Laura Farris
MP for Newbury
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the British people should be entitled to a basic level of protection when strikes take place in essential public services? Does he think Tony Blair had a point when he said last year that the 'big defect' at Labour's birth was its ties to organised labour?
Context
Every G7 country requires some level of minimum service during strikes, often with laws that go further.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend put that very well. She is right to make the point that what we are proposing is in line with many other countries around the world. We are joining countries across continental Europe in having minimum safety laws, as I think the public would reasonably expect a level of emergency life-saving care.
Session: PMQs
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Last April, the West Berkshire child and adolescent mental health services received an additional £120 million to tackle waiting times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses. Twelve months on, it has outlined a general ambition to reduce delays but has set no targets or timescales for improvement, and some parents are still waiting two years for their children to be seen. Does my right hon. Friend agree that when a significant amount of public money is invested, people have a right to know how and when services will be improved, and will he support my campaign for a 12-month maximum wait for any family in West Berkshire seeking a diagnosis of this kind?
Context
The West Berkshire child and adolescent mental health services received £120 million last April to tackle waiting times for autism and ADHD diagnoses. Some parents are still waiting two years for their children to be seen.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is running a great campaign, and she is absolutely right: the Government are indeed providing funds to improve autism and learning disability services, but it is also important for people to receive the diagnoses and assessments that they need within 12 weeks, and the measures in our Health and Care Bill will improve local accountability for those services.
Assessment
The PM acknowledged providing funds and supporting campaigns but did not commit to a specific 12-month target.
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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May I welcome our four colleagues from the Parliament of Ukraine who are with us today? We all stand with them. I have spent much of the past week trying to help the Scottish charity Dnipro Kids, which was established by fans of Hibernian football club. It has evacuated 48 children from orphanages in Ukraine and is desperately attempting to provide them with temporary sanctuary in Scotland. There is a plane ready and waiting in Poland to bring these orphans to the UK on Friday, but that flight will leave empty without the necessary paperwork from the Home Office. The Polish authorities, Edinburgh City Council, the Scottish Government and the orphans' guardians are all working to bring these children to safety. I have worked with UK Government Ministers to try to make that happen—I commend Lord Harrington in particular for his efforts—but a week on, the Home Office is still proving to be the only obstacle in the way, and it risks leaving these children stranded. I am pleading with the Deputy Prime Minister to remove these obstructions before it is too late. Will he work with me and the Ukrainian authorities to guarantee that these 48 Ukrainian orphans will get on that plane this Friday?
Context
A Scottish charity, Dnipro Kids, has evacuated 48 children from orphanages in Ukraine. A plane is ready to bring these orphans to the UK on Friday but needs necessary paperwork from the Home Office.
Dominic Raab
May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for all he is doing? This is a heart-rending situation; we want to do everything we can. Of course, there are a range of issues in this case, including the wishes of the Ukrainian Government on where orphan children should go and should be living, and whether any necessary permissions have been sought from the Ukrainian and/or the Polish Government. This is not actually about bureaucracy—it is about genuine safeguarding issues—but I certainly want to work with the right hon. Gentleman in the best interests of those children.
Assessment
Did not commit to removing bureaucratic obstacles but mentioned willingness to collaborate.
Safeguarding Issues
Range Of Issues
Session: PMQs
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One of the significant achievements of this Government is the work they have done with local authorities to tackle rough sleeping. Five years ago, 36 people were sleeping rough in the Newbury area; this Christmas, West Berkshire Council has reduced that to zero. But it can only sustain that success with the help of additional support services to tackle the complex causes of homelessness. What action will the Government take through their new 10-year drugs strategy to intercept the link between addiction and life on the streets?
Context
The MP highlights the success in reducing rough sleeping through local authority efforts but emphasizes the need for additional support to address drug addiction.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is completely right to draw the link between drug addiction and rough sleeping. That is why our drugs strategy is so absolutely vital for tackling this problem. I also want to thank local councils and everybody involved in the Everyone In campaign. Homelessness and rough sleeping are a blight and a disgrace—a shame for our society. I am proud to say that our rough sleeping snapshot shows that levels have fallen by 43% since 2017, although clearly, as we come out of the pandemic in the next year or so, we must make sure that we continue to reduce rough sleeping. It remains an absolute priority for this Government.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not provide specific actions from the drugs strategy but acknowledged the importance and past achievements.
Highlighted Past Achievements
Session: PMQs
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Considering the significant investment in the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) as part of future nuclear capabilities, will my right hon. Friend outline plans to improve women's participation in defence and nuclear sectors? May I invite him to visit AWE?
Context
The AWE has a strong representation of female employees who have won awards for their work. The Government is investing significantly in these areas, raising questions about gender parity.
Boris Johnson
I would be delighted to accept your invitation. Alison Atkinson became CEO of AWE, and there are numerous opportunities for women in armed services due to increased defence spending.
Assessment
Comprehensive strategy details
Citing Specific Female Role Model
Session: PMQs
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This Government have taken the lead on tackling domestic abuse, but there is an ugly dimension that remains unresolved, where men who kill their partners in appalling acts of sexual violence establish in court that “she asked for it” and avoid a murder conviction. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the time is now to end the rough sex defence?
Context
Farris raises an issue about the 'rough sex' defence in domestic violence cases, which she believes is unacceptable.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point. We are committed to ensuring that the law is made clear on this point, and that defence is inexcusable.
Session: PMQs
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I recently convened a roundtable in my constituency with the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman) and a number of science and tech businesses. Their No. 1 question was what fiscal support was available for their sector. I am aware that there are numerous schemes, grants and tax relief, but it was notable that they were not well understood by the businesses, and I could not find them published anywhere on the new Department's website. Could my right hon. Friend put together and publish a package of all the support available to investors and innovators, and how it can be applied for, to maximise the potential of this vital new frontier in west Berkshire and beyond?
Context
A roundtable in the MP's constituency identified a lack of understanding regarding support available to science and technology businesses.
Jeremy Hunt
That is a fair point. I thank my hon. Friend for the fact that Newbury is a hotbed of technology businesses, with Roc Technologies, Stryker, Edwards Lifesciences and a range of other businesses that she gives a lot of support to. I will write to her listing all those things and I will make sure that it is available on the website of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Session: Technology Sector
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What fiscal steps he is taking to support the technology sector?
Context
The MP is concerned about the fiscal measures needed to support growth in the tech industry.
Jeremy Hunt
I have set out our national ambition to be the world's next silicon valley. We are making good progress; last year we were ranked the world's third largest technology market after the United States and China.
Session: Technology Sector
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A Citizens Advice report published in the past two weeks shows that 600,000 households were moved to prepayment meters. There are bound to be many vulnerable and disabled people who have been moved on to prepayment meters in that time. Can the Minister say what she has been doing to ensure that that practice ceases and to protect those people in future?
Context
Citizens Advice reported that 600,000 households were moved to prepayment meters, potentially affecting many vulnerable people.
Mims Davies
I believe that issue is going to be discussed further between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Work and Pensions, which provides support. I am very proud to be bringing forward the next stage of the household support fund and the cost of living payments.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Chancellor share the Prime Minister's commitment to not allowing national debt to spiral and will he use his statement to set out a pathway for debt reduction?
Context
The MP is questioning the government's commitment to reducing national debt and passing on financial burdens to future generations.
Jeremy Hunt
My hon. Friend is correct, Margaret Thatcher said that there is nothing moral about spending money you do not have. The current debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% and we are currently spending £22 billion more on debt interest than last year.
Session: Economic Stability
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What steps are being taken to ensure sustainable public finances?
Context
The MP is concerned about the sustainability of UK's public finances in light of inflation and economic challenges.
Jeremy Hunt
Inflation is the enemy of stability, and this Government have acted decisively to bear down on it. This includes the energy price guarantee which will take up to 5% off the headline rate.
Session: Economic Stability
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The excellent work the Government have done on domestic abuse risks being seriously undermined by recent reports of Met police conduct published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. What work is my right hon. Friend doing with the Home Secretary to ensure that domestic abuse victims retain confidence in the criminal justice system?
Context
Reports of misconduct by Metropolitan police officers towards domestic abuse victims have raised concerns about the confidence of victims in the criminal justice system.
Dominic Raab
I thank my hon. Friend, who is absolutely right. The remarks she cited are utterly abhorrent I would imagine to everyone on all sides of the House. We have tasked the Angiolini inquiry and inspections are ongoing in forces across England and Wales to judge their vetting and counter-corruption capabilities. Funding for support services has increased to £185 million by 2024-25, which will help fund an increase—by about a half, up to 1,000—in the number of independent domestic abuse advisers.
Session: Domestic Abuse Prosecutions
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What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help increase the number of successful prosecutions for domestic abuse?
Context
The question arises due to concerns about the number of successful prosecutions for domestic abuse cases.
Dominic Raab
This Government are committed to bringing more perpetrators of domestic abuse to justice. It is a key plank of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which creates new offences such as non-fatal strangulation and extends the coercive or controlling behaviour offence to include former partners.
Session: Domestic Abuse Prosecutions
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In West Berkshire, a family seeking a child and adolescent mental health services diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can face a waiting time of up to two years. The Berkshire West clinical commissioning group has recently made £1.6 million available to recruit extra staff, but when I spoke to it, I was struck by the absence of any hard targets to reduce waiting lists and any consequences if it fails to deliver.
Context
A family in West Berkshire seeking a child and adolescent mental health services diagnosis can face up to two years of waiting. The local clinical commissioning group allocated £1.6 million to recruit staff but lacks hard targets or consequences for underperformance.
Gillian Keegan
I share my hon. Friend's concern that waits for autism assessments and diagnosis are often way too long, and that is why we are investing an additional £13 million of funding this year to allow local systems to test different diagnostic pathways—including working on a multi-disciplinary basis—and find new solutions.
Session: Young People’s Mental Health Services
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What steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists for (a) children and adolescent mental health services and (b) other mental health services for young people. In West Berkshire, a family seeking a child and adolescent mental health services diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can face a waiting time of up to two years. The Berkshire West clinical commissioning group has recently made £1.6 million available to recruit extra staff, but when I spoke to it, I was struck by the absence of any hard targets to reduce waiting lists and any consequences if it fails to deliver.
Context
A family in West Berkshire seeking a child and adolescent mental health services diagnosis can face up to two years of waiting. The local clinical commissioning group allocated £1.6 million to recruit staff but lacks hard targets or consequences for underperformance.
Gillian Keegan
We are committed to ensuring that children and young people get the mental health support they need. We are expanding mental health services through the NHS long-term plan, aiming for 345,000 more children and young people a year with access to services by 2023-24. This year we have provided an additional £109 million on top of planned funding, allowing 22,500 more children and young people to access community health services this year earlier than planned.
Session: Young People’s Mental Health Services
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When can we expect this procedure to be rolled out across the nation?
Context
Independent reviews by Sir John Gillen, Baroness Stern and Lady Dorrian unanimously stated that early evidence-giving under section 28 is crucial in preventing withdrawal from the criminal process.
Dominic Raab
Careful evaluation of evidence from pilots and trials. Section 28 is important for victims of rape, other vulnerable victims, more effective prosecutions, and deterring defence lawyers from waiting until court to plead guilty.
Session: Rape and Violence against Women and Girls Prosecutions and Convictions
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Can my hon. Friend set out what the next stage of the Plan for Jobs will do to target that group, particularly given their risk of long-term unemployment?
Context
Unemployment in West Berkshire has fallen thanks to programmes like the apprenticeship levy and kickstart, but older job seekers are at risk of long-term unemployment.
John Glen
Yes, I can. My hon. Friend is right; unemployment is at 3.5% in her constituency, as against the 5% average. On people aged 50 to 64 who unfortunately lose their job and find a return to work less likely, this spending review announced an enhanced 50-plus offer worth more than £20 million to ensure that that cohort of the workforce receive that support to remain in work and benefit from living those fuller working lives. That is in addition to the other interventions across the whole of the working age group.
Session: Plan for Jobs
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I welcome the announcement of the AUKUS security pact but seek assurance that it will not undermine the strategic importance of the new warhead and confirm Aldermaston's continued role in critical defence. Can you provide confirmation?
Context
Following concerns about the AUKUS security pact, this supplementary question aims to clarify its relation to UK's nuclear defence strategy, particularly concerning Aldermaston's ongoing responsibilities.
Ben Wallace
The agreement with Australia and the United States is not a programme about nuclear weapons; it is about nuclear propulsion to give strategic capability. Aldermaston remains crucial, contributing over decades to Britain's credible nuclear deterrent.
Session: Nuclear Warhead Programme
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I am concerned about the assessment of the potential effect of the new nuclear warhead programme on the UK's defence capability and want to understand its impact given the strategic importance of Aldermaston in this context.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the potential effects of a new nuclear warhead programme on UK's overall defence capabilities. This is particularly relevant in light of recent developments like the AUKUS security pact.
Ben Wallace
The replacement warhead programme will allow the UK to maintain our independent minimum credible nuclear deterrent for the foreseeable future. The UK's sovereign nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and will remain essential.
Session: Nuclear Warhead Programme
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For six years, the Government has promised a victims Bill. Five Secretaries of State have made it their priority, yet victims wait in trauma. My constituent reported an assault two years ago; delay after delay means no progress or explanation for her case. One-third of victims would not report future crimes due to past experiences. Labour's Bill is ready. Will the Minister work with us? If not, why leave this young girl as an afterthought?
Context
Six-year-long promises of a victims Bill have left victims traumatised, with poor communication and repeated delays. A constituent reported sexual assault two years ago without resolution or explanation.
Kit Malthouse
Ministers and public servants work daily to support victims; however, many are unsatisfied. The Government will bring forward legislation soon for consultation.
Session: Victims Bill
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Unemployment is falling fast in west Berkshire due to Treasury-backed schemes. However, Newbury College says small and medium-sized enterprises are not taking enough apprentices when they form our economy's backbone. Is there an opportunity to reallocate surplus from the apprenticeship levy to encourage SME take-up?
Context
The MP notes the role of Newbury College in providing apprenticeships, with many large employers taking up most opportunities despite local economic needs.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend makes a point. I am proud she is working with Newbury College in her constituency, where SMEs are crucial for local economies. From August, employers who pay the levy but have unspent funds can use a new bulk transfer service to send money to SMEs and find appropriate businesses through a match function.
Session: Apprentices
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I am concerned about the steps my Department is taking to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to take on more apprentices. I note that many larger employers are currently taking the majority of new apprentices, leaving smaller firms lagging behind in providing these opportunities.
Context
The MP is concerned about the limited uptake of apprenticeships by SMEs despite government incentives.
Rishi Sunak
We are encouraging employers of all sizes to take on new apprentices through our hiring incentive. Employers who hire a new apprentice of any age until the end of September will receive £3,000 per apprentice. We are also continuing to improve the apprenticeship system for employers by introducing more flexible trading options, making the transfer of unspent levy funds to small businesses easier, and supporting apprenticeships in industries with flexible working patterns through the launch of portable apprenticeships.
Session: Apprentices
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Will my right hon. Friend consider asking Ofcom and Building Digital UK to reconsider their decision to exclude properties in the RG20 and RG17 postcodes from the gigabit batches?
Context
There are still blackspots in Laura Farris's constituency where superfast and gigabit broadband is not available, especially in the RG20 and RG17 postcodes.
Oliver Dowden
We are on a national mission to transform our digital infrastructure, and our plans include many rural properties in the RG17 and RG20 postcodes. We are investing £5 billion in connecting hard-to-reach communities with Project Gigabit.
Session: Topical Questions
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Female employment is highest in the services sector which has been hit particularly hard by redundancies in hospitality, retail and leisure. The new deal announced by the Prime Minister in June focused on house building, road building and infrastructure—all vital sectors, but heavily geared towards male employment. Can my hon. Friend confirm whether there are equivalent plans to stimulate female employment in the months ahead, and will he meet me to discuss this?
Context
The question arises due to concerns that recent government initiatives, such as those focused on house building and road building, may not adequately address the needs of women who are disproportionately employed in sectors like hospitality, retail, and leisure.
Paul Scully
We are committed to having a fair recovery for all. During the crisis we have rolled out unprecedented levels of support to protect jobs for both women and men, including an extra £4.6 billion to support sectors that predominantly employ women. Yes, I would be happy to meet her to discuss what more can be done to stimulate employment, including female employment.
Session: Economic Recovery Employment for Women
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What steps has the Government taken to ensure adequate employment opportunities for women during the economic recovery from the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
The question arises due to concerns about the impact of the pandemic on women's employment, particularly in sectors like hospitality, retail, and leisure which have been heavily affected by lockdown measures.
Paul Scully
The Government have taken significant steps to support employment opportunities for women, including protecting jobs through the coronavirus job retention scheme which supported 4.5 million jobs done by women and the self-employed income support scheme which issued grants to 1.4 million women.
Session: Economic Recovery Employment for Women
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I welcome the recent announcements from the CPS and the guidance it has published to improve rape prosecution rates, particularly in relation to modern dating apps and selfies. However, the rape review published by the Victims' Commissioner revealed that a large number of women are still reluctant to report rape in the first instance, because of an enduring concern that they will not be believed by the police when they do so. Can my right hon. and learned Friend confirm what steps he is taking to ensure that the support and the structures exist so that women who come forward can have confidence that there is a reasonable prospect of securing a conviction?
Context
The Victims' Commissioner's report revealed that many women are reluctant to report rape due to a lack of confidence in the justice system.
Michael Ellis
The Crown Prosecution Service and the Government are determined to restore faith and build more faith in the criminal justice system, and to give victims of rape—this horrific offence—the confidence that everything will be done to bring offenders to justice. That is why the Government are reviewing the end-to-end response to this awful crime, in consultation with survivors groups as well as the Victims' Commissioner, while recruiting more police and putting more money into the Crown Prosecution Service.
Session: Rape and Sexual Assault Prosecutions and Conviction Rates
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What steps she is taking to improve conviction rates in rape cases?
Context
The question addresses a concern about low conviction rates for rape, which has been an ongoing issue.
Michael Ellis
We and the Crown Prosecution Service are working tirelessly with criminal justice partners to improve the handling of these sensitive cases. Over the last four quarters, we have seen the charging and conviction rates in rape cases continue to increase. This year, the CPS published its own rape strategy, updated rape legal guidance and training, is actively engaging in the Government rape review and will shortly be publishing a joint action plan on rape with the police.
Session: Rape and Sexual Assault Prosecutions and Conviction Rates
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What steps are being taken to ensure that kickstarter placements lead to permanent employment with the placement employer or in the same sector?
Context
The kickstart scheme provides six-month jobs but there is a concern about securing permanent employment after placements end.
Therese Coffey
My hon. Friend is right to point out that the kickstart placements are six-month-long jobs, but the skills that people will learn and the experience they will gain will put them in good stead to secure future employment.
Session: Topical Questions
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Nurseries in west Berkshire suffered a loss of fee income during the lockdown, and they are now anxious about a reduction in parental demand. They are grateful for the guaranteed funding until the end of this year, but what assessment has my hon. Friend made of the recovery of parental demand, and what assurances can she give the sector for the rest of the academic year?
Context
The questioner asks about an assessment made regarding the recovery of parental demand for childcare services post-lockdown.
Vicky Ford
May I start by thanking childcare providers in west Berkshire and across the country for providing such essential support for our very youngest children? This term, we have committed to block buying those hours from providers, provided that they are open, regardless of how many children are attending, and local authorities should pass that funding on. We are obviously looking closely at the situation from next term, and the future funding will be dependent on the funding review, but the really good news is that attendance is increasing and, on 1 October, the numbers showed that it was about 80% of the pre-covid usual daily level of attendance.
Session: Childcare Parental Access
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What steps his Department is taking to help support parents' access to childcare. High-quality childcare supports children's development and helps parents work, but there are concerns about availability and affordability.
Context
The questioner inquires about steps taken to help parents access childcare.
Vicky Ford
High-quality childcare supports children's development and helps parents to work, and we are therefore continuing to bulk-buy childcare hours from the sector at pre-covid levels, even if providers had closed due to the pandemic. Some 708,000 children attended an early years setting on 1 October, which is an increase of about 300,000 compared with the end of the summer term. We have also encouraged schools to ensure that after-school and breakfast clubs are reopening.
Session: Childcare Parental Access
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What improvements does the Minister think could be made to de-radicalisation programmes to prevent lone wolf, post-release attacks?
Context
Terrorist attacks have occurred recently involving individuals either released from or on licence from prison.
Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice)
We are utilising a range of rehabilitative tools including psychological, theological and mental health interventions. Twenty-two trained imams are conducting de-radicalisation programmes in prisons, alongside increased training for prison and probation officers to deal with terrorism, new national standards for managing terrorists on licence, more counter-terrorism specialist staff, and more places in approved premises as a transition from prison to the community.
Session: Radicalisation in Prisons
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With young people at risk economically, how can the Chancellor assure them of their prioritisation in future recovery plans?
Context
Young individuals face economic challenges due to sectoral impacts.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)
Young people are considered high-risk and will remain a priority; they are more likely to be affected by furloughing or job loss, and this impacts future opportunities significantly.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps can be taken to ensure that women do not emerge as the accidental casualties of the crisis in sectors like hospitality and leisure where they are disproportionately employed?
Context
The Institute for Fiscal Studies reported that women are more likely to have permanently lost their jobs or been furloughed during the pandemic, with hospitality and leisure industries particularly affected.
Paul Scully (Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets)
The Government is actively monitoring the impact of covid-19 on the labour market but it is too early to draw firm conclusions. Equality legislation requires that employers must not discriminate based on gender and this law continues to apply.
Session: Covid-19 Women in the Workplace
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What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the wedding sector during the covid-19 outbreak. Couples in my constituency are desperate to know if their weddings can go ahead this summer, especially as venues like Wasing Park face uncertainty.
Context
The question concerns the impact of COVID-19 on wedding venues and couples' plans for summer weddings.
Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
There is significant effort across Government to allow people to hold small weddings with appropriate social distancing as soon as possible. Work is ongoing with faith leaders on this issue, but venues can use the job retention scheme, business rates holiday, and small business grants in the meantime.
Session: Weddings Sector Covid-19
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What commitments can my hon. Friend make to supporting behind-closed-doors race meetings with 12 jockeys in a single race and no crowds, as proposed by the British Horseracing Authority?
Context
The UK's horse-racing industry is facing significant challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.
Nigel Huddleston
I thank my hon. Friend for her support of the horse-racing industry. All major sports need to look after their staff, competitors, stakeholders and fans, and that includes having an eye to when competition might resume. At this stage, it is not possible to give a timescale for when current restrictions will be relaxed. Potential conditions in which sport might return include behind closed doors, with neutral venues and with limited staff and broadcast crew. Other considerations would include first responder capacity and the availability of regular testing.
Session: Racing Industry
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Changes to pension contributions mean that some senior GPs, including in Newbury, are being hit with extra tax charges if they work overtime, which is leading to the paradoxical situation of GPs paying to work and so reducing their hours or taking early retirement. What steps is the Secretary of State's Department taking to address this situation?
Context
Changes in pension contributions affect some senior GPs, leading to reduced working hours or early retirement.
The Secretary of State Matthew Hancock
Tax is, of course, a matter for the Treasury, and the Chancellor would not be thrilled if I announced tax policy in the middle of health questions, tempting as that may be. However, we have been working with the Treasury, and also with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association, employers in the NHS and others, to deliver on our manifesto commitment to sort this out.
Session: Access to GPs
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Discrimination against women during pregnancy or periods of maternity leave remains a particularly problematic form of workplace discrimination. Laura Farris asks what steps are being taken to improve the take-up of shared parental leave to remove the onus from new mothers at this vulnerable period in their working lives.
Context
The question is about discrimination against women during their pregnancy and periods of maternity leave, a problematic form of workplace discrimination.
Therese Coffey
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy leads on this issue. I assure my hon. Friend that we encourage people to take up the options and we support their efforts. We will continue to do more with our work coaches on helping people to get the most out of working.
Session: Topical Questions
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If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. In the context of leaving the European Union, Laura Farris asks if Therese Coffey will make a statement regarding her department's role in supporting the economy and labour market post-Brexit.
Context
The question is about the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions' departmental responsibilities.
Therese Coffey
In the week that we leave the European Union, I am pleased to say that our labour market continues to thrive. Employment has reached a new record high of 76.3% matched by a record number of people in work, pulling Britain forward into the new decade. That includes 15.5 million women—more than ever before—and 1.3 million disabled people have joined the labour market since 2013. This shows a bright outlook for our buoyant economy as we continue to grow and enhance the labour market in this new era for our country.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Special Educational Needs and Children’s Mental Health Services
09 February 2022
Responding: Maria Caulfield
Main Concerns
['Families in West Berkshire are experiencing significant difficulties in accessing CAMHS for diagnosis of learning difficulties, with waiting times often exceeding two years. Constituents report challenges such as repeated form filling, long delays, and the emotional toll on children, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. The issue extends beyond West Berkshire, impacting other parts of the country.']
Specific Asks
['The lead MP asks for better accountability from CAMHS in West Berkshire and across the UK, demanding details of how £1.6 million will be spent and firm commitments to reduce waiting lists with consequences if managers fail to deliver.']
Transport
09 September 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Order 2024 aims to decarbonise flights by introducing sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 7...
Crime (Overseas Production Orders etc) Bill - Clause 30 - Child sex offences: grooming aggravating factor
15 May 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
I move that the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to ensure that child sex offenders who engage in online grooming receive additional punishment, reflecting the severe nature of this a...
The Licensing Act 2003 (Special Occasions) - Clause 1 and Clause 2
19 January 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The hon. Member highlights that pubs are not just places for drinking but also serve as community hubs where people come together to socialise a...
Tackling Spiking
18 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Town Centre Safety
05 December 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion condemns the government’s failure to address town centre crime, noting a rise in shoplifting and violence against shop workers. It highlights the reduction of neighbourhood police officers ...
Safety of School Buildings
06 September 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Phillipson moved for the release of documents related to spending reviews in 2020-21 concerning school buildings safety. She emphasised the issue was about responsibility, accusing the Prime Minister ...
Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
20 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Apologised for leaving early due to train strikes and acknowledged the late Sir David Amess. Discussed national issues such as Viaplay's withdrawal from the UK, highlighting concerns over job security...
Nationality and Borders Bill - Clause 60 - Ten-year strategy on refugees and human trafficking
17 July 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to disagree with Lords amendments 1B, 7B and 90D. The MP argues against the proposed changes, suggesting that these amendments do not reflect the current national interest or public sentiment, a...
Privileges Committee Special Report
10 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Road Fuel Prices
03 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
6
PMQs Asked
32
Ministerial Questions Asked
100
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
4
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
+64% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+139% above average
This MP:
32
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1958% above average
This MP:
100
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-58% below average
This MP:
4
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 Laura Farris's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.