Chris Clarkson
MP for Heywood and Middleton
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
It is almost spring, when a young man's fancy turns to tax. In Scotland, the nationalists have decided to increase taxes on hard-working people. In Wales, businesses are being clobbered by a 5% increase on rates. Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is only one party in this Chamber that can be trusted to cut taxes for hard-working people across the country, and that is the Conservative party?
Context
In Scotland and Wales, there are plans to increase taxes on individuals and businesses.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Just this weekend, we are cutting taxes for an average person in work by £450. In Wales, where Labour is in charge, the Welsh Government are raising them, with businesses there now seeing double the rate of business rates this year. It is the same in Scotland under the SNP.
Session: PMQs
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It has been reported that the Welsh Labour Government are providing £1,600 monthly to asylum seekers through taxpayers' money. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that our small boats Bill will not adopt this idea?
Context
The Welsh Labour Government proposed offering £1,600 monthly to asylum seekers. The questioner seeks assurance that such a scheme will not be replicated in the UK's small boats Bill.
Rishi Sunak
My noble Friend Lord Bellamy and the Secretary of State for Wales confirmed to the Welsh Government yesterday that we would not undertake their request. The Labour leader has stated that the Welsh Labour Government are his blueprint; however, they propose paying illegal migrants £1,600 monthly.
Session: PMQs
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On International Women's Day, will my right hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to the excellent work of the Conservative Women's Organisation (CWO) and all remarkable women supporting political work?
Context
The MP highlighted a charity auction event for the CWO and praised their efforts to bring more women into politics.
Rishi Sunak
The PM congratulates the CWO on its excellent work. He praises everyone involved in bringing more women into local and national politics.
Session: PMQs
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Further education colleges like Hopwood Hall College in my constituency will play an essential part in building back better. The team at Hopwood have supported over 8,000 learners on courses as diverse as small business management and animal management, as well as six new T-level courses. May I invite my right hon. Friend to come and visit the inspirational team and the students at Hopwood Hall?
Context
Hopwood Hall College supports over 8,000 learners annually and has introduced six new T-level courses.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind invitation. I will certainly keep it mind. The Government are absolutely committed to reforming technical education through new T-levels. That is why we are investing a further £65 million to develop teacher retention, and support and recruitment for teachers in further education.
Assessment
The PM did not confirm a visit to Hopwood Hall College.
Session: PMQs
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This Armistice Day, restrictions mean that we cannot mark the occasion with services as we normally would. However, in Heywood and Middleton, veterans associations are following the guidance to mark the day in a covid-safe way. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in praising them, the Royal British Legion and, indeed, all those across the United Kingdom who are doing their best to ensure that we can pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice?
Context
With the limitations imposed by the pandemic, Chris Clarkson asked for praise and recognition of veterans' efforts to commemorate the day safely.
Boris Johnson
Yes indeed. It was really impressive to see the way the Royal British Legion organised covid-secure memorials across the country in the way that it did. As we salute our veterans, I just want to remind the House that we have launched a new railcard for our veterans and their families that will entitle them to substantial reductions in rail fares, and that we are introducing a national insurance break for employers of veterans in their first year of employment.
Assessment
Praise for veterans' efforts during Armistice Day under restrictions
Shifted To New Veteran Railcard And Employment Support
Session: PMQs
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My constituency is home to Scout Moor, one of the largest onshore wind farms in Europe, but the north-west also has amazing potential for offshore wind; an example is the Morgan and Morecambe development off the coast of Lancashire. Such projects require huge amounts of infrastructure to be realised. Notwithstanding the reassurances that my right hon. Friend has already given, will she ensure that community consent is part of any infrastructure projects of this kind?
Context
The question discusses the potential of offshore wind farms in northwest England and community involvement.
Justin Tomlinson
My hon. Friend raises an important matter. Absolutely; that is part of our forward planning in making sure that we can unlock the huge potential in every region of our United Kingdom.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is an unavoidable fact that the United Kingdom has one of the lowest pensions in the developed world, and pensioner poverty is a very real issue. I meet constituents who are pensioners reasonably frequently, and all the increases that the Government have provided for them have been lost through taxation. For example, Peter's private pension will be cut by £681 a year, while Mr and Mrs Clark's modest private pension has been slashed by nearly 50%. They did the right thing and put away a little extra for their retirement; will the Government now do the right thing and correct the position so that they can enjoy it?
Context
The MP notes that UK pensioners face significant financial challenges due to the combination of low pensions and high taxation.
Paul Maynard (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office)
Let me simply point to what the Resolution Foundation had to say in its Living Standards Outlook: pensioner poverty is forecast to fall.
Session: Topical Questions
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I join the Secretary of State in congratulating the Minister on her elevation—it is not before time. This Conservative Government have an enviable record when it comes to employment, with 4 million more people in work since 2010. I was pleased to hear that one of the integrated care boards involved in the WorkWell scheme, which my right hon. Friend has just mentioned, will be Greater Manchester ICB, which means that my constituents will have access to integrated health and employment support from October.
Context
The MP congratulates the Secretary of State on his elevation to a new position.
Mel Stride (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
My hon. Friend is right. The scheme is being rolled out in Greater Manchester, in parts of London, in Cambridgeshire and all the way to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall. It brings together healthcare support and work coach support to ensure that we do everything we can to help into work those who face barriers to work.
Session: Topical Questions
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Recently, the Irish Tánaiste stated that he believed the increase in irregular migration to the Republic of Ireland was a direct result of the deterrent effect of our Rwanda policy. The Irish Government have since made moves to try to remove those illegal migrants back to the UK. What conversations has my right hon. Friend had with EU counterparts and Home Office colleagues about ensuring there is no returns policy with the EU unless a reciprocal agreement is made?
Context
The MP mentions the Irish Tánaiste's statement about the increase in illegal migration to Ireland being a result of the UK's Rwanda policy and asks if there have been discussions regarding returns policies.
Andrew Mitchell
My hon. Friend makes a very good point: what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. The movement of asylum seekers from the UK to the southern Irish Republic would suggest that the Rwanda agreement is already having the deterrent effect we are seeking.
Session: Illegal Migration International Co-operation
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Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting Members of this House and representatives of industry and of the education sector to discuss how we could leverage the resources of the private sector to support further education through a lecturer reservist programme. Would the Minister be willing to join us for our next meeting when we will flesh out the proposals?
Context
The MP expressed appreciation for a previous meeting about leveraging private sector resources to support further education and asked if the Minister would join their next meeting.
Luke Hall
I thought we had an excellent meeting last week. We had really positive discussions about the exciting lecturer reservist pilot that will run in the west midlands, bringing together regional employers, colleges and providers. I look forward to working closely with my hon. Friend as the pilot progresses.
Session: Degree-level Apprenticeships
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What steps her Department is taking to encourage take-up of degree-level apprenticeships. Starts at levels 6 and 7 increased by 5.8% this year, but the MP seeks further details on additional actions being taken.
Context
The MP inquired about measures to increase participation in degree-level apprenticeships.
Luke Hall
We have seen year-on-year growth in degree-level apprenticeships. Starts at levels 6 and 7 increased by 5.8% this year. There are now more than 170 employer-designed degree-level apprenticeships, and we are providing an additional £40 million over two years to support providers to expand their offers.
Session: Degree-level Apprenticeships
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Nuclear is essential not just for our economy but for our national security. A truly sovereign supply does not just mean commissioning new reactors but increasing our skills base, so I welcome the £750 million invested in that. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that people in communities such as Heywood and Middleton can access that skills funding, so they can take advantage of high-skilled, well-paid jobs in the sector?
Context
The question is prompted by the need to bolster local communities' involvement in nuclear energy projects through increased skills training and employment.
Andrew Bowie
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He is a doughty champion in this area—indeed, he should be with Atom Valley in his constituency. As he references, last month the Prime Minister announced significant investment in developing the nuclear skills pipeline, helping the sector to fill 40,000 new jobs by the end of the decade, including supporting plans to double the number of nuclear apprentices and quadruple the number of specialist sites and nuclear fission PhDs.
Session: Nuclear Energy Capacity
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What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy capacity. The historic nuclear road map that I announced in January reconfirmed the Government's ambition to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050.
Context
The question arises from a broader context of increasing reliance on nuclear power to meet climate targets and ensure energy security.
Andrew Bowie
The historic nuclear road map that I announced in January reconfirmed the Government's ambition to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050. The road map sets out plans to make investment decisions concerning 3 GW to 7 GW every five years between 2030 and 2040.
Session: Nuclear Energy Capacity
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Can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government remain committed not just to equal treatment for women in the armed forces, but to an equally positive experience?
Context
Previous work on behalf of female veterans and women in the armed forces; setting up an all-party group.
Andrew Murrison
I can absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance... We have improvements to uniform policies, mentoring, flexible service, wrapround childcare, and of course our zero tolerance for unacceptable sexual behaviour.
Session: Support for Veterans
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It has been reported in The Daily Telegraph that the Starmerite think-tank Labour Together has had to pay a fine of just over £14,000 for failing to declare hundreds of thousands of donations. The rationale it gave was that it did not want to name some of its donors. Does my right hon. Friend think that simply not wanting to do something is a reasonable basis on which to break the law?
Context
The Starmerite think-tank Labour Together has been fined £14,000 for failing to declare hundreds of thousands of donations due to concerns about antisemitism.
Oliver Dowden
The short answer is clearly no. Indeed, it really worries me that things have come to a state where the Labour party allegedly did not want to declare donations because of concerns about growing antisemitism. That is a very worrying allegation.
Session: Topical Questions
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Steelmaking is essential to our national security, as is reaching net zero. The problem is that the Welsh Labour Government cannot make their mind up about which is more important. After trying to kill off the steel industry with their green measures, they now complain that the UK Government are not doing enough to support that industry. Does the Secretary of State think that they do not really know their ACAS from their NALGO?
Context
The MP questioned the inconsistency of Welsh Labour Government's actions regarding the steel industry, particularly their approach to balancing environmental concerns with industrial needs.
David Davies
My hon. Friend makes a good point. The Government have looked carefully at this, and very little steel being produced by Port Talbot is going into the defence industry, but the defence industry is being supplied with steel from an electric arc furnace by Sheffield Forgemasters.
Session: Steelmaking
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Notwithstanding the attempted genocide of 7 October and the cynical use of Palestinian civilians as human shields, the single best solution for peace in the region is a two-state solution. What steps are the Government taking to facilitate that?
Context
The single best solution for peace in the region is a two-state solution, but there are kidnappers, murderers and rapists involved.
Andrew Mitchell
Yes. We certainly agree with the United States that Gaza should be under Palestinian control in due course and that there is no place for Hamas in all of that.
Session: Israel and Palestine
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Will my right hon. Friend condemn these payments to rapists, torturers and murderers? Will he use his good offices to ensure that no British aid money has gone towards this filthy practice?
Context
The MP raises concerns about reports of payments made by the Palestinian Authority to families of dead and captured Hamas terrorists.
James Cleverly
I can reassure my hon. Friend that we always ensure that UK aid money is protected from misappropriation. I can confirm to him and the House that no British aid money goes directly to the Palestinian Authority. We have raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority and highlighted our belief that it is not conducive to good relations and a future two-state solution.
Session: Israel and Palestine
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The Prime Minister has made it very clear that the UK's position is that Ukraine belongs in the NATO family. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to help our other NATO allies to reach the same conclusion?
Context
Chris Clarkson followed up to understand the specific steps being taken to ensure other NATO allies align with the UK's view that Ukraine should be part of NATO.
Leo Docherty
At the historic summit in Vilnius, NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine would become a member of NATO at a time when allies agree and “conditions are met”. Like the Foreign Secretary, I will continue to engage with NATO allies and with Ukraine, not least because we know that Ukraine is a hugely valuable and courageous partner in the defence of freedom.
Session: Strengthening NATO Unity
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What discussions has he had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Welsh Government to make sure Wales is primed to take advantage?
Context
There is an opportunity for communities across Wales to benefit from clean nuclear energy with the advent of small modular reactors. The Welsh Government needs to be prepared.
David Davies
I had a meeting with the Minister for Nuclear, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie), and yesterday I met the interim chair of GBN, Simon Bowen. We had a very interesting and informative discussion on this emerging technology, which I think is very exciting and offers huge potential for Wales.
Session: Nuclear Power Sites
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President Zelensky has said that Tehran has provided Moscow with around 2,000 drones, which are being used to devastate Ukraine. Does my right hon. Friend share my concern about the IRGC's complicity in international aggression, and does he agree with me and many other Members that it is now time to revisit the proscription of the IRGC?
Context
President Zelensky has reported that Iran is providing Russia with military drones for use in Ukraine.
James Cleverly
We have sanctioned the IRGC in its entirety. We have also put in specific sanctions on the supply of those military drones to Russia, which have been utilised to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. We will continue to keep our deterrent posture towards Iran under review.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does he agree that the best way to ensure the stability of energy prices long term is to develop our own sovereign supply, with technology such as small modular reactors, hydrogen and nuclear?
Context
The MP welcomed the new department and inquired about developing sovereign energy supplies to ensure long-term price stability.
Grant Shapps
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why we put £200 million into funding new hydrogen in the “Powering up Britain” document just a few weeks ago. He will know about Great British Nuclear. I intend that we launch a competition, pick a winner for that by the autumn and get on with it.
Session: Energy Price Guarantee Extension
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What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the extension of the energy price guarantee on household energy bills?
Context
The MP inquired about the impact of extending the energy price guarantee on household bills.
Grant Shapps
The energy price guarantee has been extended at the same level for a further three months until the end of June. By then, the Government will have covered nearly half of a typical household's energy bills during this winter, and a third to a half of business bills as well.
Session: Energy Price Guarantee Extension
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Last week, the UK warned that the regime in Tehran is now dangerously close to weapons-related activities, after Iran was caught enriching uranium to 83.7% by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Considering that Iran has systematically escalated its nuclear activities in the face of diplomatic efforts, does my right hon. Friend agree that the time has now come for a snapback in sanctions, as enshrined in the joint comprehensive plan of action?
Context
The UK warned Iran about its uranium enrichment, which escalated despite diplomatic efforts.
James Cleverly
We continue to work closely with our international partners and the leadership of the IAEA on Iran's nuclear activities. Our position is clear: it is unacceptable for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon or nuclear weapon technology. We will continue to work with our international allies to prevent that from happening.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my right hon. Friend agree there should be an urgent inquiry so that Scottish voters can have faith in the way that Holyrood uses their money?
Context
The Scottish National Party government has spent £500 million on two non-functional ferries.
Alister Jack
Absolutely.
Session: Allegations of Impropriety in Public Life
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The high price of energy disproportionately affects those who are on the lowest incomes. Will my hon. Friend outline what steps his Department is taking to ensure that those who earn the least are supported?
Context
The MP emphasizes the disproportionate impact of high energy prices on those with lower incomes and inquires about specific steps to assist them.
James Cartlidge
My hon. Friend is a consistent champion for his constituents, particularly those on the lowest incomes who have faced tough challenges due to global inflationary pressures. In addition to the £1,300 that a typical household will receive this winter—the £900 energy price guarantee saving and the £400 energy bills support scheme payment—I confirm that households receiving benefits will have received £650 in the current financial year and will receive £900 next year.
Session: Energy Bills Support for Households
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What fiscal steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support households with energy bills?
Context
The MP is concerned about the rising energy prices and their impact on household budgets, particularly focusing on fiscal measures to mitigate these costs.
James Cartlidge
The Government have taken significant action to help households with rising energy prices. The energy price guarantee caps the unit price that households pay for electricity and gas, saving a typical household in Great Britain approximately £900 this winter, based on forecasts made at the time of the autumn statement. This is in addition to the £400 energy bills support scheme paid in six instalments from October last year to March this year.
Session: Energy Bills Support for Households
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that our increased deployments show that we remain fully committed to defending every inch of NATO territory, as well as Sweden and Finland?
Context
The question follows up on the previous one, focusing on the UK's commitment to defend every inch of NATO territory including Sweden and Finland.
James Heappey
My hon. Friend invites me to make two points. First, one of Putin's greatest failures of the past nine months is how he has reinvigorated the NATO alliance and restored the raison d'être of article 5. Secondly, through their work with many of our allies across the Baltic, the Nordic countries and the high north, our armed forces increasingly have environmental expertise on NATO's northern flank.
Session: Ukraine Support for NATO Allies
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What steps is his Department taking to support NATO allies in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
Context
The question pertains to the UK's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its support for NATO allies.
James Heappey
The United Kingdom has provided substantial support to NATO allies. We temporarily doubled our enhanced forward presence battlegroup in Estonia, with additional enhancements to that battlegroup planned for the longer term. We deployed an aviation taskforce to Lithuania, are contributing to NATO air activity across Europe, are supporting air-to-air refuelling and have bolstered our presence in Poland, as well as Army activity in Bulgaria and Romania.
Session: Ukraine Support for NATO Allies
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As we have seen from recent events in Ukraine, air combat is incredibly important to maintaining our national security and also, as has been mentioned, to maintaining our economic security-supporting businesses, such as Middleton-based MSM in my constituency. Can my hon. Friend tell me what is being done to ensure that the RAF retains its cutting-edge capabilities?
Context
The hon. Member refers to recent events in Ukraine and the importance of air combat for national security.
Jeremy Quin
A brilliantly topical question, if I may say so, with Farnborough taking place this very week. I was delighted to announce last Friday at the Royal International Air Tattoo our £2.3 billion investment in ECRS mark 2 radar. This British-made world-leading electronic warfare capability will transform our combat air. It is just one example of how we will continue to invest in combat air as we develop our next generation future combat air system programme. We are currently investing some £2 billion into FCAS, with industry and international partners likewise investing in what will be an extraordinary combat capability.
Session: Defence Technology
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What steps his Department is taking to develop innovative defence technology?
Context
None specified. The question is broad and asks about the general steps being taken.
Jeremy Quin
Underpinned by a ringfenced £6.6 billion commitment to defence research and development, we are determined to innovate effectively and at scale. In addition to the well-established Defence and Security Accelerator programme this summer, we are launching the Defence Technology Exploitation programme, geared to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and their innovative role in defence.
Session: Defence Technology
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The Labour party has conflicting statements from different leaders regarding scrapping or maintaining the Rwanda policy. Can my right hon Friend assure us that we will work to break the vile business model of people traffickers by ensuring the Rwanda flights operate soon?
Context
Labour party's inconsistent stance on the Rwanda asylum seeker relocation policy.
Damian Hinds
My hon Friend is correct. We hear opposing from Labour but no proposing; they complain without plans. Our partnership with Rwanda supports a humane, proportionate approach and we are determined to deter wicked people smugglers causing great damage.
Session: National Security
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What assurances can my right hon. Friend give me that constituents in Heywood and Middleton will get bang for their buck from the extra money they pay into the NHS? The focus should be on testing, treatment, not management and miscellany.
Context
Concerns about the cost of living and ensuring that NHS funds are used effectively.
Sajid Javid
I am pleased to give that assurance. We are ensuring every penny is spent on the elective recovery and tackling backlogs. In Heywood and Middleton, four new community diagnostic centres have already done 60,000 more checks and tests.
Session: NHS Backlogs
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What progress has been made on tackling the NHS backlogs in elective care caused by the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The question was prompted by the ongoing issue of NHS backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elective care services were significantly disrupted.
Sajid Javid
We are making good progress on tackling the covid-19 backlog, having already halved the number of patients with the longest waits. Our elective recovery plan commits an additional £8 billion to deliver approximately 30% more elective activity than before the pandemic. We have ambitions to go further.
Session: NHS Backlogs
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May I associate myself with the tributes to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington? Time and again during this pandemic our armed forces have stepped up, whether by building hospitals like the new Nightingale in central Manchester, delivering vital supplies or getting jabs into arms, and they are now doing it again by supporting our world-leading booster programme. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that we should thank them for their amazing service and encourage everybody to get that booster?
Context
The MP highlighted the armed forces' contributions during the pandemic.
Ben Wallace
My hon. Friend points out the other job that Defence does, which is building this country's resilience wherever one may be in the United Kingdom. It is always important to remember that our armed forces have a day job—a main job—of defending our country. When we are out of this national crisis and pandemic, it will be important to look at making sure that other people step up to cover. In the long term Defence personnel are always there, whether for floods, pandemic or other threats, and they will continue to be so.
Session: Topical Questions
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Due to long periods without inspections in some schools, parents need up-to-date assessments of their children's school quality. This includes considering new senior leadership teams and other material changes.
Context
Some schools have not had inspections for over a decade, raising questions about the current state of education quality.
Robin Walker
My hon. Friend is right that parents should have up-to-date assessments of the quality of education at their child's school, which is why, from the start of this term, Ofsted resumed routine inspections of the full range of schools.
Session: Topical Questions
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Heywood-based charity Veterans into Logistics has had great success in ensuring that service leavers have the necessary skills and qualifications to take advantage of excellent paying jobs in the local economy. Does my hon. Friend agree that service leavers have a unique skillset that will be essential to ensuring our continued recovery from covid, and will he agree to meet Veterans into Logistics to see how the work it has done could be applied to other service leavers around the country?
Context
Veterans into Logistics, a Heywood-based charity, has been successful in ensuring service leavers have the necessary skills and qualifications for excellent paying jobs.
Leo Docherty
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend and Veterans into Logistics. He is right: military service does give people skills for life, and I was very pleased recently to announce an increase in the number of HGV licence places for service leavers.
Session: Topical Questions
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Jobcentre staff across the country are doing a fantastic job, not least in the Rochdale youth hub, which serves my Heywood and Middleton constituency, but as my hon. Friend will know, getting young people into work is a cross-Government effort. What steps are being taken to work with the Department for Education to ensure that young people have the skills necessary to take on these high-quality jobs?
Context
The MP is questioning the government's efforts to ensure young people have the necessary skills for high-quality jobs, specifically in his constituency's youth hub.
Mims Davies
We are absolutely working across Government; we also have our enhanced DWP youth offer, which is a programme of 13 weeks of intensive support to address key barriers and drive positive outcomes, including kickstart. I know that, as we speak, job offers are being made in my hon. Friend's constituency and in his jobcentre. Crucially, we have also recruited 150 youth employability coaches who specialise in supporting young people with significant complex needs, to help them into work.
Session: Support for Young Jobseekers
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What specialist support her Department is providing to young jobseekers at the start of their careers.
Context
The MP is inquiring about the government's support mechanisms for young individuals starting their careers.
Mims Davies
Through the enhanced Department for Work and Pensions youth offer, we are providing targeted interventions to help young people to gain new skills, build confidence and move into work. Our work coaches are working in partnership to deliver through our new youth hubs, helping young people to access opportunities, including kickstart roles, sector-based work academy programmes, traineeships and apprenticeships.
Session: Support for Young Jobseekers
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There is a great deal of concern in my Heywood and Middleton constituency and across Greater Manchester about the amount of green belt approved for release by the Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, as part of his Greater Manchester spatial framework. What assurances can my right hon. Friend give me about protection of the green belt as part of his Department's new planning reforms?
Context
The MP raised concern about the green belt approved for release by the Greater Manchester Mayor as part of his spatial framework.
Robert Jenrick
This Government made a manifesto commitment not just to protect the green belt, but to enhance it. At the moment, planning policy is clear that building on the green belt should be contemplated only in the most exceptional circumstances, and we intend to continue that through our modernised planning system.
Session: Planning System Modernisation
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Getting young people into these kickstarter positions is hugely important, but it is only a first step, so will my right hon. Friend tell me what support is available to those young people to turn these kickstarter opportunities into permanent roles?
Context
The Kickstart Scheme aims to create temporary job opportunities for young individuals. The question arises in the context of ensuring these young people transition into more stable employment.
Therese Coffey
The £1,500 is provided for employability support under the kickstart role. Additionally, there are over 27,000 work coaches across Great Britain who assist young people in finding their next roles after four months of kickstart employment.
Session: Kickstart Scheme
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What recent assessment has been made of the progress made by the kickstart scheme in creating jobs for young people?
Context
The Kickstart Scheme aims to create jobs for young people. The question arises from the need to assess recent developments in job creation for this demographic.
Therese Coffey
We have agreed funding for over 230,000 jobs through the Kickstart Scheme. As of now, nearly 36,000 young people have started their kickstart roles and there are about 100,000 jobs currently available in the system.
Session: Kickstart Scheme
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Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for people to learn and earn. I have just advertised for one to join my team via Hopwood Hall College in Heywood and Middleton. Does my right hon. Friend agree that businesses big and small can play their part in turbocharging our post-covid recovery by offering these opportunities?
Context
The MP advertises an apprenticeship position with Hopwood Hall College in his constituency, highlighting the scheme's success.
Rishi Sunak
I am delighted to hear that my hon. Friend is working with Hopwood Hall College in his constituency to hire an apprentice, and I hope to meet them in the future. He is right about the ability of this scheme to support all types of employers, particularly small businesses who benefit from a 35% wage subsidy for young apprentices, with the Government covering 95% of training costs.
Session: Apprentices
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Each T-level comes with a 45-day placement in industry, but owing to business pressures, some are reluctant to commit. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and the principal of Hopwood Hall College to discuss this issue?
Context
The MP is concerned about the reluctance of some businesses to commit to T-levels due to competing pressures. He seeks a meeting with the Secretary to discuss how to ensure young people can access these qualifications.
Gavin Williamson
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend and the principal of Hopwood Hall College to discuss ensuring that young people can access these qualifications and benefit from industrial placements. The Secretary emphasizes the importance of getting this right for our future economic needs.
Session: T-Levels Industry Placements
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What steps his Department is taking to ensure that all students taking T-levels receive a high-quality industry placement. The Government have invested £165 million in this initiative and more support is needed to address the concerns of businesses regarding their commitment to these placements.
Context
The MP is concerned about ensuring high-quality industry placements for students taking T-levels, a concern that has been raised previously.
Gavin Williamson
The Government have invested £165 million to help providers prepare and deliver industry placements, building capacity in their relationships with employers. We are exploring short-term funded support to enable employers to offer placements, and we have already invested nearly £7 million directly.
Session: T-Levels Industry Placements
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Contributed to this debate
Mr. Lord proposes to amend section 12(2) of the Space Industry Act 2018, making it mandatory for spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on the amount of an operator’s liability under section...
Offender Notification (Amendment) Bill - Clause 1 - Duty on offenders to notify changes of name and contact details
23 February 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill will amend the sentencing code to create a duty for offenders sentenced to community orders, suspended sentence orders, youth rehabilitation orders, or referral orders to inform their respons...
Antisemitism in the UK
19 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Tributes to Sir Tony Lloyd
23 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Honoured the memory of Sir Tony Lloyd, a long-serving MP who was dedicated to public service and international affairs. Mentioned his contributions as shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Member for Stret...
Israel and Gaza
16 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Gambling Act Review White Paper
27 April 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
5
PMQs Asked
50
Ministerial Questions Asked
67
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+37% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+273% above average
This MP:
50
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1279% above average
This MP:
67
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Chris Clarkson's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.