Charles Walker
MP for Broxbourne
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Can I bring to those on the Treasury Bench my concern over the quality of nursing care at Barnet Hospital? An elderly constituent, in her 80s, faced significant issues during a recent stay. She was handed a nappy instead of help using the toilet and not provided with coeliac-friendly food. She was also moved around by arms despite having a broken shoulder.
Context
An elderly constituent was admitted to Barnet Hospital where she experienced poor quality of care, including lack of bathroom assistance and dietary accommodations.
Maria Caulfield
I am very sorry to hear about the experience of my hon. Friend's constituent. That level of care is absolutely unacceptable. I know he has raised this issue with Henrietta Hughes, but I am very happy to meet with him and his constituent to discuss those complaints.
Session: Maternity Services North London
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Will the Secretary of State meet me and representatives of the Angling Trust to discuss this issue?
Context
The number of cormorants roosting permanently inland has risen significantly, impacting freshwater fish.
Steve Barclay
It is always a pleasure to meet my hon. Friend. Yesterday, we announced two major positive steps: closing English waters to sand eel fishing and announcing 13 marine designated areas equivalent in size to Suffolk.
Session: Environment Agency Funding
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Can we have a mental health Bill in the forthcoming King's Speech?
Context
The MP asked about the Government's response to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill and requested a mental health Bill in the King's Speech.
Maria Caulfield
We are working through the recommendations from pre-legislative scrutiny and hope to respond fully shortly after the summer recess.
Session: Mental Ill Health West Yorkshire
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To get to a smoke-free 2030, for every 100 people smoking today we need to reduce that figure by eight. Can I ask the Secretary of State to ruthlessly target the barriers that stop people stubbing out their last cigarette?
Context
The question is based on the need to reduce smoking rates significantly to achieve a smoke-free England by 2030.
Sajid Javid
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The smoking rate is currently 13.5%, which is the lowest on record. However, smoking remains the largest driver of health disparities in our country. The new tobacco control plan, which will be informed by the new independent review, will be looking to do exactly what my hon. Friend says.
Session: Smoke-free 2030 Target
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What steps is his Department taking to meet its target of England being smoke-free by 2030?
Context
The question arises from the Department's target of making England smoke-free by 2030, with a focus on reducing smoking rates.
Sajid Javid
I know that my hon. Friend has long been a passionate advocate for a smoke-free England, and I read his recent Westminster Hall debate with interest. Some 64,000 deaths a year are attributed to smoking and it is one of the greatest drivers of health disparities in our country. I am personally determined that we should do everything we can to reach the Government's ambition of a smoke-free 2030. That is why, in January, I asked Javed Khan to lead an independent review into tobacco control. Once that review is complete, the Government will set out their next steps.
Session: Smoke-free 2030 Target
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Smoke-free England
29 March 2022
Responding: Maggie Throup
Main Concerns
['I am concerned that the Government are not tackling smoking rates as aggressively as they should, particularly in deprived areas where smoking prevalence is significantly higher. Currently, over 14% of the adult population smokes, resulting in approximately 75,000 deaths and 500,000 hospital admissions annually due to smoking-related illnesses. There are stark disparities; some of the most deprived wards have smoking rates above 22%, while wealthier areas have rates below 5%. This translates into an eight-year differential in life expectancy between smokers and non-smokers, with about half of that differential linked to smoking.']
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to embrace harm reduction strategies such as vaping and nicotine pouches, which are significantly less harmful than smoking. The regulatory environment should differentiate between combustible tobacco products and lower-harm alternatives, using taxation to signpost smokers towards safer options. Additionally, addressing smoking among those with mental health conditions is crucial for reducing life expectancy disparities.']
Planning, the Green Belt and Rural Affairs
19 July 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Labour Government has a mandate to change the course of Britain after 14 years of chaos, with a focus on national renewal. Key initiatives include creating a national wealth fund, scrapping the Rw...
House of Commons Commission
23 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Questions the progress of the Commission in using digital tools, particularly during the covid period when Parliament was moved online. Emphasises that Labour will campaign for necessary changes while...
House of Commons Members’ Fund
29 April 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
House of Commons Commission
18 April 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member for Glasgow North asks about steps taken by the House of Commons Commission to reduce food waste on the parliamentary estate, questioning if initiatives such as discounted prices for l...
House of Commons Commission
22 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked what support and protection is available for Members of Parliament who experience threats and other forms of intimidation, highlighting a personal case where he received a death threat that was ...
House of Commons Commission
22 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked if the Commission will take steps to increase the use of digital tools in parliamentary services to support the productivity of Members, noting that current tools like Microsoft Forms and Planne...
Ceasefire in Gaza
21 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Investigatory Powers (Amendment etc) Bill [Lords]
19 February 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 needs updates to ensure the UK's investigatory powers framework remains fit for purpose in light of evolving global threats and technological advancements. The Bill a...
House of Commons Commission
11 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The right hon. Gentleman raised concerns about the impact of Chinese tariffs on the Australian wine industry and urged the House of Commons Commission to prioritise buying Australian wine in order to ...
Restoration and Renewal Client Board
16 November 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Questioned about supporting women in construction through the restoration and renewal programme, noting that while there are initiatives to encourage women into construction, more needs to be done to ...
0
PMQs Asked
5
Ministerial Questions Asked
59
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
12
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-63% below average
This MP:
5
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1119% above average
This MP:
59
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+26% above average
This MP:
12
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Charles Walker's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.