Gareth Johnson
MP for Dartford
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
In 2010, somebody earning £15,000 a year paid £1,700 in income tax. Today, somebody earning £15,000 a year pays less than £900 of tax. Does the Prime Minister agree that this has helped to create jobs, growth and self-reliance?
Context
In 2010, a person earning £15,000 paid £1,700 in income tax; today it is less than £500. Questioner believes this helped create jobs and growth.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is quite right. Because of our plan, the economy has, after a tough few years, turned the corner. Inflation has fallen from over 11% to 3.2%, and it is forecast to return back to target in just a few months—a year ahead of expectations. That is why we have been able to cut people's taxes.
Assessment
Did not directly address the impact on employment and self-reliance; focused on general economic performance
Economy Turned Corner
Session: PMQs
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We have all witnessed how Putin is carrying out his savage war against Ukraine. He commenced it, he is the aggressor and he cannot be allowed to win. That war is now at a pivotal point, so will the Prime Minister use his friendship with President Zelensky to ensure that whatever military equipment Ukraine needs, it will get, be it missiles, drones or jets?
Context
The war in Ukraine has reached a critical point, prompting questions about the UK's role and commitment to supporting Ukrainian forces.
Rishi Sunak
It was an honour to welcome my friend President Zelensky to the UK last week. Everyone will be collectively proud of the UK's leading role at the forefront of supporting Ukraine: we were the first country to provide support for Ukrainian troops; the first country in Europe to provide lethal weapons; the first to commit main battle tanks; and, most recently, the first to provide long-range weapons.
Assessment
null
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister therefore consider making Just Stop Oil a proscribed organisation so that it can be treated as the criminal organisation it is?
Context
Just Stop Oil has caused chaos and disruption, prompting the need to consider making them a proscribed organisation.
Rishi Sunak
The kinds of demonstrations that we have seen recently disrupt people's daily lives, cause mass misery for the public and put people in danger. The police have our full support in their efforts to minimise this disruption and tackle reckless and illegal activity.
Assessment
The question about proscribing Just Stop Oil as a criminal organisation
Discusses Disruption Caused By Protests But Does Not Address The Specific Ask
Session: PMQs
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Welcoming the new Minister to his place; The fact that malicious wounding, actual bodily harm, burglary and even rape, when dealt with in the youth courts, do not come under the unduly lenient sentence scheme is plain wrong. Will he please review that situation which time and again lets down the victims of those serious crimes?
Context
Concerns over the unduly lenient sentence scheme not covering certain serious crimes committed by young offenders.
Gareth Bacon
The unduly lenient sentence scheme is intended for use in serious cases for offenders sentenced in the Crown court. The Attorney General has the power to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal for review if they believe it is unduly lenient. A youth court can sentence a child to up to two years of detention only.
Session: Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme
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If the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to include additional offences. The fact that malicious wounding, actual bodily harm, burglary and even rape, when dealt with in the youth courts, do not come under the scheme is plain wrong.
Context
The question arises from concerns over offences not covered by the unduly lenient sentence scheme, affecting victims of serious crimes.
Gareth Bacon
In 2019 we expanded the unduly lenient sentence scheme to include 14 new offences, including further child sexual offences and coercive or controlling behaviour. We have no immediate plans to extend the scheme further, but we keep it under constant review.
Session: Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme
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Seven years after the brutal murder of George Lowe in Cyprus, his killers are still at large. Will the Foreign Office commit to continuing efforts until justice is served for George Lowe?
Context
George Lowe was murdered in Cyprus seven years ago, and the killers have never been brought to justice despite known identities.
Leo Docherty
Consular staff remain in contact with Cypriot authorities regarding the investigation. We passed a letter from George's family to the Cypriot authorities and have followed up for a response, most recently on 5 October.
Session: Topical Questions
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The closure of Harrow Crown court is preventing victims from seeing justice. Could the Minister provide an update on modernising and reopening the court?
Context
Harrow Crown court closed due to crumbling concrete, causing a backlog in criminal cases and delaying justice for victims.
Edward Argar
Harrow Crown court closure is being addressed with remedial work underway, transferring cases to other London courts. The indicative timescale for completion of the works is six to nine months.
Session: Sentencing Offender Attendance
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What steps is his Department taking to help ensure that offenders attend their sentencing? I am concerned about offenders not attending sentencing hearings which undermines justice. In 2014, Colin Ash-Smith was convicted for murdering Claire Tiltman in Dartford but refused to attend his sentencing hearing. How will the proposed changes enable judges to hear representations from prosecution and defence before compelling attendance?
Context
There has been a lack of offender presence during sentencing, affecting judicial processes and the perception of justice.
Edward Argar
The Lord Chancellor intends to legislate soon, enabling judges to order offenders to attend court for sentencing. Reasonable force can be used to compel attendance, and refusal can result in up to two years custody. Each case will have judicial discretion based on full circumstances including representations from prosecution or defence.
Session: Sentencing Offender Attendance
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Property management companies are undoubtedly holding back home ownership. New homeowners are often obliged to sign up to contracts that they cannot leave. That leaves them stuck with inflated fees, and very often with poor services. I am sure the Minister agrees that management companies need their activities curbed; they need legislation imposed on them so that we can get back to a fairer system of housing.
Context
New homeowners are often obliged to sign up to contracts they cannot leave, leading to inflated fees and poor services.
Rachel Maclean
I agree entirely. I thank my hon. Friend for the excellent debate that he brought to Westminster Hall, in which we discussed these issues in detail. We will legislate, when parliamentary time allows.
Session: Topical Questions
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The right to protest is a fundamental right in this country, but that right does not extend to deliberately blocking roads and stopping people going about their daily lives. Therefore, will the Minister support the police if they choose to use their full range of powers to stop those who abuse the right to protest?
Context
The right to protest is a fundamental one, but it should not extend to blocking roads and disrupting daily life.
Chris Philp
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The right to protest emphatically does not extend to trying to ruin or disrupt the lives of fellow citizens.
Session: Topical Questions
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Delaying the lower Thames crossing will have a detrimental impact on Dartford's economy and on its traffic problems, so does the Chancellor of the Exchequer agree that the completion of the lower Thames crossing is vital if we are to promote economic growth, not just in Dartford but throughout the south-east of the country?
Context
There is concern about delaying the lower Thames crossing due to its impact on Dartford's economy and traffic problems.
John Glen
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has met me on a number of occasions to make the case for the Dartford crossing. Obviously, in the current difficult circumstances with inflationary pressures, we have had to make some tough choices, but I want to be very clear with my hon. Friend: we remain committed to delivering it. This is a two-year delay on construction, not a cancellation, and I will continue to update him in due course.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his answer, and I welcome him to his position. He will know that the lack of crossings east of the Thames makes the Dartford crossing particularly vulnerable to not just protesters but all other kinds of incident. Does he agree that this makes it all the more imperative that we have the lower Thames crossing built as soon as possible, to provide some resilience to the existing system?
Context
The lack of alternative crossings east of the Thames makes the Dartford crossing highly vulnerable to various disruptions.
Mark Harper
My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for the lower Thames crossing. He will know that National Highways has submitted a new application for a development consent order for that crossing to the Planning Inspectorate. A decision on whether to accept the application for examination is due next Monday. As it is a live planning application, I hope he will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the substance of it at this time.
Session: Dartford Crossing Closures
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What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with National Highways regarding the closures of the Dartford crossing due to protests?
Context
The protesters' actions in October led to safety concerns and significant disruption for drivers.
Mark Harper
The protesters' actions in October put drivers, police and highways agency staff in danger and caused misery to thousands of ordinary people. National Highways works closely with the police to respond robustly to these incidents and to prosecute those responsible. In my first few days in this job, I instructed National Highways to seek a further injunction to cover the M25, to deal with those protesters, and I am pleased that the Court has granted it, to defend ordinary people going about their daily business.
Session: Dartford Crossing Closures
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What discussions has my hon. Friend had with the Mayor of London about his proposals to charge constituents in Kent £3.50 to drive into the London Borough of Bexley and does he agree it would have a catastrophic impact?
Context
Proposed £3.50 charge for driving into the neighbouring London Borough of Bexley may have a disproportionate impact on places like Dartford that border London.
Chris Heaton-Harris
There are conversations going on between Transport for London, the Mayor and the Department regarding TfL's massive debt and financing packages worth over £3 billion agreed by the UK Government to ensure public transport services.
Session: Topical Questions
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No final decision has yet been taken as to whether those exams will take place this spring, so will my right hon. Friend commit to assisting these schools, so that no child who takes the IB exam will be disadvantaged compared with those who are due to take A-levels?
Context
Some schools in the constituency choose IB examinations over A-levels. No final decision has been made on whether these exams will take place this spring, leading to concerns about disadvantaged students.
Nick Gibb
I am aware of some excellent schools in my hon. Friend's constituency, particularly Dartford Grammar School, under the excellent headteacher, Mr Oakes, that do offer the IB. The joint consultation document that we published on Friday says that it is the Department's policy position that external exams for many vocational, technical and other general qualifications should not take place as planned. For other general qualifications that are not GCSEs or A levels, such as the International Baccalaureate, the awarding approach should be similar to GCSEs, AS and A levels. In other words, we are talking about teacher-assessed grades but with the evidence base and checks and balances, as set out in the consultation document.
Session: International Baccalaureate Examinations
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What arrangements his Department has made for examinations in 2021 for international baccalaureate students?
Context
No specific background provided. The question pertains to arrangements made by the Department regarding international baccalaureate exams in 2021.
Nick Gibb
Although exams are the fairest way of assessing what a student knows, it is no longer viable for exams to go ahead as planned, so international baccalaureate students should be subject to a similar approach to GCSEs and A-levels. Working with Ofqual, we are consulting on alternative arrangements for fairly awarding grades in qualifications, including the IB, when exams do not take place, so that students can progress to the next stage of their lives.
Session: International Baccalaureate Examinations
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Gareth Johnson asks about what is being done to mark this occasion, particularly focusing on marking the end of the murder of six million Jewish men, women and children. He also inquires about efforts against antisemitism in general.
Context
The House commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of World War Two concentration camps.
Robert Jenrick
Robert Jenrick confirms his attendance at a holocaust forum with Prince Charles on 23 January. He also highlights additional funding for teaching lessons from Auschwitz and visits to Bergen-Belsen as part of efforts against antisemitism, emphasising the Government's commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
A226 Galley Hill Road — [David Mundell in the Chair]
07 May 2024
Responding: Guy Opperman
Main Concerns
["The road named Galley Hill in Dartford collapsed on April 10, 2023. There were at least 47 serious water leaks on this stretch of the A226 route over a period of four years prior to the collapse. The road's closure for over a year has caused significant inconvenience and reduced business takings due to lengthy diversions. Two main issues are unresolved: establishing liability between Kent County Council (KCC) and Thames Water, and gaining access to private land for surveys."]
Specific Asks
['I formally ask the Government to intervene and fund the repair or replacement of the road while KCC and Thames Water resolve their dispute over liability. Surveys need to be carried out as soon as possible by legal means if necessary.']
Freehold and Leasehold Reform — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]
05 July 2023
Responding: Rachel Maclean
Main Concerns
['Gareth Johnson is concerned about the practices of management companies in newer housing estates, particularly regarding high fees charged to homeowners without consultation or sufficient regulation. He cites numerous examples of residents being overcharged for poor services and unable to obtain transparent accounts. One constituent was charged £2,500 a year for minimal service, while another faced a 30% fee increase with no recourse. Management companies often impose unfair conditions when residents attempt to switch to new management firms.']
Specific Asks
["Johnson calls on the government to introduce legislation addressing the issues of management company fees and practices, ensuring better transparency, regulation, and competition for homeowners' benefit."]
Expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone — [Stewart Hosie in the Chair]
20 December 2022
Responding: Richard Holden
Main Concerns
["Gareth Johnson is concerned about Sadiq Khan's decision to extend the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) to cover all of London, which he believes will have a catastrophic impact on Dartford and other bordering areas. He argues that one in seven cars are already affected by the current ULEZ scheme, and estimates suggest over half of ASDA depot workers would be impacted by the expansion. Johnson also mentions that almost two-thirds of respondents to the consultation opposed the extension, calling it a 'sham' decision. He highlights issues for small businesses reliant on customer traffic from outside London and concerns about disabled people's mobility."]
Specific Asks
['Johnson asks if the Government can confirm they do not have the power to stop this expansion and seeks advice on whether councils can refuse to allow their land to be used for camera infrastructure needed for enforcement. He also inquires about potential exemptions from the ULEZ charge, particularly for key workers and disabled individuals.']
Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme — [Mr Peter Dowd in the Chair]
25 May 2021
Responding: Alex Chalk
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the limitations of the unduly lenient sentencing scheme, particularly in cases involving Gemma Robinson who was severely assaulted by her partner Joseph Falconer. Despite the severity of the attack and a guilty plea to section 20 Offences against the Person Act 1861 for malicious wounding, Falconer received just three and a half years imprisonment. The family felt this sentence was insufficient but were unable to appeal as malicious wounding under section 20 is not covered by the scheme. Around one third of applications are not covered by the scheme, specifically for offences such as malicious wounding (section 20) and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.']
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to extend the scope of unduly lenient sentencing to cover more offences currently excluded from it, especially those under section 20. Additionally, I ask for a review of the strict 28-day time limit on applications, allowing judges discretion to waive this limit in exceptional circumstances.']
Outer London Congestion Charge — [Ms Christina Rees in the Chair]
23 March 2021
Responding: Rachel Maclean
Main Concerns
["Gareth Johnson is concerned about the Mayor of London's proposal to charge drivers £3.50 for entering Greater London, rising to £5.50 for polluting vehicles. This would negatively impact businesses in outer London boroughs and communities near London's borders, such as Dartford. Over 26,000 people have signed a petition against the plan, which Johnson argues is unaccountable to those who would be affected by it."]
Specific Asks
["Johnson urges the government to stop this proposal, describing it as an abuse of power that divides communities and sets London against its neighbours. He calls for an end to the Mayor's actions."]
Child Sexual Exploitation Casey Report 2025-06-16
16 June 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Smoking Reduction and Tobacco Control Bill - Clause 1
16 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the Bill, stating its purpose is to prevent future generations from starting smoking. Argues that the only product that kills two thirds of its long-term users if consumed as intended is tobacco...
The ULEZ Expansion (Consequential Provisions) Bill - Clause 1
22 March 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
Mr. Gareth Johnson proposes to overturn the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme in London, arguing it is a form of taxation that disproportionately affects the poorest members of so...
Situation in the Red Sea
26 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Leasehold Reform Bill
11 December 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities opens the debate by thanking predecessors and stakeholders for their work on leasehold reform. He highlights the unfairness in leasehol...
International Rail Services: Kent
25 October 2023
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Member of Parliament for Ashford raised concerns about the withdrawal of international services by Eurostar from Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations since the pandemic. He highlighted the significant e...
Under-age Vaping
12 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The speaker expressed concern about the alarming rise in under-age vaping, citing a study by Action on Smoking and Health which found that children participating in experimental vaping has increased b...
Aviation Banning Orders (Disruptive Passengers)
24 May 2023
General Debate
Led by this MP
Mr Johnson argues for the necessity of prohibiting disruptive passengers from flying, highlighting increasing violent incidents on aeroplanes and advocating for court orders to prevent such individual...
Missile Incident in Poland
16 November 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Papers Relating to the Home Secretary
08 November 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Outer London driving charges
30 June 2021
The petition concerns the potential imposition of congestion charges in Outer London, specifically affecting residents of Stonehill Woods Park in Dartford who will face a £3.50 fee each time they driv...
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Banning of pesticides
23 March 2021
The petition calls for consideration of banning harmful pesticides due to the dangers they pose to bees and other pollinators, which are essential for environmental health and food production.
View Full Petition -->
3
PMQs Asked
14
Ministerial Questions Asked
37
House of Commons Debates Involved
5
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
Statements / Bills
2
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+4% above average
This MP:
14
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+99% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+661% above average
This MP:
37
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-18% below average
This MP:
2
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 Gareth Johnson's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.