Michael Wheeler
MP for Worsley and Eccles
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Last week I had the opportunity to visit two of the local jobcentres that serve my constituency. The dedication of the staff I met to helping our local community, supporting people into work and adapting to the area’s needs was inspiring. Does the Prime Minister agree that we must listen to their frontline experience as we look to remove the barriers to work that keep people locked out of jobs? Will he visit those teams with me to see the work that they do?
Context
The MP had the opportunity to visit two local jobcentres in his constituency, noting the dedication of staff supporting people into work and adapting to the area’s needs.
The Prime Minister
Our “Get Britain Working” White Paper sets out the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, backed by £240 million of investment. Through our plan for change, we will boost living standards and have more secure, rewarding jobs to make work pay.
Assessment
The response does not address the specific ask about listening to jobcentre staff or visiting local teams.
Session: PMQs
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Does the Chancellor agree that only Labour, with its trade union link, is on the side of working people by ensuring workers get sick pay from day one?
Context
Workers in Worsley and Eccles now get statutory sick pay from day one, thanks to Labour's efforts.
Rachel Reeves
Strengthening statutory sick pay is part of Labour's commitment to make work pay, and USDAW's efforts have been recognised.
Session: Topical Questions
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I strongly welcome the steps that the Government have taken to bring down my constituents' energy bills from the start of this month. However, the effects of the war in Iran are now beginning to feed through into higher food prices. Pressures on oil and fertiliser costs are likely to intensify, and I am concerned about increases in the price of my constituents' weekly shop at a time when their budgets are already strained. Will the Chancellor outline what steps the Government have taken to protect my constituents in Worsley and Eccles from rising food prices?
Context
The question follows up on concerns about the impact of the Iran conflict on food prices, highlighting specific pressures like oil and fertiliser costs.
Rachel Reeves
My hon. Friend speaks powerfully on behalf of his constituents. The response of this Government during this conflict is, first, to try to de-escalate it. This is not a war that we started, and it is not a war that we joined. Unlike the Conservatives and Reform, we are working to de-escalate, not ramp up, the conflict, and that is the best way to keep prices down. As long as the conflict persists, we will do everything in our power to be both responsive and responsible in the national interest, which is why we are keeping energy bills down and why we have provided £53 million of support for people who need heating oil.
Session: Cost of Living Worsley and Eccles
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What steps she has taken to help support people with the cost of living in Worsley and Eccles constituency. Thanks to decisions made in the Budget, the energy price cap reduced by £117 a year, on average, in April.
Context
The question stems from concerns about the cost of living in Worsley and Eccles constituency, particularly regarding energy bills.
Rachel Reeves
The Government are committed to improving living standards for people across the UK. Thanks to decisions I made in the Budget, the energy price cap reduced by £117 a year, on average, in April. We have extended the cut in fuel duty twice, and introduced an anti-profiteering framework to protect working people from unfair price rises during the Iran conflict.
Session: Cost of Living Worsley and Eccles
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Over half of South Shropshire residents rely on heating oil or other solutions, such as liquified petroleum gas, to heat their homes. The recent Government support does very little for the majority of my constituents, and the best price today for heating oil is more than double what it was five weeks ago. There is blatant profiteering. What are the Government going to do to seriously address the issue?
Context
Over half of South Shropshire residents rely on heating oil, but recent support measures have not helped many constituents.
Martin McCluskey
We moved swiftly to introduce funding to support people. The £53 million-worth of support, which is being disbursed through the crisis and resilience fund in England and Wales, will provide support for people through this immediate period. We will keep other measures under review, but if hon. Members have examples of unfair pricing practices, it is important that they report them to the CMA so that it can consider them as part of its review.
Session: Topical Questions
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What measures are the Government taking to alleviate financial burdens on young families?
Context
Young families face significant financial pressures, including high housing and childcare costs.
Rachel Reeves
We have recognised the pressures facing families and have cut interest rates, which has seen the average cost of servicing a mortgage come down by about £1,300 a year. The Renters' Rights Act will come into force shortly to give greater rights to people in the private rented sector. The free childcare offer now ensures parents with children aged between nine months and five years get free childcare if they are in work. From next month, the end of the two-child benefit limit will lift 450,000 children out of poverty.
Session: Cost of Living Families
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What fiscal steps have you taken to help reduce the cost of living for families?
Context
Families in Worsley and Eccles are facing high living costs, with energy, food, and childcare prices rising.
Rachel Reeves
Stability is the most important thing that we can do to get interest rates and inflation down, and tackling the cost of living is my top priority. At the Budget, we took money off energy bills and froze prescription charges and train fares. The Government's cheaper fuel finder scheme is now online, and it shows petrol prices at forecourts across the country. Yesterday, some petrol retailers charged almost 180p per litre, while others were charging less than 130p per litre.
Session: Cost of Living Families
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In my constituency of Worsley and Eccles, residents of Peel Green and the surrounding area, including the enthusiastic pupils of Salford City academy, are looking to get their hands on the Pride in Place money. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that they are at the forefront, they take the lead, and they decide?
Context
Residents of Peel Green and surrounding areas are looking to utilise Pride in Place money for community projects.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
I thank my hon. Friend for all the work that he is doing with his community on Pride in Place. We are very clear that communities should be in the driving seat, and we are setting a clear expectation that all places will have forms of community-led delivery by the third year. That creates the opportunity for community interest companies, co-operatives and other models, because at the heart of this is the principle that the people who know their patch the best should be in the driving seat of changing their place.
Session: Topical Questions
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Many of my constituents use the Warburton toll bridge to get to work, visit family and go about their everyday lives. However, residents in Irlam and Cadishead have been arbitrarily excluded from the local resident discount scheme, meaning that they have to pay the full price while many who live further from the bridge receive a 50% discount. To date, Peel Ports has not responded to inquiries I have made on constituents’ behalf. Will the Leader of the House consider a debate in Government time on the need to ensure that where essential infrastructure is in private hands, appropriate oversight is in place and local needs are properly considered?
Context
Residents in Irlam and Cadishead have been excluded from the local resident discount scheme for the Warburton toll bridge, while those living further away receive a 50% discount. Peel Ports has not responded to inquiries made on behalf of constituents.
Alan Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. I understand his constituents’ frustration if they rely on the bridge in their daily lives. The Government believe that local infrastructure should work for the community that it serves, and I will ensure that the relevant Minister hears about this issue.
Session: Business of the House
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Having spent lots of time with family in Northern Ireland since I was a small child, I have seen the progress made over the years and know what a difference it has made on the ground. I welcome this Government’s commitment to help secure that progress and tackle the scourge of paramilitarism. Does the Secretary of State share my view that making further progress will require a range of measures, and that the Executive’s programme on paramilitarism, criminality and organised crime is a crucial part of that?
Context
The Independent Reporting Commission's seventh annual report discusses the ongoing issue of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland, highlighting areas for improvement.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
I do indeed agree with my hon. Friend. That programme is doing very good work, and of course the UK Government are funding it together with the Executive. I also agree that a wide range of approaches needs to be taken, including continuing to use the full force of the law to deal with paramilitary criminality.
Session: Independent Reporting Commission Seventh Annual Report
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My constituents face high levels of congestion on our roads, especially during rush-hour commute. We benefit from Greater Manchester’s Bee network but temporary disruptions can cause backups. What steps are being taken to give powers and encouragement to local communities and decision makers for joined-up public and private transport networks?
Context
The MP notes that high levels of congestion affect his constituents during rush hour, with incidents such as traffic lights or roadworks causing significant delays. He seeks support for creating joined-up public and private transport networks to alleviate these issues.
Simon Lightwood
My hon Friend is absolutely right to highlight this issue and will know that this Government are acting quickly to respond to his concerns. As outlined in the “English Devolution” White Paper, we will empower strategic authorities to play a greater role in co-ordinating their local road networks. That includes removing unnecessary Secretary of State consent requirements for certain local highway decisions, potentially including lane rental schemes, which will speed up decision making.
Session: Local Bus Services
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I draw Members’ attention to my declaration in the register of interests. Retail is an important part of the economy in my constituency, which includes many wonderful independent businesses. Will, who runs the excellent Wandering Palate in Monton, wrote to me about the challenges he is facing. Will the Minister outline the measures the Government are taking to support small business owners like Will in my constituency and across the country to enable our high streets to thrive?
Context
Retail is an important part of the economy in Michael Wheeler's constituency, and he has received a letter from Will who runs Wandering Palate about challenges faced by small business owners.
James Murray (Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for referencing Wonderful Palate, the business in his constituency. I do not know the details of the rateable value of that property, but I point the owner to the fact that we are retaining small business rate relief, freezing the small business multiplier next year and extending the retail, hospitality and leisure relief in 2025-26. I also point the owner of that business and other businesses to our future plan, as I mentioned, to have permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with values of below £500,000, as well as to consider reforms to small business rate relief to better support businesses that want to expand into a second premises.
Session: Supporting SMEs, Retail, and Hospitality and Tourism
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I begin by welcoming the Secretary of State to the Dispatch Box for her first question time. She brings great experience of working to bring transport authorities together. My constituency of Worsley and Eccles suffers from regular serious rush-hour congestion. How can she support transport authorities in urban areas to work with neighbouring authorities to ensure a strategic approach is taken across commuter belts to alleviate congestion?
Context
The constituency of Worsley and Eccles faces regular serious rush-hour congestion. The MP seeks to understand how the government can support local transport authorities in urban areas.
The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words, and I assure him that the Government are committed to improving local transport across individual local authority boundaries. We have provided more than £1 billion in funding to the Greater Manchester combined authority in his area, which takes a strategic approach to managing transport across its region. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has also set out ambitious measures in the recent “English Devolution” White Paper to support more joined-up running of local transport networks, which people rely upon every day.
Session: Local Transport Authorities and Mayors Financial Support
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Animal Testing
28 January 2026
Responding: Sarah Jones
Main Concerns
['The debate highlights more than 5 million animals approved for use in experiments, with individual cases including primates subjected to invasive brain surgery. In 2024 alone, there were 146 recorded cases of non-compliance involving over 22,000 animals, resulting in at least 542 animal deaths or euthanisations due to failures in compliance and basic standards.']
Specific Asks
['The MP calls for robust enforcement of existing regulations and an increase in inspections to ensure that issues can be identified and addressed properly. He also highlights the need for non-animal alternatives wherever scientifically possible, as per the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.']
Employment Rights Bill 2025-12-08
08 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government's plan to make work pay through the Employment Rights Bill will bring employment rights legislation into the 21st century, extending protections for all workers. This includes reducing ...
Employment Rights Bill 2025-11-05
05 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade outlined the Government's commitment to ending exploitative employment practices, supporting fair employers, and enhancing job securit...
Employment Rights Bill 2025-09-15
15 September 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Parental Leave Review 2025-07-01
01 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is committed to reviewing the current parental leave system to support modern, diverse working families. They are taking action through the Employment Rights Bill which includes making ...
Crime and Policing Bill 2025-06-18
18 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves that the clause be read a Second time. The new clauses aim to criminalise commercial sexual exploitation, including enabling or profiting from prostitution and paying for sex acts either directl...
Mental Health Bill [Lords] 2025-05-19
19 May 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] 2025-04-01
01 April 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Coalfield Communities 2025-02-06
06 February 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Adam Jogee, the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme, opened the debate by highlighting the rich history and importance of coalfield communities in the United Kingdom. He cited specific examp...
Northern Ireland: Legacy of the Troubles
04 December 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government's approach to addressing the legacy of the Troubles was flawed and must be corrected. The Labour party will lay a remedial order under the Human Rights Act 1998 to address deficiencies ...
Employment Rights (Transparency and Arbitration) Bill - Clause 1
21 October 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move to read the Employment Rights (Transparency and Arbitration) Bill a Second time, declaring my lifelong commitment as a proud trade union member. The bill aims to deliver on our promise of upgra...
Attendance
84.7%
83 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
31
31.6% of votes
No Votes
52
53.1% of votes
Abstentions
15
15.3% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
1
PMQs Asked
12
Ministerial Questions Asked
11
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
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
-10% below average
This MP:
12
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+126% above average
This MP:
11
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 (%)
+22% above average
This MP:
84.7
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 Michael Wheeler's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.