Danny Kruger
MP for East Wiltshire
Reform
Conservative
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12 Dec 2019 - 30 May 2024
Conservative
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4 Jul 2024 - 15 Sep 2025
Reform UK
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15 Sep 2025 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I applaud the Prime Minister's focus on civil society and on support for young people, but the fact is that in his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester youth employment did not improve. In fact, it got worse and no amount of taxpayer-funded support is going to fix that. Will the Prime Minister accept that the way to get young people into work is to provide meaningful tax cuts for businesses and to ensure that people who can work should be working?
Context
The youth employment rate did not improve during the Prime Minister's time as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham
I indicated that earlier today. Young people who can work should be working. I believe they want to work; the question is whether we have always given them the support they need. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, I proudly delivered a huge increase in the work placements attached to T-levels that benefited young people and I introduced a free bus pass for 16 to 18-year-olds to connect them to opportunity. Actually, the rise in NEETs—those not in education, employment or training—was not the same in Greater Manchester as in other parts of the country, so the hon. Gentleman might want to go back and check that. Let us work to get the best possible package we can to support our young people. It is too hard growing up as it is at this moment in time; we can make things better if we do so with cross-party support. That is the best message we could send to the next generation.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs 2026-09-02
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I thank the Prime Minister for his service; he is a good man. A comedian with a dustbin on his head represents the mainstream parties in this House. Will the Prime Minister clarify who, if not Labour, he wants to win in Clacton?
Context
The Prime Minister's reputation is under scrutiny, with criticism from a Reform candidate in the Clacton by-election.
Keir Starmer
I know that Reform believes in recycling politicians, but I wonder whether spending the summer arguing with a bin was what the hon. Gentleman had in mind when he defected to the Reform Benches.
Assessment
No clarification on candidate support
Recycling Politicians
Arguing With Bins
Session: PMQs 2026-07-15
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In 1997, the public voted in what they were told would be a sort of continuity Conservative Government—the same policies, but with different faces. Instead what they got was record immigration, constitutional vandalism and a broken economy. Does the Prime Minister agree that, with the economy now roaring back to life under a Conservative Government, the last thing we need is a return to the failed Labour recipe of high taxes, open borders and employment laws that destroy jobs?
Context
The public voted for a government that promised continuity with previous conservative policies, but instead faced high immigration and economic challenges.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend gives a superb and passionate economic diagnosis. He is right: inflation is now back to normal, and indeed lower than that of France, Germany and the United States. Inflation is at its lowest level in years, our economy is growing faster and wages are rising, which is why we need to stick to the plan that is working.
Session: PMQs
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Wiltshire leads the world in agritech—the farming processes that increase productivity and will feed the world's growing population, without wrecking the environment. I welcome what the Government have done in this space, particularly in gene editing, which is only possible because of Brexit. Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge the work of Wiltshire farmers and tech entrepreneurs, particularly James Dyson, although there are many more? Does he agree with me that this is one of the key opportunities for our country to become a high-wage, high-skill, high-tech economy?
Context
Wiltshire is a leader in agritech, which aims to increase productivity while preserving the environment. The government's support for gene editing post-Brexit has been highlighted.
Rishi Sunak
When it comes to agritech, we are among the best in the world, with fantastic research bodies, businesses and pioneering farmers and growers. I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to all of them. They are getting our support through the £270 million farming innovation programme and, as he rightly mentioned, we are seizing the opportunities from our exit from the EU, including through our plans to develop gene-edited crops that are resistant to drought and flooding more quickly.
Session: PMQs
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On Monday, the Home Secretary said that recent decades have seen too much immigration to this country and Opposition members strongly disagreed. They want higher immigration, not lower. Does my right hon. Friend agree we need to invest in our own young people's skills instead of importing cheap foreign labour?
Context
The question addresses the Home Secretary's statement about immigration being too high, contrasting it with opposition support for higher levels of immigration. The MP suggests investing in domestic skills rather than importing foreign labor.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is right to say that we need to encourage long-term investment in the domestic workforce. We will hear more on that from the Chancellor later this afternoon, but the Department for Work and Pensions is directing support at sectors with labour shortages, such as construction and social care, and our new skills bootcamps are part of a dramatic rebooting of our skills system to support workers to get the skills they need.
Assessment
The specific ask about investing in domestic workforce was addressed but without concrete actions or commitments.
Directing Support At Sectors With Labour Shortages
Session: PMQs
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A large part of Salisbury plain falls within my constituency, representing many soldiers, veterans and their families. Feelings are high over treatment of British Army veterans from Northern Ireland conflict. Can PM assure me that legislation will be brought forward this session to protect them?
Context
Veterans and their families in the questioner's constituency are concerned about treatment of veterans from conflict in Northern Ireland. There is a request for legislation to protect them.
Boris Johnson
We are committed to introducing legislation in this Session to address legacy of troubles in Northern Ireland, to introduce fair package for veterans and to protect them from unfair vexatious litigation when no new evidence has been brought forward.
Session: PMQs
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Will my right hon. Friend confirm that social investment tax relief will continue beyond April and use this year's G7 to trumpet its benefits?
Context
The UK led the world in financial innovations for public good since the previous G7 summit.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend has long been a campaigner for the wonderful benefits of social enterprise. I visited some of his own, and if he just waits a little longer, he will receive an update on social investment tax relief.
Assessment
Did not provide specific confirmation or timeline for continuation beyond April
Session: PMQs
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Resilience is obviously the crucial question for the country, and the Government are right to be focusing on the need to strengthen the centre of Government to achieve that. My concern is about the legislation that has been trailed. According to a leak—presumably from a briefing from the Cabinet Office—reported in The Times this week, the Cabinet Secretary is proposing to take new powers to direct permanent secretaries of Government Departments. Will the Minister confirm whether legislation is planned to change the statutory basis of the civil service? Most importantly, does he think that the Cabinet Secretary should or should not have the power to direct permanent secretaries?
Context
There are concerns about proposed legislation to give the Cabinet Secretary the power to direct permanent secretaries.
Dan Jarvis
I gently advise the hon. Member, as I am sure he is aware, not to believe everything that he reads in the newspapers. However, I hope that he and the House would approve of the fact that this Government, with a new Prime Minister and new First Secretary of State, will want to look very carefully at the structures of the civil service and ensure that they are delivering for the priorities of this Government.
Session: National Resilience 2026-09-10
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Given the welcome but insufficient funding for defence, can you affirm the Government's commitment to improving our procurement system? Is now the time to expedite innovative defence procurement?
Context
There is recognition that current defence procurement models may need improvement to meet future technological needs. This includes the recent establishment of a new drone facility in Swindon.
Louise Jones
I thank the hon. Member for raising a hugely important point—he is absolutely right. This Government are committed to changing and improving our procurement system so that it can deliver the vital kit and equipment that our troops deserve.
Session: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems 2026-07-06
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What guidance the Church Commissioners have received from the Charity Commission on changes proposed under the draft National Church Governance Measure. To what extent does the Second Church Estates Commissioner regard it as necessary to secure the approval of the Charity Commission when Parliament is establishing a body that will have the power to alter its own constitution?
Context
The draft National Church Governance Measure proposes substantial changes to the charitable objects of the Church Commissioners, which regulate the income of the Church. There are differences between the Charity Commission and the Church hierarchy on these proposals.
Alan Campbell
The national Church institutions have worked closely with the Charity Commission on the draft Measure and have considered its comments carefully. The commission took a different view from the Church on the remuneration of the chair of CENS, but amendments were made to the Measure in response to these concerns.
Session: National Church Governance Measure
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It is good to see the Minister back after the break, but I am sorry to hear that there are still no plans to reduce spending on personal independence payments. He has said that he is collaborating with people who would not be working with him on his review if there were to be any reductions in the levels of benefit or eligibility. Given that veto on cuts to PIP, I implore him again to consider the benefits to which PIP is a gateway, such as Motability, disability premiums, council tax discounts and blue badges. Will he promise at least that those entitlements could come down?
Context
The Minister is collaborating with disabled people and representatives of disability organisations for a review of PIP assessment.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
We have made it clear that we will co-produce our review of the PIP assessment with disabled people and representatives of disability organisations. The review will cover the assessment for the mobility component, which leads on to the Motability scheme, and other entitlements to which PIP is a gateway.
Session: Health and Disability Benefits Spending Estimate
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The Secretary of State is declining to take the power to refer to the High Court on unduly lenient Parole Board decisions in cases of manslaughter, like that of Robert Brown, who killed the best friend of my constituent Hetti Barkworth-Nanton. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this decision and explore how we can ensure that the Secretary of State has all the powers necessary to ensure that violent killers like Brown are not released early?
Context
The case of Robert Brown, who killed the best friend of Danny Kruger's constituent Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, prompted this question. The Secretary of State is declining to take power to refer Parole Board decisions on unduly lenient sentences for violent killers like Brown.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)
That was a horrific case. My thoughts remain with Joanna’s family and friends, specifically Diana Parkes and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who I met last year, and who the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Alex Davies-Jones), met this week. The previous Parliament carefully scrutinised the referral power and the offences that should be in scope. I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman on this matter.
Session: Parole Board Decisions Serious Offenders
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Is he aware that half the number of people who receive PIP who have multiple sclerosis will no longer be eligible for that benefit under the plans that the Government are bringing forward? A quarter of people with cerebral palsy and three quarters of people with arthritis will also be ineligible. Is the Minister happy with that, and if not, what hope can he give the hundreds of thousands of people who are being abandoned that the Government will look after them?
Context
The Government's changes to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment may lead to a large number of recipients becoming ineligible, causing concern among disability groups.
Stephen Timms
The hon. Gentleman is completely mistaken. These changes will not take effect until November next year and following each claimant’s award review after that date. Who receives the benefit will depend on the outcome of the assessment at that time. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the view of the Office for Budget Responsibility is that about 10% of those who are currently claiming PIP will lose their benefit as a result of these changes—a much lower proportion than the one he has just referred to.
Session: Personal Independence Payment Eligibility Criteria
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It is six weeks since the Government cobbled together an emergency plan for welfare cuts to rescue the Chancellor from the consequences of her job-destroying, economy-shrinking Budget, but we are still waiting for some information. Can the Minister tell the House how many more people will be in work as a result of these measures?
Context
The Government has proposed emergency welfare cuts, but there is a lack of information about the number of people who will be in work as a result.
Stephen Timms
As I have just told the House, the Office for Budget Responsibility will publish its assessment in the autumn—that is what we said at the time of the spring statement. This is a very big programme; the commitment of an additional £1 billion a year to employment support will open up opportunities for a very large number of people, in the way that the new deal for disabled people did under the last Labour Government all those years ago. We want to get back to providing the support that people need.
Session: Personal Independence Payment Eligibility Criteria
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We now know fewer than 120,000 new pensioners are enrolled in the program when around 880,000 were eligible. Will the Government release all available data on the impact of the winter fuel payment cut?
Context
The Government scrapped the universal entitlement to the winter fuel payment and said that pension credit would cover eligible individuals. However, more than three quarters of a million people have missed out on support this winter.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Torsten Bell)
We have already released significant data on that, showing the unparalleled success of the campaign to drive up pension credit take-up. Now we are concentrating on increasing support for pensioners right across the board.
Session: Pension Credit Uptake
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When the Government scrapped universal entitlement to the winter fuel payment, they said all eligible pensioners would get it through pension credit. However, only around 120,000 new pensioners are enrolled in this program. How did this happen? Is this a failure by the government or was the plan to save money at the expense of the poorest pensioners?
Context
The Government scrapped the universal entitlement to the winter fuel payment, stating that all eligible pensioners would receive it through pension credit. However, data shows that fewer than 120,000 new pensioners have enrolled, leaving more than three quarters of a million pensioners without vital support.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Torsten Bell)
We are turning around the biggest disgrace of the last Government, which was leaving the health service our older generations rely on. The current campaign to drive up pension credit take-up has seen an 81% increase in applications since July compared with the same period last year and 46,000 more awards.
Session: Pension Credit Uptake
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Given the constant rise in the welfare bill, what is the financial cost so far of Labour's inactivity since the election? The MP provides context stating the sum is £1.8 billion, equivalent to savings from cutting winter fuel payments plus income from taxing family farms.
Context
The shadow Minister cites media reports suggesting frustration at the delay in issuing a Green Paper on welfare reforms, and notes that waiting has led to a financial cost.
Stephen Timms
The inactivity bequeathed to us by the previous Government had a huge cost. The week before last, a judicial review was lost on the previous Government’s handling of the work capability assessment changes, with the judge finding that the consultation was dishonest and rushed. We will do this exercise properly with a Green Paper setting out full details in spring for a very full consultation so everyone can give their views.
Session: People with Disabilities and Long-term Health Conditions Work Support
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I applaud that soundbite, but we did not hear about any new measures that will be introduced, or any additional sanctions that we need. The right hon. Member talks about what the last Government were doing. We were reforming the work capability assessment. The Office for Budget Responsibility said our reforms would have seen 400,000 fewer people on long-term sickness benefits, saving £5.4 billion over this Parliament. The Labour Government has paused that work while they hold a review. What are their plans? How will they make the savings that we proposed?
Context
The previous government's reforms aimed at reducing the number of people on long-term sickness benefits, saving £5.4 billion over this Parliament according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Liz Kendall
The hon. Member is laughing at his own chutzpah. I am happy to talk about the past 14 years, but the work capability assessment is not working. It needs to be reformed or replaced. That is what we said in our manifesto, and we will bring forward our proposals in a Green Paper in the spring.
Session: “Get Britain Working” White Paper
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It is good to hear Front-Benchers being so positive about their White Paper, much of which we are pretty familiar with. Let us look through some of the measures. The integration of employment and health support—we were doing that when we were in government. It was called WorkWell. My hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Helen Whately) led on it. What is the youth guarantee that we have been hearing about? According to the White Paper, it
“brings together a range of existing entitlements”.
It is a very familiar set of policies. The fact is that the Government's White Paper is just a rehash of existing support, and a bit of money with no strings attached. There is, however, one thing that the last Government were doing that this Government are not: strengthening the conditionality for benefits. The Secretary of State says that she will continue the existing sanctions, but what new measures will she introduce to ensure that people who can work will work?
“brings together a range of existing entitlements”.
It is a very familiar set of policies. The fact is that the Government's White Paper is just a rehash of existing support, and a bit of money with no strings attached. There is, however, one thing that the last Government were doing that this Government are not: strengthening the conditionality for benefits. The Secretary of State says that she will continue the existing sanctions, but what new measures will she introduce to ensure that people who can work will work?
Context
The MP questions the novelty of the government's policies, particularly regarding youth employment.
Liz Kendall
I am not sure where to start. If the Conservatives' programmes were so successful, why do we have a record 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term health problems, and 1 million young people not in education, employment or training? I love the 15 WorkWell pilots, but we want to join up health, work and skills support in every corner of the country, not just a few places.
There will be a different approach for young people under our youth guarantee. There will be the opportunities people need, but also a requirement to take them up, not only for those on unemployment benefit, but for those young people who can work but are out of work due to a health condition.
There will be a different approach for young people under our youth guarantee. There will be the opportunities people need, but also a requirement to take them up, not only for those on unemployment benefit, but for those young people who can work but are out of work due to a health condition.
Session: “Get Britain Working” White Paper
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I declare an interest as the founder and chairman of a prison rehabilitation charity. The Minister has helpfully set out what the Government are doing about reducing reoffending, which I welcome. Is he aware, though, of the enormous pressure put on prisoners who are approaching the end of their release, given the pressures that the prison service is under? That is partly because of early release itself, which is releasing prisoners before they finish programmes provided by charities or the prisons, but also because of the churn of prisoners being shipped around the prison system because of the pressure on that system. Is there anything he can tell us about what the Government are doing to ensure that prisoners approaching the end of their sentence have some stability in the prison they are serving in so that they can get support as they approach release?
Context
The questioner declares his interest as the founder of a prison rehabilitation charity and expresses concern about instability for prisoners nearing release due to early releases or churn in the prison system.
Nicholas Dakin
Several of the things that I have mentioned already are designed to do exactly that, and we recognise exactly what the hon. Gentleman says. On the SDS40 scheme, prison and probation officers have done an outstanding job in supporting prisoners through that journey.
Session: Reducing Reoffending
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Farmers in Wiltshire complain not just about car theft, which is endemic, but wider agricultural theft, too, and the terrible scourge of hare coursing. Does the Minister recognise the seriousness of organised rural crime of this nature?
Context
Farmers in Wiltshire are experiencing an increase in vehicle theft and wider agricultural theft, including the practice of hare coursing. These crimes are often linked to serious organised crime.
Diana R. Johnson
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. I recently met with the Agricultural Engineers Association to discuss the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which is crucial in tackling rural crime involving stolen agricultural equipment often by organised gangs.
Session: Car Theft Rural Areas
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I thank the Minister for meeting me last week to discuss the future of the A303 and the north-south routes through Wiltshire; village roads are clogged with heavy goods vehicle traffic. Seeing as the Government have scrapped the Stonehenge tunnel, saving billions of pounds, I implore the Minister, as she considers the road investment strategy for next year, to think about mitigation of the unsustainable traffic problems that we have in Wiltshire. We have been waiting years for improvements.
Context
The village roads in Wiltshire are clogged with heavy goods vehicle traffic, leading to unsustainable traffic problems. The Government scrapped the Stonehenge tunnel.
Louise Haigh
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Minister has already asked National Highways to meet the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues to discuss those important issues. We will place statutory duties and stretching freight targets on Great British Railways to encourage freight off the roads and on to the railways, but we are absolutely considering the specific congestion issues in the south-west as we look towards the road investment strategy.
Session: Transport Infrastructure
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Does she want all eligible pensioners to claim pension credit? If so, does she accept that Government's savings from this policy will be wiped out?
Context
The government predicts savings from cutting winter fuel payments, relying on pension credit uptake to mitigate the effect. However, their figures suggest only a small portion of eligible pensioners will claim.
Emma Reynolds
Yes to encouraging all eligible pensioners to claim. The government believes in the policy's efficacy but does not comment directly on financial impacts or savings mitigation.
Session: Pension Credit Uptake
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Will they produce a full impact assessment of this policy? When will the Minister respond to the chair of the advisory committee?
Context
The government's decision to withdraw winter fuel payments and distribute benefits via pension credit is rushed, without proper scrutiny.
Emma Reynolds
We have published an equality analysis on our website. No need for an impact assessment due to legislation, but an equality analysis is available. Ministers will respond in due course.
Session: Pension Credit Uptake
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May I concur with your comments about the late Alex Salmond, Mr Speaker? The exchange of R&D between Ukraine and the UK is vital for improving security in both nations. What steps is the Department taking to learn from Ukrainian innovations to develop shared collaborative capabilities?
Context
The question follows comments on Alex Salmond's passing. It focuses on research collaboration to enhance both countries' security through innovative battlefield technologies.
Luke Pollard
The hon. Lady was appointed as a shadow spokesperson. The delegation visited Ukraine, focusing on learning from battlefield experience and investing in supply chains both in the UK and Ukraine. Work is ongoing but more needs to be done to defeat Putin's illegal invasion.
Session: Defence Research and Development Funding
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Does my hon. Friend share my concern about the forced amalgamation of parishes that many dioceses across the country are undertaking? Vibrant and viable local churches in dioceses such as Liverpool are being offered the invidious choice of either surrendering their autonomy to become part of new mega-parishes or giving up access to resources from the centre—resources that they themselves contribute to the centre. As my hon. Friend has said and implied, surely the whole value of the Church of England is in the local parish system, not in its regional bureaucracies.
Context
The question arises from the forced amalgamation of parishes in various dioceses, raising issues about local autonomy and resource allocation.
Andrew Selous
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He is right to highlight to the House that there are pressures in some areas, and he is also right to point out that the parish network across the whole of England—across every one of our constituencies in England—is extremely precious. We must do everything we can to preserve it, and I make that point at every opportunity.
Session: Parish Churches Funding
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What steps the Church of England is taking to provide funding to parish churches. The MP inquires into measures being taken by the Church to financially support local parishes, which are a core part of Anglican ministry.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the financial support provided to local church parishes.
Andrew Selous
Parish ministry is at the heart of all that the Church of England does. Between 2023 and 2025, the Church Commissioners are distributing £1.2 billion to support our mission and ministry. That is a 30% increase on the previous three-year period, and the lion's share of that funding goes to dioceses to strengthen and grow local ministry in parishes and worshipping communities. In addition, the commissioners wish to maintain that level of funding over the next six years, which would mean £3.6 billion being distributed between 2023 and 2031.
Session: Parish Churches Funding
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The A338/A346, which runs north-south through Marlborough, is regularly choked nose to tail with heavy goods traffic. The villages of the Ogbournes and the Collingbournes are particularly affected, including Collingbourne Ducis, where a little girl was killed three years ago by a heavy goods vehicle. That traffic should really be on the A34 and the A36 to the east and the west. We have been waiting many months now for the results of the north-south connectivity review. Will the Minister tell us when that will happen, so that we can have a better system for managing heavy goods traffic through Wiltshire?
Context
A338/A346 is frequently congested with heavy goods vehicles affecting villages like the Ogbournes and Collingbournes. A child was killed by a heavy goods vehicle in Collingbourne Ducis three years ago.
Guy Opperman
As my hon. Friend knows, I grew up in Wexcombe and I know that particular area of Collingbourne very well. I pass on my condolences to the individual family. He knows that there are powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. I will write to him in detail with the powers that local authorities have to address that particular point. On the specifics of the review, that will be contained in road investment strategy 3, which will be published very shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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Late last year, diesel got into the water supply at the Trenchard Lines camp near Upavon in my constituency. I commend the resilience of the families who live there, and also of the MOD, which acted very quickly to ensure that there was a temporary supply of water. Those families are still living on that temporary supply, so can the Minister assure me that attention is being given to sorting out this problem and ensuring a permanent supply of clean water?
Context
There was a diesel contamination incident in the water supply of the Trenchard Lines camp near Upavon. Families have been on temporary water supplies since.
James Cartlidge
I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this matter—he is a champion of the defence community in his constituency, and I thank him for his early engagement on it. The local authority regulator has confirmed that the water quality at Trenchard Lines is acceptable, and it is now safe for personnel working and living there to use the mains supply.
Session: Topical Questions
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The way to reduce regional inequality is to ensure that growth happens everywhere across the country. One way to do that is to support small and medium-sized enterprises and community enterprises, which are particularly located in under-served regions. I commend the Government for the recovery loan scheme, which has been a lifeline to many small businesses and community enterprises. Can the Minister tell us whether that scheme is likely to be renewed? Hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment is waiting on the Government to make a decision.
Context
The MP highlights the role of SMEs in reducing regional inequality and commends the Government for the recovery loan scheme.
Gareth Davies
My hon. Friend has a long history as a great champion for community organisations. I will write to him on his specific question.
Session: Regional Economic Inequalities Fiscal Steps
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Wiltshire urgently needs a lot more housing, and the good news is that we are getting it. For the past six years, we have met our house building target by 130%, with 4,000 new houses in Wiltshire every year, but because developers routinely underestimate their future building forecasts, we have a theoretical shortage in the five-year land supply. Because inspectors routinely declare that local plans are out of date, it means that developers can impose unwanted and ugly developments that communities do not want. Will the Secretary of State use the NPPF review to exempt—
Context
Wiltshire's housing needs and challenges in meeting targets.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend is on exactly the right lines. That is what the NPPF consultation hopes to do.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am delighted to hear about the £2 billion commitment for resupplying our armed forces. The importance of investment in Army accommodation will be welcome news to constituents in Tidworth, Bulford and Larkhill. Can the Secretary of State tell us what it would take to convince the Treasury that we must do more than simply resupply our armed forces and need a bigger Army?
Context
The Government committed £2 billion to resupplying armed forces and investing in Army accommodation.
Ben Wallace
The Chancellor and Prime Minister recognised Defence would need more spending; they already gave us an extra £24 billion; I need to ensure we lock in this spending at future comprehensive spending reviews for long-term planning.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that parents need proper accountability for the performance of the schools their children are going to, and will she encourage Ofsted to do more to appraise mainstream schools on the support they give to children with special needs. I am seeking confirmation on whether the minister supports better accountability measures.
Context
The MP supports the investment but raises concerns about accountability.
Claire Coutinho
My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for Wiltshire and I applaud the council on the work it is doing. Ofsted is revising its framework on this area, which was set out in the Green Paper earlier this year. My hon. Friend might be interested to know that we are also looking at better local and national dashboards to improve local accountability.
Session: School Places Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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The Welsh Government have decided that they want to increase the size of the Senedd, but there are real concerns that that will lead to a lack of proportionality in representation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the money would be much better spent on public services?
Context
There are concerns that increasing the size of the Senedd may lead to a lack of proportionality in representation and should be reconsidered for public services funding.
Simon Hart
Indeed, I do. I have to say that if this Government were making suggestions of that nature that involved the constitution and voting measures, pretty well all Opposition Members would be saying that that should be subject to a public referendum at the very least. I suggest that the proper course of action for the Welsh Government is to seek the approval of their voters before they proceed with any of the extremely costly measures proposed.
Session: Senedd Representation and Levelling-up Agenda
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What discussions has his Department had with the Welsh Government on the potential effect on the levelling-up agenda of proposals to increase the size of the Senedd?
Context
Discussions about the levelling-up agenda have raised concerns regarding the impact of proposed changes in Wales.
Simon Hart
I have had no discussions with the Welsh Government on the proposals.
Session: Senedd Representation and Levelling-up Agenda
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Rural transport networks are the arteries of our towns and villages—they bring life to our communities. However, the answer is not just big buses running the same routes on the same timetable every day; it is also partly about demand-responsive transport. The good news is that Wilshire Council recently won a £1.3 million grant from the Government to invest in demand-responsive transport in the Vale of Pewsey. May I thank the Minister for that award and ask what more the Government are doing to foment the revolution in demand-responsive transport?
Context
The MP highlights the significance of rural transport networks and the recent grant awarded to Wilshire Council for demand-responsive transport.
Trudy Harrison
I am grateful for the appreciation and, most importantly, his championship of rural communities and the solution that demand-responsive services represent. We recognise that they can really improve the availability of local transport. Our national bus strategy encourages local authorities to consider demand-responsive transport as one of the tools available for improving local bus service provision. As my hon. Friend says, we have provided £20 million from the rural mobility fund to areas across the country to trial demand-responsive transport solutions in rural and suburban areas.
Session: Local Transport
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What evidence has come to light of unacceptable conversion therapy practices in the UK that are not already illegal?
Context
The proposed Bill aims to ban certain conversion therapy practices in the UK, but evidence of unacceptable practices is unclear.
Mike Freer
Both the national LGBT survey and the Coventry report demonstrated that violent and harmful talking conversion practices continue to take place, which is why we need to act.
Session: Conversion Therapy Ban
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When does my right hon. Friend expect the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to return to Parliament?
Context
The MP inquires about the progress of a critical bill concerning free speech in universities.
Michelle Donelan
The Bill will be back in due course, as we are committed to honouring our manifesto pledge to strengthen free speech in universities because of its importance.
Session: Young People from Deprived Backgrounds Access to Higher Education
View All Questions -->
What can the Government do to encourage businesses to make use of the scheme before it ends in March? A company has started 130 new jobs for young people but reported some system delays.
Context
In the questioner's constituency, Ball Aerocan started a group of young people on the kickstart programme but faced delays. The query is about encouraging business uptake.
Simon Clarke
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we want to encourage maximum uptake. Kickstart is only one part of the comprehensive package of support available to young people, while work coaches are supporting them into jobs after the scheme closes.
Session: Kickstart Scheme
View All Questions -->
What assessment he has made of the progress of the kickstart scheme. I am concerned about the impact on youth unemployment due to the pandemic.
Context
The question pertains to the evaluation and effectiveness of the kickstart scheme in supporting young people affected by the pandemic.
Simon Clarke
We know that young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. To date, more than 122,000 kickstart jobs have been started by young people across Great Britain. Youth unemployment fell by 11.1% in the three months to November 2021 and is lower than it was prior to the pandemic.
Session: Kickstart Scheme
View All Questions -->
Wiltshire has no university, as my right hon. Friend knows, but we have something better in the form of Wiltshire College, which provides a fantastic range of courses for young people and adults, including at the great agricultural campus at Lackham. Will she join me in congratulating Wiltshire College on its retention of students and the progression that they achieve? It does that by working with employers to design courses that work for the local economy. Does she encourage universities to learn from the college sector how it does that?
Context
Wiltshire College is highlighted for its success in retaining students and aligning courses with local economic needs.
Michelle Donelan
I agree completely with my hon. Friend's assessment of Wiltshire College. Like so many further education colleges, it works closely with local businesses to ensure that residents get the skills that local employers need. That is why the Government are investing in further education. We are providing investment to transform the Lackham campus into an agritech hub, with £1.2 million of capital funding for Wiltshire College, as well as £4 million for the delivery of T-levels.
Session: Low-quality University Courses
View All Questions -->
What steps his Department is taking to tackle the provision of low-quality university courses?
Context
The question addresses concerns about low-quality higher education courses and the need for stringent standards to improve student outcomes.
Michelle Donelan
The Government are committed to tackling low-quality courses and ensuring that students and the taxpayer see a return on their investment. We have worked with the Office for Students to impose stringent minimum standards for drop-out rates and progression to graduate jobs.
Session: Low-quality University Courses
View All Questions -->
Can the Minister tell us when he is likely to announce the successful award of restoring your railway funding to Devizes?
Context
The MP asked about the timeline for announcing successful award of restoring your railway funding to Devizes, a station that was closed by Beeching.
Chris Heaton-Harris
We have now received the business case for that particular scheme, and we will be considering the next steps for a tranche of projects, including Devizes gateway, in the new year.
Session: Restoring Your Railway Programme
View All Questions -->
What steps his Department is taking to maintain funding for restoring your railway projects following the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The MP inquired about the steps being taken to maintain railway project funding after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chris Heaton-Harris
Through our restoring your railway programme—a £500 million fund—we remain committed to reopening lines and stations, reconnecting communities across the country.
Session: Restoring Your Railway Programme
View All Questions -->
Will the Secretary of State confirm that Ofwat will be directed to ensure water companies have sufficient funding to make necessary investments in grey and green infrastructure, particularly regarding storm overflows and environmental outcomes. The government is reviewing Ofwat's mandate.
Context
The question follows a government review of Ofwat's mandate and the need for water companies to invest in both grey concrete and green nature recovery infrastructure.
George Eustice
The new draft strategic policy statement prioritizes reducing storm overflows and delivering environmental outcomes. In the next price review, such infrastructure investments will be a top priority.
Session: Water Quality
View All Questions -->
The Church of England's vision for future ministry includes 'a Christian presence in every community'. What is being done to ensure every community has a locally based, theologically trained and well-resourced cleric?
Context
There are concerns about a recent consultation that could weaken the ministry in parishes.
Andrew Selous
I understand my hon. Friend's concern and that of many of our constituents up and down the country. I can only repeat that the Church of England remains committed to a Christian presence in every community.
Session: Parish Ministry
View All Questions -->
What steps he is taking to improve water quality. The government has introduced the Environment Act 2021 which includes measures to tackle storm overflows, but further actions are requested regarding specific commitments and progress on these initiatives.
Context
The question follows a government initiative to address storm overflows and water quality issues.
George Eustice
Improving water quality is a priority. The Environment Act 2021 includes measures to tackle storm overflows, including duties on water companies to achieve significant reductions in harm from these events.
Session: Water Quality
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Support for Children and Families: Covid-19
20 October 2020
Responding: Vicky Ford
Main Concerns
['The MP observed that while lockdown provided an idyllic existence in some areas, families facing financial or emotional distress suffered greatly during the pandemic. He noted increases in domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health issues, and poverty rates. Save the Children reported that 40% of families became worse off and 20% relied on food banks. The MP highlighted the challenges faced by children with disabilities, those in foster care, and others who depend on support outside their homes.']
Specific Asks
['The MP suggested two principles: greater investment in community social infrastructure such as family hubs and direct investment in families to address immediate needs. He proposed focusing support on households with children rather than extending the £20 per week uplift for all universal credit claimants beyond April next year, arguing it would cost nearly £6 billion annually.']
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill - New Clause 116
02 September 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I propose New Clause 116 to introduce a cap on donations from overseas contributors to political parties and candidates. This measure is necessary to ensure the integrity of our democratic process and...
Rewiring the State
02 September 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Prime Minister has set out priorities to address 40 years of overly centralised decision making and over-privatisation, which have stripped power and resources away from communities. The Governmen...
Civil Service Pensions
06 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Investment Plan
30 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
G7 Summit
22 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Reserve Forces and Cadets Act - Schedule 6
22 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to enhance support for reserve forces and cadet organisations, recognising their significant contribution to community resilience and ...
Defence Investment Plan
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Belfast: Violent Disorder
10 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
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...
Peter Mandelson: Government Appointment
21 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
56.1%
55 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
27
27.6% of votes
No Votes
28
28.6% of votes
Abstentions
43
43.9% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
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
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
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 Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
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 Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
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: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
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: 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
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
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
04 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
7
PMQs Asked
56
Ministerial Questions Asked
150
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
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
+91% above average
This MP:
7
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+318% above average
This MP:
56
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2987% above average
This MP:
150
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 (%)
-19% below average
This MP:
56.1
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 Danny Kruger's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.