Gordon Henderson
MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
What emergency legislation will be brought forward to deport those who came across the channel illegally and are now housed in taxpayer-funded hotels?
Context
Cross-channel migrants are coming in small boats illegally, putting pressure on the UK's asylum system.
Rishi Sunak
We are determined to use new powers from the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 to control our borders and reduce illegal crossings.
Assessment
Did not mention emergency legislation directly
Determined To Do Whatever It Takes
Session: PMQs
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I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but does she agree that it is also important to ensure that people who are unemployed have the education and skills training needed to take the jobs on offer? Much of the unemployment in my constituency is on the Isle of Sheppey. With that in mind, will she join me in welcoming the radical shake-up of secondary education now taking place on the island, and in addition the extension of Sheppey College to provide additional post-16 skill training courses, which is being part-funded by the Government's levelling-up fund?
Context
The MP emphasizes the importance of education and skills training for people who are unemployed to take advantage of job opportunities. He specifically mentions the unemployment situation on the Isle of Sheppey.
Jo Churchill
I join my hon. Friend in that, because any way we can help lift skills across the piece, such as through boot camps and workplace academy programmes, to help people into high-skill, well-paid jobs, particularly in areas where perhaps that has not been the norm, is to be welcomed and congratulated.
Session: Job Vacancies Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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What steps he is taking to help fill job vacancies in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency.
Context
The MP is concerned about job vacancies in his constituency, highlighting the need for employment opportunities.
Jo Churchill
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. Fantastically, as the timing would have it, the team in his constituency are today holding a jobs fair at Swale leisure centre, with the support of 48 local employers. The local radio station is broadcasting live from the event to promote opportunities, and the DWP is working hard day in, day out to get people into work.
Session: Job Vacancies Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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A couple in my constituency recently received an apologetic letter from the Department for Work and Pensions that set out a catalogue of mistakes that it had made. Those mistakes almost led to their losing their home, which caused them enormous stress. My constituents are now waiting for a decision on the compensation that they may receive. Will my right hon. Friend look into the case, and ensure that a decision is taken as quickly as possible, to save my constituents any further stress?
Context
A couple in the Member's constituency received a letter from DWP detailing multiple errors that could have cost them their home. They are now waiting for compensation decisions, which is causing stress.
Mel Stride
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. I obviously cannot comment on an individual case. However, I am very happy to look closely into the matter he has raised, and either I or a relevant Minister will be happy to meet him.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important that schools and businesses work together to ensure that young people have the qualifications and skills they need to progress into work once they finish full-time education? In February, there were 615 claimants aged 18 to 24 out of work in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
Context
In February, there were 615 claimants aged 18 to 24 out of work in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. The MP is concerned about the skills and qualifications young people need for employment.
Mel Stride
I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. It is exactly why we have youth hubs providing advice and support on not just getting into work but other important matters to young people, such as housing, their health and debt management.
Session: Helping People into Work
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What steps he is taking to help people into work. I am concerned about the measures in place for individuals seeking employment and how they can be supported effectively.
Context
The MP is concerned about steps being taken to help people into work.
Mel Stride
Jobcentre Plus provides a variety of different support to encourage and support people into work, including training and one-to-one, face-to-face counselling by work coaches.
Session: Helping People into Work
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A large number of freehold homeowners in my constituency pay charges to property management companies for maintenance services that are not always carried out. The management companies rarely respond to complaints from residents, who often do not have the money to seek legal advice with a view to taking court action. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will grant freehold homeowners the right to transparency about how their money is spent, to challenge companies when the contracted services are not provided and, where necessary, to have the contract removed from that company?
Context
The MP is concerned about freehold homeowners in his constituency who face issues with property management companies.
Lee Rowley
My hon. Friend is right to highlight that issue, and I know that many of us will have heard of similar experiences in our constituencies. That is another example—I return to the point made by the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham)—of reform under this Bill that will significantly improve the lives of leaseholders for the long term.
Session: Leasehold Reform
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What plans does he have for leasehold reform?
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of concrete plans for leasehold reform.
Lee Rowley
On 27 November the Government introduced the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which delivers the Government's manifesto commitments on leasehold reform and makes long-term necessary changes to improve home ownership for millions of leaseholders across England and Wales.
Session: Leasehold Reform
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1000 children a day are currently bussed from the Isle of Sheppey to Sittingbourne schools because parents do not want their children attending the local academy, which causes over-subscription issues in town schools. The department is transferring the academy to a new multi-academy trust but with the end of summer term approaching, island parents have no idea whether this transfer will happen and what form it will take. What can he do to speed up the process and reduce uncertainties?
Context
Currently, 1000 children are being bussed daily from the Isle of Sheppey to Sittingbourne schools due to parents' concerns about the quality of education at the Isle of Sheppey academy. This leads to over-subscription issues in Sittingbourne secondary schools.
Nick Gibb
I pay tribute to my very hon. Friend for his passion for improving standards in schools in his constituency. The transfer of the Isle of Sheppey academy to a new multi-academy trust is a priority for the Department. A strong preferred sponsor has been found, and a proposal is being developed by them. Once those plans are completed, they will be put to parents before a final decision is taken by the trust and the Department on the academy transfer.
Session: Local Secondary School Provision Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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Whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that secondary age children in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency are able to attend a local school, given current issues with the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey.
Context
Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey received an inadequate Ofsted grading, leading to discussions about its future within the Oasis Community Learning trust. Parents are currently sending their children to Sittingbourne schools despite concerns over the academy's quality.
Nick Gibb
My hon. Friend and I have discussed education provision on the Isle of Sheppey many times over the years. Given the inadequate Ofsted grading for Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey, the school is now being removed from the Oasis Community Learning trust to a strong multi-academy trust.
Session: Local Secondary School Provision Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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May I assure my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that the majority of my constituents in Sittingbourne and Sheppey understand that sending illegal migrants to Rwanda for processing is key to stopping small-boat crossings in the channel? Will she assure them that despite concerted opposition from the Labour party, she will deliver her plan?
Context
The Labour party opposes sending illegal migrants to Rwanda for processing, despite the government's determination.
Robert Jenrick
We are disappointed by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, but we are determined to follow through. He is right to say that we have to add deterrence to the system, as it is only by breaking the business model of the people smugglers that we will stop the boats.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps will my right hon. Friend take to end this roundabout of unpunished crime and ensure that young people who repeatedly break the law are not released without charge?
Context
The speaker highlights the issue of young people being repeatedly arrested for antisocial behavior but released without charge, leading to further crimes.
Chris Philp
We want to see tougher action on things such as antisocial behaviour and public drug use; we should have zero tolerance for any of those things. As part of the ASB strategy we are launching instant justice, whereby people who perpetrate acts of antisocial behaviour will rapidly—ideally within 48 hours—be made to do clean-ups and those kinds of things in their local area, to pay back visibly, publicly, rapidly and with enforcement.
Session: Street Crime by Young People
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What steps she is taking to tackle street crime by young people?
Context
The speaker is concerned about the increase in street crimes committed by young individuals and the impact it has on communities.
Chris Philp
I am pleased to report that, according to the crime survey, violence is down by 41% and criminal damage is down by 68% since 2010. But we would like to do more. That is why we now have record numbers of police and why we are investing in the safer streets fund, £200 million in the Youth Endowment Fund and £170 million in violence reduction units. We have also launched our antisocial behaviour strategy.
Session: Street Crime by Young People
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Sittingbourne and Sheppey still has one of the highest patient to GP ratios. What help can my local ICB get so they can provide more GPs for my constituents?
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of GPs in his constituency despite initiatives to increase GP appointments.
Neil O'Brien
We are investing £645 million in Pharmacy First service and £60,000 per practice for new IT systems. We have also increased GP training numbers and aim to build on that further.
Session: GP Appointments
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What progress has been made in my Department to increase the number of available GP appointments?
Context
The MP is concerned about the progress made on increasing GP appointments.
Neil O'Brien
We have recruited 26,000 extra clinicians a year earlier than planned. Additionally, there are 29,000 more extra clinicians in GP surgeries and nearly 2,000 more doctors since 2019. We will increase the training of GPs to up from about 2,600 to 4,000 a year through our primary care recovery plan.
Session: GP Appointments
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I recently visited HMP Swaleside, where I witnessed good work done by the excellent employment advisory board, including the setting up of the internal distribution centre run by prisoners. The MP asks for a visit from the Prisons Minister to see this initiative in action.
Context
The MP visited HMP Swaleside and witnessed the work of its employment advisory board, which includes setting up an internal distribution centre.
Alex Chalk
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue. He is right to highlight the brilliant work of Paul Barrett of Barretts Motor Group, who is bringing that work to HMP Swaleside. Thanks to his hard work we are seeing a dramatic improvement in the percentage of prisoners in employment six months after release—it is up 9% in just a year. My hon. Friend will see an even greater increase when the latest figures come out. My right hon. Friend the Prisons Minister is already planning a trip to the Isle of Sheppey to see those initiatives in action.
Session: Employment Advisory Boards
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What steps he is taking to support employment advisory boards?
Context
No specific background provided, but the question relates to employment support for ex-offenders.
Alex Chalk
Employment advisory boards, chaired by business leaders across the country, do hugely important work to foster links between prisons and employers. Having a job reduces the reoffending rate by up to nine percentage points. That is good for society and for the offenders who turn their lives around. That is why we have rolled out boards to 92 resettlement prisons ahead of schedule.
Session: Employment Advisory Boards
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that my constituents on Sheppey deserve the same quality of secondary education as those on the mainland? If so, will he support my campaign for the current Isle of Sheppey academy to be replaced by two schools?
Context
The Isle of Sheppey has a single secondary academy split across two sites, with many students commuting to mainland schools due to lack of choice.
Nick Gibb
My hon. Friend and I have discussed this issue frequently, and he is a strong advocate for higher school standards in his constituency. The new trust will be working to deliver the desired quality of secondary education.
Session: Secondary Education Isle of Sheppey
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What steps she is taking to improve secondary school education on the Isle of Sheppey?
Context
The Isle of Sheppey's only secondary school was deemed inadequate by Ofsted, and there is a lack of educational choice compared to other areas like Sittingbourne.
Nick Gibb
It is critical that secondary education on the Isle of Sheppey improves. Following Ofsted's judgment, the Department for Education and Oasis Community Learning have agreed to transfer the school to another trust. In the meantime, Oasis continues to work towards improvement.
Session: Secondary Education Isle of Sheppey
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Members of the Kent and Medway integrated care board are doing their best to recruit more GPs, but they are finding it difficult to attract them to our area. One reason is their close proximity to London, where newly qualified GPs can earn thousands of pounds more than they can if they practise in Kent. Will my right hon. Friend consider extending the NHS London weighting allowance to Kent and Medway?
Context
GP recruitment is difficult in Kent due to proximity to high-paying jobs in London, leading to a disparity in earnings.
Steve Barclay
Part of the reason for having the targeted funding is so that ICSs can look at those areas under particular pressure for recruitment and do that on a place-based basis. The fund has been used by my hon. Friend's local ICS.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will he commit to an urgent review of how the pension age for prison officers can be reduced so that it reflects that of other public sector workers in similar challenging environments?
Context
The MP highlighted the dangerous environment for prison officers and urged a review of their pension age.
Brandon Lewis
The Minister appreciated the challenge made, stated consequences for violent actions against staff, and noted annual fitness tests apply to older prison officers. He did not commit to a specific pension age review.
Session: Prisons Working Environments and Violence at Work
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What steps his Department is taking to help create safer working environments in prisons and support prison staff who are victims of violence at work?
Context
The MP noted the dangerous environment for prison officers who face violence at work.
Brandon Lewis
We are committed to making prisons a safe place for staff, providing them with the right support, training, and tools. Anybody violent towards staff will face consequences.
Session: Prisons Working Environments and Violence at Work
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I am always grateful for any money Swale Borough Council gets, but of course those particular funds are designed to ensure even more homes can be built. What Swale needs is fewer houses, not more; so would my right hon. Friend consider placing a moratorium on housing targets for Swale Borough Council and local authorities in Kent generally until the problems I have highlighted are resolved?
Context
The MP believes that the area needs fewer houses and requests a moratorium until existing problems are resolved.
Christopher Pincher
Local authorities determine the number of homes needed. We support infrastructure through HIF and new home building fund, providing significant funding for infrastructure. Planning reforms aim to ensure upfront provision of necessary facilities for communities.
Session: Infrastructure for New Homes Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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What steps he is taking to deliver the education, health and transport infrastructure necessary to support the homes built in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency over the last three decades?
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of education, health, and transport infrastructure to support housing development over the last three decades.
Christopher Pincher
The Government supports local authorities through central funding and developer contributions. Swale Borough Council secured £3.7 million in developer contributions and Kent County Council received £38 million from the housing infrastructure fund to support road improvements, unlocking 8,500 homes.
Session: Infrastructure for New Homes Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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I can tell the Minister that all GPs in my area are oversubscribed, people find it very difficult to get an appointment, even including virtual appointments. Some patients struggle to speak to a receptionist due to busy phone lines. The NHS plans to upgrade telephone systems but these upgrades will be of no use without additional resources for recruitment and training of receptionists.
Context
The question follows from a situation where local constituents face difficulties accessing GP services due to oversubscribed practices.
Maria Caulfield
The Secretary of State, through the winter access fund, has provided £250 million for GPs to use in either recruiting more telephone receptionists or building up resources. This includes a cloud-based telephone system that can help increase phone capacity.
Session: GPs Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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What recent steps has the Minister taken to help ensure that everyone in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency has access to a GP? I think the Minister has been misled by my local CCG. All GPs in my area are oversubscribed, people find it very difficult to get an appointment, even including virtual appointments. Some patients struggle to speak to a receptionist due to busy phone lines.
Context
The question arises from a situation where local constituents are facing difficulties accessing GP services due to oversubscribed practices.
Maria Caulfield
We recognise the difficulty in telephone access. The Secretary of State has addressed this through the winter access fund with £250 million available for GPs to either recruit more telephone receptionists or build up resources, including a cloud-based telephone system that can help increase phone capacity.
Session: GPs Sittingbourne and Sheppey
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My constituency has experienced massive housing growth, putting pressure on local infrastructure and causing a shortage of school places and increased traffic. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is put in place for these developments?
Context
The MP's constituency has seen significant housing development leading to infrastructure pressures, school shortages, traffic congestion and high patient-to-doctor ratios. The MP asks what steps are being taken to ensure necessary infrastructure is in place.
Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
It is important that new housing development is supported by commensurate infrastructure funded by developer contributions from new housing. The idea behind the infrastructure levy will capture more land value to serve local communities.
Session: Topical Questions
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As more people decide to holiday at home in the UK, we have a golden opportunity to improve the economy of our seaside communities, some of which have high levels of social deprivation. However, to direct visitors to those areas, we need more brown tourist signs on motorways and major trunk roads. What support can my hon. Friend give to the campaign in my constituency to get Highways England to put up a brown tourist sign on the M2 to showcase the many wonderful attractions on the Isle of Sheppey?
Context
The MP is concerned about directing visitors to seaside communities with high levels of social deprivation and asks for support in getting a brown tourist sign on the M2 to showcase attractions.
Nigel Huddleston
I commend my hon. Friend for his work on behalf of tourism businesses on the Isle of Sheppey. The purpose of brown signs is primarily to direct road users to a tourism attraction or facility to aid the efficient management of traffic.
Session: Tourism Industry Covid-19
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What steps his Department is taking to support the recovery of the tourism industry from the covid-19 pandemic. I am concerned about the significant financial strain that the hospitality, tourism, and leisure sectors have faced due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions.
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on the UK's tourism sector and asks what steps are being taken to support its recovery.
Nigel Huddleston
We recognise the impact of covid-19 on the tourism industry, which is why we published the tourism recovery plan to help the sector to return to pre-pandemic levels as quickly as possible and build back better for the future. The Government have already provided over £25 billion of support to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the form of grants, loans and tax breaks.
Session: Tourism Industry Covid-19
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What is the Minister doing to make it easier for jobcentres to use sanctions?
Context
The MP notes issues with people failing to attend jobcentre appointments due to lack of sanctions.
Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)
Our jobcentres have remained open throughout the pandemic to support vulnerable customers. Claimant commitments are tailored to individual circumstances by work coaches since July last year, ensuring sanctions remain at record low levels as we fully consider individual circumstances before applying a sanction.
Session: Jobcentre Services
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I appreciate that the Government are helping to create those jobs, but it is important that young people have the confidence to learn and master a skill after leaving formal education, so how will my right hon. Friend ensure there are funds for people to do that in my constituency, including in Sittingbourne, which is the largest town in Kent that does not have its own further education facilities?
Context
The MP is concerned that young people in his constituency lack access to the necessary skills and training opportunities due to a lack of local further education facilities.
Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
I agree with my hon. Friend that young people should have access to the skills and training opportunities they need to access great jobs. That is why my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has provided £126 million for traineeships in England to enable an additional 40,000 places over the next academic year, and why he has incentivised apprenticeships, with up to £3,000 for employers who hire new apprentices of any age.
Session: Helping Young People into Work
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I am grateful that the Government have provided Kent with an additional 184 police officers. I commend Matthew Scott for recruiting 450 officers over four years in addition to government funding. Can my right hon. Friend confirm this?
Context
Kent has received additional police officers, but there are questions about the role of the local police and crime commissioner.
Priti Patel
I absolutely commend Kent's police and crime commissioner, Matthew Scott, for his recruitment efforts along with the chief constable.
Session: Police Officer Numbers
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What reassurances will he offer to hard-working teachers that those tests are essential for the future development of children?
Context
Concern about potential loss of learning time if pupils have to sit standard assessment and other tests.
Nick Gibb
My hon. Friend is right, as he so often is. The exams, and the preparation for revision, tests and exams at primary and secondary are the best way of ensuring that knowledge is retained, so it can be built on in the next stage of a young person's education and training.
Session: Exams and Assessments 2021 Covid-19
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Will my hon. and learned Friend explain what she is doing to ensure that prison staff have access to swift testing, to avoid unnecessary periods of self-isolation? Has consideration been given to making mandatory the wearing of face masks by prison officers when on duty?
Context
The questioner asks about access to testing for prison staff and mandatory wearing of face masks.
Lucy Frazer
We have started routinely testing staff and providing personal protective equipment including medical-grade face masks. We are thanking all the staff who have been working hard at this particularly challenging time.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps his Department is taking to increase covid-19 laboratory testing capacity as Lighthouse labs do not appear to be delivering sufficient test results, causing delays for schools and care homes in Kent. What is being done to utilise local life science companies like those at Discovery Park in Sandwich and the Kent Science Park?
Context
The MP is concerned about the insufficient testing capacity in Kent, particularly affecting schools and care homes. He mentions specific companies with laboratories at Discovery Park in Sandwich and the Kent Science Park.
Matthew Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
Additional Lighthouse labs have been announced as part of the national lab network, aiming for a target of 500,000 tests per day by end of October. The government is increasingly contracting with local laboratories like those mentioned in Kent to increase capacity and reduce turnaround time. Recent figures show that turnaround times are improving.
Session: Covid-19 Laboratory Testing Capacity
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What steps his Department is taking to increase covid-19 laboratory testing capacity as Lighthouse labs do not appear to be delivering sufficient test results, causing delays for schools and care homes in Kent. What is being done to utilise local life science companies like those at Discovery Park in Sandwich and the Kent Science Park?
Context
The MP is concerned about the insufficient testing capacity in Kent, particularly affecting schools and care homes. He mentions specific companies with laboratories at Discovery Park in Sandwich and the Kent Science Park.
Matthew Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
Additional Lighthouse labs have been announced as part of the national lab network, aiming for a target of 500,000 tests per day by end of October. The government is increasingly contracting with local laboratories like those mentioned in Kent to increase capacity and reduce turnaround time. Recent figures show that turnaround times are improving.
Session: Covid-19 Laboratory Testing Capacity
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He questions the value for money in Swale Borough Council's payment to Quinn Estates and criticizes the council for silencing councillors who wish to expose this deal, which he sees as detrimental to taxpayers.
Context
Henderson raises specific concerns about Swale Borough Council's financial decision to pay £1 million to a company called Quinn Estates and the imposition of gagging orders on councillors.
Luke Hall (Minister of State for Housing)
Hall acknowledges Henderson's concerns about Swale Council and advises him to report financial irregularities to external auditors or the National Audit Office, offering to discuss the matter further with Henderson if necessary.
Session: Local Authority Spending Value for Money
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Farmers, Supermarkets and Food Supply Chains
16 May 2023
Responding: Mark Spencer
Main Concerns
['Gordon Henderson is concerned about the unsustainable pressures on British farmers due to unprecedented events like energy price spikes and labour shortages. He notes that farm input costs have increased by 42% since 2019, with wholesale energy prices being one and a half times higher than normal. Additionally, he highlights the waste of £22 million worth of fruit and vegetables in the first half of 2022 due to workforce gaps, particularly in horticulture.']
Specific Asks
["Henderson asks the Government to produce an enhanced food security report annually, conduct a value chain inquiry into market failures, cement the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator, support the Food and Drink Sector Council's ambitions for sustainable growth, establish regular food forums with DEFRA officials, invest in agricultural technology and innovation centres, make changes to the planning system to permit development for growing and processing fruit and vegetables, and ensure that food businesses contribute to renewable energy generation."]
Prison Officers: Pension Age
10 May 2023
Responding: Damian Hinds
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the disparity in pension rights between prison officers and their counterparts in the police and fire services. Despite the Prison Act 1952 stating that prison officers have all the powers, authority, protection, and privileges of police officers, they are required to work until age 68 for a full pension, while police and firefighters can retire at 60. This is unfair given the unique nature of prison officers' roles, which include acting as social workers, teachers, dispute resolvers, and in some cases, as police officers and firefighters within the prison environment. There has been an increase in violent incidents against prison staff, with assaults on prison officers rising dramatically."]
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to meet with the Prison Officers Association (POA) to discuss a realistic way for prison officers to retire at age 60, similar to police and firefighters. I propose that both parties should enter into meaningful negotiations without prejudice or pre-determined positions to find a cost-effective solution.']
Housing Targets: Planning System
15 November 2022
Responding: Dehenna Davison
Main Concerns
['Gordon Henderson is concerned about the excessive housebuilding in his constituency of Folkestone and Hythe. Local roads are congested, GP appointments are scarce due to a shortage of doctors, and schools are over-subscribed because there are not enough places for new arrivals. He notes that Swale Borough Council has built 17,000 new homes over the past 30 years but struggles to meet the top-down housing targets imposed by the Government, which have been rejected and increased multiple times. The planning process is becoming more complicated with the introduction of the Environment Act 2021 and other legislation, leading to delays in local plan production.']
Specific Asks
['Henderson urges the Minister to look sympathetically at new clause 21 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which would prohibit mandatory housing targets. He suggests that local authorities should be allowed to set targets based on their own assessment of infrastructure capacity.']
Housing in Sittingbourne and Sheppey
05 January 2022
Responding: Christopher Pincher
Main Concerns
["Since the previous Westminster Hall debate in November 2016, Gordon Henderson has raised concerns about unsustainable housing development pressure on his constituency. He highlighted that Swale Borough Council faces a target of providing land for an annual build number of 1,048 homes, a significant increase from the 776 per year included in the council's current adopted local plan. This increase comes despite developers not meeting the previous lower targets over the last decade. Henderson mentioned several issues including inadequate infrastructure funding by developers, lack of affordable housing, and negative impacts on schools, health services, roads, and the environment."]
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks for a planning system that works with communities, acknowledging local concerns and ensuring requisite investment in infrastructure from both developers and the Government. He also requests that the Government respects suitable land limitations and avoids disproportionately affecting areas like Sittingbourne and Sheppey.']
Prison Officers: Pension Age — [Sir Charles Walker in the Chair]
16 November 2021
Responding: Victoria Atkins
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the pension age for prison officers being raised to 68, which is more than six years later than other emergency service workers such as police and firefighters who can retire at 60. Prison officers face dangerous and stressful work conditions including violence, hostility, mental health challenges from inmates, physical demands like carrying heavy equipment, exposure to drug fumes, and psychological stress. There were 8,476 assaults on prison staff in the year ending September 2020, with 35% being serious injuries requiring hospitalization or medical treatment for concussion, internal injuries, fractures, burns, stabbing, crushing, extensive bruising, black eye, broken nose, lost or broken teeth, cuts needing sutures, bites, and temporary blindness. Prison officers are also denied access to essential protective equipment like utility vests and body-worn cameras compared to their police counterparts.']
Specific Asks
['I urge the government to initiate new talks with the Prison Officers Association to discuss a more equitable pension arrangement that reflects the dangerous and stressful nature of prison officer work, possibly allowing them to retire at age 60 or a similar agreement if they are willing to make higher contributions towards their pensions.']
Environment: Sittingbourne and Sheppey
09 June 2021
Responding: Rebecca Pow
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about fly-tipping, littering, misuse of U1 exemptions for waste disposal, coastal erosion affecting residents' homes, and the impact of housing development on local green spaces and infrastructure. He mentioned that fly-tipping costs landowners hundreds to thousands of pounds and cited specific incidents involving building waste processing and dumping over cliffs in his constituency. The MP also noted that increased population due to major housing developments has strained infrastructure and worsened air pollution. The MP expressed concerns about littering, fly-tipping, illegal dumping of waste off the north Sheppey cliffs, cliff erosion in Sheppey, and adverse environmental impacts from unsustainable housing developments. He highlighted issues such as the U1 exemptions for waste disposal, which allow for harmful substances to be dumped at sea."]
Specific Asks
['The MP asks the Government to reinstate free collection of bulk waste, provide resources for local authorities to enforce littering laws, close U1 exemption loopholes, lift SSSI designation if necessary, and ensure that any future planning Bill protects his constituency from unsustainable housing growth. He also requests an assurance that measures will be taken to protect local green spaces, agricultural land, manage pollution, and address other environmental issues. The MP asked for reassurance on measures to address littering and fly-tipping, urged the government to review charges at household waste recycling centres, and sought a long-term approach to coastal erosion management that respects natural processes and protects local communities from flooding and landslides.']
Hare Coursing
01 December 2020
Responding: Rebecca Pow
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the barbaric practice of hare coursing, which is having a detrimental effect on the native hare population, biodiversity, and local farmers. Hare coursing events are often organised illegally, generating thousands of pounds in betting money for organisers while causing significant damage to crops and property. Farmers face vandalism, theft, intimidation, and loss of income due to illegal activities such as driving unlicensed vehicles on their land, drug use, firearms possession, and illegal betting.']
Specific Asks
['I ask the Government to toughen penalties imposed on those found guilty of hare coursing crimes and seize dogs used for illegal purposes. Additionally, I urge the Government to make necessary legal changes to address these issues effectively.']
Schools in Kent: Covid-19 — [Mark Pritchard in the Chair]
21 October 2020
Responding: Nick Gibb
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on schools, particularly those in disadvantaged areas. He mentions challenges such as delays in testing results for staff and pupils who need to self-isolate, insufficient IT equipment and internet access during lockdown, and inadequate catch-up funding spread too thinly across all pupils. The attainment gap between children from different socio-economic groups has grown since the lockdown, with many disadvantaged pupils least likely to attend lessons online.']
Specific Asks
['The MP asks for more targeted catch-up funding towards schools in deprived areas and requests assurances that future examinations will be fair despite varying experiences due to potential further lockdowns. He also seeks commitments from Ofsted to consider individual circumstances before assessing schools affected by the pandemic, especially those in disadvantaged areas.']
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
16 November 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Welcomed the record research and development settlement for the Department of Health and Social Care, emphasising the importance of life sciences in defending against future pandemics and reducing rel...
Vaccine Roll-out
21 January 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Channel Crossings in Small Boats
02 September 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The UK has seen an unacceptable increase in illegal migration through small-boat crossings. The Government is working to stop these crossings, collaborating with the National Crime Agency and French a...
Social Distancing: 2 Metre Rule
15 June 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked for a statement on publishing the review of the 2 metre social distancing rule and emphasised the importance of timely publication to enable businesses to plan for reopening. He questioned why t...
1
PMQs Asked
36
Ministerial Questions Asked
4
House of Commons Debates Involved
8
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+169% above average
This MP:
36
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+218% above average
This MP:
8
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
-18% below average
This MP:
4
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Gordon Henderson's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.