Luke Hall
MP for Thornbury and Yate
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Will the local government Minister issue guidance to councils, asking them to ensure that all parents are protected if their councillors find themselves in those most difficult of circumstances?
Context
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act was passed, but it does not cover councillors who lose extra responsibility allowances if they have a child in neonatal care.
Simon Hoare
My hon. Friend has worked on this campaign and I understand entirely the merits of the argument he makes.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am grateful to Ministers for taking the time to meet me this morning to discuss the £40 million bid for a new health centre in Thornbury. Can the Minister update me on the timescales for the announcement on funding so we can get this crucial facility open as quickly as possible?
Context
A £40 million bid for a new health centre in Thornbury, which is growing and requires more GP appointments, mental health support, and outpatient services.
Will Quince
My officials will continue to work closely with the questioner, the integrated care board and with the NHS to progress the scheme. We will be in contact in the coming days, following the meeting he had earlier today with Lord Markham.
Session: New Health Centre Thornbury
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What steps his Department is taking to provide a new health centre in Thornbury.
Context
The project to provide a new health centre in Thornbury is under discussion, and the questioner has been working tirelessly to champion it.
Will Quince
My officials are working closely with colleagues in NHS England and the integrated care board to help progress the scheme. The questioner met Lord Markham earlier today to discuss imminent funding for the development of the business case, and they will be in touch in the coming days.
Session: New Health Centre Thornbury
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Will the Minister update the House on his work to drive through this important change so that parents do not have to wait a second longer than necessary?
Context
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 provides extra paid leave for parents whose newborns require neonatal care. The question addresses the feasibility of implementing this act before April 2025.
Kevin Hollinrake
The Minister states that they are keen to implement the act as quickly as possible but acknowledges that it involves updating HMRC IT systems, parliamentary consideration for seven pieces of secondary legislation, and support for employers and payroll providers. He concludes it is very unlikely that implementation can occur before April 2025.
Session: Neonatal Care
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What steps she is taking to implement the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, given that it is crucial to deliver this entitlement as swiftly as possible?
Context
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 provides extra paid leave for parents whose newborns require neonatal care. The question addresses the need to implement this act quickly.
Kevin Hollinrake
The Minister acknowledges the importance of delivering the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act swiftly, noting that it involves updating HMRC IT systems and parliamentary consideration for seven pieces of secondary legislation. He explains that implementation must begin at the start of a year, making April 2025 the earliest possible date.
Session: Neonatal Care
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Will the Minister join me in thanking the educational trust, the council and all the local groups who are helping to deliver this exciting and innovative project and will she use her office to make sure that it is open by the planned date of September 2024 to help us cope with the growing demand for special educational needs services in South Gloucestershire?
Context
Work has begun on the new Two Bridges Academy in South Gloucestershire, a new school that will support pupils who have severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism from the age of two right through to sixth form.
Claire Coutinho
I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking all those involved in the project. The Two Bridges site remains on track to open as planned and work is progressing well. We are committed to working with the trust to ensure that that remains the case.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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What steps she is taking to improve provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Claire Coutinho
I want every child and young person, regardless of their special educational need or disability, to receive the right support to enjoy their childhood and succeed in life. The SEND and AP improvement plan, published in March 2023, sets out the next steps that we are taking to deliver a more positive experience for children, young people and families.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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Rural bus services such as the 84, 85 and 622 services in south Gloucestershire are vital for residents to commute to work, get to school and attend health appointments, but they are under real pressure. South Gloucestershire Council has stepped in to provide a temporary fix for the 84 and 85 services, but will the Secretary of State urge the council and the West of England Mayor to work together to find a permanent solution for those services, using the improvement plan subsidies provided to them, so that residents in villages such as Charfield, Wickwar, Hawkesbury Upton, Rangeworthy and Tytherington are not cut off from having any bus services at all?
Context
Vital rural bus routes in South Gloucestershire are under pressure, and there is a need for a permanent solution.
Mark Harper
As the Environment Secretary set out earlier this week, the Government are committed to unlocking opportunities in rural areas in particular, and local transport connectivity is crucial to that. The extra money we set out will help to protect services, and I can confirm that I would expect local councils and the West of England Mayor to work together to deliver those.
Session: Bus Services
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Does the Minister agree that it is reckless to expect constituents to wait many months or travel miles to access in-patient mental health services when they have not supported the East London NHS Foundation Trust's bid for a new hospital?
Context
The East London NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a bid to build the Bedford health village, but it lacks government support. The area faces a mental ill-health epidemic among adults and children.
Steve Barclay
We are building three new mental health hospitals as part of the hospital building programme. We have provided extra £2.3 billion funding compared with four years ago, showing our wider support for mental health.
Session: New Hospitals and Health Centres Funding
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What steps are being taken to provide funding for new hospitals and health centres? The Secretary of State is aware of the £30 million bid submitted to redevelop Thornbury health centre. That facility would offer GP appointments, out-patient services, mental health support, and a frailty hub. Can he update me on the timescales for the outcome of our bid and will he meet me to discuss it in more detail?
Context
The MP is seeking clarification on the funding status of a bid to redevelop Thornbury health centre, which aims to provide GP appointments, out-patient services, mental health support, and frailty hub facilities.
Steve Barclay
The hon. Member will know that the costs have risen considerably from when it was first proposed, so we are looking at embracing modern methods of construction and considering whether a rebuild option is the way forward. I am very happy to meet him to discuss it.
Session: New Hospitals and Health Centres Funding
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Seven parish councils along the River Severn from Aust to Sharpness have joined forces under the chairmanship of local resident Mr Barry Turner to ask the Environment Agency for improvements along the riverbank, in preparation for rising tide heights and more extreme weather events. Will the Minister meet me, Mr Turner and the local councillor, Matthew Riddle, to discuss their concerns and help find a solution?
Context
Seven parish councils along the River Severn have joined forces under the chairmanship of Mr Barry Turner to ask for improvements along the riverbank.
Rebecca Pow (Minister for Environment
I believe the Environment Agency has already met Mr Turner and his group, and I am happy to meet my hon. Friend too. Obviously, I must stress that managing coastal change in those legacy landfill sites, some of which have historical issues, is very much the responsibility of the local coastal protection authorities. The Government are taking action, looking at what priority action we could take on these historical landfill sites to find a way forward in these many and varied areas.
Session: Topical Questions
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Of the over 6,000 golden visas issued before they were discontinued, half are being reviewed for potential national security risks. When will the Government publish this review as called for by the Minister when he chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee?
Context
There is a review pending to assess possible national security risks associated with more than 6,000 golden visas issued prior to their discontinuation in February 2022.
Robert Jenrick
My right hon. Friend has been clear that we will publish the report at the earliest opportunity, but I add this is the Government who ended golden visas and led global economic sanctions for Ukraine.
Session: Visitor Visa Applications Potential Barriers
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The bid for a new hospital in Thornbury has been submitted. Will he update the House on the timescales for its outcome?
Context
A bid for a new hospital at Thornbury was submitted against the sustainability and transformation plan wave 4 capital pot.
Edward Argar
I am grateful to my hon. Friend; he rightly alludes to the fact that he is a strong champion of his constituents and has met me on a number of occasions to argue the merits of the Thornbury health centre. As he will be aware, we now have a multi-year capital settlement for our NHS, which will allow us the opportunity, through local systems, to consider the most appropriate projects for investment.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss the next steps in delivering this vital infrastructure improvement in south Gloucestershire?
Context
There is a bid to rebuild and expand services at Thornbury Hospital.
Edward Argar
I am always happy to meet him, and I have raised this subject on a number of occasions.
Session: NHS Capacity and Resilience Covid-19
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that, on top of putting £1 billion a year into social care, we will be bringing forward that long-term plan this year. We of course look forward to those discussions in the weeks and months ahead. I very much hope that a true cross-party consensus can be reached, because we need to resolve this so that everyone has the dignity and security they deserve.
Context
UK government commitment to invest in social care, aiming for cross-party consensus on long-term plan.
The Prime Minister
We of course look forward to those discussions in the weeks and months ahead. I very much hope that a true cross-party consensus can be reached, because we need to resolve this so that everyone has the dignity and security they deserve.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Secretary of State made welcome reference to the funding settlement, which provides some relief, but that is for the next financial year. Can the Minister confirm that the extra funding will be provided in every year of this Parliament? Will the Government also continue to work with councils to ensure that funding settlements reflect the escalating demand for, and cost of, these services?
Context
A previous question touched on council funding, including a mention of the Under-Secretary working on supported housing issues.
Luke Hall
The Minister confirms that social care grant will continue every year, including an additional £9.2 million for his local authority into the next year, expressing willingness to meet with the right hon Gentleman to discuss further.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Thornbury Health Centre
05 July 2023
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the growing demand for local health services in South Gloucestershire due to population growth. He notes that there have been consultations since 2010, but no tangible progress has been made despite significant support from the community and clinical leaders. The current three GP practices serving around 21,500 patients are expected to cater to an additional 4,600 by 2030, increasing the population served by about 18% over this decade. A recent survey conducted in Thornbury and surrounding towns has garnered over 2,000 responses, with 97% of respondents supporting the upgrade and 90% agreeing it would reduce pressure on neighbouring health services.']
Specific Asks
["The MP asks the Government to confirm that Thornbury Health Centre remains a priority. He requests an update on any outstanding concerns from the Department and confirmation of continued progress behind the scenes, including discussions with local ICBs and exploration of modern methods of delivery to fit within financial constraints. The bid has been submitted for over two and a half years now, and he seeks a prompt outcome to enable the project's commencement."]
School Attendance Bill - Clause not specified, debate on third reading of the bill
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill aims to address rising school absences by requiring local councils and schools to use services effectively to remove barriers faced by some children. It mandates that every council will have ...
Post-16 Education: Isles of Scilly
29 April 2024
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mr Speaker granted this debate to address the issue raised by several constituents from the Isles of Scilly regarding the cost of post-16 education. The unique challenges faced by students on these is...
Countess of Chester Hospital Inquiry
04 September 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Train Services: South Gloucestershire
18 January 2023
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
Luke Hall highlighted the importance of public transport in South Gloucestershire for daily activities such as work, education, healthcare and social visits. He noted significant progress made in loca...
Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Bill - First clause for the introduction of neonatal care leave and pay
15 July 2022
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Bill aims to introduce statutory neonatal care leave and pay, ensuring parents have adequate time off work to support their premature or sick newborns. Stuart McDonald argues that the current mate...
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
07 June 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Business Question
12 May 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Neonatal Leave and Pay
09 February 2022
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
The hon. Member Luke Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate, expressed his deep concern about the current leave and pay entitlements that do not adequately support parents of babies in neonatal care. He high...
Prime Minister
20 October 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked about the Prime Minister’s engagements for Wednesday 20 October. Highlighted issues surrounding women's safety, citing tragic events and lack of confidence in police responses to violence agains...
Levelling-up Agenda in the North
13 September 2021
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Member for Blyth and Ashington highlights the inadequacy of the current 'levelling up' agenda, criticising it as mere rhetoric that does not address long-standing social inequalities. He emphasise...
0
PMQs Asked
16
Ministerial Questions Asked
20
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
5
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 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+17% above average
This MP:
16
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+313% above average
This MP:
20
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-47% below average
This MP:
5
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Luke Hall's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.