Kate Kniveton
MP for Burton
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I support the Government's plans to build more homes and ease housing shortages. However, I have significant concerns about the impacts of developments on our ageing drainage systems and the potential flooding risk this poses, as we are seeing in places such as the Hazelwalls development in Uttoxeter. What steps will the Government take to ensure that, as more houses are built, existing infrastructure is upgraded and maintained by local authorities to ensure that it is not overwhelmed with additional use and less permeable surfaces?
Context
Concerns over the impact of new housing developments on aging drainage systems, particularly noted in Uttoxeter.
Rishi Sunak
As my hon. Friend knows, our traditional drainage systems are under increasing pressure, and that compares with the benefits of sustainable drainage systems, which work in a different way. It was already a requirement that sustainable drainage systems should be given priority in any major new development and developments in flood risk areas, but earlier this year we committed to requiring sustainable drainage systems in all new developments, on top of DEFRA's plan for water, which puts a statutory duty on water companies to produce plans to set out how they will improve, maintain and extend our robust and resilient waste water systems.
Assessment
The specific ask about upgrading and maintaining existing infrastructure was not directly addressed with concrete steps or timelines.
Session: PMQs
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I welcome the steps the Prime Minister is taking to stop illegal, dangerous and unnecessary small boat crossings, which are overwhelming our asylum system, but I have to raise significant concerns about a recent decision to stand up a third hotel in Burton, as well as increase capacity at another hotel by 64%. That will have a serious knock-on effect on our response to homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as causing challenges for wider public services in east Staffordshire. What further support can the Prime Minister provide local authorities in east Staffordshire to deal with these urgent concerns?
Context
Local authorities face challenges due to increased capacity at hotels housing asylum seekers, which impacts response to homelessness.
Rishi Sunak
That is why we need to stop the boats so that we can relieve the unsustainable pressure on our asylum system and accommodation, which is costing British taxpayers over £3 billion a year. Our new Bill will ensure that anyone arriving illegally will be detained and swiftly removed, but in the meantime we will take action to address the unacceptable cost of housing migrants in hotels.
Session: PMQs
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Next week I am bringing together businesses, leaders, and local councillors from across the region in Parliament to set out to Department for Transport officials the importance of the A50/A500 corridor. The Prime Minister understands the importance of investing in our infrastructure and unlocking the potential of our towns and cities, so will he urge Government colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to attend the meeting to hear more about the benefits this investment would bring to our region?
Context
The north midlands manufacturing corridor project champion is hosting a meeting with business and local leaders to discuss the importance of the A50/A500 corridor.
Rishi Sunak
The Government recognise the strategic importance to the midlands of the A50/A500 corridor. Final decisions on the scheme will be made in the third road investment strategy, which will be fully published next year, but I know my hon. Friend will be contacting Ministers in the relevant Departments to invite them to hear her case.
Assessment
The specific request for colleagues from other departments to attend was not directly addressed
Session: PMQs
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Like all county councils, Staffordshire County Council is struggling with the rising demand for special educational needs and disabilities support in schools, and with lengthy delays in issuing education, health and care plans. That is leaving children and families with a lack of vital support and appropriate education for their needs. What steps are the Government taking to tackle the shortage of educational psychologists and to ensure that children receive the education that they need to achieve good outcomes?
Context
Staffordshire County Council faces challenges with special educational needs and disabilities support, leading to delays in issuing education, health and care plans. There is a shortage of educational psychologists.
David Johnston
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of educational psychologists. We are investing £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists, building on the £10 million already announced to train more than 200 from this term.
Session: Topical Questions
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What is being done to ensure successful and timely integration of vital facilities such as play spaces and healthcare services in new housing developments?
Context
The MP highlights issues with the provision of essential services and facilities in new housing developments.
Rachel Maclean
My hon. Friend highlights well on behalf of her constituents the need for the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which includes measures to tackle exactly these issues. It will introduce a new infrastructure levy to reform developer contributions, bringing certainty and transparency over the infrastructure needed.
Session: House Building
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I welcome last week's announcement by the Government which will lead to tougher sentences for domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners. Can my hon. Friend confirm that this Government will always do everything possible to protect vulnerable women and girls and deliver justice to those who attack or threaten them?
Context
Last week's announcement by the Government led to tougher sentences for domestic abusers who kill their partners or ex-partners.
Sarah Dines
This Government are made up of the party that believes in law and order, and wherever we can, we will continue to review sentences. Strictly speaking, this is a matter for the Ministry of Justice, but I know that the Deputy Prime Minister, and also the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, are thoroughly committed to reviewing this sort of offence.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls Charge Rates
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After 13 years of Conservative government, that is not good enough. What is the Minister going to do to improve access for all?
Context
The nearest special provision, welfare advice, and mental health legal aid centre is far away, highlighting the inadequacy of 13 years of Conservative government.
Mike Freer
Published response to Bellamy review and criminal legal aid independent review, implementing reforms including 15% uplifts to most legal aid fee schemes. Criminal legal aid spend expected to be £1.2 billion a year.
Session: Topical Questions
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What support can my right hon. Friend give local authorities to help them tackle such instances of antisocial behaviour?
Context
Residents on Ashby Road, the A511, and the former A50 trunk road are experiencing issues related to excessive speed, aggressive driving, and traffic collisions.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend is quite right to raise this issue. Additional 231 uplift officers have been added to Staffordshire police, but I will be working with Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner to ensure that this issue is tackled appropriately.
Session: Antisocial Behaviour Local Authorities
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What steps is he taking to support local authorities in tackling anti-social behaviour?
Context
Local authorities are facing challenges in addressing anti-social behaviour and need support from the government to effectively tackle these issues.
Michael Gove
Across Government, we are developing an action plan to tackle antisocial behaviour. We are looking at stronger enforcement and swifter justice, as well as supporting young people into sports and other activities. This action builds on our wider investment in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, including our recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers.
Session: Antisocial Behaviour Local Authorities
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Economic Growth
14 November 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Rape and Sexual Violence: Criminal Justice Response
10 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Victims' Rights (Amendment) Bill - Clause not specified
15 May 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill aims to enhance victims’ rights and ensure they are treated as core participants in the criminal justice system rather than mere spectators. It builds on past successes, such as a case in Bir...
Ways and Means
20 March 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered a Budget that addresses the Prime Minister's five priorities: halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping illega...
South Staffs Water: Cyber-attack
14 December 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
South Staffordshire PLC experienced a criminal cyber-attack in July, resulting in the theft of customer data affecting over 249,000 customers. The company initially failed to communicate effectively w...
3
PMQs Asked
6
Ministerial Questions Asked
5
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-55% below average
This MP:
6
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3% above average
This MP:
5
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 Kniveton's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.