Blair McDougall
MP for East Renfrewshire
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I join the Prime Minister in welcoming the delegation from Bring Kids Back, which is trying to return the tens of thousands of children abducted by Vladimir Putin in an act of pure evil. The Prime Minister will be aware that that initiative has been working with Yale University’s humanitarian lab, which was tracking thousands of those children inside Russia until recently—I say “until recently” because it has had its long-term funding removed. Will he consider using our existing contributions to the partnership fund for a resilient Ukraine to resume that important work, and in doing so, restore the hope that those children can be returned to their anguished families?
Context
The abduction of children in Ukraine is a humanitarian issue that has been highlighted through international efforts and the Bring Kids Back initiative. The question pertains to potential funding from UK contributions for this initiative.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for emphasising this issue again. Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children is sickening—I think all of us across the House would agree on that. A peace settlement in Ukraine must see Russia held to account and those children reunited with their families. In specific reference to my hon. Friend’s question, the UK is playing our full part in international efforts, including funding the Bring Kids Back initiative through the partnership fund for a resilient Ukraine. I want to reassure the whole House that we will do everything we can to see those children returned and reintegrated as safely and quickly as is possible.
Assessment
The Prime Minister directly addressed the question by providing details of UK funding efforts.
Session: PMQs
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As the Prime Minister works for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages, he will have the support of Members across the House. He will have noted the comments from the White House calling for urgent action to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and for the Netanyahu Government to increase access to aid and the amount of aid getting through. Does the Prime Minister agree with those comments from the White House, and what representations is he making on that matter?
Context
The Prime Minister is working for a ceasefire to return hostages, noting comments from the White House on urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Keir Starmer
Yes, I do agree with those remarks, and we are constantly making representations on this with our partners. There is an urgent need, as there has been for a long time, for more aid to get into Gaza. It is a desperate situation, and Israel must comply with its international humanitarian law obligations. That is why we are convening a session of the UN Security Council, with others, to address that issue.
Session: PMQs
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May I join you, Mr Speaker, in congratulating the Minister on his nuptials? I thank him for the lead he has taken on Georgia. He will know, because he has recently been in Georgia, that over the summer the situation has dramatically worsened: opposition leaders have been jailed, young democracy activists have been given life-changing prison sentences, and the civil society organisations that are trying to protect democracy have been threatened with prosecution. The complaint of the democracy activists I used to work with is that all of this brutality is happening while the regime’s money is washed through business associates in London. Will the Minister target the people who are responsible for this brutality and hold them accountable?
Context
The situation in Georgia has worsened over the summer with opposition leaders jailed, democracy activists given life-changing sentences, and civil society organisations threatened. The questioner mentions that Georgian regime's money is laundered through business associates in London.
Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
My hon. Friend raises important and serious issues. He knows that the Foreign Secretary and I prioritise tackling illicit finance more broadly. I will not comment on future potential measures, but he will know that we have imposed a number of sanctions on Georgian Dream Ministers, on police chiefs and on Georgian judges under the global anti-corruption sanctions regime. Indeed, in April we also sanctioned the general prosecutor, the head of the special investigatory service and other officials.
Session: Georgia Democracy
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Katie Allan was a beautiful and bright young woman, and would have been a constituent of mine but for the fact that, aged 21, she found herself, after a youthful stupid mistake, in Polmont young offenders institution, where she died from suicide. The fatal incident inquiry recently published into her death and the death of William Brown found that they both might be alive today were it not for a catalogue of errors by the Scottish Prison Service. The families of those who have lost children in such circumstances are campaigning for Crown immunity to be removed from prisons across Britain, so that there is proper accountability and more young lives are not lost. Will the Minister meet the families to discuss that proposal?
Context
The hon. Member raised the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Brown in Polmont young offenders institution, highlighting a fatal incident inquiry that found errors by the Scottish Prison Service contributed to their deaths.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He draws attention to a deeply disturbing case. I am very happy to meet him and the families concerned.
Session: Prison Conditions
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I thank the Minister for his actions. Activists are terrified that Georgia is at a turning point. Will the minister join me in calling for new elections under international oversight and an end to attacks on civil society? If not addressed, will sanctions be considered?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of election irregularities on civil society in Georgia, particularly LGBT groups.
Stephen Doughty
I recognise my hon. Friend's long-standing interest in this issue. On 28 October, His Majesty's ambassador called on the Central Election Commission to investigate election fraud transparently. We reiterated concerns about violations and need for independent investigations. The right to peaceful protest must be respected.
Session: Georgia Elections
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Whether he has made representations to his counterpart in Georgia on reported irregularities in parliamentary elections held in that country on 26 October 2024. The member for East Renfrewshire highlights concerns about pressure on civil society and stigmatisation of minorities.
Context
The MP is concerned about reported irregularities in Georgia's recent parliamentary elections and the impact on civil society.
Stephen Doughty
Ahead of the elections, I expressed my concerns directly to Foreign Minister Darchiashvili about pressure on civil society and stigmatisation of minorities. Following the elections, I publicly supported the preliminary findings of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe regarding election irregularities and called for investigations.
Session: Georgia Elections
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Given reports that Chinese manufacturing is providing drones to Russian forces, should we not be deepening our own defence industry collaboration within Europe, specifically through an agreement with the European Defence Agency?
Context
Reports of Chinese drones being supplied to Russia from Xinjiang, prompting calls for Europe to deepen its defence industrial base and secure an administrative arrangement with the European Defence Agency.
John Healey
We are rebuilding relations with important European allies and plan to strike a UK-EU security agreement, aspects of which may be relevant.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister support the Dad Shift campaign so that more fathers can enjoy paternity leave? Does he agree that this is a contrast with the Conservative party's stance?
Context
The Dad Shift campaign seeks to increase paternity leave for more fathers, building on the tens of thousands already benefiting from it.
Martin McCluskey
We are making immediate changes to paternity leave through the Employment Rights Bill, making it available from day one in a new job and enabling it to be taken after shared parental leave. We will take no lessons on employment rights from the Conservative party.
Session: Employment Rights Scotland
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What recent discussions has the Secretary of State for Business and Trade had with the Secretary of State for Scotland on supporting employment rights in Scotland?
Context
The Employment Rights Bill had its Second Reading recently, and the Conservative party opposes it.
Martin McCluskey
The Government are taking a joined-up and collaborative approach to making work pay, which has been developed with businesses and trade unions. We are committed to continuing that approach through consultation on the plan's implementation.
Session: Employment Rights Scotland
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Will the Minister join me in sending a clear signal to the Chinese state: “hands off Hong Kong Scots”?
Context
The MP mentions that his constituency is home to Hongkongers who fear repression and refers to a reported presence of a Chinese Communist party-run secret police station.
Stephen Doughty
I have made clear our support to the Hong Kong community in the UK, and we have made clear to Chinese authorities that the existence of undeclared sites in the UK is unacceptable, and their operation must cease. We have been told that they have now closed.
Session: Chinese Communist Party Threat to Democracy
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Uyghur and Turkic Muslims: Forced Labour in China
06 November 2024
Responding: Douglas Alexander
Main Concerns
["The persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims since 2017 has been unprecedented, with over 1 million imprisoned in camps and up to 3 million passing through them. Forced sterilisation, abortion, sexual violence, and cultural destruction are widespread. The forced labour programme is an integral part of China's project, affecting industries such as cotton, automotive, and solar panel manufacturing."]
Specific Asks
['The UK should introduce legislation similar to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in the US, which creates a presumption that goods from Xinjiang are produced through forced labour. Import inspections on direct flights from Ürümqi to Bournemouth should be carried out to prevent products compromised by Muslim slave labour.']
Jaguar Land Rover: Redundancies
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
British Steel
16 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Opposition Day
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
11 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Post Office Green Paper
25 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Seasonal Work 2025-12-10
10 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion regrets Government policies that are making seasonal, flexible and part-time work more difficult; notes the negative impact on young people in hospitality, leisure and retail sectors due to...
Supporting High Streets 2025-11-04
04 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion calls on the Government to support high streets by cutting public expenditure, abolishing business rates for thousands of retail, hospitality and leisure premises; avoiding hiring freezes a...
Crown Immunity (Prisons) 2025-07-22
22 July 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
Proposes a Bill to remove Crown immunity as it applies to prisons for health and safety legislation, highlighting cases of preventable deaths such as Katie Allen's. Emphasises that the removal of Crow...
China Audit 2025-06-24
24 June 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East 2025-06-23
23 June 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
68.1%
64 of 94 votes
Aye Votes
21
22.3% of votes
No Votes
43
45.7% of votes
Abstentions
30
31.9% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
8
Ministerial Questions Asked
40
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
14
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
94
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-40% below average
This MP:
8
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+723% above average
This MP:
40
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+48% above average
This MP:
14
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-1% below average
This MP:
68.1
Average:
68.8
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 Blair McDougall's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.