Emma Lewell-Buck
MP for South Shields
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
My lovely grandad John Henry Richardson passed away in 1998 from work-related asbestos exposure. Today, in South Shields, we have one of the highest death rates from this silent killer in the United Kingdom. Will the Prime Minister look at introducing a national digital register so that we know where the asbestos is, and commit to a phased removal of it from public buildings?
Context
The MP discusses a high death rate from asbestos exposure in South Shields and requests for action on the national digital register of asbestos locations.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I am sure that I speak for the whole House when I say that I am very sorry to hear what happened to my hon. Friend’s grandfather. These are just awful cases, and the deaths are terrible. I have no doubt that he was a wonderful man, and he would have been very proud to have seen her in her place today. I will ensure that she gets a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Assessment
The PM did not directly commit to introducing a national digital register or phased removal of asbestos from public buildings.
Will Arrange A Meeting
Session: PMQs
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My constituent Elizabeth Smurthwaite contracted coronavirus in her care home and was refused admission to hospital. This Government's policy of discharging patients with coronavirus into homes has led to over 16,000 deaths. Sadly, Elizabeth has since passed away. Last week, the Health Secretary said that he accepted responsibility for these deaths in our care homes. Does the Prime Minister?
Context
A constituent of Emma Lewell-Buck's contracted COVID-19 in a care home but was denied hospital admission, leading to their death. The Health Secretary acknowledged responsibility for deaths in care homes.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Of course this Government accept responsibility, and I accept responsibility, for everything that has happened throughout this crisis, but I will say that what happened with the discharge of patients into care homes was all done according to clinical decisions, as the NHS has confirmed, and actually there was a 40% reduction between January and March in the number of people going from the NHS into care homes. Thankfully, we are now seeing a massive reduction, thanks to the efforts of care workers and our care home action programme, to get the numbers of deaths in care homes down to the levels we would expect to find this year.
Session: PMQs
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Heugh Street bridge has been closed since November. The council only applied to the structures fund after I raised the matter here, and despite pleas, it has still not implemented proper diversions. The bridge is absolutely vital on Great North Run day in September. Can the Minister suggest what else we can do next?
Context
The council applied to the structures fund after a local MP raised the matter here, but despite pleas for action, proper diversions have not been implemented. The bridge is vital on Great North Run day.
Simon Lightwood
As somebody who is running the Great North Run this year, I hope that the local highways authority will grip this issue and ensure it is dealt with. The structures fund is open for applications until 3 August.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-16
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In South Shields, not only is our public transport expensive, we have to suffer constant metro delays, tunnel closures and replacement bus breakdowns. This Christmas, our roads were completely cut off. Will my right hon. Friend please meet me to discuss these long-standing ongoing issues?
Context
The question is prompted by ongoing issues with public transport and infrastructure in South Shields.
The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend. I have already met a number of Members of Parliament in the Gateshead area about some of the recent problems with the flyover, and met the Mayor for the region.
Session: Topical Questions
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Emma Lewell-Buck questioned why the Secretary of State had not put pressure on the Treasury to accelerate defence procurement programmes to mitigate further decline in the aerospace industry, despite its critical importance.
Context
The Northern Irish economy is projected to face a prolonged downturn. The aerospace sector has been particularly affected with significant job losses at Bombardier and Thompson Aero.
Robin Walker (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) (Con)
The hon. Lady is right that the covid-19 outbreak has had a severe impact on the aviation and aerospace sectors around the world. The UK Government have already provided significant support to the sector, including through the business interruption loan scheme, the job retention scheme and £2.1 billion through the covid corporate financing facility, with additional flexibility from UK Export Finance. Of course we will have contact with Ministers at the Ministry of Defence, and we are always happy to work with the sector to promote job opportunities in Northern Ireland.
Session: Covid-19 Economic Recovery
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It's been a shambles, hasn't it? Announced in May, hiring paused in mid-May, targets missed, tracers reporting that they have been paid to sit at home and watch television as there is no work for them—and now, changes to the app are being considered and it is not going to be working properly until the autumn. Does the Minister stand by his fulsome praise of the Health Secretary or agree with scientists who said only days ago that the Government's whole test-and-trace strategy is simply not fit for purpose?
Context
The NHS test and trace app is undergoing trials on the Isle of Wight despite criticisms over its effectiveness and delays in implementation.
The Minister for Cabinet Office (Michael Gove)
Well, I think it is fit for purpose—not just that but it is an effective way of ensuring that we can work together in order to contain the virus. The hon. Lady says from a sedentary position that the scientists are wrong. I disagree with her; I think the scientists are right.
Session: Test and Trace Application
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Emma Lewell-Buck asked about the Government's assessment of trends in violence on the secure estate for young people, highlighting concerns over high levels of violence despite recent visits describing sites as calm. She questioned why a report due last summer had not been published.
Context
In January, inspectors found that children were confined to their cells for up to 23 hours per day and subjected to restraint techniques causing injury.
Lucy Frazer (Minister for Safeguarding)
The hon. Member correctly points out difficult reports in this area; her Majesty's inspectorate of prisons thematic report found separation issues leading to immediate actions including enhanced oversight and standardised data collection on separation. We commissioned Charlie Taylor to review pain-inducing techniques, and the report will be published shortly.
Session: Secure Estate for Young People
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If the Secretary of State really is serious about improving children's social care, can he explain why a letter sent to him in January, which was signed by 631 experts and myself, to request an independent, whole-system review has been completely ignored?
Context
A letter signed by 631 experts and the MP was sent to request an independent, whole-system review but has been ignored.
The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson
I will certainly take up the issue of why that correspondence was not responded to immediately. I am sure that the hon. Lady recognises that it was within our manifesto—we have already announced it—that there will be an independent review looking at the care system for our children, and that is something that she will perhaps welcome.
Session: Children’s Social Care
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Lewell-Buck asks if Theresa Villiers can provide any update or action on her constituent's case from the European Court ruling.
Context
A constituent of Emma Lewell-Buck, Mr Latimer, filed a complaint with the European Commission eight years ago regarding sewage discharge on to beaches.
Theresa Villers
I am certainly happy to look into that case and come back to the hon. Member.
Session: Topical Questions
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What measures will the Secretary of State take to address such situations where injuries occur due to uninsured mobility scooters?
Context
A constituent was injured by an uninsured mobility scooter driver, leading to no legal action being taken.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (George Freeman)
As part of the regulatory review of future mobility and mobility scooters, I would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady to ensure that the issues involved in that case are properly addressed.
Session: Topical Questions
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Three years ago, instead of increasing children's care home capacity in England, the Government introduced legislation that forced vulnerable children from England to be placed in Scotland. In 2018, over 70 children were moved, some over 300 miles away from their home, their family and their support networks. Can the Minister tell us exactly how the local authorities with caring responsibility for those children living miles away are discharging even their most basic statutory obligations, and is she entirely content to preside over this deliberately cruel and harmful legislation?
Context
In 2018, over 70 children were moved from England to Scotland, some traveling over 300 miles away. The question addresses the adequacy of care and support for these children.
Michelle Donelan (Minister of State for Care at the Department for Education)
I believe the hon. Member is referring to a case where a number of out-of-area placements were made in Scotland. We have recently put £40 million extra into capital funding for secure homes, but the whole point is that this is a very complex issue that needs a comprehensive care review—that was part of our manifesto—and I have already begun to work on that.
Session: Looked-after Children Out-of-area Placements
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
14 July 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Defence Investment Plan
30 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Houses in Multiple Occupation
25 June 2026
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields, raised concerns about the proliferation of HMOs in her constituency. She noted that these dwellings often lack adequate living conditions and contribute to issu...
Water Companies
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Milburn Review: Interim Report
02 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East: Economic Response
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges
28 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion calls for the matter of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US Ambassador to be referred to the Privileges Committee due to claims that the Prime Minister misled the House. Kemi Badenoch argue...
Children and Social Work Bill - Clause 56 - Functions of adjudicator in relation to admission numbers
15 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment moves to strengthen obligations to support sibling contact for children who are looked after. It aligns with recommendations from the Family Rights Group and Become, and is supported by ...
Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister of Justice emphasised the importance of the Public Office Accountability Bill for ensuring transparency, accountability, and support for families affected by state failures. She highlight...
Digital ID 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the mandatory digital ID policy will continue as planned? The MP expresses concern about the policy's cost, effectiveness, and whether it is still necessary given its ev...
South Tyneside Hospital
09 June 2021
The petition addresses concerns about the downgrading of South Tyneside Hospital, which includes the loss of acute services such as stroke and maternity care, potentially impacting access to healthcar...
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2
PMQs Asked
9
Ministerial Questions Asked
61
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
1
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
-46% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-34% below average
This MP:
9
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1160% above average
This MP:
61
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-59% below average
This MP:
1
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 Emma Lewell-Buck's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.