Lyn Brown
MP for West Ham
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
May I associate myself with the words of the Prime Minister? Our hearts are with the city of Nottingham. We also remember the 72 people killed at Grenfell and support those still fighting for justice and safe homes. According to the Office for National Statistics, in January food prices were rising at 16.8% a year. The most recent figures show food prices rising by a whopping 19.1%, making a mockery of the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation. Does he honestly think that people will not notice?
Context
Food prices in January were rising at a rate of 16.8% annually, increasing to 19.1% as per the most recent figures. This contradicts the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation.
Rishi Sunak
Of course, I acknowledge that the cost of living is rising for families, and that is why my first priority at the beginning of the year is to halve inflation. I am pleased to say that inflation is now falling, and in the latest estimates we remain on track. With regard to food prices, we are not alone in experiencing high food price inflation, like many other countries in Europe. That is why the Chancellor has already spoken to the Competition and Markets Authority, which is looking at the grocery industry. We continue to support families with the cost of living, notably by paying half their energy bills.
Assessment
Did not directly address whether people will notice or if public perception is affected
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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An offensive is underway to capture El Fasher, with imminent risks of massacres and sexual violence against non-Arab communities. All arms supplies must be halted. Friday's UN statement was welcome. What mechanisms are used daily by the Government in partnership to secure an immediate ceasefire?
Context
The MP emphasizes the risk of massacres and rapes targeting non-Arab communities in El Fasher, Darfur, as an offensive to capture this city is ongoing. She asks about mechanisms for building pressure towards a ceasefire.
Andrew Mitchell
The UK hopes Jeddah 3 will be a significant opportunity for negotiations, requiring a ceasefire and a political track. The Minister visited the Chad-Sudan border recently to see difficulties supporting Darfur, including food issues. Sudan is not forgotten, with Britain doing everything possible as UN penholder.
Session: Sudan Humanitarian Situation
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Next month is the anniversary of a full year of unmitigated horror in Sudan. On Friday, the Security Council called for an immediate Ramadan ceasefire, and I know that our excellent diplomats and the Minister were pivotal in that resolution. The African Union, the Arab League and Members across this House echo that call, but the violence has not stopped. If the warring parties continue to refuse to listen, how can the Government work with partners to step up the pressure?
Context
The Security Council recently called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. The question is about increasing pressure on the warring parties.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon. Lady is quite right to raise the appalling position in Sudan, which to some extent has been masked by other terrible events in the world. She will be pleased to hear that, thanks to British leadership at the United Nations, a new Security Council resolution was passed, I believe, last Friday. We are seeking to bring together all the different parties to try to make progress, so that the next round of talks, possibly in Jeddah, will be more successful than the last. Britain condemns any arming of either party inside Sudan. We are seeking also, through the work of our diplomatic mission in Khartoum, currently based in Addis, to help build civil society so that a political track can emerge.
Session: Topical Questions
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Mothers throughout the UK are facing severe mental health issues following childbirth, such as postpartum psychosis, which can lead to suicide risk. What action is being taken to address this issue?
Context
The hon. Member is chairing a national inquiry into birth trauma and has heard from mothers suffering from severe mental health conditions, including postpartum psychosis.
Victoria Atkins
Yesterday's announcement includes elements addressing concerns raised, such as GPs asking mothers within eight weeks if they are okay to open up conversations about potential struggles.
Session: Healthcare for Women
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I have been raising concerns for more than a decade regarding the lack of pain relief during hysteroscopy procedures in NHS patients, leading to unnecessary trauma and reluctance to seek further treatment. Despite setting out priorities earlier this year, access to pain-free hysteroscopy was not included. Why is this?
Context
The hon. Member has been raising issues about hysteroscopies for over a decade and the medical establishment resisting change, while the government fails to lead on this issue.
Victoria Atkins
We are waiting for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to update their guidelines on best practice in hysteroscopies, which is under peer review. We expect clinicians to assume that a woman wants pain relief during such procedures without needing to ask.
Session: Healthcare for Women
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In Gaza, nearly 80% of people are homeless with nowhere safe to go, sewage is in streets, hospitals and ambulances are hit, half the population starves, over 18,000 killed including many children. Recognising efforts by Ministers, what strategy does the Minister have to end this humanitarian crisis?
Context
A significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza where almost 80% of the population have been displaced, there is sewage flowing in streets posing health risks, hospitals and ambulances are being hit, and half the population faces starvation. Over 18,000 Palestinians killed including a high number of children.
Andrew Mitchell
Britain is using its diplomatic network to work with UN Security Council members and allies for a political solution. An additional £30 million was announced by the Foreign Secretary to assist medical issues, particularly for children.
Session: Gaza Civilian Deaths and Humanitarian Situation
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How many are still waiting and how much longer will they have to wait?
Context
The MP expressed concern about the ongoing situation for Afghans who assisted UK efforts and are now living in fear of arrest or deportation.
Leo Docherty
Respectfully, we have not left them in limbo. The situation is extremely difficult because of the depredations of—the tyrannical regime of the Taliban; that is why we are in this situation. We have relocated more than 21,000 people, and we continue to work at pace with our mission in Pakistan and elsewhere to ensure that these people get the support they need.
Session: Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
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The Minister's answer is interesting because our prisons have been run down for 13 years. Many were built before RAAC was a twinkle in somebody's bank account. Inspection reports list numerous woes including draughtiness, dampness, overcrowding, and understaffing. This is hardly conducive to rehabilitation when at least 37% of released prisoners reoffend within 18 months.
Context
The MP highlighted the dire state of prison infrastructure, noting that many prisons are overcrowded and understaffed. Reports indicate high reoffending rates among released prisoners.
Damian Hinds
We continue to upgrade the prison estate. We are investing in 20,000 new places—the biggest expansion since the Victorian era—and taking out some overcrowded prisons. For 2023-24 and 2024-25, £168 million is being invested in custodial maintenance.
Session: Prison Estate
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What recent assessment has been made regarding the adequacy of the prison estate for housing prisoners? The current state of our prisons is problematic with many built before modern materials like RAAC were available. Inspections reveal numerous issues such as draughtiness, dampness, overcrowding, and understaffing. This affects communities where at least 37% of released prisoners reoffend within 18 months.
Context
The MP raised concerns about the aging infrastructure of prisons and their conditions, citing reports indicating draughtiness, dampness, overcrowding, and staff shortages.
Damian Hinds
We are building 20,000 modern prison places to help rehabilitate prisoners, cut crime and protect the public. We continue to invest in prison maintenance so that existing places remain in use and safe.
Session: Prison Estate
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There are reports of widespread, systematic and targeted destruction of 26 communities in Darfur. Eighty-seven bodies were found buried in a mass grave last week, and fears are growing of genocide. I welcome the fresh sanctions, but what steps are the Government taking with international allies to ensure that the International Criminal Court has the resources needed to investigate and to hold those responsible to account?
Context
There are reports of widespread destruction and mass graves in Darfur. Eighty-seven bodies were found buried last week.
Andrew Mitchell
I want to assure the hon. Lady that we will do everything we can to make sure that there is not a culture of impunity in the dreadful civil war in Sudan. Together with our allies, we hold the pen at the United Nations, and with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union, and the Troika—all of these different organisations—we are doing everything that we can to ensure that there is transparency on what is being done in Darfur and to bring to an end this dreadful conflict.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week, the Minister talked about climate as a driver of poverty and hunger. He knows that I agree. Sadly, however, his Government lack ambition for net zero transition; they give succour to climate deniers on their Benches. New coal and oil licences are being granted. Does this mean Tory internal divisions prevent effective climate leadership?
Context
The MP raises concerns about perceived hypocrisy in the government's approach to climate change, citing new coal and oil licences being granted despite international commitments.
Andrew Mitchell
I do not think there are any climate deniers on the Government Benches. The Government have made an unprecedented commitment to spend £11.6 billion by 2025-26; focusing on technical expertise and tripling adaptation spending.
Session: Climate Change
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The Government has been opposing onshore wind to appease the views of their Back Benchers, but 20 to 1 people support it due to the cost of living crisis and gas prices. How can the Government justify acting in the interests of a very small minority?
Context
There is widespread public support for onshore wind as a renewable source of electricity. The government opposes this despite polls showing public backing.
Graham Stuart
Our largest single source of renewables is onshore wind and we are working hard to make sure that we come forward with proposals that have community support. Just 7% of our electricity came from renewables in 2010; it is now about half.
Session: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report
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What actions will be taken to address the fundamental causes of this cycle of crises?
Context
48 million people face crisis levels of hunger in East Africa. The region has been taken out of the integrated review despite understanding that climate adaptation and real partnership are key.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon. Lady is wrong about it being removed from the IR; Britain works with its allies across the international community to stop the crisis caused by failed rains.
Session: Hunger Crisis in East Africa
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I am enormously grateful, Mr Speaker. Nigeria is a fast-growing country and connections between our communities are flourishing, so if Nigerians lose trust in their political institutions, it will affect our prosperity and security too. Yet the Government's development support for Nigeria has been slashed, our offer is lacking and our voice is weak. Surely we need to develop a strategy for partnership in Nigeria and across the whole of Africa. How is the Minister going to deliver on that?
Context
The Government's development support for Nigeria has been significantly reduced. There is concern that a lack of trust in Nigerian political institutions could impact both countries' prosperity and security.
Andrew Mitchell
We are working incredibly closely with all our partners across Africa, none more so than Nigeria. We have been heavily engaged in recent events. We note that the gubernatorial elections have been rescheduled for 18 March, but the Government have congratulated President-elect Tinubu. We look forward to working with his Administration and dealing with exactly the matters that the hon. Lady has so eloquently raised.
Session: Nigerian Elections
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I also welcome the Minister to his post. Across east Africa, somebody is dying of hunger every 36 seconds. One hundred people will die in the time that Ministers are at the Dispatch Box. At COP, countries such as ours are urged to cover the cost of adapting to global heating in extremely vulnerable nations, but, despite soundbites from No. 10 about helping countries with the existential threats that they face, our Government are cutting support for countries such as Somalia. Will he demonstrate that he understands the real human cost of climate change by promising immediate assistance for food and climate support in Somalia?
Context
Someone is dying of hunger every 36 seconds across east Africa, and the Government is cutting support despite urging at COP to help countries facing existential threats.
Andrew Mitchell
The international community is scaling up in Somalia and in Ethiopia. The World Bank and the African Development Bank have announced more than $35 billion of funding for food security across the region.
Session: Somalia Hunger
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Our further education colleges in Newham give real opportunity to children from the second poorest part of the country, but now our colleges face increasing national insurance contributions and skyrocketing utility bills. What is more, pay increases may be essential for the recruitment and retention of school staff. What are the Government doing to engage properly with the Association of Colleges to keep these engines of social mobility and growth going?
Context
Local further education colleges face financial pressures due to rising national insurance contributions and utility bills, as well as the need for competitive staff pay rises. These issues threaten social mobility opportunities.
Alex Burghart
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that FE colleges are engines of social mobility, and we are well aware of the pressures that they are under. We are engaging constantly with the Association of Colleges, principals and colleagues across Government to make sure that we can help them.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State promise me today that he will look at what more can be done to provide care leavers with consistent, quality support during and beyond those transitions, enabling them to live with foster families into their adulthood?
Context
The question addresses the challenges faced by children leaving care, particularly their need for consistent support and foster family placement.
Nadhim Zahawi
We launched the care leaver covenant which has made a significant difference to many of our young people in care as they transition out of care. There is also the work we are doing to support those 300,000 families who need that additional support. The work of MacAlister will make a huge difference. I give her a pledge that we are serious about implementing the MacAlister review.
Session: Children’s Social Care Services Reform
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Is the reason why certain media outlets were blocked from joining the Home Secretary's trip to Rwanda because they would criticize the policy?
Context
The Minister's statements about the human rights record of Rwanda contradict previous concerns raised by a former minister. There are also questions about media freedom.
Vicky Ford
I have been consistent. We express concerns about restrictions on political freedom, civil society and media but note Rwanda's strong record protecting refugees. The headteacher of Afghanistan's only girls' school praised their reception in Rwanda.
Session: Rwanda Human Rights
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Some 9.4 million people are going hungry in northern Ethiopia, airstrikes are killing civilians and the blockade is being used as a political weapon. I am glad that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), met Abiy Ahmed last week. Did she make it clear that preventing humanitarian access is an abuse of human rights, that airstrikes on refugees are completely incompatible with UK partnership, and that a real dialogue to enable peace must start now and include the Prime Minister's opponents?
Context
The MP is concerned about the humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia, where airstrikes are killing civilians and blocking aid. She seeks to understand whether the UK has made clear its stance on preventing further abuses.
Elizabeth Truss
The hon. Lady is absolutely right: we need to secure peace in Ethiopia. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs was in Ethiopia and she has been extremely active on the issue. I have also discussed it with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister and urged them to join peace talks.
Session: Topical Questions
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Baby A died in Bronzefield women's prison in 2019. Mum called for help time and time again, and no one came. She had to bite through her umbilical cord as her baby died. Baby A's mother had not been convicted of any crime; she was there on remand. She and her baby were in a place that should have kept them safe, but the prison system is not keeping our women safe. Self-harm among women prisoners has increased by nearly half in three months. Many are self-harming over and over again. This House knows what needs to be done. The Minister knows what needs to be done. There is even a female offender strategy. When are this Government going to do it?
Context
The question addresses a tragic case of a baby's death in prison, highlighting self-harm issues among female prisoners.
Victoria Atkins
I thank the hon. Lady for drawing the House's attention to that tragic case. She will know that we asked the ombudsman to examine it in detail, and we are very grateful to the ombudsman for having gone through it so that the Department, HMPPS and other providers can learn the lessons from that terrible incident. We have set out extensive plans to help women who are pregnant, mums and babies in prison, and that framework has been published and is being very much implemented. On her wider point about supporting women in custody, we have the female offenders strategy. The Government maintain our aim that we should support women outside of custody and give magistrates the confidence to impose community sentences, but we must ensure that when women are in the female prison estate, they are supported, but importantly, rehabilitated. If they leave prison, we want them to be able to re-enter society and we want to protect the public.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Minister must surely recognise that there are consequences to 86,000 years of staff experience being lost since 2010 because what happens when there are not enough experienced staff can be summed up in one word: violence. In 2019, violence was 134% higher than in 2010. Even last year, with prisoners locked up alone, violence was 38% higher. Self-harm has doubled and assaults on staff have tripled. Experience matters. With further cuts coming, thanks to the Minister's friends in the Treasury, will he recognise this? How is he going to make our prisons safer?
Context
Violence in prisons has increased significantly since 2010. Self-harm has doubled, and assaults on staff have tripled.
Alex Chalk
The leaving rate for prison officers has decreased by nearly 3%. Violence in terms of assaults on prison officers has gone down by 20%.
Session: Prison Officers Years of Experience
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Why is he still insisting on spending another £150 million on ineffective prison places when this money could be used to break the cycle of abuse and reoffending?
Context
The MP questioned the Government's strategy regarding short prison sentences for women, noting that these sentences often fail to address the root causes of criminal behavior.
Robert Buckland
I can reassure her that prison places being built will improve and enhance the existing female estate. The new facilities will allow women offenders to do purposeful activities in a secure environment, supporting each other, and benefiting from residential centres such as the one in Wales.
Session: “A Smarter Approach to Sentencing” White Paper
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The Minister knows that the pay review body recommended a one-off increase to wages in band 3 as a job retention package. She knows that staff and vulnerable prisoners will be at greater risk if more skilled officers leave. Why did she choose to ignore that recommendation?
Context
Violence in prisons has increased, leading to the pay review body recommending a one-off increase for band 3 prison officers to retain staff.
Lucy Frazer
I would like to address the point about violence in our prisons. Violence in the adult male estate has gone down over recent months, but it is too high and we must do more to protect prison officers. We are rolling out body-worn cameras and providing 24/7 counselling support for staff.
Session: Prison Service Pay Review Body Recommendation 3
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I recently met a veteran with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder. He attempted suicide twice using disturbing methods in public. After the first attempt, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, released unwell and then attempted suicide again. For that, he received a prison sentence. On release, he was left homeless, jobless and in no better mental state than when he went in. Is this in keeping with the covenant, and if not, what are the Government going to do about it?
Context
A veteran with untreated PTSD attempted suicide twice and received a prison sentence after his second attempt, leading to homelessness and unemployment.
Johnny Mercer
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. If she writes to me with the specific details, I will be more than happy to help her.
Session: Topical Questions
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Why have these Ministers abandoned promises made by their predecessors regarding female offenders, given that most sentences are short and will likely lead to an increased prison population?
Context
The female offenders strategy from 2018 acknowledged that short-term prison sentences do more harm than good, yet half of all women's sentences last year were for less than three months. The plan is to increase the women's population by 40%.
Lucy Frazer
We refute any claim of policy change. We are ensuring that when people come through on short sentences, they will have specific probation officers looking after them in the new reformed probation system to ensure support.
Session: Female Offender Strategy
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When will we have an action plan to support prisoners released with no job, money or second chance, after spending months in cells for 23 hours a day? Many face increased risk of reoffending. An existing national framework is being rolled out in many prisons with measures like increased social visits and offender management.
Context
The question is prompted by concerns over thousands of people being released from prison with limited job prospects, financial resources, and disrupted rehabilitation processes.
Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)
We already have a national framework being rolled out in many prisons with increased social visits, offender management measures. We are reassessing the position following further national restrictions and will have an action plan.
Session: Covid-19 Lockdown in Prisons
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This is beyond parody. The reality is that after 10 years of Tory rule, the five richest families in this country own more wealth than 13 million of us put together. Fourteen million of us live in poverty. Two out of three of those are in working households. Childcare, transport and the cost of rent hold millions back, so will the Chancellor accept some tests for his Budget? Will he cut child poverty? Will he cut homelessness? Will he end the need for food banks? Will his Budget match his words?
Context
The question highlights the stark economic inequalities after a decade of Conservative governance, particularly focusing on wealth distribution and poverty rates.
Sajid Javid
Let me tell the hon. Lady what we have seen under 10 years of Tory rule, after Labour's great recession. We have had nine consecutive years of growth. We have an economy that is nearly 17% bigger than it was in 2010, and 3.9 million jobs have been created—I would think that a party that calls itself the Labour party would welcome that. Unemployment is at its lowest level for 45 years, and according to the International Monetary Fund, our economy will grow faster this year than those of Italy, Japan, France and Germany.
Session: Equity of Economic Opportunity
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Sudan And Ethiopia Sexual Violence Abuses
14 May 2024
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the horrific sexual violence being used as a weapon of war, specifically in Sudan and Ethiopia. In Sudan, there are 5,000 reports of grave violations including sexual violence but this is likely an underestimate given that almost 60,000 survivors have been identified since June 2023. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied forces have been targeting women in Khartoum and Darfur with ethnic cleansing campaigns based on racism and misogyny.']
Specific Asks
['I ask the Government to provide updates on their plans for immediate action, particularly regarding support for Sudanese civilians trapped in El Fasher and the accountability process for sexual violence abuses in Ethiopia.']
NHS Hysteroscopy Treatment — [Sir Mark Hendrick in the Chair]
31 January 2023
Responding: Maria Caulfield
Main Concerns
['Lyn Brown is concerned about the unnecessary pain and trauma women experience during hysteroscopies without proper pain relief. She cites specific incidents where patients endured excruciating pain, fell due to dizziness and broken bones, vomited after procedures, experienced severe bleeding, and faced lasting nerve damage. She also highlights that these experiences lead to a lack of trust in the NHS and discourage women from seeking necessary medical procedures.']
Specific Asks
['Lyn Brown urges the Minister to engage personally with this issue, ensure accurate data collection on pain during hysteroscopies, and provide independent oversight. She requests that the Minister emphasize the importance of offering women a choice of anaesthetic as part of the consent process from the outset.']
Conflict in Sudan: El Fasher
16 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital Markets Bill - Lords amendments and Government motions to disagree with certain Lords amendments
30 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP opens debate by moving that the House disagrees with Lords amendment 9, which pertains to secondary ticketing features. He highlights concerns about the balance struck in previous debates and t...
Sudan: Government Response
22 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Smoking Reduction and Tobacco Control Bill - Clause 1
16 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the Bill, stating its purpose is to prevent future generations from starting smoking. Argues that the only product that kills two thirds of its long-term users if consumed as intended is tobacco...
British Products Public Procurement Bill - Proposed amendments to encourage the uptake of British products in UK Government contracts
15 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Champion moves that the Bill be read a Second time, focusing on minor amendments to both the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and the Procurement Act 2023 to promote British products in UK ...
Ways and Means
12 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focused on improving productivity, a theme close to the heart of Laura Trott. She highlighted that under the current government, private sector productivity increased by an average of 0.7% ...
Building Safety Bill - New Clause 35
27 February 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move the inclusion of New Clause 35 to ensure that notifications are made in connection with insolvency for higher-risk and relevant buildings. This amendment aims to safeguard residents' safety by ...
Knife and Sword Ban
06 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
25 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The right hon. Margaret Hodge moved the debate on Holocaust Memorial Day, emphasising the importance of remembering and learning from past genocides such as the holocaust to ensure it never happens ag...
Pet Theft Bill - Clause on Dog and Cat Abduction
19 January 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to amend the existing legislation to criminalise pet abduction specifically for cats and dogs, recognising them as sentient beings rather than mere property. Argues that current laws inadequatel...
1
PMQs Asked
26
Ministerial Questions Asked
66
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
1
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
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+90% above average
This MP:
26
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-21% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1263% above average
This MP:
66
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-89% below average
This MP:
1
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 Lyn Brown's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.