Anneliese Dodds
MP for Oxford East
Labour (Co-op)
8 Jun 2017 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Will the Prime Minister be raising the Sudan crisis at the G7, because it must be raised at every international gathering? Is the UK advocating for countries such as Chad to be included in international talks?
Context
The Foreign Secretary visited Chad, which is dealing with a significant refugee crisis.
Yvette Cooper
I welcome my right hon. Friend visiting Chad and raising this issue, and I assure her that I have already raised it as part of the G7, when the G7 Foreign Ministers had a significant discussion.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
I am very grateful to the Minister's Department for its work with me on unblocking a major housing scheme in my constituency. The Minister rightly mentions challenges with the BSR and major health facilities. I am pleased to hear what she says, but will she work as closely as possible with the Department of Health and Social Care? We need new NHS buildings to be built, just as we need new homes to be built.
Context
The MP is grateful for the Minister's assistance with a major housing scheme but highlights ongoing issues related to the Building Safety Regulator and critical health facilities. She seeks assurance that collaboration will continue.
Samantha Dixon
I am sorry to hear about the delays and problems in my right hon. Friend's constituency and I want to reassure her that we are taking serious action on that particular matter. I will work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as the BSR, to try to improve the situation for her.
Session: Building Safety Regulator Critical Infrastructure
View All Questions -->
What recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of the time taken by the Building Safety Regulator on critical infrastructure such as hospitals?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the time taken by the Building Safety Regulator to assess and approve safety measures in construction projects, specifically those involving critical infrastructure like hospitals.
Samantha Dixon
We are working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to ensure that the Building Safety Regulator supports the delivery of critical NHS infrastructure. This includes introducing a dedicated team within the BSR focused on hospitals and producing targeted guidance for NHS trusts.
Session: Building Safety Regulator Critical Infrastructure
View All Questions -->
The AI Security Institute’s pre-release analysis of AI models did not prevent Grok’s production of over 3 million sexualised images. Even Steve Bannon, of all people, is now calling for mandatory pre-release vetting of AI models, so has the time come for the UK to review our voluntary approach?
Kanishka Narayan
I thank my right hon. Friend for raising this topic, and for her deep expertise. On Grok, she will be aware that the regulatory and legal context made a number of those instances illegal. We will continue to enforce the law very robustly, and of course we have ongoing conversations on further policy.
Session: Artificial Intelligence
View All Questions -->
On Sudan and the failing international response, will the Foreign Secretary consider further economic measures and sanctions, including against the nationals of the countries that support the belligerents? Will she encourage the Prime Minister to prioritise Sudan in his international engagements so he can show the leadership that she has shown?
Yvette Cooper
I can assure my right hon. Friend that we are continuing to raise matter this as well. We assess that around a dozen countries are providing different kinds of arms flow support to the warring parties. That is an extremely serious concern and we are raising it with a range of countries. We also continue to look at the issue of sanctions.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
After many years of the Oxford magistrates court being in a terrible state, I am relieved that the leaks and other faults are finally being repaired. It is obviously harder to recruit and retain magistrates if they are serving in unacceptable conditions, so I am grateful that this is being sorted out, and grateful for the measures that the Secretary of State has announced about recruitment. Will he let the House know what he is doing around retention, because surely that is very important as well?
Context
The leaks and other faults in Oxford Magistrates Court were causing issues that made it harder to recruit and retain magistrates. The court's maintenance backlog was previously a significant issue, impacting recruitment and retention.
David Lammy (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
My right hon. Friend is right; there was historical underfunding, which sadly left our courts with a £1.3 billion maintenance backlog. We increased the capital maintenance budget this year to deal with the problems that we inherited in our courts. She is right: magistrates are key. They are the cornerstone of our lay system, with 90% of criminal cases passing through the magistrates courts. We will be recruiting more, but streamlining the system and supporting magistrates with training is also key to retention, and we will invest in that as well.
Session: Magistrate Recruitment
View All Questions -->
What measures have the UK Government been taking to ensure that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North, as well as the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese armed forces, protect civilians and allow aid through?
Context
The International Criminal Court’s deputy chief prosecutor stated that atrocities in Sudan would be repeated unless there is an end to impunity for belligerents.
Yvette Cooper
We have engaged extensively with the UN Secretary-General about further action. We need a ceasefire, an end to violence, and protection for civilians along with aid access.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
What representations has she made about the need to protect these brave volunteers who are directly targeted with each change of control?
Context
The humanitarian organisations providing aid have been targeted by all warring parties, despite being strictly neutral.
Yvette Cooper
We will continue to speak up for Sudanese and other aid workers. The bravery shown by these volunteers means they themselves are directly targeted; they described how, with each change of control, they end up getting targeted again by the warring party that has taken control of the area.
Session: Sudan Ceasefire
View All Questions -->
When will the Secretary of State announce the arrangements for the structures fund, so that my area can apply for funding for the Kennington bridge project?
Context
The structures fund announced in June will help deliver transport infrastructure upgrades effectively. The repair and enhancement of Kennington bridge could support the Oxford flood alleviation scheme.
The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
My right hon. Friend is completely right to highlight the importance of the structures fund. There are bridges, flyovers and tunnels across the country where the local authority with responsibility for the structure is simply unable to meet the whole cost of repairing it. I intend in the new year to set out more details about the £1 billion fund, which will enable both the repair of structures and enhancements to our local road network.
Session: Transport Infrastructure Upgrades
View All Questions -->
As penholder at the UN Security Council for both Sudan and the protection of civilians, will she call an emergency session of the Security Council focused on the protection of terrified civilians in Darfur given recent events? She also talked about the Quad before these events. Will she push every country in the Quad—the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE—to act now to prevent further massacres?
Context
Following the fall of El Fasher, there are grave concerns about atrocities in Sudan, including sexual violence and ethnic cleansing. The UK is the penholder at the UN Security Council for both Sudan and protection of civilians.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)
I agree with my right hon. Friend that Sudan, the escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis must be on the agenda for the Security Council. We are pressing for that meeting to take place as soon as possible, and to ensure that the protection of civilians is at its heart. There was already a humanitarian crisis in Sudan before the escalation, with huge numbers of people at risk of famine. I also agree on the urgent need to press all parties to cease violence and allow humanitarian aid through.
Session: Sudan
View All Questions -->
The Minister referred to Labour's Equality Act, which of course includes protections against dual discrimination, but the Conservatives have refused to enact those protections. Labour would put that right. We would also require large businesses to produce menopause action plans, which the Government have refused to do, and we would also publish guidance for smaller businesses. We would set a new investment target for women-led start-ups, and we would transform the rights of women at work with a new deal for working people. The Minister for Women and Equalities has suggested, of course, that menopause at work is a left-wing issue. Does this Minister agree?
Context
The MP discusses Labour's approach to menopause at work, including large businesses producing action plans and setting investment targets for women-led start-ups. The context involves a discussion about the political stance on this issue.
Maria Caulfield
The shadow Minister fails to mention the Help to Grow portal, which has a menopause resource hub that enables employers to use that information to better support women in the workplace, whether with flexible working—under laws that this Conservative Government have introduced—or through simple measures such as recognising that even the uniform a woman wears in the workplace can make a difference. This Conservative Government have raised the bar on menopause health and support in the workplace and in healthcare, while Labour for many years could not even define what a woman actually is.
Session: Menopause Workplace Support
View All Questions -->
Research shows that one in 10 women with menopausal symptoms have left work due to a lack of support. In some cases, this will have been due to discrimination. Women experiencing menopause know that this is because of their age and sex, but the law does not protect them on that combined basis. Why not?
Context
Research indicates that one in ten women leave work due to a lack of support during the menopausal period, often involving age and sex discrimination. The MP raises the issue of legal protections.
Maria Caulfield
The Equality Act 2010 already protects women on the basis of sex, age and disability. It is this Government who are changing the experience of menopause by rolling out women's health hubs in every integrated care board across England, so that women can access menopause support. We also have our hormone replacement therapy prepayment certificate, which is available for just under £20 a year for women to get all their HRT prescriptions. Over half a million women in England have bought one of those certificates.
Session: Menopause Workplace Support
View All Questions -->
It is important that we do not trade abuse about these very serious issues. Where there are issues with political parties, rather than laughing about them, we should take action. The Labour party did after the EHRC investigation. Sadly, the Conservatives have not acted to develop a definition of anti-Muslim hatred. A definition was promised and an adviser was appointed to develop one five years ago but today there is still no definition. There is no adviser now, no active working group, no hate crime strategy, and minimal action on tackling online hate. When are the Government going to wake up to this problem?
Context
Lack of definition and strategy for tackling anti-Muslim hatred.
Felicity Buchan
As I said, this Government are completely committed to supporting our Muslim communities. We have said that we will appoint an independent adviser. We have made more money available to protect mosques and Muslim faith schools. I am visiting my local mosque, al-Manaar, this afternoon/early evening to attend an Iftar.
Session: Islamophobia Definition
View All Questions -->
A senior Conservative who went on to become Prime Minister said that Muslim women “look like letter boxes”. A Conservative candidate for London Mayor said she wants to defeat her Muslim opponent to make things safer “for our Jewish community”. A former Conservative deputy chairman said that Islamists have “got control” of the Mayor of London. Are those incidents of anti-Muslim hatred the kind of incidents that the Minister just said will not be tolerated?
Context
Examples of derogatory statements towards Muslims by Conservatives.
Felicity Buchan
We have made it very clear that a number of these comments we just do not accept—we think they are wrong—but before the hon. Lady throws abuse at Conservative Members, she should take a look at what is happening on the Labour Benches. Hers is the only party that has been sanctioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission for institutional racism.
Session: Islamophobia Definition
View All Questions -->
There is no accountability for the failures being felt so acutely by so many people who, frankly, do not have much time left to see justice. The Windrush generation and their families helped to build our NHS, but today we see big inequalities in health outcomes. Labour's race equality Act would include a target to close the appalling maternal mortality gap for black and Asian women. It seems another nine months have passed since the maternity disparities taskforce last met—is that because the Minister for Women and Equalities thinks this is another of her alleged fake problems?
Context
Nine months have passed since the last meeting of the maternity disparities taskforce. The questioner expresses concern about delays and lack of accountability.
Laura Farris
I say to the hon. Lady that that is not accepted. In fact, the Health Secretary made an announcement on maternal services this week; I think it would be appropriate to refer to my colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care, and then I will write to the hon. Lady on this point.
Session: Windrush Compensation Scheme
View All Questions -->
The Conservatives have failed the Windrush generation twice now: first by denying their rights as British citizens, and secondly by delaying their compensation, as we have just heard again. Labour would sort out the compensation scheme, re-establish the major change programme and Windrush unit scrapped by the Conservatives and appoint a Windrush commissioner to ensure that this kind of scandal never happens again. What is the Government's plan here?
Context
The Conservatives are accused of failing Windrush victims twice: denying their rights as British citizens and delaying compensation.
Laura Farris
I find it difficult to accept that a scheme is failing when more than 80% of claims have now received a final decision, and more than 90% have either received a final decision or are less than six months old. So I disagree with that. I think it was suggested that we should take the scheme out of the Home Office—perhaps that is Labour's proposal. I remind the hon. Lady that Martin Levermore, the independent adviser to the Windrush scheme, supported the scheme remaining in the Home Office in his most recent report, published in March 2022.
Session: Windrush Compensation Scheme
View All Questions -->
Police-recorded sexual orientation hate crime has increased by more than 70% in the last five years, and more than a third of all hate crimes are now “violence against the person” offences. I know that the Minister cares deeply about this subject, so can he please explain why his Government do not agree with Labour or with the Law Commission that every violent act of hatred should be punished in the same way—as an aggravated offence?
Context
Hate crimes against LGBT people are increasing, with more than a third being 'violence against the person' offences. The questioner highlights a specific case of an attack on Michael Smith.
Stuart Andrew
Let me say to the hon. Lady that as someone who was hospitalised after being attacked because of my sexuality, I know how difficult that is. It is not just the attack that is painful but what is left afterwards. I will continue to raise each of these issues, but I want to make this point. I keep hearing that we do not care about LGBT issues. It was this Government who introduced same-sex marriage, and it was this Government who introduced it in Northern Ireland. It was this Government who introduced Turing's law in 2017.
Session: LGBT People
View All Questions -->
Almost 2,000 days have passed since the Government first promised to ban conversion therapy, and 533 days have passed since a conversion therapy Bill was promised in the last Queen's Speech. The delays are not this Minister's responsibility; according to the press, they are a result of differing views on the Government Front Bench, but because of that there is still no Bill. Can the Minister tell the House whether the next King's Speech will include a commitment to a full, loophole-free ban on LGBT conversion therapy—yes or no?
Context
The Government has promised a Bill to ban conversion therapy but it is yet to be introduced, leading to delays.
Stuart Andrew
I should have thought the hon. Lady would know that no one ever makes announcements about what is in the King's Speech ahead of His Majesty's delivery of that speech.
Session: LGBT People
View All Questions -->
Does the Minister think LGBT people can consent to abuse, and if not, will he remove the loophole so every LGBT person is protected?
Context
The Government's consultation on banning conversion practices suggested a 'consent loophole' that would allow some practitioners to continue operating.
Stuart Andrew
I respectfully say to the hon. Lady that she has not seen the Bill yet, so it is a bit early to make those comments. This is exactly why we are making sure that a Joint Committee of both Houses looks at the Bill; it is a very complex piece of legislation.
Session: Conversion Practices Legislative Ban
View All Questions -->
Given the five-year wait since the Government first promised a ban on conversion practices, how many more days, weeks, months, or even years must LGBT people wait?
Context
The Government promised to ban conversion therapy over five years ago and there has been significant delay.
Stuart Andrew
I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave a moment ago.
Session: Conversion Practices Legislative Ban
View All Questions -->
The questioner criticises the prolonged delay in providing guidance and accuses the Government of failing LGBT+ people due to internal conflicts. She asks for an apology from the Minister.
Context
The question is prompted by over a year of delays in delivering guidance to schools, amidst internal government battles and the collapse of the LGBT action plan.
Nick Gibb
The Minister asserts that despite varied views, the Government is determined to publish high-quality guidance for schools soon. He promises a full public consultation to consider all expressed opinions.
Session: Trans and Non-binary Children
View All Questions -->
Schools, parents, and pupils are frustrated with conflicting newspaper rumours about the Government's plans. The questioner asks if the delay is due to disagreements between Ministers regarding these plans.
Context
The question arises from conflicting rumours and delays in the government's plan, affecting parents, pupils, and schools seeking clarity.
Nick Gibb
The Minister denies disagreements and states they are closely consulting experts on drafting comprehensive guidance. He asserts the guidance is being drafted for public consultation shortly.
Session: Trans and Non-binary Children
View All Questions -->
Why has the Government let nine months pass between meetings of the taskforce on maternity services? Why were continuity of carer targets and serious action against maternal disparities omitted from their women's health strategy?
Context
The taskforce did not meet for nine months, then convened a day after a damning report was published. The Minister omitted serious action against maternal disparities from the women's health strategy.
Maria Caulfield
The Government do not need to have a meeting to take action. We are working night and day to drive down these disparities, with £165 million going into funding maternity services overall. There is £95 million to pay for 1,200 more midwives and another 100 consultant obstetricians. I am sure the hon. Lady has read, page to page, the three-year maternity plan—
Session: Maternal Health Disparities
View All Questions -->
My understanding is that the figure for the black maternal mortality gap is actually 3.7, and that the gap is twice as likely to affect Asian women, while women living in deprived areas are two and a half times more likely to die than those in the least deprived areas. Scandalously, even before the pandemic hit, the number of maternal mortalities increased by 12% over the previous six years of Tory government. As the Minister said, the maternity disparities taskforce was supposed to be tackling this. May I ask her how many months elapsed between its last two meetings?
Context
The question addresses the higher likelihood of maternal mortalities among black women, Asian women, and those living in deprived areas. The increase during Tory government has been highlighted as a concern.
Maria Caulfield
We absolutely recognise that these disparities have existed for decades, and we are the first Government ever to recognise that and to set up a maternity disparities taskforce to tackle the problems. We met on 18 April, and have set about introducing the toolkit that will enable us to look at pre-conception care.
Session: Maternal Health Disparities
View All Questions -->
As I highlighted to the Leader of the House last week, the gender pay gap between women and men currently sits at nearly 15%. We know that women are not a homogenous group, so that gap will vary further based on intersecting characteristics, including ethnicity and disability status. Will the Minister, in line with the theme for this International Women's Day, embrace equity by mandating gender pay gap reporting and action plans for all employers, as well as introducing ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting requirements?
Context
The MP highlights the current gender pay gap of nearly 15% and the varying impacts based on ethnicity and disability status. She asks for mandatory reporting and action plans.
Maria Caulfield
As I set out, this Government in 2017 set out world-leading regulations requiring larger employers to publish their average salaries, but that does not stop other employers from doing the same. We would have to pass new regulations to reduce that threshold and change the Equality Act 2010, but we are seeing all employers wanting to reduce the gender pay gap, and we are leading the way in government, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Work and Pensions having eliminated that gap in their Departments.
Session: Gender Pay Gap
View All Questions -->
No apology, then, for that increase in the gender pay gap over recent years, and no real action, it seems. Other figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the gender pay gap for women in their 50s and 60s is nearly four times higher than it is for those in their 30s. Some 185,000 women aged between 50 and 64 have also left the workforce since 2020, at a cost of £7 billion to our economy. Will the Minister back Labour's proposal for larger companies to publish menopause action plans to support women to stay in work, boost productivity and grow our economy, or will that action to support working women again just be dismissed as left-wing?
Context
The question highlights that the gender pay gap is nearly four times higher for women aged between 50 and 64 compared to those in their 30s. It also notes an economic cost of £7 billion due to women leaving the workforce.
Maria Caulfield
I am pleased that the Labour party is getting with the programme—that it can actually define what a woman is, for a start. We will not take any lectures from the Labour party; perhaps it needs to get its own house in order before lecturing the rest of the country, because according to The Daily Telegraph in January, the Labour party paid its black workers 9% less than its white workers. It absolutely needs to get its own house in order.
Session: Gender Pay Gap
View All Questions -->
If she will hold discussions with her Cabinet colleagues on NHS waiting lists for gynaecological care. Some vaginal mesh-injured women have been left waiting four years for mesh removal, and I have already highlighted women's concerns that the surgeons they go to for mesh removal are trained only in implanting the mesh and not in removing it. These women fear that, once again, they are being used as test subjects. When will mesh-injured women get the redress that was recommended in Baroness Cumberlege's review, “First Do No Harm”?
Context
Concerns about long wait times for vaginal mesh removal.
Maria Caulfield
Tackling NHS waiting lists, including for gynaecology, is a priority for the Government, which is why we are spending £8 billion on clearing our backlog. For gynae procedures specifically, we have opened 90 surgical hubs, 90 community diagnostic centres and women's health hubs, which will all help to tackle gynaecology backlogs. I thank the hon. Lady for her work in this space. I recognise that while we have set up nine specialist mesh centres to tackle mesh removal and seen a number of women come forward and receive their surgery, there are still a number on the waiting list. I am meeting some of the campaigners on mesh removal next week.
Session: Gynaecological Care Waiting Lists
View All Questions -->
I regret that the Minister did not directly answer my question—perhaps it was because she is aware of the appalling scale of the backlog. As of October last year, 38,000 women had been waiting over a year for treatment. That is 2,500 times more than 10 years ago. On top of that, less than half of women are up to date with cervical screening in some areas. Do women suffering in pain now just have to accept long waiting times and low screening rates under the Conservatives?
Context
Significant increase in the number of women waiting over a year for gynaecological treatment, with low cervical screening rates.
Maria Caulfield
Isn't it sad that this is turning into a political football, when there are clinical reasons why backlogs have accumulated over the two years? Perhaps the shadow Minister will look at Wales, where Labour has been in charge for 20 years and where the performance is worse than in England.
Session: Gynaecological Care Waiting Lists
View All Questions -->
She asks why the Government will not introduce three measures: specialist rape courts, rape and domestic abuse specialists in every police force, and the domestic violence register.
Context
Following White Ribbon day, the questioner highlights that only 1.5% of reported rape and sexual violence offences resulted in a conviction last year.
Sarah Dines
The Government have undertaken a committed review of that area, including no adult rape crime victim left without a phone for more than 24 hours. The Minister expects all courts to deal with rape properly.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
View All Questions -->
Although FIFA's capitulation over the One Love armband has been shameful, the least that our LGBT+ fans could expect from our Government is advice and support when travelling to matches
Context
Qatar's poor record on LGBT+ rights, women's rights and the treatment of migrant workers means that it should not have been awarded the World cup. There is no specific advice from the Foreign Office or Government Equalities Office for LGBT+ fans.
David Rutley
Qatar has repeatedly committed that everybody is welcome at the tournament. As colleagues are aware, the Minister with responsibility for sports and equalities—my right hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew)—is in Qatar, and I fully respect his decision to wear the One Love armband.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Given that women need 12 times the average annual salary to buy a home and real-terms wages have dropped by nearly £600 since 2010, how does the Government's 'unicorn factory' characterization align with reality for working women?
Context
The MP expressed disappointment over the government's response to previous questions. She cited recent statistics showing women needing multiple years' worth of salaries to buy homes, alongside plummeting real-term wages.
Claire Coutinho
I completely dispute that characterisation. We have taken comprehensive steps to support people financially, including an energy price cap and increased national living wage. These steps help with finances and we will continue such efforts.
Session: Cost of Living Women in the Workplace
View All Questions -->
A moment ago, the Minister mentioned statistics on hate crime but not those showing that violent hate crime is six times higher than it was 10 years ago. What are the Government going to do about this?
Context
Violent hate crime has increased sixfold over a decade, and religiously motivated incidents are at an all-time high.
Mims Davies
The hon. Lady knows that we have some of the strongest legislation to tackle everything mentioned, including religious hate crime. Over the past six years, 323 grants totalling around £8 million have been awarded under the places of worship protective security funding scheme regarding religious hate crime.
Session: Hate Crime
View All Questions -->
What impact has the 'going for growth' strategy had on women's finances in light of last month's mini-Budget?
Context
The MP questioned the impact of the government's economic growth strategy, which was described as bold but risky. She cited recent statistics showing financial struggles for women.
Claire Coutinho
We have provided lots of cost of living support for families, particularly for women. We will write to the hon. Lady further about the issue.
Session: Cost of Living Women in the Workplace
View All Questions -->
How does the Minister explain the reduction in average real pay for full-time women workers?
Context
The government's economic policies are causing a significant decline in real pay for full-time female workers, with an expected fall of £670 by next April.
Alan Mak
There are more people in employment and on payrolls than pre-pandemic levels, and women are driving that growth in our economy. The support programme this Government have introduced is helping women back into work, and I hope that will benefit the hon. Lady's constituents as well as mine.
Session: Cost of Living People with Protected Characteristics
View All Questions -->
What specific plans does the Minister have to halt the decline in women's employment?
Context
The Resolution Foundation report highlights a decline in women's employment since the pandemic, with 115,000 fewer women employed compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Alan Mak
The Resolution Foundation has actually praised this Government's handling of the cost of living pressures. The cost of living support package, totalling £37 billion this year, is in line with our international competitors and more generous than France, Germany and Japan.
Session: Cost of Living People with Protected Characteristics
View All Questions -->
Does the Minister agree that her Government have levelled women down, with women's real wages now £226 less per year than when Labour left office?
Context
The question follows a discussion on the government's levelling-up agenda, shifting focus to women's real wages and the gender pay gap.
Elizabeth Truss
I do not agree with that at all. We are entirely focused on tackling the causes of the gender pay gap by making it easier for people to afford childcare, normalising flexible working and helping women to get into the top jobs, particularly in areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics where they can earn more money.
Session: Levelling Up
View All Questions -->
The Minister for Women and Equalities has just lauded her Government's social mobility tsar. Does the Minister for Higher and Further Education agree with that tsar that “physics isn't something that girls tend to fancy…There's a lot of hard maths in there”? If not, will she condemn those remarks and others that put girls and women off careers in STEM because of, to use the words of the Minister for Women and Equalities, the “soft bigotry of low expectations”?
Context
The Minister for Women and Equalities made a statement suggesting that girls do not tend to fancy physics due to the heavy math content, which implies a negative view of women's potential in STEM fields.
Michelle Donelan
Conservative Members believe in free speech and the right to have a view, but of course we want all people to aspire to go into their chosen careers, including in STEM.
Session: Women in STEM Apprenticeships
View All Questions -->
Why is her Government still refusing to impose a windfall tax to reduce bills for everyone, providing up to £600 for households affected by high energy costs?
Context
The Women's Budget Group has highlighted that the Government's policies have taken £28 billion from the pockets of women over six years.
Kemi Badenoch
I simply do not recognise the figures that the hon. Lady is putting forward; it is not right to say that we are taking money out of the pockets of women. We have put forward a spring statement and a financial package that is looking after the interests of everyone in this country, because we look after people irrespective of their sex, gender, race; we look at people based on socioeconomic characteristics in particular and those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
What assessment has the Government made of the financial impact of the Chancellor's autumn Budget last year and his spring statement last week on women?
Context
Women are disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis, cutting essentials for themselves so that their kids do not go without.
Kemi Badenoch
The Treasury looks at all impacts in the round, and the financial statement the Chancellor announced last week would have had an equalities impact assessment, which would have taken into account all the various measures and their impact, based on protected characteristics.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
I have been listening to police forces, their officers, and victims about violence against women. Next week marks a year since Sarah Everard's kidnap and murder. Despite this, sexual offences and rape have hit record highs, while prosecutions have fallen to record lows. We must treat violence against women as seriously as terrorism or organised crime. Will the Government make violence against women and girls a strategic policing requirement?
Context
Sarah Everard's kidnap and murder occurred a year ago, highlighting the need for action on violence against women. Sexual offences have reached record highs while prosecutions are at record lows.
Rachel Maclean
There is agreement across the House on dealing with violence against women and girls. We have allocated record sums to tackle these crimes. The measures mentioned are under consideration, and more information will be provided shortly.
Session: Sexual Offences
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Rewiring the State
02 September 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Prime Minister has set out priorities to address 40 years of overly centralised decision making and over-privatisation, which have stripped power and resources away from communities. The Governmen...
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill - New Clause 116
02 September 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I propose New Clause 116 to introduce a cap on donations from overseas contributors to political parties and candidates. This measure is necessary to ensure the integrity of our democratic process and...
National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation
30 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Sudan
25 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Social Media Ban for Under-16s
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Russian Shadow Fleet
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Criticises the Government's energy policy, particularly the ban on new oil and gas licences. Emphasises the negative impact of these policies on Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland, and UK economic s...
Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
25 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Opposition Day
24 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Sudan 2026-02-05
05 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
60.2%
59 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
23
23.5% of votes
No Votes
36
36.7% of votes
Abstentions
39
39.8% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
0
PMQs Asked
65
Ministerial Questions Asked
80
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
5
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 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+385% above average
This MP:
65
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1546% above average
This MP:
80
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-47% below average
This MP:
5
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-13% below average
This MP:
60.2
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 Anneliese Dodds's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.