Sam Carling
MP for North West Cambridgeshire
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Listening to residents in North West Cambridgeshire on the doorstep and at local coffee mornings, there is a clear message: people want local police to have the time and resources to get to know crime in their areas and to tackle it at the root. I know our Labour mayoral candidate is committed to that if she is elected tomorrow. Could the Prime Minister update residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on how our plan for change is tackling crime and antisocial behaviour and boosting police ranks by 13,000 officers, who will be visible in all local communities?
Context
The MP highlighted the need for local police to have time and resources to tackle crime in their areas, especially shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
The Conservatives decimated neighbourhood policing, and crimes like shoplifting and antisocial behaviour ran rife. I can tell my hon. Friend what we are doing through the plan for change: extra police officers, extra police community support officers, more special constables, and—on top of that—a named officer for every community, and more teams out in our town centres on Friday and Saturday nights. That is what you get with a Labour mayor working with a Labour Government to deliver change for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Session: PMQs
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Young people in North West Cambridgeshire and across the country are struggling to access mortgages and get on to the housing ladder due to thin credit files. Will the Minister explore requiring lettings agents and large landlords, with the consent of tenants, to report rental payment data to credit reference agencies so that a record of paying rent on time can contribute to tenants' credit histories and help them access mortgages?
Context
The MP is concerned about young people struggling to access mortgages due to thin credit files and is exploring options for requiring lettings agents and large landlords to report rental payment data to credit reference agencies.
Lucy Rigby
I know how passionate my hon. Friend is about the Government's priority to get more first-time buyers on to the housing ladder. As he and I have discussed before, people looking to buy a home can build their credit history through rent payments by using third-party services that report these things to credit reference agencies. I think that he and I would agree that better awareness of such services and the mortgages available that take account of tenants' rental payments would be a good thing.
Session: Topical Questions
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I have been thinking about the cost of software licensing in the public sector, because North West Anglia NHS foundation trust is trying to move to an electronic patient record and one of the biggest ongoing costs of that is third-party payments for software. Other trusts are in the same position, as are many schools paying for pupil management software. Will the procurement Minister commit to looking into whether we can instead deliver some of that in-house and save significant sums?
Context
Public sector organizations such as NHS trusts and schools face significant costs due to third-party software licensing.
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Minister)
I agree with my hon. Friend's point about the cost of software licensing and understand the impact it can have on public services like health trusts and schools. I will look into whether there are more efficient, in-house solutions to deliver these systems that would save significant sums for taxpayers.
Session: Topical Questions
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I recently met a police officer in Cambridgeshire who told me that their force had a policy requiring all footage from stop and searches to be reviewed by more senior officers. Due to this, they feel discouraged from doing proactive patrols because of extra work added for already stretched supervisors. Will the Policing Minister write to Cambridgeshire’s Conservative police and crime commissioner and urge him to be more proactive on challenging these issues so that our frontline police can spend as much time as possible out in our communities?
Context
A police officer in Cambridgeshire reported a policy requiring all footage from stop and searches to be reviewed by senior officers, discouraging proactive patrols due to the additional workload for supervisors.
The Minister for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones)
I am sorry that my hon. Friend’s police and crime commissioner is not doing what is needed. We need to empower the police to be out doing what they do best, not creating barriers for them to do so.
Session: Frontline Policing Bureaucracy
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Last week, I visited RAF Wyton in Huntingdonshire which employs many of my constituents. Under the new cyber and specialist operations command, Wyton plays a critical role in our defence intelligence, and the base's expansion will provide significant career opportunities for my constituents in northern Huntingdonshire. Does the Minister agree that developing the defence industry in Huntingdonshire will unlock local growth and prosperity? Can he outline how we will support skills development to ensure my constituents can access these opportunities?
Context
The MP visited RAF Wyton, a base that provides critical part of UK's defence intelligence and has expansion plans creating career opportunities for constituents. The visit involved cross-party support from local MPs.
Luke Pollard (Minister of State, Ministry of Defence)
My hon. Friend is a real champion of his constituents who work at RAF Wyton and all those who could work there through the expanded opportunities. There is cross-party support for the investment that this Government will make to use defence as an engine for growth, creating more opportunities for our young people in particular. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how we can further develop the opportunity at hand, in a spirit of cross-party consensus.
Session: Defence Sector Skills
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At Fletton Quays in my constituency, managed by Gateway Properties, leasehold residents are reporting that service charges have increased by as much as 150% in the last two years. Flats are under warranty and faults should be fixed by Weston Homes, which built the property, but instead are being fixed by Gateway, which has increased the service charge and, I understand, has even been sending separate bills on top. I know that the Government have been keen to address issues relating to high service charges and the need for financial transparency for leaseholders; can the Secretary of State provide an update on that work?
Context
Leaseholders at Fletton Quays are reporting a significant increase in service charges and receiving bills from Gateway Properties. The property is under warranty, but faults are being addressed by Gateway which has increased the service charge.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)
Unjustified service charges are wholly unacceptable, and I strongly recommend that the homeowners obtain legal advice. The Leasehold Advisory Service, for instance, gives free legal advice to leaseholders. Developers are typically responsible for rectifying defects within the first two years of the warranty period; even if no warranty claim is made, developers are still liable, and should not pass charges on to leaseholders. Unreasonable service charges may be challenged at the first-tier tribunal.
Session: Leasehold Reform
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To encourage more people to pursue a career in our armed forces, we need to ensure that the whole offer is strong, including accommodation. Concerns have been raised with me about poor performance by managing agents involved in maintaining Ministry of Defence properties in my constituency, often with complex subcontracting arrangements that make it very difficult to hold anyone accountable. I know of cases where people were dealing with a rodent infestation for six weeks due to inaction after it was reported to the managing agents. Can the Minister assure me that we are working to ensure that managing agents are held accountable by the MOD?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the management and maintenance of MOD-owned housing, particularly regarding pest control issues in RAF Wittering.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)
My hon. Friend makes a good point. We are delivering for defence by putting people at the heart of our defence plans. The new consumer charter for families in military homes will include improved repairs, a named housing officer for every family, and a better and clearer complaints process. I am aware of the issues he raises about pest control at RAF Wittering. This has been raised with Amey, the contractor that has the maintenance contract there, and I will expect to see an improvement.
Session: Defence Sector Jobs
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Does the Minister agree that dignity for severely disabled people must be a priority in the welfare system? Can he update the House on progress towards ensuring that people whose conditions mean they cannot work are no longer subject to repeated reassessments?
Context
Sense reports over 2,500 individuals with complex needs in North West Cambridgeshire who will never be able to work due to their conditions.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
We have announced changes recently to the rates of universal credit that protect the incomes of those with the most severe lifelong conditions who cannot work. We are also guaranteeing that, for both new and existing claims, individuals in this group will not need to be reassessed in future.
Session: Topical Questions
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I commend the Government for bringing back military housing from private hands, but much of it is in a shocking state. What steps will the Government take to ensure military personnel live in decent homes?
Context
The Government has brought back military housing after a previous privatisation decision under the Tories. However, many homes are in poor condition.
Al Carns
The defence housing strategy will be published as part of the Strategic Defence Review in spring, addressing medium to long-term improvements for military housing.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps are being taken to make the situation more sustainable for GPs while improving access to primary care?
Context
The MP highlights the increasing burnout among GPs and the high number of patients per fully qualified GP in his local area.
Wes Streeting
The Government has invested an additional £82 million into the ARRS to recruit 1,000 more newly qualified GPs this year and further budget allocations will be announced soon.
Session: Primary Care Patient Access
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What assessment has been made by his Department regarding the adequacy of patient access to primary care services?
Context
The MP notes ongoing concerns about patient access to primary care services in the NHS, following a decade of Conservative mismanagement.
Wes Streeting
The Government recognises pressures in general practice but has invested £82 million into the ARRS to recruit 1,000 more newly qualified GPs this year. This will take pressure off general practice.
Session: Primary Care Patient Access
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Residents in my constituency are still feeling the pinch from Liz Truss's mini-Budget. It is vital that this Government fix the foundations of our economy to deliver proper public services. Can the Chancellor tell me how she will deliver this for the north-east and for people across the country?
Context
There are over 50 pubs and breweries in Sam Carling's constituency, supporting more than 1,500 jobs and contributing millions of pounds to the local economy.
James Murray
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is absolutely right to say that pubs make an enormous contribution to our society and economy. The current alcohol duty system supports pubs through draught relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught are charged less duty. The Government are committed to delivering a fairer business rates system for high streets, including hospitality.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Furniture Poverty
06 November 2024
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the prevalence of furniture poverty in the UK. Statistics show that up to 9% of adults are missing at least one essential item, and over 1 million people live in deep furniture poverty, defined as missing three or more items. This issue disproportionately affects those from minority ethnic backgrounds, with 16% compared to 7% of white British people experiencing it. Furniture poverty has significant impacts on physical health, mental well-being, and social isolation, with many families spending extra money due to the lack of essential appliances like fridges and washing machines.']
Specific Asks
["I ask the Government to formally define what 'furnished' means in rental properties to protect tenants from misleading advertisements. I also urge them to follow Wales' lead by mandating flooring for social rented homes, which would alleviate many physical discomforts and reduce heating costs. Additionally, I request funding improvements for local welfare assistance schemes to ensure that support is available across the country."]
Department of Health and Social Care
30 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate highlights the lack of transparency in the NHS estimates and the impact of the UK-US pharmaceutical deal, which includes raising NICE cost-effectiveness thresholds from £20,000 to £35,000 p...
Social Media Ban for Under-16s
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Equality Act 2010: Code of Practice
01 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence Readiness
20 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Education Bill - After Clause 62 - Prohibition of smartphones during the school day
22 April 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to insist on Commons amendment 38J and disagrees with Lords amendments 38V to 38X. The amendment aims to prohibit the use of smartphones during the school day, aiming to protect children from on...
Knife Crime
14 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defence
24 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Conservative MP regrets that the Government has not published the Defence Investment Plan despite repeated promises to do so. He criticises the delay for freezing procurement and leaving the UK vu...
Social Cohesion Action Plan
09 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Small Religious Organisations: Safeguarding
02 March 2026
Adjournment Debate
Led by this MP
Sam Carling raised concerns about the Government's proposal to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, which he argued has been significantly watered down from IICSA's recommendations. He...
Miscellaneous
24 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Initiated a debate on the need for urgent legislation to protect children from harmful online content. Emphasised the importance of age-appropriate regulation, cross-party consensus, and public consul...
Attendance
88.8%
87 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
33
33.7% of votes
No Votes
54
55.1% of votes
Abstentions
11
11.2% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
1
PMQs Asked
11
Ministerial Questions Asked
45
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
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
11
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+826% above average
This MP:
45
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 (%)
+28% above average
This MP:
88.8
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 Sam Carling's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.