Margaret Greenwood
MP for Wirral West
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
In 1969, my constituent Georgina Jacobs gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Robert. Sadly, Robert was born asleep. In those days, the hospitals would ask the father to collect the baby's body, take it to the cemetery and leave it there for burial. For 53 years, Georgina did not know exactly where Robert was buried. When she eventually found him, she shared her story on social media, and other mothers who had been through the same experience got in touch. Since then, she has located over 60 babies on behalf of grieving parents and has deservedly been presented with the Wirral award for her achievements. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Georgina on her award and on having brought comfort to so many parents and families? Will he, on behalf of all previous Governments, apologise for that former practice, which left grieving parents with nowhere to visit their buried children?
Context
In 1969, a baby named Robert was born asleep and buried without the mother's knowledge. Georgina Jacobs has since located over 60 babies for grieving parents.
Rishi Sunak
I thank and commend the hon. Lady for raising that case, and I pay tribute to Georgina for what she is doing. She is a prime example of someone who has used tragedy in their life to campaign and inspire others, bringing comfort to many people.
Assessment
Did not address the specific ask to apologise for past burial practices.
Session: PMQs
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What assessment have the Government made on the percentage of children missing from school with special educational needs, and what specific measures will be taken to address their needs?
Context
The MP is concerned about the risk of suicide among autistic children and high persistent absence rates in schools.
Gillian Keegan
We have a special educational needs and alternative provision improvement plan. We are training more SEN co-ordinators, changing teacher training, investing in national professional qualifications, training 400 more educational psychologists, and adding speech and language therapists.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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What steps she is taking to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, noting recent increases and the need for reform due to rising demand?
Context
The MP is concerned about the increasing demand for support services in her constituency.
Gillian Keegan
We have expanded funding to a record level of £10.5 billion, up by 60% in the last five years, and are reforming the system to deal with increased demand. We are making the biggest investment in building special educational needs school places in our country's history.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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The Government estimated that 3% of households on legacy benefits would fail to move to Universal Credit under managed migration. However, by last December, 21% had not managed to do so and, as a result, had their benefits stopped. This is a matter of real concern. The DWP will now ask more vulnerable people who are wholly reliant on benefits to transfer. What will the Government do to ensure that those vulnerable people do not fall out of the social security system?
Context
3% of households on legacy benefits failed to transition to Universal Credit, rising to 21%. Concern over the impact on vulnerable individuals.
Mims Davies
The Minister for Employment has reminded me that we will take this very slowly, and will engage with and support customers. Customers can speak to help to claim advisers at Citizens Advice, and we will ensure that we listen to them.
Session: Social Security Benefits Vulnerable People
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What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of his Department's support for vulnerable people who claim social security benefits?
Context
Assessment requested on the effectiveness of Department for Work and Pensions' support for individuals claiming social security benefits.
Mims Davies
It is a key priority for the Department to provide effective support. Training on mental health and a six-point plan for suicide or self-harm risk are provided. The DWP reviews processes regularly based on feedback from colleagues and customers, and through serious case panel work.
Session: Social Security Benefits Vulnerable People
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Last month marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, yet there is no functioning Assembly or Executive. What assessment has the Secretary of State made on how this affects public services?
Context
The lack of a fully functional Northern Ireland Executive impacts daily life through unaddressed policy issues.
Chris Heaton-Harris
There is a great effect on public service delivery in Northern Ireland, which is why everyone works hard to restore the Executive and ensure Stormont can make decisions for those affected by these services.
Session: Power Sharing
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I thank the Minister for her answer and wonder whether she could elaborate. My constituent, Stephen, who is blind and partially deaf, has an assistance dog called Jodie. Steven has told me that he is required to pay £160 for an animal health certificate and vaccines each time he takes Jodie to an EU country. I wrote to DEFRA on Steven's behalf more than a year ago and received a response that basically said that the change has still not happened. Does the Minister recognise the impact of this slow progress on Stephen and other people who rely on assistance dogs? Could she elaborate further on what Stephen might do?
Context
The question stems from a constituent, Stephen, who uses an assistance dog and faces financial difficulties when travelling to EU countries due to the need for animal health certificates.
Jo Churchill
I do recognise the challenge. There is no change for animals coming from the EU to here and there is no reason why that arrangement should not be reciprocal. We are proactively engaging with the assistance dog community and relevant stakeholders and we are continuing the engagement with the EU to make sure that we can overcome this challenge.
Session: Pets Travelling Abroad
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Whether he is taking steps to make it easier for people to travel abroad with their pets. We are clear that we meet all the requirements to gain both part 1 listed status and recognition of the UK's tapeworm-free status. We see no valid animal health reason for those not to be granted.
Context
The question arises from the need for UK pet owners to comply with EU regulations when travelling abroad with their pets.
Jo Churchill
We are clear that we meet all the requirements to gain both part 1 listed status and recognition of the UK's tapeworm-free status. We see no valid animal health reason for those not to be granted. We are carrying out further engagement to make progress on this issue.
Session: Pets Travelling Abroad
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Research by the British Academy has shown that of the 10 fastest growing sectors in the UK economy, eight employ more graduates from the arts, humanities and social sciences than the other disciplines. Can I just urge the Government to get into SHAPE—social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy? Will the Minister accept that the benefit that this nation derives from university education cannot be measured solely in terms of its immediate economic impact?
Context
MP highlights research showing rapid growth in sectors employing graduates from arts, humanities, and social sciences disciplines. The University and College Union is campaigning hard to save jobs at the University of Chester.
Michelle Donelan
Just to reiterate, this Government are not disputing the value of the arts either to our economy or to our society. We have asked the OfS to consult on altering the high-cost subject funding to enable a reprioritisation of some subjects towards the provision of high-cost subjects that support the NHS and wider healthcare policy, high-cost STEM—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—subjects, and subjects meeting specific labour market needs.
Session: Performing and Creative Arts, Media Studies and Archaeology
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What steps he is taking to support universities to provide courses on (a) performing and creative arts, (b) media studies and (c) archaeology. The Government's decision to cut funding to performing and creative arts, media studies and archaeology courses by a total of £20 million will diminish our future cultural offer, reduce opportunities for students and put jobs at risk.
Context
MP is concerned about the impact of funding cuts on performing and creative arts, media studies, and archaeology courses at universities across constituencies.
Michelle Donelan
Despite the hon. Member's claims, the strategic priorities grant accounts for approximately only 0.05% of higher education providers' total income. The House should be under no illusion that this Government 100% support the arts, which is why we asked the OFS to invest an additional £10 million in our world-leading specialist providers, many of which specialise in arts provision, and why we have spent £2 billion through the cultural recovery programme, plus furlough and plus VAT and other reliefs—more than any other country.
Session: Performing and Creative Arts, Media Studies and Archaeology
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Following on from the Minister's response, successive UK Governments have believed in the principle that all new trade treaties should contain clauses allowing those treaties to be suspended if the other party engages in serious abuses of human rights. Why were no clauses included in treaties with Singapore, Vietnam and Turkey despite ongoing concerns about their records?
Context
Successive UK Governments have believed that new trade agreements should contain clauses allowing suspension if human rights abuses occur. However, recent treaties with Turkey, Singapore, and Vietnam do not include such provisions.
Greg Hands
The hon. Lady might be misunderstanding the nature of the continuity programme for rolling over existing agreements. I point out that, on Turkey, the underlying agreement dates from 1963, and there were no human rights clauses in that agreement, but that does not mean to say that we do not have a robust discussion with Turkey on human rights. The EU-Vietnam framework agreement was separate and was not necessary to achieve trade continuity, but again we have a good dialogue with Vietnam on human rights. The UK and Singapore have agreed a UK-Singapore political joint statement to reflect our close partnership. Once that is signed, it will be published on gov.uk.
Session: Human Rights Clauses Trade Agreements
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What is the Minister going to do to improve transparency in Government procurement?
Context
£1.6 billion-worth of contracts for COVID-19 services have not been published, and there are legal requirements to publish details within 30 days.
Julia Lopez
All personal protective equipment contracts are now published. Difficulties exist but were outlined last week. A Green Paper on public procurement was launched this week and will introduce changes post-transition period to improve future practices.
Session: Covid-19 Consultants
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What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of Government outsourcing during the covid-19 outbreak?
Context
During the pandemic, government contracts were awarded to external consultants and private sector organisations. Assessments are needed on whether these measures effectively addressed challenges.
Julia Lopez
Working effectively with the private sector has helped address pandemic challenges. Contracting authorities must ensure value for taxpayers. The outsourcing playbook updated in June includes policies to improve contract quality and build civil service capability to reduce reliance on external consultants.
Session: Covid-19 Consultants
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At £95.85 per week, statutory sick pay is too low and excludes 2 million lowest-paid individuals. Seven out of eight workers do not qualify for the test and trace support payment due to restrictive eligibility criteria. What assessment has been made on the number of people who are ineligible for both payments? Will the Government commit to increasing statutory sick pay and extending it to everyone, including low-income earners and self-employed?
Context
The MP is raising concerns about the eligibility criteria for statutory sick pay and test and trace support payment, which exclude a significant portion of low-income workers. She references Resolution Foundation data indicating that seven out of eight workers are ineligible.
Justin Tomlinson
Those required by NHS Test and Trace to isolate can be eligible for £500 additional financial support if they receive specific social security payments like universal credit or employment and support allowance. This is part of the wider safety net provided by the government.
Session: Statutory Sick Pay Covid-19
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Several of my constituents work at the Airbus plant in Broughton in north Wales. In July, it was announced that more than 1,400 jobs would be cut there and earlier this month we heard that there could be more than 400 compulsory redundancies. This is a time of immense uncertainty for the aerospace sector, so what action is the Secretary of State taking to work with the Welsh Government and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ensure that my constituents' jobs are secure?
Context
The Airbus plant in Broughton, north Wales, has announced job cuts affecting over 1,400 workers and potentially more than 400 compulsory redundancies.
Simon Hart
The hon. Lady appropriately points out the cross-border implication of the effect of coronavirus on Airbus, and I am very aware of that. That is why we are working together with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Welsh Government, other stakeholders and, in particular, with Airbus, which has been incredibly co-operative, forward-looking and—I would like to think—grateful for the support already given by the Chancellor to it in particular and to the industry. The plan is to ensure that there is a future for Airbus at Broughton not only for the next few months but for the next few years. All the planning is about having a sustainable business over a long period of time in addition to seeing people through this immediate period with the most limited amount of hardship that we can achieve.
Session: Manufacturing Industry Support
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What steps the Government are taking to support the manufacturing industry in Wales.
Context
The manufacturing industry in Wales faces challenges, and there is a need for government support to address these issues.
Simon Hart
On top of the £5 billion guarantee given to the Welsh Government, we have provided an additional £1.96 billion in direct support to businesses in Wales and protected over 400,000 Welsh jobs. We have also extended the £1 million annual investment allowance to stimulate investment in UK manufacturing.
Session: Manufacturing Industry Support
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Why is the Government ignoring requests for resources to cover continuing costs from September onwards and when will they address these needs?
Context
Schools have submitted claims for £148 million in additional costs but only received £58 million. Concern about future funding needs.
Nick Gibb
Schools have been able to claim for exceptional covid-related costs between March and July. The focus now is on catch-up funding, with £650 million distributed per pupil basis to all schools, plus the three-year funding settlement.
Session: Schools Covid-19 Costs
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Why did the Government cut support for more than half a million disabled people during their transition from disability living allowance to personal independence payment?
Context
Margaret Greenwood mentions that the Government quietly disclosed that over 650,000 disabled people lost financial support when transitioning from DLA to PIP.
Justin Tomlinson
The reality is that under PIP 32% of claimants now receive the highest rate of support compared with just 15% under the legacy system—that is worth £15.05 per week—and there are now 257,228 more people benefiting from PIP than did so under the legacy system.
Session: Benefits Administrative Errors
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Preventable Sight Loss
30 April 2024
Responding: Andrew Stephenson
Main Concerns
['Hundreds of constituents are experiencing preventable sight loss. Over 600,000 patients are on NHS waiting lists for ophthalmology treatment, with only 25% of departments feeling able to meet patient needs. In 551 confirmed instances, patients lost their sight due to delayed appointments since 2019. Independent sector providers deliver almost 60% of cataract procedures, negatively impacting training opportunities and workforce availability for NHS ophthalmology departments.']
Specific Asks
['The Minister should set out discussions with NHS England on addressing unplanned commissioning issues highlighted by Professor Ben Burton, the president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Government must urgently address regional variations in eye care provision and support a comprehensive national eye health strategy to prevent irreversible sight loss.']
Musculoskeletal Conditions and Employment
10 January 2024
Responding: Mims Davies
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the devastating impact of musculoskeletal conditions on individuals, leading to pain, reduced mobility, isolation, unemployment, and poverty. These conditions cause substantial costs to the state in social security and NHS spending, with MSK disorders accounting for 6.6 million lost days in work-related ill health. Research from Versus Arthritis suggests that over 20 million people—around a third of the UK population—live with an MSK condition, costing £2.5 billion in working days lost due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis alone.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should come forward with a cross-departmental MSK strategy that sets out how it will promote good MSK health, reduce the risk of accidents and practices leading to or exacerbating MSK conditions, ensure support for those in need through workplace adjustments, increase investment in leisure centres and research into MSK conditions, improve Access to Work awareness, ban zero-hour contracts, restore HSE funding to 2010 levels, address shortcomings in fracture liaison services, promote flexible working from day one, and invest more in health and wellbeing initiatives.']
[Mark Pritchard in the Chair]
24 October 2023
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
['Professor Sir Michael Marmot and Professor Philip Banfield have expressed concern that recent Governments are running down the NHS due to a lack of adequate resources. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Health and Care Act 2022 fragmented the NHS, increasing opportunities for privatisation. Inflation, population growth, and ageing populations have not been adequately funded, leading to a record high of waiting lists at 7.75 million patients with over 9,000 people waiting more than 18 months for treatment. There are also staffing shortages across the NHS, including nearly 43,000 nursing vacancies.']
Specific Asks
['The Labour party calls on the government to significantly increase funding for the NHS and tackle poverty and inequality. They urge the Chancellor to allocate additional spending towards the NHS in his autumn statement.']
NHS Staffing Levels — [Philip Hollobone in the Chair]
22 November 2022
Responding: Will Quince
Main Concerns
["The NHS staffing crisis is severe and worsening, with over 132,000 vacancies in June 2022, up from around 98,000 the previous year. Registered nursing staff had over 46,000 vacancies as of June, a significant increase from March's figures. Waiting times for treatment and emergency services have also worsened, with more than half a million people waiting longer than four hours in A&E departments last month. In September alone, around 6,000 cancer patients waited over 62 days for their treatment to start."]
Specific Asks
['The Government should urgently address the staffing crisis with a credible plan this winter and provide fair pay rises for NHS workers. The Minister must protect NHS services, ensure staff safety, and consult trade unions before publishing the NHS payment scheme.']
Energy Efficiency And Home Insulation Initiatives
06 July 2022
Main Concerns
['Margaret Greenwood is concerned about the impact of rising energy costs on low-income households this winter. She notes that the UK has the least energy-efficient housing in Europe and cites a figure from Citizens Advice that effectively insulated homes can help to reduce soaring energy bills by ensuring better retention of heat. The Liverpool city region, under metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, has invested nearly £60 million to retrofit more than 5,500 homes, targeting funding at the most disadvantaged households.']
Specific Asks
["Greenwood asks the Government to commit to insulating 90 million homes within a decade and provide additional funding for local areas like the Liverpool city region. She also inquires about increasing apprenticeships for skills needed for retrofitting old homes and building new eco-friendly homes, and highlights an architect's ultra low energy net zero carbon home design as an inspiration for government action."]
Merseyside: Funding of Local Authorities
08 February 2022
Responding: Neil O'Brien
Main Concerns
['Local authorities in Merseyside have experienced severe funding cuts from the central government, with Wirral Council seeing an 85% reduction in Government funding between 2010 and 2020. This has resulted in significant financial pressures, including proposals to close Woodchurch leisure centre and swimming pool and numerous libraries, which are essential for community health and education.']
Specific Asks
['The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities should provide emergency funding to prevent further reductions in public services and hold a meeting with Wirral MPs to discuss the situation. The Minister should also update on plans for a multi-year settlement from 2023-24.']
Backbench Business
16 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate urges the UK Government to deliver prompt compensation to women born in the 1950s who had their state pension age raised. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report highlights th...
War in Gaza
07 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Asylum and Immigration (EU Withdrawal) Bill - Amendments 3B, 3C, 6B, 7B, 9, 10B
15 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Women’s State Pension Age
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Illegal Immigration (Offenders and Other Risks) Bill - After Clause 5
18 March 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
This amendment seeks to disagree with Lords Amendment 1, which implies that the legislation is not compliant with the rule of law. The Government believes that this Bill does comply with international...
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% ...
Israel and Gaza
27 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Tributes to Sir Tony Lloyd
23 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Honoured the memory of Sir Tony Lloyd, a long-serving MP who was dedicated to public service and international affairs. Mentioned his contributions as shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Member for Stret...
Miscellaneous
23 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South raised the issue of school attendance, highlighting the significant increase in persistent absence since 2016-17 and the failure of the Government to ...
1
PMQs Asked
17
Ministerial Questions Asked
123
House of Commons Debates Involved
6
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+27% above average
This MP:
17
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+139% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2431% above average
This MP:
123
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Margaret Greenwood's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.