Kevin Hollinrake
MP for Thirsk and Malton
Con
7 May 2015 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Thirsk and Malton has welcomed asylum seekers from all parts of the world, but starting from 31 May, up to 1,500 non-detained young, single males will be kept on a base at the centre of a small rural village. This will devastate the community and house prices. Will my right hon. Friend please stop these plans?
Context
The Government announced that up to 1,500 non-detained young, single male asylum seekers will be accommodated in a small rural village of 600 residents. This raises concerns about the impact on community safety and property values.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend very much, and I know that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is engaging with him and others locally about the use of the site. I hear loud and clear what he has had to say. Indeed, I am the recipient of many of his intercessions on this matter, and I understand the strength of feeling in his constituency.
Assessment
Did not commit to stopping the plans but acknowledged concerns and ongoing engagement.
Session: PMQs
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The Serious Fraud Office achieved a rare success in Southwark Crown court in April with the successful prosecution of GPT Special Project Management Ltd, which resulted in £28 million of penalties for corruption. The key whistleblower in this case was my constituent Ian Foxley, without whom the prosecution would never have happened, yet he has been totally hung out to dry by the Serious Fraud Office, despite 10 years of financial devastation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, unless we properly compensate whistleblowers, they simply will not come forward, and will he consider making a payment out of the £28 million received by Her Majesty's Treasury to compensate him for his losses?
Context
Ian Foxley, a key whistleblower in the GPT Special Project Management Ltd case, has been financially devastated for his whistleblowing despite achieving rare success for the Serious Fraud Office.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend for his excellent question. I want to thank Mr Foxley for his whistleblowing, because he has seen justice done. The trouble is that we do not normally compensate whistle-blowers in the way that my hon. Friend recommends, but I know that my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General has offered to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter further.
Assessment
Did not commit to making a payment out of the £28 million penalty
Session: PMQs
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Will my right hon. Friend confirm that our future immigration policy will welcome law abiding citizens of other countries to our country, and that those who come to this country and are subsequently convicted of serious crimes, including rape and murder, should expect to be removed from this country to keep our citizens safe?
Context
A recent letter to the Home Secretary by Labour MPs opposing deportation of foreign criminals has raised concerns about future immigration policies.
Boris Johnson
Indeed; I was astounded to see that 42 Opposition Members wrote to the Home Secretary opposing the deportation of foreign national criminals, while the leader of the Labour party maintained his characteristic delphic silence on the matter.
Assessment
no direct confirmation of policy stance
Astounded Statement
Session: PMQs
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Do we need to increase railway capacity for the north, midlands, south, and Scotland? Can HS2 provide a solution to avoid decades-long disruption?
Context
The question discusses the need to increase rail capacity in and between various regions of the UK through projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail, Midlands Engine Rail, and HS2.
Boris Johnson
We are building Northern Powerhouse Rail and investing in the midlands rail hub. The House can expect an announcement on HS2 very shortly.
Assessment
Specifics about HS2
Looking Into
Session: PMQs
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I know that the Secretary of State has had some difficult negotiations this weekend with her colleague the Chancellor. The spending review is critical for the funding of the affordable homes budget. In the past, the Secretary of State has praised the Chancellor’s generosity, as she puts it, not least for providing the extra £2 billion for the affordable homes budget, but will she admit today that that budget is decreasing from previous levels under our Government? Will she say—even if it is after the spending review—exactly how many affordable and social homes she expects to deliver during this Parliament?
Context
The spending review is critical for the affordable homes budget.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)
The shadow Secretary of State has been called a bit later than the hon. Member for Hamble Valley (Paul Holmes), for whom I outlined the reasons we have not put an exact figure on that and confirmed that we will build the biggest increase in affordable and social housing in a generation. I say gently to the shadow Secretary of State that we are delivering for working people by banning no-fault evictions and introducing groundbreaking protections for renters, which the Conservatives promised but did not deliver. We are introducing major planning reforms to build 1.5 million homes; they promised 1.6 million homes, but could not get anywhere. We are also delivering the largest ever single package of devolution measures, pushing power out of Westminster.
Session: Topical Questions
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As she knows, I can confirm to her that I will work constructively with her and her colleagues to deliver remediation, building safety and the best outcomes for local communities. The previous Government committed over £5 billion for remediation; will the Secretary of State confirm that the spending review will continue to provide such financial support?
Context
The eighth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire is approaching, raising concerns about promised financial support.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)
I thank the shadow Secretary of State for the constructive way in which he has approached this issue. We all remember what happened at Grenfell and the work that the previous Government did, and we are continuing that work, as outlined in phase 2 of the recommendations. The buildings Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham North and Kimberley (Alex Norris) has been meeting—as I have—members of the community, RBKC and others to make sure we continue on that journey. I hesitate to say, though, that the previous Government made a lot of promises that are challenging.
Session: Topical Questions
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The effects of the Birmingham bin strike have been declared a major incident, they are a national embarrassment, and with 21° temperatures forecast for later this week, they will become a public health emergency. While Labour Members in Birmingham are busy campaigning for an airport in Pakistan, the Secretary of State is unwilling to visit the city or take on Unite. Is that because of the tens of millions of pounds that her party receives from Unite, or, indeed, because of the £10,000 that she received for her own election campaign?
Context
The MP is concerned about the Birmingham bin strike, declaring it a national embarrassment and expressing doubts regarding the Secretary of State's actions to resolve the issue.
Angela Rayner (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This is a local dispute, and it is right that the negotiations are led locally. We have made it clear that both parties should get round the table, and I am pleased that that happened on Sunday and talks continue today. Birmingham city council did declare a major incident last week; we expect the rubbish to be cleared, we expect the parties to get round the negotiating table, and we expect this to be sorted out.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Minister mentions local government reorganisation. On 5 February, the Deputy Prime Minister stated: “We are postponing elections for one year, from May 2025 to May 2026”—[Official Report, 5 February 2025; Vol. 761, c. 767.] but on 17 February, the Minister, in a written parliamentary question, said that “new unitary…government will be established or go-live in 2027” or 2028. Will the Minister confirm that these elections are not being postponed, and that they are, in fact, being cancelled for up to three years, meaning that councillors will serve terms of up to seven years? Will he also confirm that the Deputy Prime Minister may have unintentionally misled the House, and will he correct the record?
Context
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that elections would be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026, while the Minister in a written parliamentary question said new unitary governments will go live in 2027 or 2028.
The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon)
I can start by confirming that the Deputy Prime Minister did not mislead the House. The Opposition would do well not to muddy the waters. They know better than anybody what local government reorganisation means. Over the past few years, when they were in government, they postponed 17 sets of elections to allow reorganisation to take place. Although elections are being postponed in nine councils, 24 sets of elections will still take place this year.
Session: Local Government Funding
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Help to Buy helped 350,000 young first-time buyers and the stamp duty discount helped 640,000 first-time buyers get on the housing ladder with discounts of up to £11,000. Both are now scrapped. Is the Secretary of State pulling up the housing ladder behind her? The Government’s manifesto promised to preserve the green belt. Then grey belt came along, which was supposed to be a few garage forecourts. Now it turns out that grey belt will mean 640 square miles of green belt—the size of Surrey—are to be built on. Is this simply another broken promise?
Context
The Help to Buy scheme and stamp duty discount helped many first-time buyers. However, both have now been scrapped. The Government's manifesto promised to preserve the green belt but later introduced the grey belt policy which will result in 640 square miles of green belt being built on.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)
It is staggering that the shadow Secretary of State says that, given that so many people now cannot get housing because his Government failed to meet their housing targets. We will have a mortgage guarantee scheme and we will build 1.5 million homes so that young people and other people can get the houses that they deserve. I will also try again. Under the Tories, the number of homes approved on greenfield land increased nearly tenfold since 2009. Labour will be strategic in grey belt release, and we will have a brownfield-first policy.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State agree that everyone should be treated equally and be seen to be treated equally before the law, including planning law?
Context
The Secretary of State, the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister have all intervened in the planning application for the Chinese super-embassy, overriding local residents' wishes and concerns.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)
These are live issues, but the security of our country and nation always comes foremost, and that is always what this Government think of first.
Session: Topical Questions
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I used to have ginger hair as well! May I give the right hon. Lady the answer to my question? It was the Foreign Secretary. In opposition, the now Home Secretary warned that the Chinese Government are “attempting to influence Parliament”, and trying “to interfere in our democracy and undermine our security.”—[Official Report, 11 September 2023; Vol. 737, c. 667.] Those risks are all heightened by this development. Are this Government so desperate to counteract the disastrous Budget and their own growth-wrecking trade union Bill that they are now willing to override national security, national interests and the sensible concerns of their Home Secretary by kowtowing to the Chinese Government?
Context
The MP is concerned about national security risks posed by the Chinese Embassy project.
Angela Rayner
We have got record investment into the UK through our international business summit. I am proud of our Employment Rights Bill, which is pro-worker and pro-employer. It will reward good employers and put money back into the high street. This Government take national security very seriously and will continue to do so.
Session: Topical Questions
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At whose request did the Secretary of State call in the planning application for the Chinese super-embassy?
Context
A constituent is concerned about the safety implications of a Chinese Embassy project.
Angela Rayner
We welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place. Despite him being on the Opposition Benches, we seem to have a lot in common: we both came to Parliament in the 2015 intake, represent constituencies in the north and think the Tories deserved to lose the last general election. We take planning decisions in the normal way.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Government's choice was to hit businesses. Labour's death taxes will impact farms and businesses, with families having to find hundreds of thousands or see their farms broken up and sold. Given the Environment Secretary's previous statement about no intentions for death taxes, is this a broken promise?
Context
The Environment Secretary said 10 months ago that there were no intentions of putting death taxes on businesses.
Sarah Jones
I will not take lectures from the Opposition who said 'eff business'. Conservative Members have some cheek to come at us when we inherited a £22 billion black hole and set stability in train. I spent yesterday talking to businesses about Budget implications, growth, long-term stability.
Session: Topical Questions
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If Labour Members going back to their seat this weekend were thinking of going to a local pub for a pint and a chat with local farmers, they would be advised against it. The publican contacted me to say that he is now £120,000 a year worse off due to recent changes, moving from profit to loss. Given Labour's promise of fully costed and funded plans, was yesterday's change a broken promise?
Context
A publican contacted the MP to say that recent changes have made him £120,000 a year worse off.
Sarah Jones
The hon. Gentleman oversaw the worst Parliament for living standards in modern history. We did not choose that inheritance, and we have made choices such as compensating for the infected blood scandal, Horizon victims, investing in the NHS, increasing minimum wage, supporting carers.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will he—and the Secretary of State—at least consider exempting small and medium-sized enterprises from these ruinous, French-style regulations?
Context
The Federation of Small Businesses says its members view the measures with trepidation, while the Institute of Directors notes a drop in confidence.
Justin Madders
We heard all these arguments 20 years ago with the minimum wage. Conservative Members were wrong about that, and they are wrong about this. I just hope they are a bit quicker to come round to realising that this country is going to prosper with improved workers' rights.
Session: Employment Rights
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Does he not realise—do his Ministers not realise—that until he brings forward the detail on these plans, businesses' recruitment and investment plans are completely on hold? When will he bring forward those plans?
Context
The shadow Secretary of State met business representative organisations that are far from comfortable with the changes, such as day one employment rights, a four-day week, a right to switch off, and a higher national living wage.
Justin Madders
I thank the shadow Secretary of State for his question. I remind him that during the general election, 120 businesses supported the Labour party in full knowledge of our plans to make work pay. We are consulting regularly and frequently with businesses about how the plans will work. The only statement he made over the summer on which I agreed was that his party deserved to lose the general election.
Session: Employment Rights
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Banking facilities are important to high street traders. Given that banks have saved about £3 billion a year by closing branches, what is the Minister doing with his counterpart in the Treasury to ensure proper banking facilities in towns such as Bedale?
Context
Banking closures have saved £3 billion annually, impacting towns like Bedale which lack banks and ATMs.
Alex Norris
We are addressing this issue up and down the country. We have committed to providing 350 new banking hubs, and we are working with Treasury colleagues on their delivery.
Session: High Streets Regeneration
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. The UK has rightly frozen around £30 billion of Russian foreign currency reserves. A number of countries are moving from freezing those assets to seizing them to pay reparations to Ukraine. Will my right hon. Friend look at similar measures from the UK?
Context
Some countries are moving from freezing Russian foreign currency reserves to seizing them for reparations to Ukraine.
Kwasi Kwarteng
Those measures have been discussed in the past; I think my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) talked about that earlier in the year. Those schemes are always being looked at in the light of what is an increasingly bleak and volatile situation in Russia and Ukraine.
Session: Topical Questions
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Could my right hon. Friend confirm that they will not come at the expense of reductions in vital infrastructure spending in our regions?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of spending cuts on infrastructure spending in regions, especially in the north of England.
Chris Philp
I am pleased to say, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor said when he introduced the growth plan, that expediting critical infrastructure was an important part of that plan. Without critical infrastructure, we are not going to see the growth in jobs or wages and the prosperity that we all want.
Session: Investment in Infrastructure
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Given that 40% of crime is now economic crime, it is disappointing that the Law Commission has recommended restricting corporate criminal liability for failing to prevent economic crime to fraud, and leaving out key crimes such as money laundering and false accounting. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me to discuss the benefits of a review with a much wider scope?
Context
The Law Commission has recommended restricting corporate criminal liability to fraud, excluding key crimes like money laundering and false accounting.
Kit Malthouse
Yes.
Session: Topical Questions
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One of the key complaints from any of my constituents who are victims of economic crime is about the inability to reach out to Action Fraud, and if they do, they get no response. I urge the Minister—plead with him, in fact—to reform the work of Action Fraud and perhaps even bring about a new body in any new legislation to ensure that constituents get some sort of answer and, importantly, some form of support from the authorities of the UK state.
Context
The MP highlights constituents' complaints about the inefficiency and lack of support from Action Fraud, urging for reforms to improve constituent engagement.
John Glen
This is a criticism that I hear. I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss it further, examine the experience of his constituents and look at what we can do constructively to move things further in the right direction.
Session: Tackling Economic Crime
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What steps his Department is taking to tackle economic crime. I thank the Minister for that answer. NatWest and HSBC have been hit with big fines for facilitating money laundering, and Danske Bank will probably see a fine of £2 billion for £200 billion of money laundering. This is seen not as a deterrent, but as a cost of doing business for these big banks. Does he agree that the only way that we will tackle this is through criminal prosecutions both at a corporate level and of senior managers?
Context
The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of current measures against economic crime, citing large fines imposed on banks for money laundering without deterring such activities.
John Glen
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I think he is the House's foremost observer of banks' behaviour, but he also knows that this is an extremely complex area of law. The Government have asked the Law Commission to undertake an in-depth review of laws around corporate criminal liability for economic crime and to make recommendations.
Session: Tackling Economic Crime
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that if we want to crack economic crime, we must incentivise whistleblowers to come forward and protect them when they do? Will he listen carefully what my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mary Robinson) says tomorrow in introducing her 10-minute rule Bill?
Context
GPT Special Project Management was fined £28 million for bribery, with a key whistleblower, Ian Foxley, facing 11 years without income due to lack of employment opportunities. The case highlights the need for improved whistleblower protections.
Damian Hinds
My hon. Friend is right about the value of whistleblowers, who should be able to come forward without fear of recrimination. We have continued to improve the whistleblowing framework, including by extending eligibility for protections and introducing a reporting requirement for prescribed persons—the bodies to whom people can make a whistleblowing disclosure.
Session: Economic Crime
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What recent steps her Department has taken to tackle economic crime?
Context
The Department has taken steps to tackle economic crime, including the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022. A significant case involved GPT Special Project Management fined £28 million for bribery.
Damian Hinds
Tackling economic crime is a key Government priority. We have expedited legislation—the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022—to crack down on Russian dirty money and corrupt elites in the UK. We have also set up a new dedicated kleptocracy cell in the National Crime Agency to target sanctions evasion and corrupt assets hidden in the UK.
Session: Economic Crime
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Some pork producers, including Cranswick, did the right thing and self-suspended export licences to China due to a covid outbreak. Seventeen months later, those licences have not been reinstated. Can we do whatever we can to get these licences back in place? It would help Cranswick, those other producers and the pig industry generally.
Context
Some pork producers suspended their export licences due to a covid outbreak in China, and those licences have not been reinstated.
Penny Mordaunt
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue, and it needs to be resolved swiftly. Ministers from across this Department are lobbying to that effect, as are our Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Prime Minister has raised it personally.
Session: Topical Questions
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Despite promises made in 2020 that certain UK products would receive protected status in Japan, only a fraction of those promised have progressed to the consultation stage after significant delays. Can you confirm this and explain why?
Context
In October 2020, the Department for International Trade promised up to 77 British food and drink products would gain protected status in Japan within five months. However, fewer than half of these UK products have reached the consultation stage despite delays.
Penny Mordaunt
Our analysis shows that the deal will increase trade and improve workers' wages. We require other nations to put legislation through their Parliaments, but we are working towards these processes improving our economy.
Session: Trade Deals Farmers and Food Producers
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Environmental regulations cost our farmers money by forcing them to find alternatives or face lower yields. Farmers cannot use chemicals like Paraquat in Australia or neonicotinoids in parts of Europe, leading to higher costs. Will these issues be addressed in trade deals for a fair and level playing field?
Context
Farmers are concerned about environmental regulations increasing costs and limiting the use of certain pesticides compared to other countries.
Penny Mordaunt
We can drive international standards, improve animal welfare, and encourage others not to use certain pesticides. We understand the additional costs of high-quality produce for our farmers and are talking to agriculture commissioners and Ministers worldwide about these matters.
Session: Trade Deals Farmers and Food Producers
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Will my right hon. Friend update us on plans for relocating civil service jobs to York?
Context
The MP wants to welcome civil service jobs moving to York and is interested in the programme's progress.
Steve Barclay
Around 300 civil service roles have already moved or are moving to the city of York, in addition to the 2,790 civil servants already based there.
Session: Moving Civil Service Jobs outside London
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The most effective sanctions that we could impose on Russia would be to block Russian banks' access to UK and international markets. Will my right hon. Friend consider that and consider cushioning the inevitable blow to our banks, businesses and households from the financial impacts, including to the cost of living?
Context
The UK is considering sanctions on Russian banks to deter Russian aggression.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. With regard to sanctions, absolutely nothing is off the table. We are working extremely closely with our international allies to make sure that we can send a robust signal to deter Russian aggression, and we continue to explore diplomatic solutions at the same time. He should rest assured that nothing is off the table.
Session: Cost of Living
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First Homes is an excellent initiative that could deliver homes in my constituency for local first-time buyers at even below half price. Will the Minister accelerate their delivery through section 106 agreements, pilot their delivery on public sector land in my constituency, and rename the policy from First Homes to “Half-Price Homes”, because then people would understand it much more clearly?
Context
The question builds on the previous inquiry about increasing home ownership, specifically asking for acceleration of delivery and a name change to improve understanding.
Christopher Pincher
My hon. Friend, who is a doughty campaigner for home ownership, teases me. He wishes me to call First Homes “Half-Price Homes”. Perhaps that will become the shorthand name for this project. As to his other questions, we are already commissioning First Homes properties on both public and private sector land through our two early delivery programmes.
Session: Increasing Home Ownership
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What steps his Department is taking to increase home ownership. Since 2010, Government-backed schemes have helped over 756,000 households to purchase their own dream home. Last June, we launched our new flagship First Homes scheme, providing homes discounted by at least 30% for first-time buyers.
Context
The question stems from the government's efforts to increase home ownership through various schemes.
Christopher Pincher
As a Government we are determined to level up opportunities across our country, and that starts with building the homes that our people need. Since 2010, Government-backed schemes have helped over 756,000 households to purchase their own dream home. Last June, we launched our new flagship First Homes scheme, providing homes discounted by at least 30% for first-time buyers.
Session: Increasing Home Ownership
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My right hon. Friend's Department has announced that the Alanbrooke barracks in my constituency, which proudly hosts the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, will close in 2031. Can my right hon. Friend identify any possible other military uses for that base? Alternatively, will he work urgently with the local authority to ensure that the obvious redevelopment opportunities are taken up as quickly as possible?
Context
The Alanbrooke barracks in Thirsk and Malton, hosting the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, is set to close by 2031 according to the Department. The closure raises concerns about alternative uses or redevelopment of the site.
Ben Wallace
I should be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss all opportunities to make use of that space.
Session: UK Defence Jobs
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I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. The integrated rail plan contains many good things, but a significant improvement would be an improved direct connection between Bradford and Manchester. There are ways to do it without significantly increasing the overall £96 billion budget. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss the opportunities?
Context
The MP acknowledges the integrated rail plan's benefits but highlights a specific need for better connections between Bradford and Manchester, suggesting this can be achieved within the existing £96 billion budget.
Andrew Stephenson
My hon. Friend is a brilliant champion for his constituents, his region and the whole north of England. The integrated rail plan was designed to deliver improvements to Bradford sooner, but I am of course happy to meet him to discuss possible future investment.
Session: East-west Rail Connections North England
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What steps he is taking to help improve east-west rail connections in the north of England?
Context
The question follows an initial inquiry about steps to improve east-west rail connections. There are no specific events or statistics provided as background.
Andrew Stephenson
The Northern Powerhouse Rail project will deliver real benefits for passengers and communities, enhancing journeys and levelling up for a growing population.
Session: East-west Rail Connections North England
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The dualling of the A64 was first mooted in The Yorkshire Post in 1905, since when it has been promised and cancelled several times, despite being much needed. Its delivery would massively reduce the journey time between York, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough and Filey. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on plans to dual the A64?
Context
The A64 has been promised multiple times but never delivered, despite being crucial for reducing travel time between York, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, and Filey.
Grant Shapps
My hon. Friend has been a long-term advocate of dualling the A64 north-east of York. I can confirm that it will be one of my Department's options for consideration in the enhancements programme under the road investment strategy from 2025.
Session: Topical Questions
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We do not talk often enough about old-age poverty. Besides the inadequate state pension and latest triple-lock betrayal, another factor is the low uptake of pension credit: about 1 million pensioners miss out on £1600 annually. The Government want to increase take-up but refuse a proper strategy as we have in Scotland. Why?
Context
Only half a million pensioners in the UK are taking up pension credit, despite missing out on £1600 annually. The SNP seeks to introduce a proper strategy for increasing uptake.
Guy Opperman (Minister of State for Pensions)
We are increasing take-up through meetings with the BBC, energy companies, LGA, banks, BT, setting up a pension credit taskforce. Pension credit take-up is increasing, spending on pensioners is up to £129 billion.
Session: Topical Questions
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Regional mutual banks are a feature of all the other G7 economies, which have much lower levels of regional inequality. They are key to the provision of small and medium-sized enterprise finance. We have a number around the UK that are ready to go, led by experienced professionals; all they need is some pump-prime funding. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me to discuss this very exciting policy area?
Context
Hollinrake mentioned regional inequality in G7 economies due to lack of regional mutual banks, emphasizing their importance for SME finance.
Rishi Sunak
I am always delighted to meet my hon. Friend and neighbour, and if we could do that in north Yorkshire, it would be fantastic.
Session: Economic Inequality
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The Serious Fraud Office has made clear that a new criminal offence of failure to prevent economic crime would significantly increase the number of successful prosecutions for fraud. What steps are we taking to bring that about?
Context
The question addresses the need for a new criminal offence to prevent companies from failing to take sufficient measures against economic crime, which is expected to increase prosecution rates. This follows an initiative by the Serious Fraud Office.
Alex Chalk
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. Economic crime is not a victimless crime; it strikes at the very heart of the society that we want to be. I am pleased to see that the Law Commission published its discussion document on corporate criminal liability earlier this year. Both the CPS and the SFO provided input, and took part in a series of events to share their operational insights. The Law Commission is aiming to publish an options paper early next year, and will then work with the Government to implement any next steps.
Session: CPS Prosecutions Serious Crime
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What steps the CPS is taking to help improve prosecution rates for serious crime.
Context
The question pertains to the steps being taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to improve prosecution rates in serious criminal cases, which is a matter of public concern.
Alex Chalk
Through its three national central casework divisions and 13 regional complex casework units, the CPS continues to work with the National Crime Agency and other criminal justice partners to bring offenders to justice for a range of serious crimes, including serious and organised crime, terrorism, and serious and complex economic crime.
Session: CPS Prosecutions Serious Crime
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Will the Minister provide clarity on the future of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, which plays a key role in both defence and local economy?
Context
The MP mentioned the important role played by RAF Linton-on-Ouse in defence and local economy. He expressed concern over unclear future plans for its disposal.
Jeremy Quin
I assure my hon. Friend that there is no longer a military requirement for RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and the timing of the site's disposal is under active consideration. I will write to him as soon as an announcement is made.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Justice Secretary is working with the Law Commission on bringing forward a new corporate offence of failure to prevent economic crime. There are concerns that the offences will be downgraded to regulatory offences, rather than those involving criminal sanctions. Does my right hon. Friend agree that there must be criminal sanctions if we are to have a true deterrent against this terrible crime?
Context
Concerns about the potential downgrading of offences related to corporate failure to prevent economic crimes.
Dominic Raab
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. He has been following it for some time, and I have worked with him on it in the past. We will make sure that we have the right combination of toughness and robustness and send a clear message that these are not victimless crimes.
Session: Topical Questions
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Putting Stockton to one side, not only does York have a unique railway heritage, but it is home to 10% of the national railway workforce. It is a beautiful and wonderful city. Does my right hon. Friend agree it would make the perfect home for the headquarters of Great British Railways?
Context
The MP pointed out York's strong railway heritage, workforce concentration, and appeal as a location.
Grant Shapps
It is also the home of many beautiful trains of the past, including the Mallard, which I went to see very recently. My hon. Friend makes a very strong case. I can see that the whole House is looking forward to entering the competition to find the new HQ for Great British Railways.
Session: Great British Railways National Headquarters
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What steps he is taking to identify the most suitable location for the headquarters of Great British Railways. The transition team is designing a selection process and details will be announced shortly.
Context
The MP inquired about the location for the Great British Railways headquarters, given no decision has been made yet.
Grant Shapps
The Great British Railways transition team is designing a selection process for the headquarters and details will be announced shortly.
Session: Great British Railways National Headquarters
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We are in a difficult situation across North Yorkshire where there is no NHS dentist availability across the whole of Thirsk and Malton. It will take the NHS two years to recommission the service in Helmsley—the closed practice in Helmsley—and the Thirsk practice has just closed its doors with its current list of patients. Will my right hon. Friend set out exactly what we can do to increase the availability of NHS dentistry?
Context
There is no NHS dentist availability across the whole of Thirsk and Malton, with a closed practice in Helmsley that will take two years to recommission. The Thirsk practice has just closed its doors.
Sajid Javid
Again, my hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. As we have just heard from other hon. Members, there is a real issue with dentistry across England, including in North Yorkshire, and we know how the pandemic has had an impact on that. Dentists have tried to do the best they can in those circumstances. The changes we are making to infection prevention and control will help. We are looking at further measures, and I understand that my hon. Friend will be meeting the Minister shortly to discuss his issues in North Yorkshire carefully.
Session: NHS Capacity
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Planning Policy: Traveller Sites
11 September 2024
Responding: Matthew Pennycook
Main Concerns
['My constituents are concerned about a number of planning applications where there is a perception that the law does not apply equally. In some cases, applicants occupy sites unlawfully without planning consent before submitting retrospective applications, citing laws such as the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act to gain approval despite breaches of proper procedure. The site in question near Sheriff Hutton has been occupied for three years without permission but was recommended for approval by North Yorkshire planning authority.']
Specific Asks
['I urge the Minister to tighten rules so that people who flagrantly abuse the planning system cannot obtain consent, ensuring fairness and preventing a sense of two-tier society. It is crucial to clarify guidance on intentional unauthorised development as a material point in planning applications.']
Greenwashing in Finance — [Sir Edward Leigh in the Chair]
14 December 2021
Responding: John Glen
Main Concerns
["Kevin Hollinrake is concerned about the issue of greenwashing in finance, where companies exaggerate their environmental credentials to attract investment. He cites examples such as BP's claim of installing solar panels on service stations despite being heavily invested in oil and gas, McDonald's switch from plastic to non-recyclable paper straws, and Coca-Cola's misleading claims of being environmentally friendly. Hollinrake emphasizes the importance of independent verification to ensure that investments are genuinely green, especially given the risk of stranded assets due to rapid decarbonization."]
Specific Asks
['Hollinrake asks for clarity on who will be responsible for standardizing and harmonizing measures for judging green investments. He inquires about timelines, scope (including scope 3 emissions), alignment with the 1.5°C target, and mandatory transition plans for smaller companies.']
Antimicrobial Resistance
07 December 2021
Responding: Maggie Throup
Main Concerns
['Antibiotic resistance is a hidden pandemic that could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050. In the UK, antibiotic resistance increased by 4.9% between 2016 and 2020, with one in five people having resistant infections in 2020. A mother named Helen experienced three resistant infections, including sepsis shortly after giving birth.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should introduce annual reports for partners on actions in the national action plan, consider the next steps for evolving the AMR pilot into a new permanent model, and comment on conversations with NHS England and NICE about implementing learnings at scale and pace.']
Business Rates Reduction Services
26 May 2021
Responding: Jesse Norman
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about the activities of RVA Surveyors, a company that preys on small businesses by offering them unfair contracts that divert government support meant for those businesses into the company's bank account. He cited an example where one of his constituents signed a 12-year contract and paid £18,000 over the term without receiving any real service in return. The MP also mentioned other dubious tactics used by RVA, such as forging signatures and using harassment to enforce contracts."]
Specific Asks
['The MP asks for the Insolvency Service to investigate RVA Surveyors for fraud and scams, and he suggests extending consumer protection laws to cover microbusinesses or reforming business rates altogether. He also proposed increasing VAT as an alternative to business rates, which would level the playing field between online businesses and high street ones.']
SMEs and the Net Zero Target
17 November 2020
Responding: Kwasi Kwarteng
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about businesses being treated as collateral damage in the rush to achieve net zero. I highlighted an example of a small business in my constituency that uses fossil fuels and may face difficulties obtaining financial support for transitioning to greener processes due to ethical considerations from banks. Additionally, I mentioned issues with the green homes grants programme where installers are hesitant to apply due to short timescales. There is also concern over the transition away from fossil fuel cars, which presents challenges for businesses in related supply chains.']
Specific Asks
['The government should ensure that interventions by financiers and regulators are comprehensive, well considered, strategic, and stable, providing a long-term framework that avoids abrupt changes and allows businesses to transition smoothly towards net zero. I also ask the Minister to address issues with access to finance for SMEs through non-bank lenders and to consider diversifying finance provision with regional mutual not-for-profit banks.']
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-09-02
02 September 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025-06-10
10 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Active travel—cycling, walking and wheeling—is hugely beneficial for health and happiness. Local authorities are reticent in using compulsory purchase orders for active travel despite willingness and ...
Chinese Embassy Development 2025-06-09
09 June 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the US Government's national security concerns regarding the proposed Chinese embassy development at Royal Mint Court have been addressed? Why has the Government denied ...
Horizon Redress and Post Office Update 2025-04-08
08 April 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Scunthorpe Steelworks 2025-04-07
07 April 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm what actions the Government are taking to prevent the closure of Scunthorpe’s steelworks? The urgency stems from British Steel's recent announcement of early asset closures a...
Birmingham City Council 2025-03-31
31 March 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill 2025-03-31
31 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government are committed to addressing the uncertainty of temporary RHL relief by introducing permanent lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses from April 2026. The Bill pr...
Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill (changed to Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers) Bill) 2025-03-25
25 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025-03-24
24 March 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Plan for Neighbourhoods 2025-03-04
04 March 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a £1.5 billion plan for neighbourhoods across the UK, aiming to support growth and access to opportun...
Petitions
13 July 2022
The petitioners reject the proposed registration and monitoring system for home-educated children as they believe it is expensive, disproportionate, invasive, and undermines parents' rights in determi...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
57.1%
56 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
30
30.6% of votes
No Votes
26
26.5% of votes
Abstentions
42
42.9% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
4
PMQs Asked
76
Ministerial Questions Asked
218
House of Commons Debates Involved
5
Westminster Hall Debates Led
16
Statements / Bills
1
Petitions Presented
98
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
+467% above average
This MP:
76
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+99% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+4386% above average
This MP:
218
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+69% above average
This MP:
16
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-59% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-17% below average
This MP:
57.1
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 Kevin Hollinrake's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.