Karen Buck
MP for Westminster North
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The Government promised the 40 new hospitals three years ago and the Prime Minister has just expressed again his intention to proceed. Two years ago in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, which serves my constituency, a ward ceiling fell in during floods, the eye hospital was closed by a fire, and the birth centre and maternity wards were threatened by structural problems. This week, trust managers said that “the infrastructure is having an increasing impact on staff and patients…we just can't afford to continue to waste money on failing buildings.” However, the hospital is waiting for the commitment from the Government for the funding under the new hospitals programme. Will today be the day that the Prime Minister commits to that specifically?
Context
St Mary's Hospital in Paddington faces structural issues, including a ceiling collapse and flooding.
Rishi Sunak
As I said in a previous answer, the Government are committed to the new hospitals programme; we have committed record sums to NHS capital, not just for that programme, but for smaller-scale upgrades across the country. The conversations with her trust and others are happening in the same way across the country and I look forward to those conversations continuing.
Assessment
Specific commitment to funding St Mary's Hospital infrastructure
Session: PMQs
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Is the Prime Minister aware that evictions are occurring this week due to loss of income? Will his emergency legislation prevent these issues and ensure no one loses their home as a result of the crisis?
Context
There is an issue with people being evicted now due to loss of income, including those housed in low-cost hotels.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
Yes, I am aware and the Bill should come into force later today. It provides protection for three months, which is being reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing support as needed.
Session: PMQs
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Since the Government first promised to scrap no-fault possession grounds 4 years ago, some 4,240 London households were evicted last year. When will the Government be bringing in the Renters (Reform) Bill?
Context
Government has promised Renters (Reform) Bill for four years, but it hasn't been brought in yet.
Michael Gove
We are committed to introducing our Renters (Reform) Bill, which will end section 21—something that, when Labour were in government, it did not do.
Session: Topical Questions
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What assessment has he made of why there is a large fall in the number of people moving from economic inactivity into employment and a net movement from employment to economic inactivity?
Context
The Office for National Statistics reports a large fall in the number of people moving from economic inactivity into employment and an increase in net movement from employment to economic inactivity, raising concerns about government priorities.
Mel Stride
My assessment of economic inactivity is that it is falling; it has fallen by around 350,000 or more since its peak during the pandemic. That leaves us below the average rate of economic inactivity across the G7, the European Union and the OECD.
Session: Labour Market Inactivity
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The Government's mortgage crisis is about to be the next blow to hit renters, because so many are renting from those with buy-to-let mortgages. Already, 49%—almost half—of children in privately rented homes with parents receiving universal credit are in absolute poverty, to take the Government's preferred measure, and as we know, many of those parents work. Since then, rents across the country have risen by 9.5%, but the local housing allowance has risen by 0%. What does the Minister think is going to happen to low-income families with children in the private rented sector this year?
Context
The government's mortgage crisis is expected to impact renters, especially those in the private rented sector who are renting from landlords with buy-to-let mortgages. Already, many children in privately rented homes with parents on universal credit are in absolute poverty.
Mims Davies
Those struggling with mortgage payments should engage with their lenders. We have abolished the zero earnings rule for claimants on universal credit. £25 million was paid out in loans to 12,000 households in 2021-22 to support low-income homeowners. Over 200,000 low-income homeowners have been supported.
Session: Local Housing Allowance
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How long will it be before you expect lone parent employment rates to rise again to where they were three years ago?
Context
The Centre for Progressive Policy reports that a quarter of parents are underemployed due to lack of affordable childcare, costing the UK over £20 billion.
Mims Davies
We have amazing childcare opportunities and support through universal credit, claiming back 85% of costs. Further assistance is available through the flexible support fund. However, it's important that not everyone goes straight back to work; individual needs must be considered.
Session: Single-parent employment levels
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High childcare costs are indeed a major barrier to parents returning to the workforce. Parents may need at least £1,000 in advance just for the first month's childcare fees when seeking employment. Can you explain how a parent on universal credit who wants to move back into work is supposed to fund these upfront childcare costs and then wait a month for reimbursement?
Context
Parents seeking to return to work often need a significant amount of money (£1,000) to cover the first month's childcare costs before they can receive reimbursement through Universal Credit.
Mims Davies
I thank the hon. Lady for her point, encouraging employers to consider job design, flexibility and inclusive recruitment practices. Parents moving into work can receive support through the DWP flexible support fund for up-front childcare costs.
Session: Supporting People into Work Childcare Costs
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I welcome my hon. Friend to her place. Fifty-nine per cent of private renters on universal credit—844,000 households—are facing substantial rent gaps above the local housing allowance limit. They either reduce spending on necessities or fall into arrears, risking homelessness. With homelessness rising and local authorities predicting increased costs, does the Secretary of State acknowledge that savings from freezing housing allowances are merely shifting to additional homelessness prevention grants? Is it time for a new approach?
Context
Private renters on universal credit face substantial rent gaps, with 59% of them having rents above the local housing allowance maximum. This issue is exacerbated by rising homelessness.
Mel Stride (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
The amount spent on housing and housing support is almost £30 billion annually, with a projected increase to £50 billion by 2050. The Government are providing substantial support in this area through local housing allowance and discretionary housing payments. For homelessness issues, we have introduced a £2 billion package.
Session: Local Housing Allowance
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Will the Secretary of State now publish the report examining the effects of sanctions and conditionality that his predecessor refused to release? This could inform a debate on the effectiveness of sanctions in the Chamber.
Context
The Secretary of State indicated there would be a difference in tone within the Department. The Department conducted an examination of sanctions and conditionality, but his predecessor refused to publish it.
Mims Davies
The Minister stated that sanctions are important for work coaches to do their job and engage with claimants, particularly those who face underlying issues like being a care leaver or having home problems. Sanctions do not apply to all claimants; work coaches use discretion in such cases.
Session: Universal Credit Sanctions
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The truth is that many people migrating will be worse off because of the timing—in a period of high inflation. We know that the legacy benefit group to be transferred on to UC is on average much more vulnerable than those in the existing UC caseload; the great majority of legacy ESA clients are in the support group. Can the Minister tell us exactly how the migration process is going? Has it been tested at scale to ensure that it is safe for vulnerable clients?
Context
Concerns about the testing and safety of the migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, especially for more vulnerable claimants.
Chloe Smith
The process being followed is one of initial discovery. After that, it will be possible to provide fuller answers about how the broader process will work. The vast majority of claimants will either be better off or no worse off. 55% of people will see an increase in their award, 10% will see no change, and 35% will be protected transitionally.
Session: Universal Credit Migration Disabled People
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We are back in another short-term extension of the TfL funding deal. Will the Secretary of State meet the Mayor to sort this out?
Context
The Government cancelled meetings to discuss a long-term spending deal with Transport for London, causing concern among business leaders.
Grant Shapps
There have been numerous meetings with the Mayor, but he failed to bring forward his plan for pension reform and missed a deadline. The Mayor needs to start taking responsibility.
Session: Topical Questions
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What urgent steps are being taken to investigate issues at Operose Health GP surgeries? Will you meet MPs with those surgeries to address our concerns?
Context
Concerns were raised about the quality, staffing levels, and patient safety at Operose Health-run surgeries following a 'Panorama' broadcast.
Sajid Javid
First, I will ensure that the hon. Lady gets the meeting she requests. NHS GP services must meet the same requirements across the country, and we expect local commissioners to take action where standards are not met.
Session: Primary Care Staff Recruitment
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How is it acceptable that 42% of universal credit claimants face deductions of, on average, £61 a month? What action will be taken to address this?
Context
42% of universal credit claimants face deductions averaging £61 a month, raising questions about the adequacy and predictability of their income.
David Rutley
We have already set out our cost of living payments, which will benefit 8 million households in the UK. They are significant and much needed as we face these current cost of living challenges. It is also important to highlight that, over the past couple of years, we have seen the maximum amount that can be taken in deductions from benefits fall from 40% to 30% and now down to 25%.
Session: Low-income Households Cost of Living
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The independent review of persecuted Christians that was carried out in 2019 by the Bishop of Truro has been mentioned this morning, and it has its formal review this summer. The FCDO has made progress in adopting the report's recommendations, but will the Secretary of State assure the House of further progress in this area by the summer?
Context
The Independent Review of Persecuted Christians by Bishop of Truro was mentioned earlier and a formal review is due this summer. The FCDO has made progress on adopting the report's recommendations.
Elizabeth Truss (Foreign Secretary)
I am working very closely with my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), who is our religious freedom envoy. I am pleased to be hosting and attending the global summit to promote the freedom of religion in July, and we continue to make progress on implementing all the recommendations of the Truro review.
Session: Topical Questions
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If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, the MP noted that despite the conflict in Ukraine, there are issues of rising food prices globally affecting poor communities. She specifically mentioned Yemen where food prices have increased by 150% according to an IMF report. She asked what assessment has been made regarding the impact and for details on the Government's response.
Context
The UK is involved in providing sanctions and aid to Ukraine amidst Putin's ongoing war.
Elizabeth Truss (Foreign Secretary)
The hon. Lady is absolutely right: we are working closely with our international allies. We committed extra billions at the spring meetings last week to help provide food aid to the rest of the world. We are also restoring our humanitarian budget, as part of our aid budget in the UK, to deal with the crisis.
Session: Topical Questions
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My hon. Friend will know that in February, 9,846 people were claiming universal credit in Darlington. Does he agree that the decision to increase the living wage, extend the work allowance and reduce the taper rate will massively improve the income of people on universal credit?
Context
In February, there were 9,846 people claiming universal credit in Darlington.
David Rutley
Absolutely. We want to make sure that work pays, and my hon. Friend has highlighted that fantastically.
Session: Deprivation Benefits Policy
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How many fewer families would now be in poverty if child benefit had been uprated consistently with inflation?
Context
The real-terms value of child benefit fell by 16% between April 2010 and April 2021.
David Rutley
Questions on child benefit are for the Treasury. We work to improve universal credit taper and work allowance, providing greater financial security.
Session: Child Poverty
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More than a quarter of a million students are studying BTECs, but the Government are rushing ahead with a set of changes about which parents and schools and colleges are very concerned, especially as BTECs are taken up disproportionately by the most disadvantaged families in the most disadvantaged communities. One of the issues that have been raised with me is the limited number of opportunities and qualifications that will be available under T-levels, in comparison with BTECs. Can the Minister explain how a levelling-up agenda is being advanced by a reduction in the range of opportunities available to such students?
Context
The question addresses concerns about the reduction in opportunities for students studying vocational qualifications, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Alex Burghart
It was a central finding of the Sainsbury review, led by a Labour peer, that the vocational qualifications system should be simplified. What we are doing is creating world-class gold-standard qualifications that will give students meaningful work placements that will enable them to acquire qualifications designed by employers to give them the skills that the economy needs.
Session: Technical Qualifications Strengthening their Value
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What estimate he has made of the number of students studying for (a) BTECs and (b) T-levels in the 2021-22 academic year?
Context
The question seeks specific figures on the number of students studying BTECs and T-levels in a recent academic year, focusing on reform efforts in technical education.
Alex Burghart
We are reforming technical education to support progression and meet employer needs. Our initial figures show that nearly 5,500 new students started T-levels in September last year, more than four times the number who started in 2020. We do not routinely publish take-up data on individual qualifications such as Pearson BTECs, but we will publish in June the number of students who were studying for applied general qualifications at the end of 2021.
Session: Technical Qualifications Strengthening their Value
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With housing costs driving poverty, why did the Government decide to freeze the local housing allowance? Millions of renters are affected by this decision. Rents are increasing while support remains unchanged.
Context
The Government have frozen the local housing allowance despite rising rents and a shortfall in support for renters.
David Rutley
We increased LHA rates to 30th percentile of local rents in April 2020, a boost of £1 billion providing an average gain of £600 per person. We maintained these at cash levels and offer discretionary housing payments for those needing extra help.
Session: Increased Living Costs Benefit Claimants
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Further to the Minister's reply on the question of Afghanistan, Afghan residents in my constituency and elsewhere are watching the slide of that country into starvation with absolute horror and they contact my office every day to ask when people they know, including family members, who are trapped in Afghanistan and on the borders will be able to apply for the citizenship resettlement scheme. Saying that this will be “in due course” is simply not acceptable. It is three months since the collapse of Afghanistan and we need to know now when people will be able to apply under that scheme.
Context
Millions of Afghans are at risk due to famine and winter conditions.
Amanda Milling
On the points about humanitarian aid, we are doubling our assistance for Afghanistan, taking it to £286 million in this financial year. At the end of October, the Prime Minister announced an allocation of a further £50 million to provide more than 2.5 million Afghans with food, health, shelter and warm clothing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why are the Government not giving priority to restoring a version of Everyone In now?
Context
The Everyone In policy was successful in taking rough sleepers off streets during pandemic but abandoned too quickly.
Eddie Hughes
I am disappointed by the hon. Lady's suggestion that it has been abandoned. It certainly has not. The Government are committed to giving all people somewhere safe to sleep. We have the £10 million winter pressure fund and we have the winter transformation fund to help charities and faith groups to deliver single-unit accommodation, so this Government are very much committed to the cause and I would welcome working with the hon. Lady on this in the future.
Session: Topical Questions
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Two and a half years ago, practitioners were promised that the criminal legal aid review would be published in summer 2020. We are still waiting. The all-party parliamentary group on legal aid conducted an inquiry into the sustainability of legal aid, and the report was published last month. We heard compelling evidence from practitioners about the impact of inadequate legal aid rates. The consequent crisis in recruitment and retention is feeding directly into the courts backlog. Does the Minister agree that there is no route through tackling the courts backlog that does not also deal with the crisis of inadequate legal aid rates?
Context
The question follows from a two-and-a-half-year delay in the publication of criminal legal aid review and evidence highlighting inadequate rates leading to recruitment issues and court backlogs.
James Cartlidge
I pay tribute to the hon. Lady in her role as chair of the APPG. It is precisely because I see the importance of legal aid that I went to the meeting at which she launched the report. Key to this is the criminal legal aid independent review under Sir Christopher Bellamy QC. Of course, we are still waiting for him to publish that, but we look forward to seeing it as soon as possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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Like my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith), I pay tribute to Buckinghamshire Council for all that it has done with the Helping Hand scheme. Does the Secretary of State agree that in a place such as High Wycombe, where riches and poverty are often found so close together, it is imperative that we equip councils to provide local people with the local help that they need?
Context
The MP acknowledged the Helping Hand scheme by Buckinghamshire Council and emphasized the contrast between wealth and poverty in areas like High Wycombe.
Therese Coffey
I strongly agree. We are working through local authorities, which understand their communities well without there being blanket schemes. This is reflected around the country including in places such as High Wycombe.
Session: Household Support Fund
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It is not clear if the Secretary of State's Department has undertaken any form of assessment on the income shock; however, it is also about the wider economic consequences. Has her Department assessed the economic impact of the cut coming into effect in a few weeks?
Context
The Resolution Foundation indicates that a quarter of all households in the north-east will lose £1,000 annually due to an impending cut. This will strip millions of pounds from the economies of some of the poorest communities.
Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
My understanding is that, as we always knew the uplift was going to be temporary, an impact assessment was not undertaken because it would have been limited in time.
Session: Universal Credit Removal of Uplift
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The research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicates that nearly four out of every five families with children are receiving Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, rising to 45% in certain regions. Can the Secretary of State share her Department's assessment of how these families will manage losing £1,000 a year due to the upcoming cut?
Context
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that nearly four out of every five families with children are receiving Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, rising to 45% in the north-east, Yorkshire and Humber, and west midlands. These families face a £1,000 annual income reduction due to an upcoming cut.
Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
It may surprise the hon. Lady to know that more than half of recipients of Universal Credit are households without children. We have injected several hundred million pounds specifically to help people with children with financial challenges over the past year, but now that the jobs market is well and truly open, we will be doing whatever we can to help people get into work and better-paid work.
Session: Universal Credit Removal of Uplift
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Former Work and Pensions Minister Lord Freud described the benefit cap as “ghastly”. Efforts to protect incomes during covid have been undermined by more families being capped due to increased universal credit rates. Will the Minister explain how families were expected to move into work or reduce housing costs in the past 12 months when neither was effectively possible?
Context
MP discusses the impact of the benefit cap on families' ability to move into work or reduce housing costs during the pandemic.
Mims Davies
I remind hon. Members that the benefit cap is set at the equivalent annual salary of £24,000, or £28,000 in London, providing fairness between taxpayers and those with working-age support. Claimants can approach their local authority for discretionary housing payments if they need additional support to meet rental costs. The forthcoming in-work progression report will look at all these matters.
Session: Benefit Cap
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I understand that there will be a significant increase in beef and lamb imports from Australia, which are produced to lower standards at lower costs. What specific measures will you take to support British farmers facing this challenge?
Context
The UK is concerned about the impact of a trade agreement with Australia, particularly regarding beef and lamb imports produced to lower standards at lower costs.
George Eustice
We have secured important mitigations for the farming industry, including a tariff rate quota for the first 10 years on beef and sheep, and a special agricultural safeguard triggering tariffs if volumes exceed a certain level.
Session: Trade Deal with Australia British Food Standards
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I am concerned that environmental, animal welfare, and farming groups have all raised issues about both the small print in the deal and the precedent it sets. Trust is low, and deals can unravel as we've seen recently. Can you give us a date by which the Trade and Agriculture Commission will be fully operational and when the analysis of this deal will be published?
Context
Environmental, animal welfare, and farming groups have expressed concern over the agreement's impact on food standards.
George Eustice
The Secretary of State for International Trade will give a statement later. The Government have published key components of the agreement in principle, with some impact analysis already available.
Session: Trade Deal with Australia British Food Standards
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A quarter of all homeless households in London are accommodated away from their home areas before the end of the evictions ban, which affects their schools, jobs, and networks. Will the Minister condemn this practice? What will he do to ensure that homeless families are accommodated near their support networks?
Context
Before the end of the evictions ban, a significant portion of homeless Londoners were being housed away from their local areas and support systems. Previous government actions have been criticized for not addressing this issue.
Eddie Hughes
Councils should handle these matters as they are closer to the problem than the Government. The Government has allocated £5.2 million from the rough sleeping initiative and £6.8 million of homelessness prevention grant funding to the hon. Lady's council.
Session: Evictions and Homelessness
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Discretionary housing payments have suffered a real-terms cut this year compared to before the pandemic. Can the Minister explain?
Context
More than half of claimants needing help with housing costs face a shortfall between the help available and actual rent, amounting to £100 per month for universal credit claimants. The Minister is asked to explain why discretionary housing payments have suffered real-term cuts.
Will Quince (Minister of State for Welfare Reform and Housing)
We take this issue seriously, pumping an additional nearly £1 billion into local housing allowance, freezing it in cash terms for a year. We have two-week run-on of housing benefit, direct payments to landlords available, £140 million in DHPs, homelessness prevention grant, work coach support and Money and Pensions Service support.
Session: Support for Tenants with Rent Arrears
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Further education colleges are central to the roll-out of the Government's skills agenda, yet in London the teaching grant for further education colleges has been cut by 13.7%, which is equivalent to a loss of £64 million. Will the Minister explain why the levelling-up agenda has meant levelling-down for further education in London?
Context
The teaching grant for further education colleges has been cut by 13.7%, which is equivalent to a loss of £64 million.
Gavin Williamson
There is a major expansion in the amount of money we are investing in further education, and the last settlement included a commitment to close to £700 million for that. We are also putting a £1.5 billion capital investment into further education colleges, and colleges in London are able to apply for that.
Session: Topical Questions
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How many first-time buyers are affected by leasehold property issues, and why is the purchaser still left carrying the risk?
Context
The MP highlighted issues first-time buyers face with new-build and leasehold properties, mentioning the need for developers to address defects within the first 10 years.
Christopher Pincher
First-time buyers can use schemes such as Help to Buy, shared ownership with defects fixed for the first 10 years under new proposals, and the mortgage guarantee scheme allowing purchases with a 5% deposit.
Session: Housing Market First-time Buyers
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What recent assessment has been made of trends in the number of first-time buyers entering the housing market?
Context
The MP noted recent trends in first-time buyer activity and asked for an assessment of these trends, especially considering the impact of COVID-19.
Christopher Pincher
In 2018 and 2019 we saw the highest and second-highest number of first-time buyers since 2007. With the effect of covid, 2020 saw a 14% decrease from the 2019 total. The Government are now redoubling their efforts to assist first-time buyers through schemes such as Help to Buy, shared ownership, and mortgage guarantee offering a 95% loan-to-value mortgage.
Session: Housing Market First-time Buyers
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Of the 1.3 million universal credit households who are claiming housing support for their properties in the private rented sector, more than half face a shortfall between the rent being charged and the help available. With housing support cut again in the Budget, will the Minister answer this one question? Will that number have gone up or fallen during the remainder of 2021?
Context
More than half of the 1.3 million universal credit households claiming housing support for properties in the private rented sector have a shortfall between rent charged and help available. This number has increased by a quarter of a million since the start of the pandemic.
Will Quince
We increased local housing allowance rates in April 2020, lifting rates to the 30th percentile, giving an average increase of £600 more housing support per year than would otherwise have been received. For 2021-22, all LHA rates will be maintained at the increased level. Discretionary housing payments worth nearly £140 million are available next year.
Session: Benefit Claimants Rent Arrears
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Can the Minister confirm that if the Government proceed with ending the £20 UC uplift, together with rising unemployment, that will mean, by the end of this Parliament, that they will have seen 700,000 more children cast into poverty than at the beginning?
Context
The number of children in poverty has increased by 600,000 since 2010, with £9 billion withdrawn from social security since 2015.
Will Quince
We take the issue of poverty, and tackling poverty, incredibly seriously. Active discussions are ongoing with Her Majesty's Treasury. We fundamentally disagree with Labour's approach: simply throwing money at our benefits system led to a generation trapped on benefits and incentivised not to work.
Session: Covid-19 Child Poverty
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Does the loss of over a third of our police services and 80% of our youth services, along with halving of early intervention services, have helped or hindered in dealing with county lines?
Context
The MP's constituency has experienced a series of killings linked to county lines activity, with significant cuts to youth and early intervention services.
Victoria Atkins
The fault lies with criminal gangs peddling drugs. We have recruited extra officers and provided targeted investment for children and young people. The demand for illegal substances drives the market force of county line gangs across the country.
Session: County Lines Safeguarding
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The fact is that the number of children in poverty in the private rented sector rose by half a million between 2010 and 2019, so whatever uplift has been put in over the past year is in that context and we will see more children plunged into poverty as a result. Will the Secretary of State tell us exactly what steps she will take to ensure that more children do not fall into poverty as a result of the re-freezing of housing allowances?
Context
The MP is concerned about the rising number of children in poverty and seeks specific actions from the Government.
Therese Coffey
I think I have already answered the hon. Lady. We have not reduced the LHA back to pre-covid arrangements; we decided to make that change a permanent fixture but to freeze it at cash levels, recognising that, as I said, nearly £1 billion had been injected into welfare support. We will continue to work on this issue throughout the country and I am keen to see what we can do on aspects of housing, which is why I am in regular conversation with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about how we do things such as bring empty homes back into use as accommodation. I want to make sure that people have as much affordable housing as possible, and the increase to LHA of nearly £1 billion is one way to achieve that.
Session: Spending Review 2020
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The Secretary of State announced that the local housing allowance would again be frozen in cash terms in 2021, having only moved out of the previous freeze in March. That means, as the Office for Budget Responsibility has pointed out, that LHA rates will fall back below the 30th percentile. The Government have cut local housing allowance consistently since 2010-11, including freezing it from 2016 to this year. Will the Secretary of State tell us what estimate the Department has made of the effect on children in poverty of pushing the LHA back below the 30th percentile?
Context
The MP is questioning the decision to freeze the local housing allowance, which could exacerbate child poverty.
Therese Coffey
The decision made last year was to increase to the 30th percentile in cash terms—that is around £1 billion of welfare support that has been added. On consideration, we felt it was right to continue the cash freeze as we recognise that around the country we are seeing rents potentially going down, although I recognise that in some places they may continue to rise. Overall, people have certainty in the amount of cash that they have. It is certainly not going back but about making sure that this is a permanent change and was not just a temporary one.
Session: Spending Review 2020
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Did the Secretary of State write a letter to the Mayor proposing that the congestion charge be maintained at current levels and hours, and extended to cover the same area as the Ultra Low Emission Zone by October 2021?
Context
Conservative Members have begun campaigning against the Mayor of London's proposal to extend the congestion charge, raising concerns about its impact on transport funding and policy.
Grant Shapps
The Government have provided £1.6 billion in funding to TfL and are not requiring the extension of the congestion charge, despite the Mayor's requests for further financial support.
Session: Transport Funding in London
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What recent discussions have taken place between the Department and Transport for London regarding the adequacy of funding for transport provision in London?
Context
Transport for London and the Mayor are under pressure to maintain adequate funding for transport services amid ongoing financial challenges.
Grant Shapps
The Department regularly engages with Transport for London and the Mayor to understand the impact of covid-19.
Session: Transport Funding in London
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Child poverty is rising in the north-west, even before considering the economic impact of tier 3 restrictions. Despite claims that these measures protect household incomes, many families receive less than claimed percentages. How has your Department assessed the impact on child poverty and how does this compare to a local furlough scheme?
Context
The MP emphasised that child poverty rates have been increasing across the north-west before and after tier 3 lockdown measures. She questioned the effectiveness of universal credit and job retention schemes compared to a local furlough scheme.
Will Quince
The Minister highlighted government support packages, including the job retention and self-employment income support schemes. He mentioned strengthening welfare systems with additional £9 billion this year and around £5 billion increase in benefit rates for 2020-21.
Session: Child Poverty Covid-19
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Impact of Floods in North Westminster
07 September 2021
Responding: Rebecca Pow
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about the impact of floods in her constituency caused by heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage capacity. The flooding affected approximately 500 properties, primarily in Maida Vale, causing raw sewage to overflow into homes. Thames Water's response was deemed insufficient, with residents reporting slow and unhelpful assistance from the company. A significant number of people required urgent rehousing due to health risks posed by sewage contamination. Questions remain about why a major alleviation scheme designed for 100-year events failed within half a decade."]
Specific Asks
['The MP requests that the Government work with local authorities and Thames Water to review flood risk management practices, increase capacity in emergency responses, clarify liability issues, expedite independent inquiries, and improve accountability measures for water companies like Thames Water. She also seeks assistance in ensuring compensation for affected residents.']
Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation — [Sir Edward Leigh in the Chair]
02 December 2020
Responding: Kelly Tolhurst
Main Concerns
['The number of households in temporary accommodation has risen by 14% to 98,300 with 127,240 children affected. Many families are placed in substandard and insecure properties that are often expensive and lead to issues like dislocation, benefit cap breaches, and health problems due to poor conditions and maintenance issues. The cost of managing temporary accommodation is significant, but the quality of housing provided falls short, exacerbating the already vulnerable situation of homeless individuals.']
Specific Asks
["The government needs to address the lack of investment in social housing, remove the benefit cap, reverse the freeze on local housing allowance, and ensure that rents align with market rates. Legislation should be introduced to provide more security for private renters and end no-fault evictions. The welfare safety net must be strengthened, and councils' homelessness costs need full funding."]
Economy, Welfare and Public Services
22 July 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Informs the House that Mr Speaker has selected amendment (h), tabled by the Leader of the Opposition.
Debate on the Address
18 July 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The right hon. John Healey, in his capacity as a Labour MP, discussed the strategic defence review, aiming for 2.5% of GDP for national security, and touched on the conflict in Gaza, emphasising the n...
Coronavirus Act 2020 - Schedule 5 - Application of Chapter 1 of Part 1 to existing tenancies: transitional provision
24 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr. Jacob Young, the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, moved that the clause be read a Second time. The specific amendment proposed in this speech does not provide detailed arguments but can be...
Sudan: Government Response
22 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
17 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Palestine
08 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel-Hamas War: Diplomacy
11 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
14 November 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
The Private Rented Sector Bill - General discussion on the Second Reading of the Bill
23 October 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove moved that the Private Rented Sector Bill be read a second time. He thanked his colleague Eddie Hughes for laying groundwork t...
Israel and Gaza
16 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
2
PMQs Asked
46
Ministerial Questions Asked
77
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
4
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
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+243% above average
This MP:
46
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1484% above average
This MP:
77
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-58% below average
This MP:
4
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 Karen Buck's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.