Oliver Ryan
MP for Burnley
Labour (Co-op)
Labour
-
4 Jul 2024 - 10 Feb 2025
Independent
-
10 Feb 2025 - 1 Sep 2025
Labour
-
1 Sep 2025 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I am concerned about Burnley Manchester Road station being a key driver of growth and linking Burnley with important cities. With half a million journeys annually, its inaccessibility is problematic. Despite big promises from the previous government, no progress has been made. Will the Prime Minister support my campaign to make this station accessible and modern?
Context
More than half a million journeys were made from Burnley Manchester Road station last year, yet the station remains inaccessible despite previous promises for funding. The last Tory Government failed to shortlist the station for accessibility improvements.
Keir Starmer
My hon Friend is a great champion on this issue. I will ensure he gets a meeting with the Rail Minister to discuss details. The previous Government took the decision not to shortlist Burnley Manchester Road station for accessibility improvements. We are giving Lancashire combined county authority £641 million to invest in priorities, including better accessibility.
Assessment
The specific ask about funding delivery was not directly addressed; only a meeting with the Rail Minister and local authority funds were mentioned.
Session: PMQs
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Despite the Government's recognition of a Palestinian state, with 56 new illegal west bank settlements approved by Israel in 2025 and ongoing violence, what can the UK do to pressure, sanction and stop this annexation and violence?
Context
There have been 78 violent attacks in more than 148 Palestinian settlements in the West Bank since the Iran war began.
Hamish Falconer
I have raised concerns about the west bank with counterparts from the United States, high representatives from the board of peace, and most importantly with the Palestinian Prime Minister. Settlements are expanding at an historic rate and causing deep controversy both in Israel and this House.
Session: Topical Questions
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The brilliant Burnley college has bid to become one of the UK's four new advanced manufacturing technical excellence colleges. Its bid is the only one from Lancashire. It is backed by the North West Aerospace Alliance and the Northern Automotive Alliance, our big local world-class manufacturing employers, neighbouring colleges across the north-west and—of course—me. Will the Secretary of State do her best to look fondly on the bid, and will she back Burnley's technical excellence?
Context
Burnley college bid to become one of the UK's four new advanced manufacturing technical excellence colleges.
Josh MacAlister
I thank my hon. Friend for his advocacy for a technical excellence college in his constituency. We have launched the applications for 19 of those. They get to the core of what this Labour Government are about, which is creating opportunities in every corner of this country.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Minister for that answer, for his work thus far, and for his extensive correspondence with me and the industry during this crisis. Local suppliers, such as the brilliant BCW in Burnley, have told me that the finance just is not getting to suppliers and that some of them are going to the wall or cutting jobs. JLR is not doing enough to avoid widespread supply chain job losses. This is affecting the entire British car industry through contagion effects, and suppliers are telling me that they are not out of the woods yet. What more can he do to get more support for our suppliers, such as BCW?
Context
A recent cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover has affected the UK factories, impacting the supply chain. Local businesses such as BCW in Burnley have reported difficulties in accessing finance and potential job losses.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chris McDonald)
BCW in my hon. Friend’s constituency is an extremely important engineering firm not only for Jaguar Land Rover, but for our manufacturing supply chains. The concerns he has raised about access to finance for companies lower down in the supply chain are ones that I have raised with both Jaguar Land Rover and banks—I had a meeting with most of the lenders. However, I commend the work of the Confederation of British Metalforming, which works with the supply chain. I understand that it had positive meetings with Jaguar Land Rover recently, although of course there is a cash financing issue as factories come up to speed. I will be paying close attention to that in the coming weeks.
Session: Jaguar Land Rover Cyber-attack
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The Padiham Greenway bridge has been closed since 2021. In December last year, this Government gave £280,000 to Sustrans to get the work finished, but there is a shortfall. The Government have given £19 million to Lancashire county council through the active travel fund and the capability fund to get this project online. Does the Minister agree that Lancashire county council should prioritise this and get it done? I thank him for his extensive correspondence with me on this topic.
Context
The Padiham Greenway bridge has been closed since 2021, despite a £280,000 funding from the Government to Sustrans. The project also received £19 million through active travel and capability funds.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)
I know my hon. Friend is a very active campaigner in this area. I would be delighted to meet him to discuss what further pressure we can apply to ensure this project is delivered.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome my hon. Friend to her new role. Small businesses in Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield are the lifeblood of our community, providing jobs and livelihoods to our people. Growing manufacturers and exporters such as the brilliant Barnes Aerospace in Burnley are doing an excellent job at taking Britain across the world. Will the Economic Secretary set out what the Government are doing to support small and medium-sized business, particularly our manufacturers, with access to finance?
Context
Small businesses and manufacturers in Burnley face challenges accessing finance, which is crucial for growth and job creation.
Lucy Rigby (Economic Secretary to the Treasury)
My hon. Friend raises an important issue, and it is very good to hear him championing businesses in his constituency. The Government published the small business strategy in July, which sets out how we will make the UK the best place to start and grow a business and puts SMEs at the heart of our growth mission. That includes tackling the barriers that SMEs face when accessing finance. That is why the Government are committed to increasing the total financial capacity of the British Business Bank to £25.6 billion and introducing a new business growth service, which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need to grow and thrive.
Session: Financial Services Reform
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I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is an important partner for trade and peace in the middle east and for combating terrorism around the world. With reference to recent events in Iran, how is the Foreign Secretary utilising our relationship to involve the Saudi Government in de-escalation efforts in the region?
Context
Recent events in Iran have escalated tensions, and the UK aims to maintain stability through its partnership with Saudi Arabia.
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)
I have found it hugely beneficial to be able to speak closely to His Highness Prince Faisal over the last few days. We stay in close touch, and Saudi Arabia is a key ally. The situation with Iran was of concern for regional allies like Saudi Arabia. There is so much that we can do together on security and trade.
Session: Saudi Arabia
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Will the Minister meet me and my constituent Mollie to discuss her access to fertility treatment?
Context
The MP highlighted a constituent's case of being refused fertility treatment after recovery from an aggressive cancer with high likelihood of recurrence. The issue was raised on “Newsnight”.
Wes Streeting
Yes, I will make sure that my hon. Friend gets that meeting with the Minister.
Session: Topical Questions
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I want to know how we can ensure civil servants work better with frontline staff to deliver national priorities effectively. Given my experience as a councillor, I see value in adopting a more collaborative approach like test-and-learn during the pandemic. How can this be implemented to improve public service delivery?
Context
Oliver Ryan discusses the need for a more collaborative policy-making process that involves frontline workers and local services, drawing on experiences from the pandemic's test-and-trace system.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)
The hon. Member makes a very good point about listening more to the frontline and adopting a test-and-learn approach, as mentioned by the Minister for the Cabinet Office in previous discussions. This can drive better outcomes for public services.
Session: Public Service Reform
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What is the Chancellor doing to support businesses and boost wages in towns such as Burney, Padiham and Brierfield, which were forgotten for 14 years under the previous Government?
Context
Burnley has been forgotten for 14 years under the previous Government. Businesses need support.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
My hon. Friend is doing great work supporting local businesses in Burnley, including the digital marketing start-up Door4, which I know he has been championing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Green energy is the economic opportunity of the 21st century, and in an ever more unstable world, home-grown renewables are critical to our security and self-sufficiency. What will the Secretary of State do to make sure that Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield, and places like those, benefit from new green jobs growth?
Context
There is a need to ensure that local communities benefit from the transition to green energy through new job opportunities.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
My hon. Friend asks a really important question. The whole point of our clean industry bonus is to incentivise British manufacturing. That is so important for the country, and it was not done by the last Government. We are determined that his constituents and constituents across the country will benefit.
Session: Topical Questions
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As a great supporter of the British-American alliance, I am disappointed to have to ask this question, but, given some of the recent tweets from people associated with the incoming US Administration, what assessment has the Secretary of State made of the UK’s exposure of our defence capabilities, given that there may be some changes in the White House?
Context
The MP is a supporter of the British-American alliance but asks about assessment made due to recent tweets from people associated with the incoming US Administration regarding exposure of our defence capabilities.
John Healey
The US is the closest ally of this country, and this country is the closest security ally of the US. That has been for case the decades—it has withstood the ups and downs of the political cycle on both sides of the Atlantic—and we as a Government will work closely with the incoming US Administration.
Session: Topical Questions
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I recently visited Heasandford primary school in my constituency, which is in a dire state. Will the Minister meet me and Lancashire county council to see what we can do to repair the school—the biggest in Lancashire by class number—and make sure that it is fit for children's ambitions in Burnley?
Context
The Heasandford primary school in Burnley is in a dire state and needs repair.
Stephen Morgan
We are committed to improving the condition of the estate through the annual funding programme. I will happily meet my hon. Friend to discuss those issues further.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State visit Burnley with me to meet representatives from Burnley college about their expansion plans?
Context
An extra £300 million was announced for further education, and Burnley College is expanding its campus.
Bridget Phillipson
I would be very happy to visit again. We put in place an additional £300 million for further education and £300 million of capital funding for colleges.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for everything that she is doing to tackle Islamo-phobia. This anti-Muslim discourse is a scourge on our communities in Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield. Will she join me in celebrating the work of local volunteers, churches, mosques, Lancashire police and others who organised Burnley's “Diversity Picnic—Bubbles in the Park”, and who worked so successfully in averting potential disturbances over the summer?
Context
Anti-Muslim discourse in Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield.
Angela Rayner
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I cannot wait to join him at Bubbles in the Park on a future date, as Burnley is not that far away from my constituency. He is absolutely right to celebrate the work of volunteers in communities and public servants, who give their time and energy to strengthen our local areas and bring people together.
Session: Topical Questions
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The warm homes plan is excellent and much needed in towns such as mine, but on warm homes grants for insulation, during recess I met a large number of constituents who had been victims of failed insulation and cowboy workmanship under such Government schemes. Some are living in horrific conditions with useless warranties. Is the Minister aware of their plight? Will she ensure that regulation is strong enough, and will she meet me and victims to make sure that this never happens again?
Context
There are concerns about failed warm homes grants leading to cowboy workmanship and bad insulation in some areas.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are aware of those cases of bad insulation and we are clear that we need to get a firmer grip on them. To persuade everyone that we should be insulating and upgrading all of our homes, we need the highest standard possible.
Session: Topical Questions
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My constituents want a fair and robust welfare system, but they have no truck with fraud. Can the Secretary of State assure my constituents that she is doing everything she can to crack down on fraud, and to make sure that those who genuinely need help get it?
Context
The Secretary of State is addressing concerns about fraud and protecting those who genuinely need help from the welfare system.
Andrew Western
My hon. Friend is correct to raise this issue. As I said, we will not tolerate the current levels of fraud in our welfare system. He will be pleased to note the Prime Minister's recent announcement of the forthcoming fraud, error and debt Bill, which will begin the necessary work to drive down fraud in the Department.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Education and Skills Reform
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Local Government Reorganisation
16 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Local Government Reorganisation
13 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Opposition Day
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Debate on the Address
14 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The UK labour market is performing well with high employment rates, low unemployment compared to OECD countries, and rising real wages. The government's economic management has put the country in a be...
Women’s Health Strategy
16 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Youth Unemployment
17 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Markets
05 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Fifth sitting) 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Economic Secretary outlined the establishment of a new excise duty on vaping products, setting out the rate (£2.20 per 10 ml), defining what constitutes a vaping product, and establishing regulati...
Finance (No. 2) Bill (Third sitting) 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government is introducing a mechanism to recover winter fuel payments from pensioners with an income above £35,000. The measure aims to balance support for vulnerable pensioners while ensuring res...
Attendance
83.7%
82 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
29
29.6% of votes
No Votes
53
54.1% of votes
Abstentions
16
16.3% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
1
PMQs Asked
16
Ministerial Questions Asked
51
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
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+19% above average
This MP:
16
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+949% above average
This MP:
51
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 (%)
+21% above average
This MP:
83.7
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Oliver Ryan's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.