Paul Foster
MP for South Ribble
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Mr Speaker, integrated care boards have a statutory obligation to fully fund all essential medicines and pharmacy provision for the delivery of specialist end-of-life and palliative care at our wonderful hospices, such as St Catherine's and Derian House, serving our respective constituencies of South Ribble and Chorley. However, this is not happening, with ICBs claiming that the costs are covered by the hospices' core grant. Will the Prime Minister support my private Member's Bill—St Catherine's law—which seeks to place an explicit obligation on every ICB to fund all essential medicine and pharmacy provision for all our hospices, separately from any core grant they receive from the NHS?
Context
The MP raised concerns about integrated care boards not fully funding essential medicine and pharmacy provision for specialist end-of-life care at hospices. He mentioned his private Member's Bill, St Catherine's law.
Keir Starmer
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this. As he knows, integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning palliative care and end-of-life services, including hospices, to meet the needs of their area, and that includes decisions on how services are funded, including medicines and pharmacy provision. I am happy to talk to him further about it.
Session: PMQs
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I recently visited St Catherine’s hospice in Lostock Hall, which serves my constituents in South Ribble, those of Ribble Valley and some in Chorley. The hospice has to pay an excessive £350,000 a year for medication from the private sector. There is disparity between ICB funding policies, with some fully funding medications while others do not. Will the Prime Minister please speak with the Health Secretary as a matter of urgency and get free medication supplied by all ICBs to all hospices across the country?
Context
St Catherine’s hospice faces an excessive annual cost for vital medications sourced from the private sector, highlighting disparities in integrated care board policies.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
We have put record amounts into the NHS in the Budget, and we are beginning to see the results of that. I accept the point that my hon. Friend makes, and we will look again to ensure that the money is properly used in the most efficient way.
Assessment
Did not commit to direct intervention or policy change regarding hospice medication costs
Stressing Overall Nhs Funding
Promising Further Review
Session: PMQs
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Mr Speaker, as you are fully aware, we have had over a decade-long campaign to see the full reinstatement of the A&E at Chorley and South Ribble hospital. The public support it, the staff support it, the local NHS trust supports it, and the neighbouring hospitals at Preston, Wigan and Blackburn support it, but NHS England is blocking full reinstatement and will not say why. Will Ministers please meet with local MPs and all key stakeholders to get the A&E at Chorley and South Ribble hospital fully reinstated?
Context
There is a long-standing campaign to fully reinstate the A&E at Chorley and South Ribble hospital, supported by public, staff, local NHS trust, and neighbouring hospitals. NHS England opposes full reinstatement.
James Murray
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this long-standing campaign, which I know is of great interest to many people in the Chamber. The trust has now completed a feasibility study, concluding there is an evidence-based case to explore extending to a 24-hour emergency department. This work is being developed with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and I look forward to seeing those proposals progress.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-14
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Cost of living, cost of living, cost of living—those are the three words that my constituents in South Ribble and the small area of Chorley that I represent contact me about every single week. They do not contact me about the Westminster bubble and process. Will the Chancellor please assure me that she will stay laser-focused on delivering on the cost of living for the constituents of South Ribble and will not allow the noise and disruption from the Opposition to put her off?
Context
With constituents contacting him frequently about cost-of-living issues, Paul Foster requested assurance from the Chancellor that she would remain focused on these issues despite potential distractions.
Rachel Reeves
I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for the people of South Ribble and the issues that matter to them. Since the general election, there have been six cuts in interest rates, which is the best way to help people with the cost of living, especially if they have a mortgage. Before this conflict began, unemployment was falling, the economy was growing, the deficit was coming down and interest rates had gone down six times. I will continue to focus on the cost of living, because that is the thing that matters most to all our constituents.
Session: Conflict in the Middle East Cost of Living
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Does the Secretary of State agree that the violence in the West Bank must stop immediately? Can she assure the House that despite conflicts elsewhere, the Government are still focused on Gaza and the West Bank?
Context
Reports indicate daily reports of extreme violence, death, evictions, and the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Yvette Cooper
I have continued to raise the issue directly with the Israeli Government and our international partners. The huge displacement has devastating humanitarian consequences.
Session: West Bank Illegal Settlements
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What diplomatic steps her Department is taking to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank?
Context
The question follows concerns about the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and their impact on Palestinians. Reports indicate over 2,500 Palestinians displaced this year due to evictions, settler violence, and demolitions.
Yvette Cooper
The UK is clear that Israeli illegal settlements and decisions designed to further them are a flagrant violation of international law. We will continue to work with our partners internationally to keep pressure on the Israeli Government.
Session: West Bank Illegal Settlements
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With knowledge that it requires constant political co-operation and public support, its biggest challenge no doubt is the Tory-Reform policy of leaving the European convention on human rights. If the UK left the ECHR, that would undermine a core principle of the agreement. Does the Secretary of State agree that there are some within this Chamber who would wholly compromise the peace in Northern Ireland for short-lived, ill-judged political gain?
Context
There is concern about the potential impact of the UK leaving the European convention on human rights, which could undermine a core principle of the Good Friday agreement.
Hilary Benn
I do agree with my hon. Friend, and I do not understand why some are advocating removing the ECHR from the Good Friday agreement. It would be highly irresponsible, and it shows a complete lack of understanding about what the agreement involved.
Session: Good Friday Agreement
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Under the previous Government’s unlawful Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, the Police Service of Northern Ireland was required to shut down more than 1,000 investigations, including 225 investigations into the deaths of soldiers and veterans. Will the Secretary of State please assure the families of murdered British armed forces personnel that, should they wish to approach the reformed commission, it will consider their case and may be able to provide them with the answers that many of them have long sought?
Context
The MP refers to the previous government's legacy act which required the closure of over 1,000 investigations, including those into the deaths of soldiers and veterans.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
My hon. Friend is quite right to draw attention to one of the implications of the 2023 legacy Act in shutting down all those investigations. He is right that families are perfectly free to refer cases to the commission. I know that the commission is keen to investigate as many cases as come its way, in order to provide answers for those families, who have waited so long.
Session: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
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One way to get Treasury officials to start focusing more on northern towns would be to move the Treasury up north. After experiencing our rail networks and infrastructure, they may very quickly invest more money in the area. Are there any plans to move any Treasury offices to the north?
Context
The MP suggests moving Treasury offices to northern towns to encourage investment in infrastructure.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
This Government have committed to increasing the proportion of civil servants who work in the north of England. But we already have a hub that we are expanding in Darlington, where eight Departments work, including officials from the Treasury. The Treasury is very mindful of the importance of investing right across the north of England—in Darlington, Leeds, Cumbria, Rossendale and Darwen and many other constituencies beside.
Session: Northern Towns Funding
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On several occasions I have met my constituent Beverley, whose son suffered a horrific murder. He was stabbed more than 140 times. She has been desperately attempting to get hold of the court transcripts, but to no avail. Will Ministers please meet me to help this still grieving mum?
Context
The MP's constituent, Beverley, whose son was murdered and stabbed over 140 times, has been unable to obtain the court transcripts.
Sarah Sackman
I am really horrified to hear of that case. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the transcript of sentencing remarks should have been made available free of charge, but I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how transcripts of trials more broadly can be made available.
Session: Topical Questions
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While I was in Kosovo, I met the President and the Prime Minister, who were seriously concerned about incursions across their northern border. Can Ministers please provide a progress update as to the bilateral security agreement between Kosovo and the United Kingdom?
Context
Mr Paul Foster referenced his recent trip to Kosovo where he met with President and Prime Minister, who expressed serious concerns about incursions across their northern border.
David Lammy (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about our historical role and responsibilities in relation to Kosovo. KFOR makes a vital contribution to maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, and of course UK troops play a key part in that. We engage very closely with our partners in Kosovo and across the region, and continue to urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue. In recent months, I have spoken to both Prime Minister Kurti and Foreign Minister Đurić of Serbia.
Session: Topical Questions
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In my service experience from the late '80s to early 2000s, I faced substandard housing conditions regularly. Now, after another 20 years, we are revisiting this issue. Can the Minister assure that a strategic defence review will provide clear timelines for improving military accommodation?
Context
Military accommodation conditions have been a long-standing issue, with poor conditions discussed frequently over the past two decades.
The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)
Yes, as part of the SDR, we will set out a new defence housing strategy that includes how we can improve Annington's management to deliver better housing conditions for our armed forces over time.
Session: Housing Military Personnel and Families
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I was the leader of South Ribble borough council in Lancashire, where we continually struggled to set meaningful budgets. Will Ministers please assure me that the proposals being considered in tomorrow's Budget will see an end to the fragmented annual public sector funding allocations and a reintroduction of meaningful, forward-thinking, multi-year settlements?
Context
Councils face significant pressures due to fragmented, short-term policies of the previous Tory Government.
Darren Jones
The Government recognise significant pressures that all councils are facing. We are looking at consolidating funding streams for local authorities into the local government finance settlement, and we will work towards implementing our commitment to a multi-year financial settlement.
Session: Topical Questions
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Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018 imposes unnecessary obligations on the police, and requires them to redact personal data for information transferred to the Crown Prosecution Service. Those obligations delay and obstruct the swift progress of the criminal justice system. The Police Federation of England and Wales has proposed a new clause that, if introduced, would facilitate the free flow of personal data between the police and the CPS. Will Ministers urgently look at reforming that unnecessary red tape to allow more police time on the streets in my constituency of South Ribble?
Context
The MP highlighted unnecessary obligations on the police under Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018 and proposed a new clause to facilitate smoother personal data transfer between police and CPS.
Diana R. Johnson
That is an important point, and we are actively exploring all ways that we can improve guidance around redaction, streamline current processes, make better use of technology, and ultimately reduce unnecessary burdens on the police and prosecutors, so that they can get on with their primary task of keeping the public safe and putting away criminals.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Ukraine and Russia
10 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Falkland Islands: Sovereignty
08 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Local Government Reorganisation
07 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Rewiring the State
02 September 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Prime Minister has set out priorities to address 40 years of overly centralised decision making and over-privatisation, which have stripped power and resources away from communities. The Governmen...
Defence Investment Plan
10 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill - Motion to carry over the bill to next Session
27 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment seeks to ensure that proceedings on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill continue into the next parliamentary session. The Bill is essential to address the legacy of the troubles, which ha...
Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy and Reconciliation 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that they will not push their remedial order to a vote until the Supreme Court has finally ruled, considering the potential legal implications of proceeding without full dete...
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill 2025-11-18
18 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
UK-Türkiye Typhoon Export Deal 2025-10-29
29 October 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-09-02
02 September 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
64.3%
63 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
20
20.4% of votes
No Votes
43
43.9% of votes
Abstentions
35
35.7% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
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
2
PMQs Asked
12
Ministerial Questions Asked
14
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-10% below average
This MP:
12
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+188% above average
This MP:
14
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 (%)
-7% below average
This MP:
64.3
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 Paul Foster's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.