Nick Smith
MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Lab
6 May 2010 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Given the recent extreme weather events causing significant damage in Cwmtillery, will the Prime Minister continue prioritising coal tip maintenance funding to keep communities safe?
Context
Extreme weather events caused a landslip in Cwmtillery last weekend, leading to slurry and boulders on streets. The Chancellor committed £25 million for coal tip maintenance.
Keir Starmer
Yes, we have committed £25 million for coal tip maintenance. I will ensure that hon. Members get support in raising issues about their constituents.
Assessment
Specific commitment to continue prioritising funding was not explicitly stated
Session: PMQs
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The MP questioned the wisdom of having someone with a background in lobbying at the centre of government, referencing recent scandals involving the chief of staff's lobbying activities.
Context
The MP raised concerns about the Prime Minister's chief of staff having a history of lobbying for controversial clients.
Elizabeth Truss
The PM stated that all appointments in Downing Street are checked through proper propriety and ethics processes, ensuring impartiality.
Assessment
While acknowledging checks on appointments, she did not address whether having a lobbyist was wise or appropriate for the role.
Acknowledged Process Without Addressing Wisdom
Session: PMQs
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I congratulate the Prime Minister and his wife on the birth of their baby daughter. Last week was crime week. Was it a success for you, Prime Minister?
Context
Last week was designated as 'crime week'. The questioner seeks an assessment of its success.
Boris Johnson
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. Yes, it was because last week we showed that we are not only the party that is putting in the resources to fight crime, with 10,000 more police already recruited, but the party that is finally getting tough on the drugs gangs that blight the lives of children and communities up and down this country. We will not tolerate middle-class drug use any more than any other kind of drug use.
Assessment
Did not directly address whether crime week was successful in terms of concrete outcomes or metrics, instead focusing on resources allocated and rhetoric about tackling drugs gangs.
Session: PMQs
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I, too, hope that digital ID will help improve the delivery of public services outcomes. Can the Minister please say what steps the Government are taking to work with the Welsh Government on this important policy development?
Context
The Welsh Government's expectations on digital access to public services.
James Frith
We are working closely with the devolved Governments through bilateral meetings and regular official engagement. Digital ID will be free to use, and there will be freedom to choose.
Session: Topical Questions
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There is awful news from Venezuela this morning after an earthquake there. Has the Minister had the opportunity to speak to her Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ministerial counterpart about support for that country at this difficult time?
Context
There was an earthquake in Venezuela, causing damage and raising concerns about support for the country during this difficult time.
Angela Eagle
The overnight news of the earthquake in Venezuela, which has caused a lot of damage, is very concerning. I know that my colleagues in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stand ready, as do we, to help with any recovery that the people of Venezuela may need, particularly in terms of rescue at this stage.
Session: Natural Disasters Community Resilience
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Constituents involved in my local Rotary club have contacted me about the global polio eradication programme. I am reliably advised that Ministers want to concentrate resources for the best impact. Can the Minister reassure my constituents that the UK remains determined to protect the important gains made in polio eradication for the future?
Context
Constituents involved in the local Rotary club have expressed concern about UK's continued commitment to polio eradication.
Chris Elmore
I can offer my hon. Friend that reassurance, and I pay tribute to Rotarians who have worked for the eradication of polio over so many decades. We will continue to support global polio eradication directly until December 2026 and then support our polio eradication fund through £248 million of fully flexible core funding to the World Health Organisation between 2025 and 2028.
Session: Topical Questions
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I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on parkrun. Currently, over 1,300 parkrun events take place across the UK every Saturday morning, including two in my constituency. Given its benefits in terms of health and wellbeing—many of my constituents are NHS couch to 5K graduates—will the Minister please outline what discussions she has had with parkrun to support that excellent initiative?
Context
Parkrun is a global phenomenon celebrating its 21st birthday, hosting over 1,300 events weekly in the UK. The questioner highlights parkrun's benefits for health and well-being.
Stephanie Peacock
I was pleased to meet representatives of parkrun alongside my hon. Friend a few months ago to mark its 21st anniversary, and I pay tribute to the huge impact it has. Indeed, last year, I joined my hon. Friend for the relaunch of parkwalk, which is a great example of how inclusive parkrun is—of course, it would not be possible without all the volunteers.
Session: Grassroots Sport
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What funding her Department is providing to help improve participation in grassroots sport.
Context
The MP is seeking information on funding to support participation in grassroots sport activities.
Stephanie Peacock
The Government believe in the power of grassroots sport. We have committed £400 million over the next four years, and £85 million in this coming year. Of course, Sport England invests £250 million annually through Exchequer and lottery funding.
Session: Grassroots Sport
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I will shortly be organising events in my constituency promoting pension credit take-up. Some of my pensioner constituents, however, have lost money to the Safe Hands funeral scheme when trying to prepare for the worst of times. Will the Minister please meet me to discuss their case?
Context
Some pensioner constituents have lost money to the Safe Hands funeral scheme, raising concerns about financial protection.
Torsten Bell
I am glad to hear that my hon. Friend is organising events to drive pension credit take-up, as he did last year. On my hon. Friend's question about the failure of Safe Hands, he is a powerful advocate for his constituents. The Serious Fraud Office has recently announced that two individuals have been charged in relation to the case, and there are live criminal proceedings ongoing.
Session: State Pension Increase
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What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the state pension increase in April 2026 on pensioners? Some pensioner constituents have lost money to the Safe Hands funeral scheme when trying to prepare for the worst. Will the Minister meet me to discuss their case?
Context
The state pension is set to increase by 4.8% in April 2026, boosting pensioners' incomes. However, some pensioners have lost money through the Safe Hands funeral scheme, raising concerns about financial support.
Torsten Bell
Payments of both the basic pension and the new state pension will increase by 4.8% in April, boosting pensioners' incomes by up to £575 a year. The yearly amount of the full new state pension is projected to rise by about £2,100 over the current Parliament. I am glad to hear that my hon. Friend is organising events to drive pension credit take-up. On my hon. Friend's question about the failure of Safe Hands, he is a powerful advocate for his constituents. The Serious Fraud Office has recently announced that two individuals have been charged in relation to the case, and there are live criminal proceedings ongoing.
Session: State Pension Increase
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Under the last Conservative Government we had soaring energy costs and the highest industrial energy bills in Europe. Now, under Labour, manufacturers, including those in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, have seen costly levies taken out. Will the Minister please outline what else the Government can do to bring energy bills down further for UK industry?
Context
The question follows the government's announcement to increase discount on electricity network charges for electricity-intensive businesses. Previous Conservative government faced criticism over soaring industrial energy costs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
I thank my hon. Friend for championing the businesses in his constituency. One such business, GS Yuasa Battery Manufacturing in Gwent, is receiving support from the supercharger, exempting it from several renewables levies and electricity network usage costs. This is all part of the Government’s clean energy superpower mission, which will cut costs, boost energy security and accelerate grid connections.
Session: Industrial Energy Costs
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What steps he is taking to help support employers to keep people healthy at work. In The Times at the weekend, Alan Milburn emphasised the importance of boosting young people’s life chances. Will the Secretary of State outline how data from the pilot will strengthen delivery to keep people healthy at work?
Context
The question follows the launch of the 'Keep Britain Working' review, where Sir Charlie Mayfield made recommendations including a vanguard scheme involving over 100 employers. Nick Smith's constituency has a trailblazer pilot.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
I opened the Neath opportunity hub in south Wales in October, and I announced further funding of £10 million for the trailblazer covering that area. Alan Milburn is doing important work in reporting on the whole issue of young people in activity and work. The thing that unites these efforts is the belief that work is good for you, and that we do not want to see young people graduating from education into a life on benefits. That work brings together current activity and the future changes that we will need to make.
Session: Employee Health
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There has been a tendency to offshore much cyber-support, but we are producing excellent cyber-security talent at Ebbw Vale college to protect our digital infrastructure. Will the Minister please outline what is being done to develop our home-grown workforce and security resilience to help reduce the risks from cyber-attacks in future?
Context
The context is the increasing offshoring of cyber-support roles and the production of skilled cyber-security professionals at Ebbw Vale college. There is a focus on developing home-grown workforce to reduce risks from cyber-attacks.
Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)
Skills are the foundation of the UK’s cyber-security, and the Government are investing £187 million in the TechFirst programme. That initiative will bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities, and aims to reach 1 million students by 2026 and provide a thousand annual scholarships. Those skills projects will help bridge the gap in our cyber-resilience.
Session: Cyber-crime
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The Government’s action on ticket reselling is the first substantive effort to tackle those who leech off the music sector. Previously, as one loophole closed, another would often open. There have been warnings that ticket reselling could continue through social media and messaging apps. How will the Government monitor that to protect fans so that they can see the artists who bring joy into all our lives?
Context
The Government announced plans to illegalize reselling live events tickets for profit, but there are concerns about potential loopholes through social media platforms.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that, and appreciate his work on and commitment to this matter. Our approach will require all platforms that facilitate the resale of tickets—including social media platforms—to ensure that the price cap is adhered to on their sites. If platforms fail to uphold the cap, our enforcers will be able to issue tough penalties of up to 10% of global turnover. We believe that this will act as a strong deterrent. We will carefully monitor the impact of the measures once they have been implemented, and we will not hesitate to take further action to protect fans if required.
Session: Secondary Ticketing
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Will he provide an update on plans for changing the surplus sharing arrangements for both the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme?
Context
The MP references the Minister's announcement at the Budget regarding pension schemes for mining communities.
Torsten Bell
My hon. Friend has been a powerful campaigner for those surpluses to be shared with the members of those pension schemes. He knows that we made an announcement at the Budget to ensure that the British Coal staff superannuation scheme surplus is shared with its members, and I know that the trustees are bringing forward their proposals on the sharing of future surpluses.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister say more about how the Government are reflecting the experiences of victims when tackling grooming gangs in Wales?
Context
The hon. Member asked for details on how the Government are ensuring that victims’ voices are heard when tackling grooming gangs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)
Absolutely, and I thank my hon. Friend for raising this critical matter. We are putting victims’ voices at the heart of the inquiry, because their voices must be heard, and we are accepting Baroness Casey’s recommendations in full, including the introduction of mandatory reporting, the creation of a new child protection authority and the ending of the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.[Official Report, 18 December 2025; Vol. 777, c. 13WC.] (Correction) I will say this once again: we are ensuring that victims’ voices are at the heart of the inquiry, because they have been forgotten for far too long.
Session: Grooming Gangs
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Will the Minister meet me and the new Parkrun chief executive to discuss future collaborations?
Ashley Dalton
We are learning from Parkrun's success in encouraging physical activity, as it saves the NHS around £10.5 billion annually.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps her Department is taking to tackle the antisocial use of off-road bikes. Gwent police are tackling dangerous, illegal off-road bikes, but a related problem is electric bikes which are sometimes chipped to go faster and have become a new danger. The bikes can be switched up from being a means to get from A to B into being a real menace.
Context
Concern about the antisocial use of off-road bikes in communities, including electric bikes that can be modified for high speeds.
The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
Our Crime and Policing Bill, which Opposition Members voted against on Third Reading, is giving the police greater powers to clamp down on off-road bikes and other nuisance vehicles that cause chaos in our communities. Once the changes come into force, officers will no longer be required to issue a warning before they seize a bike that is being used antisocially. On 28 May, we published a consultation to explore changes to the circumstances in which the police can seize and destroy these vehicles, and we will not hesitate to go further if needed. Yes, I am very happy to look into that issue and to meet my hon. Friend to discuss it. He may want to know that the 60 additional officers that are going to be available in his police force area by the end of this year will help to tackle some of the antisocial behaviour involving e-bikes and other vehicles.
Session: Off-road Bikes
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I thank the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for his answer. Last weekend I attended the anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster in 1960, in which 45 men and boys died. I met Mervyn Frampton, whose brother Keith was killed in that tragedy. Mervyn is 90 now, and we talked about when he and his butties powered our country and were members of the British Coal staff pension scheme. Will my right hon. Friend please be mindful of those who risked their lives for us, and who are still owed pension fair play?
Context
Last weekend, Nick Smith attended the anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster in 1960 where 45 men and boys died. He met Mervyn Frampton, whose brother Keith was killed in that tragedy.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and I extend the thoughts of the House to his constituents and the communities that he represents. He will know that I have always kept the service and sacrifices of the mining communities in my mind, both in opposition when campaigning for changes to the mineworkers’ pension scheme, which this Government implemented at the last Budget, and now in considering proposals from the BCSSS. I will be looking at those issues in more detail over the summer, and I hope to say more in the autumn.
Session: British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
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General Dynamics already provides good jobs in south Wales. As a former member of the Public Accounts Committee, I welcome plans to cut delivery times for the new communications and weapons systems of the future. Does the Minister agree, however, that we need to overcome public scepticism about defence kits taking too long to get to the frontline?
Context
The MP references the previous government's record on slow delivery times for major defence projects, highlighting a need to improve efficiency in order to boost national security.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)
I do agree with my hon. Friend, because under the previous Government the average time to contract was six years, and only two out of the 49 major projects they oversaw were on time and on budget. Our procurement reforms will speed up and improve delivery to the frontline, and thus boost our defence and security.
Session: Defence Sector Jobs
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I thank the Minister for her answer and for her hard work to increase payments to mineworkers and their families across the country. After digging for coal for many years, 1,600 miners and their families have received an uplift of nearly £30 a week in my constituency of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney. However, progress is still needed on the staff superannuation scheme. The trustees of that scheme confirmed to me that the average age of pension members is 76, so with time marching on, will the Minister outline the next steps to help members of the staff scheme?
Context
The Minister previously discussed the impact of changes to the mineworkers' pension scheme, noting an average increase of 32% in monthly payments. The British Coal staff superannuation scheme is also under consideration.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I thank my hon. Friend for his remarks; he is right to talk about the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. The initial focus of our work was on the mineworkers’ pension scheme, which was in our manifesto. We had to work at pace on that commitment, and we are working with the Government Actuary’s Department on how the surplus-sharing arrangement will work going forward. That big piece of work is under way, but my hon. Friend is right to point to the tens of thousands of people who are in the BCSSS. I too have met the trustees, and we are working as fast as we can through the issues associated with that scheme. The two schemes are different—they operate in different ways—but the Government are the guarantor for both of them, and I will reconvene trustees to continue discussions with them and take this matter forward.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme
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This is an important issue for south Wales families. My uncle Jacky was a deputy at Cwm Marine pit and my uncle Georgie was a deputy at Oakdale. Sadly, they have now passed, but they were members of the British Coal pension scheme. Many of their mining friends will be in their 80s and 90s, and their pensions deserve uplifting, so will the Minister please commit to making good progress here? Time is running out for the men and women who fired our industrial past.
Context
The MP emphasizes the importance of uplifting former miners' pensions in south Wales, referencing his family's mining history.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that question on an issue that I know is deeply important to him, his constituents and his family, and on which he has worked for many years. The Government are actively considering proposals from the scheme’s trustees, and we will set out the next steps in due course. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry in the Department for Business and Trade will be working on the detail, and I will be meeting her shortly to consider the options.
Session: Former Mineworkers’ Pensions
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In Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 1,600 miners received the biggest number of increased payments from the mineworkers' pension scheme in Wales. All of my uncles on my mum's side were miners. Dessie Winter will benefit from the MPS changes, but Georgie and Jackie paid into the National Coal Board staff pension scheme. Since 1994, the Government have received £3.1 billion from the BCSSS. Will the Secretary of State say if he will look again at the staff side's surplus payments to benefit our pensioners?
Context
The MP highlighted that in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, 1,600 miners received increased payments from the mineworkers' pension scheme. He mentioned his family history involving miners who were pit supervisors.
Ed Miliband
My hon. Friend makes his point with customary eloquence. I know that there were people who waited for injustice to be remedied but sadly died before it happened. He refers to part of the issue raised by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee about 50:50 surplus sharing; my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is looking at that.
Session: Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Living Standards
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The college in Ebbw Vale offers a brilliant cyber security course. Given that the national cyber-security chief says there is a widening gap between UK's defences and the threats posed by hostile nations, what is being done to scale up the workforce to defend our crucial infrastructure?
Context
Concern over a widening gap between UK's cyber-defences and the threats posed by hostile nations, highlighting an Ebbw Vale college's role in training young people for jobs in this sector.
Pat McFadden
I congratulate the college in Ebbw Vale on its brilliant cyber-security course. We are determined to work not only with education but also with business and critical national infrastructure to ensure we are well protected against threats, making security a priority for the Government.
Session: Cyber-security
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What recent progress has been made on strengthening cyber-security?
Context
The question follows a speech to the NATO cyber-defence conference where the government outlined plans for strengthening UK's cyber-resilience.
Pat McFadden
We are working to strengthen the UK's cyber-resilience with a new Bill announced in the King's Speech that will help strengthen the UK's cyber-defences and work with industry. This is an ongoing effort to ensure we have the strongest cyber-defences possible.
Session: Cyber-security
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The Minister knows that improved connectivity is important to the economy of our south Wales valleys communities. Will he look into this so my constituents in Trefil and across Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney know when their broadband service will improve?
Context
There is a need for improved connectivity in the south Wales valleys to support economic growth. However, getting definitive information on Project Gigabit's progress has been difficult.
Chris Bryant
I am happy to arrange the same kind of meeting with my hon. Friend as I offered to the hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury (Aphra Brandreth). He is right that there are very significant problems in south Wales valleys communities, and we need to put those right.
Session: Project Gigabit Chester South and Eddisbury
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I was reading the Treasury's “Fixing the foundations” document, and I understand that because of the need to restore control over public spending, the Government have had to cancel the restoring your railway programme. However, I note that individual projects will be reconsidered in the Transport Secretary's review. Will the Minister please look at the development of the Abertillery spur on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line, as he considers good-value investment and connectivity in our railways infrastructure?
Context
The MP is concerned about the development of the Abertillery spur on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line.
Simon Lightwood
The Government are reviewing a number of infrastructure projects in the light of the terrible financial situation that we find ourselves in, following the terrible damage inflicted on this country by the Opposition.
Session: City Regions Connectivity
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Has the Secretary of State had the opportunity yet to work out why there was an underspend of over £100 million in the agricultural budget last year? May I support your thanks to Terry Wiggins, Mr Speaker?
Context
The previous Government underspent the agricultural budget by £130 million in the previous financial year.
Steve Reed
My hon. Friend raises an important point. Opposition Members are asking me today about budget decisions that they know cannot be announced before the Budget, when presumably they are aware—because the statement has been laid—that they underspent the previous budget to the tune of £130 million.
Session: Funding for Farming
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In advance of the statement, what can she say about jobs and investment in this crucial sector?
Context
Welsh tidal, solar and offshore wind projects have secured contracts in the Government's main scheme for supporting low-carbon electricity generation.
Jo Stevens
Seven Welsh tidal, solar and offshore wind projects were successful in securing contracts. These will support the Government's mission to deliver clean power by 2030 while creating high-quality green jobs and attracting private investment.
Session: Clean Energy Projects
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Can you provide information on the current state of the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals and whether there has been an increase in offshoring activity?
Context
There is a concern about the UK's supply of cyber-security professionals, with possible offshoring of work related to this field.
Kemi Badenoch
I do not have specific details to answer this question at present. However, based on available information, there is no indication that a significant amount of cyber-security work is being offshored.
Session: Topical Questions
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If I may press the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Office officials have refused to say whether Lord Cameron has recused himself from parts of his role as Foreign Secretary, given his previous well-paid work in promoting the China-backed Port City Colombo. Can the Minister tell the House whether the Foreign Secretary has recused himself from any part of his ministerial duties?
Context
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, previously worked in promoting the China-backed Port City Colombo. The questioner asks if he has recused himself from any part of his role.
Oliver Dowden
As the hon. Gentleman will know, shortly before taking office the Foreign Secretary not only had all his interests properly reviewed by the propriety and ethics team in my Department, but went through them with the independent adviser on ministers' interests. The independent adviser set out all relevant interests, and those have been published, so the information is transparently out there for people to be able to judge for themselves.
Session: Topical Questions
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Cyber-security is crucial for defence as well as other sectors like finance, energy, and retail. There are fears about the future supply of cyber professionals. The MP highlights pioneering work at Ebbw Vale College in his constituency and asks what is being done to onshore these critical roles to protect the economy from attacks.
Context
The MP raises concerns about the future supply of cyber professionals to protect against increasing threats in finance, energy, and retail sectors.
Oliver Dowden
We need to do more at secondary school level to encourage more children into cyber-security. The hon. Gentleman is right that we have tremendous strengths in national cyber security and there are many relevant institutions around the country.
Session: Cyber Threats to Public Institutions and Services
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Is the RAF now meeting its pilot training quotas? Is the Minister satisfied with progress in that key area?
Context
The National Audit Office highlighted MOD pilot training procurement failures.
James Cartlidge
The hon. Gentleman asks a very important question. Of course, training is fundamental to bringing in the next generation to man our capability. I recently had the pleasure of visiting RAF Valley, where I discussed the issue with the RAF. It was able to confirm to me that, for the first time in a long time, there were more students taking up their places rather than in holds. That is a key metric in which we are seeing significant progress, but yes we want to go further.
Session: Defence Procurement
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My experience of the FCA and the Safe Hands funeral plan fiasco is that it took six months to reply to my freedom of information request and pleaded commercial confidentiality to key questions, and that, despite being warned, the Treasury failed to support consumers moving from an unregulated sector into regulation. At least 47,000 people are out of pocket to the tune of £60 million.
Context
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been criticized for its handling of the Safe Hands funeral plan fiasco, with many customers out of pocket by £60 million. Nick Smith is concerned about delays in responding to freedom of information requests and questions the Treasury's support during the transition from an unregulated sector into regulation.
Bim Afolami
In the Treasury, we have worked with the sector so that the two largest providers of funeral plans have agreed to provide significantly discounted replacement plans for the customers who have found themselves so badly treated.
Session: Safe Hands Plans
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Whether he has had recent discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the administration of Safe Hands Plans. My experience of the FCA and the Safe Hands funeral plan fiasco is that it took six months to reply to my freedom of information request and pleaded commercial confidentiality to key questions, and that, despite being warned, the Treasury failed to support consumers moving from an unregulated sector into regulation. At least 47,000 people are out of pocket to the tune of £60 million.
Context
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been criticized for its handling of the Safe Hands funeral plan fiasco, with many customers out of pocket by £60 million. Nick Smith is concerned about delays in responding to freedom of information requests and questions the Treasury's support during the transition from an unregulated sector into regulation.
Bim Afolami
I share the hon. Member's anger at how Safe Hands customers have been treated. The business is under criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office and its administrators are bringing legal action against the former owner of the Safe Hands business. In the Treasury, we do not believe it is right to use taxpayer money to compensate consumers who lose out due to the conduct of unregulated firms; Safe Hands was not within the regulatory perimeter at that time.
Session: Safe Hands Plans
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Rape and serious sexual assault cases have increased to 10.3% of all Crown court cases and make up nearly 10,000 of them. The average wait time for a trial has risen to 18 months. There is also a tenfold increase in adjourned cases due to the fall in the number of RASSO prosecution or defence barristers. How will this staffing crisis across the criminal justice system be fixed?
Context
The MP highlighted that rape and serious sexual assault cases now make up one in seven of the backlog, with an average wait time for trial after charge at 18 months.
Mike Freer
The figure for the average time for a RASSO case is not true. The Government have continued to invest in ensuring that RASSO cases are brought forward. Listing is a matter for the judiciary, who ensure vulnerable victims are dealt with expeditiously. We continue to invest in the legal aid system, recently increasing fees and engaging with the criminal legal aid review.
Session: Crown Court Backlog
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What progress has been made on reducing the backlog of cases in the Crown court? If that is not bad enough, experts say the courts' capacity to deal with processing cases will not keep pace with demand. Does the Minister agree that this leads to too many victims giving up on our justice system?
Context
The MP noted the Crown courts now have a backlog of over 65,000 cases. Experts say this capacity does not match demand.
Mike Freer
No, I do not accept that that means we are giving up on the system. The Government continue to invest in every single lever that we can pull to increase capacity in our criminal justice system. Given the additional work that the judiciary is doing, the disposal rate in our Crown courts is up and we are seeing record levels of disposals.
Session: Crown Court Backlog
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What recent discussions has the government had with the independent adviser on ministers' interests to ensure transparency in the declarations?
Context
There is a need to ensure the transparency of declarations by ministers regarding their interests.
Esther McVey
There is an established process for the declaration and management of Ministers' interests as set out in the ministerial code. The independent adviser on ministers' interests publishes a twice-yearly list of Ministers' interests, with interim updates issued when necessary.
Session: Ministers’ Interests Transparency
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Greensill Capital is subject to criminal investigation in the UK, Switzerland and Germany. In Duncan Mavin's book “A Pyramid of Lies,” he subtitles the saga “The Prime Minister, the Banker and the Billion-Pound Scandal”. Amazingly, the company was not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Will the Attorney General please look into this massive loophole? The scandal could have been stopped if the FCA had been able to step in earlier.
Context
The question addresses concerns about the lack of FCA oversight for companies like Greensill Capital, leading to potential loopholes in fraud prevention.
Michael Tomlinson
The hon. Gentleman will understand that the Attorney General and I superintend both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office, but that does not mean that we direct how they conduct investigations, and nor should we. It is right and proper that both organisations conduct their matters independently of Government, and that will continue.
Session: Fraud and Economic Crime Prosecutions
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On the subject of facts, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Dr Whitehead) just said that there are currently zero planning applications in the pipeline for onshore wind in England. Can the Minister please confirm whether that is true?
Context
There are currently no planning applications in the pipeline for onshore wind in England.
Graham Stuart
As I have said in earlier answers, we are seeking to encourage more applications. As far as I know, the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr Whitehead) may be right, which is exactly why we are consulting on improving community benefits and have consulted on changing the planning system.
Session: Topical Questions
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When are the Government likely to bring forward legislation to modernise the Crown Estate's investment and borrowing powers, which is a vital step for deploying 16 GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea?
Context
The MP inquired about the Chancellor's autumn statement commitment on legislation for the Crown Estate's powers.
Claire Coutinho
We have a commitment to unlock an additional 12 GW of wind power in the Celtic sea. The right hon. Friend has been a doughty champion for the Celtic sea, and we will bring forward the legislation in due course.
Session: Inflation Reduction Act and Low Carbon Industries
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What recent assessment has been made of the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act on levels of investment in low carbon industries in the UK? Given that we need to turbocharge the green economy, why will the Government's response not come into effect until 2025?
Context
The MP asked about the impact of President Biden's plan to use America's industrial might for renewable energy projects.
Claire Coutinho
We have taken many steps already, including setting out new plans for auction round 6 of renewable energy and for permanent economy-wide full expensing. We changed planning and are unlocking the grid. The fund mentioned will unlock supply chains across the UK. It has been welcomed by Scottish Renewables as a 'shot in the arm for the sector', the Offshore Wind Industry Council, Make UK, Energy UK, and many other businesses.
Session: Inflation Reduction Act and Low Carbon Industries
View All Questions -->
When Lord Cameron, the public face of Greensill, was in the room where it happened—when key decisions were made, and attending board meetings regularly—there is a perception that he was part of Greensill's inner circle. Has the independent adviser assessed whether Lord Cameron was considered a shadow director during his time at Greensill?
Context
Concerns have been raised about whether Lord Cameron was considered a shadow director during his time at Greensill Capital, impacting the management of private interests.
John Glen
The Foreign Secretary has accounted for his conduct in relation to Greensill Capital, and independent reviews by the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists and the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments confirm that no rules were broken. His ennoblement was also approved by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. I have referred to the process that is under way with the independent adviser for all new Ministers and the updates that will be forthcoming in due course from him.
Session: Foreign Secretary Declarations of Interest
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
House of Commons Commission
03 September 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the training provided to Members of Parliament on dealing with domestic and sexual abuse casework, highlighting the need for specialist and trauma-informed training to support vu...
Sudan
25 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Steel Trade Measure
25 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
House of Commons Commission
18 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East: Economic Update
21 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Restoration and Renewal Client Board
16 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
National Savings & Investments
26 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
UK Steel Strategy
19 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government’s steel strategy aims to reverse decades of decline in the British steel sector by committing £2.5 billion of investment and introducing a new trade measure to reduce imported steel quo...
International Development
19 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
81.6%
80 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
29
29.6% of votes
No Votes
51
52.0% of votes
Abstentions
18
18.4% 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
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
3
PMQs Asked
92
Ministerial Questions Asked
133
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
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 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+586% above average
This MP:
92
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2637% above average
This MP:
133
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 (%)
+18% above average
This MP:
81.6
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 Nick Smith's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.