Claire Coutinho
MP for East Surrey
Con
12 Dec 2019 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
If everything is fine, why do we have a new Defence Secretary? [Interruption.] He was not here last week, was he? Let us face it: this is a Government on life support. What is their grand plan now? Let me get this straight: they want to make the job-destroying Energy Secretary Chancellor; they want to bring back the former Transport Secretary, who resigned for nicking phones; and they want to replace the Deputy Prime Minister with the former Deputy Prime Minister, who resigned for dodging taxes. Those are all pointless distractions. Here is a better idea: why do they not cut welfare, fund defence, make energy cheap and back the North sea?
Context
The question reflects the perception of the current government as unstable, with a new Defence Secretary appointed and ongoing speculation about leadership changes.
David Lammy
It is very thin gruel. I am here, like the right hon. Lady, because I am standing in for the leader of my party. I am proud to serve the Prime Minister and proud of what the Labour Government are delivering: more rights for working people—the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation—the biggest boost to defence spending since the cold war, and lifting more children out of poverty in a single term than any British Government in history.
Assessment
The specific ask about current plans was not addressed.
Changed Subject To Labour'S Achievements
Session: PMQs
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If everything is so hunky-dory, why did half the Defence team quit last week? The Government will not find the money to keep our country safe, so let us go through some of the things they can find money for. They can find millions of pounds to build solar farms in the Congo, and tens of millions of pounds for an experiment to dim the sun, but they are turning down £25 billion in tax revenue from the North sea to please their out-of-control Energy Secretary. Does the Deputy Prime Minister really think that any of that is more important than defending our country?
Context
The question arises from a perceived inconsistency in the government's priorities, with half of the Defence team quitting last week. It also references the government's refusal to claim £25 billion tax revenue from the North Sea.
David Lammy
We have said that more spending on defence is our No. 1 priority in this spending review and the next spending review. The right hon. Lady wants to talk about resignations. Let us remind ourselves of the Tory Defence Secretary in the last Government—the right hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge (Sir Gavin Williamson)—who was sacked for breaching national security; the Tory Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who resigned over sexual harassment; and the Tory Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who admitted hollowing out the armed forces for 14 years.
Assessment
The specific ask about prioritising other projects over defence was not addressed.
Changed Subject To Past Conservative Government Resignations
Session: PMQs
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Why has he not been sacked? The right hon. Lady asked again about pay cuts, which the Government should care about because if the Mayor of Manchester gets his way, I am pretty sure that half of the Front Bench will be getting a pay cut pretty soon.
Context
Coutinho mentioned that the Energy Secretary refused to meet the Prime Minister on a matter of national security.
David Lammy
When the defence investment plan is published, it will set out how every Government Department is contributing to defence, including the Energy Department. We will always put national security first.
Assessment
Did not address why the Energy Secretary has not been sacked
Stop Reading The Papers
Session: PMQs
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The Government say that those oil and gas workers can get new green jobs, but what they do not say is that those salaries pay half as much. Why has he not been sacked?
Context
Coutinho noted that the Energy Secretary refused to meet the Prime Minister on a matter of national security.
David Lammy
When the defence investment plan is published, it will set out how every Government Department is contributing to defence, including the Energy Department.
Assessment
Did not address why the Energy Secretary has not been sacked
Stop Reading The Papers
Session: PMQs
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How many jobs have been lost in Aberdeen since Labour came to power? Can he tell the House how he would feel if the Government forced him to take a 50% pay cut?
Context
Coutinho mentioned that one thousand people are losing their jobs every month in places like Aberdeen South due to Labour's policies.
David Lammy
Oil and gas are coming out of the North sea 24/7. In the first three months of this year, 52 million barrels of oil came out, and the equivalent of 44 million barrels of gas came out. We do want to create more jobs, which is why we will continue to invest in renewables.
Assessment
Did not answer how he would feel about a pay cut
The Right Hon. Lady Used To Be An Investment Banker, And She Has Got Her Facts Wrong.
Session: PMQs
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Why are the Labour Government happy for Britain to get its oil and gas from Russia or Qatar but not from Aberdeen? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many jobs have been lost in Aberdeen since Labour came to power?
Context
Coutinho highlighted that Labour banned new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.
David Lammy
Over 700 jobs were lost in the last 10 years that the Tories were in power, and production fell 75% over the last 25 years. We have secured over £900 billion of investment to support more jobs by taking control with renewables.
Session: PMQs
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British servicemen and women have served in Ukraine for years under Operations Cabrit and Orbital, supporting the Ukrainian armed forces and NATO's eastern flank. Will you join me in putting on record the gratitude of the House? What recognition can we offer these individuals?
Context
The question acknowledges the long-term support provided by British forces to Ukrainian military under Operations Cabrit and Orbital since 2015, crucially positioning NATO's eastern flank. Recognition for this service is sought.
Dominic Raab
Recognition for all military operations is kept under review, and the Defence Secretary has heard the suggestion.
Assessment
Did not commit to specific forms of recognition beyond keeping it under review
Under Continuous Review
Session: PMQs
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The Prime Minister's commitment to opening schools is welcome, but will he also prioritise catching up on missed education for children due to the pandemic?
Context
Closing the attainment gap is a priority but has been complicated by the pandemic. Schools have reopened as per Prime Minister's commitment.
Boris Johnson
Yes, indeed. Of all the challenges now facing the country, the single most important is remedying the damage to children's education. We have to clear up the backlog in the NHS and address problems in the courts, but it is education that will be the focus of this Government.
Assessment
Did not commit to any specific recovery programme for missed education
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Ms. Coutinho congratulates Boris Johnson on UK's significant reduction in carbon emissions and asks for details on future climate change strategies.
Context
UK's carbon emissions have decreased by a third over the past decade, reflecting environmental efforts.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Johnson chairs first Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, noting commitment to net zero by 2050 and leading Europe in tackling climate issues.
Session: PMQs
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Let us look at the facts: bills went down £500 under me, but they have gone up £300 under him. The Secretary of State said that he has raked in investment, but that is because he has promised that consumers will pay sky-high prices to wind developers for decades to come. He is decimating British industry. Great British Energy is a complete flop. Is not the truth that the only reason he wants an out from this job is so that someone else has to clean up the mess that he is leaving behind?
Context
The Secretary of State is facing criticism over rising energy bills and the state of clean energy industries.
Ed Miliband
The truth is that we all face a choice on the future of our energy system. Do we learn the lessons of history—of two fossil-fuel crises in five years, as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Iran war—and say that we want energy sovereignty with clean, home-grown power that we control, or do we not? We have made our choice.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-07
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According to the press, the Secretary of State is applying for a new job, which means that he must be in need of references. Who will he ask first: the trade unions, who are calling for him to be sacked; the public, who have faced a £300 rise in their energy bills on his watch; or the oil and gas workers, who roundly rejected him at the recent by-election in Aberdeen?
Context
The Secretary of State is facing negative sentiment from trade unions, public and oil and gas workers.
Ed Miliband
I am incredibly proud of our record over the last two years. This Government have delivered the biggest investment in warm homes in our history, broken records on renewables, and secured over £100 billion of private sector investment. We have the biggest nuclear-building programme in a generation, and a plan for 400,000 new clean energy jobs.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-07
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Asking officers to record examples of an illegitimate criticism of Islam is nothing short of an assault on free speech. Let me try another issue: last night, Labour MPs voted to give children as young as 11 powerful puberty-blocking drugs that could leave them infertile for the rest of their lives.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the trial of puberty-blocking drugs for children as young as 11, which could lead to infertility.
Bridget Phillipson
When Dr Hilary Cass published her review, we endorsed all those recommendations, as did the Conservatives. An important part of what Dr Cass set out was that it is essential that healthcare is available to children and young people who are experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Government's Islamophobia definition is already being weaponised to shut down free speech, just as I warned it would. South Wales police tried to use it to effectively criminalise people for criticising Islam, which Ministers promised us time and again would not happen. Does the Minister understand how divisive that is?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the weaponisation of the Islamophobia definition to shut down free speech.
Bridget Phillipson
South Wales police has paused its plans. It is right that it has done so. There are no blasphemy laws in this country, but it is right that we take action against hatred, prejudice and racism wherever we find it.
Session: Topical Questions
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What is his Department doing to support clean tech start-ups given that funding for start-up and scale-up phases is falling off a cliff?
Context
Clean technology start-ups face funding issues in the scale-up phase. The net zero innovation portfolio was abolished, and the clean tech innovation challenge has not started.
Michael Shanks
The UK has not been good at growing innovation and spin-outs from universities. We need to nurture them, invest in early stage development, and keep intellectual property here.
Session: Transition from Fossil Fuels Progress
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Well, there were words there, but there was no guarantee, so let me just remind the House that the Secretary of State has sold his entire agenda as being one of providing moral leadership to the rest of the world, but there is no moral leadership in sending British children to schools powered by Chinese slaves.
On 2 May, our electricity grid almost breached its frequency limit. That has the potential to cause nationwide blackouts. The Secretary of State's plans are making it harder and harder to balance the grid—there is no denying that—so can he confirm who is legally accountable if we have a blackout, thanks to grid instability, and what repercussions would that person face?
On 2 May, our electricity grid almost breached its frequency limit. That has the potential to cause nationwide blackouts. The Secretary of State's plans are making it harder and harder to balance the grid—there is no denying that—so can he confirm who is legally accountable if we have a blackout, thanks to grid instability, and what repercussions would that person face?
Context
On 2 May, the UK electricity grid almost breached its frequency limit.
Ed Miliband
I am afraid that the shadow Secretary of State is indulging in the worst sort of scaremongering to justify her anti-clean-energy agenda. It is incredibly sad what has happened to her. She used to believe in clean energy. Today, a report comes out from CBI Economics, showing 1 million jobs in net zero, and what does she do? She starts quibbling about the small print, and saying that the report does not represent the views of CBI, when the CBI chief economist is actually advocating for clean energy.
Session: Topical Questions
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I would like to offer my condolences to the Secretary of State on the death of his mother. It is clear that she was a remarkable woman, clearly much loved by her family.
I have a yes-or-no question for the Secretary of State: can he guarantee that not a single solar panel put on a British primary school by his Government has been produced by Chinese slave labour?
I have a yes-or-no question for the Secretary of State: can he guarantee that not a single solar panel put on a British primary school by his Government has been produced by Chinese slave labour?
Ed Miliband
First, I thank the shadow Secretary of State for her kind words about my mum. If you will allow me to say so, Mr Speaker, I feel incredibly sad to have lost her, but very lucky to have had 56 years with an amazing mum, who taught me values of kindness, warmth, love and justice. It is a reminder to me of what really matters most in our lives. I sincerely thank the shadow Secretary of State for the message she sent me.
On the question about the use of forced labour, we take this incredibly seriously. We inherited a regime from the last Government, which we applied in the early stages of what GB Energy was doing, but the shadow Secretary of State will know that, through the passage of the Great British Energy Bill, we have strengthened GB Energy's commitment to this.
On the question about the use of forced labour, we take this incredibly seriously. We inherited a regime from the last Government, which we applied in the early stages of what GB Energy was doing, but the shadow Secretary of State will know that, through the passage of the Great British Energy Bill, we have strengthened GB Energy's commitment to this.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will she condemn this group and the sectarian role it plays in British politics when endorsing parties like Green Party and Plaid Cymru?
Context
The Muslim Vote campaign is influencing voting behaviour based on religious affiliation, which the questioner finds divisive.
Bridget Phillipson
No one should face pressure or undue influence around their voting behaviour; let me be absolutely clear on that point. But let me also be clear to the House that I am fed up to the back teeth of Opposition politicians coming here time and again to sow division across our country. I am proud of the tolerant, compassionate and respectful nation that we are, and the shadow Justice Secretary should have been sacked for his shocking and shameful racist comments against Muslims in our country.
Session: Topical Questions
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What has happened since my meeting with some nurses a few months ago? Has she received an answer from the Nursing and Midwifery Council about how many more nurses face such harassment? Does she have a date from the Health Secretary when single-sex changing rooms will be guaranteed for staff?
Context
Nurses have been harassed by the NHS for stating that biological sex is real. The Minister met some nurses who raised concerns, and I am grateful to her for doing so.
Bridget Phillipson
My message to nurses and to anyone working in our NHS is that they deserve dignity at work. They deserve to be treated with respect, and they should not face abuse, intimidation or harassment. We have seen some shocking cases, and that is completely unacceptable. The right hon. Lady will appreciate that the regulator is independent of Government. It is independent for a reason, and that is the right approach. She will also know that the code of practice that I intend to lay before Parliament does not apply to employment, but employers should be following the law.
Session: Topical Questions
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This Government are taxing people up the wazoo and piling cost after cost on to their energy bills. People on £30,000 or £40,000 a year, who are not well off, are being hammered to pay for welfare when they are already working all hours to support their own families. Now we hear that the Government are about to go back to the taxpayer again to subsidise those on welfare, but their first port of call should be to adopt our cheap power plan. It would cut electricity bills by 20% for everybody by cutting green taxes and levies, and it would not cost the taxpayer a penny. Why will they not do that?
Context
The question criticizes the government for increasing energy costs and suggests a plan to cut electricity bills by 20%.
Ed Miliband
The Conservatives' plan is totally incredible, and the shadow Secretary of State knows it. Their plan on renewables is just to tear up the contracts. They had 14 years to do it, and they did not do it. Why? Because they know that they cannot. I have to say, it is quite extraordinary that her position is now to abolish the windfall tax, which has raised £12 billion since it was introduced in 2022. The difference between us and them is that we are willing to tax the oil and gas companies to help ordinary families.
Session: Household Energy Bills
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I welcome the upcoming drop next week in the energy price cap, which I know will help my constituents. With the Government's focus on the cost of living, we are all concerned that events in the middle east will trigger a price shock in the market, making that work more difficult. Can the Minister outline what further steps the Government are taking to reduce my constituents' energy bills?
Context
The Government's focus is on the cost of living, but concerns remain about potential market price shocks due to events in the Middle East.
Martin McCluskey
I thank my hon. Friend for his important question. We are taking three additional measures. We are expanding and extending the warm home discount to 2031. We have supported heating oil customers with the £53 million-worth of support that was announced last week, and our £15 billion warm homes plan is the biggest home upgrade plan in British history. All of that is wrapped up in our clean energy mission—clean power 2030—which will ultimately give us control of our energy.
Session: Topical Questions
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RenewableUK, the unions, Tony Blair and the Secretary of State's own handpicked chair of Great British Energy—the biggest advocates for an energy transition—have said that he has got this wrong. Is his ideology so rigid that he is incapable of admitting when he has got things wrong and that he will put us on a pathway to higher emissions and fewer British jobs? Let us try again. Can the Secretary of State be clear with the House? He knows that we will need gas for decades to come, so why does he prefer to import dirtier gas from abroad than to use the gas that we have in the North sea?
Context
RenewableUK, unions, Tony Blair, and the Secretary of State's own handpicked chair advocate for an energy transition against the government's policies.
Ed Miliband
I do not. We continue to use the North sea, and ours is a pragmatic position. But there is a wider lesson that the House has to focus on. Is the lesson of this crisis—a fossil fuels crisis—to double down on fossil fuels, or is it to drive forward with clean energy? We believe clean, home-grown power that we control is the answer.
Session: Topical Questions
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On International Women's Day this year, many of us reflected on the scandal of group-based sexual exploitation of young women and girls in Britain. Will the Minister commit that, by International Women's Day 2027, the Government will have implemented the key interim lessons from the independent inquiry into grooming gangs and from other reports commissioned on this matter by Members of this House?
Context
The questioner reflects on the scandal of group-based sexual exploitation of young women and girls in Britain and asks for a commitment to implement lessons from inquiries.
Seema Malhotra
This is an incredibly important topic. The hon. Gentleman will know we have always been clear that our paramount objective is to root out the horrific crimes of grooming gangs, punish perpetrators and protect children from harm. It is important to note, as he will know, that the Home Secretary made a statement accepting the recommendations of Baroness Casey's audit into group-based child sexual exploitation, which included a national inquiry into grooming. We are committed to changing the criminal law around adults penetrating children under the age of 16. We are also absolutely committed to ensuring that we root out these evil crimes with our work across Government.
Session: International Women’s Day
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Eighteen months ago in the King's Speech, the Government announced that they would introduce a draft race and disability equality Bill, but we have not yet seen it. Next week it will be a year since the consultation was launched. When will we see the draft Bill, and what will the process of scrutiny be?
Context
The Government announced the draft race and disability equality Bill in the King's Speech eighteen months ago, but it has not yet been published. A year after the consultation was launched, there is no draft Bill.
Bridget Phillipson
I welcome the hon. Lady's interest in this issue. Good progress has been made on developing the policy, and we will publish the Government's response as soon as we can, as well as setting out next steps in respect of legislation that we will present. This was a key manifesto commitment, and we will deliver on it.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week, the Labour party voted to increase the carbon tax, which has already doubled due to its policies. It now accounts for over 10% of household electricity bills and represents a £5 billion annual tax burden. Can the Minister explain why Labour wants to impose higher costs on industry and households?
Context
Concerns have been raised about the impact of increased carbon taxes on households and industry, with some arguing that it discourages investment and increases reliance on dirtier imports.
Chris McDonald
I am not sure if the shadow Secretary of State is conflating the various carbon taxes with the emissions trading scheme, but to be clear: the Government do not set or comment on the value of the carbon in the emissions trading scheme. That is a matter for the market.
Session: UK Emissions Trading Scheme
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That is frankly another patronising non-answer from the Secretary of State. I am not sure whether he got the memo, but his party is fed up with the sexist boys club. What is crucial is that the public have lost faith in the Labour party. This is a serious moment. Does he accept that when he stands at the Dispatch Box and tells the public that by his calculation their bills are falling, not rising, they simply do not believe him? Does he also accept that when he does not set out what any of his plans—such as doubling the carbon tax or clean power 2030—will do to bills, he makes a mockery of his party's pretence that it cares about the cost of living? Does he not reflect on all this—the £300 nonsense pledge, the Great British Energy fig leaf—and realise that when it comes to loss of trust, he is not their salvation but their problem?
Context
The Secretary of State has claimed that bills are falling, not rising. The public does not believe these claims.
Ed Miliband
We will take no lectures from the right hon. Lady on the cost of living crisis, because her Government presided over the worst cost of living crisis in generations. Let me tell her what we are doing: £150 off bills; the warm home discount extended; the warm homes plan. We have done more in 18 months to cut bills for people than they did in 14 years.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last year, the Secretary of State signed a secret energy deal with China, which he has refused to publish. This is simply unheard of. We have heard repeatedly from intelligence services that China might seek to disrupt our energy system, so it is crucial that the public get to see what he has signed us up to. Will the Secretary of State commit to publishing the full text of his secret energy deal with China, and if not, will he tell the House what it is that he is trying to hide?
Context
The Secretary of State signed a secret energy deal with China, which has not been published. Intelligence services have raised concerns about China's potential to disrupt the UK's energy system.
Ed Miliband
May I give the right hon. Lady a piece of advice? Wacky conspiracy theories that she gets on the internet are no substitute for a proper policy.
Session: Topical Questions
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In the case of Gorton and Denton, we heard this week that The Muslim Vote has decided to endorse the Green party. This is overt sectarism in our midst. We know where sectarian politics leads—conflict and strife. Even one of Labour’s candidates at the last election was threatened with beheading. Will the Secretary of State call out this problem?
Context
The Muslim Vote has endorsed the Green Party in Gorton and Denton, leading to sectarian conflicts. A Labour candidate at a previous election was threatened with beheading.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
I am not aware of the particular case that the right hon. Lady describes. What I can say is that violence, intimidation or harassment has no place in our politics. No political candidate or Member of Parliament should be subject to that kind of experience.
Session: Topical Questions
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Nurses up and down the country, including Darlington nurses and Jennifer Melle, are being hounded and harassed by the NHS simply for recognising that biological sex is real. I am grateful that the Minister has previously agreed to meet Jennifer. Will she hold accountable those in the NHS, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and unions who have harassed and victimised these nurses?
Context
Nurses across the country are facing harassment from the NHS, unions, and other bodies for recognising biological sex as real. One such nurse is Jennifer Melle.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
I look forward to meeting Jennifer soon to discuss her experiences and what more we can do to ensure that women in the NHS are safe at work. I am determined to ensure that the rights, voices and spaces for women who work in the NHS and women who are patients in the NHS are protected.
Session: Topical Questions
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Jennifer Melle, a black nurse with a faultless record, was racially abused by a convicted paedophile for correctly referring to his biological sex in a medical context. She was called the N-word multiple times in her workplace, yet she was the one who was punished by her NHS trust and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. She is still suspended from the job she loves, 18 months later. Does the Secretary of State agree that the dedicated nurses who are being punished for asserting that biological sex is real are facing a gross injustice, and will she meet Jennifer to hear her story?
Context
A black nurse, Jennifer Melle, was racially abused and suspended from her job after correctly referring to a convicted paedophile's biological sex in a medical context. She continues to face injustice 18 months later.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
No one should face racist abuse or violence in any workplace, and that includes the NHS. As we have also seen with the Sandie Peggie case, coming to decisions on these cases in a timely manner is incredibly important. I hope that the matter the right hon. Lady refers to can be resolved as swiftly as possible. I would, of course, be happy to meet Jennifer to hear her experience.
Session: Topical Questions
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At this COP, acres of the Amazon were chopped down so that the Secretary of State can lecture us about saving the planet. Can the Minister justify why his Government did not even put a single penny into the forest fund, which could have at least repaired some of the damage?
Context
During the COP, forests in Brazil were deforested despite the Secretary of State lecturing about saving the planet. The UK did not put any money into the forest fund.
The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)
I think the shadow Secretary of State has a bit of a cheek talking about anyone’s action on the climate crisis when she has completely reversed her own position on it. The UK’s climate leadership is an incredibly important contribution to the world’s action on the climate crisis. That crisis is not a future threat, but a very present reality. The UK has been a part of the forest initiative; we have supported Brazil and others to make that happen. Of course, coming up to a Budget and with tight fiscal considerations, we want to make sure that every pound of British taxpayers’ money is spent.
Session: Topical Questions
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Labour’s previous definition of “Islamophobia” was adopted by councils that had grooming gang scandals, and it said that even talking about grooming gangs was an example of “anti-Muslim racism”. Public servants did not speak up because they were scared of being called racist. The Government are now bringing in a new definition but refuse to publish it before adoption. Will the Minister commit to publishing the draft definition for full public scrutiny?
Context
The context is criticism towards the previous Labour government's definition of 'Islamophobia' which was adopted by councils involved in grooming gang scandals, limiting discussions about such issues as ‘anti-Muslim racism’. The current Government are bringing a new definition but refuse to publish it before adoption.
The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)
Wherever there is abuse, it should be tackled, and we will publish details in due course.
Session: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Public Sector
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In January, the Supreme Court ruled that sex means biological sex—a victory for women’s rights. However, there is concern over delays in releasing Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) guidance despite no legal changes being necessary. Will the Minister release this guidance to ensure women’s rights are protected?
Context
The Supreme Court ruled that sex means biological sex, affirming women’s rights. There are concerns about the delay in releasing guidance.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
We are committed to protecting single-sex spaces. The Supreme Court ruling provides clarity, which providers should follow. We are working through the EHRC’s code of practice. Any suggestion of delay is incorrect; we must consult devolved Governments. A full regulatory impact assessment has not been required.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the new Ministers to the Front Bench. On the first day of recess, away from scrutiny, the Labour party published the prices for its allocation round 7 of the renewables auction. Labour used to say that renewables were nine times cheaper, but the prices that the Secretary of State has said he is willing to pay are 40% higher than the current cost of electricity—they are the highest prices in a decade—and he has extended the contract length to 20 years. Those are not just the prices that we will be paying; they are the prices that our children will be paying. Will the Minister explain how locking us into higher prices for longer will cut bills by £300?
Context
Labour's proposed allocation round 7 of the renewables auction has sparked debate over its cost efficiency and long-term impact on consumer bills. Claire Coutinho questions the rationale behind such a proposal.
Martin McCluskey
The right hon. Lady’s comparison is absolute nonsense, and she knows it. She compares the cost of building and operating new renewables, which is what the contract for difference relates to, with the cost of operating—not building—gas plants. Once we make a fair comparison, the truth is that renewables are cheaper to build. We will take no lessons on energy policy from the Conservative party, which abandoned its commitment to clean energy at its party conference.
Session: Energy Prices Economic Growth
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The Secretary of State tried to argue yesterday that he is a climate change believer and everybody else who disagrees with him is a denier, because he does not want to engage with any legitimate criticism of his policies. He is offshoring British industries—in other words, replacing British goods with dirtier imports with higher emissions. Can the Minister confirm what the scientific evidence is that doing so will help to tackle climate change?
Context
The Secretary of State had argued that he is a climate change believer, dismissing any legitimate criticism as denial. The shadow Secretary of State criticized this stance and accused the government of offshoring British industries.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Kerry McCarthy)
Perhaps if the right hon. Member had been here yesterday, she would have been able to engage with the Secretary of State on this. The science is absolutely clear: every avoided fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to the severity of climate impacts. That is why the Prime Minister went to the global leaders summit at COP29 last year to announce a new 1.5°C-aligned nationally determined contribution, and we will continue to show international leadership.
Session: Net Zero Policies
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Why will the Government not support sensible legislation to ban this practice?
Context
The MP references the right hon. Friend's tabled legislation to ban cousin marriages, which are known to significantly increase birth defects and risk coercive relationships.
Bridget Phillipson
The Government will of course always keep such issues under review, and I will ensure that the Minister in the relevant Department speaks with the right hon. Lady on this topic.
Session: Topical Questions
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That is not my figure; it is a figure from industry—£12 billion in lost North sea tax receipts, in addition to £8 billion for an energy company that will not generate energy, and at least £200 billion for a 2030 target that we now know will not cut bills. Is it not true that pensioners will be sitting in the cold this winter to pick up the bill for this Secretary of State?
Context
The MP reiterates concerns about the loss of North sea tax receipts, additional costs for an unproductive energy company, and high targets.
Ed Miliband
The truth is that there is only one way to get bills down sustainably in this country, which is to drive towards clean energy. The Conservatives used to believe that, too; then, in September 2023, the former Prime Minister took them on an anti-net zero crusade, and it is only getting worse.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given the Secretary of State's support for a high carbon tax that could devastate British industry, how many jobs would be lost due to this policy?
Context
The MP challenges the Labour party's promise, citing a potential £147 carbon tax in 2030 as detrimental to industry and job creation.
Sarah Jones
I do not recognise those figures at all. We inherited a mess in this country, with no stability or economic growth. Now we are fixing the foundations and putting that right by creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the green sector.
Session: Great British Energy Job Creation
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Labour's policy on the North sea will cost the country £12 billion in tax receipts, which would be enough to cover the winter fuel payment for many, many years. Pensioners will be in the cold this winter, and this is a policy that no other major economy is pursuing. How can the Government possibly justify it?
Context
The MP is questioning the Government's North sea policy, citing industry figures that suggest it will cost £12 billion in lost tax receipts.
Ed Miliband
These are more fantasy numbers from the right hon. Lady. The truth is that the North sea has lost a third of its employment in the past decade. The only future for the North sea is in what this Government are doing: investing in carbon capture and storage, in offshore wind and in hydrogen.
Session: Topical Questions
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At the end of this month, For Women Scotland v. Scottish Ministers will be heard in the UK Supreme Court. Can the Government assure the House that they are now clear that the definition in 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex?
Context
The Conservative party committed to clarifying the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010.
Bridget Phillipson
The right hon. Lady will appreciate that I will not comment on ongoing cases. However, I can be clear that the Equality Act 2010 sets out that providers, for example, have the right to restrict access to service on the basis of biological sex. This Government are proud of our achievements in legislating for the Equality Act. We will ensure providers can continue to support single-sex exemptions, and it is important that providers have clarity in this area. I would be happy to work with her to ensure that is the case.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State agree that equality is not about group identities or placing one section of society on a platform above another, but about individual freedom and responsibility?
Context
The MP was honoured to take on the role of shadow Minister for Equalities.
Bridget Phillipson
I welcome the right hon. Lady to her place. I look forward to working with her on areas where we can agree and where we can take such concerns forward on a cross-party basis, wherever possible. I believe that she, like me, is passionate about tackling violence against women and girls. As she sets out, I believe that everyone in our country should have the chance to achieve all that they are capable of achieving. Our mission across Government is to ensure that where people are from does not determine what they can go on to achieve.
Session: Topical Questions
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This is the ministerial team who told the electorate they were going to cut their bills by £300, without doing any homework to find out how those plans would work. They voted against our amendment to hold them to account on their own pledge just two weeks ago, and now they are trying to claim that the NESO report shows that their approach will lower bills when in fact it shows in black and white that the system will be much more expensive. Does the Minister not see that if they follow this plan, we will be a warning, not an example, to the rest of the world and that the British people will be colder and poorer as a result?
Context
The government is criticized for making claims about lowering bills based on the NESO report, which suggests higher costs if certain conditions are not met.
Michael Shanks
Time and again, the Conservatives run away from their record on this in office. The reason why people right across this country are paying more on their energy bills is that the Conservatives did not get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets, but we are now moving at pace. The right hon. Lady may want to keep us in the vulnerable state where we are reliant on international gas markets, but we are determined that we will not do that. We will bring down bills and deliver energy security. I am not ashamed to say that we will move with great ambition to deliver what this country needs and to deliver the good jobs that go with it.
Session: Clean Energy by 2030
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Last week, the National Energy System Operator published a full systems cost analysis of the Secretary of State's flagship project to carbonise the grid by 2030. This morning, the Secretary of State said on several media outlets that the report shows that his plans will lower bills. I remind the House that the report assumes that gas prices are 40% higher than the Department's own estimates, that the price of carbon is at least double what it is now, and that they can build the grid at a pace we have never seen before in this country, without any delays. Even if all that is achieved, page 78 of the report shows that the cost of the system will be higher. For clarity, would the Minister like to repeat at the Dispatch Box the Secretary of State's claim that the NESO report shows that Labour's system will lead to a lower cost of electricity?
Context
The NESO report provides a full systems cost analysis of the Secretary of State's plan to carbonise the grid by 2030, which was mentioned as lowering bills despite assumptions that contradict these claims.
Michael Shanks
What the shadow Secretary of State has just outlined quite coherently is that the Conservatives have no ambition in this space whatsoever, but we do. I am very happy for the right hon. Lady to outline where our ambition is. We will build faster than the previous Government, although I have to say that that would not be difficult. The shadow Minister sitting next to her, the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie), said quite clearly at their conference that the previous Government had built infrastructure far too slowly, and their former Energy Minister, the right hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), said that their onshore wind ban was “always mad”. We are quite happy to pick up where they left off and deliver the clean power that this country needs.
Session: Clean Energy by 2030
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Given the Prime Minister's announcement of higher carbon emission targets despite contributing only 1% of global emissions, and with leaders of major emitters absent; does the Minister agree that this approach could lead to more sacrifice for British people without significant benefits?
Context
The question addresses concerns about the UK's stringent carbon emission targets, their global impact, and reliance on imports from China.
Kerry McCarthy
I think the shadow Secretary of State needs to seek a debate if she wants to elaborate on these issues. Having attended COP last year as part of a cross-party delegation, I found it incredibly depressing to see the way the UK was received.
Session: Topical Questions
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What is my right hon. Friend's strategy to tackle grid capacity issues, and will he meet me and local businesses to discuss this?
Context
Grid capacity issues are holding back house building and green businesses in west London.
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend is right about the issue holding back projects, which is why we are tackling it from day one by attempting to release network capacity and prioritising the queue for viable projects. We are building on what was done previously but should have been built over 14 years.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State do the decent thing and set out the full systems cost of his approach so that the public can see what he will do to their bills?
Context
The Secretary of State is being criticized by his own party and others for an ideological approach to energy policy.
Ed Miliband
After three months, people have breathed a sigh of relief with our Government's plan for the country. The former networks Minister and Energy Minister criticised previous policy decisions by her party on nuclear power bans and solar consents delays.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome this package; it is the right thing to do to try to get high-quality teachers into disadvantaged schools. I also support the specialist maths schools agenda, which ensuring that aim in a different way. Will the Secretary of State update the House on its progress?
Context
This question follows up on the initial query regarding measures to attract STEM teachers and enquires about a separate initiative focused on maths education.
Nadhim Zahawi
We have three great specialist maths schools, with some of the best A-level results nationally. We are on track to have 10 regional maths schools by 2025, including one in Surrey.
Session: STEM Teachers Disadvantaged Areas
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What steps is his Department taking to attract science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers to disadvantaged areas?
Context
The question arises from the need to improve educational opportunities and teacher distribution in less privileged regions.
Nadhim Zahawi
From this autumn, the levelling-up premium will provide early career teachers in maths, physics, chemistry and computing with a bonus of up to £3,000 tax-free annually if they teach disadvantaged children in disadvantaged schools. That is in addition to tax-free bursaries worth £24,000 and tax-free scholarships worth £26,000.
Session: STEM Teachers Disadvantaged Areas
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Will the Minister update the House on what we might be able to do about use-by labelling and other regulations holding back supermarket food waste reduction?
Context
The MP visited the Horley Food Club, an organization that recycles food waste into community hands. Regulations are holding back supermarkets from recycling food waste.
Victoria Prentis
I am pleased to confirm that the Food Standards Agency has agreed to ensure there are no more unnecessary barriers to food redistribution. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the issue further.
Session: Food Security
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What steps he is taking to help ensure food security?
Context
No specific background provided. The MP is asking about steps to ensure food security.
Victoria Prentis
We have a high degree of food security in the UK, producing 74% of the food we can grow here and having robust supply chains. Our food strategy sets security as a goal. We are monitoring rising pressures on household incomes closely.
Session: Food Security
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Planning System Reforms: Wild Belt Designation
22 June 2021
Responding: Christopher Pincher
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the significant decline in UK species, with a 41% drop since 1970 and one in eight species threatened with extinction. Wildlife habitats are fewer, smaller, and more isolated, which is detrimental to biodiversity and climate change mitigation efforts. Current land designations like sites of special scientific interest, national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and the green belt do not directly protect biodiversity value.']
Specific Asks
['I propose a new designation called wild belt to safeguard nature recovery investments and provide longer-term protection for lands being managed for environmental restoration. This would help in creating connected wildlife-rich habitats and ensure that development is sustainable alongside environmental improvements.']
National Energy System Operator: Blackout Risk
15 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Climate Change
24 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to approve the draft Carbon Budget Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 June.
Equality Act 2010: Code of Practice
01 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
Criticises the Government's energy policy, particularly the ban on new oil and gas licences. Emphasises the negative impact of these policies on Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland, and UK economic s...
Opposition Day
24 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Offshore Wind 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
COP30 2025-11-25
25 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Power Station Wylfa 2025-11-17
17 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the development of the UK’s first small modular reactor (SMR) power station at Wylfa on Anglesey? The urgency is due to the potential economic and social benefits for the reg...
Energy 2025-11-12
12 November 2025
General Debate
Led by this MP
The House calls on the Government to introduce a plan for cheap power by cutting public expenditure, removing the Carbon Tax from electricity generation and ending Renewable Obligation subsidies. The ...
Electricity Market Review 2025-07-10
10 July 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
38.6%
32 of 83 votes
Aye Votes
15
18.1% of votes
No Votes
17
20.5% of votes
Abstentions
51
61.4% of votes
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
9
PMQs Asked
71
Ministerial Questions Asked
61
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
15
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
83
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
+144% above average
This MP:
9
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+420% above average
This MP:
71
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1160% above average
This MP:
61
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+58% above average
This MP:
15
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-44% below average
This MP:
38.6
Average:
69.5
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 Claire Coutinho's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.