Julie Elliott
MP for Sunderland Central
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
When will the Government offer more than a simple sticking-plaster for our towns, high streets and communities?
Context
71% of requests for funding from the community ownership fund have been rejected since 2021, leading to communities competing against each other and not addressing underlying causes.
Rishi Sunak
I set up the community ownership fund when I was Chancellor and it is doing fantastic work funding hundreds of projects across the country, including, I believe, one in the hon. Lady's constituency—the back on the map scheme. It is there to support local communities, take over assets—whether pubs, village halls or other community assets—and is doing a fantastic job. It is right that there is a competitive process because we want to make sure the money is deployed in the areas where it can make the most difference.
Assessment
Did not provide specific plans for addressing rejection rates or underlying issues
Session: PMQs
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Has the Prime Minister or any of his Ministers provided assurances to BP, Equinor, or other companies regarding contracts for the Teesworks industrial development site?
Context
No information given, but there is concern about government commitments to companies at the Teesworks industrial site.
Rishi Sunak
Contracts at the site will be a commercial matter for the involved companies.
Assessment
Did not provide any concrete commitment or information about contracts
Stated That It Is A Commercial Matter
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister join me in condemning Amazon's practice of throwing new technology into landfill when children need it for learning?
Context
During the pandemic, schools and families struggled to provide devices for learning while Amazon discarded brand-new tech.
Boris Johnson
I was shocked to hear about computers being sent to landfill and think this practice is bizarre. We are ensuring that tech giants pay fair share tax, thanks to the G7 agreement.
Assessment
Did not condemn Amazon's practices directly
Session: PMQs
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Why will the Government not commit to ensuring that our care workers are paid a wage they can live on?
Context
The Government stated pride in care workers but also that they do not set levels of pay.
Boris Johnson
This Government are proud of setting up the national living wage and making record-breaking increases last year. That is the most important thing we can do for care workers.
Assessment
Did not commit to ensuring a livable wage specifically
Proud Of Established Measures
Session: PMQs
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With food inflation well in excess of 15%, people cannot afford basic staples. What advice does the Minister have for households worried about providing food?
Context
Food inflation is over 15%, forcing many households to choose between heating or eating, particularly in Sunderland.
John Lamont
The Government continue to provide cost of living support, with average Scottish household receiving £1,850. About £5.2 billion was spent in 2022-23, more than the Scottish Government's entire annual welfare budget.
Session: Cost of Living
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Given the detrimental effect of the cost of living crisis on veteran mental health, leading to increased use of food banks, will leeway be given for universal credit rules impacting pension payments?
Context
Veterans in Crisis Sunderland supports veterans facing mental health challenges and food insecurity.
Andrew Murrison
Universal credit varies based on individual circumstances; extra funding is going into the Armed Forces Covenant Trust and Op Courage to support mental health issues among veterans.
Session: Veterans Cost of Living Crisis
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I am concerned about the scandal of poor military housing. Almost a third of homes need urgent repair though £650 million was allocated six months ago without success. When will these companies be brought into line and fix our servicepeople's homes?
Context
The state of military housing has deteriorated with nearly a third needing repair despite £650 million contracts failing to address the issue.
Andrew Murrison (Conservative)
Servicepeople care more about home quality than who runs them. The future defence infrastructure services contract is valued at £2.9 billion, aimed to improve housing for service members and sustain jobs across the UK.
Session: Topical Questions
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What assessment has been made of the impact of the cost of living crisis on veterans?
Context
The MP raised concerns about the increasing costs faced by households, particularly affecting those relying on benefits and pensions.
Andrew Murrison
The Government are committed to supporting households with initiatives such as the energy price guarantee and cost of living payments, addressing concerns about veteran support through Cobseo's October deep dive into impacts.
Session: Veterans Cost of Living Crisis
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I recently wrote to him regarding the experience that my constituents, the Collins family, had at Newcastle airport when returning from holiday at a quarter to 11 at night a week or two ago. They describe Border Force as 'hostile' and 'unpleasant'. What does he have to say? An urgent investigation and unreserved apology are required.
Context
The Collins family, returning from holiday in February or March 2022, faced difficulties entering the country due to Border Force's refusal to allow a five-year-old child entry despite his being a British citizen with a German passport. The father is a British-born citizen and the mother has settled status.
Damian Hinds
I thank the hon. Lady for bringing that experience to the Floor of the House of Commons. I am, of course, sorry that any such distress was caused to a family, and particularly to a child so young. She will understand that it is difficult for me to talk about a particular case at the Dispatch Box without having all the facts available, but I will be happy to follow up with her separately.
Session: UK Airport Passport Control Delays
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When are the Government going to sort out this situation and get a deal allowing our artists, musicians, truckers and support staff to tour across Europe properly?
Context
The Government has free trade deals with many countries, each having different rules making it hard for the industry to tour across Europe.
Caroline Dinenage
We are aware of the importance of UK's creative and cultural industries. Through our engagement with member states, we have established that at least 17 of the 27 allow visa and permit-free touring, including France, Germany, and Italy.
Session: Topical Questions
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What more can the Government do rather than just urge the Israeli Government to stop these evictions and demolitions?
Context
The questioner mentions that she and many colleagues have heard repeated stories from Palestinians facing forced eviction, dispossession, and demolition of their homes in areas such as Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, and Issawiya in occupied East Jerusalem.
James Cleverly
The United Kingdom has a close and productive working relationship with Israel. When we speak, the Israelis absolutely do listen. The hon. Lady dismisses our urgings, but I remind her that the UK's voice has had an influence on decisions made by the Government of Israel.
Session: East Jerusalem Forced Evictions and Dispossessions
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What recent discussions has he had with his Israeli counterpart on forced evictions and dispossessions in East Jerusalem? The questioner notes that she and many colleagues have heard repeated stories from Palestinians facing forced eviction, dispossession, and demolition of their homes in areas such as Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, and Issawiya in occupied East Jerusalem.
Context
Recent events have highlighted forced evictions and dispossession of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, prompting discussions between the UK and Israeli governments.
James Cleverly
The United Kingdom provides legal aid to vulnerable Palestinian communities at threat of demolition. In 96% of cases, those receiving UK-funded legal support have remained in their homes. The UK ambassador joined ambassadors of European states to urge the Government of Israel to cease demolitions and attended a meeting with Israeli authorities on 25 February.
Session: East Jerusalem Forced Evictions and Dispossessions
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What assessment has the Minister made of the links between hate speech and disinformation? Is there discussion between his Department and the DCMS?
Context
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-Committee has considered online disinformation during the pandemic.
James Brokenshire
As I indicated in response to the previous question, we are in discussion with the DCMS about these issues. It troubles me that sometimes this disinformation and these conspiracy theories can be used to galvanise more extremist behaviour. We are very alive to that in terms of working with our colleagues at the DCMS and in terms of our broader work in the Prevent space where this issue can move into terrorism.
Session: Online Hate Speech and Extremism
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Will the Government pledge to look at providing more financial support from central Government for services to veterans?
Context
The MP thanked Veterans in Crisis for their work and requested additional financial support.
Johnny Mercer
We are undoubtedly going through a transition at this time in terms of veterans' care. For too long we have over-relied on the third sector, and that responsibility is slowly shifting towards the state.
Session: Veterans Welfare Service
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In Sunderland and the wider north-east, lots of businesses—large, small and start-ups—rely on international supply chains as they trade internationally. What are the Government doing in these challenging times to ensure that international supply chains are protected?
Context
The context is the impact of international supply chains on British businesses, particularly those in Sunderland and the wider north-east.
Greg Hands (Minister for Europe, Trade Negotiations)
The hon. Lady asks a good question. One important thing that we will learn from this crisis is the importance of the robustness of supply chains. Currently, most of the focus is obviously on medical supplies, but that will extend more broadly. We need to make sure that we have diverse sources of supply, that the supply chains that ensue are robust, and that we have choice and diversity in respect of where we procure our goods from.
Session: Covid-19 Business Support
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Women’s Football: Talent Pathways and Player Wellbeing
08 February 2023
Responding: Stuart Andrew
Main Concerns
["Julie Elliott is concerned about the lack of equal access to football for girls at school level, with only 67% of girls having access. She highlights that not all children are offered a minimum of two hours of physical education per week and calls for long-term funding settlements for schools to ensure PE accessibility. She also mentions significant inequalities in investment between men's and women's academies, pointing out the disparity of £88 million versus £3.25 million annually. Additionally, she raises concerns about player wellbeing, including job security, safeguarding issues, and the impact of new image rights deals on players' mental health and body image."]
Specific Asks
["Elliott asks the Minister to update the House on the Prime Minister's commitment regarding equal access to football in schools. She requests plans for greater equity in funding between men's and women's games talent pathways, support for community leisure assets struggling with energy bills, and a definitive date for the publication of the White Paper on football regulation."]
Creative Industries: North-east
09 November 2022
Responding: Julia Lopez
Main Concerns
["The MP highlighted the significant contribution of the creative industries to Sunderland and the wider north-east, noting a combined gross value added of £1.5 billion for the sector. Despite a 43% increase in economic value over the past decade, she pointed out that cuts to council budgets had negatively impacted these sectors. The MP emphasized the importance of initiatives such as Sunderland Culture and Pallion Engineering's proposed production space at Pallion shipyard, which are vital for job creation and local economic growth. She also mentioned a 10th-anniversary celebration of Sunderland Culture, which has attracted over 3 million visitors and hosted nearly 40,000 school visits."]
Specific Asks
['The MP asked the Government to commit to supporting skills training and reskilling programmes for individuals transitioning into creative industries. She also inquired about specific plans to support arts training programmes and encourage young people to enter these sectors. Additionally, she requested information on how the Government intends to address challenges faced by freelancers during the pandemic.']
Women’s Elite Sport: Prize Money
26 April 2022
Responding: Nigel Huddleston
Main Concerns
["Julie Elliott is concerned about the disparity in prize money awarded to women compared to men in elite sports, noting significant differences such as £335 million for the men's European championship versus £13.4 million for the women's European championship. She highlighted that some female athletes struggle to sustain their sport full-time due to lower prize money and lack of commercial revenue, despite recent progress."]
Specific Asks
["Elliott asks the Minister what plans he has to work with governing bodies towards a fairer distribution of prize money in women's sport and how he will continue the growth seen in women's sport over the last decade."]
Women’s Football
26 January 2022
Responding: Nigel Huddleston
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the recent situation faced by Coventry United women's football club, where players and staff were informed two days before Christmas that their contracts would be terminated due to financial troubles. This highlights issues such as governance structures, working conditions for women players, and lack of respect and support within the women's game compared to men's football. The average wage in the men's championship is around £35,000 a week, while Coventry's team had an average wage of just £16,000 per year before liquidation."]
Specific Asks
["I ask the Government to provide a more definitive timescale for when they will publish their full response to the fan-led review and commit to conducting a wholesale review of women's football as recommended in the report. Additionally, I request information on adding the women's equivalent of men's sports to the listed events regime."]
Ways and Means
05 November 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
This Budget marks a turning point after 14 years of Tory neglect, focusing on fixing the public finances and services. The Chancellor has delivered on Labour's manifesto promises: protecting payslips ...
War in Gaza
07 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill - Clause 1 - The funding limit: funds to be disregarded
19 April 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
This amendment changes the procedure that applies to an SI containing regulations under new subsection (9B) of section 7 of the Building Societies Act 1986 so that it is subject to the affirmative pro...
Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
17 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Teesworks Joint Venture
29 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Funded Childcare
22 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Building Societies (Amendment) Bill - The entire bill for Second Reading
19 January 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The Bill aims to amend the Building Societies Act 1986 by introducing flexibility in funding sources and modernising governance, enabling building societies to compete more fairly with banks. It will ...
Gaza: Humanitarian Situation
04 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Hamas: Humanitarian Pause
27 November 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
4
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
46
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
10
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 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-19% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+58% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+850% above average
This MP:
46
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+5% above average
This MP:
10
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Julie Elliott's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.