David Evennett
MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the performance of the Labour party in voting down our Rwanda Bill in the House of Lords was a disgrace? It is only the Conservative Government and the Conservatives who have a plan for dealing with illegal immigration and the people smugglers. Action on illegal immigration is a top priority in my constituency, and Labour has no policy or plan on this at all.
Context
The Labour party voted down the Rwanda Bill in the House of Lords, which sparked criticism from David Evennett.
Rishi Sunak
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. He knows, as I know, that if we want fully to stop the boats, we need to have a working deterrent, so if someone comes here illegally, we must be able to remove them to a safe third country alternative. That is why the Rwanda scheme is so important, and why we are determined to see it through. Just in the past week, an independent report was published that talked about the Labour party's policies in this area. It made it crystal clear that Labour does not have a plan to stop the boats. In fact, its idea would see the UK accept hundreds of thousands more migrants.
Session: PMQs
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I have been out campaigning with our excellent candidate in the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election, Louie French. Will my right hon Friend confirm that he will continue to implement our 2019 manifesto by implementing policies to ensure that we build up better for the whole country, including London?
Context
The Conservative candidate for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Louie French, is campaigning on the government's manifesto promises.
Boris Johnson
Yes, I will. We are putting 20,000 more police out on the streets and making sure they get to outer London boroughs, too.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not address all aspects of the manifesto implementation specifically related to London or provide details about other policies
Session: PMQs
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During the time for which the ombudsman's report has been ongoing, 270,000 WASPI women have already passed away. How many more 1950s-born women in Lancashire will die before the Government finally act on the report's recommendations?
Context
The MP notes that during the time the ombudsman's report has been ongoing, a significant number of WASPI women have already passed away, pressing for action on recommendations.
Mel Stride (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
I have already replied to questions on that matter in this session. To reiterate, we are looking extremely carefully at what is a very complex report. It took the ombudsman five years or thereabouts to compile, and there will be no undue delay in our responding to it.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps has her Department taken to improve standards of reading in schools since 2010? Since then, only 63% of children in Bexley met the expected standard of reading. Now it is 81%. There is still much more to be done, but does she share my disappointment that the Labour party opposed those reforms at every opportunity?
Context
In 2011-12, only 58% of children met the expected standard of reading. The government implemented evidence-based methods of phonics to improve this.
Gillian Keegan
The Conservatives' plan to reform our reading standards completely and expand phonics across our schools has meant that our primary schoolchildren are now the fourth best readers in the world. What was Labour's response? It said that phonics would not work, that our literacy drive was 'dull', and that free schools were 'dangerous'. What is dangerous is the risk of a Labour Government who would collapse educational standards, as Labour has done in Wales.
Session: Reading Standards
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What steps has her Department taken to improve standards of reading in schools since 2010? Since then, only 63% of children in Bexley met the expected standard of reading. Now it is 81%. There is still much more to be done, but does she share my disappointment that the Labour party opposed those reforms at every opportunity?
Context
In 2011-12, only 58% of children met the expected standard of reading. The government implemented evidence-based methods of phonics to improve this.
Gillian Keegan
The Conservatives' plan to reform our reading standards completely and expand phonics across our schools has meant that our primary schoolchildren are now the fourth best readers in the world. What was Labour's response? It said that phonics would not work, that our literacy drive was 'dull', and that free schools were 'dangerous'. What is dangerous is the risk of a Labour Government who would collapse educational standards, as Labour has done in Wales.
Session: Reading Standards
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Will he outline what measures he considers when deciding which hotels to close in each tranche? Value for money, operational deliverability, contract notice periods, needs of particular locations, and challenges presented by different sites are key considerations.
Context
Efforts are being made to speed up the asylum process and reduce reliance on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
Tom Pursglove
Value for money is a critical consideration. Operational deliverability and the need to recognise location-specific requirements also play significant roles in these decisions.
Session: Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Hotels
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What progress his Department has made on closing asylum hotels. We have closed over 100 asylum hotels as of March end and reduced the number of asylum seekers in hotels by more than 20,000 compared to six months ago.
Context
The Home Office has been using hotels to accommodate destitute asylum seekers, with many local concerns over the use of such temporary measures.
Tom Pursglove
Value for money is a critical factor in deciding which hotels to close. Operational deliverability and contract notice periods also play significant roles, alongside recognising the needs of particular locations and the challenges presented by different sites.
Session: Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Hotels
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Can the Minister give me some idea of recent progress on delivering the Inclusive Britain action plan?
Context
The Inclusive Britain action plan aims to improve community cohesion and dialogue.
Felicity Buchan
We have been doing lots of work on that, and will be releasing the report today.
Session: Faith-based Discrimination and Harassment
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Morale among teachers and support staff is affected by their pay and working conditions, and now the teachers are being threatened with minimum service levels, which would limit their fundamental right to strike. Surely the Minister can recognise that this course of action will lower morale further and ultimately impact the recruitment and retention of teaching staff.
Context
Teachers' pay and working conditions are affecting their morale, further threatened by minimum service levels that would limit strike actions.
Damian Hinds
Nobody is talking about taking away the right to strike. All that we are seeking to do is balance that right, which we absolutely recognise and protect, with the right of a child to have an education.
Session: Teachers and School Support Staff Morale
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What steps is my right hon. Friend taking with Cabinet colleagues to help increase the number of female-led businesses?
Context
The question arises from challenges faced by female-led businesses in accessing necessary financial support.
Kemi Badenoch
Female-led businesses often face particular challenges, and in the Department for Business and Trade we work with the British Business Bank to ensure that those businesses continue to have access to finance. We have the Investing in Women code and a taskforce for women-led entrepreneurs.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank my hon. Friend for her answer, urging her to keep men's health a priority. Can she look at how we can detect prostate cancer better and sooner?
Context
The questioner highlights the high death toll from prostate cancer and asks for improvements in detection methods.
Maria Caulfield
We are investing £16 million in a prostate cancer trial called Transform, which uses MRI for detection. Recruitment of men will start in autumn, including black men who are disproportionately affected.
Session: Men’s Health
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I am concerned about improving men's health. Can you outline steps being taken to address this issue and reduce the number of men dying from prostate cancer?
Context
The questioner is focusing on improving men's health, particularly addressing the high number of deaths from prostate cancer.
Maria Caulfield
We have announced a £16 million fund for a new prostate cancer screening trial called Transform, which uses MRI to detect prostate cancer rather than PSA. We aim to recruit thousands of men, including black men who are disproportionately affected, starting recruitment in the autumn.
Session: Men’s Health
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Does the Minister agree that Labour Members actively block the building of new homes for first-time buyers, whereas the Conservatives have increased housing numbers and supported nearly 1 million households? The questioner highlights specific actions taken by both parties regarding affordable housing for first-time buyers.
Context
Labour Members are accused of blocking the construction of new homes for first-time buyers, while the Conservative Government claims to have achieved a 20-year high in the number of households helped through government-backed schemes.
Lee Rowley
I agree with my right hon. Friend that Labour Members block 100,000 houses that could be used for first-time buyers and vulnerable individuals when they had the chance.
Session: First-time Buyers
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What steps he is taking to help first-time buyers. Getting on the property ladder is important, but many first-time buyers struggle due to high prices and limited availability of affordable homes.
Context
The question arises from the issue of affordability and accessibility for first-time homebuyers, who face significant challenges in entering the property market.
Lee Rowley
The Government have a range of schemes available for first-time buyers, including the first homes scheme, shared ownership and right to buy. Nearly 900,000 people have been helped on to the property ladder by these initiatives.
Session: First-time Buyers
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I commend my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my hon. Friend the Minister for Legal Migration and the Border for all their work towards delivering on our manifesto commitment to reduce net migration. My constituents are now looking for the results of all their hard work. Will the Home Secretary outline how his new legal migration package will make the most of our post-Brexit points-based immigration system?
Context
Commends work towards manifesto commitment.
James Cleverly
This country has always had a global outlook: the ethnic composition of the Government at the most senior levels is a direct reflection of our global connectivity and those human bridges across the world. We want to ensure this country is able to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and work of the brightest and best from around the whole world in a manner that is controlled, fair, predictable and well enforced.
Session: Reducing Migration
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I recognise the impact of the conflict on our education system. Persistent absence is a symptom of a wider breakdown of trust in schools. The Prime Minister's first step was to say that he had maxed out on supporting our children, and now the Secretary of State is blaming parents for keeping children at home with minor ailments. When are Ministers going to get a grip on this serious problem?
Context
Rates of persistent absence are now double what they were five years ago, affecting many children's education.
Gillian Keegan
We take this issue seriously and have established the Attendance Action Alliance, which includes various stakeholders working together. We also supported Chris Whitty's letter to help parents clarify whether they should send their children to school with minor ailments.
Session: Topical Questions
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I join my right hon. Friend in condemning the barbaric terrorist attacks on Israel and the rise in antisemitism faced by students in Jewish education communities. However, what further steps is she taking to protect children from the impact of future strike action?
Context
The Prime Minister condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel, addressing concerns over antisemitism.
Gillian Keegan
The Government are introducing minimum service levels in schools and colleges to protect children and parents from the damaging impact of future strike action. We have asked unions to work with us on a voluntary agreement.
Session: Topical Questions
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What are the Government doing to ensure that young people in my constituency have the jobs they need and greater opportunities to succeed?
Context
The question follows from a previous discussion on social mobility, focusing specifically on the MP's constituency of Bexleyheath and Crayford.
Mims Davies
As part of the DWP youth offer, we have a youth hub serving my right hon. Friend's constituency, working in partnership with YouthBuild Ventures, to help young people to build their confidence with tailored wraparound support and to move into local jobs.
Session: Social Mobility Young People
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What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to work with employers, local authorities and jobcentres to ensure that as many adults as possible are aware of the opportunities available to them to learn and upskill?
Context
The MP asked about ensuring adults are aware of the various opportunities available to learn and upskill.
Robert Halfon
My right hon. Friend speaks with huge wisdom. We are transforming careers advice through the National Careers Service, which is advising people on adult skills. We are spending hundreds of millions of pounds on boot camps and on more than 400 free level 3 courses. Our apprenticeship scheme offers hundreds of different apprenticeships. Through careers advice and our skills offer, we are ensuring that adults get the skills they need.
Session: Institutional Partnerships Further and Higher Education
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I welcome my right hon .Friend's commitment to making inflation and the cost of living his top priority, as it is also a top priority of my constituents. Does he agree that the Institute for Fiscal Studies is entirely correct to say that Labour's plans for £28 billion of borrowing in its green prosperity plan would simply lead to higher rates of interest and higher inflation?
Context
The MP references the Institute for Fiscal Studies' assertion that Labour's green prosperity plans would lead to higher rates of interest and inflation.
Jeremy Hunt
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; the answer to inflation is to tackle it, not to make it worse.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcomed my right hon. Friend's announcement in January that tuition fees would be frozen for the sixth year in a row. That is welcome news for students and the country. Does she agree that that will deliver better value for students and rightly keep down the cost of higher education across the United Kingdom?
Context
My right hon. Friend announced in January that tuition fees would be frozen for the sixth year in a row, which is welcome news for students and the country.
Gillian Keegan
We are always committed to ensuring that students get good value for money, that they have a valuable experience at university and that they get the qualifications they need for the future. In addition to keeping tuition fees flat, we have introduced and boosted degree apprenticeships—as my right hon. Friend knows, I am a huge fan of those—where, if people want to earn and learn, they can get their degrees paid for by their apprenticeship.
Session: Financial Support for Students
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Will you confirm what steps are being taken to continue growing the GP workforce in general practice?
Context
The number of GP appointments is insufficient for many constituents, but there has been an increase in the GP workforce in Bexleyheath and Crayford.
Steve Barclay
There has been a 75.7% increase in Bexleyheath and Crayford, and nationally we have recruited an additional 25,262 full-time equivalent primary care professionals as part of our £1.5 billion investment.
Session: GP Appointments
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What progress has been made on increasing the number of GP appointments?
Context
The number of GP appointments is a concern. The question arises from an inquiry into the progress made in increasing these numbers.
Steve Barclay
The government is investing more in doctors, having recruited over 5,000 additional doctors, including an extra 2,000 in primary care.
Session: GP Appointments
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that the school rebuilding programme, which is welcomed by Government Members —it is an innovation that we appreciate—will transform the educational environment of hundreds of thousands of children, particularly those in schools in the poorest condition?
Context
The MP expressed appreciation for the Government's innovation in the school rebuilding programme.
Gillian Keegan
I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. I have been to many schools that are not only rebuilding the schools but transforming their facilities, so that children have excellent conditions in which to get the most fantastic education.
Session: School Buildings Information on Condition and Safety
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I welcome the Government's actions to deal with obesity, but it remains an increasing health issue for our nation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that educating children and parents about healthy eating should be a top priority—
Context
Obesity remains a growing health issue, requiring educational measures for both children and parents.
Steve Barclay
My right hon. Friend's question was so good that I was eager to answer it early. He is right to highlight this issue, which is being dealt with as part of a wider thrust within Government work on prevention, which is how we can empower the patient. That means getting more data to patients and using genomics and screening to ensure that they are better informed and can therefore opt to take decisions on healthy eating, rather than the state trying to impose those decisions on them in a top-down manner.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can you confirm that this Government are investing an extra £7 million this year to train senior mental health leads for schools and colleges? Alongside academic recovery, supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing is a priority.
Context
Discussion on the Government's investment to train senior mental health leads for schools.
Gillian Keegan
Yes, we are investing in senior mental health leads in each school. Mental health support teams are being rolled out across 26% of schools now with a target of 35% by 2024-25.
Session: Transphobic Bullying
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Businesses in my constituency are grateful for all the support that the Government have given them over the past few very difficult years—they appreciate that—but what steps are the Government taking to protect energy-intensive industries from high energy prices?
Context
The MP is concerned about the financial impact of high energy prices on businesses in his constituency, particularly those in energy-intensive sectors.
James Cartlidge
My right hon. Friend is right to highlight not only the generosity of the support but the issues facing specific sectors. The Treasury recognises that some businesses are highly exposed to both energy prices and international competition, which means that they are unable to pass on or absorb these higher costs. Following the review of the operation of the current energy bill relief scheme, we decided to target additional support beyond April this year at the most energy and trade-intensive sectors, which are primarily manufacturing businesses.
Session: Businesses Energy Costs
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My constituents are concerned about victims of people-smuggling gangs. Can you confirm how many people smugglers have been arrested under the Nationality and Borders Act 78 days after it became law?
Context
The question pertains to the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, which has been implemented for illegal immigration control. The questioner seeks information on arrests made by this act.
Robert Jenrick
The right hon. Friend makes an important point. Over 190 people have been arrested since the implementation of the Nationality and Borders Act, which is having a real impact on illegal immigration control.
Session: Topical Questions
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We all know, including the Minister, how disabling and terrible Parkinson's disease is—members of my own family have suffered from it. I therefore urge my hon. Friend the Minister to keep in mind the extra costs of heating that the hon. Member for Bootle (Peter Dowd) has referred to, which these people need to keep their mobility. We should do anything that can be done to help them overcome and live with this awful affliction.
Context
Parkinson's disease impacts mobility and requires additional heating costs to maintain it, creating financial burdens.
Tom Pursglove
I thank my right hon. Friend for making that point. Those additional costs that people with conditions such as Parkinson's often experience are something that I am incredibly mindful of. The Government are committed to having a look at the issue of social tariffs, and I will be meeting with the Energy Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), to talk about that issue.
Session: Cost of Living Impact on People with Parkinson’s Disease
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What more can the Government do to help retain more aspirational teachers?
Context
The Member attended a school to speak with teachers and answer pupils' questions, highlighting the importance of retaining inspirational teachers.
Gillian Keegan
The early career framework introduced last year supports teachers in the first five years, which is when the risk of retention is highest. The Government is focused on supporting them during this period to retain more of them.
Session: Teacher Recruitment and Retention
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Can my right hon. Friend give the House an update on the new disability action plan that the Government are preparing at the moment?
Context
A new disability action plan is being prepared by the Government to improve the lives of disabled people.
Tom Pursglove
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for asking about that. It is right that we work across Government to identify priority areas where we can deliver meaningful change and progress for disabled people to improve their lives.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister encourage pensioners on low incomes to apply for pension credit and access additional support?
Context
The Government has introduced a £300 boost to the winter fuel payment for pensioners.
Laura Trott
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. Any pensioner receiving less than £182.60 a week should look into their eligibility and claim by December 18th to receive the backdated cost of living payment.
Session: Cost of Living Pensioners
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What steps is the Department taking to support pensioners with increases in the cost of living?
Context
The cost of living has increased, putting financial pressure on pensioners.
Laura Trott
All pensioner households are receiving an extra £300 for energy this winter. Pension credit recipients have received a second cost of living payment of £324 in November.
Session: Cost of Living Pensioners
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I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to her new role and wish her all success. I strongly support reforms making the student loan repayment system fairer, so graduates do not repay more than they borrowed in real terms. Does she agree Conservative Governments have delivered on our commitment to address student loan interest rates?
Context
The question follows the Secretary of State's new role and acknowledges support for fairer student loan repayments.
Gillian Keegan
I thank my right hon. Friend for his welcome and support of fairer repayment systems. We committed to addressing student loan interest rates and have delivered on that commitment, which should be welcomed by all Members in the House.
Session: Young People’s Social Mobility Student Finance Rules
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Will my right hon. Friend reassure me that this Government will do all they can to help small businesses across the country to thrive?
Context
Small businesses and entrepreneurs in Bexleyheath and Crayford have been hit by the cost of living.
Jeremy Hunt
That is what Conservatives are all about so I am happy to give him that assurance. It is not just words; it is action: the halving of business rates for most retail, hospitality and leisure businesses; the freezing of the multiplier on business rates; the furlough scheme; the Government-backed loans and the energy price support that we are giving businesses.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that improving the quality and depth of technical qualifications is vital to our levelling-up agenda and also to helping everyone improve social mobility?
Nadhim Zahawi
Yes I do. The more runways that we can build from which people's careers can take off, the better.
Session: Topical Questions
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Could the Minister look carefully at public health funding for my borough of Bexley?
Context
The borough of Bexley feels underfunded compared to similar London boroughs, affecting public health services.
Sajid Javid
I would be pleased to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss this issue further, and he will welcome the publication of the upcoming health disparities White Paper.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the work being done by the Government in this important area, which is appreciated in my constituency. Will my hon. Friend update the House on the SWAP and how it is helping people upskill and change careers?
Context
The MP welcomes the Government's work in upskilling and career change, seeking an update on the SWAP programme.
Mims Davies
This is a very successful programme, helping jobseekers, including in my right hon. Friend's constituency, get an opportunity to develop the key new skills that employers are looking for, including through training and work experience, and a guaranteed job interview in that new sector. I am delighted to be able to say that we have surpassed our delivery goal, with over 146,000 SWAPs having been started since April 2020.
Session: Upskilling and Changing Career Paths
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What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support people to upskill and change career paths?
Context
The MP is concerned about the steps taken to support people in upskilling and changing career paths.
Mims Davies
We have introduced Department for Work and Pensions Train and Progress to address our claimants' skills needs. Working across Government, we have been able to extend the length of time during which universal credit claimants can undertake full-time training, including skills boot camps in England, to up to 16 weeks. I am also pleased about the role that kickstart has played in helping more than 152,000 young people to gain vital new skills and work experience to help them in their future careers.
Session: Upskilling and Changing Career Paths
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I regularly visit businesses throughout my constituency, and have been fortunate enough to meet some very talented apprentices who are eager to develop their skills and build careers. Does my hon. Friend agree that apprenticeships will play a key role in closing the skills gap by helping young people to gain employment in more highly skilled roles, and can he say what action the Government are taking to encourage more employers to take on more apprentices?
Context
The MP regularly visits businesses to meet apprentices eager for skill development, highlighting the role apprenticeships can play in addressing workforce shortages.
Simon Clarke
My hon. Friend has made an excellent point. He is right to champion the value of apprenticeships, in which the Government keenly believe. I had a great roundtable with apprentices in Newcastle recently, and heard for myself just what a difference they are making both to their employer and to the wider economy.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my hon. Friend agree that essay mills have potential to cause severe damage? What steps is the Government taking to tackle them?
Context
Essay mills are threatening the integrity of academic work by enabling cheating, particularly through their online platforms.
Alex Burghart
The right hon. Friend is correct; essay mills undermine academic integrity, which is why our forthcoming bill will outlaw them and punish those involved.
Session: Topical Questions
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I fully support the idea of minimum eligibility requirements to maintain the high quality of our degrees. However, will my right hon. Friend assure me that students who do not meet those requirements will have alternative routes open and available to them, including via foundation years or college courses, that will allow them to progress subsequently to university when they are ready?
Context
Concerns are raised about ensuring alternative educational paths for students who do not meet university entry requirements, focusing on the availability and cost of foundation years and college courses.
Michelle Donelan
I agree with my right hon. Friend. Too many young people are pushed on to courses that they are not ready for at the moment, which is why we are capping the cost of foundation years to enable more people to use this as an access route. We are also introducing the lifelong loan entitlement, which will make higher education and higher technical education much more flexible.
Session: Higher Education Improving Quality
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Tackling Obesity — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
27 February 2024
Responding: Andrea Leadsom
Main Concerns
['Mr. David Evennett is concerned about the rising obesity rates in the UK, citing statistics from the World Health Organisation that worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. He notes that in the UK, almost one-third of adults are obese and over half of men are either overweight or obese, with higher rates among the lowest socioeconomic groups. Evennett also highlights the health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and cancer, along with the economic impact estimated at £98 billion in 2023. He mentions that childhood obesity has worsened post-pandemic, with Bexley being one of the worst-performing boroughs in south-east London.']
Specific Asks
['Evennett calls for a cross-party approach to tackle obesity and suggests measures such as encouraging healthier food options, implementing pre-watershed bans on junk food advertising, expanding the sugar tax, and restricting unhealthy foods placement in supermarkets. He also requests that the Government take action based on recommendations from health experts.']
Social Mobility
21 March 2023
Responding: Mims Davies
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the disparities in educational achievement at age 16, particularly for British white and black Caribbean males who fall well below average attainment. The data shows significant inequalities with scores as low as -0.77 for black Caribbean males compared to 0.07 for Bangladeshi boys. These variations are pronounced among working-class groups and across gender lines, impacting socioeconomic attainment in later life.']
Specific Asks
['The MP asks the Government to continue focusing on recovery programs such as the recovery premium and national tutoring programme, which help disadvantaged individuals. He also urges the Minister to discuss how businesses can partner with schools and colleges to provide more careers advice and work experience opportunities for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.']
Public Health Funding: Bexley
26 October 2021
Responding: Maggie Throup
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about the public health situation in Bexley, highlighting areas such as obesity, with among the highest rates of childhood and adult obesity in London. The infant mortality rate and hospital admissions for young people due to substance misuse are also higher than the London average. The borough's public health grant allocation for 2021-22 is just under £10 million, equating to a per head allocation of £39.84, which is lower compared to other London boroughs and south-east England."]
Specific Asks
["The MP urges the Government to review and address the public health funding formula for outer London boroughs such as Bexley, ensuring that future allocations reflect current needs and support initiatives to improve residents' quality of life."]
Social Mobility
12 February 2020
Responding: Michelle Donelan
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the underachievement of young people, particularly white working-class boys. The World Economic Forum ranked the UK at 21st in a global social mobility index, highlighting the significant disparities in opportunities based on one's starting point in life. There is still a postcode lottery for social mobility and many children do not reach their full potential due to lack of engagement with education and societal disconnection. I am concerned about the declining social mobility in the UK, with only 31% of people in the north-east feeling they have good opportunities to progress compared to 78% in London. The Sutton Trust report indicates that one in eight men born between 1975 and 1981 became socially mobile, down from one in five for those born between 1955 and 1961. I am also worried about the lack of quality careers advice in schools and the persistent influence of where you were born on your life prospects."]
Specific Asks
['I urge the government to take action to fund further education colleges better, promote awareness of apprenticeships as an option alongside university, and implement open and transparent recruitment practices. The Government must ensure that people are encouraged from a young age to engage with education and training and understand the long-term benefits. I urge the Government to treat social mobility as a mission across all Departments, with a focused and consistent approach that transcends political reshuffles. The Government needs to stop treating social mobility as a niche issue and ensure accountability and transparency in this area.']
Sir David Amess Adjournment Debate
12 September 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Honoured to open the debate in memory of Sir David Amess, Mark Francois highlighted three main topics: animal welfare, local NHS services, and a story about Sir David's campaign for Basildon in the 19...
The ULEZ Expansion (Consequential Provisions) Bill - Clause 1
22 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Gareth Johnson proposes to overturn the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme in London, arguing it is a form of taxation that disproportionately affects the poorest members of so...
Budget Resolutions
06 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Conservatives' record is marked by a recession, high tax burden, living standards decline, and fiscal irresponsibility. The Chancellor's new measures do not address these issues; they merely exace...
NHS Winter Update
08 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Core School Budget Allocations
17 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Estimates Day
05 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the importance of energy infrastructure for sustaining living standards and basic security, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and global energy supply...
Taxation Bill - Clause 27 - Power to clarify tax treatment of devolved social security benefits
19 April 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move amendment 21, which would limit the removal of the lifetime allowance charge to NHS staff by introducing a condition that the person must be employed for an average of more than 15 hours per we...
The Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill
27 February 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The bill introduces a lifelong loan entitlement (LLE), ensuring everyone has flexible access to higher and further education regardless of their...
Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan
30 January 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Channel 4
09 January 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
2
PMQs Asked
80
Ministerial Questions Asked
51
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
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
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+497% above average
This MP:
80
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+59% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+949% above average
This MP:
51
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 David Evennett's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.