Paula Barker
MP for Liverpool Wavertree
Lab
12 Dec 2019 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
My constituent Jake McGregor-How, a 16-year-old with everything to live for, has been diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia—a rare neurodegenerative condition that is cruel and swift-acting. The average life expectancy of people diagnosed with it is just 37. Despite the NHS's founding principle that care should be based on clinical need, not ability to pay, Jake's father is crowdfunding to pay for treatment in Germany with a new drug, omaveloxolone, which has received clinical approval here but is not available through the NHS. Assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has stalled. The condition is not classed as an ultra-rare disease, yet it is rare enough that any drug to treat it will struggle to meet NICE's cost-effectiveness criteria. The family constantly have to raise enough money to pay for each round of treatment. Shockingly, Jake has recently undertaken a personal independence payment assessment and been turned down for much-needed support. Families should never have to crowdfund for treatment abroad for a life-threatening disease. Will the Prime Minister arrange for me and other colleagues who have constituents with this cruel condition to meet the Health Secretary to discuss a way forward?
Context
Jake McGregor-How, a 16-year-old with Friedreich's ataxia, has been diagnosed with a cruel and swift-acting disease. The condition is not classed as an ultra-rare disease, yet it is rare enough that any drug to treat it will struggle to meet NICE's cost-effectiveness criteria.
Keir Starmer
May I start by sending my best wishes to Jake and his family? The change we have made to the way that NICE evaluates medicines is already increasing access to innovative new medicines. I will make sure that my hon. Friend gets the chance to meet a Health Minister to discuss Jake's case and the related issues.
Session: PMQs
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I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests as a very proud trade union member. In 2019, the Conservative party promised to deliver an employment Bill that would protect and enhance workers' rights in the UK but never delivered. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with me that her Employment Rights Bill is the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation?
Context
The question follows up on the Labour Party's critique of the Conservative promise to deliver an employment Bill that was not fulfilled. The MP highlights her party's recent initiative, praising it as a significant upgrade for workers' rights.
Angela Rayner
I too declare an interest: my hon. Friend and I used to be convenors for Unison North West, and I champion the work that she has done on behalf of her constituents and for working people. The Government are delivering on their plan to make work pay, and to ensure that employment rights are fit for a modern economy. The Employment Rights Bill will benefit people in some of the most deprived areas in the country, and will save them up to £600 a year in replacing lost income from the hidden costs of insecure work.
Assessment
The Deputy Prime Minister did not directly address whether her Employment Rights Bill is the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
Changing Subject
General Praise
Session: PMQs
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Does the vacancy increase or decrease the risk of corruption in Government?
Context
The Government post of anti-corruption champion has been vacant for over a year.
Oliver Dowden
I am working closely with my right hon. Friend to ensure transparency and crack down on fraud and waste. We will be filling that vacancy shortly.
Assessment
Risk assessment not addressed
Session: PMQs
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Love, Jasmine helps grieving parents through counselling, support groups, advocacy, practical advice, and receives NHS referrals but lacks commissioned NHS funding due to new criteria causing funding crisis. Will the Government consider NHS commissioned funding for such specialist services?
Context
The charity Love, Jasmine supports over 900 families since its founding in 2016 and faces a funding crisis after losing National Lottery funding. It provides vital bereavement support but operates with limited service.
Preet Kaur Gill
Bereavement support must be available with sensitivity and respect. Integrated care boards should ensure provision including working with voluntary sector. £25 million is being invested to enhance bereavement facilities.
Session: Support for Bereaved Parents 2026-07-14
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Losing a child is devastating, leaving parents shocked, grieving, and in pain. The charity Love, Jasmine helps over 900 families and receives constant NHS referrals but operates on limited service due to lack of commissioned NHS funding and faces closure threat. Will the Government consider NHS commissioned funding for such specialist support?
Context
The charity Love, Jasmine in Paula Barker's constituency supports bereaved parents through counselling and advocacy but faces a funding crisis after the loss of its National Lottery funding. It has helped over 900 families and receives NHS referrals.
Preet Kaur Gill
Integrated care boards must ensure sufficient provision of bereavement support and work with voluntary community and social enterprise sector. £25 million is being invested to enhance bereavement facilities and maternity services.
Session: Support for Bereaved Parents 2026-07-14
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I associate myself with the comments about the loss of Sir George Howarth. His loss will be felt deeply in this place. Organisations in Liverpool such as Veterans HQ do incredible work supporting homeless veterans and the Government have made tackling this issue a priority through their reducing veteran homelessness programme. The latest evaluation highlights a shortage of housing for veterans moving on from emergency accommodation, with Royal British Veterans Enterprise addressing that shortage through an innovative new scheme providing 100 homes for disadvantaged veterans but it requires public funding. Will the Government look at how they can work with the voluntary sector on projects like this to provide desperately needed social housing for veterans?
Context
The MP discusses the importance of supporting homeless veterans through projects like Royal British Veterans Enterprise's new scheme, which aims to provide 100 homes for disadvantaged veterans but requires public funding.
Calvin Bailey
I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important point. I am continuing my predecessor's close work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local authorities to ensure that veterans receive the support they deserve, and I will soon meet with MHCLG to discuss the matter further. A range of support is available to veterans including exemptions from local connection requirements for social housing in England, and funding through the reducing veteran homelessness programme.
Session: Veterans Homelessness 2026-07-06
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What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on veteran homelessness? One veteran rough sleeping is one too many. The Government have committed an additional £12 million to the reducing veteran homelessness programme and are delivering three years of support services across the UK for at-risk or homeless veterans through Op Fortitude.
Context
The MP asks about the government's discussions on veteran homelessness, a significant issue affecting veterans who lack stable housing.
Calvin Bailey
This Government will always ensure that support is available when needed. We have committed an additional £12 million to the reducing veteran homelessness programme. Alongside Op Fortitude, we will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Session: Veterans Homelessness 2026-07-06
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In light of the government's aim to reduce child poverty, the MP asked what additional measures beyond scrapping the two-child limit are being planned by the Government, such as removing the bedroom tax. He cited lower child poverty rates in Scotland and the impact of the Scottish Child Payment.
Context
The House of Commons Library reports child poverty rates are significantly lower in Scotland compared to England, partly due to the Scottish Child Payment. The government's mission is to tackle child poverty.
Stephen Timms
The scrapping of the two-child limit will move 450,000 children out of poverty. Additional measures from last year's child poverty strategy will lift another 100,000 children out of poverty. The government remains committed to reviewing policies.
Session: Benefit Cap 2026-06-29
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The MP noted that despite the abolition of the two-child limit by the Government as a step in cutting child poverty, some poorest families still face benefit caps. In her constituency, there are shockingly high levels of child poverty: 70% and 61% in certain wards. The cap often hits single-parent families with young children who rely on food banks to survive. She asked the Government to review the benefit cap to protect families with very young children from poverty.
Context
The MP references the abolition of the two-child limit as a step in reducing child poverty but notes high levels of poverty, especially among single-parent families with young children. The Trussell Trust reported 1,300 food parcels were provided to Liverpool Wavertree's children last year.
Stephen Timms
The government will keep the policy under review but currently believes that work incentives are crucial to reducing poverty. The abolition of the two-child limit benefits 2 million children, while 50,000 capped households would not see a gain. Childcare support within universal credit is unaffected by the cap.
Session: Benefit Cap 2026-06-29
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Victoria and Janet at the Aura salon have invested heavily in their business but now face crippling business rates and VAT. Their VAT rate does not allow them to take on apprentices as they cannot afford it. Will the Minister advise what can be done to help salons like Aura and consider an affordable apprenticeship scheme for the hairdressing sector?
Context
Aura salon, owned by Victoria and Janet in Liverpool Wavertree, is facing significant business rates and VAT challenges.
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)
VAT is a broad-based tax that raises £180 billion annually. We will consider tax changes in relation to VAT and salons based on differential treatment depending on how they set themselves up, but it will be addressed through future Budgets.
Session: Support for Businesses
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While I am looking forward to the statement a little later from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I would like to push him, if I may. I recently visited one of my local pubs, the Masonic Arms on Lark Lane—which is a fantastic venue—and met Guy and Amelia. Currently, the overall sector picks up 2.8% of UK business rates nationally, but has only 0.5% of the turnover of UK businesses. This is clearly not a fair tax for pubs; it is the result of a uniquely skewed business rates system that actively penalises many pubs. What long-term steps can the Minister take to help pubs like the Masonic Arms and the wider hospitality sector?
Context
The question stems from a visit Paula Barker made to the Masonic Arms pub in Lark Lane, Liverpool, where she observed that pubs bear an unusually high burden of business rates relative to their turnover. She notes the closure of 7,000 pubs under the previous government.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
As my hon. Friend knows, we have permanently reduced the multiplier for business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure, but my hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary will set out the support for pubs in more detail later today. We are determined not only to support pubs, which are the lifeblood of so many communities, but also to support the whole of our retail, hospitality and leisure sector. We are putting more money in people’s pockets by cutting energy bills and train fares and getting people back to work, so that they have more money to spend on the things they love, not just on the essentials.
Session: Topical Questions
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A significant proportion of those who experience homelessness are ex-offenders. I have previously raised concerns that the drive to alleviate the prison places crisis must not add to the homelessness emergency. The Deputy Prime Minister is in the process of establishing an inter-ministerial group on tackling homelessness. Will my right hon. Friend’s Department play a full and active role in that inter-ministerial group, and ensure that Ministers and officials from the Ministry of Justice are adequately represented?
Context
There is a concern that efforts to alleviate prison overcrowding may increase homelessness among ex-offenders.
Nicholas Dakin
My hon. Friend makes a very good point, and the Ministry of Justice will play a full part in the inter-ministerial group.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps her Department plans to take to reduce the backlog of domestic violence cases? Violence against women and girls is a national scandal, with countless women losing their lives to male violence. Does the Department agree that any moves to fast-track cases via the criminal or civil courts must involve appropriately severe sentences?
Context
The backlog in the court system is harming efforts to instil confidence in women pursuing charges against their abusers for domestic violence. Merseyside has the second highest rate of femicide in the UK.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)
We take all forms of homicide extremely seriously, and our strategy will cover all forms of violence and abuse disproportionately impacting women. We have funded record numbers of Crown court sitting days, extended the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner, strengthened the victims code, and protected funding for victim services to ensure they are listened to and put at the heart of the criminal justice system.
Session: Domestic Violence Court Cases Backlog
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Tomorrow, it will be 1,000 days since the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 was given Royal Assent, yet that outdated, vindictive and utterly ineffective Act is still driving people away from the support they need and into an already overloaded courts system. There is no need for a replacement as existing antisocial behaviour laws are sufficient. May I urge the Minister to please drop the peculiar and cautious civil service group-think? We are 201 years on. Will she advise when the commencement of the repeal will happen?
Context
The repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 was given Royal Assent 1,000 days ago but the outdated act is still driving people away from support and into an overloaded court system.
Rushanara Ali
The Vagrancy Act is antiquated and no longer fit for purpose. No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough on the streets. We want to ensure that we avoid criminalising the most vulnerable, while also ensuring that the police and local authorities have the tools they need to make communities feel safe. We are currently considering our next steps.
Session: Topical Questions
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What action will my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary take to make permanent changes on the back of this attack? Will she agree to meet Gary Furlong and me to discuss progress in due course?
Context
The Forbury Gardens terrorist attack highlighted major problems with intelligence sharing. Paula Barker asked for specific actions to be taken based on the findings and requested a meeting with Gary Furlong, James Furlong's father.
Dan Jarvis
We will do everything in our power to stop this happening again. We will be happy to meet the families to discuss changes made, and I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend and her constituent to discuss the matter further.
Session: Intelligence Sharing
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What steps her Department is taking to improve intelligence sharing following the terrorist incident in Forbury Gardens in Reading in 2020?
Context
Following the terrorist incident at Forbury Gardens in Reading, which claimed three lives and faced criticism for poor intelligence sharing, Paula Barker asked about steps being taken to improve intelligence sharing.
Dan Jarvis
The Home Secretary and I are overseeing the implementation of commitments made in response to the inquest. We are determined that all lessons learned from this terrible incident are acted on.
Session: Intelligence Sharing
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What measures exist currently to ensure the NICE approach to intermediate care for people facing homelessness is embedded in every integrated care system?
Context
Intermediate care can reduce rough sleeping by around 70% and significantly decrease A&E visits and emergency admissions. However, its availability is inconsistent across England.
Karin Smyth
Homelessness has risen, and addressing it under Labour previously moved people off the streets with support in the community. Good examples exist nationwide; we aim to reduce homelessness by supporting health services at their front end.
Session: NHS Urgent and Emergency Care
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Age UK reports there are around 1 million pensioners who just miss out on the winter fuel payment. Can my right hon. Friend tell us specifically whether that pension credit will be backdated?
Context
Age UK reports that around 1 million pensioners just miss out on the winter fuel payment.
Rachel Reeves
Yes, absolutely; pension credit can be backdated by up to three months. We are working closely with Liverpool city council to ensure constituents in Liverpool Wavertree get the support they entitled to.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am concerned about the destruction and loss of life in Bangladesh, which affects many of my constituents. I welcome the conversations the Minister has had with Bangladeshi counterparts urging calm. What measures are being taken to support British nationals there? Will you join me in thanking the Bangladeshi community for their contributions?
Context
The MP noted the destruction and loss of life in Bangladesh, expressing concern about the impact on British citizens. She welcomed the Minister's conversations with Bangladeshi counterparts.
Catherine West
I thank my hon. Friend for being so active on this issue, including in the parliamentary engagement on Bangladesh last week. The UK is deeply concerned about the violence by state and state-sponsored actors. We have updated the travel advice available on the FCDO website. We are very open to taking personal emails from hon. Members who have concerns either in Bangladesh or in the UK.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. I must press him further on Government recognition of a Palestinian state, which should have been a starting point 30 years ago. What will the Government do if Israel refuses to entertain any moves towards a two-state solution?
Context
Discussion on the timing and implications of recognising Palestine as a state.
David Lammy
No one has a veto on recognition, but it does not deliver a two-state solution by itself. We want to work with other partners to enable Palestinians to have a sovereign state.
Session: Recognition of Palestine
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My constituent Georgina Mitchell is a single mum to three children, two of whom have additional needs. She works as a nurse and is in receipt of universal credit. The Minister says that work pays, but since October, Georgina has had her benefits stopped intermittently because the DWP has falsely recorded her earnings as £19,000 one month, £12,000 the next, and so on and so forth. She cannot pay her social landlord, and her ability to pay for childcare is severely impacted. I have raised the matter with local officials, but despite assurances, it keeps happening. She cannot sort this, and despite my interventions, I cannot seem to sort it. Will the Secretary of State or the Minister investigate the matter urgently, and advise me on why these mistakes keep happening and on what will be done to ensure that they do not happen again?
Context
Georgina Mitchell, a single mother working as a nurse with two children with additional needs, has faced intermittent stops of her universal credit benefits due to erroneous DWP records. Despite local officials' assurances, the issue persists.
Paul Maynard
I am very concerned to hear about the case that the hon. Lady has raised. I am more than happy to look into it if she contacts me further, and I recognise the urgency with which we would need to do that.
Session: Universal Credit
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If he will make an estimate of the number of in-work universal credit claimants that have had payments stopped due to errors made by his Department in the last 12 months.
Context
In-work universal credit claimants have had payments stopped due to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) errors. The question seeks an estimate of such cases over the past 12 months.
Paul Maynard
No estimate has been made, but customers can request a mandatory reconsideration if they do not agree with a decision to stop their universal credit.
Session: Universal Credit
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The Department's delay in applying for planning permission for King's Leadership Academy has caused issues. When will the Department take action to ensure the academy opens as planned?
Context
There is chaos surrounding the opening of King's Leadership Academy with parents and children facing uncertainty, causing pressure on local school places.
Damian Hinds
I will look into the details of the case and write to the hon. Lady.
Session: Topical Questions
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This Government has presided over failures regarding rough sleeping. Rough sleeping numbers are on the rise despite manifesto commitments. Instead of ending homelessness, the focus is on criminalising the homeless through legislation. When will leadership stand up against these plans within the Criminal Justice Bill?
Context
The question addresses the failure of the Government and Department in meeting their commitments to end rough sleeping, highlighting an increase in numbers.
Felicity Buchan
This Government is committed to ending rough sleeping, investing £2.4 billion with a focus on prevention. The Criminal Justice Bill will not criminalise individuals for having nowhere to live; it prioritises outreach and support over criminalisation where behaviour causes damage, distress, harassment or disruption.
Session: Rough Sleeping
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Last week we saw rough sleeping numbers up by more than a quarter. More than 100,000 households are stuck in temporary accommodation, including 140,000 children. Where is the national plan to end all forms of homelessness?
Context
Rough sleeping numbers are up by over a quarter for the second year, affecting more than 100,000 households including 140,000 children in temporary accommodation. This is causing significant concerns.
Felicity Buchan
This Government have a clear plan that we introduced last year: ending rough sleeping for good. We announced £2 billion behind it and the figure is now £2.4 billion.
Session: Topical Questions
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When will Conservative Members stop this madness? When will we see that 200-year-old piece of legislation taken off the books?
Context
The Vagrancy Act 1824 is 200 years old, supposedly repealed in 2022 but remains in force. The Criminal Justice Bill represents a danger to rough sleepers.
Laura Farris
The Criminal Justice Bill deals with repeal provisions for the Vagrancy Act. We are bringing the Bill back on Report with more on rough sleeping.
Session: Topical Questions
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In recent months, there was a concerted campaign from the public to prevent the closure of Park View Medical Centre in Liverpool, which was subsequently closed by the Merseyside and Cheshire integrated care board. Not long after the conclusion of the campaign, during which members of the public were turning up to board meetings, the ICB announced that 50% of its meetings would now be held exclusively in private. I for one do not believe that that is a coincidence. What would the Secretary of State's advice be to Merseyside and Cheshire ICB on transparency and accountability, and is it not time we looked at strengthening the guidance?
Context
Park View Medical Centre was closed despite a public campaign to prevent it.
Steve Barclay
The hon. Lady raises an important point. I was not aware of that decision by the local ICB. As a principle, I think we can agree across the House that greater transparency on such meetings is important, so I will follow up on that. The Government are making significant investment into Merseyside; both Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital have been rebuilt at significant cost as part of this Government's commitment to investing in the NHS estate in that area.
Session: Topical Questions
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Is the truth of the matter not that Downing Street has totally lost interest in that agenda, while the Department's leadership bumbles on directionless and toothless, its bold promises unfulfilled and, in many cases, utterly disregarded?
Context
There is a disparity between the rhetoric of levelling up and actual progress.
Jacob Young
I thank the hon. Lady for her kind words and her question, though I completely disagree with her. At the party conference we announced £1 billion for our long-term plan for towns, which will help us level up towns right across the country. I hope she welcomes that.
Session: Regional Inequalities Coastal Communities
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Discretionary housing payments have seen cuts of £40 million from 2021-22 levels and will remain flat for the next two years despite increasing demand and inflation pressures. Section 21 evictions are rising, rent arrears are soaring, and households face forced temporary accommodation. Given the Department's responsibility for homelessness, when will it intervene with Treasury and DWP to address this issue?
Context
Councils face significant budget constraints impacting their ability to administer discretionary housing payments, which are crucial in preventing homelessness. The figures indicate a reduction in these funds.
Lee Rowley
Additional £100 million was allocated for vulnerable households, administered through local authorities, reflecting our commitment to both councils and society's most vulnerable members.
Session: Local Authority Funding
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According to probation unions, recent restructure and staff shortages are making it extremely difficult to keep tabs on some of the most dangerous individuals in our society. Probation workers are struggling under pressure. Why are calls for immediate Government intervention being ignored by the Department, and will the Minister sit down with probation unions this week?
Context
Recent restructuring and staff shortages are affecting probation services, leading to retention issues.
Damian Hinds
The work that our probation service does is incredibly important. We have been focusing particularly on recruiting into probation and exceeded targets of 4,000 new recruits over the past couple of years.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Secretary of State answer this without blaming external factors? Do the Government now accept that there is an inextricable link between their failed economic policies and the fact that British workers are financially worse off since they came to power?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of government policies on living standards and wage stagnation.
Mel Stride
It is not appropriate to dismiss completely the significant downside of covid—we spent £400 billion supporting the economy during that—the significant impact through energy price spikes of the war or the deleterious impact of the last Labour Government. The simple fact is that since 2009-10, there are 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty after housing costs, and 400,000 fewer children and 400,000 fewer pensioners in that position.
Session: In-work Poverty
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What steps his Department is taking to tackle in-work poverty. Despite my question relating to in-work poverty, the Government often herald historically low unemployment rates to avoid their shame over falling living standards and endemic wage stagnation.
Context
The MP is concerned about in-work poverty and the government's failure to address it despite low unemployment rates.
Mel Stride
It is not appropriate to dismiss completely the significant downside of covid—we spent £400 billion supporting the economy during that—the significant impact through energy price spikes of the war or the deleterious impact of the last Labour Government. The simple fact is that since 2009-10, there are 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty after housing costs, and 400,000 fewer children and 400,000 fewer pensioners in that position.
Session: In-work Poverty
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The Government's lack of strategy on combatting homelessness is failing vulnerable children. Over 13 years, the number of households in temporary accommodation has doubled to over 100,000, including 127,000 individual children. The number of families with children in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for longer than the statutory maximum increased by 196%. When will they do something about it?
Context
Over the past 13 years, homelessness has increased with over 100,000 households in temporary accommodation including 127,000 individual children. Many are in appalling conditions.
Rachel Maclean
The Government is taking homelessness seriously and has introduced the Renters (Reform) Bill, a major reform of the private rented sector. This measure abolishes section 21 evictions, one cause of homelessness.
Session: Awaab’s Law Private Rented Sector
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The news that British Gas broke into the homes of vulnerable people to force-fit prepayment meters is shocking, but bears little surprise to anyone who has had to interact with that company. The Government seem to cower from taking on the big energy companies as they continue to rip off the British people. Will those on the Conservative Benches finally act to protect such households and force energy firms to pay out and compensate now rather than at the end of the Ofgem review?
Context
British Gas was reported to have broken into homes to force-fit prepayment meters.
Grant Shapps
I do not think I could have been any more vocal about this issue. Indeed, we brought that practice, which the hon. Lady rightly describes as abhorrent, to a close. We are also not soft on the energy providers, particularly given the 75% taxation, which is at a level designed to ensure that we have been able to support, in part, the 50% reduction in people's household bills. As I said in answer to the previous two questions, we will return with more on this shortly.
Session: Prepayment Meters Forced Installation
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How many households had forced installations of prepayment meters in 2022?
Context
In 2022, there were reports of energy companies installing prepayment meters in households without consent.
Grant Shapps
I wrote to suppliers in January calling on them to halt the inappropriate use of prepayment meters and to provide transparency on the use of warrants in people's homes. Along with a number of other steps, that has led to the cessation of that practice.
Session: Prepayment Meters Forced Installation
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More than 40 households receive a section 21 notice each day since the Government's announcement to scrap them. This totals nearly 53,000 households, and the number is rising. The situation is desperate for many people in the private rented sector. When can we expect the Government's renters reform Bill?
Context
Since the Government announced their intention to scrap section 21 notices, more than 40 households are served with such notices daily. This totals nearly 53,000 households, worsening living conditions in the private rented sector.
Felicity Buchan
The Government has a manifesto commitment to abolish section 21 notices, which will happen as parliamentary time allows. The consultation on decent homes standards concluded in mid-October, and they aim to get this legislation right.
Session: Rent Controls Local Government
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The Government were supposed to respond by the end of November to the Justice Committee's hard-hitting report on IPP—imprisonment for public protection—sentences, yet they still have not done so. Will the Secretary of State tell us exactly what the hold-up is and when we can expect his official response?
Context
The Government were supposed to respond by the end of November to the Justice Committee's hard-hitting report but have not done so.
Dominic Raab
This is an important issue, and I am grateful to the Select Committee for raising it. We want the number to come down, but the right way to do that is not to let out offenders who have been deemed dangerous in the past based on legislation passed under the Labour Government that would not apply now. Therefore, we are taking every measure to ensure offenders can pass the threshold and satisfy decision makers that they are safe to be released.
Session: Topical Questions
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Despite all the good intentions, the problem is evidently getting worse, not better. Data from CHAIN shows that numbers were up 24% on the previous year between July and September 2022. Can the Minister rise?
Context
The rough sleeping problem is getting worse, with figures showing increases in several regions. The government's rough sleeping strategy was published amidst political chaos.
Felicity Buchan
This Government have made an unprecedented commitment on rough sleeping and homelessness. We are investing £2 billion over three years. We do see seasonal fluctuations, but the rough sleeping numbers are at under 3,000 at the moment.
Session: Topical Questions
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The report made 19 recommendations, but only one has been followed. Can the Minister provide assurances that constituents like Marion Nugent will not be ignored when responding to this inquiry?
Context
Only one of the nineteen recommendations from Sir Robert Francis's report has been followed up on.
Jeremy Quin
That study was conducted to ensure we are ready to respond to Sir Brian Langstaff's report in the middle of next year. We met full interim recommendation of £100,000 payments and continue to work on it.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Government had not done an equalities analysis. Do they know how the cost of living is affecting students from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds?
Context
A written parliamentary question asked if an equalities analysis was conducted to assess the impact of rising prices on students, especially those from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds.
Robert Halfon
We are aware that the cost of living affects students from all backgrounds, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students can draw on the £261 million student premium and access hardship funds if needed. We have increased maximum loans and grants by 2.3% to help with financial hardships.
Session: Students Cost of Living Support
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Students must not be the forgotten victims of the cost of living crisis. Will the Minister look at the Open University's recommendations calling for extension of maintenance loans to part-time undergraduate students, an extension to parents' living allowance and childcare grant, and introduction of maintenance bursaries for those in most need?
Context
The Office for National Statistics reported over half of students face financial difficulties, a quarter taking on extra debts. Student union reps confirmed these figures.
Robert Halfon
I have great admiration for the Open University and will look at those recommendations carefully. The Government are doing everything possible to help students with financial hardship through the £261 million student premium, energy bill discounts, special hardship funds, reassessment of living costs support, and interest rates increasing in line with retail price index.
Session: Students Cost of Living Support
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Later this week, the Department is scheduled to release stats for the second quarter of the year on section 21 evictions. The emerging picture is clear: section 21 evictions are going up. We saw a 26% increase during the first quarter of this year. We are now three years down the track from the publication of the 2019 Conservative manifesto promising to end section 21. I note that the Minister has committed today to ending section 21 in this Parliament, but may I push further and urge the Department to commit to bringing forward emergency legislation early in the new year to end this scandal, working with the Opposition to do so? Will those on the Government Benches accept that, through their inaction, the Department is leaving tenants vulnerable to eviction in the meantime?
Context
There has been a reported increase of 26% in section 21 evictions during the first quarter of this year.
Felicity Buchan
As I have said, we are committed to abolishing section 21 in this Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
Session: Section 21 No-fault Evictions
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How can the Minister claim to be levelling up when his Government have presided over a net loss in funding for large parts of the country, such as the north-west, which will lose out by £206 million under the shared prosperity fund?
Context
The MP is concerned about the loss in funding for large parts of the country under the shared prosperity fund.
Simon Clarke
I can defend our record on levelling up. There is a £4.8 billion levelling-up fund transforming opportunities across this country.
Session: Levelling-up Fund
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Rough Sleeping: Families with Children
11 March 2026
Responding: Alison McGovern
Main Concerns
["Paula Barker expressed deep concern about the growing number of families with children who are homeless and sleeping rough. She cited a report by Crisis which identified 134 cases over six months, including children as young as four and pregnant mothers. She noted that despite clear government policy and laws, children are being turned away by local authorities, forcing them to sleep on the streets. She highlighted that the Home Office's policy is a key driver of homelessness among refugees, with homelessness after move-on from asylum accommodation rising by 37%. Iqbal Mohamed expresses concern about the increasing number of families with children being pushed into homelessness and even sleeping rough. He cites statistics showing that 4,793 people slept rough on a single night in England in autumn 2025, a 171% increase since 2010, and that over 175,000 children are currently homeless in temporary accommodation. He highlights a case of a single mother with three children, one with autism and asthma, who has been sleeping in her car and is now in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation. Mohamed also mentions that local authorities are struggling with financial pressures, limited housing supply, and overstretched budgets, leading to skyrocketing costs of temporary accommodation."]
Specific Asks
["Barker asked the Minister to set out what accountability measures will be put in place to ensure that children are not forced to sleep rough. She also requested further information on the timeline for consultations on the toolkit and the new duty to collaborate, and asked for a commitment to legislative change on social homes allocation policy. Mohamed asks the Government to take steps to ensure that no local authority unlawfully refuses emergency accommodation to families with children and to monitor compliance with statutory duties. He also inquires about additional financial support for councils dealing with the costs of temporary accommodation and seeks specific measures within the Government's homelessness strategy to prevent families from reaching the point of rough sleeping."]
Youth Homelessness — [Dame Siobhain McDonagh in the Chair]
01 May 2024
Responding: Felicity Buchan
Main Concerns
['Ms. Paula Barker is concerned about the multifaceted nature of youth homelessness, which affects over 136,000 young people in England, and the lack of progress made since 1985 despite previous efforts. She highlights that young people often face barriers such as institutional failure, reduced benefits, shortage of affordable housing, and poor outcomes when seeking support from local councils. The data collected by the Department is inadequate, relying on charities like Centrepoint to estimate numbers through freedom of information requests.']
Specific Asks
['Ms. Barker asks the government to commit to developing a national youth homelessness strategy that would improve cross-departmental collaboration and address specific issues such as extending priority need for care leavers up to age 25, exempting them from council tax payments, revising taper rates for supported housing, adopting localised youth homelessness strategies, repurposing single homelessness accommodation programme funds, and removing elements relating to homelessness from the Criminal Justice Bill.']
Seven Principles of Public Life — [Derek Twigg in the Chair]
07 September 2022
Responding: Heather Wheeler
Main Concerns
["The speaker is concerned about the erosion of public trust in political institutions, particularly highlighting the declining satisfaction with democracy and the significant drop in trust in politicians. She mentions that almost two-thirds of people now see politicians as being 'merely out for themselves'. The debate aims to address these issues by reaffirming commitment to the Nolan principles and questioning the adequacy of current systems for upholding standards in public life."]
Specific Asks
['The speaker asks the government to acknowledge that current systems are irrelevant in upholding standards, to move from principles to rules backed by enforceable sanctions, and to consider independent oversight bodies such as an anti-corruption agency free from political interference.']
Human Rights: Colombia
20 April 2022
Responding: James Cleverly
Main Concerns
['The situation in Colombia has claimed about 262,000 lives—84% of them civilians—and displaced over 6.9 million people. More than 37,000 were kidnapped and nearly 18,000 children recruited into armed groups. Thousands have disappeared or been raped and tortured. Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists, with over 3,000 murdered since 1989. Since the 2016 peace agreement was signed, more than 48 social activists and 11 former FARC combatants have been killed, and 27 massacres have taken place.']
Specific Asks
['The Colombian Government must step up in defence of the peace process; expand security for participants; protect religious, indigenous, sexual, trade union and labour rights; and accept the election outcome. The UK Government should support these aims and any new government elected in May.']
NHS Pay
24 March 2021
Responding: Helen Whately
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the decline in NHS workers' pay and morale since 2010. Nurses' pay has dropped by £840 in real terms, with total pay at band five falling by 15%. There are nearly 50,000 combined vacancies across doctor and nursing professions, indicating severe staff shortages. Workers have endured rising demands and less reward due to previous Conservative decisions. The healthcare heroes on the frontline of the pandemic have received a miserable 1% pay rise that amounts to a real-terms cut. This will barely cover regulators' registration fees or parking charges and is insulting for their tireless efforts. Over 39% of nurses are forced to skip meals to feed their families, while many NHS workers struggle with poverty pay and rely on payday loans. The north-west alone has more than 5,000 nursing vacancies expected to rise significantly in the coming years."]
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to provide a significant pay rise for NHS workers as they deserve recognition and fair compensation for their contributions during the pandemic. A 10% increase in pay would cost £3.4 billion but would result in net expenditure of only £660 million when considering various offsets. The Government should provide a substantial, well-earned pay rise for healthcare staff that recognises their efforts and sets the NHS on a confident footing for future challenges.']
External Private Contractors: Government Use and Employment
21 October 2020
Responding: Julia Lopez
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the use of external private contractors by the government, which has led to failures such as Serco's test and trace system. The merger between Mitie and Interserve is a prime example, with both companies holding civil service and public sector contracts worth over £2 billion but experiencing financial difficulties. Companies like Interserve have been involved in disputes over job cuts, pay, sick pay entitlement, and trade union recognition. The model of outsourcing facilities management services is unstable and often leads to companies running into financial troubles. Additionally, there are issues with inequality in pay and employment terms, as only two out of 23 ministerial government departments pay the real living wage to their outsourced workers. Alex Sobel is concerned about the outsourcing of track and trace services to Serco, an organisation with a history of scandals. He cites specific instances such as electronic tagging scandal fined £23 million by the Serious Fraud Office, cover-up of sexual abuse at Yarl's Wood, and poor conditions for asylum seekers. By August, only 40% of test results were returned within 24 hours and track and trace was failing to contact more than 30% of those who had been in contact with someone testing positive."]
Specific Asks
['I urge the Government to review the role and responsibilities of its Crown Representatives in light of the Carillion case. The Government should also consider making the payment of the real living wage, full sick pay from day one, and trade union recognition a condition of awarding contracts. Sobel asks why the Government ignores recommendations from experts and continues to award contracts worth hundreds of millions to private companies, rather than local public health experts. He also questions the delay in introducing a working track and trace app despite his early proposal.']
Israel and Palestine
08 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
14 July 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Early Release of Prisoners
07 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Calls on the Government to exempt from automatic early release under the Sentencing Act 2026 offenders who have been convicted of sexual offences against adults or children, including rape and groomin...
Civil Service Pensions
06 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
09 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cuba: Humanitarian Situation
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Water Companies
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Public Office (Accountability) Bill - Motion to carry over proceedings to the next Session
27 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion is procedural, allowing the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to be carried over to the next session. The Government remains committed to delivering this landmark bill which aims to rebui...
Southport Inquiry
13 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
85.7%
84 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
31
31.6% of votes
No Votes
53
54.1% of votes
Abstentions
14
14.3% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
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
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
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
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
53
Ministerial Questions Asked
109
House of Commons Debates Involved
6
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
+295% above average
This MP:
53
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+139% above average
This MP:
6
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2143% above average
This MP:
109
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 (%)
+24% above average
This MP:
85.7
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 Paula Barker's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.