Edward Timpson
MP for Crewe and Nantwich
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
For our most vulnerable children, school is often their principal place of safety as well as education, but as reported in my review of school exclusions for the Government in 2019, the unacceptable and illegal use of off-rolling is still shutting a worrying number of children out of the classroom, out of learning and out of the protection they need from gangs, violence and domestic abuse. What more can be done to ensure that we permanently exclude off-rolling from our schools?
Context
Off-rolling, the illegal practice of removing students from school rolls without proper procedures, is a significant issue affecting vulnerable children's education and safety.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. and learned Friend raises an important issue. The Government are clear that off-rolling is unlawful and unacceptable in any form, and the Department for Education continues to work with Ofsted to tackle it. Where Ofsted finds it, it will always be addressed in the inspection report and it could also lead to a school's leadership being judged inadequate.
Session: PMQs
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Care, education, and support in early years are crucial. Despite investment since 2010, the system remains inflexible and expensive for many families. Will my right hon. Friend restate his commitment to addressing this issue?
Context
The MP highlights the importance of childcare for children's future life outcomes and criticises current system inflexibility.
Rishi Sunak
We provide 15 hours of free childcare for every eligible three and four-year-old. We are consulting on ratios and supporting more people to become childminders to improve cost, choice, and affordability.
Assessment
Specific actions or timeline for improving childcare system
Vague Commitment
Session: PMQs
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After recent positive progress, covid has disproportionately and adversely affected participation levels in female sport and physical activity. To help to reverse that, will my right hon. Friend lend his support to the development of the first ever women's and girls' football national centre of excellence in Winsford in my constituency—a £70 million project that he has previously expressed enthusiasm for—and help to build female grass-roots sport back better?
Context
Covid has disproportionately affected participation levels in female sports, leading to concerns about recovery. There is a proposed £70 million project for a women's and girls' football national centre of excellence.
Boris Johnson
This is a very exciting project, and I welcome Cheshire FA's commitment to providing a new world-class facility for women's and girls' football. I look forward to the proposed opening of the centre in Winsford.
Assessment
Did not commit specific support or funding for the £70 million project, only expressed enthusiasm
Session: PMQs
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Asked PM to update on efforts to bring together manufacturers to supply the NHS with ventilators and other essential medical equipment.
Context
NHS needs for ventilators in treating severely affected patients.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Confirmed coalition of British manufacturers working to supply ventilators. Already have 8,000 and moving upwards rapidly, will keep House informed on developments.
Session: PMQs
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I welcome my right hon. and learned Friend's commitment to increase the use of tagging, where appropriate, to reduce the amount of reoffending. In doing so, what plans does he have to include high-risk domestic abusers and, potentially in the future, those who are illegal drug users?
Context
The Justice Secretary is committed to increase the use of tagging, especially for those who are a significant threat to others.
Alex Chalk
Not for the first or last time, my hon. and learned Friend has got absolutely to the point. We have deliberately constructed the policy so that if an individual presents a significant threat to a particular individual—often a spouse or a partner—the presumption would not apply.
Session: Topical Questions
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Is he aware of incidents where such cases are being deprioritised because of the backlog?
Context
The MP raised concerns about section 28 achieving best evidence video interviews being de-prioritised due to criminal court backlogs.
Alex Chalk
I would be happy to look at these issues and discuss them with him in due course.
Session: Rape Charge Rates
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What can His Majesty's Government do to help improve awareness of and communications with stranded British citizens in potentially unstable states?
Context
A constituent of the questioner was unable to receive instructions from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office due to internet outages in Sudan.
Ben Wallace
My hon. and learned Friend raises an important point, but not an easy issue to solve. In Sudan, we were seeing less than single digit percentage coverage of or access to the internet at any one time, in the middle of effectively a civil war. For Defence, it is an easier thing to solve, as we bring our own communications with us.
Session: Sudan Conflict
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Decision making, leadership, commitment, confidence, resilience, teamwork and self-esteem are all skills and attributes essential to entrepreneurialism. It is also the case that these can be fostered by high-quality physical education in schools, which is why today's announcement of £600 million over two years to support primary school PE and sport is so welcome. Sport England reported in December: “Children and young people with Black, Asian and Other ethnicities are the least likely to be active.” So will my hon. Friend use his good offices to upgrade from Government aspiration to Government policy the Association for Physical Education's recommendation to make PE a core subject in schools to help tackle this unacceptable disparity?
Context
Sport England reported that children from Black, Asian, and Other ethnic backgrounds are the least likely to be active.
Kevin Hollinrake
Hear, hear. As someone who benefited from playing football, rugby and cricket at my state school, I am delighted at the announcement that my hon. and learned Friend refers to. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education has today announced a package of activity to boost equal opportunities in school sport, both inside and outside the classroom.
Session: Entrepreneur Support Programme Educational Opportunities
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If she will make an assessment of the potential impact on educational opportunities of the entrepreneur support programme set out in “Inclusive Britain: government response to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities”, published in March 2022.
Context
The Entrepreneur Support Programme was outlined in the 'Inclusive Britain' report, aimed at improving opportunities for ethnic minority entrepreneurs.
Kevin Hollinrake
The Department for Business and Trade is keen to support entrepreneurs from all communities, as evidenced by a disproportionately high proportion of start-up loans accessed by ethnic minority-led businesses. The Government have supported actions aimed at improving opportunities for ethnic minority entrepreneurs, as set out in the “Inclusive Britain” report, and we will be reporting back to Parliament shortly.
Session: Entrepreneur Support Programme Educational Opportunities
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Ambulance response times are a persistent issue in rural areas such as Eddisbury. Unions representing ambulance workers refuse to agree on minimum service levels during industrial action. Does my right hon. Friend agree that unions should embrace these measures for the public's sake?
Context
Rural areas like Eddisbury face challenges with ambulance response times due to strikes, leading to concerns about patient safety.
Oliver Dowden
The public expect a minimum safety level in core public services such as ambulance provision, which is why the Government are bringing forward sensible, straightforward measures to ensure patient safety at times of need.
Session: Industrial Action Public Services
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One clear lesson from our covid response has been to understand the severe and disproportionate consequences of closing our schools and the impact that that has had on our children's education and development. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of that so far, and does he agree that we should look at making schools part of our essential national infrastructure, so that we ensure that that does not happen again in future?
Context
A clear lesson from the COVID response is that closing schools disproportionately impacts children's education and development.
Oliver Dowden
I am deeply saddened, as my hon. and learned Friend is, by any interruption to our children's education, particularly when they have suffered so much during covid. I pay tribute to the headteachers and others who ensured that about 90% of schools were open in one capacity or another so that our children continued to have an education—indeed, 70% of teachers did not participate in the strike. I hope that we continue to keep schools open on a voluntary basis, but if we cannot, we reserve the right, under the legislation passing through Parliament, to deem education an essential service that requires minimum service levels.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps his Department is taking to support the operation of public services during industrial action. Public services are facing significant disruptions from ongoing strikes, affecting essential operations like border security and emergency response in rural areas.
Context
Public services face disruptions due to ongoing strikes, raising concerns about service continuity and safety.
Oliver Dowden
All Departments are responsible for their own business continuity plans and have well-established contingency arrangements. The Cabinet Office's Cobra unit has supported Departments to develop those arrangements to minimise the impact on public services. Yesterday, more than 600 military personnel undertook action to support a smooth flow at the border.
Session: Industrial Action Public Services
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Further to the point raised by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East, in the first three quarters of 2022 there have been 235 ineffective Crown court trials caused by prosecution absence—the highest annual total since 2014—compared with just 19 in 2019. The recent uplift to defence fees has meant there is now more money in defending than in prosecuting, and consequently the CPS is struggling to find enough prosecutors for trials. What timescales is my hon. and learned Friend working to in order to address this situation?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the high number of ineffective Crown court trials due to prosecution absence and questions the CPS's ability to find enough prosecutors.
Michael Tomlinson
I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for raising this point. Of course, I recognise the importance of ensuring that all those who work in the criminal justice system—both defence and prosecution—are paid and rewarded appropriately. He will have heard my answer earlier, and it is right that the Treasury has agreed to consider the CPS funding position. Discussions are ongoing, and I know that he will keep pressing.
Session: Criminal Justice System Backlog
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Is the Department also looking at reducing unnecessary cases going into family courts by conducting pre-proceedings work?
Context
The family justice system remains under pressure, and there is recognition that additional funding for CAFCASS has been allocated. During the questioner's tenure as CAFCASS chair, it was established that one in four private law children's court cases could be avoided with pre-proceedings work.
Tom Pursglove
The Government supports resolving issues earlier and outside court for cases not involving domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns. The Department is considering making mediation compulsory for those cases that can be resolved outside of court. A meeting to discuss ideas in more detail has been suggested.
Session: Family Justice System Reform
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What steps his Department is taking to reform the family justice system. The question highlights efforts to reduce demand in private family courts, invest in mediation schemes, and implement less adversarial ways of hearing cases.
Context
No specific background or context provided other than a general concern for reforming the system to reduce conflict and protect children.
Tom Pursglove
The government is committed to reducing conflict and protecting children and victims through investment in mediation schemes, piloting less adversarial methods, and issuing over 8,000 vouchers. There are domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns in half of private family cases; the Government will support parents to resolve issues outside court.
Session: Family Justice System Reform
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What other measures can be taken, over and above what is already happening, to ensure that we can get through the substantial backlog in our courts, particularly our magistrates courts?
Context
The backlog of cases in magistrates courts has not been fully resolved despite measures to increase judicial retirement age. The question asks for additional measures to clear the backlog.
Alex Chalk
Magistrates courts hear more than 90% of all criminal cases. In some parts, backlogs have been cleared; additional courts on Saturdays and plexiglass installations in courtrooms are measures taken to support recovery. Planned trial blitz courts for later this year aim to maintain momentum.
Session: Covid-19 Recovery of Criminal Justice System
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What steps is she taking with (a) the CPS, (b) Government Legal Service and (c) Cabinet colleagues to support the recovery of the criminal justice system since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions?
Context
The easing of COVID-19 restrictions has impacted the criminal justice system's recovery. The question focuses on steps being taken to support this recovery.
Alex Chalk
The Law Officers frequently meet the CPS and colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and elsewhere to progress the recovery of the criminal justice system. The budget for the CPS has been significantly increased with an additional £85 million at the 7019 spending review, and a 12% uplift over the period of this spending review, to help recruit and retain prosecutors and modernise digital infrastructure.
Session: Covid-19 Recovery of Criminal Justice System
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Last year there was full gigabit-capable broadband in just 13% of households in my Eddisbury constituency. Thanks to UK Government initiatives such as the rural voucher scheme, the figure now stands at 47%, but we still have a long way to go, which is why I am launching a survey of the broadband and mobile coverage of my local residents to find out where the notspots are. Will the Minister agree to meet me to assess that survey and to discuss what more can be done to ensure that we get full coverage right across the constituency?
Context
The MP notes the progress of broadband roll-out and asks for a meeting to discuss further coverage.
Matt Warman
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the world-leading pace of this country's broadband roll-out, but we know there is more to do. I would encourage everybody in his constituency to fill in his broadband survey, and I would be very happy to meet him.
Session: Topical Questions
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I know, Mr Speaker, that you will be exercised by the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill that is currently going through the other place, and particularly by clause 103, which will raise the retirement age of magistrates from 70 to 75, thus fulfilling the ambition behind the private Member's Bill that I introduced in the previous Session. While we wait for that legislation to go through, what other measures is my right hon. and learned Friend taking to get through the backlog of cases in courts, particularly through online cases?
Context
The Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill aims to raise the retirement age of magistrates from 70 to 75. The question inquires about measures being taken to address a backlog of cases due to this pending legislation.
Robert Buckland
My hon. Friend was himself a practitioner of many years' standing. I assure him that we are using every tool available—including remote hearings, bringing back judges who have recently retired and, indeed, harnessing the entire legal profession—to deal with the number of cases before the courts. The restriction on sitting days has been lifted and colleagues in Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service are working tirelessly to deal with the case load.
Session: Topical Questions
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What assessment has the Secretary made of local authorities contributing to the preparation of business cases for reopening dormant railway stations towards net zero?
Context
Local authorities that have declared a climate emergency are asked to contribute to business cases for reopening railway stations, aiming at net zero.
Grant Shapps
Local authorities declaring a climate emergency should pay more than lip service. Unfortunately, Cheshire West and Chester Council is refusing to contribute £5,000 to reopen Beeston Castle and Tarporley station.
Session: Decarbonisation Commitments
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Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government's ambitious strategy for growing exports needs to include more agricultural councils in our embassies, a UK export council to help co-ordinate that strategy, and better promotion and marketing of brand Britain abroad so that we can ensure that farming and food companies in Eddisbury and right across the country can embrace the undoubted benefits and opportunities that UK free trade deals can deliver?
Context
The MP is concerned about the Government's export strategy not adequately supporting UK farmers and food companies.
Graham Stuart
My hon. Friend cleverly tempts me to list the recommendations of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, which constructively seeks to improve our support for UK farmers. We look forward to responding to that as soon as possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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Safety Shield in Winsford is using the kickstart scheme to create more opportunities for young people. Can my right hon. Friend tell us about the roll-out's impact and how other businesses can join?
Context
The MP mentions local businesses using the kickstart scheme to bring good jobs to young people as part of economic recovery.
Rishi Sunak
I congratulate Safety Shield in Winsford on taking on new kickstarters. Over 31,000 kickstarters have started their jobs, with 10,000 more to come soon. Employers can go online or talk to local business organizations like the Federation of Small Businesses or chamber of commerce to be accredited and give a young person an opportunity as we recover.
Session: Apprentices
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What steps her Department is taking to reduce knife crime. After a very difficult weekend in London, our thoughts are with the families, friends and neighbourhoods affected by those incidents of violent crime. Across England and Wales we are increasing police capacity in the forces most affected by violent crime, investing £176 million over two years.
Context
A recent difficult weekend in London with incidents of violent crime has prompted discussions on intervention measures. The government is investing £176 million over two years to increase police capacity.
Victoria Atkins
After a very difficult weekend in London, our thoughts are with the families, friends and neighbourhoods affected by those incidents of violent crime. Across England and Wales we are increasing police capacity in the forces most affected by violent crime, investing £176 million over two years. We have recently consulted on serious violence reduction orders, which will give the police stop-and-search powers to target individuals previously convicted of knife offences, and we are investing many millions of pounds in early intervention schemes to stop young people being drawn into violence in the first place.
Session: Knife Crime
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What steps her Department is taking to reduce knife crime. After the recent tragic knife-related murder of a young man in Winsford, Cheshire police have secured funding for 25 16 to 18-year-olds to take part in an employment mentoring programme led by We Mind The Gap, as well as identifying a former community centre to deliver youth and apprenticeship activities. Will my hon. Friend congratulate Cheshire police on a constructive and long-term problem-solving approach to this issue and ensure that they have the funding necessary to prevent knife crime from happening in the first place?
Context
The recent tragic knife-related murder of a young man in Winsford has prompted calls for intervention. Cheshire police have secured funding for an employment mentoring programme and identified a community centre to deliver youth activities.
Victoria Atkins
My hon. Friend has a distinguished record of helping the most vulnerable children in our society, and I join him in welcoming the investment in this and other intervention projects in Cheshire to tackle the root causes of violent crime. In this financial year, Cheshire police will receive up to £219 million in funding, and it has already recruited 91 additional officers under the police uplift programme.
Session: Knife Crime
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I welcome the recent appointment of my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) as the Prime Minister's special envoy on girls' education, and ask my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to reassure the House that vital work in this area to tackle poverty and create opportunity across the world will continue to be a key priority for this Government, and that the issue will be raised with the incoming Biden Administration at the earliest opportunity, so that further progress can be made to ensure that every girl gets a decent education.
Context
Cross-party letter signed by over 100 Members expressing concern for protesting farmers in India, raising the issue of harassment and intimidation by authorities.
Dominic Raab
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I join him in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant), who will do a fantastic job in this crucial area. On the UK's approach to girls' education, we have a global target of getting 40 million more girls into education, and ensuring that they can have at least 12 years' quality education. We want to get 12 million young girls literate by the age of 20. We will be discussing that with the new Administration, and I have already discussed it with leading members of Congress, including Speaker Pelosi.
Session: Topical Questions
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How can my hon. Friend ensure that farmers in my Eddisbury constituency will compete with Welsh farmers who continue to receive their area payments, whereas all English farmers see their payments halved by 2024?
Context
The question addresses the disparity in agricultural payments between English and Welsh farmers due to area payments for Welsh farmers continuing while basic payment scheme payments for English farmers will be halved by 2024.
David Davies
As a Government committed to the devolved settlement, we will not dictate how devolved Governments use their funds. The UK Internal Market Bill aims to ensure fair competition across the UK by preventing one part from unfairly competing with another due to differing support levels.
Session: Agriculture
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Despite the challenges of covid, could my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made and what plans he has to ensure these children are placed as quickly as possible?
Context
More than 600 children are still waiting to be placed with their forever families.
Gavin Williamson
My hon. Friend and I share a common passion about adoption. We are driving up the rate of adoption right across the country. Delays in HMCTS mean some adoptions have been held up, but we are meeting with Justice Secretary to see what more can be done.
Session: Topical Questions
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I recently had a meeting with Jonty Cliffe and Claudia Bayley, the chairs of the Cheshire Young Farmers Club, and they were concerned to make sure that the views and priorities of all young people who work in agriculture and affiliated industries were fully integrated and taken into account by the work of the Trade and Agriculture Commission. I have raised this issue with the commission's chair, Tim Smith, but will my hon. Friend also discuss it with the commission to make sure that those views and priorities are taken into account, because those young people are the future of British farming?
Context
The MP has met with representatives from the Cheshire Young Farmers Club who expressed concerns about their views being integrated into the work of the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC).
Ranil Jayawardena
I encourage young farmers and others to continue to share their views with representative bodies, which work proactively to provide insight to us and the TAC. Young farmers such as Jonty and Claudia are already actively involved in sharing their views.
Session: Trade Policy Consultation with Unions
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What steps her Department is taking to consult (a) trade unions and (b) civil society organisations on the development of trade policy.
Context
The MP is concerned about the inclusivity of consultations for the UK's global trade policy, particularly involving trade unions and civil society organizations.
Ranil Jayawardena
We have expanded our engagement to include a dedicated trade union advisory group and a series of civil society and think-tank roundtables from across the political spectrum, which I will chair.
Session: Trade Policy Consultation with Unions
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Given that his own consultation on raising the retirement age for magistrates closed over two weeks ago, can he give some hope that legislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity through my Bill or other means?
Context
The question stems from a private Member's Bill by the MP to raise the retirement age of magistrates to 75, which has faced delays. The consultation on this matter closed over two weeks ago.
Chris Philp
My hon. Friend is quite right; we are losing something like 1,000 magistrates a year as they turn 70, often very experienced magistrates who still have a great deal to offer the justice system. The consultation had two options: raising the age to 72 or to 75. I strongly commend my hon. Friend for his patience, persistence and perseverance in trying to get his private Member's Bill through, often in the face of somewhat unfortunate headwinds, on private Members' Bill Fridays. This is an urgent issue. As soon as we have formulated a response to the consultation, we will certainly be looking to legislate via whatever vehicle is available as quickly as we possibly can.
Session: Magistrates Mandatory Retirement Age
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What plans does he have to raise the mandatory retirement age for magistrates?
Context
The question arises from a consultation by the Ministry of Justice on increasing the retirement age for judges and magistrates, which closed on October 16th.
Chris Philp
The Ministry of Justice has been running a consultation on increasing the retirement age for judges and magistrates. The consultation closed on 16 October. Over 1,000 responses were received and we will respond formally very shortly.
Session: Magistrates Mandatory Retirement Age
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Can my hon. Friend give me some reassurance that the roll-out will be done as quickly as possible, particularly in the hardest hit areas, such as Eddisbury, so that they can get the reliable, equitable 4G network they need?
Context
The MP welcomes the introduction and roll-out of the shared rural network but is concerned about the long wait until end of 2025 for his constituents with poor mobile coverage.
Matt Warman
My hon. Friend is right that far too much of the country does not yet have the mobile coverage it needs and deserves, and that is why the shared rural network exists. As I said in my answer, it is already being rolled out, and its positive effects will be felt well before 2025. I look forward, with my hon. Friend and others, to engaging with the mobile networks to make sure that those plans come forward as quickly as possible.
Session: Rural Mobile Coverage
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Will my right hon. and learned Friend look carefully at the private Member's Bill I have put forward to raise the retirement age to 75, as well as act quickly off the back of the Government's consultation on this issue?
Context
Magistrates numbers have halved in the past decade and mandatory retirement age is at 70.
Robert Buckland
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the work he is doing on this important issue and for the introduction of his Bill. I fully recognise his concern, which is why we are working with the judiciary on a programme to increase the overall number of recruited magistrates. We are consulting on proposals to increase the mandatory retirement age of judicial office holders, including magistrates.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will my right hon. Friend congratulate the Rolls-Royce workforce on their sterling support of our defence capability, as well as recommending their services to other Government Departments? The Rolls-Royce distributed generation systems plant provides mission-critical power generation for our armed forces and is now expanding into other sectors.
Context
The Rolls-Royce distributed generation systems plant in Winsford is expanding into other sectors.
Ben Wallace
I am grateful to the Rolls-Royce workforce for their important support for defence. The Winsford distributed generation systems plant provides crucial capabilities to our armed forces. I look forward to seeing Rolls-Royce developing its private and public sector customer base.
Session: Topical Questions
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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding recent reports of an approach taken by my Department with a media outlet. Managing information is challenging, particularly where hostile states use disinformation to subvert our security interests and our policymaking.
Context
Reports have surfaced about an approach taken by the Department of Defence with a media outlet.
Ben Wallace
I would like to make a statement to the House on recent reports regarding an approach taken by my Department with a media outlet. Managing information is challenging, particularly where hostile states use disinformation to subvert our security interests and our policymaking. I am treating the allegation with the utmost seriousness. The Ministry of Defence will treat outlets with fairness and impartiality. I have asked former director general Tom Kelly to lead an independent review to look into the allegations.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister assure me that her excellent new kickstart scheme will not sit in isolation but will instead dovetail with other Government, apprenticeship and infrastructure efforts, so that towns such as Winsford can give their young a trade, not just a job, including helping to deliver brilliant broadband across Eddisbury?
Context
The questioner seeks assurance that the kickstart scheme will integrate with other government efforts to provide comprehensive support for young people in towns like Winsford.
Mims Davies
I thank my hon. Friend for raising kickstart. This is a huge programme for young people, providing 25 hours a week and an opportunity to get their first foot on the employment ladder. We do not want our young people to be left behind because of the impact of the pandemic—we know that the scarring can affect them most. Kickstart will change that, and I ask all employers to get involved and be part of it.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Home Secretary ensure that as broadband rolls out across the country, refuges are prioritised to receive this critical infrastructure?
Context
Refuge residents, including children, lack adequate internet connectivity which is essential for safety and development.
Priti Patel (Home Secretary)
Acknowledges importance of internet safety within refuges and agrees to take the suggestion forward, ensuring that greater internet safety provisions are considered for victims' development and wellbeing.
Session: Domestic Abuse
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It cannot be emphasised enough how important it is that victims of domestic abuse get the support that they need during this very difficult time. Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that this often-hidden scourge, which affects children as well as adults, must be a priority for the Government at all times, as is demonstrated by the commitments in the Domestic Abuse Bill?
Context
The MP emphasized the importance of support for victims during the pandemic and highlighted the Domestic Abuse Bill.
Suella Braverman
My hon. Friend speaks with authority about child safeguarding, based on his practice as a barrister and his time in government as a Minister. These crimes are abhorrent, and those who commit them must not be let off the hook. Today, the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill returns to the Commons for its Second Reading. I am very proud to have personally supported this landmark legislation that provides support—legal and otherwise—for victims of domestic abuse, including children, so that we as a nation take a step further towards eliminating domestic abuse.
Session: Covid-19 Domestic Violence
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Edward Timpson asks what steps Jo Churchill, as Minister for Patient Safety, can take to help improve the standard of Sandiway surgery and ensure its continuation to serve 3,700 patients. He seeks assistance from both her role and Cheshire clinical commissioning group.
Context
Concerns have been raised about the potential closure of Sandiway surgery in Eddisbury due to safety concerns highlighted by a Care Quality Commission inspection.
Jo Churchill (Minister for Patient Safety)
Churchill acknowledges the emotional impact of practice closures and notes that significant investment is needed to bring Sandiway surgery up to standard. She mentions that Danebridge medical centre has been involved in discussions about closing Sandiway practice and increasing services at other local practices. Churchill expresses willingness to meet Timpson to discuss support for Sandiway residents.
Session: GP Appointments
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Children excluded from school are twice as likely to carry a knife. A quarter of young offenders who are serving a custodial sentence of less than 12 months have a history of permanent exclusion. To help turn around the life chances of these children, will my hon. Friend take up the recommendations in my report on school exclusion, published last year, which are aimed at taking a public health approach to crime and tackling the root causes, not just the symptoms, of school disengagement?
Context
Edward Timpson highlights the link between school exclusion and involvement in violent crime.
Victoria Atkins (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice)
I thank my hon. Friend for his meticulous work in his report. He will know that the Prime Minister is taking charge of our response to serious violence, and is indeed holding a Cabinet Sub-Committee on this imminently. I agree that we must tackle the root causes of serious violence. That is precisely why we are bringing forward the serious violence Bill to place a duty on the agencies that can help to address it.
Session: Violent Crime Young People
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Given that 2020 is set to become the first year in which the pieces of plastic in our seas outnumber fish, will the Secretary of State update the House on the Government's plans for the UK to play its part in tackling that shocking statistic by means of, for instance, their new Blue Planet fund?
Context
The question addresses a statistic that plastic pieces will outnumber fish in the sea by 2020.
Alok Sharma
The Government have committed £500 million to the Blue Planet Fund to help developing countries manage their marine environment. The fund will run from April next year, focusing on fisheries, pollution including plastic pollution, climate change and marine protected areas for five years.
Session: Plastic Use
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Physical Education
23 March 2022
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
['Edward Timpson is concerned about the decline in physical fitness and mental health among children in England. He cites data showing that almost a third of children are doing less than 30 minutes of activity daily, with girls and children from deprived backgrounds being particularly affected. He also notes an increase in obese children and referrals to mental health services since the pandemic, along with evidence suggesting PE is being sidelined by some schools.']
Specific Asks
['Timpson calls for making physical education a core subject in schools, emphasizing its potential to improve academic performance, social skills, and overall well-being. He requests that the Government address issues related to curriculum time, assessment challenges, recruitment of qualified teachers, and the quality of PE teaching at primary level.']
Coroners
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23 January 2024
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Not specified in this excerpt - Clause to be read a Second time
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General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister proposes amendments to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to increase the removal window of foreign national offenders from 12 months to 18 months, enabling deportation six months earlier. He ...
Prison Capacity
16 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...
Lung Cancer Screening
26 June 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
4
PMQs Asked
37
Ministerial Questions Asked
60
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
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+176% above average
This MP:
37
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1135% above average
This MP:
60
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 Edward Timpson's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.