Antony Higginbotham
MP for Burnley
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The global combat air programme, including Team Tempest, is vital for UK national security. This aircraft will protect UK skies, give RAF the tools it needs for the future, deepen relationships with allies like Japan and Italy. Can I ask the Prime Minister to commit not only to design and development but also production in Lancashire?
Context
The question is prompted by the importance of the UK's national security and aerospace industry, specifically in Lancashire.
Rishi Sunak
I was delighted to announce this landmark international partnership with Japan and Italy. Team Tempest partners already employ 2,500 people in UK, more than 1,200 in the north-west, and we will continue to invest in skills and technology at BAE Systems factory of the future in Lancashire.
Assessment
Specific commitment on production location
Working With Partners
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister work with me to ensure that Burnley becomes the best place for people to study, from primary school to university?
Context
Burnley College has been successful in becoming an institute of technology and the University of Central Lancashire is expanding its campus there.
Boris Johnson
The Government is investing in education across the country. Burnley College has been successful as an institute of technology and UCLan is expanding its campus.
Assessment
Did not commit to specific actions or support for Antony Higginbotham's mission to transform lives through education in Burnley.
General Statement About Investment
Session: PMQs
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Would the Prime Minister join me in wishing local businesses good luck as they reopen? Does he agree we need to create opportunities for them to succeed through initiatives such as the levelling-up fund?
Context
Businesses in Burnley and Padiham have reopened their doors to customers. Local businesses need long-term support, including schemes like the levelling-up fund.
Boris Johnson
We are investing £3.6 million from the getting building fund for Pioneer Place in Burnley, and the high streets taskforce will also help.
Assessment
Did not commit to long-term support beyond current initiatives.
Session: PMQs
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Will you join me in supporting Burnley College's latest expansion plans that include teaching on drone technology, robotics, and clean engines?
Context
Burnley College was recently awarded as the highest achieving college in the country, with strong growth and innovative plans for expansion.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to champion Burnley College and its cutting edge education in technologies of the future. I welcome all the plans that Burnley College has for capital investment to develop its campus.
Session: PMQs
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Considering Iran's ongoing violations of the JCPOA and its threats to UK journalists, what assessment does my right hon. Friend make on whether the JCPOA remains fit for purpose?
Context
Iran is violating the JCPOA and threatening UK journalists, with proxies causing harm in the region.
Andrew Mitchell
Alongside international partners, we are prepared to use all options available, including triggering UN snapback and ending the JCPOA if necessary.
Session: Conflict in Gaza Iran
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What assessment has been made of the implications for policies due to Iran's support for proscribed groups operating in Gaza?
Context
Iran supports Hamas and other proscribed groups, which complicates efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
Andrew Mitchell
Iran's support for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad compromises our efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
Session: Conflict in Gaza Iran
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Could I ask her to go one step further? Perhaps she and even the Secretary of State could visit Burnley General Teaching Hospital in my constituency, meet the trust, and see what more we can do there, partly to reverse the disastrous decision of the last Labour Government to close the A&E there?
Context
The MP seeks a meeting and an official visit from the minister to discuss A&E issues in east Lancashire.
Helen Whately
I commend my hon. Friend and other east Lancashire colleagues for their campaigning on this matter. I look forward to the meeting we are going to have to discuss the performance of his local A&E, and I thank him very much for the invitation to visit.
Session: A&E Waiting Times East Lancashire
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What steps her Department is taking to improve accident and emergency waiting times in east Lancashire?
Context
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust faces A&E waiting time issues. The MP seeks information on actions taken by the Department to address these problems.
Helen Whately
Just over a year ago, we set out a plan to improve urgent and emergency care. At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, 78% of A&E patients in March were seen within four hours. That is 4.5 percentage points better than last year—the biggest year-on-year improvement outside the pandemic since 2010. We are working with the NHS on year 2 of the urgent and emergency care recovery plan.
Session: A&E Waiting Times East Lancashire
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What more can be done to help those people, especially through joining up Departments for areas with structural problems like Burnley?
Context
The Member highlights Burnley and Padiham's potential as a manufacturing powerhouse but notes stubborn levels of economic inactivity among people who could contribute to economic growth.
Mel Stride
The Government has announced a doubling of universal support and WorkWell services, along with fit note system reforms. Economic inactivity is down by 268,000 on the year, a reduction of over half since its peak during the pandemic.
Session: Ill Health Economic Inactivity
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What steps are being taken by the Department to reduce labour inactivity, given that there are significant costs related to an increase in long-term sickness and illness rates?
Context
The Member is concerned about the significant costs related to long-term sickness and illness rates.
Mel Stride
The Government has a £2.5 billion back to work plan aimed at helping 600,000 disabled people and those with health conditions start and stay in work, which has seen economic inactivity reduce by 330,000 since the pandemic peak.
Session: Ill Health Economic Inactivity
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What additional support can be given to Lancashire Constabulary to tackle county lines and bring order back to streets?
Context
The MP highlights the problem of organised groups peddling drugs and exploiting young people in Burnley and across Lancashire, mentioning good work by the enhanced rural policing unit.
James Cleverly
We are investing up to £145 million in the county lines programme, resulting in over 4,700 county lines closed, over 14,800 arrests and over 7,200 safeguard referrals.
Session: Organised Crime
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What steps are being taken to help reduce levels of organised crime, particularly focusing on disrupting criminal gangs' activities and international operations?
Context
The MP is concerned about the growing levels of organised crime in his constituency.
James Cleverly
We will continue to break the business model of organised crime gangs to keep people safe. The Criminal Justice Bill creates new powers targeting organised criminal gangs, and we are disrupting their activities both domestically in the UK and internationally.
Session: Organised Crime
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One day after Hamas's brutal massacre in Israel, a student at the University of Manchester spoke of being full of “pride and joy” at a once-in-a-lifetime experience—not only a disgusting comment but one that points to possible extremism in our university campuses. Far too many think that there are no consequences for spreading such hate in our educational settings, so will my right hon. Friend set out what the real consequences are?
Context
A student at the University of Manchester made a statement expressing pride and joy after Hamas's attack in Israel, raising concerns about possible extremism on university campuses.
Robert Halfon (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con)
I mentioned previously that unfortunately, we have some of Hamas's useful idiots across our campuses, and we will not stand for it—they represent a fifth column supporting terrorism. We are doing everything possible. The Prevent duty requires higher education providers to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, and we will work with the universities to ensure that they take any extremist activity very seriously.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State set out what community engagement will look like for the £20 million allocated over a decade? Will it be ongoing?
Context
The MP welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of Burnley receiving funds and wanted to know about community engagement in the process.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend is right about Burnley's investment as part of 55 towns' UK-wide decade-long project. We will work with representatives to tackle antisocial behaviour, revive high streets, and ensure pride in Burnley.
Session: Levelling Up across the UK
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What steps are being taken to level up across the whole of the United Kingdom?
Context
The MP asked about steps to level up the United Kingdom.
Michael Gove
Levelling up is a UK-wide project. City and growth deals have been delivered in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; investment zones programme including zones in north-east of Scotland and Glasgow; £4.8 billion through levelling-up fund for projects ranging from Burnley's historic mills to Peterhead's cultural quarter.
Session: Levelling Up across the UK
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Upland farmers in Burnley and Padiham are essential for feeding the population and enhancing the local environment. The questioner seeks details on how recent announcements will benefit these farmers specifically and whether there is a commitment beyond income foregone calculations when designing new schemes.
Context
Upland farmers across Lancashire play a crucial role in food production and environmental conservation, necessitating specific support to ensure their sustainability.
Mark Spencer
Lancashire farmers are acknowledged for their efforts in food production. Increased payment rates for upland farmers have been introduced recently. Through countryside stewardship-plus, additional payments will be made to coordinate actions and tackle climate change alongside supporting nature gains.
Session: Support for Farmers
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What steps are being taken to support farmers. The focus is on addressing the challenges faced by upland farmers in Burnley and Padiham, highlighting their role in food production and environmental enhancement.
Context
The question arises from the need to support British farmers who face various challenges such as income foregone calculations and regulatory burdens.
Mark Spencer
British farmers receive £2.4 billion annually in investment, with updates to application processes based on feedback. Tailored business advice is provided, red tape has been reduced, fair enforcement regimes implemented, and seasonal labor access facilitated. The Shropshire review results are being examined for further improvements. Supply chain fairness is reviewed, and genetic technologies opportunities are explored.
Session: Support for Farmers
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Today, Operation Centurion has started across Lancashire, utilising £2 million from the Government to put more police officers on our streets tackling antisocial behaviour. In my constituency, that means almost 2,500 extra hours of police patrols in Padiham. It will have a major impact, but we can do more. Can I ask the Home Secretary whether the safer streets fund will have another round so that we can make physical changes, as well as getting more officers on the streets?
Context
Operation Centurion started in Lancashire with £2 million from the Government to increase police patrols. It is expected to have a major impact on antisocial behaviour.
Suella Braverman
I am delighted with the progress being made to tackle antisocial behaviour in Burnley and Padiham. As my hon. Friend will know, we have allocated almost £1 million to roll out pilots of ASB hotspot response in 2023-24. A new round of safer streets will be announced soon.
Session: Topical Questions
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Could my right hon. Friend set out what funding is available for a study assessing the viability of adding a westwards slip road at Junction 11 of the M65?
Context
Junction 11 of the M65 does not allow westward traffic, leading to a congested Burnley town centre and limiting economic opportunities.
Jesse Norman
In 2021, National Highways was asked to study possible interventions around the M65 at Colne. The study concluded in 2022 and findings were handed over to Lancashire County Council and Transport for the North.
Session: Topical Questions
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When disabled access requirements were last reviewed? Will my right hon. Friend come to Burnley to meet Joe and talk about this? Will he praise Joe for the work he does?
Context
In Burnley and Padiham, a young man named Joe Skinner has made it his mission to improve disabled access on buses.
Jesse Norman
I thank my hon. Friend for that; he has been a great champion of this cause. I absolutely join him in praising Joe Skinner. Let me also praise Cameron Wood in my constituency, who has been equally hard-working in pressing the case for the improvement of disabled access.
Session: Topical Questions
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It takes some brass neck from a Government whose Prime Minister has two fixed penalty notices to accuse us of moral relativism. In fairness to the Secretary of State, he has had a busy weekend: another week, another promise and another press release—he is at least consistent with that. But I have here a document that reveals that even on his flagship levelling-up policy, he has been able to get only 8% of his funds out of the door. He is good at getting press releases out the door—why not our money?
Context
The Government's levelling-up policy has a low spending rate, while significant amounts were spent on tax cuts for the richest 1%.
Michael Gove
In the Budget, tens of millions of pounds were spent across the country to level up. The Chancellor was responsible for making sure that funds were allocated, including £20 million in the hon. Lady's constituency.
Session: Topical Questions
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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Regeneration is taking place across Burnley and Padiham, but to realise the potential we must crack down on antisocial behaviour in our town centres. What steps are being taken to crack down on ASB in town centres?
Context
The Home Secretary and Prime Minister have launched an antisocial behaviour action plan.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend is right. Across the country, we need more uniformed officers in crime hotspots and faster justice so that those responsible for damaging areas make reparation. We also need to ensure a robust pro-law-and-order response from this Government.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Ukrainian economy is suffering immeasurably because of the war imposed by Russia. What steps are we taking to help Ukrainian companies to partner with western multinationals?
Context
MP noted the economic suffering of Ukraine due to war. He asked for steps to help Ukrainian companies partner with western multinationals.
James Cleverly
My hon. Friend makes the right point. As well as ensuring that the Russians who have violated Ukraine repair the damage they have caused, there will be a need for a long-term relationship to rebuild the Ukrainian economy. UK Export Finance will help British-based companies to help Ukrainians rebuild their homeland once we have helped them to successfully defend themselves against this invasion.
Session: Topical Questions
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When I speak to my constituents about ambulance wait times, they always return to bringing back the A&E at Burnley. Will he set out whether it will ever be possible to bring back the A&E that Labour closed? Will he meet me to discuss it?
Context
The question stems from the closure of an accident and emergency department in 2007, which has been a persistent concern for constituents.
Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the consequences of closures such as that, PFI or other issues that are still felt in communities such as Burnley. He will also know that it is for the integrated care board to look at commissioning decisions and I know that he will make his case powerfully to that board.
Session: Ambulance Response Times
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All hon. Members agree that the skills agenda is vital for the future of the economy, but the loss of the European social fund has been devastating for skills providers. Surely the Minister agrees that the UK Exchequer should match the ESF money lost across all four home nations.
Context
The MP highlighted the loss of the European social fund as devastating for skills providers.
Robert Halfon
These matters are, of course, for the Treasury, but I am proud that the Government are investing £3.8 billion extra in skills over this Parliament, as well as £2.7 billion in apprenticeships.
Session: Adult Upskilling
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What steps her Department is taking to support upskilling opportunities for adults. The advent of areas such as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics means that the jobs of tomorrow could look very different from the jobs of today and require very different skillsets. In Lancashire, the new institute of technology that is being established will be key to that. It will bring together Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire from my constituency, as well as providers and employers from all over the counties. For opportunity to be shared equally, however, we need to ensure that those already in work have the chance to develop and reskill for the future.
Context
The MP inquired about the government's measures to support upskilling.
Robert Halfon
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight institutes of technology; we are investing £300 million in 21 around the country, which is an example of the Government's investment in skills. He will know that the Lancashire and Cumbria IOT is a collaboration between further education colleges, universities and employers driving an employer-led curriculum to meet local skills needs in science, technology, engineering and maths. IOTs are involved in the regeneration of areas such as Blackpool and are expected to commence delivery from September.
Session: Adult Upskilling
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It is brilliant to see that state-level memorandums of understanding are being signed in the US, but with only three so far, it is clear that we can go further to cement that important trading relationship. What progress are we making with other states, and when can we expect further MOUs to be signed?
Context
State-level memorandums of understanding are being signed in the US, with only three signed so far.
Kevin Hollinrake
Absolutely. We have agreed MOUs with Indiana, North Carolina and, most recently, South Carolina. We are actively engaging with other states, including Oklahoma, Utah, Texas and California, and I look forward to updating the House on further progress.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister agree to meet me to talk through how we can make Burnley the best place to invest in Britain?
Context
The MP seeks meetings with the government to discuss how to make Burnley an attractive place for more international business investments, building on existing companies like Safran Nacelles.
Nusrat Ghani
I think my hon. Friend, in promoting Burnley so much, has already made it the best place to be doing business. The companies referenced demonstrate the attractiveness of his constituency to investors across the globe. Free trade agreements make it easier for investors to bring capital and create jobs in Burnley. We would be delighted to meet him.
Session: Inward Investment
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In Burnley and Padiham we have long supported our armed forces and veterans including through brilliant local organisations such as Healthier Heroes and the Burnley and Padiham branch of the Royal British Legion which support veterans in the community. We also have local events such as Padiham on Parade which takes place every June as part of Armed Forces Week. Can I invite my right hon Friend the Minister to Burnley to sit with these organisations and see what more we can do to join up Government support with local organisations so that we ensure this is the best country to be a veteran in?
Context
The MP highlights local events and organisations supporting veterans in Burnley and Padiham, inviting the Minister to visit these groups to better understand how government support can be integrated with community initiatives.
Johnny Mercer
I thank my hon Friend for his continued advocacy for a cause that I know is dear to his heart. The Office for Veterans' Affairs is all about blending third sector and statutory provision. Veterans do not care where their care comes from as long as it is professional and evidence based and they have that community. It is our responsibility through the Office for Veterans' Affairs to ensure they have that care but it will often be delivered by different groups across the country. As my hon Friend highlights there are some wonderful groups up in Burnley doing that, and I would be more than delighted to visit him and talk about how we can support them better.
Session: Veterans Government Services
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What steps his Department is taking to ensure Government services meet the needs of veterans?
Context
The MP is concerned about ensuring government services adequately support veterans. No specific incident or statistic mentioned, but the context implies a broad concern for veteran welfare.
Johnny Mercer
We are working to better understand the needs of veterans and their families through research and data collection with organisations such as the Office for National Statistics. We also regularly engage with the charities sector and with veterans directly, for example through the veterans' survey which closes today.
Session: Veterans Government Services
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A key driver of our neighbourhood policing is the Government's combating drugs strategy, but most funding is geared towards treatment and prevention. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me and discuss how we can improve enforcement?
Context
The MP highlights the successful work of his neighbourhood policing taskforce in disrupting drug dealing gangs.
Chris Philp
I am always happy to meet my hon. Friend and his colleagues from Lancashire. We are recruiting more police officers, increasing Border Force resources, and enhancing violence reduction units to combat drug activities.
Session: County Lines
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What progress her Department has made on tackling county lines drugs gangs. I am concerned about the detrimental impact of these criminal networks in my constituency and the need for concrete action.
Context
The question focuses on the progress made by the government in tackling county lines drug operations.
Chris Philp
The Government are determined to crack down on county lines gangs who are exploiting our children and devastating communities. That is why we have invested £145 million in our county lines programme over three years, resulting in the closure of over 2,900 drug dealing lines and over 8,000 arrests since 2019.
Session: County Lines
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Thanks to this Secretary of State for Defence, Lancashire is home to the newest part of the armed forces, the National Cyber Force. That brings huge opportunities to our county, not only through the thousands of armed forces personnel who will eventually be stationed there, but with the cyber-security companies that we hope will cluster around the site in the years ahead. Will the Minister meet me to discuss what steps we can take to ensure that the MOD supports the growth of its cyber-cluster, centred on the NCF, and the links between the NCF and local education providers?
Context
Lancashire is home to the National Cyber Force, bringing opportunities for local people and cyber-security companies.
Alex Chalk
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for the close interest he has taken in the establishment of the National Cyber Force in Samlesbury, which has cemented the north-west's position as a key UK cyber-cluster.
Session: Defence Jobs
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What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs in the UK. Continued high investment in defence should contribute further to economic growth and prosperity across the Union, focusing on industries where Ministry of Defence (MOD) investment supports 219,000 jobs.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the impact of defence investments on job creation and support in the UK.
Alex Chalk
The most recent estimate shows that MOD investment supports 219,000 jobs in industries across the United Kingdom. Continued high and focused investment in defence will contribute further to economic growth and prosperity across the Union.
Session: Defence Jobs
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Will the Minister agree to meet me to discuss phase 9 of the hospital's development, which would bring a brand-new radiology suite?
Context
The East Lancashire community diagnosis centre includes Burnley hospital, with plans for new endoscopy rooms and further development.
Will Quince
My hon. Friend is a strong champion for Burnley, and I congratulate Burnley General Teaching Hospital on the incredible innovative work it is doing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Bus routes across Burnley and Padiham are vital to local connectivity and give residents a link to jobs, leisure and essential public services. Too often, however, they are late or cancelled, which has a particular impact on those in rural parts of Burnley, such as Worsthorne and Cliviger. Does the Secretary of State agree that buses are not nice-to-haves but an essential service for local residents? Will he ensure that they are given the priority that they need to continue to improve that service?
Context
The MP mentioned the importance of reliable bus routes for local connectivity and raised concerns about frequent cancellations, which affect rural parts of Burnley.
Mark Harper
I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of local bus services. We are working with the industry to resolve issues like driver shortages, which have led to reduced or cancelled services. The Government are investing substantially to improve bus services; £30 million of funding has been allocated for improvements in Lancashire.
Session: Local Transport Levelling Up
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What steps he is taking to help provide support for local transport routes? The MP noted that local transport services are crucial for the economy, but there are concerns over insufficient support being provided by the government.
Context
The MP highlighted the importance of local transport services for economic growth and levelling up. He mentioned concerns about inadequate support.
Mark Harper
Local transport services are crucial to the growth and levelling-up agendas, which is why the Government are investing in our local transport services by providing more than £2 billion to support bus and light rail services throughout England, as well as investing unprecedented sums to enable cycling and walking. We continue to work with local transport authorities and public transport providers to ensure that these vital services reflect the needs of those who rely on them every day.
Session: Local Transport Levelling Up
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In the past few weeks, not a day has gone by on which my team and I have not helped a constituent with a passport issue. Although most of the issues have been resolved, it should not take the intervention of someone's Member of Parliament for them to get their passport. Will the Home Office consider bringing back the old British visitor's passport, which was issued by post offices for a 12-month period, to help to reduce the backlog?
Context
The MP's team and constituents face passport issuance issues. Most problems are resolved through intervention, but the old British visitor's passport system is suggested as a solution to reduce backlog.
Kevin Foster
A lot of work is being done to catch up on passports. I think it is safe to say that to go back to a system that was fundamentally paper-based would bring quite a range of security issues, not least at the border—that is why it was discontinued. I assure my hon. Friend that a wide range of work is being done and, as I have said, we are still doing roughly 98.5% of passports within the advertised 10-week service time.
Session: Topical Questions
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In recent months, we have seen an increase in totally unacceptable antisocial behaviour in Burnley and Padiham town centres, as well as dirt bikes racing up and down the Padiham Greenway. Will the Home Secretary meet me in Padiham to talk to businesses and residents about what more we can do to tackle that issue?
Context
The MP reported an increase in antisocial behaviour, including dirt bike racing up and down the Padiham Greenway.
Priti Patel
I would be delighted to come to his constituency to do exactly that. Perhaps we can have a conversation about the safer streets fund, which will certainly assist with that issue.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister confirm that we will consign that approach to history, and instead focus on what everyday people can offer the country and ensure that they have the opportunity that they deserve?
Context
The questioner is concerned that the focus on social mobility has been about a person's identity rather than their abilities and contributions.
Kemi Badenoch
My hon. Friend is right: social mobility is very much about the individual. The Government are taking a new approach to equality which goes beyond the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 and also takes account of socioeconomic and regional disparities.
Session: Social Mobility
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What steps the Government are taking to improve social mobility. The Government believe that the circumstances of a person's birth should not determine life outcomes.
Context
The questioner is concerned about the government's approach to social mobility and its effectiveness in improving life outcomes for individuals based on their birth circumstances.
Kemi Badenoch
The Government recently published their levelling up White Paper to address regional disparities across the UK and put more money into the pockets of those who need it most. We are also bolstering the Social Mobility Commission by appointing new commissioners to improve public understanding of how opportunity is created and made accessible to all.
Session: Social Mobility
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Russia is openly hostile, supporting Belarus with weaponized migrants and building up its military since 2017. Will you give more detail on planning in the Ministry of Defence and NATO for further reinforcements and any potential refugee crisis?
Context
The current situation involves Russia's increased military build-up and hostile actions, including support for Belarus in weaponizing migrants. The question addresses the need for further reinforcements and a refugee crisis contingency plan.
Ben Wallace
A donor conference recently requested forces from NATO allies for resilience, reassurance or containment. NATO has options like graduated response plans for times of crisis.
Session: Eastern Europe Support for NATO Allies
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Her Majesty's platinum jubilee is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our Union far and wide, with people around the Commonwealth and the world joining us in marking the occasion. Will the Secretary of State set out the Government's plans on using the jubilee to showcase the best of Northern Ireland?
Context
The MP wanted details on showcasing Northern Ireland during the jubilee.
Conor Burns
Her Majesty's contribution to reconciliation and mutual understanding will be celebrated, but no specific plans were detailed on showcasing Northern Ireland.
Session: Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
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The Government will be aware of the global shortage of semiconductor chips. The impact of that is being felt far more by SMEs than the largest companies, which can make large purchases years in advance. What steps are the Government taking to support those SMEs to import semiconductors so that they can keep operating? If I write to the Department, will they look at a specific constituency case of mine?
Context
SMEs are facing a greater impact of the global semiconductor chip shortage compared to larger companies that can secure supplies in advance.
Mike Freer
My hon. Friend raises what is a vital point in a global economy. The Government are carrying out a review of the UK's international and domestic approach to semiconductor supply chains. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is leading that review, supported by the Department for International Trade. We also support growth in the UK semiconductor sector by driving investment—for example, by promoting the world-leading compound semiconductor cluster in south Wales, as part of our high potential opportunities programme. If my hon. Friend would care to write to the Department, we will of course take up the constituency issue.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Antisemitism in the UK
19 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Economic Growth
14 November 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Occupied Palestinian Territories: Humanitarian Situation
08 November 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Road Fuel Prices
03 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Governor of Xinjiang: UK Visit
09 February 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital Pound
07 February 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Strep A Treatments: Supply
19 December 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Health and Care Bill - Schedule 14 - Minor and Consequential Amendments
16 November 2022
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The purpose of this amendment is to make minor and consequential changes necessary for clarity and consistency across related legislation. These a...
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...
Foreign National Offender Removal Flights
18 May 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
4
PMQs Asked
97
Ministerial Questions Asked
81
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+624% above average
This MP:
97
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1567% above average
This MP:
81
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 Antony Higginbotham's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.