Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
MP for North Cotswolds
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Most people would accept that we need more housing in this country, yet so often it is not accompanied by the necessary infrastructure. In my constituency, thousands of houses are proposed, yet without £250 million to upgrade junction 12 of the M5, the inspector is likely to rule our plan unsound. Will the Prime Minister use his upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill to see how developer and landowner contributions can more effectively build this vital infrastructure, which would benefit communities up and down the country?
Context
In North Cotswolds, there is a proposal for thousands of houses but without the necessary infrastructure upgrades, such as £250 million for upgrading junction 12 of the M5.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
We have introduced an infrastructure Bill which will get Britain building, so that we can deliver on 1.5 million new homes through our plan for change. The relevant Minister is available to meet with him to discuss the issue further.
Assessment
The response did not directly address using the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to effectively build necessary infrastructure.
The Conservative Party Failed
A Meeting Will Be Arranged
Session: PMQs
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Every single young person who gets on the housing ladder under a Conservative Government makes our communities more sustainable. Does my right hon. Friend agree that in order to build the right type of housing and speed it up, we need to fund planning authorities properly through innovative funding?
Context
Need to fund planning authorities properly for efficient housing development.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend, as ever, makes an excellent point. That is why the reforms that we introduce will provide incremental resources to planning authorities to make sure that planning decisions can be taken quicker. Also, we have strengthened the ability of local communities to put in place local plans.
Session: PMQs
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Rather than a compulsory windfall tax so favoured by the Opposition, will my right hon. Friend take an alternative view: summon a high-level meeting with the oil and gas companies with the aim of a voluntary agreement to bring more oil and gas on to the wholesale market to reduce oil and gas prices to help hard-pressed people deal with the cost of living problems?
Context
The question suggests a voluntary agreement with oil and gas companies to bring more fuel onto the wholesale market, reducing prices.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend for that suggestion, which is both interesting and ingenious. The oil and gas companies create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the UK, and they are very important to our economy. I will do what I can to take forward his request for a meeting with them, but I remind him and the House that we have frozen fuel duty for 12 years in a row, saving people £15 in the cost of filling up their tanks, compared with 2010.
Assessment
Did not commit to having a high-level meeting specifically.
Considering
Session: PMQs
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This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for both the Prime Minister and the people of this country, since the coronavirus was first detected, and their fortitude is being severely tested. People need to know when they can get their children back to school and businesses can start to reopen. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that when he announces his comprehensive plan in mid-February, it will deal with how we lift every area out of its tier, and with the long-term problems with covid with which we will have to live? Furthermore, can we try to avoid making changes in future with 24 hours' notice, so that at long last the people of this country can start to plan their daily lives?
Context
People need certainty about when schools can reopen and businesses can restart.
Boris Johnson
In a few moments, later this afternoon, I will set out in more detail what my hon. Friend would like to know about our approach to schools, and in the course of the next few weeks, assuming that the vaccine roll-out continues well, and assuming that we do not find new variants of concern or have to change our calculations, I will be setting out a broader roadmap for a way forward for the whole country.
Assessment
Did not provide specific details on lifting tiers or future planning certainty
Did Not Commit To Specifics On Lifting Tiers
Refrained From Providing Definite Timeline
Session: PMQs
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The coronavirus has hit young people in work and those about to enter the jobs market particularly hard. Will my right hon. Friend continue to build on his excellent package of announcements so that young people have hope, encouragement and the very best prospects for the start of their working life?
Context
Acknowledgment of the negative impact of coronavirus on young workers and those entering the jobs market.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Absolutely. We want young people to have self-confidence brought by work experience, to keep learning on the job and get jobs they need.
Session: PMQs
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that rural constituencies like mine, wherever they are in the United Kingdom, should not be left behind? Does he agree that these vital technologies should be rolled out, and will he set a firm timetable for their roll-out?
Context
The Conservative manifesto promises the roll-out of broadband and mobile phone signals.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Yes, the Cotswolds needs broadband and the Cotswolds is going to get gigabit broadband. That is why we are putting £5 billion into the roll-out of gigabit broadband. My hon. Friend asks for a deadline and he will get it—2025.
Session: PMQs
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Would the Secretary of State not agree that connecting renewables to the grid requires considerable expense, and would not the former nuclear sites of Hunterston, Torness and Dounreay make very suitable sites for new nuclear power stations, from which the Scottish people have benefited hugely in the past?
Context
Renewables require significant investment to connect to the grid. Former nuclear sites like Hunterston, Torness and Dounreay could be suitable for new nuclear power stations.
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)
Of course, we would welcome the opportunity for advanced modular reactors, small modular reactors or new build nuclear at the Torness site, but the EDF management there says that the opposition from the Scottish Government is preventing equivalent investment of the kind that was recently announced for Torness’s sister plant in Hartlepool.
Session: New Nuclear Sites
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In recent years, for every 100 servicemen recruited, 130 have left. That is completely unsustainable. What is the Minister doing to ensure that we retain more troops, with not only the package within our armed forces, but competitive packages in the private sector?
Context
The Conservative MP highlights the unsustainable rate of servicemen leaving the armed forces compared to those recruited.
The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)
The hon. Gentleman is entirely right about the terrible state of armed forces retention that we inherited. We have seen armed forces morale drop from 60% in 2010 to just 40% last July. We need to invest more in our armed forces, which is why we have introduced the biggest pay rise in 20 years and why we are bringing defence housing back under public control, so that it can be invested in. It is also why we are creating the Armed Forces Commissioner, who will provide an independent champion for service welfare matters for those who serve.
Session: Armed Forces Recruitment
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The Justice Secretary has said that she agrees with the old legal maxim that justice delayed is justice denied. We currently have a record backlog of 73,000 in the Crown courts; rape cases are not being prosecuted for three or four years; and, in particular, on any one day 25% of cases do not take place, for a variety of reasons. What is the Justice Secretary doing to speed up the whole system?
Context
The question highlights specific issues such as a record backlog of 73,000 cases in the Crown court, delays in rape case prosecutions, and inefficiencies that result in non-utilisation of courtroom capacity.
Shabana Mahmood (The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
I agree with the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee that the backlog is far too high. He will know that, no matter what we do in terms of system efficiency and capacity, that backlog is projected to rise, because the demand coming into the system is particularly high and is itself rising. That is why I have asked Sir Brian Leveson to consider once-in-a-generation policy reform, so that we can make the legislative changes necessary to bring the backlog down. That is the change that is required, alongside system-wide efficiency and productivity.
Session: Crown Court Backlog
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In the last Session, when the Public Accounts Committee looked at the effect of delays in the criminal justice system on serious sexual and rape cases, it found that some cases were taking five years or more from prosecution to trial, and that some of the poor traumatised victims were simply disappearing because they could not stand it any longer. Without entering into the blame game, what can the Minister do to improve that situation?
Context
The Public Accounts Committee found delays in the criminal justice system causing some rape cases to take five years or more from prosecution to trial, with victims dropping out.
Alex Davies-Jones
The hon. Member is right that, although we do not want to get into the blame game, the current status of the criminal justice system is truly appalling. Rape trials are not getting as fast-tracked as they should be, and we are working at pace to try to remedy that situation. Currently, 60% of rape victims are pulling out of the criminal justice system. The attrition rate is far too high, and I am working with officials to improve that rate and to improve victims' experience at court.
Session: Rape and Sexual Violence Victim Support
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Following the disputed Venezuelan election, what steps will the Government take to work with American colleagues to prevent any incursion in Guyana's disputed territory?
Context
The MP raised concerns over the disputed Venezuelan election result and its implications for the land dispute with Guyana.
David Lammy
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The election result is of huge concern, and I issued a statement yesterday. There are ongoing discussions with American friends and Guyana regarding threats from Maduro in the past.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister consider making an application to the Home Office to encourage more visas for students who want to take digital degrees in this country?
Context
There is a consistent shortage of young graduates with digital skills in various Government Departments.
Robert Halfon
My hon. Friend is learned in these matters, but they are for the Home Office. We are developing our digital skills at home with amazing digital apprenticeships. Half of our 670 apprenticeship standards are in STEM subjects and there are T-levels and higher technical qualifications in digital. We are spending on the digital skills that our local people need.
Session: Student Visa Eligibility Impact on Higher Education Sector
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The harvest in Ukraine is going to have to start in the next few weeks. The problem is that there are 25 million tonnes of old crop filling up all the stores, so there will be nowhere to put the new crop. It will have to be piled on the fields, and the Russians will seize it and use it as a weapon of war to buy influence around the world. What more can my right hon. Friend do to ensure that there is international passage for that grain out of Odesa and other ports?
Context
Concern over the potential loss of Ukraine's grain harvest due to storage issues and Russian interference.
Elizabeth Truss
We are doing all we can to secure the export of that very important grain from Ukraine. My hon. Friend is right to say that we have only a number of weeks to be able to achieve that. We are backing the UN plan, but we are also doing what we can with our allies to provide safe passage and to make sure that Odesa is fully defended. Tomorrow, I will be travelling to Turkey to talk to people there about how we could do more to get the grain out of Odesa.
Session: Ukraine International Support
View All Questions -->
In standing four-square with the people of Ukraine, it is important that we really make sanctions work and the Government have led the world in doing that. Crypto- currencies have been widely used to evade sanctions. Will my right hon. Friend look into that matter?
Context
The MP is concerned about the use of crypto-currencies to evade sanctions against Russia.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Secretary of State for International Trade)
I will ensure that my Treasury colleagues take note of my hon. Friend's question.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does she agree that joining CPTPP presents an enormous opportunity to propel our exports into a very high growth area of the world in the Pacific Rim, particularly affecting food and drink and financial services sectors?
Context
Recognition and discussion of the significant market opportunities presented by joining CPTPP.
Penny Mordaunt
There are indeed many people across the Department and our network around the world who are to be congratulated on getting us this far. He is right: there are massive benefits in market opportunities, but the deal will also have a disproportionately positive effect on sectors here that have high wages.
Session: CPTPP Membership
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What progress her Department has made on securing UK membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership?
Context
Japan's announcement that the UK can move to market access negotiations on February 18 triggered this question.
Penny Mordaunt
On 18 February, Japan announced that the UK can move to market access negotiations, the next phase of the accession process. We aim to have concluded negotiations by the end of this year.
Session: CPTPP Membership
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What steps is his Department taking to help the tourism sector reopen safely? Will he ensure that small theatres like the Barn theatre in Cirencester and others get their fair share of the £1.5 billion for theatres and the arts?
Context
The tourism industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with businesses working to reopen safely.
Nigel Huddleston (Minister for Sport, Heritage and Media)
The Department is working closely with tourism businesses to reopen safely, introducing a quality mark called “We're Good to Go” and providing grants up to £5,000. The Barn theatre in Cirencester is thanked for its efforts during the crisis, and it is confirmed that the cultural support fund aims to support organisations across the sector, including those without a history of public funding.
Session: Tourism Sector Reopening
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Tax-free Shopping for International Visitors — [Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]
07 September 2023
Responding: Victoria Atkins
Main Concerns
['The UK is missing out on economic growth due to the lack of tax-free shopping for international visitors. Since the end of tax-free shopping schemes in December 2020, visitor numbers have not recovered as well as other European countries, and high-spending tourists are choosing destinations where they can reclaim VAT. Data from businesses shows that many UK stores are closing or considering relocation to mainland Europe due to the impact on sales.']
Specific Asks
['The Treasury should commission an independent assessment through the Office for Budget Responsibility or a respected audit firm to consider the full economic effect of tax-free shopping, including its impact on VAT refunds and increased spending by tourists. If the assessment shows that the full tax impact is neutral or net positive, the Government must move quickly to restore tax-free shopping.']
Restoration and Renewal — [Derek Twigg in the Chair]
07 July 2022
Responding: Marcus Jones
Main Concerns
['The Palace of Westminster requires urgent restoration and renewal to address issues such as asbestos removal, fire safety, accessibility for disabled individuals, and decarbonisation. The cost is estimated between £8 billion and £18 billion, with the project potentially involving a full or partial decant due to complexity. There are concerns about potential overruns and lack of clear deadlines leading to increased costs and delays.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks for the establishment of a new joint department to oversee the restoration and renewal programme, ensuring clear lines of communication with Parliament and regular updates on project progress.']
Environmental Land Management Scheme: Food Production
01 February 2022
Responding: Victoria Prentis
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the decrease in UK food self-sufficiency, from 78% in 1984 to 64% by 2019. According to Government statistics, just 55% of the food consumed in the UK was supplied domestically. We imported £11.5 billion-worth of fruit and vegetables in 2019, compared to exports of only £1.3 billion. With a growing global population leading to increased demand for food, alongside climate change impacting certain countries disproportionately, it is imperative that our own needs are met rather than being reliant on other countries around the world.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should take our self-sufficiency more seriously and ensure there is an annual reporting system in place to guarantee domestic food production does not diminish. They must provide advice and funding for small farms to diversify and protect them alongside their significant environmental aims. The scheme should also include a structural element to help young people enter agriculture.']
Local Government Reorganisation
16 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Investment Plan
30 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Home Office and Ministry of Justice
29 June 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The debate highlights the significant expenditure of £15.5 billion by the Ministry of Justice in 2024-25, emphasising the interconnected nature of issues within the criminal justice system such as pol...
Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
24 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Investment Plan
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Investment Plan
10 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Debate on the Address
13 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Pension Schemes
22 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Heating Oil Support
16 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Estimates Day
04 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member thanked the Backbench Business Committee for allowing a debate on the FCDO, noting the significant reduction in the UK's development budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI and projected to be...
Attendance
75.5%
74 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
42
42.9% of votes
No Votes
32
32.7% of votes
Abstentions
24
24.5% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
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 AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
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 NO
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
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
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
6
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
123
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
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
+64% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2431% above average
This MP:
123
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 (%)
+9% above average
This MP:
75.5
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 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.