Jake Richards
MP for Rother Valley
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Male suicide is a tragic epidemic in our country. Each week, almost 100 men take their own lives, and suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50. In my constituency, I am working with Andy’s Man Club in Maltby, the Learning Community in Dinnington and Better Today in Kiveton Park to try to raise awareness about the fantastic groups that offer support for men in the most difficult circumstances. Will the Prime Minister use this opportunity to support the campaign that we are undertaking in my constituency and also reassure those groups and my constituents that mental health services for men will be a priority for his Government?
Context
Each week, almost 100 men take their own lives in the UK, with suicide being the biggest killer of men under 50.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this crucial issue. I know that Members across House will have their own personal and tragic experiences of suicide. We have launched a call for evidence on our men’s health strategy, which will improve men’s health in all parts of the country, including tackling devastatingly high suicide rates. We are also investing £26 million in new mental health crisis centres, funding talking therapies for 380,000 more people and recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers.
Session: PMQs
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Vulnerable children are regularly placed far from home, often in unsafe accommodation. Private firms profit from this crisis. I will present my Bill offering modest reforms. Will the PM ensure his Government prioritises fixing social care crises and family courts?
Context
Richards noted that children's social care in the UK is in a state of emergency, with vulnerable children placed far from home and private companies profiting.
Keir Starmer
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. One in four children are in absolute poverty, and too many vulnerable children live in unregulated accommodation. Through our Bill, we will put children's wellbeing at the heart of education and social care systems.
Session: PMQs
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At the Home Affairs Committee, we have heard worrying evidence about unaccompanied children arriving in this country and being placed in wholly unsuitable accommodation, including staying in rooms with adult males, which presents safeguarding risks. Clearly, there are issues about the age assessment process at the border and the responsibility of the contractors who organise the accommodation. Will the Minister tell the House what steps the Government are taking to ensure children in this country are safe?
Context
Unaccompanied children arriving in the country are placed in inappropriate and unsafe accommodations.
The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)
When people arrive and claim to be children, there are tests at the border to check whether we think they are children. If they are accepted as children, they are put into local authority care, so they should not be in asylum accommodation at all. If they are seen to be adults and end up in asylum accommodation, they can always make an appeal to the local authority that they are in and undergo what is known as a Merton age assessment test, which will decide on their age once and for all.
Session: Topical Questions
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At the last general election, I made a promise to ex-miners in my constituency that a Labour Government would deliver justice on the MPS investment reserve fund and return it to its members. I am delighted that at the end of last year, this Government delivered, providing a boost of more than 32% to their pensions. However, in my constituency there are more than 600 BCSSS members, who are still really concerned about this issue, so I would welcome the Minister’s answer on that. Can she reassure them and me that the trustees will continue to update the members of that scheme? At the moment, there is a degree of uncertainty on what progress can be made over the coming months.
Context
The Minister previously discussed the impact of changes to the mineworkers' pension scheme, noting an average increase of 32% in monthly payments. The BCSSS is also under consideration.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I thank my hon. Friend for his concern for his constituents who are in the BCSSS. I am very receptive to the calls from BCSSS trustees. I wrote to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the end of last year to begin discussions. We have received a positive response from him, and we are now taking the next steps to move this process forward.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme
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Last week, the Court of Appeal overturned a first-instance decision regarding the anonymity of a judge who presided over the tragic Sara Sharif case in the family courts. I do not expect the Minister to comment on individual cases, and it is certainly not about that individual judge, but will the Government use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to open justice and press freedom?
Context
The Court of Appeal overturned a first-instance decision regarding the anonymity of a judge in the Sara Sharif case. Jake Richards raises concerns about maintaining open justice principles.
Sarah Sackman
As my hon. Friend rightly says, I cannot comment on that specific case, but we adhere to the principle of open justice and transparency in our legal system. That is why we have the publication of sentencing remarks and transcripts, and the broadcasting of many of our hearings, so that the public can see exactly how justice in this country is administered.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary for his answer. Last month I had the privilege of meeting Mandy, Emily’s mother, to discuss her family’s plight and their campaign and efforts to secure Emily’s release. I know that the Foreign Secretary met Mandy yesterday in Israel; I spoke to her afterwards, and she was very grateful for that meeting. What steps are the Government taking to secure humanitarian access to the hostages before release, which Hamas are disgracefully avoiding, and what pressures are being put on Qatar and Egypt in that regard?
Context
The MP met with Mandy, Emily's mother, to discuss her family's plight and efforts to secure Emily's release. The Foreign Secretary met Mandy in Israel the day before.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)
It was important to be with Mandy Damari in Israel yesterday and to speak to the Israelis, and to be in Saudi Arabia just before that, particularly to speak to my Egyptian counterpart and to press these issues. As Joe Biden has said, we may well be on the brink of a deal, and I know that the whole House will want to see that deal emerge in the coming days and to see Emily come home. My hon. Friend can be assured that humanitarian access, for which we have continued to press for the people of Gaza, is hugely important, and it is as important for the hostages.
Session: Emily Damari
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Two brave women from Maltby came to my most recent surgery. Each told me about the horrific physical and emotional abuse that they had suffered at the hands of their ex-partners. They also told me that the police had ignored non-molestation orders, which—as I know from my professional experience before I was called to the Bar—is far from uncommon. What steps will the Government take to ensure that any relevant court orders are given due force?
Context
Two women in the questioner's constituency reported that police ignored non-molestation orders, highlighting a common issue.
Yvette Cooper
My hon. Friend makes an important point. There is a serious problem of injunctions, non-molestation orders and protection orders not being treated properly. That is why we are introducing Raneem's law, which includes stronger protection orders and specialists in 999 control rooms.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Home Secretary reassure the residents of Dinnington that this Government will rebuild community policing, which was utterly let down over 14 years of Conservative Government?
Context
Residents of Dinnington expressed concern about ongoing crime and lack of police presence, despite optimism regarding a local regeneration project.
Yvette Cooper
My hon. Friend is exactly right. The percentage of people seeing police on the beat each week has dropped by two thirds over the past 14 years. This Government will put 13,000 more police and police community support officers back on the beat.
Session: Public Confidence in Policing
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What steps her Department is taking to increase public trust and confidence in policing. I am concerned about the decrease in police presence on the streets and the impact it has had on solving crimes, leading communities to feel more insecure and less confident in law enforcement.
Context
The question follows from a broader issue of declining public trust due to reduced police visibility and crime resolution rates over the last Conservative Government.
Yvette Cooper
Public confidence in policing fell under the last Conservative Government, as we saw a big drop in police on the beat, with fewer crimes solved. This Government are determined to turn that around by putting 13,000 more police and police community support officers back on the beat.
Session: Public Confidence in Policing
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Will the Secretary of State arrange for a meeting between me and the Roads Minister to talk about how we can get through the improvements that have been looked at for the last few years to ensure that our bridges are not hit and that we do not have black spots on the A5?
Context
The MP highlighted that a bridge on the A5 in Hinckley is hit every two weeks on average, causing concerns about road accidents and economic growth barriers.
Louise Haigh
I am sure that my hon. Friend the Roads Minister will be happy to meet him.
Session: Road Safety
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What steps are the Government taking to clamp down on speeding and boy racers which is a problem across my constituency, particularly in areas like Broom, Sitwell and Whiston, as well as along the A57 around the Todwick roundabout?
Context
The MP noted that speeding and boy racer activities are significant problems in Broom, Sitwell, Whiston, and along the A57 around Todwick roundabout. These issues lead to antisocial behavior and dangerous driving.
Louise Haigh
The Government will give police the powers they need to seize illegal, dangerous and antisocial vehicles and take them off the streets for good. We are working on delivering a road safety strategy to reduce antisocial behaviour, injuries and tragic deaths on our roads.
Session: Road Safety
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What lessons can be learnt more generally to ensure that speedy justice can occur for specific offences, particularly domestic violence?
Context
The MP is interested in lessons learned from the prosecution of rioters to improve efficiency in prosecuting other specific crimes, particularly domestic violence.
Sarah Sackman
The main lesson that we can take from this is how well the system can work when all of its constituent parts—the police, the leadership at the top of Government, and the CPS—all pull in the same direction. That approach will inform this Government's commitment to mission-led government, which will bring all the key elements of the criminal justice system together and ensure that decisions are taken with the whole system in mind.
Session: Rioters Prosecutions
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What steps she is taking to help ensure rioters are prosecuted efficiently and effectively. The Member notes that recent events require timely and effective legal responses.
Context
The MP is concerned about the prosecution efficiency for those involved in recent riots, following a period of disorder during summer.
Sarah Sackman
The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have been clear that there is no place for senseless violence on our streets. During the summer, after recent disorder, the Crown Prosecution Service deployed an additional 100 prosecutors, expanded its 24-hour charging service and received additional advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions to enable it to charge more quickly.
Session: Rioters Prosecutions
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What assessment has been made of the Killed Women campaign which raises awareness about the brutal nature of domestic murders?
Context
Three women are murdered by domestic homicide each week, a statistic the Government aims to tackle.
Alex Davies-Jones
Aware of the Killed Women campaign, aims are admirable. The Government recognises that three women a week being murdered is shocking and aim to tackle it.
Session: Domestic Abuse Victim Support
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Early Release of Prisoners
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Calls on the Government to exempt from automatic early release under the Sentencing Act 2026 offenders who have been convicted of sexual offences against adults or children, including rape and groomin...
Prisoner Early Release
29 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Prison Capacity Annual Statement 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Government are publishing the second annual statement on prison capacity, reflecting their determination to be open and honest about the state of the justice system. They inherited a prison system...
Sentencing Bill 2026-01-20
20 January 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Government welcomes the new shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Timothy, to his role and expects thoughtful analysis rather than vitriolic social media videos. The Sentencing Bill aims to address priso...
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill 2025-12-15
15 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Industry and Exports Bill builds on the Industrial Development Act 1982 and the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 to provide financial support through grants and loans. It aims to increase...
Cammell Laird Workers’ Imprisonment Public Inquiry 2025-12-10
10 December 2025
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
I thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting this important debate on the historical injustice of the wrongful imprisonment of 37 Cammell Laird workers who, in 1984, occupied their workplace ...
Sentencing Bill 2025-10-29
29 October 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The new clauses would require the Secretary of State to assess the effectiveness and use by courts of parenting orders and financial orders for yo...
Sentencing Bill 2025-10-21
21 October 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Proposes amendment to clause 1, page 1, line 14, by replacing 'not more' with 'less', changing the presumption for a suspended sentence order to apply to sentences of less than 12 months instead. This...
Sentencing Bill 2025-09-16
16 September 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Welcomes the introduction of the Sentencing Bill, which addresses the mess left by previous governments. Emphasises the need for punishment that works to prevent crime and ensure public safety. Highli...
Welfare Spending 2025-07-15
15 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Conservatives argue that the two-child benefit cap should remain in place, asserting it reflects principles of personal responsibility, fairness, and living within means. They claim lifting the cap wo...
Retrospective charges by Yorkshire Water
11 June 2025
The petition addresses the retrospective charges of £46.65 imposed by Yorkshire Water on residents, which were not included in their last Annual Bill for April 2024-March 2025, causing additional fina...
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Retrospective charges by Yorkshire Water
02 April 2025
The petition addresses a £46.65 retrospective charge imposed by Yorkshire Water on residents in the Rother Valley constituency, which was not included in their previous Annual Bill for April 2024 – Ma...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
55.4%
51 of 92 votes
Aye Votes
19
20.7% of votes
No Votes
32
34.8% of votes
Abstentions
41
44.6% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
12
Ministerial Questions Asked
28
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
9
Statements / Bills
2
Petitions Presented
92
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-10% below average
This MP:
12
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+476% above average
This MP:
28
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-5% below average
This MP:
9
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-18% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-20% below average
This MP:
55.4
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 Jake Richards's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.