Anne Marie Morris
MP for Newton Abbot
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
In December last year, LINK conducted research about the acceptance of cash. It found that nearly half—45%—of people have been somewhere where cash has not been accepted or has been discouraged, and 49% of people said being unable or being discouraged to pay in cash was inconvenient. Will the Prime Minister look again at the Financial Services and Markets Bill, when it comes back from the other place, and ensure that any entity providing a public service directly to the public, involving payments or a charge, must accept cash?
Context
The MP cited LINK research showing nearly half of people have been somewhere where cash has not been accepted or discouraged, and 49% found it inconvenient.
Rishi Sunak
We know that cash continues to be used by millions of people, particularly those in vulnerable groups. That is why the Financial Services and Markets Bill will, for the first ever time, protect people's access to cash in UK law. The Bill also supports businesses that continue to accept cash by ensuring reasonable access to deposit facilities.
Assessment
Did not ensure entities must accept cash under FMSB
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Is there a national strategy and plan to increase water catchment capacity and enable cross-water company transfers to match regional demand?
Context
Reservoirs and desalination plants are needed for water security, but their implementation is limited by geography.
Rishi Sunak
Water companies publish management plans showing how they will secure supply, and consultations are ongoing. Close collaboration with South West Water is ensuring precautionary measures against potential shortages this year.
Assessment
National strategy for increasing water catchment capacity
Ongoing Consultation
Localised Action
Session: PMQs
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At Prime Minister's Question Time on 4 February 2015, David Cameron said he was determined to do whatever it took to fix the Dawlish railway line—the only route to the south-west. Phase 4 risks losing part of its agreed funding, while phase 5 has fallen foul of a 10-year moratorium on new funding. The line is only as resilient as its weakest link. Will the Prime Minister commit to getting this resilience programme back on track and fully funded?
Context
The MP referenced a previous Prime Minister's commitment to improving the Dawlish railway line and questioned its current funding status.
Rishi Sunak
We are committed to improving the resilience of this iconic stretch of railway, which provides a vital link for people in the south-west. That is why, to date, we have invested more than £165 million in delivering solutions to protect the line. Network Rail continues to develop the case for further investment, and my hon. Friend will be keen to feed into that.
Session: PMQs
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Investors need certainty and the British people need access to more medicines. The growth cap in the voluntary pricing agreement (VPAS) for branded medicines between the pharmaceutical industry and Government makes the size of the medicines rebate unpredictable. Will the Minister remove the growth gap from the 2024 VPAS for branded medicines pricing and access, to supercharge investment that is currently leaking to Germany and Ireland?
Context
The growth cap in the voluntary pricing agreement (VPAS) between the pharmaceutical industry and Government makes the size of the medicines rebate unpredictable, leading to uncertainty among investors. This affects UK investment compared to other countries like Germany and Ireland.
Will Quince
I can certainly ensure the House that we are seeking a mutually beneficial voluntary scheme that supports patient outcomes, a strong life sciences industry and a financially sustainable NHS. We have been working directly with industry to understand the impact of changes to VPAS on investments into the UK life sciences sector, and we remain firmly committed to VPAS, which, it is important to say, has saved the NHS billions of pounds and saved millions of lives by supporting patients with life-threatening conditions and giving them rapid access to new medicines.
Session: Topical Questions
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In terms of district nursing and community midwifery, is the Minister aware that there are real security concerns about entering homes alone, and that that plays into resignations in many rural areas? Will he address that by providing security devices so that rural, isolated nurses and staff know that they are not alone and are safe?
Context
There are real security concerns about entering homes alone, leading to resignations in many rural areas.
Will Quince
The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point. It is not something that has come across my desk in the two days I have had this portfolio, but I will of course meet local integrated care system leaders, and if it is something they are calling for, I will look to see what we can do to assist.
Session: Workforce Shortages Rural Areas
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In Devon, workforce shortages are acute. One in 10 nursing places remains unfilled, one in eight mental health roles across the south-west is vacant, and there are no dental practices taking on new NHS patients. That gap is too big to be bridged through current training and recruitment plans. Will the Minister create as a matter of urgency an innovative new career pathway, reducing the time to get new staff to the frontline?
Context
Workforce shortages are acute in Devon, with one in ten nursing positions unfilled and significant vacancies in mental health roles. Additionally, there is a gap between current training plans and actual needs.
Will Quince
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. She is a passionate campaigner on this issue. I recently responded to a debate on this issue led by her. We have developed an apprenticeship route for almost all professions in our NHS, allowing people to join the health and care sector immediately on an earn-as-you-learn basis. We continue to work hard to develop pathways into health and care professions, including via our groundbreaking blended online learning programmes.
Session: Workforce Shortages Rural Areas
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The Minister will be aware that I have highlighted the challenge for rural areas in developing a workforce plan. What steps has he taken to implement any of those recommendations to improve conditions in rural areas?
Context
MP highlighted challenges for rural areas in workforce development and asked about the implementation of recommendations.
Edward Argar
The Minister acknowledges challenges in remote and rural communities. HEE work and the subsequent workforce framework will look at different geographies, including those facing specific challenges.
Session: NHS Workforce Planning
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Will the Minister consider a new round of funding for the arts and entertainment industry that Pavilions might apply for?
Context
Pavilions did not apply for the initial round of funding due to its financial stability but is now struggling due to reduced business.
Caroline Dinenage
£258 million of the cultural recovery fund has been held back to offer further support based on evidenced need later in the financial year. Organisations can also take advantage of business grant and loan schemes, as well as the furlough scheme.
Session: Entertainment Venues Covid-19 Support
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What steps is the government taking to support entertainment venues that cannot operate because of local covid-19 restrictions?
Context
Local entertainment venues are facing difficulties due to ongoing covid-19 measures.
Caroline Dinenage
We are continually engaging with the entertainment sector about ongoing challenges and our £1.57 billion cultural recovery fund is helping preserve museums, music venues, cinemas, and theatres across the country.
Session: Entertainment Venues Covid-19 Support
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As the Minister will know, the particular problem in rural areas is that need is not just unmet, but unseen. What steps has the Minister taken, or what does she have in mind, to fix the situation and find that need so that it can be met?
Context
Rural communities face unique challenges due to low population density, which can make it difficult for needs to be identified.
Caroline Dinenage
My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to rural sparsity and the challenges facing rural communities. We are committed to undertake a review of relative needs and resources, which will be a thorough evidence-based review of the costs facing all authorities, including how factors such as rurality, sparsity and other geographical features affect the cost of delivering services across the country.
Session: Adult Social Care
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Branded Medicines Voluntary Scheme and the Life Sciences Vision
03 May 2023
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
["The current voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access (VPAS) is too restrictive, leading to a decline in pharmaceutical research investment in the UK. The global share of R&D has fallen from 4.9% in 2012 to 3.3% in 2020, with initiated industry clinical trials decreasing by 41% between 2017 and 2021. The scheme's current rebasing formula is uncertain, creating difficulties for budgeting and deterring investment."]
Specific Asks
['The Government should consider increasing the cap on medicine spending growth to provide more headroom for pharmaceutical companies, simplify regulatory processes, and ensure that a significant portion of the rebate funds goes towards clinical research and genomics. A fairer relationship between industry and government is needed, with key performance indicators and deliverables for both sides.']
Rural Healthcare
12 October 2022
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
['The number of people living in rural settings is significant—9.7 million people live in rural England—and they have unique needs that are not adequately addressed by the current one-size-fits-all approach. Rural areas face longer ambulance response times, recruitment challenges for healthcare professionals, inadequate funding formulas, and insufficient adult social care discharge funds. There is also a need to review different pathways for heart, cancer, and stroke treatment in rural communities.']
Specific Asks
['The government should recognise that rural healthcare provision is distinct from urban areas and needs tailored solutions. This includes improving the recruitment of healthcare professionals through shorter training courses and better integration of emergency response services across police, fire, ambulance, and first responders. Proper funding to address specific rural challenges and integrating care pathways are also necessary.']
Teignmouth Hospital
09 March 2021
Responding: Edward Argar
Main Concerns
['The hospital in my constituency has been slowly closed through a series of decisions made by the local clinical commissioning group. In 2014, they decided to look at reconfiguration, and subsequent consultations led to the removal of two wards, cancellation of promised rehabilitation beds, and plans for relocating outpatient clinics to Dawlish. The proposal fails to consider adequate evidence on patient experience, domiciliary care provision, and does not take into account post-COVID needs. Additionally, it assumes all intermediate care can be provided at home despite a lack of nursing homes in the area.']
Specific Asks
["I request the Minister and Secretary of State to intervene to stop the closure of Teignmouth Hospital, ensure future closures consider COVID impacts, mandate separate consultations on hospital closures with proper data collection, and instruct the clinical commissioning group to review data on patient experience, Dawlish Hospital's capacity, and adequacy of the new hub at Teignmouth."]
Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life 2025-07-16
16 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government aims to break down barriers to opportunity for children and young people, restore hope to communities after Conservative rule. The Labour Party prioritises early years development as cr...
South West Water: Brixham Contamination
20 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
08 June 2022
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities moves the Second Reading of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill. The Government's aim is to prioritise urban regeneration, use brownf...
Tackling Short-term and Long-term Cost of Living Increases
17 May 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Reminds Members about the importance of attending the debate from start to finish, advises on courtesy during debates, and informs the House that Mr Speaker has selected an amendment by the Leader of ...
Levelling Up
02 February 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Public Health
14 December 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 for approval.
Covid-19 Update
13 December 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
NICE-Approved Products: Patient Access
30 November 2021
General Debate
Led by this MP
Rises to address the issue of access for patients to medicines and medical devices. Explains that when a medicine is approved, it goes through two processes: first with the MHRA for safety and efficac...
Health and Social Care Bill - Schedule 4 - Integrated Care System: Minor and Consequential Amendments
22 November 2021
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to make minor and consequential changes to the Integrated Care System provisions in the Health and Social Care Bill to ensure ...
Ways and Means
28 October 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Labour leader criticises the government's budget, stating that it fails to address low growth, stagnant wages, and high living costs. He emphasises that real wages are set to fall next year due to...
3
PMQs Asked
7
Ministerial Questions Asked
24
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-48% below average
This MP:
7
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+394% above average
This MP:
24
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 (%)
-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 Anne Marie Morris's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.