Samantha Niblett
MP for South Derbyshire
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I congratulate the Prime Minister on his first Prime Minister's questions; this is my first Prime Minister's question too. I want to declare an interest: I chair the all-party parliamentary group on sexual and reproductive health in the UK. The campaign for lifelong sex education that I launched with Cindy Gallop has received a tremendous response and support from many, including professionals in occupational health, medicine, nursing, public health and academia, the National Education Union and the police. I have discovered that the shame, guilt and embarrassment around talking about sex—and body parts like penis and vagina—are even leading to late diagnoses of health conditions including illnesses such as cancer for many people in my South Derbyshire constituency and across the country. I have discussed that with the Eve Appeal and with my constituent Louise Clarke, a GP who specialises in cancer of the vulva; they are really great for my campaign. As September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, and as the summer of sex comes to a close, will the Prime Minister agree to meet me to talk about the campaign?
Context
The questioner raises awareness for the campaign for lifelong sex education and the issue of late diagnoses of health conditions due to embarrassment around discussing sex. This is particularly relevant during Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Andy Burnham
I will indeed. My hon. Friend has been raising important issues that others have not spoken about—and it is clear to me that her summer was more exciting than mine. [Laughter.]
Assessment
null
Session: PMQs 2026-09-02
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I recently launched a campaign for lifelong sex education. A parish councillor thanked me for it because probation staff are frequently re-educating young men about acceptable sexual relationships. Will the Secretary of State or a relevant Minister meet me to discuss the importance of lifelong sex education in re-educating potential reoffenders?
Context
Niblett launched a campaign for lifelong sex education and met parish councillors, including one who works in the Probation Service, thanking her for the campaign due to the need for re-education of young men on acceptable sexual behavior.
David Lammy
I thank my hon. Friend for her campaign and work in this area. It is important that prisoners and those on probation are re-educated about codes of conduct, and I am happy for her to arrange a meeting with the Prisons Minister.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am concerned that while there has been a significant drop in waiting times at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS foundation trust during the Q4 sprint, what assurances can the Secretary of State give that this progress is not just temporary? We need consistent good care for patients in South Derbyshire and across the country.
Context
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS foundation trust undertook a Q4 sprint to reduce waiting times, with significant progress seen in various departments. At the start of the sprint, only 56% of patients were treated within 18 weeks; this increased to 60.2%. Concerns are raised about whether these improvements will be sustained.
Wes Streeting
I thank my hon. Friend for her work and join in congratulating Stephen Posey and his team on their efforts. The government has set ambitious targets, invested in modernisation to simplify pathways, increase clinical capacity, and improve patient experience, showing that the NHS is recovering despite challenges like resident doctors' strikes.
Session: NHS Waiting Lists
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What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of people waiting for NHS treatment given that inherited from Conservatives an NHS in crisis, waiting lists at a record 7.6 million, and public satisfaction at record lows?
Context
The Conservative government left the NHS with a record high of 7.6 million people on waiting lists and declining public satisfaction.
Wes Streeting
We have delivered record numbers of appointments, tests and surgeries since taking office, with waiting lists down to their lowest level in nearly three and a half years. We are driving modernisation through our 10-year plan.
Session: NHS Waiting Lists
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How the police respond at the first instance of a domestic violence incident can be crucial for both criminal justice proceedings and on-ground interpretation. Given the Minister's interest in global best practices, will she consider looking into studies from Europe where mixed-gender patrols have been proven effective?
Jess Phillips
I thank the right hon. Gentleman and will ensure officials look up that study, committing to consider any evidence showing improvement in this area.
Session: Domestic Violence Victim Support
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Pregnancy can be a worrying time for any expectant parent, and knowing they can access their GP to see a person face to face is hugely important. That was denied to my constituent, Hayley Johnson, who sadly went on to lose her baby, Evelyn, when she was delivered in an emergency at 26 weeks and six days due to a huge misdiagnosis given over the phone. With regard to maternity support specifically, what is the Minister doing to ensure that excellent maternity care is delivered in local communities so that that never happens to another family, and that when the very worst does happen and parents are suffering the loss of a baby, the support also extends to bereavement counselling?
Context
The MP raised concerns about the adequacy of maternity support, particularly in cases involving misdiagnosis over the phone leading to tragic outcomes for expectant parents. She highlighted a specific case where a constituent lost her baby due to poor care.
Wes Streeting
I thank my hon. Friend for the work she is doing to campaign for better support in this space and for raising these tragic cases, not just today but in her powerful contribution to last week’s debate. She is right to say that GPs are critical for supporting women during pregnancy, providing compassionate physical and mental health care and signposting relevant services, which is why continuity is important. I am happy to report to her that, in terms of mental health and bereavement support, a record number of women accessed a specialist community perinatal mental health service or maternal mental health service in the 12 months to July 2025, but clearly there is much more to do. We have announced a £36.5 million package for bespoke perinatal mental health and parent infant relationship support as part of the continuation of the family hubs and Start for Life programme, but as we heard in last week’s debate, although a lot has been done, there is so much more to do.
Session: Maternity and Neonatal Care
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What assessment has been made of the potential merits of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust's capital funding request? I have spoken to the trust about supporting constituents in ex-coalfield communities by improving their confidence and providing community cohesion activities. The trust aims to offer training courses that support careers in gardening and horticulture, addressing concerns raised during a visit to Bloomin’ Gardens & Landscapes.
Context
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has requested £50 million in capital funding to support local initiatives that deliver training courses and community cohesion at ward level. The trust aims to improve the confidence of people on long-term benefits, enabling them to secure paid work.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
We recognise the excellent work being done by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and remain committed to working with it. The current fiscal position remains challenging, in that context we are considering funding requests.
Session: Coalfields Regeneration Trust Capital Funding Request
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I am sure that the Minister will have seen research last week saying that mums earn £302 less per week than dads. For too long, the Tories were happy for those costs to fall on women. What steps is she taking to ensure that this Labour Government tackle the motherhood penalty?
Context
Research indicated that mothers earn £302 less per week than fathers, prompting concern over the motherhood penalty.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
I agree with my hon. Friend that this is totally unacceptable. This Labour Government will deliver for women, unlike the Conservative party—whose leader said that maternity pay was “excessive”—or the Reform leader, the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage), who claimed it was a “fact of life” that women coming back from maternity leave would earn less. We know the difference that high-quality early years education makes, which is why I am delighted that, from this week, working families will be able to access 70 hours of Government-funded childcare.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am delighted that the Government's Mayoral Council is handing back powers to local communities. We are already seeing the impact of that. Claire Ward, the Mayor of the east Midlands, attended the first meeting in October. She is leading the way: the East Midlands is one of the youth trailblazer regions granted £5 million of government funding to help young people into work or training. What work are ministers doing to give those who contribute to our country a say in how it is governed?
Context
The Government's Mayoral Council is redistributing power to local communities. The Mayor of the east midlands, Claire Ward, received £5 million for youth trailblazer regions.
Jim McMahon
The forthcoming English devolution White Paper will set out clearly our top-to-bottom redistribution of power, and how we include and engage people at a local level to ensure that they can actively participate in the development of their areas.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. In South Derbyshire, we have a 20-year-old Melbourne festival of art and architecture, and CircularityHUB supporting diverse abilities individuals. However, when it comes to young people wanting careers in the creative industries, what more can this Government do so that we can thrive at home?
Context
The question is prompted by the Melbourne festival of art and architecture celebrating its 20th anniversary, highlighting challenges for young people pursuing careers in the creative sector.
Lisa Nandy
This Government are supporting those aspirations with a £3 million expansion of the creative careers programme, so that young people can find jobs and access opportunities. We are reviewing the curriculum to put arts and music back at the heart of the national curriculum.
Session: Creative Industries
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I want to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that almost one in five people in my constituency are classed as disabled, and after 14 years of a Conservative Government who slashed public services, there are still far too many people in South Derbyshire who report that their daily activities are significantly limited by their conditions. What more can this Government do in my constituency to support disabled people in accessing care as well as career and educational opportunities?
Context
Almost one in five residents of South Derbyshire are classified as disabled, facing challenges in accessing care and educational opportunities after years of Conservative government policies.
Stephen Timms
My hon. Friend, in describing her constituency, speaks for the whole country. Disabled people and people with health impairments are very diverse, and we want to promote diverse, specialist initiatives to support people to stay in work, to get back into work if they have lost their job, and to progress in work, including by joining up local employment and help support. We need to remove barriers to accessing services as well.
Session: Disabled People Discrimination
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I have spoken to many people in my constituency of South Derbyshire who are taking on caring responsibilities for loved ones. I know how hard that is and I am so grateful for the job they do, but it is often a thankless task. I am glad that the Government have taken action to support people in our communities who take on caring responsibilities, but it is disproportionately women who do so.
Context
The MP highlights the challenges unpaid family carers face and notes that women are disproportionately affected.
Liz Kendall
My hon. Friend is right: 60% of unpaid carers are women, but they spend more hours caring, so they are disproportionately represented when it comes to receiving carer's allowance. This step forward is small but significant and important as the new Government understand that people live longer and care for longer, requiring help to balance work and caring responsibilities.
Session: Carers Support
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I am concerned about the support available to carers, who face significant challenges while caring for loved ones. I have spoken to many people in South Derbyshire taking on these responsibilities and know how difficult it can be. While I appreciate that action has been taken, women are disproportionately affected as 60% of unpaid carers are female and they spend more hours caring.
Context
The MP is concerned about the challenges faced by unpaid family carers in her constituency.
Liz Kendall
My hon. Friend is right: 60% of unpaid carers are women, but they spend more hours caring, so they are disproportionately represented when it comes to receiving carer's allowance. This step forward is small but significant and important as the new Government understand that people live longer and care for longer, requiring help to balance work and caring responsibilities.
Session: Carers Support
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I know that the Minister shares the delight that many of us felt when it was announced that researchers from the UK-based AI company Google DeepMind are to share a Nobel prize for their work on protein folding, a technology that will help shape economies of the future. As founder of Labour Women in Tech, I want this technological growth to be diverse, so what are the Government doing to ensure both that the UK remains a global leader in this tech space and that my constituents in South Derbyshire are able to trust that this technology can and will benefit everyone?
Context
The MP asks about the Government's commitments to AI development and inclusivity.
Feryal Clark
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for all the work that she does to encourage more women into tech. It is great to know that the tech world is full not just of “tech bros”, but quite a lot of tech sisters as well.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Animal Welfare Strategy for England
21 January 2026
Responding: Dame Angela Eagle
Main Concerns
['The UK has a proud and long-standing history of championing animal welfare, with the first piece of animal welfare legislation anywhere in the world being enacted in 1822. Samantha Niblett highlights the importance of protecting animals who are sentient beings capable of feeling pain, fear and joy, stressing the moral duty to safeguard their welfare. She mentions an estimated 35 million pets living in the UK with the pet care market worth £8.2 billion, and around 150 million farmed animals in England at any one time.']
Specific Asks
['Samantha Niblett welcomes the Labour Government’s recent animal welfare strategy which sets out clear ambitions to be achieved by 2030 on improving the lives of companion animals, wild animals, farmed animals and animals overseas. She also advocates for addressing loopholes around breeding, banning snare traps, delivering on manifesto commitments such as banning trail hunting.']
Backbench Business
16 July 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
State of Climate and Nature
13 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Puberty Blockers
23 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
As a consultant paediatrician, Caroline Johnson highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the PATHWAYS clinical trial that involves administering puberty-suppressing hormones to children with gender...
Women’s Health Strategy
16 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
25 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defending Democracy Taskforce
12 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Established a Speaker’s Conference to examine the security of Members, candidates and elections. The conference published two reports with over 60 recommendations to tackle abuse and intimidation face...
International Women’s Day
12 March 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
It is an honour to open this International Women’s Day debate, which is being held in Government time for the first time since 2020. International Women’s Day was forged in the labour strikes of the e...
Digital ID: Public Consultation
10 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Energy Markets
05 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Middle East
02 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Attendance
88.8%
87 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
35
35.7% of votes
No Votes
52
53.1% 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
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
VOTED NO
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
DID NOT VOTE
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
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
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
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
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
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
13
Ministerial Questions Asked
51
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
-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
+949% above average
This MP:
51
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 Samantha Niblett's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.