Euan Stainbank
MP for Falkirk
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The 10-year bus pipeline shows demand for zero emission buses will double by 2030, but in Scotland, jobs are being lost due to overseas competition. Will the Prime Minister designate bus manufacturing as a sector critical to national security?
Context
In Scotland, bus manufacturing jobs are being lost as overseas manufacturers win more orders. There is concern about the cyber-security of Chinese buses.
Keir Starmer
My hon. Friend champions the Scottish bus workforce. Our pipeline will provide certainty for UK manufacturers, and we are working closely with the industry to support them.
Assessment
No commitment on designating bus manufacturing as a national security sector was provided
Session: PMQs
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The Grangemouth refinery closure has loomed over central Scotland since Petroineos’s announcement in November 2023. Two weeks ago, Scottish Labour colleagues and I met the National Wealth Fund to make the case for investment in Grangemouth. I strongly welcome the exceptional commitment that this Labour Government have shown to Grangemouth by committing £200 million from the National Wealth Fund. Can I ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government will be taking to secure permanent good jobs at Grangemouth?
Context
The Grangemouth refinery in central Scotland has been facing potential closure since November 2023, leading to discussions about securing permanent good jobs at the site.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank my hon. Friend for being such a great champion for Scotland and his constituency. Grangemouth is really important to communities in Scotland and to the economy in Scotland. It is not a charity case; it has incredible potential and huge opportunity. That is why, at the weekend, I was pleased to announce £200 million from the National Wealth Fund to incentivise private investment. That follows the £100 million in the growth deal that we announced earlier. This is about securing jobs for decades to come in Grangemouth.
Session: PMQs
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The Prime Minister was right last week to say that too many buses are being bought from abroad. The 10% social value commitment from combined mayoral authorities following the conclusion of the bus manufacturing expert panel earlier this year will not be enough to protect British bus building as China continues to scale up its automotive dumping. Will the First Secretary of State work with devolved mayors, the Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to bring social value requirements in line with the 20% she has rightly set for major Government contracts?
Context
The Prime Minister acknowledged that too many buses are being bought from abroad, and the 10% social value commitment from combined mayoral authorities following the bus manufacturing expert panel may not be enough.
Mark Ferguson
I thank my hon. Friend for his work through the all-party parliamentary group. He is a passionate campaigner for British buses, particularly with regard to the impact on his constituents. I am of course happy to meet him to discuss the issue further.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-10
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I welcome the Government's fuel duty freeze for working families, alongside the road tax holiday for hauliers and the diesel fuel duty cut. Fuel costs for businesses in my constituency, such as Northfield quarry near Dunipace, have nearly tripled due to the Iran war and the previous Government's tightening of eligibility for red diesel. In the Budget, will the Chancellor consider extending fuel duty reductions for industries such as quarrying, which is essential for house construction and provides good local jobs for working families?
Context
Fuel costs for businesses in the constituency, such as Northfield quarry near Dunipace, have nearly tripled due to the Iran war and the previous Government's tightening of eligibility for red diesel.
James Murray
I thank my hon. Friend for his request of the Chancellor at the Budget. As the Chancellor set out earlier, he will take those decisions at the Budget in the normal way, but my hon. Friend has made a powerful case for his constituents and used this opportunity to ensure that all of us on the Treasury Front-Bench team have heard what he has to say.
Session: Fuel Duty Cost of Living 2026-09-08
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As legal action is taken against the SNP Scottish Government for the ScotZEB3 grant scheme, which inexplicably saw more expensive orders go to Chinese manufacturers and cheaper ones to Falkirk—the Government and mayoral combined authorities must take heed of the exponentially rising Chinese market share, which has destroyed 115 Scottish jobs in my constituency off the back of the grant scheme. What more will Transport Ministers do, alongside their colleagues in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business and Trade, to send an explicit message to those who are purchasing buses with taxpayer cash that they should be buying British?
Context
The MP highlights legal action against the SNP Scottish Government over the ScotZEB3 grant scheme, which favoured Chinese manufacturers and led to job losses in Scotland.
Simon Lightwood
I share my hon. Friend's commitment to UK bus manufacturing. I am delighted that through the UK bus manufacturing expert panel, mayoral combined authorities have agreed to a commitment that 10% of social value criteria will apply in all future bus procurement exercises. That means that when procuring buses, the positive impact that a manufacturer has on society, the environment and/or communities will be taken into account. We will continue to work with the bus sector to promote UK bus manufacturing.
Session: Bus Manufacturing Scotland 2026-07-16
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What steps she is taking to support bus manufacturing in Scotland?
Context
None provided, but the question suggests concern about the competitiveness of the UK bus manufacturing sector.
Simon Lightwood
The Government want a vibrant and competitive UK bus manufacturing sector, including in Scotland. That is why we are providing £73.2 million to support the purchase of a further 484 zero emission vehicles, and working with the industry and local leaders to provide greater certainty through our long-term order pipeline.
Session: Bus Manufacturing Scotland 2026-07-16
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I welcome the Minister's explicit statement last month that he wants to see the Cladhan hotel, which was opened by the Conservatives, closed. When any hotel closes, will he confirm that the vast majority of those being moved out will have their accommodation needs met within existing capacity?
Context
The Minister previously stated his intent to close the Conservatives' opened Cladhan hotel. The question asks if those being moved out will have accommodation needs met within existing capacity.
Alex Norris
I think and talk about the Cladhan hotel a lot because we are resolute about closing that hotel, but I appreciate my hon. Friend's constituents would not feel much better if they thought those bed spaces were just being provided in the immediate area instead.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-13
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Following the Government's welcome designation of four sectors as critical to national security, we have continued to see an exponential rise in under-investigation Chinese buses on our streets. In my constituency, 125 jobs were put at risk back in March following an SNP grant scheme that sent the lion's share of the public money to Chinese manufacturers. Will the Minister designate bus manufacturing as a sector critical to national security?
Context
Concerns regarding Chinese buses and job security in the UK.
Chris Ward
My hon. Friend has raised this with me, and we are looking at it. We have started with four sectors and want to go further.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister directly address Capita's failure, end the contract and insource the civil service pension scheme given that Capita was fined for past failures and continues to fail despite a new contract signed in November 2023?
Context
Capita, the current contractor managing the civil service pension scheme, has faced multiple failures and is unable to meet contractual obligations. This affects many constituents who are waiting for their pensions.
Satvir Kaur
The Minister agrees with the assessment of Capita's failures but states that the priority is supporting those impacted. If Capita fails to deliver full service recovery by June, all options will be considered.
Session: Civil Service Pension Scheme Insourcing
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What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of insourcing the civil service pension scheme. If Capita fails to handle the pension functions as per contractual levels by June end, will the government consider all options including ending the contract and insourcing?
Context
The civil service pension scheme, currently managed by Capita, has faced significant issues including delays and failures in payment. This has affected many constituents who are waiting for their pensions.
Satvir Kaur
The Minister acknowledges that outsourcing does not always work as intended. The government's current priority is supporting those impacted and achieving full service recovery. If Capita fails to deliver on the contract requirements by the end of June, all options will be considered.
Session: Civil Service Pension Scheme Insourcing
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The loss of Grangemouth's refinery was a loss to Scotland's economy. The Chancellor rightly consulted on including refined products in the carbon border adjustment mechanism to level the playing field for domestic refining—a level playing field the Tories did not pursue before the closure of Grangemouth was announced in 2023. Will the Chancellor meet me and other colleagues to discuss the merits of accelerating the inclusion of refined products in the CBAM?
Context
The MP referred to the loss of Grangemouth's refinery and asked about including refined products in the carbon border adjustment mechanism.
Dan Tomlinson
I thank my hon. Friend for his strong representation on behalf of his constituency and the important refining industry. I have seen the letter to the Chancellor that has been sent by colleagues and I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend and other interested Members.
Session: Topical Questions
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The cut to VAT for family days out this summer starts along with the summer holidays later this week. This is a Labour Government acting to bring down the cost for families visiting Falkirk's fantastic tourism, leisure and hospitality attractions. Many families are anxiously looking at the other side of the summer, with energy bills rising as a direct consequence of the illegal Iran war. Does the Chancellor agree that any forthcoming targeted energy bill support must similarly extend to working families?
Context
The question stems from recent government announcements regarding a summer VAT reduction aimed at supporting families during holidays. There is concern about the sustainability of support post-summer due to rising energy costs.
Rachel Reeves
The VAT reduction starts on the first day of the Scottish school holidays and continues until 1 September, alongside free bus travel in England. The government acknowledges the consequences of the war but does not address specific energy bill support for working families directly.
Session: Cost of Living Falkirk
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What steps has she taken to help support people with the cost of living in Falkirk? She notes that families are anxiously looking at the other side of the summer, expecting a rise in energy bills. Does the Chancellor agree that any forthcoming targeted energy bill support must similarly extend to working families?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the impact of high inflation and rising energy bills on residents in Falkirk, who are seeking relief measures.
Rachel Reeves
The government's measures include raising the national living wage and minimum wage, maintaining the triple lock on pensions, extending free school meals to more families, and introducing a VAT cut for family days out this summer. The VAT reduction starts with the Scottish school holidays and continues until 1 September. The government will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary actions to support families.
Session: Cost of Living Falkirk
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Bus companies and local authorities are being encouraged to buy electric buses. However, half of new buses in the United Kingdom are bought from China, which does not support our great British bus industry. Will the Minister elaborate on whether the current procurement rules for electric buses are suitable for encouraging bus companies to buy British?
Context
The MP highlights the dominance of Chinese bus imports in the UK market and asks about procurement rules that could encourage local manufacturing.
Simon Lightwood
On the UK bus manufacturing expert panel, we have managed to strike an agreement with all mayoral combined authorities to insist on at least 10% social value in their contracts, which I think is a really important step forward. We will continue to work with operators and combined authorities to do our best to ensure that British manufacturers are able to compete.
Session: Buses Tariff Harmonisation
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What recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on harmonising import tariffs for diesel and electric buses? Imported diesel buses have a 16% base rate tariff, yet electric buses have a tariff rate of 10%. Considering the transition to electric after 2030 and the threat from Chinese competition to 50,000 jobs in UK bus manufacturing, will Ministers urgently raise this matter with Business and Trade Ministers to harmonise rates at least?
Context
The MP notes the discrepancy in import tariffs between diesel and electric buses, highlighting the existential risk posed by Chinese competition to UK bus manufacturing jobs.
Simon Lightwood
Following the UK bus manufacturing expert panel meeting in March, my officials and I continue to engage with our counterparts across Government—including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and his team, who are responsible for UK Government tariff policy—on support for UK bus manufacturing and the transition to zero emission fleets. I regularly raise issues affecting the bus sector with the Department for Business and Trade and will continue to do so. I will raise the specific point my hon. Friend makes with the relevant Minister and write to him following that conversation.
Session: Buses Tariff Harmonisation
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The list grows longer every week: BP, Hunting, Harbour, Chevron, Well-Safe, Petrofac, Ithaca, Xodus and EnerMech have all announced redundancies in Scotland's oil and gas industry. For some unfathomable reason, this Labour Government seem to think that everything is fine, but is it not the truth that they are carrying out the wilful destruction of this country's domestic oil and gas industry, sacrificing thousands of jobs and making the country poorer and less secure?
Context
The MP lists companies that have announced redundancies in Scotland's oil and gas industry. He criticizes the government for failing to address these issues.
Douglas Alexander
History did not begin in July 2024. The hon. Gentleman can run, but he cannot hide from his record: 70,000 jobs lost in the North sea under the Conservatives, the energy profits levy introduced by the Conservatives, and zero plans for the North sea under the Conservatives.
Session: Oil and Gas Sector Employment
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The Government have cut the asylum backlog, reduced the number of people arriving illegally and shut more than half the hotels opened by Tory Ministers. Places in Scotland like Falkirk, Perth and Dundee must see further progress this year. When will we see the next phase of the hotel exit plan? How will Ministers ensure that it is equitable across the nations and regions of the United Kingdom?
Context
The Government have reduced the asylum backlog, closed hotels opened by Tory Ministers and want further progress this year.
Alex Norris
I am conscious of this issue, and think also of the Cladhan hotel in Falkirk and the impact on the local community, because my hon. Friend is rightly very dogged in raising this with me. I want to see that hotel closed. We are, of course, in the slightly better weather of the year, which puts pressure on services. Nevertheless, we want the hotels closed. We have made a commitment to do that within this Parliament, but I say to colleagues that they will not be open a minute longer than they have to be.
Session: Topical Questions
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My constituents Gillian and Ross worked at INEOS Olefins & Polymers, and started retraining in 2024, following the announcement in 2023 that the Grangemouth refinery would close. However, they were recently denied support, due to limits on the Grangemouth workers training guarantee. Will the Government, alongside the Scottish Government, review the Grangemouth workers training guarantee, so that support can be extended to workers like Gillian and Ross?
Context
Gillian and Ross, INEOS employees, started retraining in 2024 after their refinery closed in 2023 but were denied support due to training limits.
Michael Shanks
I thank my hon. Friend for all the work he has done to support the workers from Grangemouth. I wrote to him earlier this week on the case of his two constituents. The training fund was set up to provide that support. We will continue to look at it, and I am happy to meet him to discuss it further.
Session: Topical Questions
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This year's Armed Forces Day is as important as ever, and I look forward to attending Falkirk's event on 4 July in Callander Park. It is important that Falkirk's veterans are heard there and every day. What will Ministers do to support veterans' voices being heard before, during and after Armed Forces Day?
Context
The speaker met with Veterans Together Forth Valley who expressed frustration about the lack of political engagement in addressing their concerns.
Louise Jones
The new Valour programme will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve. Crucially, it will also improve how their voices are heard. We opened the first 14 Valour centres in March this year, and round 2 is open for applications for further centres.
Session: Armed Forces Day
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What plans his Department has to mark Armed Forces Day this year, especially considering previous criticisms that politicians have not been listening to veterans' concerns?
Context
The speaker is concerned about the importance of Armed Forces Day in recognizing and supporting veterans. Previous events faced criticism for lack of political engagement with veterans.
Louise Jones
This year we have provided £480,000 to part-fund 130 Armed Forces Day community events, up from 85 last year. The national event, on 27 June, will be in Aldershot and Farnborough, celebrating and thanking our armed forces, who are doing a brilliant job keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
Session: Armed Forces Day
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Fifteen months on from the £200 million pledged for Grangemouth, and five months on from the Minister’s confirmation that prospective projects were being examined and shortlisted, what progress is being made to deliver new industry and jobs for Grangemouth?
Chris McDonald
My hon. Friend is right: £200 million is available for such projects. The initial £14.5 million of funding that was announced will help businesses to test the feasibility of their project ideas in order to secure long-term funding from the National Wealth Fund.
Session: Topical Questions
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Hon. Members fairly hold strong views on these reforms. It is notable that, in Scotland, the right to elect between solemn and summary procedure for certain offences does not sit with the accused but with the procurator fiscal, but the people of Scotland are listening to this salient debate. Does the Secretary of State agree that we must conduct the debate on the Government's reforms without feeding the increasingly malignant narratives of certain groups who are seeking to undermine public confidence in prosecutions and convictions in every corner of the United Kingdom?
Context
There are concerns that certain groups seek to undermine public confidence in the justice system through narratives about reforms.
David Lammy
My hon. Friend makes a very good point. It is fundamental that people have confidence in our justice system, wherever they are across these isles. That is why this Government are seeking to do all they can to get both the court system and the prison system out of the crisis that we inherited.
Session: Jury Trial Proposals
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Will the Government expand sanctions on Israeli officials empowering settler violence against Palestinians, beyond diplomatic pressure?
Context
March was one of the deadliest months for settler violence against Palestinians.
Hamish Falconer
We will not speculate on further sanctions but we treat this issue with seriousness.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given the state of our economy, taxpayer money must be used far more strategically. Phase 3 of the SNP’s Scottish zero emission bus challenge fund granted the majority of a taxpayer-funded subsidy to Chinese bus manufacturers, which directly contributed six days later to 115 jobs being put at risk in Falkirk. With demand for ZEBs rising but domestic market share reducing, Scottish manufacturing jobs are being lost with the assistance of taxpayer money, and something must change. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that future taxpayer-funded orders are met by manufacturers and workers in Scotland and across the UK?
Douglas Alexander
This is an incredibly difficult time for the Alexander Dennis workers and their families, many of whom face an uncertain future through no fault of their own. It is, alas, yet another example of failure on the part of the Scottish Government, who sent the majority of a £45 million funding pot for zero emission buses to China, blocking comparative bids to build and invest in Falkirk. While Labour mayors have shown what is possible across the rest of the UK, stepping forward with bus orders and backing British manufacturing when it mattered, that is an example not so much of being “stronger for Scotland”, as of being stronger for China.
Session: Economic Growth
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I declare an interest: my home is off the gas grid and my boiler is fuelled by domestic heating oil. I have listened carefully to the Minister's answers, and there have been significant gaps—there has been no mention of liquefied petroleum gas, for example. Although it is always right to support the most vulnerable in our society, I am not sure that he has fully understood that there are many households on modest incomes across rural communities that do not receive benefits and simply do not have £500, £600 or £700 lying around to meet a bill they did not budget for. Perhaps the Minister could answer a specific question on certainty: while the CMA investigation goes on, customers continue to place orders without knowing how much they will be charged when the oil is delivered. He could implement an interim measure before a wider set of changes to stop that practice. Will he do so?
Context
The question follows concerns about gaps in support, including no mention of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Customers face uncertainty with orders placed without knowing final costs.
Martin McCluskey
I think I need to start by correcting some of what the hon. Gentleman said. In my statement last week, I confirmed that LPG was part of the support—perhaps he did not hear that. Our priority has been to ensure funding reaches people at speed; it was delivered in two weeks, not 200 days. On his point about means-testing, the funding is discretionary so local authorities can decide how to provide it.
Session: Heating Oil Rural Homes
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Will the Secretary of State confirm whether his Department is considering a transitional dual fuel discount for industries that will continue to use gas for the foreseeable future?
Context
Manufacturers reliant on gas are struggling with recent spikes in energy costs due to the global energy crisis.
Peter Kyle
The impact of BICS is essential and fundamental in getting growth into the economy and sustainable businesses into the future. We are looking carefully at how the learning from that can be applied in other areas.
Session: Topical Questions
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Powering Futures is a fantastic social enterprise based in Falkirk, and its oven-ready project will deliver at least £1.6 million in quantifiable social outcomes, including addressing youth unemployment in every local authority in Scotland. Funders have been identified, so will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss what support his Department may be able to offer Powering Futures?
Context
Powering Futures, a social enterprise in Falkirk, has a project that will deliver at least £1.6 million in quantifiable social outcomes, addressing youth unemployment in every local authority in Scotland.
Pat McFadden
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am very happy to make sure that he gets a meeting with me or another Minister in the team.
Session: Topical Questions
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There are still serious questions to answer on the administration of the civil service pension scheme. When my constituent Campbell tragically died in April last year, his wife, Gaynor, waited months to receive the death in service payment; in December, they found out that MyCSP had paid it into the wrong bank account. I have written to the Minister about this case. Will he intervene to ensure that Capita pay Gaynor without further delay?
Context
A constituent's pension payment was delayed and later paid into the wrong bank account, causing delays and inconvenience.
Nick Thomas-Symonds
I am happy to look into the individual case, but I repeat that the Government reserve their right under both of these contracts, whether it is the existing Capita contract or MyCSP's previous responsibilities, to take these matters up.
Session: Topical Questions
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In Falkirk, an allocation from Labour's impact fund has addressed the funding gap that would otherwise have risked the delivery of Scottish Canals' national centre of excellence for canals and traditional skills. Will the Minister visit this regeneration project once it is completed to celebrate this Labour Government's investment in supporting Falkirk?
Context
An allocation from Labour's impact fund has addressed a funding gap in Falkirk, which would have risked the delivery of Scottish Canals' national centre of excellence.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Yes, I or one of my colleagues will happily visit that fantastic scheme.
Session: Topical Questions
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The latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data reveals that EVs are losing market share. The president of Hyundai's European arm has been quoted in The Telegraph as arguing that the ZEV mandate no longer makes sense and needs to be rethought. Without change, he said, the policy could cause manufacturers to become loss-making and prompt some to stop selling both internal combustion engine and electric cars in the United Kingdom. When will the Government understand that people just do not want EVs, and no amount of taxpayer-funded bribes to try to make them do so are going to work?
Context
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data reveals that EVs are losing market share.
Heidi Alexander
I am afraid that is just not true. Compared with 2024, EV sales increased by nearly a quarter in 2025, and nine in 10 drivers who switch would recommend an EV thanks to ease of use and a quieter, smoother driving experience.
Session: Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate
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Will the Minister consider supporting a dual fuel discount that includes gas costs to support the automotive advanced manufacturing sector?
Context
Manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis need support to stay competitive while transitioning to zero emission vehicles.
Chris McDonald
Concerned about gas-intensive industries, the Government aims to provide support through clean power mission policies that encourage decarbonisation by electrification where possible.
Session: Businesses Cost of Energy
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The Tories' asylum hotels have divided communities and endangered vulnerable people in communities such as Falkirk, but we must be honest: the Inverness barracks proposal is controversial, and will aggravate community tensions in Scotland rather than cool them if there is no corresponding urgent move to close asylum hotels in Scotland. Will the Secretary of State join me this month in visiting Kemper Avenue to see at first hand why the Cladhan must now be fairly prioritised for closure in the hotel exit plan?
Context
The question addresses the controversy surrounding the proposed use of Inverness barracks for asylum seekers in Scotland, highlighting concerns about community tensions and the need to close existing asylum hotels.
Shabana Mahmood
There are no easy options having inherited a broken asylum system and in which there are asylum hotels, which were opened by the Conservative party, in operation across the whole of the country. We believe that large military sites are a better way of reducing the burden felt by communities across the country, including in Scotland. I reassure my hon. Friend that, by the end of this Parliament, we will get out of every single asylum hotel, including in his constituency.
Session: Asylum Seekers Hotels
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What steps are being taken to close asylum hotels?
Context
Asylum hotel accommodation is viewed as a legacy issue.
Shabana Mahmood
We have restarted decision making, increased returns and opened new military sites. We will shut every single one by the end of this Parliament.
Session: Asylum Seekers Hotels
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The 10-year bus pipeline is yet to be published, and a media report about the investigation by the National Cyber Security Centre and the Department for Transport into kill switches suggests that 700-plus Chinese buses on British roads have remote disabling technology. Can the Minister confirm whether the Government are delaying the publication of the 10-year bus pipeline until the report on Chinese kill switches is concluded?
Context
There is concern over the publication delay of the 10-year bus pipeline report, as well as reports suggesting that 700-plus Chinese buses on British roads have remote disabling technology.
Dan Jarvis
I believe that my hon. Friend has had a meeting with a Transport Minister to discuss these matters, but I would be very happy to discuss them with him further.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Hillsborough law will deliver a generational strengthening of legal aid, but does the Minister share my constituents’ concern about the fact that the Scottish Government have yet to confirm that similar non-means-tested legal aid will be available to bereaved families in Scotland?
Context
The Hillsborough law aims to strengthen legal aid provision for bereaved families when there has been state involvement in the death of their loved ones.
Alex Davies-Jones
I can confirm that we have had positive conversations with the Scottish Government about extending the provision to Scotland. This is a matter for them, but we are engaging in positive conversations, and they have shown willing in wanting to adopt the same model that we will be adopting to provide non-means-tested legal aid for all bereaved families when there has been state involvement in the death of their loved ones.
Session: Topical Questions
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What fiscal steps are being taken to support industry in the Forth valley? I welcome the additional £14 million-plus to get new industry delivered quickly in Grangemouth and the £25 million to finalise the freeport in the Budget two weeks ago. Forth Valley college is vital to giving local working-class kids the skills they need to grasp the new opportunities that must come to Grangemouth, but it has been failed by the SNP Scottish Government’s staggering 20% cut to colleges since 2021. The Alloa campus now faces closure. Will the Minister consider stepping in with direct skills support for this vital college?
Context
The question arises from the need for economic support and development in Grangemouth, which has a long industrial history but is currently facing challenges due to high energy prices and potential college closures.
James Murray (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
Education and skills policy, including the funding and operation of colleges, is fully devolved to the Scottish Government. That means that it is for Scottish Ministers to decide how to support Forth Valley college with the overall settlement. As my hon. Friend will know, the spending review provided the Scottish Government with their largest settlement in real terms since devolution in 1998, and the Budget provided an additional £820 million to Scotland through the Barnett formula. In the months ahead we will be campaigning to ensure that decisions about how to invest that funding in Scotland’s future will be taken by Anas Sarwar and a Scottish Labour Government.
Session: Forth Valley Industry
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Some 1,750 kids in Falkirk, most of whom have a parent in work, will be lifted from poverty and its lifelong economic consequences by the fully funded lifting of the two-child cap. Does the Minister agree that the cost of this poverty-alleviation policy is far less than the long-term cost of leaving those parents in poverty?
Context
The lifting of the two-child cap will benefit 1,750 children in Falkirk with working parents.
Diana Johnson
I agree with my hon. Friend. It is shocking that during the previous Government some 900,000 children were allowed to get into poverty. The cost of that will be borne by us all, which is why the investment now will pay dividends in the future.
Session: Topical Questions
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Considering that Chinese state-subsidised manufacturers have gained a rising market share in the UK over the past few years, that the Department for Transport and the National Cyber Security Centre have recently announced an investigation into kill switches in Chinese buses, and that the 10-year bus pipeline is expected imminently, will the Minister be raising our Government’s concerns about Chinese buses directly with the Chinese Government?
Context
Chinese manufacturers have gained market share in the UK, with recent investigations into safety risks from Chinese buses. The 10-year bus pipeline is expected imminently.
Dan Jarvis (The Minister of State, Cabinet Office)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, not just for his question today, but for the important work that he has done in this particular area, in his constituency and across Scotland. I have listened carefully to what he has had to say this morning, and I would be happy to discuss it with him further.
Session: National Resilience
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Last month, it was announced that a £200 million investment in Grangemouth has secured private investment through the national wealth fund. Does the Minister agree we need an anchor industry with scale and skills like those of the former oil refinery? When will the Government take a partial stake and make an announcement on Grangemouth’s industrial future?
Context
The Energy Minister previously stated that £200 million investment from the national wealth fund brought private investment to Grangemouth. The constituency seeks an anchor industry similar to former oil refineries.
The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's work with the Government and national wealth fund, securing £200 million investment through 100 projects. Due diligence is ongoing before we can make any announcements.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Government have already acted to fix the unworkable mess in which the Tories left the asylum system. An increase of 116% in processing in one year is bringing down the backlog, securing refugee status for those fleeing persecution and removing those with no right to be here, but communities such as those in Falkirk must see the benefit of the difference in approach. What steps will the Home Secretary take to guarantee Tory-created asylum hotels will be closed equitably across the nations of the United Kingdom?
Context
The Government have increased processing rates, but communities are concerned about the equitable closure of asylum hotels.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)
We are working with Ministers across Government on closing every hotel as soon as possible, and by the end of this Parliament. As we have all seen, that is a complex process that must be delivered through a controlled, managed and orderly programme of work. We do not want to be in a situation where, without an alternative ready, we start exiting hotels before it is time to do so. I assure my hon. Friend that we will take a balanced and evidence-based approach towards making decisions about the locations that we will use and how we will exit hotels. I look forward to talking to him in more detail about these plans in due course.
Session: Asylum Hotels
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I declare an interest as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for British buses. Our bus manufacturing industry supports thousands of jobs across the country, but faces an existential challenge from China. Market share has increased rapidly, and the Scottish National party’s disastrous ScotZEB 2 scheme sent less than 20% of orders to Scotland’s sole manufacturer, which directly jeopardised 400 jobs earlier this year. What urgent interventions are Ministers considering to contend with the rise in Chinese market share? Has the Minister discussed this issue with colleagues in the Department for Transport prior to the publication of the 10-year bus pipeline next month? Record bus funding should not be a shopping list for China.
Context
Concerns about Chinese competition impacting British bus manufacturers and job security.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Blair McDougall)
I share my hon. Friend’s frustration at the lack of an industrial strategy from the SNP Government in Edinburgh. It has meant that workers at Alexander Dennis in his constituency are on furlough rather than doing what they do best: making world-class buses for public transport. For our part, we are supporting combined mayoral authorities to co-ordinate the procurement of buses through a Crown Commercial Service commercial agreement, and we are publishing a 10-year pipeline of future bus orders to provide the much-needed certainty that the sector requires.
Session: Industrial Strategy
View All Questions -->
I declare an interest as the co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for British buses. Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus create 13 jobs for every four directly hired in bus manufacturing, and for decades Alexander Dennis has been an invaluable piece of the Scottish economy. After the business almost left Scotland following the Scottish National party’s disastrous Chinese bus-buying strategy, to its credit it spent nearly £4 million fixing the near fatal error. Will the Minister set out what the Cabinet Office is doing through public procurement so that my constituents’ taxpayer money is maximising Falkirk, Scottish and British-based businesses?
Context
Alexander Dennis, a significant bus manufacturer, employs 13 jobs for every four directly hired in the industry. After facing financial difficulties due to the Scottish National Party's Chinese bus-buying strategy, the company spent nearly £4 million rectifying this issue.
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)
Unlike the SNP Government, evidently, this Labour Government believe that where things are made and who makes them matters. That is why we are consulting on further procurement reforms to boost domestic supply chains and create more opportunities for businesses of all sizes, whether that be in Falkirk or across the United Kingdom.
Session: Public Procurement Employment
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
UK Bus Manufacturing
27 January 2026
Responding: Rachel Maclean
Main Concerns
['There were 167 fewer built in the United Kingdom in 2025 compared with 168 in 2024. A stone’s throw away is the sleek, relatively new modern site at Larbert, which hosts the global headquarters of Alexander Dennis. There was a material and harmful chasm between political rhetoric and delivery for UK manufacturers.']
Specific Asks
['The Government need to recognise that the transition to zero emission buses and away from diesel is happening. What British industry needs is not to see its renowned prowess for making diesel buses become a sentimental memory in communities such as Falkirk, but policy certainty and support to scale up and properly compete in the zero emissions market.']
Smoking Health Etc (England) Bill - Clause 1 and related Lords amendments
23 March 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 1. The speech does not provide detailed arguments for the amendment.
UK Steel Strategy
19 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government’s steel strategy aims to reverse decades of decline in the British steel sector by committing £2.5 billion of investment and introducing a new trade measure to reduce imported steel quo...
Heating Oil Support
16 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Markets
05 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business of the House 2026-01-22
22 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Norman discussed various topics including the launch of a new autonomous robotics degree at his constituency's university, criticised the hon. Member for Clacton for attending Davos, raised concer...
Covid-19 Financial Support 2026-01-15
15 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Perteghella highlights a national scandal where millions of taxpayers were excluded from financial support during the pandemic, despite promises by the Government. She cites 3.8 million UK taxpayers b...
Business of the House 2025-12-18
18 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Expressed condolences for the Bondi Beach attack, criticised the Labour Government's failure to meet its promises, highlighted issues like rising taxes, cost of living crisis, NHS waiting lists, socia...
Seasonal Work 2025-12-10
10 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion regrets Government policies that are making seasonal, flexible and part-time work more difficult; notes the negative impact on young people in hospitality, leisure and retail sectors due to...
Business of the House 2025-12-04
04 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Expressed sorrow at Sir John Stanley's death, congratulated Joe Root on his test century, criticised the Government for not supporting economic growth with their Budget and for the Prime Minister misu...
Nolan Principles 2025-11-12
12 November 2025
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
I rise to address the Nolan principles, highlighting that despite their importance, they have not been adequately upheld by this Labour Government. The seven Nolan principles are fundamental to public...
Attendance
90.8%
89 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
35
35.7% of votes
No Votes
54
55.1% of votes
Abstentions
9
9.2% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
66
Ministerial Questions Asked
24
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+392% above average
This MP:
66
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+394% above average
This MP:
24
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 (%)
+31% above average
This MP:
90.8
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 Euan Stainbank's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.