Rupert Lowe
MP for Great Yarmouth
Restore Britain
Reform UK
-
4 Jul 2024 - 7 Mar 2025
Independent
-
7 Mar 2025 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Every week we hear of a brutal murder, rape or stabbing, far too often perpetrated by someone who should not be in our country to begin with. Does the Prime Minister agree that, for cases in which the guilt is so undeniable, the crime so monstrous and the evil so irredeemable, the reintroduction of the death penalty for both foreign and domestic criminals should be put to the British people in a legally binding referendum?
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
Any attack is to be condemned. It is absolutely right, and we are determined to ensure, that there is a criminal justice response in relation to attacks, however they are carried out and whoever they are carried out by. But reintroducing the death penalty is not the answer to this. It did not work when it was in place. It led to the death of people who, it turned out, were in fact innocent. What we must do, as we are doing, is improve the criminal justice response in this country.
Assessment
Did not support a referendum on reintroducing the death penalty
Improving The Criminal Justice Response
Session: PMQs
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Does the Prime Minister agree that imprisoning Lucy Connolly, a young mother with a 12-year-old daughter, for one foolish social media post that was soon deleted is clearly not an efficient or fair use of prison?
Context
Lucy Connolly, a mother of a young child, was sentenced to prison for a single social media post that has since been deleted.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
Sentencing is a matter for our courts, and I celebrate the fact that we have independent courts in this country. I am strongly in favour of free speech. We have had free speech in this country for a very long time, and we protect it fiercely. But I am equally against incitement to violence against other people, and I will always support the action taken by our police and courts to keep our streets and people safe.
Assessment
Did not comment directly on the fairness or efficiency of imprisoning Lucy Connolly for her post
Stressing Independence Of Judiciary
Focusing On Broader Principles
Session: PMQs
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Will the Prime Minister commit to using his good offices to publish data on foreign nationals receiving universal credit transparently?
Context
The feasibility of developing suitable official statistics was being examined in response to a written question.
Keir Starmer
I am grateful for raising this. As soon as I have an update, I will provide it.
Assessment
No commitment to publish the data was given
Session: PMQs
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I am concerned about the damage caused to my constituents by uncontrolled legal and illegal immigration. Does the Prime Minister agree that this approach has failed our country?
Context
The MP claims uncontrolled legal and illegal immigration has damaged his community since 1997.
Keir Starmer
I disagree with the hon. Member's numbers but acknowledge serious issues at borders, including record crossings; we will set up our border security command to tackle these issues.
Assessment
Did not give a direct yes or no answer to whether current policies have failed
Disagreement
Session: PMQs
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Will the Minister commit to a national audit of street harassment, intimidation and sexual offending by nationality and immigration status?
Context
Women in various towns feel intimidated and harassed, particularly by young foreign men from cultures that do not respect women.
Bridget Phillipson
Here we go again, Mr Speaker. I note that an investigation by a King's counsel into the hon. Gentleman's conduct concluded that there was “credible evidence” that he had mistreated two female team members in a way that seemed “to amount to harassment”. I do not want to hear anything from him about violence against women and girls or harassment.
Session: Topical Questions
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A staggering £10.1 billion of the £61.2 billion spent on universal credit in 2024 was gifted to foreign nationals. Does the Minister agree that the solution is really quite straightforward? We should ban all foreigners from claiming any benefits, remove from our country those migrants incapable of financially supporting themselves and hand that money back to the tax-paying British men and women who are actually keeping our economy running?
Andrew Western
I fundamentally disagree with the perspective of the hon. Gentleman on people who have been here for years, made a contribution and paid their taxes, and then require some help back from a state that they have paid into, sometimes for decades. Not only that, the figure that he uses is a complete conflation and a significant overestimation. He shows his ignorance if he does not understand that it is impossible to suggest that that money has all been paid directly to foreign nationals because the figure that he uses is drawn from the total number of households with a foreign national in them, and many of the individual claimants could in fact be British or Irish citizens.
Session: Topical Questions
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As the Secretary of State knows, our independent rape gang inquiry hearings are ongoing just a short walk from this Chamber. Last week I sat opposite one woman who was raped by between 600 and 700 men. She estimated that 98% were Pakistani Muslims. The evidence we are collecting is brutal. We have been told again and again of attempts to traffic raped and abused women overseas to Pakistan and elsewhere; thankfully, those attempts failed, but how many did not? Will the Secretary of State agree to urgently review cases of missing girls in target areas and launch a full state investigation into reports of such trafficking?
Shabana Mahmood
The testimony of the victims that the hon. Gentleman has heard from is absolutely horrifying, and the grooming gangs scandal was one of the darkest moments in this country's history. Victims and survivors of these hideous crimes deserve justice, and we will make sure that they get it.
Session: Topical Questions
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I wrote to the Chancellor on 8 January, with the support of 7,000 small businesses from across the spectrum—not just pubs. They are concerned about not only rate re-evaluations and the vicious tax rises that they have had to suffer, but also the cost of implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025. When can the 7,001 of us expect a reply?
Context
The questioner wrote to the Chancellor on January 8th, supported by 7,000 small businesses across various sectors including pubs. They are concerned about rate re-evaluations and tax rises as well as the cost of implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Dan Tomlinson
I regularly reply to letters and parliamentary questions from Members on both sides of the House. In this case, I have received correspondence similar to what was described by the hon. Member and will ensure that a thorough response is provided in due course.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Secretary of State today agree to publish clear, honest and regular statistics on the number of illegal migrants convicted of sexual offences, murder or indeed any other crime?
Context
There is a call for transparency and accountability in the reporting of criminal activities by illegal migrants.
Lammy
We do publish statistics in the usual way after they have been properly analysed. We have to make sure that all facts are verified, and we have done that in the same way that the last Government did.
Session: Topical Questions
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Through freedom of information requests, Restore Britain has uncovered unpublished Treasury analysis breaking down contributions by ethnicity. Evidently the data exists, so will the Chancellor commit to going further by publishing the same analysis by nationality, so that we can see which groups are paying their way, and, more importantly, which groups are not?
Context
Treasury analysis exists that breaks down contributions by ethnicity, but it is not published. The questioner asks for a commitment to publish similar data broken down by nationality.
James Murray
Mr Speaker, I am considering how to respond to that question. I will simply leave it at saying that everyone must pay their fair share of tax. That is something that the Labour party are committed to in government.
Session: Topical Questions
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As someone actively involved in a number of businesses, unlike the majority of Front Benchers, I have spent far too much of my life trying to communicate with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Taxpayers cumulatively spent 798 years on hold with HMRC in 2022-23, and letters often go unanswered for months. Will the Chancellor commit to a comprehensive review of HMRC, to make it as accountable to the taxpayer as the taxpayer is to them?
Context
Independent MP Rupert Lowe questioned the accountability of HMRC and proposed a comprehensive review to improve its service.
Mansfield
One of my key priorities as Exchequer Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for HMRC is to oversee a programme of transformation at HMRC to improve its customer service.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will the Government take responsibility if football declines after they introduce football regulation?
Context
The Premier League is a significant contributor to British exports and raises substantial revenue for the government.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)
Football is an ecosystem, and we work very closely with the Premier League. As a crown jewel of British exports, it brings joy to millions of people all over the world, but the fact is that far too many football clubs are currently unsustainable, suffering from poor ownership and poor financial flow. The Football Governance Bill was in our manifesto and those of Opposition parties, and we will not be blocked by unelected peers from enacting what was a manifesto commitment and making good on that promise for football fans.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Chancellor's central planning agenda is making for depressing listening. There are serious matters such as people's employment to consider. With a £22 billion black hole and an impending economic downturn next year, will the Chancellor accept she has made a mess?
Context
There is growing evidence that the financial sector growth has a negative impact on the economy, particularly in terms of employment.
Rachel Reeves
The Government are addressing the £22 billion inherited from the previous government. We are growing the economy through reforms in national wealth fund, planning, pensions, and public services.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am sure that the Home Secretary would agree that good government is transparent government. I have been told by her Department, in response to a written parliamentary question, that the number of crimes committed by illegal migrants is not available through published statistics. I am sure that the Home Office does hold the data, so will the Minister commit to publishing it in full?
Context
The questioner cites the Home Secretary's Department stating that data on crimes committed by illegal migrants is not available through published statistics, despite holding such information.
Angela Eagle
There will be a huge drop of immigration-related national statistics at the end of the week.
Session: Topical Questions
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This week, John McTernan, an adviser to Tony Blair, publicly stated that farming should be treated in the same way that Margaret Thatcher treated the miners, and that it was an industry the country could 'do without'. As a farmer, I find this incorrect, offensive and deluded. Does the Minister agree?
Context
John McTernan, an adviser to Tony Blair, stated that farming should be treated like the miners' industry under Margaret Thatcher and that it was an industry the country could do without.
Steve Reed
Yes.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Home Secretary agree that it is time to leave the ECHR and restore the sovereignty of our own borders?
Context
Dangerous foreign criminals use ECHR as a loophole to remain in UK.
Yvette Cooper
We are working with other countries, including new agreements with G7, Europol and Italy, making it crucial to maintain international law.
Session: Small Boat Crossings
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As I see it, the taxpayer is now accountable to the state. The state is not accountable to the taxpayer, and I think that a lot of our lack of growth is rooted in the fact that many of our offices run by the state are not working, and are actually strangling our economy.
Context
The MP expressed concern about the lack of government accountability to taxpayers and its impact on economic growth.
Rachel Reeves
That is the purpose of elections, and at the last election, this Government achieved a sizeable majority for our missions, including growing the economy, improving living standards and making working people better off. We have just got started, and that is what we are absolutely determined to do, in order to deliver on the mandate we got on 4 July.
Session: Economic Growth
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Future of Fishing — [Clive Efford in the Chair]
05 November 2024
Responding: Daniel Zeichner
Main Concerns
["Britain has some of the richest fishing grounds in its 200-nautical-mile limit, which historically supported a flourishing industry. However, EU membership since 1973 severely damaged British fishing and fish processing industries, with other member states free to fish outside a 12-mile coastal band. European fishing fleets have used questionable methods such as electric pulse fishing, heavily exploiting UK waters. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' marine management has allowed EU vessels to operate unmonitored in UK waters. Currently, the French have 92% of cod quota in the channel and three times more Dover sole than Britain."]
Specific Asks
['The Government needs a rebuilding blueprint to benefit the economy and food security post-2026. The Reform party has proposed several measures including introducing a revised Merchant Shipping Act, speeding up the return of fishing quotas, banning foreign supertrawlers from UK waters, and ensuring full British control over its exclusive economic zone.']
Russian Shadow Fleet
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Court Reporting Data
10 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Standards in Public Life
09 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Lord Mandelson 2026-02-04
04 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move, that an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions to require the Government to lay before this House all papers relating to Lord ...
Rural Communities 2026-01-07
07 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government’s policies have resulted in rising taxes, record closures of agriculture businesses, shops, pubs, and restaurants, falling levels of business investment, changes to funding for rural ar...
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...
Seasonal Work 2025-12-10
10 December 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion regrets Government policies that are making seasonal, flexible and part-time work more difficult; notes the negative impact on young people in hospitality, leisure and retail sectors due to...
Illegal Migrants Unknown Whereabouts 2025-12-09
09 December 2025
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
The scale of illegal immigration and its impact on our country is simply not understood in this Parliament. British people are genuinely scared—women fear going into their towns alone, parents worry a...
Grooming Gangs Independent Inquiry 2025-12-09
09 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
BBC Leadership 2025-11-11
11 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
40.8%
40 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
20
20.4% of votes
No Votes
20
20.4% of votes
Abstentions
58
59.2% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
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
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
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
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
4
PMQs Asked
13
Ministerial Questions Asked
31
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
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
+9% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-3% below average
This MP:
13
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+538% above average
This MP:
31
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 (%)
-41% below average
This MP:
40.8
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 Rupert Lowe's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.