Ben Bradshaw
MP for Exeter
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
In December, the Cabinet Minister for Women and Equalities told the House that she had engaged “extensively” with LGBT organisations since her appointment 18 months ago. A freedom of information answer published this week reveals that, in fact, the Minister has not met a single LGBT organisation but has met two fringe groups that actively campaign against transgender rights. What is the problem that the Prime Minister and a section of his party have with trans people, and that his Minister has with the truth?
Context
A freedom of information answer revealed that the Cabinet Minister for Women and Equalities had not met a single LGBT organisation since her appointment.
Rishi Sunak
As I have always said, the Government have a proud track record of supporting those in the LGBT community, and we will continue to do so. I have also always said that those who are questioning their gender and identity should be treated with the utmost dignity, compassion and sensitivity as they consider those questions.
Assessment
Did not address the inconsistency in the Minister's engagement claims or acknowledge the problem with her stance on trans people.
Session: PMQs
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Five years ago, the Government belatedly launched a review into the security risk posed by handing thousands of mainly wealthy Russian and Chinese nationals so-called golden visas so that they could live in Britain. They also promised to publish the results of that review. Why have they not?
Context
Five years ago, the Government launched a review into the security risk posed by 'golden visas' for mainly wealthy Russian and Chinese nationals. They promised to publish results.
Rishi Sunak
We did review and indeed end the visa that the right hon. Gentleman is raising. The Home Office is currently considering the right way to replace that visa with something that is more sustainable and protects our security interests. I will be happy to have the Home Secretary write to him with an update on that process.
Assessment
Specific question about publishing review results was not addressed
Session: PMQs
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I am sure that the whole House will want to send my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition their best wishes. Also, it is good to see a few more Conservative MPs heeding the Health Secretary's plea to wear a mask. Given that we have had far, far higher covid infection, hospitalisation and death rates than any other western European country for several weeks now, was it a mistake to abandon all those precautions back in July? If not, why are our figures so bad?
Context
The UK has had higher covid infection, hospitalisation and death rates than any other western European country for several weeks. Some Conservative MPs have been urged to wear masks.
Boris Johnson
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question, but the reality is that of course we monitor all the data very carefully every day. We see nothing to suggest that we need to deviate from the plan we have set out that began with the road map in February, that we are sticking to, and that has given business and this country the ability to get on and achieve the unlockings that we have seen and indeed the fastest economic growth in the G7.
Assessment
specific ask about whether abandoning precautions was a mistake and why figures are high
Session: PMQs
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When the Prime Minister told fishermen in the south-west that they would not face new export barriers or unnecessary form-filling, and when he told Britain's musicians and artists that they would still be free to tour and work in the rest of the European Union after Brexit, neither of those statements was correct, was it?
Context
The Prime Minister previously made assurances about the post-Brexit situation for fishermen, musicians, and artists.
Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)
It is absolutely true that some British fishermen have faced barriers at the present time owing to complications over form-filling. Indeed, one of the biggest problems is that, alas, there is a decline in appetite for fish in continental markets just because most of the restaurants, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, are shut. But the reality is that Brexit will deliver, and is delivering, a huge uplift in quota already in the next five years. By 2026, the fishing people of this country will have access to all the fish in all the territorial waters of this country. To get them ready for that Eldorado, we are investing £100 million in improving our boats and our fish processing industry, and getting fishing ready for the opportunities ahead.
Assessment
The Prime Minister acknowledged difficulties but did not directly confirm or deny whether previous assurances were incorrect.
Under Review
Working On It
Session: PMQs
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Is it not clear that this Prime Minister has knowingly put personal and party interests before national security by blocking publication of the Russia report and attempting to fix the Intelligence and Security Committee?
Context
Four years ago, Ben Bradshaw was the first MP to raise concerns about Russian interference. The Russia report was blocked before an election and later its committee was attempted to be fixed.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
No, it is a lamentable question. The right hon. Gentleman would be saying if there was something to show that Russian interference undermined the Brexit referendum but he is not doing so.
Session: PMQs
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I welcome, through the Minister, the admission by the Secretary of State last week finally that this flagship scheme is failing, although the words she used were that it has been 'a bit slow on the uptake'. They have had 14 years to devise the most cost-effective way of reducing carbon emissions and people's bills, making homes warmer and creating good new skilled jobs. When will we have a scheme that actually works?
Context
The MP is questioning the effectiveness of the social housing decarbonisation fund.
Amanda Solloway
We do have schemes that are working. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a £1 billion Great British installation scheme, which aims to upgrade around 300,000 of the country's least energy-efficient homes.
Session: Social Housing Energy Efficiency
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Has the Minister had a chance recently to talk to the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Police, which has been in special measures since 2022, and is now being sued by seven former and serving women police officers for failing to deal with rapes, emotional abuse and beatings over a number of years? What can he do to reassure the public in Devon and Cornwall that these allegations will be thoroughly independently investigated and any wrongdoing acted on?
Context
Devon and Cornwall Police has been in special measures since 2022, facing lawsuits from former and serving women police officers alleging failures to address rapes, emotional abuse and beatings.
Chris Philp
Of course, we have the Independent Office for Police Conduct to make sure that there is an independent body available to investigate serious allegations about police forces or their conduct of particular investigations. On the Engage process, the chief inspector of constabulary chairs regular meetings of the policing performance oversight group, where forces in Engage are looked at and overseen.
Session: Local Policing
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Given that obesity now costs the NHS and our economy much more than smoking, why does the Secretary of State support a total ban on smoking but think that measures to tackle obesity are nannyish?
Context
The question addresses the disparity in government support for bans on smoking versus perceived nannyish attitudes towards tackling obesity, highlighting costs to the NHS and economy.
Andrea Leadsom
The right hon. Gentleman raises a completely artificial barrier. Smoking is totally preventable; it is the cause of one in four cancers and 75,000 deaths. It is unbelievably appalling. Obesity is a complex area and one that the Government are focused on. We need to tackle it, but it is entirely different.
Session: Topical Questions
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UK- inbound tourism has lost the equivalent of 15,000 jobs following the 83% fall in EU student groups visiting our country because of post-Brexit passport and visa requirements. I was heartened to read in the about the proposed deal that the Prime Minister wants to strike with France following his summit with President Macron. Are any other deals like that in the pipeline?
Context
EU student groups visiting the UK have fallen by 83% due to post-Brexit passport and visa requirements.
Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)
That is an excellent deal. Of course, we would like to replicate it if that is possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am sure the vast majority of Members on both sides of the House will warmly welcome the outcome of Synod yesterday, and I thank the hon. Member for the role he played in conveying Parliament's views to Synod. It was very clear during the debate that there are a small number who will never, ever accept LGBT people as equals in their churches. As he knows, some parishes have stopped paying their diocesan share—effectively going on strike. Why should they continue to enjoy the benefits and privileges of being Church of England parishes?
Context
The General Synod has recently made decisions regarding same-sex relationships. Some parishes have stopped paying their diocesan share, effectively going on strike.
Andrew Selous
The payments by parishes to dioceses, often known as common fund or parish share, are voluntary payments towards the cost of ministry in those parishes and in the wider Church. It is a matter for dioceses how they work with their parishes to encourage them to contribute, but I would certainly very strongly encourage every church to make a fair contribution to the costs of their ministry and, where they can, to help others in poorer areas.
Session: Same-sex Relationships
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What recent progress has been made on implementing the decisions taken by the General Synod in February 2023 on blessing same-sex relationships and relating to clergy in same-sex relationships?
Context
The General Synod in February 2023 made decisions regarding the blessing of same-sex relationships and clergy in such relationships. The question addresses recent progress on implementing these decisions.
Andrew Selous
This week the General Synod agreed that the prayers of love and faith, and the pastoral guidance for their use, will be commended for use from mid-December, and also that special services of prayer and dedication using the prayers of love and faith can be authorised for a trial period before full synodical authorisation.
Session: Same-sex Relationships
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A Bill banning the psychological abuse that some people call conversion therapy has been promised repeatedly in this Session from that Dispatch Box. Where is it?
Context
A promise of a Bill to ban conversion therapy has not materialized despite previous assurances.
Stuart Andrew
I accept that, and I apologise for the fact that it has taken so long, but, as I have said, it is a complex issue. I have been personally campaigning for this for many years, but even I recognise there are deep complexities. It is right that we take the time to consider each of the issues carefully, so that what we have in place is consistent, robust and up to date, and tackles these appalling practices.
Session: LGBT People
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Why did the Government remove amendments from the Energy Bill last week that would have supported community energy and local energy trading? The questioner is seeking a clear explanation for this decision and its implications on future support for such projects.
Context
The government recently removed amendments in the Lords that were intended to support community energy and local energy trading. This action has raised concerns about the future of these initiatives.
Andrew Bowie
As we have outlined previously, the Government do not support the amendments that were tabled in the Lords, and believe that the issues raised should be considered as part of wider market reform. However, we are proactively working with parliamentarians and the community energy sector to discuss whether further support from the Government for the sector is needed, and if so, what might be feasible.
Session: Community Energy Projects
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What steps he plans to take to support the development of community energy projects. The Government are already involved in various funding schemes, but specific details on upcoming actions and commitments are sought.
Context
The question arises from the need to support local initiatives in energy projects that benefit communities directly.
Andrew Bowie
The Government are supporting local authorities and community energy groups to work together to develop projects within UK growth funding schemes, such as the UK shared prosperity fund. Ofgem also welcomes funding applications from the sector to the industry voluntary redress scheme.
Session: Community Energy Projects
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Does the Church welcome the commissioners' conclusion that 'family' can include various relationships beyond traditional ones?
Context
There is a debate about allowing same-sex couples to marry in the Church, and the commissioners concluded that 'family' does not necessitate specific family forms.
Andrew Selious
This was an independent report welcomed by the Church based on two years of evidence collection and discussions with young people. It contains sensible suggestions, but issues like same-sex marriage are part of the General Synod agenda for York early next month.
Session: Family Relationships, Parenting and Marriage
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Given the risks involved, does the Minister agree it would be outrageous for schools to 'out' pupils to families without consent?
Context
Concern over a reported policy to instruct schools to disclose students' gender identities against their will.
Nick Gibb
There is a difference between advice given in confidence and decisions requiring parental involvement. We will publish guidance shortly for public consultation.
Session: Trans and Non-binary Children
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Whether it is her policy that schools should tell parents if their children are trans or non-binary. Does the government have a clear stance on this?
Context
Concern over schools' responsibilities regarding transgender and non-binary pupils.
Nick Gibb
Parental involvement is crucial in decisions about children, particularly those concerning transitioning. We are developing guidance for schools on this sensitive matter which will involve a public consultation.
Session: Trans and Non-binary Children
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Four years on average for an initial appointment, and seven years at the south-west clinic in Exeter. With healthcare for trans people in effect non-existent, the Government planning to remove trans human rights from the Equality Act 2010, breaking their promise to ban conversion therapy and to reform the gender recognition process, and now threatening to force schools to out trans students to their parents, can the Minister see why this tiny and particularly vulnerable minority feels under attack by the Government, and that some who can afford to are even leaving the country for a less hostile environment?
Context
The MP is raising concerns about the Government's actions regarding healthcare for transgender people, including delays in treatment, plans to remove protections from the Equality Act, breaking promises on conversion therapy bans, and threatening measures against schools.
Maria Caulfield
I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that we are putting an additional £7.9 million into four new pilot gender identity clinics, because we want services to improve and waiting times to come down. The four new pilot services are now operating in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, East of England and London, and a new clinic will be opening in Sussex later this year. The four pilot studies have already removed 3,400 patients from the waiting list and I am hoping the fifth clinic will go further.
Session: Gender Dysphoria Waiting Times
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If he will make an estimate of the average waiting time for treatment for gender dysphoria; and if he will make a statement.
Context
The MP is inquiring about the average waiting time for treatment for gender dysphoria, highlighting a lack of published data on this issue.
Maria Caulfield
NHS England does not routinely collect or publish data on waiting times for treatment for gender dysphoria, but I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that as of February this year 28,290 adults were waiting for a first appointment in England.
Session: Gender Dysphoria Waiting Times
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I would be grateful for an assurance that there will not be any backsliding on the timescale on that, and that the pastoral guidance will deal finally with the issue of priests being able to marry and be freed from the current celibacy rules. On a wider issue, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that a number of provinces in the global Anglican communion have in effect made a unilateral declaration of independence from the Church of England. A small number of parishes here have begun to withhold their money from their dioceses in protest at these very small steps forward. Is it not increasingly clear that a small minority in the Church of England will never be reconciled with treating lesbian and gay people equally, and it would be better to let those people go, so that the Church can focus on the majority of Anglicans in this country who support treating lesbian and gay people equally?
Context
There are concerns about the timing of implementation and financial support from parishes due to disagreement with recent decisions.
Andrew Selous
The pastoral guidance is being worked on, and the bishops remain committed to implementing their response to Living in Love and Faith, which the General Synod approved last month. The timing may depend on the July Synod's response to the pastoral guidance and “Prayers of Love and Faith”. The Synod is a democratic body and, like this Parliament, its decisions cannot be guaranteed in advance. On the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, he is correct that our proposals do not go far enough for some and go too far for others. There have always been disagreements in the Anglican communion, as there have been in the Church of England, and we need to learn to disagree well.
Session: Same-sex Relationships General Synod Decisions
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What steps the Church of England is taking to implement the decisions of the General Synod on same-sex relationships; and if he will make a statement.
Context
The General Synod recently made decisions regarding same-sex relationships, and there is concern about the implementation process.
Andrew Selous
At the General Synod last month, it was agreed that the “Prayers of Love and Faith” would be finalised, that pastoral guidance for clergy would be produced, and that a culture of welcome towards LGBTQI+ people would be embedded throughout the Church.
Session: Same-sex Relationships General Synod Decisions
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Does she accept that trans people are already the most likely victims of violent crime, with a 56% increase last year? What is her view on comments from her party's deputy chairman calling for a focus on 'culture wars and trans debate'?
Context
The background includes statistics showing a significant rise in hate crimes against transgender individuals and the controversial remarks made by a member of the Conservative party.
Sarah Dines
With respect, I do not accept the framing of the narrative around the deputy chairman's comments. We welcome increased reporting of such offences because it allows us to address them better. The 56% increase from 43% is positive as it shows people have more confidence in reporting crimes to the police. There is still work to be done, but we are not against supporting efforts in this area and are investing heavily in education.
Session: Transphobia and Hate Crimes against Trans People
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What steps is she taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to tackle transphobia and hate crimes against trans people?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the high rates of violent crime and increasing hate crimes specifically targeting transgender people, as well as perceptions of institutional biases.
Sarah Dines
The Government take all forms of hate crime seriously. We expect the police to fully investigate all hateful attacks so that perpetrators feel the full force of the law. We are committed to reducing crime, including hate crime, by recruiting 20,000 additional police officers.
Session: Transphobia and Hate Crimes against Trans People
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The Minister will be aware... Will the Minister make clear to the political leadership of Devon County Council that if things do not improve quickly, she will have no hesitation in stripping Devon of its responsibility for children's services?
Context
Devon's children's services have faced issues for years, particularly in the realm of special educational needs. A recent inspector's report was critical and a new head of children's services has been appointed.
Claire Coutinho
We work with all areas that are struggling to provide SEND services through our regions group work, our delivering better value programmes, and our safety valve programmes. I will, of course, look at the issue carefully, and we always step in and act when we need to.
Session: Children with SEND and their Families Support
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Could she explain—if not now, then perhaps in writing to me—why the Government did not listen to this very good idea to expand and improve local special educational needs provision in my constituency?
Context
The community-run Ted Wragg Trust, which runs all secondary schools in the constituency of Exeter, proposed taking over a failing local school but was denied by the government.
Claire Coutinho
The Department is working to improve all schools in terms of SEND needs across different sectors and will look into the specifics of this case and write back with further information.
Session: SEND Delivery Rural Areas
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What estimate has he made of the number of people who would like to work but cannot do so because they are among the hundreds of thousands waiting on record-long NHS waiting lists?
Context
A significant number of people are economically inactive due to being on NHS waiting lists.
Mel Stride
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his warm words. That is a question that would probably be best answered by the Department of Health and Social Care, and I would be happy to look into that for him. We know that there is a long tail of people who would otherwise like to work but who are long-term sick—some 2.5 million in total.
Session: Economically Inactive People
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What steps are being taken by the Government to support home ownership? My right hon. Friend will know that 836 families in Darlington have benefited from Help to Buy in the past year, and 715 of them were first-time buyers. Given the success of the scheme what consideration has he given to extending it beyond March 2023?
Context
The MP inquires about measures for home ownership, emphasizing the success of Help to Buy and asking if there are plans beyond March 2023.
Simon Clarke
We have cut stamp duty land tax and expanded first-time buyers' relief. Over 800,000 households have been helped through Help to Buy since spring 2010. However, it was never designed as a permanent intervention; the scheme will close at the end of March 2023, which has allowed the market to respond with alternative support products for first-time buyers.
Session: Home Ownership Government Support
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While the other place's International Agreements Committee report broadly welcomed the Australia-UK trade deal for sectors such as financial services, it was concerned about the deal's impact on UK agriculture. The Committee fears that that will continue with other trade deals that the Government pursue and criticises their refusal to involve the devolved Governments. How can farms and our food and drink sector remain profitable in the face of such free trade agreements?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of free trade agreements, specifically the Australia-UK deal, on UK agriculture.
George Eustice
In the context of the free trade agreement with Australia, we secured staging protections for the sensitive sectors of beef and lamb for a decade, and then a very strong special agricultural safeguard thereafter. We judged that that would be sufficient to manage any risks to the market.
Session: Farm Profitability
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What assessment has the Church of England made of the impact, particularly on rural Church of England schools, of the dramatic reduction in the number of priests in some dioceses? Does the hon. Member share my concern that money generated by parishes is being increasingly sucked into diocesan administration and projects, meaning that an impossibly small number of priests serve huge numbers of parishes? That threatens the very future of English parish life, including the role of rural Church schools.
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of a reduced number of priests on rural Church of England schools and the increasing centralization of funds.
Andrew Selous
I totally understand the point the right hon. Gentleman is making. He will know that the Church of England absolutely holds to its vision to have a Church of England presence in every community. Of course, he is right that if there are not so many incumbents, it can be difficult for them to go in and do assemblies in Church schools and so on, but the Church is really focused on the frontline and putting the parish first.
Session: Church Schools
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To avoid desperate Ukrainians being added to those trying to cross the channel, the Government's schemes for Ukrainians need to work. Can the Minister explain why the very helpful Members' hub in Portcullis House has been stopped from issuing permission-to-travel letters to MPs? I dealt with a family last week. For two of the family members, the letters were sent to me and I could let the family and their host family here know, and they were all happy about it. For the third family member, the system was stopped at the end of the last week, and officials are saying that they are now no longer allowed to issue MPs with those permission-to-travel letters. It is a complete shambles. Will he sort it out?
Context
The MP is concerned about issues in the refugee scheme for Ukrainians.
Tom Pursglove
The right hon. Gentleman will recognise that I am not the Minister with direct responsibility for the refugee scheme, but I will gladly ensure that his feedback is heard by my noble Friend Lord Harrington. If the right hon. Gentleman would like to share details of those specific cases, we will gladly look at them at pace.
Session: Illegal Immigration
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But it took a group of anarchists to seize Deripaska's London mansion yesterday, so when will the Minister do what Europe and America have already done and seize rather than just freeze Putin's cronies' assets? When will he close the loopholes that still allow them to escape sanction by putting their assets in their family members' names or using shell companies based in British overseas territories?
Context
The MP is concerned about the measures taken against illicit financial activities, particularly in light of recent events involving Russian oligarchs.
John Glen
We continue to work closely with the US on the expulsion of banks from the SWIFT banking system, cut off 3 million Russian companies from capital markets, and seen $250 billion wiped off Russian stocks. We will continue to work closely with our allies to ensure that our response continues to be comprehensive.
Session: Tackling Illicit Finance
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What steps he is taking to tackle illicit finance. But it took a group of anarchists to seize Deripaska's London mansion yesterday, so when will the Minister do what Europe and America have already done and seize rather than just freeze Putin's cronies' assets? When will he close the loopholes that still allow them to escape sanction by putting their assets in their family members' names or using shell companies based in British overseas territories?
Context
The MP is concerned about the measures taken against illicit financial activities, particularly in light of recent events involving Russian oligarchs.
John Glen
We continue to review and reform our regulatory and enforcement approach. We have announced an unprecedented package of sanctions, including against prominent Russian oligarchs. Last night, we brought forward the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 to crack down further. The Government have worked closely with the US and the EU on a whole range of interventions, including sanctioning 500 individuals and entities, cutting off 3 million Russian companies from capital markets, and seeing $250 billion wiped of Russian stocks.
Session: Tackling Illicit Finance
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Businessman Hassan Nasser al-Thani killed Charles Roberts with his Rolls-Royce at nearly twice the speed limit, receiving a short driving ban and fine. This is one of many cases showing lenient sentences for road criminals while victims' families grieve. Where is the full review promised by Chris Grayling in 2014?
Context
In 2014, the Conservative Secretary of State for Justice promised a full review of driving offences and penalties. The question references a case where Hassan Nasser al-Thani was given a short driving ban and fined despite causing death by dangerous driving.
James Cartlidge
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman who has been vocal on these issues for a long time. I cannot comment on specific cases as sentencing decisions are judicial matters. However, there was a review in 2014 leading to the consultation in 2016 and new measures debated yesterday in the House of Lords which strengthen penalties for dangerous driving offences.
Session: Road Traffic Offences and Penalties
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What plans does he have to further review road traffic offences and penalties. The context involves concerns over lenient sentences given to individuals involved in dangerous driving, such as Hassan Nasser al-Thani who was fined instead of receiving a harsher penalty despite causing the death of Charles Roberts by driving nearly twice the speed limit.
Context
The question pertains to the review of road traffic offences and penalties in light of recent incidents where severe penalties have not been meted out for dangerous driving.
James Cartlidge
As part of the Department for Transport's longer-term and wider work on road safety, road traffic offences are kept under review to ensure that irresponsible driving and the risk it poses to others are appropriately punished. In the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, we are increasing the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, and we are introducing a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.
Session: Road Traffic Offences and Penalties
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All Devon's hospitals are on red alert, partly because of capacity issues caused by ongoing covid cases. Why does the Secretary of State think the UK now has the highest covid infection, hospitalisation and death rates in western Europe?
Context
The MP questioned the high infection, hospitalisation and death rates in Devon compared to western Europe.
Sajid Javid
First, may I take this opportunity to congratulate all the health and care workers across Devon on the fantastic work they are doing? The right hon. Gentleman will know that the Government have set out clearly their approach to dealing with the pandemic and that we are very much focused on vaccinations, which are working, building a wall of defence, treatments and testing.
Session: NHS Capacity
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Many local authorities, including Conservative-run Devon and Labour-run Exeter, are working very well together to deliver on the Government's vision. What will the Minister do about the small number of obstructionist local councils, such as Kensington and Chelsea in London, which, incredibly, does not have a single segregated bike lane in the whole borough and, furthermore, recently tore out a new temporary one that was very popular with local families, forcing those families and children back out on to a busy main road on their way to school?
Context
There are concerns about certain local authorities, such as Kensington and Chelsea in London, not supporting cycling infrastructure despite central government funding.
Chris Heaton-Harris
Devon County Council has received £1.6 million from the active travel fund in this financial year and is spending it very wisely. There are local authorities that have not consulted on schemes quite as well as we would have liked in the past. We are trying to rectify that, and we are working from the centre with local authorities that are struggling to deliver schemes, to ensure that they deliver them properly, with the appropriate consultation, and that taxpayers' money is spent wisely.
Session: Cycling and Walking
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What steps the Government are taking to help local authorities increase levels of cycling and walking.
Context
The question addresses the government's efforts to encourage more local councils to promote cycling and walking.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government are investing £2 billion in active travel over the rest of this Parliament, much of which will go to local authorities. This is the biggest ever boost for cycling and walking.
Session: Cycling and Walking
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Will the Home Secretary publish today the advice from SAGE that led to this policy decision, given claims that it is not backed by science?
Context
Request for transparency and scientific backing of Government's border policy.
Priti Patel (The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP)
I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my comments last week regarding Home Office's own scientific adviser's advice, which will be published.
Session: Covid-19 Quarantine
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For what reasons has the Government not joined EU procurement schemes to help tackle covid-19? On the day that the UK overtakes Italy as the country with the worst death toll in Europe, can the Minister provide reassurance that decisions going forward are driven entirely by public interest and not influenced by anti-European sentiment?
Context
The UK did not initially join four previous EU joint procurements due to a communication issue. However, it will participate in the current scheme soon launching.
Edward Argar (Minister for Digital and Culture)
I gently say to the right hon. Gentleman that there is no suggestion of any decision having been influenced in the way he suggests; indeed, the permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office clarified this was not a political decision. We remain open to participating in future schemes on the basis of public health requirements and on a case-by-case basis.
Session: Covid-19 EU Procurement Schemes
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Depending on which briefing to today's newspapers was accurate, the infrastructure announcement will fund a grand total of either 250 or 1,000 miles of new designated cycleway. That is to be compared with the 1,800 being provided by the Labour Mayor in Manchester alone. How can a small city such as Exeter hope to get any of the help, resources or the powers it needs to deliver on the cycling infrastructure as it desperately wants to do?
Context
The Chancellor announced £5 billion of funding for local transport, including cycling.
Sajid Javid
I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the announcement today was of £5 billion of fresh funding for local transport—buses and cycling. When it comes to cycling—something we all want made easier to access for all our constituents—there will be 250 miles of new dedicated cycle track.
Session: Topical Questions
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Whether the Commissioners were consulted on recent guidance by the Church on civil partnerships; and if he will make a statement. Regardless of that, it was discourteous not to inform the Second Church Estates Commissioner as the legislation passed with all-party support in this House. It is bad enough the Church treats LGBT+ members as second-class Christians but saying civil partnerships should not exist because parents should not have had or be having sex is hurtful.
Context
The question concerns the lack of consultation with the Church Commissioners regarding recent guidance by the Church on civil partnerships and the subsequent apology for causing division and hurt.
Andrew Selous (Second Church Estates Commissioner)
I will certainly feed back the right hon. Gentleman's strongly felt concern on this issue to the College of Bishops. In their apology, the archbishops did recognise that the pastoral statement had jeopardised the trust that has been built up as part of the Living in Love and Faith project, which is intended to discern the way forward for the Church of England on this issue.
Session: Civil Partnerships
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Section 28 Repeal: 20th Anniversary — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]
29 November 2023
Responding: Stuart Andrew
Main Concerns
["The lead MP is concerned about the historical impact of section 28, which he experienced personally and caused a culture of shame and silence for LGBT individuals. He notes that while there have been significant advancements since its repeal in 1988, recent years have seen worrying signs of renewed moral panic targeting transgender and non-binary people, with Britain's fall from being one of the best countries to live as LGBTQ+ to 17th in Europe. The MP also highlights hate crime against LGBT individuals increasing and stresses that some families are not supportive or affirming of their LGBT children, leading to issues such as homelessness among young LGBT people."]
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks the Government to avoid repeating past mistakes by not reversing inclusive sex and relationship education in schools and ensuring guidance supports all young people. He also urges for action against conversion therapy and gender recognition reform blockades.']
Transport
09 September 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Order 2024 aims to decarbonise flights by introducing sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 7...
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
21 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
South West Water: Brixham Contamination
20 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine and Georgia
15 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cass Review
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cyber-security and UK Democracy
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
19 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ukraine
28 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Situation in the Red Sea
26 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Situation in the Red Sea
05 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
5
PMQs Asked
36
Ministerial Questions Asked
106
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
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
+37% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+169% above average
This MP:
36
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2081% above average
This MP:
106
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 Ben Bradshaw's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.