Matthew Hancock
MP for West Suffolk
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on a brilliant first performance at Prime Minister's questions. Will he keep the Government laser-focused on issues that matter to people, such as the cost of living and the NHS? Also, will he focus on issues of the future, such as artificial intelligence which needs regulatory attention? And can he ignore reactionary voices from any part?
Context
The question focuses on ensuring the Government remain focused on key issues such as cost of living, NHS, and future challenges like artificial intelligence.
Oliver Dowden
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight this. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of this country in industries across the piece, including digital and, indeed, film and television in my constituency. We are genuinely world leading, creating high-quality jobs that we want for our children and grandchildren.
Assessment
Did not specify focus on cost of living or NHS; Emphasized optimism about industries instead.
Session: PMQs
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Does the Prime Minister agree that the disgusting antisemitic, anti-vax conspiracy theories promulgated online this morning are not only deeply offensive but anti-scientific and have no place in this House or in our wider society?
Context
Condemnation of antisemitic, anti-vax conspiracy theories spread online.
Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)
I join my right hon. Friend in completely condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the types of comments we saw this morning. Obviously, it is utterly unacceptable to make such linkages and to use such language, and I am determined that the scourge of antisemitism be eradicated. It has absolutely no place in our society.
Session: PMQs
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Can he assure me that he will do everything he possibly can to use the last few days in which this Parliament is sitting to get that deal over the line? We now want certainty to be able to take this great sport from strength to strength. The Minister and the Secretary of State have been working hard to try to settle the latest levy negotiations.
Context
The MP is making his last contribution in the House and raises concerns about the horseracing industry's need for significant support during difficult times.
Stuart Andrew
With an offer on the table, we urge both sides to agree on the terms of the deal, which will see increased investment in the sport, allowing it to grow and secure its sustainability. We will do everything we can to ensure that is agreed.
Session: Horseracing
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What steps her Department is taking to support the horseracing industry. The Government very much supports horseracing as a major economic contributor and has been working with industry to maintain its status as a world-renowned sport.
Context
The MP raises the issue of supporting the horseracing industry, a major economic contributor.
Stuart Andrew
The Government very much support horseracing, which is the second largest spectator sport and a major economic contributor. We have been working extensively with industry to maintain its status as a world-renowned sport.
Session: Horseracing
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Will the Minister ensure that he works with the Cabinet Office, UK Health Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care and others to ensure biosecurity, including protection from synthetic new threats, is at the top of the agenda? As funding for defence increases to 2.5% of GDP.
Context
Concern about the rising costs of biosecurity failures and the need to address synthetic threats.
Leo Docherty
We certainly will. Through the biological security strategy and the associated governance structure, we are working closely with the UK Health Security Agency to co-ordinate our response to the biodefence risk, and we are investing £5 million a year in our international biosecurity programme.
Session: Biosecurity Threats
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What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help detect biosecurity threats. We continue to work closely with the Cabinet Office and are prioritising funding for the UK Microbial Forensics Consortium.
Context
Defence is focused on detecting biological threats which require collaboration across departments.
Leo Docherty
Defence remains committed to detecting biological threats. We continue to work closely with the Cabinet Office on this matter and are the lead Department for the “detect” pillar of the biological security strategy. We have prioritised funding to create the UK Microbial Forensics Consortium, which will strengthen our ability to detect biosecurity threats.
Session: Biosecurity Threats
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It is now exactly four months since the Avanti management mocked the Government during an incident that was not isolated. They view performance payments as free money and a joke. When will you end their contract, given this mocking attitude?
Context
Four months ago, Avanti staff were caught laughing at the Government's poor performance payments. This indicates a lack of respect.
Huw Merriman (Rail Minister)
The Secretary of State and I made it clear that the behaviour was unacceptable after the incident. ASLEF withdrew overtime agreements, causing difficulties but they were reinstated. In May, there were almost 0% cancellations from Avanti incidents.
Session: Topical Questions
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What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that the UK Health Security Agency has the budget and the capabilities it needs, especially given the lessons learned from the bird flu situation?
Context
The recent expansion of bird flu among mammals in the US highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness.
Victoria Atkins
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and recognise his role in setting up the UK Health Security Agency. The matter is under close review, with briefings from the chief medical officer as needed.
Session: Topical Questions
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May I congratulate the Secretary of State on being ahead of track to hire 50,000 more nurses this Parliament, as we committed to in the 2019 manifesto? However, can I push him by asking him where he is up to on ensuring that enough staff are trained to do clinical trials, as set out in the excellent O'Shaughnessy review, and can he give us an update of where implementation of that review is up to?
Context
Recruitment of additional nurses as per the manifesto commitment, and ensuring sufficient staff for clinical trials.
Steve Barclay
I very much welcome my right hon. Friend signalling that we are ahead of the manifesto commitment not just in nurses being recruited, but in key additional roles in primary care, where the target was 26,000 and actually 31,000 have now been recruited. He is right about the importance of clinical research. The O'Shaughnessy review speeds that up and reduces the cost. It better leverages the taxpayer pound in investment from the private sector, and standardises contracts across NHS trusts to bring the time down.
Session: Training of NHS Staff
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What is the Chancellor doing to ensure we seize this opportunity for leadership?
Context
The UK has a chance to lead on AI regulation and ecosystem.
Jeremy Hunt
We have a third of Europe's AI start-ups, and risks are well understood. We host a global AI summit with President Biden to ensure correct regulation.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Minister ensure that continued drive for better provision for children with special educational needs, including dyslexia, is maintained? The focus should be on initial teacher training improvements to capture and help children struggling with dyslexia early.
Context
The MP asked about the importance of literacy improvement and provision for children with special educational needs, particularly dyslexia.
Claire Coutinho
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that literacy is one of the major priorities for the Department. We will set out best practice guides on early speech and language, screen children for dyslexia with phonics tests, and improve initial teacher training to capture children struggling with dyslexia as soon as possible.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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Will the Minister ensure that early intervention is put in place for the identification of dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions?
Context
Four out of five dyslexic children leave school not identified, and teachers are not trained to support them specifically.
Claire Coutinho
Absolutely, early identification is key. We have been looking carefully at this in the implementation plan that I will be setting out shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Minister and the Minister for School Standards, who jointly hosted a roundtable on how we better identify children with dyslexia. Can I invite the Minister to support my private Member's Bill, which will have its Second Reading on 16 September, to make sure that we get the data from early screening so that we can identify children's and young people's needs and give them the help and support, and the knowledge that they have that support, to enable them to go on to thrive, flourish and make the most of their lives?
Context
The questioner mentions a roundtable event on identifying children with dyslexia and invites the Minister to support his private Member's Bill aimed at ensuring early screening data collection.
Will Quince
I thank my right hon. Friend for all his work in this area. It was a pleasure to join him at that roundtable. We want all children with SEND to get the right support in the right setting at the right time. At the heart of our reforms is early identification, early diagnosis and early support.
Session: SEND Review
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Will ensure that the horserace betting levy is increased and reformed far sooner than currently proposed; need to support the industry facing significant challenges?
Context
The racehorse industry faces challenges such as low prize money leading to fewer runners, with many horses running overseas instead of in the UK. The VAT system is seen as an anomaly for racehorses.
Chris Philp
Appreciated powerful representations about reviewing the levy earlier than planned; this is being actively considered by Treasury colleagues.
Session: Racehorses
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I welcome what the Minister has said on improving literacy among prisoners and what the Secretary of State said in answer to the previous question. May I just strengthen the point about governor accountability? Training in prisons is currently accountable through Ofsted and the training provider is held accountable. Until governors themselves are fully accountable for the literacy of prisoners as they leave, tied of course with the need to get prisoners into work, on which there has been excellent progress, it will always be harder than it should be to get the reading training needed, especially for those who are dyslexic.
Context
The MP is concerned about improving literacy among prisoners to enhance their employability upon release, reducing crime.
Victoria Atkins
My right hon Friend is completely right. We are putting in place a new deal for governors based on clear expectations and accountability, giving them greater autonomy over education provision in their establishments, which includes transparent key performance indicators, outcome measures and targets, including on prisoner literacy. Indeed, in Highpoint Prison in his constituency, there is a prisoner who was completely illiterate on entering prison. He had the ambition to read to his young child and is now three chapters into a book.
Session: Prisoner Literacy
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What steps his Department is taking to improve literacy among prisoners. I welcome what the Minister has said on improving literacy among prisoners and what the Secretary of State said in answer to the previous question. May I just strengthen the point about governor accountability? Training in prisons is currently accountable through Ofsted and the training provider is held accountable. Until governors themselves are fully accountable for the literacy of prisoners as they leave, tied of course with the need to get prisoners into work, on which there has been excellent progress, it will always be harder than it should be to get the reading training needed, especially for those who are dyslexic.
Context
The MP is concerned about improving literacy among prisoners to enhance their employability upon release, reducing crime.
Victoria Atkins
We have set our plans to achieve exactly that in the prisons strategy White Paper. We have already introduced measures of progress in English and maths to hold governors to account, and we will be establishing an innovation scheme to deliver new initiatives to improve the reading and writing of prisoners. My right hon Friend is completely right. We are putting in place a new deal for governors based on clear expectations and accountability, giving them greater autonomy over education provision in their establishments, which includes transparent key performance indicators, outcome measures and targets, including on prisoner literacy.
Session: Prisoner Literacy
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I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer and for the work that he has done. The White Paper and the SEND review have gone down very well, but they are about the direction of travel; we need to get to the destination. Will he confirm the need for a universal approach to screening for neurodiverse conditions and will he also congratulate those who are doing good work already such as those at Laureate Community Academy in Exning in Newmarket, which I visited earlier this month?
Context
The question follows up on the need to confirm a universal approach to screening and to commend existing initiatives, specifically mentioning Laureate Community Academy in Exning.
Nadhim Zahawi
The Under-Secretary of State will host a roundtable meeting this summer to discuss different approaches around the country, including learning from existing good practices. Early intervention is important, and the Green Paper aims to deliver it. The parent pledge in the Schools White Paper provides teachers with tools to identify children with dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Session: Dyslexia and other Neurodivergent Conditions
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What steps his Department is taking to help improve (a) early identification of, (b) teacher training in and (c) support for pupils with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions in primary schools?
Context
The question addresses the need for early identification and support for students with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions in primary schools.
Nadhim Zahawi
Our ambition is to level up opportunities for all children and young people. The Schools White Paper and the SEND and alternative provision Green Paper set out plans to better identify at-risk children and provide them with support, including those with neurodivergent conditions.
Session: Dyslexia and other Neurodivergent Conditions
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Are the Secretary of State and Minister aware of Ofsted's report on poor reading skills in prisons? What plans do they have to implement the recommendations from the 2016 Coates report?
Context
Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Prisons report highlighted poor reading skills among prisoners. The 2016 Coates Report recommended measures for prison education.
Victoria Atkins
We understand the criticisms in the report. The White Paper includes personal learning plans for prisoners and new KPIs in English and maths, so that we can hold prisons accountable.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Government's own figures show almost 50% of children with additional needs are waiting longer than five months for an education, health and care plan. One in five requests is refused and 95% of those decisions are overturned by the tribunal. Families promised help through the SEND review have waited two years but see no end to fighting at tribunals. What assurance can be given that the review will deliver timely support?
Context
The Government's figures show that nearly half of children with additional needs wait longer than five months for an EHC plan. One in five requests is refused, but 95% of those decisions are overturned by the tribunal.
Will Quince
Next financial year, high-needs funding for children with complex needs is increasing by £1 billion to more than £9.1 billion - 13% increase. Over two years it's a £1.5 billion rise; £2.6 billion in capital goes into SEND review which will address many questions posed.
Session: Children with SEND Specialist Support
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Will the Secretary of State confirm that when it comes to local plans the idea that we need exactly the same proportion of extra housing in every part of every council area is wrong, and instead the different needs of different communities, as in my constituency in Haverhill, Brandon and Newmarket, can be treated differently, not with a one-size-fits-all approach?
Context
The need for a flexible local plan approach to accommodate different community needs in constituencies like Haverhill, Brandon and Newmarket.
Michael Gove
Yes, 100%, spot-on, totally correct.
Session: Topical Questions
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With the risk of inflation becoming entrenched, we need fiscal discipline while the Bank of England undertakes the tricky task of monetary tightening. What does the Chancellor think of proposals that would break down that fiscal discipline and therefore risk increasing inflation and being completely counterproductive?
Context
There is a risk of inflation becoming entrenched, requiring careful fiscal policy to avoid increasing inflation.
Rishi Sunak
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; given his career before he was in this place, he, too, speaks with authority on these matters. He is right to highlight that many of the proposals that people suggest would involve a significant fiscal loosening, which would be inflationary and counterproductive at this time. It is right that fiscal policy is supportive of people, but also mindful of the risks of rising inflation, not least because of the risks for the costs of servicing our debt.
Session: Cost of Living
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Will the Secretary of State welcome tomorrow's ten-minute rule Bill that proposes universal screening for dyslexia in primary schools? Will he put his full weight behind it?
Context
A ten-minute rule Bill proposes universal screening for dyslexia in primary schools, seeking stronger support and assessment.
Nadhim Zahawi (Secretary of State for Education)
My right hon. Friend is a passionate champion and advocate for the technology behind screening for dyslexia. I will certainly take a close look at his Bill tomorrow.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am very grateful for the work that the Department and the Minister have done in the pandemic to support horse racing, but as a major contributor to the economy and soft power, and with one in three jobs in Newmarket in my constituency connected with horse racing, is it not vital that we strengthen further the horserace betting levy to ensure that all betting makes a contribution and to ensure that we get the support for horse racing, which is such a glorious sport?
Context
The question arises from the importance of horse racing to the UK economy, with one in three jobs in Newmarket being connected to horse racing. The need for strengthening the horserace betting levy is highlighted.
Chris Philp
I agree entirely about the importance of horse racing to the UK, both economically and more generally. The levy contributed £97 million in 73 the year before the pandemic, about 10% more than the forecast. Even in the pandemic year 2020-21, it contributed £80 million, so generally speaking the levy has returned more money than was initially expected.
Session: Horse Racing
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What steps her Department is taking to help support horse racing. I am concerned about the impact of the pandemic and the need for ongoing support for a sport that contributes significantly to the UK economy and soft power.
Context
The question arises from the need to support British horse racing, particularly in areas like Newmarket that are heavily dependent on it.
Chris Philp
Racecourses are accessing £21 million from the sport survival package. They have also had £28 million in cash-flow and hardship funding, in addition to which the Horserace Betting Levy Board provided £97 million in 2019-20 to support the sport.
Session: Horse Racing
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I welcome the Secretary of State's focus on helping offenders into employment. Given estimates that more than half of offenders may be dyslexic and given the impact of dyslexia and illiteracy on the ability to work after a sentence, what is he doing to make sure that screening is available to ensure that prisoners can get the right training, especially on literacy if they are dyslexic, to help them into more successful work afterwards?
Context
The question addresses the importance of screening and training for dyslexic offenders.
Dominic Raab
One issue we have discussed—I will be hosting prison governors at a roundtable shortly—is making sure that there is an immediate diagnosis within days of an offender getting into prison, so that we know two things: their numeracy and literacy levels, which will of course bring in other special educational needs, to which my right hon. Friend rightly refers; and what the next qualification is that they may—or may not—be able to achieve, so that we have a decent plan that gives them the chance to improve their skills, get into work and avoid a life of crime.
Session: Former Offenders Employment Support
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May I welcome the Secretary of State's early focus on illiteracy and tackling illiteracy? As a proud dyslexic, I ask him whether he agrees with me that we cannot tackle illiteracy unless we ensure that all those with neuro-diversity, including dyslexics, get identified and the support that they need to learn properly.
Context
The Secretary of State's focus on tackling illiteracy is noted, but the questioner asks for specific commitment to ensuring identification and proper support for those with neuro-diversity, including dyslexics.
Nadhim Zahawi
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. He has been a champion for some of the new technologies and new evidence emerging around the world about identifying and screening for dyslexia. I will happily meet him and have a look at what we can do to scale that up in the United Kingdom.
Session: Topical Questions
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Thanks for the warning, Mr Speaker. I congratulate the Secretary of State and the new vaccines Minister—the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Maggie Throup)—on the roll-out of booster jabs. Over 3 million have been administered so far. May I attempt to strengthen their hands by asking for some of the pop-up vaccination centres, such as the Brent mosque, to get going with these booster jabs so that we can make sure that people in all communities have access to these much needed boosters?
Context
The MP congratulated the Secretary of State on the roll-out of booster jabs and mentioned the Brent mosque as an example.
Sajid Javid
One of the reasons that our country has one of the most successful vaccination programmes in the world has been the efforts of my right hon. Friend, and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for that. He is right to point to the importance of access to vaccines, and making that more mobile is exactly what we are doing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Could the Secretary of State—or the Minister for Pensions, who is doing such great work in this area—explain what they are doing to ensure that when pensions are invested, the environmental, social and governance agenda is about incentivising high-quality sustainable products across the world, for instance in Africa, and not just becoming a box-ticking exercise here at home?
Context
Concerns over the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda being used as a box-ticking exercise in pensions rather than encouraging sustainable products.
Guy Opperman
I will take my right hon. Friend's compliment. The UK is the first country in the world to address the social elements of ESG. We have produced a call for evidence, “Consideration of social risks and opportunities by occupational pension schemes”, and I would encourage everyone to get involved with that.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will you commit to working globally to ensure that the economic recovery and opportunities available in the UK are also accessible worldwide?
Context
The MP praised the Chancellor's efforts on job creation and asked for global commitment to similar progress.
Rishi Sunak
We are tripling traineeships and benefitting from a fast vaccine roll-out, leading to one of the fastest economic recoveries globally.
Session: Helping Young People into Work Covid-19
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Future of Horseracing — [Stewart Hosie in the Chair]
25 October 2023
Responding: Stuart Andrew
Main Concerns
["British horseracing is essential to the country's culture, heritage, and economy, providing over £4 billion in economic activity annually with nearly 100,000 jobs. The sport faces challenges due to modern technology and affordability checks that push bettors towards unregulated platforms, leading to a decrease in prize money and tax revenues. Newmarket, home to two of the finest racecourses, employs more than 7,000 people directly and indirectly."]
Specific Asks
['The Minister needs to reform the horseracing levy so that offshore races count for the levy, increase prize money, ensure necessary occupations are on the shortage occupation list, and address the unintended consequences of affordability checks that drive bettors towards unregulated platforms. The policy is damaging horseracing economically and socially.']
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
Disabled People on Benefits: EHRC Investigation
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
NHS
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
AI Seoul Summit
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Infected Blood Inquiry
23 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Neurodivergent Conditions (Screening and Teacher Training)
23 April 2024
General Debate
Led by this MP
Moves to bring in a Bill aimed at early identification of neurodivergent conditions in primary school and strengthening teacher training. Emphasises the importance of recognising neurodiversity in soc...
Iran-Israel Update
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Estimates Day
14 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Welcomes the debate on supporting children with SEND, emphasising rising needs and inadequate support systems. Highlights the importance of early identification, investment in specialist settings, and...
Defending the UK and Allies
15 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
11 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
2
PMQs Asked
28
Ministerial Questions Asked
96
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
3
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
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+109% above average
This MP:
28
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1875% above average
This MP:
96
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-68% below average
This MP:
3
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 Matthew Hancock's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.