Polly Billington
MP for East Thanet
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
As outlined in our cancer plan, early detection and diagnosis is vital. Will the Prime Minister agree to consider the campaign by my constituent Gemma Reeves to ensure that breast cancer screening is available for all women over the age of 40, and will he meet her to discuss how such a change would save lives?
Context
Today is World Cancer Day. Gemma Reeves, a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother hospital, campaigns for breast cancer screening for all women over 40.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I absolutely support that, and I will make sure that my hon. Friend gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss it. Early diagnosis is so important for all cancers, and we must do everything we can to ensure early diagnosis is the norm by default.
Assessment
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Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister give an update on the Government’s plans to implement the chief medical officer's recommendations for tackling poor health in seaside towns?
Context
The MP noted the higher cancer incidence, later diagnosis and treatment times, and earlier mortality rates in coastal areas compared to other regions.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
Addressing healthcare inequity is part of our 10-year health plan, which aims to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions. We are already making progress on that.
Session: PMQs
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Every witness before the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, when we ask how to decarbonise and reduce bills, tells us, “Make electricity cheaper.” What further efforts will the Government make in reforming the energy market in order to achieve that?
Context
Experts advise that decarbonising and reducing energy costs requires making electricity cheaper.
Martin McCluskey
My hon. Friend will know that we are taking action, which the Secretary of State announced, to further delink the cost of electricity from gas. As Ofgem said last week in relation to the price cap, we are already seeing the effects of that. Because of the additional renewable generation in the system, we are seeing the effects of that.
Session: Household Energy Bills
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I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister for confirming that he will chair a new contingency planning ministerial group to develop resilience to the threats caused as a result of the conflict, which is not ours but having an impact on many other countries across the world, potentially resulting in shortages and inflation. Our resilience is dependent on their resilience. In that light, will my right hon. Friend agree to consider convening a global summit to increase resilience through co-operation and collaboration?
Context
Concern over the impact of a conflict in other countries resulting in shortages and inflation, affecting UK resilience. The government is forming a new contingency planning ministerial group.
Darren Jones
I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent question. I can confirm that the Foreign Office is part of our contingency planning work at the centre of Government. On all issues, we look at the international data available to us, and the Foreign Office will keep that in consideration when trying to support allies and partners, as well as ensuring security and resilience for the UK.
Session: Topical Questions
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Welcoming my hon. Friend to her place, I note the commitment in the cancer plan to address NHS workforce shortages in coastal areas such as East Thanet. Can she update us on progress made towards closing these gaps?
Context
The cancer plan commits to filling NHS workforce gaps in coastal towns like East Thanet, including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. These communities have seen a postcode lottery affecting access to the best possible cancer care.
Sharon Hodgson
My hon. Friend's work for her coastal community is commendable. The national cancer plan aims to ensure timely access to high-quality diagnostic and treatment services by increasing medical training places in rural and coastal regions, saving 320,000 lives over a decade and delivering the fastest improvement in UK cancer survival.
Session: Cancer Treatment
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What steps his Department is taking to support the treatment of cancer patients.
Sharon Hodgson
We are backing cancer patients with a plan to end the postcode lottery that was baked in by the previous Tory Government due to chronic underfunding. We have already announced that more cancer specialists will be allocated to rural and coastal areas, increasing capacity where it is most needed. Over the past year, around 39,000 more people started their cancer treatment within 62 days, compared with the 12 months prior to the 2024 election.
Session: Cancer Treatment
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My right hon. Friend will be aware that this energy crisis offers the opportunity to shift further and faster on clean energy. Will he consider an energy social tariff linked to the warm homes plan to support those who are most exposed to the volatility of fossil fuel prices, not just those on benefits, but other vulnerable communities like the disabled?
Context
The question stems from the energy crisis, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities affected by volatile fossil fuel prices.
Ed Miliband
My hon. Friend raises a really important point, and no doubt the Chancellor will cover this in her statement shortly. It is incredibly important that we protect the most vulnerable, particularly at this time. I am proud of the action we have taken to nearly double the number of people getting the warm home discount to 6 million people. This very important action will take another £150 off people's bills, so in a sense, we have a form of a social tariff, but I assure my hon. Friend that we will keep looking at how we can expand that and help more families.
Session: Household Energy Bills
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Current global instability, from Ukraine to Venezuela, has shown the vital importance of having domestic energy security. Does the Secretary of State agree that investing in renewables will help with both security and cost, particularly because they are cheaper to build and operate, as well as providing us with vital energy security in an uncertain world?
Context
Current global instability, such as in Ukraine and Venezuela, highlights the importance of having domestic energy security. Investing in renewables is seen as a solution to both cost concerns and security issues.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
My hon. Friend is right. The figures that came out from NESO over Christmas show that we had extra renewable power in 2025 equivalent to powering 2 million homes; that is 2 million homes that will not be powered by imported gas. That gives us the price stability that we never had under the previous Government. The fundamental lesson at a time of geopolitical instability is that home-grown clean power is what gives us the certainty we need.
Session: Gas-fired Power Stations
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I welcome the commitment to free apprenticeships for small and medium-sized enterprises if they take on under-25s, which was announced in the Budget, and I also welcome the commitment to apprenticeships in the hospitality sector. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that there will be a focus on coastal communities such as East Thanet in these programmes, given the disproportionate number of young people written off by the Tories over the past 14 years and the significant number of small and medium-sized hospitality businesses that are desperate to hire local talent?
Context
The MP welcomes the commitment to free apprenticeships for small and medium-sized enterprises that take on under-25s, particularly in the hospitality sector. She seeks confirmation of focus on coastal communities with high rates of NEET young people.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
My hon. Friend is right to point out that the issue of youth opportunity is also an issue of inequality, and that the rate of NEETs is often highest where deprivation and inequality are highest. That is why it is essential that we have an active policy, through the youth guarantee, to offer training, work experience, subsidised employment and more apprenticeships for young people.
Session: NEET Young People
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend and indeed the Chancellor on making the decision to tax online gambling in particular. The fact that people effectively have a casino in their pocket destroys lives and families, and it is right that we send that strong signal, as well as make sure money is available to tackle the insidious moral scar of child poverty that was left by the previous Government. Can my right hon. Friend confirm how we will ensure that the way we conduct gambling in this country provides better protection to those families and individuals who end up being exposed to some of the most insidious practices of the gambling industry?
Context
The questioner acknowledges the decision to tax online gambling, which is seen as a significant issue for families due to its accessibility. The previous government left 4.5 million children in poverty.
Lisa Nandy (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)
Child poverty is a moral scar on this nation. Our focus is not about sending signals but making fair choices to reverse damage done by the previous Government. We have introduced a gambling levy and allocated an additional £26 million over three years to the Gambling Commission to increase resources for tackling illegal markets and preventing harm.
Session: Gambling Duty
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My right hon. Friend will be aware of the appalling environmental pollution incident at Camber Sands in East Sussex last week. A few days later, we also had huge sewage dumps in the seas around my constituency, leaving beaches in Ramsgate and Broadstairs effectively unusable. Will my right hon. Friend consider having a debate in Government time on the economic impact of water quality—poor water quality in particular—on our coastal towns and seaside resorts?
Context
There were incidents of environmental pollution at Camber Sands in East Sussex and huge sewage dumps in the seas around Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
Alan Campbell
As a coastal MP, I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s concern about the state of not just the seas, but our rivers and lakes, and the terrible legacy that we inherited. We are taking action to clean our waterways up through the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025.
Session: Business of the House
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I, too, have a school in my constituency that offers the international baccalaureate. Dane Court school has an extremely successful programme breaking down barriers to opportunity for many pupils in East Thanet. Only 10% of children succeed in passing the Kent test; we need maximum opportunities available. Will the Minister reassure me, senior leadership team, and parents and students at Dane Court that the IB will still be possible?
Context
Dane Court school in Broadstairs offers an International Baccalaureate programme that breaks down barriers to opportunity for pupils in a deprived area. The school is seeking reassurance on the continuation of this support.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)
This year, per-student funding is rising to £5,105. Decisions made across the further education system and for sixth-form colleges mean institutions can make best choices for students, including backing them to study International Baccalaureate where appropriate.
Session: International Baccalaureate
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The probation officers I have spoken to are supportive of the early release scheme inasmuch as it was necessary to deal with the chronic overcrowding in our prisons—a legacy of the previous Government’s dereliction of duty. Many offenders on the fixed recall scheme with a determinate sentence, however, are not being risk-assessed before rerelease, which concerns probation officers. In that context, can the Secretary of State indicate what measures he is putting in place to ensure that probation officers are able to do their job with offenders being released early?
Context
Probation officers are concerned about the risk assessment of offenders before rerelease under the fixed recall scheme. This is a legacy issue from the previous government's policies on overcrowded prisons.
David Lammy (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
I was with probation officers last week, in my first visit as Secretary of State—it was important that probation was the first place I went to because the work and dedication of those officers and the staff is immense. We are working with the Home Office to ensure that those risk assessments are done.
Session: Probation Service
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How many women and girls are vulnerable to people they know versus those they do not? Will she condemn elected politicians spreading misleading information on this issue?
Context
There is misinformation about who poses the greatest risk to women and girls, leading to confusion in public understanding.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jess Phillips)
Based on decades of experience, women are far more at risk from people they know. The idea that “stranger danger” is a major concern does not reflect reality; most threats come from acquaintances and family members.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls
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While we shift and undertake that reform, has the Minister considered the benefits of having an energy social tariff, to protect customers now from those volatile oil and gas prices, and to prepare them for a cleaner, better and reformed energy market in the future?
Context
The MP asked about the benefits of having an energy social tariff to protect customers from volatile oil and gas prices during reforms.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Michael Shanks)
I always agree with my hon. Friend, but on her initial point, I probably do not. I am not sure that we do all agree in this House that we should remove the volatility of fossil fuel prices. Some want us to remain linked to fossil fuels for longer and longer. We are determined to remove that vulnerability from people’s bills, so that we do not face the price spikes that many families still struggle with.
Session: Decoupling Electricity and Gas Prices
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Over the weekend I was shocked, but not surprised, to see the new statistics for young people in Thanet who are not in education, employment or training—having hit 11.6%, the figure is the highest in the south-east. Some 3% of young people in Thanet also experience support for special educational needs. Although I am not suggesting that correlation equals causation, can the Minister explain how denying access to the health-related element of universal credit will help those young people into work?
Context
The question addresses the impact of denying access to the health-related element of universal credit and asks if this affects opportunities for young people to find employment.
The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)
The House will know that we have consultations in a number of policy areas relating to my hon. Friend’s question. As I have said, in the end, young people need an opportunity at the start. In places like Thanet, where there are significant poverty and challenges but great opportunity, I want to ensure that we serve employers, and the young people who need them, much better.
Session: Young People not in Education, Employment or Training
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In anticipation of the energy market reform that the last Government neglected to carry out, I look forward to hearing confirmation from my colleagues on the Front Bench that we may be able to find a way of insulating people in the long term—for the transition to decarbonising heat, for example. Can my hon. Friend confirm that, in future, we may be able to have a social tariff that protects the most vulnerable from the excesses of energy prices?
Context
There is a need for long-term solutions to insulate people against the impacts of energy price increases.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
I agree with my hon. Friend that we urgently need to tackle the challenge of affordability. Energy is not a luxury good; it is foundational, and for too many people, this essential good is not affordable. A social tariff is one mechanism of responding to this, and there are different ways in which that can be implemented. We are looking at all the options, to ensure that families can get this essential good at more affordable prices.
Session: Energy Suppliers Winter Support for Consumers
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Is she doing all in her power to ensure that creativity will have a prominent and central place in the curriculum?
Context
Members of the school council of Bromstone primary school visited Parliament and expressed concerns about the importance of arts education.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)
May I reassure my hon. Friend’s young constituents that we absolutely agree with them? We know that music, sport and art not only enrich young people’s lives, but can unlock so much more. We will take their views seriously.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. However, visual artists earn far below the minimum wage, and rely on copyright royalties to finance their work and continue to contribute to our world-leading creative industries—in Thanet and across the country. What reassurances can the Minister give that the plans for a copyright exception for AI learning will not further contribute to that financial instability and weaken the lifeblood of our creative economy?
Context
Visual artists earn below the minimum wage and rely on copyright royalties to sustain their work, contributing significantly to world-leading creative industries like those in Margate.
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. She could big up her own constituency a little more, because Margate is probably one of the greatest centres of artists in this country. It is where Turner was trained and went to school, and where we have Turner Contemporary. It is also where Tracey Emin is doing so much work and many other artists as well. It is a brilliant hub. We want to make sure—as we did in the last Labour Government, when we introduced the artist’s resale right—that artists can earn a living from their art. That is what we are determined to do. Just as last year New Zealand and Australia entered into the same agreement for an artist’s resale right, we want to make sure that there is a future revenue stream for every single artist in this country.
Session: AI Copyright in the Creative Industries
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In communities like mine in East Thanet, there is above-average youth unemployment. It is important to be reassured that the “Get Britain Working” White Paper will be designed to help young people, particularly in coastal communities like mine, where we need a year-round economy, and support and activity to get young people into work.
Context
The MP asks about supporting young people in her community for better job opportunities.
Liz Kendall
My hon. Friend is exactly right: we have to deliver better jobs in every part of the country, including coastal communities like hers. We need to give young people the skills that they need, and job opportunities, so that they can build a better life.
Session: “Get Britain Working” White Paper
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I welcome the new powers delegated to local authorities, enabling them to tackle the blight of empty shop fronts and rejuvenate our local high streets. This will be particularly welcome in East Thanet, where the Ramsgate empty shops action group has been a powerful advocate for addressing this issue. We have a 24% vacancy rate on Ramsgate high street, so what steps are the Government taking to support and encourage local businesses and community projects to take over those vacant properties?
Context
The question stems from the new powers delegated to local authorities to deal with empty shop fronts. East Thanet's Ramsgate area has a 24% vacancy rate.
Gareth Thomas
I commend my hon. Friend on her work with the Ramsgate empty shops action group. High street rental auctions will help local councils to bring vacant units back into use, working with local communities. We are encouraging local authorities to take advantage of those powers.
Session: High Streets Government Support
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Bradstow special school in my constituency supports some of the most vulnerable children across the south-east. More than half of those children are from families in Kent, yet Tory-led Kent county council has refused to pay £2 million in fees, contributing to that school now facing closure. Kent has been offered the school for free, including all of its land, yet it is refusing to keep the school open. Will the Minister join me in urging Kent county council to take responsibility and work with the governing body, staff and children's families to ensure that we can keep this vital school open?
Context
The question highlights the financial difficulties faced by Bradstow special school, which serves many children from across Kent. The school faces closure due to lack of funding.
Catherine McKinnell
If we are to improve the situation that far too many children face in relation to special educational needs and disabilities, and to meet demand, which we know is outstripping supply, it is vital that areas work together in partnership. That is why we very much recommend that local authorities work together with health partners and local schools to solve some of those challenges together. The Department for Education will work closely with them to make sure that every child gets the education they deserve.
Session: SEND Pupils Support
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I welcome the Government's commitment to a duty of candour for public bodies. In the light of the appalling crimes of John Smyth, who left over 100 children assaulted and traumatised while senior members of the Church of England looked the other way, what steps is the Minister considering in conjunction with the Church so that bishops, dioceses, cathedrals and national church institutions are designated as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
Context
The MP referred to the Church of England's handling of John Smyth and its responsibility under public authorities for Freedom of Information.
Nick Thomas-Symonds
In relation to my hon. Friend's second point, it is right that the Church of England looks very carefully now at its procedures in the light of what has happened and been brought forward. In relation to the duty of candour, I have no idea why the Opposition Front Benchers were laughing about that. It is a hugely important reform that we are bringing forward, and it will make a significant difference across public service.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does he agree that we have a mandate for reform, and while respecting individuals, we are absolutely determined as a Government to progress the abolition of the hereditary principle in lawmaking?
Context
The supplementary question addresses the Government's mandate for further House of Lords reforms, particularly regarding the abolition of the hereditary principle.
Nick Thomas-Symonds
My hon. Friend is absolutely right; it should not be the case that places are reserved by accident of birth in a modern legislature. The Bill has passed this House unamended and will have its Second Reading next week. We want to get the Bill on to the statute book as soon as possible.
Session: House of Lords Reform
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What recent progress his Department has made on reform of the House of Lords. This includes the introduction of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill which removes the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote, and measures to increase transparency for peerage nominations by political parties.
Context
The question addresses recent progress in the reform of the House of Lords, focusing on changes to hereditary peers' rights and transparency in nominations.
Nick Thomas-Symonds
The Government have brought forward the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill to remove hereditary peers' rights, which has passed this House unamended. A written ministerial statement ensures political parties nominating for peerages must publish a 150-word summary explaining their nomination. The Bill will have its Second Reading in the other place next week.
Session: House of Lords Reform
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Have any aid organizations been granted humanitarian access to the hostages? If not, what pressure is being exerted on these agencies for such access?
Context
No organization has had humanitarian access to the hostages held by Hamas. Families of hostages are suffering unimaginable horrors.
Hamish Falconer
No organization has had access to the hostages. We continue to call for Red Cross and other NGOs to gain access, but Hamas is not abiding by international norms or conventions.
Session: Hostages in Gaza
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Will the new independent commission do something about this egregious situation where Southern Water is responsible for blighting beaches with raw sewage along Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs, plans on increasing household bills by 73% over the next five years, and the chief executive officers of Southern Water have received £4 million over the last five years in bonuses and salaries?
Context
Southern Water has been criticised for polluting beaches with raw sewage, planning to increase household bills by 73% over the next five years, and executives receiving £4 million in bonuses and salaries.
Steve Reed
I congratulate my hon. Friend on campaigning for her local water consumers. She is right to point to the wide failings across the system. We have charged Sir Jon Cunliffe with leading a commission that will look at how we can completely reset the sector—regulation, governance and how the sector operates—so that the levels of pollution and failure under the previous Government can never be repeated.
Session: Water Sector Commission
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What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the independent commission on the water sector regulatory system strengthens regulation. The commission focuses on boosting investability, speeding up delivery of water infrastructure and cleaning waterways.
Context
The independent commission on the water sector was launched to review and strengthen regulation in the industry since privatisation.
Steve Reed
The independent commission on the water sector was launched on 23 October and will be chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe. It is the biggest review of the industry since privatisation and will report next summer. It focuses on boosting investability, speeding up delivery of water infrastructure and cleaning waterways.
Session: Water Sector Commission
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Will you and the Minister give the House an opportunity to celebrate the £1 billion of investment announced today in offshore wind? It will provide jobs as promised. Will the Minister meet me to discuss infrastructure required to connect that clean, secure energy to our homes, particularly the Sea Link project?
Context
The MP celebrated a £1 billion offshore wind investment announcement and asked the Minister to meet her to discuss infrastructure requirements for connecting clean energy to homes, specifically mentioning the Sea Link project.
Michael Shanks
My hon. Friend highlighted a £1 billion investment by ScottishPower in UK infrastructure, building on our industrial strategy that delivers jobs and skills. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry is working on this at the moment.
Session: National Grid Energy Mix
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Coastal communities such as East Thanet struggle with a low-pay, low-skill economy. Does she acknowledge the importance of the minimum wage in tackling this issue?
Context
The MP highlights the economic challenges of coastal areas, where low pay is prevalent.
Rachel Reeves
We will ensure that the Low Pay Commission takes into account the cost of living, and we will close the gap between the youth rate of minimum wage and the overall rate.
Session: Living Standards
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I am concerned about improving living standards in East Thanet, particularly given that if real household disposable income had grown as it did between 1997 and 2010, it would have been over £4,000 higher in 2023. What steps does she plan to take to help improve living standards?
Context
The question follows a discussion on UK living standards. The MP notes the significant impact of low living standards in her constituency.
Rachel Reeves
We are committed to boosting economic growth to turn around the situation where real household disposable income is over £4,000 lower than it would have been. We delivered our first international investment summit announcing over £60 billion of investment and unlocking nearly 38,000 jobs in the UK.
Session: Living Standards
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Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are popular seaside destinations. Thanet district council deals with significant littering and fly-tipping issues. At the end of a hot day, 5,000 people leave Margate main sands very dirty. The rubbish is an environmental and health hazard. What plans do the Government have to support coastal communities in tackling this blight?
Context
Thanet district council faces high levels of littering and fly-tipping during peak tourist season, affecting local beaches.
Mary Creagh
I welcome my hon. Friend to her place. We need to educate the public that there is no such thing as 'away' when disposing of waste at beaches. I am convening a circular economy taskforce, and we will look at seasonal needs as part of that.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of street crime. This includes concern about people's anxiety about giving evidence against criminals, leading to ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, and knife crime.
Context
Street crime, including antisocial behaviour and drug dealing, continues to be a significant issue in town centres like Ramsgate and Margate.
Sarah Sackman
The Government are committed to tackling street crime by increasing neighbourhood policing, recruiting more prosecutors, and bringing forward laws to ban zombie knives and machetes. The Prime Minister met with police, victims, families, and media companies specifically to discuss knife crime and promised to halve these crimes in the next decade.
Session: Street Crime Prosecutions
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What steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of street crime. This includes concern about people's anxiety about giving evidence against criminals, leading to ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, and knife crime.
Context
Street crime, including antisocial behaviour and drug dealing, continues to be a significant issue in town centres like Ramsgate and Margate.
Sarah Sackman
The Government are committed to tackling street crime by increasing neighbourhood policing, recruiting more prosecutors, and bringing forward laws to ban zombie knives and machetes. The Prime Minister met with police, victims, families, and media companies specifically to discuss knife crime and promised to halve these crimes in the next decade.
Session: Street Crime Prosecutions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
The Renewables Obligation to Exchequer Scheme Expenditure: 1 April to 30 June 2026
09 September 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The statement updates Members on the expenditure incurred under the Energy Prices Act 2022, focusing on the Renewables Obligation to Exchequer measure, which removes 75% of Renewables Obligation costs...
National Energy System Operator: Blackout Risk
15 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
09 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Mohamed argues that successive British Governments have acknowledged the illegality and harmful effects of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories but have failed to take decisive ...
Russian Shadow Fleet
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
South East Water: Disruption of Supply
03 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Milburn Review: Interim Report
02 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Processed Russian Oil Products: Sanctions
20 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Criticises the Government's energy policy, particularly the ban on new oil and gas licences. Emphasises the negative impact of these policies on Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland, and UK economic s...
The Planning Bill - Various Lords Amendments
27 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves an amendment to the Lords' amendments, proposing further modifications to address concerns raised by the House of Commons and to maintain control over certain aspects of local government structu...
Attendance
65.3%
64 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
17
17.3% of votes
No Votes
47
48.0% of votes
Abstentions
34
34.7% 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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
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
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
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
2
PMQs Asked
32
Ministerial Questions Asked
77
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
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+139% above average
This MP:
32
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1484% above average
This MP:
77
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 (%)
-6% below average
This MP:
65.3
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 Polly Billington's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.