Matthew Offord
MP for Hendon
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Will the Prime Minister provide specific interim advice on risk prioritisation of buildings under 18 metres and extend the building safety fund to cover them?
Context
The EWS1 form was extended to include buildings below 18 metres, raising concerns about risk prioritisation and support for these properties.
Boris Johnson
We are focusing first on buildings over 18 metres. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is producing a risk matrix for mortgage valuation under 18 metres, and the National Fire Chiefs Council will provide a risk prioritisation tool.
Assessment
Did not address extending fund to buildings below 18m
Discussed Existing Tools But No Commitment On Extension
Session: PMQs
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This weekend we witnessed the third attack in a year on a commercial vessel in international waters. The cargo ship Galaxy Leader has been described by the Israeli Government as British owned and Japanese operated. What actions will the Minister take to prevent such acts of terrorism on British vessels?
Context
A commercial vessel was attacked in international waters, raising concerns about the safety of other British vessels.
James Heappey
We are very aware of the incident that my hon. Friend describes. The US navy has a presence in the Red sea, and the Royal Navy always keeps under review options to deploy there too.
Session: Topical Questions
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Local authorities have an overwhelming role in achieving net zero, but central Government has not developed overall expectations about local authority roles, leading to inconsistent reporting. Neither the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities nor the Treasury has assessed the totality of funding for local authorities to achieve net zero. Will the Minister carry out an analysis of local authority funding for net zero to inform the next comprehensive spending review?
Context
The National Audit Office informed that central government has not developed clear expectations for local authority roles in achieving net zero, with inconsistent reporting making it hard to measure progress. There is also a lack of assessment on the totality of funding provided by central government and the nature of grant funding.
Graham Stuart
The Government invest £5 million a year in the local net zero hub programme. We have established the UK Infrastructure Bank, with an initial £12 billion of capital, for the twin goals of tackling climate change and levelling up, and it includes a specific loan facility for local government to deliver net zero.
Session: Net Zero Goals Local Authorities
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Local authorities have an overwhelming role in achieving net zero, but central Government has not developed overall expectations about local authority roles, leading to inconsistent reporting. Neither the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities nor the Treasury has assessed the totality of funding for local authorities to achieve net zero. Will the Minister carry out an analysis of local authority funding for net zero to inform the next comprehensive spending review?
Context
The National Audit Office informed that central government has not developed clear expectations for local authority roles in achieving net zero, with inconsistent reporting making it hard to measure progress. There is also a lack of assessment on the totality of funding provided by central government and the nature of grant funding.
Graham Stuart
The Government invest £5 million a year in the local net zero hub programme. We are looking at other ways of enabling and encouraging local authorities to do more.
Session: Net Zero Goals Local Authorities
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Hendon Police College was once an exemplar of British policing, but there have been accusations of police staff officers being assaulted, inappropriate use of pain compliance techniques and multiple cases of cheating in exams, where the perpetrators subsequently lied about it—all by trainee police officers. How can there be trust in the police to protect the public when the recruitment process fails to identify the fundamentally dishonest?
Context
The MP is concerned about the trustworthiness of police training due to incidents at Hendon Police College, including staff assaults, inappropriate use of pain compliance techniques, cheating in exams, and subsequent lying by trainees.
Suella Braverman
My hon. Friend is right to raise that point about standards in policing and, in particular, the recruitment methods used to increase the forces. That is why we need to improve our standards. I am glad that many forces have committed to a face-to-face interview—that is absolutely vital to weed out the inappropriate applicants. We need to ensure that there is a rapid review of all forces' responses to the inspectorate's recent report on vetting and counter-corruption. I know that the Met commissioner is taking this issue incredibly seriously and has put in place a rigorous plan to improve standards and restore confidence.
Session: Police Officers Protecting Communities
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What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that police officers protect communities. The Government have committed substantial extra funding to invest in policing and to reduce crime, including the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers by March. We recently confirmed a total police funding settlement of a maximum of £17 billion for 2023-24.
Context
The MP is concerned about steps to ensure police protect communities, referencing the government's commitment to recruiting more officers.
Suella Braverman
The Government have committed substantial extra funding to invest in policing and to reduce crime, including the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers by March. We recently confirmed a total police funding settlement of a maximum of £17 billion for 2023-24. We have seen great results: a fall in overall crime since 2019 thanks to this Government, a fall in domestic burglary since 2019 thanks to this Government, and a fall in violent crime since 2019 thanks to this Government—more police, less crime and safer streets.
Session: Police Officers Protecting Communities
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I am trying to hide my disappointment in the answer. Asadollah Assadi orchestrated a planned terrorist attack in mainland Europe that would have resulted in mass casualties, including five Members of the British Parliament, including me. At the Munich security conference earlier this year, the Iranian Foreign Minister met his Belgian and Swedish counterparts for private talks, which included seeking a petition for the release of Assadi and others through prisoner swaps. May I ask the Secretary of State again to meet with her Iranian counterpart to make it clear that any future JCPOA must ensure human rights in Iran and must ensure that terrorism activities are relinquished across the region, including those aimed at mainland Europe?
Context
Assadi orchestrated a planned terrorist attack that could have resulted in mass casualties, including several Members of Parliament. The Iranian Foreign Minister met with Belgian and Swedish counterparts to discuss prisoner swaps.
James Cleverly
I am not able to speculate on the context of bilateral talks between Iran and other countries. The UK's position is absolutely clear: the behaviour of Iran in a whole number of areas is unacceptable. We raise this regularly, and I know that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised our concerns about the Iranian Government's behaviour on numerous occasions.
Session: Asadollah Assadi
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If she will make representations to her Iranian counterpart on the case of Iranian diplomat, Asadollah Assadi.
Context
The question arises from a case involving an Iranian diplomat, Asadollah Assadi, who was convicted for his role in a planned terrorist attack. The UK has condemned the targeting of civilians and welcomes convictions by Belgian courts.
James Cleverly
The UK condemns in the strongest terms the targeting of civilians and regularly raises this issue with the Government of Iran. We welcome the fact that those responsible for the plot against the conference in Paris in 2018 have been held to account. The Belgian courts have convicted four individuals, including Asadollah Assadi, who received a 20-year sentence.
Session: Asadollah Assadi
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Will the Minister meet me and leaders of EOD UK, a mine action community, to discuss how we can plan for the enormous decontamination task ahead of us?
Context
Ukraine is becoming one of the most contaminated countries in the world, posing threats to military and civilians.
James Heappey
I certainly will. I have had the opportunity—I am not sure if it is the misfortune or good fortune—to visit a number of countries that have been heavily mined in the past.
Session: Topical Questions
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The successful conclusion of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians is key to bringing peace to the region, yet Hamas publicly condemn peace negotiations and has committed itself to Israel's destruction. Does my right hon. Friend agree that until Hamas disarms, Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with a terror group which calls for its very destruction?
Context
The ongoing conflict includes the refusal of Hamas to engage in peace talks with Israel, which hinders progress towards a peaceful resolution.
James Cleverly
Hamas has not proven itself to be good for the Palestinian people. The simple truth is that its aggressive posture and threats to eradicate the state of Israel have harmed relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Session: Middle East
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My constituents face daily incitement to racial and religious hatred by individuals from outside the area. Can you advise what my constituents can expect in terms of police and security service support?
Context
Feras Al Jayoosi was convicted of four counts under the Terrorism Act 2000, including walking around Golders Green with a large rucksack and Palestinian Islamic Jihad t-shirt. Tahra Ahmed was also recently convicted for stirring up racial hatred after a Facebook post claiming Grenfell Tower fire was a 'Jewish sacrifice'. Matthew Offord asks about support and protection for his constituents facing such threats.
Priti Patel (Home Secretary)
The Home Secretary confirms that the acts described by the MP are unacceptable and the police are taking action against individuals involved. She states that her department is working to ensure the Jewish community, particularly Matthew Offord's constituents, are fully supported and protected.
Session: Topical Questions
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He expressed concern over the backlog of tests that built up during the pandemic and asked for details on what measures are being taken to address this problem and improve early detection rates.
Context
The hon. Member raised concerns about the lack of cancer testing and diagnosis in the country, citing a friend's story to highlight the issue.
The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)
Matthew Hancock stated his heart goes out to the hon. Member and expressed agreement that early diagnosis of cancer is crucial for improving survival rates. He mentioned ongoing investment in rapid diagnostic centres, efforts to bring diagnostics closer to primary care, and a major work programme aimed at reducing the backlog of tests built up during the pandemic, which has reduced by about half.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Sustainable Development
17 October 2023
Responding: Leo Docherty
Main Concerns
['The MP is concerned about the slow progress in improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable groups. He notes that over 1.9 billion people live in severely water-scarce areas, a number expected to rise to 3.2 billion by 2050 due to population growth and extreme weather events. The MP also highlights the decline in UK aid for WASH since 2018, with funding cut by two-thirds to approximately £70 million in 2021, despite polling indicating that water, sanitation, and hygiene are one of the top three most important ways of spending UK official aid development assistance. The MP stresses that investment in sustainable WASH services can have huge economic returns, contributing up to 21 times more value than their cost.']
Specific Asks
['The MP asks the Minister to carefully consider evidence provided and indicate what level of prioritisation WASH will have in the upcoming international development White Paper. He also urges the Minister to commit to encouraging political dialogue and driving financial commitments for WASH in the build-up to a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance at the UN General Assembly next September.']
Nigeria: Security Situation
19 July 2022
Responding: Vicky Ford
Main Concerns
["Matthew Offord expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, highlighting issues such as Islamic extremism, kidnappings for ransom, intercommunal and religiously motivated violence, human trafficking, electoral violence, and extreme poverty. He noted that over 17,000 people have been killed in conflicts in the middle belt region over two decades, with more than 10,000 displaced. In 2021 alone, 2,200 people were kidnapped for ransom, more than double the number from the previous year. Additionally, he pointed out that nearly half of Nigeria's population wants to leave the country due to political inertia and widespread corruption."]
Specific Asks
['Offord asked the Government to consider reviewing official development assistance (ODA) to allow spending on non-lethal security co-operation measures, emphasizing the need for proactive action to prevent a regional conflict from becoming international.']
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...
War Graves Week
14 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does extraordinary work keeping alive the memories of over 1.7 million men and women who gave their life in both world wars, tending to graves, memorials and sit...
Building Safety
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Gaza
26 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ceasefire in Gaza
21 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Antisemitism in the UK
19 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Situation in the Red Sea
05 February 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
29 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Holocaust Memorial Day
25 January 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member for Glasgow North West, Nicola Richards, opened the debate by discussing the scale of the Holocaust and the recent events in Israel on October 7th, emphasising that while these two inc...
Backbench Business
07 December 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the rise of Islamophobia in the UK, with a particular emphasis on the Government's reluctance to officially acknowledge and address this issue. The speaker highlights internation...
1
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
62
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
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
-18% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1176% above average
This MP:
62
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 Matthew Offord's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.