Robin Walker
MP for Worcester
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
May I urge my right hon. Friend to use his good offices across Government to ensure that we secure a multi-year settlement for the continuance of the holiday activities and food fund?
Context
The MP supports Frank Field's holiday activities and food fund, which has been funded by the Government.
Oliver Dowden
I know what an important piece of work this is, and I know my hon. Friend's commitment to campaigning for it. We have already provided substantial sums, and I am sure we will continue to do so.
Assessment
The specific ask for a multi-year settlement was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Session: PMQs
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The Education Committee has heard compelling evidence to support the strengthening of guidance to keep mobile phones out of classrooms and break times, but over the course of our screen time inquiry we continue to hear deeply disturbing evidence about the risks to young people from too much exposure to social media too early. May I urge the Prime Minister to seek the swiftest possible implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 and to consider whether it is time to review the age of digital consent?
Context
The Education Committee has heard evidence about the risks to young people from too much exposure to social media.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my hon. Friend for his work on this issue. He knows that we do have a plan when it comes to education and protecting children online. The Secretary of State is making sure that we can implement the Online Safety Act as quickly as possible with Ofcom, but we have also published new guidance banning mobile phones in schools.
Session: PMQs
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It is truly excellent news that England is now the highest performer in the western world for reading. This progress will only be sustained if children are regularly attending school and able to learn. Can I commend the ten-minute rule Bill by my hon. Friend the Member for Meon Valley, which has cross-party support and delivers on key recommendations of the Education Committee and Children's Commissioner?
Context
England has risen up the international league tables for reading to become the highest performing country in the western world.
Oliver Dowden
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight those brilliant figures, which show that we have now jumped to fourth best in the world for reading. I certainly see this in schools; it is much more demanding than it was in my day, and that is a tribute to the ministerial team who have done a fabulous job. I will of course examine the details of the ten-minute rule Bill to which he refers.
Assessment
Did not explicitly commit to adopting the bill; Emphasized the current success in education instead.
Session: PMQs
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Josh MacAlister's independent review of children's social care has been with the Government since May. I understand that there has been some disappointment that the response to it will not be published before Christmas. Can the Prime Minister ensure that, given its important recommendations about some of the most vulnerable children in our society and the families and people who support them, there will be a strong and robust Government response as early in the new year as possible?
Context
Concern about the delay in publishing a response to Josh MacAlister's independent review of children's social care.
Rishi Sunak
Yes, my hon. Friend obviously knows the subject area well. He is right to highlight the importance of making sure that we provide good quality support for vulnerable children. The report has a lot of interesting suggestions in it and he is right. I can commit to him that we will respond in due course.
Assessment
Did not specify an early new year response timeline
General Commitment To Responding
Session: PMQs
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I welcome what Secretary State has just said about the workforce, but a week on from the publication of the Buckland review and two years after the Education Committee's call, can she update us on what Ministers and the Department are doing to work with the DWP to provide wider opportunities for young people with autism?
Context
The question follows the publication of the Buckland review and a previous Education Committee call for bolstering careers support for children with SEN. There is an ongoing need to provide wider opportunities for young people with autism.
Gillian Keegan
We are investing £80 million in a supported internship programme, which will be doubled by March 2025. The DWP is setting up a task group following the Buckland review to consider all recommendations.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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With four grammar schools in my constituency providing an important and very popular element of a diverse education system, will the Minister commit to continue her support for grammar schools now and in the future?
Damian Hinds (Minister)
I support all great schools in our diverse school system, including strong grammar schools. I encourage them to increase access for disadvantaged pupils which can help with social mobility.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can the Minister reassure my constituents that the Government's plans to reform the EHCP will still ensure that children receive care that is personalised to their needs and not a one-size-fits-all approach to cut costs?
Context
A teacher in Frome reported that too few pupils are successful in their education, health and care plan applications.
Damian Hinds
I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree with the hon. Lady on the central importance of that support and how vital it is to have it. There are, of course, many more EHCPs than there were statements under the old system, with more children receiving support.
Session: Maintained Schools Funding
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My constituents and friends have been profoundly affected by hepatitis and HIV from the infected blood scandal. While my right hon. Friend is working hard, can he update the House on conversations with the Treasury for swift delivery of compensation once it is available?
Context
The question focuses on the urgency of delivering compensation to constituents and friends affected by hepatitis and HIV from the scandal.
John Glen
Conversations about compensation are ongoing across Whitehall. The Government aims to publish substantive response on compensation after 20 May. I undertake to update the House at next opportunity when there is something substantive.
Session: Infected Blood Inquiry Recommendations
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I very much welcome the fact that this Government are doubling investment in early years and childcare. As the Secretary of State said earlier with regard to special educational needs, early identification of need is absolutely key. From that perspective, will the Minister meet me to discuss the urgent need for a specialist assessment centre in Worcester, after the loss of the one in Fort Royal? It has gone out for commissioning, but unfortunately we have not had any bids to host the new one, and we need to get on with delivering one for next September.
Context
There is a need for a specialist assessment centre in Worcester due to the loss of one previously located at Fort Royal.
David Johnston
I do not know the details of my hon. Friend's specific case, but I would be delighted to meet him to discuss it further.
Session: Early Years Education
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When do Ministers expect to be able to legislate to put in place a direct funding flow to schools as promised?
Context
The complexity of the current system means that no actual money was lost to schools due to a recent error.
Gillian Keegan
It is our intention to legislate, but I cannot give a date for that at the Dispatch Box. I will keep my hon. Friend informed.
Session: School Funding
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Alongside her welcome funded pay offer, which will hopefully see an end to disruptive strikes, a real drive to reduce persistent absence and increase attendance would be welcome. A long-standing recommendation of the Education Committee is a statutory register of children not in school, which she is well aware of and has told us is a priority. May I therefore urge her to rapidly adopt the private Member's Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Meon Valley (Mrs Drummond) so that we can get on with delivering on that priority?
Context
The question pertains to the recommendation from the Education Committee for a statutory register of children not in school. The member seeks support and rapid adoption of this measure.
Gillian Keegan
I thank my hon. Friend for his Committee's work on this issue, which really is important. We have a world-class education system, but we need children in school to be able to take advantage of that. As he knows, my Department remains committed to legislating for statutory local authority registers of children not in school and will do so at the next suitable legislative opportunity when parliamentary time allows.
Session: Persistent Absence from School
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What steps she is taking to tackle persistent absence in secondary schools? I am concerned about persistently high levels of unauthorised absences which can have serious implications for children's learning and future opportunities. The Education Committee has long recommended the introduction of a statutory register of children not in school, which would help identify and address these issues.
Context
The question addresses the issue of persistent school absenteeism among secondary students, a concern raised by educational bodies and local authorities.
Gillian Keegan
School attendance is important for not just a child's education but their wellbeing and life chances, and it is a personal priority. We have rolled out the daily attendance data tool; launched the attendance action alliance group of system leaders, which includes representatives from health, policing and social care; expanded the attendance hub support; and deployed expert advice to work with local authorities. Termly persistent absence fell by a fifth from summer last year to spring this year, with 350,000 fewer persistently absent pupils.
Session: Persistent Absence from School
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Will the Minister make the case for further investment in education in Northern Ireland, particularly regarding integration which is crucial for future success?
Context
The Prime Minister described education as the closest thing to a silver bullet and there is concern about the decrease in Northern Ireland's education budget compared to increases in other parts of the UK.
Steven Baker
Integration is central to Government policy and the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. We should have serious conversations about the cost of maintaining a system where only 7% of children are educated in formal integrated schools, given the high daily costs involved.
Session: Education Funding Community Groups
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How will the Government ensure that integrated education becomes the norm when the current strategy does not have student number targets or specify funds allocated?
Context
The Prime Minister's recent visit to Belfast emphasized the need for integrated education but current strategy lacks specific targets and funding details.
Steven Baker
The policy for growing integrated education is a matter for a restored Executive. The first step is to encourage parties to form an Executive and bring forward a strategy.
Session: School Funding
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One thing I am most concerned about is educational attainment in early years and primary due to food insecurity. The Institute for Fiscal Studies found that seven out of ten children in families on universal credit are not entitled to free school meals. Do Ministers agree they should be?
Context
Rising food insecurity among children, with seven out of ten universal credit families not eligible for free school meals.
Claire Coutinho
We have increased the number of children on free school meals to record levels. We also have programmes like the holiday activities and food programme, which provides nutritious meals alongside activities.
Session: Early Years Support for Families
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I warmly welcome the Chancellor's big decision to invest in childcare and the early years in this Budget. One witness to the Education Committee—a long-standing campaigner on these issues—said they were elated to see the commitment the Chancellor made. Going forward, may I encourage him to continue to listen to the concerns of the independent and voluntary sector, which is crucial to the success of reforms in this space? I know he is a fan of workforce plans, so may I encourage him to consider the case for an early years workforce plan?
Context
Welcomes Chancellor's decision to invest in childcare and requests for continued listening to independent and voluntary sector concerns.
Jeremy Hunt
I thank my hon. Friend for his campaigning on this issue. He has long been a voice for reforms to childcare. He is absolutely right that this is one of the biggest sets of childcare reforms we have ever seen. That is why we are taking two and a half years to scale it up. We want to make sure that parents who want to take advantage of the new free hours offer can get the supply of childcare they need, and we will listen very carefully to what the Select Committee says.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the steps that she is taking to progress talks with the National Education Union to ensure that there is no more disruptive and damaging strike action?
Context
The MP requests an update on the government's efforts to progress talks with the National Education Union (NEU) in order to prevent further strike actions.
Gillian Keegan
I am quite surprised that this question did not come up earlier. On Tuesday of last week, the Government made a serious offer to the leaders of the National Education Union and the Royal College of Nursing to pause this week's strikes, get around the table and talk about pay. This is an offer for talks about all areas in dispute, and we could not have been clearer. It is a serious offer; it was accepted by the Royal College of Nursing, and I urge the education unions to do the same.
Session: Topical Questions
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Can I urge her to make sure that legislation comes forward at the first available opportunity, delivering on what I think the Secretary of State has already said is her top legislative priority?
Context
A statutory register has been a long-standing recommendation supported across the House.
Claire Coutinho
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. This is a really important area. As I have said, we are working in the interim to do a lot of things regarding data to make sure that we can keep track of attendance. We are seeing what we can do in the meantime, but I absolutely commit to legislating at the earliest possible opportunity.
Session: Home-schooled Children Register
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most effective ways to close the gender pay gap is to support women who are returning to work after pregnancy? Will she therefore use her good offices to encourage cross-Government work to improve the affordability and availability of childcare for new mothers?
Context
The question discusses the importance of childcare for mothers returning to work and seeks support from the Government.
Kemi Badenoch
Both sides of the House can agree that more support and more work is needed on this issue. Childcare is one of the reasons why women leave the workplace, and we are doing everything we can to support women to have appropriate childcare arrangements.
Session: Gender Pay Gap
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Childcare affordability and quality is high on parents' agenda. The media has speculated whether it remains a priority for the Government. Can she reassure the Committee of further reforms and investments?
Context
Following the initial question, speculation about childcare prioritisation led to a supplementary inquiry.
Gillian Keegan
I assure the House that childcare is prioritised. We have taken steps to increase use of schemes, including a £1.2 million campaign. Further options are being considered to improve affordability and availability.
Session: Childcare Accessibility, Affordability and Quality
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I am concerned about the importance of childcare for parents and children. I acknowledge the progress made since 2010 but ask what further steps will be taken to improve affordability, flexibility, availability, and quality of childcare?
Context
The MP is concerned about parents' access to affordable, high-quality childcare and the government's commitment to improving it.
Gillian Keegan
Childcare is a Government priority. We met with the Chief Secretary to discuss this issue last week. Steps have been taken to increase use of existing schemes, including a £1.2 million campaign. Further options are being considered to improve affordability and availability of childcare.
Session: Childcare Accessibility, Affordability and Quality
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What progress has been made in spending the billions of extra high needs capital announced at the spending review. When can we expect more provision in Worcestershire. I am seeking information on specific spending and future plans for Worcestershire.
Context
The MP highlights issues of missing education due to lack of local provision.
Claire Coutinho
In March we announced £1.4 billion of high needs provision capital allocations, of which Worcestershire is receiving just over £10.7 million between 2022 and 2024 to help create new places in both mainstream and special schools. It is up to the local authority to determine how best to use that funding.
Session: School Places Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that, if we are to meet the Prime Minister's objective of education being a silver bullet and helping more people into work, affordable childcare is essential?
Context
Concerns about the affordability of childcare have been raised from both sides of the House. The question asks for urgent investigation by the Select Committee.
Gillian Keegan
Yes, I agree. The early years are vital for every child's education. We have spent over £20 billion over the past five years supporting families with their childcare costs.
Session: Topical Questions
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I saw for myself that growth and city deals offer a huge opportunity in every part of Northern Ireland to improve economic performance and strengthen society, which underpins the peace process. Does my hon. Friend agree that if we are to maximise the benefits of those deals, we need an Executive in place working hand in hand with the UK Government?
Context
The MP highlights the significant investment from government through city and growth deals, stressing the importance of a functioning Executive to maximize these opportunities.
Steven Baker
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out that our £617 investment in city and growth deals presents an historic opportunity to generate innovation and growth across Northern Ireland. He is also right to say that we need a functioning Executive to drive forward that delivery.
Session: Peace and Prosperity
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What steps his Department is taking to help support peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. Peace and prosperity are intrinsically linked, and the government's role is crucial in ensuring both aspects are addressed effectively.
Context
The MP is concerned about the economic performance and societal stability of Northern Ireland, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues for peace.
Steven Baker
Peace and prosperity are intrinsically linked, and the Government are committed to delivering both in order to help Northern Ireland reach its full potential. We are investing £730 million in the new PEACEPLUS programme, which will support economic growth and community cohesion.
Session: Peace and Prosperity
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Will my right hon. Friend ensure that we redouble efforts to support Worcester and west midlands exporters? The export support service has boosted our international trade adviser network; five advisers operate in his constituency.
Context
Worcester is home to significant exporters like Southco, supported by the DIT with exports worth over £6 million.
Kemi Badenoch
I am happy to assure my hon. Friend of that. I am grateful to him for highlighting a lot of the fantastic work that is taking place across the country. He will know, as will hon. Members on both sides of the House, that when it comes to exporting, size does not matter. We want to support as many small and medium-sized enterprises as possible to take advantage of the benefits of international trade.
Session: International Trade Week
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What steps her Department is taking to mark International Trade Week. My Department is holding more than 120 events across the country this week to help businesses of all sizes and sectors seize export opportunities.
Context
International Trade Week is underway, focusing on boosting UK exports.
Kemi Badenoch
Building on last year's success, my Department is holding more than 120 events across the country this week to help businesses of all sizes and sectors to seize export opportunities to support jobs and growth nationwide. I was pleased to welcome more than 100 investors and UK exporters to the green trade and investment summit in Gateshead, attend an Export Academy event in Birmingham and speak at the National Farmers Union dairy export summit.
Session: International Trade Week
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Wirral and Cheshire have many rural areas, with all the same problems that have been described. When I met healthcare professionals on Friday, they were clear that the problem is not just recruitment, it is also retention. Which of the changes that have happened over the past 12 years to make working life for NHS staff less good than it needs to be will he reverse?
Context
Wirral and Cheshire have many rural areas with significant healthcare challenges. Healthcare professionals highlighted retention as a critical issue.
Will Quince
Of course retention is as important as recruitment. Since September, we have had the non-repayable training grant, which is a minimum of £5,000 per academic year, additional funding for certain courses, and extra funding worth up to £3,000 for eligible students to cover childcare costs. That is, of course, on recruitment. On retention, we are looking at more access to mental health support and high-quality support while in training and clinical placement, but of course there is more to do.
Session: Workforce Shortages Rural Areas
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Fairer funding has been a manifesto commitment for our party on many occasions. I campaigned for it from the Back Benches and tried to deliver it from the Front Bench. Whatever the timing of legislation, can the Secretary of State confirm that a direct national funding formula is a legislative priority for his Department?
Context
There is a commitment to fairer school funding, prompting questions about the legislative priority of introducing a direct national funding formula.
Kit Malthouse
I can confirm that work is well under way on exactly that.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Ebacc pioneered by my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has been highly successful in driving uptake of mathematics, sciences and humanities, but there is much further to go in reaching our targets in modern foreign languages. What progress have Ministers made on the development of an Arabic language programme for schools and on ensuring that more pupils have the chance to study world languages?
Context
The question builds on the previous one, focusing specifically on the progress of developing an Arabic language programme for schools to ensure more pupils have opportunities to study world languages.
Kelly Tolhurst
My hon. Friend raises an important question about the availability of more world languages, which are important for our young people because the United Kingdom operates in a global market. I can confirm that we are exploring an Arabic language programme, which will aim to build on the existing infrastructure of Arabic teaching. Our language hubs programme will also increase support for home, heritage and community languages.
Session: EBacc Subjects and Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE
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If he will take steps to encourage the take up of EBacc subjects and modern foreign languages at GCSE level.
Context
The question addresses the government's efforts to encourage the uptake of EBacc subjects, particularly in modern foreign languages at GCSE level. The background includes previous initiatives such as the successful Mandarin excellence programme.
Kelly Tolhurst
The Government remain committed to improving uptake of Ebacc subjects, specifically languages. Building on our modern foreign language pedagogy pilot, we will establish a national network of language hubs from autumn 2023. We are also expanding the successful Mandarin excellence programme, as well as exploring an Arabic language programme.
Session: EBacc Subjects and Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE
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Worcester Shrub Hill station offers an opportunity for brownfield development to provide jobs and homes in a connected area of Worcester. Does my right hon. Friend agree that an investment zone around Shrub Hill would be beneficial for levelling up?
Context
The potential for brownfield development around Worcester Shrub Hill station, proposed by local councils and the Worcestershire local enterprise partnership.
Simon Clarke
My hon. Friend makes a compelling case; there is huge interest in investment zones from local authorities, and these zones will deliver growth and investment opportunities.
Session: Investment Zones
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I welcome my hon. Friend's comments about the diaspora and the additional £15 million. In Worcester, our mosque raised £87,000 to support Pakistan after floods in 2010 and once again it is going out of its way to raise money. What more can the Government do to amplify and magnify the contribution from British Pakistani communities?
Context
The recent flooding in Pakistan has caused a humanitarian crisis. British Pakistani communities are raising funds to support the victims.
Vicky Ford
I thank members of my hon. Friend's mosque in Worcester for their efforts, as well as those of my mosque in Chelmsford, who have been engaged in similar activities. I encourage concerned individuals to support the DEC appeal, which has match funding from the UK Government and ensures that water, food, and other emergency needs get to where they are needed most.
Session: Pakistan Flood Relief
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We need more GPs and junior doctors in Worcestershire, and there is strong support from our local GPs, our acute trust and neighbouring trusts for the Three Counties Medical School in Worcester. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the case for providing funded places as swiftly as possible?
Context
Support for the Three Counties Medical School in Worcester to address workforce pressure.
Steve Barclay
My hon. Friend will be aware that, through this Government's funding, we have opened five new medical schools and, from memory, 1,500 additional undergraduate places. That is thanks to the work of the former Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt), who championed this specific initiative to address workforce pressure.
Session: Access to GPs
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Police Leadership Commission Report
06 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The clause would introduce the new Schedule in NS1, which transfers to mayors of mayoral strategic authorities the power to approve a local highway authority to charge undertakers who are executing wo...
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
NHS
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
21 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Buckland Review of Autism Employment
25 April 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion moves to consider the Buckland Review, an independent review that highlights the opportunities for businesses and the economy in supporting autistic individuals. It emphasises that only abo...
Ofsted’s Work with Schools
25 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Infected Blood Inquiry
23 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Childcare Entitlements
23 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Football (Amendment) Bill - Clause 1
23 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
4
PMQs Asked
30
Ministerial Questions Asked
69
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
15
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+124% above average
This MP:
30
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1320% above average
This MP:
69
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+59% above average
This MP:
15
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
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 Robin Walker's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.