Bill Wiggin
MP for North Herefordshire
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
My right hon. Friend's decision to cancel HS2 led to £207 million for Herefordshire's potholes and transport infrastructure; Hereford hospital has a new ward, more beds and a new diagnostic centre on the way; £35 million has been allocated to the River Wye recovery plan; inflation is down; the Rwanda Bill has been passed; and defence spending is increasing. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that, if he carries on like this, he is going to win the next election?
Context
The MP noted various government actions, including cancelling HS2, which led to £207 million for Herefordshire's transport infrastructure.
Rishi Sunak
I am thankful for my hon. Friend highlighting the work that the Government are doing, whether that is increasing our defence spending to keep us safe, securing our borders with our Rwanda Act, cutting taxes by £900 or raising the state pension by £900. I am also pleased that, locally in Herefordshire, we are filling in potholes, helping to save the River Wye and improving local health services. It is crystal clear that it is the Conservative Government who have a plan and are delivering a brighter future for our country.
Assessment
The PM did not directly address whether winning the next election was likely based on current actions.
We Are Delivering A Brighter Future
Session: PMQs
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Phosphates leaching into the River Wye could be stopped by proven phosphate-stripping technology attached to anaerobic digesters, but Herefordshire Council's bypass-hating Green and independent group will not support or engage, despite a moratorium on house building. What can the Deputy Prime Minister do to save our river and remove from the council such a vital strategic and environmental responsibility?
Context
Phosphates are leaching into the River Wye, posing an environmental threat.
Dominic Raab
The River Wye is obviously of huge importance to nature. We are taking action to tackle pollution and raise farming standards.
Assessment
Specific actions or commitment to address phosphates in the River Wye were not provided
Acknowledge Importance
Broad Statements
Session: PMQs
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I wholeheartedly support my Prime Minister's priority of stopping the boats, so can he please bring in the small boats Bill next week?
Context
The Prime Minister is focused on stopping the entry of small boats into UK waters.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for his support. I share the same desire to stop the boats, for all the reasons we have discussed. He should rest assured that the Home Secretary and I are working intensely and as quickly as possible to bring forward that legislation.
Assessment
The answer did not specify when the Small Boats Bill would be introduced, only stating it is being worked on intensively.
Hedging With 'As Quickly As Possible'
Session: PMQs
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What can my right hon. Friend do to ensure that these young people doing GCSEs and A-levels are not punished by the train strikers?
Context
Students in Hereford Sixth Form College rely on trains for their exams this week. Train workers are striking, causing potential disruptions.
Boris Johnson
No exams have been cancelled due to strikes. Schools should allow late arrivals to sit exams, and exam boards will determine if the paper can be marked based on how late the student has arrived. If a student misses an exam completely, schools can apply for grades calculated from other assessments.
Session: PMQs
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Will he meet me to discuss the future of the Environment Agency?
Context
The MP's right hon. Friend is concerned about the River Wye, pollution, flooding, house building and the wider environment.
Boris Johnson
The PM is happy to meet the MP. The Environment Agency faces many challenges but does an outstanding job, with 314,000 homes better protected since 2015.
Session: PMQs
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Given the global pandemic, public criticism of my right hon. Friend's extraordinary leadership should be dismissed. He put the lives of my constituents first, and has had to adapt to the lessons that covid-19 has taught us. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the handing of tuberculosis by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Will he meet me to discuss the current TB strategy and how we can improve it?
Context
Public concern over the handling of tuberculosis by DEFRA. Criticism against the indefinite culling of badgers, a protected species.
Boris Johnson
I am always delighted to meet my hon. Friend. I listened to him and learned from him about bovine TB and badgers. We think that the badger cull has led to a reduction in the disease, but no one wants to continue, and I am sure that he does not, with the cull of a protected species—beautiful mammals— indefinitely, so it is a good thing that we are accelerating other elements of our strategy, particularly vaccination. I think that is the right way forward, and we should begin, if we can, to phase out badger culling in this country.
Assessment
Did not confirm meeting or discuss specific improvements to TB strategy
Session: PMQs
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What plans does he have to convince the US Secretary of State that the Huawei deal is safe not only for our constituents but for our allies?
Context
Concerns over the safety of the Huawei deal for both UK constituents and international allies.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend raises a most important point that I know is of great concern to Members from all parties. I assure the House and, indeed, the country that it is absolutely vital that people in this country have access to the best technology available, but that we also do nothing to imperil our relationship with the United States, compromise our critical national security infrastructure, or imperil our extremely valuable co-operation with Five Eyes security partners.
Assessment
Specific plans for convincing US Secretary of State
Vague Commitment To Safety And Cooperation
Session: PMQs
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As I understand it, the DIVA test is being piloted at the moment. When can we expect it on farm, and if we must wait for approval, why has the Secretary of State cancelled culling licences before approval has been given?
Context
The DIVA test is being piloted, but there are concerns about the timing of its implementation.
George Eustice
We have not cancelled culling licences, but it is the case that the intensive four-year culls in many parts of the country have run their course and have therefore ended. To answer my hon. Friend's question, we are running field trials at the moment on that DIVA test, and we plan to have that vaccine in 2025.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Airport Parking Charges
02 November 2022
Responding: Huw Merriman
Main Concerns
["Drivers are being forced to pay extortionate amounts for drop-off or collection at airports, with two-thirds of the UK's busiest airports increasing their prices. Airports are exploiting regulations by not clearly signposting free options, and charging £5 for entry to the drop-off zone by terminals like Heathrow and Gatwick. Stansted charges up to £25 for more than 15 minutes in drop-off zones, which is excessive given flight delays averaging 25 minutes per flight. With no clear signage or alternatives, passengers with mobility issues struggle and are forced to park far away from the terminal, adding stress and time constraints."]
Specific Asks
['Airports must be required by the Government to offer drivers a free and safe place for drop-off and collection that is clearly signposted on approach roads. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act should bring greater clarity and consistency to airport parking charges to regulate the industry properly for both airports and motorists.']
Cider Industry: Duty Changes
01 December 2021
Responding: Helen Whately
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the discrepancies in duty rates for flavoured ciders, which are taxed at two and a half times the rate of apple cider. This hampers innovation and growth in the sector. The consultation has not included flavoured ciders despite their historical significance and growing market demand. Traditional small-scale cider makers in North Herefordshire face a 40% increase in duty if they venture into fruit versions, stifling diversification.']
Specific Asks
['I ask the government to bring fruit cider in line with the apple cider rate to encourage growth and innovation in the industry. I also request that flavoured ciders be included in the consultation so producers can have their say.']
Motorcycling: Government Support
26 October 2021
Responding: Trudy Harrison
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the increasing number of motorcyclists and their significant contribution to UK transport, with approximately 1.4 million people using motorcycles annually for commuting, education, or other practical purposes. Motorcycling is a vulnerable mode of transport but also efficient and low-polluting. However, road deaths involving motorcyclists have remained high at around 20% of all road fatalities. Poor surface quality, including potholes and low-grip manhole covers, contributes to significant casualties among motorcyclists each year.']
Specific Asks
["I urge the Government to support motorcycling as a recognised form of alternative transport alongside walking and cycling, improve road safety for motorcyclists by ensuring that funding is used wisely on road maintenance, and issue guidance to councils on prioritising repairs in locations where motorcyclists' safety is compromised."]
Covid-19 Vaccine
10 November 2020
Responding: Jo Churchill
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the current process for vaccine licensing and deployment. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, temporary licensing can occur only in exceptional circumstances. There are 258 candidate vaccines worldwide, with around 50 in clinical testing and 11 in final regulatory approvals. The Government have forward purchased a total of 190 million doses from three candidates: AstraZeneca and Oxford University (most advanced), Pfizer and BioNTech, and Valneva. I believe that we need to accelerate the licensing process and extend trials on a larger scale.']
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to seek volunteers for vaccine trials on those who are most at risk, such as the elderly and frontline workers, and look to incorporate more candidates into further trials. Additionally, I ask for the extension of therapeutic trials in this country as soon as possible.']
Agriculture
13 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft regulations continue the agricultural reforms in England, applying progressive reductions to delinked payments for 2024. The overall farming budget is maintained at £2.4 billion annually acr...
Assistance Dogs and Pavement Parking
08 May 2024
General Debate
Led by this MP
Moves for the removal of exemptions from providing access and services to individuals with assistance dogs, mandates disability equality training for taxi drivers, prohibits parking on pavements and f...
Hunting Trophies (Prohibition) Bill - Second Reading of the Bill
22 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The lead MP, John Spellar, is advocating for the Second Reading of the Hunting Trophies (Prohibition) Bill. He emphasises the need to prohibit importing hunting trophies from endangered animals, highl...
Ways and Means
11 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Since 2010, the economy under Conservative Government has seen significant growth despite challenging times. The Chancellor's Budget supports sectors such as the creative industries, which have grown ...
Farming
04 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government understands that farming drives rural Britain, generating jobs and growth. The debate aims to support British farming by investing in farmers through a £2.4 billion annual budget, shift...
Rural Transport
08 January 2024
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
The Member of Parliament for North Herefordshire, Bill Wiggin, raised concerns about the misprinting of the Order Paper and then shifted to discuss issues related to rural transport. He emphasised the...
UK-Rwanda Partnership
06 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
War in Ukraine
24 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Storm Babet: Flooding
23 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Scottish Affairs Committee
18 September 2023
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Committee of Selection has deliberated and moved a motion to discharge Deidre Brock and Dr Philippa Whitford from the Scottish Affairs Committee, and to add Alan Brown and Ms Anum Qaisar.
7
PMQs Asked
1
Ministerial Questions Asked
53
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+91% above average
This MP:
7
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-93% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+59% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+991% above average
This MP:
53
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Bill Wiggin's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.