Sarah Atherton
MP for Wrexham
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
After a 15-year break, Wrexham association football club is back in the English football league. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating everyone at the club, including the loyal supporters and the owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney?
Context
Wrexham association football club returned to the English football league after a 15-year break, with new ownership by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Rishi Sunak
I join my hon. Friend in congratulating everyone at Wrexham, from the owners to the players, the supporters and everyone in the community. It has been an incredible ride; we have all enjoyed watching them, and we wish them every future success.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is in special measures, and the chairman and entire board have resigned as they no longer trust the Welsh Labour Government. Despite Labour running NHS services in north Wales, can you suggest whose fault it is and who should fix it?
Context
The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been placed in special measures, with the chairman and board resigning due to lack of faith in the Welsh Labour Government. The Welsh Health Minister blamed others for healthcare issues.
Rishi Sunak
Healthcare is a devolved matter for the Labour-run Government in Wales, where 1 in 5 people are on waiting lists. The Welsh Government should focus on reducing waiting times as we do in England with our measures.
Assessment
Specific responsibility was not assigned; only blamed devolved government without suggesting who should take action
Blaming The Devolved Government
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Will the Prime Minister congratulate Wrexham on being shortlisted for the city of culture, and on being the first Welsh town to be so?
Context
Wrexham is shortlisted for the city of culture and is the first Welsh town to be so.
Boris Johnson
Not only is Wrexham shortlisted for the city of culture, but it is the city of vaccines. Without the AstraZeneca vaccines bottled in Wrexham, we literally would not be where we are today.
Assessment
Specific ask about cultural status was ignored
Changing Subject
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Over 4,200 servicewomen and veterans used a democratic process to contribute to the Defence Committee's inquiry into women in the armed forces. A formal response is still awaited from the Ministry of Defence. While the majority of women enjoy a fulfilling career in the military, shocking issues were raised around sexual assault, bullying and harassment. I know that the Prime Minister agrees that our armed forces are the best in the world. Would he also agree that we need to make sure that the British Army is the best place to serve as a woman?
Context
Servicewomen and veterans provided input to a Defence Committee inquiry on women in the armed forces, raising issues such as sexual assault and harassment.
Boris Johnson
I thank my hon. Friend; she is campaigning on a very important issue. Too often, we find that our armed forces fail to provide the wonderful women in our armed forces with the support they deserve. That is why I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary has secured a parliamentary inquiry into this for the first time.
Assessment
The PM did not commit to any formal actions or response from the Ministry of Defence.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Our British vaccine, finished in Wockhardt in Wrexham, has shown the globe exactly what the UK can achieve. Does the Prime Minister agree that now is the time for our young people to look at and aspire to careers in STEM and healthcare, and that Wrexham is the hub that can take us forward?
Context
Sarah Atherton highlighted the successful production of a British vaccine by Wockhardt in Wrexham, underscoring the region's importance.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend is completely right. I thank her again, by the way, for her amazing service in the NHS in Wrexham and in returning to the frontline. It was at Wockhardt in Wrexham that I met young female scientists who are helping to make the vaccine that will not only free our country, we hope, from the captivity of covid, but help to liberate the entire world. It was wonderful to see it happening in Wrexham.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is unacceptable for a company to receive £400,000 from the Development Bank of Wales and donate £200,000 to the First Minister?
Context
A company received £400,000 from Development Bank of Wales and donated £200,000 to the First Minister.
David Davies
My hon. Friend raises a very interesting point about the loan given by Development Bank Wales being used for political donations, but it is not a question for me; instead, my opposition should answer it as they have been silent on this matter.
Session: Cost of Living
View All Questions -->
Earlier we heard a number of statements from the Opposition questioning ministerial integrity, but perhaps they should look closer to home—to be precise, at the first Minister of Wales and his links with donations to his leadership campaign and the Development Bank of Wales. Can the Minister tell us when the Welsh Labour party will apply to itself the standards that Labour has called for in the Chamber this morning—[Interruption.]
Context
The Opposition questioned ministerial integrity, but the questioner points to a case involving donations to the First Minister of Wales and his links with the Development Bank of Wales.
John Glen
My hon. Friend makes a very strong point. If a devolved Administration receives a donation as part of a political campaign—if the leader of that Administration receives a £200,000 donation at the same time that the Development Bank of Wales makes a £400,000 loan to a subsidiary of that company—that is surely a matter of public interest. It will be for the First Minister of Wales to determine what is appropriate, but I would have thought some explanation would be the very least that the people of Wales would expect.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Will the Minister let me know whether the term, “female military sexual trauma” will be acknowledged and included in the women's strategy, and the date on which the strategy will be published?
Context
The MP has been chair of the advisory board for female veterans' strategy, which completed evidence gathering.
Johnny Mercer
I recognise the unique challenges around sexual trauma in the military. The term will be acknowledged. The strategy will be published before the summer recess.
Session: Female Veterans
View All Questions -->
What steps he is taking to improve support for female veterans. I am one of the estimated 250,000 female veterans, and I have spent the last four years raising awareness of this hidden community. I have been chair of the advisory board; the evidence gathering has ended and the recommendations have been made.
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of specific support for female veterans, who are often a hidden community with unique challenges.
Johnny Mercer
The Office for Veterans' Affairs has provided £445,000 for research into the lived experiences of women veterans and for development of further support. The Government's first women's strategy is being developed to better address their needs. The term 'female military sexual trauma' will be acknowledged. The strategy will be published before the summer recess.
Session: Female Veterans
View All Questions -->
Does the Minister agree that the poor healthcare provided by Welsh Labour is putting lives at risk, given the high number of preventable deaths?
Context
The MP brings up a constituent's harrowing experience of waiting for 31 hours in an ambulance and the high rate of preventable deaths attributed to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
David Davies
My hon. Friend is right; independent commissioners were dismissed by the Welsh Labour Health Minister after raising concerns about £100 million being misspent at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, contributing to poor healthcare quality in Wales.
Session: Healthcare
View All Questions -->
During a recent night, a nurse helped a collapsed man with an hour-and-fifteen-minute wait for the first responder. Has the Minister assessed how much time is lost by police attending emergency services instead of NHS?
Context
A night out in Wrexham where a nurse helped a collapsed man with delayed medical response.
Chris Philp
Police help in threats to life or safety, but for purely medical emergencies, it's for the NHS. Right Care, Right Person model roll-out will ensure medical responses.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Rossett, outside Wrexham, has little to no connectivity, despite the Ofcom checker predicting that it has a good signal. This significantly limits residents' lives. Ofcom acknowledges that it is a prediction, but Building Digital UK says that, because the Government rely on this prediction, there is little chance of Rossett receiving any benefit from the shared rural network programme. What would the Minister advise my residents to do?
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of connectivity in Rossett despite predicted good signal.
Julia Lopez
My hon. Friend highlights the challenge I have had in answering this question. The mobile connectivity figures I have for her constituency are extremely high. This highlights the issue we have with Ofcom's reporting maps, which are simply not good enough. We have consistently raised this with Ofcom, and we hope to make progress.
Session: Rural Connectivity
View All Questions -->
What steps her Department is taking to improve rural connectivity. I am asking specifically about the progress made and any upcoming initiatives or targets set by the government to enhance broadband coverage across remote regions of the country.
Context
The MP is concerned about improving internet access in rural areas.
Julia Lopez
We have made huge progress in connecting the countryside. In 2019 only 6% of premises had gigabit-capable broadband; now it is 80%, and the UK is building gigabit networks faster than any country in the EU. This month we launched another six Project Gigabit contracts to connect another 690,000 rural homes. The shared rural networks are tackling mobile notspots and we have satellite trials for the very hardest to reach.
Session: Rural Connectivity
View All Questions -->
When defence contracts are awarded, a 10% to 20% weighting is given to social value, which is the benefit that the contract would have for the local and wider community. Does that community benefit apply entirely for the UK, or are overseas companies and their communities considered equally?
Context
The MP questions whether the community benefit criteria for UK defence contracts apply equally to overseas companies.
James Cartlidge
That is a very good question. The distinction is between the Cabinet Office social value rules, which are applied across Government and are irrespective, and the rules that the Ministry of Defence applies to our procurement. When the new medium helicopter comes out, we will be clear about incentivising a strong commitment to the UK industrial base.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Can the Minister outline what he is doing on retention?
Context
There is a net loss of servicewomen, with seven experienced personnel leaving for each five recruited. The question seeks specific measures to improve retention rates.
Andrew Murrison
Over the past two years, a range of initiatives have been developed and delivered to support servicewomen. This includes uniform policies, accessible sanitary products, mentoring, flexible service, wraparound childcare, parental leave, and zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour.
Session: Armed Forces Recruitment
View All Questions -->
Does the Secretary of State agree that Welsh Labour should focus on what people need, not increasing the number of Senedd politicians?
Context
Welsh Labour reduced business rates relief from 75% to 40%, impacting small businesses negatively.
David Davies
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is disgraceful that pubs in Wales are going to be paying, on average, thousands of pounds more in business rates because the Welsh Senedd Government have not passed on the money that has been given to them by the UK Government, and it is disgraceful that small tourism businesses are facing a tourism tax levy.
Session: Cost of Living
View All Questions -->
As media report the retirement of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, there are obvious questions about Britain's future amphibious capability. Does the Minister agree that our Royal Marine commandos are an asset we cannot afford to lose?
Context
HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion are retiring, leading to questions about Britain's future amphibious capabilities.
Grant Shapps
I absolutely agree. The Royal Marines are essential. I have asked the First Sea Lord to provide a plan for how their excellent work will be taken forward.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
North Wales has always been the poor relative to south Wales, where the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff fund their voter bases. However, thanks to the foresight of this Conservative Government, money is now flowing from Whitehall to Wrexham—£13 million from the levelling-up fund, £20 million from the towns fund, £24 million from the shared prosperity fund and the prospect of a £160 million investment zone. We are working on a civil service hub. Does the Secretary of State agree that, after 20 years of neglect from the Welsh Labour Government, this Conservative Government have put Wrexham firmly on the map?
Context
The question arises due to a long history of economic disparity between North and South Wales, with the context of recent funding allocations by the Conservative Government.
David Davies
I am absolutely delighted to agree with my hon. Friend: the UK Government are putting Wrexham on the map. I was, of course, delighted with the £160 million investment zone across Wrexham in Flintshire, which was marked by a visit from the Chancellor to the area. The £20 million towns fund for Wrexham will ensure long-term certainty and investment for the area and for the growth deal.
Session: Impact of Autumn Statement
View All Questions -->
What assessment he has made of the impact of the autumn statement on the Welsh economy. The UK Government's plans aim to grow the economy and incentivise work, including a national insurance tax change from January that will put £324 back into the pockets of 1.2 million workers across Wales.
Context
The question arises in the context of evaluating recent fiscal policy decisions and their economic implications for Wales.
David Davies
The autumn statement set out the UK Government's plans to grow the economy and incentivise work so that economic growth can be felt throughout the United Kingdom. That will include a national insurance tax change from January, which will put £324 back into the pockets of 1.2 million workers across Wales.
Session: Impact of Autumn Statement
View All Questions -->
The Defence Select Committee's inquiry into women in armed forces noted progress but unacceptable culture. 60 female senior civil servants made allegations of abuse; would the Minister comment?
Context
60 female senior civil servants at the MOD have made allegations of sexual assault, harassment and abuse.
Andrew Murrison
Thank you for your question, my hon. Friend. It is unacceptable. The permanent secretary has written to the Department with an action plan addressing specific issues raised, including asking non-executive directors to conduct a review.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
The Wrexham-Flintshire investment zone bid could bring huge benefits to my region, including more and better-paid jobs. An investment zone requires collaboration between the Welsh and UK Governments. There is a possibility that the UK Government could support two zones in Wales, but the Welsh Government have yet to give me a commitment to a second zone. If they do, will the UK Government also commit?
Context
The Wrexham-Flintshire investment zone bid could bring significant benefits including jobs to the region.
David Davies
I can assure my hon. Friend that I have made a very strong case to Cabinet colleagues for two investment zones in Wales. She is right that we need the co-operation of the Welsh Labour Government. I suggest that she, and any Members who represent north Wales, write to the Welsh Labour Government's economic development Minister and suggest that Welsh Government prioritise two investment zones for Wales. We would be delighted to work with them when they get around to doing that.
Session: Cost of Living
View All Questions -->
Asked if the Home Secretary can join her in praising North Wales police for their approach to tackling antisocial behaviour, despite delays from the Welsh Labour Government.
Context
Disaffected youths have been causing antisocial behaviour at the Wrexham bus station. Inspector Luke Hughes and his team are using dispersal orders effectively.
Suella Braverman
I am afraid the litany of ridiculous policy announcements by Labour is reaching record levels. I mean, we only have to look at the last two days. A period of silence from the Labour party would be welcome. The 20 mph zone is ridiculous. My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Dispersal orders are a regrettable but necessary power that the police have at their disposal. We are going even further with our antisocial behaviour action plan by expanding police powers such as public space protection orders and community protection notices, enabling the police to take rapid and effective action to disperse people and to stop nuisance and criminal antisocial behaviour.
Session: Antisocial Behaviour
View All Questions -->
What work is the MOD doing across Government Departments, and the private and public sectors to combat hybrid threats?
Context
There is concern about hybrid threats and espionage campaigns by Russia against Western democracies.
James Heappey
The Deputy Prime Minister leads a cross-Government effort. The National Security Act 2023, National Security Investment Act 2021 and the £2.6 billion investment through the national cyber strategy 2022 are part of the efforts to combat state threats.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Welsh Labour Government about the collapse of their super-sponsor scheme? Does she know how many families are still inappropriately placed. The world is welcome in Wales, yet the super-sponsor scheme fell apart due to a lack of accommodation and planning.
Context
The Labour-Plaid coalition in Cardiff declared Wales a sanctuary for all, but their Ukrainian sponsorship programme failed due to inadequate accommodation and planning.
Suella Braverman
My hon. Friend raises a very important point. She speaks frankly to Labour's abject failure to offer any viable plan for support. Labour is naive about the problem, and it is unrealistic about the solution. Labour has no idea and no plan, and it is letting Wales down.
Session: Net Migration
View All Questions -->
I welcome the progress made towards establishing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, but after 40 years of waiting—I have also been raising the case in the Chamber over the past three and a half years—Mr Vaughan-Jones and his family have never received a conclusive account of what happened to his brother Robert, 2 Para, at Warrenpoint in 1979. Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me to discuss the case and progress?
Context
The question relates to a supplementary query about the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, focusing on the need for families of victims like Mr Vaughan-Jones' brother Robert to receive conclusive accounts.
Chris Heaton-Harris
My hon. Friend raises a critical point and I would be delighted to meet her to talk about it. As I said earlier, many families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain still do not have the answers they require about the acts of serious harm committed in the troubles. The system has not worked as it is, which is why we need to pass the Bill and establish the ICRIR as soon as possible.
Session: Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
View All Questions -->
What recent progress his Department has made on establishing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. I have been raising this issue in the Chamber over the past three and a half years, but after 40 years of waiting, Mr Vaughan-Jones and his family have never received a conclusive account of what happened to his brother Robert, 2 Para, at Warrenpoint in 1979.
Context
The question arises from the ongoing efforts to establish a commission aimed at resolving historical issues related to the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Chris Heaton-Harris
My hon. Friend raises a critical point and I would be delighted to meet her to talk about it. As I said earlier, many families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain still do not have the answers they require about the acts of serious harm committed in the troubles. The system has not worked as it is, which is why we need to pass the Bill and establish the ICRIR as soon as possible.
Session: Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
View All Questions -->
The Mayor of London has generously permitted 54,000 friends and family of Transport for London workers free travel around London. He has also granted police officers from eight services free travel when not in uniform. Will the Minister explain to service personnel, particularly those from Woolwich barracks, why they can travel free only while in full uniform, which makes them and those around them a target? Are there any plans to rectify that discrepancy?
Context
Service personnel, especially those from Woolwich barracks, face limitations on free travel in London when not in uniform.
James Heappey
The Labour Mayor of London is also expanding the ultra low emission zone charge, which will affect thousands of armed forces personnel who are based in the outer boroughs. I suspect that our Opposition colleagues will have heard of this impact on their cost of living, and will be earnestly encouraging their Mayor to ensure that free travel is extended to armed forces personnel who are not travelling in uniform.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Does the Secretary of State agree that the Welsh Government need to stop playing the blame game and start working in partnership for the betterment of patients?
Context
The question concerns the performance of the Welsh ambulance service, specifically in Wrexham Maelor Hospital where targets are consistently missed.
Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
My hon. Friend raises an extremely powerful point. It is not only those targets in Wales that are being missed. She will know that people are almost twice as likely to be waiting for treatment in the Labour-run Welsh NHS than they are in England: 21.3% in Wales compared with 12.8% in England. She will also know that the number of two-year waits for operations in Wales, at over 50,000, is considerably higher than that in England, which is below 2,000.
Session: Ambulance Response Times
View All Questions -->
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was taken out of special measures in 2020 without any tangible improvements. Last week, the board walked out en masse because it no longer had faith in the Welsh Labour Government. The health service is now back in special measures. The Welsh Government run the NHS in Wales, so if the First Minister of Wales were to ask, would the UK Government step in to support them?
Context
The situation of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board returning to special measures.
Steve Barclay
We are always happy to assist colleagues across the United Kingdom as part of our commitment to the Union. My hon. Friend is right to highlight current performance in Wales. As I have said, patients are waiting twice as long for hospital treatment in Wales as in England, and more than 50,000 people in Wales are waiting for more than two years for their operation.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
What steps he is taking to improve ambulance response times?
Context
The question arises from concerns about ambulance performance and patient flow within hospitals.
Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
We published the urgent and emergency care recovery plan, which set out a number of measures to improve patient flow within hospitals, which has an impact on ambulance performance. In addition, we are purchasing 800 new ambulances, which will be on the road this year.
Session: Ambulance Response Times
View All Questions -->
HMP Berwyn in Wrexham is piloting an MOJ employment board, chaired by John Murphy of J. Murphy and Sons and the governor, Nick Leader. The board brings together businesses and agencies to equip prisoners with meaningful employment ahead of release via work academies that certify them in logistics, construction and hospitality, while addressing issues for reoffending. I sit on the board, and I know that the Justice Secretary has not visited the UK's newest and largest prison, so will he visit, please?
Context
HMP Berwyn is piloting an MOJ employment board to equip prisoners with meaningful employment ahead of release via work academies.
Dominic Raab
How could I resist such a tantalising offer? My hon. Friend makes the case powerfully.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
The charity Salute Her has reported that 133 women—a third of its caseload —presented themselves to it last year having suffered a sexual assault. They also presented themselves to defence community mental health services but were subsequently discharged from the military owing to their having a personality disorder. Will the Minister look into the service to ensure that due clinical rigour is applied before people are discharged with a personality disorder?
Context
The charity Salute Her reported that a third of its caseload presented themselves with sexual assault issues, leading to their discharge due to personality disorder.
Andrew Murrison
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and predecessor. I see no evidence that people are being misdiagnosed or mismanaged. This is, of course, a matter for healthcare professionals and consultant psychiatrists in particular, and I cannot really interfere with their diagnoses, but I have noted my hon. Friend's concerns, and I will certainly look into the issue.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Given that the Prime Minister has advocated for charging for GP appointments, will he rule out any extension of user charges in the NHS?
Context
Prime Minister's advocacy for charging for GP appointments and one predecessor urged to charge for A&E visits.
Steve Barclay
The Secretary of State clarified that the Prime Minister remains committed to treatment being free at the point of use, contrary to misrepresentation.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
As my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Dame Nia Griffith) has just reminded the House, the Secretary of State, the Minister and their predecessors repeatedly promised that Wales would receive “not a penny less” to replace EU structural funds to Wales. Not only have they failed to deliver on that promise, but record inflation has hit the Welsh Government's budget hard. Higher education has been excluded from levelling-up processes, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Why are his Government letting down people in Wales?
Context
The Welsh Government has been shortchanged by the UK Government's shared prosperity fund, resulting in a double whammy due to record inflation. The higher education sector is shut out of levelling-up processes and faces job cuts.
James Davies
I joined the Secretary of State on a visit to Bangor University last week, highlighting the importance of funding mechanisms for higher education. There are various schemes through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy aimed at supporting the university sector in Wales.
Session: UK Government Funding for Wales
View All Questions -->
Will Mr Vaughan-Jones receive a conclusive report about his brother's death so that he can finally have closure?
Context
The questioner seeks a conclusive report timeline for the family of Robert Vaughan-Jones who died in Warrenpoint during the Troubles.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Bill's information recovery process will be supported by comprehensive investigative powers and full state disclosure, providing families with a fast route to as full an account as possible about what happened to their loved ones and closure, where that is possible.
Session: Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill
View All Questions -->
Can the Minister explain how he plans to implement the latter in restrictive services such as the submarine service?
Context
Recent changes to the service complaints system include separating alleged victims from perpetrators during criminal investigations.
Andrew Murrison
I am grateful to my hon. Friend who has done so much to advance the cause of women in the armed forces. She will be aware of the two current inquiries into behaviour on submarines and I am not going to prejudice their outcomes. I expect them to make their recommendations and will report on them to the House as soon as I can.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
The previous Minister for Government efficiency, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Mr Rees-Mogg), visited Wrexham to discuss its potential under the Places for Growth programme, with a view to locating a civil service Ministry of Justice hub in the city. Will the Minister please give me an update?
Context
The Places for Growth programme has the potential to locate a Ministry of Justice hub in Wrexham.
Alex Burghart
As my hon. Friend mentions, the Government Property Agency is in dialogue with the Cabinet Office's Places for Growth programme team to identify the possible demand for relocating civil service roles to Wrexham. Discussions are ongoing in a number of regions and cities across the country; I am sure she will understand that, until further commercial negotiations are concluded and Departments have informed staff, Government hub locations cannot be confirmed. However, I can confirm that future locations are under active consideration.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Campaigns and equipment rely on people, and people need to be at the centre of future defence planning. However, last week there was an urgent question on conduct towards women in the Royal Navy. The urgent priority to address unacceptable behaviour and culture has been stretched to a five-year vision, so will the Secretary of State give further reassurances that service personnel will be at the heart of the integrated review and defence Command Paper refresh?
Context
Last week there was an urgent question on conduct towards women in the Royal Navy.
Ben Wallace
First, let me say how grateful I am to my hon. Friend for the time and effort she gave, even before she entered the Department. She will be a loss to the Department. If I had more Ministers, I would desperately have liked her to have remained to continue her work on women in the armed forces. Like her, I know that there is urgency. We are working at pace. We have already introduced some secondary legislation. We are going to set up soon all the things promised in our report, and I would be delighted if she would like to accompany me on any of those steps.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Since the Ministry of Defence committed to hosting an international Five Eyes conference to share best practice following the committee's report on gender equality in the military, will she commit to attending this conference with me?
Context
Following the Defence Committee's report, which highlighted gender inequalities for women in the military, there has been good progress noted on the ground.
Leo Docherty
Yes.
Session: Gender Inequalities Armed Forces
View All Questions -->
What discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Defence on tackling gender inequalities in the armed forces? The Defence Committee's report contained important recommendations that have been tested and adopted almost entirely. We are committed to a 30% in-flow target of women into the military by 2030, improved equipment, uniforms, and childcare support.
Context
The Defence Committee's report highlighted gender inequalities for women in the military, prompting discussions on progress and commitments to improve conditions.
Leo Docherty
Women are an integral part of our armed forces. Recommendations from the hon. Member's report have been adopted almost entirely after testing them with the Army Servicewomen's Network. We aim for a 30% in-flow target of women by 2030, have improved equipment and uniforms, and introduced wraparound childcare support.
Session: Gender Inequalities Armed Forces
View All Questions -->
As has been mentioned, the Commonwealth games are fast approaching, allowing athletes from Wales to display their proud individualism under our great Union. Will my hon. Friend the Minister join me in congratulating Jacob Edwards from Olympus Gymnastics in Wrexham, and wishing him all the best as he represents Team Wales?
Context
The Commonwealth games are approaching, and Jacob Edwards from Olympus Gymnastics in Wrexham is representing Team Wales.
Nigel Huddleston
I am absolutely delighted to wish Jacob Edwards the best of luck. Of course, the nations compete separately in the Commonwealth games, so there is an England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales dynamic that we do not have in the Olympics. I wish all nations the best of luck.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Wrexham's levelling-up gateway bid has been supported by a 16,000-signature petition to create the first international sporting stadium in north Wales. Does my right hon. Friend agree that people are at the heart of the Government's levelling-up agenda, and that the amount of people who have signed that petition demonstrates the need for such a scheme in places like Wrexham, which has been ignored by the Welsh Labour Government for 20 years?
Context
Wrexham's levelling-up gateway bid has been supported by a significant petition showing local support, and it is argued that the area has long been neglected by the Welsh Labour Government.
Simon Clarke
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for Wrexham. I remember her coming to see me to talk about the merits of this particular bid, which obviously has enormous popular support; the number of people who have signed her petition testifies to precisely that.
Session: Levelling Up
View All Questions -->
What fiscal steps his Department is taking to encourage levelling up across the UK. I am concerned about ensuring every corner of the United Kingdom sees progress and improvement in their local communities through government investment.
Context
The question arises from the need to encourage economic and social development across all regions of the UK, particularly focusing on areas that have been historically underfunded or neglected.
Simon Clarke
The levelling-up White Paper set out a clear plan to level up every corner of the United Kingdom by 2030. At the spending review last autumn, the Government showed how we would deliver our ambitious plan by delivering over £600 billion in gross public sector investment over this Parliament. That includes £4.8 billion in increased investment in local communities through the levelling-up fund, £1.6 billion for the next generation of the British Business Bank's regional investment fund, and £2.6 billion for the shared prosperity fund.
Session: Levelling Up
View All Questions -->
Wrexham's levelling-up gateway bid is supported by a 16,000-signature petition, which we will present to No. 10, to redevelop the Kop stand at the racecourse and create an international sporting stadium in north Wales for the first time. Does the Minister agree that people are at the heart of the Government's levelling-up agenda and the amount of people who have signed the petition shows its true value?
Context
The Wrexham area is supporting a petition to redevelop the Kop stand at the racecourse and create an international sporting stadium.
Neil O'Brien
My hon. Friend makes an important point. I pay tribute to her leadership on this issue. We look forward to seeing the bid.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Last week, a BBC Wales documentary reported on the shocking state of Wrexham Maelor Hospital and the NHS in north Wales, which is led by the Welsh Labour Government and was in special measures before covid. The average wait for referred treatment in England is 13 weeks, but in Wales it is 24 weeks. In the words of Nuffield Trust, the “treatment…may as well not be there”. Wrexham deserves better, so does the Minister agree that the Welsh Labour Government need to vastly improve the NHS in north Wales before more lives are lost?
Context
The MP criticizes the NHS situation in north Wales, particularly Wrexham Maelor Hospital, highlighting longer wait times for referred treatment compared to England.
Sajid Javid
I do of course agree with my hon. Friend. There are huge challenges for the NHS here in England, but as she has highlighted, the challenges are much greater in Wales because of how the Labour Government there neglected the NHS, way before the pandemic as well as during it. When it comes to leadership, although the Messenger review was commissioned for England, I think they would do well to learn some lessons from it.
Session: Health and Social Care Leadership and Management
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
[Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]
09 December 2021
Responding: Leo Docherty
Main Concerns
["The Committee's inquiry uncovered shocking evidence of sexual assault, poor standards of investigation, and systematic bullying. Women reported facing extra challenges for being a woman, with 62% experiencing some form of abuse, including harassment, discrimination, or physical/sexual assault. Only 16% of sexual abuse allegations had forensic evidence taken within the 14-day window, and many women were re-traumatised when reporting complaints to their chain of command."]
Specific Asks
['The Minister should explain why rape cases will continue to be heard in military courts rather than civilian ones. He must also clarify the independence of an outsourced investigation service handling complaints of a sexual nature, and whether this process will apply to harassment, bullying, and discrimination cases as well.']
Ukraine and Georgia
15 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Defending the UK and Allies
15 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
LGBT Veterans Independent Review
13 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
War in Ukraine
24 October 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Veterans Update
19 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon Review
15 June 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cost of Living Committee
14 June 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Scottish National Party highlights the impact of rising energy, food, and housing costs exacerbated by years of austerity measures and benefit cuts. The party criticises the Conservative governmen...
Top Secret Document Leaks
18 April 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Metropolitan Police: Casey Review
21 March 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Industrial Action on the Railway
20 June 2022
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
5
PMQs Asked
74
Ministerial Questions Asked
29
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
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
+37% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+452% above average
This MP:
74
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+497% above average
This MP:
29
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 Sarah Atherton's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.