelerator, which will create jobs and boost the regional economy.
Session: Growth Deals
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Can my right hon. Friend tell me what steps the Government are taking to help businesses retain young people as we approach the end of the six-month kickstart programme?
Context
The question is about the steps taken to help businesses retain young people as the kickstart programme ends.
Simon Clarke
For those on universal credit who do not immediately continue into full-time unsubsidised work, support will continue to be available from the young person's work coach to help them use their newly gained skills, and support will also be available from the wider DWP youth offer.
Session: Kickstart Scheme
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What steps are the Government taking to reduce market access barriers for businesses in Warrington South and the north-west? What have they done in the past year to help British exporters?
Context
Businesses in Warrington South face market access barriers.
Mike Freer
The Department is working hard to reduce barriers to trade, including for my hon. Friend's constituents in Warrington South. For example, we have successfully secured access for British wheat to Mexico, poultry to Japan and lamb to the USA, just to name a few of the barriers that have been removed, boosting food and agriculture among many other products across the globe.
Session: Global Trade Barriers
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What steps has the Department taken to reduce barriers to global trade for British businesses?
Context
There are concerns about the difficulties British businesses face in global markets.
Mike Freer
We are negotiating and implementing free trade agreements and removing barriers that British businesses face across the globe. Last financial year, we resolved more than 200 barriers across 74 countries, an increase of 20% on the previous year. We have so far secured FTAs with 70 countries plus the EU, covering nearly £800 billion-worth of bilateral trade in 2020, delivering benefits for communities across the country.
Session: Global Trade Barriers
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Technology is changing the way in which listeners tune in to their favourite radio stations. Will the Minister set out her plans to secure future access for UK radio stations to smart speakers?
Julia Lopez
My hon. Friend raises an important point about social media platforms potentially becoming gatekeepers for radio stations. We are looking closely at this issue to ensure that radio stations can have their own data, protect their listenership and so on.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week, the energy company in which Warrington Borough Council bought a 50% stake collapsed. My constituents are rightly concerned that £50 million of public money was invested in a loss-making company. Will the Minister meet me to look at what steps we can take to protect local services and what lessons we can learn from governance in local authorities.
Context
The question concerns the collapse of an energy company in which Warrington Borough Council invested £50 million.
Kemi Badenoch
The Minister responded with a simple 'Yes.' without elaborating on specifics or timelines.
Session: Standards in Public Life Local Authorities
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Bearing in mind the security statement coming after this question session, will my right hon. Friend assure me that he is working with both law enforcement and security services to understand what more can be done to increase capacity to counter hostile activity that has the potential to damage democracy but operates below the legal threshold?
Context
The question is prompted by the upcoming security statement, focusing on increasing capacity to counter activities that threaten democracy.
Kit Malthouse
I know this is a matter of concern to the whole House, which I know is to be addressed by the Home Secretary shortly. As I hope my hon. Friend knows, police capacity—that relates specifically to the question—has been increased not just in territorial policing but in other arms of policing, recognising as we do that, while it is important to fight crime on the ground in all our constituencies, it is also important to fight it there as well.
Session: Police Funding
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Could I take the Minister back to the point raised earlier about Channel 4? Can she reassure me that specific regard is being given to the small and medium-sized businesses in my constituency and across the north of England who rely on Channel 4 for their first entry into network television commissions? What steps is she taking to ensure they are not disadvantaged?
Context
The question follows a discussion on the impact of potential changes to Channel 4, with concerns about how this might affect smaller businesses that rely on it.
Julia Lopez
I would like to provide him with those reassurances. That is very much on my mind, and that of the Secretary of State, as we look at this issue. I read with interest my hon. Friend's piece in The Times on Channel 4 and levelling up, and the contribution that the broadcaster makes in that regard. In so far as we are minded to sell—no decision has yet been taken—it would be done in order to secure the future of the broadcaster and looking at the wider sector.
Session: UK Film and Television Industry
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I am sure that the Minister, like me, has been incredibly impressed by the small and medium-sized businesses that are looking to export to new markets. What support is available for a business such as N'Genius, which is based in my Warrington South constituency and has patented a new high-strength stainless steel that can revolutionise engineering and construction? How can this Government help it export that UK innovation to the rest of the world?
Context
The MP highlights a business in his constituency that has patented new high-strength stainless steel and is seeking assistance from the Government.
Mike Freer
Our new export strategy is a 12-point plan focused on tackling the barriers to trade faced by SMEs. We are opening markets and supporting companies through the export support service, which provides a single point of entry to DIT support for SMEs. This new service will direct businesses to services such as those provided by UK Export Finance, the UK Export Academy and our pilot UK trade show programme. I am happy to connect N'Genius to one of our international trade advisers for further assistance.
Session: British Exports
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the news that she has begun discussions on a new export and investment partnership between the UK and Italy. Does she agree that enhancing our bilateral relationship with Italy will boost export opportunities and investment promotion for our businesses?
Context
The UK has begun discussions on a new export and investment partnership with Italy, one of its close European allies, aiming to enhance bilateral trade opportunities.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting an important G20 discussion that I had last week with the Italian Trade Minister. We launched a UK-Italy dialogue, which will be an opportunity to continue to grow the already substantial £14 billion in exports that we have with Italy and the £30 billion in overall bilateral trade so that we can build those relationships with one of our close European allies.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Support for Bereaved Children
21 May 2024
Responding: David Johnston
Main Concerns
['Mr Carter is concerned about the lack of accurate data on bereaved children in the UK, noting that approximately 46,000 children annually lose a parent. He highlights the unique challenges faced by grieving children and emphasises the importance of providing them with adequate support. Mr Carter also stresses the need for clear pathways to help for young people experiencing loss.']
Specific Asks
["Mr Carter asks the Minister to look into steps that can be taken to ensure data on bereaved children is collected and released, to consider expanding requirements for organisations to inform young people about local and national support services as proposed in Christine Jardine's private Member's Bill, and to outline what further measures are being taken to ensure young people have access to the help they need following a bereavement."]
Timpson Review of School Exclusion — [Graham Stringer in the Chair]
16 September 2021
Responding: Vicky Ford
Main Concerns
['The speaker is concerned about the increasing number of pupils being excluded from mainstream schools, especially those with special educational needs or challenges in their home life. He noted that nearly 100,000 pupils were severely absent last year, missing more than half their education through non-attendance. Additionally, there has been an increase in mental health issues among children, rising from one child in nine to one in six since the pandemic began. The speaker also highlighted issues with unsuitable buildings for alternative provision schools and called for investment in improving facilities.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks the Government to prioritise capital funding for alternative provision settings, publish the special educational needs and disability review promptly, and introduce substantive training on behaviour issues into initial teacher training and the early career framework. He also seeks clarity on when these actions will be implemented.']
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...
BBC Mid-term Charter Review
09 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Proposes the debate on the BBC's mid-term charter review, criticising the lack of a formal debate in Parliament and questioning whether the current system satisfies concerns about impartiality. Emphas...
End of Custody Supervised Licence: Extension
08 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Spending
24 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Sub-postmasters Miscarriages of Justice Act (England and Wales) - Clause 1
20 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill will quash convictions for those affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal in England and Wales, aiming to right past wrongs by restoring good names automatically upon Royal Assent. It incl...
Post Office Horizon Scandal
22 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
NHS Dentistry: Recovery and Reform
07 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Telegraph Media Group: Proposed Sale to RedBird IMI
30 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance Bill - Various clauses supporting British business and simplifying tax system
13 December 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Finance Bill supports British businesses by incentivising investment, cutting taxes, improving the tax system's efficiency and fairness, and backing innovative growth. The Bill includes measures s...
Sentencing Bill - Second Reading (General Discussion of the Bill)
06 December 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Sentencing Bill aims to protect public by ensuring dangerous offenders serve longer sentences and imposing whole-life orders for certain crimes. The bill addresses mandatory release halfway points...
8
PMQs Asked
64
Ministerial Questions Asked
152
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+119% above average
This MP:
8
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+377% above average
This MP:
64
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3028% above average
This MP:
152
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
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 Andy Carter's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.