Kate Hollern
MP for Blackburn
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does the Prime Minister realise the real consequences for real people of this broken system?
Context
The MP highlighted a constituent's struggle with the universal credit system, leading to financial and housing difficulties.
Rishi Sunak
I am sorry about the circumstances and will ensure support is in place. Universal credit was implemented due to actions by my right hon. Friend, allowing support during the pandemic. It was opposed at every step by Labour.
Assessment
Acknowledging consequences without specific action
Universal Credit Implementation History
Session: PMQs
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In the last few hours I have been contacted by the headteacher of St James's Church of England Primary School in Blackburn, who is desperately seeking help after a reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete survey conducted on 7 September was inconclusive. The urgent intrusive inspection that was supposed to follow has not been arranged by the Department for Education. The potentially affected part of the building has been closed off, with children crammed into the dining room and learning at the tables. Staff are unable to access facilities and the whole school is hugely inconvenienced. The headteacher has been unable to meet the Department for Education, so can I implore the Prime Minister to get the Secretary of State for Education to investigate this urgently?
Context
The question concerns a school facing an inconclusive survey regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, leading to the closure of part of the building and disruption for staff and pupils.
Rishi Sunak
Of course I am sorry for the disruption at schools as we work hard to identify those affected, but the DFE is fully funding the inspection process, ensuring that we are now rapidly inspecting and surveying all potentially affected schools and paying for that work. Also, with the increase of up to 80 dedicated caseworkers, St James's Primary School, like others, should have a dedicated point of contact to work through those issues. I will ensure that the Secretary of State and the Department are in touch with the school and the hon. Member for an update.
Session: PMQs
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The PM made an address to the nation on Sunday about covid booster jabs and said that every eligible adult will have a chance to get their booster before the New Year. That is roughly two weeks away. However, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and our national health leaders have said otherwise. We know that those who deliver our health service were not adequately consulted and that the infrastructure to deliver it was not prepared. Will this be yet another broken promise, Prime Minister?
Context
The Prime Minister addressed the nation about getting covid boosters before New Year. However, other health leaders and organisation representatives have expressed doubt about this timeline.
Boris Johnson
Yes, this is a massive national effort and, yes, it will be incredibly hard to achieve, but do I believe that our NHS, our GPs and our volunteers can do it? Yes, I do. That is the spirit in which the hon. Lady and the whole House should approach it. Rather than talking down our approach, I advise all Labour Members and all colleagues in this House to tell our constituents to get boosted now.
Assessment
Did not confirm if the timeline is achievable given recent doubts from health leaders
Rather Than Talking Down Our Approach, I Advise All Labour Members And All Colleagues In This House To Tell Our Constituents To Get Boosted Now.
Session: PMQs
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Every day, there is a new story about dodgy contracts signed by this Government. Research by Tussell, the data provider, shows that the Government take an average of two and a half months to publish covid-related contracts, exceeding the legal limit of 30 days. Will the Prime Minister commit to publishing all contracts within the legal limit, and does he accept that the failure to address this scandal affects his Government's awarding of public contracts?
Context
Research showed that the government was taking an average of two and a half months to publish contracts related to coronavirus, exceeding the legal limit of 30 days.
Boris Johnson
Of course we publish all contracts, and quite right. I would just respectfully remind the hon. Lady, as I reminded the Leader of the Opposition earlier, that it is absolutely necessary in a massive global pandemic to work with those in the private sector, not to scorn them or despise them, and to understand that it is they who make the PPE and the tests. Indeed, it is thanks to the researches of giant conglomerates—which Labour would break up if it could—that we have the possibility of a vaccine.
Assessment
Commitment to publishing all contracts within legal limits
Shifted Focus To Private Sector'S Role In Pandemic Response
Session: PMQs
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Is that really the way to treat our veterans who are eligible for disability living allowance but then become ineligible?
Context
A constituent's loss of disability living allowance and move to personal independence payments, now ineligibility.
Andrew Murrison
I am very sorry to hear about the hon. Lady's constituent. If she would like to write to me with the details, I will be more than happy to take up that case.
Session: Support for Veterans
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Could I implore the Minister to intervene in this astounding case and work out exactly how this error could have occurred?
Context
A constituent was informed by the DWP that they must renew their personal independence payment entitlement, resulting in a stoppage of PIP and an owed amount.
Paul Maynard
If she writes to me with further details, I will ensure that the relevant Minister is able to look into the case.
Session: Support for Pensioners
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The cost of living crisis affects constituents; the Great British insulation scheme aims to insulate 100,000 homes annually but only 3,000 have been helped. Will the Minister explain why it will take 60 years to meet their three-year target?
Context
The Government's energy efficiency policy has not met its targets, with only 3,000 homes insulated in eight months and just 137 in South Yorkshire.
Amanda Solloway
Energy efficiency is incredibly important to this Government and we have many schemes available. The Great British insulation scheme alone has committed £592 million.
Session: Fuel Poverty
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Pathology staffing levels at Royal Blackburn Hospital have not been reviewed for 15 years and workload has increased by 300%. With this national deficit, what steps is the Minister taking to address recruitment issues and ensure staff and patient safety?
Context
Pathology staffing levels have not been reviewed in 15 years, with the workload increasing by 300%. This situation poses a significant risk to patient safety.
Andrew Stephenson
We are the first Government to introduce a long-term workforce plan for the NHS, aiming to deliver thousands more clinicians across services in the coming years. However, no specifics on addressing recruitment or safety issues were provided.
Session: Topical Questions
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Under the current formula, the poorest fifth of councils receive 10% below their assessed needs, while the richest get 15% above. A review of the formula, which is over a decade old, has been repeatedly postponed. When will the review finally take place?
Context
The current relative needs assessment formula has been postponed, leaving poorer councils underfunded while richer ones receive excess funds.
Simon Hoare
We can spend time discussing the formula but our crucial task is to deliver a settlement that works for local government and delivers services. The exact timing of reviewing the minutiae of the formula has not been provided.
Session: Council Funding
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What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of assessments of relative needs at ensuring the adequacy of council funding?
Context
The effectiveness of the current assessment process is under scrutiny due to concerns about the adequacy of council funding.
Simon Hoare
We are closely monitoring budgets and service delivery with sector representative bodies. The local government finance settlement for 2023-24 provides up to £59.7 billion, an increase of up to £5.1 billion in cash terms on 2022-23. We will continue to review spending ahead of fiscal events and announce funding for next year's finance settlement later this month.
Session: Council Funding
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Will the Secretary of State listen to calls for a ceasefire to ensure delivery of aid and release of hostages?
Context
UN estimates that about 160 women give birth daily in Gaza, with lives of at least 120 newborns in incubators at risk.
Andrew Mitchell
On delivering aid and support, I had the opportunity to meet a very large number of the British charities and non-governmental organisations that are trying to help in Gaza.
Session: Israel, Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Access and Human Rights
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With more than 40,000 assaults against police in the past year, and many officers ineligible for injury compensation because of that rule, does the Home Secretary agree that these guidelines effectively normalise violence against police and must be changed?
Context
Concern over the strict criteria for police injury compensation leading to many officers being ineligible, despite more than 40,000 assaults against police in the past year.
Chris Philp
We certainly do not want to see violence against police normalised. That is why we legislated to double the maximum sentence for assaults against emergency workers just a year or two ago. My understanding is that the payments under the police injury benefit scheme can go up to 85% of salary, but since the hon. Lady has raised the point, I will take a look at it.
Session: Police Compensation
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Last month the United Nations called for an urgent Government review of sentences of imprisonment for public protection. Will the Secretary of State listen to the UN? Can he explain why the number of people with an IPP sentence recalled to prison without committing any further offence has soared in recent years?
Context
The UN has called for an urgent Government review of IPP sentences, citing concerns over recalls without further offences.
Damian Hinds
We are very conscious of difficulties around IPP sentences, which would not be introduced today. People in prison who have been recalled or not released by the parole board because they are not considered safe for release remain a focus.
Session: Topical Questions
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In May last year I wrote to the then Health Secretary and the Prime Minister about the case of a young man in my constituency, Elliott Simpson, who was misdiagnosed with a water wart in a telephone consultation with a GP. When Elliott was finally able to see someone face-to-face, he found that he had late-stage skin cancer. He passed away on 28 April, aged just 27. Between January and March this year, both the two-week wait target and the 62-day target were missed at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. Does the Secretary of State accept that delays are costing lives?
Context
Case of Elliott Simpson who was misdiagnosed with a water wart, leading to late-stage cancer diagnosis. Delays at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Steve Barclay
The whole House will be hugely saddened to learn of the passing of Elliott, especially at such a tender age. The hon. Lady is right to highlight the importance of speedy diagnosis, and I was pleased that we met the faster diagnosis standard in February for the first time and again in March, with three in four patients receiving their diagnosis within two weeks and nine in 10 starting treatment within a month.
Session: Cancer Waiting Times and Outcomes
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The Environmental Audit Committee criticised the Government's energy efficiency target as vague and unspecific, with a poor record on energy efficiency. 16.6% of households in Blackburn are in fuel poverty. Is it true that the pace of energy efficiency under this government is too slow?
Context
The MP is concerned about the Government's record on energy efficiency targets.
Amanda Solloway
We have paid around half a typical household's energy bill. Multiple schemes are in place targeted at the most in need, including the social housing decarbonisation fund, home upgrade grant and the energy company obligation scheme.
Session: Fuel Poverty
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What recent estimate has the Department made of the number of families in fuel poverty?
Context
The MP is concerned about recent estimates of families in fuel poverty.
Amanda Solloway
In 2022 there were an estimated 3.26 million households—13.4%—in fuel poverty in England.
Session: Fuel Poverty
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I agree with the Secretary of State. The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust is integral to Blackburn's community, welcoming most aspects of the White Paper but disappointed that the Government did not make shadow boards or the golden share a requirement of the IREF's licensing system. Will the Secretary of State consider making shadow boards a minimum requirement for the football regulator's licensing system?
Context
The question references the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust's involvement and disappointment with aspects of the White Paper regarding shadow boards and golden shares.
Lucy Frazer
What the hon. Lady says about football clubs being at the heart of their community is true across the country. Our reforms ensure that fans have an integral say in matters affecting them. We see shadow boards at premier league level, and I am confident our changes will give fans a greater say in football.
Session: Football Club Governance Fans’ Views
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What steps is she taking to help ensure the views of fans are taken into account in the running of football clubs?
Context
The question addresses the need for fans' views to be considered in football club management, referencing a White Paper that outlines plans for an independent regulator.
Lucy Frazer
Fans are absolutely at the heart of football. We are introducing an independent regulator for English football clubs which will put fans back at the centre of how football is run. The regulator requires every club to meet a minimum standard of engagement and ensures that fans have veto rights on issues such as a change of badge or home shirt colour, and are consulted on any stadium sale.
Session: Football Club Governance Fans’ Views
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We hear of a record number of vacancies, yet so many who are looking to get into work are out of work. In Blackburn, the claimant count among 18 to 24-year-olds is at 7.9%, against a national rate of 4.6%. What is the Minister doing to bring down barriers to work such as unaffordable childcare, transport, a failed apprenticeship scheme and a levelling-up agenda that is just not meeting the skills agenda?
Context
The MP asked about barriers to employment, especially for young people in Blackburn, citing specific statistics on the claimant count among 18-24 year-olds. She also questioned the effectiveness of government initiatives like childcare support and apprenticeship schemes.
Guy Opperman
The hon. Lady should be aware that last Tuesday there was a jobs fair in her constituency. There were 59 exhibitors, and 900 customers attended the event. They provided fantastic feedback on the support and interventions given. If she did not attend that particular jobs fair, she might want to go to “March into manufacturing” on 21 March, an upcoming jobs fair in her patch.
Session: Unemployment Levels Towns and Cities
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What estimate he has made of levels of unemployment in towns and cities. The January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics publication shows that payroll employment reached a new record high of 30 million in January 2023, which is higher than at any stage under the last Labour Government.
Context
The MP asked about the current estimate of unemployment levels in various urban areas, citing concerns over employment statistics.
Guy Opperman
The January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics publication shows that payroll employment reached a new record high of 30 million in January 2023. That is, of course, higher than at any stage under the last, or any, Labour Government.
Session: Unemployment Levels Towns and Cities
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Does the Chancellor recognise that it is his responsibility to deliver what people want, which is a fair tax system where everybody plays by the same rules? Will he disclose how many Government Ministers have personally benefited from non-dom tax status over the years, and how many have used overseas offshore trusts to reduce the taxes that they owe Britain?
Context
Concerns raised about the fairness of tax systems where everyone plays by the same rules, especially regarding non-dom status and offshore trusts.
Jeremy Hunt
I can tell the hon. Lady that, since 2010, no Member of Parliament has been allowed to benefit from non-dom status.
Session: Topical Questions
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Parents in my constituency tell me they want to go out to work but face significant challenges with high childcare costs. The DWP Committee found that the universal credit childcare element, while generous at 85%, is not being taken up by most eligible parents due to issues like requiring an upfront payment for childcare. Can you confirm if discussions have been held with the Treasury ahead of the spring Budget regarding funding to address these key asks: removing the up-front payment requirement and uprating the care allowance?
Context
The DWP Committee investigated the childcare support under Universal Credit, finding that while the offer is good (85% cost coverage), only 13% of eligible parents are taking it up due to issues like up-front payment requirements.
Mims Davies
The Secretary of State takes a keen interest in this matter, advocating for more parents to be in work. We are responding to the Committee's report published at the end of last year, reiterating our commitment to supporting all parents.
Session: Supporting People into Work Childcare Costs
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I am concerned about soaring childcare costs compounding the cost of living crisis and pricing people out of work. Parents in my constituency are paying over £1,150 per month for nursery places for two-year-olds. What plans does the Minister have to support parents who want to increase their hours or return to work but struggle with these high costs?
Context
Childcare costs are high, with parents paying an average of £1,150 per month in the north-west according to Coram's childcare survey. Some people are being priced out of work due to these costs.
Mims Davies
I thank the hon. Lady for raising this matter and encourage employers to think about job design, flexibility, and inclusive recruitment. Parents can get support with up-front childcare costs through the DWP flexible support fund when they move into work or increase their hours. Payments can also be made directly to the childcare provider.
Session: Supporting People into Work Childcare Costs
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The Common Platform has been nothing short of a disaster—one quarter of a billion wasted on a project that was fundamentally flawed from the start and designed primarily to slash thousands of highly skilled legal jobs. Even the Lord Chief Justice has raised serious concerns recently to the Justice Committee. Is it not time the Minister held up his hands, admitted this was a mistake and told His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service to build a better system that focuses on delivering justice instead of wasting money in such a damaging and short-sighted way?
Context
The Common Platform has been criticised for its high costs and negative impact on legal jobs. The Lord Chief Justice has also raised concerns.
Mike Freer
The simple answer to that question is no.
Session: Common Platform
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I wrote to the Secretary of State's immediate predecessor on 16 May and followed that letter with one to the Prime Minister about the case of a young man in my constituency, Elliott Simpson. Sadly, I have not had a response. Elliott was misdiagnosed with a water wart in a telephone consultation with a GP. When Elliott finally got to see someone face to face, he had late-stage skin cancer. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines do not currently allow him to receive the necessary life-saving treatment. Will the Secretary of State meet me and Elliott's family to discuss what can be done to get this young man the treatment that he desperately needs?
Context
Elliott Simpson was misdiagnosed with a water wart in a telephone consultation and later found to have late-stage skin cancer.
Steve Barclay
I am very sorry, as I am sure the whole House is, to hear of the circumstances that the hon. Lady sets out. I am happy to look at the case, as I said to her ahead of this sitting, when I discovered she had written to my predecessor. The number of face-to-face appointments is increasing. Telephone consultations are not a new thing; they have been around for a long time and are an important part of the mix—indeed, some patients prefer the flexibility that they offer.
Session: Topical Questions
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The inverse training law is depriving communities in Blackburn of access to primary care. Blackburn already has one of the lowest ratios of GPs to patients in the country, and it struggles to attract and retain GPs. The Government have committed to provide 6,000 new GPs by 2024, but according to the British Medical Association there are actually 1,737 fewer GPs as of this month. What is the Secretary of State's Department doing to level up primary care and deliver the incentives for GPs to train and practise in communities such as Blackburn?
Context
Concerns about underfunding and low GP-to-patient ratio in Blackburn, impacting access to primary care.
Steve Barclay
I know this is an issue of concern that the hon. Lady wrote to my predecessor about, and indeed she raised its impact on her constituency in the House last month. There are specific programmes such as the targeted enhanced recruitment scheme that was launched in 2016, and the one-off financial incentives to attract GPs to the more deprived areas. We are also looking at how we can have the right skills mix to boost not just the number of GPs but wider access to appointments.
Session: Access to GPs
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The inverse training law is depriving communities in Blackburn of access to primary care. Blackburn already has one of the lowest ratios of GPs to patients in the country, and it struggles to attract and retain GPs. The Government have committed to provide 6,000 new GPs by 2024, but according to the British Medical Association there are actually 1,737 fewer GPs as of this month. What is the Secretary of State's Department doing to level up primary care and deliver the incentives for GPs to train and practise in communities such as Blackburn?
Context
Concerns about underfunding and low GP-to-patient ratio in Blackburn.
Steve Barclay
I know this is an issue of concern that the hon. Lady wrote to my predecessor about, and indeed she raised its impact on her constituency in the House last month. There are specific programmes such as the targeted enhanced recruitment scheme that was launched in 2016, and the one-off financial incentives to attract GPs to the more deprived areas. We are also looking at how we can have the right skills mix to boost not just the number of GPs but wider access to appointments.
Session: Access to GPs
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The levelling-up missions fall far short of what we really need to make progress in this country. They are nothing more than the Government marking their own homework. Communities desperately need a cross-Government approach that focuses on the different outcomes for people and places in health, education and so many other areas. Will the Minister consider working with colleagues to set clearer lines of accountability on levelling up across Government Departments so that they can be assessed on their effectiveness and on real outcomes for people?
Context
The MP is critical of the current levelling-up missions, arguing that they fall short and do not provide a comprehensive cross-departmental strategy focusing on health, education, and other areas.
Kemi Badenoch
The hon. Lady will find that the levelling-up White Paper and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill do the very things she is asking. On marking our own homework, she misunderstands the point. The fact is that these missions should not be set in stone. As the economy adapts, so might the missions to reflect the changing environment and the lessons learned from past interventions.
Session: Spatial Disparities Annual Reporting
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If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring Government Departments to report annually on the impact of spatial disparities across the UK on targeted outcomes.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the effectiveness of current levelling-up missions in addressing UK spatial disparities. The MP believes that these missions do not adequately focus on targeted outcomes.
Kemi Badenoch
The Government will publish an annual report on progress towards delivering the 12 levelling-up missions designed to address the UK's spatial disparities. The obligation to publish the report will be established in statute, creating a regular point for Parliament and the public to scrutinise progress towards levelling up.
Session: Spatial Disparities Annual Reporting
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Welcomes the Minister's response but raises concerns about the Government's management of public funds during the cost-of-living crisis. Highlights tax rises affecting workers and businesses while billions wasted on contracts, fraud, outsourcing; demands accountability for such mismanagement.
Context
People in Blackburn concerned about cost of living, tax rises, and misuse of taxpayers' money.
Simon Clarke
Acknowledges the hon. Lady's question and agreement on pursuing fraud whenever it occurs. Emphasizes establishment of a £100 million taskforce with over 1,000 employees designed to recover fraudulent or incorrect payments; HMRC has already recovered and prevented £743 million-worth of loss; expects recovery of £800-1 billion over two years.
Session: Public Spending Value for Money
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What recent steps has he taken to help ensure value for money in public spending?
Context
Concerns about fraud and misuse of funds during the pandemic crisis.
Simon Clarke
Commenting specifically on fraud relating to Government economic support schemes during the pandemic. Anger and frustration shared towards those exploiting schemes for personal gain. Emphasis placed on speed when introducing schemes but commitment to robustly pursue any illegal activities. Recovery efforts established through a £100 million taskforce with over 1,000 employees aimed at recovering losses from fraudulent or incorrect payments expected to amount between £800-1 billion over two years.
Session: Public Spending Value for Money
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In effect, the new household support scheme replaces the £20 universal credit uplift with £1.60. Can the Minister tell me how that will help families through this harsh winter? Over 16% of families in Blackburn live in fuel poverty and face higher fuel prices due to rising costs.
Context
The household support fund is replacing the £20 a week uplift in universal credit.
David Rutley
Steps are in place for those in work, out of work or vulnerable. The universal credit taper and work allowance help those employed. The plan for jobs helps unemployed people find employment. For the vulnerable, there is the household support fund with £1.6 million available in Blackburn and Darwen this winter.
Session: Increased Living Costs Benefit Claimants
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The Minister recognised when I met him last week that the UK shared prosperity fund will need to be more transparent, unlike the towns fund. If he intends to keep this promise of transparency, when will his Department consult on the UKSPF and publish funding allocations for English regions?
Context
The Minister previously acknowledged the need for greater transparency in the UK shared prosperity fund, similar to the towns fund.
Luke Hall
The details of the UKSPF are set out in a technical note published on gov.uk. At last year's spending review, we outlined strategic elements of the UKSPF. Further details will be provided in a UK-wide investment framework later this year. Meanwhile, the community renewal fund will deliver lasting change in tackling inequality and deprivation.
Session: UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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It is important that the Government have the right priorities in these difficult times. But what does it say about the Prime Minister's priorities that, while he is spending up to £200,000 refurbishing his flat, he is telling NHS nurses that they should receive a real-terms pay cut?
Michael Gove
I cannot see the merit in that juxtaposition, but I do see merit in ensuring that the independent advisory body on public sector pay, which governs the NHS, should consider all the evidence. All Members of the House should make clear our solidarity, respect and admiration for those who work on the NHS frontline.
Session: Topical Questions
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Lancashire has lost 750 officers over the past decade and is under huge pressure as it does not have enough officers to investigate some crimes. Does she feel that this is fair on victims of crime? Is she concerned that public faith in police could be lost unless concerns are addressed urgently?
Context
The question addresses the loss of 750 officers over a decade in Lancashire, leading to pressure on police resources and concerns about justice for crime victims.
Priti Patel
She fails to recognise the amount of police funding Lancashire has received. She also fails to acknowledge new police officers recruited and their role in protecting streets and constituents. Support for victims is crucial, but the questioner must reflect on victim support within the criminal justice system and Crown Prosecution Service's role.
Session: Policing Numbers
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What steps her Department is taking to increase the number of (a) police community support officers and (b) police officers. The Government aims to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers by March 2024, with 6,620 more officers already recruited.
Context
The question arises from a context of increasing police officer numbers to address public safety concerns.
Priti Patel
The Government are committed to recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers by March 2024. Ahead of that recruitment drive, we already have 6,620 more police officers.
Session: Policing Numbers
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The Government have now made available £20 million a month in discretionary self-isolation funding for local authorities, despite only making £15 million available for four months when the scheme first started. Because of this, hundreds of people in Blackburn have been denied support to self-isolate. Does he accept that initial allocations fell well below what was needed and contributed to the rise in cases? Is it fair on my constituents?
Context
Concerns about initial inadequate discretionary self-isolation funding leading to denial of support in Blackburn.
Steve Barclay
The Chancellor has increased discretionary support funding to £20 million per month, extending eligibility to include parents unable to work due to child self-isolation. This shows the Government's willingness to adapt schemes as needed.
Session: Self-isolation Financial Barriers
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Few details of the shared prosperity fund have been published. Will the Minister guarantee that the fund will be used to tackle regional inequality as intended and that no region will lose out or waste time on competition among councils?
Context
Details of the shared prosperity fund have not been fully published, raising concerns about its ability to tackle regional inequality effectively.
Luke Hall
I can certainly assure the hon. Lady that the UK shared prosperity fund will help level up and create opportunity right across our country in places most needing it, be they ex-industrial areas, deprived towns or rural communities, and for people facing labour market barriers. The fund operates UK-wide using new financial assistance powers from the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, with funding reaching about £1.5 billion a year.
Session: Regional Inequality Local Authority Funding
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What plans do the Government have to bring forward legislation on, for example, financial and criminal penalties for social media companies that fail to act to stamp out this dangerous anti-vaccine content?
Context
MP notes that misinformation online undermines public health efforts, particularly in communities where local councillors are actively promoting vaccinations.
Priti Patel
The Government is focused on countering disinformation and misinformation regarding the vaccine. Work is taking place across Government, involving sanctions and penalties through the online harms Bill targeting social media platforms.
Session: Anti-vaccination Extremism
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What steps the Government are taking to tackle covid-19 anti-vaccination extremism posted online. I have seen the brilliant work Labour councillors in Hounslow, Swindon and Blackburn have been doing to appeal to communities to take the vaccine. This work is being undermined by misinformation on social media, and is literally a matter of life and death. What plans do the Government have to bring forward legislation on, for example, financial and criminal penalties for social media companies that fail to act to stamp out this dangerous anti-vaccine content?
Context
MP notes that misinformation online undermines public health efforts, particularly in communities where local councillors are actively promoting vaccinations.
Priti Patel
The Government is focused on countering disinformation and misinformation regarding the vaccine. Work is taking place across Government, involving sanctions and penalties through the online harms Bill targeting social media platforms. The NHS remains trusted as a source of information.
Session: Anti-vaccination Extremism
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When a Conservative Chancellor delivered his austerity Budget a decade ago, he said we are “all in this together”, yet the reality has been far from that, with communities in the north seeing a disproportionate impact on council budgets—in Blackburn, cut by over 50%—dramatically reducing our resilience to the covid crisis and our ability to recover and bounce back. Can the Minister assure the country that the Government will not break their promises again, and that his Department will take real action to address the health and economic inequalities in the north?
Context
Communities in the north have faced disproportionate impact on council budgets, such as a 50% cut in Blackburn, which has reduced resilience to the covid crisis and economic recovery.
Luke Hall
I disagree with the hon. Lady's assertions. The council self-reported covid costs through September stand at £3.6 billion. We have provided £7.2 billion on top of our sales fees and charges scheme, which recoups councils with 75% of their lost income past that first 5%. The hon. Lady's own council has had £87 million in funding, £15 million in additional un-ringfenced covid funding and £1.37 million in test and trace support.
Session: Regional Inequality
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The Government failed to publish any information on £4 billion-worth of covid-related contracts awarded to private companies. Will he hold an independent inquiry—and if not, why?
Context
The MP points out the government's failure to publish details about £4 billion worth of COVID-19 related contracts, suggesting a breach of law and calling for an independent inquiry.
Julia Lopez
I am unaware of the details of the allegations but would be grateful if she wrote to me. The National Audit Office will conduct an external review and we are also doing our own internal review to satisfy ourselves that there is no basis for these criticisms.
Session: Covid-19 Government Use of Consultants
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Given that the Government have promised 20,000 extra police officers by next March, when will they recruit them and base them in areas like Lancashire which have seen cuts?
Context
Lancashire has seen a significant reduction in its police force compared to Surrey, raising concerns about the distribution of resources.
Kit Malthouse
100 out of the 6,000 allocated police officers had been recruited by 30 September. Chief constables decide where those officers are based in collaboration with local authorities.
Session: Coronavirus Restrictions Police Enforcement
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What assessment she has made of the adequacy of police resources during the covid-19 outbreak. The Government have provided £30 million of additional covid surge funding.
Context
The question arises from concerns about police support and funding amidst the pandemic.
Kit Malthouse
Our police forces have played a critical role during the pandemic and have been quick to respond. The Government are committed to supporting them with £30 million of additional covid surge funding.
Session: Coronavirus Restrictions Police Enforcement
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General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The shadow Chancellor opened by criticising the government's economic policies, highlighting a decline in public services and an increase in national debt. He emphasised the need for fiscal responsibi...
NHS Workforce Expansion
28 February 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the underinvestment in the National Health Service, particularly regarding the cancer workforce and radiotherapy services. Mr Morris emphasises the worsening performance of NHS c...
Local Government Finance
08 February 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the approval of the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2023-24, discussing the need to approve reports on local government finance which include referendums relating to council tax increa...
Government PPE Contracts
06 December 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Department for Health and Social Care purchased more than £12 billion of PPE in 020-21, but now writes off £8.7 billion due to inefficiencies, with £4 billion spent on unusable equipment. The moti...
Church Commissioners
17 November 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
State Pension Triple Lock
08 November 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion calls on the Government to honour their manifesto commitment and maintain the state pension triple lock. It highlights the rising costs of living, increased poverty among pensioners, and th...
Backbench Business
20 October 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves a debate on the growing crisis in NHS dentistry, noting that nine out of ten dental practices do not accept new NHS patients and regrets the number of dentists moving away from NHS practice. Cal...
HM Passport Office Backlog
14 June 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate opens by highlighting the systemic failures leading to the current crisis at Her Majesty's Passport Office, blaming underinvestment and poor planning over a decade. It emphasises the broade...
4
PMQs Asked
45
Ministerial Questions Asked
20
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
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+236% above average
This MP:
45
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+312% above average
This MP:
20
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 Kate Hollern's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.