Karl McCartney
MP for Lincoln
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
People of Lincoln want their beloved Christmas market back after it was unjustly shut down by the Labour council last year. What message does he send to voters?
Context
The Labour-run city council in Lincoln closed the popular annual Christmas market against residents' wishes. Voters are upset before next week's local elections.
Oliver Dowden
I am afraid that what my hon. Friend described is the Grinch in action. The Christmas market, beloved by local residents but ignored by the council, was cancelled and should be reversed.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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There is a plan for at least 2,000 single young men who have come here illegally soon to be housed just 3 miles from the centre of Lincoln at RAF Scampton, in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh)—if Home Office Ministers have their way. On top of the huge and rising costs and the recent advice from civil servants to Home Office Ministers to can the plan, what reassurance can the Prime Minister and his Home Secretary give that Scampton will not replicate the scandalous incidents that occurred in Cambridge in 2014?
Context
There are plans to house up to 2,000 single young men who have come illegally into the UK near Lincoln at RAF Scampton. This raises concerns about costs and potential negative impacts on local communities.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is right to raise concerns. We want asylum accommodation to have as little impact on local communities as possible. The Home Office has put in place a specialist security provider working on site 24/7 and CCTV, and they are working with the local police. However, the only way to stop this issue fully is to prevent illegal migration through stopping boats.
Assessment
Specific reassurances about replicating past scandals were not given
The Home Office Has Measures
Session: PMQs
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Lincoln will soon benefit from £20 million of levelling-up funding to deliver a traffic bridge over the railway to stop the city being permanently gridlocked by the Labour city council's huge western growth corridor housing development. This is truly levelling up for areas of the north in action. Will my right hon. Friend affirm his commitment, for my Lincoln constituents and businesses, that he and his Government will continue to help level up Lincoln and other areas in the north of our great country?
Context
Lincoln will benefit from £20 million of levelling-up funding for a traffic bridge project.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is a fantastic advocate for his constituents. I am glad that he and City of Lincoln Council were successful in their £20 million levelling-up fund bid. The scheme will see two new bridges built across the railway line, improving access and reducing congestion.
Assessment
The specific commitment to continue such funding was not made explicitly.
Hedging Language
Session: PMQs
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Labour-run City of Lincoln Council has destroyed the 40-year reputation of our city's Christmas market and the Christmas cheer that Lincoln benefits from annually. The dereliction of its role, in choosing to take the easiest option by cancelling the market behind closed doors and in secret, shows Labour's neglect and disregard for small local businesses, charities and entrepreneurs, and for voters. Labour councillors in Lincoln should be ashamed of their actions.
Context
The Labour-run City of Lincoln Council decided to cancel the Christmas market behind closed doors, damaging its reputation and support for local businesses.
Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)
I share my hon. Friend's disappointment that there will no longer be a Christmas market in Lincoln, ending its 40 years of history. It is clear that for the city, only Conservatives can deliver better.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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From 2 to 5 December, Lincoln will be hosting its world-famous Christmas market in the grounds of the historic Lincoln castle. However, what is less than marvellous for my constituents is the levelling down of Lincolnshire's highway maintenance grant by 25% on 019-20 levels. Can my right hon Friend use his influence to cause the Treasury and the Department for Transport to revisit that unfortunate decision? Restoring the grant to 2019-20 levels is imperative to the safety of my constituents, whether in vehicles, cycling or walking.
Context
The highway maintenance grant for Lincolnshire was reduced by 25% from 2019-20 levels, impacting safety and infrastructure.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon Friend very much for his question and I will do my utmost—he has invited everybody, and I hope that a lot of people will be going to Lincoln. I am sure that my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will have listened carefully to what he had to say.
Assessment
Revisiting the highway maintenance grant reduction decision
Invited Everyone To Lincoln
Session: PMQs
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Will my right hon. Friend seriously consider allowing local decision makers to set tier systems locally based on their knowledge of their areas?
Context
The Prime Minister has approved funding for a relief road, but local businesses are concerned about the new tier system.
Boris Johnson
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, and I repeat what I said to the House several times yesterday afternoon. Of course we want to reflect local conditions as closely and accurately as we can in taking our decisions about tiering, but we must look at the entire national picture.
Assessment
Allowance of local decision making
Hedging
Session: PMQs
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I feel like a positive rose between two negative thorns today. I am sure that my right hon. Friend is aware of recent successes that Lincoln City Football Club have enjoyed. Unfortunately, covid-19 has hit football hard, especially those clubs dependent on ticket sales. Will he urge his Cabinet colleagues to review grant funding for football clubs and perhaps outline how we can return fans to matches at all levels of the game, as I have requested in previous correspondence? As it has been a while since the Prime Minister visited Lincoln, would he care to join me at an Imps match when we can return in person as fans of the beautiful game?
Context
Covid-19 has impacted football clubs, particularly those relying on ticket sales. Lincoln City Football Club is a significant organisation in Karl McCartney's constituency.
Boris Johnson
I can tell my hon. Friend that we do not want any football team to go out of business as a result of this pandemic and that we are doing everything we can. I understand the frustration of fans, and we want to get crowds back into the ground as soon as possible. As for his invitation to come and watch the Imps, I will do whatever I can to oblige as soon as possible.
Assessment
Specific review of grant funding and outline of how to return fans was not addressed
Session: PMQs
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While those of us with higher political morals than Captain Hindsight on the Opposition Front Bench have sought to do our collective best during recent times, what does my right hon. Friend believe are the views regarding antisemitism, following the recent Equality and Human Rights Commission report, that the current Leader of the Opposition—a knight of the realm, no less—holds now? Does my right hon. Friend believe that they are any different from those the right hon. and learned Gentleman displayed when serving the right hon. Member for Islington North?
Context
The MP is questioning Boris Johnson on his personal views regarding antisemitism and the recent Equality and Human Rights Commission report.
Boris Johnson
The only comment I would make is that I was genuinely amazed that the leader of the Unite union should make a remark of the kind that he did, and that the Labour party should remain in receipt of funding from Unite and take no steps to dissociate itself from that union after that remark. I did find that absolutely astonishing.
Assessment
Did not address his personal views or changes in the current Leader of the Opposition's stance on antisemitism.
Deflected To Criticism Of Labour And Unite Union
Session: PMQs
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Can my right hon. Friend further update colleagues and my constituents on the progress of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal, following the deals approved at upper tier council level earlier this year?
Context
There is a devolution deal in progress for Greater Lincolnshire, and the MP seeks updates on its progress.
Michael Gove
We have been consulting and we have listened, and we will have to wait until after 2 May to say more. I am looking forward to working with my hon. Friend to make Lincolnshire great again.
Session: Metro Mayors Local Economies
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Will my hon. Friend confirm when the formal consultation on basing child benefit on household income rather than individual income will commence?
Context
The question follows from previous changes announced by the government regarding high-income child benefit charge thresholds.
Nigel Huddleston
The Government will launch a consultation in due course on how to end this unfairness by administering the high-income child benefit charge (HICBC) on a household rather than an individual basis. The reform would require significant changes to the tax system, but the goal is to administer HICBC on a household basis by April 2026.
Session: High-income Child Benefit Charge
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What assessment has been made of the impact of raising the high-income child benefit charge threshold on household incomes?
Context
The question arises from the proposed changes to the high-income child benefit charge threshold.
Nigel Huddleston
The Government will raise the point at which child benefit is fully withdrawn to £80,000 from £60,000 and raise the high-income child benefit charge threshold to £60,000 from £50,000 from 6 April 2024. This change means that almost half a million hard-working families will gain an average of £1,260 towards the cost of raising their children.
Session: High-income Child Benefit Charge
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The UK's first nuclear fusion power plant is due to be built a short 45-minute drive from Lincoln. It will increase energy generation and hopefully limit the amount of agricultural land being used to house solar farms. Will my hon. Friend update the House on the role that institutions such as the University of Lincoln will have in providing research and training for these types of power plants and their associated advanced jobs of the future?
Context
The MP is interested in the role of universities such as the University of Lincoln in providing research and training for nuclear fusion power plants.
Andrew Bowie
It is indeed a very exciting time for fusion in this country. Our Fusion Futures programme will provide up to £55 million over five years to train more than 2,200 people, helping meet the demands of our growing fusion sector.
Session: New Nuclear
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What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to support Israel in securing the release of over 200 captives, including British citizens?
Context
The MP expresses support for Israel's right to defend itself and seeks information on efforts to secure the release of hostages.
James Cleverly
My hon. Friend reminds the House that the Government remain focused on the protection of British nationals in Israel, the West Bank and, of course, Gaza. It would be inappropriate for me to go into detail, but I can assure him and the House that we speak with all parties who we believe could have influence on those holding hostages: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and others.
Session: Israel and Palestine
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How do the UK's international climate finance commitments compare to other G7 and G20 countries or, historically, to before 2010?
Context
The question seeks to compare the UK's commitment with that of other G7 and G20 nations, as well as historically before 2010.
Andrew Mitchell
We are a global leader on these issues, as my hon. Friend knows, and we have set a lead. Part of that leadership is in respect of money. The UK has delivered extraordinarily on its commitments, including spending nearly £6 billion between 2016 and 2021.
Session: Climate Finance Commitments
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Earlier, the Minister was asked about the backlog of criminal court cases and answered at length regarding Crown courts. On behalf of magistrates and magistrates court staff, can we have an update on the situation with magistrates courts?
Context
The Minister previously provided an update on Crown courts. Magistrates and staff need an update on their situation.
Mike Freer
The magistrates have continued to make good progress in reducing the backlog, and that is a testament to the work they do on our behalf.
Session: Topical Questions
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What more can be done to remove barriers to entry for those wanting to train as doctors, nurses, dentists or dental nurses in the NHS, specifically in Lincolnshire?
Context
The MP asked about the impact of a new Lincoln medical school on local NHS professional training and recruitment.
Steve Barclay
My hon. Friend raises an important point on two levels. The first relates to how we boost recruitment in areas such as Lincolnshire, and the new medical school in Lincoln will play a key part in that. The second relates to how we increase the retainability of staff in those parts of the country, and having more on-the-job training and apprenticeships is a key way of doing that. That is why things like the new medical doctor degree apprenticeship will be particularly relevant to cohorts of the population in areas such as Lincoln.
Session: NHS Workforce Retention and Recruitment
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What progress has been made on increasing the number of doctors and nurses in the NHS?
Context
The MP asked about the progress made in increasing the number of doctors and nurses in the NHS.
Steve Barclay
The long-term workforce plan that is being developed by NHS England will help to ensure that we have the right staff numbers with the right skills to deliver high-quality services in the future.
Session: NHS Workforce Retention and Recruitment
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What steps has the MOD taken, or will it take soon, to allow those industries, in some cases small businesses, to survive, grow and thrive in this competitive arena?
Context
Lincoln, with its RAF-linked academy and innovative defence technology firms, needs support to thrive.
Alex Chalk
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Innovation is essential and we are supporting it through initiatives such as the defence and security accelerator and the defence technology exploitation programme. We have all the plans we need to give us a competitive edge and ensure we stay one step ahead of our opponents.
Session: Topical Questions
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The armed forces are a major employer across Lincolnshire—so much so that it is the ambition of the Greater Lincolnshire local enterprise partnership to become a nationally recognised cluster of innovation-focused defence companies, and to ensure that Greater Lincolnshire and Lincoln are a highly attractive first-choice destination for defence-related industries, service leaders and their families. Will Ministers assure me that Lincolnshire, including busy RAF Waddington, which now has the Red Arrows on base in my constituency, will continue to be a key area for defence investment?
Context
RAF Waddington is a busy location for the RAF.
Alex Chalk
I reassure my hon. Friend that Greater Lincolnshire continues to be a major investment hub for the MOD and the wider defence industry. RAF Waddington is one of the RAF's busiest locations and will remain a base for the foreseeable future. I very much welcome the creation this year of the Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Network.
Session: Topical Questions
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The North Hykeham relief road, championed since 2004, was highlighted in the Chancellor's mini-Budget. However, the £110 million DFT funding is short by £80 million of the total cost. Is consideration being given to upgrading this funding by inflation?
Context
The North Hykeham relief road was highlighted as a project for accelerated delivery.
Katherine Fletcher
My hon. Friend is a remarkable champion for Lincoln. He will forgive me if I quote the late Queen and say that I am in my salad days as a Minister, so perhaps we could meet directly and I could look at the scheme details at more length.
Session: Topical Questions
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Thank you, Mr Speaker; it is like I never went away. I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Supporting businesses will always be a key pillar for growing our economy and, by association, our small and medium-sized businesses, of which there are many in Lincoln and more across our county of Lincolnshire. They should be at the forefront of the Government's growth agenda. Devolved areas such as Teesside and the West Midlands have continually been successful in delivering for their areas. Greater Lincolnshire stands ready right now for a maximum devolution deal. Therefore, will the Treasury support any such deal for Greater Lincolnshire?
Context
The member requests Treasury support for a devolution deal in Greater Lincolnshire, emphasizing its readiness.
Kwasi Kwarteng
My hon. Friend knows that devolution is at the heart of the Government's plans to level up and strengthen communities, and in the levelling-up White Paper the Government have fully committed to offering a devolution deal to every area that wants one by 2030.
Session: Support for SMEs
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What fiscal steps he is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises?
Context
The member seeks clarity on fiscal measures to assist SMEs, highlighting their importance in the economy.
Kwasi Kwarteng
My hon. Friend will know that the growth plan really was a very strong package for business and for small and medium-sized enterprises, and I am sure that many of his constituents will appreciate the strong measures that we introduced.
Session: Support for SMEs
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The original question was about heating fuel, and I wonder if the Minister could let us know the proportion of people in London who use heating oil compared with those out in rural areas such as Lincolnshire or even in Scotland?
Context
The question follows a discussion about VAT on domestic fuel, focusing on the proportion of people using heating oil in different regions.
Lucy Frazer
My hon Friend is right: more people use heating oil in rural areas, and the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are looking at energy across the board to ensure that all people are protected.
Session: VAT Domestic Fuel
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Would the Minister and perhaps the Secretary of State care to visit Lincoln, see that great facility for themselves and reaffirm the Government's commitment to supporting the defence sector in Lincolnshire?
Context
The MP highlights the significant presence of defence-related employment and education initiatives within his constituency, specifically mentioning RAF Waddington and Lincoln College's air and defence college.
James Heappey
I pay tribute to the work of all those at RAF Waddington and those who support them. The Greater Lincolnshire local enterprise partnership is a major investment hub for the Department and the defence industry. Lincoln College's air and defence college, which is run in partnership with the RAF and with several key defence companies, supports existing career paths into science and engineering. My hon. Friend will be gutted that I am answering his question rather than the Minister for Defence Procurement, who is on his way to the Falklands, but I am certain that the Minister will want to visit, as my hon. Friend suggests.
Session: Support for Defence Jobs
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What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs across the UK?
Context
The MP is inquiring about the government's actions to support defence-related employment opportunities throughout the country.
James Heappey
The most recent estimate shows that Ministry of Defence investment supports more than 200,000 jobs in industries across the UK. We recently marked the first anniversary of the defence and security industrial strategy, which has received positive feedback from industry. Continued high and focused investment in defence, along with the changes that we are making as part of the DSIS, will contribute to further economic growth and prosperity, including jobs, across the United Kingdom.
Session: Support for Defence Jobs
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Supply chain resilience is very important to EU trade. How often does my right hon. Friend have conversations with colleagues in the Department for Transport and how helpful are these discussions?
Context
Concerns about the impact of supply chains on EU trade.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Discussions occur regularly across Whitehall. Businesses have faced supply chain issues due to covid, Russia, Belarus, and new supply chain challenges need support through the export service.
Session: Outstanding EU Trade Issues
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Will the Minister provide an update on the likelihood of bringing back the train line between Carmarthen, Lampeter and Aberystwyth especially in the 200th anniversary year of St David's University College?
Context
The MP is interested in the likelihood of bringing back a train line that existed in the 1980s and 1990s.
David Davies
Projects already under way include improvements to the north Wales coast and south Wales relief lines, but many suggestions like the one proposed will be looked at.
Session: Broadband Coverage and Speeds
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With Lincoln and Lincolnshire continuing to have a growing armed forces community—delivering the champions scheme along with other important parts of the armed forces covenant is important to my constituents. What more can be done in respect of the scheme to signpost veterans to these services?
Context
The question focuses on delivering the champions scheme effectively to support a growing armed forces community, especially regarding RAF Waddington and the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Mims Davies
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. In Lincoln, the armed forces champion is already receiving good feedback in their role. They work with several councils and local homeless veterans to make sure that those veterans get suitable housing. They are also helping claimants who are veterans back into work, using the flexible support fund and working with local employers and employment agencies.
Session: Armed Forces Champions in Jobcentres
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What progress is being made by the work of armed forces champions in jobcentres. The scheme aims to ensure that veterans' talents are recognised and they can move quickly on to their next step after service.
Context
The question arises from the need to support veterans and other members of the armed forces community in finding employment.
Mims Davies
In April 2021, we updated the offer in our jobcentres, boosting our network of armed forces champions to 50, supported by 11 area leads. They are focused on providing key support to veterans and other members of the armed forces community.
Session: Armed Forces Champions in Jobcentres
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Unlike the legacy system, which has in-built cliff edges, universal credit ensures that it always pays to take on more hours. Will my hon. Friend commit to working with employers, especially those in my constituency of Lincoln, in low-pay sectors to ensure that they can help their employees understand that?
Context
The MP inquired about the impact of universal credit on low-pay sectors' employees.
David Rutley
Throughout our job network, our employer partnership teams and employment advisers are working closely with local employers to ensure that they help claimants understand how best to benefit from the recent positive changes to universal credit taper rates and work allowances.
Session: Universal Credit Taper Rate Reduction Household Budgets
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What assessment has been made of the impact of the universal credit taper rate reduction on household budgets?
Context
The MP inquired about the impact of reducing the universal credit taper rate.
David Rutley
The reduction in the taper rate and increase in the work allowances mean that 1.9 million households will keep on average an extra £1,000 a year, representing an effective tax cut for low-income working households in receipt of universal credit that will be worth £2.2 billion a year in 2022-23.
Session: Universal Credit Taper Rate Reduction Household Budgets
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Connectivity is critical to levelling up, which is why I have advocated and secured significant infrastructure improvements in Lincoln since 2010. The recent counterproductive 25% cut in Lincolnshire's highways maintenance grant is not levelling up, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor was sitting next to the Prime Minister when I raised this issue at Prime Minister's questions a fortnight ago. If the Treasury does not provide the funding to return Lincolnshire's highways maintenance grant to 2019-20 levels, at the very least, there will be a significant impact on improvements and repairs to the highways network in our county.
Context
The MP notes a significant cut in Lincolnshire's highways maintenance grant, which is seen as counterproductive to levelling up initiatives.
Simon Clarke
I hope I can reassure my hon. Friend. The spending review confirmed that local road maintenance funding will be held at 2021-22 levels, which include the £500 million potholes fund committed to in our manifesto for places not receiving city region settlements. This represents a 10% increase on 2019-20 local road maintenance funding, with the exact allocations to be confirmed by the DFT shortly.
Session: Regional Growth
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Regarding specific individuals in Afghanistan whose lives or families' lives are at risk due to service alongside UK armed forces and Government agencies, why is the Department not acting swiftly to repatriate them? Would football involvement help?
Context
Many former UK special forces members vouch for individuals at risk in Afghanistan, but the Department has not acted quickly to relocate these people.
James Cleverly
The Afghan relocations and assistance policy allows Afghan nationals who served alongside UK forces or are at serious risk due to such service to settle in the UK. Sadly, not all could be evacuated during Operation Pitting, but efforts continue for evacuation where possible.
Session: Afghanistan
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I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his response and for his recent visit to our Crown court in Lincoln castle, the magistrates court in the city and Her Majesty's prison Lincoln, none of which are up for sale, Mr Speaker, but the judge's lodgings are, if you are interested. Pets are not just animals; they are often members of families, and many of my constituents in Lincoln would welcome changes to ensure that we protect our pets to the highest possible degree. As well as strengthening prosecution powers through the pet abduction offence and expanding pet ownership databases, does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that we must educate prospective owners to buy pets only from reputable breeders and potentially encompass farm animals in the same legislation?
Context
The department is working on a new offence of pet abduction and expanding pet ownership databases.
Robert Buckland
My hon. Friend hits the nail on the head. The idea that buying an animal by the side of the road or in a garage forecourt for cash is somehow legitimate trade is clearly wrong. I am grateful to colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for doing important work on promoting safer purchasing through the “Petfished” campaign.
Session: Pet Theft
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What steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle pet theft.
Context
The issue of pet theft is causing significant distress among communities.
Robert Buckland
The Government recognise the deep distress that is caused when a pet is stolen, and the pet theft taskforce carried out a thorough investigation of this issue. Its excellent report, published earlier this month, contains a comprehensive set of recommendations that will allow us to tackle this issue head on.
Session: Pet Theft
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In a city like Lincoln with a vibrant hospitality sector, successive lockdowns have hit my constituents hard, especially young people. Does the Chancellor agree that we must do everything possible to keep the economy open and focus on creating well-paid jobs for them?
Context
The MP highlighted the impact of lockdowns on young people in the hospitality sector.
Rishi Sunak
We have helped support hospitality jobs with VAT cuts, business rates reductions and employer national insurance exemptions on young people under 21.
Session: Helping Young People into Work Covid-19
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What fiscal steps are being taken to assist young individuals entering the job market as part of the economic recovery plan post-covid-19?
Context
The MP inquired about steps to help young people enter the workforce during economic recovery from the pandemic.
Rishi Sunak
Our plan for jobs includes a range of initiatives, such as the youth offer rolled out by jobcentres providing 13 weeks of tailored support and 140 dedicated youth hubs across the country.
Session: Helping Young People into Work Covid-19
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Does the Secretary of State agree that lockdowns and state intervention in the lives of constituents have gone far enough and need to be curbed?
Context
The question arises from the Government's decision to proceed with step 4 of the Covid-19 roadmap on July 19, 2021.
Sajid Javid
First, I am pleased that my hon. Friend agrees with the decision we have made to proceed with step 4 and the approach of moving from a system of regulation to one of guidance. As he knows, the pandemic is not over, so we are rightly moving forward in a measured way.
Session: Covid-19 Roadmap
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Will the Secretary of State assure me not only that RAF Waddington will play an active role in our nation's defence for many decades to come, but that he recognises that recently announced changes are a concern? What steps are being taken to preserve those with critical skills?
Context
The MP seeks assurance for RAF Waddington's long-term role and steps to preserve critical skills.
Ben Wallace
RAF Waddington remains in our plans as it becomes a national and international centre for remotely piloted air systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The MOD invests in Protector remotely piloted air systems and the Red Arrows will be based there.
Session: Defence Industry Employment
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that we must balance housing developments with the need to protect green spaces?
Context
There is demand for more housing but local green belts are being built on by large developers. The questioner seeks agreement to balance housing developments and ensure communities have the opportunity for smaller and individual housing within settlements.
Robert Jenrick
Agrees to protect and enhance green belt as manifesto commitment. Planning system based on local plans where local people choose sites, including smaller brownfield sites for small/medium-sized developers such as local entrepreneurs in Lincoln.
Session: Green Spaces
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I have recently received correspondence from the learning and skills lead for automotive engineering at Lincoln College in my constituency, which is shortly due to hold Autoinform 14-19, a practical taster event that aims to allow young people to spend time in workshops with local employers and industry specialists looking at electric cars, acoustic vehicle alerting systems, diagnostic methods and the MOT test. One difficulty is securing schools' buy-in with the scheme. How does my hon. Friend believe the Government can support organisations such as Lincoln College to ensure that we help as many young people into employment as possible?
Context
The question is prompted by a concern about how the Government can support organisations such as Lincoln College to ensure that young people are helped into employment, specifically in relation to an event aimed at engaging young people with local employers and industry specialists.
Mims Davies
The DWP's partnerships on the ground with local labour markets are key to these new employment opportunities. I am pleased that Lincoln JCP is working in partnership with the Network, a charity that aims to prevent young people from becoming NEET—not in education, employment or training—and engages with and connects to wider support. Customers will also benefit from a key partnership locally with the DWP, Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln College Group, which have created many new opportunities for our young people within the new kickstart scheme.
Session: Employment Young People
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Can the Minister confirm that only £1.2 billion of £5 billion set aside for full fibre roll-out is planned to be spent by 2025? Will Ofcom's decision remove pricing controls leading to higher costs in broadband-poor rural areas? When will we get the infrastructure needed?
Context
The MP emphasised the critical importance of broadband for various aspects of society. She questioned if £1.2 billion out of £5 billion committed by 2025 was planned to be spent, expressing concern over pricing controls that could benefit BT at the expense of rural areas.
Matt Warman
The £5 billion commitment will be spent as quickly as industry can lay cable. The balance between competition and fair return is struck by Ofcom to ensure all businesses involved get a reasonable profit.
Session: Gigabit Broadband
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What steps is his Department taking to roll out gigabit broadband? I thank the Minister for that response and look forward to a Government announcement soon. We need full roll-out of gigabit broadband. City of Lincoln Council has 99.4% superfast connectivity, but North Kesteven District Council only has 95.3%, with 2.74% receiving less than 10 megabits per second. How will the roll-out benefit all those in rural areas?
Context
The MP noted the importance of gigabit-capable broadband, especially given increased reliance due to recent events. He highlighted disparities in superfast connectivity between urban and rural areas within his constituency.
Matt Warman
The Government's Project Gigabit will explain where we will take best connections first and how we tackle hardest-to-reach premises. It promotes competition for the best market offering, including Openreach.
Session: Gigabit Broadband
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It is good to see you again this morning, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his reply. The rail corridor to Lincoln, which the Minister knows well, has a proposed upgrade of signalling at Newark, as well as plans for faster and more frequent trains to my constituency of Lincoln. Some of these schemes are almost shovel-ready and can begin this year. Will my hon. Friend consider these schemes and help Lincoln to receive the train services that my constituents deserve?
Context
The rail corridor to Lincoln includes proposals for upgrades, such as signalling improvements at Newark and faster, more frequent train services. These schemes are near-ready and could start this year.
Chris Heaton-Harris
Mr Speaker, I think we can both agree that my hon. Friend is a wonder to behold, as he demonstrates to us all that a sensible, coherent campaigning strategy—bringing together people and businesses, and demonstrating the potential economic growth that could result from schemes and infra-jstructure —leads to this Government delivering that infrastructure. One only has to look at the roads around his great city and the direct trains to London for which he has campaigned. Midlands Connect is developing a proposal, as he outlines, and if history is anything to go by, his resourcefulness will help to speed it through the process.
Session: Midlands Rail Hub
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What steps his Department is taking to accelerate the midlands rail hub project as part of the midlands engine rail plan.
Context
The midlands rail hub project is part of a broader plan to boost the Midlands Engine region. The question addresses steps being taken to expedite this critical infrastructure development.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Department has approved £20 million of funding for the development of an outline business case for the midlands rail hub. We are working closely with Network Rail to apply the principles of Project SPEED to the development of this project to ensure that it can progress as quickly as possible.
Session: Midlands Rail Hub
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As we move towards the end of this difficult period, what lessons can be taken forward regarding the simplification of the benefit process for those in my constituency and across the nation with confirmed severe conditions?
Context
The question builds on the initial concern about repeated assessments and seeks to identify lessons learned during a difficult period regarding simplifying the assessment process.
Justin Tomlinson
My hon. Friend raises an important point. One lesson we can take from these unprecedented times is to look to extend the principle of the severe conditions criteria and, where possible, use clear evidence to remove unnecessary assessments. We will explore that further, working with disabled people and health and disability charities, in the upcoming health and disability Green Paper.
Session: Benefit Claimants Repeat Assessments
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What steps is she taking to reduce the number of repeat assessments that benefit claimants with severe conditions are required to undergo?
Context
The question arises from concerns about repeated assessments that individuals with severe conditions must undergo, which can be distressing and resource-intensive.
Justin Tomlinson
We stopped regular assessments for people with severe conditions for work capability assessment and personal independence payment claimants with the highest level of needs which will not improve. We are continuing to remove pensioners on PIP onto ongoing awards at their award review, and the upcoming health and disability Green Paper will consult on further improvements to the assessment process.
Session: Benefit Claimants Repeat Assessments
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At what stage did the Secretary of State and his officials become aware that vitamin D helped to fight covid symptoms for certain sections of our society, for how long was this information suppressed or ignored, what steps have subsequently been taken to take appropriate action, and what other drugs have also not been fully utilised so far, such as hydroxychloroquine?
Context
The MP questioned the government's handling of information about vitamin D and other drugs like hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic.
Helen Whately
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published a guideline on vitamin D for covid in December. Its expert panel supported current Government advice to take vitamin D supplements through the autumn and winter. However, there is insufficient evidence that taking vitamin D mitigates effects of covid-19. Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended or authorised for the treatment of covid outside of trials.
Session: Covid-19 Health and Social Care Workforce
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Respect Act 2023-24 - Clause 1 - Respect orders
15 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms Diana Johnson moved the clause, explaining that it allows magistrates to issue a respect order when a person has committed an anti-social act but does not merit a criminal conviction. She argued th...
Nuclear Defence Infrastructure: Parliamentary Scrutiny
24 January 2024
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I did not know I was so popular with Government Back Benchers. The key theme of my speech was parliamentary scrutiny. He said that Parliament is sovereign everywhere, ...
LGBT Veterans Independent Review
13 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Trends in Excess Deaths
20 October 2023
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP raised concerns about the increase in excess deaths since July 2021, particularly affecting younger individuals. He criticised the lack of transparency and adequate data collection by organisat...
Post Office Horizon IT Scandal: Compensation
18 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
18 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Illegal Migration
05 June 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Appointment
07 February 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
11 January 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Questions about steps being taken to improve productivity levels in the UK, including support for local business and reducing bureaucracy.
Antisemitism: Bristol University
06 January 2022
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP highlighted the troubling issue of antisemitism targeting Jewish students at university campuses, particularly focusing on the case of Bristol University and its treatment of complaints against...
8
PMQs Asked
57
Ministerial Questions Asked
30
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+119% above average
This MP:
8
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+325% above average
This MP:
57
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+517% above average
This MP:
30
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Karl McCartney's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.