Bridget Phillipson
MP for Houghton and Sunderland South
Lab
6 May 2010 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
We continue to keep these matters under review. We are looking carefully at the Law Commission’s report into marriage published in 2022 and we will respond in due course.
Context
The Law Commission published a report on marriage in 2022, examining various aspects of the legal framework surrounding marriage.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Anneliese Dodds)
We are looking carefully at the Law Commission’s report into marriage published in 2022 and we will respond in due course.
Session: Topical Questions
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Nonsense, Mr Speaker. What people right across this country want is a general election, and it cannot come soon enough. It is not only on childcare that the Secretary of State is in a total mess; school leaders, teachers and staff have been dismayed by her failure to reform Ofsted. She simply refuses to listen to staff, to the Education Committee, or indeed to parents. I am clear that under Labour, the days of one-word judgments will come to an end, so when can we expect the Secretary of State to follow Labour's lead and commit to ending Ofsted's headline grades?
Context
The MP criticised the Secretary of State's failure to reform Ofsted, pointing out that school leaders, teachers, and staff are dismayed by her inaction.
Gillian Keegan
We will not follow Labour's lead, because in 2010 only 68% of schools were rated “good” or “outstanding”; now, thanks to our reforms and hard work, that figure is up to 90%. We have already delivered a number of changes to improve the way Ofsted carries out its inspections.
Session: Topical Questions
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I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments, and send my thoughts and best wishes to all those in the school community of Ammanford at this very difficult time. “The extension does not achieve its primary aim or demonstrate value for money”. That is a damning line from the National Audit Office's report into the Government's childcare expansion. For months, the Secretary of State has told parents and providers that they were wrong to be concerned, yet now we learn that even her own Department considers delivery to be “problematic”—her own failure exposed. Why has she not listened and got a serious plan in place, or is she simply waiting for Labour to publish ours so that she can steal it? [Laughter.]
Context
The MP criticised the Secretary of State's childcare expansion plan, citing a National Audit Office report that found it does not achieve its primary aim or demonstrate value for money.
Gillian Keegan
I do not think anyone in the country is waiting for Labour to publish its plan. This is serious, because of course we are ambitious; delivering the largest expansion of childcare in our country's history is not an easy task, but that is the job of Government, and that is what we are doing. Thanks to the expansion, over 200,000 more children are getting childcare support.
Session: Topical Questions
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In light of false accusations levelled at an academic and subsequent apology, what action is the Secretary of State taking to assure academics they remain free to make legitimate comments?
Context
False accusations against an academic on the board of UK Research and Innovation by a Government colleague, followed by an apology.
Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)
Academic independence and free speech are important. That's why we passed the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 and have a free speech director in the Office for Students.
Session: Topical Questions
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My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has rightly championed childcare and early education with £500 million in this year's Budget, on top of billions committed last year to the sector.
Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State)
This Conservative Government are backing brilliant childcare providers as we roll out our historic childcare offer. Average funding rates will increase over the next two financial years, giving businesses confidence to invest and expand.
Session: Topical Questions
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“It's not our fault” always seems to be this Government's catchphrase, and now it applies to childcare too: it is not the Secretary of State's fault but that of local authorities; it is not her responsibility to deliver on her Government's own pledge. Even her own civil servants are saying that some parents just will not get their places. Does she agree with the Children's Minister that no parents will lose out? Will she give that guarantee to the House today—yes or no?
Context
The Government's childcare pledge faces criticism for potential delivery issues.
Gillian Keegan
I am glad that the hon. Lady has asked about childcare, because it is yet another illustration of how this Conservative Government are delivering for working parents while the Labour party still does not have a plan. I know what it takes to deliver complex projects. I have delivered many over three decades working in industry all around the world. Given the hon. Lady's limited experience outside politics, she should focus on not playing party politics and deliver for hard-working parents.
Session: Topical Questions
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Students at St Leonard's School in Durham are working hard for their exams, but they are facing sustained and ongoing disruption, including challenges to doing practical coursework, off-site teaching and being bussed around the city, all because of RAAC. There is no firm date for the rebuilding to commence, and that is just not good enough. It is putting young people's futures at risk. Will the Secretary of State now work with the regulator and the exam boards on mitigations for the small number of young people whose life chances are being put at risk by Government failure?
Context
Students at St Leonard's School in Durham are facing disruptions due to RAAC remediation.
Gillian Keegan
As the hon. Lady knows, we have been working closely with St Leonard's School, and actually with all schools that were impacted by RAAC. I would like to take this moment to thank the headteachers and all the teachers who have done an amazing job to keep 100% of children in face-to-face education. We have spoken to the award bodies. They have been working with schools and have offered some support in terms of assessments and making sure that they can look at what more needs to be done, but exams are there to assess—
Session: Topical Questions
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If attendance is her top priority, why isn't there legislation for a register of children not in school as previously promised?
Context
The Education Secretary promised to legislate but the measure was missing from the King's Speech, despite previous commitments.
Gillian Keegan
More items are proposed for the King's Speech than can be accommodated within legislative time; therefore, not all items make it into the speech. It remains my priority and I aim to legislate on this matter very soon.
Session: Topical Questions
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I send my condolences to Ruth Perry's family. The Education Secretary states that attendance is a priority but the latest figures show attendance rates have dropped significantly this term despite previous promises and legislation intentions.
Context
The education secretary stated her commitment to improving child attendance, yet this term the attendance rate has declined consistently hitting a new low.
Gillian Keegan
Attendance for me is my top priority. I regularly chair the attendance action alliance group and we are determined to ensure that children attend school because it benefits their education greatly. We collaborate with GPs and other medical professionals to promote awareness of the positive impact of school on child well-being, and support is available in schools. These efforts have begun to show results with 380,000 fewer children missing school but attendance remains a key issue.
Session: Topical Questions
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In the wake of the massacre that occurred in Israel, cases of antisemitism in this country have risen dramatically. Will my right hon. Friend join me in condemning antisemitism and state what she will do to ensure that Jewish students feel safe on campus?
Context
Cases of antisemitism have risen by 582%, and Jewish students on campuses feel very unsafe.
Robert Halfon
Sadly, there are a number of Hamas's useful idiots—a fifth column—across some of our universities. The Secretary of State has said that she will not stand for it; the Home Secretary will not stand for it. We have written to universities.
Session: Topical Questions
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Persistent absence is a symptom of a breakdown of trust right across our school system. The Conservatives reopened pubs before they reopened schools, left schools to crumble, and allowed disruptive strike action to drag on for months. Labour's first priority will be to rebuild that relationship between schools, families, and Government. Does the Secretary of State not believe that parents and children deserve a lot better than the sorry mess she is presiding over today?
Context
The Labour Party aims to reset the relationship between families and schools, deliver new mental health hubs, and have counsellors in every secondary school and breakfast clubs for primary school children.
Gillian Keegan
The hon. Lady talks about responsibility and accountability but fails to acknowledge Labour's failure to act on warnings regarding RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2007.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State distance herself from the discredited claim of the private schools' lobby, do the right thing and adopt Labour's plan to drive up standards in our schools?
Context
The Institute for Fiscal Studies confirmed that ending private schools' tax breaks could raise up to £1.5 billion in additional revenue, which Labour plans to use to invest in new teachers and better mental health support.
Gillian Keegan
Labour has never driven up a standard in our schools. Most of our private schools are nothing like Eton or Harrow; they are far smaller and they charge a lot less. Many cost the same as a family holiday abroad, and there are plenty of parents who choose to forgo life's luxuries to give their children those opportunities.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will she take this opportunity to apologise to parents for the completely needless and avoidable disruption to their children's education for which she is responsible?
Context
Ministers were aware of the likelihood of teachers going on strike since last year. The Secretary of State only settled the dispute recently.
Gillian Keegan
Since I came into this job at the end of October, the unions asked for an extra £2 billion and I delivered it; families asked for childcare and I delivered it; the School Teachers Review Body asked for 6.5% for teachers and I delivered it; and that had to be funded, and I have delivered it.
Session: Topical Questions
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We were all reminded today that the Secretary of State is already keen to move on, yet parents know that it is her ongoing failure to resolve the disputes that is damaging our children's education. She told us to wait for the independent pay review body's recommendations. Those have been made and now she refuses to publish them. Will she come clean, allow headteachers to plan for September and publish the recommendations today?
Context
There is ongoing debate about the delay in publishing the independent School Teachers' Review Body's recommendations, which could affect planning for September.
Gillian Keegan
I assure the hon. Lady that I have no intention of moving on—I am sure she will be delighted to hear that. This is the same process that we go through every year. I take the independent teachers review body very seriously. That is why, on my very first day in this job, when I had a letter from all the teaching unions asking for an additional £2 billion to fund the increase for last year that the STRB had recommended, which was much higher than the 3% that schools had budgeted, I took it seriously and got that extra funding. That takes time. I have just received the report. We are considering the recommendations and we will definitely publish it within the same sort of timeframes that we usually publish it.
Session: Industrial Dispute Resolution
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Today's announcement by Ofsted is a welcome recognition of the need for change, but it does not go far enough. Labour is the party of high and rising standards in our schools, which is why we would give parents a comprehensive picture of their children's school in the form of an Ofsted report card, rather than a simplistic one-word judgment. Why is the Secretary of State content to sit back, rather than drive improvement in our schools?
Gillian Keegan
The last time I was at the Dispatch Box, the hon. Member for Reading East (Matt Rodda) asked me to meet the family of Ruth Perry and members of the Caversham community following Ruth's tragic death. I have been honoured to work with Ruth's family and friends over the last few weeks. I take this matter incredibly seriously. Today, we announced that we are significantly expanding wellbeing support, in addition to announcements from Ofsted to improve the accountability system.
Session: Topical Questions
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That is why, as we have said, Labour believes that safeguarding reviews should take place annually. Reducing schools' performance to a one-word headline means high stakes for staff but a low level of information for parents. The current Ofsted chief inspector has described Labour's plan to move from headline grades to a new system of school report cards as a “logical evolution”. Does the Secretary of State agree with the chief inspector?
Context
The MP questions the Secretary of State's response to concerns over Ofsted practices, specifically about whether she agrees with a proposal for annual safeguarding reviews.
Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State for Education)
I think the hon. Lady stood on a manifesto to abolish Ofsted in 2019, and now she has said she would remove the grading of schools. I too have a quotation from Sir Michael Wilshaw, who has said: “This risks lowering standards in schools and is a distraction”. I would go further, and say that this shows that Labour is happy to prioritise the asks of teaching unions over raising standards and safeguarding our children.
Session: Topical Questions
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As this is the first session of Education questions since the tragic death of Ruth Perry was made public, may I take the opportunity to extend my condolences and those of the entire Labour party to her family, her school community, and everyone who knew her? Parents know that accountability is crucial for our schools. A year ago I said that as Ofsted turned 30, it was time for it to turn a corner. The former chief inspector of schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has now said that the Secretary of State must respond as a matter of urgency to what he describes as “a groundswell of opinion building up” that Ofsted is getting some things wrong. Does the Secretary of State still believe that there is no room for improvement in the inspection of schools?
Context
The MP extends condolences to the family of Ruth Perry, a tragic death related to school inspections. She asks whether Ofsted's chief inspector believes there is room for improvement in its practices.
Gillian Keegan (Secretary of State for Education)
I always think that there is room for improvement in absolutely everything. Ruth Perry's death was a terrible tragedy, and my deepest sympathies are with her family, her friends, and the whole school community. A shocking event such as this will inevitably raise questions about inspection practice, which is understandable, but the safeguarding of pupils is also vital. I know that His Majesty's chief inspector of education, children's services and skills has listened to school leaders who have expressed concern about the way in which safeguarding is inspected, and is reviewing the current approach as part of an ongoing process of evaluation and development.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State explain to parents why after 13 years of Conservative Governments, her Department escalated the risk of a school building collapsing to “critical—very likely”?
Context
A school building in the constituency has escalated its risk status to 'critical—very likely'.
Gillian Keegan
Absolutely. We take the condition of schools very seriously, and we will be publishing data. We have collected a lot of data on schools—1.2 billion lines of data—and every time a school is identified as having a risk, it is acted on immediately.
Session: Topical Questions
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May I begin by joining the right hon. Lady the Secretary of State in recognising the tremendous contribution of everyone right across education in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to our country, and reiterate our commitment, right across the House, to facing down Russian aggression? Last week, the Leader of the Opposition set out that spreading opportunity through reform of our childcare and education systems will be a central mission of the next Labour Government. By contrast, the Prime Minister fails to identify education as a priority for his Government. Can the Secretary of State explain why?
Context
The leader of the opposition has recognized education as a priority, while the Prime Minister has not.
Gillian Keegan
I am delighted that the Leader of the Opposition has finally recognised education, because every other speech he has given did not mention it at all. The education of our children is vital, and standards and quality are also important. Since 2010, we have been making sure that the standards of our education for children give them the best opportunity to thrive in life. We have increased access to free childcare, and we have changed school standards, ensuring that all our kids are doing much better in much better schools.
Session: Topical Questions
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The schools Minister said we would see this data last year. Conservative colleagues describe their own policies as 'crazy' and 'unnecessarily expensive'. If even the Secretary of State's own colleagues can see the case for change, why can't she?
Context
Conservative Members have described the Government's childcare policy as “crazy” and “unnecessarily expensive”. Labour is proposing changes.
Claire Coutinho
When Labour was in power for 13 years it did nothing on this issue. The Conservative Government expanded offers for two, three and four-year-olds. However, we are committed to increasing flexibility and affordability of childcare for parents.
Session: Topical Questions
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Parents, staff and pupils are still in the dark despite a previous commitment by the schools Minister to publish data on dangerous school buildings by December 2021. When will this data be published?
Context
The Department for Education raised the risk rating of school buildings collapsing to “critical/very likely”. A promise to publish the data on these dangerous buildings was made but not fulfilled.
Nick Gibb
Our spending on capital funding since 2015 has been £13 billion. We take school safety seriously and have asked schools to complete a questionnaire regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Summary findings from the condition data collection have already been published, with more detailed data planned for release shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State agree with Lord Johnson that the current policies provide 'egregious state support' to wealthy students?
Context
The question challenges the policy of providing tax breaks to private schools, citing a statement by Lord Johnson.
Gillian Keegan
The most important thing is to ensure that every child in a state school gets a brilliant education. The policy could cost money and lead to disruption as students move from private to state sectors. We have fought for an extra £2 billion spend per pupil.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why has there been no action to support families in terms of affordability of childcare?
Context
Parents are struggling with the high cost of childcare, spending more than a quarter of their pay. The previous two fiscal statements did not address this issue.
Gillian Keegan
We have increased free childcare from 12.5 hours to 30 hours and spent over £20 billion supporting families with childcare costs in the past five years.
Session: Topical Questions
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As a result of the Conservatives crashing our economy, school leaders are now warning that they will be forced to cut back on equipment, sport and the very staff who enable all our children to achieve and thrive. Last month, I set out Labour's fully funded, fully costed commitments to end tax breaks for private schools and to invest in breakfast clubs for every child in every primary school in England. If the Secretary of State genuinely believes in delivering a great state education for all our children, why does he not adopt Labour's plans?
Context
School leaders are warning about cutting back on equipment, sports activities, and staff due to economic issues. The questioner highlighted Labour's plans to end tax breaks for private schools and invest in breakfast clubs.
Kit Malthouse
As the hon. Lady will know, we already have breakfast clubs in a number of schools across the country, which are targeted at where they are most needed. Our approach to such issues is to do exactly that: to look for vulnerabilities and the areas that require assistance and then to target funding accordingly.
Session: Topical Questions
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I begin by welcoming the fourth Education Secretary in the last four months to his place. For the time being, he has the best job in Government. In May, internal Department documents described some school buildings as a “risk to life”. After the Conservatives crashed our economy, does he believe that there should be further cuts to school capital budgets?
Context
Internal Department documents described some school buildings as a “risk to life” due to the poor state of infrastructure. The question is prompted by concerns over further cuts to school capital budgets.
Kit Malthouse
I thank the hon. Lady for her welcome. She is absolutely right that this is the best job in Whitehall and, indeed, the most important Department, given that we hold the future of the country literally in our hands. She is right that the comprehensive survey of school premises that the Department undertook revealed some alarming problems, and we are working closely with local education authorities, multi-academy trusts and others to try to rectify those. We have invested significant amounts of money in the school rebuilding programme.
Session: Topical Questions
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Parents will know that the cost of care is skyrocketing, yet even the Children's Minister himself—the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member for Colchester (Will Quince)—admitted that the changes the Government are considering are 'not going to significantly change costs'. Labour has already set out how its children's recovery plan would tackle this vital issue and provide immediate help to families now. What will it take for the Secretary of State to find some fresh ideas that actually address this growing crisis?
Context
The cost of care is skyrocketing, yet even the Children's Minister admitted that proposed changes will not significantly reduce costs.
Nadhim Zahawi
The hon. Lady again misses the point. The package is not just about the ratios. It is about looking at how we encourage and grow the childminder market, how we ensure the 1.2 million parents who are eligible to get tax-free childcare make that claim and, of course, how we support teachers, both in our brilliant maintained nurseries and across the system, to do much more for the children we want to see them deliver for.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week, the Secretary of State's flagship Schools Bill was left in tatters as he pulled 18 out of 69 clauses. Will he explain whether that was because he was bamboozled by his officials, he did not understand his own legislation, or he planned it all along? Or was it just the incompetence that we have all come to expect?
Context
The Secretary of State's flagship Schools Bill had 18 out of 69 clauses pulled due to reasons unclear.
Nadhim Zahawi
At least I am not missing in action. If the hon. Lady had looked at the detail of my White Paper rather than attempted to play politics with it, she would know that I always promised a review of clauses 1 to 18 because we are taking what is in contract with multi-academy trusts and putting it in statute. I have now launched that review to ensure that we get it right so that clauses 1 to 18 come to this place and the Bill gets through to deliver the outcomes that we all want to see for all children.
Session: Topical Questions
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Headteachers are telling us they are having to cut back on staffing, school trips and even pens and paper. As costs soar and the national insurance rise comes into effect, the Secretary of State is still failing to invest in our children's recovery. Experts have lined up to tell him the damage his inaction will cause, not just to our children's future but to Britain's future success. What will it take to convince him to put our children first?
Context
The question challenges the Secretary of State to invest more in children's recovery from the pandemic, noting concerns about cost-cutting measures by headteachers.
Nadhim Zahawi
I do not know whether the hon. Lady was listening when I talked about the 7% cash increase in the budget for schools this year compared with last year—that is £4 billion going to our schools. By 2024 we will be investing £56.5 billion in education. Of course money makes a difference, but if she visits Hammersmith Academy she will meet a great leadership team who are delivering for their students—60% of whom get the pupil premium—because leadership matters. I wish her luck in her leadership campaign.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Schools Bill gives the Secretary of State sweeping powers over the operation of our schools. Does that mean that he recognises that the Government's approach to school improvement over the past 12 years has failed?
Context
The Schools Bill grants sweeping powers to the Secretary of State over school operations. The question challenges whether this reflects a recognition that previous government approaches have failed.
Nadhim Zahawi
Quite the opposite. The hon. Lady clearly does not follow the evidence. If she looked at it, she would see that families of schools in high-performing multi-academy trusts have delivered better outcomes for their students. Whether they are Church of England schools, Catholic schools or grammar schools, they are all joining us on this journey, and I invite her to do the same.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given the immense disruption to children's education, when will the Secretary of State finally get a grip?
Context
The MP criticizes the government's complacency regarding the national tutoring program.
Nadhim Zahawi
We have hit 1 million blocks of tutoring and aim for 2 million this year, hitting 6 million in total. Every child should get an opportunity to recover learning lost.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State believe that Randstad's delivery of the national tutoring programme has been a success?
Context
Randstad has been delivering the national tutoring programme.
Nadhim Zahawi
The programme had two pillars—academic mentors and tuition partners—and we have hit 1 million blocks of tutoring. Schools tell us that those pillars are important, but also that they wanted a school-led route. More than half a million tutoring blocks have been delivered that way.
Session: Topical Questions
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If only that were true. It is a year this week since the Prime Minister appointed Sir Kevan Collins “to oversee a comprehensive programme of catch-up”, only for Sir Kevan later to resign in protest because, in his words, the Government's plans risked “failing hundreds of thousands of pupils.” We can all see covid's impact on children's learning and wellbeing. Labour's “Children's Recovery Plan” meets the scale of the challenge we face, so when will the Minister finally put children first and match Labour's ambition for their future?
Context
Sir Kevan Collins resigned in protest over the Government's lack of a comprehensive programme to catch up on learning losses due to the pandemic.
Robin Walker
I am delighted that this Government are investing £5 billion in education recovery, and that we have a Prime Minister who two years ago delivered on a key manifesto promise to take this country out of theusb EU.
Session: Topical Questions
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Today, I send my love to the family of Jack Dromey, who will be deeply missed by us all. Through you, Mr Speaker, I also send to the Secretary of State my best wishes for a swift recovery. According to the most recent figures, the number of children who are out of school because of covid has risen by 34%. In the light of that, do Ministers not regret all the time and energy they have wasted on defending the Prime Minister rather than prioritising our children's learning?
Context
The number of children out of school because of covid has risen by 34%, prompting concerns about prioritizing children's education.
Robin Walker
The hon. Lady may wish to play party politics, but we are focused on making sure that children can safely learn in schools.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why will the Secretary of State not bring forward proper proposals, like Labour's clear, costed and achievable plans, which match the scale of the challenge that our children face?
Context
Sir Kevan Collins resigned in protest over the Government's failure to support children.
Nadhim Zahawi
Instead of increasing inputs, focus on outcomes. 16 to 19-year-olds get an extra hour of education weekly; £800m and £1bn allocated for secondary and primary pupils respectively in Budget.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Secretary of State will be aware that just 40% of children aged 12 to 15 have been vaccinated. Will he use Christmas holidays to vaccinate children, support schools for next term planning?
Context
Vaccination rates for children aged 12 to 15 in the north-west and west midlands are below national average.
Nadhim Zahawi
The Government will continue vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds through both school settings and centres. Early vaccinated individuals are due their second jab by mid-December according to JCVI recommendations.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister guarantee no presents will be missing from under the tree this Christmas because of her Government's failure to plan ahead?
Context
The logistics industry warns that the shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers is causing delays, potentially impacting Christmas deliveries.
Helen Whately
We are taking steps to support the haulage sector, including 5,000 temporary visas for HGV drivers, increased test capacity, changes in cabotage restrictions, and funding improved facilities for drivers. In the longer term, we need better pay and conditions for lorry drivers.
Session: Supply Chain Issues
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Can the Minister help businesses and families prepare by explaining how much this chaos will cost the country this year?
Context
The Office for Budget Responsibility warned that the Government's supply chain chaos will weigh on economic recovery beyond current forecasts.
Helen Whately
I do not agree with the picture painted. We are providing support where it is appropriate, including £500 million extra help to households during this winter due to energy price rises and increased evidence of supply bottlenecks.
Session: Supply Chain Issues
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Let us think about what £20 a week really means. Twenty pounds a week means being able to afford to buy a coat for your children this winter. It means not having to worry about turning on the heating when the weather turns cold. Can the Minister offer any advice to families who work hard and play by the rules about how they should manage with £100 less each and every month?
Context
Phillipson highlights the real-life implications of a £20 per week reduction in universal credit for hard-working families.
Steve Barclay
As the hon. Lady knows, alongside the universal credit uplift other measures of support were given. Those are not only my words; I quote the Resolution Foundation, which has said: 'Since the crisis hit, the support schemes introduced by the Government have prevented an unprecedented collapse in GDP from turning into a living standards disaster.' That is the package of measures put forward by the Government. That is how we have protected people's living standards. The key is to have a plan and to get that plan working; it is, and that is helping people back into work.
Session: Living Standards
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When the Chancellor increased universal credit eighteen months ago, he said that he wanted “to look back…and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.” Does the Minister consider that taking £20 a week from millions of families across our country is really an act of decency?
Context
When Chancellor increased universal credit, he said the goal was to look back at how we thought first of others.
Steve Barclay
I think that £400 billion of support in response to the covid pandemic across our public services and individual businesses shows the scale of measures that the Chancellor has put in place. On the specific issue of universal credit, we were always clear that the uplift was going to be temporary. As it was, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor extended it for a further six months. But ultimately what divides the two sides of the House is that we believe the best approach is to have a plan for jobs, to get people into work, and to upskill them in those jobs. The Opposition simply do not have a plan at all.
Session: Living Standards
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With this Government, it seems that it is a case of “don't know, don't care”. The reality is that the Chancellor's failure to invest in our children's future is the very definition of a false economy. The Chancellor recently said that he could not say yes to everyone. He seemed to have no problem saying yes to the friends and donors of the Conservative party, but it is a no to the children who urgently need support to catch up after the biggest disruption to their education for a generation. Is the Minister really proud of that?
Context
The Chancellor's failure to invest in educational catch-up support is viewed as a false economy.
Steve Barclay
I am very proud that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has committed an additional £7.1 billion over three years to increase the school uplift, with £2.2 billion this year alone. I am very proud that he announced £1.7 billion of additional recovery funding.
Session: Educational Catch-up Provision Funding
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Attendance
35.7%
35 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
17
17.3% of votes
No Votes
18
18.4% of votes
Abstentions
63
64.3% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
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 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
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 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
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
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
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
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
0
PMQs Asked
51
Ministerial Questions Asked
42
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
37
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+280% above average
This MP:
51
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+764% above average
This MP:
42
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+291% above average
This MP:
37
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-48% below average
This MP:
35.7
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 Bridget Phillipson's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.