Nigel Mills
MP for Amber Valley
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Residents in Smalley and Denby now face two huge solar farm applications. There is only a 500-metre gap between them and both sites are wholly in the green belt. Does the Prime Minister agree that we should change planning guidance to make it absolutely clear that productive farms in the green belt are not the right place for solar farms, and that the investment and the time being spent should go on sites that might be appropriate, such as car parks, brownfield land or roofs of industrial buildings, rather than wasting people's time and causing fear?
Context
Residents in Smalley and Denby are facing two large-scale solar farm applications, each within a short distance and located entirely within the green belt.
Rishi Sunak
My hon. Friend is right that, particularly at a time of increased geopolitical risk, we must protect our nation's food security and therefore our most valuable agricultural land. We do want to see more solar, which is one of the cheapest forms of energy, but, as he said, on brownfield sites, rooftops and away from our best agricultural land. That is why our recently published national infrastructure planning rules set out the requirement for solar not to be placed on what is described as the best and most valuable versatile land where possible.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not explicitly state agreement with changing guidance but acknowledged the need to protect agricultural land and directed developers away from green belt farmland towards more suitable locations.
Session: PMQs
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Inflation fell more than expected. Businesses in my constituency struggle with proposed extended producer responsibility, unsure of costs and how it will work. Will the Prime Minister pause and reset this programme to avoid price rises without recycling benefits?
Context
Businesses are planning pricing for next January and lack information on the extended producer responsibility programme.
Rishi Sunak
We are committed to protecting the environment but are engaging closely with industry on the design of the scheme. Ministers will keep this House updated.
Assessment
Specific pause and reset request
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister join me in welcoming the huge step forward this week in the regeneration of Heanor town centre, and does he agree that it is exactly the sort of local delivery people should be voting on next week?
Context
The regeneration of the Heanor town centre in his constituency has made significant progress with the purchase of a run-down building using towns fund money.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is entirely right: those are the issues on which people will be voting for better value, services, and lower council tax.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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We know that serious side-effects from the covid vaccines are very rare, but that was not the case for my constituent Sarah Kyte. She suffered a very serious reaction, leaving her in constant pain and losing most of her eyesight. She now cannot work. The Prime Minister has successfully and quite rightly speeded up all the vaccine processes except one: the vaccine damage payments system. Can we now get on with making those payments to people who have suffered these serious reactions, to give them the financial support that they need?
Context
A constituent suffered serious side-effects from the covid vaccine, causing pain and loss of eyesight.
Boris Johnson
I want to reassure my hon Friend, and indeed the House and the country, that cases such as the very sad one that he raises are extremely rare. We are putting in more money to gather evidence for claims such as one that he describes.
Assessment
Making payments to individuals who suffered reactions
Very Rare Cases
Putting In More Money
Session: PMQs
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The residents of Amber Valley were relieved yesterday when a proposal for a 1,000-strong festival was finally withdrawn, because it had become clear that the council did not have the power to resist it despite the ongoing public health crisis. Will the Prime Minister ensure that, while covid restrictions remain in place, councils can resist such festivals in the interest of public health?
Context
The question is prompted by a proposal for a large festival that was withdrawn due to ongoing public health concerns, raising questions about councils' power to resist such events.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend for that important question, because I believe that it illuminates a question that councils are asking themselves. I wish to affirm very strongly that they do have the power to stop such events in the interest of public health, and that the council has taken the right decision.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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There is a high incidence of respiratory disease in Amber Valley. What more can the Government do to increase investment in research on respiratory conditions in the areas that need that research most?
Context
High incidence of respiratory diseases reported in Amber Valley. The need for targeted research funding to address local health issues.
Andrew Griffith
The Medical Research Council is benefiting from the highest ever level of research spending, but I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to talk about what more we can do in this important area.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Opposition welcomed the £2.5 billion of military support for 2024 but are concerned that no deliveries will happen until Q1 of the new financial year. When will this aid be delivered to help Ukraine with their spring/summer offensive?
Context
Recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities have raised concerns about the UK's ongoing commitment to Ukraine. Previous announcements include £2.5 billion of military support for 2024.
Grant Shapps
We have a constant flow of foreign materiel that we are buying and sending into Ukraine. £325 million for British-Ukrainian drones was recently announced, with the overall amount increasing from £2.3 billion to £2.5 billion.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome my right hon. Friend to his post and note the publication of the Command Paper, but does he agree that for a truly national enterprise there must be access to jobs across the country?
Context
The question arises as the Minister takes on new departmental roles and responsibilities.
Grant Shapps
My hon. Friend is right about the extent of the supply chain. In addition to the very large investment in Rolls-Royce, to which the Australians contributed £2.4 billion last week, and all the work in Barrow that is described in the Command Paper, there are benefits for virtually every constituency in the country.
Session: Topical Questions
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Could he update the House on the additional jobcentre support roll-out, and when my constituents might get access to those benefits? The data is clear that after 13 weeks out of work, the chances of someone finding work starts to fall off rapidly.
Context
The MP is following up on the need for more intensive job centre support after 13 weeks of unemployment.
Mel Stride
AJS has been rolled out in parts of the country at six weeks and will shortly be extended and strengthened for two weeks at the 13-week stage of the unemployment journey. That is part of the more intensive conditions that we apply to ensure that we help—and in many circumstances, require—people to go back into work.
Session: Welfare Reforms
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What his planned timetable is for the roll-out of welfare reforms. Phase 1 has been activated and phase 2 will follow later this year.
Context
The MP is inquiring about the timeline for welfare reform roll-out, given recent initiatives.
Mel Stride
Phase 1 of our universal support has already been activated, and phase 2 will be rolled out later this year. Next month we will announce 15 WorkWell areas—about a third of England—that have been successfully selected, and they will be rolled out live this autumn.
Session: Welfare Reforms
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Pharmacy First is popular in Amber Valley, but some pharmacists report confusion because the service applies only to under 18s. Will the Minister extend the service to over-18s or ensure clear NHS communications?
Context
The MP mentions confusion among pharmacists about the application of ear infection services to under-18s.
Andrea Leadsom
The area is under review, and I am happy to write to him addressing his point about over-18s and children.
Session: Topical Questions
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Aside from potholes, the issue that has caused the most angst for Derbyshire County Council is the significant rise in the cost of residential placements for looked-after children. The council believes that the market for this is now completely out of control and that prices are excessive. Is there more that the Government can do to help councils financially to pay these bills or to find a better way to structure that market so that the bills are not so high?
Context
Derbyshire County Council faces significant financial stress due to the high cost of residential placements for looked-after children.
Michael Gove
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are spending £500 million additionally on adult and children's social care, but he is right to say that the cost of residential homes for looked-after children is excessive, and a number of private equity firms are operating like bandits in this area. I have talked to the Minister responsible, the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (David Johnston), and action will be forthcoming.
Session: Local Authority Finance
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What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the financial sustainability of local authorities?
Context
The financial stability and funding needs of local councils have been a concern.
Michael Gove
We have made available up to £64.7 billion for local authorities through the local government finance settlement for 2024-25—an above-inflation increase of up to £4.5 billion, or 7.5% in cash terms, on 2023-24. Of course, that includes an additional £600 million of funding, which was announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government on 24 January.
Session: Local Authority Finance
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I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome those measures. The two worst cases I have had to deal with as an MP was where women were brutally murdered by a partner or ex-partner. What are the Government going to do in response to the Clare Wade review to increase sentences for people who commit those awful, vile offences?
Context
The MP highlights two cases involving brutal murders of women by partners or ex-partners and seeks information on government actions based on the Clare Wade review.
Gareth Bacon
My hon. Friend is quite right to raise the issue of domestic homicide. We are determined to act to protect the victims of domestic abuse and ensure that the appropriate punishments are in place for perpetrators. That is why, following Clare Wade KC's review, we are increasing sentences by introducing statutory aggravating factors for murders that are preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour, involve overkill, or are connected with the end of a relationship.
Session: Dangerous Offenders Increased Sentences
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What steps he is taking to increase sentences for dangerous offenders. The measures in the Sentencing Bill will ensure that those who commit the worst crimes receive severe punishment.
Context
The MP is concerned about the sentencing for serious crimes and seeks to understand steps being taken by the government.
Gareth Bacon
Measures in the Sentencing Bill will ensure that those who commit the worst crimes will receive the most severe punishment. The Bill creates a duty for the court to impose a whole life order for murders currently subject to a whole life order starting point and for those that involve sexual or sadistic conduct, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Bill will also ensure that convicted rapists must serve 100% of their custodial term in prison, followed by a licence period.
Session: Dangerous Offenders Increased Sentences
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In Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, we are looking forward to electing our first Mayor in a few weeks' time, especially with the £1.5 billion of funding for transport improvements. How do we ensure that that money is spent on improving our road links, fixing potholes, improving railway lines and so on, and is not lost in the creation of a costly administrative third tier of local government?
Context
The MP is concerned about the £1.5 billion funding for transport improvements and wants to ensure it is spent effectively.
Jacob Young
We have provided additional funding to councils in the east midlands to set up the new local authority, so any additional funding through Network North will not be consumed by that. It is a fantastic opportunity to get my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Ben Bradley) elected as the East Midlands Mayor. I am sure that he will focus on exactly the priorities my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) mentions.
Session: Regional Mayors Accountability
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What steps his Department is taking to ensure effective accountability of regional Mayors?
Context
No specific event or statistic mentioned, but the question is about ensuring accountability mechanisms are in place for regional Mayors.
Jacob Young
The English devolution accountability framework was published in March 2023 to make it easier to understand how Mayors, leaders and institutions with devolved powers are held to account. The framework, alongside the recently published scrutiny protocol, will improve scrutiny and make clearer the outcomes and metrics that Mayors are delivering against.
Session: Regional Mayors Accountability
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I am sure the Home Secretary would agree that anti-extremism training in Departments is extremely important. What more can the Government do to ensure that it is training to tackle extremism, rather than anti-Government and party bias training?
Context
The Home Secretary is questioned about the importance of anti-extremism training within government departments.
Thomas Tugendhat
My hon. Friend will have seen recently a pretty extraordinary report on allegations about extremism and the failure to train properly, and what is going on in universities around the United Kingdom. In one recent problematic case, it was said that it is very hard to define what a terrorist is. We know what a terrorist is, the law knows what a terrorist is and this Government know what a terrorist is, and that is exactly why we have just proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Session: Topical Questions
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Would my right hon. Friend agree that the key to reducing levels of fraud is to help people understand what might be a fraud so they are not taken in by it? Is there more that we can do to help people spot the signs and avoid becoming victims?
Context
The MP is concerned about individuals falling victim to fraud and seeks measures to educate the public on recognizing fraudulent activities.
Thomas Tugendhat
We will launch a new comms campaign in a few weeks' time aimed at educating people on what constitutes fraud, ensuring they can claim help and support to avoid becoming victims.
Session: Fraud
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What steps he is taking to help reduce levels of fraud. The question highlights the importance of reducing fraud and its impact on lives, asking for specific actions being taken by the Government.
Context
The MP seeks to understand the government's efforts to reduce levels of fraud, which has been a persistent issue.
Thomas Tugendhat
This Government have managed to get fraud down by 13% year on year, online and offline. The agenda continues with cutting fraud completely by the end of the Parliament through an ambitious approach.
Session: Fraud
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I thank the Secretary of State for his answer, and those in our armed services for their work protecting these important routes. Can he update the House on his discussions and work with our international partners to de-escalate the tensions, so that we do not need all the protection work and can go back to the normal free flow of trade?
Context
The MP followed up on previous responses by asking about the government's discussions and initiatives aimed at reducing tensions that threaten trade routes.
Grant Shapps
As my hon. Friend will know, the Houthis have been causing havoc in that part of the Red sea, in particular attacking ships. There was a 500% increase in attacks on maritime shipping from November to December, showing that there is no direct connection to the wider conflict in the region but a decision by Houthis to attack free trade. That is unacceptable. We are working with our partners, through Operation Prosperity Guardian and other measures, to tackle it.
Session: Protection of Shipping Routes
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I welcome the investment zone in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Will the Minister confirm that some of the benefits of these zones are not only available in the small number of large sites but are available to any business across the whole zone to apply for?
Context
The MP is asking about the benefits of investment zones, specifically in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Gareth Davies
My hon. Friend is right to recognise the east midlands investment zone, which will bring significant benefits across the region in the advanced manufacturing and green industry sectors. I am pleased to tell him that it started with a £9.3 million anchor investment and, over time, will leverage some £323 million in private investment, supporting 4,000 jobs overall.
Session: Investment Zones
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What progress has been made on the introduction of investment zones?
Context
The MP is asking about the progress on introducing investment zones.
Gareth Davies
Since the spring Budget, the Government have announced seven of the eight English investment zones and confirmed the location of four places eligible to host investment zones in Scotland and Wales. The Government are committed to ensuring that funding and tax sites go live in the 2024-25 financial year.
Session: Investment Zones
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Noting the current £10 Christmas benefit payment has not been increased for 51 years and asking if the Secretary of State will look at increasing it to £20 next year.
Context
Benefit recipients receive a £10 Christmas payment, not increased for 51 years; MP asks to increase it.
Paul Maynard (Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)
Focusing on high-quality, sustainable pension system; keeping the value of state pension as high as possible; meeting manifesto commitment to triple lock.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for his answer and welcome the measures the Government are taking. On the new powers to search through bank accounts to look for fraudulent transactions, can he confirm that the Government will seek to use them only where fraud is suspected and will not, as some people have suggested, search every state pensioner's bank account to look for something that almost certainly will not be there?
Context
Concerns about the misuse of new powers to search bank accounts for fraudulent transactions in the welfare system have been raised.
Mel Stride
I thank my hon. Friend for what is a very important question, because there has been a great deal of scaremongering about what exactly these powers are about. I can make it categorically clear from the Dispatch Box that these powers are there to make sure that, in instances where there is a clear signal of fraud or error, my Department is able to take action. In the absence of that, it will not.
Session: Welfare Fraud and Error
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What steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of fraud and error in the welfare system. In 2022-23, fraud and error fell by 10%. We are investing £900 million in addition to that which we have already put forward to prevent £2.4 billion of fraud and error by 2024-25.
Context
The question follows a decrease in fraud and error but concerns ensuring these measures are targeted effectively without unnecessary intrusion.
Mel Stride
In 2022-23, fraud and error fell by 10%. We are investing £900 million in addition to that which we have already put forward to prevent £2.4 billion of fraud and error by 2024-25.
Session: Welfare Fraud and Error
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Given the unpredictable path of benefit rates for nearly 15 years, would the Minister agree that it is uncertain how one assesses these levels? If not convinced by an essentials guarantee, will the Government commission a study to determine if benefits adequately cover basic needs?
Context
The journey with benefit rates over the last decade and a half has been seen as haphazard, making it unclear to people what benefits should cover.
Guy Opperman
My hon. Friend's point is noted, but decisions on uprating rely on ongoing discussions and assessments; this has been the established process for some time.
Session: Cost of Living Benefit Levels
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I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome those measures. Have the Government considered what more can be done to unlock surpluses in defined-benefit schemes to allow employers to use that money more effectively, rather than having it end up going into insurance companies on buy-outs? There is a huge tax penalty on unlocking surpluses. Is there a way of relieving that to encourage the money to be invested more efficiently?
Context
The question follows the initial query and focuses on a specific issue within pension schemes: unlocking surpluses in defined-benefit schemes to allow more efficient use of funds.
Andrew Griffith
My hon. Friend makes an important point. With the right precautions, it is right that we look at ways to incentivise employers to deliver higher returns for pension savers by unlocking surpluses in defined-benefit schemes more effectively.
Session: Pension Schemes UK Investment Incentives
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What steps his Department is taking to incentivise pension schemes to invest in the UK. The Government presented a series of pension reforms at Mansion House aimed at increasing returns and enabling investments in promising sectors.
Context
The question arises from the need to encourage pension schemes to invest more in UK industries, aiming to unlock capital for growth.
Andrew Griffith
My hon. Friend makes an important point. With the right precautions, it is right that we look at ways to incentivise employers to deliver higher returns for pension savers by unlocking surpluses in defined-benefit schemes more effectively.
Session: Pension Schemes UK Investment Incentives
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The Health and Safety Executive website currently makes no mention of the aerated concrete issue that we all heard about at the end of last week. Can we be assured that the Executive has the resource and motivation to get that guidance out there, so that employers and other building owners know what they should be doing in this situation?
Context
The Health and Safety Executive website currently makes no mention of the aerated concrete issue.
Mims Davies
The HSE's focus has been on raising awareness of RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete—through its engagement and stakeholder groups via the public sector, and this was actually raised in a bulletin back in April 2021. I will look into the point my hon. Friend has made, but I am certain there has been clear guidance to those who need it.
Session: Topical Questions
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I urge the Minister to look specifically at how PIP is assessed for those with brain injuries. It is well known that the effect of a brain injury may vary over time—people go up and down, and many who have had a brain injury want to give a very positive impression of how they are, which gives a false impression when it comes to assessing whether they need PIP.
Context
There are concerns about the assessment process for personal independence payments, particularly how it affects individuals with fluctuating conditions such as brain injuries.
Tom Pursglove
I am very sympathetic to the hon. Gentleman's point—he has been a passionate and tireless campaigner on the issue of brain injury for a long time. These are exactly the sorts of issues that we want to look at as we take this reform forward. I mentioned our changes around fluctuating conditions, but we also want to look at issues such as expert assessors and having specialists working with individuals to carry out the assessment to ensure a proper understanding and, hopefully, build confidence around decision making.
Session: Personal Independence Payment Assessments
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With interest rates looking to hit around 6%, are the Government considering making the support for the mortgage interest scheme a little more generous, perhaps by raising the cap or the interest rate, so that it provides the safety net that people expect?
Context
Interest rates looking to hit around 6%.
Mel Stride
As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Treasury has made it clear that there will not be a significant fiscal intervention around mortgages.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister accept that we have spent 20 years—probably quite rightly—working out how we get more money into pension schemes to pay for the promise, and that now we need to work out what we do with the money in there that is in excess of what we need? Does she accept that in those 20 years we have seen pension funding increase probably at the expense of current workers, who get a much lower pension? Is there anything we can do to use the surplus to support the pension incomes in retirement of those current workers who will get a far less generous pension?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the impact on current workers due to a focus on increasing pension funding over the past two decades.
Laura Trott
As I would expect from a member of the Work and Pensions Committee and the head of the all-party parliamentary group on pensions, my hon. Friend makes an interesting point. In my time as pensions Minister I have tried to reduce the gap between DB and defined contribution pensions. I would be interested to talk to him about any further suggestions.
Session: Defined-benefit Pension Schemes
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What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of funding for defined-benefit pension schemes?
Context
The question arises from the need to assess whether the current funding levels for defined-benefit pension schemes are sufficient.
Laura Trott
The Pension Protection Fund publishes data on the funding of defined-benefit pension schemes. Average funding of the schemes was 113.1% in 2022 versus 104.3% in 2010—a significant improvement.
Session: Defined-benefit Pension Schemes
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We know that 80% of fraud starts online, and 18% comes from the tech companies that the Minister talked about. Yet they do not contribute anything to reimbursing the victims of fraud despite effectively profiting from causing it. Is it not time that we considered asking them to contribute towards reimbursing some of the losses?
Context
80% of fraud starts online, with tech companies contributing significantly to the problem but not financially supporting victims.
Thomas Tugendhat
My hon. Friend is raising questions that we have looked at closely in the fraud strategy, and he is absolutely right to highlight the disparity between those who are causing and those who are paying. This is a conversation that we have been having, and I look forward to identifying some areas soon for further discussion.
Session: Fraud
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Is there some source of optimism to be found in the funds and the changes announced in the spring Budget that support will be lined up in advance?
Context
Disabled individuals face issues where assessments identify necessary support or adaptations, but such resources are not available when needed.
Tom Pursglove
It is really welcome that the whole of Government are focused on what more we can do to support disabled people and people with health conditions into work, if that is appropriate for them. That was reflected in the commitments that the Chancellor made on the Work Well programme and on universal support.
Session: Disabled Jobseekers Support at Jobcentres
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What steps he is taking to help ensure disabled jobseekers can access specialist support at jobcentres?
Context
The issue of disabled jobseekers not having sufficient access to the necessary support and equipment at jobcentres is being raised.
Tom Pursglove
Disability employment advisers have expertise on how to help disabled jobseekers into work and build work coach skills to help these claimants. That is in addition to broader support, including our increased work coach support, the Work and Health programme and intensive, personalised employment support.
Session: Disabled Jobseekers Support at Jobcentres
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The Minister will know that a lot of private pension schemes increase by inflation each year, but with inflation capped at 5%. Will she encourage the trustees of those schemes, where they have a healthy balance sheet, to increase their pensions by the full 10% this year to help out those pensioners who are struggling?
Context
Inflation rates have increased, but many private pension schemes limit annual increases to a capped amount. The question asks whether the government will encourage these schemes to match full inflation for pensioners' benefit.
Laura Trott
My hon. Friend does a lot of important work in this area. What he says is sensible, and all pension funds need to be looking at what more they can do to support pensioners.
Session: Cost of Living Pensioners
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I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. I hope he will look favourably at the bids from Derbyshire that were duly submitted last week. Can he confirm how investment zones will interact with freeports and whether sites could have both statuses to really supercharge growth on those sites?
Context
MP asked about interaction between investment zones and freeports.
Simon Clarke
I am a convinced believer in the merits of freeports. Clearly, the final Government approval for some of those will go into place this autumn, and many are already operational. We are already seeing investment in freeports that we want to see in investment zones. Investment zones have the chance through a very simple streamlined expression of interest process to upgrade to full tax freedoms.
Session: Investment Zones
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Will the 3.1% uprate in Universal Credit next month suffice for families throughout winter? If there's recognition of a problem, will April's increase be brought forward to this autumn?
Context
With the winter approaching and inflation high, many families are concerned about whether current support measures will be enough to cover heating and food expenses. The timing of benefit increases is crucial.
Lucy Frazer
We have measures in place like £20 billion support for families, energy prices fixed until autumn.
Session: Cost of Living Increase Universal Credit
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What discussions are the Government having with our overseas territories and Crown dependencies to ensure that the measures we are taking on illicit finance are being supported by them—that those same rules are being introduced in their own territories as well?
Context
The government is taking steps to tackle illicit finance, but these need support from the UK's overseas territories and Crown dependencies.
Amanda Milling
The UK and the overseas territories stand united in condemning the Russian Government. The UK sanctions regimes apply to all overseas territories, which are completely in step with the UK and our international allies in implementing sanctions against Russia.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Chancellor agree that one of the key lessons from the pandemic was about helping people to improve their own financial resilience by saving? Will he now finally support measures to extend auto-enrolment down to the first pound of earnings and down to those aged 18, so that we can help everyone start saving for a pension for their retirement?
Context
The question proposes expanding auto-enrolment to lower earners and younger individuals.
John Glen
My hon. Friend, who has great expertise in this area, makes a reasonable point. The Government's Help to Save scheme is under way, but the Government continue to work very closely with the Money and Pensions Service to look at new ways of increasing financial resilience and getting young people to understand the opportunities of saving earlier.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can he explain how riding roughshod over democratically devolved Parliaments does that? I welcome the Secretary of State to his place. The UKIMA fundamentally undermined the devolution settlement and was explicitly rejected in Holyrood and the Senedd. He claimed again today that he seeks to augment devolution.
Context
The question arises from criticism of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, which was rejected in Holyrood and Senedd.
Michael Gove
We never ride roughshod over the devolution settlement. A number of SNP MPs and councils have backed bids to the levelling-up fund, which is great. Locally elected representatives on the ground support the financial assistance power of the Act and its importance in working together. We take a different approach from Scotland's current government by devolving more power to local government in England.
Session: Devolution Across the UK
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What plans his Department has to increase devolution across the UK. I am concerned that neighbouring regions with elected mayors are attracting more investment compared to others, and urge for progress on an east midlands elected mayor or a county deal for Derbyshire as a pathfinder.
Context
The question arises from discussions about expanding devolution in different parts of the United Kingdom.
Michael Gove
This Government plan to expand, augment and increase devolution across the United Kingdom, including discussions with areas interested in county deals. We will be setting out next steps in the levelling up White Paper. My hon. Friend makes an important point about combined authority mayors and a greater level of devolution for local communities, especially in the economic sphere.
Session: Devolution Across the UK
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Local general practitioners report that they are working as hard as they ever have, with full lists of appointments, but constituents are still unhappy that they cannot get appointments quickly or in the format they would like. Is there more the Government could do to help local GPs across the country to give patients the service that they want and that GPs want to provide?
Context
The MP questioned the capacity of local GPs to give patients the service they want.
Sajid Javid
We are hugely grateful for the tireless efforts of GPs and their teams throughout the pandemic. In our comprehensive new plan, which we announced last week, we are including a £250 million winter access fund to support GPs and make it easier for them to see and speak to their patients. A record number of GPs began training in 2021, and we are committed to increasing the number to 4,000 each year.
Session: NHS Capacity
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Plastic Packaging Tax on Imports: HMRC Enforcement
17 October 2023
Main Concerns
['There is real concern in the industry about illegal imports which claim to have a sufficient amount of recycled plastic content, when that is not the case. The industry has met with HMRC and was informed that enforcement was not its job. There are no tests that can be done on stretch film to verify the claims made by importers. The tax was enforced for about 18 months but there is very little enforcement to ensure compliance.']
Specific Asks
['We need robust processes to make sure that the claims people are making have some basis and they are following the rules. We should beef up HMRC guidance, provide a list of territories where there could be a lower risk approach and those with a higher risk approach if buying film sourced from there, and assume that the plastic packaging tax applies.']
[Philip Davies in the Chair]
17 October 2023
Responding: Gareth Davies
Main Concerns
["Mr. Nigel Mills is concerned about revenue leakage from non-compliance with plastic packaging tax rules by importers. He mentions that HMRC's guidance includes reasonable checks for companies to make, such as price verification and evidence gathering, but questions the extent of audits conducted by HMRC and whether penalties have been issued. Mr. Mills highlights a significant issue where roughly half of all stretch film in the UK is imported, potentially leading to large-scale tax avoidance if enforcement is lacking."]
Specific Asks
['Mr. Mills asks the Minister for data on how many audits HMRC has conducted finding non-compliance with plastic packaging rules and the penalties issued, as well as urging the government to consider further publicising the rules and ensuring industry awareness of compliance requirements.']
Pensions Guidance and Advice
01 March 2022
Responding: Guy Opperman
Main Concerns
['The pension system is complex and many individuals do not understand their options before making difficult decisions at retirement. Statistics show that fewer people are taking advice, particularly concerning defined contribution pensions and the potential missteps during retirement savings withdrawals leading to significant financial detriment. The take-up of Pension Wise guidance has fallen short of expectations, with less than 20% engagement among eligible individuals despite positive user feedback on its effectiveness.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should set a clear target for pension advice and guidance take-up, such as aiming for at least 60%, and support trials to improve uptake through measures like automatic appointments and more flexible information provision by pension schemes. The Minister is encouraged to recognize the urgency of addressing this issue.']
Taxation: Silage Film
18 January 2022
Responding: Helen Whately
Main Concerns
["Nigel Mills is concerned about the inclusion of silage film in the plastic packaging tax, which was unexpectedly announced by HMRC just before Christmas. He argues that this will impact farmers and industries that rely on recycled plastic, as it was not anticipated and no preparations were made for such a change. The primary purpose of silage film is to ferment grass into silage for animal feed rather than simple packaging, and Mills points out that recycling the film has been difficult due to enforcement issues. He also states that the tax will hinder efforts to recycle this type of plastic and reduce farmers' competitiveness internationally."]
Specific Asks
['Mills requests that HMRC correct or withdraw its guidance on silage film before April 1st, citing four main arguments: the primary purpose of silage film is not packaging; it does not align with the policy intent to encourage recycled material use; it falls outside the definitions in the Finance Act 2021; and it will harm farmers at a challenging time.']
Rail Performance
11 November 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Risk-based Exclusion
13 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on a motion concerning risk-based exclusion policies in the House of Commons, specifically regarding amendments to Standing Orders and procedures for handling charges against Member...
Immigration Update
01 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Health and Disability Reform
29 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance (No. 2) Bill
17 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister of State at the Treasury, Nigel Huddleston, moved that the Finance (No. 2) Bill be now read a Second time. He highlighted improvements in inflation rates, real wage growth, national insur...
Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
17 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Rail Manufacturing: Job Losses
16 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Women’s State Pension Age
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords
20 March 2024
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The hon. Member for Glasgow North (Patrick Grady) raised concerns about the appointment of David Cameron as Foreign Secretary in the House of Lords, highlighting practical implications and accountabil...
Budget Resolutions
06 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Conservatives' record is marked by a recession, high tax burden, living standards decline, and fiscal irresponsibility. The Chancellor's new measures do not address these issues; they merely exace...
5
PMQs Asked
49
Ministerial Questions Asked
97
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
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
+37% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+266% above average
This MP:
49
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+59% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1896% above average
This MP:
97
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 Nigel Mills's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.