David Warburton
MP for Somerton and Frome
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Did the Prime Minister know that eating cheddar from Somerset can reduce one's cheese consumption carbon footprint by 55%? Will he support the dairy industry and enjoy a carbon-neutral cheese toastie today?
Context
Today is National Cheese Toastie Day, with a significant number of toasties consumed annually. Wyke Farms in Somerset produces carbon-neutral cheddar cheese.
Boris Johnson
The Prime Minister questions why it is only National Cheese Toastie Day rather than International Cheese Toastie Day. He hopes that COP26 will bring global understanding about Wyke Farms' carbon-neutral cheese toasties.
Assessment
Did not commit to enjoying a cheese toastie or supporting the dairy industry specifically.
Session: PMQs
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Does the Secretary of State recognise that ongoing delays at the DVLA, particularly for HGV drivers and those wishing to drive HGVs, are exacerbating supply chain issues? Concerned about the backlog impact on essential goods delivery.
Context
The Transport Committee raised concerns about DVLA's performance for over a year. The MP highlighted that the service has not approached the pandemic as effectively as other agencies.
Grant Shapps
The hon. Lady is right to be concerned about backlogs but wrong to suggest they apply to HGV drivers. Medical applications are now processed in five days. More HGV drivers are coming on the road due to our 32-point plan.
Session: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Delays
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What steps his Department is taking to help resolve delays at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. I am concerned about the impact of delays on urgent and severe cases and want a timeline for service improvement.
Context
The MP noted that constituents are facing delays in getting through to the DVLA, impacting urgent cases.
Grant Shapps
The DVLA has introduced more online services, recruited extra staff, is using overtime and has secured extra office space. The backlog of 55,000 occupational licences has been cleared and those are now processed in five working days. Expect service to return to normal next year.
Session: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Delays
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his response. I appreciate that much of the information around the Government's support for those in Afghanistan is sensitive, but can he update the House on whether the Government have made an assessment of how many people still in Afghanistan qualify for the scheme and what steps the Government are taking to ensure that they are able to leave safely?
Context
The MP asked about the government's assessment regarding how many people in Afghanistan qualify for relocation and what steps are being taken to ensure their safe exit.
James Heappey
We estimate about 800 principals plus their families might be eligible through ARAP. However, this process relies on third-country cooperation, which regulates flow. We aim to bring people here in the largest numbers possible and maintain relationships with regional countries.
Session: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
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What steps his Department is taking to maintain the operation of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy?
Context
The MP inquired about the continued operation of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy, which is crucial for eligible individuals seeking safe passage to the UK.
James Heappey
Our Afghan relocations and assistance policy remains open with a dedicated team working at the permanent joint headquarters. The MP recently visited the region to identify ways to support third-country and in-country applicants, and we are collaborating with allies and partners to explore every possible avenue.
Session: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
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I am grateful for my hon. Friend's reply. As a former teacher, I very much understand the value of education, but in the past few months I have been concerned to hear of constituents having difficulties getting children to school because of limited public transport and school bus places. I know that my hon. Friend will agree that it is vital to ensure that children do not miss out on learning, so I would be grateful to hear what steps are being taken to ensure that children in rural areas, particularly with limited bus transport, are able to attend school, and whether he has discussed this matter with colleagues in the Department for Transport.
Context
Concerns about rural children's access to school due to limited public transport and school bus places.
Robin Walker
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. As he says, as a former teacher, he recognises the benefit of children being in schools. I can assure him that the Department regularly talks to the Department for Transport about school transport. Last year, we gave Somerset over £1.1 million of additional funding for school and college transport in response to the need for social distancing on public transport. I shall continue those conversations.
Session: Travel to School Rural Communities
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What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that children in rural communities with limited public transport are able to attend school.
Context
Concerns about rural children's access to school due to limited public transport.
Robin Walker
Local authorities must provide transport for children of compulsory school age to attend their nearest school if they cannot walk there because of distance, route safety or special needs. During the next spending review period, authorities will receive an extra £1.6 billion a year to maintain vital services such as that.
Session: Travel to School Rural Communities
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Will the Government consider a permanent extension of VAT relief on music tickets to aid the sector's recovery?
Context
The live music sector has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic, and VAT rates for event tickets are set to increase.
Nadine Dorries
I assure my hon. Friend that I will be working closely with the Chancellor to discuss the support required for the live events sector. The 5% rate on VAT for event tickets has been extended until 30 September 2021, when the 12.5% reduced rate will be introduced until March 2022.
Session: Covid-19 Live Events Sector
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What steps her Department is taking to help the live events sector return and recover from the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The live events sector has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions and financial difficulties.
Nadine Dorries
In July, we removed all restrictions, enabling audiences to return to live events. In August, the Government announced a live events reinsurance scheme worth £750 million, which will instil confidence and support events previously unable to obtain covid-19 cancellation insurance. DCMS has continued to support the events sector throughout the pandemic, including through the £2 billion culture recovery fund.
Session: Covid-19 Live Events Sector
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Our splendid market towns in fabulous Somerton and Frome are driven by their high streets. They are the engine room of the local economy and the hub of the community, as I am sure everybody saw at the fabulous eat:Castle Cary festival last month. However, the past year has obviously been extraordinarily difficult, so does my right hon. Friend agree that support for high street businesses is essential both to keep our communities strong and to achieve a swift economic recovery?
Context
The MP highlights the economic and community importance of local high streets, especially post-covid recovery.
Robert Jenrick
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. I urge all his constituents to get back to their local high streets to support the shops and hospitality businesses that he mentions and make the most of the sunshine in Somerset. We have seen some positive signs, with Springboard data reporting an increase of over 17% in people shopping on their high streets in the recent half-term break.
Session: Covid-19 High Street Recovery
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What steps he is taking to help high streets recover from the covid-19 outbreak. I am concerned about the economic recovery of local high streets and the need for government intervention in this regard.
Context
The MP asks about measures to support local high streets following the impact of the pandemic.
Robert Jenrick
As we embark on what we all hope will be a great British summer, this Government have announced a vital package of support for our high streets, from planning easements to funding support. Taken together, we are seeing more than £385 billion of support for our businesses and high streets. With our planning reforms, we will allow our high streets to adapt and thrive, see outdoor markets spring up, and al fresco dining flourish.
Session: Covid-19 High Street Recovery
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Affordable Housing in the South-West
07 September 2021
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the lack of affordable housing supply in my constituency, particularly for young people. The housing market has been exacerbated by the pandemic with house prices rising by an average of 8.4% over the past year, with some areas seeing a rise of more than 20%. This situation is leading to overcrowding, homelessness, and preventing many from owning their own homes.']
Specific Asks
["I urge the Government to address the housing shortage in rural areas by investing in public land for affordable homes, increasing funding for sustainable home building, and allowing greater flexibility in developers' decisions on property tenures. Additionally, I ask the Minister to work with his colleagues at DEFRA to resolve the phosphorus neutrality issue affecting housing development in Somerset."]
COP26
20 October 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
International Aid: Treasury Update
13 July 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Speaker reminded the House of previous discussions about maintaining the UK’s commitment to the statutory target of 0.7% for international aid and acknowledged the Government's move to facilitate ...
British Council
08 June 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Support Measures
08 October 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic on various sectors such as arts, culture, sports and tourism in the UK. The speaker highlights that many businesses within these sec...
BACKBENCH BUSINESS - DAESH: GENOCIDE OF MINORITIESBACKBENCH BUSINESS
20 April 2016
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Bruce opened the debate emphasising that while the term 'genocide' is a serious one, it must be used when evidence supports it. She cited overwhelming evidence of atrocities committed by Daesh against...
1
PMQs Asked
10
Ministerial Questions Asked
5
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-27% below average
This MP:
10
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Warburton's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.