John Penrose
MP for Weston-Super-Mare
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Weston-super-Mare is a growing town, so local health services are rightly growing as well. Weston General Hospital is treating more patients for a wider variety of problems than before, GPs' surgeries are offering thousands more appointments this year than last, and our new diagnostic centre means faster tests and treatments. However, there is a fly in our NHS-prescribed ointment: dentistry is not fixed yet. The new dental recovery plan is very welcome, but when will it mean appointments that Westonians can book?
Context
Weston General Hospital is treating more patients for a wider variety of problems than before, GPs' surgeries are offering thousands more appointments this year than last, and a new diagnostic centre means faster tests and treatments. However, there's concern about dental service availability.
Rishi Sunak
Our dentistry recovery plan will make dental services faster, simpler and fairer for patients, funding about 2.5 million more appointments.
Assessment
Specific timeframe not provided
Dentistry Recovery Plan
Funding 2.5 Million More Appointments
Session: PMQs
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Asked if the Government will take the lead in getting an international anti-corruption court under way to plug the gap for those living off ill-gotten gains beyond the reach of domestic courts.
Context
Moves to create an international anti-corruption court have been gathering momentum since the London anti-corruption summit in 2016. The proposal has support from countries such as Canada, Holland, and Nigeria.
Rishi Sunak
Paid tribute to MP's work on issue; establishing a new bespoke institution is significant endeavour but Foreign Secretary will look at proposals. Our Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has measures to crack down on dirty money, second anti-corruption strategy shortly published.
Assessment
The question about an international court was not directly addressed; instead provided information about existing measures.
Under Review
Considering
Session: PMQs
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May I interest the Prime Minister in proposals from the commission for carbon competitiveness, which I chair, that would deliver net zero cheaply and without deindustrialising our economy? It would help British manufacturers facing imports from countries with lower energy costs, make our exports more competitive everywhere, and cut fuel duty at home. We have strong backing from Britain's heavy industries, and cross-party support from the excellent hon. Member for Aberavon (Stephen Kinnock), whose name is also on the Order Paper. Would the Prime Minister consider adding his name to our list of supporters as well?
Context
Penrose proposes carbon competitiveness measures from the commission he chairs, aiming for net-zero emissions without deindustrialising.
Rishi Sunak
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and the commission for carbon competitiveness for the report that he has worked on and highlighted, and the Government are absolutely committed to putting in place the necessary policies for UK industry to decarbonise successfully. As he will be aware, the Government recently consulted on addressing carbon leakage in particular, with a range of potential options. We are in the process of considering those responses, and will issue a formal response in due course.
Assessment
The specific ask about adding support was not addressed.
Vague Commitment To Consider
Session: PMQs
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Two years ago, the Prime Minister commissioned me to propose 30 ways to boost growth and make Britain the most competitive country in the world. So far, we are under way with about half of them, but some of the most valuable, such as reforming ponderous and expensive utilities regulators or building on our international lead in open banking, have not moved at all. Will he meet me to discuss how to channel our inner Nigel Lawsons and unblock the arteries of our economy with low-cost, pro-competition supply-side reforms?
Context
Two years ago, the Prime Minister commissioned a report proposing 30 ways to boost growth and make Britain competitive. Some of the most valuable proposals have not moved forward.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend has a long track record of advocating for and implementing policies that increase our competitiveness and reform the supply side of our economy. His report was fantastic, and I look forward to meeting him to discuss those things further and help drive growth in this country.
Session: PMQs
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Has PM accepted broader threats to ministerial integrity extend beyond the ethics adviser's scope? Will he introduce additional measures as suggested by Transparency International and Spotlight on Corruption?
Context
The Prime Minister has committed to appointing a successor for the ethics adviser role, but threats to integrity may be broader than this position.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for his suggestions. I have committed to appointing an independent adviser on ministerial interests, looking forward to studying additional proposals.
Assessment
Did not commit to the five-point integrity plan as requested
Thanking The Mp For His Suggestions But No Concrete Commitment
Session: PMQs
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The Government have stopped issuing golden visas to prevent exploitation by oligarchs and crime lords. Will the Prime Minister pledge that anybody put on the sanctions list who is already in the UK will have their golden visa revoked?
Context
Golden visa holders potentially linked to oligarchs or crime lords are in London flats bought with dirty cash.
Boris Johnson
Yes, I thank the House for what we have done to accelerate the economic crime measures. We will be able to whip aside the veil of anonymity. Ownership of luxurious dwellings to which my hon. Friend refers will be exposed and yes, we will be able to take away the ability to remain in this country.
Session: PMQs
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The biggest factor driving up fuel bills is high international gas prices due to global markets. Labour's proposals shift costs from bill payers to taxpayers without addressing underlying issues like structural reform of the price cap and energy self-sufficiency. Does PM agree this demands such structural reforms?
Context
Concern over rising energy prices driven by international gas market conditions, with the need for structural reforms beyond short-term fixes.
Boris Johnson
The Government invests in renewables and nuclear to ensure long-term energy supply, unlike Labour's past failures which reduced nuclear capacity. Addressing current high gas prices requires investment rather than nationalising the energy sector as suggested by some.
Assessment
Specific ask about structural reforms not fully addressed; PM focused on investment approach instead of direct policy commitment
Highlighting Long-Term Investments
Session: PMQs
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Today's Subsidy Control Bill will allow UK rules instead of EU ones. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree subsidies need strong controls against misuse by future Labour Governments? Will he ensure more details are published on subsidies?
Context
The Subsidy Control Bill aims to replace EU-derived subsidy laws.
Dominic Raab
The Subsidy Control Bill will provide quicker, flexible support for UK businesses. Decisions on subsidies will now be subject to scrutiny by MPs instead of unelected EU bureaucrats.
Assessment
Did not commit to stronger controls against future misuse or more publication details
Support For British Businesses
Mp Scrutiny
Session: PMQs
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At the Budget, the Chancellor set out his intention to abolish national insurance—a £46 billion annual commitment with no clear plan as to how it would be paid for. One way to do it would be to merge income tax and national insurance. Does the Chancellor agree with analysis from the House of Commons Library that shows that merging those two would increase income tax by 8p in the pound?
Context
The question is about the Chancellor's intention to abolish national insurance, with a focus on how it would be funded.
Jeremy Hunt
Which is why it is not our policy.
Session: Topical Questions
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Using the evaluation task force and the What Works centres to systematically cut out ineffectual treatments and replace them with ones that work better could improve other public services, including back to work programmes, prisoner rehabilitation, and early interventions for supported families. Can he urge his department to utilise these resources?
Context
The effectiveness of the What Works programme in improving public service productivity is being questioned.
Jeremy Hunt
My hon. Friend is right to talk about the What Works programme, which has delivered more than 500 trials and is recognised internationally. There are some very good example in the NHS of what is working, including the NHS app. That is now used by 75% of NHS patients—including 17,000 over-90s, so let no one assume that older people are not internet savvy.
Session: Public Sector Productivity Programme
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If he will use outcome evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the Public Sector Productivity Programme. The programme aims to improve efficiency in public services with a £4.2 billion funding announcement in the Budget.
Context
The effectiveness of the Public Sector Productivity Programme is under scrutiny.
Jeremy Hunt
Improving public sector productivity is a major focus for this Government, which is why I announced £4.2 billion of funding to make our public services more efficient in the Budget.
Session: Public Sector Productivity Programme
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I welcome the adherence to an evidence-based approach to working out whether or not these various programmes work effectively, but may I urge Ministers to go even further by ensuring that every programme we currently commission is reassessed on the basis of outcomes, and then not recommissioned unless those outcomes measure up?
Context
The question builds on a previous commitment to an evidence-based approach and seeks further action to ensure all currently commissioned programmes are reassessed based on outcomes before recommissioning.
Gareth Bacon
I can confirm that the Government will continue to base our investment decisions to reduce reoffending on the best available evidence at the time. We are continuously improving our evidence base, for instance through the cross-governmental Better Outcomes through Linked Data programme.
Session: HMPPS Reoffending Programmes
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What recent assessment has his Department made of the impact of outcomes data from the Justice Data Lab on the recommissioning of HM Prison and Probation Service reoffending programmes in the last 12 months?
Context
The question follows a government commitment to an evidence-based approach in reducing reoffending rates. It requests an update on the impact of Justice Data Lab's assessments on programme recommissioning.
Gareth Bacon
Reducing reoffending is a core mission of this Government. We act on the basis not of emotion but of evidence, deploying a series of carefully researched interventions from the prison employment leads to the provision of 12 weeks of accommodation post release. The Justice Data Lab makes an important contribution by providing HMPPS and external organisations with a robust assessment of whether their interventions work.
Session: HMPPS Reoffending Programmes
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The Minister is absolutely right to suggest that good financial education helps people to avoid debts and poverty, and to build up a savings cushion for a rainy day. Prevention is undoubtedly better than cure, yet while statutory guidance ensures that students learn about threats such as drugs or unplanned pregnancy, money and finance are more optional. Should they not be taken as seriously as everything else?
Context
Continuation from previous question, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and prevention of debts and poverty.
Damian Hinds
I agree with my hon. Friend. There is relevant content in different parts of the curriculum, not only in mathematics, which is statutory throughout key stages 1 to 4, but at secondary level in citizenship. Further elements such as computing are particularly relevant to online fraud. In relationships, sex and health education, some aspects of fraud are covered, as is gambling, but I absolutely agree that it is important to keep these things under review.
Session: PSHE Curriculum Economic Education
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If she will issue statutory guidance on teaching economic education in schools as part of the PSHE curriculum.
Context
None provided, but the question refers to curriculum reforms and the importance of financial literacy for young people.
Damian Hinds
It is essential that young people are equipped to make important financial decisions later in life. My hon. Friend will recall our curriculum reforms, and the national curriculum for mathematics and secondary citizenship equips pupils with the essential knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to manage their money.
Session: PSHE Curriculum Economic Education
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I am delighted to hear that the road map is coming very shortly. My hon Friend will recall that I asked this question just before Christmas and he said it would be out in January. We were then hoping it might be coming out in yesterday's otherwise excellent Budget, but it did not. Other countries are coming up on the rails and trying to overtake us. The noise of the approaching herd is growing in our ears, so can we please move as fast as possible on this?
Context
The question builds on the previous exchange, emphasizing the delay in releasing the smart data road map and referencing international competition. The context is the urgency of maintaining a competitive edge.
Kevin Hollinrake
My hon Friend is right to hold our feet to the fire on this. We are pressing forward and we are determined to get it right, not just out quickly. He rightly said that I set the ambition to get it out in January, and that has put officials' feet to the fire as well in getting it out. I signed off the road map yesterday, so it should be out very shortly. I do not agree that other nations are hot on our heels on this issue, as we are way ahead.
Session: Smart Data Road Map
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When she plans to publish the smart data road map as there has been anticipation for its release since before Christmas, with expectations it would be included in the recent Budget statement but was omitted.
Context
The question arises from a previous commitment to publish the smart data road map in January, which was expected but not delivered. The context involves international competition and the importance of timely implementation.
Kevin Hollinrake
My officials are co-ordinating and leading on the drafting of the road map, which will set out the Government's ambition for future smart data scheme development across seven different sectors. We will publish that very shortly.
Session: Smart Data Road Map
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How many new NHS dental appointments does the Secretary of State expect to be available in my constituency of Weston-super-Mare, and by when? The MP noted that he supported the dental recovery plan and wants an estimate for his local integrated care board area.
Context
The MP welcomed the NHS dentistry recovery plan launched last month.
Victoria Atkins
Dental activity has increased by 15% compared to the previous year in his local integrated care board area. Our plan will support further increases through some 2.5 million additional appointments across the country, including in Weston-super-Mare.
Session: Topical Questions
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If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The MP inquired specifically about the Government's initiative to introduce baby loss certificates, which aims to provide formal recognition to families who have lost a child and has resulted in over 37,000 requests since its announcement two weeks ago.
Context
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about her departmental responsibilities, including initiatives such as baby loss certificates.
Victoria Atkins
I am committed to making our NHS faster, simpler and fairer for all, including families. The Government have introduced baby loss certificates, which allow families to receive formal recognition when they lose a child. Over 37,000 certificates have been requested since the announcement two weeks ago.
Session: Topical Questions
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Further to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) about the review of electricity market arrangements, I welcome the fact that we are, at last, getting to grips with the clunky old rules that add potentially hundreds of pounds to everyone's energy bills. May I urge the Minister to go faster? This is chugging along at Whitehall speed, and we need urgent action to reduce energy bills soon.
Context
The Minister is being urged to speed up the review process.
Graham Stuart
I thank my hon. Friend for his continuing interest in this issue. The REMA programme is considering a number of options, including sending more efficient locational signals, which I know he is very knowledgeable about, zonal pricing, reform to transmission charging and changes to network access. The second round of the consultation is imminent.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is great to hear that there is work under way, but I notice that my hon. Friend did not say how far it had got. I know that he understands that this is a huge opportunity to improve our over-subsidised, post-pandemic railways, so that passengers can get a better deal, but if we do not move faster it will slip through our fingers.
Context
The MP is concerned that the progress of identifying unused rail network capacity has been slow and wants to see faster action.
Huw Merriman
Since we met in November with the team, which included my hon. Friend, to see what further we could do, we have written to operators to clarify that unused access rights should be released. With regard to Department for Transport operators, we have hundreds of unused access rights that we have identified for release. We also talked about speeding up the entire decision-making process, and the ORR and Network Rail now have a draft service level agreement to do that.
Session: Unused Rail Capacity
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Whether the Office of Rail Regulation has identified unused rail network capacity for open-access services.
Context
The question concerns the identification of unused rail network capacity to support open-access services.
Huw Merriman
The Office of Rail and Road has been working with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to identify unused access rights. That work will support the release of under-used capacity on the rail network, which may then be used by potential operators in the development of open-access proposals.
Session: Unused Rail Capacity
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May I urge the Minister to go further and faster on this? The permitted development rights would create beautiful urban townscapes and unleash the biggest wave of housebuilding in half a century, which would in turn cut housing costs to rent or buy, be greener by allowing people to live within bicycling or walking distance from work and protecting rural landscapes from urban sprawl and, by increasing the development potential of almost any urban building, be the biggest single act of wealth creation in decades. What's to dislike?
Context
The questioner urges the Minister to go further and faster with permitted development rights, emphasizing potential benefits for urban townscapes, housebuilding, cost reduction, environmental impact, wealth creation, and protecting rural landscapes.
Lee Rowley
There is absolutely nothing to dislike, as my hon. Friend indicates, about speeding up the planning system to ensure we get the houses we so badly need. As I know my hon. Friend will appreciate, however, there is always a balance to be struck: we must ensure that we take local people with us, but we are committed to building more houses, and doing so in the right places.
Session: Permitted Development Urban Homes
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If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a permitted development right for urban homeowners to increase their property to four storeys where that complies with the local authority's design code.
Context
No specific background context provided. The question is about a potential assessment of the merits of permitting urban homeowners to increase their property to four storeys.
Lee Rowley
We have introduced national permitted development rights to allow a wide range of existing residential and commercial buildings to extend upwards by up to two additional storeys. We have also recently consulted on proposals to apply local design codes to those rights and further announcements will be made in due course.
Session: Permitted Development Urban Homes
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Local police in and around Weston-super-Mare have had notable successes in disrupting drug dealing and supply, but new dealers quickly take the place of the old ones. The quantity of drugs and the number of addicts are not declining. Does the Minister accept that although enforcement and education are vital, they are not enough to solve this problem on their own, and that the underlying legal frameworks we use to control these dangerous chemicals have to be addressed too?
Context
The MP noted that local police efforts to disrupt drug dealing have been successful, but new dealers quickly replace the old ones. He questioned whether enforcement and education alone are sufficient without addressing underlying legal frameworks.
Chris Philp
Enforcement is important. Besides closing down those 2,000 county lines, Border Force seized about 19 tonnes of cocaine in the year ending March 2022—the largest amount seized in a single year on record. I have already mentioned treatment. The most important thing is to get people out of their addiction entirely, which is why we are investing so much extra money in treatment. There are no plans to change the legal framework.
Session: Ten-year Drugs Plan
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What progress has been made by his Department on implementing the Government's 10-year drugs plan “From harm to hope”, published on 6 December 2021?
Context
The MP inquired about progress on implementing the Government's drug strategy published on December 6, 2021.
Chris Philp
The commitments in the drugs strategy are being delivered, including investing more than £300 million in additional treatment capacity to create over 50,000 extra treatment places. We are also enforcing hard, such as by closing down more than 2,000 county lines since 2019.
Session: Ten-year Drugs Plan
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I congratulate the Minister. A CBAM is the cheapest and most future-proof way to save the planet and UK manufacturing jobs at the same time, but some of the details look troubling. Why have some manufacturing industries been left out entirely? Why are others arriving late, so they will be vulnerable to dumping? And how will he ensure that this is not just a tax and price rise for already hard-pressed families and businesses?
Context
The question arises in the context of an initial announcement about a CBAM and concerns regarding the exclusion of some industries and potential vulnerability to dumping.
Gareth Davies
I recognise and thank my hon. Friend for his work as chair of the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness. I will directly address his two main questions. On speed, implementation by 2027, at the latest, will allow the Government to engage with businesses to ensure that they are well prepared, but next year's consultation will provide more information on timings. We have identified eight sectors that have the greatest exposure to carbon leakage, from both a trade and an emissions perspective.
Session: Fuel Duty Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
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If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of a carbon border adjustment mechanism in the form recommended by the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness on fuel duty.
Context
The question arises in the context of recommendations made by the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness regarding a carbon border adjustment mechanism.
Gareth Davies
The Government have announced that they will implement a CBAM from January 2027. The UK CBAM will place a carbon price on some of the most emissions-intensive industrial goods imported to the UK and will ensure that the UK's decarbonisation efforts lead to a true reduction in global emissions, rather than simply displacing carbon emissions overseas. The delivery of a CBAM will be the subject of further consultation in 2024.
Session: Fuel Duty Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
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Asking about the progress made towards transparently publishing outcomes of employment programmes so they can be assessed by location.
Context
Ministers are focusing on back to work programmes, and there is a need for transparency in their outcomes.
Jo Churchill (Minister for Employment)
DWP regularly publishes statistics; latest restart programme statistical release was published on 7 December; mandatory placements are planned but policy detail and reporting yet to be worked through.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that the difference between insecure or exploitative work and going plural with a portfolio of well-paid freelance or part-time roles depends on how valuable someone's skills are? Ministers are rightly offering fresh opportunities for jobseekers to improve their skills, but in a post-pandemic world that is very different from what went before, what plans does she have to revisit and update the recommendations of the Taylor review to protect people whose skills have not yet been upgraded?
Context
The question explores the need to revisit and update the Taylor Review's recommendations considering the changes in the job market due to the pandemic.
Mims Davies
I thank my hon. Friend for making that point. As someone who was self-employed for not far off 15 years, I understand where he is coming from. Our work coaches at Jobcentre Plus offices engage with claimants to support access to skills provision. They get a comprehensive range of support, which includes apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, vocational and basic training skills, and careers advice, so that they can work in a way that suits them.
Session: Insecure Employment and Poverty
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What assessment he has made of the potential impact of insecure employment on people in poverty?
Context
The question addresses the potential detrimental effects of insecure employment on individuals living below the poverty line.
Mims Davies
This Government have made it clear that we believe that work is the best route out of poverty. It is important for different types of work to exist, as each individual worker's circumstances are personal to them, and DWP has an in-work progression offer to support low-paid claimants to progress into better-paid and more secure employment.
Session: Insecure Employment and Poverty
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In yesterday's data Bill debate, Ministers gave clear and positive replies about the importance of interoperable data standards, and the need for an investable timetable of which sectors will get smart data and when. However, they were much less clear—one might even call it bashful—about giving a date for when that timetable will be published. Is my hon. Friend the Minister willing to be a little less coy this morning?
Context
The MP notes Ministers' reluctance during the previous day's debate on providing a clear date for publishing a roadmap.
Kevin Hollinrake
I am not known for my coyness. My hon. Friend has done very important work in this space, and we share his ambition: I chair the Smart Data Council, and we are planning to open up databases right across our economy to allow for more competition in the worlds of energy, telecoms, and buying and selling houses.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that the CMA's instruction is a model of the kind of clear and strong legal duty that leaves no doubt in regulators' minds about the job that Parliament has asked them to do? Will he join me in pushing for equally clear and focused duties for other economic regulators where, sadly, the same cannot currently be said. The MP highlights his work on reducing regulatory burdens.
Context
The MP notes that his amendment to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill was supported by others in Parliament. He argues that clear legal duties leave no doubt about what Parliament expects from economic regulators.
Kevin Hollinrake
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for his very important work in this area. I know that reducing the regulatory burden is a cause that is very close to his heart, and to the hearts of those in the Chamber today who supported his amendment in the recent Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill. That view is also shared by myself and by the Secretary of State. We are very keen to make sure that, as well as ensuring that sectors are well regulated, our economic regulators focus on competition and economic growth.
Session: Regulators Statutory Duties
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If she will make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of the number of statutory duties of the Competition and Markets Authority and other regulators reporting to her Department. The MP notes that clear instructions from Parliament about how regulatory powers should be used is critical, citing the CMA's primary duty as an example.
Context
The MP is concerned about the clarity and effectiveness of statutory duties given to economic regulators, particularly the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). He points out that clear legal duties are crucial for regulators to understand their roles.
Kevin Hollinrake
The CMA has a primary statutory duty to promote competition both inside and outside the UK for the benefit of consumers, which provides the CMA with a clear, strong focus on delivering for consumers. In our recent steer to the CMA, we did point out how very important it is that it focuses also on economic growth.
Session: Regulators Statutory Duties
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Open access passenger and freight train operators have recovered faster since the pandemic, experience higher staff morale with fewer strikes, provide better deals for passengers and cost taxpayers less too. Over the next three to six months how many new open-access services does the Minister expect to see approved?
Context
The government is keen on approving more open access passenger and freight train operators.
Huw Merriman
I thank my hon. Friend for everything he does to push for more open access. It is something the Secretary of State and I are keen to do. I met this week with the Office of Rail and Road chief executive, our regulator, and we discussed what he can do to allow more open-access applications, and what we can do, and we then met with another bidder. There is another service planned with regard to Wales on the western line, and there is also one in the offing that could work on CrossCountry, plus one for the channel tunnel.
Session: Topical Questions
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The situation in Weston-super-Mare remains extremely worrying. There are no local dentists accepting new adult NHS patients, and many practices have actively reduced NHS work since the pandemic. Despite pushing both NHS England and the local integrated care board for action, only PowerPoint presentations have been provided instead of bookable appointments. What hope can be offered to Westonians who paid their taxes but are not getting any NHS dentistry?
Context
Local residents report that there is not a single local dentist accepting new adult NHS patients and many practices have reduced NHS work since the pandemic.
Neil O'Brien
The amount of NHS dentistry being delivered in the local integrated care board has increased in the last year. Additional children's orthodontic capacity within the ICB was recently commissioned, and further actions are planned.
Session: Topical Questions
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Universal credit has been effective in ensuring it always pays to work. However, jobseekers with no savings who were previously paid daily or weekly now face a five-week wait for their first payment, risking debt. Will Ministers consider proposals for initial payments at the same frequency as previous earnings?
Context
Universal credit recipients without savings face a five-week wait, potentially plunging them into debt.
Guy Opperman
There are no plans to change universal credit assessment and payment structure, but the official is happy to sit down with John Penrose to discuss his proposals.
Session: Topical Questions
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Higher education already publishes outcomes data, so students choosing courses can compare what their chances of employment and earning power will be for each course at each college or university and make fully informed decisions. Does the Minister accept that publishing outcomes for further education alongside higher education not only shows students the best courses and colleges, but puts FE and HE on an equal footing for the first time and pushes those offering low-value FE and HE qualifications to either shape up or close down?
Context
Higher education publishes outcomes data to help students make informed decisions.
Robert Halfon
I know that my hon. Friend is a champion of his brilliant Weston College, which is an example of the greatness of our FE colleges. He will be pleased to know that the DFE publishes outcomes data on further education, which shows statistics on the employment, earnings and learning outcomes of further education learners. We are introducing a data dashboard, which is in the direction of travel in which he wants to go.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that the recent controversies show the need for a transparently meritocratic honours system? Should we consider introducing a similar points-based system to choose recipients based on their achievements?
Context
Recent controversies have raised questions about the transparency and meritocracy of the honours system. A points-based immigration system has been introduced to select the best candidates from around the world.
Alex Burghart
My hon. Friend's idea has been considered but not adopted at this moment. The process remains transparent, with reports published regularly. While we want to ensure the system represents people from across the country, we do not believe it necessary to uproot the entire system.
Session: Honours Nominations
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Will my right hon. Friend release an implementation timetable immediately, showing which industries will introduce what and when?
Context
The Member is seeking information on the timetable for implementing smart data provisions in other sectors.
John Whittingdale
First, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the work he has done to promote the use of smart data across the economy. The Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) is working with Departments, regulators and industry to agree common principles for future smart data schemes in different sectors. Individual Departments will set out when and how they will use the powers, following appropriate consultation and impact assessments.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am delighted that street votes, which I and others have campaigned for for many years, is in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill. However, we need even stronger measures to stimulate housebuilding now that housing targets are rightly going to be much weaker. Will my hon. Friend consider building up, not out, which is street votes on steroids and is supported by many in the construction industry as the fastest, greenest and cheapest way to build many more beautiful urban homes for owner-occupiers and renters alike?
Context
Expresses support for street votes but argues for stronger measures to increase housing density.
Rachel Maclean
I thank my hon. Friend for his determination in bringing forward this innovative measure, which will enable the Government to meet their ambition of delivering the houses that are needed all over our community. He is right to say that local communities should be able to set their own local design codes. That will be a fantastic way for them to create a huge number of houses, building up, out and possibly around and across as well.
Session: House Building Densification of Urban Areas
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If he will take steps to increase house building through densification of urban areas through the use of local authority-approved building codes that pre-approve buildings.
Context
Proposes increasing house building by pre-approving buildings in urban areas via local authority-approved building codes.
Rachel Maclean
We are committed to ensuring that the planning system promotes the efficient use of land and creates more well-designed places in collaboration with local people. We are introducing street vote powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to allow residents to come together and propose additional developments on their street in line with their design preferences.
Session: House Building Densification of Urban Areas
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Does the Minister agree that rewiring energy markets through REMA, the review of electricity market arrangements, is the fastest and cheapest way to cut bills by uncoupling them from gas prices? Does he therefore agree that we should speed up and that bill payers would be best served by a Government White Paper on that before the summer recess?
Context
A discussion about the need to accelerate REMA review for faster and cheaper bill reduction.
Graham Stuart (Minister of State)
I thank my hon. Friend for separately sharing his detailed thoughts on REMA and its reform. This is a complex area with multiple interrelated mechanisms; it requires careful consideration to unlock the £280 billion or perhaps £400 billion of investment in generation and flexible assets that could be needed by 2035. While I share his impatience and desire to move fast, it is more important still that we get it right. I aim to publish a second REMA consultation in the autumn, which will narrow the options for reform and detail the direction of travel.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Minister for those examples. Does he agree that those reductions in the costs, delays and complexity of resolving disputes and enforcing the law are good not just for victims and plaintiffs but for consumers and taxpayers, and are also examples of how red tape can be cut without compromising the quality of British justice? So will he keep going on this crusade, and perhaps persuade other Government Departments to apply the same energy and rigour in their portfolios?
Context
MP acknowledges the Minister's previous examples of reductions in legal costs and delays. He questions if these improvements benefit victims, consumers, taxpayers, and whether other Government Departments can apply similar measures.
Mike Freer
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. For instance, for online civil money claims the times for issuing, responding and hearing dates are down to 9.4 days from 25 days, while damages claims are down from 11.4 days to one day and financial remedy consent orders are down to four weeks rather than many months.
Session: Trial Processes Efficiency and Economy
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What assessment has been made of the potential for improvements in the efficiency and economy of trial processes?
Context
MP inquires about the potential for improvements in the efficiency and economy of trial processes.
Mike Freer
We are committed to working closely with the judiciary and other partners to improve the efficiency of the criminal courts and family courts, including through the judicial-led cross-system Crown court improvement group. We aim to increase digitisation to reduce access-to-justice costs.
Session: Trial Processes Efficiency and Economy
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I welcome the bright and shiny new ministerial team to their roles, and I urge my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, as the new broom, to get this moving a lot faster. Some economic regulators are too expensive, too slow and too soft, so could we use the upcoming competition Bill to refocus them on sharper competition so that consumers get better deals and fewer rip-offs, because otherwise we will miss the best opportunity for years?
Context
The MP acknowledges the new ministerial team and expresses urgency for regulatory reform to address issues of inefficiency and high costs.
Kemi Badenoch
My hon. Friend is quite right. As set out in our policy paper, the duties and functions of Ofwat, Ofcom and Ofgem have significantly expanded since privatisation. I agree that the Bill would enable us to move more quickly, and I would like to work with him to see what we can do to improve regulation more broadly.
Session: Duties of Economic Regulators Utilities
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What recent progress has been made on updating the statutory duties of economic regulators in the utilities sectors?
Context
No specific incident or context is provided, but the question addresses ongoing work on regulatory reforms in utilities sectors.
Kemi Badenoch
We are committed to bringing forward a consultation in the coming months on proposals to reform our approach to economic regulation in the utilities sector. This will include the outcomes of our review of the regulators' statutory duties.
Session: Duties of Economic Regulators Utilities
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My right hon. Friend has a superb personal track record on this issue. May I urge him to redouble his efforts? Does he accept that transparency about who owns what means that oligarchs, kleptocrats and crime lords have fewer places to stash their dirty cash; that it is the single cheapest and most effective measure that any country can take to cut the social and economic costs that international criminality imposes; and that it becomes ever more powerful as the network of truly transparent jurisdictions grows?
Context
The supplementary question emphasizes the importance of open registers for reducing criminal activity and the commitment to ensure overseas territories adhere to their voluntary commitments.
Andrew Mitchell
Open registers of beneficial ownership are extremely important. My hon. Friend and I, and indeed the right hon. Member for Barking (Dame Margaret Hodge), did a lot of work on that from the Back Benches, and it is now Government policy. All overseas territories and Crown dependencies are committed to open registers. All have made voluntary commitments, and the Government intend to make sure that they stand by those commitments.
Session: Beneficial Ownership Transparency Measures
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Online Filter Bubbles: Misinformation and Disinformation — [Sir Mark Hendrick in the Chair]
16 January 2024
Responding: Saqib Bhatti
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the proliferation of fake news and disinformation online, highlighting issues such as radicalisation, democratic interference in elections, and the impact on public health due to medical misinformation. He points out that while the Online Safety Act takes some steps towards addressing factual inaccuracies, there remains a lack of measures targeting one-sided narratives.']
Specific Asks
['The MP proposes implementing a modern digital version of broadcasting code principles such as the duty of balance and undue prominence to address disinformation in online filter bubbles. He calls for cross-party consensus and prompt action given the high stakes involved.']
Penrose Review: UK Competition and Consumer Policy — [Clive Efford in the Chair]
08 March 2022
Responding: Paul Scully
Main Concerns
["The report 'Power To The People' recommends speeding up the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decision-making process, creating county competition courts for small local firms, updating local trading standards teams, improving public procurement processes, and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. However, there has been little progress on these recommendations, particularly in better regulation and economic regulators' statutory duties."]
Specific Asks
["The Minister is asked to provide a firm timeline for reviewing utilities regulators' statutory duties and to ensure that the Government's subsidy control system maintains transparency to prevent cronyism and wasteful spending. The lead MP also asks for progress on county competition courts, better regulation of businesses, and improvements in public procurement legislation."]
Levelling-up Bids: North Somerset
23 June 2021
Responding: Luke Hall
Main Concerns
['John Penrose is concerned about the designation of North Somerset Council as a priority 2 area for levelling-up and community renewal funds, despite his constituency being more in need. He notes that Weston-super-Mare has higher proportions of people claiming benefits, lower healthy life expectancy, and worse average travel time to employment compared to neighbouring priority 1 areas, even though it does not qualify as a priority 1 area due to postcode averages. Two wards within his constituency have indices of multiple deprivation scores ranking them in the top 3-4% nationally.']
Specific Asks
['Penrose asks the Minister to give strong weighting to more granular and detailed deprivation scores when assessing the bids, ensuring that genuine need is properly accounted for and not disallowed due to administrative postcode averages.']
Budget Resolutions 2025-11-27
27 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Chancellor is destroying the economy by putting up taxes, which has led to increased unemployment, diminished living standards, higher inflation and lost fiscal headroom. Labour's economic policy,...
Digital Markets Bill - Lords amendments and Government motions to disagree with certain Lords amendments
30 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP opens debate by moving that the House disagrees with Lords amendment 9, which pertains to secondary ticketing features. He highlights concerns about the balance struck in previous debates and t...
Women’s State Pension Age
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill - Motion to re-commit the Bill to Public Bill Committee
29 November 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill be re-committed to a Public Bill Committee due to significant issues with the amendments tabled by the Government. The amendments, introduc...
Not specified in this excerpt - Clause to be read a Second time
20 November 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Bhatti moved that the clause be read a second time, proposing an amendment related to consequential amendments etc in Chapter 4 of Part 4. He emphasised the importance of these changes for organis...
The Communications Act - Clause 82 and various amendments
12 September 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves amendment (a) to Lords amendment 182, introducing a series of consequential amendments aimed at improving the regulation of internet companies and social media platforms. The speaker highlights ...
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill - Lords amendment 23, Government amendments (a), Lords amendment 151 and other related clauses
04 September 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP moves an amendment to address the costs of proceedings in civil recovery cases. The proposed amendment seeks to ensure that those who benefit from proceeds of economic crime should contribute t...
Defence Reform Bill - Schedule 10 - Single source defence contracts
13 June 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This statement indicates that Alex Burghart is seeking for Schedule 10 of the Defence Reform Bill to be debated further and voted on by the House ...
New Housing Supply
05 June 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Davis highlights the critical issue of housing, noting that seven out of ten voters perceive a national crisis. He emphasises the importance of home ownership for social stability and security, contra...
Digital Markets Bill - Second Reading (Entire Bill)
17 May 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Digital Markets Bill aims to update the UK's competition framework for digital markets, ensuring fair play for all businesses in these rapidly evolving sectors. The Bill seeks to tackle excessive ...
8
PMQs Asked
76
Ministerial Questions Asked
58
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
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
+119% above average
This MP:
8
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+467% above average
This MP:
76
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1093% above average
This MP:
58
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 (%)
-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 John Penrose's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.