Sarah Russell
MP for Congleton
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Dr Carly Mellor, an NHS dentist in my constituency, recently said the following: 'Ministers had pledged to fix the failed contract we work to within this Parliament. The Government has begun discussions on a new contract, and promised a public consultation on it this summer.' Can we please start the consultation without delay?
Context
An NHS dentist in the constituency cited problems with the current dental contract, leading to financial losses and reduced access to care.
Keir Starmer
We will consult on a reformed dental contract soon. We have delivered over 1.8 million additional courses of NHS treatment, embedded urgent care into the contract for fast access to care, and are delivering extra dentist training through expanded dental school places.
Assessment
Immediate start date for consultation
Will Consult Soon
Session: PMQs 2026-07-01
View Full Session -->
In my area, the improvement on potholes is noticeable, and I thank the Government for the additional funding, which is being used for large patching work; no longer is there just shovelling into endless holes. I am concerned, however, about road safety in my constituency. Understandably, the money has been prioritised for addressing the enormous backlog of roadworks that developed under the last Government. What more can we do to ensure safety, as well as good road conditions?
Context
With the recent funding, there has been noticeable improvement in potholes but concerns remain about overall road safety. The previous government's neglect created a backlog that is now being addressed.
Simon Lightwood
My hon. Friend will be aware that this Government brought forward, for the first time in over a decade, a road safety strategy. In addition, we have introduced a red, amber and green rating of local authorities, to identify where extra support is necessary in order to improve systems and practices, so that we can banish the potholes once and for all.
Session: Road Repairs New Technology 2026-07-16
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My local community energy company, run by volunteers, is keen to get solar panels on the roofs of local public buildings but has struggled with obtaining permissions from the local authority. They missed two installation windows. Does the Minister agree that we need this process to hurry up?
Context
A local community energy company is seeking permission to install solar panels on the roofs of public buildings.
Michael Shanks
Yes, I completely agree. I am sure if my hon. Friend's local authority is listening, it will hurry up and make those decisions. We also want the process to be more standardised across the country.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-07-07
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Will she give me an assurance that she will continue to engage with Northern Ireland's Attorney General and Justice Minister to ensure that prosecution rates are also increased in Northern Ireland?
Context
There has been a significant increase in femicide cases, with 29 women murdered since 2020 in Northern Ireland.
Ellie Reeves
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that important point, and am happy to engage further on these really important matters.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls Prosecutions
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What steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates for cases involving violence against women and girls. I very much welcome that news. Prosecution rates in cases involving violence against women and girls are shamefully low. I strongly welcome the Government's ambition to tackle violence against women and girls, including our manifesto commitments to fast-track rape cases and introduce specialist courts. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the Government's progress on those promises?
Context
The prosecution rates in cases of violence against women and girls are notably low, leading to concerns about the justice system's effectiveness.
Ellie Reeves
Today, I can announce an additional £5 million of funding for the CPS, which will be invested to benefit victims of domestic abuse. In three pilot areas, victims will be offered meetings with prosecutors ahead of Crown court trials, ensuring that their voices are heard and better supporting them to remain engaged in the criminal justice process. This offer is already available to victims of rape and serious sexual assault across the country. From speaking with prosecutors and victims, I know the difference that those meetings can make, and I am pleased to see them extended to victims of domestic abuse. I would be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss these issues in more detail.
Session: Violence against Women and Girls Prosecutions
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Since 2004, the limit on relief for small employers at which they can reclaim statutory maternity pay has been set at £45,000. Small and medium-sized enterprises want to support working parents, but they need our help to do so. Will the Minister confirm whether that will be looked at as part of the parental leave review?
Context
The limit on relief for small employers at which they can reclaim statutory maternity pay has not changed since 2004.
Kate Dearden
I thank my hon. Friend for her advocacy on this issue. The Government acknowledge that the class 1 national insurance contributions threshold used to determine eligibility for small employers' relief on statutory parental pay has remained unchanged for several years. Part of the relief is an additional compensation payment, known as small employers' compensation. Last April, the Government increased the SEC rate from 3% to 8.5%, and we will increase it to 9% from 6 April 2026. The Government keep all eligibility criteria under review while balancing the needs of business and the Exchequer.
Session: Parental Rights at Work
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We have seen in recent days that Iran is bombing data centres across the middle east, and we are well aware that there have been problems with cyber-attacks by non-state and state-backed actors from Iran. Can the Minister please outline what the Government and the National Cyber Security Centre are doing to deal with the increased threat?
Context
The MP inquired about the Government's and National Cyber Security Centre's actions to address the increased threat of cyber-attacks from Iran.
Dan Jarvis
Let me assure my hon. Friend that the Government are absolutely committed to strengthening the UK's resilience. We have invested in the Government Cyber Co-ordination Centre, a leading cross-Government service that is actively monitoring vulnerabilities and enabling a more effective response to threats. The National Cyber Security Centre is closely monitoring the situation in the middle east, and directly engaging with relevant sectors by providing immediate sector-specific information and advice.
Session: Cyber-security
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What steps his Department is taking to help improve the cyber-security of national infrastructure.
Context
The MP asked about steps to improve the cyber-security of national infrastructure, prompted by recent cyber-attacks and threats.
Dan Jarvis
In November, the Government introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill to protect essential digital services from cyber-attacks and to enable the Government to better respond to new cyber-threats. In the spring, we will publish the national cyber action plan, which will strengthen our resilience, tackle the threats and maximise the opportunities for growth in the cyber sector.
Session: Cyber-security
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There is a massive problem with childcare for mothers doing PhDs. Even if they are fully funded for their university research, essentially by the Government, they will not be eligible for free childcare hours and that affects both parents. The average PhD stipend is just £15,000 a year, but the average nursery place is £12,500 a year. Will the Minister look into that?
Context
Mothers pursuing PhDs face challenges accessing free childcare hours despite being funded by the government for their university research, leading to financial strain and difficulties balancing work and family life.
The Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson)
I am happy to discuss that further with my hon. Friend. We are committed to reviewing childcare support and making sure that it is accessible and simple for families. PhD students are not eligible for some elements of support, but depending on income they may be eligible for certain hours. Student parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of early free childcare, which is also available for all three and four-year-olds, regardless of family circumstances.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps she is taking to help increase economic growth in Congleton constituency? In my constituency, Dane Valley Community Energy has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for solar panels on schools and other local buildings, including Daneside theatre and Havannah primary school. Unfortunately, recent Government guidance has suspended applications in respect of solar panels for schools. Will the Chancellor look at that guidance and work with Ministers in other Departments to review that outcome?
Context
The constituency of Congleton faces challenges in economic growth, prompting the MP to seek specific actions from the government. The issue is particularly pressing given recent changes that have impacted community energy projects.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)
I thank my hon. Friend for drawing this issue to my attention. I agree that community projects such as solar panels are a fantastic opportunity to get down bills for schools so that they have more money to spend on teachers and on books. On my hon. Friend’s specific question about solar installations, there was a temporary pause in applications, but I am happy to confirm that the Department for Education has resumed approvals for solar panels on school sites. I would urge my hon. Friend to encourage the schools in her constituency to apply for the new projects in the normal way.
Session: Economic Growth Congleton
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I recently visited Avocet, an innovative manufacturing company based in Holmes Chapel in my constituency. It is looking to grow its business by diversifying into supplying components and materials for drone battery production. However, it has expressed to me the potential for improved support and guidance from the Government in order to break into and thrive in this competitive international market. What steps is the Department taking to support British manufacturing businesses such as Avocet? Does he agree that helping these organisations will unlock vital opportunities for economic growth?
Context
Avocet, an innovative manufacturing company based in Holmes Chapel in Sarah Russell's constituency, is looking to grow its business by diversifying into supplying components and materials for drone battery production. The company has expressed the need for improved support and guidance from the Government.
The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
I do indeed, and my hon. Friend is right. Firms such as that in her constituency hold the future of our security and our economic growth. That is why we have set up UK Defence Innovation and ringfenced it with at least £400 million in the Budget this year, with fresh freedoms. We have also doubled to £4 billion the amount of money that we will invest in British drones and autonomy over this Parliament.
Session: Defence Industrial Base
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I thank the Solicitor General for that answer. The courts system and all the associated IT have been left in the most catastrophic state by the previous Conservative Government. It is shocking that £2 billion was spent on a civil courts IT system that cannot even handle litigation where there is more than one claimant or defendant, which is basic and normal. The particular issue that worries me today, though, is the Legal Aid Agency and the state of its IT system; as she will know, it was the subject of a cyber-attack in the spring. Could she update us on that situation and on any potential plans to build back better?
Context
The previous government's neglect of the IT systems within the criminal justice system, leading to inefficiencies and security breaches. Specifically mentions a £2 billion expenditure on an unsuccessful civil courts IT system that cannot handle multi-party litigation.
The Solicitor General
Unfortunately, my hon. Friend accurately describes the years of neglect of the justice system under the previous Government. She asks specifically about the Legal Aid Agency. The Government took immediate action to bolster the security of the agency’s systems and an injunction was put in place to prohibit the sharing of any breached data. We have put in place contingency plans to ensure that those most in need of legal support can continue to access the help that they need, and we are working at pace to restore services quickly and safely.
Session: Criminal Justice System Technology
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What steps she is taking to reduce the number of children in poverty in Congleton constituency?
Context
The issue of reducing the number of children in poverty, particularly within Sarah Russell's constituency of Congleton.
The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)
As my hon. Friend knows well, improved employment is at the heart of our approach to child poverty, and that is why reductions in economic inactivity and improvements in employment will be part of our child poverty strategy that is to be published very soon.
Session: Poverty Reduction
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In 2016, 120,000 cases were disposed of—in concluded—in the Crown courts. That figure was never achieved again by the Conservative party, and by 2022 the figure was 17% lower. Conservative Members like to blame covid for everything, but there were problems in the system well before that. There has been a systematic failure to modernise processes in our courts for years, as we on the Justice Committee hear far too often. What more can we do to use technology to make our courts more efficient and, most importantly, ensure faster outcomes for victims?
Context
The number of cases disposed of in Crown courts fell by 17% from 2016 to 2022, with the lowest figures since then.
Shabana Mahmood (The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)
My hon. Friend is right to note the issue of falling disposals—in layman’s terms, the number of cases that are completed. The rate of disposals has indeed fallen in recent years, which why I have asked Sir Brian Leveson, as part of his review, to consider how we improve the efficiency of our courts, including further technical or AI-related reform that might assist cases to move more quickly through the system. We will need a three-pronged approach: more funding, which I have already delivered; once-in-a-generation reform, which Sir Brian Leveson is looking at; and going further and faster on productivity and efficiency in the system.
Session: Crown Court Backlog
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How will the Armed Forces Commissioner work with small charities like Listening Out Loud Foundation?
Context
The question concerns the relationship between the Armed Forces Commissioner and service charities.
Luke Pollard
The commissioner will have new relationships with service charities and organisations. The Minister would be happy to meet and visit Listening Out Loud Foundation soon.
Session: Independent Armed Forces Commissioner
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AI-generated creations that mimic real people—deepfakes—can lead to financial and reputational damage for musicians and other creatives. However, as the domestic violence charity Refuge pointed out last year, the most common AI-generated deepfakes are non-consensual sexual depictions of women. How do the Government plan to ensure that creatives, as well as women and girls, are adequately protected from the misappropriation of their voice, image, name and likeness?
Context
The MP raised the issue of AI-generated deepfakes and their impact on women's reputations.
Chris Bryant
I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised this important issue that affects many people. In the words of Stephen Sondheim, “art isn't easy,” and neither is the legislation in this area, but we are determined to look into it. It is already a criminal offence to share an intimate image without consent, whether real or synthetically generated, and we will deliver on our manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes.
Session: Creative Industries Artificial Intelligence
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What recent discussions have there been with representatives of the creative industries on artificial intelligence?
Context
The MP asked about recent discussions with representatives of the creative industries regarding artificial intelligence.
Chris Bryant
I have had many meetings with the creative industries, which have raised AI at every single one. I make it absolutely clear that human creativity deserves remuneration. Wherever we end up, the rights of artists, musicians, publishers and journalists need to be protected while we garner the significant benefits of artificial intelligence.
Session: Creative Industries Artificial Intelligence
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Green Book Review
02 April 2025
Responding: Torsten Bell
Main Concerns
['The constituents of Congleton have not seen significant infrastructure spending for years except where it has been facilitated through house growth. The total capital public spending per person in the north-west was £13,297 per year compared to £14,842 in London. The Green Book needs to address issues that undermine regional economies and must be done with ambition and a willingness to challenge underlying customs and practices.']
Specific Asks
['The review must learn from previous failures, particularly the 2020 review, by valuing transformational impacts of interventions for specific areas, simplifying and speeding up Green Book processes, focusing on place-based analysis, and redressing investment imbalances between regions.']
Full name of the bill being debated - Which clause or amendment is being debated
10 September 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The reasoned amendment tabled by the official Opposition has been selected. The amendment aims to introduce significant changes to the bill to address issues related to [specific issue], highlighting ...
Direction of Government
01 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Criminal Justice Reform
01 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Public Office (Accountability) Bill
14 July 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Home Office and Ministry of Justice
29 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate highlights the significant expenditure of £15.5 billion by the Ministry of Justice in 2024-25, emphasising the interconnected nature of issues within the criminal justice system such as pol...
Water Companies
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital Safety: Children
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response Update
27 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving
23 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Second sitting) 2026-02-03
03 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Sunday rail services in Congleton
17 December 2025
The petition highlights the absence of Sunday train services in Congleton for over a year, making weekend travel difficult and unacceptable given the town’s growth and size.
View Full Petition -->
Sunday rail services in Congleton
03 December 2025
The petitioners are concerned about the absence of Sunday rail services in Congleton for over a year, which makes weekend travel difficult and is deemed inadequate for a growing town.
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
80.6%
79 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
33
33.7% of votes
No Votes
46
46.9% of votes
Abstentions
19
19.4% 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
VOTED NO
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
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
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
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
16
Ministerial Questions Asked
50
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
2
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
+19% above average
This MP:
16
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+929% above average
This MP:
50
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-18% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+16% above average
This MP:
80.6
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 Russell's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.