Rachel Gilmour
MP for Tiverton and Minehead
Lib Dem
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Today marks 10 years since Britain voted to leave the European Union. The consequence is a significant increase in bureaucracy affecting exports and market access. Will the Chancellor set out a path to an ambitious UK-EU reset including a new customs union to reduce costs for British businesses, open markets for farmers, and lower consumer prices?
Context
The question follows discussions on the UK's economic ties with the EU, noting that Brexit has resulted in increased red tape for businesses and farmers.
Rachel Reeves
Working hard in Labour Government to reset relationship damaged by Conservatives; committed to second UK-EU summit to finalise food deal, youth mobility scheme, and emissions trading agreement.
Session: UK-EU Economic Co-operation
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If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing levels of economic co-operation with the EU, noting the consequences of Brexit such as red tape impacting farmers and small businesses in exporting goods and services.
Context
The question arises from concerns about Brexit's economic impact, including reduced GDP by up to 8% according to recent studies. The MP mentions increased red tape affecting constituents' businesses.
Rachel Reeves
Working hard to reset relationship damaged by Conservatives; committed to second UK-EU summit to finalise food deal, youth mobility scheme, and emissions trading agreement.
Session: UK-EU Economic Co-operation
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Will the Minister give a commitment in the House to have the Department write to me, Mid Devon district council and Devon county council with a full update on the specifics of the school rebuilding programme for Tiverton high school?
Context
Tiverton high school has been on various lists for a rebuild since 1999. The Liberal Democrat MP is grateful for the behind-the-scenes work but seeks public commitment from the Department.
Josh MacAlister
Yes, I can do that.
Session: School Rebuilding Programme
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Does she agree with the current Prime Minister or the man she is trying to make the next Prime Minister on the Conservatives' £2 bus fare cap?
Context
The Labour party increased the bus fare cap by 50% from £2 to £3. The Mayor of Greater Manchester had a different approach.
Heidi Alexander
Funding provided by this Government has been used to enable a more generous bus fare cap in the Greater Manchester city region, and it is right that we equip local leaders to take decisions that are right for their residents.
Session: Mass Transit Systems
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About one in 20 rural households experience some form of domestic abuse, although experts believe that this figure is significantly understated owing to chronic under-reporting. The pressures of multigenerational living, the unique stresses of farming life and the combination of geographic and digital isolation can all heighten vulnerability. Will the Minister set out what specific steps the Government are taking to address those rural risk factors?
Context
The MP is concerned about the specific challenges of domestic abuse in rural areas, including financial control and exclusion from business decisions.
Catherine Atkinson
I thank the hon. Member for raising this important issue. Alongside the roll-out of child-focused courts, more work needs to be done to look at coercive control.
Session: Family Court Harassment of Domestic Abuse Victims
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Not long ago, a Russian-flagged ship anchored just two miles off the Minehead coast in my constituency, directly above critical transatlantic cables. Our adversaries are becoming emboldened and operating even closer to home. How can the Government credibly claim to be strengthening national resilience when they lack basic data required to mobilise those capable of serving?
Context
The questioner highlighted a Russian-flagged ship anchoring near her constituency, indicating adversaries are operating closer to home. She also mentioned the Ministry of Defence losing track of 95,000 veterans on recall lists.
Dan Jarvis
This matter is taken incredibly seriously. Following sanctions on 544 vessels, the Prime Minister has agreed that the British military will be able to board shadow fleet vessels passing through UK waters. I will look carefully at the hon. Lady's points and discuss them with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence.
Session: National Resilience
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What steps he is taking to improve national resilience given that our adversaries are becoming emboldened and operating closer to home? Reports indicate the MOD has lost track of some 9 95,000 veterans on the recall list. How can the Government credibly claim to be strengthening national resilience when they lack basic data?
Context
The questioner noted a Russian-flagged ship anchoring near her constituency, highlighting the increasing proximity of adversaries to UK shores. She also referenced a concerning report that 95,0 95,000 veterans are missing from recall lists maintained by the Ministry of Defence.
Dan Jarvis
The Government are taking decisive steps, as set out in the resilience action plan. Building on Exercise Pegasus findings, a new pandemic preparedness strategy was published last month. The Government will be able to board shadow fleet vessels passing through UK waters following sanctions on 544 vessels. I will carefully look at the hon. Lady's points and discuss them with colleagues.
Session: National Resilience
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In Devon and Somerset, we are home to some of the finest units of the British armed forces, from Devonport to Lympstone to 40 Commando at Norton Manor and to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in north Devon. The geopolitical tectonic plates are shifting, and President Trump's latest comments about NATO only underline the importance of a strong UK defence capability and strategic autonomy. It is often said that if you want peace, you must prepare for war, so after years in which successive Conservative Governments hollowed out our armed forces—QED—will the Minister outline how the Government intend to ensure that this country is properly equipped to defend itself in the event of a major conflict?
Context
Devon and Somerset host several British armed forces units. President Trump's comments about NATO highlight the importance of a strong UK defence.
John Healey
We invested £8 billion more in defence in our first year than the Conservative Government did in their last year, with a total of £270 billion into defence in this Parliament alone and a vision for the next 10 years set out in our strategic defence review.
Session: Topical Questions
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I would like to declare that I returned from Ukraine last week—I was part of a cross-party delegation—and my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests will be updated to reflect that. The newspapers and the television are this week full of pictures of people hunkering in bunkers in the middle east, but it is worth remembering that the people of Ukraine have been doing that for the past four years. The Foreign Secretary will of course be aware of the close relationship between Moscow and Tehran. Russia continues to deploy Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones to terrorise Ukraine's population. With the crisis in the middle east intensifying, will she set out how the Government now assess the implications of these recent developments for Russia's war in Ukraine?
Context
Recent developments in the Middle East involving Iranian drones and their use against Ukraine and the wider Middle East.
Yvette Cooper
The hon. Member is right to point out that Iran has been a key enabler of Russia's war in Ukraine by providing thousands of the Shahed-type drones used to inflict terror on the Ukrainian people, which are now being used to launch indiscriminate attacks across the middle east and the Gulf. That is why we are working with Ukrainian expertise to provide support for partners in the Gulf. We also recognise the importance of continuing to provide that support and working to develop that expertise with Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have shown remarkable resilience, and they have been underestimated for too long.
Session: Support for Ukraine
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Members of the armed forces are the only uniformed service without a professional body to represent and support them. Will the Minister give assurances that the Armed Forces Bill will include provisions to establish such a body, ensuring that serving personnel and veterans have access to legal and welfare support when faced with vexatious, unmerited or unsubstantiated allegations from within the system or from external litigants working on behalf of other service personnel or third parties?
Context
Members of the armed forces lack a professional body to represent and support them.
Luke Pollard
I thank the hon. Member for her interest. It is precisely for those reasons that we established the Armed Forces Commissioner, an independent champion for our armed forces and their families. That legislation has now become law, and the recruitment process will conclude shortly.
Session: Topical Questions
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While I welcome the Government’s rural growth plans, I am concerned about the persistent poverty in many rural areas. The additional costs of living in these communities—known as the rural premium—exacerbate hardship. What specific steps will the Chancellor take to support those in, or near, poverty in rural areas, and will the Treasury commit to revising the indices of multiple deprivation to more accurately reflect deprivation in rural and coastal communities, such as west Somerset and mid Devon?
Context
The MP noted persistent poverty in many rural areas, exacerbated by additional living costs known as the 'rural premium'. She referenced concerns about accurate reflection of deprivation.
Emma Reynolds (Economic Secretary to the Treasury)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be coming forward with further details of funding for the 350 most deprived communities across the country, including rural areas.
Session: Economic Growth Rural Areas
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My constituents in Tiverton and Minehead face many challenges when it comes to transport connectivity. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the merits of a strategic outline business case set out by West Somerset Railway to reconnect the heritage railway line at Bishops Lydeard to the mainline at Taunton? That would allow students to access the only sixth-form facilities in Taunton, take the pressure off the No. 28 bus, and massively improve our ability to entertain more tourists.
Context
Strategic outline business case for reconnecting the heritage railway line at Bishops Lydeard to the mainline at Taunton.
Heidi Alexander
The hon. Lady mentioned this to me a couple of days ago when I bumped into her, but I regret to inform her that the Department does not currently have any plans to take forward a development link between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton. I have, however, asked officials to reach out to those at the local authority to discuss the merits of the scheme.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Community Pharmacies
02 June 2026
Responding: Stephen Kinnock
Main Concerns
['The community pharmacy network faces significant challenges including a loss of over 1,000 pharmacies since 2016 and real-terms cuts of 30% in Government funding. An average pharmacy dispensing around 10,000 items a month will face a shortfall of approximately £56,000 after the funding settlement. The workforce has also suffered with 3,000 full-time equivalent pharmacists lost between 2021 and 2025.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should commit to above-inflation funding increases year on year, deliver proper integration across the NHS, address the workforce crisis before it becomes irreversible, and provide support for initiatives like Pharmacy First service expansion.']
International Parental Child Abduction — [Dr Andrew Murrison in the Chair]
28 April 2026
Responding: Hamish Falconer
Main Concerns
['More than 500 children are abducted from the UK annually, with families losing over half a century in lost years of contact. The Hague Convention is often breached due to delays and inconsistent application of its principles at appellate levels. Poland appears particularly problematic, with incompetence or deliberate obstruction by authorities hindering enforcement.']
Specific Asks
['The Minister should provide support for victims, statistics on repatriation from Poland, and ensure that maintenance orders do not penalize left-behind parents in cases involving abduction. The Government must also reflect on the impact of Brexit on how EU jurisdictions handle such cases and consider establishing a dedicated taskforce to address these issues.']
Community Pharmacies: Devon and the South-west
17 December 2024
Responding: Stephen Kinnock
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the decline in pharmacy funding, which has decreased by over 30% since 2016. The workload for pharmacies is higher than ever, with each pharmacy in Tiverton and Minehead dispensing an average of 7,540 prescriptions monthly. Pharmacies also provide important services like flu vaccines, blood pressure checks, and informal consultations, but the current funding model is unsustainable, leading to temporary closures and lost hours. Over 136 pharmacies have closed across the south-west since 2016, affecting the most deprived areas disproportionately.']
Specific Asks
['I ask the Government to provide sustainable core funding for community pharmacies and support them in delivering essential services without compromising patient safety. I also request a fundamental overhaul of the system to ensure that pharmacies can continue to operate effectively and prevent further closures.']
National Energy System Operator: Blackout Risk
15 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Legacy of Jo Cox
11 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I thank Jo’s family for their leadership and friendship, praising the tenacity and guts that have inspired others. I commend Kim Leadbeater for stepping into public life and continuing Jo Cox's legacy...
Defence Investment Plan
10 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Armed Forces Act 2026 - Amendments 2, 3, 4, 88, and 89
02 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Nusrat Ghani proposes several amendments to the Armed Forces Act 2026 aimed at ensuring continuity of support for children with special educational needs, adoption and fostering arrangements, NHS ...
Gurkha Veterans
26 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Rises to speak on the subject of support for Gurkha veterans and their dependants. Shares the story of Ghanendra Limbu, a Gurkha veteran who suffered severe injuries during his service in the Falkland...
US Department of Justice Release of Files 2026-02-02
02 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
As I know right hon. and hon. Members across the House will agree, Jeffrey Epstein was a despicable criminal who committed disgusting crimes and destroyed the lives of countless women and girls. His v...
Women’s State Pension Age Communication PHSO Report 2026-01-29
29 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Social Media Non-consensual Sexual Deepfakes 2026-01-12
12 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Finance (No. 2) Bill 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Exchequer Secretary outlined the key aspects of the Budget delivered on 26 November, highlighting no return to austerity and a focus on reducing cost-of-living pressures. The Minister emphasised s...
War in Ukraine 2025-12-04
04 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Russia-Ukraine war is an existential clash between competing visions of global security. It is not a regional territorial dispute but rather a conflict about the nature of society, with Putin and ...
Attendance
42.9%
42 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
32
32.7% of votes
No Votes
10
10.2% of votes
Abstentions
56
57.1% of votes
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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 AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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 AYE
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 AYE
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
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
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
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
0
PMQs Asked
12
Ministerial Questions Asked
48
House of Commons Debates Involved
3
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
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-10% below average
This MP:
12
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+19% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+888% above average
This MP:
48
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 (%)
-38% below average
This MP:
42.9
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 Rachel Gilmour's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.