Jo White
MP for Bassetlaw
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I recently spoke to a man in Worksop whose son's arm was badly broken when he was knocked off his bicycle by an off-road biker speeding on the pavement—dressed in black, no number plate, totally unidentifiable. The young boy no longer goes out to play. His experience is not unique. What action is being taken to smash the bikes, and put police back on our streets?
Context
An incident in Worksop where a young boy was injured by an off-road biker led to the question. The MP highlighted that this is not unique.
Keir Starmer
I am glad my hon. Friend has raised that, because off-road bikes were a complete nuisance under the last Government and got completely out of control. We are introducing new respect orders to crack down on off-road bikes, strengthening police powers in relation to dealing with this big problem that got out of control under the last Government. We will also deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood police to ensure that we keep control of our streets—something that was lost under the last Government.
Session: PMQs
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The Labour Government returned more than 9,000 people with no right to be in the UK, which is 20% more than the Conservatives did. Will the Prime Minister continue this trend and take action against criminal gangs that profit from people's misery?
Context
In the first six months of this year, small boat arrivals were up by 18% compared to the same period last year. The previous government spent £700 million on returns but only managed four volunteers.
Keir Starmer
Yes, we have returned 9,400 people with no right to be here. We are investing £75 million to smash criminal gangs and will not engage in gimmicks but rather a serious response.
Session: PMQs
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Ranby Prison in my constituency is undergoing a £70 million expansion. The main prison car park is across the very busy A620 road. On 1 December last year, prison officer Phillip Tetley was knocked down and killed as he crossed the road to get to work. He leaves behind his wife Eve and seven children. Eve Tetley is campaigning for a crossing to prevent such an awful accident happening again. Will the Minister meet me and Eve to discuss this further?
Context
Ranby Prison in the MP's constituency has a car park across a busy road, and on December 1st last year, prison officer Phillip Tetley was killed crossing the road to get to work.
Jake Richards
I thank my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour. My thoughts are of course with the family of Phillip Tetley, and with Eve in particular. I know that stretch of road very well, as it is on my commute to Retford station, and I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend and Eve to see if I can do anything to help.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-06-30
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How will Great British Railways ensure independent oversight for open access decisions, and what resources will the Office of Rail and Road receive to guarantee transparency and independence?
Context
Hull Trains' open access bid application was refused.
Keir Mather
GBR will have responsibility for ensuring capacity for taxpayer-funded services and deciding on the best use of the network. Open access can play a vibrant role, including services from my hon. Friend's constituency.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister join me in welcoming the appointment of ILIOS consortium, led by Kier and Nuvia, to construct a fusion power plant in north Nottinghamshire? I am sure he agrees that will mean jobs and new skills and training for my constituency and beyond. However, right now it would be difficult for constituents in Scotland to benefit because the SNP cannot decide whether fusion energy is nuclear energy.
Context
The SNP is uncertain about whether fusion energy qualifies as nuclear energy, which may affect Scottish participation in UK-wide efforts to advance fusion technology.
Chris McDonald
I know that my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit, but right now it would be difficult for constituents in Scotland to benefit, because the SNP cannot decide whether fusion energy is nuclear energy. I can tell SNP Members that it is, and they should be supporting nuclear energy across the whole country.
Session: Fusion Energy Private Sector Investment
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What steps he is taking to attract private sector investment for a fusion reactor. Last December, Donald Trump's media and technology group purchased a Californian-based fusion energy company, putting his son Donald Jr. on the board in a $6 billion deal. The race is on for fusion energy production at scale. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the appointment of ILIOS consortium, led by Kier and Nuvia, to construct a fusion power plant in north Nottinghamshire? I am sure he agrees that will mean jobs and new skills and training for my constituency and beyond.
Context
The race is on for large-scale production of fusion energy, with significant investments being made globally.
Chris McDonald
I do indeed welcome the £200 million design and build contract for ILIOS with, as my hon. Friend mentioned, Kier and firms like Turner & Townsend who can be relied on to deliver. We have allocated £1.3 billion over the spending review period for fusion.
Session: Fusion Energy Private Sector Investment
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I recently met Matthew Pendleton, who owns Apawtiser, a high-quality dog treat company. The company grew legs because processed dog food had made his pet dog violently ill. Matthew now needs the finances so that he can continue to expand, employ more staff and get Apawtiser on the national pet food map. I want to see businesses such as these succeed in my area, and Matthew’s small ask is: will the Government step in with the offer of an underwritten loan?
Context
Matthew Pendleton, owner of Apawtiser, a dog treat company in Bassetlaw, needs financial support to expand his business and employ more staff.
Lucy Rigby (Economic Secretary to the Treasury)
The Government extended the growth guarantee scheme, enabling £5 billion-worth of loans over the next four years. This will support businesses like the one mentioned by the hon. Member and I would be more than happy to meet her to talk about how her constituent might access that support.
Session: Government-backed Loans SMEs
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Under the last Government, cash-strapped authorities like Bassetlaw district council saw support grants slashed from a 66% funding commitment in 2011 to a 25% commitment in 2024. The compounded damage that this has done to areas like mine can be calculated in multimillions of pounds. Many authorities are on their knees. Can the Minister explain in more detail how they will be able to plan for the year ahead?
Context
The MP highlighted the impact of funding cuts on Bassetlaw District Council, noting that support grants were slashed from a 66% funding commitment in 2011 to a 25% commitment in 2024. She expressed concern about multimillion-pound damages caused by these cuts.
The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern)
I know that my hon. Friend always stands up for her constituency, and that she always will. Under our proposals, shire district councils are expected to see an average funding increase of 2.7% over the spending review period. Across the Department, we will support district councils in that and other ways, and I look forward to discussing the issue in detail with my hon. Friend and her council.
Session: Funding for Deprived Areas
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What assessment he has made of the potential merits of funding a permanent memorial to people who served in Northern Ireland. There are monuments for soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, but nothing for those who served in Northern Ireland. My constituent Kathleen, Anthony Dykes' mother, is now very frail, so I am her voice today asking the Government to commit to national memorial.
Context
On 5 April 1979, an IRA sniper killed Blues and Royals serviceman Anthony Dykes. His mother Kathleen is now 94 years old and feels her son's memory has been forgotten compared to other conflicts.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
On behalf of the whole House, I express our condolences to Kathleen on the loss of her son all those years ago. The names of those service personnel who died on deployment to Operation Banner are rightly listed on the armed forces memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum as a lasting record of their sacrifice. I do not know whether my hon. Friend’s constituent has had a chance to visit there, but perhaps that is something that my hon. Friend might like to facilitate.
Session: Memorial to People who Served in Northern Ireland
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The last Government failed to stand up for British farmers in trade agreements and left them vulnerable to flooding, rollercoaster energy costs and poor infrastructure. Can the Minister confirm that this Government will protect British farmers where the last Government failed?
Context
The MP is concerned about the vulnerability of British farmers due to poor trade agreements, flooding, energy costs and infrastructure. She asks for assurance that this government will protect them from these challenges.
James Murray
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out the failures of the previous Government, and to point out that this Government remain steadfast in our commitment to farmers across the country. That is exactly why we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over the next two years, including the largest ever budget for sustainable food production in our history.
Session: Economic Growth in Rural Areas
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Will the Government seriously consider involving Dounreay as we bring fusion to its wonderful fruition?
Context
Dounreay was the site of the UK's first fission reactor. The MP is interested in involving this historic site in future fusion projects.
Kerry McCarthy
I think fusion has huge potential, and so many companies stand to benefit. It is not just about the ultimate goal of fusion energy; it is also about all the technological advances we will discover. I have spoken to fusion companies which are, for example, finding uses for cancer treatment. I am very interested to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say about the possibilities of fusion in his constituency. We want to see this proceed.
Session: Fusion Power Plants
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Two weeks ago, the Budget announcement that the first fusion power plant will be built in Bassetlaw was welcome news. Can the Minister provide greater detail on this commitment, alongside the funding support being made available for the next financial year?
Context
The question follows a Budget announcement about building the first fusion power plant in Bassetlaw. The MP is seeking detailed information on this commitment and funding support.
Kerry McCarthy
My hon. Friend is a great champion for her constituency, and I was pleased to meet her to talk about this issue and to hear her Westminster Hall debate. I look forward to visiting her constituency later this month to see the fusion café and to visit West Burton, the site of the STEP project, after which I hope to be able to share more detail on how we will support fusion.
Session: Fusion Power Plants
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How are the Government tackling this rising challenge in schools, embedding it into the curriculum across all ages. The question references the need for statutory relationships, sex, and health education to address misogyny from an early age.
Context
The MP highlights the ongoing issue of misogyny being learned, tolerated, and reinforced in school settings and through social media influencers.
Anneliese Dodds
Misogyny must be tackled, and statutory relationships, sex, and health education is essential. New guidance will ensure that teaching meets the needs of students and teachers. The curriculum review will carefully consider how RSHE fits in with the wider curriculum.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Fusion Energy
23 October 2024
Responding: Michael Shanks
Main Concerns
["The future site for the spherical tokamak for energy production in West Burton could provide new opportunities for green energy production and economic growth, building on Bassetlaw's coalmining heritage. Local infrastructure and public support are key factors in this project's success. However, there is a need to address skills gaps, job creation, and industry development to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of fusion technology."]
Specific Asks
["The Government should make fusion energy a priority by ensuring sufficient funding for the STEP programme, establishing a coherent training programme for fusion skills, and committing to infrastructure improvements such as railway stations and road enhancements. The Minister is asked to confirm the Government's intention to ensure UK industry leads globally on fusion."]
Local Government Reorganisation
16 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Immigration and Asylum Bill
13 July 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The speaker has selected the reasoned amendment in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, but no specific opening argument is provided in this excerpt.
Nottingham Maternity and Neonatal Services
24 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Belfast: Violent Disorder
10 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Milburn Review: Interim Report
02 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital ID: Public Consultation
10 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Police Reform White Paper 2026-01-26
26 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Northern Powerhouse Rail 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
West Midlands Police 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Jimmy Lai Conviction 2025-12-15
15 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
85.7%
84 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
28
28.6% of votes
No Votes
56
57.1% of votes
Abstentions
14
14.3% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
2
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
49
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+908% above average
This MP:
49
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 (%)
+24% above average
This MP:
85.7
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 Jo White's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.