Craig Tracey
MP for North Warwickshire
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The tragic death of more than 50 people over the weekend when their small boat broke up off the coast of Italy is a sad reminder of the total disregard for life of the illegal traffickers who facilitate these crossings to make their money. Will the Prime Minister set out what steps he is taking to bring an end to this barbaric trade, and will he reassure my constituents that stopping illegal immigration remains a key priority for this Government?
Context
More than 50 people died in a small boat incident off the coast of Italy.
Rishi Sunak
The tragic incident at Italy highlights how illegal crossings put lives at risk. Last year, we announced five new measures to tackle this problem, including a boats deal with France and a landmark deal with Albania. Legislation is being prepared to ensure swift detention and removal of those arriving illegally.
Session: PMQs
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Will Prime Minister join in thanking volunteers for their work in grassroots sports, especially during this time when top-tier football has paused? He also encourages support for local non-league teams like Atherstone Town, Bedworth United, and Coleshill Town.
Context
The Pitching In campaign promotes community sports and volunteer efforts. Top-level football is on a break due to the World Cup.
Rishi Sunak
I am happy to join my hon. Friend in praising all his local teams. Volunteers play a crucial role in community sport, generating opportunities for participation. Sport accounts for over half of UK volunteering, with each volunteer enabling at least eight more people to participate.
Session: PMQs
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My local hospital, the George Eliot, has recently issued all of its staff, helpers and volunteers with a medal in recognition of the work that they have done and continue to do throughout the covid pandemic. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking them all for the incredible work they have done, including the specialist teams such as palliative care, who have had to act as surrogate families for patients whose relatives have been unable to attend because of restrictions? Will he consider following their lead in issuing a national service medal for all our key workers, who have done such an outstanding job in keeping our country going throughout the pandemic?
Context
The George Eliot Hospital recognised its staff, helpers and volunteers for their work throughout the covid pandemic.
Boris Johnson
Yes, of course. I thank my hon. Friend, and I am pleased that so many of the volunteers and staff at George Eliot Hospital have been recognised in the Queen's new year honours list. I have seen the medal that the hospital is proposing, and I think it is lovely. As I have told the House before, we are establishing a UK commission on covid commemoration to consider how we can commemorate everything that we have all been through, and the commission will also consider how we can recognise the courage of frontline workers.
Assessment
Did not commit to issuing a national service medal for key workers
Referenced Existing Recognition
Session: PMQs
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Will the Secretary of State set out what if any support is available to help as many people get into some of the fantastic opportunities we have in North Warwickshire and Bedworth?
Context
The MP is hosting a jobs fair and identifies transport access as a significant barrier for potential employees.
Mel Stride
I thank my hon. Friend for the extraordinary work that he does locally to support people into work. He asks what support there is for those with travel challenges. The flexible support fund is there for a variety of different uses, but one is to help with exactly the issue he raises for the first three months of employment.
Session: Unemployment Levels
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I recently hosted an event here in Parliament with Nick Dougherty, the golfer, and the Golf Foundation to kick off their Unleash Your Drive programme, an amazing initiative providing young people with the life skills they need to survive in the modern world, including mental resilience. The scheme has been rolled out to over 500 schools since September last year, with fantastic results. Will the Minister meet me and the Golf Foundation to discuss this success and how we can encourage more schools to teach mental toughness skills through sport, as part of the school sport and activity action plan?
Context
The question is prompted by an event hosted by the MP featuring Nick Dougherty of the Golf Foundation, which aims to provide young people with life skills through golf.
Damian Hinds
I know about the good work of the Golf Foundation, under the leadership of Brendon Pyle. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss its work, specifically the Unleash Your Drive programme.
Session: Mental Resilience in Young People Sports and PE
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If her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of sports and PE on mental resilience in young people.
Context
The question arises from a general concern about the role of physical education and sport in enhancing mental health and resilience among youth.
Damian Hinds
It is well and widely recognised that PE and sport support children and young people's health and general wellbeing. The school sport and activity action plan update, published in July 2023, sets out how we will support all young people to participate in PE and sport in school.
Session: Mental Resilience in Young People Sports and PE
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Parts of North Warwickshire and Bedworth have seen significant and unprecedented flooding. Will the Secretary of State set out what other steps can be taken to prevent this from happening?
Context
Recent flooding in areas like Austrey, Polesworth, and the Woodlands has caused damage to houses and businesses, prompting concerns over future flood prevention measures.
Steve Barclay
Of the Environment Agency investment over six years, £24 million is going specifically into protecting 800 properties in North Warwickshire and Bedworth. Further discussions will be held to tackle flooding locally.
Session: Flood Risk Rural Communities
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What steps his Department is taking to help protect rural communities in flood-risk areas?
Context
The question arises due to ongoing flood risks and the need for targeted government support in rural areas.
Steve Barclay
Around 45% of the Government's £5.2 billion investment in flood protection is targeted at rural communities, and the Minister for Water is allocating £75 million of funding specifically to internal drainage boards, which serve many rural constituencies.
Session: Flood Risk Rural Communities
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Can the Minister set out how the new Small Business Council can help them to grow?
Context
The question arises from the growing number of female-led businesses and seeks specifics on how the new council can aid their growth.
Kevin Hollinrake
The Small Business Council has excellent entrepreneurs on it, such as Emma Heal from Lucky Saint and Julianne Ponan from Creative Nature, who we rely on for expert advice. The investing in women taskforce helped increase the number of female entrepreneur businesses from 56,000 in 2018 to 150,000 in 2022, with 240 signatories to the code.
Session: Small Business Council
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What steps her Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises through the Small Business Council?
Context
The question seeks details on the steps being taken by the Department to support SMEs through the Small Business Council.
Kevin Hollinrake
On 1 February, the Government reaffirmed our commitment to all the UK's 5.5 million small businesses with the creation of the new Small Business Council, which is looking at key areas, such as improving business support, access to finance, support and advice, and breaking down barriers, including barriers to female entrepreneurship.
Session: Small Business Council
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What are the Government doing to increase the financial resilience of our constituents and make them best placed to cope should such an unforeseen event happen again?
Context
The MP highlights the importance of financial inclusion following the pandemic, asking about measures to enhance financial stability for constituents.
Mel Stride
May I first recognise the fantastic work my hon. Friend does on financial resilience? The Government have, through very difficult times, come forward with £104 billion of cost of living payments between 2022 and 2025. I would point my hon. Friend to one particular scheme: the help to save scheme encourages low-income households to save and we have recently extended that by 18 months, until April 2025.
Session: Saving for the Future
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Does the Minister agree that a real problem with fly-tipping is skips? Unscrupulous and dodgy skip companies allow their skips to be filled and then, mysteriously, those skips do not end up in a legitimate place for waste. Will he look at the new technology we could have? I believe every skip should have a gizmo that tracks where it came from and where it is going.
Context
The issue of fly-tipping involves unscrupulous skip companies filling skips that do not reach legitimate waste disposal sites. The questioner suggests the use of new tracking technology to address this problem.
Robbie Moore
I will welcome innovation when it comes to dealing with waste crime. The Government are already taking action by awarding £1.2 million to help councils purchase equipment to tackle fly-tipping. Our digital waste tracking system makes it easier for authorities to identify unauthorised waste disposal.
Session: Fly-tipping
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I welcome the Minister to his place. Fly-tipping is a huge problem across North Warwickshire and Bedworth, with thousands of incidents every year, particularly in rural areas where the farming community is left to bear the brunt of many of the costs. We are lucky to have a dedicated rural crime team who do amazing work helping to tackle the issue, but will the Minister give an update on the progress of the national rural crime unit in tackling the scourge on our communities?
Context
The issue of fly-tipping is a significant problem across North Warwickshire and Bedworth, with thousands of incidents reported annually, particularly affecting rural areas. The farming community often bears the brunt of these costs.
Robbie Moore
I am very happy to pay tribute to the dedicated Warwickshire rural crime team, which does fantastic work in that area. The Government are funding a new fly-tipping post in the national rural crime unit to optimise the role that the police can take in tackling fly-tipping in rural areas. We have also confirmed reforms to waste carrier registration and the introduction of digital waste tracking.
Session: Fly-tipping
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I am concerned about free access to cash being a vital lifeline for constituents, particularly in North Warwickshire and Bedworth. Can you confirm what steps are being taken to protect this access across the country?
Context
Free ATM access is crucial for many individuals, especially the vulnerable. Concerns have risen over its availability in certain areas.
Andrew Griffith
We have given directions to the Financial Conduct Authority that access to cash should be no more than 1 mile in urban areas and no more than 3 miles in rural constituencies, ensuring statutory protection for this service.
Session: Topical Questions
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As the Minister knows, having a strong insurance and financial services sector is vital to the growth of our economy, which is one of the Prime Minister's pledges. So will the Minister confirm that he is doing everything in his power to make that happen, particularly with a view to our international competitiveness in those key sectors?
Context
The MP acknowledges the importance of a strong insurance and financial services sector for economic growth, referencing the Prime Minister's pledge.
Andrew Griffith
I can give my hon. Friend the assurance he seeks. He will know from his significant contribution to the Financial Services and Markets Bill as it has gone through this House that it introduces a new duty on our financial regulators to promote the growth and international competitiveness of the United Kingdom. Thanks to him, the Bill also contains specific reporting measures as to how they are going to achieve that important objective.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister confirm that he will take all possible steps to ensure that the Financial Services and Markets Bill delivers to its full potential, with regulators being held more accountable for their decisions?
Context
A concern about the regulation's impact on competitors in the financial services sector, particularly those serving vulnerable consumers.
Andrew Griffith
I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. As he knows, the Government are committed to effective, efficient and proportionate regulation. He has advocated a number of amendments to that Bill, and I am giving them due consideration.
Session: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
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I thank the Minister for not sharing that song with us. As a former chair of my local village hall, I know how important village halls can be in connecting people of all ages. That was particularly evident during the pandemic. Village halls are generally run by small dedicated teams of volunteers who, unfortunately, are continually scraping around for the cash to keep them open. What more can we do to give easier and more sustainable funding to ensure that as many of these vital community hubs as possible can stay open?
Context
The MP highlights the importance of village halls in connecting people across ages and notes that volunteers often struggle to keep them open due to financial constraints. This question follows an initial query about steps being taken to support village halls.
Rebecca Pow
My hon. Friend makes such a good point. I congratulate him on his former role, and all those who have been on village hall committees. That included my husband who regaled me with many tales of what was said at the village hall committee. Our platinum jubilee village hall fund will provide for many halls the support they need to modernise, upgrade, and put in new internet and so forth. We also have a grant to support Action with Communities in Rural England to provide support for village halls across the whole country with advice, including on other sources of funding.
Session: Village Halls
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I recently took over as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Latvia, and it was a pleasure to meet my opposite number from the Latvian Parliament, Rihards Kols, last week to discuss the importance of our future work together. Does the Minister agree that, now more than ever, it is important that we strengthen even further our long-standing relationship with countries such as Latvia that share a common set of values and principles with the UK?
James Cleverly
I congratulate my hon. Friend on taking up his position. The UK enjoys close diplomatic, security and economic relations with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. I recently went to Estonia, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also been to the region and taken part in the three seas initiative that co-ordinates a number of workstreams in the Baltic and other parts of eastern Europe.
Session: Topical Questions
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When we delivered Brexit, we made a promise to take back control of our borders. That was about not just ending freedom of movement but cracking down on small boat crossings of the channel. The Secretary of State and her team have done an awful lot of work to try to clamp down on such crossings. Does she agree that our partnership with Rwanda is critical to breaking the economic model of the people-smuggling gangs? Will she confirm that the Department will do everything it can to get the scheme moving?
Context
The UK made a promise to take back control of its borders, focusing on cracking down on small boat crossings of the channel. The Department has been working on a plan for immigration.
Tom Pursglove
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are introducing whole-system reform in the new plan for immigration, and we have the partnership with Rwanda and are readily signing new returns agreements. Of course, we are seeing greater international co-operation, including with the French—for example, 50% of crossings are not originating in the first place. That is important progress. We are continuing to work round the clock on the issue and my hon. Friend can be assured that we will continue to do so.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Minister is doing excellent work to help pave the way for UK businesses to do more trade in the US, and lifting tariffs is just one of the ways we can do that. Will she set out what more the Government can do to support our leading service sectors, as well as help our small and medium-sized enterprises to get their foot in the door?
Context
Tariff reductions have been achieved, but further support is needed to enhance trade opportunities for UK service sectors and SMEs.
Penny Mordaunt
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that point. In addition to a free trade agreement, which will assist us on tariffs and those kinds of barriers, we are pursuing a twin-track approach with US states. That will help our service sector in particular. We are also looking at the mutual recognition of qualifications in accounting, auditing, legal services and so on. Next week, we are holding a UK-US SME dialogue in Boston to help us open up procurement possibilities for companies that would find it difficult to seek out those opportunities.
Session: USA Tariffs on Imports from UK
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What steps her Department is taking to encourage the US Administration to lift tariffs on imports from the UK?
Context
The US imposed section 232 tariffs on UK steel and aluminium products, affecting the UK's trade balance with the US.
Penny Mordaunt
On 1 June, section 232 tariffs on imports of UK steel and aluminium products were lifted. We have also secured the lifting of the long-standing US ban on the import of British beef and lamb.
Session: USA Tariffs on Imports from UK
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North Warwickshire Borough Council does a fantastic job of serving our local community despite operating on a budget of only £9.5 million, which is certainly the lowest in Warwickshire and must be one of the lowest in the country. Will the Minister agree to come to my constituency to meet the council and see how it could put the levelling-up funding on offer to excellent use?
Context
North Warwickshire Borough Council operates on a budget of £9.5 million, the lowest in Warwickshire.
Neil O'Brien
I pay tribute to David Wright and North Warwickshire Borough Council because they have done a fantastic job, particularly during covid, in supporting the local community and local business. I would be delighted to visit—not least because it is only 20 minutes away from Harborough.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that it is important that we use every single power we have to prevent these illegal crossings, which continually put lives in danger; to clamp down on the gangs that facilitate them; and to continue to provide the legal routes by which so many people have already made safe crossings?
Context
The MP has raised small boat crossings with the Department on multiple occasions.
Tom Pursglove
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the distinction between illegal entry into this country and people coming via safe and legal routes. I know that his constituents in North Warwickshire and Bedworth feel very strongly that the Nationality and Borders Bill needs to pass into law. We need its comprehensive measures to build on our existing powers, to get to grips with this issue, and to tackle it fairly but robustly.
Session: Illegal Immigration
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As we move to treating covid as more of an endemic condition, what steps can be taken to stop restricting admissions to these care homes?
Context
Delays in transferring patients back to care homes due to outbreak restrictions can affect hospital capacity.
Edward Argar
There is local flexibility to allow residents to be safely admitted to a care home during outbreak restrictions, following a risk-based approach that takes into account the size of outbreaks, who is affected, care home size and layout, rates of booster vaccination and current Care Quality Commission rating.
Session: NHS Capacity and Resilience Covid-19
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What steps his Department is taking to help maximise NHS capacity and increase its resilience during the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The NHS is facing capacity and resilience challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.
Edward Argar
Alongside measures to reduce demand and admissions, such as the vaccine roll-out and new therapeutics for covid, the NHS is creating maximum possible capacity and investing in improved discharge arrangements, use of independent sector beds, virtual wards and Nightingales to provide surge capacity. There is investment in delivering more than 20,000 additional clinical staff this year compared with August 2020.
Session: NHS Capacity and Resilience Covid-19
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I thank the Minister for that response. It was great to see that the Department was successful in two of the bids in the spending review, but, as the Minister is aware, there was a third unsuccessful bid, which was to bring the Ryder cup back to England for the first time since 2002. Will the Minister confirm that it is still very much his ambition to continue with this 2031 Ryder cup bid? If it is, would he like to visit the Belfry in my constituency, which would be a perfect location for the event, so that he can see for himself the fantastic facilities that are on offer there?
Context
There was a third unsuccessful bid for the Ryder cup to return to England since 2002. The questioner seeks confirmation on whether it is still an ambition to continue with this 2031 Ryder cup bid.
Nigel Huddleston
I am really grateful to my hon. Friend and pay tribute to him for all the work that he does with the all-party group for golf. As he mentioned, there is ongoing work to explore the potential of a possible English bid to host the 2031 Ryder cup for the first time in England since 2002. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and UK Sport are in close contact with the key partners and venues, and our collective teams continue to work together to conclude this feasibility work and decide on the next steps. It is about the work as well as the finances here, and we will continue to work on this matter in every way that we can. I would be more than happy to visit his constituency and the Belfry and perhaps get round quite a few holes, including the last one.
Session: Sports Bodies’ Bids to Host Major Sporting Events
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What recent steps has her Department taken to help support bids from sports bodies to host major sporting events? Over the past 15 years, iconic events have been hosted in the UK, and there is an exciting programme of events for 2022 including the Commonwealth games, women's UEFA European championships, and the rugby league world cup.
Context
The question arises from the Department's efforts to support bids from sports organisations to host significant international sporting events.
Nigel Huddleston
The Government are fully committed to working with event organisers to bid for and host major sporting events. Over the past 15 years, some of the world's most iconic events have taken place in the UK. That has cemented our position as a global home for these events, and we have an exciting programme of events in 2022, including the Commonwealth games, the women's UEFA European championships, and something close to your heart, Mr Speaker, the rugby league world cup.
Session: Sports Bodies’ Bids to Host Major Sporting Events
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Will the Minister join me in thanking the volunteers and organisers of the Bedworth Armistice Day parade in my constituency, chaired by Ken Whitehead?
Context
The MP highlights the work of volunteers and organizers for the poppy appeal.
Leo Docherty
My hon. Friend is right to refer to the central role of the Royal British Legion volunteers. They are a magnificent bunch of people, and I particularly commend Ken Whitehead and all the Bedworth Armistice Day team. I also want to record my thanks for all my hon. Friend's work to support our veterans and forces people in his constituency.
Session: Poppy Appeal
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I chair the women and enterprise all-party parliamentary group, and we are about to deliver our latest report, which focuses on skills and education. Can my right hon Friend provide more detail on how successful they have been in encouraging and inspiring young women and girls into new careers?
Context
The MP chairs the Women and Enterprise All-Party Parliamentary Group and is focusing on a report about skills and education. The MP seeks to know more about the success of Government initiatives, particularly regarding female participation.
Michelle Donelan (Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Skills, Further and Higher Education)
Our programmes and reforms are designed to ensure that all students get the chance to undertake high-quality learning. Our digital bootcamps had 47.9% female attendance, and every student gets an interview including in male-dominated industries.
Session: Young-People Securing High-Quality Jobs
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What steps is your Department taking to help support young people in securing high quality jobs?
Context
The MP seeks to understand the steps taken by the Department to assist young individuals in acquiring employment opportunities.
Michelle Donelan (Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Skills, Further and Higher Education)
Our plan for jobs is working, with unemployment falling to 4.5% last month. Our £3.8 billion skills revolution will ensure that young people have the skills they need to access those jobs, with T-levels, the largest-ever expansion of traineeships and an incentive of £3,000 for employers hiring apprentices.
Session: Young-People Securing High-Quality Jobs
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In its last report, the women and enterprise all-party parliamentary group found that women-owned businesses added £115 billion to the UK economy despite securing only about 5% of Government and public sector contracts. What more can the Government do to encourage more female-owned small businesses to come forward to apply for contracts and have the confidence that they will have an equal chance in the procurement process?
Context
The MP highlights that women-owned businesses added £115 billion to the UK economy but secured only about 5% of Government and public sector contracts, expressing concern about their participation in the procurement process.
Amanda Milling
I thank my hon. Friend for everything he does as chair of the APPG on women and enterprise. I share his concern that SME owners of all backgrounds should benefit from Government contracts. We are doing more than ever to encourage all SMEs, including those owned by women, into public procurement, with 26.7% of the £58 billion spent by the Government in 2019-20 going to SMEs.
Session: Government Contracts Bids from Small Businesses
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What steps are being taken by the Government to increase opportunities for small businesses to bid for Government contracts?
Context
The MP is concerned about the opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for government contracts, highlighting their importance in the UK economy.
Amanda Milling
Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our UK economy. We are increasing opportunities for SMEs by breaking up contracts into smaller chunks, transparently publishing contract pipelines, removing complexity from the bidding process, and implementing a new social value model that allows greater weight to be given to bids that help drive post-covid recovery.
Session: Government Contracts Bids from Small Businesses
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I welcome the considerable support that has already been given to local councils during the pandemic. However, I recently had discussions with leaders of North Warwickshire Borough Council, which is an incredibly well-run council, and they are still finding a shortfall of about half a million pounds against an annual budget of £10 million, due to a mix of lost revenue and providing additional services to residents, such as extra home waste collection services. What more can be done to ensure that we give councils the full backing they need to continue providing services?
Context
North Warwickshire Borough Council is facing a shortfall of approximately £500,000 due to lost revenue and increased service provision during the pandemic.
Steve Barclay
North Warwickshire has received more than £1 million to meet its expenditure pressures this year, exceeding the expenditure pressures that it has reported to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. I urge my hon. Friend to express any further concerns to MHCLG at the earliest opportunity. As he recognises, a comprehensive package of support has already been provided, and that support continues.
Session: Covid-19 Support for Local Authorities
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What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
Local authorities are facing significant fiscal challenges due to the pandemic, including loss of income and increased service demands.
Steve Barclay
The Government have committed more than £10 billion to support local authorities in dealing with covid in this financial year and the next, including an unprecedented guarantee to compensate them for their income losses as a result of the pandemic.
Session: Covid-19 Support for Local Authorities
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Can she confirm what measures are being taken to ensure that these coaches have the right experience and training? In recognising that people will have vastly different needs, what will be done to ensure that they are connected with the right coach?
Context
The initial question addressed the progress in recruiting additional work coaches, and this supplementary question seeks to understand measures taken to ensure quality and proper training of these new hires.
Mims Davies
All our new work coaches receive six weeks' up-front training, including a week's induction followed by an initial 25 days' intensive training, 20 days of facilitated learning and five days' consolidation. A second round of recruitment for almost 200 more work coaches will start in the region before Christmas.
Session: Work Coaches Recruitment
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What progress has been made in recruiting additional work coaches? We have committed to recruit an additional 13,500 work coaches by March 2021. Since July, 5,468 have been recruited.
Context
The Department had committed to recruiting an additional 13,500 work coaches by March 2021. The question addresses the progress made in this recruitment.
Mims Davies
We have committed to recruit an additional 13,500 work coaches by March 2021. Since July, 5,468 have been recruited. All new work coaches receive six weeks' up-front training including a week's induction and an initial 25 days' intensive training.
Session: Work Coaches Recruitment
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Does the Minister agree that preventing small boats from ever leaving European shores is the best way? What specific steps are being taken with French counterparts?
Context
Request for confirmation of steps being taken with French counterparts to stop the small boats before they leave.
Chris Philp
Agrees; funding additional gendarmes to prevent embarkations, supporting French efforts for safe accommodation, investigating action at sea. If crossings seem impossible, nobody will attempt them due to health and safety concerns and criminal gang prevention.
Session: Illegal Migration English Channel
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What steps her Department is taking to stop migrants crossing the English Channel illegally. The crossings are facilitated by reckless criminals, are unnecessary as France has a well-functioning asylum system, and lead to tragic fatalities last month. Why are these illegal crossings not being stopped?
Context
The issue of migrants using small boats to cross the channel illegally, leading to tragic fatalities and dangerous conditions.
Chris Philp
Working with the French authorities to prevent embarkations from beaches, considering action at sea, and taking robust law enforcement measures leading to nearly 100 arrests this year. Two individuals were convicted last week for facilitating illegal crossings.
Session: Illegal Migration English Channel
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Does the Secretary of State agree that it is important to continue working with both Republicans and Democrats to secure a comprehensive deal regardless of the election outcome?
Context
Following the initial question, this supplementary query focuses on ensuring bipartisan support in the US for a UK-US trade agreement post-election.
Elizabeth Truss
My hon. Friend is absolutely right—[Interruption.] The Opposition are laughing at our largest single country trading partner, because they frankly do not care about the jobs generated or about the opportunities from expanding our relationship with the US. We are in discussions with senior Republicans and senior Democrats to ensure that there is full support for a US-UK trade deal right across the United States political spectrum.
Session: Free Trade Agreement United States
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Craig Tracey highlighted the importance of increasing female entrepreneurship, mentioning a set of women's business hubs he is working on with the British Library. He asked what further steps can be taken to support female entrepreneurs in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Context
The Government's Rose review indicated that £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Elizabeth Truss
Elizabeth Truss praised Craig Tracey's work with the all-party group on women and enterprise. She highlighted that growth hubs are available nationwide and mentioned mentoring schemes and investment availability to support start-up businesses across the UK.
Session: Covid-19 Female Entrepreneurship
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Can the Minister give further guidance specifically on PIPs? I have been contacted by several constituents who are either looking to access them for the first time or due a reassessment. With face-to-face assessments understandably suspended due to the pandemic, will the Minister confirm what action the Department is taking to ensure that my constituents can access this vital support as quickly as possible?
Context
Concerns about the accessibility of PIP for new and reassessment claimants during pandemic.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson
My hon. Friend is diligent in championing the issues that his constituents face. We have rightly continued to accept new claims; we are allowing reviews where claimants accept them, particularly where their condition may have deteriorated and they could be eligible for greater financial support; and we are prioritising terminally ill claimants.
Session: Disabled People Protection
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What steps her Department is taking to support and protect disabled people during the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The Department is addressing measures to support disabled individuals during the pandemic.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson
To provide greater financial security at this time, we have automatically extended by six months PIP—personal independent payment—awards for existing claimants that are due to be reviewed or reassessed and have suspended all face-to-face assessments of disability benefits for three months.
Session: Disabled People Protection
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The reality in predominantly rural North Warwickshire is that I can get to London quicker by train than it takes for me to travel by bus from outside my house to my constituency office just 6 miles away. The situation makes it really difficult for people to get to hospital appointments, to work, to school and, as I found out last week, to Jobcentre Plus appointments. What can we do to reinvigorate transport across North Warwickshire and Bedworth so that my constituents can access the fantastic opportunities that this Government are keen to deliver as part of their levelling-up agenda?
Context
In predominantly rural North Warwickshire, it is challenging for residents to access essential services due to poor bus connectivity.
Kelly Tolhurst
I understand my hon. Friend's frustration. I am pleased to say that the Government have launched two schemes that are relevant to North Warwickshire. The first is a call for an expression of interest in a £20 million rural mobility fund to support innovative solutions to transport problems in rural areas, and the second is the allocation of £30 million to every local authority in England to support new bus services or replace lost services.
Session: Bus Links
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Services: Covid-19
12 November 2020
Responding: Jo Churchill
Main Concerns
['Craig Tracey is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on breast cancer services, including a pause in screening programmes leading to almost 1 million women missing their appointments. There was also a significant drop in referrals and treatments being changed or paused. The workforce faces sustained pressure due to dealing with both the pandemic and existing challenges. While there has been some recovery since August, issues remain regarding data collection on secondary breast cancer and access to clinical nurse specialists (CNS).']
Specific Asks
['Tracey asks for a national secondary breast cancer audit covering diagnosis, treatment, and support access. He also requests funding for training and expanding the CNS workforce to meet both current and future challenges.']
Payment Systems Regulator Bill - Schedule 7
07 December 2022
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I propose the amendment to Schedule 7 of the Payment Systems Regulator Bill, which aims to enhance accountability by ensuring transparency in the operations of the regulator. This is critical as it wi...
Tributes to Her Late Majesty the Queen
10 September 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Prime Minister
15 June 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
07 June 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Integrated Rail Plan: North and Midlands
18 November 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
23 March 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19: Road Map
22 February 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
27 January 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
17 September 2020
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Sentencing White Paper
16 September 2020
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
3
PMQs Asked
43
Ministerial Questions Asked
15
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+221% above average
This MP:
43
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+209% above average
This MP:
15
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 Craig Tracey's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.