Rosie Cooper
MP for West Lancashire
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
My constituents were absolutely delighted that the fracking application in West Lancashire was withdrawn after a moratorium was declared. Since then, we have not seen any new scientific evidence that indicates that fracking would now be safe. Despite that, the Government have decided to reverse that moratorium, committing to granting fracking licences only in areas that have local consent. I would be grateful if the Prime Minister would reassure West Lancashire residents —my constituents—and please explain in detail how she will honour her statement that no fracking licences will be forced on communities that do not want them.
Context
A fracking application in West Lancashire was withdrawn after a moratorium was declared. Since then, no new scientific evidence has emerged to suggest that fracking would now be safe.
Elizabeth Truss
First, let me offer my best wishes to the hon. Lady on her appointment as chair of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. I can assure her and colleagues around the House that fracking will only go ahead in areas where there is local community support.
Assessment
The answer avoids providing details about how the Government will ensure no licences are forced on unwilling communities.
Off-Topic Comment
Broad Reassurance Without Specifics
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister commit to a mandate that all new build schools and major refurbishments are installed with sprinklers?
Context
A fire at Asmall Primary School in the constituency spread far beyond the original site, severely damaging three rooms.
Boris Johnson
We cannot be complacent about fires at all, let alone fires in schools. The Department for Education is consulting on guidance to improve fire safety in schools further. I encourage her to make representations in that consultation.
Assessment
No commitment on mandate was provided
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister ask his officials to work with Lancashire County Council to find a permanent solution and fund it?
Context
The questioner notes that Skelmersdale residents rely on underpasses for transportation, which frequently flood during rain.
Boris Johnson
I appreciate the hon. Lady's desire for a solution. We are aware of the problem and will work with Lancashire County Council to mitigate it, using available funds.
Session: PMQs
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Lorries containing food produce sitting idle for days is a stark reminder that, if post-Brexit Britain is to be self-sufficient, protecting our food production through infrastructure investment is crucial. Will the Prime Minister provide the infrastructure investment essential to tackling flooding in West Lancashire by giving the Environment Agency enough funding both to keep the Alt Crossens pumps operational and to maintain the watercourses? That will be vital to ensure that the rich food-producing lands of West Lancashire, which are essential to the security of food supplies and our local and national economy, are better defended—
Context
Food produce lorries sitting idle for days highlights the need for infrastructure investment to protect food production and combat flooding in West Lancashire.
Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)
I could have heard almost any amount about the rich food-producing parts of West Lancashire: the hon. Lady is entirely right, and we will protect those areas. She is entirely right to call for flood defences. That is why we put £5.2 billion over six years into flood defences, including the Crossens pumping station refurbishment scheme that she mentions, in which we have invested £5.7 million to protect nearly 4,000 homes.
Session: PMQs
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Fuel costs have increased by up to 60p per litre since last year. The current reimbursement rate is 56p per mile dropping to 20p after 3,500 miles, not adjusted since 2014. Does the Secretary agree that if this rate does not rise with fuel prices, staff could move to acute sector jobs where they won't face extra costs? This would be a catastrophe for both staff and patients at home.
Context
The question discusses how rising fuel costs affect NHS staff who travel to treat patients in the community, suggesting this could lead to a loss of skilled workers and impact patient care.
Steve Barclay
This is an important issue affecting different parts of the workforce. The 56p rate is higher than HMRC's but drops to 20p after 3,500 miles. Government measures such as reducing fuel duty are part of the fiscal response. There is a review mechanism for NHS specifically involving looking at these issues in the round.
Session: Mileage Expenses Reimbursement NHS Community Care Staff
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What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the rate of reimbursement for mileage expenses for NHS community care staff. The current reimbursement rate is 56p per mile which drops to 20p after 3,500 miles, and this rate hasn't been adjusted since 2014.
Context
The question addresses concerns over the adequacy of mileage expense reimbursement for NHS community care staff, noting significant increases in fuel costs affecting these workers.
Steve Barclay
Reimbursement of travel costs is covered by NHS terms and conditions agreed jointly with trade unions. The process includes reviewing fuel prices. The 56p rate is higher than HMRC's approved rate but drops to 20p after 3,500 miles. Government measures such as reducing fuel duty are part of the fiscal response.
Session: Mileage Expenses Reimbursement NHS Community Care Staff
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Cheshire and Merseyside integrated care system stopped my West Lancashire constituents from accessing routine dermatology at St Helens Hospital due to geography. My question is: what mechanism does the Department have to ensure that my constituents in Lancashire ICS can be represented in Cheshire-Mersey's decision-making process, which affects their care? This highlights cross-border difficulties within the NHS.
Context
The question stems from a specific incident where Cheshire and Merseyside ICS decided to stop routine dermatology services at St Helens Hospital, affecting West Lancashire constituents who are part of the Lancashire ICS. This raises concerns about cross-border difficulties within the national health service.
Edward Argar
The hon. Lady and I speak regularly about different aspects of her local health system, and I am happy to do so again on this matter. I do not know the exact details behind the specific example, but I do not think it relates directly to how ICSs are configured in statute and guidance. I would be happy to meet her to understand the local factors that may have contributed to the situation.
Session: NHS Integrated Care Systems
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What assessment has been made of the effect of integrated care systems on cross-boundary NHS trusts? The specific concern is that Cheshire and Merseyside ICS stopped routine dermatology services at St Helens Hospital, affecting West Lancashire constituents who are part of the Lancashire ICS. These constituents have no representation in Cheshire-Mersey's decision-making process which affects their care.
Context
The question arises from concerns about how integrated care systems affect cross-boundary NHS trusts, particularly in areas where constituents are not represented in the decision-making processes of adjacent ICSs.
Edward Argar
The hon. Lady and I speak regularly about different aspects of her local health system, and I am happy to do so again on this matter. I do not know the exact details behind the specific example, but I do not think it relates directly to how ICSs are configured in statute and guidance. I would be happy to meet her to understand the local factors that may have contributed to the situation.
Session: NHS Integrated Care Systems
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The Government tell us that voter ID will secure our elections against apparently rampant voter fraud. That is a worrying claim indeed, so as a matter of urgency will the Minister provide the Government's data on how many ballots have been confirmed to have been fraudulently cast in recent elections?
Context
Government claim that voter ID is necessary against rampant voter fraud. Request for data on confirmed fraudulent ballots.
Michael Gove
We are only following what the Labour party does. It was the Labour party that introduced the requirement for voter ID in Northern Ireland, as pointed out earlier. There is no evidence that the requirement for voter ID will do anything to discriminate against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals.
Session: Topical Questions
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If the Minister, in spite of all the data, is determined that our elections would be made more secure by voter ID, does she not accept that the Government should provide ID free to all citizens of voting age, or is she quite content to price some people out of democracy?
Context
The question arises from concerns about individuals who might not have the means to obtain photo ID being excluded from voting.
Chloe Smith
The hon. Lady is a long-standing Member of this House and I am looking forward to debating with her enormously, but she simply has not read the papers. What she proposes is exactly what we are doing. I would like to make it absolutely clear here at the Dispatch Box that there will be a free local voter card. It will be free, it will be local, and it make sure that anybody who does not have photographic identification can still vote.
Session: Voter ID Levels of Enfranchisement
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What recent assessment has been made of the potential effect of the introduction of voter ID on levels of enfranchisement?
Context
The question arises from concerns about the potential impact of voter ID laws on democratic participation.
Chloe Smith
Voter fraud is a crime that we cannot allow room for, and we must stamp out any potential for it to take place in elections. Strengthening the integrity of our system will give the public confidence that our elections remain secure well into the future, and everybody who is eligible to vote will be able to continue doing so.
Session: Voter ID Levels of Enfranchisement
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Does the Minister agree that any future covid inquiry must examine whether the financial support offered to businesses by both Governments was sufficient and whether it actually reached those who needed it?
Context
The Scottish Government underspent their budget last year by hundreds of millions, raising questions about the adequacy and effectiveness of financial support provided to businesses.
Iain Stewart
The Minister agrees that there are serious questions about whether the money allocated to Scottish businesses has been used effectively, and hopes this will be part of the public inquiry's remit.
Session: Covid-19 Public Inquiry
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Does the Chancellor have confidence in the Financial Conduct Authority's ability to appropriately regulate and sanction companies that defraud their investors? Furthermore, does he believe that if it is found that the regulator has failed to prevent this fraudulent activity, the Government have a duty to compensate?
Context
There are concerns about the Financial Conduct Authority's ability to regulate and sanction companies involved in fraudulent activities.
John Glen
It is absolutely clear that there are significant lessons for the FCA to learn from the Gloster review, and I have regular conversations, including just last week, with the new chief executive on the transformation programme. He has employed five new senior executives to drive that programme forward urgently, and I look forward to seeing the results of that intervention.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State share my concern about the impact of the last year on teacher retention? What plans does he have to mitigate this and to tempt more new entrants to the teaching profession? Is he considering more grant funding for those who are planning to enter the profession? Will he take some positive steps?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the past year on teacher retention rates, urging steps to mitigate this.
Gavin Williamson
We continue to support recruitment to the teaching profession with an extensive bursary scheme to incentivise people to take up teaching, especially in areas with the greatest shortage. We remain committed to our £30,000 starting salary for teachers, which we recognise is an incredibly compelling offer for many people. Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to hear that last year a record number of people chose to enter the teaching profession, and we expect similar results this year.
Session: Topical Questions
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What support will the Government provide to ensure that cats are microchipped as a priority?
Context
A quarter of domestic cats, approximately 2.6 million, are not microchipped according to Cats Protection.
Victoria Prentis
I encourage the hon. Lady to feed in her views and those of her constituents to our consultation. We are working up detailed proposals now. I know how important this issue is—I have lost a pet to a road traffic accident—and it is important that we get this right, both legally and in support terms.
Session: Microchipping of Cats
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What is the timescale for introducing compulsory microchipping of cats as announced in the Animal Welfare Action Plan? Cats Protection indicates that a quarter of all domestic cats, 2.6 million, are not microchipped.
Context
The government announced compulsory microchipping of cats in the Animal Welfare Action Plan. A public consultation has received over 33,000 responses.
Victoria Prentis
The Government have a manifesto commitment to introduce the compulsory microchipping of cats. We are analysing 33,000 responses from our public consultation and will publish a summary soon along with detailed proposals later this year.
Session: Microchipping of Cats
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Many of my constituents are concerned that each of the three rail timetabling options put forward by the Manchester recovery taskforce means reduced connectivity between West Lancs and Manchester. Will the Secretary of State assure my constituents that they are not the poor relations of the larger northern cities, and will he intervene to ensure that the supposed levelling-up of services in the north does not leave areas such as West Lancs behind?
Context
Concerns about reduced rail services in West Lancashire compared to larger northern cities.
Grant Shapps
Yes, I have been working with Transport for the North in consultation to sort out the bottleneck around Castlefield corridor impacting northern rail services. The hon. Lady's representations will be carefully considered, and the rail Minister would gladly meet her to discuss further.
Session: Topical Questions
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Both Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Liverpool city region have been refusing funding for their residents looking to study outside their boundaries. That is severely limiting the choices available to students and has left West Lancashire College in my constituency, near both the Liverpool and Greater Manchester boundaries, with a greatly reduced potential student pool. Liverpool has agreed to stop this but Greater Manchester has not. What advice can the Minister give to local authorities acting in this protectionist way with taxpayers' funds, to the detriment of places such as West Lancashire College?
Context
Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Liverpool city region have been refusing to fund residents who want to study outside their boundaries, affecting West Lancashire College.
Gillian Keegan
We would encourage all mayoral combined authorities always to look at outcomes for learners. We are there to ensure that learners get the best experience and outcomes. The White Paper that we published in January 2021 sets out the Government's overall objective for the funding system, which is to streamline the system so that there is a simpler allocation approach that will give greater autonomy and flexibility, and we also want an effective approach that improves accountability. We are currently working with the sector to develop and test our proposals ahead of consultation.
Session: Adult Education Devolution Choice of Colleges
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What assessment have you made of the effect of the devolution of the adult education budget to combined authorities on the choice of colleges available to students living near the authority boundary?
Context
The devolution of the adult education budget to combined authorities has raised concerns about college choices for students living near authority boundaries.
Gillian Keegan
Devolution gives providers an opportunity to work with mayoral combined authorities to shape ways in which they can contribute to meeting skills needs locally, so that more people of all ages and backgrounds are given the opportunities to develop the skills and experience they need. Devolution is based on the residency of learners, so where learners reside near boundaries, they need to attend a provider with which their funding body contracts. Many providers are funded through a number of areas to overcome this.
Session: Adult Education Devolution Choice of Colleges
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The US Congress has passed an Act creating an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Will the Minister confirm if the UK will use the G7 summit to join this project?
Context
A $250 million Act has been passed by US Congress to create a fund for peace-building, and the UK is assessing its feasibility.
James Cleverly
We engage positively with peace-building initiatives and continue assessing our overseas development aid. We will work closely with the US Administration, Israeli Government, and Palestinian Authority towards a two-state solution.
Session: Israel and the Palestinians Supporting Peace
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Currently, women with metastatic breast cancer are counted only when they die. That is despite the fact that, since 2013, it has been mandatory for trusts to collect data such as the number of women involved, how long they have survived and whether there are any health inequalities. It cannot be acceptable to count only the dead, not the living. Will the Minister commit to ensuring that the 2013 mandatory requirement to collect data on women with metastatic breast cancer is enforced?
Context
Since 2013, it has been mandatory to collect specific data on women with metastatic breast cancer. The issue is that this requirement is not being enforced effectively, leading to incomplete and inconsistent data.
Jo Churchill
Yes. As I explained in my earlier answer, one of the challenges is that there is not a consistent way of capturing the data. We need to sort that out: we need to make it simple; we need to make people understand what data we are collecting; and we need to make sure that, for both breast cancer patients and all metastatic cancer patients, we know where they are and that we are helping them with this disease as effectively as we can.
Session: Breast Cancer Diagnosis Data
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What proportion of NHS trusts are in compliance with the requirement to collect data on all new diagnoses of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer?
Context
The question stems from the ongoing issue of incomplete and inconsistent data collection for patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. This affects patient care, monitoring trends, and evaluating treatment effectiveness.
Jo Churchill
The National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service works closely with hospital trusts to determine sources of data that can be used to complete the cancer outcomes and services dataset. It also works with the software suppliers of cancer-management systems to ensure that data items can be recorded. Compliance with data standards is monitored by local CCGs, but I recognise that that is not enough, as data is incomplete after some eight years.
Session: Breast Cancer Diagnosis Data
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The current policy of charging Commonwealth veterans extortionate fees to settle in the UK is unfair. What measures is the Minister taking to address this injustice?
Context
The Royal British Legion highlighted unfair residency charges for Commonwealth veterans, urging the government to end this unjust treatment.
Johnny Mercer
Let me be absolutely clear: that policy started under the previous Government. This Government has promised a pathway to residency for those who serve, and we will deliver it. We are looking to consult in the coming months on this long-term injustice for our foreign and Commonwealth service personnel.
Session: Support for Veterans
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Our armed forces have helped to deliver successful whole-town testing in Liverpool, and we have heard today that the Ministry of Defence plans to use MACA—military aid to the civil authorities—support for more testing and preparations to roll out covid vaccines. Can the Minister indicate whether good quality local accommodation, together with extra funds, will be provided to the armed forces to help them with this vital work?
Context
The concern is about the provision of adequate local accommodation and additional funds to ensure that military personnel can effectively carry out their duties in supporting testing and vaccine rollouts.
James Heappey
Clearly, these are matters for operational commanders, but my expectation is that those deployed will be properly accommodated and fed while performing their duties.
Session: Armed Forces Covid-19 Response
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Prior to this pandemic, many disabled people reported that work opportunities were out of reach due to insufficient accessibility on the transport system. What measures is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that disabled people are not prevented from accessing and staying in employment because of pressing accessibility issues on our rail network?
Context
Disabled individuals face significant barriers to employment due to a lack of accessibility on the transport system.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The hon. Lady asks a very sensible question on a very important day, the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There is some good news, because 75% of all journeys—on what is a Victorian network that we are trying to upgrade—are now through step-free stations, compared with 50% only a few years ago.
Session: Publicly Owned Rail Operators
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I am concerned that under the proposed concession model, publicly owned rail operators will not be allowed to bid for future rail contracts. What plans does he have in this regard?
Context
The question arises due to the proposed concession model for rail operators, which could affect publicly owned operators' ability to bid for future contracts.
Chris Heaton-Harris
We will outline our plans for the railway in a White Paper when the course of the pandemic becomes clearer.
Session: Publicly Owned Rail Operators
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What help can be given to dental surgeries to improve their capacity? Can grants be made available for expensive ventilation systems that could reduce the required gap between patient visits?
Context
Dental services have been impacted by reduced capacity and safety measures such as fallow time between patients, raising concerns about routine care.
Jo Churchill
I am working closely with NHS Improvement and the chief dental officer on challenges like fallow time and testing solutions. We are also looking at the issue of ventilation and will report further progress soon.
Session: Covid-19 Dental Services and Mouth Cancer Diagnosis
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What recent assessment has been made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) access to routine dental services and (b) early diagnoses of mouth cancers?
Context
The question follows the initial suspension of dental services during the first wave of COVID-19, which led to urgent measures being put in place. Since then, there has been a gradual restoration of dental activities.
Jo Churchill
Over 600 urgent dental centres were set up during the first wave to deliver care. Since June, dentists have prioritised urgent treatment for vulnerable groups and provided routine care across the network while maintaining safety measures due to aerosol-generating procedures.
Session: Covid-19 Dental Services and Mouth Cancer Diagnosis
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Given the likelihood of extreme restrictions continuing throughout winter, will the Minister guarantee additional phone credit for prisoners and free video calls for families for the duration of the pandemic? During the last wave, 1200 handsets were made available with £5 extra phone credit, and video calling was rolled out.
Context
The question stems from concerns over ongoing restrictions in prisons that may harm mental health, prompting a request for continued support measures.
Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)
We did make available 1,200 handsets and £5 extra phone credit, and we rolled out video calling. We will continue to consider whether these measures are appropriate in the next phase.
Session: Covid-19 Lockdown in Prisons
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What lessons his Department has learned from the implementation and effect of the covid-19 lockdown in prisons. In March, we faced 2,500 to 3,500 deaths according to Public Health England's worst-case scenario, and decisive action was taken. As the pandemic continues, a more localised approach is now being developed, allowing governors to operate regimes proportionate to their local risk.
Context
The question arises from the need to understand how prison management has evolved during the pandemic, especially after initial strict national restrictions.
Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)
In March, we faced 2,500 to 3,500 deaths in our prisons according to Public Health England's worst-case scenario, and we took decisive action. As the pandemic continues, a more localised approach is now being developed allowing governors to operate regimes proportionate to their local risk. Throughout the pandemic, the importance of prisoners' wellbeing and mental health has been recognised and responded accordingly.
Session: Covid-19 Lockdown in Prisons
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Does the Secretary of State still intend to end the suspension of the minimum income floor for self-employed universal credit claimants, which is due to expire on 13 November?
Context
The policy of suspending the minimum income floor for self-employed Universal Credit claimants is due to expire on November 13.
Therese Coffey
That policy is still under review. Clearly, this is a matter of discussion, because the regulations do come to an end. It is important to recognise that we have different measures happening around different parts of the country.
Session: Universal Credit £20 Covid-19 Payment
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With the UK's unemployment rate at its highest level in three years, it is clear that many workers in Wales will need to rely on social security in order to get back on their feet. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is only fair to update legacy benefits such as jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance to match the increase in universal credit?
Context
The MP points out that many workers in Wales will rely on social security due to high unemployment and asks whether the government agrees with updating certain benefits.
Simon Hart
I thank the hon. Lady for her comments. Conversations I have had with the Department for Work and Pensions, and indeed the Chancellor, have touched on this very issue. This is why the arrangements on universal credit have been as flexible as they can be. The Department is making an effort to ensure that everybody is accounted for and that those who might fall into the gaps we referred to earlier are properly looked after.
Session: Covid-19 Employment Support
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What recent discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose employment has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak?
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on employment in Wales and seeks to understand discussions between government departments.
Simon Hart
I have frequent discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. At least 510,000 people in Wales have been directly supported by measures so far put in place. However, the best possible support we can provide is to get behind the national effort and public health guidelines to ensure that we overcome this crisis sooner rather than later.
Session: Covid-19 Employment Support
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Following Judge Raynor's comments, what steps is the Attorney General taking with the Lord Chancellor to increase the number of safe and effective jury trials? The MP raised concerns about delays in trials due to systemic issues and asked for specific actions being taken by the Government.
Context
Judge Raynor accused the Government of systemic failure for not conducting trials in a reasonable time, prompting this question.
Michael Ellis
We safely resumed jury trials in England and Wales before any comparable jurisdiction in the world. More than 900 jury trials have been listed since they recommenced on 18 May with the full support of Public Health England and Public Health Wales.
Session: Criminal Justice Backlog
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I welcome the Israel-UAE deal, which stops the prospect of any damaging annexation and should bring about normalisation between the two countries. What steps are the Government taking to encourage more Arab states to follow the UAE's lead and to use it as a catalyst to get lasting negotiated peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
Context
The question arises from the welcoming of the recent normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which could catalyze further steps towards a lasting negotiated peace.
Dominic Raab
I thank the hon. Lady. She is right and there can hopefully be a virtuous cycle of these normalisation agreements. I have been in touch with US authorities, including Jared Kushner when he visited London and Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, and I visited Israel on 25 August, where I not only saw Prime Minister Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister Gantz and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi, but visited the west bank and spoke to President Abbas and Prime Minister Shtayyeh—all with a view to encouraging normalisation with the countries of the region and, now that annexation is at least off the table for the foreseeable future, encouraging greater dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israeli Government.
Session: Israel
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With just four months left until the protocol comes into force, Rosie Cooper asks whether each agrifood product will require an export licence certificate costing up to £200.
Context
The National Farmers Union has warned about a lack of guidance for trade in agrifood products, which is crucial to Northern Ireland's economy.
Brandon Lewis (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)
The protocol obliges both the UK and the EU to streamline trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, avoiding controls at Northern Ireland ports as far as possible. Discussions are ongoing about the process and frequency of checks. The aim is to bring down the level of checks on agrifoods and live animals to a proportionate and pragmatic level.
Session: Northern Ireland Protocol Infrastructure at Ports
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As the Secretary of State knows, the Welsh Labour Government are making a thank-you payment of £500 to every social care worker in Wales. Does he agree that it is a kick in the teeth to those workers that the Treasury intends to tax that bonus payment, and will he join me and the Welsh First Minister in urging the Chancellor to think again?
Context
Discussions between the UK Government and the Welsh Labour Government regarding a thank-you payment of £500 to social care workers.
Simon Hart (The Under-Secretary of State for Wales)
We have discussed this at Wales questions before. It is disappointing that the Welsh Government did not discuss this in greater detail with the Treasury earlier on, because we could have found a way around it. Those discussions are ongoing, and there is a reasonably positive dialogue, but as I say, the answer to this would have been found in earlier engagement, rather than by making an announcement that they knew required primary legislation for which there was not time.
Session: Covid-19 Outbreak
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Will the Government abandon their one-size-fits-all approach to wind down the furlough and self-employment support schemes, adopting a targeted strategy that recognises the unique challenges faced by sectors like hotel workers, chefs, and lighting technicians?
Context
The furlough scheme is being phased out, yet some sectors like hospitality are still struggling.
Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer)
The priority is to safely reopen all sectors. We have met targets set in our reopening plan, and remaining closed sectors will be reopened soon. Extra support has been provided through business rates holidays and cash grants.
Session: Coronavirus Employment
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What plans does the Minister have to reconcile the growth of civil service jobs in London with the Prime Minister's commitment to relocate Whitehall Departments and make government more relevant to northern England?
Context
The Institute for Government estimates a growing number of civil servants in London, contradicting the Prime Minister's statements about relocating Whitehall departments to the north.
Oliver Dowden (Minister for the Cabinet Office)
The hon. Lady raises a very important point about moving Government activity out of London, which is why we have created a default where new agencies must be located outside London and the south-east. The Prime Minister is determined to go further with this agenda.
Session: Civil Service Reform
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As nurseries in my constituency are threatened with closure, I ask what assessment has been made of the adequacy of funding for local councils to fund children's services and nursery provision?
Context
Nurseries in Rosie Cooper's constituency are threatened with closure due to inadequate funding.
Nick Gibb
We have announced £66 million of extra funding for the coming financial year, which means 8p an hour for early years providers in most local authorities. Additionally, a £60 million top-up has been provided for maintained nursery schools. We monitor the marketplace to ensure sufficient provision and keep this under review.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Women’s Health Strategy for England
20 July 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
07 June 2022
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
British Sign Language (BSL) Recognition Bill - Third Reading of the entire bill
18 March 2022
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The Bill aims to officially recognise British Sign Language as an official language, improving services and education for deaf people. Rosie Cooper emphasises that this recognition is long overdue and...
Prime Minister
24 February 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Asked the Government to list official engagements for Wednesday 24 February. He then questioned whether the Government's funding for discretionary covid isolation payments was sufficient, highlighting...
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
15 December 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
02 November 2020
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
15 October 2020
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
05 October 2020
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Update
10 September 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Coronavirus Update
14 July 2020
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Thanks to national efforts, coronavirus cases have decreased significantly. The latest figures show 530 new cases and only 162 patients in mechanical ventilator beds. Deaths recorded are the lowest si...
4
PMQs Asked
36
Ministerial Questions Asked
15
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
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
+169% above average
This MP:
36
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+208% above average
This MP:
15
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 (%)
-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 Rosie Cooper's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.