Darren Jones
MP for Bristol North West
Lab
8 Jun 2017 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
On 23rd and 24th of June, the PM stated that nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing. However, details regarding future local support were not provided by the BEIS Secretary last week. Can the Prime Minister today confirm whether businesses and workers will or will not be penalised for doing the right thing?
Context
The Prime Minister had promised on June 23 and 24 that nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing in regard to financial support for businesses and workers during local lockdowns.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson
In addition to £160 billion of support, areas in lockdown have received considerable grants like £20 million to Leicester with business rates relief of £44 million and £68 million in spending on business grants.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
If there is no hiding place, why would the Chancellor not name them today?
Context
The Government is pursuing legal action against companies that have not delivered on their PPE contracts, but the names of these companies are not being disclosed.
Jeremy Hunt
Because we are taking legal action, and as the hon. Gentleman knows full well, when we take legal action, that information belongs to the police.
Session: Public Sector Productivity Programme
View All Questions -->
Why are the Government not taking legal action against the other companies that have not delivered on their contract with members of the public?
Context
There is still £1 billion worth of unresolved PPE contracts, and only one company faces legal action.
Jeremy Hunt
Let me be clear: there is absolutely no hiding place for anyone, whether they are connected to the Conservative party, the Labour Party or any other party. If they have defrauded the taxpayer, we will go after them.
Session: Public Sector Productivity Programme
View All Questions -->
The Minister did not answer the question about why the public feel worse off. We on the Labour side know why. He mentions tax cuts, but does not talk about the freezing of tax thresholds or upcoming council tax levies for five years. Why cannot he admit that, for every 10p extra in the pound taken from people since 2010, the Government are only now giving back just 5p?
Context
The public feels worse off due to the freezing of tax thresholds, upcoming council tax increases for five years, and the disparity between taxes levied and returned by the government.
Nigel Huddleston
The Labour Front Benchers are announcing fundamental changes to policy that they have not yet costed. They did not object, as far as I am aware, to any of the measures required to support households and businesses during the pandemic which necessitated increases in taxation. We are now reducing the level of taxation because we have turned a corner. They did not support that.
Session: Tax Policies Impact on Living Standards
View All Questions -->
Why does the Treasury Minister think people feel worse off after 14 years of Conservative Government?
Context
The public feels worse off after 14 years of Conservative government, despite recent tax cuts.
Nigel Huddleston
We are turning a corner and have made measures to put money back into people's pockets. Labour claimed on the one hand that it was supportive of tax cuts, but last week failed to support those tax cuts when it came to it in Parliament.
Session: Tax Policies Impact on Living Standards
View All Questions -->
While noting that up to £28 billion is wasted annually, does the Minister agree this wastage contributes to higher taxes?
Context
Discussion on the necessity of tax increases due to economic support measures versus waste in government spending.
Nigel Huddleston
Tax increases are a result of economic support (£350 billion for pandemic and £100 billion for cost-of-living), contrasting with Labour's stance on raising taxes unnecessarily. The Government reduces taxes when possible, unlike Labour's continuous tax hikes.
Session: Tax System Fairness
View All Questions -->
Given the Comptroller's report on mismanaged procurements costing up to £28 billion annually, does the Minister agree that this waste contributes to tax increases?
Context
Concern over waste in procurement and governance of major projects leading to higher taxes due to inefficient use of public funds.
Nigel Huddleston
Tax rises are due to pandemic support (£350 billion) and cost-of-living measures (£100 billion), not mismanaged procurements. The Government reduces taxes when possible, contrasting with Labour's approach of increasing them both necessary and chosen times.
Session: Tax System Fairness
View All Questions -->
We all know that Baroness Mone's enrichment via PPE Medpro is subject to an investigation, but that does not allow Ministers to refuse to answer questions here in the House today. So let me ask another: Baroness Mone's husband, Doug Barrowman, alleged that in November 2022 he was approached by a Government official asking if they would “pay more for the other matter to go away.” Is that specific and incredibly serious claim now being investigated and, if so, by whom?
Context
Doug Barrowman alleged that a Government official approached him in November 2022 asking if they would “pay more for the other matter to go away.” This claim is serious and concerning.
Jeremy Hunt
If the hon. Gentleman has any evidence of people behaving improperly or illegally, he should tell the police, and he will get the full support of this Government and the whole House in bringing the matter to justice. But let me just say to him that any responsible Opposition should understand that in a crisis there is a trade-off between speed and taking longer to prevent fraud, and we took the right decision to save as many lives as possible.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Merry Christmas to you and to the House, Mr Speaker. Let me start by thanking the Chancellor for his kind words about the late Lord Darling, which I think show the gratitude of Members from across the House for his lifetime of public service. The public have a right to know why so many billions of pounds of their taxes have been wasted by this Government. Baroness Mone has claimed today that Conservative Ministers knew about her personal connections to the company PPE Medpro from the very beginning. So why did the Government not correct the record when a misleading picture was being painted in the media about Baroness Mone's personal connection to PPE Medpro in the first place?
Context
The public has a right to know why so many billions of pounds of taxes have been wasted by the Government. Baroness Mone's personal connections to PPE Medpro are under scrutiny.
Jeremy Hunt
I am not going to comment on allegations by Baroness Mone or, indeed, on the individual case, but let me say this: we put together a taskforce of more than 1,000 people that opened 46,000 investigations and so far has made more 80 arrests, so we will stop at nothing to tackle fraud and bring to justice anyone who was responsible for wrongdoing. But what we did in a moment of extreme crisis was to make sure that we got personal protective equipment to the frontline as quickly as we could, and had we not done so many more lives would have been lost.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Today, I am making available to the Chancellor for free a raft of plans by the Labour party. Would he like them?
Context
The Labour Party has proposed several plans to drive economic growth and investment across the country.
Jeremy Hunt
Funding plans that increase borrowing by £28 billion a year could lead to higher bills for families, higher energy prices, and higher mortgages.
Session: Economic Growth
View All Questions -->
Why does the Chancellor think his Government have been making bad decisions slowly for quite so long?
Context
The National Infrastructure Commission stated that the Government's slow and poor decision-making hinders private investment in infrastructure.
Jeremy Hunt
Since reforms to asset pooling in 2015, UK and global infrastructure investment by pension funds has grown from £1 billion to around £27 billion. Solvency 2 reforms could unlock a further £100 billion-worth of investment.
Session: Economic Growth
View All Questions -->
It is no answer whatsoever to people of Mid Bedfordshire who cannot afford bills over coming months. One year ago, former Tory PM took huge ideological gamble sabotaging Britain's economy. Crashed pound, put pensions in peril and exploded mortgage bombshell under homes of millions. Will Minister take opportunity to apologise to British people for wrecking hopes and aspirations?
Context
The question seeks an apology from the Government for the economic instability caused by the former Prime Minister's policies, particularly regarding pension risks and mortgage bills.
Andrew Griffith
Welcomes hon. Gentleman to position, has had feisty morning reading Walworth Road brief. Offers opportunity to correct record, Labour spent past 12 months talking down economy but now larger than when entered covid and recovered faster than France or Germany.
Session: Growth Plan Mortgage Interest Rates
View All Questions -->
Estimates suggest 140,000 households will face higher mortgage bills this month. If someone in Mid Bedfordshire were to remortgage their house next six months, they could pay £300 more per month compared with before the Tory mini-Budget last year. What can the Chancellor and his team do to reassure constituents that a Conservative win would not mess up economy again?
Context
The question arises from the estimated rise in mortgage bills for around 140,000 households. The questioner seeks reassurances that a Conservative win would not lead to similar economic instability as seen post mini-Budget.
Andrew Griffith
More than 90% of mortgage providers have signed up to our mortgage charter offering relief, term-out mortgages and interest-free periods for those facing adversity. Unfunded spending promises will push up cost of borrowing, defer point at which inflation falls.
Session: Growth Plan Mortgage Interest Rates
View All Questions -->
Will the Secretary of State commit to a review of financial resilience across all regulated sectors and present findings?
Context
The Government have bailed out energy and water companies, leaving taxpayers responsible.
Kemi Badenoch
Regulators are conducting reviews, and Government is working closely with them.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Does my right hon. Friend agree with me and the hon. Member for Bristol North West, the Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, that the UK should now seize the initiative and set out an international approach to standards in AI so we can gain all the benefits that come from AI while making sure we do not suffer the harms attendant on it?
Context
Discussion on the UK's global leadership position in setting international standards for technology and AI.
Chloe Smith
The short answer is yes. The UK has a global leadership position, and we rank in the top three globally in many aspects of this question and others throughout science and technology. We will therefore seek a leadership role so any regulation of AI that may be needed reflects our values and strikes the correct balance.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Technologies Regulation
View All Questions -->
Will she confirm for the House the status of the Steel Council in her Department and whether it is actively meeting? I served with the hon. Gentleman on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee for many years. He will be very familiar with the fact that I meet the steel sector and the unions, including regular meetings with the all-party parliamentary group for steel and metal related industries.
Context
The MP asks about the status and activities of the Steel Council within the Department, including regular meetings with stakeholders.
Nusrat Ghani
I meet the steel sector and the unions regularly, including those in the all-party parliamentary group for steel and metal related industries. The meetings are definitely taking place.
Session: Critical Minerals
View All Questions -->
Can the Secretary of State confirm whether the responsibility for industrial decarbonisation rests with his Department or the Department for Business and Trade?
Context
Inquiry about the department responsible for industrial decarbonisation.
Grant Shapps
As with everything in government, we share responsibilities. The clue is in the name—the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Automatic Computer-based Decisions: Legal Status
10 March 2021
Responding: Matt Warman
Main Concerns
['Mr Darren Jones is concerned about the legal status of automated computer-based decisions, citing issues such as miscarriages of justice resulting from flawed systems like the Post Office Horizon scandal. He mentions specific cases where sub-postmasters were wrongly imprisoned due to system errors and highlights that current laws are inadequate in ensuring accountability for these technological failures.']
Specific Asks
["Mr Jones calls on the Minister to use the Department's powers to refer this matter to the Law Commission for formal consideration, aiming to update our legal frameworks appropriately to address the challenges posed by automated decision-making systems."]
Lebanon: Israel Defence Forces Operations
03 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to make a statement on the Israel Defence Forces’ operations in Lebanon. Emphasised that the IDF is expanding its i...
Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response
01 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address
19 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges
28 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion calls for the matter of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US Ambassador to be referred to the Privileges Committee due to claims that the Prime Minister misled the House. Kemi Badenoch argue...
Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response Update
27 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address
16 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion
11 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Digital ID: Public Consultation
10 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address
23 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Standards in Public Life
09 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Attendance
49.0%
48 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
15
15.3% of votes
No Votes
33
33.7% of votes
Abstentions
50
51.0% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
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 NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
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 AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
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
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
1
PMQs Asked
16
Ministerial Questions Asked
98
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
12
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 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+19% above average
This MP:
16
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1917% above average
This MP:
98
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+27% above average
This MP:
12
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-29% below average
This MP:
49.0
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 Darren Jones's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.