Catherine West
MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Lab
7 May 2015 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I thank the Prime Minister for his calm and authoritative leadership in international affairs. I also thank the UK missions abroad, who have enormous respect for the Prime Minister. May I ask him to put on record his thanks to the security, diplomatic and international aid workforce, who work day and night on behalf of the UK abroad?
Context
The Prime Minister's leadership in international affairs is acknowledged, but the questioner seeks recognition for security, diplomatic, and aid workers who work abroad.
Keir Starmer
My hon. Friend always speaks her mind! I join her in thanking our people. During my tenure, we have delivered five major trade deals, supported Ukraine, strengthened NATO alliance, and built stronger partnerships with the EU.
Assessment
Public recognition for workforce
Always Speaks Her Mind
Session: PMQs 2026-07-01
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This House legislated 126 years ago to make Alexandra Palace available for the free use...of the public forever, and last year Luke “the Nuke” changed darts forever by rewriting the record books. Today Ally Pally plays host to world championship darts, Masters snooker, Haringey Huskies and Haringey Greyhounds ice hockey, plus music, comedy, drama and more. Will the Prime Minister keep the palace competitive as the international venue for darts by supporting my campaign to raise a one-off public-private £500 million investment for urgent capital improvements?
Context
Alexandra Palace is a historic venue hosting various events, including darts championships. The questioner seeks support to raise £500 million for capital improvements.
Keir Starmer
I thank my hon. Friend. The people's palace is an iconic British venue—a home for darts, snooker and world-class music. It is vital that we support brilliant venues that give so much to our cultural life. That is why we are providing almost £200 million to preserve heritage buildings across the country, so that venues like Alexandra Palace can have a bright future.
Assessment
Did not confirm £500 million support for capital improvements
Session: PMQs
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The Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London is part of Facebook groups filled with Islamophobic content. There are also death threats against current Mayor Sadiq Khan. Will the PM close down these pages and investigate the candidate's role in them?
Context
The Conservative candidate for Mayor of London is a member of Facebook groups that incite hate, with death threats directed at Sadiq Khan.
Rishi Sunak
The election will focus on issues like house building, knife crime, mayoral taxes, and ULEZ charges. Labour's record shows a collapse in house building, rising knife crime, high mayoral taxes, and negative impacts on London's night-time economy.
Session: PMQs
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After 13 years of broken promises to repair social care, will the Government take urgent action now or leave it to Labour?
Context
Basic services in sheltered housing schemes are missing post-pandemic, raising concerns about social care.
Oliver Dowden
For the NHS, record additional funding has been provided. Since 2010, funding is up £70 billion. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor also provided £2.3 billion of support to social care.
Assessment
Specific action not mentioned; general funding statement given instead.
Session: PMQs
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Ambulance waiting times are out of control. My constituent contacted me regarding her 93-year-old mother, who lay collapsed on the ground at home for 17 hours and then queued for 13 hours to get into the hospital. And yet on Monday the Prime Minister said he had his “fingers crossed” that ambulance waiting times would be reduced. Does he really think that is enough?
Context
Ambulance waiting times are out of control, with a constituent's 93-year-old mother lying collapsed at home for 17 hours before getting medical attention.
Rishi Sunak
If the hon. Lady actually looks, she will see that we published on Monday a comprehensive plan to reduce wait times in A&E and for ambulances, backed with more funding, reform of the system, more beds, more ambulances and more staff. It was a plan that was warmly welcomed by all working in emergency care and the ambulance services. They recognise that this plan will deliver reduced waiting times and improve care across the country, including in Labour-run Wales.
Session: PMQs
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Why have the Government not committed to investigating Royal Mail's mismanagement and protecting its future and workers?
Context
Royal Mail announced losses, job cuts, and threats to universal service obligation after record payouts to shareholders.
Rishi Sunak
Striking is not the right approach, especially demanding unaffordable pay increases for taxpayers. The Government supports postal workers but opposes excessive demands.
Assessment
The specific ask about investigating Royal Mail and protecting its obligations was completely avoided
Session: PMQs
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Private rents in my constituency are completely out of control, and since the Government broke the economy and broke the mortgage market, the hope of earning a home is quickly receding. With the cost of living skyrocketing, Tory tax rises through the roof, and an extra 1 million people in the private rented sector since 2010, will the Government get a grip and tackle housing in my constituency and across the country?
Context
The Deputy Prime Minister is asked to tackle housing issues in the private rented sector, which has seen an increase of 1 million people since 2010.
Dominic Raab
As a former Housing Minister, I know how important these issues are. I can tell the hon. Lady that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is looking very carefully at the situation of renters and landlords, and legislation is to be brought forward shortly.
Assessment
Did not provide specific actions beyond stating intention to look into the issue
Session: PMQs
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Gas and electric prices and bills are through the roof. The 'just about managing' are no longer managing; they are coming to surgeries and queuing at food banks. Last week, the Government had a golden opportunity to tackle this. Why the devil did they not take that opportunity to do something to relieve the pressure on our constituents?
Context
Local constituents are struggling with high energy bills, leading to financial strain. Previous government statements have highlighted the need for action.
Boris Johnson
I understand the pressure that people are under, but the best thing we can do is support people through this tough time and ensure a strong economy in which we get people into work. We are cutting the cost of energy.
Assessment
Did not specify how they will alleviate financial pressures or address high energy costs specifically.
Supporting People Through Tough Times
Session: PMQs
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Widening inequalities are tearing communities apart, and covid has made things much worse. In Hornsey and Wood Green we have a 182% increase in joblessness. Today, will the Prime Minister pledge to reverse the planned £1,000 per annum cut to universal credit, to provide a certain future for the increasing numbers of people who use universal credit as a lifeline?
Context
In Hornsey and Wood Green, joblessness has increased by 182%. Universal credit is being cut by £1,000 per annum.
Boris Johnson
Not only have we uprated universal credit by £1,000, but, as I have said, we have increased the local housing allowance, the living wage and many, many other benefits. We will keep all this under constant review.
Assessment
Did not pledge to reverse the planned cut of £1,000 per annum
We Have Uprated Universal Credit By £1,000
Session: PMQs
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My constituents are reeling from the 9% contraction of the economy since March this year. Unemployment has sky-rocketed and joblessness in Haringey is the highest in the capital. Unfortunately, we are at the same time facing the idea that there could be a congestion tax forced on an extra 4 million Londoners by this Government. These Londoners are already facing the double whammy of covid and financial ruin. Will the Prime Minister please immediately stop the imposition of this dreadful plan? I look forward to his answer.
Context
The UK economy has contracted by 9% since March this year. Haringey's joblessness is the highest in London, and a congestion tax could further burden Londoners.
Boris Johnson
I must respectfully inform the hon. Lady that the current Mayor of London had effectively bankrupted TfL before coronavirus had even hit and left a massive black hole in its finances. Any need to make up that deficit is entirely down to him.
Assessment
The question asked about stopping a congestion tax, but the answer focused on criticising the current Mayor of London.
Changed Subject
Session: PMQs
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Will the Government understand that education costs are high but it is worth investing more in schools to ensure every child has access to excellent facilities regardless of their background?
Context
A visit to a school in the constituency revealed poor maintenance with leaking roofs, rusty shower rooms and mouldy changing areas.
The Prime Minister
This Government are investing record £14 billion more in education, raising funding for primary schools to £4,000 per head and secondary schools to £5,000 per head because we run a strong market economy.
Session: PMQs
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What is the Minister's assessment of the unemployment issues for graduates? Will he and the Treasury team pledge to consider carefully the evidence that the cross-party Treasury Committee took from thousands of graduates, and come up with a fairer system that equalises plans, so that the year in which graduates enrolled in university does not matter?
Context
The MP has campaigned on this issue, highlighting the unfairness in the current graduate loan system where graduates pay different amounts based on when they enrolled in university.
Torsten Bell
My hon. Friend has done significant campaigning on this issue in recent months, and we all know why. The Government obviously inherited the student loan system situation, and we have already acted to cap the interest rate on student loans. We look forward to reading her Committee's report, and, I am sure, to her ongoing campaigning on this issue.
Session: Youth Unemployment
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It is indeed a very exciting development to see the bold and vital steps taken to address child poverty, but runaway rental costs are driving hunger and hardship. Building council homes is obviously the right long-term approach, and Haringey council is the second biggest builder of council homes in the whole country. Will the Treasury team now help struggling families by lifting the freeze on local housing allowance so that there is a permanent link between rents and support?
Torsten Bell
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Food bank use has fallen in recent years, but it is still far too high, including in her constituency. It is part of a wider challenge that the cost of essentials places too much pressure on household finances.
The Department for Work and Pensions spends around £37 billion a year on housing support, but in the long run, the answer to high housing costs is to build more homes. That is what we are doing through the £39 billion social and affordable homes programme, but we also need to protect tenants in the here and now, and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force just next week. Among other things, it will allow tenants to appeal excessive, above-market rents.
The Department for Work and Pensions spends around £37 billion a year on housing support, but in the long run, the answer to high housing costs is to build more homes. That is what we are doing through the £39 billion social and affordable homes programme, but we also need to protect tenants in the here and now, and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force just next week. Among other things, it will allow tenants to appeal excessive, above-market rents.
Session: Food Bank Usage Hornsey and Friern Barnet
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What fiscal steps she is taking to help reduce the level of food bank usage by families in Hornsey and Friern Barnet constituency.
Torsten Bell
The rise in food banks across Britain is among the most visible signs that, under the last Government, ours was a country in which growth was too low and inequality was too high. This Government are committed to ending the mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We have expanded free school meals to children in all families receiving universal credit, and we have removed the two-child limit to lift around half a million children out of poverty. Britain is now on course for the biggest reduction in child poverty of any Parliament on record, and charities such as Trussell believe that will significantly reduce demand for food banks.
Session: Food Bank Usage Hornsey and Friern Barnet
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Does the Minister agree that everyone—including financial institutions such as the mutual sector, which often outperforms the private banking sector in access to finance and branch closure issues—needs to play their part in helping families and households at this critical juncture?
Context
There are concerns about the role of financial institutions, including the mutual sector, in helping families and households in crisis situations.
Lucy Rigby
We are a strong supporter of the mutual sector. As part of our financial inclusion strategy, we are backing the sector with initiatives such as the new £30 million credit union transformation fund and reform of the common bond.
Session: Food Banks
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What fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the level of use of food banks by families?
Context
The level of use of food banks by families has been increasing, prompting concerns about the adequacy of existing support measures.
Lucy Rigby
We are committed to ending mass dependence on food parcels. This includes extending free school meals to children in families receiving universal credit and removing the two-child limit, which will lift 450,000 children out of poverty and significantly reduce the number of families using food banks according to the Trussell Trust.
Session: Food Banks
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What is the Government’s estimate of the number of jobs that will be created in the UK by 2030? Is it true to say that it will be triple the number in the old economy?
Context
There is an expectation that the transition to a green economy will create numerous jobs. Catherine West seeks clarity on the government's projection for employment growth.
Martin McCluskey
Hundreds of thousands of jobs will come from the clean power revolution. That is why it is so important that we push ahead with it and do not adopt the tactics of the Conservative party, or their friends on the Back Benches. We need to push ahead with clean power in order to unlock those hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.
Session: Energy Prices Economic Growth
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Can the Minister confirm that during her visit to Beijing she managed to address both legitimate trade interests and human rights issues like freedom of expression?
Context
Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, faces prosecution in Hong Kong. This raises questions about the balance between economic and moral considerations.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
I was able to meet many different groups, including businesses, civil society, religious voices, and political interlocutors in Beijing last week. I raised very firmly all those issues such as freedom of expression during robust discussions.
Session: Jimmy Lai
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As Ramadan begins and Passover and Easter approach, it is vital that all places of worship in Jerusalem be respected. I was extremely concerned by suggestions from Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir that restrictions could be imposed on worshippers at al-Aqsa mosque. I welcome subsequent statements by Israeli authorities that the sanctity of the holiday will be preserved. Authorities must show respect and restraint at this crucial moment. Have the Government made it clear to Israeli counterparts that Minister Ben-Gvir's comments were unacceptable and inflamed tensions, and that the status quo arrangements must be maintained?
Context
Suggestions from Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir that restrictions could be imposed on worshippers at al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon. Member is entirely right about the importance of religious freedom, particularly in the circumstances that she so clearly set out. She may rest assured that those are points that the British Government make very strongly to Israel.
Session: Israeli Occupation of the West Bank
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Will the Minister outline what steps are being taken with international partners to develop a sustained strategy for working in the region so that we can regain a sense of hope for the 40 million Afghans left behind?
Context
Frustration over the lack of a strategy since the Taliban took control, despite efforts to improve conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
The hon. Lady highlights the frustration that we all feel. We are working closely with international partners at a number of levels to ensure credible monitoring not only of the violence and threats against religious minorities but of the challenges for women and girls across the piece.
Session: Afghanistan Hazara Community
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Would it not be better if the Assembly were functioning normally so that issues like this could be resolved?
Context
Industrial action is due to hard-pressed public servants feeling at their wits' end.
Chris Heaton-Harris
A £3.3 billion package is available for a restored Executive to address public service needs, including pay pressures.
Session: Restoration of Power Sharing
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What recent discussions have you had with party leaders regarding the restoration of power sharing and the formation of a new Northern Ireland Executive?
Context
The situation has been ongoing for four years with the collapse of institutions on February 3, 2022.
Chris Heaton-Harris
I recently held discussions at Hillsborough Castle on Monday with political party leaders focused on restoring the Northern Ireland Executive and addressing related issues.
Session: Restoration of Power Sharing
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Sri Lanka is a key Commonwealth member and strategically vital. Warm relations are crucial but far too long, those accused of brutal crimes in the past, particularly against the Tamil minority, have escaped justice. Will the Minister outline steps being taken to support Tamils' calls for justice, including action against Sri Lankan Ministers if necessary? What support is there for Sri Lankan democracy and human rights?
Context
The question addresses the UK's support for Tamils' demands for justice, including potential actions against Sri Lankan officials.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. We welcomed recent UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' written update on Sri Lanka, and issued statements emphasizing inclusive transitional justice and effective governance reforms to highlight arbitrary use of laws to suppress dissent. The UK led UNHRC resolution 51/1 providing mandate for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on Sri Lanka.
Session: Sri Lanka
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What are the Government going to do about overcrowding in accident and emergency?
Context
Two A&E departments in Hornsey and Wood Green face significant pressure, with one seeing double the number of patients compared to last year.
Helen Whately
We are providing more capacity with hospital beds, ambulances, social care, seeing people out of hospitals through 10,000 “hospital at home” beds and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits.
Session: Winter Pressure on NHS Services
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What steps her Department is taking to reduce pressure on NHS services in winter 2023-24?
Context
The NHS is facing significant winter pressures, leading to increased patient visits and overcrowding in hospitals.
Helen Whately
We started planning for this winter earlier than ever before—back in January, with funding for more beds and ambulances, social care capacity, care coordination, and technology use to provide care when and where needed.
Session: Winter Pressure on NHS Services
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I return to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington: how many applicants are still being kicked out of hotels in the UK, and how many are applying from Pakistan and in hiding?
Context
Concern about applicants still being kicked out of hotels in the UK or applying from hiding.
James Heappey
The Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western) asked a very particular question about Afghan service personnel, as the record will show. I answered it, but I will need to go away and confirm, because that is not something that ARAP is intended to meet.
Session: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
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Jagtar Singh Johal, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, Morad Tahbaz, Mehran Raoof and Jimmy Lai are all high-profile British citizens detained abroad. Families of these individuals severely criticised the Government's weak, complacent and inconsistent record in supporting them. Does the Minister agree with us that consular assistance should be a right of British citizens, not based on the whims of Ministers?
Context
Families of several high-profile British citizens, such as Jagtar Singh Johal, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, Morad Tahbaz, Mehran Raoof, and Jimmy Lai, have criticized the Government's weak, complacent and inconsistent record in supporting their cases.
David Rutley
We take all these cases incredibly seriously. They are very challenging. I do not really understand the tone of the question, because my interactions with Opposition Front-Bench and other colleagues reflect the sincere efforts, in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, to help in all the cases that the hon. Lady raises.
Session: British Nationals Detained Overseas
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Today, tragically, 300 women in Britain will be raped. Under this Government's watch, in three of those cases there will be a charge. Under this Government's watch, charging numbers have plummeted. What are the Government going to do about it?
Context
The question addresses the significant drop in rape case charging numbers under current government, questioning their approach to justice for victims.
Alex Chalk
What we are not going to do is come up with statistics that are completely untrue. This is incredibly important, because people listen to what the hon. Lady has to say and it is simply wrong to send a message out that people are not being prosecuted. Let me make one thing crystal clear: more people have been prosecuted for rape in the last year for which statistics are available than was the case in the last year of a Labour Government. That is an important point.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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On several occasions, Labour colleagues and I have raised our concerns about the safety of Hongkongers here in the UK. There is still a significant fear felt by the Hong Kong community and a sense that the Chinese Government can act with relative impunity here in the UK. Will the Foreign Secretary commit to work with colleagues across Government to look at this urgently?
Context
The MP has raised concerns about the safety of individuals from Hong Kong living in the UK, noting fears among the community and lack of action against Chinese Government.
James Cleverly
My right hon Friend conducted a review of Chinese police stations in the UK and engaged with Chinese Government to ensure they no longer operate. We released a statement last week regarding this issue. Security and safety of people here remains top priority, we will continue to ensure freedom of speech across country.
Session: Topical Questions
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How can he introduce fresh challenges when there are such severe backlogs? Will he reconsider the day job and bread-and-butter work of getting through the backlog?
Context
A visit to Wandsworth prison showed that 75% of prisoners were still waiting for a basic sentence. The questioner is concerned about this situation.
Alex Chalk
Capacity is critically important. In 90% of cases in magistrates courts there are not difficulties, but we are expanding capacity with more judges and Nightingale courts. List officers ensure sensitive cases proceed as quickly as possible, and the Crown court backlog is coming down.
Session: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation
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Four years after declaring a climate emergency, what will the government do to bring all privately rented properties up to an A, B or C rating as soon as humanly possible?
Context
The UK Parliament declared a climate emergency, yet four years later the Government are still not addressing fuel poverty effectively.
Graham Stuart
We need to go further and faster. That is why we are spending £12.5 billion and have set up a dedicated energy efficiency taskforce.
Session: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report
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What urgent action will the Minister take to ensure wider access to crucial child and adolescent mental health services so that talking therapies can be delivered on time and effectively, allowing children to retake their learning?
Context
The MP questioned the urgent action needed for wider access to crucial child and adolescent mental health services to ensure timely talking therapies delivery.
Claire Coutinho
We are working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, which is investing billions to ensure 345,000 children can access CAMHS support. We are rolling out mental health support in schools and setting out best practice guides this year on a range of SEND issues.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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Why is the Treasury still giving energy companies an easy ride through lucrative loopholes in the energy windfall tax? The Treasury should be prioritising investments in renewables so that over time, our bills can come down.
Context
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report warning about irreversible levels of global heating, urging the Treasury to prioritize renewable investments.
James Cartlidge
The investment allowance in the windfall tax is not a loophole but an incentive for domestic energy production, aiming to maximise domestic production and ensure energy security.
Session: Net Zero
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In recent weeks, allies in the US and EU have moved to ban TikTok from Government phones, but the UK Government's response is to say that it is a personal choice. Will the Foreign Secretary clarify whether the Government will recommend a Government agency ban, or whether the UK will be behind the curve again?
Context
Allies in the US and EU have banned TikTok from government phones, while the UK has stated it is a personal choice.
James Cleverly
As it is a security matter, this issue is taken up by the Security Minister, which is a Home Office competency.
Session: Topical Questions
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Researchers have found that ending non-dom rules could gain as much as £3 billion a year. Will the Minister commit to publishing the Government's own estimate of the cost of the non-dom policy?
Context
Researchers from LSE and the University of Warwick estimate ending antiquated non-dom rules could gain £3 billion annually for the Exchequer.
Victoria Atkins
If I may correct the hon. Member, in fact, individuals on an average salary of £28,000 will pay £900 less income tax and national insurance compared with 2010-11. We keep all tax policies under review but emphasise that our economy needs to be open to people around the world who come to do business; they pay UK taxes on their UK incomes worth £7.9 billion.
Session: Tax System Fairness
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Which members of British industry has the Minister met to discuss the inadvertent use of shipping or other forms of industry to allow or somehow facilitate the Tatmadaw to get components, fuel or weapons?
Context
The UK is the penholder on Myanmar at the United Nations. There are concerns about inadvertent use of shipping or industry to facilitate components, fuel or weapons to persecute.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
I will be visiting the region next week, and I will be meeting a number of organisations to hear some of the issues they are concerned about. The hon. Lady raises the important question of those businesses that are still supporting, and there are some things we need to look at closely. We use our sanctions where we can, but I will be continuing to meet and hear from all those who can help us to understand how we can most effectively use our tools to stop anything that supports the junta.
Session: Myanmar
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What urgent action will the Government take to address deep poverty affecting 46% of black, Asian and minority ethnic families? Is there extra funding that can be given to schools and put into our teaching to support children under the age of seven in black, Asian and minority ethnic communities?
Context
The question addresses the deep-rooted poverty affecting a significant portion of black, Asian and minority ethnic families and seeks immediate steps to alleviate this issue.
Mims Davies
I commit to continuing to work across Government with those disadvantaged groups to make sure that that focus is rightly on them. Mentoring circles at the DWP can make a real difference, particularly to young people who are looking to progress from that deep disadvantage.
Session: Child Poverty Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Children
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If she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of trends in child poverty levels for black, Asian and minority ethnic children. The Jesuits said, “Give me a child until he is seven and I will show you the man.” That means that the impact of what we do in helping children under the age of seven will create a more just future. What urgent action will the Government take to address deep poverty affecting 46% of black, Asian and minority ethnic families? Is there extra funding that can be given to schools and put into our teaching to support children under the age of seven in black, Asian and minority ethnic communities?
Context
The question arises from the rising child poverty trends specifically affecting black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Mims Davies
The Government are committed to a sustainable long-term approach to tackling poverty and supporting families on lower incomes. To help people progress, the Department for Work and Pensions provides a range of support for anyone at any age, career stage or background to move forward and be better off. At 70%, the ethnic minority employment rate is at a record high. We know that work is the best route out of poverty, and that mentoring, support and being able to see role models are absolutely key.
Session: Child Poverty Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Children
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Does he accept that under the current approach, his vision is simply unachievable?
Context
MP welcomes the Foreign Secretary's comments but questions if the vision is achievable given strained budgets.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
I thank the hon. Lady for her comments on the Foreign Secretary's speech yesterday, which I thought set out very clearly the patient diplomacy that we consider the Commonwealth to be at the heart of. These are long-standing relationships, where we work together to build, to help economies to grow and on mutual security issues.
Session: Commonwealth Countries
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What urgent action is being taken to ensure that people in social care settings are seeing a geriatrician consultant regularly? If there is a shortage, what measures are being put in place to increase the number of doctors training as geriatricians?
Context
The question is prompted by concerns over the availability of geriatricians for people receiving social care. The MP references a high vacancy rate within the NHS.
Helen Whately
The hon. Lady makes an important point about people who are receiving social care also having access to the healthcare they need and these systems working together across our health and social care systems. We are training more doctors overall, and we have an increase in medical school places, which is leading to more doctors coming through. I am happy to take away and look at her question about the number of geriatricians.
Session: Social Care Reform
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What progress has been made on delivering social care reform? I am concerned that despite promising reforms, there are still issues with digital records and transparency in the system.
Context
The question is prompted by ongoing discussions about the implementation of social care reforms in the UK. The MP highlights specific areas where progress needs to be made.
Helen Whately
We are already putting social care reforms into practice. For instance, we want care providers to adopt digital care records, and more than 50% have already done so. I am determined to shine more light on our social care system, so our new Care Quality Commission-led assurance of local authorities' social care duties will start in April.
Session: Social Care Reform
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Will she commit today to ensuring sufficient funding for every single local authority to maintain its cycling classes, so that children can learn and so that we can tackle air pollution together by having more children cycling safely on streets and being taught manners and the best way to cycle in our local environments?
Context
The MP highlights the importance of cycle training in schools to promote safe cycling habits.
Lucy Frazer
I agree that it is important to learn from a young age how to cycle safely. That will ensure that as children grow older, they are more willing to engage in active travel rather than being in cars. I can assure the hon. Lady that the Government will offer cycle training to every primary school child in England, building on the record of 500,000 training places offered in 2022-23.
Session: Cycling Targets 2025 and 2030
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Whether her Department has made an assessment of the level of funding that will be required to meet its cycling targets for (a) 2025 and (b) 2030.
Context
The Department has been asked to assess the required funding for cycling targets.
Lucy Frazer
The Department estimates that a minimum of £4.4 billion is likely to be required to meet its cycling and walking objectives to 12372025; and further, that a minimum of £5.5 billion is likely to be required to meet the objectives to 2030.
Session: Cycling Targets 2025 and 2030
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What actions will be taken to improve the situation of water pollution in the River Wandle and other London rivers? The Environment Agency previously said fines were not sufficient. What specific steps are being taken now?
Context
The River Wandle has had a significant water pollution incident, including human sewage. Fines for Thames Water have been insufficient to address the issue.
Ranil Jayawardena
The Government introduced monitoring and the Environment Act 2021, allowing the Environment Agency to levy unlimited fines on water companies.
Session: Sewage Discharge
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Catastrophic scenes of flooding in Pakistan: 1,000 lives lost, 33 million people displaced and a third of the country under water. As we have heard today, the whole House has expressed its solidarity with the community, both there and here. In advance of COP27, will the Minister undertake to produce an urgent bilateral plan with Pakistan that looks at mitigation, loss and damage, and long-term plans to avoid this sort of climate catastrophe in future?
Context
1,000 lives lost, 33 million people displaced, one-third of the country under water. The whole House has expressed solidarity with the community in Pakistan.
Vicky Ford
The flooding demonstrates how climate change is making extreme weather events more intense and frequent. The UK has committed to doubling the amount of climate finance given to support adaptation to the impacts of climate change, and we are working to transition the world to clean energy sources as quickly as possible.
Session: Pakistan Flood Relief
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Will the Government go above and beyond what IMF is offering and support Sri Lanka's people by helping bring economic stability through Commonwealth leadership?
Context
Commonwealth leaders will meet in Kigali, with discussions expected to include human rights issues and economic stability for Sri Lanka. The country faces pressing economic challenges that threaten regional stability.
Vicky Ford
Our Prime Minister spoke with his counterpart on 30 May, offering UK support through multilateral organisations such as World Bank and IMF. We have a significant voice in international debt forums and work closely with Paris Club members to find solutions to the debt crisis.
Session: Sri Lanka Human Rights
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What urgent action will the Minister take to address this injustice for a severely disabled person and his impoverished mother during the cost of living crisis?
Context
A constituent with severe sight impairment and learning difficulties lives with his mother, who supplements his living expenses from her own pensioner poverty pot. This situation highlights the issue of inflation increasing poverty levels.
David Rutley
I do not know the exact details of that case, but there may be opportunities in that household to explore pension credits. Of course, the Chancellor, with support from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, recently announced that the household support fund has also been increased by a further £500 million, until April next year.
Session: Low-income Households Cost of Living
View All Questions -->
Will the Minister consider what penalties can be brought against social media companies that fail in their duty to protect young girls and women given the increase in eating disorders and suicidal thoughts? What action will the Minister take on this issue?
Context
The MP asks about penalties for social media firms that fail in their duty to protect young girls from online harms, highlighting a rise in eating disorders and suicidal thoughts.
Chris Philp
Fines up to 10% of global revenue can be imposed if social media companies breach their duties. In extreme cases, persistent failure could result in denial of service provisions, where platforms' ability to transmit into the UK could be disconnected.
Session: Online Harm Women and Girls
View All Questions -->
What assessment has been made of the potential impact of provisions in the Online Safety Bill on the level of protection from online harm and abuse for women and girls?
Context
The Online Safety Bill is in Committee. Catherine West raises concerns about the level of protection from online harm for women and girls.
Chris Philp
The Online Safety Bill rightly has strong protections for women and girls, with schedule 7 designating crimes such as harassment, stalking, revenge porn, and extreme porn as priority offences. These require social media firms to proactively prevent such content from appearing online.
Session: Online Harm Women and Girls
View All Questions -->
Does the Secretary of State agree that increases in funding for schools should be spent on education not propping up failing energy companies? What specific actions are being taken regarding this issue?
Context
The MP is concerned about the use of school funding to address rising energy costs, affecting teaching budgets.
Nadhim Zahawi
The 7% increase in funding includes headroom. Energy represents about 1.4-1.5% of schools' budgets but has increased due to spikes for out-of-contract schools, reaching up to 9%. We are keeping a close eye on the matter and advise schools close to contract expiry to contact us.
Session: Low-Performing Areas Education Funding
View All Questions -->
For many in the privately rented sector, the Government are like Nero, fiddling while Rome burns. When are they going to get on and publish the timetable for the renters reform Bill? Last week's was the third Queen's Speech in which the Bill has been mentioned, yet there is still no timetable.
Context
Concern about the lack of a timetable for the renters reform Bill despite its mention in three consecutive Queen's Speeches.
Michael Gove
The hon Lady suggests we are being Neronian in fiddling while Rome burns, but I prefer to think that we have crossed the Rubicon—the die has been cast—and the Bill will be on the statute book in this parliamentary Session.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Safety of the Jewish Community
08 September 2026
Responding: Sarah Jones
Main Concerns
["Catherine West is concerned about the recent increase in antisemitic incidents in the UK, including car-ramming and stabbing attacks, arson, and online hate. She highlights the Community Safety Trust's recording of 3,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, the second highest total ever reported. She mentions the challenges of community cohesion and policing, with more than 500 additional officers deployed across England and Wales to boost security. She also raises concerns about online hate, with research showing repeated patterns of real-world attacks followed by targeted abuse and conspiracy theories online."]
Specific Asks
['West requests that the Government ensure Jewish communities are safe, stamp out online hate, and tackle antisemitism at its roots through work in schools. She also asks for the implementation of practical actions to combat antisemitism stemming from the Sir David Bell review.']
Onshoring: Fashion and Textiles — [Ms Nusrat Ghani in the Chair]
12 February 2026
Responding: Chris Bryant
Main Concerns
["The UK's fashion and textiles industry has historically been a world leader, supporting 200,000 jobs in London. However, the rise of fast fashion led to outsourcing and offshoring, impacting local manufacturing. Brexit added further challenges, including supply chain disruptions and workforce issues. There is now an opportunity for ethical, sustainable fashion production that could unlock £3.1 billion in GDP, 64,000 new jobs, and £1.2 billion in tax receipts. The speaker highlights the need for public procurement to prioritise local manufacturing and supports a fashion watchdog to protect small garment manufacturers."]
Specific Asks
['The Government should promote onshoring across the industry, turbocharge public procurement from local suppliers, provide support to small firms on capital expenditure, research, development, and technology. The Minister is asked to assess the merits of creating a fashion watchdog and ensure regulations about sourcing and transparency are up to date.']
Food Inflation
15 January 2026
Responding: Dame Angela Eagle
Main Concerns
['Between November 2020 and 2025, UK food prices rose by a total of 38.6%. In 2024, the Trussell Trust’s second “Hunger in the UK” report found that 14.1 million people, including 3.8 million children, lived in food-insecure households with 3,938 households likely to be facing food poverty in Haringey.']
Specific Asks
['Asks the Minister to commit to ending the need for food banks for families by the end of this Parliament and work on an essentials guarantee in the social security system.']
Social Housing Occupancy
12 March 2024
Responding: Jacob Young
Main Concerns
['Ms Catherine West is concerned about the increasing problem of overcrowding in social housing due to a lack of affordable homes. She cited statistics that show over 1.2 million families are waiting for social homes, with her own borough having 13,343 households on the housing register. In Haringey alone, there are an estimated 1,053 individuals living in overcrowded or severely overcrowded council homes and 871 private tenants in high-priority bands experiencing similar conditions. She highlighted that over 2 million council homes have been sold off with only a 4% replacement rate. The housing crisis has led to issues such as damp, mould, electrical faults, and cramped living spaces for families.']
Specific Asks
['Ms Catherine West calls on the government to prioritise building more social and affordable homes, ensuring that developers meet their commitments to provide new social homes, and revisiting planning loopholes like permitted development rights that allow substandard housing conversions without proper checks. She also urges a renaissance in council housebuilding.']
Employment and the High Street
07 December 2022
Responding: Kevin Hollinrake
Main Concerns
["High streets face challenges such as changing technology, soaring energy costs, business rates, and closure of bank branches. Retail footfall is 19% lower than pre-pandemic levels, resulting in job losses and insolvencies. Many small businesses struggle to pay staff wages that reflect the increasing cost of living. Labour's plan aims to address these issues by offering sustainable support for energy efficiency and a root-and-branch replacement of the business rates system."]
Specific Asks
['Labour would establish GB Energy, a publicly owned generator, to guarantee stable and affordable power. They propose a reassessment of property values and thresholds for relief to help small businesses. The Government should look at creative ways to attract people to town centres through community events and support high street businesses as part of their economic growth strategy.']
Support for Children Entitled to Free School Meals — [Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]
26 May 2021
Responding: Vicky Ford
Main Concerns
['Catherine West is concerned about the stark inequality in society, with wealthy individuals living alongside those in extreme poverty. She cites statistics showing that child poverty has reached 50% in some areas, while wealth for the richest 1% has grown exponentially. In her borough of Haringey, 8,000 children (29%) rely on free school meals, an increase of 1,700 over the past year. The Trussell Trust reports a significant rise in food bank usage among those previously unaffected by poverty.']
Specific Asks
['West urges the Government to make the £20 universal credit uplift permanent and provide more help for families with fuel bills, water bills, council tax, and housing costs. She also calls for high-quality debt advice services and affordable childcare solutions to address the financial burden on families.']
Direction of Government
01 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Thames Water
16 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Health and Social Care Bill
01 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, moved the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill. He emphasised the personal significance of the NHS in his life due to a ra...
Middle East: Economic Response
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Points of Order
29 April 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Member for Hornsey and Friern Barnet raised concern about the recent violent stabbings in the borough of Barnet, expressing worry over repeated violence against the Jewish community. She called on...
Hatzola Ambulance Attack
23 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
23 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Spring Forecast
03 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Iran 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the Government’s actions regarding the brutal crackdown on protesters in Iran? The MP is concerned about the scale of violence and brutality, including reports of tens of tho...
Face to Face Banking Services
22 February 2024
The petitioners are concerned about the closure of Barclays Crouch End branch, which follows the recent closures of other branches in Hornsey and Wood Green, leaving older residents and those without ...
View Full Petition -->
Face to Face Banking Services
19 September 2023
The petition addresses the closure of the Halifax bank branch in Muswell Hill, expressing concern that elderly and disabled residents who rely on in-person banking services will be adversely affected.
View Full Petition -->
Planned closure of Wood Green Post Office
31 January 2023
The petition is about the proposed closure of the Wood Green post office in Haringey, which many residents rely on for essential services such as collecting pensions and accessing cash. The loss would...
View Full Petition -->
Barclays Muswell Hill Branch
09 June 2022
The petition addresses concerns about the proposed closure of the Barclays Muswell Hill branch, which disproportionately affects older people and small business owners who rely on cash transactions.
View Full Petition -->
Petition
19 October 2021
The petition addresses the planned closure of the NatWest Crouch End and Hornsey branch, highlighting the inconvenience caused to customers and small businesses, as well as the loss of valuable staff....
View Full Petition -->
Residents of Mary Feilding Guild care home
15 April 2021
The petition addresses the concern that elderly residents of the Mary Feilding Guild care home in Hornsey and Wood Green have received eviction notices from new owners, forcing them to leave by the en...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
77.6%
76 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
24
24.5% of votes
No Votes
52
53.1% of votes
Abstentions
22
22.4% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
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
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
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: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
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
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
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: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
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 NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
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 AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
11
PMQs Asked
79
Ministerial Questions Asked
177
House of Commons Debates Involved
6
Westminster Hall Debates Led
6
Statements / Bills
6
Petitions Presented
98
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
+200% above average
This MP:
11
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+489% above average
This MP:
79
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+139% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3542% above average
This MP:
177
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-37% below average
This MP:
6
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
+145% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+12% above average
This MP:
77.6
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 Catherine West's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.