Karin Smyth
MP for Bristol South
Lab
7 May 2015 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
In Bristol South, around a third of children live in poverty, most of them in working households. It is about the same as in Tamworth, where the Conservative candidate for tomorrow's election made foul-mouthed comments about families struggling to make ends meet. This is the Prime Minister's Conservative party. Will he condemn that candidate's comments?
Context
Around a third of children in Bristol South live in poverty, many from working households. A Conservative candidate made foul-mouthed comments about families struggling to make ends meet.
Rishi Sunak
I am proud of our record supporting people with the cost of living. Thanks to the actions that we have taken, we have paid half of the typical family's energy bill last winter, frozen fuel duty and boosted the national living wage to record levels, and 8 million people across this country are now receiving direct cost of living payments worth £900.
Assessment
Condemning a candidate's comments regarding poverty-stricken families
Record Supporting People With The Cost Of Living
Session: PMQs
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Why are the Government breaking their promise to grieving families to make towing and our roads safer?
Context
The B+E test has a high failure rate, and the Government is abolishing it. This decision concerns families who lost loved ones due to unsafe driving.
Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)
We want to free up B + E licensing time so that we can get more people qualified as HGV drivers, but that cannot compromise road safety. We will review the legislation and its consequences at regular intervals.
Assessment
The PM did not specify timeline or specific actions for review.
Limited Commitment
Session: PMQs
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This Government are failing young people on apprenticeships. Apprenticeship starts are down, and there is an unspent levy that went back to the Treasury. Will the Prime Minister join me in urging all young people to support my apprenticeships fair?
Context
Before the pandemic, apprenticeship starts were down by 28% for under-19s. £330 million of unspent levy was returned to the Treasury. The promised number of new apprenticeships fell short.
Boris Johnson
I think jobs fairs are important and I know colleagues do them. The Government can be proud of our record in getting record numbers into employment, addressing pandemic issues with lifetime skills guarantee and kickstart funds.
Assessment
Did not commit to attending the apprenticeships fair
Acknowledging Importance But No Specific Commitment
Session: PMQs
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Despite watering down the targets for ambulance response times and the A&E four-hour wait, we have heard from Members how patients are waiting longer. Can the Minister let us in on what exactly the new targets will be for 2024-25?
Context
The government has failed to meet A&E four-hour waiting time targets and ambulance response time targets, despite watering down these targets. This issue was discussed across the House due to patients' longer wait times.
Helen Whately
I am not going to pre-empt the publication of targets for the coming year, but we will continue to learn lessons from progress made this year. Ambulance response times are down by over a third.
Session: Urgent and Emergency Care
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What steps are being taken to ensure that inquests can conclude by the self-imposed deadline?
Context
Concerns exist about the 1 May deadline imposed by the Government, impacting the ability of inquests to conclude.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government continue to assist Northern Ireland courts on legacy matters. The Act allows a coroner to request a review of a death by the independent commission if an inquest has not concluded via the coronial process by 1 May.
Session: Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation
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What progress has been made on implementing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles Act, which aims to address legacy issues from the conflict.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government are supporting the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery in delivering effectively for victims and families. The commission was established in December last year, and its doors will open on 1 May.
Session: Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation
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Why has the Wales Rail Board failed to initiate recommendations and other further improvements?
Context
The Welsh Affairs Committee highlights the need for improved connectivity between Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol. The committee also mentions the impact on constituents due to poor performance of Great Western Railway.
Fay Jones
The hon. Lady's constituents will be greatly affected by the project that she mentions and by the performance of Great Western Railway, which is not sufficient. The Office of Rail and Road has launched an investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in Network Rail's Wales and western region, and we await the recommendations of that review. I add that industrial action has affected things.
Session: Rail Infrastructure
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What recent discussions has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of rail infrastructure in Wales? The hon. Lady's constituents will be greatly affected by the project that she mentions and by the performance of Great Western Railway, which is not sufficient. Why has the Wales Rail Board failed to initiate recommendations and other further improvements?
Context
The Welsh Affairs Committee highlights the need for improved connectivity between Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol. The committee also mentions the impact on constituents due to poor performance of Great Western Railway.
Fay Jones
The hon. Lady's constituents will be greatly affected by the project that she mentions and by the performance of Great Western Railway, which is not sufficient. The Office of Rail and Road has launched an investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in Network Rail's Wales and western region, and we await the recommendations of that review. I add that industrial action has affected things.
Session: Rail Infrastructure
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My constituent has been denied additional funding for her nursing degree because she is domiciled in England but studying in Scotland, whereas those studying in England can access the funding regardless of where they are domiciled. What advice can the Government give me to help my constituent?
Context
A constituent has been denied additional funding for her nursing degree because she is domiciled in England but studying in Scotland. This situation highlights the discrepancy between Scottish and UK government policies on student funding.
John Lamont
Nursing bursaries for those wishing to study in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Government. Unfortunately, the Scottish Government only provide bursary support for Scottish-domiciled nursing students, and only if they are enrolled in a course that leads to a diploma in Scotland. In contrast, the UK Government ensure that the learning support fund is available to all UK students studying at English universities, regardless of where they are domiciled.
Session: Nursing Bursaries
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Whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on funding for nursing bursaries for those studying in Scotland. My constituent has been denied additional funding for her nursing degree because she is domiciled in England but studying in Scotland, whereas those studying in England can access the funding regardless of where they are domiciled. What advice can the Government give me to help my constituent?
Context
A constituent has been denied additional funding for her nursing degree because she is domiciled in England but studying in Scotland. This situation highlights the discrepancy between Scottish and UK government policies on student funding.
John Lamont
Funding policies for those studying in Scotland, including nursing students, is a matter for the Scottish Government. The UK Government support collaboration between our nations to share best practice and provide better healthcare services. We would be open to future discussions with the Scottish Government about this matter. Nursing bursaries for those wishing to study in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Government. Unfortunately, the Scottish Government only provide bursary support for Scottish-domiciled nursing students, and only if they are enrolled in a course that leads to a diploma in Scotland. In contrast, the UK Government ensure that the learning support fund is available to all UK students studying at English universities, regardless of where they are domiciled.
Session: Nursing Bursaries
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The Secretary of State has said that preparation for winter started last January, but 54% of A&E departments were still rated inadequate or needing improvement in December, exacerbating the winter crisis. What will she do differently this year to ensure that we do not have another winter crisis in 2024-25?
Context
The NHS is facing significant pressure in winter 2023-24, with concerns about hospital bed shortages and long waiting times. There are questions about the effectiveness of preparations.
Victoria Atkins
Again, the plan that we laid out last year is having a real impact at local level on the services being deployed through our accident and emergency services. We have seen discharge rates improving, for example. We appreciate that there can be local differences, but the importance that we put on maintaining that flow through hospitals is critical to ensuring that the waiting lists and waiting times that the hon. Lady describes are reduced.
Session: NHS Winter Pressures
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What steps his Department is taking to remediate hospital buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Can the Secretary of State tell the House how many of the hospitals where RAAC is an issue also have issues with asbestos being present? What assessment has his Department made of the impact should asbestos spores be released in a RAAC collapse?
Context
The MP is concerned about the safety of RAAC in hospitals.
Steve Barclay
We are prioritising the seven worst-affected hospitals and have a fund of just under £700 million covering the four-year programme of replacement. The hon. Member raises an interesting point about asbestos, because much of the NHS estate dates from a time when asbestos was widely used. Of course, asbestos is considered safe if it is undisturbed.
Session: RAAC in Hospitals
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People rely on local pharmacies but face problems such as high street closures or supply issues. The Government have announced plans to expand the role of community pharmacies but failed to update legislation that could help. Why will they not do so?
Context
Concern about high street pharmacy closures and supply issues, particularly for hormone replacement therapy.
Neil O'Brien
I have given a flavour of the four different reforms we are making. To give the wider picture, there are more pharmacies in England than there were in 2010, there are 24,000 more pharmacists and we are putting in £645 million to provide services not available under Labour.
Session: Pharmacy Services
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People are fed up with not being able to speak with a GP when they need to. GPs are warning that rising demand and increased costs may lead to workforce cuts or even closures. They are fed up with the bamboozling of numbers—more of which we have heard this morning—whether on GPs, full-time trainees, locums and now appointments. Whatever the metric, how many more GPs or GP appointments do they think are necessary for people to access the care that they need?
Context
Concerns raised by constituents in Bristol, Oldham, and Sittingbourne about the inability to speak with a GP. GPs warn of potential workforce cuts or closures due to rising demand and costs.
Neil O'Brien
We committed in our manifesto to increasing the number and availability of appointments by 50 million. We are well on our way to meeting that target, as we had 10% more appointments in the year to April than in the year before the pandemic. That is the result of the additional staffing that we are putting in: the extra 29,000 other clinicians and the nearly 2,000 more doctors in general practice. We have made that investment, but the reason why GPs are doing more appointments is not just that we have provided a fifth more funding since 2017 up to 2021; it is also that GP teams are working incredibly hard.
Session: GP Appointments
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What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social rented housing. The availability of social rented and affordable housing is the No. 1 issue that my constituents contact me about. Although Bristol's Labour council is building more social homes for the future, the Government's decision to scrap targets means that neighbouring authorities are not rising to the challenge.
Context
The availability of social rented and affordable housing is a major concern for constituents contacting Karin Smyth. She highlighted the Government's decision to scrap targets as affecting neighbouring authorities negatively.
Rachel Maclean
The Government are committed to increasing affordable housing of all kinds, which is why we are investing £11.5 billion, through the affordable homes programme, to deliver tens of thousands of homes for rent and sale right across the country.
Session: Social Rented Housing Provision
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What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social rented housing. The availability of social rented and affordable housing is the No. 1 issue that my constituents contact me about. Although Bristol's Labour council is building more social homes for the future, the Government's decision to scrap targets means that neighbouring authorities are not rising to the challenge.
Context
The availability of social rented and affordable housing is the top issue for constituents contacting Karin Smyth. Although Bristol's Labour council is building more social homes, neighbouring authorities are not due to the Government's decision to scrap targets.
Rachel Maclean
I would like to gently correct the assertion that the hon. Lady made about watering down housing targets. The Government are committed to building 300,000 houses across the country. We are building them in the right places, with community support. We understand the importance of social rented housing, and that is why we made a commitment in our levelling-up White Paper to ensure that more are built with the £11.5 billion of Government funding that her Labour-run council is no doubt benefiting from.
Session: Social Rented Housing Provision
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What steps will the Minister be taking to address gaps in the Procurement Bill to enforce payment deadlines and to make sure that filters down through the supply chain to help small businesses in my constituency?
Context
SMEs in Bristol South are crucial for economic growth and job creation, but there may be gaps in current support mechanisms.
Alex Burghart
The principles behind the Procurement Bill for SMEs were given to us by SMEs. We want transparency, simplicity and fairness. On that third point, we are keen to see people pay their bills promptly so that SMEs throughout the supply chain can get their money when they need it.
Session: Public Contracts Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
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What steps the Government are taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts. I am pleased to hear about the Procurement Bill because small and medium-sized businesses are fundamental to the economy of Bristol South and for jobs. What steps will the Minister be taking to address gaps in the Procurement Bill to enforce payment deadlines and to make sure that filters down through the supply chain to help small businesses in my constituency?
Context
SMEs are crucial to Bristol South's economy and job creation, but there may be gaps in current support mechanisms.
Alex Burghart
This Government are supporting small and medium-sized enterprises by transparently publishing contract pipelines, simplifying bidding procedures. The Procurement Bill creates a simpler and more transparent procurement regime that will further open up public procurement to SMEs. The Bill includes a new duty on contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs. We want transparency, simplicity and fairness. On that third point, we are keen to see people pay their bills promptly so that SMEs throughout the supply chain can get their money when they need it.
Session: Public Contracts Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
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This morning I met members of East Border Region, a cross-party, cross-border local authority-led organisation delivering peace and prosperity across the border. Will the Minister agree to meet them to discuss the work they have done over the past 50 years?
Context
The MP met members of East Border Region, a cross-party and cross-border organization focused on delivering peace and prosperity. She seeks a meeting to discuss their work over the past 50 years.
Steven Baker
Certainly, I would be glad to meet them. If the hon. Lady will write to me, we will take that up.
Session: Peace and Prosperity
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This month a care provider in my constituency is closing, citing the workforce crisis. Has the Secretary of State had a conversation with the new Chancellor to ask for a workforce plan on which we can all rely?
Context
MP mentioned that a care provider in their constituency is closing due to the workforce crisis, asking if there has been conversation with the new Chancellor about a workforce plan.
Steve Barclay (Department of Health)
As I said, I am meeting the Chancellor later today.
Session: Topical Questions
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We understand what the proposals are, but earlier the Secretary of State welcomed solutions. Today we heard that seven in 10 directors say care providers have closed, handed back contracts or ceased trading due to an imminent workforce crisis. Will the Minister ensure the Secretary of State heeds these warnings and responds adequately?
Context
The question arises from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services warning about closed care providers and a looming workforce crisis.
Gillian Keegan
We are implementing a comprehensive adult social care reform programme, with an additional £5.4 billion over three years committed in September 2021 and a 10-year vision for investment published in December.
Session: Care Setting Transfers Waiting Lists
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I do appreciate that it has only been two weeks, but the Secretary of State will be familiar with the use of root cause analysis to solve problems; however, yesterday he spoke for almost eight minutes on ambulance delays with scant reference to social care. Had he been badly briefed?
Context
The question follows the Secretary of State's comments on ambulance delays with little mention of social care.
Gillian Keegan
The Secretary of State did mention social care, and recently on 1 July, we established integrated care systems focused on local authorities working with health services to improve patient outcomes. We recognise these systems must work together around the patient.
Session: Care Setting Transfers Waiting Lists
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Quality care for our loved ones depends on a well-trained and motivated care force. Can she be more specific about a date for publication regarding the dementia strategy, and can she be clearer about the workforce plan, including training for staff?
Context
The question highlights the need for a well-trained and motivated dementia care force to ensure quality care, emphasizing concerns over previous government commitments.
Gillian Keegan
I assure the hon. Lady that there is a lot of work happening on workforce across health and social care services. Health Education England is working on the matter now and will publish a framework shortly. The White Paper outlines a workforce strategy that we will take forward with adult social care leaders, staff, and those who draw on this support.
Session: Dementia Care Social Care Workforce
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When will we have a credible workforce plan?
Context
There are significant NHS and social care vacancies.
Sajid Javid
In the last year, 44,000 more people are working in healthcare settings including 11,100 more nurses and nearly 5,000 doctors. I have asked the NHS to work on a long-term workforce plan over 15 years.
Session: NHS Capacity
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Around 10,000 medically fit people are currently in hospital when they should be at home with their families or in a supported setting. That is a tragedy for them and a mark of shame on this Government. Short-term cash, taskforces or threatening legal action are not solutions. Social care support is a lifeline not a luxury, so will the Government now work with us cross-party in line with the joint Select Committee report of 2018 to bring forward immediate change and offer hope and respite to those receiving and giving social care?
Context
The question addresses the need for cross-party work to improve social care support.
Sajid Javid
First, may I welcome the hon. Lady to her new position and wish her all the very best? She will have heard in a previous answer that social care and those who provide social care, which is such a vital act and such a vital service throughout our country, are receiving record amounts of support—£3.3 billion of extra financing since March 2020.
Session: Discharge from Hospital Covid-19 Outbreak
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Has the Treasury done an assessment of abolishing BTECs, and will the Government reconsider?
Context
The MP visited a jobcentre in Knowle to support people back into work, concerned about the abolition of BTECs as a crucial bridge for young people.
John Glen
The hon. Lady will know of the Government's investment in T-levels and the additional investment last week in apprenticeships, as well as a number of other interventions that the Chancellor has worked tirelessly with employers' organisations and trade unions on to develop the workforce and opportunities over the past 18 months.
Session: Plan for Jobs
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Will the Secretary of State look at how the universal credit housing element operates in areas affected by property and rental prices, such as constituencies just outside London?
Context
Rising rental costs and high house prices in areas outside London have made the private rental sector difficult for people on low incomes.
Therese Coffey
I am conscious of my right hon. Friend's concerns. When we made the uplifts over a year ago, we put an extra £900 million a year into support for housing costs through changes to the local housing allowance rate.
Session: Universal Credit Removal of Uplift
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We will be heading into difficult times with the end of furlough, so I want to thank my right hon. Friend for all the work she has done in support of the Leigh and Bolton jobcentres to help them prepare for those difficult times. Will she continue to ensure that they have all the resources that they need in order to support my constituents?
Context
The end of the furlough scheme is approaching, and the MP wants to thank the Secretary of State for supporting his local jobcentres.
Therese Coffey
My hon. Friend is right to praise his local jobcentres. One thing we have done as part of the plan for jobs is increase the number of work coaches, and indeed the number of jobcentres, thus demonstrating to people—particularly those who have been out of work already but are coming off furlough—that we are ready to support them so that they can get back into work as quickly as possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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If she will reverse her Department's planned removal of the £20 uplift to the standard allowance of universal credit. The circumstances in Bristol South are different, with people and businesses unhappy about the cut, which would pull £11 million from the local economy.
Context
The £20 temporary uplift to the universal credit will end within a month.
Therese Coffey
The hon. Lady may be aware that more than £400 billion of support has been given to the UK economy and people during this difficult time, with over £7 billion invested in welfare system supports. As employment grows, we aim to encourage work progression through our doubled number of work coaches.
Session: Universal Credit Removal of Uplift
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I join the Secretary of State in those comments; it was a pleasure to bump into some of those athletes and Ms Balding this morning in Westminster Hall. It was lovely to see them here—well done. The latest figures show that 50% of personal independence payment mandatory reconsiderations result in a change of award. This is causing huge stress and anxiety to vulnerable people in Bristol South and additional work for advice agencies. What sanctions have been applied to the private companies that are wrongly assessing the applicants?
Context
The government launched a national disability strategy this summer.
Therese Coffey
I am conscious of what the hon. Lady has said. Over the past couple of years, we have tried to improve the decision-making stages along the way. One of those important elements involves mandatory reconsiderations, and how we take what we have learnt into the initial decision making, which is still done by DWP civil servants on the advice of assessors. We have further plans, as set out in our Green Paper, which we published before the summer recess, and I am sure that the hon. Lady will take a close interest in that progress.
Session: Topical Questions
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I have listened to the words this afternoon, but my constituents living in leasehold properties in Bedminster and elsewhere are rightly furious now with the Government for betraying the promises that they would not be responsible for the financial cost of rectifying building safety defects, and the delays in announcing the Government loan scheme have just added insult to injury. So can we have a bit more detail? When does the Secretary of State think he will be providing full details regarding eligibility and timescales for implementation to help these people?
Context
Constituents living in leasehold properties are angry about the Government's promises being betrayed, and they face financial costs due to building safety defects. Delays in announcing the loan scheme have added insult.
Robert Jenrick
We have made good progress on the plan that we announced earlier this year. The extra funding is now available through the building safety fund, and we are working through the applications. For lower-rise buildings, we have said that we will bring forward a financing scheme in which no leaseholder will ever need to pay more than £50 a month. There will be long-term low-interest loans for cladding removal and remediation and associated works, and we have said that we will bring forward the details of that shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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I have written to the Minister about an error in the way the national school census recorded nursery provision. Along with the cancellation of the summer census, that meant that Four Acres academy in my constituency lost some £80,000. The Government change of date on the pupil premium has left Bristol schools with a shortfall of about £1.6 million. Catch-up funding is about £1.64 million. By my maths, that is a case—almost exactly—of the Lord giveth, and the Lord has taken away. Will the Minister meet me to assure me that poorer children in Bristol are not being penalised, and will he publish the data and let us see exactly what has come to our schools and what has been taken away? I will work with the Minister to ensure that that is clear.
Context
There was an error in the way the national school census recorded nursery provision, leading to a £80,000 loss for Four Acres academy. The cancellation of the summer census and changes in pupil premium dates have resulted in a shortfall for Bristol schools.
Vicky Ford
We have invested record amounts in early years funding over the past few years, with more than £3.5 billion a year for the past three years. We have continued to put unprecedented amounts into that. I confirm that, on the whole, more funding will be going to the pupil premium next year than in previous years. The Schools Minister leads on this matter, and I am sure he would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister commit to a public awareness campaign, including groups such as Compassion in Dying, Marie Curie and Hospice UK, to ensure that patients are fully aware and at the heart of these decisions?
Context
Concerned about the shockingly reported inappropriate application of DNACPR decisions during the pandemic.
Nadine Dorries
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. That is exactly what we are trying to do at the moment. We have posted a public-facing message on the nhs.uk website, which informs the public about how DNACPR decisions should be taken and the process involved.
Session: Covid-19 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
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What assessment he has made of the use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation orders during the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The question is prompted by concerns about the use and application of DNACPR decisions during the pandemic.
Nadine Dorries
In October 2020, I commissioned the Care Quality Commission to review how do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions were taken throughout the covid-19 pandemic and whether they had been inappropriately applied. We welcome the CQC report, which was published on 18 March, and we are committed to driving forward delivery of the recommendations through a ministerial oversight group, which I will chair.
Session: Covid-19 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
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Members are shocked that full service provision is not achieved. Women travel against advice due to lack of local services. Will the Minister expand on his comments, what will be considered for action, and when?
Context
The question highlights continuing concerns over women's rights and access to abortion care during the pandemic.
Robin Walker
We continue engagement with Health Department on progress. We recognise rights to healthcare, including high-quality abortion care. Urgency is acknowledged but challenges noted. Further legislative action will be considered if required.
Session: Abortion Services
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Will the Secretary of State and Minister commit to doing all they can to support delivery of shared education, as part of fulfilling a legacy work from the Good Friday agreement?
Context
The MP mentions hosting the Integrated Education Fund and having a positive cross-party discussion about supporting integrated education despite the pandemic.
Robin Walker
I agree with the hon. Lady about the importance of this issue. Under New Decade, New Approach, the Executive agreed to establish a programme focusing on educating children together to build a shared society. I have met Northern Irish parties and share their ambition to speed up delivery.
Session: Integrated Education
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Will the Minister now apologise to Northern Ireland businesses for the additional burdens they are facing?
Context
There is a lack of preparedness regarding IT systems, border operating models, and port infrastructure necessary for the protocol.
Robin Walker
We have been providing certainty and information through engagement forums with businesses. The UK Internal Market Bill is delivering smooth access, while talks continue in the Joint Committee.
Session: Leaving the EU without a Deal
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What discussions is the Minister having about specific funding for wider abortion services in Northern Ireland? Given the current situation, is he considering imposing a legal duty to provide these services locally?
Context
Amidst the pandemic, there is a need to ensure local provision of abortion services to avoid risky journeys. Despite political challenges, discussions are needed on specific funding and potential legal duties.
Robin Walker
Interim solutions have been reached with existing clinics providing some services. The Executive aims to move forward with formal commissioning, though specific funding or legal duty details are not provided.
Session: Abortion Services
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Can you confirm if this automatic extension applies to all claimants, including those who received an award following an appeal?
Context
The Secretary of State previously assured that PIP awards expiring during the pandemic would be automatically extended.
Justin Tomlinson (Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health)
The automatic extension applies to all PIP claimants. Initially there was an issue for those on fixed-term, short awards, but we have now addressed that and such claimants will continue to get a six months' extension if their award is due in the next three months.
Session: Access-to-work Costs
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What steps has been taken to ensure prompt payment of access-to-work costs during the pandemic? Specifically, how are key worker applications being handled?
Context
During the covid-19 outbreak, concerns were raised about delays in access to work payments.
Justin Tomlinson (Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health)
Access-to-work support has prioritised payments, including those to key workers, with same-day payments where possible. Key worker and new employee applications are being cleared urgently. Claimants can now email claim forms as a reasonable adjustment.
Session: Access-to-work Costs
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Apprenticeships: Government Support
24 January 2023
Responding: Robert Halfon
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the decline in apprenticeship starts and funding for levels 2 and 3 apprenticeships, which are crucial for young people in Bristol South. She highlights a decrease of 40% from 1,250 to 750 apprenticeships started in her constituency over nine years. The national picture shows an overall drop of 28%, with £330 million unspent levy returned to the Treasury and only one-fifth of promised new apprenticeships delivered. She also notes increasing skills shortages reported by employers, a rise in young people not in education, employment or training, and insufficient support for adult learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).']
Specific Asks
['The MP asks the Minister to outline immediate actions to improve apprenticeship quality, curb dropout rates, provide updates on the levy review, ensure more funding for supported apprenticeships and SEND, speed up degree apprenticeship implementation, and use apprenticeships to increase NHS workforce numbers.']
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — [Julie Elliott in the Chair]
01 December 2022
Responding: Leo Docherty
Main Concerns
['The number of women murder victims is at a 15-year high, with rape prosecutions and convictions also at historic lows. Domestic violence has skyrocketed during the pandemic, with 260,000 domestic abuse offences reported between March and June 2020 alone. Women in Bristol South face a variation from 7.1 per 1,000 in Redland to 79.9 per 1,000 in Hartcliffe and Withywood. The cost of living crisis is worsening the situation for women who are predominantly employed in low-pay sectors.']
Specific Asks
["The Minister should agree to implement some measures: put a rape and domestic abuse specialist in the police force; overhaul the police standards system; bring in a domestic abusers register; set up specialist rape courts. The issue of financial abuse as part of abusive behaviour must be recognised in the Government's strategy to address violence against women and girls."]
Health and Care Bill - Schedule 12 - Minor and consequential amendments
08 September 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to make minor and consequential changes to ensure the smooth implementation of the Health and Care Bill. These changes are nec...
Not specified in the provided text - Clause not specified, but it is related to Schedule 12
08 September 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
Karin Smyth is moving that the clause be read a Second time. She has not provided detailed arguments or statistics in this excerpt, but her intent is to advance the debate on the amendments within Sch...
Not specified in the provided text - Clause being debated is not specified in the provided text
08 September 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The provided text does not contain detailed arguments from Karin Smyth beyond the formal motion to read the clause a second time. Further details are needed for a comprehensive analysis.
Not specified in the provided text - Clause being read a Second time
08 September 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
Karin Smyth, a Labour MP for Bristol South, moved that the clause be read a Second time. The specific details of the amendment and its implications are not provided in the given text.
Health and Care Bill - Schedule 1
07 September 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to confer primary care functions on integrated care boards, thereby ensuring better coordination and integration of health ser...
NHS Corridor Care
08 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Expressed deep concern about the issue of 'corridor care' in NHS, highlighting that treatment in corridors is not care due to lack of proper equipment and dignity. Stressed the importance of accurate ...
National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation
30 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Compassionate Use Medicine Schemes: VAT
11 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Health and Social Care Bill
01 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, moved the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill. He emphasised the personal significance of the NHS in his life due to a ra...
Backbench Business
23 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Congratulated her colleague on securing the debate and highlighted the crucial role of allied health professionals in delivering the NHS's three shifts, especially in paediatric care. She cited exampl...
Attendance
87.8%
86 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
29
29.6% of votes
No Votes
57
58.2% of votes
Abstentions
12
12.2% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
37
Ministerial Questions Asked
123
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
26
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+176% above average
This MP:
37
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2431% above average
This MP:
123
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+175% above average
This MP:
26
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+27% above average
This MP:
87.8
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 Karin Smyth's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.