Simon Clarke
MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Does my right hon. Friend agree—we do not agree on everything—that anyone who want to see why the Government introduced strong Mayors need look only at Ben Houchen in the Tees Valley? From saving our airport to introducing our freeport to bringing steelmaking back, Ben delivers. Does my right hon. Friend also agree that the best thing is that Ben has done this without charging any mayoral tax, which his Labour opponent would need to do to fund his unfunded spending plans?
Context
Ben Houchen, the Strong Mayor of the Tees Valley, has implemented several initiatives including a freeport, airport savings, and steelmaking revival without charging mayoral tax.
Rishi Sunak
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the great work of Ben Houchen. I share his concerns about the pledges of the Labour candidate—over £130 million of unfunded spending, showing that Labour cannot be trusted. The story of Labour in local government is one of working people paying the price.
Assessment
Did not directly address Ben Houchen's achievements or support them specifically; focused on criticizing Labour
Does Not Agree On Everything
Concerns About Labour'S Spending
Session: PMQs
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I am concerned about the shameful attempt by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough to smear the amazing Teesworks project. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that it was always an integral part of the business case that the private sector should co-invest alongside Government and that the Teesworks arrangements have been checked and approved by the Government? Can he reconfirm his full support for the Teesworks project, reassure investors, and join me in calling for the Labour party to apologise?
Context
The Teesworks regeneration project is facing criticism from opposition members, specifically the hon. Member for Middlesbrough.
Oliver Dowden
My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct to raise this issue. This is the UK's first freeport and it continues to attract billions of pounds of private sector investment, creating jobs and supporting the local economy. I think the whole House will see through the inexcusable attempts by the Labour party to talk down those successes on Teesside, where local leaders are working tirelessly to improve that region for the first time in a generation.
Assessment
Did not confirm private sector co-investment or explicitly reassure investors about government backing; Avoided calling on Labour to apologise directly.
Session: PMQs
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Levelling up will matter more than ever as we emerge from the pandemic next year, and I was delighted to see the first town deals announced last week. They will deliver transformative investment for places such as Darlington. Will my right hon. Friend prioritise rapid decision making in the cases of Middlesbrough and Loftus, which have applications pending for this vital fund?
Context
The MP is concerned about the pending applications for Middlesbrough and Loftus from the levelling up fund.
Boris Johnson
Yes indeed, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on lobbying for Middlesbrough in the way that he has. Tees Valley is already getting £126 million from the local growth fund. The devolution deal will mean £450 million extra for transport, skills and employment, and Middlesbrough will get at least £500,000 from the towns fund.
Assessment
Did not specifically address rapid decision making on pending applications.
Session: PMQs
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Reports suggest the Home Office is buying large amounts of property in some poor areas, risking a repeat of the 2016 situation. Will the Minister reassure me that this procurement is not ongoing?
Context
Concerns exist about the Home Office procuring property in poorer areas, similar to the situation seen in Middlesbrough in 2016, which could strain local communities.
Tom Pursglove
We are not actively pursuing procurement in the three local authorities cited, including Middlesbrough. We aim to reduce accommodation needs through policies that address illegal immigration flows.
Session: Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Hotels
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I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer, which is reassuring news, because Skelton Primary is a very good school but it is in need of a comprehensive rebuild. The headteacher, Mrs Walker, worked through last summer in the expectation that the rebuild could begin as soon as this Easter, but that has not happened, because the builders came back saying that more money was required. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that that date of the end of the summer is now fixed? Will it be possible for me to meet the civil service team in charge to discuss this with them further?
Context
Skelton Primary School is undergoing a comprehensive rebuild under the school rebuilding programme announced in July 2021.
Damian Hinds
The scope of works including all funding has been confirmed for Skelton Primary School. Construction work is expected to begin in late summer and complete next year. A meeting with the civil service team can be arranged if it would be helpful.
Session: Skelton Primary School Cleveland
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What progress her Department has made on rebuilding Skelton Primary School in Cleveland. The headteacher, Mrs Walker, expected construction to begin as early as Easter but more funding was required delaying this timeline.
Context
Skelton Primary School is undergoing a comprehensive rebuild under the school rebuilding programme announced in July 2021.
Damian Hinds
Skelton Primary School is part of a batch being delivered by Tilbury Douglas, expected to begin construction in late summer and complete next year. The scope of works including all funding has been confirmed. A meeting with the civil service team can be arranged if it would be helpful.
Session: Skelton Primary School Cleveland
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It is imperative if we are to crack the business model of the evil people smugglers that we operationalise the Rwanda scheme. May I register my profound conviction that the disapplication of elements of the European convention on human rights and the refugee convention will be necessary? The Court of Appeal cited human rights and the Supreme Court cited refoulement. What will it be next time, in the absence of Parliament expressly asserting the will of this House?
Context
The MP believes that operationalising the Rwanda scheme is crucial to cracking down on illegal migration via small boats.
James Cleverly
My right hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point, although I do not want to prejudge the content of the Bill. I listened carefully to his points, and he and the rest of the House should understand that we will do everything we can to ensure that we break the business model of the evil people smugglers he highlights and drive down the small-boat arrivals.
Session: Rwanda Relocation Scheme Supreme Court Judgment
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The nine homes of Aysdalegate near Charltons do not have access to mains water. Over the last decade, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has performed drinking water checks nine times, and on all occasions, the supply has been judged unsatisfactory owing to bacterial contamination, including E.coli and enterococci. A regulation 18 notice, which specifies that the water requires boiling before drinking, has been in place permanently since December 2017, and residents report to me finding tadpoles and other life in their drinking water. That is a Dickensian scandal in 2023, but Northumbrian Water has advised that it will cost these low-income homes over £100 each simply to give them a quote for mains water connection. That is obviously unacceptable. Will my hon. Friend agree to meet me urgently so that we can discuss how to help my constituents?
Context
The MP discusses a specific case where nine homes in Aysdalegate near Charltons do not have access to mains water and have faced repeated issues with bacterial contamination since 2017. The cost for a quote for mains water connection is over £100 per home.
Rebecca Pow
I am sorry to hear about this issue, which my right hon. Friend has already brought to my attention. Our legislation does allow for those on a private supply to request a connection to the mains supply, but it is right that the legislation allows a water company to charge for the cost of making a new connection, because otherwise it would impact on all customers' bills. The local authority can give advice, and I urge him to keep contacting it, but if there is anything more we can discuss usefully, I would be happy to do so.
Session: Non-mains Drinking Water
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What mechanisms exist to supply safe drinking water to homes without access to mains water?
Context
The MP inquires about the mechanisms that exist for supplying safe drinking water to those without access to mains water.
Rebecca Pow
Private drinking water supplies are regulated by local authorities, which receive scientific and technical advice from the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Local authorities sample and identify water-quality risks, can serve notices to correct any issues identified and have remedial powers if those responsible for the supply do not comply with the notice. Private water supply compliance is steadily improving. In 2022, 96.4% of private supplies were compliant, up from 91.4% in 2010.
Session: Non-mains Drinking Water
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Our Conservative police and crime commissioner candidate Steve Turner is rightly calling for a review of the funding allocation formula, so that Cleveland can access future rounds of violence reduction unit funding and start to tackle this menace on our streets. Will my hon. Friend meet Steve Turner and me to discuss this issue and unlock violence reduction unit funding for Cleveland?
Context
Cleveland missed out on previous rounds of violence reduction unit funding, affecting efforts to tackle violent crime.
Kit Malthouse
My hon. Friend is a doughty and, I have to say, given recent announcements, successful advocate for investment and funding for his part of the world, and I would of course be more than happy to meet him. He is right that Cleveland missed out on violence reduction unit funding last time, falling just outside the funding formula, but I would be happy to talk to him about what more we can do to help the police and crime commissioner—who hopefully will be a Conservative after the May elections—and the chief constable to tackle some of the violent crime that plagues parts of Cleveland, and bring peace and light into the future.
Session: Cleveland Police
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I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. We live in uncertain times and should always maintain peace through strength, of which the nuclear deterrent is the best example. Will he join me in thanking all those involved in both delivering the Dreadnought programme and operating the Vanguard boats with such dedication and skill in the intervening period until they are replaced?
Context
The MP thanked the Minister for his previous answer on Dreadnought programme progress and emphasised maintaining peace through strength.
Ben Wallace
Continuous at-sea deterrence has kept us safe for more than 50 years. I recognise and thank all the personnel involved and their families for the tremendous sacrifices they make, and I am proud of all our Royal Navy and industrial partners for delivering this very important Government commitment.
Session: Dreadnought Class Nuclear Submarine
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What progress is being made on the development of the Dreadnought class nuclear submarine; and when he plans for the first of that class to enter service.
Context
The MP inquired about the progress of the Dreadnought class nuclear submarine, a critical defence project.
Ben Wallace
The 2020 annual update to Parliament on the United Kingdom's future nuclear deterrent provides progress details on the Dreadnought submarine programme. The programme remains on track to deliver the first of class in the early 2030s, underpinned by around 30,000 defence nuclear enterprise jobs across the United Kingdom.
Session: Dreadnought Class Nuclear Submarine
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I have seen for myself on visits to the fantastic jobcentres in Guisborough and Loftus how the teams there really value universal credit, and how it has helped to support people over the last turbulent year. Will my hon. Friend reassure my constituents that there is no question of universal credit going anywhere, and does he agree that the Leader of the Opposition calling for it to be scrapped is simply the height of opportunism and irresponsibility?
Context
The question comes from visits to jobcentres in Guisborough and Loftus, highlighting the value staff sees in Universal Credit during the turbulent year.
Will Quince
The universal credit system and tens of thousands of dedicated, incredible DWP staff have processed an unprecedented number of claims—over 3 million since mid-March. The IFS slammed Labour's pledge to scrap UC as uncosted, unwise…expensive, disruptive and unnecessary. The Government believe that work should always pay and we need a welfare system that helps people into work, supports those who need it and is fair to those who pay for it. Remember: no Labour Government have ever left office with unemployment lower than when they started.
Session: Covid-19 Universal Credit
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What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of universal credit in supporting people during the covid-19 outbreak. Thanks to its modern, dynamic system, Universal Credit effectively supported nearly 6 million people with over 90% of new claimants receiving their first payment in full and on time.
Context
The question arises from an assessment on how well Universal Credit supported people during the pandemic.
Will Quince
Thanks to Universal Credit's modern, dynamic and agile system, it has effectively supported nearly 6 million people, with over 90% of new claimants receiving their first payment in full and on time. This is in stark contrast to the paper-based legacy system.
Session: Covid-19 Universal Credit
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One of the best tools to level up economic opportunity across the UK after we leave the EU will be free ports. Does she recognise the strong case for designating Teesport, and will she praise the work of PD Ports and my friend the Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen?
Context
Free ports are seen as one of the best tools to level up economic opportunity across the UK after leaving the European Union. A strong bid has been made by Teesport and PD Ports, with support from Ben Houchen.
Kemi Badenoch
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that free ports will benefit communities across the UK by unleashing economic potential, confirming our intent to deliver free ports by 2021 through an open and transparent bidding process.
Session: Economic Growth and Productivity UK Nations and Regions
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What steps his Department is taking to ensure long-term equity of (a) economic growth and (b) productivity throughout the nations and regions of the UK. The Government are committed to levelling up opportunity so that all people and places across the UK benefit from economic growth, but specific measures are needed.
Context
The question arises from the need to ensure long-term equity in economic growth and productivity across all regions of the UK, particularly after the impact of COVID-19.
Kemi Badenoch
From £2 billion new kickstart scheme to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds to £1 billion for local projects to boost local recovery, the Department will protect jobs, support economic growth and boost productivity across all nations and regions of the UK.
Session: Economic Growth and Productivity UK Nations and Regions
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It is important that communities, such as mine in Middlesbrough, can see a way out of the tighter local restrictions that have now been imposed. Notwithstanding my right hon. Friend's earlier, very reasonable answer to the hon. Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins) about the impossibility of setting hard metrics for the release from lockdown, can he set out what would constitute a path out? Does it include, for example, a sustained fall in transmission rates?
Context
Communities need a clear path out of tighter local restrictions.
Matthew Hancock
The level of cases matters, but so too does the direction of travel, and when the number of cases is falling—especially if it is falling rapidly—that is the sort of indicator that we will look at. One example is the action we took in Leicester a few months ago now, where we removed some of the most restrictive measures when the numbers were coming down sharply.
Session: Topical Questions
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We are clear that this is a central priority for the Budget in March. Obviously, I am not going to disclose details of that today, but the Government have a clean growth strategy.
Context
The topic concerns the upcoming Budget and its focus on clean growth.
The Prime Minister
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. We are clear that this is a central priority for the Budget in March. Obviously, I am not going to disclose details of that today, but the Government have a clean growth strategy. We are clear that green finance lies at the heart of the UK's offer to the world, and obviously that goes for both the private and public sectors; we need to bring together the whole strength of the country to make a truly radical offer.
Session: Carbon Emissions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Planning Reform
13 March 2024
Responding: Felicity Buchan
Main Concerns
['The housing shortage in the UK is a crisis that has tripled house prices since 1973, with an average home costing over £284,000 today. The ratio of house prices to incomes has more than doubled in the last two decades. Young people are struggling to afford homes, and overcrowded conditions persist. There is a shortfall of well over 4 million homes according to Centre for Cities report. I am concerned about the failed top-down approach to setting housing targets and the impact on local green belt areas. The current system does not allow for councils to meet their housing needs without sacrificing undeveloped green belt land. My constituency of St Albans is facing a significant challenge with an outdated adopted local plan that has led to inappropriate development, including large executive homes instead of family-sized three-bedroom houses.']
Specific Asks
['The planning system needs reform to build more homes. The Government should press on with community land auctions (CLAs) under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, ensuring local authorities can capture uplift in value from development. Leasehold reform is also crucial, along with addressing low-quality housing designs and nutrient neutrality issues. I ask the Government to confirm whether the strategic rail freight interchange can be taken into account when determining housing targets. Additionally, I request clarification on whether updates have been made to planning practice guidance and a commitment to provide updated guidance for local authorities and the planning inspector, making it clear that protection of undeveloped green belt sites should take precedence over meeting top-down housing targets.']
Mains Water Connections: Cost for Rural Communities
05 September 2023
Responding: Rebecca Pow
Main Concerns
["Residents of Aysdalegate in Simon Clarke's constituency lack access to mains water, using a private supply that has failed quality checks nine times over the last decade. The water is contaminated with E. coli and enterococci bacteria, requiring boiling before use due to Regulation 18 notices since December 2017. Residents face financial hardship from bottled water costs and boil notices without improvement. One constituent reported finding tadpoles and rodent evidence in drinking water."]
Specific Asks
['Clarke asks the Minister to consider a special fund for exceptional cases like Aysdalegate, where connecting homes to mains water would be too expensive for residents but should not burden wider bill payers significantly. He seeks clarity on what the Government will do to ensure safe drinking water access for isolated communities.']
COP26 Conference Priorities
22 July 2021
Responding: Rebecca Pow
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about the urgent need to address climate change, highlighting recent extreme weather events and their impact on global security, economy, and environment. He emphasises that unchecked climate change could render vast areas of the world uninhabitable and lead to poverty, mass migration, and political instability. The UK's emissions have been reduced by nearly half since 1990 but more action is needed in sectors like home heating and insulation, heavy industry, agriculture, aviation, and shipping."]
Specific Asks
['The MP calls for the Government to lead on research into new technologies such as green steel, support heat pumps, and protect those who cannot afford them. He also urges the UK to maintain intense diplomatic activity to encourage other nations to adopt net zero targets and take significant emission cuts during this decade.']
Pectus Deformity Treatment: NHS Funding
24 November 2020
Responding: Edward Argar
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the lack of NHS-funded treatment for pectus excavatum, a condition that has severely impacted a young girl named Autumn Bradley in my constituency. The current NHS policy does not allow for surgery even in severe cases like Autumn's, despite it being widely available and effective elsewhere in the UK and internationally. This decision is based on outdated literature reviews and excludes crucial evidence about the physical benefits of surgery. Autumn's surgeon, Mr Dunning, estimates that approximately 50 patients a year in England suffer from life-limiting symptoms due to this policy."]
Specific Asks
['I ask the government to reconsider its wider policy on pectus deformity treatment urgently. While such a review is underway, I propose establishing a facility for surgeons to discuss evidence for severe cases and allow selected centres to perform operations, reporting findings in a registry to inform future policies.']
NHS
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
International Health Regulations
14 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Defence Spending
24 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Smoking Reduction and Tobacco Control Bill - Clause 1
16 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the Bill, stating its purpose is to prevent future generations from starting smoking. Argues that the only product that kills two thirds of its long-term users if consumed as intended is tobacco...
Iran-Israel Update
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Teesworks Joint Venture
29 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Not specified in the provided text - Amendment 45, page 2, line 33, leave out “a safe” and insert “an unsafe”
16 January 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment aims to change the classification of Rwanda from 'safe' to 'unsafe'. Alison Thewliss is advocating for this change due to concerns about human rights violations, asylum seekers’ safety a...
Immigration and Asylum Bill - Clause dealing with Rwanda
12 December 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government are implementing measures to reduce illegal immigration, noting that small boat arrivals across the Channel have decreased by a third while they increased in other European regions such...
Gender Recognition
06 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Legal Migration
04 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Protection of monuments of Captain James Cook
10 March 2021
The petitioners are concerned about the potential harm or removal of monuments and sites that commemorate Captain James Cook, who is celebrated for his contributions to science, exploration, and carto...
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3
PMQs Asked
15
Ministerial Questions Asked
60
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
10
Statements / Bills
1
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+12% above average
This MP:
15
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+59% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1135% above average
This MP:
60
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
+6% above average
This MP:
10
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-59% below average
This MP:
1
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 Simon Clarke's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.